St Nicholas Abbey Soars in Racing Post Trophy

St Nicholas Abbey cemented himself as the early favorite for the 2010 Investec Derby (Eng-I) with a dominating performance in the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-I) at Doncaster Oct. 24.

The Aidan O’Brien trained-colt remains undefeated in three starts in his young career, having also captured the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (Ire-II) and a maiden race at the Curragh in his two prior starts.

The Racing Post Trophy brought together a field of 11, with three of the most highly-rated 2-year-old colts in England and Ireland meeting for the first time.  Besides St Nicholas Abbey the field included Al Zir, an imposing son of Medaglia d’Oro who was making his stakes debut for Godolphin, and Elusive Pimpernel, an undefeated son of Elusive Quality who captured the Acomb Stakes (Eng-III) in his last start.

Ridden with great confidence by Johnny Murtagh, St Nicholas Abbey tracked Elusive Pimpernel towards the rear of the field as Shakespearean and Al Ghazal led the field in the early stages of the one mile contest.   Al Zir sat just off the pace in third, and looked ready to pounce at any time for jockey Frankie Dettori.

As the field hit the two furlong marker, Murtagh shook the reins and the response was immediate, as St Nicholas Abbey split horses and hit the front within a few strides.  The colt continued to accelerate in the final furlong, opening up several lengths on the rest of the field.

St Nicholas Abbey hit the wire 3 ¾-lengths in front of Elusive Pimpernel, who rallied to take the second spot from Al Zir by 2 ½-lengths.  Final time for the eight furlongs was 1:39.62 over a course rated ‘good to soft’

O’Brien was full of praise for the colt, telling reporters, “This is a very special horse.  He’s one of those unique horses that is bred to stay, but who has speed.”

“When you look at that turn of toe he had today,” O’Brien continued, “it was effortless.”

St Nicholas Abbey was bred in Ireland by Barton Bloodstock and Villiers Syndicate.  By Montjeu, he is out of the Sure Blade mare Leaping Water, who has also produced Grammarian (by Definite Article), winner of the Sunset Handicap (gr. IIT) and San Gabriel Handicap (gr. IIT) in 2002.

Leaping Water is a half-sister to champion Ballingarry (by Sadler’s Wells), in addition to group I winners Aristotle (by Sadler’s Wells) and Starborough (by Soviet Star).

Hibaayeb Breaks Maiden in Fillies’ Mile

Hibaayeb shed her maiden tag in the best possible way, driving up the rail under Neil Callan to win the Meon Valley Stud Fillies’ Mile (Eng-I) at Ascot Sept. 26.

The winning duo had to survive a lengthy stewards’ inquiry, however, as Hibaayeb drifted to the left once she got in front, causing Michael Hills to snatch up Sent From Heaven.  At the same time, Lady Darshaan was making a bold move on the outside under Richard Hughes, and was struck on the nose by Callan’s whip.

Despite the interference, the results stood, with Hibaayeb remaining the winner by three-quarters of a length over Lady Darshaan.  You’ll Be Mine just got up for third, finishing another 1 ½-lengths back.

Final time for the eight furlongs was 1:39.78 over the good turf course.  The going was upgraded to ‘good to firm’ after this race.

Hibaayeb entered the Fillies’ Mile off of a strong second-place showing in the DFS May Hill Stakes (Eng-II) at Doncaster in her last start, losing to Pollenator by just a half-length.

The victory by Hibaayeb marked trainer Clive Brittain’s third win in the race, following Ivanka in 1992 and Teggiano in 1999.  A delighted Brittain told reporters after the race, “Not many people try to win a group I with a maiden, but in my eyes she had already run two races that she could have won.”

Hibaayeb is now guaranteed a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf at Santa Anita on Nov. 6, and Brittain mentioned that a start there will be discussed.  “She is progressing, which is the most important thing, but I don’t want to gallop her into the ground,” he told reporters.

“She has got a future and could go to America. I will have to talk to the owners, but it will depend on the filly – it is easier listening to animals as they tell you more than people.”

Hibaayeb is a 2-year-old filly by Singspiel out of the winning Lion Cavern mare, Lady Zonda.  Bred in England by Rabbah Bloodstock, Hibaayeb hails from the female family of champions Oh So Sharp and Shantou.

Rip Van Winkle All Class in Queen Elizabeth II

Rip Van Winkle held off a stubborn Zacinto in the final furlong to claim his second group I victory of the season, taking the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Eng-I) by a determined 1 ¼-lengths at Ascot Sept. 26.

The Aidan O’Brien trainee will now head to Santa Anita to contest the Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) on Nov. 7.

Aqlaam broke sharply under Richard Hills and went straight to the front with Rip Van Winkle, under Johnny Murtagh, hot on his heels.  The two colts pulled a few lengths clear from the remainder of the field as they led through the early stages of the race.

Rip Van Winkle took command of the race three furlongs from home, as Aqlaam began to fade.  It appeared for a moment that Rip Van Winkle would draw off to an easy win, but both Delegator and Zacinto had yet to launch their bids from the back of the pack.

Delegator was the first to challenge the leader, getting to within a length of Rip Van Winkle with two furlongs to go.  He could not sustain his bid, though, and quickly flattened out under Frankie Dettori.

It was left up to the lightly-raced Zacinto to make a race of it, and the son of Dansili did just that, pulling to within a neck of the heavy favorite.  Rip Van Winkle was able to find a bit extra, stubbornly refusing to give way and held off Zacinto in the final yards.

Zacinto was a clear second, finishing 3 ¼-lengths in front of Delegator.  Final time for the eight furlongs was 1:38.82 over the good to firm turf.

O’Brien told reporters after the race, “We are looking forward to going to America and the plan is to run in the Classic.”

“We have no horse at home who can lead him, so it was brilliant the way the race turned out,” he continued. “It is only in the last two weeks that we have had an uninterrupted preparation. It was a brilliant performance and Johnny was superb on him.”

Teddy Grimthorpe, representing Zacinto’s owner Khalid Abdullah, said: “At one stage we got upsides the winner, and one thing is for sure – we have earned a bit of respect today.”

“There are a couple of options, including the Champion Stakes (Eng-I) and one of the mile races at the Breeders’ Cup,” Grimthorpe continued. “But our immediate thought after this is to go to Newmarket (Champion Stakes).”

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said of Delegator: “He fell a bit short today, but we were beaten by two better horses on the day.”

“My feeling is we will still go for the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) with him, he will be running against those good horses and we know there will be no hiding place in California.”

Rip Van Winkle has now improved his record to four wins from eight career starts.  He captured the BGC Sussex Stakes (Eng-I) at Glorious Goodwood last time out.

Rip Van Winkle is a 3-year-old colt by Galileo out of Looking Back, by Stravinsky.  He was bred in Ireland by Roberto Brogi and is owned by Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith.

Godolphin ‘Masters’ St. Leger Rivals

The Godolphin team continued their winning hot streak as Mastery overpowered stablemate Kite Wood in the closing strides to take the Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes (Eng-I) at Doncaster Sept. 12.

The victory not only provided Godolphin with their first British group I win of the season, but was the first for the operation in a British classic since Rule of Law captured the St. Leger five years ago.

Mastery, who won the Derby Italiano (It-II) earlier this season, was considered the ‘second string’ behind Kite Wood, who went off as the race favorite.  Settled into third by jockey Ted Durcan, Mastery was content to follow the early pace set by longshot Von Jawlensky.  Kite Wood, ridden by Frankie Dettori, tracked in second, while Changingoftheguard ran in fourth.

As the field entered the home straight of the 14-furlong marathon, Kite Wood took over from a tiring Von Jawlensky and began to pull away.  Durcan had Mastery in a full drive however, and the pair drew upon equal terms with Kite Wood entering the final furlong.

The Godolphin pair battled to the wire, with Mastery finally gaining the advantage in the last strides, winning by three-quarters of a length.  Monitor Closely held off Father Time for third, another 1 ¾-lengths further back.

Final time for the 14 furlongs was 3:04.81 over the good to firm course.

Durcan, a longtime member of the Godolphin team, gave full credit to the entire crew after the race, stating, “The whole operation has looked after and been a great help to me over the years.”

“Sheikh Mohammed, (his son) Sheikh Rashid and everyone has been a huge help to me,” he continued. “To be able to win a St. Leger for them is just great. It’s for the whole operation, for everyone involved.”

Mastery is a 3-year-old colt by Sulamani, who won the Arlington Million (gr. IT) and the Pattison Canadian International (Can-IT) when racing for Godolphin.

Moyesii, the dam of Mastery, has also produced champion Kirklees, winner of the Gran Criterium (It-I) as a 2-year-old.  Kirklees most recently captured the totesport.com September Stakes (Eng-III) on Sept. 5.

Rainbow View Shines in Coolmore Matron Stakes

Rainbow View registered her first victory of the season as she rolled to a two-length win over Heaven Sent in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes (Ire-I) at Leopardstown Sept. 5.

Undefeated last season as a 2-year-old, Rainbow View hadn’t been as fortunate so far this season, going winless in her previous five starts, which all came in group I company.  The John Gosden-trained daughter of Dynaformer signaled a turnaround in her last start, running a strong second to Midday in the Blue Square Nassau Stakes (Eng-I) at Goodwood.

Fitted with cheek-pieces for the first time, Rainbow View was all business in the Matron, settling comfortably into fourth under Jimmy Fortune as Totally Devoted went to the front and set a strong pace under Colm O’Donoghue.

Again, winner of the Boylesports.com Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) earlier this year, tracked her pacesetting stablemate from second and appeared poised to take over the lead two furlongs from home.  Jockey Johnny Murtagh was hard at work aboard the classic winner, but Again had no response to Murtagh’s urgings.

Jimmy Fortune had Rainbow View right where he wanted her, and the pair shot to the front with a furlong to go and continued to draw off down the lane to win easily.

Heaven Sent, a 6-year-old daughter of Pivotal, rallied late to take second, finishing 4 ½-lengths in front of a fading Again.  Final time for the eight furlongs was 1:39.89 over the good to yielding turf course.

Gosden was pleased with his filly’s performance, telling reporters, “She did it well.  We’ve had other fillies come to themselves at this time of year, so we’ve been patient.”

“I’d say she is probably back to her best now,” Gosden continued. “The Prix de l’Opera (Fr-I) is the obvious spot, but she will be entered for the E.P. Taylor Stakes (Can-IT) and then there is the Breeders’ Cup in November.”

“There’s the Filly and Mare Turf, although our Dar Re Mi has earned a place in that after her Pretty Polly win, but she could also run on the main track–after all someone has got to take on Zenyatta.

Rainbow View races for her breeder, George Strawbridge.  She is out of the Nureyev mare, No Matter What, who captured the 2000 Del Mar Oaks (gr. IT).  No Matter What is a half-sister to grade II winner E Dubai, and is also closely related to 2008 Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) winner, Raven’s Pass.

Regal Parade Upsets Betfred Sprint Cup

Last with just under two furlongs to run, Regal Parade unleashed a furious rally under jockey Adrian Nicholls to take the lead just 60 yards from the wire to snatch the victory away from Fleeting Spirit in the Betfred Sprint Cup (Eng-I) at Haydock Park Sept. 5.

Trained by David ‘Dandy’ Nicholls and ridden by his son, Adrian, Regal Parade was dismissed at odds of 14-1 in the six furlong contest.  Favoritism fell on Fleeting Spirit, a 4-year-old daughter of Invincible Spirit who had captured the Darley July Cup (Eng-I) in her last start.

Fleeting Spirit, ridden by regular rider Tom Queally, travelled smoothly during the early stages, tracking the early pace before taking command with just over a furlong to run.  She appeared to have the race at her mercy, but Regal Parade was splitting rivals from the back of the pack, and collared Fleeting Spirit just a few yards from the wire.

Regal Parade captured the Sprint Cup by a half-length over Fleeting Spirit, who took second by two lengths over High Standing.  Final time for the six furlongs was 1:13.74 over the good turf course.

Regal Parade is a 5-year-old chestnut gelding by Pivotal, out of the winning Kingmambo mare, Model Queen.  Bred in England by Highclere and Harry Herbert and owned by Dab Hand Racing, Regal Parade hails from the same female family as champions/group I winners Zafonic, Reams of Verse, and Elmaamul.

Sea The Stars Sails to Victory in Irish Champion Stakes

Sea The Stars confirmed his class by turning in a dominating performance in the Tattersalls Millions Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I) at Leopardstown Sept. 5.

Given only a 50-50 chance on Wednesday of competing due to all the rain received, Sea The Stars was declared an official runner by trainer John Oxx after he found the Leopardstown course was still in great shape on Friday evening.

Ridden confidently by regular partner Mick Kinane, the brilliant Sea The Stars shrugged off the challenges of both Fame And Glory and Mastercraftsman, drawing off in the final furlong to win impressively by 2 ½-lengths.

Fame And Glory, making his first start since capturing the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Ire-I) in June, held on for second, finishing 2 ½-lengths in front of his stablemate, Mastercraftsman.  Final time for the ten furlong contest was 2:03.90 over a course listed as ‘good to yielding’.

The victory in the Irish Champion guarantees Sea The Stars a spot in the starting gate for the Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Turf (gr. IT), since it is part of the Breeders’ Cup “Win and You’re In” challenge.  Plans for the son of Cape Cross are very much up in the air, with the connections taking it race by race.

Although Oxx has not ruled out a trip to Santa Anita, he is presently not looking at targets past the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) at Longchamp in October.

“The horse will decide rather than the owner or trainer where we go and the Arc is the next race coming up,” Oxx told reporters after the Irish Champion. “He’s had a run every month since May, so that’s five group I’s in as many months, and we will take it one race at a time.”

“There is the Champion Stakes (Eng-I) at Newmarket after the Arc but, and I’m even boring myself by saying it, we will just have to see what the ground is like before each race.”

Oxx continued, “Then of course there is Santa Anita, but November 7 is still a long way away. It’s a hell of an ask to keep going that long for a horse that had a Guineas preparation in May and  I’d think it would be the Classic rather than the Turf that we would think about – but it’s such a long way off that we’re not talking about it now.”

Mick Kinane was asked by a reporter when he became aware of Sea The Stars’ potential, Kinane replied, “The very first morning I rode him I said to John we’ve got something special. He’s phenomenal, how easy he can travel no matter what pace they’re going – he’s never in trouble.”

Kinane added, “I haven’t ridden a horse that can do what he can do at any distance – he’s top of the tree.”

Sea The Stars now has won five straight group I races, and has improved his overall record to seven victories from eight starts.

Sea The Stars was bred in Ireland by Sunderland Holdings, and is owned by 27-year-old Christopher Tsui, a nightclub owner from Hong Kong.  Christopher’s father, David, campaigned Sea The Stars’ dam, Urban Sea, throughout her career.

The daughter of Miswaki was not only a multiple group I winner on the racecourse, but also was a tremendous broodmare, producing group I/grade I winners Galileo, Black Sam Bellamy, and My Typhoon, in addition to the Irish Champion winner.

Who Needs Plenty of Time Between Races??

Apparently not Ordnance Row, a 6-year-old gelding by Mark of Esteem who’s campaigned in England.  He certainly has earned the nickname, ‘Iron Horse’.

On Saturday, trainer Richard Hannon entered his durable gelding in the Totesport.com Celebration Mile (Eng-II) at Goodwood.  After making much of the early pace, Ordnance Row was overtaken in the final furlong by former stablemate and new Godolphin recruit, Delegator, who went on to win by 1 1/2-lengths.

Juddmonte Farms’ homebred, Zacinto, just edged out Ordnance Row for second, getting his head in front at the wire.

Returning to the stable none the worse for wear, Hannon decided to ‘wheel-back’ Ordnance Row and run him in the seven-furlong Supreme Stakes (Eng-III), which was also at Goodwood.

Partnered on Sunday by Ryan Moore, Ordnance Row was held up at the rear of the field as Abbondanza and Carcinetto went to the front and set an honest pace.  Entering the home straight, Ordnance Row still was in last.  He began to make headway just over a furlong to go, and took command 100 yards from the wire, winning by one length.

Moore told reporters after the race, “The boss thought is was a nice loosener for the horse yesterday, and that it was well worth running him again.”

It goes without saying that, in this day and age here Stateside, that something like this wouldn’t happen.  Well, possibly in a low level claiming race, where it certainly would raise some red flags.

However, for a trainer to use a group II race as a ‘prep’ for another stakes just 24 hours later?  Never.

We all know our Thoroughbreds aren’t stout enough!

Dar Re Mi Hits High Note in Yorkshire Oaks

Benefiting from a strong ride by Jimmy Fortune, Dar Re Mi took command within the final furlong and easily held off heavily favored Sariska to win the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (Eng-I) Aug. 20.

Facing older fillies and mares for the first time, 3-year-old Sariska was looking to add the Yorkshire Oaks to her earlier tallies in both the Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-I) and Investec Oaks (Eng-I).

Dar Re Mi, a 4-year-old daughter of champion Singspiel, became a group I winner in her last start, notching a nose victory in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes (Ire-I) at the Curragh in June.

In the Yorkshire Oaks, Sariska broke a bit tardily from the gate under Jamie Spencer and was settled into fifth, tracking Dar Re Mi, as Barshiba set a moderate pace on the front end.

The order remained unchanged throughout the first mile of the 12-furlong contest, as both Dar Re Mi and Sariska were content to track Barshiba.  The complexion of the race began to change three furlongs out, as Roman Empress took over the lead from a tiring Barshiba.

Both Sariska and Dar Re Mi appeared to be traveling comfortably at this stage, but it was Dar Re Mi who got the jump on her rival, quickening her stride and overtaking Roman Empress within the final furlong.

Spencer was hard at work aboard Sariska, but the pair could never get on even terms with Dar Re Mi, falling three-quarters of a length short at the wire.

Roman Empress ran on for third, 1 ½-lengths behind Sariska.  Final time for the 12 furlongs was 2:30.98 over a course listed as good to firm.

A philosophical Jamie Spencer said after the race, “We got beat; she wasn’t fast enough on the day, no excuses.  You come here, you do your best, but she ran into a good horse.”

Winning conditioner John Gosden told reporters, “The older filly has beaten the younger filly.  We’re giving her 10 pounds but it’s the first time Sariska has met older fillies, and let’s be honest, if we’re not in the race she’s the winner of three Oaks in a row.”

Gosden continued, “We’re going for the Prix Vermeille (Fr-I), and if she runs a big one there, we’ll think about something mad like the Arc.”

Dar Re Mi was bred in England by her owner, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Watership Down Stud.  She is out of the Top Ville mare, Darara, winner of the 1986 Prix Vermeille.

Darara, a half-sister to champion and top sire Darshaan, has also produced champions and/or group I winners Dariyoun (champion in Spain), Darazari (Aus-I), and Diaghilev (champion in HK, HK-I).

Sea The Stars Shines in Juddmonte International

Sea The Stars once again showed why he is rated the best horse in the world by wearing down Mastercraftsman in the final furlong to win the Juddmonte International (Eng-I) by a length at York Aug. 18.

The victory was the fourth straight group I win for the John Oxx-trained colt, who remains undefeated this season.

Sent off as the heavy 1-5 favorite in the field of four, Sea The Stars was held up in last under regular pilot Mick Kinane as both Georgebernardshaw and Set Sail set a decent pace on the front end.

The complexion of the race began to change with four furlongs to go, as Johnny Murtagh sent Mastercraftsman through a gap between his stablemates and took command of the lead.  Not about to be left behind, Mick Kinane boldly followed Murtagh through the same gap, and the pair began to pull away from the other two runners as the pace began to quicken.

Mastercraftsman appeared to be on his way to an upset victory, opening up a two-length lead on Sea The Stars with less than two furlongs to run.  Kinane then went to work aboard ‘Stars’, and the pair gradually wore down Mastercraftsman in the final yards to earn the hard-fought victory.

Sea The Stars set a new course record in the International, completing the ten furlongs and 88 yards in 2:05.29 over a course listed as ‘good to firm’.

Oxx told reporters after the race, “They probably went a steady pace and of course Mastercraftsman is no tourist. He took it to him there at the end and just made him work.”

“It’s great that he keeps on winning and he’s a lovely horse to watch,” Oxx continued.  “He’s a horse who’ll never win by much and Mick says he’ll never win by more than about a length.”

Kinane added, “I asked him to go and quicken up between the two Ballydoyle pacemakers which was probably a bit of a risky maneuver, but I wanted to follow Johnny (Murtagh, aboard Mastercraftsman) through.”

“So I let him quicken up and then eased him down,” Kinane continued.  “Then Johnny quickened and found a couple of lengths and his horse has run a hell of a race.  Just a combination of those things made it more difficult than maybe it should have been.”

As for future plans for Sea The Stars, Oxx said, “So long as the ground is quick, the Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I) at Leopardstown (Sept. 5) is his next race, and that will be his only race in Ireland this year.”

The victory in the International was the sixth win in seven career starts for the son of Cape Cross.  Sea The Stars has also notched victories in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (Eng-I), Investec Derby (Eng-I), and stanjames.com Two Thousand Guineas Stakes (Eng-I) this year.

Sea The Stars was bred in Ireland by Sunderland Holdings, and is owned by 27-year-old Christopher Tsui, a nightclub owner from Hong Kong. David Tsui, Christopher’s father, campaigned Sea The Stars’ dam, Urban Sea, throughout her career.

The daughter of Miswaki was not only a multiple group I winner on the racecourse, but also was a tremendous broodmare, producing group I/grade I winners Galileo, Black Sam Bellamy, and My Typhoon.

‘Goldi’ Locks Up Prix Jacques Le Marois

Goldikova continued her march to the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships with another powerful performance, this time taking the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-Le-Buffard Jacques Le Marois (Fr-I) at Deauville Aug. 16 by a rousing six lengths.

The Jacques Le Marois victory marked the sixth career group/grade I win for the 4-year-old filly, and was her third straight group I win this year.

The Jacques Le Marois shaped up as a tough renewal, with four other group I winners—Virtual, Never On Sunday, Silver Frost, and Gladiatorus–lining up to face Goldikova.  After delaying the start of the race for several minutes due to her reluctance to load into the gate, Goldikova broke sharply under regular rider Olivier Peslier and settled comfortably in third behind Only Green and Aqlaam.

Only Green, who was entered as a pacemaker for Goldikova, began to fade with over three furlongs to go, so Peslier allowed Goldikova to take command of the race earlier than expected.

With a couple of taps from Peslier’s whip, Goldikova began to draw off in the final two furlongs, eventually crossing the line six lengths in front of Aqlaam.  The margin of victory was the largest ever recorded in the race.  Virtual, under Jimmy Fortune, put in a mild rally to finish third, five lengths behind Aqlaam.

Silver Frost, Never On Sunday, and Gladiatorus were never factors in the race, finishing sixth, seventh, and eighth, respectively.

Final time for the eight furlongs was 1:33.5, which knocked a full second off the stakes record, set by Northjet in 1981.

Trainer Freddie Head heaped plenty of praise on his star filly, suggesting after the race that she is even better than Miesque, whom he rode to back-to-back victories in 1987 and 1988 in the Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT).

“I think she is superior to Miesque as she is better in the head. She has always been a little naughty at the stalls and that is the only fault she has,” Head told the Racing Post following the race.

Regarding future plans, Head told reporters, “We need to discuss where she goes, but I am favoring bypassing the [Prix du] Moulin [de Longchamp (Fr-I) on September 6] and going for the [Total] Prix de la Foret [(Fr-I) on October 3]. The Breeders’ Cup is now in November, so it is later this year and it will be hard for her to keep her form.”

Head continued, “I want to give her a little rest, and the Foret fits in well before the Breeders’ Cup. She might make it look easy but she has still had a race.”

Goldikova was bred in Ireland by her owners, Alain and Gerard Wertheimer.  She is by the recently deceased French stallion Anabaa, out of Born Gold, by Blushing Groom.  She hails from the immediate female family of French champion Gold River.