Tag: Top News Europe

Favourites Draw Wide Gates For Dubai World Cup

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — WinStar Farm, Commonwealth Thoroughbreds and Zedan Racing LLC's Country Grammer (Tonalist) was assigned gate 14 in a field of 15 when he goes out in defense of his title in Saturday's G1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline at Meydan Racecourse, with the draw held at the Armani Hotel located in the towering Burj Khalifa in Central Dubai.

The 6-year-old, the final World Cup ride for jockey Frankie Dettori, won the GII San Antonio S. in dominating fashion in late December at Santa Anita and returned to Riyadh last time to reprise his runner-up effort from last year in the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup four weeks back. The task at hand certainly wasn't made any easier by the draw, but connections were taking it all in their stride.

“We'll leave it up to Frankie and he'll get us around there,” said Jimmy Barnes, assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, who owns four World Cup trophies. “The horse came over from Saudi in good shape. He's looking awesome.”

His last three trips to the Gulf region have netted Country Grammer the better part of $14 million and a victory this weekend would make him the richest racehorse of all time.

The horse that beat him in Saudi last time from the rail, Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) drew the 15 hole, soliciting a collective gasp among those in attendance. While it is true that the gameplan remains the same regardless of the barrier, significantly, the Saudi Cup is contested over a one-turn nine-furlong trip. Conversely, the 2000-metre World Cup begins near the wire and has an abbreviated run to the first turn. There will be little margin of error for jockey Yutaka Yoshida, though he broke beautifully from gate one last time.

“Even if he misses the jump, he still has to go forward, so it's really no concern,” trainer Yoshito Yahagi said of last year's G1 Dubai Turf dead-heater. “We have only one tactic with him so it doesn't change. He won the Dubai Turf last year so we know he loves it here, all is good.”

With the focus on the defending champ as well as the eight-strong entry from Japan, Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) feels like a somewhat forgotten horse going into the weekend despite tough-trip blowout victories in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 and R2. He also drew awkwardly in gate 13.

“It is a battle between some great horses and I hope we can win it,” said Algiers's young owner Hamdan Sultan Ali Alsabouli. “Gate 13 is fine but I was hoping to get five or six.”

Co-trainer Simon Crisford added, “He has drawn wide in both prep runs and so it's no real concern.”

Salute the Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) returned to his best form last time to take out the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 over the World Cup course and distance on Super Saturday for a second time in three years, besting Bendoog (Gun Runner) by two lengths. The pair drew gates four and seven, respectively.

“I might look happy but I'll be happier once the race is over!” said Bahraini conditioner Fawzi Nass. “He is well named, he is an absolute soldier. If we've got any tactics from this gate, I won't be telling you!”

Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) looks to become just the second horse to complete the G2 UAE Derby/World Cup double and figures to be ridden for pace by Australian jockey Damian Lane from a double-digit alley.

“We're not upset at all,” said Masafumi Matsuda, assistant trainer to Koichi Shintani. “After the race, we will be hopeful that stall number 12 will be the lucky one for us. We will go over the tactics with the jockey, but Crown Pride absolutely loves Dubai, so we hope it will be lucky for us.”

The World Cup is the last of the five Group 1s on the program, all of which were drawn Wednesday as well. Post time for the World Cup is 8:35 p.m. Owing to Ramadan, no post-race pyrotechnics or concert will take place. Live coverage of the Dubai World Cup airs on FS2 beginning at noon EST on Saturday. The Dubai World Cup undercard will be live on FS2 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST.

Saturday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 8:35 p.m. ET
DUBAI WORLD CUP SPONSORED  BY EMIRATES AIRLINE-G1, $12,000,000, 3yo/up, 2000m
1 (13) Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal)
2 (7) Bendoog (Gun Runner)
3 (10) Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah)
4 (14) Country Grammer (Tonalist)
5 (12) Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn})
6 (2) Emblem Road (Quality Road)
7 (9) Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong)
8 (3) Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn})
9 (15) Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn})
10 (1) Remorse (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})
11 (4) Salute the Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus})
12 (11) Super Corinto (Arg) (Super Saver)
13 (6) T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister)
14 (8) Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn})
15 (5) Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn})

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Mares Banned From Racing in France After Being Covered

Fillies and mares are forbidden from racing in France after they have been covered by a stallion due to a change to the French rules of racing, France Galop announced.

The amendment brings the rules for Thoroughbred racing in France into line with those for Arabians and for Standardbreds used for trotting. However, it is a move which puts France at odds with its fellow European Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions. In Britain and Ireland, fillies and mares can continue to compete for up to 120 days after being covered. If not found to be pregnant after covering, they can continue racing.

There has been some disquiet among breeders in France and beyond at the sparse communication on this issue, with the changes having been implemented  in the middle of the covering season without breeders and owners being notified.

Julian Ince of Haras du Logis, a member of the Federation des Eleveurs du Galop (French TBA), committee member of the owners' federation and head of the French stallion commission, said, “France Galop dealt with this in a democratic way within their system. It was proposed by a commission, it went to the administrative council, and it went to the France Galop committee and was voted through. However, while there may have been a few members of the TBA who were on those committees who were perhaps informed, the committee of the TBA was not informed of this rule change, and neither was the owners' federation.”

He added, “It would have been preferable for France Galop to have communicated and to have had a debate with the professionals. There are 2,300 members of the [French] TBA and 1,500 of us are owners, but we weren't involved. We're all trying to promote the French system and the prize-money but it is a little bit of shame that [French racing] has gone this way by itself, rather than on a European level. That's my only regret. Maybe there is a case for this, and times have moved on, but it is a shame we have done this without communicating.”

According to the amendment made to Article 123 of the Code des Courses au Galop, from Mar. 1, 2023, no filly or mare that has been covered or confirmed to be pregnant may take part in a race. If a mare who has been covered does not get in foal she will be eligible to race again after 120 days have elapsed from the last service date. No female that has produced a foal will be able to race within 240 days from the date of foaling.

The owner of any female horse in training who has been covered since Jan. 1 of this year must inform the stewards of France Galop and the horse's trainer in writing, giving details of the covering date and name of the stallion. The stewards must also be given written notification if it later transpires that the mare is not in foal.

Des Leadon, chair of the veterinary advisory committee of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders Associations (EFTBA), has sounded a note of caution as to the wording used in such an announcement. 

He said, “The announcement relates to the racing of pregnant mares and I think we have to be very careful in this era as to how we apply our terminology. In the Thoroughbred industry we don't race pregnant mares because mares are mature females and, not to be semantic, there are stages of pregnancy. 

“In the first 60 days after conception we are talking about an embryo, and an embryo is a very small entity, non-viable outside the uterus, and occupying minimal space. Its ability to have much influence over a 500kg animal is minimal. 

“Between 60 days and 120 days, the post-conceptus entity is called a foetus. It's not called a pregnancy. Even if we take the foetus up to 120 days, it probably weighs no more than two or three pounds and is no bigger than six or seven inches in length.”

Leadon continued, “Once a mare has conceived–and I prefer that to pregnant–of course there will be endocrine changes, but there are endocrine changes anyway in the reproductive cycle when mares are in estrous and when they are not. So my concern is that the use of a term that says 'racing pregnant mares' is misleading, and I think it's emotive language that we should not be using in these circumstances. The term I would use is 'after conceiving'.”

He added, “What seems to have happened is that this has come along from pressure rising within Arabian and Standardbred racing and although there are similarities with the Thoroughbred industry, there are also very significant differences. We don't have artificial insemination, and we don't have a situation in which we would have widespread racing of pregnant mares.”

Pierric Rouxel of Haras de Maulepaire, who serves on the jumps council of the Federation des Eleveurs du Galop (French TBA), echoed the sentiments expressed by Ince. He said, “The French should have advised the Irish and the English breeders. There has been a lack of communication from our side. I'm not against this change but the communication should have been better, particularly at this time of year when people are making plans for their horses.”

Leadon, too, called into question the timing of the rule change. He added, “One of the things that strikes a chord immediately is that the timing of this announcement is after the commencement of the breeding season.

“Our initial response [at EFTBA] is of course to have sympathy with racing administrations facing more and more difficult environments, but at the same time we issue a plea for a real focus on the extent of problems, on careful use of language, and a clear definition and understanding of what we are talking about. But, as ever, the biggest plea of all is for inclusive dialogue between racing and breeding from the very outset of these debates, and not just after a decision has been made.”

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Gun Runner Colt Tops ‘Vibrant’ Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — A colt from the third crop of boom American stallion Gun Runner (lot 18) was hammered down to Stephen Hillen, agent for prominent owner Dr Jim Hay, for €543,210 to top Tuesday's second renewal of the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale, held in the parade ring at Meydan Racecourse. On behalf of the Scotsman, Hillen also acquired the second-dearest offering of the evening, a Justify half-brother to GISW Fog of War (War Front) (lot 2), for the equivalent of €518,519.

Following the withdrawal of 10 horses, 63 juveniles were presented to an enthusiastic group of bidders from a variety of jurisdictions and attended by Sheikh Mohammed and his advisors. Some 42 horses were reported as sold for AED25,814,178, a decrease of 18.2% from last year's AED31,580,000. The average of AED614,624 represented a 1% gain over the inaugural event, while the median of AED537,000 jumped by a whopping 37%. The clearance rate of 67% declined from 80% in 2022.

“The second renewal of the Dubai Breeze-Up in association with Goffs was another sale of vibrant sales ring action,” said Goffs' Henry Beeby. “Whilst the clearance rate was slightly down on last year, the average and particularly the median has grown considerably which demonstrated that the quality was selling extremely well.

“The old adage at these types of sales is 'breeze well, sell well', and those that caught the eye at the breeze were the most active in the sales ring. We built very solid foundations in years one and two and look forward to working with the Dubai Racing

Club to develop this sale into a truly world-class event, and the racetrack success of the first year certainly means that it has a bright future.

“Once again, I would like to extend thanks from all the team at Goffs to the Dubai Racing Club for the trust they have placed in us, and we salute the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in adding the sale to this huge week of international racing at the Dubai World Cup.”

Hay Is For Horses

It was a busy evening for Stephen Hillen and Dr Jim Hay, who ended up securing not only the sale's top two sellers, but four of the top seven overall.

Lot 2 was bred in Kentucky by Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt and was consigned to the sale by Willie Browne's Mocklershill on behalf of the breeder. Lead auctioneer Henry Beeby accepted an opening bid of a robust AED500,000 and bidding was steady up to and through the 2-million dirham level before Hay landed his first winning blow of the evening.

“We supported the sale last year,” said Hay, whose two purchases last year included a Gun Runner colt and a filly by Into Mischief. “We didn't do well with the purchases, but nevertheless, there are high-class pedigrees, the catalogue this year looks better. Stephen has had a good look at everything.”

Added Hillen: “He is by a top sire, Willie Browne thoroughly recommended him. I saw him at Willie's place about three weeks ago, big stride and by a good stallion. He'll probably stay here in Dubai to be trained by Bhupat Seemar.”

Hay has racing interests in all corners of the globe, but is encouraged about the trajectory of the local programme.

“The plan is to build up the stable in Dubai, this is where the prize money is and we need to race here,” he said.

“Very pleased with that,” said the consignor. “He was a beautiful horse by a stallion who is going places.”

A Justify colt also topped Monday's opening session of the OBS March Sale in Ocala, Florida, on a bid of $1.2 million.

A short time later, Hay and Hillen bought consecutive lots off Tom Whitehead's Powerstown Stud. Lot 17, a War Front own brother to the stakes-placed Stony Point, was acquired by Chad Schumer for $130,000 at last year's Keeneland September Sale and fetched €320,928 Tuesday, while Hay went back to the Gun Runner well once more when paying the sales-topping price.

“He was already a big horse when we got him, but he got broader and wider since,” Whitehead said of the Gun Runner son of Brazilian Group 1 winner Baby Go Far (Brz) (Elusive Quality), who was purchased for $160,000 at Keeneland last fall.

He, too, will be trained by Seemar, who said the colt reminded him a lot of his G1 Dubai World Cup hopeful Bendoog (Gun Runner), who was most recently runner-up in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3.

Hay's fourth purchase was a colt from the first crop of Mitole–Warm Breeze (Street Sense) (lot 14) for €246,914. The May 3 foal was consigned by Bushypark Stables, who bought him for $60,000 at Keeneland.

 

 

 

Schumer Happy, Surprised By Results

American agent Chad Schumer does plenty of business in the Gulf region and is responsible for having sold last-out Listed Al Bastakiya S. winner Go Soldier Go (Tapiture) at last year's Dubai Sale. He was more than satisfied with the sale of the War Front colt through Powerstown, but was generally perplexed at the end results

“It's a very good pedigree and we expected that colt to do well,” he said, taking time out from his work down at the OBS sale. “He was a beautiful yearling and vetted well. You never know until you get there so we are delighted.”

He continued, “Tom generally just tries to buy the right kind of horse. This horse was well below what we were willing to spend, so it was a nice surprise we were able to pick him up for that.”

Given the success of last year's event, he was a bit taken aback at the level of engagement this time around.

“It was a real surprise to me,” he said. “Last year it felt a bit spotty to me. If you didn't have the right type, there was no money at all and Goffs did an exceptional job in pushing to get those horses sold. This year, based on the fact that so many of the horses had won and there was the Group 1-placed horse in Japan, I would have thought there would have been voracious demand, but there wasn't. Maybe OBS going on at the same time causes a pull from this sale, I don't know.”

 

 

 

Mitole A Hot Commodity in Dubai As Well

The first-crop offerings by Mitole (Eskendereya) proved popular Monday at OBS, with three lots fetching six-figure prices, and those that went through Tuesday in Dubai made a favourable impression as well. In addition to Hay's aforementioned purchase early in the session, Oliver St Lawrence and trainer Fawzi Nass went to €222,222 for a half-brother to the multiple Canadian stakes winners Dene Court (City Zip) and Jacally (Bold Executive). Lot 66 was purchased by Roderic Kavanagh's Glending Stables for $60,000 at Keeneland in September.

“I liked this colt very much and it seems like the sire is making some good horses,” St Lawrence said. “They have good substance and are good doers.”

The Name's Stroud

Buyers at Tuesday's sale were identifiable by paddles bearing a three-digit number, and lot 42, a colt by Darley America's Street Sense was knocked down to agent Anthony Stroud–holding paddle 007–for €370,370, the joint-fourth highest price of the sale.

Bred in Kentucky by Lewis Thoroughbred Breeding, the bay colt is out of Gold Serenade (Medaglia d'Oro), whose superstar 11-times Grade I-winning dam Serena's Song (Rahy) was responsible for G1 Coronation S. heroine Sophisticat (Storm Cat) and graded-stakes winners Grand Reward (Storm Cat) and Harlington (Unbridled). This is also the family of US champion Honor Code (A.P. Indy).

 

 

 

No Nay Never Colt Leads Euro-Breds

Of the 18 2-year-olds offered during Tuesday's session by European-based stallions, lot 71 proved the most coveted, selling to the burgeoning Najd Stud for €209,877.

A son of 2012 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas third Princess Sinead (Ire) (Jeremy), the May-foaled bay was led out unsold on a bid of 40,000gns during Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Sale last fall.

“We are delighted with that,” said Colm Kennedy, whose Drumphea Stables consigned the colt as the property of a partnership. “We were very pleased with the way the horse presented and his breeze [Monday] was very nice. Certainly the sire helped him, but that was a very good result.”

Najd Stud, the operation of Saudi Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz, bought four lots Tuesday topped by a Constitution colt (lot 25) out of a half-sister to multiple graded winner and Grade I-placed Independence Hall (Constitution) for just over €395,000 off Brendan Holland's Grove Stud.

Click here for the full results.

 

 

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‘He’d Be On The A-Team’ – Ger Lyons Stable Tour

Ger Lyons has been competing at the top table of Irish racing for well over a decade and recorded breakthrough Classic success in 2020 when Siskin (First Defence) stormed to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas glory under Colin Keane at the Curragh.

The pair didn't have to wait long to record their second when, just five weeks later, Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) landed the Irish Oaks.

Lyons has a typically-strong team of older horses to go to war with this season. Tough Talk and Hellsing appear to be the pick of the 3-year-old colts while Zarinsk, Amazing Show and Mauiewowie are just a handful of 3-year-old fillies that the trainer is looking forward to this term.

As well as an array of classy older types, Lyons has a galaxy of well-bred youngsters to unleash this term, but revealed that he will be adopting a kinder approach with his 2-year-olds this term.

He said, “I won't have my first 2-year-old runners until April. I am letting them grow in front of my eyes and cuddling them along. You can see them growing week after week at this time of year and we haven't dipped any of our 2-year-olds yet.”

In the first edition of TDN Europe's stable tour series that will concentrate on 2-year-old talent, Lyons has put forward 14 juveniles to note ahead of the new season as well as outlining plans for some of his older horses below.

 

Hellsing: a smart prospect | Racingfotos.com

 

2-Year-Olds
Name: Quadruple (GB)
Breeding: Frankel (GB) filly out of Soffia (GB) (Kyllachy {GB})
Purchaser: Homebred
Owner: Juddmonte
Comment: She's a lovely and straightforward filly. We are not rushing any 2-year-olds this year and will let them come to themselves in their own time. She is only new to me but she seems very straightforward and anyone who has ridden her has been pretty excited by what they are feeling. You'd like to think she could be smart.

Halberd (GB)
Showcasing (GB) colt out of Battlement (GB) (Dansili {GB})
Juddmonte
He is a lovely grey horse. His dam is a half to Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and he looks a smart, precocious type. He'd look an early sort and he'll tell me when he's ready. He's very straightforward and, at this early stage, he's one I like–but that could be the kiss of death!

Bellezza (Ire)
Siyouni (Fr) filly out of Terrific (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Moyglare Stud
A lot of quality and by the right type of sire. She has a lot of size and scope, as her brother Tough Talk (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) has, and he would be one of our big bullets to fire in the 3-year-old ranks this year. She has grown humongously–she was big when we got her but she is still growing and filling into herself. I'm letting her come in her own time but she is as sweet as a nut and is definitely one that's exciting us.

General Assembly (Ire)
Starspangledbanner (Aus) colt out of Black Rodded (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB})
Bought by Richard Ryan for 130,000gns at the Somerville Sale at Tattersalls from Ballyhimikin Stud
Teme Valley
He has been a very professional horse since the day he walked into the yard. He came in with a tall reputation for being the pick of the Somerville Sale and is just an awesome Railway-type horse who is just oozing quality. He will be as early as I need him to be and could be a Royal Ascot 2-year-old. That's the type of horse we view him as if he keeps doing what he is doing. Everything comes so easy to him. But, again, I haven't dipped any of my 2-year-olds so I don't know how good or bad they are, but I would be very positive about this colt. Richard Ryan bought him–he bought Rocking Tree as well–and he buys a nice type. He bought Hellsing (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), who was a very good 2-year-old and one we're looking forward to for this year so, if he keeps sending us horses like that, we'll be very happy.

Rocking Tree (Ire)
Kodiac (GB) colt out of Rocktique (Rock Hard Ten)
Bought by Richard Ryan at Goffs Orby Sale from Glenvale Stud for €130,000
Teme Valley
Kodiac has been a phenomenal success and has even surprised me by how he has kept improving. This is a fine stamp of a Kodiac–strong, but not typical in that he has plenty of size and scope about him. He's very straightforward and has a good mind. He could be anything. Again, he was bought by Richard Ryan so, if he continues to buy that type of horse for us, he can fill the yard.

Beauty Thunder (Ire)
Night Of Thunder (Ire) colt out of Tawayna (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire})
Bought at Goffs Orby from Yeomanstown Stud for €100,000 by Gaelic Bloodstock
Beauty Stable
By one of my favourite sires, Night Of Thunder (Ire). You would think that he lacked size when we bought him but, the few colts that I have bought by the sire, they all looked on the small size at the sales. I said to myself, 'if he's like the ones I bought, he'll come,' and he's just to die for. Back in January, I was thinking that he was still on the small side but he is starting to sprout now and he's typical of the colts that I have had by Night Of Thunder. I should say that it is untypical of Thunder Kiss (Ire), who is by Night Of Thunder as well, but this lad is showing all the right qualities. I could see him being a nice 2-year-old for the middle part of the season. We have had a lot of luck for this owner but they buy for Hong Kong, so the horses spend their 2-year-old career with us before moving over there. That's what they like to do and the dream is to find them a Hong Kong Derby horse.

Unnamed
Zoustar (Aus) colt out of Ainippe (Ire) (Captain Rio {GB})
Bought by David Redvers at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale for £70,000 from Furnace Mill Stud
Richard Pegum
Richard has had horses with me before through David Redvers and the obvious connection with this colt is that we trained his dam, Ainippe. She was a very smart and fast filly. I've never had a Zoustar before this season and now I have a few of them in the yard. They are the most gorgeous physicals and this one is most gorgeous as well. He goes very well and would be a better-looking horse than his mother was. Zoustar is rocking the world down under in Australia and, again, I think they will need their time but this lad is more precious than the others. At this moment in time, you'd love what he is doing.

Unnamed
Blue Point (Ire) filly out of Cosmic Love (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire})
Bought by Grassick Bloodstock and Ronan Fitzpatrick at Goffs Orby Sale for €300,000 from Kilminfoyle House Stud
Mark Dobbin
We are going with Blue Point because he seems to be a first-season sire who is ticking all the right boxes. We're very positive about the ones that we have by him. She wouldn't be the biggest filly but hopefully she comes a bit in size. There's something about her that we like and she looks precocious. I would say she cost enough, but they were the sales everyone was operating in last year. Winning a maiden won't be good enough to justify her price tag and hopefully she is better than that. The talk on the street would be that Blue Point is doing it and the few that I have would suggest he's going to be alright.

Unnamed
Blue Point (Ire) colt out of Gwael (A.P. Indy)
Bought by Kerri Lyons for 70,000gns out of Genesis Green Stud at Book 2 at Tattersalls
Sean Jones, David Spratt and Lynne Lyons
Kerri bought him and he's nice. He'd be quite typical of the filly that we have by Blue Point–you could nearly say they are brother and sister. They are doing their thing and the word on the street is quite positive about the stallion but I won't be rushing them. I'd be happy with him at the moment anyway.

Unnamed
Phoenix Of Spain (Ire) colt out of Alfea (GB) (Kentucky Dynamite)
Bought by Wyanstown House for €34,000 at the 2021 Goffs November Foal Sale from Farran House Stud
Vincent Gaul
He reminds me of a horse I used to train called Gold-Fun (Ire) (Le Vie Dei Colori {GB}), who went on to be a very good horse in Hong Kong. He is a big, strong, powerful beast. I think Vincent Gaul bought him as a foal and there is something about this horse I just love. He can gallop and will be a middle-season plus horse. He'll be a real miler and there's something very taking about him, he does things very easily.

Unnamed
Bated Breath (GB) filly out of Rosie Cotton (Ire) (King's Best)
Ballygallon Stud
A gorgeous filly but more likely to be a 3-year-old rather than a 2-year-old. She is doing what we are asking her but gives us the impression that she will be lovely for the back end and beyond.

State's Evidence (GB)
Expert Eye (GB) colt out of Palmette (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB})
Juddmonte
I'd say he's typical of Juddmonte's in that he is smart. I have a very smart bunch for Juddmonte this year–roughly 17 in total–and he would be right up there as being rated among the smartest. He does things very easily and there is a lot of quality about him. He'd be on the A-team at this moment in time.

Dandy Lichious (Ire)
Dandy Man (Ire) colt out of Ana Lichious (Ire) (Makfi {GB})
Patrick Hanlon
He will be our earliest runner. He has been standing on his hind legs telling me he is ready to run since Christmas Day! He's not as ready as he thinks he is but he'll be one of our earliest runners and is a good-looking son of Dandy Man. He's not over-big but he is big enough and, as soon as the ground dries up, he'll be out.

Serious Notions (GB)
Advertise (GB) filly out of Darling Grace (GB) (Nayef)
Bought by Kerri Lyons for €68,000 from Kildarragh Stud at Goffs Orby
Rick Gaynor
A nice filly that Kerri bought. We are liking what we are seeing and is shaping up as a nice filly at the minute anyway. We like to throw six balls up in the air with the fillies that we buy at the sales in the hope that two come down as nice fillies and she could be one of the nicer ones. She looks the part and I hope she is nice because Kerri picked her and she's for a nice owner.

 

Tough Talk: beating Little Big Bear on debut | Racingfotos.com

 

Older Horses
I have a lovely bunch of 3-year-olds and up for the season. Of the horses who won their maidens last year, the Amazing Show (GB)s (Showcasing {GB}) of this world, they have all gotten very strong so I have a very exciting batch to look forward to.

Zarinsk (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) has already stepped up to listed class and you'd hope that some of the horses who won their maidens last year can do something similar. After that, you are hoping that they will keep building, that's the dream.

Hellsing and Tough Talk would be the outstanding colts. The bubble has not burst on them yet. Tough Talk had a setback last year but he has been in training for quite a while and is one to really look forward to.

Hellsing was just denied in the Goffs Million last year but did everything right by us. He is the most gorgeous horse and he will want a

mile minimum–he could even be a 10-furlong horse. He could be anything. He outperformed what we thought he would do at two because we always viewed him as an older horse in the making.

There is a list of fillies that we are dreaming about and they have all done very well. We pulled up early with Mauiewowie (GB)  last year because she won her stakes race and, typical of Night Of Thunders, we said we'd let her grow. She could be a Commonwealth type of filly and the Lacken S. could suit her prior to Ascot. She'll probably be better with a bit of juice in the ground. Here's hoping she steps up to the next level.

Amazing Show won her maiden well and the form of that has worked out fantastic. I overfaced her in the Moyglare but, if you look at her now, she's a 500kg filly. That Moyglare entry shows you what I thought of her. While she is a long way shy of that, you'd like to think she can step up to be a Listed/Group 3 filly at a minimum.

Cairde Go Deo (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) is a dream filly. She needed to strengthen up from three to four if she's to get to the next level and I think that she has. I couldn't be happier by how well she has done physically. She could be shy of the top level but we'd be hopeful she can be competitive in Group 2s over a mile-and-a-half to start although she will get further.

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