Owen Johnson’s Ten to follow for the Season 2022

Great to have Owen Johnson forward his 10 of 50 horses follow for the flat season 2022.

For the full list please DM Owen via his Twitter account, below:

Visit is Twitter profile:@OwenJohnson4 or Instagram:owenjhull10 

Comments by Owen Johnson 

1: NATIVE TRAIL 

Trainer Charlie Appleby 

“I thought we'd get the obvious out of the way to begin with but this big slab of a colt by Oasis Dream did everything you could have asked for as a two-year-old. Unbeaten and winner of both the National Stakes and the Dewhurst it's easy to see why he's the highest rated two-year-old from last year. However, you could say earlier in his life it was more of a humble beginning as he was picked up for just 67,000 guineas at book 1 in 2020 by Margaret O'Toole / Oak Tree Farm which was a surprise given his deep Juddmonte pedigree. But the breeze up buyers were all over him and was eventually knocked down to Godolphin for 210,000 Guineas and interestingly his half-sister by Kingman was also bought by Godolphin for 950,000 euros at Arqana. I've already backed him for the 2,000 Guineas last year at 16/1 E/W and now he sits as 3/1 favourite which is a nice position to be in, and I would be disappointed given his size that he didn't train on as a three-year-old and maintain his high standards that he has set already.”OJ 

2: ELDAR ELDAROV 

Trainer Roger Varian 

“This son of Dubawi made an eye-popping debut at Nottingham towards the backend of the turf season. After being slightly slowly away to begin with he found his feet and drew clear in style to win by five lengths. The word seemed to be out about him as well as he was well backed from 3/1 in the morning into an SP of 13/8. Bought for 480,000 guineas at the rearranged Arqana Breeze Ups he certainly went some way in showing why he was worth the money that was splashed on him. He is out of the mare All At Sea who was trained in France and she wanted soft ground and maybe that will be the ground Eldar Eldarov wants, coupled with the fact that I think Dubawi's progeny are generally better with a bit of cut that could be his scene but that is generalising and from what I saw on debut I'm expecting big things from this horse this season.”OJ 

3: ANTARAH 

Trainer John & Thady Gosden 

“This horse came to my attention before he even hit the racetrack as I was watching the Gosdens string come past me at the bottom of Warren Hill, and I bumped into one of many of their assistant trainers. I asked him what his best unraced horse was, and his immediate reply was Antarah. The son of Sea The Stars certainly didn't let the stable down on debut or Jim Crowley (who drove for 12hrs just to ride him) which was incidentally at Newcastle, a track where the Gosdens like to send out a nice newcomer. He blobbed away in behind for a few furlongs before Jim let him out and the response was pretty immediate and, in the end, he was eased down at the line. Like Eldar Eldarov I'm expecting big things from him.”OJ 

4: TYLOS 

Trainer Simon & Ed Crisford

“This beautiful looking son of Night of Thunder is owned and indeed sourced from the same place as Eldar Eldarov as a two-year-old for £215,000. His first start at Haydock was encouraging when second to Albahr who has won twice since, including a Grade 1 win in Canada. I then backed him on his second start at Ffos Las in which the market screamed in his favour, however he bumped into a certain Harrow that day and bumped is the right word as both horses got into a bumping match from a furlong out with Harrow coming out on top who has subsequently won twice since at the Ebor and St Leger meeting. Tylos himself then got off the mark in a Novice at Wolverhampton in comfortable style from Withering who interestingly as I write this won yesterday in Meydan. He's one to look out for in the early part of the season and his mark of 87 looks very lenient in my view.”OJ

5: NOBEL 

Trainer Andrew Balding 

“Another horse who looked above average in a Kempton Novice and he got the better of the odds on favourite Western Writer when readily going away to score by three lengths. However, it was afterwards that made me prick my ears up as Andrew Balding said: ' If you'd have asked me what our best two-year-old was in the summer it would have been him'. In addition, Cieren Fallon who was the jockey onboard Nobel was interviewed on Instagram by Frankie Forster and was asked for a horse to follow and he immediately nominated this horse. By Lope De Vega (as we've said a sire who the trainer horses do well) out the Sea The Stars mare Starlet and was purchased at Book 1 for 825,000 guineas, which looked a bit hefty at the time but possibly turn out to be a good buy if the hype is to be believed.”OJ 

6: BRAYDEN STAR 

Trainer Harry & Roger Charlton 

“Now this is an interesting one as he's been backed on all his three starts, especially on debut when not particularly fancied by all accounts when coming in from 25/1 into 8/1. He ended up finishing seventh, but the form of that race was strong with the likes of New Kingdom, Waanees, Oh Herberts Reign, Dubai Poet all going on to win since. His second run was a little confusing though as he was once again well backed again in the morning but drifted like a barge at the off when other forces may have been at play when fourth with the form not as good as his debut subsequently. Was backed again on his last start again at Kempton when second to Kiwano who hasn't really done much in Meydan since but the third has won since so it has a strong look to it. I asked the owner (Chris Kiely) on Twitter how he was, and he responded: ' He's well he'll win the Britannia next year' so maybe his last two runs were for handicap purposes. If that is the way they are thinking, let's hope for a high draw for him at Ascot!” OJ 

7: BAYRAQ 

Trainer Owen Burrows

“This was the horse that was third on Brayden Star's last run at Kempton and he kept on well that day and his jockey Jim Crowley said afterwards that he was denied a clear run. He then went back to Kempton in early October when he comfortably disposed of the odds on favourite Millennial Moon who may not be the most straightforward. But what I liked about Bayraq was when he was challenged by Millennial Moon, he really stuck his neck out and went away again which is something I always like especially in young horses. He's by Kitten's Joy so he may prefer being on the all-weather but that didn't stop his best son Roaring Lion. Bayraq was bought for $120,000 by Shadwell and is also out of Juddmonte Mare Fly Past and is likely to get a mile and a quarter in time.”OJ 

8: THESIS 

Trainer Harry & Roger Charlton

“This beautifully bred son of Kingman is a half-brother to the stable's former Group 1 winner Quadrilateral. Thesis made his debut at Sandown and was well backed throughout the day and ended up going off the 3/1 second favourite behind Dukedom. Looking back at the race it seemed as if Thesis's jockey Richard Kingscote was simply riding to beat Dukedom, but when that horse capitulated and was left in front just over a furlong out. However, his immaturity and the fact it was his first run saw him not able to kick on again and he finished a nice third. Thesis hasn't been out since and I have found out that he actually seized up after that run and was put on box rest for a while and only started cantering again in late September. But the form of that race is strong as we'll get onto with even the sixth winning yesterday. He could even be one for the London Gold Cup Handicap at Newbury a race that his trainer Roger Charlton has a phenomenal record in.”OJ 

9: BULLET FORCE 

Trainer Karl Burke 

“This colt by Cable Bay is a lovely big good-looking sort for a two-year-old and he could grow into his frame even more as a three year old. He was indeed second at Sandown when just getting the better of Thesis for that position when staying on up the Sandown hill. He then went to Sandown again on good to soft ground and finished second but talking to Karl Burke afterwards he regretted running him and he also said: 'the winner is a bit of a monster'. We'll talk about that 'monster' later. But Karl also said that he'd be a good handicapper next year. But he got off the mark at Musselburgh in a maiden on his next time and despite having to be shaken up he was always doing enough. He then ran in two nurseries after that in which I was on him on both occasions (thankfully E/W) as he was third on both occasions. He then was outclassed in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity. But look out for him mainly in handicaps this season. He's been given a mark of 83.”OJ 

10: WESTOVER 

Trainer Ralph Beckett 

“Now this horse is the 'monster' of a horse of which Karl Burke was referring too. This lovely looking son of Frankel won going away from the aforementioned Bullet Force in good style, which even managed to get his trainer Ralph Beckett to break cover and admit to the regard he held him in. Then he too went for the Haynes Hanson & Clark at Newbury, but he pulled too hard and could never reel in Zechariah. However, all was not lost and despite reports of him working well prior to that run the Beckett camp felt that that race would do wonders for the horse’s development. Ryan Moore took over in the saddle for Westover's run in Listed company at Pontefract, and after being well backed into odds on favourite he was narrowly denied by Mr Professor. You could well argue that was more disappointing than his defeat in lower grade at Newbury as he had a lot in his favour that day. However, I'm not sure that Pontefract truly paid to Westover's strengths and back on a more conventional track I think he could get back to winning ways in the early part of the season.”OJ 

Thanks Owen.

Photo: Twitter

John And Thady Gosden (Clarehaven) Ten to Follow for 2022

Great to have David Pidduck forward his ten John and Thady Gosden horses to Follow for the Flat Turf Season 2022. 

Visit his Twitter profile: @DarReMi 

Comments by David Pidduck 

John And Thady Gosden (Clarehaven) Ten to Follow For 2022 

I have chosen not to put Inspiral or Reach For The Moon on this list, as the world and his wife know how good those two are, and that would not be educating anyone. I have picked ten that are either unraced or have had just one start. 

JUVENILES 

1: LMAY 

8/3/20 b f 2nd foal, Frankel (RPR 143) – Alienate (unraced) 

“She was brought from the premier yearling sale, Tattersalls Book 1, last October for 650,000 Gns by Thady Gosden, for a new client. She is three parts to Logician, the 2019 St Leger winner (peak RPR 121). By all accounts, she is a lovely moving filly and a good friend of mine, who attended the Sale, said that she was the second best looking yearling of the entire Book.

Alienate’s dam, Scuffle, was best over 1m-1m2f, and her sire was top class sprinter, Oasis Dream. Her full sister, Sleep Walk, was lightly raced by Roger Charlton and kept to sprint distances, producing a decent peak RPR of 90. 

I suspect, with Frankel’s influence, Lmay will start getting entries over 7f in July/August time.” DP 

2: UNNAMED 

Out of the dam RECKONING 7/4/20 gr/ro c 

6th foal, Roaring Lion (RPR 127) – Reckoning (RPR 104)

“David Redvers brought this colt from the aforementioned Tatts Book 1 Sale for 450,000 Gns. From the much-missed multiple Group 1 winner’s only crop, John Gosden liked this colt the most out of all the Roaring Lion’s that were brought to the Sale. 

The dam has already produced three black type performers from five foals, two of which achieved RPR’s of 120+ in Subjectivist (2021 Ascot Gold Cup winner, by Teofilo) and Sir Ron Priestley (by Australia). 

All the dam’s five foals have raced at two, and I expect this colt to as well, probably getting entries from August onwards.”DP 

3YO’s 3: 

ANTARAH 

(Shadwell Stud) 13/3/19 ch c FORM FIGURE 1- 

2nd foal, Sea The Stars (RPR 138) – Adool (RPR 100)

“He is a Shadwell homebred who created a very good impression on his only start. Jim Crowley only went to Newcastle to ride this colt on a late October evening, and he gave him a superb introduction, educating him in every possible aspect of a 2 yo's first day at school. 

Whilst the time of the race was poor, over the straight 1m Tapeta track, the style of his performance was classy, beating a promising three race OR’ed 85 colt by over 3l, whilst coming from last to first. His work on the Limekilns in the lead up to the race was noteworthy, and he had already been impressing high ranking staff at Clarehaven before his only start. 

He has been given a Prix du Jockey Club entry (French Classic entries came out in mid-February) and I take that as a positive indicator that he is still heading in the right direction. It will be interesting to see if he gets a 2,000 Guineas entry in early May, but he looks certain to progress given his sire.”DP 

4: AUDIENCE 

(Cheveley Park Stud) 17/3/19 b c FORM FIGURE 1- 

4th foal, Iffraaj (RPR 125) – Ladyship (RPR 105) 

“Another homebred, he was impressive on his sole start at Newmarket in late October. Given a masterful ride by Rab Havlin (who is one of the best jockey’s around giving juveniles their first start), he won by nearly 4l from the Godolphin favourite, who is now OR’ed 80. Nothing has come out of the race since, except for the runner up, but ten of the 12 runners were from Newmarket yards and at least nine of the runners came from yards who are capable of housing a top-level performer. 

John said after the race that Audience had always been well thought of, and a couple of little niggles had kept him off the track until then. Mentally, he was a little immature, so the experience would bring him on a lot, and it was always John’s intention to put him away until this year and get him out in April for a Novice over 7f-1m. Another plus is the fact that he has proved he can cope with Newmarket’s Rowley mile undulations, and it will be of great interest to see if he is given a Guineas entry in early March.”DP 

5: EMOTION 

(Qatar Racing) 26/3/19 ch f UNRACED AT TWO 

6th foal, Frankel (RPR 143) – Molly Malone (RPR 112) 

“This filly has always been well thought of, and was always going to be a 3yo, so it was not surprising that she has yet to make the track. John was looking at giving her a run and I do think that she will be aimed at the first Newmarket or Newbury meetings in mid-April, to get her career started. 

Her action is extremely good, she has exceptional presence and strength plus a good attitude to her work. 

The dam has an abundance of stamina, being placed twice in Group company over 1m4f before posting a personal best RPR when winning the 2m4f Prix du Cadran (on heavy ground). The sire needs no introduction and I think John and Thady will start her off over 1m2f. There is a maiden over that trip, on the first day of Newbury’s Greenham meeting, that John has targeted with decent fillies in the past.”DP 

6: KING'S JOY 

(Sir Anthony Oppenheimer) 12/3/19 b f FORM FIGURE 1- 

3rd foal, Kingman (RPR 128) – Golden Laughter (RPR 66) 

“The dam was moderate for John and has produced two foals so far, both of which have shown some promise with RPR’s in the 70’s. After being paired with Oasis Dream and Dark Angel, it piqued my interest that Kingman was this fillies sire, given his connection with Clarehaven. She is a homebred and she made her only racecourse start on the 1st December in a 1mPoly Lingfield fillies Novice. 

Given a lovely ride by Rab Havlin, from her widest draw, she was green, tall, and towered over much of the field in terms of her physique. She won, beating two fillies with experience and fair form in the book. 

Rab said afterwards that she had been working well enough at home beforehand and that the race was the stronger of the two divisions on the card, adding a little more depth to the form, even though the subsequent runs of those behind her have not set the world alight. 

She will need to fill into her frame over the winter, but the fact that she has been given a French 1,000 Guineas entry in mid-February suggests that she is progressing in the right direction.”DP 

7: KNIGHT OF HONOUR 

(Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum) 8/2/19 b c FORM FIGURE 3- 

4th foal, Decorated Knight (RPR 121) – Princess Noor (RPR 110) 

“John had trained this colt’s half-sister so had some knowledge of the family before he made his racecourse debut in mid-October at Leicester over 7GS. 

He finished third, beaten half a length. However, when you watch the race, he came from much further back than the front two, had to be switched round runners and finished off the race well. To add to further positives to his CV, the pair that beat him are both well thought of, he raced away from the principles and the winner had already had the experience of two starts. 

But the most interesting development was from the French Classic entries, where he was given a Prix du Jockey Club entry. Clearly, he has gone the right way over the winter.”DP 

8: MIGHTY ULYSSES 

(Saeed Suhail) 3/4/19 b c FORM FIGURE 1- 

3rd foal, Ulysses (RPR 127) – Token Of Love (RPR 108) 

“John has sent some Group 1 performers to Yarmouth to make their racecourse debut’s, and this grandly named colt could be another. He made his debut in mid-September over 1mG and the turn of foot he showed to put the race to bed in the final furlong was impressive, especially as he was away from the main protagonists when making his run. 

Rab Havlin was excellent again in giving this colt an excellent education and he commented after the race that the colt had always shown plenty of ability at home. 

Well respected paddock watcher, Ken Pitterson, described him as a sizable colt and he was also impressed with the run. 

Once again, my hopes for Mighty Ulysses increased, when I saw him in the list of entries for both the Prix du Jockey Club and Grand Prix de Paris. A very well-respected, high-ranking employee at Clarehaven, has also said that he is one of two he is looking forward to taking racing this season.”DP 

9: MORNING POEM 

(Mrs Rebecca Philipps) 2/3/19 b f FORM FIGURE 1- 

2nd foal, Kingman (RPR 128) – Mill Springs (RPR 104) 

“John trained both the sire and the dam, and she made her debut at Kempton over 1mPoly with Rab Havlin. Slowly away, like most of John and Thady’s, she was settled at the rear until entering the straight. Rab was weighing up his options before the cutaway and decided to come wide, down the stands side, whilst the front pair, who were prominent throughout, went for home. She made up considerable ground, under hands and heels to get up close home, beating both the well backed, well thought of favourite and the eventual third, who both had the benefit of experience. 

She seemed to have a lovely frame and size on the Racing TV pictures that I watched, and she seems to have gone the right way, given she has been given an entry in the Prix de Diane. 

Her ideal trip would be difficult to predict, given that Kingman’s progeny seem to struggle in the top-class races over trips of 1m4f+. But given the dam’s abundant stamina, producing three figure RPR’s over 1m6f and 2m4f, Morning Poem may buck that trend. The Diane trip of 1m2f would seem to be her minimum in my opinion, but she remains a filly of extreme promise.”DP 

10: SAMBURU 

(Juddmonte) 1/2/19 b c FORM FIGURE 1- 

1st foal, Kingman (RPR 128) – Tempera (RPR 89) 

“This homebred is another 2yo that made his debut at Yarmouth, and this was in mid-October over 7GS. Kieran O’Neill rode him as Rab Havlin rode another of John and Thady’s debutants, Salvator Mundi. Towards the rear, he made smooth headway on the outside to win well with Kieran only having to give one smack with the persuader. Those placed behind are of the 78-84 range in terms of ability, but Samburu had been impressing those at Clarehaven on the lead up to the race and he was expected to need the run too. 

Jason Weaver, on Sky Sports Racing, made Samburu his paddock pick, saying that he was physically impressive. 

Kieran said after the race that he was surprised that he picked up as well as he did, as he hadn’t come off the bridle at home. That is a positive sign, in that he is working so well and well within himself. 

A very well-respected, high-ranking employee at Clarehaven, has also said that he is one of two he is looking forward to taking racing this season, the other being Mighty Ulysses.”DP 

An impressive post by David Pidduck.

Photo: Twitter

Kyle Kerby's 5 Three-Year-Olds to follow for 2022

Great to have Kyle Kerby forward his 5 Three-Year-Olds to Follow for the Flat Turf Season 2022. 

Visit his Twitter Profile: @kylekerby97 

Comments by Kyle Kerby 

1: ANTARAH - Sea the Stars (IRE) - Adool (IRE) 

Trained by John and Thady Gosden. 

''This lad made a good impression up at Newcastle back in October we all know Gosden likes to send a good one here on debut he won nicely over a mile being pushed out with one tap from Crowley very easily he looks like one to progress onto better things. Dam Adool was a nice type for trainer Dermont Weld who only raced one season for owner Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum, wasn’t a bad season to be honest finishing first on debut and winning the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran Park in 2016. '' KK

2: FLOTUS - Starspangledbanner (AUS) Floriade (IRE) 

Trained by Simon & Ed Crisford 

''This filly won nicely on debut before three average runs before putting it back together with a nice win at Ripon and a good second in the Cheveley Park Stakes behind Tenebrism to me she looks a sprinter and should stay at short trips she looks made for a race like the Commonwealth Cup and worth keeping an eye on. Purchased for 125,000gns and since been sold for 1,000,000gns to new owner Mr KatsumYoshidai.'' KK 

3: AL MUBHIR - Frankel (GB) Muffri’Ha (IRE) 

Trained by William Haggas 

''This Frankel colt won what looked a pretty good maiden at Newmarket at the time over 7 furlongs beating a well touted Gosden horse in Filistine who won a division 2 Novice next time up he looks one to follow over a mile this season. Dam Muffri’Ha was also with William Haggas and a nice one competing in many of the top races over the years and winning some black type along the way, won the Darley Stakes in 2016.'' KK 

4: NEW COMEDY - Sea the Stars (IRE) Tearless (GB) 

Trained by Charlie Appleby 

''This horse looked like a big raw baby learning on the job and winning on debut at Southwell he was very green but was pushed out to win nicely in the end the form has no substance yet but he looks one to keep an eye on up in trip this season. The three-year-old gelding is a half-brother to Nonchalance who only ran one season for John Gosden winning twice. Dam Tearless another who only raced one season for Charlie Appleby winning a Listed race in her final start for the boys in blue.'' KK 

5: TUESDAY - Galileo (IRE) Lillie Langtry (IRE) 

Trained by Aidan O’Brien 

''This filly is a potential classic hope this year very well bred; she was second to Discoveries on debut staying on well over 7 furlongs stepping up in trip this year will bring out improvement the form is also nice with Discoveries winning a Moyglare back in August. Tuesday has stacks of potential.'' KK 

I really appreciate these posts as it keeps us flat fans interested until the new season, again if you fancy doing a guest post drop me an email craignewton@175gmail.com.

Photo: Twitter

Monday's 2yo Racing Tips (25th October)

1:00 Redcar - 

A competitive race with a few interesting juveniles. Bailey's Accolade and Sezaam re-oppose after the latter won by a head and now carries a penalty. I though Bailey's Accolade went a stride too fast on that previous encounter and should have an advantage over Michael Dod's charge. Emperor Cradoc didn't achieve much on debut when racing over 6f at Carlisle. However, he did much better when returning at York, stepping up to 7f. That was a marked improvement and a bold front-running effort. I must admit, I have slight concerns about this son of Siyouni dropping back in distance. Generally, it is best to regard the trainer knows best (as they should do) so I will consider Bryan Smart feels this testing ground will be a positive and the trip adequate. Personally, I would rather him race over 7f. To add to the mix we have Richard Fahey's Superior Council who races in the familiar silks of Clipper Logisitics. This son of Kodiac out of a debut-winning mare cost 185,000G. Fahey can go well on debut and if starting favourite would be a good sign. 

Conclusion: A tricky race with a few live chances. 

2:50 Leicester - 

This looks a prime opportunity for Sacred Jewel, who could well start odds on. 

6:00 Newcastle - 

John Gosden's Antarah is fancied to go well on his debut. The stable have a healthy strike rate this month and his favourite take some beating. I must say, if Antarah is good enough to beat Savvy Victory on debut it will be a decent horse. Also, Kevin Ryan's Million Thanks isn't out of the picture. A watching race, but very interesting. 

Author: Jason Coote