No Nay Never’s Little Big Bear Best In The Windsor Castle

The subject of a momentous gamble in Wednesday's Listed Windsor Castle S., Ballydoyle's Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never–Adventure Seeker {Fr}, by Bering {GB}) duly delivered to maintain the 100% record of the TDN Rising Stars in Royal Ascot's two-year-old contests. Hammered into 6-5 favouritism to get Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore off the mark for the week, the impressive Naas maiden winner raced near the pace far side before being sent forward with hands and heels passing halfway. In the end, the imposing bay had to fight to fend off the stand's-side winner Rocket Rodney (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) but was equal to the task to score by a neck, with Eddie's Boy (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) 1 3/4 lengths back in third. “It was a good performance from a horse who is still learning,” Moore said. “He was out on the wing and the horses in the middle were ahead–he got a bit lonely, but he has plenty of ability. He is a big horse and I thought he did that comfortably. I know he didn't win by far, but there was more in the locker.”

Runner-up by a short head to the subsequent G3 Marble Hill S. runner-up Tough Talk (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and ahead of future winner Shartash (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) on debut at The Curragh Apr. 10, Little Big Bear dealt with the drop to this trip without fuss when dominating his maiden from the well-regarded Joseph O'Brien-trained Alexis Zorba (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) at Naas May 7. The extent of the money flow in his direction leading up to the off spoke volumes about the expectation surrounding him and he was carrying that weight looking to provide Aidan O'Brien with the Royal Ascot winner the form of his juveniles seemed to suggest was a formality this Spring.

Rosegreen's two-year-olds are never hard-baked for this meeting and there were a few moments when Little Big Bear needed encouragement from Moore before halfway as several appeared to be travelling sweeter across the track. It was only as he approached the furlong marker that the sizeable colt began to emerge as one of the chief protagonists and by the time he had got to half a furlong out he had the measure of Rocket Rodney who was a few horse-widths out of range. “He was drawn a little away from the pace, but we were delighted with him,” O'Brien said. “He should get further in the future and is in the Phoenix Stakes. He is a big horse. It is obviously a very fast race and horses need to know a lot in it and be very educated. He had only had the two runs, so we were a bit worried about that, but we're delighted really.”

Little Big Bear is bred to stay much further on the dam's side, with the Listed Prix de Liancourt winner, G3 Prix Cleopatre runner-up and GI E P Taylor S. fourth Adventure Seeker being a granddaughter of the legendary All Along (Fr), the French champion and US Horse of the Year in 1983 courtesy of her G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, GI Turf Classic, G1 Rothmans International and GI Washington D. C. International victories. A half to the precocious but ill-fated G3 Princess Margaret S. third Along Again (Ire) (Elusive City), she produced Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway) who was second in the 12-furlong G3 Hobart Cup. Also connected to the G3 Prix du Muguet winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains-placed Art Francais (Lyphard's Wish {Fr}), the dam's yearling is a full-brother to Little Big Bear.

Wednesday, Ascot, Britain
WINDSOR CASTLE S.-Listed, £100,000, Ascot, 6-15, 2yo, 5fT, 1:00.33, g/f.
1–LITTLE BIG BEAR (IRE), 131, c, 2, by No Nay Never
1st Dam: Adventure Seeker (Fr) (SW & GSP-Fr, $155,312), by Bering (GB)
2nd Dam: American Adventure, by Miswaki
3rd Dam: All Along (Fr), by Targowice
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€320,000 Ylg '21 ARAUG). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Camas Park Stud & Summerhill (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £59,200. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $84,657. *1/2 to Andrea Mantegna (Giant's Causeway), GSP-Aus, $352,585. Werk Nick Rating: D. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Rocket Rodney (GB), 131, g, 2, Dandy Man (Ire)–Alushta (GB), by Royal Applause (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (18,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA; 18,000gns RNA Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Victorious Racing Ltd; B-R W Stapleton (GB); T-George Scott. £22,390.
3–Eddie's Boy (GB), 131, c, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Spontaneity (Ire), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (45,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM). O-Middleham Park Racing XLV & Partner; B-Crossfields Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Archie Watson. £11,190.
Margins: NK, 1 3/4, 1. Odds: 1.20, 14.00, 40.00.
Also Ran: Chateau (Ire), Jumbeau (GB), Bolt Action (Ire), Silencer (Ire), Wodao (Fr), Union Court (GB), Kuwait City (Ire), Ramazan (Ire), Kaasib (Ire), Rocking Ends (GB), Yahtzee (Ire), Mehmar (Ire), Knebworth (GB), Edgar Linton (Fr), Far Shot (Ire), Democracy Dilemma (Ire), Finn Russell (Ire), Guiteau (Ire), Star of Lady M (GB), Seismic Spirit (Ire), Whistle and Flute (Ire). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Justify’s Statuette Earns TDN Rising Star Tag at Navan

Coolmore, Westerberg and Merriebelle Stables' 2-year-old filly Statuette (Justify–Immortal Verse {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) was hammered into 11-10 favoritism for Saturday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Navan and justified that welter of support by powering clear of her rivals in the latter stages to attain TDN Rising Stardom on debut. The March-foaled chestnut was well away to track the leaders in a share of third through the early stages. Nudged along to close soon after passing the quarter-mile marker, she quickened smartly to lead with 150 yards remaining and engaged turbo from there to prevail by an impressive three lengths from Olivia Maralda (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), becoming the second winner for her freshman sire (by Scat Daddy).

“It was nice to start her off on some nice ground,” said Ryan Moore. “She's a lovely, big filly and was a standout physically. She did that really nicely. She's a Justify out of Immortal Verse, so she's got an incredible pedigree. I'd like to think, looking at the size of her, that she will continue to progress throughout the season. She's a filly that Aidan [O'Brien] liked and I'm very happy with what she's done.” Ballydoyle's Chris Armstrong added, “She has always shown loads at home and could be a filly for the [G3] Albany [S. at Royal Ascot]. She's a very big filly, we'll take her home and see how she comes out of it. She is by Justify, an incredibly exciting sire, she's his first winner in Europe and he had a very good winner in America last weekend. We have some nice Justifys.”

Statuette is the latest of five foals and fourth scorer produced by Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), whose career highlights include victories in the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois. Immortal Verse, who topped the 2013 Tattersalls December Mares sale when knocked down for 4,700,000gns, is the leading performer for Listed Prix La Camargo victrix and G3 Prix Fille de l'Air runner-up Side of Paradise (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), whose descendants include stakes-winning G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. runner-up Roseman (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Side of Paradise is a full-sister to Listed Rose Bowl S. winner Flowerdrum (Ire) as well as being a half-sister to MG1SW sire Last Tycoon (Ire) (Try My Best), G3 Prix du Bois victrix The Perfect Life (Ire) (Try My Best) and dual G3 Goldene Peitsche-winning sire Astronef (Ire) (Be My Guest). Side of Paradise is also kin to the stakes-placed dam of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Valentine Waltz (Ire) (Be My Guest) and G1 Matron S. victrix Sense of Style (Thunder Gulch). Black-type descendants of Statuette's third dam Mill Princess (Ire) (Mill Reef) also include top-level winners Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), The United States (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Tie Black (Ire) (Machiavellian). Immortal Verse, whose leading performer is last year's G1 Cheveley Park S. victrix Tenebrism (Caravaggio), was bred to Justify last year.

1st-Navan, €16,000, Mdn, 5-28, 2yo, f, 5f 162yT, 1:11.55, gd.
STATUETTE, f, 2, by Justify
1st Dam: Immortal Verse (Ire) (Hwt. 3yo Filly-Eng at 7-.5f, G1SW-Eng & Fr, $1,053,873), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Side of Paradise (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Mill Princess (Ire), by Mill Reef
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €9,440. O-Westerberg, Coolmore & Merribelle Stables; B-Merriebelle Stables, Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Tuesday Heads Field of 14 For Sunday’s G1 Irish 1000 Guineas

Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas has attracted a final field for 14 with Godolphin's Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) the only filly not to stand her ground at Friday's declaration stage. Her absence leaves Coolmore and Westerberg's G1 1000 Guineas third Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), one of four nominees from the Aidan O'Brien stable seeking a fourth straight renewal, as the lone contender representing Newmarket's Classic form. The ante-post favourite has drawn stall three, with stablemates History (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Concert Hall (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to her immediate outer in four and five, respectively. Ballydoyle's other entry Lullaby (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been allocated gate 13. Moyglare Stud's G3 1000 Guineas Trial victrix Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will depart from stall 11 while G1 Criterium International third Purplepay (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), who was knocked down for for €2-million at Arqana's December sale, is set to make her first start for new trainer William Haggas from stall seven.

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Nine Declared For Saturday’s G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas

Godolphin's quest for a unique 2000 Guineas treble with three different colts is set to culminate in Saturday's €500,000 G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh, where the hot favourite Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) will face eight peers.

Drawn in stall one, which was occupied by two of the last three winners of the Classic in Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), he will start against the rail as he seeks compensation for his defeat in the Apr. 30 G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. The vibes are strong regarding the champion juvenile of 2021, who was at his most impressive when winning this track's G1 Vincent O'Brien National S.

“Native Trail heads back to the Curragh in great nick,” Charlie Appleby said. “Obviously, a repeat of his Newmarket run is going to make him the one to beat. There are some showers forecast, but good or good-to-soft ground should hopefully make it a fair playing field for everyone.”

Buckaroo Leads Owning Hill Charge…

Qatar Racing's May 2 Listed Tetrarch S. winner Buckaroo (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) has been given the green light by Joseph O'Brien, while Aidan O'Brien will seek a 12th renewal with Westerberg and Coolmore's May 8 G3 Amethyst S. runner-up Ivy League (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The private O'Brien Sr-Jr clash will be presaged by Friday's G3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule S., with Joseph represented by Ecurie Ama Zingteam's acquisition Hannibal Barca (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), last seen finishing fourth in Doncaster's G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy, and Ballydoyle's duo headed by the G3 Eyrefield S. third Anchorage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Lysander Dreams On the Line…

Goodwood offers a late portal to the G1 Cazoo Derby, with the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat S. featuring an entry in the June 4 Classic with some clout. Carrying the Classic-winning Highclere Thoroughbred Racing silks, the William Haggas-trained Lysander (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) scored by 8 1/2 lengths in a Newcastle novice Apr. 29 and has attracted support for the Blue Riband.

“He is a very exciting horse from what we have seen at home and we are going to have a look on Friday to see if he is a Derby horse,” Harry Herbert said. “He is a very exciting prospect. He comes with a big reputation, but we'll see. It's time to find out and then go on to the next level.”

It's Not Too Late…

Also on the Sussex Downs is the Listed William Hill Height of Fashion S., which has always acted as a last-ditch way into the Oaks, and there are two entries in the June 3 Classic engaged in the 10-furlong test. Qatar Racing's John and Thady Gosden-trained Emotion (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was off the mark by 16 lengths in a Kempton novice May 4, could win here and theoretically go back to Epsom to face stablemate Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who had her way back in eighth in her Sandown novice romp Apr. 22. The other Epsom hope is Quantum Leap Racing' Ottilien (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who has raced mainly in France and captured a Chantilly conditions event last time Apr. 13.

“We are relying on the thunderstorms appearing for Ottilien,” trainer David Menuisier said. “We left her in the Oaks just in case, but she is very ground-dependent. She wants at least good-to-soft ground.”

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