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Half To Al Wukair Lines Up At Deauville

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Today’s Observations features a half to a young Group 1-winning sire.

11.25 Deauville, Debutantes, €22,000, 2yo, c/g, 7 1/2f (AWT)
VERDERON (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a notable newcomer for Godolphin and Andre Fabre on the Polytrack, being a 500,000gns Tattersalls December Foal Sale purchase. The half-brother to the recent Polytrack listed scorer Indie Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) faces seven on this introduction.

11.55 Deauville, Debutantes, €22,000, 2yo, f, 7 1/2f (AWT)
CASIMIA (IRE) (Siyouni {Fr}) represents her breeders Ballylinch Stud and is a half-sister to the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois hero and Bouquetot resident Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead). Robert Collet saddles the March-foaled bay, who encounters 13 peers on this debut.

4.30 Dundalk, Mdn, €11,000, 2yo, 8f (AWT)
RULING (GER) (Camelot {GB}) cost Qatar Racing Limited 210,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2 and starts out for Joseph O’Brien. His dam is the 2008 G1 Preis der Diana heroine Rosenreihe (Ire) (Catcher In The Rye {Ire}), whose progeny include the G1 Deutsches Derby third Savvy Six (Ger) (Pour Moi {Ire}).

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Funding Boost For Scottish Racing

Scottish horse racing will receive £2-million in grants as part of a £55-million funding package for sports to help navigate the pandemic.

Delly Innes, manager of Scottish Racing, said, “As Scottish racecourses continue to race behind closed doors, this financial support from the government is not only very welcome, but absolutely vital for everyone in our sport. We’re delighted that the Scottish government has recognised the importance of the nation’s second most popular sport and the potentially devastating financial implications the pandemic has had on the industry north of the border. As a group, we are all very grateful to the Government Ministers and officials we have worked with for their support for horse racing in Scotland and we will continue to work closely with them to return crowds to racecourses as soon as possible.”

Scottish Sports Minister Joe Fitzpatrick said, “I am pleased to announce this substantial funding package, which will help to ensure those sports which have been worst affected by the loss of ticket revenue during the pandemic are able to bridge the gap in revenue until spectators are able to return safely to sports events in larger numbers.

“While restrictions on supporters at events have been vital in stopping the spread of the virus and saving lives, there can be no doubt that they have created real hardships for many sports clubs. These clubs are at the heart of our communities and, without urgent financial support, the survival of some could be in question.”

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Cheveley Park Stud Adds To Select NH Team

With restrictions surrounding race meetings continuing in Britain, the Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale was relocated to Tattersalls HQ at Park Paddocks and it was a famous Newmarket name at the top of the buyers’ list.

Cheveley Park Stud, traditionally one of Britain’s foremost owner-breeder operations on the Flat, has enjoyed increasing success with a clutch of well-selected jumpers in recent seasons, with the hugely exciting novice chaser Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) at the head of the group. Two new recruits were added to the team on Thursday in the form of the day’s top two lots, Grangeclare West (Ire) and Guily Billy (Fr), at £430,000 and £310,000 respectively.

The former (lot 8) is a 4-year-old son of the late Glenview Stud stalwart Presenting (GB) out of a half-sister to the prolific chase winner Gunner Welburn (GB) (Gunner B {GB}). Grangeclare West made his debut in the point-to-point field in the hands of Jamie Codd at Lingstown on Nov. 22 and won by four lengths for trainer Denis Murphy. His next start will be under rules for Gordon Elliott, trainer of Envoi Allen, as well as Cheveley Park Stud’s recent Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Ballyadam (Ire) (Fame And Glory {GB}).

The AQPS 4-year-old Guily Billy (lot 15) is a son of the former Haras de Cercy resident Coastal Path (GB) and the winning hurdler Ukie (Fr) (Dom Alco {Fr}). He won his second point-to-point start in mid-November for Donnchadh Doyle, who consigned the grey through his Monbeg Stables.

The same vendor was also responsible for Fameaftertheglory (GB) (Fame And Glory {GB}), who won his maiden point-to-point last weekend at Mainstown. Bred by Will Kinsey, the 4-year-old (lot 43) was sold last year at the Goffs Land Rover Sale for €42,000 and this time around went for £100,000 to Champion Hurdle-winning trainer Gavin Cromwell.

Forty-four lots were offered during the lunchtime sale, with 32 sold for a total of £2,378,000 and an average price of £74,312.

Matthew Prior, Head of Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales, said at the close of the day’s business, “As has been the case for so many in the bloodstock and racing industry in 2020, the point-to-point sector has experienced huge disruptions and challenges as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Having been unable to return to Chelteham Racecourse since the Cheltenham Festival, we are incredibly grateful to our loyal vendors and purchasers who have shown great resilience in supporting the necessary fixture changes during the Autumn season.”

He added, “Nonetheless, we are still able to reflect on what has been a phenomenal year for Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates on the raceourse, with no less than seven Grade 1 winners including Festival winners Monkfish, Ferny Hollow, Shishkin and racing’s latest superstar Envoi Allen. It has been with great pleasure and pride that today we have welcomed the National Hunt fraternity to Tattersalls in Newmarket for the first ever point-to-point sale to be staged at Park Paddocks, and we were delighted with a top price of £430,000 which was the third-highest price in Tattersalls Cheltenham’s history. Naturally our desire is for the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales to return to the home of National Hunt Racing at the earliest opportunity in 2021, but until such time today’s healthy trade has demonstrated Park Paddocks’ ability to service the sector with distinction.”

Matthew Prior, Head of Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales, said, “As has been the case for so many in the bloodstock and racing industry in 2020, the point to point sector has experienced huge disruptions and challenges as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Having been unable to return to Cheltenham Racecourse since the Cheltenham Festival, we are incredibly grateful to our loyal vendors and purchasers who have shown great resilience in supporting the necessary fixture changes during the autumn season. Nonetheless, we are still able to reflect on what has been a phenomenal year for Tattersalls Cheltenham graduates on the racecourse, with no less than seven Grade 1 winners including Festival winners Monkfish, Ferny Hollow, Shishkin and racing’s latest superstar Envoi Allen. Add to that the likes of rising stars Ballyadam and Asterion Forlonge, the lofty reputation of point to point graduates only looks set to rise further.

“It has been with great pleasure and pride that today we have welcomed the National Hunt fraternity to Tattersalls in Newmarket for the first ever point to point sale to be staged at Park Paddocks, and we were delighted with a top price of £430,000 which was the third highest price in Tattersalls Cheltenham’s history. Naturally our desire is for the Tattersalls Cheltenham sales to return to the home of National Hunt Racing at the earliest opportunity in 2021, but until such time today’s healthy trade has demonstrated Park Paddock’s ability to service the sector with distinction.”

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Brexit Steering Group Update

With continuing uncertainty around the possibility of a Free Trade Agreement and the end of the transition period three weeks away, the Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group on Thursday released the following update:

“It remains the position of the Steering Group that an FTA being signed would be preferrable and engagement continues with the UK Government, governing bodies in other key racing jurisdictions and EU organisations. However even in the event of an FTA being signed there will still be significant changes to the movement of horses and people, as well as other policy areas, from Jan. 1. Further agreements will be required before the Group is in a position to clarify precisely what these changes will be.

“The Group continues to advise not to try and move horses for at least the first two weeks of January unless absolutely necessary and to engage the services of a shipping agent, transporter and/or customs agent as appropriate. The Steering Group has previously issued guidance on the likely new arrangements from Jan. 1; although this guidance remains subject to change, participants are urged to familiarise themselves with this information and with the latest information available from the UK Government.

“The easiest way to do this is via the Brexit webpage on britishhorseracing.com, where there are links to the latest government guidance as well as answers to specific queries. Additionally, an e-mail address for direct questions from participants on Brexit has been set up to assist as we approach the end of the transition period via brexit@weatherbys.co.uk.

“The Group will continue to keep participants updated and issue further communications as soon as there is more clarity in what is a fast-moving situation.”

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