Auguste Rodin Carves BC Masterpiece

Already a four-time Group 1 winner including both the Derby and the Irish version, Coolmore partners' Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) delivered another win in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf last Saturday (video) for Aidan O'Brien.

The 'TDN Rising Star' had been bred by Coolmore, and he is the first foal out of triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). His weanling half-brother is by Dubawi (Ire). Rhododendron is a full-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the duo are out of Broodmare of the Year Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), herself a decorated runner and winner of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and two other top-flight races.

Shadai Stallion Station's late Deep Impact has sired five winners from just 10 runners (50%) in the U.S. Two of that quintet are Grade I winners, with Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Loves Only You (Jpn) his first in America.

REPLAY: Auguste Rodin (IRE) wins the $4 Million @LonginesEq #BreedersCup Turf! Congrats to all connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/7Ob6wtFN9i

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

Cheveley Park's Inspiral Best At Santa Anita

Cheveley Park Stud homebred Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), racing beyond a mile for the first time in her career, won the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf last weekend for trainers John and Thady Gosden (video).

The six-time Grade/Group 1-winning daughter of Starscope (GB) (Selkirk) is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Celestran (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Starscope, herself a half-sister to stakes winner Solar Magic (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), was second in both the G1 1000 Guineas and the G1 Coronation S. Her latest produce are colts by Siyouni (Fr) and Ulysses (Ire)–named Megastar (GB) and Stetchworth Friend (GB), respectively–and a weanling full-sister to the winner. Stetchworth Friend was a 160,000gns buy by Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs out of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Juddmonte's Frankel has sired 26 winners from 50 runners (52%) in America. Of his 11 stakes winners there (22%), Inspiral is his second Grade I winner after McKulick (GB).

REPLAY: Inspiral (GB) wins the $2 Million @MakersMark #BreedersCup Filly & Mare Turf! Congrats to her connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/CmTKJupCj9

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

Godolphin One-Two In BC Mile

Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Godolphin homebred for trainer Charlie Appleby, got the bob to win the GI Fanduel Breeders' Cup Mile over fellow Godolphin runner Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) last weekend (video).

Already a Grade I winner in Canada, the gelding was also second in the G1 2000 Guineas in 2021. A half-brother to a trio of stakes winners including the UAE Oaks heroine Falls Of Lora (Ire) (Street Cry {Ire}), herself the dam of two Group 1/Grade I winners in Cascadian (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Albahr (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Master Of The Seas is also related to Classic winner Dupont (GB) (Zafonic). Firth Of Lorne (Ire) (Danehill)'s last foal is the winning Dark Angel (Ire) 3-year-old filly Sithchean (Ire).

On an international scale, Dubawi has 266 stakes winners (175 group/graded) to his credit. The gelding counts as one of 57 top-draw winners worldwide.

REPLAY: Master of The Seas (IRE) wins the $2 Million @FanDuel #BreedersCup Mile presented by @PDJFund! Congrats to all connections! #BC23 pic.twitter.com/YGygNzz3Ec

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 4, 2023

Unquestionable Stars In Juvenile Turf

Al Shaqab Racing and the Coolmore partners' Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) earned his first black-type victory in style when taking the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita on Saturday for Aidan O'Brien (video).

The 'TDN Rising Star' was bred by Guillaume and Camille Vitse with their two daughters, and he brought €340,000 as a yearling at the Arqana August Sale. His dam, Strawberry Lace (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), has Almanzor (Fr) colts born in 2022 and 2023 as her latest produce. This is the extended family of Group 2 winner and sire Bated Breath (GB).

Coolmore sires sired the winners of three of the five Breeders' Cup races on Friday, and Wootton Bassett now has 15 winners of 23 (65%) runners in the U.S. Of his seven American stakes winners, Unquestionable is his second Grade I winner and Breeders' Cup winner after Audarya (Fr) won the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf in 2020.

Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf (G1)
1.600 m – 1.000.000 USD – for 2yo C&G
Santa Anita

Unquestionable (FR)
(2C Wootton Bassett-Strawberry Lace , by Sea The Stars)
J : Ryan Moore
T : Aidan P. O'Brien
O : Al Shaqab Racing,Coolmore,Westerbergpic.twitter.com/Rzk6krms8R

— (@WorldRacing1) November 3, 2023

Blue Point Colt Fastest In The Land At Breeders' Cup

Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), raced by RP Racing, Ltd. from the yard of Mick Appleby, returned to the form that saw him win the G3 Molecomb S. in the summer with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in Arcadia (video).

A product of the storied Rabbah Bloodstock breeding programme, the son of Hana Lina (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) brought just 50,000gns from breeze-up pinhooker Mickey Cleere out of Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Consigned to the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, Big Evs was then withdrawn and sold privately. His placed dam has a yearling filly by Ribchester (Ire) to come and a weanling colt by another son of Shamardal in Earthlight (Ire).

Off to a bright start with his first crop of juveniles, Darley's Blue Point has 44 winners internationally. Already the sire of French Group 1 winner Rosallion (Ire), the bay has an additional five black-type winners worldwide. Big Evs was his first runner in America.

Big Evs wins the $1 Million #BreedersCup Juvenile Turf Sprint on #FutureStarsFriday at @santaanitapark! Congrats to all of the connections! pic.twitter.com/R1hWA5dCF8

— Breeders' Cup (@BreedersCup) November 3, 2023

Have I Got A Deal For You

On the Breeders' Cup Saturday undercard, Salesman (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) demolished the G2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance S. by 8 1/4 lengths for trainer Richard Mandella and owner/breeder Wertheimer et Frere (video).

The son of High Maintenance (Fr) (Highest Honor {Fr}) is a fourth generation Wertheimer et Frere homebred. Listed-placed in France, Saturday's win was his first stakes. His G3 Prix Gladiateur-placed dam is also responsible for the five-time Group 1 winner Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and the stakes winner Lunch Lady (GB) (Shamardal), who was also twice third in a pair of French Group 3s. Second dam Fabulous Hostess (Fabulous Dancer) is best known as the winner of the G2 Prix de Royallieu.

One of 21 stakes winners (27%) and 16 graded winners (21%) in the U.S. for his Darley sire, Salesman is also part of a 39-strong battalion of winners (51%) there for Dubawi. The son of Dubai Millennium (GB) has been represented by 77 runners in the U.S.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2)
2.600 m – 250.000 USD – for 3yo and upward
Santa Anita

Salesman(IRE)
(6G Dubawi- High Maintenance , by Highest Honor)
J :Flavien Prat
T :Richard E. Mandella
O :Wertheimer & Frerepic.twitter.com/1eUpJuzRJk

— (@WorldRacing1) November 4, 2023

Dandy Man Gelding Strikes At Del Mar

Dandy Man Shines (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) won his second race in a row for Red Baron's Barn, LLC and Rancho Temescal, LLC at Del Mar on Thursday for trainer Jeff Mullins (video). Placed at the graded level in 2022, the Let It Ride S. was his first stakes win.

Bred by John Frances Keegan in Ireland, the 3-year-old gelding was a €75,000 Goffs November foal turned €90,000 Goffs Orby yearling. He brought 105,000gns from his owners out of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. In two European starts, he was unplaced for Rancho Temescal's Tim Cohen and trainer William Jarvis before traveling Stateside.

The son of Zehrah (Ire) (Raven's Pass) is a half-brother to Scandinavian champion Mystery Night (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), and his second dam won at listed level in England besides taking third in the G2 Cherry Hinton S. A juvenile filly by Kodiac (GB) and a weanling filly by Bated Breath (GB) are Zehrah's latest foals.

Dandy Man, who stands at Ballyhane Stud, has now sired two stakes winners from 25 runners in America (8%). His first is GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. hero River Boyne (Ire), who is a stallion at Tara Stud. Dandy Man Shines is one of 13 winners (52%) in that jurisdiction.

An all-out blitz!

Dandy Man Shines swings wide and powers past the field under @umbyrispoli in the Let It Ride Stakes. pic.twitter.com/tmeaf87zQY

— Del Mar Racetrack (@DelMarRacing) November 10, 2023

Night Of Thunder Filly Proves Dynamic in NY

Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown combined to take a maiden race at Aqueduct last weekend with first-time starter Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) (video).

The Epona Bloodstock-bred filly was a 170,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase by Mike Ryan on behalf of her current connections. She is the third–and last–known foal and second winner out of Shemda (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}). This is the female family of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Shemaka (Ire) (Nishapour {Fr}).

Her Darley sire has tallied eight winners from 14 runners (57%) in the U.S. His three American stakes winners are anchored by Grade III winners Sopran Basilea (Ire) and Pocket Square (GB).

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The very domination of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) will likely have put the colt at the head of the class for champion 2-year-old honors, and the Repole Stable homebred looked good Saturday morning.

“We were extremely happy with the way Fierceness ran,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “The race kind of unfolded the way we envisioned it would. We wanted to get involved and get to the first turn in good position, which he was able to do. Just a powerful performance.”

'Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) looked to be going nowhere at short odds on the Juvenile, but got going late to finish a respectable third.

“Locked got shuffled back a little more than we wanted and then got stuck inside,” Pletcher said. “There was a lot of kickback. I thought once he kind of got into the clear down the lane he started closing pretty well. At that point, the race had kind of gotten away from him. He was a couple strides away from being second, but he just had too much to do at that point.”
Pletcher said both colts will return first to Churchill Downs before shipping to the trainer's South Florida base at Palm Beach Downs to chart a course towards the new year.

There will be no such gray area where it comes to the Eclipse Award-winning juvenile filly after George Krikorian's Just F Y I (Justify) stamped her authority on her race Friday, lowering the colors of the previously undefeated divisional front-runner 'TDN Rising Star' Tamara (Bolt d'Oro). If he wasn't totally surprised that his filly proved best, he was slightly taken aback with the way she did it.

“She actually showed a bit more early speed than I expected,” Mott said. “She put herself right up there, which was great.”
The connections of Tamara confirmed that she emerged with a 'small knot' and the back of her rear hind.

“We'll take a look at it and see what it is,” said trainer Richard Mandella. “That will determine whether we may need to give her a rest. I could see at the half-mile pole that she wasn't running her race. I thought Mike (Smith) would have a tight hold on her.”

Chad Brown said that Hard to Justify, who gave her sensational young stallion a second straight Breeders' Cup winner on Friday in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, would get a rest with an eye on her sophomore season.

European horses unsurprisingly made their presence felt in the afternoon's other grass races. Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) gave her sire, trainer Mick Appleby and jockey Tom Marquand their first Breeders' Cup winner with their first starter.

“It hasn't sunk in yet, it really is a dream come true,” trainer Michael Appleby said. “I'm still pinching myself. It was the best day of my career and I'm just so proud of all my team at home, Tom Marquand and Big Evs's owners Rachael and Paul Teasdale.”

Trainer Aidan O'Brien was dealt a disappointing blow when River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) was withdrawn from the Juvenile Turf Friday morning, but the team was mollified some when Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) validated favoritism in the final Breeders' Cup event of the day.

“It's very tough to win here, but I'm delighted for the lads as they put so much into it,” O'Brien said. “It's hard to explain because when things start bad like what happened with River Tiber as it usually goes down because there are a lot of areas you can't control.”

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Anchored in rear early from his compromising wide draw, the Richard Hannon-trained relative of some of the owner-breeder's best recent performers was finally unleashed 300 metres from the finish as Ryan Moore sent Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) for home. Accelerating impressively as he had done at Ascot to swamp that rival inside the last half furlong, the generously-priced 6-1 shot had a length to spare at the line as the too-keen previously-unbeaten TDN Rising Star and even-money favourite Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) wound up 1 1/2 lengths behind in third.

“He felt exceptional today,” Levey said of the live 2000 Guineas contender who was providing his first-crop sire sensation with his first Group 1 winner and setting a new track record into the bargain. “At Doncaster, when I asked him he didn't know what to do on that soft ground and he's still so babyish. He has a great mind though and he'll keep learning. He had to overcome a lot today from that draw and was a bit confused when I restrained him, especially in the false straight. I was always going to win today. He had his ground and that's how good he is.”

Rosallion, who had struck on debut over 6 1/2 furlongs at Newbury just before Royal Ascot, had set almost the benchmark in terms of British-trained juveniles in the Pat Eddery, where the likes of Al Musmak (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) had trailed in his wake. Hannon had kept the faith after the Champagne and was relieved with this justification, completed in course-record time ahead of the previous 1:18.40 set by this race's winner Naaqoos (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in 2008.

“It was very sticky ground at Doncaster and he hated it, but I was so disappointed–I couldn't believe he got beat. We scoped him afterwards and everything was fine and the only thing I can put it down to was the ground. Sean was as gutted as I was at Doncaster–I don't think he said a word to me after he got beat in the Champagne S. He couldn't believe it either, that's the sort of horse he is. Today was a recovery mission and you don't generally come to the Lagardere on a recovery mission, as it takes an extremely good horse to win it but he showed today that he's the horse we thought he was.”

“We'll look forward to the Guineas now for next year,” Hannon added. “I wouldn't rule out the Breeders' Cup, but I'm very happy to look forward to the Guineas. I haven't had much luck at the Breeders' Cup, obviously it's got to change at some stage but I think it's unlikely.”

Aidan O'Brien said of Unquestionable and the pace-setting Henry Adams (Ire) (No Nay Never), who finished fourth, “The trip was okay and both will be fine at a mile. Ryan said Unquestionable could be a horse for America, so we will look at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf after seeing how they are. Unquestionable is definitely a Guineas horse, we will see which one next year.”

Yann Barberot said of Beauvatier, who recorded the race's fastest individual split between the two and the one at :10.56 but who was too free throughout the early stages, “We have been helped by the quick ground, but you need a colt with a lot of speed to win the Lagardere and he is not made for speed. In future, he will run over 1600 metres or even 2000 metres. I am very happy with him, he performed well. He found himself a bit behind at the start of the race, because he was impeded by the Andre Fabre-trained horse who pulled a lot.”

Pedigree Notes

Rosallion's unraced dam Rosaline is one of the progeny of the owner-breeder's sensational producer Reem Three (GB) (Mark Of Esteem {Ire}), whose seven black-type performers include this year's G1 Queen Anne S. hero Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and the G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Rosaline is a full-sister to the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein victor Ostilio (GB), while other Reem Three notables are the G3 Bengough S. winner Cape Byron (GB) by Blue Point's sire Shamardal and this year's Listed Heron S. winner Captain Winters (GB) whose sire Lope De Vega is also by Shamardal. The third dam is Jumaireyah (GB) (Fairy King), herself responsible for the G2 Celebration Mile and G3 Sovereign S. winner and GI Arlington Million runner-up Afsare (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Next up from Rosaline is a yearling colt by Make Believe (GB).

GROUP 1 GLORY FOR ROSALLION

A seriously top-class performance in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and a perfect ride delivered once again by @LeveySean!

Congratulations to owner-breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid #richardhannonracing #RHpic.twitter.com/mxYgST8j7T

— Richard Hannon (@rhannonracing) October 1, 2023

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX JEAN-LUC LAGARDERE (GRAND CRITERIUM)-G1, €400,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-1, 2yo, c/f, 7fT, 1:18.23 (NTR), g/s.
1–ROSALLION (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Rosaline (Ire), by New Approach (Ire)
2nd Dam: Reem Three (GB), by Mark Of Esteem (Ire)
3rd Dam: Jumaireyah (GB), by Fairy King
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Sean Levey. €228,560. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Eng, 4-3-0-1, €281,758. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Unquestionable (Fr), 126, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€340,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien. €91,440.
3–Beauvatier (Fr), 126, c, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Enchanting Skies (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€160,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Philippe Allaire & Haras d'Etreham; B-Ecurie des Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock Ltd & Mme Barbara M Keller (FR); T-Yann Barberot. €45,720.
Margins: 1, 1HF, 1. Odds: 6.10, 7.10, 1.00.
Also Ran: Henry Adams (Ire), Zabiari (GB), Native American (Ire), Jayarebe (Fr), Ballymount Boy (Ire), Evade (Fr), West Man (Ger). Scratched: Johannes Brahms (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

The post Blue Point’s Rosallion Brilliant In The Lagardere appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Ballydoyle's commander-in-chief has almost made this race his private property since 1998, with a sequence of 17 winners. Remarkably, the gap between Sioux Nation in 2017 and Little Big Bear (Ire) last term was the only time in that period that he had gone more than a year without collecting and the Railway has always been a race to sharpen his prospective Phoenix colt. Ryan Moore has enjoyed even more success than usual on the stable's big guns in Ireland in 2023 and he said on his betfair blog, “This lacks a stand-out. Only a short-head separated Bucanero Fuerte and Unquestionable in the Railway and hopefully we can get revenge after our colt had to miss Goodwood because of the worsening ground.”

Other than Bucanero Fuerte, Royal Ascot's Coventry also featured Givemethebeatboys (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) who was just 3/4 of a length behind having been sent for home some way out. Bronsan Racing and Theresa Marnane's G3 Marble Hill S. winner has been given a freshener since then and trainer Jessica Harrington issued a positive update on the £1.1-million Goffs London sensation. “Hopefully he'll run a good race and we don't get too much rain between now and then so we have a bit of nice ground on the day. He's won on soft, but I'd prefer better ground as he's a good-moving horse,” she said.

No filly has won this since La Collina (Ire) (Strategic Prince {GB}) in 2011, but the unbeaten Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) had some smart fillies behind when capturing the G3 Albany S. for the Fowler-Medallion Racing-Weston-Reeves collective and there is no definitive marker as to how the two sexes stand up. “She was in control the whole way in the Albany and did everything you'd like, so you'd have to respect the form and she seems quite versatile,” jockey Oisin Murphy said.

Sweet Solera Up For Grabs

While Ascot stages its longstanding Shergar Cup with its alternative appeal, Newmarket quietly gets on with the business of helping to sort the 2-year-old pecking order. Like the Phoenix, the G3 Molson Coors Sweet Solera S. also lacks a standout candidate but Godolphin's four-length course-and-distance winner Wild Goddess (GB) (Camelot {GB}) fits the bill with her connections and pedigree as she tackles the Listed Star S. second and third Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). The latter is back on more suitable ground, having been third behind Porta Fortuna in the Albany and we'll know more what that form means by late afternoon on Saturday.

At Haydock, there is an intriguing blend of youth and old talent in the 10-furlong G3 Rose Of Lancaster S. with the impressive Listed Lyric Fillies' S. winner Midnight Mile (Ire) (No Nay Never) taking on Shadwell's unpredictable Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) with weight-for-age on her side.

Inspiral Confirmed For Marois Defence

   John and Thady Gosden have given the green light for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to attempt back-to-back successes in Sunday's G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville following her last-of-five effort in the G1 Sussex S. She will encounter her G1 Queen Anne S. conqueror Triple Time (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and also Yeguada Centurion SL's G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), as well as the G1 Prix Jean Prat-winning course specialist Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) in a competitive 11-runner affair.

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Bucanero Fuerte, a debut scorer over five furlongs on opening day here in March, was swiftly into stride and allowed a gap to build while racing second behind stablemate Lightening Army (GB) (Soldier's Call {GB}), who established a clear advantage by halfway. Easing closer approaching the quarter-mile marker, he locked horns with Unquestionable with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and refused to yield under a late drive, outbobbing the 15-8 favourite by a short-head in a nip-and-tuck thriller. The pair were 4 1/2 lengths clear of the remainder, headed by the runner-up's Listed First Flier-winning stablemate His Majesty (Ire) (No Nay Never) in third.

“He's a tough horse, we took a chance running him back so quickly after [Royal] Ascot and he didn't let us down,” trainer Adrian Murray said. “[Assistant trainer] Robson [Aguair] said he was on fire during the week and we had no other option only to go for it. He's entered in the [G1] Phoenix S. and he could go to France, but we are not sure yet. We'll give him a bit of a break now as he's had two quick runs. He's a big, backward horse and we are not going to rush him. We'll definitely step him up in trip as that's what won it for him today. We made plenty of use of him because we knew he would see it out. He likes a bit of dig in the ground and, if anything, it was a bit quick for him today.”

Winning rider Rossa Ryan added, “He was very gutsy, the other horse never laid down and this lad stuck his neck out. I'd imagine he'll be a lot happier when he goes up to seven [furlongs] with a bit more juice in the ground. He's got a lovely cruise control and he gave me a super feel throughout. He's got a great mind to top it all off, so I'd say the future is bright with him. Credit to Adrian Murray and his team, they were confident he'd bounced out of Ascot well and it was a big test coming up against one of Aidan's that was fresh and hadn't been to Ascot. They've pulled a nice way clear of the rest.”

Pedigree Notes

Bucanero Fuerte, who becomes the 24th pattern-race winner for his sire, is a full-brother to G1 Prix de l'Abbaye hero Wooded (Ire) and G3 Sovereign S. runner-up Beat Le Bon (Fr). He is also kin to a yearling filly by Dubawi (Ire). The February-foaled bay's dam is out of stakes-winning G2 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) runner-up Firm Friend (Ire) (Affirmed) and thus a half-sister to dual stakes-winning G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis second Fred Lalloupet (GB) (Elusive City) and stakes-winning G3 Prix de Cabourg third Mon Pote Le Gitan (Thunder Gulch). Bucanero Fuerte's third dam Cherie Amie (Fr) (Gay Mecene) is kin to the dam of G1 Prix de l'Abbaye third and MGSW sire Magic Ring (Ire) (Green Desert).

.

What a start to Irish Derby Day! Bucanero Fuerte just edges out Unquestionable at the line. @Rossaryan1 taking the win for @AMurrayRacing pic.twitter.com/0Z3kzEwT7j

— The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) July 2, 2023

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
GAIN RAILWAY S.-G2, €120,000, Curragh, 7-2, 2yo, 6fT, 1:09.97, gd.
1–BUCANERO FUERTE (GB), 131, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Frida La Blonde (Fr), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Firm Friend (Ire), by Affirmed
3rd Dam: Chere Amie (Fr), by Gay Mecene
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€165,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Amo Racing Ltd & Giselle De Aguiar; B-Gestut Zur Kuste AG (GB); T-Adrian Murray; J-Rossa Ryan. €72,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $111,904. *Full to Wooded (Ire), G1SW-Fr, $274,930; and Beat Le Bon (Fr), GSP-Eng, $406,172. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Unquestionable (Fr), 131, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Strawberry Lace (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€340,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien. €24,000.
3–His Majesty (Ire), 131, c, 2, No Nay Never–Czabo (GB), by Sixties Icon (GB). (325,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Smith, Magnier, Tabor, Westerberg & Brant; B-Newstead Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €12,000.
Margins: SHD, 4HF, 1HF. Odds: 3.33, 1.88, 2.50.
Also Ran: I Am Invictus (Ire), Mythology (Ire), Supersonic Man (GB), Democracy (Ire), Devious (GB), Lightening Army (GB).

The post Bucanero Fuerte and Unquestionable Register Wootton Bassett Exacta In Railway Thriller appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The July 2 G2 Railway S. entry lined up as the 4-6 favourite coming back off a promising debut third in this month's Listed First Flier S. and broke sharply to seize an immediate lead upped to six furlongs for this test. In command throughout, he was asked to stretch passing the quarter-mile marker and, with the benefit of the stands' side rail, quickened clear in taking fashion inside the final 150 yards to hit the line with an impressive 4 1/4-length buffer back to Mr Saturday (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}). Unquestionable becomes the fifth Rising Star for his sire (by Iffraaj {GB}), and second this term, following in the hoofprints of stablemate River Tiber (Ire).

“It was big ask to throw him in over five [furlongs] first time in a stakes race and we felt he'd appreciate the step up [in trip],” said Aidan O'Brien. “We're delighted with him and he's going to get even further than this. Ryan [Moore] was very happy with him and he went to the line very strong. It's very hard to beat a run and he had a good run. He looks like a [G2] Coventry horse.”

Unquestionable is the second of three foals and first winner, from two runners, produced by a daughter of Listed October S. victrix and G3 Sweet Solera S. runner-up Crying Lightening (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Crying Lightening is a half-sister to Listed Prix de Saint-Patrick second Lucky Bridle (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) and a granddaughter of GII Dahlia H. winner and GI Gamely H. third Didina (GB) (Nashwan). Descendants of Didina include G1 Dubai Duty Free-winning sire Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk), G2 Temple S. victor and MG1SP sire Bated Breath (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Ajaya (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). The April-foaled bay, a €340,000 Arqana August graduate, is kin to a yearling colt by Almanzor (Fr).

1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 5-27, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:16.42, gd.
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
(€340,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG) Lifetime Record: SP-Ire, 2-1-0-1, $16,849. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O-Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore & Westerberg; B-Mme Camille Vitse, Mme Axelle Vitse, Mme Valentine Vitse & Guillaume Vitse (FR); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore.

Impressive!

Unquestionable impressively lands the opener at the Curragh & looks Royal Ascot bound pic.twitter.com/7ZYfWvIeD1

— ODDSbible Racing (@ODDSbibleRacing) May 27, 2023

The post Wootton Bassett’s Unquestionable Impresses With TDN Rising Star Display At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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15.20 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT
UNQUESTIONABLE (FR) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) takes the unusual step of dropping in class for a maiden on his second start, having caught the eye when third in the Listed First Flier S. here at the start of the month. Sent off the favourite of the Ballydoyle duo in that five-furlong contest, Al Shaqab Racing, Coolmore and Westerberg's €340,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate is joined by the stable's newcomer City Of Troy (Justify), a son of the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) whose 3-year-old full-brother Bertinelli won Saturday's London Gold Cup.

The post Observations: Unquestionable Kicks Off Big Day for Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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