17 for Churchill
New first season sire winners
Churchill (pictured) – Churchill’s impressive start with his first northern hemisphere two-year-olds continued, recording his 16th and 17th individual winners. River Thames (2 c ex Where’s Sue by Dark Angel) got his career off to a winning start at Punchestown on Tuesday. Ridden by Wayne Lordan, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt surged down the outside and kept on well in the closing stages to beat stablemate Changingoftheguard (Galileo) by a neck. Bought by Tom Magnier for 320,000gns from last year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 1), River Thames is the second foal out of winning mare Where’s Sue (Dark Angel), herself a sister to Group 3 winner Angel’s Hideaway. Later in the week, Scriptwriter (2 c ex Pivotalia by Pivotal) got off the mark at the second attempt, again for O’Brien, on Saturday. Kept in midfield by jockey Seamie Heffernan, the two-year-old colt was asked for an effort two furlongs out and ran on well to lead in the closing stages to win by three-quarters of a length from Adonis (Siyouni) with Explorers Way (Australia) a further half a length back in third. A ninth foal, Scriptwriter is a three-quarter sister to Goolwa (Australia) and is a half-sister to three winners including Group 3 winner Onenightidreamed (Footstepsinthesand) and the smart performer Rotherwick (Starspangledbanner). Bred by Brian O’Neill, the Coolmore-owned colt was bought for £220,000 by Jamie McCalmont at the Goffs Orby sale, having sold for €125,000 as a foal. Churchill stands at Coolmore Australia for a fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Cape Cross – Walton Street (7 g ex Brom Felinity by Encosta De Lago) gave sire Cape Cross (Green Desert) his 14th individual top-level winner when he claimed an easy victory in the Pattison Canadian International (Gr 1, 12f) at Woodbine on Saturday. Trained by UK-based trainer Charlie Appleby and ridden by jockey Frankie Dettori, the seven-year-old Godolphin homebred started as the odds-on favourite for the race and sat second for most of its duration before getting to the lead in the straight and pulling away from the field. The fast-finishing Desert Encounter (Halling), twice a winner of this contest, finished five and three-quarter lengths back in second. The early pacesetter Primo Touch (Midas Touch) held on for third a further four and three-quarter lengths back. “Frankie had his game plan and always knew he was going to kick on. He’s done it nicely—I was delighted with him. We’re delighted for the horse to win a Grade 1. He’s been with us a long time, and he’s a favorite in the yard,” assistant trainer Alex Merriman said. Walton Street is a fifth foal from Australian-bred Matriarch Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) winner Brom Felinity, who herself is a sister to Group 1 winner Delago Brom.
Darci Brahma – Sierra Sue (5 m ex Centree by Centaine) gave sire Darci Brahma (Danehill) his 12th top-level winner on Saturday when she got up just in time to take the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) by a short head from Dice Roll (Showcasing). There was an extra half a length back to the race favourite I’m Thunderstruck (Shocking) in third. Already a winner at Group 2 level in the P B Lawrence Stakes (1400m), Sierra Sue was unfortunate in the Feehan Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) last time out. Settled in midfield by jockey Daniel Moor, who was also celebrating his 37th birthday, the mare produced a strong late run to get up on the line for training partnership of Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. Bred by John Fokerd, Sierra Sue is a seventh foal and half-sister four winners, including Australian winner Comic Miss (Pins). Owned by a syndicate including Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill, the five-year-old was sold for just $2,000 in 2019. Sire Darci Brahma stands at The Oaks Stud for $15,000 (Plus GST).
Dubawi – Albahr (2 g ex Falls Of Lora by Street Cry) gave sire Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) his 45th top-level stakes winner when he easily scored in the Summer Stakes (Gr 1, 8f) at Woodbine on Sunday. In what was a Group 1 double on the card for trainer Charlie Appleby and jockey Frankie Dettori, Albahr went off the 13-20 favourite and was settled in the final pairing of the nine-strong field before being asked to improve as the race gradually played out. Asked for a full effort by Dettori a couple of furlongs from home, the gelding ran on well down the outside to win with a fair amount in hand at the line, coming home two and a quarter lengths in front of Grafton Street (War Front) with Degree Of Risk (Cairo Prince) a further length and a half behind in third. Bred and raced by Godolphin, Albahr is a fourth foal of UAE Oaks (Gr 3, 1900m)-winning dam Falls Of Lora and is a brother to winner Imperial Empire, while also being a half-brother to Australian Group 1 winner Cascadian (New Approach) and the useful winner Trossachs (New Approach). Dubawi currently stands at Darley Stud for a fee of £250,000 (approx. AU$471,000).
Frankel – A classy performance from Wild Beauty (2 f ex Tulips by Pivotal) in the Natalma Stakes (Gr 1, 8f) at Woodbine on Sunday saw her give sire Frankel (Galileo) his 19th top-flight winner as well as becoming his 79th individual stakes winner. Very slowly away under jockey Frankie Dettori, as well as being squeezed out at the start, the two-year-old filly had plenty of work to do from the outset despite going off as the 29-20 race favourite. Being gradually asked to improve by Dettori as the race developed, Wild Beauty swung round the outside of the field turning for home and powered her way to the line to win by two and a quarter lengths eased down from Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock). A further length and a quarter back in third was Eminent Victor (Mr. Z). The Charlie Appleby-trained filly had previously been second in a Listed contest, behind current 2022 UK 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) market leader Inspiral (Frankel), and second in the Sweet Solera (Gr 3, 7f) at Newmarket. Bred and raced by Godolphin, Wild Beauty is a fourth foal from Listed-winning dam Tulips and is a half-sister to winners Swift Rose (Invincible Spirit)and Ottoman Court (Shamardal). Frankel currently stands at Juddmonte Farm for a fee of £175,000 (approx. AU$330,000).
Town Prize – Town Cruise (6 g ex Candy Cruise by Candy Ride) gave sire Town Prize (Speightstown) his first ever elite-level winner and only his second ever individual stakes winner when he made all to win the Ricoh Woodbine Mile (Gr 1, 8f) on Saturday. On only his second ever start in a stakes race, Town Cruise took the early lead under jockey Daisuke Fukumoto and was not for catching as he won cosily under a hands-and-heels ride for trainer, owner and breeder Brandon Greer. Two and a quarter lengths back in second was the Brendan Walsh-trained Space Traveller (Bated Breath) with Raging Bull (Dark Angel) a further three-quarters of a length back in third. “It feels a little surreal at the moment, but I’m absolutely thrilled with him,” said Greer. “This horse is amazing. I absolutely love him. I could see him digging in; that’s something that he’s been able to do very well this year,” he added. The win was the biggest in the careers of both Greer and Fukumoto, with the potential of further success yet after the gelding picked up an automatic spot in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (Gr 1, 8f) held on November 6. Town Prize stands at Mapleville Farms in Canada for a fee of CAD$5,000 (approx. AU$5,300).
New stakes winners
Bon Hoffa – Bon’s A Pearla (3 f ex Treasure Island by Duporth) provided sire Bon Hoffa (Belong To Me) with his fifth individual stakes winner when she took the Thousand Guineas Prelude (Gr 2, 1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Settling in midfield, the Kevin Corstens-trained filly ran down the race favourite Heresy (Street Boss) to win by a head, with a further three-quarters of a length back to the third Elusive Express (Jakkalberry). “We’ve always liked her,” Corstens said. “Even when we had her first in the stable, we were patient with her, and after her last start I still said that there was plenty of improvement in the coat. She still has improvement to come and hopefully we get it.” Bred and raced by Ken King Thoroughbreds, Bon’s A Pearla is a first foal from dam Treasure Island, who is a half-sister to Hong Kong winner Refined Treasure (Lope De Vega). Sire Bon Hoffa stood at Bowness Stud for a fee of $5,500 (inc. GST) in 2020.
Connect – Hidden Connection (2 f ex C J’s Gal by Awesome Again) streaked clear in the Pocahontas Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Churchill Downs on Saturday to give sire Connect (Curlin) his first ever individual stakes winner. After coming in on the back of a seven-and-a-half-length debut victory on August 17 at Colonial Downs, the two-year-old filly sat second for most of the race under jockey Reylu Gutierrez before pouring it on down the straight to beat Mama Rina (Gormley) by nine and a quarter lengths with Goddess Of Fire (Mineshaft) a further neck down in third. “She was working at Keeneland this spring before we went to Colonial,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “When she was working there I thought she could be special. Then we went to Colonial and she won so impressively on debut. She didn’t have as much experience as some of the horses in this race but she backed up that win very well.” Hidden Brook, agent, purchased Hidden Connection for $85,000 from Coastal Equine’s consignment at the Ocala Breeders’ June Sale of 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age. The filly was bred in Kentucky by St. Simon Place and she is the second foal and second winner out of dam C J’s Gal. Connect stands at Lane’s End Farm for a fee of $15,000 (approx. AU$20,600).
Constitution – Major General (2 c ex No Mo Lemons by Uncle Mo) gave sire Constitution (Tapit) his 26th individual stakes winner when he held on bravely to win the Iroquois Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Churchill Downs on Saturday. After narrowly winning his debut at Saratoga on August 21, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt was mid pack early in the race under jockey Javier Castellano before making his move at the four-furlong marker and bravely battling on to repel Tough To Tame (Speightster) by a neck with Red Knobs (Union Rags) a further three-quarters of a length back in third. “You’re always confident whenever Todd puts you on a horse,” Castellano said. “His team does a great job and this horse is just learning. He seemed to enjoy going two turns and when the other horses got to him in the stretch he started to rebreak.” The two-year-old was bred in Kentucky by Circular Road Breeders and is the first foal out of the unraced No Mo Lemons. Maverick Racing, the buying arm of WinStar, purchased the colt for $420,000 from the Woods Edge Farm consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Constitution stands at WinStar Farm for a fee of $85,000 (approx. AU$116,000).
Dark Angel – Wings Of War (2 c ex Futoon by Kodiac) emerged as the latest sprinting star to come from Clive Cox stable as he powered home to land the Free Mill Reef Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) at Newbury on Saturday and became the 77th individual stakes winner for his sire Dark Angel (Acclamation). Under Adam Kirby, he tracked the front-running Hierarchy (Mehmas) before making his move from a midfield position two furlongs out and swoop ahead of that rival in the final few yards. He was giving Cox a second win in the Group 2 contest, five years on from the success of Harry Angel (Dark Angel), who went on to be champion sprinter the following season. Kirby, recording his third win in the race, said: “That was a nice performance. He appreciated getting his toe into the ground a little bit and after a furlong it was quite smooth. He lengthened all the way up to the line and really put his best foot forward there. He’ll keep coming forward, he’s not the finished article and he’ll be a better three-year-old.” The Ed Bethell-trained Fearby (Havana Gold) ran on to finish third, a head in front of the favourite Dhabab (No Nay Never). Bred by Guy O’Callaghan’s Grangemore Stud, Wings Of War was a £140,000 Goffs UK Premier Sale purchase by John and Jake Warren and he is out of the Listed-placed sprinter Futoon (Kodiac), while his third dam produced fellow Mill Reef Stakes winner Galeota (Mujadil). Dark Angel stands at Yeomanstown Stud in Ireland where his fee this year was €60,000 (approx. AU$96,800).
Declaration Of War – Nazanin (2 f ex Woodland Scene by Act One) gave her sire Declaration Of War (War Front) his 37th individual stakes winner when she got up late in the day to win the Firth Of Clyde Fillies’ Stakes (Gr 3, 6f) at Ayr on Saturday. Ridden by jockey Hollie Doyle and trained by Archie Watson, the two-year-old filly won in the final strides to deny Canonized (Acclamation) by a short head with Hala Hala Athmani (Dabirsim) a further three-quarters of a length back in third. Nazanin is the fifth foal of unraced dam Woodland Scene, a half-sister to the Group 1-winning Crowded House (Rainbow Quest) and Listed winner On Reflection (Rainbow Quest). Bred by Blue Diamond Stud and owned by Imad Alsagar, the win was Nazanin’s second in just four career starts. Sire Declaration Of War stands at Ashford Stud for US$25,000 (approx AU$34,400).
Dubawi – Maydanny (5 g ex Attraction by Efisio) gave sire Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) his 213th individual stakes winner when he won the Doonside Cup Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f) at Ayr on Saturday. A progressive horse in handicaps this season, the five-year-old was a well-beaten last of five when taking on Group company for the first time in the Superior Mile Stakes (Gr 3, 1m) at Haydock but clearly appreciated the drop in class and step up in trip to come home a length and a half in front of the Group-winning Euchen Glen (Authorized) with a further two and a half lengths back to the Group-winning Juan Elcano (Frankel). Bred by Floors Farming, the regally-bred Maydanny cost 1.35 million guineas for Shadwell Estate at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale in 2017. A ninth foal of five-time Group 1-winning dam Attraction, Maydanny is a half-brother to seven winners including the Group 2 winner Elarqam (Frankel), Group 3 winner Fountain Of Youth (Oasis Dream) and US winner Cushion (Galileo). Dubawi, stands at Darley Stud for a fee of £250,000 (approx. AU$472,000).
Dundeel – She’s Ideel (6 m ex Ana’s Mail by Anabaa) gave Arrowfield sire Dundeel (High Chaparral) his 15th individual stakes winner when she scored her first black-type success in the Kingston Town Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) on Saturday. Despite a couple of placings at Group 1 level, the mare hadn’t managed to win a stakes race before Saturday’s contest. However, she rectified that by winning as the $2.80 favourite by one and a quarter lengths over the fast-finishing Montefilia (Kermadec), with leader Entente (Dundeel) another neck away in third. Trainer Bjorn Baker was relieved to see She’s Ideel claim a valuable stakes victory and also praised jockey Jason Collett. “I guess today, if you followed her along you were starting to lose a bit of face, so she had to put her hand up today and she did,” Baker said after the race. “A great ride from Jason. He summed it up and it was a pretty easy watch throughout.” She’s Ideel will now be aimed at the Metropolitan (Gr 1, 2400m) next month and also holds nominations for the Caulfield (Gr 1, 2400m) and Melbourne Cups (Gr 1, 3200m). Bred and raced by Attunga Stud, the six-year-old mare is the fourth foal of dam Ana’s Mail, who is a half-sister to the Group 1-placed Shanzero (Danzero). Sire Dundeel stands at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $66,000 (inc. GST).
Galileo – The late Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) scored a second new stakes winner in Australia in as many months as Highclere’s Great House (5 g ex Anja by Indian Ridge) took the Newcastle Cup (Gr 3, 2300m) on Friday. The Chris Waller-trained gelding, who has now won three of his ten starts in Australia, held off the challenge of Quick Thinker (So You Think) in the closing stages to win by a long neck, with No Compromise (Pins) a length behind the winner in third. A 175,000gns purchase by Highclere out of the Tattersalls August Online sale last year, the northern hemisphere-bred December foal becomes the 344th individual stakes winner for his sire Galileo.
Golden Horn – Consistent filly Quenelle D’Or (3 f ex Quenelle by Nayef) broke through at black-type level in the Prix des Tourelles (Listed, 2400m) at Saint-Cloud on Tuesday to earn Darley’s Golden Horn (Cape Cross) his seventh individual winner. The Hugo Palmer-trained filly had only finished outside the placings twice in her ten-start career, both at Listed level, and she broke her duck in stakes company on her first start in France, defeating Control Tower (Youmzain) by a neck under Ioritz Mendizabal. Race favourite Jannah Flower (Olympic Glory) finished half a length behind the winner in third. Quenelle D’Or is one of two winners from as many to race out of winning mare Quenelle (Nayef), who is a half-sister to Listed scorer Viva Vettori (Vettori). Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Golden Horn stands at Dalham Hall Stud for a fee of £20,000 (approx. AU$37,800).
I Am Invincible – Madam Legend (5 m ex Mithila by Encosta De Lago) led from start to finish to hold off all comers and claim a maiden stakes success in the Tibbie Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) at Newcastle on Friday. The Bon Ho-owned and Les Bridge-trained five-year-old was winning for the seventh time on her 17th start as she defeated Mirra Vision (Lonhro) by a head with race favourite Great News (Uncle Mo) a length further back in third. A $250,000 yearling buy for Carmel Size Racing from the Canning Downs Stud draft at the Inglis Easter yearling sale, Madam Legend is the fifth foal out Mithila (Encosta De Lago), a three-quarter sister to Manhattan Rain (Encosta Rain) from the revered family of Redoute’s Choice (Danehill), Al Maher (Danehill) and Rubick (Encosta De Lago). Mithila was passed in at $60,000 at this year’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She has a yearling filly by Kementari (Lonhro), one of just seven live foals by the former Darley stallion, and has this year foaled a Zoustar (Northern Meteor) colt. She became the 65th individual stakes winner for I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit), who stands at Yarraman Park in 2021 for a fee of $220,000.
Ivawood – Hurricane Ivor (4 g ex Quickstep Queen by Royal Applause) gave sire Ivawood (Zebedee) a third individual stakes winner when he got up late to win the World Trophy Stakes (Gr 3, 5f) at Newbury on Saturday. A winner of the Portland Handicap (5.5f) at Doncaster only seven days before this race, this was the four-year-old’s first foray into stakes company for trainer William Haggas. Settled in midfield by jockey Tom Marquand, the gelding was a strong stayer at the finish and managed to win going away by three-quarters of a length from Moss Gill (No Nay Never) with Tis Marvellous (Harbour Watch) a further neck back in third. A second foal of unraced dam Quickstep Queen, a half-sister to the Group-placed Take A Deep Breath (Bated Breath), Hurricane Ivor was a 105,000 guineas buy as a foal and was transferred to the William Haggas yard in May this year. Sire Ivawood stands at Haras du Mont Goubert for a fee of €3,000 (approx. AU$4,800).
King Kamehameha – The late King Kamehameha (Kingmambo) recorded an 86th individual stakes winner when his daughter Andvaranaut (3 f ex Gullveig by Deep Impact) won the Sho Rose Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m) at Chukyo on Sunday. The three-year-old took her career figures to three wins from six starts, never having finished outside the top two. In her first start at stakes level, the filly reeled in runaway leader A Shin Hiten (A Shin Hikari) to win by one and a quarter lengths, with Art de Vivre (King Kamehameha) third, a further half-length in arrears. A homebred for Northern Racing, the filly is out of Grade 3 winner Gullveig (Deep Impact), a half-sister to Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Rulership (King Kamehameha) and Admire Groove (Sunday Silence), dam to dual Grade 1 winner Duramente (King Kamehameha).
Le Havre – Ville De Grace (3 f ex Archangel Gabriel by Arch) was a comfortable winner of the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f) on Wednesday at Yarmouth to provide sire Le Havre (Noverre) with his 48th stakes winner. In a contest that suited prominent racers, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Ville De Grace was kept in the first quartet of horses by jockey Ryan Moore before being asked to quicken up with three furlongs to go, leading inside the final two furlongs and pulling away to win by three lengths from Freyja (Gleneagles) in second with a further length and a quarter to the race favourite Sweet Believer (Make Believe) in third. Third at Group 3 level on her latest start behind the Group 1-placed Saffron Beach (New Bay), Ville De Grace is a half-sister to Angel Of The Glen (Gleneagles) and a second foal from unraced dam Archangel, herself a sister to US Grade 1 winner Prince Arch. Bred and raced by Hunscote Stud & Chris Humber, the filly was unsold for €300,000 at the Arqana Deauville August Yearlings Sale in 2019. Le Havre stands at Montfort et Preaux for a fee of €40,000 (Approx. AU$64,000).
Lope De Vega – La Dragontea (4 m ex La Concorde by Sadler’s Wells) gave sire Lope De Vega (Shamardal) his 87th individual stakes winner when she comfortably took out the Canadian Stakes (Gr 2, 9f) at Woodbine on Saturday. Trained by Christophe Clement and ridden by Joel Rosario, the four-year-old mare kept track of the leaders before making her challenge in the straight under a confident ride, easily fending off the challenge of Court Return (Court Vision) to win by a length with Barkin (Animal Kingdom) a further half-length back in third. “She looked like she was getting over nice and seemed really in control for her,” Rosario said of the win. “She was enjoying what she was doing out there. That makes it easy for me.” Bred in the UK by Bartisan Racing and trained by Michael Bell, La Dragontea was bought for 67,000 guineas by Stephen Hillen Bloodstock from the Highclere Stud consignment at the 2020 Tattersalls December Mares Sale. She is a fifth foal from winning dam La Concorde and a half-sister to winners Tammooz (Lawman), Rock’n Gold (Fastnet Rock) and Briscola (Redoute’s Choice). Lope De Vega stands at Ballylinch Stud for a fee of €125,000 (approx. AU$201,000).
Magnus – The Kim Waugh-trained Ashman (6 g ex Ashamika by Linamix) denied the swooping Sky Lab (Real Impact) and Duais (Shamus Award) to lead all the way in the Cameron Handicap (Gr 3, 1500m) at Newcastle on Friday. The six-year-old was stepped up to stakes level for the first time in the Group 3 contest, as he saluted as an $18 chance under Jeff Penza, winning by a short half head and a long neck. Out of the French mare Ashamika (Limanix), a sister to dual Group 2 winner Ashalanda, Ashman becomes the 23rd individual stakes winner for his Widden Stud sire Magnus (Flying Spur). The six-year-old was a $27,500 buy from the Inglis Digital platform in February this year, and adds to his Midway Handicap (1300m) win at Randwick in July for new connections. Magnus stands for a fee of $15,400 at Widden Victoria in 2021.
New Approach – Lightly-raced four-year-old Silent Escape (4 m ex Rosewater by Pivotal) displayed plenty of quality in leading home a Godolphin-owned one-two-three in the Dubai Duty Free Cup (Listed, 7f) at Newbury on Friday. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly shared the lead under Oisin Murphy and galloped on impressively to land the spoils by a length and a quarter from D’Bai (Dubawi), with Al Suhail (Dubawi) a further three quarters of a length behind in third. The Godolphin homebred won her maiden start in November last year and was not seen again until successful at Newcastle in June. A runner-up effort at Leicester followed and she resumed winning at Sandown before she proceeded to become her sire’s 56th individual stakes winner. Silent Escape is out of the minor ten-furlong winner Rosewater and is from the family of St Leger (Gr 1, 1m 6.5f) winner Nedawi (Rainbow Quest). New Approach stands at Darley Europe at a private fee.
Oasis Dream – Vertiginous (2 f ex Precipitous by Indian Ridge) blazed a trail in the Harry Rosebery Stakes (Listed, 5f) at Ayr on Friday to become the 128th individual stakes winner for her sire Oasis Dream (Green Desert). The Brian Meehan-trained filly notched a first win at the sixth attempt but had shown smart form, notably when fifth in the Queen Mary Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) at Royal Ascot and fourth behind Zan Claudette (No Nay Never) in the Lowther Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) at York. Vertiginous blitzed along down the centre of the track under Paul Mulrennan and scored by two lengths from Mitbaahy (Profitable), with Geocentric (Kodiac) a further length behind in third. “She’s a very smart filly with a lot of natural speed. She’s broken the (juvenile) track record and Winter Power won this race last year, Quiet Reflections has won it before, so hopefully she’s a smart filly to look forward to next year,” said Mulrennan. Bred by Forenaughts Stud and Jim Bolger, Vertiginous sold to Lynn Lodge Stud at the 2019 Goffs November Foal Sale for €60,000 and was a €40,000 vendor buyback at the 2020 Goffs Orby Sale. She is a half-sister to the Bolger homebred Group 3 winner and Matron Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) third Tobann (Teofilo), out of the two-time winner Precipitous. Juddmonte’s champion speed influence Oasis Dream stood for a fee of £20,000 in 2021 (approx. AU$37,800).
Rock Of Gibraltar – Sharoka (5 m ex Sharin by Areion) gave sire Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill) his 138th individual stakes winner when she claimed victory in the Grosser Preis Der Landschaftlichen Brandkasse (Listed, 1600m) at Hannover on Sunday. Trained by Dominik Moser and ridden by jockey Wladimir Panov, the five-year-old mare went on to beat the Godolphin-bred Romantic Song (Shamardal) by half a length after a good battle up the straight. Peaches (Lord Of England) was a further three lengths back in third. Bred by Gestut Rottgen, Sharoka is a first foal from German Listed-placed and seven furlong winning-dam Sharin (Areion). Rock Of Gibraltar stands at Coolmore Stud for a fee of €5,000 (approx. AU$8,000).
Sea The Moon – Mercedes (3 f ex Meergorl by Adlerflug) returned from a down the field effort in the Preis der Diana (Gr 1, 2200m) last month to break through in stakes company in the Grosser Preis Der VGH Versicherungen (Listed, 1000m) at Hannover on Sunday and become the 17th individual stakes winner for Sea The Moon (Sea The Stars). Trained by Roland Dzubasz, the Gestut Gorlsdorf homebred was ridden by John Egan and she put up a decisive performance to win by four lengths from Whizzair (Adlerflug), while Wismar (Soldier Hollow) was third. Mercedes is the first foal out of the Diana Trial (Gr 3, 2000m) winner Meergorl (Adlerflug) while it is the further family of the Champion 3YO German Stayer Moonshiner (Adlerflug). Sea The Moon stands at Lanwades Stud in Newmarket where his fee this year was £22,500 (approx. AU$42,600).
Shackleford – Diamond City (2 c ex Callista by Tapit) gave sire Shackleford (Forestry) his 18th individual stakes winner when he took out the Ontario Racing Stakes (Listed, 5f) at Woodbine on Sunday. Having only his third career start, the two-year-old was kept in third place by jockey Emma-Jayne Wilson before being asked for an effort coming into the straight. The Mark Casse-trained colt knuckled down and took the lead inside the final furlong, staying on well to win comfortably by a length and three quarters from the fast-finishing Silent Runner (Silent Name) with San Constantino (Violence) a further two and three quarter lengths back in third. Bred by Canvasback Thoroughbreds, Diamond City was a US$290,000 purchase for D J Stable LLC at the Ocala Spring Sale April this year. Diamond City is a half-brother to the Group 2-placed Barista (Medaglia D’Oro) and out of winning dam Callista. Sire Shackleford was sold as a stallion to the Korea Racing Authority by former owners Darby Dan Farm in January 2020.
Uncle Mo – Family Way (4 f ex Susie’s Baby by Giant’s Causeway) provided sire Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie) with his 75th individual stakes winner when she took out the Kentucky Downs Ladies Marathon Stakes (Listed, 10.5f) on Sunday. Trained by Brendan Walsh and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, the four-year-old managed to get the better of La Lune (Champs Elysees) by a neck, with Go Big Blue Nation (Animal Kingdom) a further nose back in third. The first foal out of winning dam Susie’s Baby (Giant’s Causeway), herself a half-sister to the Group 1-winning first-season-sire Caravaggio (Scat Daddy), Family Way was originally a US$775,000 purchase by Godolphin as a yearling before being re-sold to Fergus Galvin for €150,000 at the Arqana December Sale in 2020. Bred by Diamond Creek Farm, the filly is now owned by Hunter Valley Farm, Debra L O’Connor and Marc Detampel. Uncle Mo stands at Ashford Stud, Kentucky for a fee of US$175,000 (approx. AU$237,000).
Unencumbered – Free Of Debt (5 g ex Stagerush by Giant’s Causeway) gave late sire Unencumbered (Testa Rossa) a sixth individual stakes winner when he took the W H Wylie Handicap (Listed, 1100m) at Morphettville on Saturday. In what was a good battle to the line, the five-year-old managed to edge out the top-weight Kemalpasa (Magnus) by half a length with a further two lengths back to Pimm’s Party (Street Boss) in third. The son of Unencumbered has now managed to bag five wins and three placings from his 18 career starts and took the victory as an unfancied $20 chance. Bred by Greta West Stud, Free of Debt was sold to Chris Bieg Racing in 2018 for $30,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from the Phoenix Broodmare Farm draft. Sire Unencumbered died in March of this year.
Vadamos – Vadamos (Monsun) landed a first individual stakes winner courtesy of first-crop filly Art De Triomphe (3 f ex Art Beat by Captain Rio) in the Canterbury Belle Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Riccarton on Friday. Vadamos had impressed with his first runners, which included Pago Pago Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) fourth With Your Blessing, while he also has the stakes-placed Spy Catcher and Messidor in Europe. The three-year-old capped a memorable day for the Go Racing syndicate, with Atishu (Savabeel) winning the Bill Ritchie Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) at Randwick. “It’s fair to say there is a nice bottle of red to celebrate with later on this evening after what has just happened,” said Go Racing’s Albert Bosma. “You plan for things like this and hope they come off, but it’s not often they do.” On Art De Triomphe, who is now favourite for the 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), Bosma added: “Art De Triomphe is a very good filly and we’ve known that for some time. They still have to prove it though, and I think her win today goes a long way to doing that. The 1,000 Guineas is her main target and at this stage she will have one more run in the Barneswood Farm Stakes in a month, before she then goes to the Guineas at Riccarton.”
Vespa – Vespa’s (Elusive Quality) Wakari (3 g ex Denlee by One Cool Cat) upset hot favourite I Wish I Win (Savabeel) to win the Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) at Hastings on Friday for trainer Roydon Bergerson. He became the second individual stakes winner for Valachi Downs Stud resident Vespa after the half-length margin of victory, with a further two lengths back to Magneto (Showcasing) in third. “His work has been really good after his last race, although people were putting him down a bit after he got beaten,” Bergerson said. “We knew he wasn’t ready that day and needed two races to get him ready for the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, which is his target. He was tough today, really good.” Vespa is also the sire of Southland Guineas (Listed, 1600m) winner Chokito and stood for a fee of NZ$5,000 (Plus GST).
With Distinction – Jalen Journey (6 r ex Petunia Face by Congrats) gave sire With Distinction (Storm Cat) his 15th individual stakes winner when he was awarded the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (Gr 3, 6f) at Laurel Park on Saturday. Going off as the 13-10 second favourite, the Steve Asmussen-trained six-year-old kept early tabs with the leaders and followed race favourite Wonderwherecraigis (Munnings) into the home straight before that horse drifted off a true line and was found to have impeded the chance of Jalen Journey. Ridden by Feargal Lynch, Jalen Journey was then awarded the race in the stewards’ room, with Wonderwherecraigis being demoted to second. Kalu (Ghostzapper) was one and three-quarter lengths further back in third. “I think I was going by and not just once, but the whole momentum of when I was coming to make my challenge I lost my track. He took my grind,” Lynch said. “Nobody likes to win like that, but he was the best horse in the race and he deserved to get put up.” Jalen Journey was first purchased for $14,000 at the 2016 Ocala Breeders’ Sales August Yearlings Sale before being resold for $510,000 from the Four Star Sales consignment after finishing second in the 2019 Smile Sprint Stakes (Gr 3, 6f). With Distinction stands at Hartley/De Renzo Stallions, Florida for a fee of $7,500 (approx. AU$10,300).
Wootton Bassett – Wootton Bassett notched his 24th and 25th individual stakes winners. Topgear (2 c ex Miss Lech by Giant’s Causeway) took his unblemished record to three wins in the Prix Eclipse (Gr 3, 1200m) at Chantilly on Friday. The Fabrice Chappet-trained colt followed wins over 1200 metres and 1300 metres at Deauville with a gutsy short-neck success under Stephane Pasquier, having battled hard through the final 400 metres to edge out the pace-setting German raider Best Flying (Pedro The Great). Bred by Snig Elevage and offered by Hotellerie at the Arqana Deauville Select Sale of yearlings, Topgear was purchased for €200,000 by Chauvigny Global Equine and races in the silks of Hisaaki Saito. His winning dam, Miss Lech, is a sister to Strub Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 1f) winner Guilt Trip (Pulpit) from a family that has produced Group 1 winners, including Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) hero Americain (Dynaformer). Just two days later, Victoria Placa (4 m ex Crackovia, by Daylami) gave the sire his 25th stakes winner as she took the Lanwades Stud Stakes (Listed, 1600m) in Sweden. The mare had been knocking on the door in Listed company with multiple placings over the last two seasons before she broke through at Bro Park on Sunday. The Jessica Long-trained four-year-old came out best to win by half a length from Ramone (Eishin Dunkirk) and Careless Whisper (Barocci) and claim her second win in 15 starts, having broken her maiden two years ago. Victoria Placa is out of a winning half-sister to the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Coquerelle (Zamindar). Wootton Bassett is standing at Coolmore’s Jerrys Plains for a fee of $71,500 (inc GST).
Zoffany – The late Zoffany (Dansili) sired his 47th individual stakes winner as Astadash (4 m ex Starfish by Galileo) raced away with the Lavarack & Lanwades Stud Fillies Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 1.5f) at Gowran Park on Saturday. The Jessie Harrington-trained four-year-old defeated 7-2 favourite Emaniya (Sea The Stars) by three lengths, with the Ben Sangster-owned Sense Of Style (Zoffany) a neck further back in third. Out of the unraced Starfish (Galileo), she is a sister to stakes winner Foxes Tales, and half-sister to Group 1 winner La Collina (Strategic Prince), as well as Listed winners Foxes Chairman (Kingman) and Entsar (Fastnet Rock).