Top News Europe | Horse Racing Free Tips

Dabirsim’s Horizon Dore Bounds To Delahante Triumph

Patrice Cottier trainee Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}–Sweet Alabama (Fr), by Enrique {GB}) took his tally to a perfect two-for-two when annexing Monday's Listed Prix Delahante at Marseille-Borely. The gelded 2-year-old had posted a five-length debut win at Salon-de-Provence last month and bounded to another wide-margin triumph on black-type bow in the 8 1/2-furlong juvenile contest. Foiling a Cottier exacta, Harry Way (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) nailed Horizon Dore's stablemate Cambronne (Fr) (Alex The Winner) on the line for second.

Monday, Marseille-Borely, France
PRIX DELAHANTE-Listed, €60,000, Marseille-Borely, 10-24, 2yo, 8 1/2fT, 1:40.83, gd.
1–HORIZON DORE (FR), 126, g, 2, by Dabirsim (Fr)
1st Dam: Sweet Alabama (Fr), by Enrique (GB)
2nd Dam: Hallen (Fr), by Midyan
3rd Dam: Haumette (Fr), by Mille Balles (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€45,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG). O-Michel Delaunay, Ecurie du Sud, Ecurie Gribomont, Daniel Dumoulin & Mlle Chantal Becq; B-Mlle Chantal Becq (FR); T-Patrice Cottier; J-Marvin Grandin. €30,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €39,000. *1/2 to Cavale Doree (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}), GSW-Fr & GISP-US, $162,561.
2–Harry Way (Fr), 126, g, 2, Galiway (GB)–Miss Vinga (Fr), by High Rock (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Robert Bonaventure (FR); T-Nicolas Perret. €12,000.
3–Cambronne (Fr), 126, c, 2, Alex The Winner–Candie (Fr), by Kendargent (Fr). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois; B-Mme Lisa Lemiere Dubois (FR); T-Patrice Cottier. €9,000.
Margins: 6, HD, 1. Odds: 2.80, 3.60, 20.00.
Also Ran: Bolivie (Ire), Mqse De Maintenon (Ire), Pacific Boy (Fr), Hayejohn (Fr), Una Stonda (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

Horizon Dore, who posted an impressive five-length debut success going nine furlongs in a Sept. 24 newcomers' test at Salon-de-Provence in his only prior start, bounded to another wide-margin triumph with a dominant display in this black-type bow. Recovering from a sluggish getaway to track the leaders in fourth after passing the judge first time, the 14-5 second choice loomed large to launch his challenge full of run in early straight and surged clear of toiling rivals in style, once seizing control approaching the furlong pole, for a career high.

Pedigree Notes
Horizon Dore, the latest of eight foals and runners, is one of seven scorers out of a multiple-winning half-sister to five-time stakes placegetter Zayade (Fr) (Country Reel). His dam Sweet Alabama (Fr) (Enrique {GB}) is also half to Winter Springs (Fr) (Stormy River {Fr}), who finished second in the 2014 renewal of this contest. The March-foaled bay's third dam Haumette (Fr) (Mille Balles {Fr}), who hails from a family featuring European champion and Irish Derby-winning sire Prince Regent (Fr) (Right Royal {Fr}), is kin to G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris and dual G3 Prix d'Hedouville-winning sire Robore (Fr) (Zino {GB}). Horizon Dore is a half-brother to G3 Prix du Calvados victrix and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf third Cavale Doree (Fr) (Sunday Break {Jpn}).

The post Dabirsim’s Horizon Dore Bounds To Delahante Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

‘Tough, Genuine and Consistent’: Rock Of Gibraltar Dies at 23

Former world champion 3-year-old Rock of Gibraltar (Ire) (Danehill–Offshore Boom {GB}, by Be My Guest) has died from heart failure at Castlehyde Stud in Ireland at the age of 23.

The son of Danehill was bred by the late Joe Crowley with his daughter Annemarie and son-in-law Aidan O'Brien. He was sent into training with the latter at Ballydoyle as a juvenile in 2001, later racing for the partnership of Sir Alex Ferguson and Susan Magnier.

Rock Of Gibraltar's sensational racing career, which saw him land seven consecutive Group 1 races in 11 months, began in the April of his 2-year-old season when he broke his maiden over five furlongs in the hands of Mick Kinane at the Curragh. Kinane, Ballydoyle's stable jockey at that time, would be aboard for 12 of the colt's 13 starts, his one omission being when suspended for the 2000 Guineas. Rock Of Gibraltar, ridden that day at Newmarket by Johnny Murtagh, raced on the far side of the track, beating stablemate and race favourite Hawk Wing by a neck to land the first of his two Classic victories, with Kinane back in the saddle for his follow-up at the Curragh.

Kinane remembers his partnership with Rock Of Gibraltar as “the most fun I had riding any racehorse”.

He told TDN on Monday, “He was an exceptional racehorse. He loved racing, and he was the only horse I ever rode who would have a buck and kick and a squeal going down to the start. He had an unbelievable turn of pace. He was a fantastic miler, a brilliant 2-year-old and a brilliant 3-year-old.”

In hindsight, Rock Of Gibraltar's 2000 Guineas starting price of 9-1 seems extraordinarily generous. By the time he lined up for his seasonal debut on the Rowley Mile on May 4, 2002, he was already a dual Group 1 winner, having annexed the Grand Criterium and Dewhurst S. to conclude a juvenile campaign in which he won five of his seven races, including the G2 Gimcrack S. and G3 Railway S.

At three, he became the fifth horse in history to land the 2,000 Guineas double in Britain and Ireland, and then went on to add the St James's Palace S., Sussex S., and Prix du Moulin to his outstanding record, becoming the first horse to win seven consecutive Group 1 races in the northern hemisphere, beating a record previously held for 30 years by the great Mill Reef. In his final start, Rock Of Gibraltar was second to Domedriver (Ire), beaten less than a length in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Arlington.

Horse of the Year in 2002, Rock Of Gibraltar embarked on his stud career at Coolmore the following season, effectively replacing Mozart, another top son of Danehill who had died the previous May after only one season at stud. 'The Rock' remained in Ireland for all bar one of the subsequent years, when he stood at the Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan in 2007. His 16 Group 1 winners include the top sprinter Society Rock (Ire), Eclipse S. winner and former useful sire Mount Nelson (GB), and the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Samitar (Ire). In recent seasons Rock Of Gibraltar has featured as the broodmare sire of subsequent winners of the 2,000 Guineas, Kameko and Poetic Flare (Ire).

Rock Of Gibraltar was out of the Be My Guest mare Offshore Boom (GB), who had been bought from her breeder Moyglare Stud by Crowley and the O'Briens in 1997 for IR£11,000. One of her later foals, also by Danehill, was the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial runner-up Nell Gwyn (Ire).

A lengthy essay in Racehorses of 2002 perhaps summed up the late stallion's racing career of 10 wins from 13 starts best when stating, “It goes almost without saying that the hardy Timeform epithet 'tough, genuine and consistent' fits Rock Of Gibraltar to a T.”

In tribute to Rock Of Gibraltar, Paddy Fleming, stud manager at Castlehyde, said, “He was healthy and looking great right up to the end. He was a fantastic racehorse and a very good sire who will be missed by all the staff here.”

The post ‘Tough, Genuine and Consistent’: Rock Of Gibraltar Dies at 23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Record Kikura Sho For Deep Impact’s Ask Victor More

Despite riding a three-race losing streak, Ask Victor More (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) turned things around Sunday in a stakes-setting victory in Hanshin's G1 Kikura Sho (Japanese St, Leger), the final leg in Japan's Triple Crown. Installed the 4-1 second choice, Ask Victor More broke alertly and settled several lengths behind pacesetter Seiun Hades (Jpn) (Silver State), who rolled through the first 1,000 meter in :58.7 seconds. Continuing to survey the pacesetter from second without feeling any pressure, Ask Victor More closed on the early leader passing the 800-meter pole and quickly overtook the frontrunner, leading the rest by about four lengths entering the stretch. The only threat came from Boldog Hos (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) and Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) who came charging up down the middle of the straight late, however, Ask Victor More was able to hold on to a nose victory in record time.

“I had a lot in my mind as to how I should ride in such a way that would produce good results for the colt and I am relieved that it worked out well,” said winning rider Hironobu Tanabe. “Although, he we will be facing even tougher competition in the future, I feel that he is getting stronger with every race and hope that we can continue with good results.”

The winner of his first two starts this term, including the G2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho Kinen in March, he finished fifth and third in his next two at the Group 1 level–the Aor. 17 Satsuki Sho and the May 29 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby). In his latest start, the bay came was a close-up second behind Gaia Force (Jpn) in the G2 Asahi Hai Kinen at Nakayama Sept. 19.

Sunday, Hanshin, Japan
KIKUKA SHO (JAPANESE ST. LEGER) – G1, ¥329,790,000, Hanshin, 10-23, 3yo, 3000mT, *3:02.40, fm.
1–ASK VICTOR MORE (JPN), 126, c, 3, Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Kartica (GB) (GSP-Fr), by Rainbow Quest
2nd Dam: Cayman Sunset (Ire), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Robinia, by Roberto
(¥170,000,000 yrl '20 JRHAJUL). O-Toshihiro Hirosaki HD;
B-Shadai Farm; T-Yasuhito Tamura; J-Hironobu Tanabe;
¥180,653,000. Lifetime Record: 9-4-1-3. *1/2 to Hwt Older
Mare-Fr at 7-9 1/2f, MG1SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $909,633.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: F.
2–Boldog Hos (Jpn), 126, c, 3, by Screen Hero (Jpn)–Boldogsag
(Fr), by Layman. O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm;
¥68,758,000.
3–Justin Palace (Jpn), 126, c, 3, by Deep Impact (Jpn)–Palace
Rumor, by Royal Anthem. (¥190,000,000 yrl '20 JRHAJUL).
O-Masahiro Miki; B-Northern Farm; ¥42,379,000.
Margins: NO, HF, 5; Odds: 3.10, 10.50, 8.70.
Also Ran: Douradores (Jpn), Shihono Speranza (Jpn), Yamanin Zest (Jpn), Pradaria (Jpn), Gaia Force (Jpn), Ask Wild More (Jpn), Shelby's Eye (Jpn), Seleccion (Jpn), Verona City (Jpn), Be Astonished (Jpn), Dinasta (Jpn), Feengrotten (Jpn), Pot Bullet (Jpn), Seiun Hades (Jpn), Meiner Turpan (Jpn)
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Click for the JRA chart and video.

The post Record Kikura Sho For Deep Impact’s Ask Victor More appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale Gets Underway On Monday

Graduates Knights Order (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}) and Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {BRZ}) have amassed four wins at the highest level in Australia between themselves while Hong Kong Harry (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}) paid another compliment to the Autumn Horses in Training Sale at Newmarket by winning a Group 2 in America just last month.

That may go some way to explaining why buyers were braving the elements on a day made for ducks on the eve of this sale at Park Paddocks on Sunday.

The 85,000gns that Boomer Bloodstock paid for Hong Kong Harry 12 months ago is working out at a snip and leading bloodstock agent Caig Rounsefell is back in search of his next high class runner.

He said, “It's been a great sale for me down through the years. Hong Kong Harry has turned out to be a great buy and it looks like he's getting better and better. I enjoy this sale because you don't have to buy the best horse on offer, you just have to buy the one that is going to be best suited to the conditions where they are being bought for.

“If you can find those ones, say for California, they can really thrive and improve. It's always a bit of a treasure hunt. Watching lots of videos and checking the physicals and it's all packed into four days. It's good fun.”

Rounsefell added, “We do quite a bit of background work leading into this sale but I'm mainly looking at horses for California. Conformation is pretty critical when you're buying horses for California with the firm tracks and having to train on the dirt every day. I don't know why but, every year, the first day is always quiet for me and it looks that way again this year.”

Coolmore's High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Waterville (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), along with Group 3-winning juvenile Eddie's Boy (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), are just a selection of the offerings that are expected to fetch quacking sums this week as the four-day sale kicks off on Monday morning at 9.30am.

After withdrawals, a total of 305 winners and winners in waiting will walk through the ring in the opening session, with George Boughey's Royal Ascot winner Inver Park (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) one of the highlights.

Another former graduate of the sale, Pied Piper (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), confirmed himself a possible Champion Hurdle contender when winning on his seasonal reappearance at Cheltenham in impressive fashion on Saturday and Gordon Elliott was in attendance at Newmarket on Sunday as he searched for the next star recruit to the jumping game.

Pied Piper, a Grade 2 winner over hurdles last season and now just 16-1 to win next year's Champion Hurdle, was knocked down to Joey Logan on behalf of Andrew and Gemma Brown of Caldwell Construction for 225,000gns 12 months ago.

Sydney Cup winner Knights Order was snapped up here by McKeever Bloodstock and Gai Waterhouse in 2018 for 250,000gns while Zaaki, the triple Group 1 winner down under, made 150,000gns to Blandford Bloodstock and Annabel Neasham two years ago.

It's the Aidan O'Brien-trained 2020 G2 Beresford S. winner and this year's narrow G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup runner-up High Definition [lot 754A] and Irish Cesarewtich scorer and potential Cup horse Waterville [275 ] who are expected to take highest rank this week.

Both horses are just the types to drive foreign interest, of which there was a strong presence on Sunday, particularly with Middle Eastern buyers out in force. All told, a whopping 1,189 horses will go through the ring at Tattersalls this week.

The post Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale Gets Underway On Monday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post