Tag: Vadeni (Fr)

Arc Glory For Frankel’s Alpinista

Carried out in driving rain and accompanying gloom, Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe went to Kirsten Rausing's Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) who with her ever-whitening coat and mud-dappled white silks navigated what resembled a ploughed field like a trail of luminescence at ParisLongchamp.

Taking the eye throughout as she made easy work of the swiftly-deteriorating conditions under Luke Morris, who had been in action on the all-weather at Wolverhampton the night before, the 10-3 favourite waited with all the learned patience of such a beautifully-nurtured 5-year-old for the quartet in front to feel the pinch. As that inevitably happened, there followed a few glorious moments as she came to embody her owner-breeder's life's labour in this sphere and Sir Mark Prescott's unique art of equine education and care.

Although the homebred had arrived on the lead with Morris sitting motionless, her last 1 1/2 furlongs in front were not without tension as Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) chased her hard to the line along with last year's hero Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Despite the sterling efforts of The Aga Khan's Jockey Club and Eclipse hero and Auenquelle's German flagship, this was a result already carved into the precious stone that adorns Prescott's storied Heath House stables. At the line, the mare had bridged a surprising 85-year gap to the last of her age and sex to achieve glory in the famed Corrida, denying Vadeni by half a length and Torquator Tasso by a further neck.

“It's absolutely marvellous and an enormous relief,” Prescott said. “Luke has ridden for us for 11 years and Miss Rausing has had horses with me for 36, so I'm just very lucky. I trained her grandmother and it's hard to think of a better day. You felt she was always going to win, but it was a relief when she got there. It's a wonderful change to have one that can really go and she has been perfect. The race went like a dream. If it hadn't been my horse, I would have thought it was going to win every inch of the way, but when it's your own of course it's a nightmare. I didn't think all that rain would help, but she's never travelled better and has come on with each race.”

Morris added, “Things went lovely and smooth–I had all the confidence in her and she's not put a foot wrong. She is so versatile and so tough and I couldn't believe how well she was going–I had to take her back two out. She dug very deep for me and was very tough when I needed her. This is the pinnacle of my career–there are not many times when I'm teary-eyed, but I was having to hold back the tears today. Sir Mark's had an unbelievable effect on my career and is an unbelievable trainer and person, so I'm honoured to ride for him. Miss Rausing is a very generous lady with what she's done for the sport and I'm very fortunate.”

Alpinista, who started her career with a shot across the bows at Epsom in July 2019, skipped over ground officially described as firm when winning her first black-type race, Salisbury's Listed Upavon Fillies' S., the following August before chasing home Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) a week later in the G1 Yorkshire Oaks. Remarkably, her next start was her last defeat as Antonia De Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) mastered her in Newmarket's G3 Princess Royal S. a month later and even the biggest dreamer could not have predicted what was to follow.

Foot-perfect through the 2021 G2 Lancashire Oaks and the path of the Grosser Preis von Berlin-Preis von Europa-Grosser Preis Von Bayern Group 1 treble laid down by her second dam Albanova (GB) (Alzao), all reasoned knowledge accepted that the grey had probably used up all her career's fortune at that stage. Alpinista knew better, however, and her pursuit of a personal coronation among her incredible dynasty of Alruccaba (Ire) (Crystal Palace {Fr}) grew ever more impatient as she dashed several Arc hopes on her return in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. Her next stop back in the Yorkshire Oaks could have been her apex, but now we know that was just a launchpad to this key moment.

While the Arc is no stranger to testing ground and autumnal framing, this edition was really something else with the turf and soil flying from an early stage and many visibly struggling before halfway. As expected, the Japanese wonder Titleholder (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) was sent forward with Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) predictably on his case and after the first minute of action the order was settled. Rouget's Al Hakeem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) was well placed in third, with Alpinista tracking him and by the time they reached the false straight the conditions had truly separated the haves and the have-nots.

Surprisingly, Vadeni who carried perhaps the greatest stamina doubts into the race and who would arguably not been placed in the line-up had connections been able to foresee the amount of rain in the final minutes of the build-up was the one who came out of the pack with the most gusto. While his progress though the mud was hardly smooth, it was as dynamic as it gets in this kind of terrain and for a brief spell Alpinista looked vulnerable. Soumillon gave his all and Frankie managed to get Torquator Tasso close enough, but the grey had the stars aligned for her and her uncanny streak proved unbreakable.

She has now earned a berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland in November, should connections wish it. The only remaining question is whether the Alpinista story is at an end and both Prescott and Rausing were non-committal afterwards. “Can she go on again? I don't know what Ms. Rausing will do,” the trainer said. There's the [G1] Japan Cup and the [GI] Breeders' Cup [Turf] to consider, so we'll see.”

Her owner-breeder added, “She will come back to our stud next year. As for the Breeders' Cup or the Japan Cup, we want to go home and talk about it.”

Vadeni fully justified the about-turn of connections to take part and Georges Rimaud commented, “We were very pleased with his run and we were obviously beaten by a very good opponent. Christophe had a good run through the whole race and thought he was going to win, but the mare found more. He's proved he stays the trip in soft ground, so we will go away and discuss what will happen in the next few days.”

Jean Claude Rouget said of the runner-up and of Al Hakeem, who clung on for fourth, “I am proud of my two horses–they ran great races, handled the ground and stayed well. It was a deep field with many possible winners and both finished in the first four so it is a very good day. They will come back stronger next year. I am very happy for Sir Mark Prescott–I've known him well for a long time and I just love this man.”

Dettori said of Torquator Tasso, “He finished really strong and ran a super race. The draw didn't help, but it's his style of racing to run on the outer. I thought for a moment I might get to them, but they were too strong for me.”

Ralph Beckett said of the sixth-placed Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), “He ran a good race, he had the perfect position alongside the winner and ran on well in the straight. He was struggling on the ground–you could see that. Hopefully he will come back stronger next year.”

Aidan O'Brien had some unwelcome news about Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who is back on the easy list after a gruelling experience. “Obviously he got stuck in the ground, he pulled a muscle off his near-hip and is sore enough now,” he explained. “Hopefully we can take him home, but he'll be sore for a while. It will heal in time and hopefully we can look forward to next season. I'd say that will almost certainly be it this season.”

Pedigree Notes

Alpinista, who was providing Frankel with his first Arc success, is the first foal out of the Listed Silbernes Band der Ruhr winner Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), whose 3-year-old filly Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}) was second at listed level at Hanover this term. Her aforementioned pathfinder dam Albanova is also responsible for the G3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup winner Algometer (GB) (Archipenko), the Listed Stand Cup scorer and G3 Geoffrey Freer S.-placed Alignak (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and the triple French listed winner All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). In a twist of fate, the latter is in turn the dam of last month's G1 St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), making it another key period in the distinguished family's history.

The third dam is the Listed Oyster S. winner Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}), who also produced Albanova's high-achieving full-sister Alborada (GB) who pulled off her own remarkable feat when capturing back-to-back editions of the G1 Champion S. when it was staged at Newmarket. Among her descendants are the G2 City Of York S. winner Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}). This is also the family of Allegretto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who had her own day in the headlines at this venue when winning the G1 Prix Royal-Oak, and the talented G2 Nassau S. winner Last Second (Ire) also by Alzao, who later produced the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-winning sire Aussie Rules (Danehill). Alwilda's 2020 colt by Oasis Dream (GB) unfortunately died last year, while she also has a filly foal by Iffraaj {GB).

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX DE L'ARC DE TRIOMPHE-G1, €5,000,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-2, 3yo/up, c/f, 12fT, 2:35.71, vsf.
1–ALPINISTA (GB), 128, m, 5, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: Alwilda (GB) (SW-Ger & SP-Eng), by Hernando (Fr)
2nd Dam: Albanova (GB), by Alzao
3rd Dam: Alouette (GB), by Darshaan (GB)
O/B-Kirsten Rausing (GB); T-Sir Mark Prescott; J-Luke Morris. €2,857,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Ger & G1SW-Eng, 15-10-2-0, €3,926,843. *1/2 to Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}), SP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Vadeni (Fr), 125, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Vaderana (Fr), by Monsun (Ger). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €1,143,000.
3–Torquator Tasso (Ger), 132, h, 5, Adlerflug (Ger)–Tijuana (Ger), by Toylsome (GB). (€24,000 Ylg '18 BBAGO). O-Gestut Auenquelle; B-Paul H Vandeberg (GER); T-Marcel Weiss. €571,500.
Margins: HF, NK, 2. Odds: 3.40, 7.80, 8.10.
Also Ran: Al Hakeem (GB), Grand Glory (GB), Westover (GB), Luxembourg (Ire), Broome (Ire), Alenquer (Fr), Onesto (Ire), Titleholder (Jpn), Mendocino (Ger), Mishriff (Ire), Stay Foolish (Jpn), Mare Australis (Ire), Sealiway (Fr), Bubble Gift (Fr), Deep Bond (Jpn), Do Deuce (Jpn), Mostahdaf (Ire). Video, sponsored by TVG.

 

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Camelot’s Luxembourg Prevails In Irish Champion Thriller

Saturday's G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown, a “Win And You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in at Keeneland in November, turned out every bit as exhilarating as it had promised, with no hint of fluke or ill fortune and a cluster in contention approaching the furlong pole. That was before Ballydoyle's comeback kid Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) forged ahead late on to deny the TDN Rising Star Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in another stirring finish in which this race tends to specialise. We can now say with more conviction than before that the colt who had the world at his feet after last year's G1 Futurity Trophy was possibly robbed of Classic victory by his injury as he jumped back in during the opening day's feature of his country's biggest weekend. All memories of the heavy weather he had made of marking his return with success in The Curragh's G3 Royal Whip Aug. 13 melted away as the 7-2 shot fought off the ultra-game G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero to prevail by half a length. There was a further 1 1/4 lengths back to Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) in third as the 3-year-olds dominated in the absence of Shadwell's giant shadow-caster.

Perhaps it is a date with Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) that now awaits Luxembourg, who was providing the Westerberg connection with its greatest day. “The plan was always the Guineas, the Derby, the Irish Derby and then a rest before this and then the Arc,” the ultimate target-trainer revealed as he basked in an astounding 11th Irish Champion for his team. “That was the dream and we felt if we could get him back then it would be three races for him–the Curragh, here and the Arc. We went to the Royal Whip when he was ready to do a piece of work, so that was a massive one–you don't usually send a horse to a group race with 20 to 30 per cent of improvement to come. When he did what he did there, we knew we had a chance.”

Luxembourg, who had dazzled with his sectionals on debut at Killarney in July and in The Curragh's G2 Beresford S. in September, had cut a different figure when less flashy in Doncaster's end-of-term examination but was nevertheless able to safeguard his unbeaten record in comfortable fashion. Stumbling leaving the stalls for the 2000 Guineas before it all unravelled on the Rowley Mile, he was still on the heels of the Godolphin pair at the death that day so it was cruel that the public was denied what would have been a clash to remember with Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) at Epsom. After that contemporary had run away with the blue riband, it was remarkable how quickly Ballydoyle's number one was cast from the story.

With his Royal Whip re-entry only a workmanlike one, he had plenty to prove here against a small but stellar cast who all had the jump on him as far as race-hardening goes. As it turned out, what his rivals both the same age and older had in hand in that regard was negated by the obvious class advantage that he possesses and which was only evident as he crossed the line. As expected, his stablemate Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set a demanding pace as he waited along with the French duo, detached just far enough that there was no slackening of the rope. With the 7-4 favourite Vadeni forced to go towards the inside approaching the furlong pole, it was clear that the Aga Khan's star colt was too far adrift from Luxembourg and Onesto's private argument which the Ballydoyle runner won with a decisive final thrust 50 yards out.

“Since the Royal Whip, he's had tough hard graft and has taken it with a smile on his face which is unusual,” O'Brien added. “He was very much on the back foot the minute he got injured, but we knew that what he did in the Guineas meant that he was really good and a little bit different. He is brave too, he had to take it all and he had to fight again today. This is for a lot of people, for Killian who rides him every day, Stephen who rides his lead horse, Derek who looks after him, Jamie who is in charge of him, Wayne who rides him in all his work and Ryan who gave him an incredible ride. We didn't think we'd get him to The Curragh, but we had to push for it and the team made it happen.”

Christophe Soumillon believed that Vadeni's level dipped slightly from the Jockey Club and Eclipse, “I was very confident throughout the race–he was travelling probably a bit keen but not over-racing, just a bit fresh,” he explained. “He gave a little blow as Mishriff came to my outside and then quickened quite well but I'm sure he was not at 100 per cent and the ground is not for him. It is a little bit loose on top and not like it was at Sandown or Chantilly. If I had been able to stay out there and follow Ryan I would have, but I could feel the horse give a little blow and I wanted to give him a bit longer to recover. You still have to respect him, there are big races coming for him and the French Derby formline is there with Onesto running so well. I would probably have finished a bit closer with a clearer run, but I'm sure the winner is a great horse as well.”

Jean-Claude Rouget revealed that there will be no meeting with the winner and Baaeed in Paris for Vadeni. “He was having to do a slalom, like in skiing, so it was quite a good run,” he said. “He was in front of Mishriff like he was last time and we can't win every race. I think he was a bit unlucky, but I think the result is correct with a very strong pace in front. I don't know what the plan is, but not the Arc. Maybe he goes to Ascot [for the Oct. 15 G1 Qipco British Champion S.] if the ground is better.”

Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who was an honest fourth without ever threatening, could be Breeders' Cup-bound according to Prince Faisal's racing manager Ted Voute. “Post-race, John Gosden would like to consider the Breeders' Cup Turf over a mile and a half,” he said. “Colin Keane felt the ground was drying and felt a bit dead, which he wasn't happy on. He finished well, considering. Prince Faisal has said that the Breeders' Cup wasn't out of the question, provided he comes out of the race well.”

Pedigree Notes

Luxembourg, who is one of his sire's 10 group 1 winners and arguably the leader of the pack after this performance, is out of Attire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) who also produced the G2 Mooresbridge S. scorer Leo De Fury (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and the G3 1000 Guineas Trial-placed Sense Of Style (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). She is a full-sister to the G3 Glorious S. winner Forgotten Voice (Ire) and kin to the G3 Prix de Flore scorer Australie (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who is in turn responsible for the listed winner and G3 Diamond S.-placed Hawke (Ire) (Oratorio {Ire}) and is the second dam of this year's Listed Churchill S. winner and G3 Tyros S. runner-up Hellsing (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}).

Also connected to the Listed Criterium de Lyon scorer and G3 Prix Thomas Bryon runner-up Private Jet (Fr) (Aussie Rules) and the Listed Prix Marchand d'Or winner and G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis runner-up Princedargent (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Attire is a granddaughter of the esteemed Wildenstein matriarch Albertine (Fr) (Irish River {Fr}) whose high-class descendants are numerous and include Arcangues and the triple group 1-winning Prix de Diane heroine Aquarelliste (Fr) by Danehill Dancer's sire Danehill (Danzig), who was runner-up to Sakhee when attempting the Arc. Attire's winning 2-year-old full-brother to Luxembourg, Hiawatha (Ire), is well-regarded at Ballydoyle having cost €1.2million at last year's Goffs Orby, while she also has a yearling filly and a filly foal again by Camelot.

Saturday, Leopardstown, Britain
IRISH CHAMPION S.-G1, €1,000,000, Leopardstown, 9-10, 3yo/up, 10fT, 2:12.10, sf.
1–LUXEMBOURG (IRE), 129, c, 3, by Camelot (GB)
     1st Dam: Attire (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Asnieres, by Spend a Buck
     3rd Dam: Albertine (Fr), by Irish River (Fr)
(150,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith; B-B V Sangster (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €580,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, 6-5-0-1, $936,596. *1/2 to Leo De Fury (Ire) (Australia {GB}), GSW-Ire, $156,911. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Onesto (Ire), 129, c, 3, Frankel (GB)–Onshore (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire).
'TDN Rising Star'. (185,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT; $535,000 2yo '21 OBSAPR). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Diamond Creek Farm (IRE); T-Fabrice Chappet. €200,000.
3–Vadeni (Fr), 129, c, 3, Churchill (Ire)–Vaderana (Fr), by Monsun (Ger).
O-H H Aga Khan; B-Haras De S A Aga Khan SCEA (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €100,000.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 3/4. Odds: 3.50, 11.00, 1.75.
Also Ran: Mishriff (Ire), Stone Age (Ire), Alenquer (Fr), Broome (Ire).

 

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Is V For Victory, As Longines Irish Champions Weekend Begins?

  With The Queen in everyone's thoughts on Saturday, her greatest pastime is celebrated at Leopardstown with the G1 Irish Champion S. offering a blend of some of Europe's finest families that she knew and appreciated so well. Chief among them is a pearl from the depths of The Aga Khan's ocean of breeding talent the UK's longest-serving monarch was able to fish from in her later years. It was Astrakhan, a wedding present from the late Aga Khan III, who provided her with her first flat winner at Hurst Park in 1950 while her cherished Gold Cup heroine Estimate (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) was also gifted to her by his son and successor.

It would therefore in some small way be fitting if Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) could strike in the showcase event of Irish Champions weekend and the way the homebred has swaggered through the tests of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Eclipse points to him doing so. Of course, there are the uncertainties of the prevalent soft ground and tactics at a track that has a habit of catching out horses and jockeys, not to mention the formidable opposition, but there is something about the colt that has already marked the Stud's centenary year that hints at something special.

More in the mold of the “V” dynasty's speedier types Valixir (Ire) (Trempolino) and Val Royal (Fr) (Royal Academy) than the stouter members, the bay has zip as he demonstrated in a renewal of the Eclipse that put a much greater emphasis on mid-race speed than is usually the case. Many have pointed to the troubled passage of Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) making Prince Faisal's high-class stalwart an unlucky loser, but heading past the line at Sandown it was Vadeni who was taking off up the hill looking as if he had just joined in. “The pace wasn't crazy and that's why we all finished together,” Christophe Soumillon said, reflecting on that July 2 feature.  It was a little bit tactical, but he is quite easy to ride and very straightforward. It was a surprising win in the French Derby, because it is not very often that you see a horse winning a Group 1 with that kind of keenness.”

 

To The Left

Whereas it would be no surprise to see Vadeni win a top mile race as Valixir and Val Royal did before him, Mishriff is a true middle-distance powerhouse who will be out to draw the sting from his French foe this time. While the Gosdens' 5-year-old has developed slow-starting tendencies of late, his alert break in the G1 Juddmonte International suggests that compromising habit is behind him and he is back on a left-handed track which seems to play to his strengths. Of his last dozen outings, only three have been going in this direction on turf and they resulted in wins in last year's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and Juddmonte International and a gallant second to the world's unrivalled best on grass in Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Connections have been savvy enough to book the Irish master Colin Keane and Ted Voute is sounding hopeful that the operation's flagship performer can register a Group 1 win for the third consecutive year. “I expect Vadeni to prove hard to beat, but I think a few people felt we were unlucky in the Eclipse so let's see what happens on Saturday,” he said. “I suspect this will be the end of his season in Europe, so let's hope he can go out on a high.”

 

A True Test

If the comeback performance of Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in The Curragh's G3 Royal Whip Aug. 13 failed to set the pulse racing, it did at least show that here is a colt with a will-to-win from a stable renowned for its indomitability in the elite domestic contests. There have been several brilliant overseas challengers who have come up against a wall here and defeat for the likes of Falbrav (Ire) (Fairy King), Motivator (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) testify that if you want this, you first have to wrest it off Ballydoyle. Not enough is as yet known about Luxembourg to make any steadfast claims as to his level of ability or stamina, but he has two aides in this and therefore possibly a tactical edge. Ryan Moore will have worked it all through his unparalleled racing brain many times. “That narrow victory last time didn't please everyone, but it did us and that's the main thing,” he confirmed on his betfair blog.

 

The Heffernan Factor

Helping Luxembourg's cause is the Peter Brant colourbearer Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who for a few days in early May looked poised to fill the Derby void left by the stable's number one blue riband hope's setback as he overwhelmed his peers in the G3 Derby Trial over this course and distance. One of the yard's brightest 3-year-olds in the spring, it is easy to forgive his recent efforts and the fact that he has Seamie Heffernan on board is a huge plus. Few jockeys ride this circuit with as much skill as the man who dominated the 2010 renewal on Cape Blanco (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and who pressured Ghaiyyath into submission on Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) two years ago. Of the riders in the saddle this time, he is the joint-winningmost alongside Ryan Moore so on this testing surface his rivals will be well-served to remember not to give him too much rope. With the underrated and undervalued G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in attendance on his favoured slow ground, this has the potential to turn into a war of attrition.

 

Making Hayes

With Dermot Weld's stable finally hitting top stride in the past few days after a largely uninspiring 2022 season, the way is paved for Moyglare's priceless 'TDN Rising Star' Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to burst back onto the scene in the G1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron S. For the purists, there has been a lingering frustration that the clash of the two Frankel superfillies has yet to take place but Ascot's QEII is already calling for Inspiral (GB) and her Irish counterpart first needs to fulfil this obligation. That will be no easy task, with the increasingly unassailable Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) to subdue, but the edge has to be with the scintillating G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine here. “The [Weld] horses have been frustrating during the summer and it was frustrating times with Homeless Songs as we had to keep backing off, but we have no excuses now as the rain has come,” jockey Chris Hayes said. “She is mad well and we are raring to go.”

 

When Two Rising Stars Meet

The first of the weekend's plentiful juvenile Classic pointers takes place on the Leopardstown card, with Ballydoyle's pair of TDN Rising Stars Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) lined up against each other in the G2 KPMG Champions Juvenile S. Ryan Moore has opted for the former, a son of Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who when at her best was a tour de force. “I'd be hopeful you will see a very good colt here,” the rider said of his pick. Tower Of London, a full-brother to Capri, looked more of a precocious sort than his sibling when winning over course and distance July 21 and it would be no surprise were he to assume the stable bragging rights here.

In the opening Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle S. for unexposed fillies, there is a fascinating contrast between Team Valor International and Gary Barber's five-furlong Cork maiden winner Easy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) and The Aga Khan's stamina-laden Limerick maiden scorer Kayhana (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) as Paddy Twomey and Dermot Weld open their select but potentially potent assault on the weekend.

 

Kyprios Heads Sunday Cast

With Doncaster's enhanced St Leger card shifted to Sunday, the afternoon looks a beast with quickfire assaults on the senses on Town Moor, at ParisLongchamp and The Curragh. The latter venue's equally powerful second half of the Irish Champions weekend was set out on Friday, with Ballydoyle's G1 Gold Cup and G1 Goodwood Cup hero Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) taking on 10 rivals in the G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger including his full-sister Search For A Song (Ire) who captured it in 2019 and 2020. More than at Leopardstown, Rosegreen seem to have a firm grip on Sunday's fixture as they supply the favourites for the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. and G1 Moyglare Stud S. in the G2 Futurity S.-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Aesop's Fables (Ire) (No Nay Never) and G2 Debutante S. scorer Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) respectively. Of the dozen that take the Moyglare test, The Aga Khan's 'TDN Rising Star' Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) looks to have Classic potential following her impressive debut at Galway July 26. There are 18 rivals lined up for the G1 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five S. despite the foreboding presence of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G1 Nunthorpe S. heroine Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), while the G2 Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford S. boasts Team Valor's G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World {Ire}) as she takes on a dozen under a penalty.

 

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Vadeni Heads Irish Champion Septet

Saturday's feast of racing is taking shape with final fields for all races announced Thursday morning. Leopardstown's G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion S. has attracted seven contenders with G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Coral-Eclipse hero Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) set to depart from stall two. Opponents Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) have drawn gates five and six, respectively. Meanwhile, Doncaster's G1 Cazoo St Leger will see nine head to post for the world's oldest Classic. Godolphin's New London (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is trading as the odds-on favourite, has been allocated stall four for the extended 14-furlong contest. His main rivals, 'TDN Rising Star' Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G1 Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}), have drawn gates five and seven. Juddmonte's hitherto undefeated Haskoy (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), who represents the same Ralph Beckett stable as the last successful distaffer Simple Verse (Ire) (Danehill) in 2015, will depart from stall three.

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