Tag: Unquestionable

TDN Rising Stars to Follow: Part I

In Europe, the TDN Rising Stars are awarded by Sean Cronin and Tom Frary, and no amount of begging, bleating or bribery from other members of the editorial team or external forces can persuade this duo to award one if they are not in agreement. Their decisions are based on performance, pedigree and, as the award title suggests, the likelihood of that individual becoming a stakes winner. Today and tomorrow, we bring you 10 TDN Rising Stars of 2023 to follow this year, with the first five having been selected by Sean Cronin.

Rising Stars accounted for a tally of 21 European Group 1 contests, and seven Classics, during the course of a banner season with four-time elite-level winners Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) the obvious highlights among the Class of 2023. TDN's signature tag was attained by 51 individuals in Europe last term, down eight on the previous year's total of 59, with subsequent G3 Prix Penelope victrix Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) setting the ball in motion at Chantilly in February.

Dubawi (Ire) (Dubai Millennium {GB}) is the numerically dominant sire and responsible for five new graduates, headed by Godolphin's G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr) and Coolmore's undefeated G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. victor Henry Longfellow (Ire). Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), sire of G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Ylang Ylang (GB), is one behind with a quartet of his own. Joint-third with three on this year's honour roll are Kingman (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), down five on last term's eight, Lope De Vega (Ire) (Shamardal), No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) and Siyouni First-crop sires Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Soldier's Call (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) snagged one inductee apiece, while Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) became the season's lone freshman with more than one in the ranks. The Coolmore resident's brace is supplied by Amo Racing's G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. victrix Persian Dreamer and G1 Dewhurst S. third Eben Shaddad. Justify (Scat Daddy), Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Starspangledbanner (Aus) (Choisir {Aus}) and Wootton Bassett (GB) (Iffraaj {GB} are the only other sires to register more than one new addition. Dubawi, Justify, Kingman, Lope De Vega, Sea The Stars, Siyouni, Calyx and Too Darn Hot were all 'TDN Rising Stars' in their own right.

For the first time in recent memory, Coolmore icon Galileo (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) went through the whole campaign without representation and failed to improve upon his impressive haul of 41. Delving deeper into the numbers by jurisdiction, 21 earned their stripes in Britain, 14 were elevated in both France and Ireland, and Germany was the scene of two new recruits. By trainer, Aidan O'Brien is comfortably clear of his peers with 10 new appointees and Ballydoyle's dominance is evident in this year's compilation of 10 Rising Stars to follow for 2024, with O'Brien accounting for half of those put forward. Dermot Weld is next best on two while Charlie Appleby, Ralph Beckett and Yann Barberot are represented by one each. Dubawi has the highest representation among sires, with three, while Frankel is the only other credited with more than one. The gender bias is six to four in favour of the colts.

ANCIENT WISDOM (FR), c, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Golden Valentine (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire)
2nd Dam: Gold Round (Ire), by Caerleon
3rd Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux & LNJ Foxwoods
Trainer Charlie Appleby

Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom had already turned heads when selling for €2-million at Arqana's 2022 August sale and debuted with a highly polished five-length triumph over seven furlongs at Haydock in May. Successful in four of his five juvenile outings, he closed out his freshman season with victories in Newmarket's G3 Autumn S. and Doncaster's G1 Futurity Trophy. His lone defeat came in July, when finishing third behind subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere victor Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the seven-furlong Listed Pat Eddery S. at Ascot. Ancient Wisdom is a son G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and hails from the family of storied multiple champion and three-time GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), G1 Prix Vermeille victrix Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-placed sire Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa). He does not possess any Classic entries for now, but is quoted at single-digit odds in ante-post lists for the G1 Derby.

BEAUVATIER (FR), c, 2, by Lope De Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: Enchanting Skies (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Estefania (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger)
3rd Dam: Eirehill (Ire), by Danehill
Owner: Philippe Allaire
Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller
Trainer: Yann Barberot

Beauvatier, a €160,000 Arqana August purchase, displayed an array of gears when posting a 5 1/2-length success in a newcomers' event over five furlongs at Chantilly in May to become the 12th Rising Star for his sire. He followed up with a narrow defeat of fellow Rising Star Ramatuelle (Justify) and added the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure and G3 Prix La Rochette before racing too freely and suffering his first reversal when third behind Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in October's G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day. He is the first foal produced by Listed Prix de Thiberville runner-up Enchanting Skies (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Preis von Europa victor Empoli (Ger) (Halling) from the family of G2 Preis der Diana heroine Elle Danzig (Ger) (Roi Danzig). Beauvatier is one of the leading domestic hopes for next term's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

ELIZABETH JANE (IRE), f, 2, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Sapphire (Ire), by Medicean (GB)
2nd Dam: Polished Gem (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Trusted Partner, by Affirmed
Owner: Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd
Breeder: Moyglare Stud Farm Ltd
Trainer: Dermot Weld

G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish Oaks entry Elizabeth Jane was let go at 16-1 and sported her owner's second silks in her debut over a mile at Leopardstown in October. She made a mockery of those odds when coming from off the pace to trounce her 11 rivals by 4 1/4 lengths and more in a contest annexed the year before by subsequent G1 Coronation S. third Sounds Of Heaven (GB) (Kingman {GB}). 

“She cut through them like a knife through butter and will be a lovely filly next year when she fills out into her frame,” reflected winning rider Donagh O'Connor at the time. The homebred chestnut is a daughter of G2 British Champions Fillies & Mares victrix and G1 Pretty Polly S. runner-up Sapphire (Ire) (Medicean {GB}), herself a half-sister to four-time Group 1 winner Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). She is a descendant of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas victrix Trusted Partner (Affirmed) and the family also features G1 Irish St Leger heroine Search For A Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G1 Prince of Wales's S.-winning sire Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}). She will be in her element if there is juice in the ground come Irish Oaks day in July.

UNQUESTIONABLE (FR), c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Crying Lightening (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
3rd Dam: Auction Room, by Chester House
Owner: Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg
Breeder: Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Unquestionable was highly tried on debut, running third in May's Listed First Flier S., and became his sire's fifth Rising Star when making all to shed maiden status on the Irish 2,000 Guineas undercard, in a six-furlong contest won by the stable's Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never) in 2019. He subsequently ran fourth in the G1 Phoenix S. and second in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere before setting the seal on his six-race juvenile campaign with victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. The €340,000 Arqana August yearling, who hails from the family of sires Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk) and Bated Breath (GB) (Dansili {GB}), retains entries in May's G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas and June's G1 Irish Derby.

YLANG YLANG (GB), f, 2, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Shambolic (Ire), by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Comic (Ire), by Be My Chief
3rd Dam: Circus Act (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
Owner: Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Brant & Westerberg
Breeder: Newsells Park Stud & Merry Fox Stud
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien

Ylang Ylang had already made her mark in the auction ring, selling for a cool 1.5-million gns at Tattersalls' October Book 1, and justified odds-on favouritism in a seven-furlong Curragh maiden won previously by subsequent Group 1 performers Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Doubling up in the G3 Silver Flash S. next time, she bounced back off a blip in the G1 Moyglare S. to run third in Newmarket's G2 Rockfel S. and closed out 2023 with a game victory in the G1 Fillies' Mile back at Headquarters. 

Ylang Ylang is out of a half-sister to dual G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup-winning multiple Hong Kong champion Comic Strip (GB) (Marju {Ire}) and GI Flower Bowl Invitational and GI Diana S. heroine Laughing (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Frankel's 34th Rising Star remains engaged in both G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish Oaks, and the Classic route awaits.

 

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Over $100k Raised Through New Vocations Breeders’ Cup Pledge

More than $100,000 was raised during this year's Breeders' Cup Pledge, New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program announced Monday. That total was driven by four horses with pledge connections–Fierceness (City of Light), Unquestionable (FR) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) and Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–winning their races on Future Stars Friday and Championship Saturday.

Additional pledges are still coming in as of Monday and final donations are being tallied. Now in its 14th year, the Pledge has raised more than a million dollars, with 100 percent of funds going directly to support the program's rehabilitation, retraining and rehoming efforts, which serves more than 500 retired racehorses a year.

“I'm thrilled to support the Breeders' Cup Pledge as it's a great way to raise the much-needed awareness and funds for New Vocations and their aftercare efforts,” shared owner Mike Repole. I'm a strong advocate for ensuring my retired racehorses receive proper aftercare within my control whether it's to an adoption program or a retirement facility.  These amazing athletes mean so much to us and always deserve the best. We all need to do more, including me. Thoroughbred aftercare will be a major focus of my newly formed NTA.”

In addition to Repole Stable, winning connections include Coolmore and Partners (Unquestionable (FR) and Auguste Rodin (IRE)) and Team Hanley (Goodnight Olive). This year's pledge participants also included Jena Antonucci, Bob and Jill Baffert, Blue Rose Farm, Bradley Thoroughbreds, Peter M. Brant, Cheyenne Stables, D.J. Stable, eFive Racing Thoroughbreds, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Mark B. Grier, Graham Motion, Joe R. Peacock, Jr., Pin Oak Stud, Todd Pletcher, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, J. Kirk and Judy Robison, SF Racing, Siena Farm, Spendthrift Farm, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Stables, Three Diamonds Farm, Wertheimer et Frere, West Point Thoroughbreds, Whisper Hill Farm and WinStar Farm.

“We feel very blessed to have 56 horses with pledging connections run during the two days of Championship races,” said Anna Ford, New Vocations Thoroughbred Program Director. “The funds raised are greatly needed as we have seen a 20% increase in the number of horses we have taken in compared to this time last year.”

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Wootton Bassett Colt Leaves No Doubts in the Juvenile Turf

'TDN Rising Star' UNQUESTIONABLE (FR) (c, 2, Wootton Bassett {GB}–Strawberry Lace {GB}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) was given a tactically flawless steer by world-class reinsman Ryan Moore and proved far too classy in Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita, defeating his stable companion Mountain Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) by about three lengths. Able to secure the gun run one back on the fence in fourth, the €340,000 Arqana August yearling always traveled sweetly in the hands of Moore as Air Recruit (Air Force Blue) took them along at a lively clip in advance of the heavily backed Canadian invader My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince). Going well into the final three furlongs, Unquestionable was ridden for a bit of luck, hoping that the runs came, and come they did, as the bay–a latest second to Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp–was produced three off the inside at midstretch and scampered clear. Mountain Bear finished full of run down the center to claim second, while My Boy Prince held for third. For Moore, it was a sixth victory in the Juvenile Turf, having partnered with Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) last year, and 13th Breeders' Cup win overall, while Aidan O'Brien was winning a 17th race at the championships. The victory would have been of some consolation for Ballydoyle, whose morning-line favorite River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) was ordered scratched Friday. Sales history: €340,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG. O-Al Shaqab Racing, Westerberg, Mrs John Magnier, Derrick Smith & Michael B Tabor; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse; T-Aidan O'Brien.

 

Friday, Santa Anita
PREVAGEN BREEDERS' CUP JUVENILE TURF-GI, $920,000, Santa Anita, 11-3, 2yo, c/g, 1mT, 1:33.65, fm.
1–UNQUESTIONABLE (FR), 122, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
                1st Dam: Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Crying Lightening (Ire),
                                by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
                3rd Dam: Auction Room, by Chester House
'TDN Rising Star'. 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES
WIN, 1ST GRADE I WIN. (€340,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG).
O-Al Shaqab Racing, Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick
Smith and Michael B. Tabor; B-Mme C. Vitse, Mme A. Vitse,
Mme V. Vitse, G. Vitse (FR); T-Aidan P. O'Brien; J-Ryan L.
Moore. $520,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, G1SP-Fr, 6-2-2-1, $671,394.
Werk Nick Rating: A.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mountain Bear (Ire), 122, c, 2, No Nay Never–Holy Alliance
(Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST G1 BLACK TYPE.
O-Mrs. John Magnier, Derrick Smith and Michael B. Tabor;
B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan P. O'Brien. $170,000.
3–My Boy Prince, 122, c, 2, Cairo Prince–Hopping Not Hoping,
by Silent Name (Jpn). (C$115,000 Ylg '22 CANSEP). O-Gary
Barber; B-Murray Smith (ON); T-Mark E. Casse. $90,000.
Margins: 1HF, HD, HF. Odds: 1.50, 22.30, 5.20.
Also Ran: Can Group, Agate Road, Tok Tok, Air Recruit, Endlessly, Carson's Run, Stay Hot, Fulmineo. Scratched: Grand Mo the First, Liam's Journey, River Tiber (Ire).
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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Auguste in November as O’Brien Team Goes Sunny Side Up

ARCADIA, USA — In case you're wondering, Aidan O'Brien had scrambled eggs for breakfast. That was just after he had watched his squad of ten take a stronger turn around Santa Anita's dirt track and before he had a chance to consider a second course at the lavish buffet by politely stepping outside to answer questions from a few annoying hacks, this one included.

Ryan Moore has been aboard Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint contender Cherry Blossom (Ire) (No Nay Never) these last two mornings. “Is that a tip?” we enquired. “No, someone asked me that already. I'll show you,” replied O'Brien, digging his phone from his pocket and flicking past his selfies (just kidding) to find a photo of said filly throwing shapes worthy of the rodeo.

“She's not for kids,” said the trainer with a grin. “You need a parachute to ride her.”

Moore, evoking thoughts of the Man from Snowy River, never shifted in his seat, his kid gloves deployed with aplomb to ensure that there were no repeat antics from Cherry Blossom. She whipped them in as the dependable Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) led them all around the cambered turn of the main track, pretty much in age-descending order. 

As ever, the Ballydoyle horses on tour have been one of the highlights of a morning at the track. No other visitors have as many to go out together, and horses trained at Santa Anita tend to appear for exercise solo or in pairs. It is an arresting sight then, with the sun fully up as if to light the group to full effect, to witness this spectacle of almost synchronised breezing.

“They might have got a bit of a shock this morning,” said O'Brien, referring to the kickback for those in behind Broome, which included his fellow Longines Breeders' Cup Turf runners Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Auguste Rodin (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). “We didn't want to go on the grass today as it's plenty quick and [the dirt] opens up their mind anyway.”

Five of the pack, the youngsters at the back, will face the starter on Friday; the other half take their chances come Saturday.

With Cherry Blossom finding what O'Brien believes could be her optimum conditions in the Turf Sprint, she reverts to five furlongs for the first time since her debut, and is the first of the team to jump into action, hopefully not literally.

“She's a fast filly and wasn't really getting six at home, and this flat track should suit her, as well as the ground,” he said.

Content (Ire) is out of a fast filly in Mecca's Angel (Ire) but as her sire is Galileo (Ire), the mile of the Juvenile Fillies Turf seems more her go.

“She'll definitely get the trip, the fast ground will suit her better and she has a nice draw,” the trainer added. Tick, tick, tick for the last-start winner of the G3 Staffordstown Stud S. “Ryan will probably take his time on her and ride her for a little bit of luck. She needs to relax a little bit early and then she should run well.”

Ballydoyle is mob-handed in the final race of Friday's card, the Juvenile Turf, with the first two favourites, both by Wootton Bassett (GB), being River Tiber (Ire) and Unquestionable (Fr), ridden by Moore and Frankie Dettori. They are joined by Mountain Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never), the imposing mount of Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Of River Tiber, O'Brien said, “We think he's come right since Newmarket and he's rated 3lbs below the other horse but he was always a very classy horse. He should get a mile around here; it's a nice draw and a flat track and I'm looking forward to seeing what he does.”

There's something for everyone in Saturday's team. The three-year-old Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never), who was just a length off Highfield Princess (Fr) when third in the Prix de l'Abbaye, is perhaps a little overlooked in the Turf Sprint, especially since the defection of Bradsell on Wednesday evening. 

“Ryan felt in France that if he had challenged the winner a little earlier he might have been even closer but it was a huge run from him,” said his trainer. 

Before that there's the intriguing puzzle of Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) stepping up in trip while O'Brien's Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) comes back in distance for the Filly & Mare Turf after her victories in the Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille.

And it must be said, having been lucky to see her at close quarters over the last few days, it's hard not to fall in love with Warm Heart. Her demure demeanour clearly masks her warrior instincts, however, as O'Brien said of the three-year-old, “She doesn't lie down, she does fight. She has a nice draw and I imagine that Ryan will probably go forward on her. She has tactical speed and will get the trip very well.”

There's no doubting that the race most of the huge European contingent now camped out at Santa Anita is looking forward to the most is the Breeders' Cup Turf.

Shadwell's stud plans for Mostahdaf (GB) (Frankel {GB}) were confirmed on Thursday morning, while we already know that Onesto (Ire), also by Frankel, is joining Haras d'Etreham and King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will remain in training next year. What then for Auguste Rodin? If he knows, O'Brien ain't telling, but it is a safe bet that plans are to an extent contingent on what happens this weekend. 

Would American breeders appreciate another chance at the sire-line of the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup Classic winner who got away, Sunday Silence? Or is Ireland the natural home for a dual Derby and Irish Champion S. winner? Could we even see Auguste Rodin race on next year? Time will tell, maybe as soon as Saturday night, but in the meantime, there is the prospect of an almighty tussle between four of the best horses in Europe and some smart Japanese and American runners. 

“Obviously we'd love to have him but it will be whatever the boss decides,” said O'Brien, ever the diplomat, on the subject of Auguste Rodin's post-Breeders' Cup future.

Of the immediate matter in hand, he said, “Rachel [Richardson] rode him this morning and was very happy with him. He cruised around on the dirt; he's a lovely long-striding horse. The plan was always for him to go to Leopardstown and then to come here. This is what we've been looking forward to all year. He's won two Derbys and a Champion Stakes and he's only a three-year-old. He really has done well since Leopardstown.”

O'Brien added, “Did you see him on the dirt this morning? He looks like a dirt horse. If you look at Sunday Silence and look at him they are almost identical.”

It certainly was a sight to behold, as Auguste Rodin stretched out over the track where Sunday Silence was trained more than 30 years ago. The colt, who can appear on the small side in the company of burlier sprinters, looks an entirely different animal unleashed at full stretch. The image of him extending past King Of Steel down the hill at Epsom is still vivid in the mind but there have been good days and head-scratching days since then in the career of Auguste Rodin. 

With no disrespect to his stable-mates Bolshoi Ballet and Broome, he's the one on whose near-black shoulders the hopes are resting. Maybe we'll get the chance to see if Auguste Rodin really is a dirt horse in next year's Classic, but for now his sole aim is to emulate another Ballydoyle star, High Chaparral (Ire), in taking the Derby, Irish Derby and Breeders' Cup Turf in the same season. Game on.

 

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