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Battaash Cracks the Track Record As he Makes It Four King Georges

His odds were 2-7 and that proved generous as early as halfway as Shadwell’s Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) pulled off a historic fourth victory in Goodwood’s G2 King George Qatar S. on Friday. Recording his fastest time (55.62) in the race in the process, the G1 Nunthorpe S., G1 King’s Stand S. and G1 Prix de l’Abbaye hero was shadowed by last year’s G1 Prix de l’Abbaye winner Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead) but was comfortably on top at the line to score by 2 1/4 lengths, with Ornate (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) a neck away in third as he replicated his position in this 12 months ago. Dragged along by the fastest horse in Europe, the next two home also broke his previous track record.

“He was good, just getting a bit lonely out in front but it’s very hard to find horses quick enough to lead him,” Jim Crowley commented. “He was in front a long way and was just idling, so I had to give him a couple of taps just to keep his mind on the job. He’s so fast and very consistent now. If a horse wants to take him on in a race then good luck to them. He’s so quick he burns them off from halfway.”

Battaash’s achievement in bringing up four wins in this is nothing short of remarkable and history bears that out as fact. Of all the current group 1 and group 2 sprints in operation, he is the only one to garner that amount of successes in the same race with only Fine Art (Fr) bettering it with his five victories in the Prix du Gros Chêne from 1942 to 1946. Post-war, he is out on his own and this was all the more meritorious in that he was slicing a decent fragment off his prior track record on terrain made to measure for his style. There have been very few who could go with him once he had done the damage travelling downhill and it took a fast Australian mare to make any kind of impact as Houtzen (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) became the sole rival to get within a length of him at the finish of this race last term.

When you are this good, the only one left to beat is yourself and in his younger days Battaash was guilty of doing that on the occasions that his hot temperament got the better of him. Each year, with consistent tender handling and love and attention, he has become ever more the finished article in terms of maturity and now wanders around the parade ring like an old sage. Having finally conquered York’s flat Knavesmire to win the Nunthorpe in August, he annexed a first King’s Stand on his latest start June 16 and has now set this benchmark which is unlikely ever to be met. He does not even need to blast from the outset any more, with Crowley opting to coast through the first 1 1/2 furlongs without the lead as the free-running French raider Ken Colt (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) managed to outspeed Ornate.

Charlie Hills was revelling in the moment as he tried to find expression for what he just seen. “He’s so talented and we’re very proud of him. To have a horse like him in the yard at six is amazing, to be involved with him means everything,” he commented. “Four consecutive group twos takes some doing, he’s not the biggest horse in the world but is so fast and well-balanced. He’s a true athlete. Further Flight, who my dad trained, is the only horse to win a pattern race five years on the trot so we might come back next year!”

Hills is looking at the familiar European sprint options now, but was also not ruling out a tilt at the Breeders’ Cup. “He’s not overly-raced and will have maybe two more runs this year,” he added. “We’re looking forward to the [G1] Coolmore Nunthorpe now and then probably the Abbaye, but it’s a strange year and no-one really knows what the future holds. He’ll go on until he tells us he’s not the horse he was today. I love America and it would be tremendously exciting if he did go.”

Kevin Ryan said of Glass Slippers, “She has run a blinder. I thought for a minute she was going to give him a race, but it is a great achievement by Battaash to win this race four years running. I’m delighted with our filly. It is a possibility we could look at the Nunthorpe, but she is in the [G1] Flying Five in Ireland and we wouldn’t mind going back up to six furlongs again in the [G1] Sprint Cup at Haydock. We always planned to run in the Sprint Cup, as she is as effective over six as she is over five furlongs. That could be an interesting race.”

Battaash is the first foal out of Anna Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), who is a half-sister to four black-type performers including this operation’s Etlaala (GB) (Selkirk) who captured the G2 Champagne S. and was third in the G1 July Cup. Her other half-sibling Bird Key (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}) produced another leading sprinter in these silks in the G2 Duke of York S. winner and G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint S.-placed Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). Anna Law also has Phoenix Thoroughbreds’ unraced 3-year-old filly Valletta Gold (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) who is in training with John Quinn, and also the 2-year-old full-sister to Battaash who was bought by Shadwell for 800,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1. She is named Altaayshah (Ire) and is in training with Charlie Hills.

Friday, Goodwood, Britain
KING GEORGE QATAR S.-G2, £125,000, Goodwood, 7-31, 3yo/up, 5fT, :55.62 (NTR), g/f.
1–BATTAASH (IRE), 133, g, 6, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Anna Law (Ire), by Lawman (Fr)
2nd Dam: Portelet (GB), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Noirmant (Ire), by Dominion (GB)
(200,000gns Ylg ’15 TAOCT). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Ballyphilip Stud (IRE); T-Charles Hills; J-Jim Crowley. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 2x Hwt. Older Horse-Eur at 5-7f, Hwt. 3yo-Fr at 5-7f & G1SW-Fr, 22-12-2-3, $2,072,804. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Glass Slippers (GB), 125, f, 4, Dream Ahead–Night Gypsy (GB), by Mind Games (GB). O-Bearstone Stud Limited; B-Bearstone Stud Ltd (GB); T-Kevin Ryan. £26,875.
3–Ornate (GB), 128, g, 7, Bahamian Bounty (GB)–Adorn (GB), by Kyllachy (GB). (110,000gns HRA ’17 TATAHI). O-Kings Road Racing Partnership; B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-David Griffiths. £13,450.
Margins: 2 1/4, NK, 4. Odds: 0.29, 14.00, 100.00.
Also Ran: Liberty Beach (GB), Dubai Station (GB), Ken Colt (Ire), Al Raya (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Tilsit Confirmed Thoroughbred Winner After Enquiry

Khalid Abdullah’s Tilsit (First Defence) followed up a June 4 debut second at Newcastle with a breakthrough score–by a whopping 19 lengths–back there June 27 and survived a lengthy stewards’ enquiry to be confirmed the winner of Friday’s G3 Bonhams Thoroughbred S. at Goodwood. The 10-1 chance was steadied to race in third behind a modest tempo set by My Oberon (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and remained there through halfway in this turf bow. Quickening to launch his challenge at the quarter-mile marker, he edged in front entering the final eighth, but suddenly veered right to force that rival into the far-side fence with 150 yards remaining before returning on an even keel to hit the line with a 1 1/2-length advantage. My Oberon somehow managed to remain upright for second place, finishing 2 1/2 lengths ahead of 4-7 favourite Khaloosy (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in third. As expected, Ryan Moore was sanctioned for the final-furlong incident which impeded My Oberon and incurred a five-day suspension for careless riding in the debrief.

“Tilsit had two runs at Newcastle, which is a completely different track to Goodwood, and it was his first start on turf so he has really stepped up and done so well,” commented trainer Charlie Hills. “It was a good step forward really and he has beaten two very nice horses. We knew coming into today that we would know where we would stand after the race and we are all very excited now. Tilsit has come a long way and the guys at home have done a great job. [NH jockey] Will Kennedy has been coming in most days to ride and he has done a fantastic job. A lot of thought has gone into this horse. We’ll see how he is tomorrow morning and go from there. We could maybe come back here for the [G2] Celebration Mile.”

Teddy Grimthorpe added, “That was a huge step forward, but he is still very babyish and has to mature. You could see that slightly in the paddock beforehand, but he was much better than he was the previous two times. He has handled the race pretty well, but he did wander a bit, no doubt about that. He has some talent, no question, and I think fast ground is the key to him as well. I think he is still a bit goofy and immature and I wasn’t at all optimistic we would keep the race. He was the best horse, no doubt about that, but it always worries me. Ryan [Moore] had his whip in his right hand, so that was good, and he has just dived in. He was always going to win so from that point of view the rules are spot on, but it is always a nervous moment. This was Tilsit’s first race on turf and part of the learning curve for him, but he is pretty progressive by the looks of things. The Celebration Mile here could be a possibility and it is always nice to have a few thoughts about where we go and what to do. He looks on an upward curve and, trip-wise, I think we will stay at a mile.”

Tilsit is the first of four foals produced by a daughter of G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches heroine Zenda (GB) (Zamindar), herself a half-sister to MG1SW sire Oasis Dream (GB) (Green Desert). The homebred bay is a half-brother to the unraced 2-year-old gelding Bilingual (English Channel), a yearling colt by Kitten’s Joy and a 2020 Noble Mission (GB) filly. Zenda, of course, is also the dam of MG1SW sire Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), GSW sire Remote (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and G3 Cumberland Lodge S. third First Eleven (GB) (Frankel {GB}). She is also the second dam of this month’s G3 Musidora S. third Ricetta (GB) (Camelot {GB}), GIII Sham S. second Let’s Meet In Rio (Flatter), G2 German 2000 Guineas runner-up Fajjaj (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}) and stakes-winning G2 Gimcrack S. placegetter Repartee (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), himself last of five in this contest.

Friday, Goodwood, Britain
BONHAMS THOROUGHBRED S.-G3, £50,000, Goodwood, 7-31, 3yo, 8fT, 1:40.46, g/f.
1–TILSIT, 127, c, 3, by First Defence
                1st Dam: Multilingual (GB), by Dansili (GB)
                2nd Dam: Zenda (GB), by Zamindar
                3rd Dam: Hope (Ire), by Dancing Brave
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Charlie Hills; J-Ryan Moore. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $42,992. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–My Oberon (Ire), 127, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–My Titania (Ire), by Sea the Stars (Ire). O/B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-William Haggas. £10,750.
3–Khaloosy (Ire), 127, c, 3, Dubawi (Ire)–Elshaadin (GB), by Dalakhani (Ire). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £5,380.
Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 2HF. Odds: 10.00, 3.00, 0.57.
Also Ran: Mystery Power (Ire), Repartee (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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One Master Swoops For Oak Tree Success

Lael Stable’s globetrotting One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) had saluted just once in 10 starts since annexing the 2018 G1 Prix de Foret, doubling up in the latest renewal of that seven-furlong test, and she went postward for Friday’s G3 Saint Clair Oak Tree S. at Goodwood as the 6-4 favourite coming back off a close-up fourth in this month’s G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket. Settled in a midfield seventh along the rail after an alert getaway from the inside stall, she was caught in a pocket–a la Kameko in Wednesday’s G1 Sussex S.–passing the quarter-mile marker and engaged turbo after weaving a passage into second with 100 yards remaining to nail 12-1 chance Valeria Messalina (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) by a short-head on the line for her first pattern-race success on home soil. Godolphin’s Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who sparred briefly with the eventual winner passing the furlong marker, ran on well to finish one length further adrift in third.

“That is our 30th winner in July and I get all the glory and my team do all the work,” said winning trainer William Haggas, who sits third by number of winners since racing resumed June 1. “I had a walk round this morning and I thought it was too firm for One Master. However, there is a beautiful strip of ground down to the three [-furlong pole], from the start, and there is still a little bit of give in there. I felt, drawn in stall one, she would be able to go round there on the bridle into the straight. I was fearful and I won’t be relaxed until I see her tomorrow, but she is a really genuine filly. I said to the owners last night that we’re drawn in stall one, we are going to run on the rail and ride her for luck. It is a terrible place, Goodwood, in terms of getting boxed in, but she will be on the bridle and it won’t hurt her. Tom managed to get out and it was great. She has a terrific turn of foot in this company and she has a terrific turn of foot in better company.” Haggas also revealed One Master remains on target for another defence of her Foret title on Arc weekend, adding, “We are going to York now, for a Group 2 race [Aug. 22 G2 City of York S.], and then the [Oct. 4 G1 Prix de la] Foret [at ParisLongchamp].”

“I wasn’t quite sure whether I would get there on the line, but what an exceptional performance,” said rider Tom Marquand. “To be able to pick up from where we were, she is a class apart. She has won Group 1s, but for her to show that turn of foot today on ground she doesn’t really enjoy is pretty exceptional. She has always been a filly who has needed that cover early on and it was always the plan just to sit in a little bit. William [Haggas] left it very much up to me as to how far back or forward I needed to be and the only thing he did say when he wandered round the track was that the fresh ground was all down the inside and try not to leave the paint. I played that to the furlong pole, and then thought something’s got to give at some point. It was lucky that I was on such a talented filly and how tough she was, when not really enjoying the ground, to pick up in a matter of two strides and pick off the leader. It’s a real thrill to ride a horse like that and I would love to sit on her in a Group 1 on the ground she actually loves.”

One Master’s dam Enticing (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) had an affinity with the Sussex venue, winning both G3 Molecomb S. and G3 King George S. over the track’s five-furlong strip, and she is also the second dam of last term’s G3 Killavullan S. victress Stela Star (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}). One Master, who has plied her trade in five different countries, is one of four winners and the lone black-type performer for her dam, who has also produced the unraced 3-year-old gelding Craved (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), the unraced 2-year-old filly Arousing (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and a 2020 full-brother to the winner. Enticing, a half-sister to stakes-winning G3 Jersey S. second Sentaril (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), is a daughter of connections’ G1 Phoenix S. and G1 Prix de l’Abbaye runner-up and MGSW European champion juvenile filly Superstar Leo (Ire) (College Chapel {GB}).

Friday, Goodwood, Britain
SAINT CLAIR OAK TREE S.-G3, £50,000, Goodwood, 7-31, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT, 1:25.80, gd.
1–ONE MASTER (GB), 129, m, 6, by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
1st Dam: Enticing (Ire) (MGSW-Eng, $260,363), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Superstar Leo (Ire), by College Chapel (GB)
3rd Dam: Council Rock (GB), by General Assembly
O-Lael Stable; B-Lael Stables (GB); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 2x Hwt. Older Mare-Fr at 7-9.5f, MG1SW-Fr, GSW-Ire & MG1SP-Eng, 19-6-2-3, $966,139. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Valeria Messalina (Ire), 125, f, 3, Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)–Arty Crafty, by Arch. O-Marc Chan; B-Airlie Stud (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. £10,750.
3–Althiqa (GB), 122, f, 3, Dark Angel (Ire)–Mistrusting (Ire), by Shamardal. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £5,380.
Margins: SHD, 1, 2. Odds: 1.50, 12.00, 5.50.
Also Ran: Breathtaking Look (GB), Anna Nerium (GB), Invitational (GB), Wasmya (Fr), Under the Stars (Ire), Shadn (Ire), Agincourt (Ire), Graceful Magic (GB), Boomer (GB). Scratched: Final Song (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Permission Revoked For Goodwood Spectators

The British government on Friday morning withdrew permission for Goodwood Racecourse to host 5,000 spectators on Saturday as part of a pilot project for the return of fans to sporting events. A joint statement from the British Horseracing Authority, the Racecourse Association and Goodwood said it is believed the cancellation of the event is due to concerns about the national infection rate of coronavirus and is not a reflection of any concerns about Goodwood or the measures taken there. Racing will take place on Saturday behind closed doors.

David Armstrong, chief executive of the RCA, said, “The RCA is very disappointed to learn that the pilot event at Goodwood Racecourse scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed. We understand and respect the issues raised within the Prime Minister’s announcement and have always maintained that public health has been paramount to any event, be it racing resuming behind closed doors or with crowds. The work undertaken by the sport, and especially the Goodwood team, to bring the safety protocols to life has been very thorough and detailed. It is worth reiterating there were no concerns with the protocols put in place by the sport and Goodwood Racecourse and we wish them the very best for the final two days of the Qatar Goodwood Festival which will take place behind closed doors. The RCA will continue to work closely with government to plan future pilot events to welcome back crowds subject to the latest public health advice.”

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