Eight for Belardo
New first season sire winners
Belardo
Belloccio (2 c ex Three Cards by Mastercraftsman) won on debut at Salisbury on Thursday to provide Belardo (Lope De Vega) with his eighth individual winner. The David Menuisier-trained colt landed the opening novice stakes by a neck from Aleas (Archipenko), with the well-fancied 5-4 favourite Mohaafeth (Frankel) back in third. Haunui Farm shuttler Belardo will have his first southern hemisphere two-year-olds this season, and has Emmy Vein accepted for the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) on Saturday. The stallion is also responsible for dual Group winner Isabella Giles and stands this season for $10,000 (plus GST).
Flying Artie
Princess Bojack (2 f ex Catseye Surprise by Testa Rossa) took the first two-year-old race of the season in Queensland on Saturday, becoming the first winner for Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Flying Artie (Artie Schiller) with his first runner. Sent out the $4.20 second favourite, the Michael Nolan-trained Princess Bojack led all the way under Michael Cahill to score by three-quarters of a length over the closing Stellar Magic (Star Turn) with two and a half lengths to Headlander (Better Than Ready) in third. Purchased for $50,000 from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale this year out of the Murrulla Stud draft, Princess Bojack is the first foal to race from the Testa Rossa (Perugino) mare Catseye Surprise, a five-time winner. Flying Artie stands for $16,500 (inc GST) at Newgate Farm in 2020.
Frosted
American shuttler Frosted (Tapit) recorded his first stakes winner, his first individual Australian winner and his seventh winner overall as Ingratiating (2 c ex Obsequious by Lonhro) took out the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (Listed, 1000m) at Flemington on Saturday. The James Cummings-trained Ingratiating produced a tough effort to run down the already-raced General Beau (Brazen Beau), winner of the Darley Spring Preview (900m), with the green-as-grass Cloudy (Frosted) in third, four and a half lengths behind the runner-up. A Darley homebred, Ingratiating is the fourth foal out of the Lonhro (Octagonal) mare Obsequious, who won the Light Fingers Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) and the San Domenico Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) in the 2010-11 season. Frosted stands for $22,000 (inc GST) at Darley’s Northwood Park in 2020.
Shalaa
Shaquero (2 c ex Fimatino by Not A Single Doubt) became the first stakes winner, the first individual Australian winner and the 14th winner globally for Arrowfield shuttler Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) on Saturday when the Chris Waller trainee captured the Breeders’ Plate (Gr 3, 1000m) at Randwick. Jumping out towards the lead, Shaquero was well-rated by James McDonald before stretching out to win by a length and a quarter. Construct (I Am Invincible) finished second, with another Snowden runner, Astrologer (Star Turn), filling third. Bred by Bob Hannon and sold by Fernrigg Farm at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Shaquero was purchased by Guy Mulcaster Bloodstock for $160,000. He is the fourth foal and the second winner for Fimatino (Not A Single Doubt), herself a half-sister to top Singapore sprinter-miler Ghozi (Catbird) and Sunset Express (Success Express), the dam of Cox Plate winner and Group 1-producing stallion Shamus Award (Snitzel). Shalaa is standing his fourth season at Arrowfield Stud for $33,000 (inc GST) in 2020.
New Group or Grade 1 winners
Adlerflug
German stallion Adlerflug (In The Wings) registered Group 1 winner number five last night when Torquator Tasso (3 c ex Tijuana by Toylsome) took out the Grosser Preis von Berlin (Gr 1, 2000m) at Hoppegarten. Having placed in the Deutsches Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) and the Grosser Preis von Baden (Gr 1, 2400m) on his last two starts, finishing behind Arc contender In Swoop (Adlerflug) and the well-travelled Barney Roy (Excelebration), the Marcel Weiss-trained Torquator Tasso looked well-suited on paper. However, he had to fend off a determined surge from Dicaprio (Adlerflug) to win by a short head, with a length and a quarter to Kaspar (Pivotal) in third. Adlerflug stands at the historic Gestut Schlenderhan in western Germany, having stood for a fee of €10,000 (approx. AUD$16,350) in 2020.
Clodovil
The incredible progression of Tiger Tanaka (2 f ex Miss Phillyjinks by Zoffany) notched up an extra gear when she landed the prestigious Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr 1, 1600m) on Longchamp’s Arc card and in the process provided her sire Clodovil (Danehill) with his third individual elite level winner. Having started the season in lowly claiming company, the €6,500 purchase took her career tally to six wins in seven starts when keeping clear of the scrimmaging in a rough race to score by three-quarters of a length under Jessica Marcialis, the partner of winning trainer Cha Rossi. Tasmania (Zoffany) emerged out of the pack to take second, with Rougir (Territories) doing her best work late on to finish third, a further length and a half away. Tiger Tanaka won her first four starts before finishing third of four when upped in company to contest the Prix Robert Papin (Gr 2, 1200m) at Chantilly back in July. She got back to winning ways when contesting a Group 3 on testing ground at Deauville last month. The first foal out of the winning mare Miss Phillyjinks (Zoffany), Tiger Tanaka is related to numerous winners, however none of them have come close to matching her achievements. French Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Clodovil stood at Rathasker Stud for a fee of €8,000 (approx AUD$13,000) in 2020.
Declaration Of War
Former Coolmore stallion Declaration Of War (War Front) produced his sixth individual Group or Grade 1 winner on Saturday when Gufo (3 c ex Floy by Petionville) took out the Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (Gr 1, 10f). The Christophe Clement-trained Gufo took his record to five wins from seven starts with his first top-level triumph, defeating Todd Pletcher-trained stablemates No Word (Silent Name) and Mo Ready (Uncle Mo) to score by a length. “He won well. I thought he had a great trip from Junior (Alvarado, jockey), and when he asked him to quicken, he really quickened well in the stretch. He’s a good horse,” Clement said. “If you look at all his races this year, he’s been running well all year round. I know he got beat last time in the Saratoga Derby, but he actually ran a winning race when you look back at it.” The win gives Gufo an automatic berth into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr 1, 12f), but Clement said the Hollywood Derby (Gr 1, 9f) at Del Mar was also under consideration. Declaration Of War now stands at JBBA Shizunai in Japan.
Frankel
The legendary Frankel (Galileo) recorded his 11th Group 1 winner and his first in Australia when Mirage Dancer (7 h ex Heat Haze by Green Desert) took out The Metropolitan (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick on Saturday. The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Mirage Dancer was given a top ride by Nash Rawiller, settling midfield after a slightly slow beginning before making ground towards the inside. Bursting through between runners, he chased down favourite Mugatoo (Henrythenavigator) to win by a head with a further head back to Angel Of Truth (Animal Kingdom) in third. It capped a significant day for Frankel down under, with Hungry Heart second in the Flight Stakes and Finche third in the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m). Frankel stands at Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket, having stood for £175,000 (approx. AUD$316,000) in 2020.
Galiway
Haras de Colleville resident Galiway (Gaileo) sired his maiden elite level winner when his son Sealiway (2 c ex Kensea by Kendargent) sprinted clear of his four rivals to post an impressive winning performance in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Gr 1, 1400m) at Longchamp on Sunday. The Frederic Rossi-trained juvenile was always travelling best of the small field on the testing ground before quickening well under Mickael Barzalona to register an eight-length win. Odds-on favourite Nando Parrado (Kodiac) kept on at one pace for second, with Laws Of Indices (Power) another three-quarters of a length behind in third. Sealiway was winning for the fourth time in six starts, having scored in Listed company at Vichy prior to his second in the Prix la Rochette (Gr 3, 1400m) over this course and distance on his previous outing. A €62,000 purchase at Arqana last year, Sealiway is the third foal out of the Listed winning Kendargent (Kendor) mare Kensea. Galiway stood for a fee of €10,000 in 2020.
Kermadec
Montefilia (3 f ex Bana Wu by Shirocco) took a giant leap forward when striking at the highest level in the Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, becoming the first stakes winner for Kermadec (Teofilo). The David Payne-trained Montefilia, who finished fourth in the Tea Rose Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) last month, had only won twice in five starts before this success and was seen as something of a wet-tracker but swooped round the outside to pip odds-on favourite Hungry Heart (Frankel) by a head at the line under Hugh Bowman, with Vangelic (Vancouver) a further two lengths behind in third. Bought by Payne Racing for $130,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale, Montefilia took her earnings to $425,925 after Saturday’s victory. Dual Group 1 winner Kermadec stands at Darley Kelvinside for $13,750 (inc GST).
Laoban
American first season sire Laoban (Uncle Mo) joined Nyquist (Uncle Mo) and Not This Time (Giant’s Causeway) as a freshman stallion to produce a Grade 1 winner this season when Simply Ravishing (2 f ex Four Wishes by More Than Ready) led home a quinella for trainer Kenny McPeek in the Alcibiades Stakes (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Keeneland on Friday. Leading all the way under Luis Saez, Simply Ravishing scored by six and a quarter lengths over her stablemate Crazy Beautiful (Liam’s Map) with Travel Column (Frosted) a further length and a quarter away in third. Simply Ravishing joined Restless Rider (Distorted Humor), Dream Empress (Bernstein), Take Charge Lady (Dehere) and She’s A Devil Due (Devil His Due) as a McPeek-trained winner of the Alcibiades; all four of his other winners went on to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (Gr 1, 8.5f), with three of them finishing in the placings. That is a likely target for Simply Ravishing, with the race to be held at the same track and trip as the Alcibiades this year. Laoban stood for USD$5,000 (approx. AUD$7,000) at Sequel Stallions in New York in 2020.
Le Havre
Le Havre (Noverre) brought up his fifth Group 1 winner last night when Wonderful Tonight (3 f ex Salvation by Montjeu) provided some consolation to trainer David Menuisier after a tough week, taking out the Prix de Royallieu (Gr 1, 2800m) at Longchamp. Menuisier’s stable star Thundering Blue (Exchange Rate) died after breaking down at Goodwood last week, but his eyes are only on the future after Wonderful Tonight gave him a second Group 1 victory. Menuisier had been considering supplementing Wonderful Tonight for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m), but instead decided to test her stamina. On the testing surface, Wonderful Tonight defeated Pista (American Pharoah) by a length and a quarter with five lengths back to Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) in third. Le Havre stood for €50,000 (approx. AUD$81,750) at Montfort et Preaux in Normandy in 2020.
Tapit
Tapit (Pulpit) brought up 27 individual Grade 1 winners with a top-level double over the weekend. Darley homebred Essential Quality (2 c ex Delightful Quality by Elusive Quality) became number 26 on Saturday when the colt remained unbeaten with a dominant victory in the Claiborne Breeders’ Futurity (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Keeneland, while a day later, Valiance (4 f ex Last Full Measure by Empire Maker) broke through at the highest level to win the Spinster Stakes (Gr 1, 9f) at the same track. Tapit, who stood at Gainesway in Kentucky for USD$200,000 (approx AUD$278,300), will try to make it 28 with favourite Love Tap in Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Randwick.
Wootton Bassett
The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Wooded (3 c ex Frida La Blonde by Elusive City) took out the Prix de l’Abbaye (Gr 1, 1000m) at Longchamp on Sunday to provide Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) with his third individual elite-level winner. Ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot, Wooded never had to leave the rail in pursuit of his first Group 1 success and defeated the 17-10 favourite Glass Slippers (Dream Ahead) by a neck, with Frankie Dettori’s mount Liberty Beach (Cable Bay) close behind in third. Coolmore’s new recruit Wootton Bassett also sired Group 1 winners Almanzor and Audarya.
New stakes winners
Belardo
Lullaby Moon (2 f ex Bold Bidder by Indesatchel) recorded a third individual stakes success for Belardo (Lope De Vega) when winning the Two Year Old Trophy (Listed, 6f) at Redcar on Saturday. The Ralph Beckett-trained Lullaby Moon, who was bought for just 16,000gns at least year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sales, defeated the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained Zamaani (Night Of Thunder) by half a length, with Mamba Wamba (Mehmas) a further two and three quarter lengths back in third. Belardo stood for €10,000 at Kildangan Stud, Ireland in 2020.
Darci Brahma
Sierra Sue (4 m ex Centree by Centaine) provided Darci Brahma (Danehill) with his 48th individual stakes winner when taking out the Rose Of Kingston Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained four-year-old was sent off a $17 chance but beat two fellow outsiders into second and third, with She Shao Fly (Epaulette) ($31) finishing ahead of Missile Mantra (Smart Missile) ($41). The two well-fancied runners, Madam Rouge (Zoustar) and Perfect Jewel (Redoute’s Choice), were only good enough for fourth and sixth respectively. Darci Brahma, the sire of multiple Group 1 winners, stands at The Oaks Stud for $15,000 (plus GST).
Exceed And Excel
Computer Patch (4 r ex Girl Hussler by Hussonet) provided Exceed And Excel (Danehill) with his 177th individual stakes winner when taking out the National Day Cup (Gr 3, 1000m) at Sha Tin on Thursday. The odds-on favourite defeated Jolly Banner (Lonhro) by two and three-quarter lengths, with Gold Chest (War Front) back in third. Exceed And Excel, who has sired 15 individual Group 1 winners, stands at Darley in New South Wales for a fee of $132,000 (inc GST).
He’s Had Enough
Former Florida-based stallion He’s Had Enough (Tapit) registered his first stakes winner on Saturday when Miss Marissa (3 f ex Ardara by Arch) took out the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Gr 2, 9f) at Pimlico. Sent out at 10-1, the Jim Ryerson-trained Miss Marissa – a last-start allowance winner at Saratoga – kicked for home at the top of the stretch, holding off the late surge of the favoured Bonny South (Munnings) to score by a neck. Hopeful Growth (Tapiture) was a further length and a half away in third. He’s Had Enough served five seasons at Woodford Thoroughbreds in Florida before being exported to the Philippines, where he currently stands.
Into Mischief
Last year’s leading sire in North America, Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday), who appears on track to add a second title, brought up his 80th individual stakes winner on Sunday when Mutasaabeq (2 c ex Downside Scenario by Scat Daddy) swept from last to first to take out the Bourbon Stakes (Gr 2, 8.5f) at Keeneland. The Todd Pletcher-trained Mutasaabeq, a maiden winner on dirt who was also Grade 1-placed on the surface, switched to turf in the Bourbon and seemed to relish the grass, scorching home out wide to score by two and a quarter lengths; Abarta (Into Mischief) finished second, with Nathan Detroit (Union Rags) a further three-quarters of a length away in third. Mutasaabeq could head to either the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Gr 1, 1m) on the same turf track over just a half-furlong shorter, or he could remain at the trip but switch to the dirt for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr 1, 8.5f) on the same card. Into Mischief stood for USD$175,000 (AUD$243,500) at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky in 2020.
Le Havre
In addition to Wonderful Tonight’s victory in the Prix de Royallieu (Gr 1, 2800m), which brought up stakes winner 41 for Le Havre (Noverre), Normandy Bridge (2 c ex Aiglonne by Silver Hawk) on Friday took the stallion to 40 stakes winners with an eye-popping victory at Saint-Cloud. Normandy Bridge, who races in the silks of Australian businessman Gerry Ryan, stepped up to Group company after just the one previous start and remained unbeaten with a three-quarter length victory in the Prix Thomas Bryon (Gr 3, 1600m) after an enterprising Theo Bachelot ride, who took the two-year-old right across to the nearside fence away from his rivals. The Stephanie Nigge-trained juvenile defeated Homeryan (Sea The Stars), while the Godolphin runner Naval Crown (Dubawi), who was sent off as favourite, was a further four lengths back in third. Normandy Bridge was an €80,000 Arqana yearling from Haras du Mezeray to John Foote, who purchased the juvenile for Ryan, and is out of Group 3 scorer Aiglonne (Silver Hawk) making him a half-brother to Group 1 winner Mekhtaal (Sea The Stars) and four other stakes performers. Le Havre stands at Montfort et Preaux where his 2020 fee was €50,000 (approx. AUD$82,000).
Makfi
Matchmaker (3 f ex Love Somebody by Fastnet Rock) took out the Canterbury Belle (Listed, 1200m) at Riccarton Park with ease on Saturday, becoming Makfi’s (Dubawi) 34th individual stakes winner. The three-year-old filly defeated Laced With Gold (Showcasing) by one and a quarter lengths, with Stella Creek (Per Incanto) a further length behind in third. The well-fancied $1.90 favourite Cornflower Blue (Savabeel) was only good enough for fourth, finishing over three lengths behind the winner. Makfi, who once stood at Westbury Stud, now stands in Japan.
Oasis Dream
Cloud Surfing (4 f ex Hasten by Montjeu) was making her second start in stakes company on Sunday when romping to a four and three quarter length victory in the Schloss Roland-Stutenpreis (Listed, 1400m) at Dusseldorf to become the 121st individual stakes winner for her sire Oasis Dream (Green Desert). The Francois Rohaut-trained four-year-old was recording her fourth win, with four placings, from 11 starts. The favourite Light Blush (Kodiac) came home second for Godolphin, while Belle Anglaise (Cable Bay) was a further length back in third. Oasis Dream stands at Juddmonte’s Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket where his 2020 fee was £25,000 (approx. AUD$45,150).
Pierro
Persan (4 h ex Ofcourseican by Mossman) brought up the 24th individual stakes winner for Pierro (Lonhro) when landing The Bart Cummings (Gr 3, 2510m) at Flemington on Saturday. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained four-year-old, who had won on three of his four previous visits to Flemington, defeated Sound (Lando) by a length under Jye McNeil, with Steel Prince (Nathaniel) back in third. Persan is the first stakes winner for Coolmore Classic (Gr 1, 1500m) winner Ofcourseican (Mossman), who has had four foals to race. Pierro, a champion first, second and third season sire in Australia, stands at Coolmore for $137,500 (inc GST).
Pride Of Dubai
Coolmore’s Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry) registered his sixth stakes winner, his fourth in Europe, on Friday night when Zaffy’s Pride (2 f ex Zaafran by Singspiel) took out the Star Appeal Stakes (Listed, 7f) at Dundalk. Sent out at 7-1 having won a maiden on Dundalk’s synthetic surface last month, the Jessica Harrington-prepared Zaffy’s Pride hit the lead at the furlong under Tom Madden and found the line powerfully to score by a length and a quarter over favourite Magnanimous (Mehmas); Admiral Nelson (Kingman) was a further half-length away in third. Purchased for just €13,000 (approx. AUD$21,250) at last year’s Goffs Autumn Yearling and Mixed Sale, Zaffy’s Pride has already earned €48,220 (approx. AUD$78,850). The filly brought up a stakes double for Pride Of Dubai, mere hours after Telepathic Glances (2 f ex Caveran by Hurricane Run) won the Premio Coolmore (Listed, 1500m) in Milan. Trained by Endo Botti, the filly beat Gartoria, a daughter of Territories (Invincible Spirit), by four lengths, with Nuit Silencieuse (Kodiac) a further four and a half lengths back in third. Pride Of Dubai stands at Coolmore Australia for $38,500 (inc GST) in 2020.
Sacred Falls
Aegon (3 g ex Toss Up by Zabeel) provided the late Sacred Falls (O’Reilly) with his second individual stakes winner when taking out the Hawke’s Bay Guineas (Gr 2, 1400m) at Hastings on Saturday at his second start. Aegon, ridden by Leith Innes, defeated Bourbonaire (Darci Brahma) by a nose in a blanket finish, with $37 chance Moana (Ocean Park) grabbing third. The well-fancied Need I Say More (No Nay Never), who was sent off at $1.50, finished just half a length behind the winner in fourth. Four-time Group 1 winner Sacred Falls stood at Waikato Stud but tragically died last year aged ten.
Showcasing
Sweet Gardenia (2 f ex Penny Royale by Monsieur Bond) upset odds-on favourite Ontario (Galileo) in the Churchill Stakes (Listed, 7.5f) at Tipperary on Saturday to provide Showcasing with his 45th individual stakes winner. The mount of Robbie Colgan was sent off as a 25-1 shot and kept on well to defeat the 5-6 favourite Ontario by a length, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Vafortino (New Bay) close behind in third. Showcasing stood at Whitsbury Manor Stud for £55,000 in 2020.
Sir Percy
Berkshire Rocco (3 c ex Sunny Again by Shirocco) justified favouritism when landing the Noel Murless Stakes (Listed, 1m 6f) at Ascot on Friday for Andrew Balding, becoming the 22nd individual stakes winner for his sire Sir Percy (Mark Of Esteem). Placed in his last five starts, all in stakes company, Berkshire Rocco was last seen running a close second in the St Leger Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 6.5f) at Doncaster. Making all on Friday, he stayed on gamely to prevail by a head from Albaflora (Muhaarar) with the pair a length and three-quarters clear of Without A Fight (Teofilo). Derby winner Sir Percy stands at Lanwades Stud in Newmarket where his fee for 2020 was £7,000 (approx. AU$12,500)
Turffontein
Khoekhoe (3 c ex Walvis Bay by Cape Cross) took out the Super Impose Stakes (Listed, 1800m) at Flemington on Saturday, becoming Turffontein’s (Johannesburg) seventh individual stakes winner. The Matt Cumani-trained colt built on a sixth-placed finish in last month’s Exford Plate (Listed, 1400m) to defeat Young Werther (Tavistock) by a head, with Albarado (Savabeel) a further length behind in third. Turffontein, who won the William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) during his race career, stands at Blue Gum Farm for a $6,600 (inc GST) fee.
Written Tycoon
Woodside Park Stud’s Written Tycoon (Iglesia) brought up stakes winner number 37 on Saturday when Enthaar (2 f ex Final Agreement by Not A Single Doubt) recorded a remarkable victory in the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) at Randwick. Sent out a heavy favourite after a promising trial on the Kensington track late last month, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Enthaar was trapped wide and on the speed in what was a fast-tempo affair, particularly for two-year-olds having their first start. What could have been trouble for most youngsters was hardly a concern for Emirates Park homebred Enthaar, though. She raced up under little urging from James McDonald and, when the rider asked for an effort, she extended away in the twinkling of an eye, quickly putting up three lengths on her rivals. Mallory (Not A Single Doubt) and Total Babe (I Am Invincible) chased resolutely but they were in a separate race as Enthaar stopped the clock at 57.06 seconds – only 2018 winner Catch Me (I Am Invincible) has managed to go faster, breaking the 57-second barrier by the narrowest of margins. Written Tycoon is standing his first season at Arrowfield Stud for $77,000 (inc GST) in 2020.