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Alkumait Enters Dewhurst Picture

Group 2 winner Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) is likely for the G1 Dewhurst S. on Oct. 10, but would need to be supplemented. A winner at Goodwood at second asking on July 28, the Shadwell colourbearer won the G2 Mill Reef S. by 3/4 of a length at Newbury on Sept. 19.

“We were absolutely thrilled with him,” said Sheikh Hamdan’s racing manager Angus Gold of the Marcus Tregoning trainee. “He showed a really nice turn of foot and won very nicely. The Mill Reef/Middle Park double has never really worked out for us, so we were never going to go down that route.

“His action would suggest he prefers top of the ground. That’s not to say he wouldn’t handle cut in the ground, but I certainly don’t think he would want it heavy.

“Marcus would like to run Alkumait again this year–and as he said on Saturday, the only race for him really is the Dewhurst, which we didn’t enter him for because he’d only won a maiden at that stage.

“We’ll see how the land lies. We also have [G2 Champagne S. runner-up] Albasheer (Ire) (Shamardal) as a possible for the Dewhurst–I think he was undone by his inexperience as much as anything at Doncaster.

“There would be a question mark over the trip for Alkumait–but if he settled well, like he did on Saturday, he’d give himself a chance. Seven furlongs at Newmarket is a different test to six at Newbury, so we’ll see.

“It wouldn’t be the end of the world if he didn’t run again this year, [but] the Dewhurst is the best 2-year-old race in England, so if you can give yourself a better chance of winning it, maybe you should. “

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BHA/HRI Adjust Restrictions on Internationally-Trained Runners

Reciprocal arrangements on participation by runners trained in international jurisdictions were announced jointly by the British Horseracing Authority and Horse Racing Ireland on Monday. Beginning on Oct. 1, internationally-trained horses will be permitted to participate in all British races other than Class 5 and 6 handicaps/classified stakes on the Flat and Class 5 handicaps over Jumps. All such runners will be subject to the relevant government regulations. The same arrangements will also be introduced in Ireland on Oct. 1. The Irish Rules of Racing will continue to state that “a horse trained outside of Ireland, with a Flat handicap rating of less than 60 will not be qualified to run in an Irish Flat handicap.” All overseas runners in Ireland will also be required to adhere to Irish government guidelines and HRI protocols.

The UK Industry Racing Group determined that it is appropriate to relax these restrictions which were approved by the BHA board on Sept. 15. Going forward, the purpose of the new restrictions is intended to balance the importance of GB-trained horses being given an opportunity to run, especially in low-grade handicaps, with the requirement to improve the quality of racing and see the best possible horses compete, and encourage international competition. However, these restrictions will remain under constant review as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

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Middle Park Next for The Lir Jet

Group winner The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) will resurface in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket on Sept. 26. The Qatar Racing runner was originally slated for a return in the G2 Flyer Childers S. earlier this month, but was a non-runner that day. After winning the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot in June, the colt missed by only a short head in the G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chanitlly in mid-July and was third promoted to second in the Aug. 9 G1 Phoenix S.

“We just felt five furlongs on drying ground wouldn’t necessarily be his thing,” said conditioner Michael Bell. “We had the Middle Park as an alternative and, all being well, we’ll head to Newmarket.

“I’m sure it will be a very good race, but the horse is in very good form and good order, so we’re looking forward to it. Hopefully Newmarket will produce a nice, safe surface for everybody, which I’m sure they will.”

Also making his next start in the Middle Park is undefeated Listed Rose Bowl S. hero Method (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). The colt opened his account with a 4 1/4-length win in a Doncaster novice affair in June prior to his listed win on July 18 for owner Manton Park Racing.

“He’s doing his final bits of prep for that and, at the moment, it’s all systems go for Saturday,” said trainer Martyn Meade. “Everything is going to plan. He’s definitely on course for that. He’s fine and we’re hoping for a big run from him. It’s very exciting and we’d love to win that to make a miserable season a bit better.”

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Siskin’s Sister Is First Winner For Flintshire

Talacre, a half-sister to this year’s G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Siskin (First Defence), is the first winner for five-time Grade/Group 1 winner Flintshire (GB), who stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale in Kentucky.

1st-Gowran, €15,500, Mdn, 9-19, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:42.50, gd.

TALACRE (f, 2, Flintshire {GB}–Bird Flown {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}), third last time over seven furlongs in The Curragh’s Loder Irish EBF Fillies Race on Aug. 14, raced behind the leaders on the rail throughout the early stages. Angled wide for her challenge at the top of the straight, the 11-4 second favourite hit the front passing the furlong pole and stayed on to score by 1 1/2 lengths from Eylara (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), the debutante half-sister to the five-times group winner and G1 Irish and Yorkshire Oaks and G1 Hong Kong Vase-placed Eziyra (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Talacre, a full-sister to the stable’s G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 Phoenix S. hero Siskin (First Defence), MG1SW-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $546,021, becomes the first European winner for her Hill ‘N Dale Farms-based sire (by Dansili {GB}). Ger Lyons’ brother and assistant Shane said, “She’s after running into some good fillies before and she made the running the last day which wasn’t ideal. She’s like her brother Siskin, in that she likes to get a lead. It worked out brilliant today, but she still pricked her ears and wandered in front so there is a lot left in the tank for next year. It was a mile today and she wants a mile and a quarter next year. I’m not sure if there is anything left for her for black-type this year. If not it won’t be the end of the world to wait for next year. She’s always showed us a lot and she’s going the right way. Colin [Keane] said that ground is a bit dead which wouldn’t be ideal either.” The dam is a half-sister to the Listed Buckhounds S. winner and G2 Hardwicke S. runner-up Barsanti (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and to Rising Tornado (Storm Cat), who is responsible for the five-time Grade I-winning champion Close Hatches (First Defence) whose son is the GII Wood Memorial S. winner Tacitus (Tapit). The listed-placed second dam Silver Star (GB) (Zafonic) is a full-sister to the G1 Dewhurst S. and G1 Prix de la Salamandre-winning champion juvenile Xaar (GB) from the family of the GI United Nations H. hero Senure (Nureyev). Bird Flown’s yearling filly by Noble Mission (GB) is named Coccinella, while she also has a foal full-brother to the winner. Lifetime Record: 4-1-2-1, $23,192.

O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Ger Lyons.

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