Mehmas 2yo's To Follow (2021)

Normal service was resumed on Friday afternoon at Leicester when Gubbass set the ball rolling again for last year's two-year-old and leading first crop sire Mehmas. The seven-year-old stallion Mehmas, who was also trained by Richard Hannon and stands at Tally Ho Stud for 25,000 euros an increase from 7,500 euros from the previous year. 

The Bay Acclamation horse was purchased at the Tattersalls 2015 October Yearling Sales for a bargain 62,000 gns, you could say it was money very well-spent as in his only season racing Mehmas earned a total of £305,953 prize money in what was a spectacular season winning two group races along the way including the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and with it a prize of £113,00. 

It’s always unknown how the sire's offspring will perform but with 58 individual winners in what was a brilliant start to his stud career you could say it started with a bang.

Muker trained by Philip Makin and owned by familiar owners Syps Limited. The £27,000 purchase certainly paid his purchase fee back and more after winning on the opening day of the delayed 2020 season at Newcastle at 20/1 and then went onto to finish third at Royal Ascot in what was a brilliant performance in the Windsor Castle and another tremendous effort over in Ireland finishing third in the Group 3 Pat Smullen Stakes. 

Clive Cox unleashed another Mehmas offspring called Supremacy at Windsor in June last season and despite the £65,000 purchase finishing sixth on debut the bay colt made no mistake next timeout a month later at the same course when putting in an impressive performance and heading to the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood with decent claims. Another impressive win made him a name to be reckoned with and the Clive Cox colt hadn’t finished with the best yet to come with a win in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket earning him a timeform rating of 119. I will be looking forward to seeing Supremacy again this season.

Acklam Express another Mehmas offspring and bargain for Nigel Tinkler costing just 26,000 euros had a superb season winning the Listed Rose Stakes at York and placed in all three starts at Meydan this year. 

Minzaal was another who was group class winning the Group 2 Gimcrack and finishing third in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes for Owen Burrows and looks a serious horse for this season. 

Method, Mystery Smiles, Magnanimous, Mamba Wamba, Tetragonal and Virgin Isla all placed at decent levels. I have noted a few for this season that can hopefully win a race or two, some more expensive than others and as always I will be checking the market when they run, I will also update names when available. 

WISH FOR ME:Born 10/3/2019, trained by Joseph O’Brien and purchased for £330,000 at the Orby Sales. A half-sister to K Club who won first timeout for Richard Hannon. K Club has since moved to Germany winning a few decent races including the Group 3 Von Lotto in Hamburg last season over five furlongs, also a half-sister to Back To Brussels who won on debut in Ireland. 

MARITIME RULES: Born 3/3/2019, trained by Richard Hannon and purchased for £95,000 at the Goffs Yearling Sales. A full-brother to Fayathaan who won for Richard Fahey last season and also a half-brother to Chairmanic who won for Brian Meehan. 

SHARESA: Born 27/3/2019, trained by Mark Johnston and owned by Mohammed Bin Hamad Khalifa Al Attiya. The Chesnut filly was purchased at the October yearling sales for 42,000 gns and a half-sister to the Ralph Beckett trained Devilwala as 2-year-old debut winner who was previously owned by Archie Watson. 

CIRCOLOCO: Born 21/1/2019, trained by Michael Dods and owned by Mr D Stone & Mrs C Dods. The Bay filly was purchased for 34,000 gns. Dam Special Focus finished second in a Listed race at Naas as a 2-year old for trainer Jim Bloger. 

BARLEY:Born 26/3/2019, trained by Martyn Meade and owned by Aquis Farm And Manton Park. The Bay colt was purchased for £68,000 at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale. Dam Cornakill was a decent type for trainer Kevin Prendergast and won twice as a 2-year-old over seven furlongs. A couple of nice offspring worth noting are Ghost Serge who was trained by Archie Watson early on in his career and won his first two races over six furlongs. The Stalking Moon was another this time trained by John Quinn who won the fourth time of asking at Redcar back in 2016 over six furlongs. 

MEHMAS / FLAT WHITE: Born 20/2/2019, trained by James Tate and owned by Sheikh J. D. Al Maktoum. The Bay filly was purchased for 140,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales. Dam Flat White was unraced and this will be the first foal. Second Dam Caffe Latte won her first two races in France before having a decent career in America under the guidance of Bob Baffert. 

WILD PLACE: Born 25/1/2019, trained by Saeed Bin Suroor and owned by Godolphin. Purchased for 180,000 gns at the October Yearling Sales. 

Good luck and thanks for reading.

1:30 Windsor: It Pays to be a Good Listener (19th October)

Just taking a quick look at Monday's two-year-old races. 

I notice the Visit attheraces.com Novice Median Auction Stakes (Class5) (2yo) over 5f (5f 21y) on soft going. 

Scanning down the 8-strong field. 

Good Listener, trained by Richard Hannon, caught the eye. This bay colt, a son of Mehmas, out of an unraced mare, is held in pretty high regard by the stable and owner Mrs Fitri Hay (she's no mug). 

This bay colt was purchased by Peter & Ross Doyle for £50,000 at the yearling sales. 

There was a lot to like about this colt's debut effort at York when finishing third at odds of 10/1. 

Good Listener was quite keen in the early stages but travelled with real purpose before tiring in the closing furlong behind Showalong, who is a fair two-year-old for Tim Easterby. 

It's worth noting that Good Listener had been earmarked for a Listed race, so this race type looks ideal. 

The Racing Post details the tissue prices (which I don't like assessing horses) and they have this colt priced at 15/8f. I see some lucky devil (if you can believe it) got 5/1 for a few quid on Betfair. I'm not sure if some of these early bets are even real!

Anyway, I will be looking forward to seeing what the betting looks like for this horse, and if the bookies are at all generous this looks a fine opportunity. 

It would be unbelievable if this horse was priced each way odds, as that would be an absolute steal. 

It's more likely to start odds on. 

One of the more interesting races and horses. 

Guest post: Jason Coote 

Two-Year-Old (2yo) Eye-Catchers

Imperial Yellow was a £40,000 purchase at the 2019 Premier Yearling Sales for Roger Varian. His dam Soteria never set the world alight for Roger Varian and owners China Horse Club International when only racing three times in 2015. The New Bay colt started his career in what looks like a pretty decent maiden at Newmarket at the beginning of June. The winner Modern News finished fifth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last week and looks a nice type for Charlie Appleby this season. Another Appleby runner Noble Dynasty who finished second in that Newmarket Maiden also looks a nice type and could even be the best horse to come out of that maiden, looks one to keep an eye out for in future. Imperial Yellow opened up at 22s and was supported to 16s at the off, the bay colt dwelt at the start and was then steadied towards the rear by jockey Andrea Atzeni before making steady progress all the way to the line. Imperial Yellow wasn’t beaten far in the end and when stepped up in distance will hopefully pick up a win for the Varian yard. 

Nurse Florence was a 33,000 euro purchase for Jamie Osborne at the 2019 Orby Sale. Owners The 10 For 10 Partnership also owns Overpriced Mixer who rattled up a couple of wins at the back end of last season. Hopefully, Nurse Florence can do the same after a promising start to her career at Yarmouth this month. Even though it was only a four runner affair and Nurse Florence wasn’t fancied in the market at 10s, I’m pretty sure Jamie Osborne would have been pleased with the performance of the Gutifan grey filly put in. Nicola Currie kept Nurse Florence in a decent enough position from the start even though slightly slow away from the stalls before making steady progress and finishing a close up third with plenty more left in the tank. The winner that day Yazaman has since run a great race to finish second in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. I can’t see much of a price for Nurse Florence next time but hopefully, she can get a win on the board for trainer Jamie Osborne. 

Ventura Tormenta who was having the first race of his career at Royal Ascot last week in the Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) and ran an absolute blinder for the Richard Hannon and the Middleham Park Team. The Acclamation bay colt was purchased at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sales for £95.000 and could be a name to look out for this season after an impressive debut. Considering Ventura was setting foot on the racecourse for his first time he looked professional and knew his job from the start against more experienced rivals. Waited within midfield by jockey Pat Dobbs Ventura Tormenta could never really get involved in the finish and I can see Ventura Tormenta being more tuned up and ready next timeout but take nothing away from him this was an eye-catching performance first timeout. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

The one I have put in my trackers is the Roger Teal's Dark Angel colt Gussy Mac who was purchased for £52,000 at the Goffs Premier Yearling August Sale. This April foal was slowly away (which can be forgiven for his first run) and was then settled in at the back of the field by jockey Jason Watson before making headway a few furlongs out to finish a never nearer sixth. I hope Gussy Mac can settle down next start and hopefully pick up a race for Roger Teal.

Her Majesty The Queen Two-Year-olds (2yos) to Follow in 2020

Scrawling my way through the Horses in Training 2020, published by Raceform. It includes almost 20,000 horses, nearly 600 trainers, Jockeys' Weights, and Retainers.  

It is a decent buy detailing the majority of two-year-old horses for the upcoming season.

A handful of leading trainers didn't want their info published. Each to their own - although I will find the data one way or the other. (I've already got it).

One owner who isn't shy to detail her string of two-year-olds is Her Majesty the Queen. With a particular interest in the breeding of thoroughbred horses, the majority (if not all) are homebred.     

Her Majesty initially inherited the breeding and racing stock from her late father King George VI in 1952. In fact, the racing silks are the same as used by her father and great-grandfather King Edward VII. Her Majesty the Queen has achieved over 1600 winners, the only Classic she hasn't won is the Epsom Derby. She went close to tasting victory in 1953 when Aureole finished second (the year of her coronation). 

One of her best racehorses Dunfermline won two classics, the Epsom Oaks and St Leger Stakes (Doncaster) in the year of her Silver Jubilee (1977). 

Unsurprisingly she doesn't gamble but enjoys the outcome of a successful breeding match. Also, it is reputed she reads the Racing Post over her breakfast every morning.      

Take a moment to review the two-year-olds by trainer:

Richard Hannon, Marlborough

Collinsbay 
Safe Passage 

Roger Charlton, Beckhampton

Encourage 

Michael Bell, Newmarket 

Bookmark 
Closeness 
Humming Bee
Inveigle
Realist 
Stimulate 
Sun Festival 

Andrew Balding, Kingsclere

Tactical

John Gosden, Newmarket 

Enthral 
Pied Piper 
Shepherd's Delight 
Wakening 

Two-year-old to be allocated:

Eastern Dawn 
Orchestral 
Orderofsuccession 
Sentence 
Sergeant Major 
Thought Process
Tynwald 
Vital Force 
Well Spent 

Good luck.

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

Three-year-old (3yo) Horses to Follow in 2020 (Part 3)

THRONE HALL is by Kingman (GB) out of Appearance (GB), trained by K A Ryan and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. The Kingman Bay Colt didn’t show any sign of inexperience on debut at Haydock last August when finishing third to the experienced Atheeb. I wouldn't say the form of this race is anything special even though the fifth that day King Carney does look a nice prospect after winning the Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract. Hopefully, with a good winter behind him, he will pick up a Maiden this season. 

THEBIAN is by Kingman (GB) out of Amarillo Starlight (IRE), trained by John Gosden and owned by Ms. Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum. Not much to go on with this Kingman Bay Colt but I just have a hunch the £230,000 Breeze up purchase could be better than what he showed on his debut at Chelmsford last September. Thebian was weak in the betting and crawled out the stalls but still managed to get back to the lead and used a lot of energy doing so before fading the final furlong and finishing at the back of the field. I will be checking for any support next time out after a few months off the track. 

TOMOUH is by Dubawi (IRE) out of Sundrop (JPN), trained by Saeed Bin Suroor owned by Godolphin. I won’t be giving up just yet on this Dubawi Filly despite a pretty average performance at Newmarket last August. The winner that day was the talented Powerful Breeze who finished second in the Fillies Mile. Tomouh was well-backed on debut but could never land a blow and was soundly beaten, the support and the fact she had a few nice entries make me think better was expected that day. Dam Sundrop ended her career with a win and an official rating of 112 the highlight being the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares). A step up in trip will hopefully bring the improvement needed to get a win on the board. 

TOP CLASS ANGEL is by Dark Angel (IRE) out of Expensive Date (GB), trained by Richard Hannon Jr and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. The 240,000 Euro Dark Angel bay Filly purchased from the 2018 Orby Sales looks a nice type for Richard Hannon despite still being a Maiden. Her two runs last season both showed a win will come sooner rather than later. Top Class Angels last run at Haydock was a bit unlucky I thought as she was drawn out wide and had to be settled at the back by Pat Dobbs, losing a few lengths in doing so. The winner West End Girl won the Sweet Solera Stakes for Mark Johnston a couple of runs later as for Top Class Angel she was staying on under a considerate ride and looks a nice type for the new season. 

TURAATH is by Oasis Dream (GB) out of Fadhayyil (IRE), trained by C Hills and owned by Mr. Hamdan Al Maktoum. The Oasis Dream Bay Filly was a bit clueless over the first few furlongs on her debut at Leicester last September. The price she went off was a sign she would come on for her first run at the racecourse. Dam Fahdhayyil was pretty decent with an official rating of 110 the highlight winning the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Listed) race as a 3-year-old. Turaath will hopefully know more next timeout and the market could be the key to her chances this season. 

VILLAIN'S VOICE is by Poet's Voice (GB) out of Balayage (IRE), trained by Roger Varian and owned and bred by Promenade Bloodstock Limited. The homebred Poet’s Voice Colt had one run last season at Yarmouth in July. Villain’s Voice was well backed from 9/4 down to 15/8 and looked professional in his job when finishing a decent third to the experienced Mark Johnston Colt Iffraaz. Hopefully, Villain’s Voice can pick up a Maiden early this season. Thanks for reading and look out for my unraced 3-year-olds to follow.

David O'Meara Makes a Blistering Start to 2019 Flat Season (Plus Previews and Reviews)

Even though it’s only May the trainer who’s really impressed me with his 2-year-old horses compared to recent seasons is David O Meara, yes I can talk about Archie Watson or Richard Fahey banging in the winners but looking at past seasons David’s statistics didn’t read to well, in 2017 he had only one winner out of eleven runs and 2018 was even worse with one win out of fifteen runs.2019 has seen a dramatic improvement with six wins out of fourteen runs giving him a 42.9 percent strike rate and whopping 394.6 percent win return at starting price.

Full Authority (pictured) looks a serious Kingman colt who was well-fancied on his debut at Chester and powered away to win by six-lengths, am also looking forward to seeing Great Dame, Infinite Grace and Ruby Wonder run again in the future. The future looks bright for David O’Meara and good luck to him for the rest of the season. 

After a couple of winners on my trackers last week it was back down to earth with a bang this week but I still take a few positives from a couple and will keep an eye out for the next time out. 

Birkenhead wasn’t a bet for me but ran his usual honest race and was placed again. 

Ocasio Cortez was also a no bet after drifting to 10/1 and even though it looked a decent race she looks no world beater. 

I did have a small win bet on Richard Hannon’s first time out Endowed, I took 6/1 early on and this son of Dark Angel was well-backed into 11/4 second-favourite, which was a positive move but weakened inside the final furlong. At first glance, it may seem disappointing but the fact that he was entered to run in a Class 2 also the fact he was well-supported gives me some encouragement and I will be keen to see if he’s supported again on his next run. 

Ohio State was steady at 11/8 for most of the day, so was no bet for me and his run was too bad to be true and dropped away tamely, I will be interested to see the market next run. 

Harpocrates drifted from 2/1 to 7/2 on the off which did worry me that he wasn't fully wound up, he did manage to finish second but was slowly away and ran green.I would imagine this son of Invincible Star will improve a lot and go onto better things down the line. 

No luck with the Saturday Trixie again this week and not even a winner between us but I did manage a second with my selection Harpocrates.We need to have a good week this Saturday as it’s eating into my betting bank. 

Timeform Early Declaration Alert 

13 May 5.50 Windsor: Making History was a horse I marked down as S Bin Suroor’s first runner of the season even though he kept missing his engagements, made a favourite for his debut he wasn’t involved, no bet for me. 

13 May 5.50 Windsor: Kemble had an early entry for a Class 2 race but never ran, fancied on debut and ran green, another no bet for me in what looks a difficult race. 

14 May 3.00 Chepstow: Audio also had a Class 2 entry but never ran, looks disappointing after two starts and I will be watching to see if any improvement after an 81-day break. 

14 May 1.50 Beverley: Richard R H B ran in the Brocklesby which normally shows the horse has some ability, I was worried when I didn’t back this tracker second-time out, and he put in a much-improved effort to finish third at 40/1, this looks a harder race and I will check the betting before I decide to bet or not. 

14 May 2.20 Beverley: Exclusive from the all-conquering Archie Watson stable was entered in a Class 2 race at Chester last week but didn’t run, keen to see the market for this Kodiac filly before I decide to bet and as always it’s a gamble betting on debut runners but Archie seems to have them fit and ready from the start. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Threat Heads to Royal Ascot and Gives My Tracker a 14/1 Winner

As the saying goes you wait forever for one bus then two come along, well the same can be said about my winning trackers this week when I had an alert for both Threat (pictured) and Dylan De Vega. In my last post, I wrote how Threat was entered in a Class 2 race at Ascot last week but passed the opportunity in favour of running in the four runner Class 3 Maiden Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday. 

I wasn’t going to have a bet on Sunday, to be honest, as I did a 22-mile training run in preparation for my up-and-coming marathon and couldn’t walk, but all the talk on Twitter about the 1000 Guineas gave me itchy feet and I miraculously felt good enough to walk to my local bookmakers. I had my eye on two for the Guineas, both Aidan O’Brien’s, but standing to wait for the off I still couldn’t decide and in hindsight, I should have done both but kept with my original selection Just Wonderful and, of course, the other O’Brien horse Hermosa made all and won impressively. 

I don’t normally back 2-year-olds in a four-runner race especially a 14/1 shot, but after missing out on a 2-year-old last week that I fancied I wasn’t letting it happen again, so I had a win bet on the Richard Hannon trained Threat, and it was back home to watch the race. My wife must have a sixth sense because she’s in and out all day, upstairs, downstairs but of course that exact minute the race is off she decides to come in and want a full-blown conversation with me, am well on to this by now and it’s yes and a shake of the head while one eye on the television, sorted. 

It’s been a quiet start for the Richard Hannon 2-year-olds this season with Temple Of Heaven the only one winning out of 14 runners at 11/4, so to expect a 14/1 debut winner against the experienced Electrical Storm and the Charlie Appleby newcomer Path of Thunder and to add to the mix the Balding outsider Spanish Angel. I wasn’t that confident, but a bit of market support for the Footstepinthesands colt give me some hope. 

Threat broke smartly and looked professional from the off with Tom Marquand settling him in before taking it up two furlongs out and staying on to win by just over 2-lengths. 

Get in! 

Threat you little beauty. 

Owners Cheveley Park Stud has a very nice colt on their hands here and looks like he could be heading to Royal Ascot, the Coventry Stakes could be the target and according to trainer Richard Hannon he will appreciate the step up to six furlongs. 

It goes to show sometimes you have to take a punt whatever the price.

Other trackers Dylan De Vega was entered to run in a Class 2 at Chester this week but took what looked an easier option, a Class 5 Novice Median Auction Stakes race at Beverley. The Richard Fahey trained Poet’s Voice Colt won by 3-lengths and also looks a nice prospect. No bet for me at the price but nice to see another tracker win. 

I did have another tracker Summer's Way but was a non-runner. 

Timeform Early Declaration Alert.  Not sure I can be as lucky as last week but I will be taking a closer look at these on Friday 10th May. 

6.00 Ripon: Birkenhead has had a busy start to the season and finished sixth In the Brocklesby first time out, I doubt I will be back this Mick Channon-trained Colt. 

10th May 

6.40 Wolverhampton: Ocasio Cortez, entered in a Class 2 earlier in the season but didn’t run, I imagine will have to improve a bit to win in what looks a good field. 

10th May 

2.00 Ascot: Aroha For the Brian Meehan yard who was also entered for a Class 2 race but didn't run, actually ran a good race to finish fourth on debut despite running loose and also slowly away. 

I will check the market before I decide if I am betting. 

Thanks for reading and good luck this week.

2:50 Windsor - Making History Makes His Debut for Saeed bin Suroor

14.50 Windsor 08 April 2019 EBF Novice Stakes (Class 5) (2YO) 

This looks a decent 2-year-old Novice event, with what looks like some nice types taking part, twelve horse go to post. I wrote this when the early entries were declared and will keep it the same so I can look back on it if I need information for future races. I will mention a few that stand out. 

The first I will mention is Richard Hannon's first 2-year-old of the season Lexington Quest who’s out of first season sire Ivawood and owned by Middleham Park Racing, he cost £32.000 as a yearling and was down to run in the Brocklesby. Richard Hannon hasn’t got the best record in this race with no winners in the last four seasons, but not a bad record with 2-year-olds at Windsor, which sees him with a 29 per cent winning strike rate over the past four seasons with horses 10/1 and under. 

Mark Johnston runs Gobi Sunset, with Franny Norton taking the ride on this Oasis Dream colt, I remember this race last year when he ran Blown by the Wind who reared up in the stalls and blew the start(no pun intended)before winning impressively at odds of 2/1. I will be interested to see if Gobi Sunset gets out the stalls quick, as looking back over the last four seasons Marks horses have all been slowly away, but saying that he has a great record with his 2-year-olds at Windsor, with an impressive 53 per cent win strike rate with horses 15/2 and under in non handicap races. 

I always make a note of S Bin Suroor's first few runners of the season, as over the years they are normally of a high standard and *Making History could be another to add to the collection, this Godolphin bred Dubawi colt could make it another winner at a course where the trainer likes to send his better horses, bearing in mind he’s only sent six horses here over the past four seasons, he has a 50 per cent win strike rate with the three winners all being shorted priced favourites. 

Royal Ambition will be Clive Cox first 2-year-old runner of the season and have noted before that his first few horses are definitely worth checking out. He has a decent strike rate at Windsor(38 per cent win strike rate), so this chestnut colt could be worth a market check.

Can Dorchester Dom give the Brocklesby another form boost? After stablemate Zulu Zander eased to victory at Leicester on Monday. This P D Evans trained Starspangledbanner colt ran a great race in the Brocklesby to finish fourth at odds of 33/1 and should be a lot wiser this time out. Evans has a terrible record at Windsor with his 2-year-olds, over the past four seasons he has an 8 per cent win strike rate but has run a few decent sorts at this meeting with Awesome Allen winning in 2016. 

Conclusion: 

Difficult race to access with all but one making their first trip to a racecourse, am sure Dorchester Dom will come on a ton for his Brocklesby run. I really hope Lexington Quest can give the Middleham Park Racing owners a winner, but if the money comes in for Making History I will be taking note. I will check the market before I decide to have a bet or not. 

Reviews:

Just a couple of bets for me last week, in my last post I mentioned a horse called Just Brilliant, who was Peter Chappel Hyams best 2-year-old in 2017, so I had a small win bet on him, but he was well put in his place by the impressive odds on winner Canvassed, who I think will go places this season. I also had the normal bet on my dinner break in work, Queen's horse Regular was my bet but just got run down on the line, so another placed effort for me, and next up I did Canardier, my Twitter mate Sam's tip for the Merseyrail Handicap Hurdle at Aintree, which was also placed but I defo got a run for my money again. No luck for me this week, thanks for reading and if you had better luck leave me a comment I would love to hear what it's like to win these days.

* Making History (Non runner)