Tag: Top News Europe

Guineas Clues Aplenty in Nell Gwyn Poser

While the 2000 Guineas picture looks more or less clear at present, the fillies' equivalent is much less so with the retirement of Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and the attendance of Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) currently in the balance. Perhaps Newmarket's seven-furlong G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S., always a key trial for the Classic, will provide even sharper focus on Wednesday as several likely types gather on the Rowley Mile. Frankie Dettori's winning return to the UK on Tuesday bodes well as he climbs aboard Juddmonte's exciting Coppice (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who dazzled on debut at Kempton in October and bids to fill the Commissioning-sized hole for the John and Thady Gosden armada.

“She has the double-edged sword of stepping out of maiden company and her first time on grass, which is never ideal,” Juddmonte's Barry Mahon said. “But she is a nice filly and hopefully she can run a good race that might lead us to a Classic somewhere if she runs well.”

Fast Tracked to the Big Time
Like Coppice, Barnane Stud's Girl Racer (Ire) (No Nay Never) also impressed on the all-weather on her racecourse bow but unlike her has just a three-week gap to bridge from novice company to this high standard. The daughter of the fittingly-titled South African starlet In The Fast Lane (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}) looked a strong prospect at Wolverhampton, of that there is no doubt, but these are deep waters for one so inexperienced even from the William Haggas stable. Keeping to the theme of once-raced Classic pretenders, there is another Gosden representative with just a Kempton novice score to her name in George Strawbridge's Inner Space (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), a daughter of the luminary Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who may need more time, while Cheveley Park Stud's silks are carried by the similarly regally-bred Karsavina (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}). The Clive Cox trainee has already won over this track and trip on her sole start in October and has help from the genes, descending from one of the finest 1000 Guineas heroines in Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo).

“She really impressed with her maiden success over course and distance last autumn,” Cox commented. “She's a filly that has strengthened over the winter and we're pleased that she has done well and given us every indication she has taken a step forwards, so we're looking forward to coming back to Newmarket. She coped well with conditions last autumn and course and distance form is quite valuable.”

Intinso Sits Feilden Test
If Newmarket Wednesday is all about fledgling, unproven talent, then the nine-furlong Listed Feilden S. could play host to another future name of not in Imad Al Sagar's TDN Rising Star Intinso (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Yet another who impressed on the all-weather, the relative of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) was at Newcastle in October to introduce himself in bold fashion and Hollie Doyle will be dreaming about more Classic glory in 2023. “He won what looked a fairly poor race but he won it quite comfortably,” the owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. “He's wintered well and been very straightforward coming up to this. John [Gosden] has been pleased with him, he's a lovely-actioned horse and this looks a good spot to test his credentials.” This renewal looks one of the tougher ones, with Charlie Appleby saddling two including the seven-furlong novice winner Regal Honour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who is a half-brother to the classy Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}).

 

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Munnings Colt Tops Opening Day Of The Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale

The demand for high-end horses remained strong on Day 1 of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale as a Munnings colt (lot 47) consigned by Longways Stables led proceedings when selling to Oliver St Lawrence for 360,000gns.

Bought by Ted Durcan and Mick and Sarah Murphy of Longways Stables for $150,000 at the Keeneland September Sale, the Munnings colt turned a handsome profit and will join trainer Roger Varian.

“He's a very taking horse and Roger and I were keen on him,” St Lawrence said. “He looks like a horse who could go to Royal Ascot. We'll see, we've had luck with Munnings before. He did a perfectly-nice time and Mick seems to bring them along nicely.”

Varian was keen to compliment the job Mick and Sarah Murphy, no strangers to topping major breeze-up sales, did with the colt.

The trainer said, “He was presented in good condition, wasn't he? They didn't overcook him. He looks a strong horse so hopefully we can get him home and see where we go with him.”

Of the 86 lots offered on day one, which was 19 more than what was offered on this corresponding day 12 months ago, 59 were knocked down for an aggregate of 6,495,500gns. That represented a 3% rise on last year's figures. However, the average fell 9% to 110,093gns and the clearance rate by 12% to 69%. The median also decreased by 10% to 77,000gns.

 

 

Top Talking Points From Day One Of The Craven Breeze Up Sale

  • The momentum behind first-season sire Blue Point (Ire) continued with four horses selling for a combined sum of 565,000gns, including a standout Tally-Ho Stud-drafted colt (lot 30) by the stallion who was knocked down to Anthony Stroud for 340,000gns. In fact, Blue Point was the most successful sire on the day, ahead of Starspanglebanner (Aus), who had three lots sell for 474,000gns and a higher average of 158,000gns.
  • It was another productive breeze-up sale for Tally-Ho Stud, vendors of Lezoo (GB), The Platinum Queen (Ire) and Perfect Power (Ire) to name a few. The three juveniles offered by the renowned operation sold for a combined 630,000gns.
  • Tally-Ho Stud's fingerprints were also all over the breakout success of Gary Halpin and Sean Davis, who are consigning for the first year under GS Bloodstock. The two men bought lot 101, a Cotai Glory (GB) colt from the family of Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) off the stud for €65,000 at Tattersalls Ireland, and sold him to Michael O'Callaghan for 160,00gns on Tuesday.
  • Norman Williamson also enjoyed a predictably good start to the opening day's trade. The Oak Tree Farm operator, who gave us Classic winners Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), sold a Mehmas (Ire) colt (lot 2) for 220,000gns to Tom Pritchard-Gordon of Badgers Bloodstock to go to Hong Kong.
  • Nikki Scallan and Antonio Da Silva, who operate under the banner of A & N Bloodstock, enjoyed their best result in the sales ring to date when lot 12, an Acclamation (GB) colt, sold to Leinster Bloodstock for 220,000gns. The £38,000 yearling purchase proved a shrewd investment for the Curragh handlers.
  • Willie Browne doesn't wear the title as the breeze-up king for no reason and his Mocklershill outfit ended the day as the leading consignor with four lots selling for 812,000gns, including a 320,000gns Starspangledbanner (Aus) colt to Richard Ryan acting agent for MV Magnier.
  • The only Farhh (GB) colt (lot 59) in the sale went down a bomb in selling to Blandford Bloodstock and Joseph O'Brien for 235,000gns. He was purchased by Eddie Linehan of Lackendarra Stables for 105,000gns at Book 2 and was also consigned by the Cork native.

 

Market Commentary: John Cullinan Reports “Tough Night's Business”

Despite selling a Blue Point (Ire) colt (lot 100) for 130,000gns and a Showcasing (GB) colt (lot 31) for 100,000gns, John Cullinan reported a tricky trade for horses operating in the middle market after buying back two of his eight horses on day one.

Cullinan, who consigns under Church Farm and Horse Park Stud, described what was “tough going” for horses selling outside of the top bracket.

He explained, “It was a mixed bag-a tough night's business for some people. It's the first domestic sale of the year and people may tend to be a bit more reserved maybe.

“The middle market was tough going and even at that it was very selective. If you were lucky enough to have one that people wanted, you got well-paid but, for the rest of us, it was hard going.”

He added, “Our nicer horses did okay but we fell on our arses with the weaker ones. We had what we thought were a few suitable types for the middle market but it was tricky.

“We sold a Blue Point colt for 130,000gns and a Showcasing for 100,000gns, so that was fine, but everything in between was tough going.”

Searching for reasons why the clearance rate dropped from 78% 12 months ago to 69% on Tuesday, Cullinan suggested the breeze taking place on softer than ideal conditions may have played a role.

He said, “I don't think the ground helped. When the breeze is on soft ground, it adds another dimension into the buyers' thought process. I think it made things a little uncertain and maybe there was a lack of confidence because of that. We'll see. Hopefully it picks up tomorrow.”

 

Tally-Ho To The Fore With Blue Point Colt

On a day when Blue Storm (GB) provided Blue Point (Ire) with his third individual winner in taking fashion at Newmarket, just a few miles down the road, the freshman sire's reputation hardened further.

Anthony Stroud went to 340,000gns for Tally-Ho Stud's Blue Point colt, who was picked up by Roger O'Callaghan for 70,000gns at the Tattersalls December Sale in 2021.

Stroud said of lot 30, “Roger bought him as a foal and didn't bring him back as a yearling–he went for the long-term project. It looks like it paid off, too.”

The O'Callaghans enjoyed another good result when Michael O'Callaghan, who has done well with his breeze-up purchasers from the County Westmeath outfit in the past, went to 240,000gns to secure Lezoo's (GB) (Zoutar {Aus}) half-sister (lot 38) by Territories (Ire).

 

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Observations: Daughter of Lumiere Starts at Newmarket

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. Wednesday's Insights features the well-bred Silver Lady (GB), a daughter of Group 1 winner Lumiere (GB) (Shamardal), on debut at Newmarket. 

16.45 Newmarket, Mdn, £10,000, 3yo, f, 8fT
SILVER LADY (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is the third foal out of the G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lumiere (GB) (Shamardal) who particularly excelled at Newmarket and has already produced Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who captured the Listed Feilden S. on this card two years ago. Trained like that useful type by Charlie Appleby, Godolphin's March-foaled homebred is met by another intriguing newcomer by Sea The Stars in Sunderland Holding's Sea Claret (GB), a William Haggas-trained relative of the recent G3 Prix Vanteaux winner Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

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Newmarket, It’s Good To Be Back

They're off and running at Newmarket, though not all of the runners have been in official races. The first day of the Craven meeting, a date anticipated with longing by those racing folk who dwell by that wind-blasted Heath, was ushered in by a Classic winner on the Rowley Mile. 

While we have more than a fortnight to wait for the first Classic victor of 2023 to reveal himself, the 2021 Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) strode out with purpose under William Buick on the easy turf on Tuesday morning. He is likely to be seen next in Newbury's G3 John Porter S. on Saturday, and the post-work smile on Charlie Appleby's face was matched a few hours later by Roger Varian, who oversaw a pre-racing gallop for his 2,000 Guineas contender Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {GB}).

“It was perfect to be honest,” said Varian, who was in company with Fawzi Nass and Oliver St Lawrence representing Sakheer's Bahraini owner KHK Racing. 

“It was not meant to be gut-busting work, and it wasn't. He did enough to have a nice blow and it got him a day away from home.”

Ed Harper of Whitsbury Manor Stud paid close inspection to Sakheer as he was warmed down after his gallop. As the breeder of Sakheer's potential Guineas rival Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Harper is entitled to be more interested than most, but then the stallion men know how fierce the competition is for new recruits. It's never too early to start looking.

Meanwhile, Varian added of the colt's five-furlong gallop, “It's nice to come an hour before racing as there are a few people around and there is a little bit of atmosphere, and he got to experience the undulations [of the Rowley Mile].

“He was very well balanced throughout the work and he came through nicely. It was a bridle work, but a strong work and he will come forward nicely for it. It's very much part of his schedule and he has got a strong two weeks ahead of him.”

Nass and St Lawrence have also got a strong few weeks ahead of them with the commencement of the breeze-up sales in Europe this week. Both Sakheer and his stable-mate, the St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who races in the same colours, were sourced at the Arqana breeze-up in the past two seasons.

Varian noted that we can expect to see Eldar Eldarov return to action in the G2 Yorkshire Cup on May 19. With Stradivarius (Ire) busily covering more than 100 mares next door to the Rowley Mile at the National Stud, and Kyprios (Ire) having met with a setback, could this be the year for the youngster to further enhance his name in the staying ranks?

As the sun was chased away by fierce gusts, Frankie Dettori may well have been wishing that he'd remained in California, especially when his first two mounts back on home turf finished last. But then Covey (GB) (Frankel {GB}) burst through to win the Alex Scott Maiden by four lengths to earn himself a likely tilt in stakes company for his next start.

“I arrived this morning: I slept two hours on the plane and two hours in my bed,” said Dettori. “I was counting it this morning and I've got six months until 21 October and Champions Day, so there is still plenty to do. I'm not going to start crying yet but I will enjoy it.”

It was a day for memorials. Alex Scott, who trained Lammtarra in his juvenile season as well as the top sprinters Cadeaux Genereux (GB) and Sheikh Albadou (GB), has been commemorated on the Rowley Mile since his premature death in September 1994 at the age of just 34, and many members of his family gathered on the rostrum for the presentation. 

In the next race we remembered Pat Smullen, the multiple Irish champion jockey who gained even more respect in his fundraising efforts for Cancer Trials Ireland, and was a much enjoyed columnist for TDN as his riding career came to an end. Since Smullen's death in September 2020, his great friend and colleague Ted Durcan has ensured that his name lives on at Newmarket by sponsoring the Pat Smullen Memorial British EBF Novice S. 

It was a contest that provided a third winner for the early leader in the first-season sires' table, Darley's Blue Point (Ire). His son Blue Storm (Ire), trained by James Tate for Sultan Ali, had been expected in the ring on Tuesday evening for the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. Instead he graced the parade ring on the Rowley Mile, the second two-year-old winner this year, after Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), to have been entered for that sale but sent straight to the racecourse instead.

Plenty of mutterings between races on the pre-parade ring rail still centred on the events at Aintree on Saturday, and a security guard at Newmarket admitted that they had been warned to expect potential protesters back at the Rowley Mile for the Guineas meeting, which coincides with the King's coronation.

It would be preferable to be able to cast such worries from our minds and focus on the most important thing in front of us while leaning on that rail: enticing, well-bred Thoroughbreds who could be anything. That, after all, is what the Craven meeting is all about. The true start of the Flat, at British racing's HQ. It's good to be back, even in bone-chilling weather. 

 

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