Three for Almanzor
New first season sire winners
Almanzor (pictured)
Cambridge Stud shuttler Almanzor (Wootton Bassett) had a productive week, siring two new winners. Queen Trezy (2 f ex Elodie by Dansili) became his second individual winner when impressively landing the 1600-metre maiden at Lyon Parilly on Wednesday. Christophe Soumillon made all aboard the well-fancied filly to score by an eased-down three lengths over First Shot (Shalaa). Perfect Liaison (Vadamos) was a nose further back in third. Bought for €125,000 as a yearling, Queen Trezy is a half-sister to Listed winner Eliade (Teofilo). Her dam Elodie (Dansili) is a sister to two elite-level winners in We Are and With You, and she is a half-sister to another Group 1 winner in Call The Wind (Frankel). On Friday, Cheveley Park’s Abbado (2 c ex Allegretto by Galileo) added to Almanzor’s tally when making all to win the maiden stakes (1m 2.5f) at Chester. The Sir Mark Prescott-trained colt finished fifth on debut last month and improved from that effort to score by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths over Super Stars (Sea The Stars). Race favourite Aegis Power (Nathaniel) was another one and a quarter lengths back in third. One of five winners out of Prix Royal Oak (Gr 1, 3100m) winner Allegretto (Galileo), Abbado is a half-brother to the Listed winner and multiple Group 2-placed filly Cabaletta (Mastercraftsman). Almanzor stands at Cambridge Stud for NZ$30,000 (plus GST).
Highland Reel
Swettenham Stud first-crop shuttler Highland Reel (Galileo) had a productive 24 hours in the northern hemisphere, siring two new winners to take his tally to five overall. Gaduli De L’Alguer (2 c ex Classic Falcon by Dubawi) started Highland Reel’s week in the best possible fashion when landing a 1200-metre maiden at Chilivani on Monday. The Francesco Oppes-trained colt scored by a comfortable three and a half lengths from favourite Shardana Grey (Gregorian), with Furibondo (Smokem Kitten) another four and three-quarter lengths back in third. Gaduli De L’Alguer, a €3,000 buy as a weanling, is the third winner from five to race out of Classic Falcon (Dubawi), who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Dingle View (Mujadil). The following afternoon in the UK, Inverness (2 c ex Four Eleven by Arch) landed the mile maiden at Goodwood under Kieran Shoemark. The Charlie Hills-trained colt improved from a sixth-placed effort on debut last month to score by a neck over The Queen-raced favourite Educator (Deep Impact). Electress (Galileo) was another head back in third. Bought for 100,000gns at last year’s Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book 2), Inverness is out of a half-sister to the Group 1-placed Summertime Legacy (Darshaan). Highland Reel, a seven-time Group 1 winner, stands at Swettenham for an unchanged fee of $16,500.
Time Test
Time Test (Dubawi) sired his 12th individual winner when his son Nuvolari (2 c ex Luang Prabang by Invincible Spirit) kept on well to score on his debut in a novice event over seven furlongs at Epsom on Thursday. Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, Nuvolari beat Chepchik (Helmet) by a neck with favourite Mahagoni (Muhaarar) three and a half lengths behind the winner in third. A 40,000gns buy from Tattersalls Book 2, Nuvolari is the first foal out of the winning mare Luang Prabang (Invincible Spirit). Time Test will stand the 2021 season at Little Avondale for a fee of $8,500 (Plus GST).
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Gun Runner
Gunite (2 c ex Simple Surprise by Cowboy Cal) capped off a remarkable couple of days for Three Chimneys Farm first-crop stallion Gun Runner (Candy Ride) when he landed the Hopeful Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at Saratoga on Monday, becoming Gun Runner’s second individual elite-level winner following stablemate Echo Zulu’s success in the Spinaway Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) a day earlier. The Steve Asmussen-trained colt pulled clear of short-priced favourite Wit (Practical Joke) in the closing stages to score by five and three-quarter lengths, with Kevin’s Folly (Distorted Humor) another three lengths back in third. Gunite is the first foal to race out of stakes winner Simple Surprise (Cowboy Cal), who is out of the Grade 3-placed, stakes-winning sprinter Simplify (Pulpit). Simple Surprise has a yearling sister to Gunite. Gun Runner stands at Three Chimneys in Kentucky for $50,000 (approx. AU$67,600).
Mastercraftsman
The late Mastercraftsman (Danehill Dancer) sired his 17th individual Group 1 winner on Sunday after victory for Discoveries (2 f ex Alpha Lupi by Rahy) in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at the Curragh. Making her fourth career start, Discoveries turned the tables on Agartha (Caravaggio), who defeated her into third when winning the Debutante Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) last month. The Jessie Harrington-trained filly won by three-quarters of a length to deny Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) a first Group 1 winner, with Time Test’s (Dubawi) Sunset Shiraz two lengths further adrift in third. A homebred for the Niarchos family, Discoveries is a sister to four-time Group 1 winner Alpha Centauri, and half-sister to Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) winner Alpine Star (Sea The Moon). She becomes the second juvenile elite-level winner after Kingston Hill for Mastercraftsman, who died last month aged 15.
Oasis Dream
Godolphin’s Native Trail (2 c ex Needleleaf by Observatory) is shaping up as a potential star after a blistering three-and-a-half-length success in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at the Curragh on Sunday. Now undefeated in three starts, Native Trail added to his win in the Superlative Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) in July in beating odds-on Coolmore-owned favourite Point Lonsdale (Australia), while Ebro River (Galileo Gold) finished four lengths from the winner in third. The Charlie Appleby-trained colt became the 18th individual Group 1 winner for former shuttler Oasis Dream (Green Desert). A 210,000gns breeze-up buy for Godolphin having traded for €50,000 as a weanling and 67,000gns as a yearling from the Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale, Native Trail is out of an unraced sister to Group 1 winner African Rose (Observatory) and Group 3 juvenile winner Helleborine who, in turn, is the dam of Royal Ascot juvenile winner and Coolmore shuttle stallion Calyx (Kingman). Oasis Dream stands at Juddmonte’s Banstead Manor Stud for a fee of £20,000 (approx. AU$37,600).
Power
Oaklands Stud shuttler Power (Oasis Dream) recorded his third individual Group 1 winner as Ebor Handicap (1m 6f) winner Sonnyboyliston (4 g Miss Macnamara by Dylan Thomas) won a thrilling duel with last year’s Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner Twilight Payment (Teofilo) to prevail by three-quarters of a length in the Irish St Leger (Gr 1, 1m 6f) at the Curragh on Sunday. Baron Samedi (Harbour Watch) finished a length and a half further back in third. Of 21 individual stakes winners for two-time Group 1 winner Power, Sonnyboyliston is the only stakes winner beyond 2000 metres. He stands at Oaklands Stud this year for a fee of $13,200.
Raven’s Pass
Romantic Proposal (5 m ex Playwithmyheart by Diktat) completed her rapid rise from handicapper to Group 1 winner after bursting from the pack to win the Flying Five Stakes (Gr 1, 5f) at the Curragh on Sunday. The Edward Lynham-trained mare only broke her maiden as a late-season three-year-old and claimed just the solitary handicap race as a four-year-old, but the five-year-old has blossomed this season, winning the Dash Stakes (Listed, 5f) at the Curragh in June before running third when hampered in the Sapphire Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) last start. She became the fourth individual Group 1 winner for Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality) when defeating A Case Of You (Hot Streak) and Glass Slippers (Dream Ahead) by half a length and a neck. A €25,000 foal and €55,000 yearling, she is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Toylsome (Cadeaux Genereux). Raven’s Pass stands at Darley’s Kildangan Stud for a fee of €7,500 (approx. AU$12,000).
Sea The Stars
Teona (3 f ex Ambivalent by Authorized) upset short-priced favourite Snowfall (Deep Impact) in the Prix Vermeille (Gr 1, 2400m) at Longchamp on Sunday, becoming the 16th individual elite-level winner for Sea The Stars (Cape Cross). Snowfall, who was the clear favourite for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) prior to Sunday’s contest, was sent off at 1-5 but struggled to get past even her vastly inferior stablemate La Joconde (Frankel) for second as Teona struck for Roger Varian and Olivier Peslier. La Joconde carved out the early fractions under Hollie Doyle with Teona for company. Snowfall, reunited with Frankie Dettori, was settled further back and failed to pick up in the home straight. Teona overcame some bumping to surge clear into the closing stages, finishing a length and a half ahead of Snowfall, with Le Joconde half a length further back in third. Out of Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 2f) winner Ambivalent (Authorized), Teona is a half-sister to French Group 2 winner Al Hilalee (Dubawi). Sea The Stars stands at Gilltown Stud for a fee of €150,000 (approx. AU$240,900).
Shalaa
Shalaa (Invincible Spirit) sired his first elite-level winner when No Speak Alexander (3 f ex Rapacity Alexander by Dandy Man) ran out a surprise winner of the Matron Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Leopardstown on Saturday. Although the Jessica Harrington-trained filly already had placed form against the best next to her name, such was the stiff level of opposition she faced here, she was allowed to go off a relatively unfancied 25-1 shot. However, she made a mockery of those odds as she got the better of Pearls Galore (Invincible Spirit) by a neck to register her third win in nine starts and second in stakes company. English 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Mother Earth (Zoffany) was another length and a quarter away in third. No Speak Alexander is the first foal out of the Listed winner Rapacity Alexander (Dandy Man), who herself is a sister to the Hong Kong Group 1 winner Peniaphobia. Shalaa again shuttles to Arrowfield Stud this year, where he stands for a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
Shamus Award
Incentivise (5 g ex Miss Argyle by Iglesia) became the fourth individual Group 1 winner for Rosemont Stud stallion Shamus Award (Snitzel) after leading from pillar to post to win the Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. The five-year-old, favourite for Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) next month, showed an impressive kick to move clear of three-time Group 1 winner Tofane (Ocean Park) before holding off the late-swooping Winx Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) winner Mo’unga (Savabeel) and last year’s Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) hero Sir Dragonet (Camelot). Shamus Award, who in a breakout season last campaign delivered Group 1 winners Duais, Media Award and Mr Quickie, stands at Rosemont Stud for a fee of $33,000 (inc GST).
Twirling Candy
Pinehurst (2 c ex Giant Win by Giant’s Causeway) became the 15th Bob Baffert-trained winner of the Del Mar Futurity (Gr 1, 7f) when comfortably landing the contest on Monday, providing Twirling Candy (Candy Ride) with his sixth individual elite-level winner, and 30th stakes scorer. Making his second start after breaking maiden ranks on debut last month, Pinehurst made the jump to Grade 1 company in style, defeating Finneus (Stay Thirsty) by four and a half lengths. American Xperiment (Nyquist) was five lengths behind the winner in third. Bought for US$385,000 as a yearling, Pinehurst is the third foal out of Giant Win (Giant’s Causeway), herself a sister to Grade 3 winner First Passage. Twirling Candy stands at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky for US$40,000 (approx.AU$54,100).
New Stakes winners
American Pharoah
Mackinnon (2 c ex Scat Means Go by Scat Daddy) justified favouritism in the Del Mar Juvenile Turf Stakes (Listed, 8f) on Monday to provide Coolmore shuttler American Pharoah (Pioneerof The Nile) with a 21st individual stakes success. The Doug O’Neill-trained colt proved a length and three-quarters too good for Thirty Four Coupe (Run Away And Hide), while Silver Surfer (Caravaggio) missed out on second by a nose. Mackinnon is the first winner out of the Grade 3-placed mare Scat Means Go (Scat Daddy). American Pharoah will cover his fifth book of Australian mares this season at a fee of $49,500 (inc GST).
Authorized
Soft Light (5 h ex Light Saber by Kendor) became the 36th individual stakes winner for former shuttler Authorized (Montjeu) when he landed the Defi du Galop (Listed, 2400m) at Craon on Monday. Making his 18th start in a career that has seen him finish runner-up three times at Group 2 level, Soft Light got his first stakes win with a two and a half-length defeat of Port Etienne (Olympic Glory). Hopeful (Motivator) was another three-quarters of a length behind in third. A €40,000 buy as a yearling, Soft Light is a half-brother to stakes winners Busybeingfabulous (Soldier Of Fortune) and City Light (Siyouni), with the latter twice runner-up at the highest level including when second behind Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) at Royal Ascot in 2018. Authorized, the sire of Australian Group 1 winners Hartnell, Complacent and Pounamu, stands at the Jockey Club of Turkey for €12,500 (approx. AU$20,000).
Bird Song
Lucky Chuckee (2 g ex Blazing Sasha by Langfuhr) pulverised the field in Buffalo Stakes (Listed, 8f) at Assiniboia Downs on Monday to become the second individual stakes winner for Bird Song (Unbridled’s Song). Ridden by Leroy Nelson, The Shelley Brown-trained gelding defeated Going Commandie (Going Commando) by a devastating 19 and a quarter lengths, with Big Deal Lucille (Vengeful Wildcat) a neck further back in third. Grade 2 winner Bird Song was last year sold to stand in Saudi Arabia.
Deep Field
The John Thompson-trained Chat (5 g ex Only Words by End Sweep) delivered on potential that had promised a black-type victory for some time after winning the Theo Marks Stakes (Gr 2, 1300m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday. Making his 23rd career start, Chat defeated Embracer (Sebring) by a long neck with odds-on favourite Big Parade (Deep Field) third, a length and three-quarters behind the winner as Chat became the 11th individual stakes winner for her sire Deep Field (Northern Meteor). This represented a sixth career victory for Chat, who was making his sixth start in stakes company, having finished second in the Canberra Guineas (Listed, 1400m) in March last year and in the Missile Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) on his return this preparation last month. Chat was a $130,000 buy for John Thompson from the Canning Downs Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the 11th foal out of multiple Group 2 winner and Group 1 runner-up Only Words (End Sweep) and a half-brother to 2018 Autumn Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) winner Holy Snow (Fastnet Rock), while this also the family of juvenile Group 1 winner Invader (Snitzel).
Fastnet Rock
The purple and white Coolmore silks were to the fore at Flemington on Saturday as Ranch Hand (3 c ex Mezulla by Shamardal) overcame a slow start and a chequered run to strike for a maiden stakes success when winning the Poseidon Stakes (Listed, 1100m). On his return this season after a six-start juvenile campaign which saw him win on debut before running second in the Ken Russell Memorial (Gr 3, 1200m) and down the field in the J J Atkins Plate (Gr 1, 1600m), Ranch Hand defeated Godolphin’s Ingratiating (Frosted) by a neck to provide Coolmore sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill) with a 179th individual stakes winner. The pair drew two lengths clear of Lloyd’s Crown (Rebel Dane) in third. A $260,000 buy for Tom Magnier out of the Turangga Farm draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Ranch Hand is the second foal out of the Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) mare Mezulla, a daughter of the stakes-placed Vamperalla (Kashani). She has a yearling filly by Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) and foaled a colt by Territories (Invincible Spirit) this year. Fastnet Rock stands at Jerrys Plains this year for a fee of $165,000 (inc GST).
Flying Artie
Artorius may have been denied again but Flying Artie still had cause to celebrate as Giannis (3 ex Palace Rock by Fastnet Rock) became the second individual stakes winner for the Newgate stallion when taking out the Dulcify Stakes (Listed, 1500m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained Giannis and Richard and Michael Freedman-trained Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) quickly emerged as the leading contenders to contest the finish, with Giannis defeating his Group 2-winning rival by a neck. Royalzel (Snitzel) stuck to his task to finish a half-length further back in third. Giannis, who split Converge (Frankel) and Tiger Of Malay when second in the J J Atkins Plate as a two-year-old, sold for $67,500 as a weanling from the Sledmere Stud draft at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale before being passed in as a yearling and retained to race by connections. Bred by China Horse Club, in whose silks Tiger Of Malay put up a valiant fight, Giannis is the first foal out of the stakes placed Palace Rock (Fastnet Rock), herself a sister to Group 1 winner Albany Reunion and Listed-winning, Group 1-placed colt Fast Dragon. Palace Rock foaled Hellbent (I Am Invincible) colts in 2019 and 2020 and is due to foal to Russian Revolution (Snitzel) this spring. Flying Artie stands at Newgate for a fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Ghostzapper
In Good Spirits (4 f ex Mon Arch Lass by Arch) took the Mint Ladies Sprint Stakes (Gr 3, 6.5f) at Kentucky Downs on Saturday to become the 87th individual stakes winner for Ghostzapper (Awesome Again). Ridden by John Velazquez, In Good Spirits went one better than her second-placed effort in Grade 3 company last start to score by two lengths over Catch A Bid (Real Solution). Lagertha (Scat Daddy) was half a length further back in third. A US$200,000 buy as a yearling, In Good Spirits is one of two winners from as many to race out of Mon Arch Lass (Arch), who is a half-sister to stakes winners Overpass (Slavic) and Sir Five Star (Five Star Day). Ghostzapper stands at Hill ‘N Dale Farms in Kentucky for a fee of US$85,000 (approx. AU$115,550).
Hit It A Bomb
Tiz The Bomb (2 c ex Tiz The Key by Tiznow) became the sixth individual stakes winner for Hit It A Bomb (War Front) when landing the Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile Stakes (Listed, 8f) on Monday. The Phoenix Thoroughbreds-owned colt produced a strong finish to defeat the fast-finishing Kiss The Sky (Twirling Candy) by three-quarters of a length. Play Action Pass (Cairo Prince) was another half-length back in third. Bred by Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky, Tiz The Bomb was bought for US$330,000 by trainer Kenny McPeek as a yearling. He is the first stakes winner out of American Oaks (Gr 1, 10f) fourth Tiz The Key (Tiznow). Hit It A Bomb stands at Spendthrift for a fee of US$5,000 (approx. AU$6,750).
Kingman
Noble Truth (2 c ex Speralita by Frankel) held on in a head-bobbing finish to the Flying Scotsman Stakes (Listed, 7f) at Doncaster on Friday to seal a win that took his sire Kingman’s (Invincible Spirit) tally of individual stakes winners to 41, while it was the first stakes winner for Frankel (Galileo) as a broodmare sire. The Saeed bin Suroor-trained juvenile was locked in a duel with runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (Territories) through the final furlong but had his nostrils extended when it counted to score under William Buick by a nose, with third-placed Gwan So (Ulysses) a length and a quarter further behind in third. A €1.1 million yearling purchase by Godolphin out of the 2020 Arqana Deauville Select sale, the colt, bred by Jean-Pierre Dubois, had previously broken his maiden at the second attempt over seven furlongs at Newmarket and placed fourth last time in the Acomb Stakes at York (Gr 3, 7f). His dam Speralita (Frankel) is an unraced half-sister to the French and North American champion Stacelita (Monsun) and a three-parts sister to that multiple Group 1-winning mare’s daughter Soul Stirring (Frankel), winner of the Japanese Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m). Juddmonte stallion Kingman stood the 2021 season at a fee of £150,000 (approx. AU$280,000).
Kodiac
Island Of Love (2 f ex Misham by Shamardal) followed up her debut win over course and distance ten days ago to remain unbeaten when taking out the Premio Eupili (Listed, 1200m) at Rome on Sunday. The juvenile became the 71st individual black-type winner for her sire Kodiac (Danehill). She was a decisive two-and-a-half-length winner of the contest over Queen Rouge (Samysilver) and Transylvania (Anjaal), who were second and third respectively. Island Of Love is the first foal out of the placed Misham (Shamardal), who is a half-sister to German Champion Three-Year-Old Miler Mi Emma (Silvano) and Group 1-placed Anna’s Pearl (Pivotal). Kodiac stands at Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland for a fee of €65,000 (approx. AU$104,400).
Le Havre
Seven-year-old Harbour Views (7 g ex Icky Woo by Mark Of Esteem) caused an upset when defeating his younger rivals in The Sofitel (Listed, 1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. Having his first outing since Melbourne Cup day last year after undergoing surgery on a sesamoid, the gelding was sent off a $26 chance and defeated Cherry Tortoni (Night Of Thunder) by a short-head with hot favourite Ayrton (Iffraaj) back in third, a long neck behind the winner. The French-bred gelding became the 47th individual stakes winner for his sire Le Havre (Noverre) and takes his record to seven wins from 15 starts, all of which have come in Australia. Racing in the OTI silks, Harbour Views was a 68,000gns yearling purchase for Charlie Gordon-Watson out of the Tattersalls October Book 2 sale and is a half-brother to US stakes winner Ickymasho (Multiplex). Le Havre stands at Monfort et Preaux for a fee of €40,000 (approx. AU$65,000).
Lope De Vega
Berneuil (4 g ex Derivatives by Dansili) cruised to his first stakes success in the Prix du Petit Couvert (Gr 3, 1000m) at Longchamp on Sunday, becoming the 86th individual stakes winner for former shuttler Lope De Vega (Shamardal). Berneuil, a runner-up in stakes company on his previous three starts, powered clear up the straight under Christophe Soumillon to defeat Collinsbay (Cable Bay) by three and a half lengths. Wild Majesty (Kodiac) was a further neck back in third. Berneuil is one of three winners from four to race out of Derivatives (Dansili), herself a daughter of 2004 Nassau Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 2f) winner Favourable Terms (Selkirk). Lope De Vega, who shuttled to Australia for four seasons between 2011 and 2014, stands at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland for a €125,000 (approx. AU$200,750) fee.
Muhaarar
Ataared (2 f ex Alnajmah by Dansili) landed the Prix Haras de Bouquetot (Listed, 1650m) at Craon to become the sixth individual stakes winner for Muhaarar (Oasis Dream). The Shadwell-owned Jean-Claude Rouget-trained filly held off the late challenge from Hot Queen (Recorder) to score by a head. Joli Coup (Pedro The Great) was half a length further behind in third. Ataared is one of two winners from as many to race out of Alnajmah (Dansili), who herself is out of Prix Maurice de Gheest (Gr 1, 1300m) runner-up Joanna (High Chapparal), making her a half-sister to Listed winner Rafaadah (Oasis Dream). Further back this is the family of Livamol Classic (Gr 1, 2040m) winner Cazals (Aussie Rules). Muhaarar stands at Shadwell’s Nunnery Stud for a £10,000 (approx. AU$18,600) fee.
New Bay
Ballylinch Stud resident New Bay (Dubawi) sired his third individual stakes winner when his son Bayside Boy (2 c ex Alava by Anabaa) built on the promise of his previous Listed second with a win in the Champagne Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) at Doncaster on Saturday. The Roger Varian-trained colt was winning for the second time in three starts as he got the better of odds-on favourite Reach For The Moon (Sea The Stars) by a head. Irish raider Twilight Jet (Twilight Son) finished a length and a quarter further away in third. A 200,000gns buy out of last year’s Tattersalls Book 2. Bayside Boy is the eighth foal out of Alava (Anabaa), making him a half-brother to fellow Group 2 scorer Forest Ranger (Lawman). New Bay stands for a fee of €20,000 (approx. AU$32,125).
Not A Single Doubt
Exciting filly Crystal Bound (3 f ex Crystalised by Zabeel) took her record to two wins from three starts and added a maiden stakes success when landing the Cap D’Antibes Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Flemington on Saturday. The three-year-old became the 77th individual stakes winner for her pensioned sire Not A Single Doubt (Redoute’s Choice), who sired the quinella in the race, as Crystal Bound wore down leader Dosh (Rich Enuff) and then held off the challenge of Flying Evelyn (Not A Single Doubt) to win by a neck. Dosh held on to third, a further length in arrears. A six-length winner on debut when defeating subsequent stakes winner He’s Xceptional (Xtravagant) at Moonee Valley, The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly then ran second to Jamaea (Headwater) in the Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) on her final run as a two-year-old and she returned as the $3.30 favourite to salute down the Flemington straight. A $400,000 buy for Ciaron Maher from the Noorilim Park draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Crystal Bound is the third foal out of the Zabeel (Sir Tristram) mare Crystal Bound, a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Zarita (Pentire), as well as Group 2 winner Run Like The Wind (Pins) and Joy And Fun (Cullen) a winner of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (Listed, 1200m) in Hong Kong and a multiple Group 1 placegetter. Crystalised, a $1.3 million yearling herself, has a yearling filly by Impending (Lonhro).
Nyquist
Turnerloose (2 f ex Goaltending by A.P. Indy) took the Aristocrat Juvenile Fillies Stakes (Listed, 8f) at Kentucky Downs on Monday to provide Nyquist (Uncle Mo) with a third individual stakes winner. The Brad Cox-trained filly joined elite-level winners Vequist and Gretzky The Great as stakes scorers for Nyquist with a devastating five-length defeat of stablemate Yin Yang (Point Of Entry). Verylittlecents (Goldencents) was another seven and a quarter lengths back in third. Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (Gr 1, 8.5f) and Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) winner Nyquist stands at Jonabell Farm in Kentucky for $75,000 (approx. AU$101,400).
Oasis Dream
The Maddie Raymond-trained Turaath (5 m ex Fadhayyil by Tamayuz) continued her march through the grades and stepped up in level to claim a maiden stakes win in the Let’s Elope Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. Travelling widest of the leading trio, she kicked two lengths clear in the straight which proved enough to defy the running-on Mystic Journey (Needs Further) by a length and a quarter, with Still A Star (Toronado) finishing a length and a half behind the winner in third. It was a fourth successive win for Turaath, who took her career record to five wins from 13 starts and became the 127th individual stakes winner for her sire Oasis Dream (Green Desert). A 35,000gns buy for John Nicholls out of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale last year, Turaath is the first winner out of Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed mare Fadhayyil (Tamayuz), a daughter of dual Group 3 winner Ziria (Danehill Dancer) and half-sister to stakes winners Zipzip (Whipper), Athenian (Acclamation) and Cold Stare (Intense Focus). Former shuttler Oasis Dream stands at Banstead Manor Stud for a fee of £20,000 (approx. AU$37,600).
Raison D’Etat
Sweet Willemina (4 m ex Williams Bay by Kitten’s Joy) landed the PTHA President’s Cup Stakes (Listed, 9f) at Parx Racing on Monday to provide Raison D’Etat (A. P. Indy) with a third individual stakes winner. The Scott Lake-trained four-year-old entered the contest with four consecutive wins behind her and made it five-in-a-row with a comfortable seven-length success over B B’s Busted (Bustin Stones). Tic Tic Tic Boom (Hit It A Bomb) was another five and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Rock Of Gibraltar
Coolmore’s Rock Of Gibraltar (Danehill) sired his 137th individual stakes winner when his daughter Haparanda (4 f ex Hazarafa by Daylami) landed the Oyster Stakes (Listed, 1m 4f) at Galway on Tuesday evening. The Dermot Weld-trained filly, who races in the colours of her breeder the Aga Khan, was winning for the third time in 12 starts as she kept on strongly to beat Woodland Garden (Galileo) by two and a quarter lengths. Merrior (Born To Sea) was another three lengths away in third. Haparanda is the sixth foal out of the LIsted winning Hazarafa (Daylami) who herself is a half-sister to dual Derby hero Harzand (Sea The Stars). Multiple Group 1 winner Rock Of Gibraltar stands at Castlehyde for a 2021 fee of €5,000 (approx. AU$8,020).
Runhappy
Runhappy (Super Saver) sired a third individual stakes winner on Monday when his daughter Runup (2 f ex Up the Street by Street Cry) produced a wire-to-wire victory in the Sorority Stakes (Listed, 8f) at Monmouth Park. The Laura Wohlers-trained filly broke well and comfortably maintained her advantage at the front throughout to score by three lengths over Jumeirah (Twirling Candy), with Gimmick (Into Mischief) a half-length back in third. Runhappy stands at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky for $10,000 (approx. AU$13,500).
Sea The Stars
Sea The Stars (Cape Cross) had his 85th individual stakes winner as a sire when Manobo (ex Tasaday by Nayef) galloped his rivals into submission in the Prix Turenne (Listed, 2400m) at Saint-Cloud on Friday. The late-developing Godolphin three-year-old took his perfect record to three, following wins at Newbury and Kempton in May and June. James Doyle took the Charlie Appleby-trained gelding to the front at the break and dictated the tempo. The rider asked his mount to lengthen off the final turn and Manobo galloped on relentlessly to open up a ten-length margin at the line. Kertez (Intello) was second, two lengths ahead of third-placed Merveillo (Archipenko), a Listed winner himself. The winner is out of Godolphin’s homebred mare Tasaday (Nayef), winner of the Prix de la Nonette (Gr 2, 2000m) and Group 1-placed on three occasions. He is a half-brother to Group 2-placed Turgenev (Dubawi). Sea The Stars stands at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud at a 2021 fee of €150,000.
Shamardal
The late Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) sired his 156th individual stakes winner courtesy of a success by favourite Fleur D’Iris (2 f ex Zara by Redattore) in Longchamp’s Prix d’Aumale (Gr 3, 1600m) on Thursday. Carrying the colours of Godolphin, the Andre Fabre-trained filly followed up her narrow defeat in Group 2 company on her previous outing as she beat stablemate Zellie (Wootton Bassett) by a length and a half. Bahasa (Siyouni) was another length and a quarter away in third. Shamardal died in April last year at the age of 18.
Showcasing
Former New Zealand shuttler Showcasing (Oasis Dream) sired his 54th individual stakes winner when Panama Red (2 f ex Allegation by Lawman) kept on well to get the better of her more fancied rivals and take out Saturday’s Ingabelle Stakes (Listed, 7f) at Leopardstown, the opening race on Irish Champions Weekend. The Ger Lyons-trained filly took her tally to two wins in four starts as she followed up her Tipperary victory on her previous start with a half-length score over favourite Limiti Di Greccio (Elzaam). Corviglia (Karakontie) finished two and a quarter lengths behind the winner in third. A 70,000gns purchase out of last year’s Tattersalls Book 2, Panama Red is the fourth foal out of Allegation (Lawman), who herself is out of a mare who is a half-sister to the French Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Anabaa Blue (Anabaa). Showcasing now resides permanently at Whitsbury Manor Stud for a fee of £45,000 (approx. AU$84,620).
Snitzel
Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) added a third three-year-old stakes winner for the new season when Mr Mozart (3 c ex Euro Angel by Rip Van Welcome) became his 113th stakes winner overall in winning the Exford Plate (Listed, 1400m) at Flemington on Saturday. The Hawkes Racing-trained colt upset last year’s Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Artorius (Flying Artie) who finished a neck second, while the multiple Group 1-placed Hilal (Fastnet Rock) was third, a half-length behind the winner. A homebred for a syndicate that includes Jamieson Park, David Russo, trainer Phil Duggan, Russell Collins, Andrew McDonald and Ron Milne, Mr Mozart was named ANZ Bloodstock News’ Maiden of the Week when winning at Warwick Farm on debut in March this year, following up with a fourth placed finish in the Ballieu Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) to round out his two-year-old career. He returned with a fourth in the Vain Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) and sixth in the H D F McNeil Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) but, stepping up to 1400 metres, he just held off the challenge of short-priced favourite Artorius. Mr Mozart is the first foal out of Group 3-winning mare Euro Angel (Rip Van Winkle), a half-sister to stakes winners Leebaz (Zabeel) and Polish Knight (Encosta Knight). The mare has a sister to Mr Mozart named Angel Flight, and has foaled a Pierro (Lonhro) colt this year. Snitzel stands at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $165,000 (inc GST) this season.
The Grey Gatsby
Mylady (2 f ex Minoris by Dabirsim) beat the more fancied Ariolo (Reliable Man) and Millionaire (Adlerflug) when landing the Junioren-Preis (Listed, 1600m) at Dusseldorf on Sunday. The juvenile became the first individual stakes winner for her sire The Grey Gatsby (Mastercraftsman) and remained unbeaten, having won on debut at the end of last month. She is the first foal out of the unraced Minoris (Dabrisim), while her winning second dam is a half-sister to the dam of Group 1 winner and Cambridge Stud sire Hello Youmzain (Kodiac). Prix du Jockey Club (Gr 1, 2100m) winner The Grey Gatsby is now the sire of two winners from nine runners and he stands at Haras du Petit Tellier in France where his fee this year was €7,000 (approx. AU$11,243).
The Gurkha
French 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner The Gurkha (Galileo) sired his second individual stakes winner when Invite (3 f ex Katiyra by Peintre Celebre) made a successful debut for her new trainer Andrew Balding by landing the Stand Cup Stakes (Listed, 1m 4½f) at Chester on Saturday. Sent off the favourite for the Italian Oaks (Gr 2, 2200m) when only fifth on her previous outing, Invite took her tally to three wins in six starts as she beat her more fancied stablemate Alounak (Camelot) by two lengths. Wells Farhh Go (Farhh) was a further half a length away in third. The Gurkha stands at Coolmore for a fee of €5,000 (approx. AU$8,030).
Twirling Candy
Gear Jockey (4 c ex Switching Gears by Tapit) became Twirling Candy’s (Candy Ride) 31st individual stakes winner when landing the Turf Sprint (Gr 3, 6f) at Kentucky Downs on Saturday. The Rusty Arnold-trained four-year-old, who placed in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (Gr 1, 8f), defeated Diamond Oops (Lookin At Lucky) by a comfortable two and a half lengths, with Bombard (War Front) another nose back in third. Gear Jockey is one of three winners from four to race out of Switching Gears (Tapit), who is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Stroll (Pulpit). Twirling Candy stands at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky for US$40,000 (approx. AU$54,380).
War Front
War Front (Danzig) closed in on a century of stakes winners when Ancient Rome (2 c ex Gagnoa by Sadler’s Wells) took out the Prix des Chenes (Gr 3, 1600m) at Longchamp on Thursday. Trained by Andre Fabre for the Coolmore partners, Ancient Rome was winning for the third time in four starts as he beat Scherzo (Wootton Bassett) by two lengths. Claim The Crown (Acclamation) was a further neck behind in third. Ancient Rome is the seventh foal out of dual Group 3 winner Gagnoa (Sadler’s Wells) who herself is closely related to the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) winner Pour Moi (Montjeu). War Front stands at Claiborne Farm in Kentucky for a 2021 fee of $150,000 (approx. AU$203,295).
Wootton Bassett
Coolmore’s Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) sired his 23rd individual stakes winner when Ger Lyons and his regular rider Colin Keane completed a quick double on the Leopardstown card on Saturday courtesy of a victory by Atomic Jones (2 c ex Loyale by Turtle Bowl) in the Champions Juvenile Stakes (Gr 2, 1m). A winner of his sole previous outing at the Curragh back in June, Atomic Jones defeated Stone Age (Galileo) and Absolute Ruler (War Front) by a head and half a length. A 95,000gns purchase out of last year’s Tattersalls Book 1, Atomic Jones is the second foal out of Loyale (Turtle Bowl), who herself is a half-sister to the US Grade 2 winner Little Treasure (Night Shift). Wootton Bassett stands his first season in Australia this spring, at a fee of $71,500 (inc GST).
Zoffany
There was further success for the Lyons stable later on the Leopardstown card on Saturday when the consistent Camorra (4 g ex Mauralakana by Muhtathir) built on a string of placed efforts to land the Paddy Power Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 4f). Bred by Bob Scarborough, the four-year-old made all the running under Gary Carroll to edge out stablemate Thunder Kiss (Night Of Thunder) by a neck. Forbearance (Galileo) was just a head behind in third. Camorra became the 46th individual stakes winner for the late Zoffany (Dansili) as he took his own score onto three wins from 12 starts.