Unraced Three-Year-Olds To Follow (2021)

It seems a bit weird writing about my 3-year-olds to follow for 2021 when we still have a few 2-year-old horses filtering through, but with plenty to write about in the coming weeks and months I thought It was best to start early. 

Looking back at last season's 3-year-olds to follow list it didn’t turn out too bad with Tomouh, Throne Hall, Top Class Angel, Magical Morning, Man Of Promise, Sparkling Olly, Cosmic Princess, Frankenstella and Lord Campari all getting a win or two on the board. No excuses but I feel this season has been different with the 2yos starting late and one of my usual angles I use all over the place but even so I have still noted a few down for the coming season starting with a few unraced 3-year-olds I have my eye on. I’m pretty sure most have talent but price wise could be short. As with all debutantes it could be best to watch first timeout and of course check the market. I have added a few unnamed at the bottom and will try to add the names when I can but if anybody has information feel free to get in touch. 

1: CARLO LANDOLFI (IRE) is by Galileo (IRE) out of unraced mare Along The Beach (USA), trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/MrsJMagnier. Nothing needs to be said about super sire Galileo. Along The Beach was out of sire War Front and out of Dam Wading whose offspring included the excellent O’Brien pair Just Wonderful who ran in group races throughout her career and Lost Treasure another group performer for the Ballydoyle team. 

2: DRUMMER GIRL (IRE) is by Galileo (IRE) out of Quiet Oasis (IRE), trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Westerberg & Mrs J Magnier & Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith. Drummer Girl was purchased for 2,100,000 Guineas at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales. A full-sister Lancaster House who was the first foal for dam Quiet Oasis. Lancaster House won his first three races including a Listed event at Listowel and won the Group 3 Coolmore Calyx Gladness Stakes this year. 

3: EMPRESS JOSEPHINE (IRE) is by Galileo (IRE) out of Lillie Langtry (IRE), trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Mrs John Magnier, Mr M.Tabor & Mr D.Smith. Dam Lillie Langtry was a top class performer for Aidan winning plenty of group races including the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Ascot in 2010. Empress Josephine comes from a lovely family which include Minding and Kissed By Angels. 

4: HATHLOOL (IRE) is by Awtaad (IRE) out of Majestic Jasmine (IRE), trained by Kevin Prendergast and owned by Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum. Dam Majestic Jasmine ran to a decent level winning three times for John Oxx. Hathlool was purchased for 220,000 Guineas at the 2019 October Yearling Sales by Shadwell Estate Company. 

5: NEW KINGDOM (IRE) is by Dubawi (IRE) out of Nightime (IRE), trained by Charlie Appleby and owned by Godolphin. The 700,000 gns purchase could be a nice 3-year-old for the boys in blue this season. The Chestnut colt is a full-brother to the Charlie Appleby superstar Ghaiyyath who has a Racing Post Rating of 131 after a series of group wins throughout an amazing career in which he has earned over £800,000. 

6: RIVER EDEN (IRE) is by Invincible Spirit (IRE) out of Lady Heidi (GB), trained by David Simcock and owned and bred by Sun Kingdom Pty Ltd. A half-sister to the Roger Varian gelding Look Closely who took a few runs to hit top speed and won his novice race fourth timeout as a three-year-old then at four won a couple of nice handicaps at Ascot. Dam Lady Heidi won the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract back in 2013 for Philip Kirby. 

7: ULSTER BLACKWATER (IRE) is by Camelot (GB) out of Silver Rain (FR), trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien and owned by Sun Bloodstock Sarl. A very well-thought of bay filly for Joseph who is related to a couple of nice types from the André Fabre yard. Dam Silver Rain had a nice career in France winning numerous times for trainer Trainer Mme C. Head and one I’m looking forward to next season. 

8: MOHJATTY is by Awtaad out of Ezima, trained by John Gosden and owned by Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum. Lovely pedigree and a half-sister to the John Gosden trained Taghrooda who won the Oaks, Pretty Polly Stakes and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Interested to see what trip she starts out as will need a trip for sure. 

9: ESPANIA (IRE) is by Galileo (IRE) out of Green Room (USA), trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor, Smith. Bought at the October Orby Sale for €3,000,000. The Galileo filly comes from a lovely family that includes Together Forever and Forever Together. 

10: MAGIC HOUR is by Galileo (IRE) out of Aleagueoftheirown (IRE) , trained by Andre Fabre and purchased by Westerberg at the 2019 October Orby Sale for €2,200,000. A full-sister to the 122 rated Alice Springs who had a tremendous career for trainer Aidan O’Brien. 

11: VALIANT PRINCE - Dubawi (IRE) / Chachamaidee (IRE) B.C. (IRE) Redgate Bloodstock Ltd.Godolphin 200,000 at the October Yearling Sales. A half-brother to the 300,000 Yearling filly Klassique who won the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock and a full-brother to the George Scott trained Narak. Trained by Charlie Appleby. 

12: SYMBOLIC GESTURE - New Approach (IRE) / Token of Love (GB) B.C. (GB) Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd. Godolphin 320,000 at the October Yearling Sales. Dam Token of Love was rated 107 and only raced on good/firm or firm ground for William Haggas, the highlight of her short career was winning the Dick Hern Fillies Stakes at Haydock before moving to America. Trained by Charlie Appleby. 

13: PEACE ARCH - Dubawi (IRE) / Ghurra (USA) B.F. (IRE) 

Castlefarm Stud, Ireland (Agent) Godolphin 700,000 at the October Yearling Sales. A half-sister to the 123 rated John Gosden colt Shalaa who had an outstanding career winning the Darley Prix Morny Group 1 to name just one of her group wins. Dam Ghurra never really hit the heights that were expected and moved to America in 2006. 

14: FANCIFUL TALE - Dark Angel (IRE) / Beatrix Potter (IRE) 2018 Filly Baroda Stud Godolphin €1,000,000 A full-sister to Harry Angel and a half-sister to Pierre Lapin. Harry Angel was a £44,000 yearling and had an official rating of 131. One of the many highlights being winning the Duke of York Stakes at York in 2018. Trained by Charlie Appleby. 

Thanks for reading and look out for my next 3-year-olds to follow coming soon. It’s been a challenging year to say the least so stay safe and have a Happy New Year from all the team.

Merry Christmas You Filthy Animals!

Over the next few weeks I will take a look back at a few posts from earlier this year to keep the brain ticking over until the new flat season starts. 

I wrote a post back in May this year about a few expensive purchases made at the Tattersalls’ Premier Yearling Sales so thought it would be worthwhile checking if they actually made the grade or just disappointed. 

BLUE PLANET was the first and was purchased for 1,800,000 Guineas. A nice pedigree, expensive purchase and trained by the master Aidan O’Brien himself. The Kingman colt Blue Planet made his debut at Dundalk towards the end of October when starting 9/1. That was a pretty satisfactory debut when finishing third so it will be interesting to see what plans Aidan has next year. 

MAGIC HOUR and ESPANIA are still to make their debuts so the next was ST MARK’S BASILICA another for the O’Brien team who had a tremendous 2020 despite taking a few runs to get off the mark. St Mark’s was purchased for 1,300,000 Guineas. The Siyouni colt is a half-brother to Magna Grecia and won his maiden third time of asking before going on to finish third in the National Stakes and then went on to win the Group 1 Dewhurst at Newmarket in October at odds of 10/1. 

A different story for the next two 1,000,000 Guineas purchases who have both disappointed to date. The first MANASSAS comes from a nice family and has only ran once so far but finished stone last for the Kevin Ryan team. Next up is the John Gosden Dubawi colt MAHOMES who has looked pretty average to say the least in all three races this season. DRUMMER GIRL another who has yet to set foot on the racecourse. 

Next up a few Godolphin horses I marked down as 2-year-olds to follow back in May. NOBLE DYNASTY won second timeout at Kempton at odds on and looks a nice prospect for Charlie Appleby. DHAHABI got off the mark at Newmarket on debut and has run to a decent level in his last two races. ACT OF WISDOM was unplaced on debut but the Galileo colt has won three on the bounce including a couple of nice handicaps. Last one to mention is CREATIVE FORCE who won on debut but was soundly beaten next timeout in the Coventry Stakes back in June at Ascot. Creative Force hasn't been seen since, so I wouldn't be giving up just yet on this €400,000 Dubawi gelding. 

Keep an eye out for more of the same this season when I will add a few more Godolphin newcomers and a few expensive purchases to keep a track of for the 2021 season. 

Rewind back to January and I identified a few unraced Michael Stoute and owner Cheveley Park horses to keep an eye out for and out of the three that have ran POTAPOVA looks a star for next season after a demolition job at Chelmsford when winning by over 6-lengths in what was an impressive debut.

I will continue looking back at a few more horses in my next post but one bit of exciting news for next season is that all being well I will be previewing a few unraced 2-year-olds from the Roger Varian team which I am so excited about and I have been also invited to go down to have a look around the Carlburg Stables in the heart of Newmarket which is just brilliant and hopefully all being well I make the long trip from Liverpool some time in 2021. 

Time to get back to watching Home Alone with the family so stay safe and have a Merry Christmas.

Two-Year-Olds (2yos) With the Biggest Price Tags for 2020 Flat Season

Each year horse racing fans wait with anticipation for the most esteemed yearling sale:

Tattersalls’ Premier Yearling Sales Book 1

The best of the best stallions are represented with the likes of Dubawi who stands at Darley Stud for a fee of £250,000. 

Kingsman's stallion fee has been increased from £75,000 to £150,000 for Juddmonte Farms. 

The mighty Frankel a stallion fee of £175,000. 

Let’s not forget the daddy of them all Galileo - the father of Frankel - who stands at Coolmore Stud in Ireland and is reportedly one of the most expensive stallions in the world. 

Although the stud fee is given as private, a figure of £400,000 isn't too wide of the mark for this super stallion. 

No wonder their offspring are costly acquisitions. 

The hope of owning the next superstar - it's a billionaire's dream. These high profile owners think nothing of writing a cheque with ten zeros for a prized yearling. In general, they don't make much of a betting proposition because their reputation proceeds them. The buzz of seeing these big-ticket purchases set hoof on the racecourse it a joy to behold. 

Take a look at this post in a year's time and see if any make the grade. 

I will update names when I can. 

BLUE PLANET Kingman (GB) / One Last Dance (AUS) B.C. (GB) Hazelwood Bloodstock MV Magnier 1,800,000 Guineas 

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and bought at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales. Second foal of dam One Last Dance who won the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude Stakes in Australia back in 2011. Blue Planet was bred by John Camilleri's Fairway Thoroughbreds who introduced us to Australian superstars Winx and Vancouver. Blue Planet has the potential to be an exciting prospect for the O’Brien yard and one I'm looking forward to seeing in the future.

ESPANIA Filly by Galileo (IRE) x Green Room (USA) Ballylinch Stud M V Magnier/Westerberg €3,000,000 

Bought at the October Orby Sale by M V Magnier/Westerberg and trained by Aidan O’Brien. Dam Green Room was unraced but that hasn’t stopped her producing some top-class offsprings and Aidan already has two talents from this family in the names of Together Forever(rated 112) and Forever Together(rated 117) interesting that both needed a couple of runs to release their full potential but Espania could potentially a smart horse from the O’Brien yard.  

MAGIC HOUR Filly by Galileo (IRE) x Aleagueoftheirown (IRE) Glenvale Stud Westerberg €2,200,000 

Bought at the October Orby Sale by Westerberg and will be possibly trained by Aidan O’Brien. A full-sister to the 122 rated Alice Springs who was also trained by Aidan O’Brien and was a multiple group winner in an outstanding career. The Falmouth Group 1 Stakes was just one of many highlights for the 550,000. 

ST MARK’S BASILICA Siyouni (FR) / Cabaret (IRE) B.C. (FR) Norelands Stud, Ireland MV Magnier 1,300,000 Guineas 

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and bought at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales. Half-brother to the 340,000 Guineas Magna Grecia who of course won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last year for the O’Brien team and is rated 124. Dam Cabaret was a fairly useful performer herself with a rating of 93 after a decent 2-year-old career winning the Silver Flash Group 3 Stakes at Leopardstown. Acted on soft ground. 

MANASSAS Dubawi (IRE) / Without You Babe (USA) B.C. (GB) Newsells Park Stud Ltd. Kevin Ryan 1,000,000 Guineas 

Bought by Kevin Ryan on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales. Dam Without You Babe was unraced but has produced some quality horses including the 125 rated Tamarkuz, the 107 rated John Gosden filly She’s Got You and the 119 rated Without Parole who won the Group 1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Ascot in 2018 to name just one success. The colt has a lot to live up to but one of interest. 

MAHOMES Dubawi (IRE) / The Fugue (GB) B.C. (GB) Watership Down Stud David Redvers Bloodstock 1,000,000 Guineas 

Bought at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales by David Redvers on behalf of Sheikh Fahad and will be trained by John Gosden. Dam The Fugue was an exceptional performer for John Gosden and owner Lord Lloyd-Webber. The 128 rated filly contested top-quality races and one of the highlights was winning the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes in 2014 to make it her fourth Group 1 win in a remarkable career. Outstanding pedigree on paper and another to look forward to this season. 

UNNAMED filly by Galileo (IRE) x Devoted To You (IRE) Barronstown Stud Phoenix T'breds/Aquis Farm €1,100,000 

Bought at the October Orby Sale by Phoenix T'breds/Aquis Farm Comes from a nice family who has produced some nice types that are usually trained by Aidan O’Brien including the winner of the Irish Derby Sovereign who last year sprung a surprise when given an outstanding ride by Jockey Padraig Beggy when getting first run and not stopping. Also, a full-sister to Dawn Rising who was too green to do justice on his only run last year and one to keep an eye out for next time. 

DRUMMER GIRL Galileo (IRE) / Quiet Oasis (IRE) Ch.F. (IRE) Barronstown Stud, Ireland MV Magnier / Westerberg 2,100,000 Guineas 

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and bought at the Tattersalls Yearling Sales. A full-sister to the exciting Lancaster House who was the first foal for dam Quiet Oasis. Lancaster House won his first three races including a Listed event at Listowel before quickly turning out again in the Boomerang Stakes at Leopardstown five days later and disappointing but still remains with potential. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.

Photo: Galileo