West Wind Blows Withdrawn From HK Vase With Injury

Abdulla Al Mansoori's West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a multiple group winner, has been withdrawn from the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase after sustaining an injury to his left foreleg, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Saturday.

Successful in the 2022 G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange and 2023 G3 La Coupe, the 4-year-old gelding is trained by Ed and Simon Crisford. Also placed in Sandown's G1 Eclipse, West Wind Blows has had a fruitful campaign Down Under this season, running second in both the G1 Turnbull S. this October and in the G1 Caulfield Cup later that month. He was ninth in his final Australian start, the G1 Champions S. at Flemington on Nov. 11.

The statement from the Department of Veterinary Regulation, Welfare & Biosecurity Policy read, “Upon examination this afternoon, West Wind Blows has an injury to the left fore leg and accordingly has been withdrawn from the Longines Hong Kong Vase on veterinary advice.”

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Eclipse Glory For Siyouni’s TDN Rising Star Paddington

Known for some time as “the first clash of the generations”, Sandown's G1 Coral-Eclipse proved the absolute epitome of that sentiment on Saturday as Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Ire}–Modern Eagle {Ger}, by Montjeu {Ire}) mastered fellow TDN Rising Star Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) to do it for the Classic crop. Providing Aidan O'Brien with the outright historical record of seven renewals in the process, the heavily-supported 8-11 favourite got a lead from West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and proceeded to glide through his most demanding examination yet.

Moving to the front passing two out, the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace S. hero with his weight-for-age boon had first run on the G1 Coronation Cup winner who consented to put it up to her year-younger rival on the rise to the line. Ultimately, it was Ryan Moore in charge there with a half-length winning margin and another six back to West Wind Blows who completed a TDN Rising Star one-two-three.

Fears that this four-runner edition could result in a trappy, unsatisfactory pace scenario failed to be born out and this looked straightforward stuff. Surprisingly given that outcome, the jockey's post-race conclusion will only serve to dampen the spirits of the connections of the rest of Europe's elite. “It did go to plan, but at the same time I don't think we saw the best of my horse,” he warned.

“Tactics didn't play any part at all–he was just the best horse on the day,” Moore added. “He was in a good rhythm, travelled down to the two very easy and found plenty. I was vulnerable there in the middle of the track, but he was always doing enough and he's a legitimate high-class colt.”

Ensuring that the once-important Madrid H. is brought further back to its early prominence as a Classic pointer, Paddington is now only 15 weeks on from that key part of Naas's season curtain-raiser and he has already muscled his way into elevated territory. Insatiable in his progress, his equine ambition has continued to peak beyond whatever tests the Tetrarch, the Irish Guineas and Royal Ascot could offer but this represented an altogether different level.

West Wind Blows has proven on more than one occasion how dangerous he can be on the front end and was coming off a gallant second in the G2 Hardwicke S., while Emily Upjohn had been sensational in the G1 Coronation Cup and arrived a fresh filly at a track certain to suit. Tellingly, Paddington was instantly able to take more than two lengths out of his chief rival exiting the stalls as she proved tardy and the die was cast there and then. Heading up the centre of the track to the two pole, Paddington had total control with Ryan Moore notably quiet and his three colleagues all already animated in the saddle.

From there it was a case of deja vu as the second son of Siyouni to take this prize for Ballydoyle gave a more than passable impression of the 2021 hero St Mark's Basilica (Fr). Moore barely moved his whip hand and while the filly once again flashed her talent in pursuit and got to his girth, she never looked like getting any further along. “She was there from one and a half out and she didn't quit, but he's proved he's a very tough and durable horse,” a clearly energised Moore added of his third winner of the race that in 2007 acted as an accelerator of the appreciation of his talents as he steered his own course on Notnowcato (GB) (Inchinor {GB}). “He's turned up and given his best every time and come forward all year. I just think he's a real high-quality colt with lots of pace and gears and class and Aidan can keep backing him up. He could get further. We'll enjoy him.”

This made it a dozen Eclipses for Ballydoyle, with it all beginning in 1958 courtesy of Ballymoss (GB) for Dr Vincent O'Brien. The rest of the original master of Rosegreen's haul was made up of 3-year-old colts and Aidan has followed on that trend with some of the stable's finest in Giant's Causeway, Hawk Wing and the aforementioned St Mark's Basilica. While the sizeable weight-for-age concession this early in the year lends an indisputable edge to the Classic generation, they still have to possess the right material to deal with toughened and seasoned opponents.

Aidan O'Brien, who has now usurped the legendary figures of epochs past and present in Alec Taylor Jr and Sir Michael Stoute, has known for some time that Paddington was made of the right stuff but nonetheless admitted to a degree of wonder in the winner's rate of progress throughout the past fortnight. His ticket to Esher was apparently punched with a stunning final workout on the Ballydoyle gallops. “Seamus [Heffernan] rode him the other morning and he couldn't talk when he got off him–that's how aggressive and quick he has become ,” he explained. “When that happens to fellows that have ridden that many good horses, it takes you aback a little bit.”

“He is a serious horse and Ryan was very confident going out, but when you have an older filly like that they don't lie down,” O'Brien added. “We knew how good she was and didn't underestimate her in any way. Ryan said he got there a bit early, but he didn't want to break his rhythm and disappoint him and that was 100% the right thing to do. It would have been perfect for her, because she had a target to take her there but Ryan said he was surprised how easily he went through the race. I don't think he hit him at all.”

It is now a question of satiating the winner's appetite for competition and so inevitably Goodwood at the end of the month is on Paddington's agenda as he looks to follow the lead of the revered 'Iron Horse'. “There's a good chance he'll be back for the Sussex–that was the plan, but because he had thrived so much and John [Magnier] was so confident he'd get the trip he was here beforehand,” O'Brien said. “He is quicker than Giant's Causeway and his constitution is amazing–Giant always ran at the same weight, but this horse is getting heavier which is strange and unusual, but he is obviously turning into a very quick horse. He's a dream. Ryan's very excited about him.”

As Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is poised on the verge of a possibly groundbreaking campaign, with Michael Tabor this week floating the idea of backing up the Derby winner from the King George in the Juddmonte International, the “lads” now have two colts with the potential to dominate the major summer prizes. O'Brien gave a heavy hint that the Rodin-Paddington bonanza has only just begun. “The big thing is the lads love their racing and that is rising above everything else now,” he stated. “They love going racing and thinking about those horses. It is becoming more of a love and a passion than it has ever been before. I can't tell you how passionate they are about the racing.”

John Gosden said of Emily Upjohn, “It was a proper match race and she's run a blinder giving him seven pounds, but this is obviously below her best trip. She's a big unit and stands 17′ 2 and was awkward out of the stalls, so you've got to remember she had to go nearly a length and a half to get level but she battled all the way. Lester Piggott always told me that the three-year-olds have the advantage in the Eclipse and the winner's a lovely horse and a real stallion prospect. If she's in good form, we'll look at the King George and her year-end target is the Arc.”

Ed Crisford said of West Wind Blows, “Jamie set nice, honest fractions and he ran his heart out. I think we will definitely be looking at international races with him. I think he could be very competitive in Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong.”

Pedigree Notes

Like stablemate and fellow luminary Little Big Bear, Paddington emerged from blue Wildenstein blood being a son of the strong-staying Listed Prix Belle de Nuit winner Modern Eagle (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}). Her last known foal, he was bred and raised at Monceaux for the Wildensteins before achieving the joint-second-highest price of €420,000 at the 2021 Arqana October Sale. Modern Eagle, who also produced dual listed-placed Masterpiece (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), is a daughter of the G1 Prix de Diane runner-up Millionaia (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) and a half to the Listed Vintage Tipple S. winner and G3 Loughbrown S.-placed Mighty Blue (Fr) by Montjeu's son Authorized (Ire).

Millionaia is a half to Ballydoyle's former G1 Dewhurst S. runner-up Fencing Master (GB) (Oratorio {Ire}) and is a daughter of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Moonlight Dance (Alysheba), who is also the second dam of the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris scorer Ming Dynasty (Fr) (King's Best). The fourth dam Madelia (Fr) (Caro) captured the Diane as well as the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix Saint-Alary, while those looking for stamina clues with a possible Arc bid in mind have plenty of positive pointers including the family's G1 Melbourne Cup runner-up Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}).

Saturday, Sandown, Britain
CORAL-ECLIPSE-G1, £750,000, Sandown, 7-8, 3yo/up, 9f 209yT, 2:05.16, gd.
1–PADDINGTON (GB), 125, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
     1st Dam: Modern Eagle (Ger) (SW-Fr), by Montjeu (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Millionaia (Ire), by Peintre Celebre
     3rd Dam: Moonlight Dance, by Alysheba
TDN Rising Star. (€420,000 Ylg '21 ARQDOY). O-Tabor/Smith/Magnier/Westerberg/Brant; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £425,325. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Ire, 7-6-0-0, $1,357,748. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Emily Upjohn (GB), 132, f, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Hidden Brief (GB), by Barathea (Ire). TDN Rising Star. (60,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Lloyd Webber, Tactful Finance, S Roden; B-Lordship Stud & Sunderland Holding Inc (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £161,250.
3–West Wind Blows (Ire), 135, g, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–West Wind (GB), by Machiavellian.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. TDN Rising Star. O-Mr Abdulla Al Mansoori; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. £80,700.
Margins: HF, 6, 2. Odds: 0.73, 2.13, 12.00.
Also Ran: Dubai Honour (Ire).

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Sandown: “Supreme Traveller” Emily Upjohn The One To Beat In The Eclipse

Looking at the history of the G1 Coral-Eclipse, it is clear that fillies and mares have had a hard time against the colts in Sandown's jewel. While the illustrious Pebbles (GB) managed to prevail in 1985 and Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) did so three years ago with the lesser-heralded Kooyonga (Ire) victorious in between in 1992, the list of beaten elite stars among the sex is extensive. It includes Time Charter (Ire), Triptych, Indian Skimmer, In The Groove (GB), Bosra Sham, Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and also Enable who was only second attempting a second success in 2021. Like the latter pair, TDN Rising Star Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) hails from the Gosdens' Clarehaven base and does so with similar gravitas to her predecessors on Saturday.

Already an unlucky-looking Oaks runner-up and easy G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner at three, it was at Epsom last month that the filly owned in partnership by the Lloyd-Webbers, Jonathan Shack and Stuart Roden really took off. Her display of brilliance in the G1 Coronation Cup, in which her blistering sectionals included a :10.52 from three to two out which proved faster than any produced in either the Derby or Oaks over the same course, distance and ground, surprised connections but the secret is very much out now where she is concerned.

That this plays out over the same course and distance over which she gained TDN Rising Star status when winning her novice by 9 1/2 lengths in April 2022 lends even greater weight to her credentials and William Buick is relishing the opportunity to try and extend his tally of three wins in this starting with this yard's Nathaniel (Ire) 11 years ago. “I rode her in a racecourse gallop and she feels great,” he said. “She  is a supreme traveller with a turn of foot and has all the attributes at this level.”

 

Paddington Following Old Trends

Ballydoyle has a rich history of winning this with 3-year-olds, with the late great Dr. Vincent O'Brien delivering four from that generation including Solford and Sadler's Wells who subdued the aforementioned Time Charter in 1983 and 1984, respectively. Aidan has followed on with a quartet of his own among his total of six, beginning with Giant's Causeway in the millennium year. Like the “Iron Horse”, TDN Rising Star Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Ire}) comes here having taken the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-G1 St James's Palace S. route and at this stage there is no way of telling where his ceiling is.

   Giant's Causeway was the winner of a thrilling renewal, which involved another class mare in Shiva (Jpn), while the other from the yard stepping up from those mile monuments Black Minnaloushe (Storm Cat) was a close fifth and possibly a touch unlucky a year later.

Ryan Moore said, “Mine is a straightforward horse and I've loved everything he's done this year. There are a few questions he has to answer and we'll find out tomorrow, but he has a lot of class.”

 

Gone West?

Tactics may well play a hand despite the fact that there are only four runners. Small fields do not necessarily guarantee a trouble-free race, as Kieren Fallon found out ensnared on the rail on the aforementioned Bosra Sham at a crucial stage in 1997 when there were five contenders. Step forward the third TDN Rising Star West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a talented performer on his day who would not be a far-fetched winner of a race that might tactically suit.

He has the added advantage of Jamie Spencer and Ed Crisford was keen to stress that the in-form rider is key to the prospects of the dual Group 3 scorer. “Jamie understands the horse and believes in the horse. He understands how to be with him, as he can be a bit of a quirky horse in his demeanour,” he said. “He is channelling his energy much better after being gelded, which is helping him stay. Now it is just a case of climbing the ladder.”

 

Dubai Honour

Always on the cusp of a Group 1 win at home, the now fully-mature Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}) has gone the “Addeybb” route of the G1 Ranvet and G1 Queen Elizabeth S. Kept away from fast ground by William Haggas, Mohamed Obaida's 5-year-old showed what he can do on a lively surface in the Ranvet but it was significant that connections felt afterwards that they “got away with” that going. It is going to be hot at Sandown on Saturday and drying conditions may play against him, but the famous uphill climb to the line is always a help to horses like him.

“Australia was Dubai Honour's new beginning as a Group 1 horse and we are looking forward to his first run back in a Group 1 on home turf,” Tom Marquand said. “The stiff finish will suit him and it looks as if he might be better going right-handed. It's a tough race, but hopefully he can finish off with a bit of a rattle.”

 

Westover Takes Aim At Saint-Cloud

Juddmonte's Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) would no doubt have been a major player in the Eclipse, so anything other than a smooth win in Saturday's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud can be registered as an upset. Staged 15 minutes after his G1 Coronation Cup conqueror Emily Upjohn's Eclipse outing, last year's G1 Irish Derby hero gets reacquainted with Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) who was 2 1/4 lengths behind him as they filled the consolation slots in arrears of Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

Bearing in mind what Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) did at Royal Ascot, that Meydan form is probably the world's best at present and it all points to Westover providing he is on best behaviour. He wasn't when blowing out in last year's King George, while his antics in the lead-up to the Sheema Classic might have compromised him there. “It's always in the back of your mind. He did in Ascot last year, but in Dubai it wasn't really the same as it was his first run of the year in a new environment and he was fresh,” the operation's Barry Mahon said. “Hopefully Ascot was a one-off isolated incident and he'll be fine on Saturday. You'd like to think he'll hard to beat, to be fair.”

 

The Supporting Acts

Two significant Group 2 races form the background to Saturday's feature events, with Haydock's Lancashire Oaks and Saint-Cloud's Prix Eugene Adam offering contrasting fare. Of the older fillies and mares assembled for the former, George Strawbridge's G2 Park Hill S. winner Mimikyu (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) stands out after her creditable second under a penalty in York's G3 Bronte Cup in May. Bidding for a 10th renewal for the Gosdens, she follows on from last year's Lancashire Oaks winner Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) tackling Sunderland Holding's course-and-distance G3 Lester Piggott S. winner Sea Silk Road (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Experience may not count for much in the Eugene Adam if Newtown Anner Stud Farm's impressive Gowran maiden winner Knight To King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) makes the usual progress that Dermot Weld's 3-year-olds tend to from their debuts. The son of Gita Weld's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas-winning Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) holds a special place in his trainer's heart and it will be interesting to see how far the half-brother to Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) can ascend in the rankings.

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Pyledriver Back With A Win In The Hardwicke

Royal Ascot's G2 Hardwicke S. was missing Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), but it still had Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}–La Pyle (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and the hero of last year's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. copied that Shadwell contemporary in overcoming his own lengthy lengthy lay-off on Saturday. Understandably over-racing in the hands of P J McDonald behind the front-running West Wind Blows (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Changingoftheguard (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) throughout the early stages, the 7-2 shot who had also won the G2 King Edward VII S. in the COVID year of 2020 here loomed wide on the home turn.

In front a furlong out, the Willie Muir and Chris Grassick-trained 6-year-old ducked left and then right away from his rider's whip and caused significant interference to Changingoftheguard in the closing stages as a result. After an inquiry, the result was left as it was, which was Pyledriver 1 1/4 lengths ahead of TDN Rising Star West Wind Blows with Changingoftheguard a length away in fourth.

 

Easy to write off initially due to his modest connections, Pyledriver has made a point throughout his career of defying the doubters, most notably before the King George in the previous year's G1 Coronation Cup. Also successful in the 2020 G2 Great Voltigeur S., he was third going too far in the G1 St Leger where he veered away from Martin Dwyer's whip and was second in the 2021 G1 Hong Kong Vase and an unlucky loser when fourth in last year's G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

This was a momentous comeback marred only by McDonald's snap decision to use the whip in the closing stages, but an emotional Willie Muir was looking only at the positives. “I know how much this horse will improve. Yes he rolled around, but he was on fumes. I knew he was a class horse and I knew he would be competitive–he never knows when to chuck it in, but I did think match-fitness might catch us out. We will see how he is tonight, tomorrow, the next day, but the King George will be next all being well. This is what we dream to have horses like this. The owners were offered fortunes for him as a 3-year-old and they have been so loyal to the horse.”

McDonald added, “When he hits the front, he always runs around and it just goes to show how much ability he has that he's not concentrating on running in a straight line. I haven't sat on this horse since last year's King George and what a performance to get this fella back today. Today was only ever a starting point moving forward to the King George, so to get the win under his belt is a massive bonus. We have a superstar horse, I just need to keep him in a straight line!”

Ed Crisford said of West Wind Blows, “I think there you can say he definitely stays a mile and a half, because there have always been these question marks but he kept running true to the line there. I would say that's his career-best performance and he really showed himself, up against some of the best horses over this trip.”
Changingoftheguard's trainer Aidan O'Brien said, “He ran very well and we are delighted with his run. We will see how he is–obviously he is entered in the King George and all those races.”

Pedigree Notes
Pyledriver is the first foal out of La Pyle, a full-sister to the G3 Park Express S. winner Normandel (Fr) and a half to the G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Mont Ormel (Fr) (Air Chief Marshal {Ire}). She is also kin to Lillebonne (Fr) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), the dam of the Listed El Gran Senor S. winner and G2 Kilboy Estate S. runner-up Seisai (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), the Listed Glencairn S. winner Maganimous (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), the G3 Irish St Leger Trial-placed Micro Manage (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}) and the G2 Debutante S. third Thornbrook (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}).

La Pyle, whose 3-year-old filly Shagpyle (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looks a decent type who won here on debut last month, is a granddaughter of Lidakiya (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) who produced the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis and G1 Premio Vittorio di Capua-winning sire Linngari (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) and is kin to the triple listed scorer and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup runner-up Livadiya (Ire) (Shernazar {Ire}). La Pyle's yearling filly is by Kingman (GB).

Saturday, Royal Ascot, Britain
HARDWICKE S.-G2, £250,000, Ascot, 6-24, 4yo/up, 11f 211yT, 2:29.60, g/f.
1–PYLEDRIVER (GB), 129, h, 6, by Harbour Watch (Ire)
1st Dam: La Pyle (Fr), by Le Havre (Ire)
2nd Dam: Lidana (Ire), by King's Best
3rd Dam: Lidakiya (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
(10,000gns RNA Wlg '17 TATFOA). O-La Pyle Partnership; B-Knox & Wells Ltd & R Devlin (GB); T-William Muir & Chris Grassick; J-P J McDonald. £141,775. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng & G1SP-HK, 19-8-4-1, $2,562,866. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–West Wind Blows (Ire), 129, g, 4, Teofilo (Ire)–West Wind (GB), by Machiavellian. O-Abdulla Al Mansoori; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Simon & Ed Crisford. £53,750.
3–Changingoftheguard (Ire), 129, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Lady Lara (Ire), by Excellent Art (GB). O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-B V Sangster (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £26,900.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1, HF. Odds: 3.50, 6.50, 7.00.
Also Ran: Deauville Legend (Ire), Free Wind (Ire), Grand Alliance (Ire), Ardakan (GB). Scratched: Hukum (Ire).

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