Eight for Astern
New first season sire winners
Astern
Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) landed individual winners seven and eight on Saturday as Somewatt Fabulous’ (2 f ex Megawatt by Shocking) success in the opening Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville preceded Danger Strykes’ (2 f ex She Is Stryking by Stryker) Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) win in New Zealand, who in the process became the second stakes winner for Astern. The Richard and Chantelle Jolly-trained Somewatt Fabulous put up an eye-catching display on debut, defeating Strike Award (Shamus Award) by a length and a quarter with Eyes Never Lie (Mint Lane) a further two lengths in arrears. Having passed in as a weanling, Somewatt Fabulous was sold for $45,000 to her trainers out of last year’s Inglis Classic Sale. She is the first foal out of the stakes placed Megawatt (Shocking), a NZ$10,000 yearling who was purchased by Kingstar Farm in foal to Astern for $75,000 from the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. She has a Bull Point (Fastnet Rock) weanling and was served by Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon) last year. Astern will stand the 2021 season at Darley’s Kelvinside property for $16,500.
Belardo (pictured above)
Nobellem (2 f ex Playing For Keeps by Keeper) gave Darley shuttle stallion Belardo (Lope De Vega) his third individual southern hemisphere winner as a sire when taking the Spray Specialist Maiden (1100m) at Awapuni on Thursday. The debutant, ridden by Leah Hemi, defeated runner-up Vesparado (Vespa) by a length and a quarter, with Ruach (Charm Spirit) two and three-quarter lengths behind the winner in third. Nobellem is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Belle Fascino (Per Incanto). Her dam, Playing For Keeps (Keeper), is a three-time winner whose unraced dam is a half-sister to Zafar (Zabeel), a Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed in New Zealand. Belardo stands at Kildangan Stud, Ireland for a fee of €10,000, and will again shuttle to Hanui Farm, New Zealand for a $10,000 (+ GST) fee later this year.
Cable Bay
Uncommon James (2 c ex Pickabee by Jet Spur) impressively landed the QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap (1000m) at the Sunshine Coast on Friday to earn former Woodside Park shuttler Cable Bay (Invincible Spirit) his fourth Australian winner. The Steven O’Dea and Matt Hoysted-trained colt finished a narrow second on debut at the Gold Coast last month and was consequently sent off the $1.75 favourite under Ben Thompson. Uncommon James rewarded favourite backers with a three and a quarter-length win over Dare To Share (Dream Ahead), with Nizhoni Lass (Nicconi) another two and a quarter lengths back in third. Uncommon James is the first runner out of stakes-placed mare Pickabee (Jet Spur), who is a sister to Listed winner Emmalene (Jet Spur). Cable Bay, who shuttled to Australia for three seasons between 2018 and 2020, has had plenty of early success in the northern hemisphere, siring four individual stakes winners.
Capitalist
Newgate Farm’s Capitalist (Written Tycoon) stretched further clear in the leading first season sire by winners charts, as his regally-bred daughter Satin Ribbons (2 f ex Satin Shoes by Flying Spur), the half-sister to Gimcrack Stakes (Listed, 1000m) winner Satin Slipper (Pierro) out of Silver Slipper Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) winner Satin Shoes (Flying Spur), became winner number 17 for the season as she won the 900-metre maiden at Newcastle on Saturday. Second on debut behind fellow Capitalist two-year-old Colour De Roy, Satin Ribbons went one better on her second start, narrowly defeating Godolphin filly Ultra (Not A Single Doubt), the sister to Newgate’s Golden Slipper Stakes- (Gr 1, 1200m) winning sire Extreme Choice making her debut, while I Love Lucy (Maurice) finished a short-head behind the winner in a blanket finish. Capitalist has seen his fee rise to $99,000 for 2021.
Churchill
Dual Classic winner Churchill (Galileo) sired his second winner when The Acropolis (2 c ex Hairy Rocket by Pivotal) ran out a comfortable winner of his second start at Listowel on Sunday. The Aidan O’Brien-trained juvenile beat Thunder Eclipse (Holy Roman Emperor) by three and a half lengths with Swift One (No Nay Never) a further four and three-quarter lengths adrift in third. A €140,000 purchase at the Goffs November foals sale in 2019, The Acropolis is the fourth foal out of the Pivotal (Polar Falcon) mare Hairy Rocket, herself a half-sister to the Group-placed Marsh Hawk (Invincible Spirit). Churchill sired his first winner earlier in the week when Il Grande Gatsby (2 c ex Irene Watters by Miswaki Tern) won over 1400 metre at Rome. Currently standing at Coolmore’s Irish base, Churchill will shuttle to Australia for $22,000 later this year. He covered 360 southern hemisphere mares during his first three years at stud and will have his first runners in Australia later in the second half of 2021.
Highland Reel
Highland Premiere (2 c ex Forthefirstime by Dr Fong) earned the distinction of being the first winner for his sire Highland Reel (Galileo) when winning the EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (6f) at Hamilton. The Mark Johnston-trained youngster, who had finished fourth and third in two previous outings, was smartly away under Ben Curtis to dispute the lead with runner-up Smullen (Camacho). The lead pair wound up the pace from the two-furlong pole when Highland Premiere was shaken up to exert, and, after a battle to the wire, the Kingsley House Stables colt edged the verdict by a neck, with Hi Meh Darling (Holy Roman Emperor) a further two and three-quarter lengths behind in third. Highland Premiere was consigned by Barton Stud at Tattersalls in December 2019 and sold to JC Bloodstock for 32,000 guineas. Johnston subsequently bought the colt for 15,000 guineas when offered by Kilminfoyle House Stud, as agent, at Book 2 of the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. His dam landed the Flame Of Tara Stakes (Listed, 1m) as a juvenile and is a half-sister to National Stakes (Listed, 5f) winner Pyman’s Theory (Exceed And Excel) from a solid black type family. Highland Reel currently stands at Coolmore for a fee of €10,000 (approx. AU$15,820) and will once again shuttle to Swettenham Stud later this year at a fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Lionhearted
The late Grenville Stud stallion Lionhearted (Fastnet Rock) sired his first winner when Coeur De Lyon (2 g ex Guyra Girl by Canny Lad) got off the mark at the fourth time of asking when taking out a maiden over 1009 metres at Devonport on Sunday. The Cameron Thompson-trained juvenile beat Lacerate (Charge Forward) by two lengths, while Gee Gees Joe Blow (Clanalang) was a further half a length away in third. The Group 2-placed Lionhearted served one season at the Tasmanian stud where he produced a crop of 40 foals.
Rommel
Bandalera Beau (2 g ex Bandalera by Scenic) got off the mark at Belmont on Wednesday to provide Rommel (Commands) with his fifth individual winner. The Fred Kersley-trained gelding finished fourth on debut at Pinjarra Park last month and improved on that performance to narrowly take out the Tabtouch Better Your Bet 2YO Plate (1400m). Sent off at $16, Bandalera Beau saw off Guard The Safe (Safeguard) by a short head, with Disengo (Toronado) a length and a half further back in third. Bandalera Beau is the third winner out of winning mare Bandalera (Scenic). Rommel, who sits eighth on the leading first season sires by earnings, has so far sired one stakes performer in Pixie Chix, who was runner-up in March’s Supremacy Stakes (Listed, 1000m). He will stand at Mogumber Park for an unchanged $4,400 this year.
Tarzino
Westbury Stud stallion Tarzino (Tavistock), the 2015 Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) and 2016 Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) winner, got off the mark with his first crop when Jungle Magnate (2 c ex The Love Of Money by Casino Prince) made the perfect start to his career with a victory at Sandown on Wednesday. Bred by Gerry Harvey, who retained a share in the colt, the Mick Price and Mick Kent Jr-trained Jungle Magnate ($8) defeated favourite Mac ‘N’ Cheese (Sebring) by a long head in the Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (1400m). Back In The Day (More Than Ready) was three-quarters of a length away in third. Jungle Magnate was a $75,000 purchase from the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Karaka Yearling Sale. Tarzino stands at Westbury Stud in New Zealand for a fee of $12,000 (plus GST).
Winning Rupert
Tonneofgrit (2 g ex Istanford by Istan), the most expensive progeny of his sire Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon) when sold for $425,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year, improved on his fifth place finish on debut at Pakenham to win Sunday’s 2YO Maiden Plate (1200m) at Geelong. Poised to pounce on the outside of race leader Titan Of Choice (Extreme Choice), the pair battled for a long way down the straight, with Tonneofgrit showing steely determination to win by three-quarters of a length over the fast-finishing Forbidden City (I Am Invincible). Titan Of Choice was a short-head further back in third. Owned by a syndicate led by Rupert Legh and trained by Team Hawkes, the gelding became the sixth individual winner for his Newgate Farm-based sire Winning Rupert. He is the first foal out of US Grade 2 winner Istanford (Istan), a $300,000 purchase for SF Bloodstock from the Keeneland November Breeding Sale, whose yearling by Capitalist (Written Tycoon) sold for $150,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year. Winning Rupert stands at Newgate Farm this year for a fee of $11,000 (Inc GST).
Worthy Cause
Clearmountain Fairview’s Worthy Cause (Choisir) recorded a third winner from just his sixth runner, as Constant Cause (2 g ex Equiano by Al Maher) landed the QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1350m) at Ipswich on Sunday. A homebred for Evan Hardy’s Dovedeen PTY operation, Constant Cause improved on his eighth place finish at Doomben on debut to defeat Balmaurice (Maurice) by a length and three-quarters, with Son Of Pharoah (American Pharoah) two and a quarter lengths behind the winner in third. Group 3 winner Worthy Cause has just 27 live foals from his first crop and 18 in each of his next two crops. He will once again stand in Queensland for a fee of $5,500 (Inc GST).
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Act Of War
Act Of War (Dynasty) has sired two stakes winners and two Grade 1 winners after Battle Force (3 g ex Mataaib by Elusive City) won for the sixth time in his last seven starts when winning the Golden Horse Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Scottsville on Sunday. Eden Roc (Var) finished a quarter of a length back in second, while MK’s Pride (Willow Magic) was a half-length behind the winner in third. A sire of two crops of racing age, Act Of War stands at Summerhill Stud in South Africa.
Capetown Noir
Capetown Noir (Western Winter), the champion miler in South Africa in the 2013/14 season, sired his first winner at the elite level when his progressive daughter Under Your Spell (2 f ex Deceptive Charm by Kingmambo) took her tally to four wins in five starts with a comfortable victory in Sunday’s Allan Robertson Championship (Gr 1, 1200m) at Scottsville. Already a winner at Listed and Group 3 level, the Sean Tarry-trained filly came home three and a half lengths clear of Sound Of Warning (Trippi) with favourite Sheela (The United States) a short head behind in third. Capetown Noir stands at Piemonte Stud for an undisclosed fee.
Dark Angel
Althiqa (4 m ex Mistrusting by Shamardal) gave Godolphin a third Group/Grade 1 success in a single day on Saturday, as she won the Just A Game Stakes (Gr 1, 8f) at Belmont for trainer Charlie Appleby, who won the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) on Saturday with Adayar (Frankel). Althiqa, a stakes winner in France and Dubai, defeated stablemate Summer Romance (Kingman) by three-quarters of a length, with Daddy Is A Legend (Scat Daddy) two and a half lengths behind the winner in third. “We’re obviously delighted with it and we knew we had two competitive fillies. It’s one of those days when we prepped well, I was confident they would run a big race and they justified it,” said Appleby. “They are two fillies who ran well over the winter in Dubai in Group 2s—one won the Balanchine and the other won the Cape Verdi—and they came out there to America and put it to the sword again. It’s a great effort by the team there and we might think about leaving them there for Saratoga.” Althiqa became the eighth elite-level winner for her sire Dark Angel (Acclamation), who stood 2021 for €60,000 (approx. AUD$94,000) at Yeomanstown Stud in Ireland.
Deep Impact
A frenetic finish to the Yasuda Kinen (Gr 1, 1600m) saw Gran Alegria (Deep Impact) denied in her late lunge to retain her title by Danon Kingly (5 h ex My Goodness by Storm Cat), who surged on the outside to deny the five-time Grade 1 winner and in turn land his first, as the late Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) quickly moved on from bringing up his half century of Group/Grade 1 winners on Friday with a 51st at Tokyo on Sunday. Danon Kingly, a dual Grade 2 winner who finished third in the Satsuki Sho (Gr 1, 2000m) and second in the Tokyo Yushun (Gr 1, 2400m) as a three-year-old, returned here for his five-year-old campaign and caused a shock in defeating Gran Alegria by a head. Schnell Meister (Kingman), the winner of last month’s Mile Cup (Gr 1, 1600m), finished third, a further half-length in arrears. Deep Impact’s 50th elite-level winner on Friday was courtesy of Snowfall’s (3 f ex Best In The World by Galileo) stunning victory in the Epsom Oaks (Gr 1, 1m 4f).
Exchange Rate
The late Exchange Rate (Danzig) sired his 11th individual elite-level winner when Maxim Rate (5 m ex Catch My Eye by Unbridled’s Song) ran out a shock winner of the Gamely Stakes (Gr 1, 9f) on the Santa Anita turf. The Simon Callaghan-trained mare was winning for the sixth time in 16 starts, and fourth in stakes company, when she beat La Signare (Siyouni) and Bodhicitta (Showcasing) by half a length and the same.
Flatter
Flatter (A.P. Indy) added Grade 1 winner number five on Saturday when Search Results (3 f ex Co Cola by Candy Ride) took out the Acorn Stakes (Gr 1, 8f) at Belmont. The runner-up from the Kentucky Oaks (Gr 1, 9f) in April, Search Results defeated Obligatory (Curlin) by half a length when sent off the 9-10 favourite. Make Mischief (Into Mischief) was third in the five-runner field. Flatter stands this year at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky for $35,000 (approx. AUD$45,000). “I’m just so proud of her to come back in five weeks after a real dog fight with Malathaat,” winning trainer Chad Brown said. “To bounce right back and lay it on the line again, this filly has so much talent and so much heart. She’s a very rare kind of horse to have, and we’re so lucky to have her.”
Harbour Watch
Pyledriver (4 c ex La Pyle by Le Havre) outbattled Al Aasy (Sea The Stars) to win the Coronation Cup (Gr 1, 1m 4f) at Epsom on Friday, becoming the second elite-level winner for Harbour Watch (Acclamation). His rider Martin Dwyer took control of the race at the top of the hill and kicked for home early in the straight. When the runner-up loomed threateningly to deliver a challenge, the William Muir and Chris Grassick-trained four-year-old dug in along the inside rail and repelled his rival to win by a neck. Third-placed Japan (Galileo) was a further seven lengths behind. It was a first Group 1 win for the horse and his co-trainers, Pyledriver having landed a pair of Group 2 wins last season before placing third in the St Leger (Gr 1, 1m 6f). The colt is out of the two-time winner La Pyle (Le Havre), a half-sister to Grand Prix de Paris (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Mont Ormel (Air Chief Marshal), a multiple winner in Hong Kong as Helene Charisma, from the family of Group 1 winner Linngari (Indian Ridge). Harbour Watch (Acclamation) retired from stud duties in 2017 after just five seasons due to arthritis. The stallion stood at Tweenhills Stud in England and shuttled to Aquis Farm in the Hunter Valley for two seasons.
Hard Spun
Silver State (4 c ex Supreme by Empire Maker) backed up his Oaklawn Handicap (Gr 2, 9f) success with a first victory at Grade 1 level in the Metropolitan Handicap (Gr 1, 8f) at Belmont on Saturday, delivering a 14th elite-level winner for former Australian shuttle stallion Hard Spun (Danzig). The Steve Asmussen-trained four-year-old won by a length over By My Standards (Goldencents), with favourite Mischievous Alex (Into Mischief) a further three-quarters of a length behind in third. “He’s a Met Mile winner. That’s what he is,” Asmussen said. “We built it up to this point to get him in the shape he is today, and that will get him the credit he deserves. That’s a great part of racing. You have to earn it, and that’s what he did today.” Hard Spun stood the 2021 season for $35,000 (approx. AUD$45,000) at Jonabell Farm.
Jimmy Creed
Casa Creed (5 h ex Achalaya by Bellamy Road) became the first elite-level winner for former Spendthrift shuttle stallion Jimmy Creed (Distorted Humor) after he won the Jaipur Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) at Belmont on Saturday. Building on his win in the Elusive Quality Stakes (Listed, 7f) in April, Casa Creed won by two lengths over Chewing Gum (Candy Ride) as trainer Bill Mott saddled the first two home. Wesley Ward’s Bound For Nowhere (The Factor) finished third, two and three-quarter lengths behind the winner. Jimmy Creed covered 338 mares until 2019 at Spendthrift’s Victoria farm, and stood the 2021 season in Kentucky for $10,000 (approx. AUD$12,900).
Maclean’s Music
Drain The Clock (3 c ex Manki by Arch) won in a thrilling duel with Jackie’s Warrior to become the fourth elite-level winner for Maclean’s Music (Distorted Humor), who sired the first and second home in the Woody Stephens Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at Belmont on Saturday. The pair were split by a neck, with seven and a quarter lengths further back to Nova Rags (Union Rags) in third. Maclean’s Music, the sire of 23 stakes winners after six crops of racing age, stands at Hill N Dale Farms for $25,000 (approx. AUD$32,000).
Midnight Lute
Midnight Lute (Real Quiet) sired his fifth individual elite-level winner when Smooth Like Strait (4 c ex Smooth As Usual by Flower Alley) made all the running to score as favourite in Santa Anita’s Shoemaker Mile Stakes (Gr 1, 8f). Placed in Grade 1 company in three of his last four starts, the Michael McCarthy-trained colt made a well-deserved breakthrough as he registered the seventh victory of his career with a length-and-a-half success over Say The Word (More Than Ready). Restrainedvengence (Hold Me Back) was a further length and three-quarters behind in third. Midnight Lute stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms for US$15,000 (approx. AUD$19,375).
Potala Palace
Singforafa (4 m ex First Whistle by Whistling Wood) became the first Grade 1 winner for her sire Potala Palace (Singspiel) when taking out the South African Fillies Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) at Scottsville on Sunday. The Corn Spies-trained four-year-old defeated Vernichey (Vercingetorix) by two lengths with Gallic Princess (Vercingetorix) a short head further back in third. Singforafa takes her record to six wins from 26 starts and, prior to Sunday’s success, was one of three Group 3 winners for her sire, who stands at Ridgemont Highlands in South Africa.
Shamus Award
Rosemont Stud stallion Shamus Award (Snitzel) continued his excellent form since the turn of the year, and landed a third individual Group 1 winner and second Oaks winner this season, when Duais (3 f ex Meerlust by Johannesburg) claimed the Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Trained by Edward Cummings, who was winning his first Group 1 since going out on his own as a trainer, Duais followed Media Award’s success in the South Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) as Oaks winners for Shamus Award, who has also sired Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Mr Quickie. Shamus Award will stand at Rosemont Stud this season for an increased fee of $33,000.
Tonalist
Lane’s End Farm resident Tonalist (Tapit) sired his first elite-level winner when Country Grammar (4 c ex Arabian Song by Forestry) reversed the form with Royal Ship (Midshipman) in the Hollywood Gold Cup (Gr 1, 10f) at Santa Anita last Monday. The Bob Baffert-trained colt, who had finished a neck behind the runner-up on his most recent outing, scored by a head as favourite with Express Train (Union Rags) another four and a quarter lengths away in third. Tonalist stands in Kentucky for a fee of US$12,500 (approx. AUD$16,145).
Vercingetorix
Ambiorix (2 c ex Darling Moon by Indigo Magic) took his record to two wins from three starts and triumphed at Grade 1 level when winning the Gold Medallion (Gr 1, 1200m) at Scottsville on Sunday. The Vaughan Marshall-trained colt was a Listed winner on debut and finished second in the Cape Of Good Hope Nursery (Gr 3, 1200m) at his last start, beaten by Cosmic Highway (Gimmethegreenlight). However, the colt followed Vernichey as a Grade 1 winner for his sire, winning by one and a quarter lengths over Bard Of Avon (Var), with Gallic Chief (Vercingetorix) in third.
New stakes winners
Acclamation
Rathbarry Stud’s Acclamation (Royal Applause) sired his 57th individual stakes winner when Louliana (3 f ex Rosie’s Premiere by Showcasing) landed the Prix Marchand D’Or (Listed, 1200m) at Chantilly on Sunday. The Frederic Rossi-trained filly was winning for the third time in six starts as she beat favourite Coachello (Dunkerque) by a length and a quarter. Princesse De Saba (Dariyan) was just a short neck behind in third. Louliana is the first foal out of the Listed-placed Showcasing (Oasis Dream) mare Rosie’s Premiere. Acclamation stands for a fee of €27,500 (approx. AUD$43,240).
Arcano
Arcano (Oasis Dream) sired his 17th individual stakes winner when Eulaila (3 f ex Eubea by Pounced) stretched her unbeaten record to four with a victory in the Oaks D’Italia (Gr 2, 2200m) in Milan. Cima Star (Sea The Stars) filled second spot with Anoush (Isfahan) in third. Group 1-winning juvenile Arcano stands at Allevamento di Besnate for a fee of €5,000 (approx. AUD$6,460).
Astern
Danger Strykes (2 f ex She Is Stryking by Stryker) broke her maiden in stakes company on Saturday to earn first season sire Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) his second individual stakes winner. A runner-up in maiden company on debut in February, the Tony Pike-trained filly improved from that performance to land the Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Wanganui. Handled confidently by Ryan Elliot, Danger Strykes settled nicely on the outer behind a hot speed set up by race favourite Taoiseach (Highly Recommended). Angled into the clear at the 300 metres, Danger Strykes dashed to the lead before holding out a late run from Ima Roca Bee (El Roca) to win by a neck, with Bellacontte (Burgundy) making up good ground to finish third. Danger Strykes is the first foal out of stakes-placed mare She Is Stryking (Stryker), whose yearling by Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) sold for $360,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale earlier this year. Astern will stand at Darley’s Kelvinside property for $16,500 in 2021.
Australia
Fernando Vichi (3 c ex Pernica by Sir Percy) took out the Nijinsky Stakes (Listed, 1m 4f) at Leopardstown on Thursday to earn Coolmore sire Australia his 18th individual stakes winner. Ridden by Gavin Ryan, the Donnacha O’Brien-trained colt grabbed the rail up the straight and battled well to see off The Mediterranean (Galileo) by three-quarters of a length, with Ruling (Camelot) the same distance further back in third. Australia stands at Coolmore in Ireland for a stud fee of €25,000 (approx. AU$39,602).
Caravaggio
Coolmore’s Caravaggio collected his first stakes winner on Sunday when the exciting filly Dizzy Bizu (2 f ex Izzy Bizu by Kodiac) maintained her unbeaten record in the Prix la Fleche (Listed, 1000m) at Chantilly. Trained by Stephane Wattel. Dizzy Bizu followed up last month’s debut win over course and distance as she defeated Anterselva (Fast Company) by a length and three-quarters. Ma Noire (American Devil) finished another length and a quarter away in third. An unbeaten two-year-old himself, Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) has sired six individual winners so far from his first crop of 140 foals. After three seasons at Coolmore’s Irish headquarters, Caravaggio moved to Ashford Stud in Kentucky for this year, where he is standing at a fee of $25,000 (approx. AUD$32,310).
Dandy Man
Ballyhane Stud resident Dandy Man (Mozart) sired his 20th individual stakes winner when Lollipop Girl (2 f ex Kristal Xenia by Xaar) built on the promise of her last-time-out second in a Listed contest with victory in Sunday’s Premio Vittorio Crespi (Listed, 1200m) at Milan. The filly was winning for the second time in three starts as she beat Daisy Dei Grif (Sakhee’s Secret) and Little O’Kelly (Twilight Son). Dandy Man stands for a fee of €15,000 (approx. AUD$23,585).
Dubawi
The leviathan Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) recorded individual stakes winner number 205 on Sunday when Thunder Drum (3 f ex Great Heavens by Galileo) won the Prix du Royaumont (Gr 3, 2400m) at Chantilly. The Lady Bamford-owned filly broke her maiden in February this year and bounced back from a disappointing eighth last time out to claim her first stakes win. She defeated Ricla (Adlerflug) by a length, with Omnia Munda Mundis (Australia) a short-neck further back in third. Thunder Drum is the seventh stakes winner out of a Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare to be sired by Dubawi. The Darley stallion again stood the 2021 season for £250,000 (approx. AUD$457,000).
Fastnet Rock
Setanta (3 c ex Legally Bay by Snippets), a brother to dual Group 1 winner Merchant Navy and a $2.3 million yearling, came of age at Eagle Farm on Saturday when winning the Queensland Day Stakes (Listed, 1200m). The three-year-old was transferred to Tony Gollan earlier this year, and took his record to two wins from three starts for the trainer with his first success at stakes level, becoming the 175th individual stakes winner for his sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill). He arrived late to defeat Mass Destruction (Spirit Of Boom) by a short-head in a thrilling five-way finish to the final race on the card. He is the tenth and final foal out of Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed Legally Bay (Snippets), who died in 2019. Fastnet Rock, the sire of 18 stakes winners in Australia and New Zealand this season, stands for a fee of $165,000 at Coolmore Australia.
Foxwedge
Foxwedge (Fastnet Rock) has yet another high-class, stakes-winning filly on his hands, as Charleise (4 m ex Adio by Lonhro) flew home over the top to defeat a tiring Groundswell (Fastnet Rock) and Luvoir (Deep Field) in the Spear Chief Handicap (Listed, 1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, the margins a neck and short-head. Charleise is the 22nd individual stakes winner for Woodside Park’s Foxwedge, with 16 of them fillies. The second foal out of Adio (Lonhro), who was undefeated in two starts on the track, Charleise took her record to five wins from 18 starts, with this a third win in her last four starts for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained four-year-old. Adio has a Divine Prophet (Choisir) weanling and was served by Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo) last year. Foxwedge will stand in Victoria for $11,000 in 2021.
Hinchinbrook
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained juvenile Volcanic Rock (2 g ex Heat Of The Fire by Strategic) showed promise in winning the Phoenix Stakes (Listed, 1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Newgate Farm and China Horse Club-owned gelding, a $240,000 purchase out of the Bell River Thoroughbreds draft from last year’s Inglis Classic Sale, was a November winner at Canberra and made his fourth start here, defeating Verbek (Turn Me Loose) by three-quarters of a length, with the Tony Pike-trained Tutukaka (Tavistock), a half-sister to Melody Belle (Commands), in third, three and a quarter lengths behind the winner. He became the 20th individual stakes winner for his sire Hinchinbrook (Fastnet Rock), with Volcanic Rock from his final crop, having died in 2018. Volcanic Rock is the eighth named foal out of the Strategic (Zeditave) mare Heat Of The Fire, who was purchased for $160,000 by McKeever/Ferguson Bloodstock and Bell River from the Godolphin draft at the 2017 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale. She was served by Churchill (Galileo) last year.
Maclean’s Music
Estilo Talentoso (4 f ex Bazinga Baby by Afleet Alex) took out the Bed o’ Roses Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Belmont on Friday to provide Maclean’s Music (Distorted Humor) with his 24th individual stakes winner. The Juan Arriagada-trained four-year-old is on the up after a slow start to her career, having remained a maiden until start six, and followed up successive Grade 1 placings with a neck victory over Lake Avenue (Tapit) to get off the mark in stakes company on a rain-soaked Belmont track. Purchased for just US$15,000 as a two-year-old, Estilo Talentoso was bred by Mile High Bloodstock and is the first stakes winner produced from Bazinga Baby (Afleet Alex). Maclean’s Music, a son of Grade 2-winning mare Forest Music (Unbridled’s Song), was retired to stud after one impressive start due to injury and stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms for US$25,000 (approx. AUD$32,310).
Mehmas
Mehmento (3 c ex Invincible Me by Invincible Spirit) landed the Surrey Stakes (Listed, 7f) at Epsom on Friday to take Mehmas (Acclamation) into double figures for individual stakes winners. The Archie Watson-trained colt, who finished runner-up in the Greenham Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) in April before finishing down the field in the French 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m), was sent off favourite against three rivals and comfortably defeated Legal Attack (Shalaa) by two and three-quarter lengths. Meu Amor (Siyouni) was one and a half lengths further back in third. Mehmento is the third winner from four to race out of Invincible Me (Invincible Spirit). Memento’s win capped off a productive week for Mehmas, who also sired Glencairn Stakes (Listed, 1m) winner Magnanimous (3 c ex Lillebonne by Danehill Dancer). Mehmas, whose first crop produced Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) winner Supremacy, stands at Tally Ho Stud in Ireland for a €25,000 fee (approx. AUD$39,310).
Nicconi
Graceful Girl (3 f ex Avenida Madero by Metal Storm) justified favouritism in the Raconteur Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Belmont on Saturday to provide Nicconi (Bianconi) with his 23rd individual stakes winner. Having finished inside the first three on all six previous starts, the Grant and Alana Williams-trained filly was sent off a $1.90 chance and comfortably defeated Billy Ain’t Silly (I’m All the Talk) by one and a half lengths. She’s God To You (Playing God) was another two lengths back in third. A sister to Group 3 winner State Solicitor and a half-sister to WA Derby (Gr 2, 2400m) winner Respondent (Haradasun), Graceful Girl is one of nine winners from as many to race out 2005 Lee Steere Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) winner Avenida Madero (Metal Storm). She was retired from broodmare duties last year and her final foal is another yearling by Nicconi, who stands at Widden Stud in Victoria for $27,500 (inc. GST).
No Nay Never
Unicorn Lion (5 h ex Muravka by High Chaparral) blitzed his rivals in the Naruo Kinen (Gr 3, 2000m) at Chukyo on Saturday to earn No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) his 29th individual stakes winner, and first Graded winner in Japan. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, Unicorn Lion kicked clear of his 12 rivals rounding the home turn and eased to a three and a half-length win over Shonan Bardi (King’s Best). Blast Onepiece (Harbinger) was another three-quarters of a length back in third. A half-brother to Group 1 winner The Wow Signal (Starspangledbanner), who has also sired an elite-level scorer, Unicorn Lion is one of four winners from five to race out of the unraced Muravka (High Chaparral). The mare’s progeny also includes Listed winner Miss Infinity (Rock Of Gibraltar). Former Australian shuttle sire No Nay Never, the sire of three elite level winners, stands at Coolmore in Ireland for €125,000 (approx. AUD$196,550).
Penny’s Picnic
Group 2 winner Penny’s Picnic (Kheleyf) sired his third individual stakes winner when Pradaro (6 g ex Vaillante by Zilzal) registered a shock victory in the Prix du Gros-Schene (Gr 2, 1000m) at Chantilly on Sunday. Having been beaten in handicaps and claimers on his recent starts, the Sofie Lanslots-trained gelding was sent off the rank outsider of the 11-strong field but he turned the form book on its head when rallying late to regain the lead from Berneuil (Lope De Vega) and win by a short neck, his eighth success in 33 starts. Batwan (Kendargent) finished a length and three-quarters behind the winner in third. Penny’s Picnic stands at Haras du Hoguenet for a fee of €5,000 (approx. AUD$6,460).
Pivotal
Kaspar (4 c ex Kastila by Sternkonig) recorded an overdue first stakes success when winning the Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft (Gr 2, 2200m) at Mulheim. Kaspar has placed three times at Group 1 level, including when runner up in the Preis Von Europa (Gr 1, 2400m), while he placed third in the Deutscher Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) and Grosser Preis von Berlin (Gr 1, 2400m) in a season that yielded just a maiden win. On return this year he finished second in the Carl Jaspers-Preis (Gr 2, 2400m) before his breakthrough win. Kaspar defeated Grocer Jack (Oasis Dream) by a length and three-quarters, while Only The Brave (Iffraaj) finished third. Pivotal retired from stud duties earlier this year after standing since 1997 at Cheveley Park Stud.
Pride Of Dubai
Exciting filly Just Beautiful (3 f ex Astrelle by Makfi) remained unbeaten when landing the Maggie Dickson Stakes (Listed, 7f) at Musselburgh on Saturday, earning Coolmore Australia stallion Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry) his tenth individual stakes winner. The Ivan Furtado-trained three-year-old was making her first start on turf having won three times on the all-weather and battled well up the straight to see off Jouska (Cable Bay) by a length and a half, with Huboor (More Than Ready) another three lengths back in third. The second foal out of Group 3-placed mare Astrelle (Makfi), Just Beautiful is a half-sister to German Group 2 winner Fearless King (Kingman). Pride Of Dubai is standing for a fee of $22,000 (inc. GST) in 2021.
Sir Prancealot
Sir Prancealot (Tamayuz) sired his tenth individual stakes winner when Haven Park (4 m ex Fifth Wonder by Tiz Wonderful) took out Sunday’s Premio Royal Mares (Listed, 1600m) in Milan. Twice placed in stakes company before, she was winning for the fifth time in 12 starts as she beat Chiaro Di Luna (Pounced) and Dame De Coeur (Anodin). A Group 2 winner at two when trained in the UK by Richard Hannon senior, Sir Prancealot will shuttle to Cornerstone Stud in South Australia, where he will stand the 2021 season for $9,900 (Inc GST).
Soldier Hollow
The good weekend for Soldier Hollow (In The Wings) continued as he added individual stakes winners number 51 and 52 on the Sunday card at Mulheim, building on Sahib’s Joy (4 c ex So Squally by Monsun) win in the Leipzig Classics (Listed, 1850m) on Saturday. First up, his daughter Sconset (3 f ex Sine Tempore by Monsun) took out the Mulheimer Diana Trial (Listed, 2000m).The Peter Schiergen-trained filly was winning for the second time in six starts as she beat Agentina (Kendargent) and Quickstep Girl (New Bay). Shortly after, Soldier Hollow went on to have his third new stakes winner in just over 24 hours when Dibujaba (3 f ex Dhaba by Areion) claimed the Mulheimer Sprint Preis (Listed, 1400m), as she beat Call Me Mister (Call Me Big), while French Conte (Reliable Man) ran third. Soldier Hollow, the sire of five elite-level winners, stands at Gestüt Auenquelle in Germany for €30,000 (approx. AUD$40,000).