Second for Air Force Blue
New first season sire winners
Air Force Blue (pictured)
Coolmore’s Air Force Blue (War Front) landed a second winner from his one and only southern hemisphere crop as Forceful Matilda (2 f ex Matilda’s Dance by Danehill Dancer) recorded a two-and-a-half-length win at Toowoomba in the two- and three-year-old maiden over 1200 metres. The filly came home a $19 chance, defeating race favourite Boom By By (Spirit Of Boom). She is the sixth foal out of winning Danehill Dancer (Danehill) mare Matilda’s Dance, herself a three-part-sister to stakes winner Rockolicious (Fastnet Rock). Air Force Blue, whose first winner is the stakes placed Roxy Blue, stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud in Kentucky for a fee of US$10,000 (approx AU$7,400).
Belardo
Yeaboi (2 g Spiffy Iffie ex Iffraaj) made it five individual Australasian winners, and four in New Zealand, for his sire Belardo (Lope De Vega) when he landed the Spooner Dry Cleaners 2YO at Wanganui on Thursday. The Allan Sharrock-trained gelding built on two promising barrier trials, in which he passed the post first, as he scored by a neck from second-placed Queen Of Spades (Iffraaj) with Shejengar (Echoes Of Heaven) three-quarters of a length behind in third. Yeaboi failed to meet his $40,000 reserve at Book 2 of the Karaka National Yearling Sale runs in the colours of his breeder Garry and Bicola Pye. His dam, Spiffy Iffie (Iffraaj), was a maiden from two starts but this is her second winner from two foals to race, the other being the minor scorer Iffie (Showcasing). It is also the family of Group 3-placed Denpasar (Young Runaway) and the Listed-placed Pentirely (Pentire), as well as the stakes-winning brothers Sean’s Pride (Trophy Case) and Sean’s Gift (Trophy Case). Belardo will stand the 2021 southern hemisphere season at Haunui Farm at a fee of $10,000 (Plus GST).
Bobby’s Kitten
Former Twin Hills Stud shuttler Bobby’s Kitten (Kitten’s Joy) got off the mark with his one and only Australian-bred crop as Cecil Street Lad (2 g ex Just A Girl by Not A Single Doubt) won the Ladbrokes Handicap (1000m) at Sandown on Wednesday. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (Gr 1, 6.5f) winner has just 31 live foals bred in Australia, with Cecil Street Lad the most expensive of those when selling for $320,000 at the NZB Ready to Run Sale, having been bought as a yearling for $55,000. The gelding got off the mark on debut with an impressive display in defeating Seydoux (Xtravagant) by three-quarters of a length for trainer Richard Laming, who purchased him at the breeze up sale. He is the third foal out of metro-winning mare Just A Girl (Not A Single Doubt), who has a weanling and yearling filly, both by Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock). Bobby’s Kitten now resides permanently at Lanwades Stud, where he stands for a fee of £7,000 (approx. AU$13,000).
Caravaggio
Well-bred juvenile John The Baptiste (2 g ex Scream Blue Murder by Oratorio) was an unfancied 50-1 shot on debut at the Curragh on Saturday for Fozzy Stack, but the son of Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) defied those odds to take the seven-furlong contest by a nose from joint favourite Shark Bay (Australia). Ridden by Mark Enright, the gelding kept on strongly to get up at the post and he became the ninth individual winner from the first crop of his sire. He is a half-brother to stakes winner Too Soon To Panic (Gleneagles) and two other stakes performers, out of the Stack-trained Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) winner Scream Blue Murder (Oratorio). Former Coolmore shuttler Caravaggio was relocated to their Ashford Stud in America where he stood for a fee of US$25,000 (approx AU$33,800) this year.
Dark Angel
Godolphin colt Real World (4 c ex Nafura by Dubawi) broke through at stakes level in the Steventon Stakes (Listed, 1m2f) at Newbury on Saturday to become the 73rd individual stakes winner for Dark Angel (Acclamation). The Saeed bin Suroor-trained four-year-old blitzed his rivals in the Royal Hunt Cup (1m) at Royal Ascot in June and he returned to take his tally to three wins from seven starts, while he also recorded a Listed-placing at Meydan in February. Ridden by Marco Ghiani, he tracked the pace and ran on well to win impressively by a length and a quarter from Derab (Sea The Stars) while Solid Stone (Shamardal) was a further three and three-quarter lengths back in third. Real World, a Godolphin homebred, is a half-brother to Chester Oaks (Listed, 1m3f) winner Dubai Fountain (Teofilo) out of a two-time winning half-sister to Group 1 winners and sires Librettist (Danzig) and Dubai Destination (Kingmambo). Dark Angel stands at Yeomanstown Stud in Ireland where his fee for this year was €60,000 (approx. AU$95,700).
Divine Prophet
Aquis stallion Divine Prophet (Choisir) celebrated two new winners in as many days, with Forever Autumn (2 c ex Hot Goods by Time Thief) scoring at Belmont on Saturday, backing up the win of Ostracised (2 g ex Tellora by Elusive Quality) at Dubbo on Friday. Forever Autumn was making his third start, having made his debut in stakes company, and posted a one-and-a-half-length win over Toppa The Mountain (Sessions) for trainer Trevor Andrews in the 1200-metre 2YO Plate. A homebred for David Bishop and his Touchstone Farm operation, Forever Autumn is the first foal out of six-time winning mare Hot Goods (Time Thief), who has a yearling colt by Choisir (Danehill Dancer) and was put in foal to Written By (Written Tycoon) last year. Meanwhile, Ostracised won the Maiden Plate (1000m) at Dubbo. The Kody Nestor-trained Ostracised had placed in his three previous starts when trained by Team Hawkes and earned a deserved success under Tony Cavallo as he defeated Hurn Court (Outreach) by three lengths with third-placed Mighty Minnie a further two lengths behind. Rothwell Park sold the gelding as a weanling at Inglis in 2019, with Lyndhurst Farm placing the successful bid of $90,000. That proved to be money well spent when Lyndhurst Farm, as agent, sent the youngster to last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and he sold to Ardross Bloodstock Pty Ltd for $375,000, to be Divine Prophet’s most expensive yearling. Divine Prophet stands at Aquis Farm at a 2021 fee of $16,500 (inc. GST).
Maurice
Daichi (2 g ex Ausbred Friend by Manhattan Rain) gave Maurice (Screen Hero) his eighth individual Australian success as a sire when winning the C, G & E Maiden Plate (1200m) at Gosford on Thursday. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding built on a debut third at Muswellbrook two weeks ago as he showed a resolute attitude to lead off the turn and boxed on for a workmanlike success under Jason Collett. Fairview Park Stud, Grose Wold offered Daichi at the 2019 Inglis Australian Broodmare and Weanling Sale and he was bought by Randwick Bloodstock Agency/Rushton Park for $105,000. Rushton Park put the youngster through the ring at the following year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where he was knocked down to Triple Crown Syndications for $110,000. Daichi’s dam, Ausbred Friend (Manhattan Rain), is a half-sister to the multiple Group 1-winning Hong Kong champion Able Friend (Shamardal), being out of the Listed-winning mare Ponte Piccolo (Volksraad), who is herself a half-sister to South African Grade 1 scorer Global News (Jetball). Maurice will stand the 2021 southern hemisphere season at Arrowfield at a fee of $44,000 (inc. GST).
Ribchester
The Ed Bethell-trained newcomer Exminster (2 c ex Surface Of Earth by Empire Maker) became the fifth first-crop winner from 28 runners by Haunui Farm shuttler Ribchester (Iffraaj) on Sunday when winning the second division of the seven-furlong EBF restricted novice contest at Redcar. Ridden by PJ McDonald, he tracked the leaders, was ridden over a furlong from home and went on to win by half a length from previous winner Truely Aclaimed (Aclaim), while there was the same distance to Euraquilo (Raven’s Pass) in third. Exminster was a €54,000 Goffs foal and was purchased by the trainer and his father for £22,000 at the Orby Yearling Sale. He is out of an Empire Maker (Unbridled) sister to American Grade 2 winner Surya, who in turn produced the Grade 1 winner Aruna (Mr Greeley). Ribchester will stand for NZ$15,000 (plus GST) this year.
Sir Prancealot
With his supporters having waited patiently for Sir Prancealot (Tamayuz) to land a first winner, two have come along in the space of a fortnight as the Cornerstone Stud stallion sired two-year-old filly Gonnadancealot (2 f ex Tresillian by Danehill) to victory in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington on Saturday, announcing her credentials as a VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) contender. Making her fourth start, the filly improved on a second-placed finish at Bendigo over the mile and stepped up to 1800 metres to defeat Aktolgali (Adelaide) by two and three-quarter lengths. A $30,000 purchase from the Ruby Racing and Breeding draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, the filly is owned by UK-based trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam and Alliance Bloodstock. She is the tenth named foal out of Group 2-placed Danehill (Danzig) mare Tresillian, a three-quarter sister to Listed two-year-old winner and Group 1 placegetter Minstrel Court (Danehill Dancer). Sir Prancealot, the sire of multiple Group 2 winner Sir Dancealot in the northern hemisphere, returns to South Australia in 2021, where he will stand for a fee of $9,900.
Star Turn
Avolonte (2 f ex Testa Sarah by Testa Rossa) got off the mark in Sunday’s 1000-metre two-year-old handicap at the Sunshine Coast. The Stuart Kendrick-trained juvenile finished runner-up at Ipswich earlier this month and went one better with a comfortable one and a half-length defeat of Mishani Enchanted (Jet Spur), providing Star Turn (Star Witness) with his 17th individual Australian winner, and 18th worldwide. Crack Of Doom (Domesday) was another neck away in third. Purchased by Bloodstock Solutions for $60,000 from last year’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Avolonte is the first winner from two to race out of unraced mare Testa Sarah (Testa Rossa), who also has a weanling filly by Star Turn. Vinery Stud’s Star Turn, the sire of Listed winner Miss Hipstar, stands for $16,500 this year.
Time Test
Time Test (Dubawi) scored his fourth individual winner from his first northern hemisphere crop as Tardis (2 f ex Twizzle by Equiano) won the Maiden Stakes (5.5f) at Bath. Making her third start for trainer Michael Bell, the filly defeated Torvi (Gutaifan) by two and a quarter lengths. Tardis was an 18,000gns purchase from the Tattersall’s Guineas Sale earlier this year. She is the first foal out of the stakes-performed mare Twizzle (Equiano). Time Test will stand at Little Avondale Stud this year for a fee of $8,500 (plus GST).
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Into Mischief
There was a dramatic end to the Haskell Stakes (Gr 1, 9f) at Monmouth Park with Juddmonte Farms homebred Mandaloun (3 c ex Brooch by Empire Maker) being awarded the race after crossing the line a nose behind Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), who was disqualified after impeding Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow), who subsequently unseated his rider in the final furlong. The victory is the first Grade 1 for Mandaloun, however he may well end up getting promoted from second in the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) as the case regarding the post-race positive test of the winner Medina Spirit (Prontonico) continues. The victory means that Mandaloun becomes the tenth Group 1 winner for his sire Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday). The Brad Cox-trained three-year-old was ridden by Florent Geroux and he tracked the pace before going head to head with Hot Rod Charlie over the final furlong and despite rallying he was held by a nose at the line. The pair were 18 and a quarter lengths clear of Following Sea (Runhappy), who was awarded second. Mandaloun is one of two winners from as many runners out of the Ridgewood Pearl Stakes (Gr 2, 1m) winner Brooch (Empire Maker). Into Mischief stands at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky where his fee this year was US$225,000 (approx AU$304,000).
Toronado
Former French runner Tribhuvan (5 g ex Mahendra by Next Desert) gained a deserved victory in the United Nations Stakes (Gr 1, 11f) at Monmouth Park and became the second Group 1 winner for his sire Toronado (High Chaparral). After nearly a year off the track, Tribhuvan returned in May to gain his first Graded stakes win in the Fort Marcy Stakes (Gr 2, 9f) at Belmont and he backed-up at that track last month when he had to settle for runner-up spot on his first try at the top level in the Manhattan Stakes (Gr 1, 10f). The Chad Brown-trained gelding was sent off as favourite under Flavien Prat and he went from wire to wire to take the honours by two lengths from Imperador (Treasure Beach), while there was a further length back to Epic Bromance (Kitten’s Joy) in third. Tribhuvan is one of five winners, but the only black-type performer, out of the unraced Mahendra (Next Desert), who is a half-sister to five black-type performers, including the Listed-placed dam of Prix Ganay (Gr 1, 2100m) winner Mare Australis (Australia). Swettenham Stud shuttler Toronado, also sire of top-level winner Masked Crusader, will be available for $49,500 this season.
New stakes winners
English Channel
Bizzee Channel (5 g ex Bizzee Mizzee by Mizzen Mast) is set for a start in the Mister D Stakes – formerly the Arlington Million – (Gr 1, 10f) after a narrow victory in the Arlington Stakes (Gr 3, 9.5f) at Arlington Park. The Larry Rivelli-trained five-year-old raced just off the pace, took a gap up the rail and was driven out to win by a neck from Two Emmys (English Channel) while the pair were a further four lengths clear of Another Mystery (Temple City) in third. The favourite, Group 1 winner Zulu Alpha (Street Cry), disappointed returning fifth of the six runners. Bizzee Channel has won five of her 20 starts and her previous best was second in the Mystic Lake Derby (Listed, 8f) in June 2019. He is the best of four winners from five runners out of Bizzee Mizzee (Mizzen Mast), who won 11 times, while his second dam was a Listed winner and they are the only two stakes performers under the first three dams. English Channel stands at Calumet Farm in Kentucky where his fee this year was US$27,500 (approx. AU$37,150).
Fiorente
Baronova (3 f ex Twinkle Toes by Danehill) took until her seventh start to get off the mark in a maiden contest, but has now posted four wins in her last five starts and struck for the first time at stakes level when winning the Belmont Classic (Listed, 2200m) in WA on Saturday. The Justin Warwick-trained three-year-old recorded a short-head success over Truly Reliable (Reliable Man), with Chili Is Hot (Gingerbread Man) split by a nose in a blanket finish to the 2200-metre contest, and brought up a seventh individual stakes winner for Widden Victoria stallion Fiorente (Monsun). A homebred for Ted Van Heemst’s Lynward Park Stud, Baranova is the seventh foal out of Irish-bred mare Twinkle Toes (Danehill), who has already produced the Group 3-winning mare I’m Feeling Lucky (Bletchley Park). Twinkle Toes has a weanling filly by More Than Ready, while Fiorente will stand this season in Victoria for a fee of $11,000.
Frankel
Mehnah (3 f ex Asheera by Shamardal) became the 74th individual stakes winner for Juddmonte’s Frankel (Galileo) when winning the Cairn Rouge Stakes (Listed, 1m) at Killarney on Wednesday on what was just her third start. A winner at Dundalk on debut before finishing second in the 1,000 Guineas Trial Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Leopardstown in April, Mehnah defeated Emaniya (Sea The Stars) by three-quarters of a length, with Thinking Of You (American Pharoah) third, a further length behind. A homebred for Shadwell, Mehnah is out of Asheera (Shamardal), making her a half-sister to Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Awtaad (Cape Cross). Frankel stands at Juddmonte for a 2021 fee of £175,000 (approx. AU$325,000).
Golden Horn
A close second in Listed company last time, Golden Pass (4 f ex Lovely Pass by Raven’s Pass) got the job done on Saturday and became the fifth individual stakes winner for her sire Golden Horn (Cape Cross) in the Aphrodite Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m4f) at Newmarket. Sent off as favourite, the Hugo Palmer-trained four-year-old showed a good attitude under James Doyle, battling when challenged to get the better of Free Wind (Galileo) by three-quarters of a length, while Abstinence (Lope De Vega) was a further length back in third. Golden Pass was placed on her only start at two and won on her first two starts at three before running fourth in the Godolphin Stakes (Listed, 1m4f) last September. She returned this year with a win at Thirsk before her head-second in the Pontefract Castle Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m4f) last month. Bred by Rabbah she was a 150,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 yearling purchase by Rob Spears and is out of Listed winner Lovely Pass (Raven’s Pass). Golden Horn stands at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud and his fee this year was £20,000 (approx. AU$37,200).
Invincible Spirit
Invincible Spirit (Green Desert) sired his 135th individual stakes winner when his daughter Babylone (3 f ex Typique by Galileo) won the Prix de Malleret at Longchamp on Wednesday at only her fifth start. The Andre Fabre-trained three-year-old raced on the inners towards the rear of the 11 runners under Mickael Barzalona, who switched her out with a quarter of a mile to run. Babylone quicked to the lead 100 metres out and scored by a neck from runner-up Adhafera (Sea The Stars), with third-placed Ricla (Adlerflug) a further length and a half behind. The Haras Voltaire homebred hails from top-class Niarchos family breeding. Babylone’s dam, the maiden Typique, was sold as a breeding prospect at Goffs in November 2016, with Broadhurst Agency signing for €450,000. Typique is a daughter of Group 1 winner and champion French juvenile filly Denebola (Storm Cat), who is herself a daughter of Coup de Genie (Mr Prospector), a Group 1-winning champion juvenile filly in France and a sister to Group 1 winners Machiavellian (Mr Prospector) and Ocean Of Wisdom (Mr Prospector) and a half to Exit To Nowhere (Irish River). The family has also produced Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner Bago (Nashwan), Senga (Blame) and fellow Group 1 winners Emollient (Empire Maker) and Maxios (Monsun). Invincible Spirit stands at the Irish National Stud at a fee of €80,000 (approx. AU$127,000).
Jo Cappuccino
Namura Lycoris (2 f ex Namura Kiss by Matsurida Gogh) became the second individual stakes winner for NHK Mile Cup (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Jo Cappuccino (Manhattan Cafe) when taking out the Hakodate Nisai Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) at Hakodate on Saturday. The Yuki Ohashi-trained juvenile beat Kaikano Kiseki (Kinshasa No Kiseki) by a length and a quarter, while there was a further length back to Grande (Discreet Cat) in third. The favourite Pomeranc (King Kamehameha) disappointed, returning four and a quarter lengths behind the winner in seventh of the 11 runners. Namura Lycoris was second on debut in June and broke her maiden on her second start at this track on July 3. Jo Cappuccino, who is also responsible for Group winner Jo Strictly, stands at Big Red Farm.
Mehmas
Beauty Inspire (2 c ex Darwell by Zamindar) followed up his impressive debut victory at the Curragh last month with victory in the Anglesey Stakes (Gr 3, 6.5f) at the same course on Saturday and he became the 14th individual stakes winner for his sire Mehmas (Acclamation). The Ger Lyons-trained juvenile raced freely under Colin Keane and, after tracking the leaders, hit the front in the final furlong and was pushed out to win comfortably, beating the Joseph O’Brien-trained pair Andreas Vesalius (Caravaggio) and Hadman (Starspangledbanner) by a length and a quarter and half a length respectively. Bred by Michael O’Mahony, Beauty Inspire was a £25,000 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale purchase by Tally-Ho Stud and is out of a winning daughter of Queen Mary- (Gr 3, 5f) placed Ceedwell (Exceed And Excel). Meanwhile, Mehmas was provided with his 13th stakes winner on Friday when Caturra (2 c ex Shoni Wind by Sleeping Indian) landed the Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed, 6f) at Newbury. The Clive Cox-trained juvenile made it two wins from four starts, having lanced a novice event at Bath at his secord start, prior to finishing seventh in the Coventry Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) at Royal Ascot last month. Caturra showed good speed from the gate, setted mid pack to track the pace, was shaken up to challenge inside the two pole, led one furlong out and hung left under a drive. The colt held on by a neck from the runner-up Detail with Orazio (Caravaggio) a further three-quarters of a length behind in third. Mehmas stands at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland where his fee this year was €25,000 (approx. AU$39,900).
Midshipman
Naval Laughter (4 f ex In Stitches by Medaglia D’Oro) earned a nomination to the Beverly D Stakes (Gr 1, 9.5f), handed his trainer Christopher Davis his first graded stakes win and also became the 43rd individual stakes winner for Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song) when taking out the Modesty Stakes (Gr 3, 9.5f) at Arlington Park. This was her first try at stakes level, having won on her second start and placing on her other two outings. Ridden by Sophie Doyle, she was kept off the pace early, moved up to lead in the final furlong and went on to beat Joy Epifora (Fortify) by half a length while Bramble Queen (Silent Name) was a further three-quarters of a length back in third. Naval Laughter is a homebred of Anthony Braddock’s Two Heart Farm and is the first runner and winner out of Stitches (Medaglia D’Oro), who is a sister to Group 2 winner Lady Montdore while their second dam is Group 1 scorer Hystericalady (Distorted Humor). Midshipman stands at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky where his fee for this year was $7,500 (approx. US$10,150).
Orfevre
Andraste (5 m ex Validior by Dynaformer) provided Orfevre (Stay Gold) with his 14th individual stakes winner when taking out the Chukyo Kinen (Gr 3, 1800m) at Kokura on Sunday for trainer Mitsumasa Nakauchida and jockey Yuga Kawada, defeating Catedral (Heart’s Cry) by three-quarters of a length, with Clavel (Epiphaneia) a neck further back in third. Andraste is the third foal from her dam, Validor, who hails from a German black-type family, and a half-sister to the Listed-placed three-year-old colt Variamente (Duramente) – also trained by Nakauchida.
Practical Joke
Todd Pletcher-trained juvenile Wit (2 c ex Numero D’Oro by Medaglia D’Oro) justified favouritism with an impressive victory in the Sanford Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) at Saratoga and became the first stakes winner for first season sire Practical Joke (Into Mischief). The colt remained unbeaten, having won his maiden (5.5f) on debut last month at Belmont. Despite being slowly away from the gate, he raced in midfield and showed a blistering turn of foot to leave his rivals in his wake and win by eighth lengths. Wesley Ward’s Headline Report (Gormley) was second, five and a half lengths clear of Dance Code (Honor Code) in third. Wit was a US$575,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase and he is a half-brother to Group 3 scorer Barkley (Munnings) and is one of four winners from five runners out of the unraced Numero D’Oro (Medaglia D’Oro). Practical Joke, who has produced four winners from ten runners to date, stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud for US$22,500 (approx. AU$30,400).
Sebring
The late Sebring (More Than Ready) posted a 70th individual stakes winner as the regally-bred Mac ‘N’ Cheese (2 f ex Bonnie Mac by Thorn Park) won the Oaklands Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday. The rising three-year-old was making her third start, and this was also her first win having filled the runner-up spot on her opening two starts. After missing the start she settled at the rear of the nine-runner field, and made sweeping progress circling her rivals on the bend, before reeling in long-time leader Tonneofgrit (Winning Rupert) to record a two-length victory. Out of the deceased Bonnie Mac (Thorn Park), the filly is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) and this season’s stakes-winning three-year-old Oxley Road (Exceed And Excel). Bonnie Mac’s final foal, a colt by Capitalist (Written Tycoon), sold for $1,050,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale earlier this year.
Sinndar
Ikigai (3 f ex Laurana by Badolato) took the step up to stakes level in her stride, winning the Prix de l’Isle Briand (Gr 3, 2400m) at Lion d’Angers on Tuesday, providing a 21st individual stakes winner for her sire, the late Sinndar (Grand Lodge). Making just her fourth appearance and with maiden success to her name, Ikigai defeated Insta (Cokoriko) by four lengths, with Il Est Divin (Martaline) third, a further three-quarters of a length in arrears.
Siyouni
The Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained four-year-old Seachange (4 f ex Ydillique by Sadler’s Wells) broke through in stakes company on Sunday, beating two previous Listed winners, when taking out the Prix de la Pepiniere (Listed, 2100m) at Chantilly, becoming the 50th individual stakes winner for her sire Siyouni (Pivotal). Listed-placed last May, Seachange came into the race off the back of a win at Compiegne and took her record to three wins from ten starts and four placings. The Wertheimer and Frere homebred prevailed by half a length from Control Tower (Youmzain) and Nationalista (Nathaniel), who were split by a head for the minor placings. Seachange is a half-sister to Listed winner Tristesse (Broken Vow), out of a sister to Grade 1 winner Sligo Bay and a half-sister to the Listed-winning dam of Grade 2 winner and sire Danon Ballade (Deep Impact). Siyouni stands at the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in France where his fee this year was €140,000 (approx AU$223,300).
Tapit
Graceful Princess (5 m ex Havre De Grace by Saint Liam) sprung a surprise in the Molly Pitcher Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Monmouth Park when the Todd Pletcher-trained five-year-old claimed her first stakes success at odds of 14-1. The Whisper Hill homebred also became the 146th individual stakes winner for her sire Tapit (Pulpit). Ridden by Joel Rosario, she was settled in fourth spot and she picked up well to win by three-quarters of a length from Bajan Girl (Speightstown) and Our Super Freak (Mineshaft) who were split by half a length for the minor placings. The favourite Vault (Jump Start) finished a well beaten fifth. Graceful Princess is out of Horse of the Year and Champion Older Mare Havre De Grace (Saint Liam), who was purchased by Mandy Pope’s Whisper Hill for $10 million in 2012 from Fasig-Tipton. Tapit stands at Gainesway Stud in Kentucky where his fee this year was US$185,000 (approx AU$250,000).