Top News Europe | Horse Racing Free Tips

Strong Australian and American Support Among Overseas Entries For Royal Ascot

Dual Australian Group 1 winner Coolangatta (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) is one of the leading runners signed on from foreign climbs for the upcoming Royal Ascot meeting in June. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the G1 Lightning S. heroine is targeting the G1 King's Stand S.

David Eustace said, “Coolangatta galloped yesterday and will have her first proper workout next week. She has improved again physically from the Lightning S. and we feel we are ahead of the game in terms of her preparation.

“We are stepping into the unknown when it comes to international travel but Coolangatta has done a lot of travelling around Australia and is used to being in unfamiliar places. We are hopeful that she will handle that side of things well but you never know until you do it. We think the 1000 metres of the King's Stand, with the uphill finish, looks ideal and genuine fast ground will be to her advantage as well.”

Coolangatta is not the only Australian runner signed on to the royal meeting, as both Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and The Astrologist (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), who are trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, and Leon and Troy Corstens, respectively, are both aiming for the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. Artorius finished third in the Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and enters off a victory in the G1 Canterbury S. at Randwick earlier this year. In The Astrologist's case, he ran too good to lose when second by a head in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan at the end of March.

Sam Freedman said, “Artorius had his first improving gallop the other day, having come off a bit of a fresh. He seems to be shaping up really well and will have a couple of trials over here before we put him on the plane.

“I think he is definitely hitting Royal Ascot this year in better form than he was 12 months ago.His form lines are strong and I think you guys over there will see a more tactically versatile horse. He will be able to sit a lot closer, which will be important, whereas last year he was rattling home.”

Troy Corstens said, “We were delighted with The Astrologist's effort in Dubai. He ran to expectations and came very close, which gave us the confidence to continue the journey with him.

“He has settled beautifully in Newmarket–he is a very adaptable horse and enjoys the travel. The plan is for him to have a racecourse gallop this week on the Rowley Mile in preparation for the G2 1895 Duke Of York S.

“He will then head to Royal Ascot for the Platinum Jubilee. We feel that this will be the perfect race for him. He is a renowned straight-track horse in Australia and we feel the testing course of Ascot will suit him immensely.”

Strong American Contingent Ready To Go

Twelve-time Royal Ascot-winning trainer Wesley Ward is bringing a slew of Royal Ascot runners, anchored by Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag) and Twilight Gleaming (Ire) (National Defense {GB}) for Stonestreet Stables to Royal Ascot. Both enter off of stakes victories at the recently concluded Keeneland Spring Meet, with the former pointing to the King's Stand S. and the latter eyeing both the King's Stand and the G1 Commonwealth Cup S.

Ward said, “Love Reigns and Twilight Gleaming are doing great. They are both coming off nice comeback wins and their owner Barbara Banke [of Stonestreet Stables] is really looking forward to getting them over there. She loves Ascot as much as me and we are all excited.

“I was really happy with Love Reigns in the Limestone S. She had to switch a couple of times in the run but showed a great attitude to get up on the line, while Twilight Gleaming showed a lot of speed in her comeback race.

“Twilight Gleaming will definitely go for the King's Stand S., whereas Love Reigns will have an entry there and in the Commonwealth Cup.”

Besides Ward's older horses, he has at least three juveniles making the trip for the storied 2-year-old prizes in 'TDN Rising Star' American Rascal (Curlin) out of King's Stand and G2 Queen Mary S. victress Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy); Fandom (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), and Bledsoe (Igbaal).

Ward added, “American Rascal has come out of his first race in super shape. The team at Stonestreet really liked him and it was exciting to see him produce a performance like that.

“Fandom looks another good prospect after his debut win on the grass and we also have some nice 2-year-olds to run at Belmont, so we will see what else unfolds in the coming days.

“Bledsoe has already travelled over to England and will run in a novice race at Ascot on 13 May. He won America's first 2-year-old race of the year on the dirt at Keeneland but his mother Shrinking Violet was a multiple stakes winner of the turf, so we are looking forward to getting him on the grass.”

Brad Cox's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint heroine Caravel (Mizzen Mast) is pencilled in to make the trip, and GI Belmont Derby victor Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway) for trainer Ken McPeek is a potential starter in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S.

McPeek said, “Classic Causeway had a nice run first time up this year on the dirt at Oaklawn. Then we came back for the [GII] Oaklawn H. and he was off the board, so we have decided to switch back to the turf.

“He is going for a prep race in Kentucky on 3 June in the Arlington S. and, if he runs well there, we will point him towards the Prince Of Wales's S.”

New York Thunder (Nyquist) for trainer Jorge Delgado holds a Commonwealth Cup entry, while Hong Kong runner Wellington (Aus) (All Too Hard) has been nominated for both the Platinum Jubilee and King's Stand.

Nick Smith, Director of Racing and Public Affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are very pleased to see entries for Royal Ascot 2023 from across the world including Group 1 winners from Britain, Ireland, France, the USA, Australia and Hong Kong.

“It is particularly exciting to see so many strong entries from Australia, including the Black Caviar Lightning S. winner Coolangatta, who looks set to try and follow Nature Strip's victory in the King's Stand S. It's also exciting to see Artorius is on track to try and go two better than when third in the Platinum Jubilee S. last year.

“Wesley Ward again has a strong team headed by Love Reigns and Twilight Gleaming along with the 2-year-olds while it will also be great to see Breeders' Cup winner Caravel represent America.”

The post Strong Australian and American Support Among Overseas Entries For Royal Ascot appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Channon’s Classic First Keeps it in the Family

Jack Channon took up the reins at the fabled West Ilsley yard in January and has made a determined start in his bid to follow the 32-year training career of his father, Mick.

Currently saddling winners at an impressive strike-rate, including a double on Bank Holiday Monday, the younger Channon can approach the prospect of his first Classic runner in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas with a degree of confidence. Yes, the filly in question, Caernarfon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), may be trading at up to 50/1 for Sunday's feature but the last time she was seen in action in public it was when posting a victory over course and distance in the Listed EBF Montrose Fillies' S. in October.

“It's a big weekend ahead,” Channon admits. “But Caernarfon seems to be in great form. Touch wood, all her work to this point has been foot-perfect, and we think we've got her exactly where we want. She's pretty much just come in her coat, so I think she's flourishing at the right time, and I couldn't be happier with the way she is. Now it's just whether she's good enough, which is always the case, isn't it?”

There is a touch of deja vu to this particular Classic runner, for the Channon stable, in the days of Mick's reign, sent Caernarfon's full-sister Dan's Dream (GB) to Newmarket for the 1,000 Guineas after she won the G3 Fred Darling S. at Newbury. Both fillies have run in the colours of their breeder, Steven Smith's Hunscote Stud, with Caernarfon being owned in partnership with Paul Humphreys and Jonathan Sweeney.

“Funnily enough, seeing as they're full-sisters, they actually couldn't be more different as fillies,” says Channon of the siblings. “Dan's Dream was a lot stockier, and she didn't get the mile. She was an out-and-out seven-furlong filly, whereas this filly I feel will be a mile-and-a-quarter filly in time.

“Even though, obviously, they share the ability, they're different types, which will hopefully grant Caernarfon better fortunes in the Guineas than her sister.”

Though arriving at Newmarket without a prep run, Caernarfon is not short of experience. From her July debut, she ran seven times in 2022, winning twice and finishing in the top three on a further four occasions, including taking third in the Listed Silver Tankard S. over a stiff mile at Pontefract before her stakes victory on the Rowley Mile. The undulations should hold no fear for her.

Cannon continues, “She's a filly that doesn't need an awful lot of work. She's quite a light-framed filly, and I didn't feel like she needed a prep run to get her spot on.

“I think we've got her exactly where we want her. She's done some nice bits of work, and she's been there and done it over the course and distance. The track won't be a problem, so it's all down to ability now.”

With nine wins to his credit already this year, Channon has ensured it's very much business as usual at West Ilsley, which has previously housed such star names as Queen's Logic (Ire), Youmzain (Ire), Samitar (Ire), Music Show (GB), Nahoodh (Ire) and Zafeen (GB) since Mick Channon bought the Berkshire stable from HM The Queen in 1999.

“I think if you've got good horses to aim at good races, there's a natural buzz that it creates around the place,” says Channon of the current mood in the yard. “We're very busy, so it's hard to stop and properly take it all in. But definitely, just to have those good horses to even compete in the big races gives you that buzz that you feel like you're properly involved. It's been an enjoyable time for everyone.”

The post Channon’s Classic First Keeps it in the Family appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Meet The Group 1-Winning Jockey Who Is In Demand At The Breeze-Ups

A month on from recording a breakthrough Group 1 success, Joe Doyle, the rider who will forever be associated with multiple stakes-winner Make A Challenge (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), is back on familiar shores.

However, Doyle has no plans on resuming his riding career in Britain or Ireland, where the 27-year-old has enjoyed successful spells respectively.

No, Doyle is merely keeping his eye in before returning for New Zealand, where he has a 1,000 Guineas prospect to look forward to next season, by riding at the breeze-ups.

It's not surprising to see Doyle in such demand ahead of the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale, either. Just over a week on from partnering Danny O'Donovan's Eqtidaar (Ire) filly who sold to Peter and Ross Doyle for £120,000 at Goffs UK last week, Doyle has been snapped up by five different consignors for Wednesday's breeze.

He said, “The breeze-ups are where I got my first taste of riding racehorses properly. I have been riding in breeze-ups since I was 12 years old and can even remember riding in them when they were back in Dundalk.

“It's something I enjoy doing and, while I was home, I didn't want to be tipping in and out of a yard for a month or two. By riding the breeze-up horses, it gives me a chance to keep my eye in and the fitness levels up without having to make any commitments to anyone.”

He added, “I rode a nice filly last week for Danny O'Donovan. She was a good model and came up good and fast. That's what the buyers want. But this is a tough environment as well. When you are racing, if things don't go right on the day, you always have another chance.

“The breeze-up handlers don't have that luxury. They have one shot at this and, if it doesn't go to plan, it can take a lot of value off their stock. There's a different kind of pressure involved in race-riding and riding in the breeze but it's something I enjoy doing and I'm looking forward to Wednesday to be honest.

“I ride for Danny O'Donovan again, as well Stevie Byrne, Eoin McDonagh, Paddy Vaughan and Conor King. I've sat on a few very nice horses in the pre-breeze and hopefully the clock will reflect that on Wednesday.”

To have a rider of Doyle's calibre in action at the breeze-ups speaks to the professionalism of the sphere. Here is a jockey who rode multiple stakes winners aboard the Denis Hogan-trained Make A Challenge just a couple of seasons ago and would still have his supporters were he still riding in Ireland.

However, without a big-name runner to throw his leg over, Doyle elected to give New Zealand a go earlier this year, and the decision has been vindicated with 19 winners on the board including that all-important Group 1 victory aboard Pignan (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) in the Manawatu Sires' Produce S.

Doyle said, “It was great to get that Group 1 and it wasn't something I was expecting to do. It was a great way to round off the trip as it came on my final day riding in New Zealand. “Sometimes the Group 1 races in New Zealand can get a bit of stick for being handicaps but this was a two-year-old set weight race for fillies and colts and I think the winner is a proper filly, too.”

He added, “I was absolutely elated to get that sort of a result and I think she could even be a Guineas filly for next year. I am heading back to New Zealand on July 1 and the 1,000 Guineas would look the right race for her down there. We're very excited and hopefully she will train on. “There's no reason why she wouldn't. She will have a prep and then it will be all systems go for the Guineas, hopefully.”

There has been no shortage of Irish jockeys trying their hand at Australia, but not many have come to the conclusion that New Zealand was the place to be. But it was on the recommendation of Doyle's friend that the offerings in New Zealand were worth exploring and he hasn't looked back.

Doyle explained, “I bumped into Samantha Finnegan, whose sister is Chrissy Bambury, who does very well down there. She just happened to ask me what I was up to for the winter and I didn't have any plans as such.

“It was Samantha who suggested I go to New Zealand and she got me a job. That's how it all came about. Australia is a very big place and there is a big pool of horses and jockeys. I thought that I could do New Zealand first and get a feel for the place and perhaps move on but I don't think there's any sign of me moving on at the minute as I am happy down there. The people have been so good to me in New Zealand.”

He added, “I was in Ballydoyle every day at the time, which was fantastic, and I couldn't thank Aidan [O'Brien] enough. You learn an awful amount riding out at Ballydoyle every morning when you're working alongside the likes of Seamie Heffernan and Wayne Lordan, two top-class jockeys.

“Things are bound to rub off on you when you are working alongside that calibre of jockey, but the thing is, Ireland is an extremely difficult place to do well in as a jockey, and I just wanted to be busy. I didn't mind taking a hit with the prize-money if it meant I was to be as busy as I am riding down in New Zealand and long may it continue.”

Of course, reinventing himself is something that comes second nature to Doyle. Some people may forget that Doyle had all but retired but for being lured back to race-riding by Hogan in 2019.

“I have reinvented myself a couple of times alright, yea–I didn't race-ride for 18 months at one stage! I had no plans to come back race-riding and then Denis twisted my arm that time.

“We got on really well and had some great seasons together. We're still the best of friends but things got a bit quiet for me at home in Ireland. I was trying to find the right horses and I just needed a fresh start.”

He added, “But I like going racing for eight or 10 rides and a few favourites as well. It's good to be riding for the big trainers in New Zealand and sitting on the nicer types of horses.”

Be it New Zealand or breeze day at Newmarket, Joe Doyle is back in demand, that's for sure.

The post Meet The Group 1-Winning Jockey Who Is In Demand At The Breeze-Ups appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

All Systems Go For Chaldean In Guineas

Group 1 winner Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who races for Juddmonte, is reportedly in good order ahead of a start in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday, according to trainer Andrew Balding.

The colt, who dislodged Frankie Dettori at the start of the G3 Craven S. before completing a circuit of the course, worked “extremely well” on Saturday, Balding noted.

“We will only know on Saturday what we missed out on at Newbury and the benefits of having a run as obviously it would have been far more of a benefit for him to have had a jockey on board and have a proper race,” he said.

“At the same time, it wasn't totally lost as he had to go through the preliminary tests of saddling, walking around the paddock and cantering down to the start, which are the extras that go with a run and not just a gallop at home. Thankfully he didn't go and do another circuit loose. He was fairly sensible.

“I couldn't be happier with him at the moment and Frankie rode him on Saturday and he worked extremely well. It was a very solid piece and his fitness levels are as good as we could hope for in the circumstances.”

Chaldean won the G3 Acomb S., G2 Champagne S., and G1 Dewhurst S. in succession as a juvenile. The Craven was his 3-year-old bow. Dettori, who has won the Guineas three times, will be aboard on Saturday, and the duo face a stiff challenge, especially from Ireland, in the form of the Coolmore partners' Group 1 winners Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

The post All Systems Go For Chaldean In Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post