Tag: Top News Europe

Japan On Song Again In The Turf Sprint

Sunday Racing's group winner Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) was up to the scrutiny on the world stage and delivered the G3 1351 Turf Presented By STC 1351 to Japan by a neck over American hopeful Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) in Riyadh on Saturday. It was the second win on the night for jockey Christophe Lemaire and the Japanese contingent.

The Listed Kobai S. went to Songline last January, and, after an unplaced run in the G1 Japanese 1000 Guineas that April, she improved to second in the G1 NKH Mile Cup in May. The bay dropped a spot in the G3 Sekiya Kinen returning off a break in August of last year, but then stepped up to win the 1600-metre G2 Fuji S. on Oct. 23. A final 2021 run in the G2 Hanshin Cup resulted in a 15th-place finish, but she was still the third choice on Saturday.

Songline raced in midfield as Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) cut out the running with Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) and Third Kingdom (GB) (Make Believe {GB}) shadowing his hoofsteps. The pace was hot as the field entered the turn and the 4-year-old filly was still several lengths off the vanguard cornering for home. Lemaire steered Songline out into the center of the course, and she began to let down as Naval Crown clung on to the lead with a quarter mile remaining. Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) was making a similar move to Songline's inside as Naval Crown and Pogo faded, and just a length behind the top four was the ominous presence of American Grade I winner Casa Creed.

It was a true rubber match between the determined fillies, with the two exchanging blows and neither giving an inch in the straight. Songline thrust her nose in front of Happy Romance with 50 metres to travel, but Casa Creed had hit high gear and had reached her saddle towel on her outside. Songline's margin shrank with every stride, but she just lasted as Casa Creed snatched second by a neck over a gritty Happy Romance as the trio finished in a tightly packed bunch. There was a gap of 3 1/2 lengths back to Lauda Sion (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}) in fourth.

Trainer Toru Hayashi said, “This is the greatest moment of my career. I have been training for only four years and it is my first time racing a horse outside of Japan, so for Songline to do this… I think I am dreaming!

“She is such a brilliant filly and the ride from [Christophe] Lemaire was perfect. The owners also deserve great credit for their ambition in coming here. As a 3-year-old last year she raced well in this counter-clockwise direction over a mile and she has a lot of natural speed, so we thought we could run well coming back in distance a little.

“Thanks also to Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) from Japan for winning the first race. That made me think we had the momentum and that Songline could also run well, and it is amazing that she did!”

Of Casa Creed's second, rider Luis Saez said, “We ran pretty good. He finished strong. After the second jump we were getting there but it was too late.”

“She's run absolutely superbly,” said hoop Tom Marquand. “I think it's [a] testament to her heart more than anything that she could come out here and run so well. To be honest, we were hoping for that, but it's tough racing out here so for her to have gone so close is great.”

 

Pedigree Notes

Already the sire of 16 stakes winners with his oldest foals just 5-year-olds, Kizuna has 10 group winners among that bunch with G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup heroine Akai Ito (Jpn) leading the way. She is out of a Symboli Kris S mare, just like the 1351 Turf winner.

The first foal out of her four-time winning dam who specialized at 1200-1400metres, Songline is followed by the winning 3-year-old Teegarden (Jpn), by Duramente (Jpn). Her dam, a half-sister to dual Japanese group winner Jeune Ecole (Jpn) (Kurofune), did not produce a foal to the cover of Real Steel (Jpn) in 2020. Luminous Parade has a yearling colt by Real Impact (Jpn) and visited Songline's sire Kizuna in 2021.

Under the unraced third dam are the group winners Renforcer (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S), Northern River (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}) and the G1 Shuka Sho/G1 Nassau S. heroine Deirdre (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}). The Classic-winning French champion 3-year-old filly Sonic Lady (Nureyev) is the fourth dam and boasts the Classic-placed descendants Furner's Green (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and Lady Lupus (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), both also group winners.
Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
1351 TURF PRESENTED BY STC 1351-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-26, 4yo/up, 1351mT, 1:18.00, gd.
1–SONGLINE (JPN), 121, f, 4, Kizuna (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Luminous Parade (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S.
                2nd Dam: Luminous Point (Jpn), by Agnes Tachyon (Jpn)
                3rd Dam: Soninke (GB), by Machiavellian
O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Toru
Hayashi; J-Chistophe Lemaire; $900,000. Lifetime Record: GSW
& G1SP-Jpn, 9-4-2-1, $2,187,655. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
   *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Casa Creed, 125, h, 6, Jimmy Creed–Achalaya, by Bellamy
Road. ($15,000 Ylg '17 OBSJAN; $105,000 Ylg '17 KEESEP).
O-LR Racing LLC & JEH Racing Stable LLC; B-Silver Springs Stud,
LLC (KY); T-William Mott; J-Luis Saez; $300,000.
3–Happy Romance (Ire), 121, f, 4, Dandy Man (Ire)–Rugged Up
(Ire), by Marju (Ire). (£25,000 Ylg '19 GOFAUG). O-The
McMurray Family; B-Redpender Stud Ltd (Ire); T-Richard
Hannon; J-Tom Marquand; $150,000.
Margins: NK, NK, 3HF.
Also Ran: Lauda Sion (Jpn), Pogo (Ire), Happy Power (Ire), Rohaan (Ire), Cold Front (GB), Masaabeeh (KSA), Horoscope (Ire), Naval Crown (GB), Entscheiden (Jpn), Third Kingdom (GB), Thunder Moon (Ire). Click for the Racing Post chart and VIDEO.  Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

The post Japan On Song Again In The Turf Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

First Strike To Japan On Saudi Cup Card

Fresh off major showings at the Breeders' Cup and Hong Kong International races, Japan brought a formidable squad to Riyadh for the Saudi Cup card on Saturday, and the nation lodged first blow with Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) leading every step of the way to take the G3 Neom Turf Cup.

The winner of a pair of Group 2s going a mile and a half and 2500 metres in 2020 as a 3-year-old, Authority was upped to two miles during the first part of his campaign last year. He was a neck second in the G3 Diamond S. at Tokyo before finishing down the field in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring, and was subsequently dropped back to 2500 metres to defend his title in the G2 Copa Republica Argentina. He came on the international radar, however, with his second-place finish to superstar Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in last year's Japan Cup, and was making his first start since on Saturday and his first international run.

Breaking on top and encouraged to stay there by Christophe Lemaire, Authority soon found himself in an easy canter on the lead as last year's G1 Coronation Cup winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) raced wide in midpack from his wide gate with the Aga Khan's Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) one path to his inside and America's Channel Cat (English Channel) behind them. Authority arrived at the top of the stretch traveling best and was never in danger, extending his lead to up to three lengths and ultimately hitting the line a length and a half clear of a mildly rallying pack that was led by Kaspar (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}), a former German runner now trained locally. Ebaiyra got up for third in her first start for trainer Francis Graffard following the retirement of Alain de Royer Dupre. There was drama further back as Channel Cat was squeezed between a tiring Pyledriver and a closing Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and came down, but both he and jockey Joel Rosario were deemed ok after the incident.

“I had the best horse in the race,” said Lemaire. “I settled the pace the way I wanted, without any pressure. Then he used his long acceleration and did the same he used to do in Japan. He was very comfortable and at the end his strength made the difference. I knew he could stay the trip very well. The ground is firm, which we wanted. The plan was to go to the front and it worked out. I knew he would be very relaxed. At about 2000 metres I let him go; he did very well.

“The Japan Cup is one of the best races in the world; my horse was beaten by a Triple Crown horse in Contrail. The level in Japan is very high so it gave me a lot of confidence running second that day.”

Trainer Tetsuya Kimura said after winning with his first overseas runner: “To win a race like this is unbelievable. It was a great ride from Christophe Lemaire from the front. It is the highlight of my career. We started thinking about this race when he finished second in the Japan Cup. He likes racing left-handed, so that was one of the reasons for coming here. All going well, he will go to Dubai next month for the Sheema Classic. I would like to thank the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia for giving us the opportunity to come here.”

Jockey Martin Dwyer said of Pyledriver, who eventually finished 11th of 13 finishers, “The draw hammered me–my only hope was there was so much pace in the race on paper and I hoped it would give me a chance to get inside, but it didn't, they went slow and I was trapped deep with no cover. I had no petrol left but it was no fault of the horse. We live to fight another day.”

Pedigree Notes

Authority comes from one of the top families in Japan as of late. His dam, Rosalind (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S), is out of the GI American Oaks and Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Cesario (Jpn) (Special Week {Jpn}), and therefore Rosalind is a full-sister to G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) and Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia (Jpn), who has started his stud career remarkably well as the sire of three Group 1 winners from his first three crops including the Japanese Fillies Triple Crown winner Daring Tact (Jpn). Epiphaneia and Rosalind's siblings also include the champion 3-year-old and Classic-winning Saturnalia (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and champion 2-year-old Leontes (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). Authority is one of 15 group winners for Orfevre, formerly a very popular runner in Japan and winner of the Japanese Triple Crown and two G1 Arima Kinens and twice runner-up in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia
NEOM TURF CUP PRESENTED BY JAHEZ-G3, $1,500,000, King Abdulaziz, 2-26, 4yo/up, 2100mT, 2:06.72, gd.
1-AUTHORITY (JPN), 126, h, 5, by Orfevre (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Rosalind (Jpn), by Symboli Kris S
                2nd Dam: Cesario (Jpn), by Special Week (Jpn)
                3rd Dam: Kirov Premiere (GB), by Sadler's Wells
O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm; T-Tetsuya Kimura;
J-C Lemaire; $900,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Jpn,
12-6-2-1, $4,126,374 . Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2-Kaspar (Ger), 126, h, 5, Pivotal (GB)-Kastila (Ger), by
Sternkoenig (Ire). O-Yousef Mohammed A Alturaif; B-Gestut
Rottgen; T-Mohammed Alhirabi; J-Riccardo Ferreira; $300,000.
3-Ebaiyra, 121, m, 5, Distorted Humor-Ebiyza (Ire), by Rock Of
Gibraltar (Ire). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-S.A. Aga Khan;
T-F-H Graffard; J-Christophe Soumillon; $150,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, NO. Also Ran: Harrovian (GB), Grocer Jack (Ger), Flying Visit (Ire), Arctic Sound (GB), Passion And Glory (Ire), La Casa Tarifa (Ire), Solid Stone (Ire), Pyledriver (GB), Zuran Zuran (Arg), Eudaimonia (Fr). DNF: Channel Cat.
Click for the Racing Post chart and VIDEO.  Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.

The post First Strike To Japan On Saudi Cup Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Family Affair For ‘Royal’ in Dubai Millennium

It was a Godolphin exacta in the G3 Dubai Millennium S. at Meydan on Friday as Royal Fleet (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a paternal grandson of the race's namesake, defeated last year's winner Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by a short head.

Away without incident, which could not be said for the slow-starting Lucius Tiberius (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the Charlie Appleby trainee was aggressive as the field left the short chute and found an ideal position in a pressing second as Marie's Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) cut out the early running. In a good rhythm, Royal Fleet stayed just off the flank of the pacesetter as the field tackled the bend and, once given an inch of rein from pilot James Doyle, surged up to apply some pressure to Marie's Diamond. The latter was noticeably lathered, and Royal Fleet stuck his head in front at the quarter-mile pole as the well-fancied Star Safari came with his run from farther back.

Confronted by his stablemate 200 metres from home, Royal Fleet proved dour and although headed, fought on with his rival appearing to have his measure. A few jumps from the line, he edged back in front to claim the victory. Castlebar (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who'd had to alter course for racing room when making his bid, ran on to take third 2 1/4 lengths back.

A winner of his first three starts including the July 10 Mile H. at Newmarket, the Godolphin colourbearer lost his unbeaten record with a fifth in the Skybet Mile H. at York later that summer, but rebounded to take a Doncaster handicap by a half-length on Sept. 11. Gelded shortly thereafter, he ran with credit to be second in both the Jan. 21 G2 Al Rashidiya and the Feb. 11 G2 Singspiel S., prior to Friday's victory.

 

Pedigree Notes

Royal Fleet is the 222nd black-type winner and 145th group winner for his Darley sire Dubawi, who counts 48 Group 1 winners among them. Bred on the same cross as G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Nezwaah (GB), the winner is the third foal and third winner out of G3 Prix de Lieurey heroine Zibelina. Royal Fleet is followed by his winning 3-year-old full-brother Noble Order (Ire) and a yearling colt by Blue Point (Ire).

Also a winner of the Listed Valiant S., Zibelina is a half-sister to black-type winner Floristy (GB) (Fasliyev), the dam of three-time group winner Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and stakes winner Inspiriter (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Third dam Talented was just that, striking in the Sun Chariot S. when it was still a Group 2 and also placing in the G3 Lancashire Oaks, G2 Ribblesdale S. and G3 Prix de la Nonette. At stud, she threw Epsom Derby third Carlton House (Street Cry {Ire}), who raced in the colours of Her Majesty The Queen to wins in the G2 Dante S. and G3 Brigadier Gerard S. besides another trio of Group 1 placings in the UK and Down Under.

 

Friday, Meydan, Middle East
DUBAI MILLENNIUM S. (PRESENTED BY LINCOLN)-G3, $150,000, Meydan, 2-25, NH4yo/up & SH4yo/up, 2000mT, 2:01.61, gd.
1–ROYAL FLEET (GB), 129, g, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Zibelina (Ire) (GSW-Fr, SW-Eng, $105,891),
                                by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Zaeema (GB), by Zafonic
3rd Dam: Talented (GB), by Bustino (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB);
T-Charlie Appleby; J-James Doyle. $90,000. Lifetime Record:
8-5-2-0, $231,855. *1/2 to Royal Crusade (GB) (Shamardal),
GSP-Eng, GSW-Fr, SP-UAE, $143,240. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
   *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Star Safari (GB), 130, g, 6, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Intimhir (Ire),
by Muhtathir (GB). (€200,000 Ylg '17 BBASEP). O-Godolphin;
B-Gestut Brummerhof (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $30,000.
3–Castlebar (Ire), 129, g, 4, Invincible Spirit (Ire)–Aimhirgin Lass
(Ire), by Pivotal (GB). 1ST BLACK-TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK-
   TYPE. (€460,000 Ylg '19 GOFOCT). O-Fahad Mohammed
Aloraini; B-Irish National Stud (IRE); T-Helal Alalawi. $15,000.
Margins: SHD, 2 1/4, 1HF.
Also Ran: Burgas (Tur), Marie's Diamond (Ire), Integrant (Fr), Lucius Tiberius (Ire), Iron Butterfly (Swe), Volcanic Sky (GB), Al Maysan (GB), Pensiero d'Amore (Ire), Big Team.
Click for the Racing Post chart or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video.

The post Family Affair For ‘Royal’ in Dubai Millennium appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

It’s Australia Day in Saudi Arabia

One of the greatest riders in the history of the Australian turf, Glen Boss, officially brought the curtain down on his illustrious career with a final victory aboard Raeed (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the second of four legs of Friday's stc International Jockey Challenge at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh. But the veteran reinsman was outdone by his South Australia-based compatriot Caitlin Jones, with the pair finishing first and third. For her efforts, Jones earned first-place prizemoney of US$100,000.

Jones, who calls Morphettville in Adelaide home, has been riding in Dubai this winter, most notably as the partner of the Will Clarken-trained He's A Balter (Aus) (Spirit of Boom {Aus}), a latest fourth in the G2 Blue Point Sprint. Jones was making her first visit to Saudi Arabia to participate in Friday's event, which pitted seven male riders against their female counterparts. In addition to a victory in the third leg of the challenge (see below), she was runner-up in the opening leg and finished on 25 points, three clear of Joel Rosario, who capped a double on the afternoon with success in the final leg.

 

Caitlin Jones wins leg three aboard #5 Koheylan Alkheil

 

“To win a series like this, doing it on the world stage, there is nothing more rewarding,” said Jones. “My filly in the last race ran well enough to get points, but we got a winner earlier in the night and had a second straight off the bat, so it has been a really awesome experience for me.

She continued: “It is sensational for Australia that myself and 'Bossy' have won races here tonight. I had some really nice horses to help and I have to thank those connections, and the racecourse has been presented perfectly. My opportunity came from being over in Dubai and I was actually invited as a reserve– there was another girl in front of me but she couldn't make it. I found out last Friday I'd got an email to say that I was coming.

“I have a lot of people to thank, especially trainer Will Clarken who brought me to Dubai to ride his horses, and without that I would not be here tonight. To be rewarded with this is overwhelming.”

Rosario, who rides Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow) in Saturday's G1 Saudi Cup, was thrilled with his result.

“It means a lot to finish second in this Jockey Challenge,” the Dominican said. “It already meant a lot to be part of it and I want to thank everyone for having me. It is special for me to be here in Saudi. I'm very blessed. It was very nice to win a race in the Challenge, so that was very good. It's unique to be here, to ride against the best in the world.”

Boss originally announced his retirement from the saddle in November 2021 following a 37-year career that included three wins in the G1 Melbourne Cup and an additional four in the G1 Cox Plate.

“I don't feel sad that it is over,” Boss said, reflecting on his retirement. “I was happy to come and do this and if I'd won, it would have been fantastic but it wasn't about winning really. I got a few tingles today, so that was good.”

In three years of the stc International Jockey Challenge, it has twice been won by female jockeys, with Sybille Vogt of Switzerland landing the inaugural series and Ireland's Shane Foley taking the title last year. Foley won the first leg of the 2022 Challenge, commenting: “I was lucky here last year, and obviously we picked up where we left off.”

 

 

The post It’s Australia Day in Saudi Arabia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights