Four for Merchant Navy
New winners
Merchant Navy (pictured above) – Coolmore Stud-based first-season sire Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) sired his fourth individual winner when the Paul Murray-trained Rebel Rosai (2 f ex Just Our Girl by Encosta De Lago) made a winning debut over 1200 metres at Wagga. The two-year-old filly defeated Pride Of Penraf (Pride Of Dubai) by a nose, while Diamond Flyer (Press Statement) finished another half a length adrift in third. Bred by James O’Brien’s Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm, Rebel Rosai was purchased by Hidden Valley Thoroughbreds for $17,000 at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in 2020, before being bought by her trainer for $30,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale the following year. She is one of three winners out of the unplaced Encosta De Lago (Fairy King) mare Just Out Girl who herself is a daughter of dual Group 1 winner Gold Edition (Lion Hunter). Merchant Navy covered 127 mares at a fee of $33,000 (inc GST) in 2021 and his fee for the upcoming breeding season has yet to be announced.
Overshare – Spendthrift Farm-based sire Overshare (I Am Invincible) was handed his second first-crop winner when his son Share The Gold (2 g ex Gathering Gold by Street Cry) got off the mark at the fourth time of asking in a two-year-old maiden over 1200 metres at Hobart. Trained by Gary White, the gelding pulled a quarter of a length clear of Happy Clan (Ilovethiscity), while Zulu Angel (Zululand) was a further nose away in third. Share The Gold is one of two winners out of the stakes-placed Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Gathering Gold. Overshare stood for $11,000 (inc GST) last season, covering 130 mares.
Sioux Nation – Former Swettenham Stud shuttler Sioux Nation (Scat Daddy) sired his second first-crop winner courtesy of Brave Nation’s (2 c ex Suite by Invincible Spirit) win over five furlongs at Doncaster. Trained by Michael Bell, the two-year-old colt pulled effortlessly clear in the final stages to post an emphatic six-length win over Machito (Dandy Man). Edgar Linton (Mehmas) was another neck further back in third. Brave Nation was purchased by Childwickbury Stud for €31,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale in 2020 and was then bought by CH Thoroughbreds for 57,000gns at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale the following year. Sioux Nation shuttled to Australia for one season, where he covered 54 mares at a fee of $17,600 (inc GST).
US Navy Flag – July Cup (Gr 1, 6f) hero U S Navy Flag’s (War Front) fine start to his career as a stallion continued when his son Kaasib (2 c ex Cherished by Kodiac) proved too sharp for his rivals when winning at Salisbury. The Clive Cox-trained colt justified his place as the 1-2 favourite for a novice contest over five furlongs as he beat Democracy Dilemma (Cotai Glory) by two lengths. Papabella (Ardad) finished three lengths behind the winner in third. An £80,000 buy from Goffs as a yearling, Kaasib is the second foal out of the placed mare Cherished (Kodiac). Shuttler U S Navy Flag stands this season for a fee of €12,500 (approx. AU$18,210) at Coolmore’s Castlehyde Stud and now shuttles to The Oaks Stud in New Zealand.
New Group / Grade 1 winners
Acclamation – Rathbarry Stud-based sire Acclamation (Royal Applause) was provided with his sixth individual Group 1 winner when the Danny Shum-trained Romantic Warrior (4 g ex Folk Melody by Street Cry) landed the QEII Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) at Sha Tin. Last seen winning the Hong Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m), Romantic Warrior pulled clear to beat Tourbillon Diamond (Olympic Glory) by two lengths, while Panfield (Lookin At Lucky) was another neck away in third. Purchased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club for 300,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale in 2019, Romantic Warrior is one of three winners out of the winning Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Folk Melody and she is herself a daughter of US Grade 1 winner Folk Opera (Singspiel). Acclamation stands for a fee of €27,500 (approx. AU$41,015).
Flower Alley – Princess Calla (4 m ex Princess Royal by Captain Al) became the fifth individual elite-level winner for Flower Alley (Distorted Humor) when justifying her position at the head of the market in the Empress Club Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Turffontein. The Ashley Fortune-trained four-year-old followed up her Grade 3 success last time out to make it five wins in 15 starts as she beat Under The Spell (Capetown Noir) by three-quarters of a length. Sparkling Water (Silvano) was a further two lengths away in third. Princess Calla is the first foal of Grade 3 winner Princess Royal (Captain Al), whose juvenile son Power Factor (Silvano), was purchased for R2.4 million by the Hong Kong Jockey Club at last year’s National Yearling Sale in South Africa. Flower Alley stands at Wilgerbosdrift for a fee of R20,000 (approx. AU$1,780).
New stakes winners
Albert Dock – Japanese-bred Albert Dock (Deep Impact) sired his first stakes winner when the Riccardo Santini-trained Tempsesti (3 c ex Tender Hugs by Bachelor Duke) landed the Premio Botticelli (Listed, 2100m) at Rome. The three-year-old defeated Frozen Day (The Gurkha) into second, while Bahja Del Sol (The Gurkha) finished third. Tender Hugs has produced one other winner and she is herself a half-sister to US Grade 3 winner Gregorian Chant (Gregorian). Albert Dock has sired seven winners overall and he stands at Societa Agricola di Besnate in Italy for a fee of €3,000 (approx AU$4,475).
Dubawi – The Henri-Alex Pantall-trained National Dance (3 f ex Strathspey by New Approach) landed the Prix Caravelle (Listed, 2100m) at Toulouse and in the process handed Darley stalwart Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) with his 227th individual stakes winner. The three-year-old filly pulled clear inside the final 100 metres to beat Style Beauty (Style Vendome) by four and a half lengths with another length and a quarter back to Tonka (Nathaniel) in third. National Dance is out of Group 3 scorer Strathspey (New Approach) and she herself is sister to Listed winner Romance Story. Further back this is the same family as Group 1 scorer Mezzo Soprano (Darshaan) – the dam of Group 3 winner Claremont (Sadler’s Wells). Dubawi stands at Dalham Hall in Newmarket for a fee of £250,000 (approx AU$443,415).
Frankel – Frankel (Galileo) moved to within nine of 100 individual stakes winners this week as he grabbed a stakes-race double. The first winner in the double came when the Godolphin-raced Nahanni (3 c ex Final Stage by Street Cry) won for the third successive time in the Blue Riband Trial (Listed, 1m 2f) at Epsom. The three-year-old colt was taken to the lead of the eight-runner field and came clear to win by half a length ahead of the Charlie Fellowes-trained Grand Alliance (Churchill), while Zain Sarinda (Churchill) was a neck further back in third. Nahanni was bred by Godolphin from their Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Final Stage, a half-sister to Group 1 winners Mastery (Sulamani) and Kirklees (Jade Robbery). The stallion notched a second individual stakes winner for this week when Westover (3 c ex Mirabilis by Lear Fan) won the Classic Trial (Gr 3, 1m 2f) at Sandown in the Juddmonte silks worn by his sire. The three-year-old won by a short head over Clash (Shamardal), with 6-5 favourite Goldspur (Dubawi) a length further back in third, as nine lengths separated the rest of the field. A homebred for Juddmonte, Westover is out of US Grade 3 winner and Grade 1-placed mare Mirabilis, making him a brother to Royal Ascot stakes winner Monarchs Glen. Champion sire Frankel stands at Juddmonte Farms where he commanded a fee of £200,000 (approx. AU$353,086).
Galileo – Kyprios (4 c ex Polished Gem by Danehill) provided trainer Aidan O’Brien with a stakes treble when he landed the Vintage Crop Stakes (Listed, 1m 6f), in the process providing the late Coolmore Stud sire Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) with his 346th individual stakes winner. The four-year-old colt scampered clear in the final stages to beat his Dermot Weld-trained sister Search For A Song by two and three-quarter lengths, while Baron Samedi (Harbour Watch) was another four and a quarter lengths away in third. The four-year-old colt is out of blue hen producing mare Polished Gem, who as well as being the dam of Kyprios and runner-up, dual Group 1 winner Search For A Song, the mare also produced Group 1 winner and former shuttler Free Eagle (High Chaparral), multiple Group 2 scorer Custom Cut (Notnowcato), fellow Group 2 winner Sapphire (Medicean), Australian Group 3 winner Valac (Dark Angel) and Listed-winning pair Falcon Eight (Galileo) and Amma Grace (Galileo).
Ghibellines – White Robe Stud resident Ghibellines (Shamardal) was handed his fifth individual stakes winner courtesy of Burgie’s (3 f ex Norah by Gallant Guru) triumph in the Warstep Stakes (Listed, 2000m) at Riccarton. Last seen running fifth in a Listed contest on April 9, the Brian and Shane Anderton-trained filly beat Belle Of The Ball (Savabeel) by half a length, while Reputabelle (Pins) was another two and three-quarter lengths away in third. Burgie is the only winner out of the six-time winner Norah (Gallant Guru), who is herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Requisite (Yamanin Vital) as well as Listed scorer Rosa Marada (Yamanin Vital). Ghibellines stood for a fee of $5,000 (plus GST) in 2021.
Helmet – In winning the Spring Mile (Listed, 1600m) at Jägersro, Couples (7 g ex Sensible by Almutawakel) provided Australian-bred stallion Helmet (Exceed And Excel) with his 16th individual stakes winner. The seven-year-old gelding beat Wolfof Vancouver (Speightstown) into second with Plantstepsdream (Planteur) coming home in third. Couples was purchased for £20,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and he is one of four winners out of Sensible (Almutawakel), who is herself a half-sister to Listed winners Muhannak (Chester House) and Gold Taker (Gold Case). A former Darley stallion, Helmet was relocated to Gestut Fahrhof in Germany in 2018.
Holy Roman Emperor – Holy Roman Emperor (Danehill) edged ever closer to his century of stakes winners when his daughter Roman Mist (4 m ex Drifting Mist by Muhtathir) put the benefit of a recent run to good use to take out Kempton’s Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m) and in the process provide the Coolmore sire with individual stakes winner number 92. Second on her recent return, the Tom Ward-trained filly stole first run on her six rivals and did just enough to hold on from the running on Potapova (Invincible Spirit). A head split the front two at the line with favourite My Astra (Lope De Vega) a further neck away in third. Roman Mist is the third foal out of Drifting Mist (Muhtathir) who herself was a Group-placed winner out of a Listed-placed half-sister to the Group 3 winner African Dream (Mark Of Esteem). Former shuttler Holy Roman Emperor stands at Castlehyde Stud for a fee of €10,000 (approx. AU$14,665).
Iffraaj – Dubawi’s barnmate Iffraaj (Zafonic) sired his 83rd individual stakes winner when the Fabrice Vermeulen-trained Nirliit (3 c ex Llanita by Rock Of Gibraltar) landed the Prix Aymeri de Mauleon (Listed, 1600m) at Toulouse. The three-year-old colt just held on in a close finish to beat Zawaaya (Oasis Dream) by a head with Rose Premium (Dark Angel) a further half a length away in third. Nirliit is out of the Listed-placed mare Llanita (Rock Of Gibraltar), making him a half-brother to Almeida Girl (Temple City). Llanita herself is out of Listed winner Chill (Verglas), who also produced stakes scorer Childa (Duke Of Marmalade) – the dam of Group 3 winner Chilean (Iffraaj). Iffraaj shuttled to Haunui Farm in New Zealand for 12 seasons, but did not return in 2019 and he now stands exclusively at Darley’s Dalham Hall in Newmarket for a fee of £17,500 (approx AU$31,040).
Invincible Spirit – The Aidan O’Brien-trained New York City (3 c ex Rajeem by Diktat) showed he was a force to be reckoned with this season when he landed the Committed Stakes (Listed, 5.5f) at Navan and in doing so provided Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) with his 138th individual stakes winner. Unlucky not to break his maiden as a two-year-old, the colt added a first career victory to his record on his first start as a three-year-old on March 29 and he continued in that rich vein of form to beat favourite Straight Answer (Kodiac) by a length. Cadamosto (No Nay Never) was another two lengths away in third. Purchased by Violet Hesketh and Mimi Wadham’s WH Bloodstock for 375,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2019, before being bought by Coolmore’s MV Magnier for 600,000gns at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale the following year, New York City is out 2006 Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) winner Rajeem (Diktat) making him a brother to Group 2-winning sprinter Invincible Army.
King Kamehameha – The late Shadai Stallion Station-based sire King Kamehameha (Kingmambo) chalked up his 93rd individual stakes winner when the Sakae Kunieda-trained Erika Vita (3 f ex Marciano by Fuji Kiseki) took out the Sankei Sports Sho Flora Stakes (Japanese Oaks Trial) (Gr 2, 2000m) at Tokyo. A winner of her only start as a two-year-old, Erika Vita finished tenth of 16 runners on her first start as a three-year-old in the Fairy Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m), but she put that performance behind her when she defeated Personal High (Deep Impact) by three-quarters of a length. Sincere Wish (Kizuna) finished another nose away in third. Erika Vita is one of two winners out of Marcian (Fuji Kiseki) and is sister to dual Grade 1-winning champion Kinshasa No Kiseki. King Kamehameha died in 2019.
Profitable – Darley’s Profitable (Invincible Spirit) sired his fourth individual stakes winner when Miramar (3 f ex Via Lattea by Teofilo) built on the promise of her recent return by landing the Prix Sigy (Gr 3, 1100m) at Chantilly. The Carlos Lerner-trained three-year-old filly was winning for the third time in eight starts as she beat Caturra (Mehmas) by three-quarters of a length, the favourite edging out Le Cadeau (Dabirsim) by a head. An €82,000 purchase at Arquana’s Select sale in 2020, Miramar is the fourth foal out of Via Lattea (Teofilo), making her a half-sister to Hong Kong winner Champion Dragon (Starspangledbanner). Group 1-winning sprinter Profitable stands at Kildangan Stud for a fee of €12,500 (approx. AU$18,210).
Redwood – Westbury Stud-based sire Redwood (High Chaparral) sired his tenth individual stakes winner when the Team Rogerson-trained Sharp ‘N’ Smart (2 g ex Queen Margaret by Swiss Ace) landed the Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Pukekohe. Having finished second on debut, the two-year-old gelding – who was purchased by his trainers for $55,000 at Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale in 2021 – defeated Waitak (Proisir) by a head. Mr Maestro (Savabeel) finished another four and a quarter lengths away in third. The juvenile is out of Queen Margaret (Swiss Ace) and she is herself a half-sister to Listed scorer Absalon (Mossman). Redwood stood at the New Zealand nursery for a fee of $8,000 (plus GST).
Reliable Man – Westbury Stud’s Reliable Man (Dalakhani) brought up his 19th stakes winner when Wannabe ‘N’ Paris (5 m ex Wannabe Queen by Bernstein) took out the belated Riverton Cup (Listed, 2147m). The feature was due to be run on April 16 but high winds saw the meeting abandoned with a number of races transferred to the already scheduled Easter Monday fixture on April 18. Sent out the second favourite in a wide-open betting race, the Paul Carter-trained Wannabe ‘N’ Paris scored by a head over Asathought (So You Think) with a neck back to Kaareraway (Makfi) back in third. It was a first stakes win for the mare, who was bought for $600 through Gavelhouse as an unraced three-year-old. She took her earnings to almost $150,000 with the victory. Reliable Man, who is currently standing the northern hemisphere season at Gestut Rottgen in Germany, stood for $17,500 (plus GST) in 2021.
Rubick – The Chris Anderson-trained Rubiquitous (3 g ex Novaspirit by Bel Esprit) prevailed in the Mick Dittman Plate (Listed, 1110m) at Doomben and in doing so provided Swettenham Stud-based stallion Rubick (Encosta De Lago) with his fourth individual stakes winner. The three-year-old gelding came out on top in a close finish to beat Miss Hipstar (Star Turn) by a quarter of a length, while Joyous Legend (Snitzel) was a further three-quarters of a length away in third. Purchased by his trainer and Steve Morley Bloodstock, Rubiquitous is out of Novaspirit (Bel Esprit) and is a brother to stakes-placed One Shy Ruby. Rubick covered 42 mares at a fee of $27,500 (inc GST) last season.
Swiss Ace – Westbury Park Stud resident Swiss Ace (Secret Savings) sired his 15th individual stakes winner when the Chrissy Bambry-trained Sergio (4 g ex Shanro by Lonhro) landed the Manawatu Itm Anzac Mile (Listed, 1550m) at Awapuni. The four-year-old gelding beat Providenceprovides (Real Impact) by a length with Zee Falls (Sacred Falls) another three quarters of a length away in third. Sergio is out Shanro (Lonhro), making him a half-brother to three winners, headed by Listed scorer Windsor (Alamosa). “The penny has finally dropped with the big doofus,” the winning trainer said. “He is not a horse that generally backs up as quick as this as he has been a late maturer who was injured as a yearling, so I’m always mindful of that. I babied him all week and worked him on the water treadmill and took a blood off him just to make sure he was coping. His blood was absolutely spot on and he was zooming around his paddock like a lunatic which gave me plenty of confidence and he has gone out and justified running him with a really top performance.”
Tavistock – The late Cambridge Stud-based sire Tavistock (Montjeu) sired his 36th individual stakes winner when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Pinarello (3 g ex Zonza by Zabeel) took out the Championship Stakes (Gr 2, 2100m) at Pukekohe. Last seen running fifth in the New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m), the three-year-old gelding defeated Titled (Exceed And Excel) by two and a half lengths, with Lingjun Xiongfeng (The Factor) another two and a quarter lengths away in third. Retained to race by Cambridge Stud after he was passed in for NZ$30,000 at Book 1 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale in 2020, Pinarello is out of Group 3 scorer Zonza (Zabeel), making him a half-brother to Group 2 scorer La Vernazza (More Than Ready) and Listed winner Bavella (Snitzel). Tavistock died in 2019.
Vancouver – The now Woodside Park-based stallion Vancouver (Medaglia D’Oro) sired his tenth individual stakes winner courtesy of Canadian Dancer’s (3 f ex Kicker by Hard Spun) victory in the Princess Stakes (Listed, 1640m) at Doomben. Trained by Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted, the three-year-old filly defeated Teranga (Sebring) by a length and a half with Mokulua (Redoute’s Choice) another neck away in third. Purchased by her trainer and Jamie Walter’s Proven Thoroughbreds for $50,000 at Book 1 of the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in 2020, Canadian Dancer is one of two winners out of the winning Hard Spun (Danzig) mare Kicker. Kicker herself is out of Listed winner Tenga (Mr. Prospector), making her a half-sister to US Grade 1 scorer Startac (Theatrical). A former Coolmore Stud resident, Vancouver stands at Woodside Park in Victoria. His fee for 2022 is yet to be announced.
Vespa – Vespa (Elusive City) sired his fourth individual stakes winner when Carolina Reaper (4 m ex Bonney Pepper by Fastnet Rock) landed the Easter Handicap (Gr 3, 1600m) at Pukekohe. Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, Carolina Reaper beat Brando (Savabeel) by three-quarters of a length with True Enough (Nom Du Jeu) another length and a quarter further back in third. Purchased by Richardson Stables for $12,000 during Book 2 of the New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale in 2019, the four-year-old mare is out the unraced Fastnet Rock (Danehill) mare Bonney Pepper making her a half-sister to Listed scorer Tilly’s Chilli (Excelebration). Vespa stood at Valachi Downs for a fee of $5,000 (plus GST) in 2021.