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
With horse racing put on hold, you may think the world has stopped but that is far from the case. The two-year-old colts and fillies - the future of racing - are in training with handlers big and small. To me, there is nothing more exciting than dreaming what the future may hold for the two-year-olds yet to set hoof on course. As the saying goes: ''From little acorns do mighty oaks grow''. This brings me onto Nick Bradley Racing. I have been impressed by this established horseracing syndicate. As their tagline says: Ownership | Investment | Value. ''Nick Bradley Racing offers investors the opportunity to experience full racehorse ownership. You own a share of the horse, and receive your share of any prize money and re-sale value. In addition to that, Nick Bradley guides owners with regards the chances of their horses winning and of course, owners get free entry into the racecourse when our horse runs!'' As a businessman, he knows the worth of pounds, shillings, and pence and over the last 10 years, Nick Bradley Racing has gained a reputation that precedes him. Last year, I noted they had a Frankel two-year-old in the ranks. I'm sure any individual or syndicate has that extra spring in their stride when they have the clout to put their hand into their pocket and purchase a potential star from this super sire. Anyway, last year Frankel's Storm did the company proud in training with Mark Johnston. This bay daughter of Frankel out of the three-time winning mare Gale Force proved a great purchase racing six times at two, winning ''very easily'' on her third start at Carlisle. Thereafter, heading to Dusseldorf, Germany, when runner-up at Listed class, before concluding the season at Deauville, France when contesting the Prix de Reserviours (Group 3) when finishing a creditable fifth in testing ground. Clearly, this has been a great introduction and inspired purchasing more Frankel offspring. We are pleased to announce Nick Bradley Racing has another Frankel filly in training with Roger Charlton at Beckhampton House Stables, Beckhampton, Marlborough, Wiltshire. Take a look at Roger Charlton's 2yo string here. Exciting times. Palafou is a bay daughter of Frankel out of a twice-raced mare [Palimony] who was purchased from Tattersalls October Yearling Sale (Book1) 2019 [Lot 483], from New England Stud for a six-figure sum. PLEASE NOTE: This filly has been fully syndicated. We wish the syndicate all the best for the forthcoming season and sure this filly will be going very well.
For those interested in learning more about Nick Bradley Racing, they have shares available in other exciting two-year-olds. These include juveniles sired by Gleneagles, Dark Angel, Lope De Vega, Wootton Bassett, Gutaifan, Dandy Man, Markaz, Twilight Son & Mehmas. Please click this link to see the profiles of these talented juveniles and photos. Not forgetting these two-year-olds will be trained by some of the best handlers in the business including Mark Johnston, Richard Fahey, Roger Charlton & Karl Burke. On a personal note, I have always followed the career of Little Kim who has been well placed by connections winning well on debut, enjoying Group 3 success at Deauville, France on her third start before being raced at the highest grade. Learn more about Nick Bradley Racing by following these links: Latest News
Older readers may remember the 1990 Epsom Derby winner Quest For Fame powering home under a fantastic ride from legend Pat Eddery to win Britain's richest horse race. That's just one of the many successes for the great trainer Roger Charlton when teaming up with owner K Abdullah. Cityscape was another who had a list of group wins to his name the highlight being the Dubai Duty-Free Group 1 at Meydan back in 2012. Bated Breath a high-class sprinter and a winner of the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock in 2012 also finishing runner-up in four group ones in a fantastic career. Others to mention are Fair Eva, Time Test, Headman and Pocket Square all group winners. As a 2-year-old fan, one of the horses that impressed me most last year was QUADRILATERAL who is unbeaten after three impressive performances. The Frankel filly made her debut at Newbury in August and was well-supported from 9/2 into 7/2. The money was down and Quadrilateral didn't disappoint when beating Mambo Night a shade cosily. An impressive 9-length win came next when moving up a level to the Class 2 Duty-Free Stakes again at Newbury in September and confirming this was a filly to be reckoned with. The Group 1 Fillies Mile was the next stop and another win when beating Powerful Breeze by a neck. The Guineas looks like the next target and hopefully, this season will bring more success.
I will be keeping a close eye to see what Roger Charlton sends out this season and adding a few in the trackers including these: BEHELD 2018 ch.f by Frankel ex Tendu. The dam is a sister to stallion Showcasing who ended her career rated 107 and the highlight being a second in the Group 3 Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes in 2015. BOLTAWAY 2018 ch.c by Dubawi ex Proviso. Dam won four Group Ones in America in what was an impressive career which included a second in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile Group 1 race at Ascot as a 2-year-old and finishing her career with a racing post rating of 114. It looks like a nice pedigree and one to look out for. KEEPER 2018 b.c by Frankel ex Portodora. Dam never reached great heights but had a couple of wins to her name but has produced a few nice winners including the Hugo Palmer gelding Set Piece who won a Listed race at Kempton last September. LUCID DREAMER 2018 b.f by Dansili ex Sleep Walk. Dam only raced one season in 2014 winning twice. Lucid Dreamer is a full sister to unraced Night Ranger. LUDISIA 2018 b.f by Frankel ex African Rose. The dam had a successful career winning the Group 1 Ladbrokes Sprint Cup in 2008 being the highlight and the highest Racing Post rating of 116. Ludisia is a full sister to the 108 rated Fair Eva and looks a very nice type on paper for the season ahead. QUILTED 2018 b.f by Frankel ex Nimble Thimble. Dam only raced three times winning a Class 6 Maiden in 2012. Quilted is a full sister to Quadrilateral and another Roger Charlton filly I will be looking forward to seeing hopefully this season. Thanks for reading.
Previews 2.50 Ascot: Naas Racecourse Royal Ascot Trials Day British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes (Plus 10) (Class 3) (3YO only) This looks a great 3-year-old fillies race, with some potentially very good horses, so let's take a look at them. 1 Aim Power: This Richard Hannon trained Zebedee filly started her 2-year-old career in a class 2 race(which is always a good sign), not fancied at 12/1 she was in need of the run and finished down the field. Next race was a class 5 where she ran out an easy winner at 5/2, from then on she has contested at a high level without threatening to win, looks vulnerable to a rising star. 2 Ajrar: Another Richard Hannon filly who has also contested some high-level races as a 2-year-old without troubling the winners. It would be a surprise if this Nayef filly was to trouble the market principles here. 3 Baba Ghanouj: Interesting runner for Ed Walker and ridden by one of my favourite Jockeys G Mosse. This Sea the Stars filly is owned by Mr B E Nielsen who of course owns the John Gosden trained Stradivarius and also owns the Ed Walker-trained 4-year-old filly Agrotera, who actually finished second in this same race last year. Baba Ghanouj won the second time of asking in a 12 runner race at odds of 3/1, she could be value at odds of around 12/1. 4 Fashion’s Star: This Sea the Stars filly produced a fine effort to win the first timeout in a class 2 conditions race at Newbury back in September. Trained by Roger Charlton and owned by Mr Andrew Ronson, she fell out of the stalls but quickened impressively inside the last furlong to take the 10.000 prize money and establish herself as a filly to follow.
Another sign that she was held in high regard at Beckhampton stables is the lofty entries Roger Charlton entered her for as a 2-year-old, the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes and the Group 1 Fillies Mile Stakes are worth taking note of. 5 Hidden Message: At the time of writing this she is favourite after coming fifth in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes last October. This Scat Daddy filly is trained by W Haggas and owned by Qatar racing and started her 2-year-old career well with an impressive victory in a novice race back in September. Hidden Message also had an entry for the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes last season so was also well-thought of. 6 Modern Millie: Another well-thought of filly by Sixties Icon and trained by Mick Channon, she had an early entry for the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes as a 2-year-old but didn’t run, but the potential she must have shown last season was confirmed in April when she ran a great race to finish sixth in the Group 3 Duty Free Stakes at Newbury. 7 Muchly: Trained by John Gosden and ridden Frankie Dettori, this Iffraaj filly also ran in the Duty Free Stakes finishing down in ninth after leading the field before weakening over a furlong out, she has only ever raced on soft ground so will be interesting to see if she takes to the expected good to firm going here. 8 Queen Power: This could be another class act from the King Power Racing owners. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute and ridden by S D Sousa, this Shamardal filly has only had one run to date when taking apart a decent field back in October with the second and third both winning since.No lofty entries last season to give me any clues so this dark horse could be anything, I would take a look at the market before betting. 9 Quick: Third runner in the field for trainer Richard Hannon and possibly his best chance with this unexposed Olympic Glory filly. Not seen out as a 2-year-old and no group entries so another dark horse in the field, but she did make a nice impression when beating a potentially nice John Gosden horse called Millicent Fawcett at Newbury in April, also another horse I really like called Farnham a close up fifth. 10 Model Guest: Showcasing filly owned by John Guest and trained by G G Margarson. Had a busy 2-year-old career, running six times at a decent level, her best effort to date was her last race when finishing fourth in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket in October. Not without a chance if some unexposed horses disappoint.
Conclusion: Great race ahead and the one I am most looking forward to watching. Hard race to pick a winner with so much potential on show but I will be hoping I can get an each way price for Fashion’s Star, and she can go from strength to strength as the season progresses.
Thanks for reading and good luck with your selection.
