Tag: York Racecourse

Free Wind Survives Middleton Enquiry

George Strawbridge's 5-year-old mare Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Alive Alive Oh {GB}, by Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), seen out just once since 2021, was fit and raring to go for Thursday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S. at York and collected a fourth straight pattern-race rosette with a narrow victory in the extended 10-furlong contest.

The April-foaled bay, whose resume also features wins in the G3 Prix Minerve, G2 Park Hill S. and G2 Lancashire Oaks, was settled off a sedate pace in sixth until turning for home. Making eyecatching progress on the bridle once into the straight, the 6-5 favourite assumed control passing the quarter-mile marker and kept on strongly, despite edging right in the closing stages, to withstand the persistent threat of last term's Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial victrix Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) by a neck. The Knavesmire's stewards were called into action in the immediate aftermath, but allowed the finishing order to remain unchanged.

“She [nearly] got put through the rails at Haydock [in the Lancashire Oaks last year] and won despite that near fatal accident,” reflected John Gosden after notching a fourth win in the contest. “She has come back from a nasty injury and 10 months off and it was a long way for her to come back, physically and mentally. She's done that and showed a great attitude, so we couldn't be more pleased with her. She was running way below her [optimum] trip today. She wasn't originally in the race, but [owner] Mr [George] Strawbridge is over from America to see Epictetus run in the Dante and we thought we'd supplement Free Wind and run her, too. She's done great as this trip is a bit sharp for her. She's won a Park Hill over a mile-and-six furlongs, which is a slightly different ball game, and we're very clear that we're going a mile-and-a-half next time. She's in the [G2] Hardwicke [at Royal Ascot] and that would be a strong possibility at this stage.”

Rogue Millennium holds a special place in Tom Clover's heart and the Newmarket-based conditioner was delighted by the performance of his stable star. “She ran a lovely race and Jack [Mitchell] gave her a lovely ride,” he said. “He followed Frankie the whole way and she takes a step forward with each run. She ran well in France and ran well in the Magnolia at Kempton, when she didn't get a clear run. She didn't have a clear run in France either. She's a really lovely filly, she's improved from three to four and was well sourced by the [Rogues Gallery] team. It's great to have a high-class filly of this nature and it would be lovely to win a Group race with her this year. The obvious targets would either be the [G3] Hoppings [S. at Newcastle] or the [G1] Pretty Polly in Ireland, so we'll see.”

Pedigree Notes
Free Wind, one of her late sire's 242 pattern-race winners, is the second of four foals and one of two scorers for multiple stakes-winning G3 Dance Design S. placegetter Alive Alive Oh (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), herself half to G3 Fukushima Kinen and G3 Tanabata Sho victor Crescendo Love (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}). Alive Alive Oh is also kin to the dam of the dual stakes-placed Soldier's Minute (GB) (Raven's Pass). The April-foaled bay's second dam Higher Love (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), who was runner-up in the Listed Cheshire Oaks, is out of Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial runner-up Dollar Bird (Ire) (Kris {GB}), herself a half-sister to G2 King Edward VII S.-winning sire Amfortas (Ire) (Caerleon) and to the dam of G1 1000 Guineas heroine Virginia Waters (Kingmambo) and G1SP sires Chevalier (Ire) (Danehill) and Alexander of Hales (Danehill). Alive Alive Oh has a 2-year-old full-brother to Free Wind yet to come.

Thursday, York, Britain
AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI MIDDLETON FILLIES' S.-G2, £154,800, York, 5-18, 4yo/up, f, 10f 56yT, 2:10.06, g/f.
1–FREE WIND (IRE), 128, m, 5, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Alive Alive Oh (GB) (SW & GSP-Ire), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire)
2nd Dam: Higher Love (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Dollar Bird (Ire), by Kris (GB)
(325,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-George Strawbridge; B-Mrs Sue Ann Foley (IRE); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £87,787. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 8-6-1-0, $348,472. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Rogue Millennium (Ire), 128, f, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Hawaafez (GB), by Nayef. (35,000gns 2yo '21 TATMA). O-The Rogues Gallery; B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (IRE); T-Tom Clover. £33,282.
3–Poptronic (GB), 128, f, 4, Nathaniel (Ire)–Alpine Dream (Ire), by Dream Ahead. O/B-David & Yvonne Blunt (GB); T-Karl Burke. £16,656.
Margins: HF, 2 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.20, 20.00, 25.00.
Also Ran: State Occasion (GB), Stay Alert (GB), Sea Silk Road (Ire), Aristia (Ire). Scratched: Toskana Belle (Fr).

 

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Azure Blue Wins Duke Of York, Race Marred By Creative Force’s Death

Michael Dods trainee Azure Blue (Ire) (El Kabeir–Sea Of Dreams {Ire}, by Oasis Dream {GB}), successful in four of her five latest starts, stepped up from listed level to claim a career high in Wednesday's G2 1895 Duke of York Clipper S. at York.

She had previously closed her sophomore campaign last term with a stakes breakthrough in October's Listed Boadicea Fillies' S. at Newmarket and doubled up in the May 6 Kilvington Fillies' S. back at HQ coming back off a 210-day break last time.

Azure Blue bided her time and settled back in the field through the solid early fractions of this six-furlong dash. Making smooth headway into contention after halfway, the 12-1 chance locked horns with last year's winner Highfield Princess (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) entering the final furlong and was ridden out to subdue that multiple Group 1-winning rival by a half-length nearing the line. The winner's stablemate Commanche Falls (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}) ran on well in the latter stages to finish 1 1/4 lengths adrift in third.

Sadly, the contest was tainted by the demise of Godolphin's 2021 G1 British Champions Sprint winner and last term's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint third Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who sustained an unrecoverable leg injury during the race.

Dods is somewhat familiar with the day-to-day intricacies of housing speedy fillies, having nurtured the career of dual G1 Nunthorpe heroine Mecca's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). “She's done nothing but improve since the end of last season,” he insisted after notching a first win in this contest. “We didn't feel we had her ready at Newmarket [last time] as she'd had a few issues. It was nothing serious, but we just didn't feel we'd got the work in. She went there and did it well and I knew there was improvement to come. It was a big step up to go from a Listed mares' race to today, but looking at the calendar there wasn't a lot else coming up in the short-term, which is why we came here. I think today she's shown she's a proper Group 1 horse.”

Looking ahead, or possibly not, to a Royal engagement, the trainer continued, “She's not entered at Ascot and I'm not sure what the supplementary price is. We wouldn't want to run on ground any faster than today and we'll make a decision nearer the time. Today was the start of her career in these races, we hadn't made any plans and didn't have her in some of the early-closing races. I wouldn't be frightened by coming back to five furlongs with her on slow ground, so there's plenty of targets for her and a lot to look forward to. You would have to look at the [G1 Prix de l'] Abbaye and that would be on my radar. We'll have to see what we do in between times.”

Fellow conditioner John Quinn was far from downbeat in the aftermath of Highfield Princess's defeat, the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, G1 Nunthorpe and G1 Flying Five heroine having been burdened with a five-pound impost coming back off a gallant fourth in Keeneland's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. “Nobody knows from year to year if a horse is going to maintain its ability, especially going from the age of five to six for a mare, so we're delighted,” he said. “She showed all her old enthusiasm and she always comes on for her first run of the year. We're as pleased as we can be without winning as she carried a Group 1 penalty there. It will be Group 1 sprints all the way now, so she won't be giving that weight away. I think, looking at that today, it will be the [G1] King's Stand at [Royal] Ascot over five as she's got speed to burn. If we're lucky, she'll go down the Group 1 five-furlong route, so the King's Stand, Nunthorpe, Flying Five and the Abbaye.”

Pedigree Notes
Azure Blue, one of her sire's five stakes winners, is the second of five foals produced by Sea Of Dreams (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), herself an unraced half-sister to G3 Desmond S. victor Pincheck (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and G3 Brownstown S. winner Valeria Messalina (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Sea Of Dreams is also a full-sister to the dam of Listed Eternal S. victrix Meu Amor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The March-foaled grey's second dam Arty Crafty (Arch) is a full-sister to GI Gulfstream Park Breeders' Cup H.-winning sire Prince Arch and to the dam of G3 Pride S. winner Ville De Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}). Arty Crafty is also a half-sister to G1 Vincent O'Brien National S.-winning sire Kingsfort (War Chant). Azure Blue is kin to the unraced 2-year-old gelding Keen Interest (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who is in training with William Haggas, and a yearling colt by Dandy Man (Ire).

Wednesday, York, Britain
1895 DUKE OF YORK CLIPPER S.-G2, £145,000, York, 5-17, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:09.11, gd.
1–AZURE BLUE (IRE), 133, f, 4, by El Kabeir
1st Dam: Sea Of Dreams (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Arty Crafty, by Arch
3rd Dam: Princess Kris (GB), by Kris (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. (€19,000 Wlg '19 GOFNOV; 47,000gns Ylg '20 TAOCT). O-Peter Appleton & Mrs Anne Elliott; B-Debbie Kitchin & Mary Davison (IRE); T-Michael Dods; J-Paul Mulrennan. £82,230. Lifetime Record: 14-7-3-1, $252,410. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Highfield Princess (Fr), 138, m, 6, Night Of Thunder (Ire)–Pure Illusion (Ire), by Danehill. (29,000gns RNA Ylg '18 TATDEY). O/B-Trainers House Enterprises Ltd (FR); T-John Quinn. £31,175.
3–Commanche Falls (GB), 136, g, 6, Lethal Force (Ire)–Joyeaux (GB), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). (11,000gns Ylg '18 TAOCT). O-Doug Graham, Ian Davison, Alan Drysdale; B-Redgate Bloodstock & Peter Bottowley Bloodstock (GB); T-Michael Dods. £15,602.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 12.00, 5.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: Annaf (Ire), Marshman (GB), Diligent Harry (GB), The Astrologist (Aus), Art Power (Ire), Emaraaty Ana (GB). DNF: Creative Force (Ire). Scratched: Khaadem (Ire).

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Musidora A Springboard For Midnight Mile Says Fahey

Midnight Mile (Ire) (No Nay Never) will make her 3-year-old bow in the G3 Musidora S. at York in May, according to trainer Richard Fahey, who also set early season targets for several stable stars.

Last seen in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland when she was fourth to Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never), the bay filly was a debut winner at Doncaster in July and followed that with a victory in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. at Newmarket in October. Fahey will have her skip the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas in favour of middle distances this summer, as she looks bred to stay in excess of a mile.

“I'm very pleased with her at the moment, she's wintered very well and she's going nicely,” said Fahey. “I was a little bit frustrated at the Breeders' Cup that she didn't bounce and run and get the place we wanted her to be in, but that's racing. It was only the third run of her life and she's bred to be a better 3-year-old. I was pleased we learned a bit more about her. I'm going to skip the Guineas and all that. I'm going to step her up to a mile and a quarter and start her off in something like the Musidora. I think I'd take her straight there, I just haven't rushed her this year and let her mature, which she has done, and we'll have a second-half of the season campaign.”

Another 3-year-old filly in the yard who will head for a Guineas trial is Barefoot Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), winner of the G3 Firth of Clyde S. and who was fourth in Redcar's Two Year Old Trophy under a penalty.

“She was another who didn't bounce and race that day at Redcar, but we'll run her in a Guineas trial and see what happens,” said Fahey. “She's in both Guineas and we'll play it by ear after her trial to see what we want to do. It will be Newmarket or Newbury for a trial.”

Fahey hit the bullseye at Royal Ascot last season with The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), a 50-1 winner of the G2 Norfolk S., but the juvenile colt was last behind Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the G1 Prix Morny S. at Deauville in late August.

“The Ridler is good and he'll start off in the [G3] Greenham [S.] and see where we go after that,” said Fahey. “He just didn't come back as I'd have liked after France, but he's done extremely well over the winter, so we're still undecided whether he's a sprinter or whether we can stretch him out.”

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Finalists Announced For The 2023 UK Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

The 18 finalists for the 2023 UK Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin were announced on Friday. Three finalists remain in contention for each of the prizes which recognise and reward the outstanding skill, commitment and contribution of over 10,000 stud and stable staff in England, Scotland, and Wales. All of the finalists will receive a £250 prize for reaching this stage of the judging process. Judging day for the 18 will be held on Monday, Feb. 20, with the winners announced during a ceremony at York Racecourse later that day. The finalists are:

 

David Nicholson Newcomer:

Amy Grieve – Rose Dobbin

Ryan Kavanagh – Amy Murphy

Stephanie Wing – George Scott Racing

 

Leadership:

Becky Smith – Micky Hammond

Jessica O'Keefe – Venetia Williams

Sarah Guest – John O'Shea

 

Rider/Groom:

Amy Vickers – Harry and Roger Charlton

Emma Tully – Susan Corbett-Girsonfield Stud & Racing

Rita Gillies – Lucinda Russell

 

Stud Staff:

Andrew Rawlin – Blue Diamond Stud

Bethan Byrne – Godolphin Management Co Ltd

Davina Burrows – Deerfield Farm

 

Dedication:

Claire Ricks – Marco Botti

David Crofts – Marcus Tregoning

Patrick McConville – Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd

 

The Community Award: (In recognition of the wonderful work Rory MacDonald achieved at The British Racing School)

Gay Kelleway – For her work supporting Ukraine

Jo Foster – Community racehorse visits

Margo Walsh – The Jockey Club

 

Julie Harrington, Chief Executive of the BHA, said, “I would like to congratulate all of this year's finalists on reaching this stage of the Awards. They, along with their families and colleagues, should feel very proud.

“I would also like to congratulate those who made the shortlists. This is a significant achievement in itself and a tribute to your dedicated and skilful work.”

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