Unraced Three-year-olds To Follow (2022)

First of all I hope everybody had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Personally it's been quiet and that is just how I like it, spending time with the family, drinking beer and trying to sort my trackers out. In total I have over one hundred and sixty three-year-olds to follow for this season which is a ridiculous amount, obviously I will narrow them down. Let’s take a quick look back at some of the highlights of last years three-year-olds to follow: 

EMPRESS JOSEPHINE was one of my unraced 3yos to follow and didn’t disappoint when winning first time out way back in March for Aidan O’Brien and then running at a decent level in pattern races for the the rest of the season. I would love to say I backed her for the 1000 Guineas but I never and the rest is history as the Galileo filly won by a short head at 16/1. Total earnings: £268,841. 

THIRD REALM went in the notebook as a 2yo with after a nice debut back in 2020. The Roger Varian colt got off the mark on his reappearance then went onto win the Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield at 14/1. Third Realm ran a great race in the Derby finishing fifth and another who ran to a decent level the rest of the season. Total earnings:£98,943. 

GEORGE PEABODY was a nice winner for the George Scott team when winning first time up as a 3yo last March at 11/1. It was nice to see him follow up with another win before finishing down the field in a nice race at Ascot. Total earnings:£5,724. 

SNOW LANTERN was in everybody's 3yos to follow and the Frankel filly didn’t disappoint when winning her maiden and going on to run some brilliant races last season in all the top races. I was pleased to see her win the Group one Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket when quickening up nicely to beat Mother Earth under a brilliant ride by Sean Levey. Hopefully Snow Lantern can bounce back as a 4yo after a lacklustre run in her final race of the season. Total Earnings:£356,236. 

Time to look at this season's 3yos to follow, I will start off with a few unraced 3yos who will hopefully make their mark in some of the top races. As always, the first time out you just never know so personally I will be taking a watching brief. 

1: EXPRESS WAY is by Dark Angel and out of Alluring Park, trained by Paddy Twomey. Dam Alluring Park has produced some great offspring, five out of the eight are all rated above 100 so the signs are good for the Dark Angel filly. Express Way is a half-sister to a few nice types including Aidan O'Brien's Was who won the Oaks in 2012. Well regarded by Paddy so hopefully Express can get a win on the board this season. 

2: FIORELLINA is by Galileo and out of Sapphire, trained by Dermot Weld who has had success with dam Sapphire before. Dam Sapphire was top class herself for Dermot winning plenty of nice races in a decent career including finishing her career in style winning the Group 2 Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes race at Ascot in 2012, offspring include full-sister Federica Sophia who ran some decent races for Dermot. 

3: WHISPERING ROMANCE is by Kingman out of Sante, trained by Charlie Appleby. Dam Sante wasn’t anything special winning once in her career but Appleby does rate this filly so I'm pretty sure she will get a win this season. 

4: NEWFOUNDLAND is by Deep Impact out of Best In The World, trained by Aidan O’Brien. Wow a full-brother to the brilliant Snowfall and one I will be really looking forward to seeing on the racetrack, I Imagine a few of these will be short prices but sometimes it's not all about betting for me. Interestingly Snowfall didn’t come into her own until tackling longer trips as a 3yo so I will be keeping that in mind. Another one is well regarded by the trainer. 

5: TASHKENT is by Acclamation out of Colour Blue, trained by Richard Hannon. Dam Colour Blue ran to a decent level in her three year career, her other offspring is the Simon and Ed Crisford trained Melancholy who came third on her debut at Lingfield in November and looks sure to improve. Tashkent is another who I will be looking out for this season. I have plenty more 3-year-olds to follow and will write another post soon. Hopefully these posts will keep a few people from going mad while the National Hunt season is in full swing. Thanks for reading and stay safe.

Read Part 2 Here

Monday's Thoughts (26th April)

It’s difficult to find the motivation to write a post when the weather is beautiful and I can sit in the garden, relax and drink beer while watching the racing. I have had a few 2-year-old winners of late and hope it continues, one that is still annoying me is the Bryan Smart trained Instinction who won at Redcar a few weeks ago. I do like to look at trainer and owner combinations and sometimes it comes off, I might add a few on here just for interest and see how they go, anyway Bryan Smart and familiar owners Crossfield Racing is one combination I like but the draw put me off at Redcar, I did look a bit deeper and one of the top owners at Redcar was Crossfield Racing with six wins out of 32 with a 77 pound profit, but that draw still put me off and the rest is history as Instinction won 33s, that was a killer blow to be honest but it shows these trainer and owner combinations can produce a few winners. 

Looking back at my last blog post it was good to see the Roger Varian trained Third Realm produce a nice performance at Nottingham when winning with a bit in hand, as I had two trackers in the race it was also nice my other tracker Remedium finish second, I had a win on Third Realm and an each way on Remedium at 22s so happy days all day round, the forecast would have been good but can’t be greedy. The writing was on the wall for Claim To Fame with a big drift and was disappointing, but Fahey’s have definitely looked in need of the run this season. Talking about disappointments I didn’t bet on Blue Planet but wow the 1.8 million purchase finished down the field in a lackluster performance at Dundalk. 

15:20 Chantilly (France) 26 Apr 2021 

Now I’m no expert on UK racing never mind French racing but one tracker that I have is the Andre Fabre trained Magic Hour who cost 220,000 euros and comes with a lovely pedigree being a full-sister to Alice Springs who was outstanding for Aidan O’Brien, other siblings include Criteria, Kingston Jamaica and Hence all 101 plus rated. As I said I’m no expert on French racing but watching Magic Hours debut race I thought it was a promising start without getting involved at the finish, I haven’t had time to check the other runners so it’s a stab in the dark that she can be involved here. Time of writing 4/1. 

17:10 Naas (IRE) 26 Apr 2021 

Over to Ireland for a newcomer here who is wearing a first timeout tongue strap. One worry is the first timeout strike rate of trainer Kevin Prendergast who runs HATHLOO here. It could be a race to be wary of and just watch or I may have a very small each way. Hathloo is the son of Awtaad and purchased for £220,000. Trainer Kevin Prendergast thought plenty of this bay colt last season who is out of unraced dam Majestic Jasmine. Hathloo is an interesting type but could need the run here, no support at the time of writing and has drifted from 15/2 to 11s. 

13:50 Nottingham 27 Apr 2021 

Tough looking race this but I do have the Karl Burke trained Pink Storm as a tracker here. A 35,000 gns purchase who ran a promising debut without getting involved, I think betting will be the key here. Anything around 9/2 will be a positive. Amber Dew also looks the type to improve and looks a big danger. I had all intentions of previewing all horses here but times catching up on me. A can’t go without saying a huge well done to Bloodstock Agent Armando Duarte and the William Haggas team who won the Classic Trial at Sandown the weekend with Alenquer. Armando gave Alenquer a favourable mention in his post back in December and it was great to see Alenquer romp home at 25/1. 

Bit of a rush job this, stay safe and thanks for reading.

Weekend Thoughts (April 17th)

Quick review of my last post. Absolutely ran a stinker and will be taken out the trackers after that run at Leopardstown. I was expecting a little support as I jumped in at 14s the night before but no money came and as expected my bet went down, talking of market support I made the same mistake with Canonized when I again I thought I was getting a good overnight price with 6/1 but by the start of the race the William Haggas runner had taken a walk in the betting and end up 10s, when will I bloody learn. To be honest, I think she needs further and wearing a hood down to post is never a good sign. I saw enough to keep her in the trackers and will be keeping a close eye on the market next run. I did mention the Tate runner whom James likes and despite a drift I thought it was a pleasing debut by El Hadeeyah to finish third and one to keep an eye out for. Finally a winner when the well-thought of Joseph O’Brien colt SOUTHERN LIGHTS put in a very impressive display to win at Leopardstown, I was pleasantly surprised at the 4/1 odds in the end. A couple of 3-year-olds to follow ran on Thursday and as always it’s disappointing to see them get beat but both Valiant Prince and Maytal I would think are better than yesterday's performances. 

A few 2-year-old races but I’m still wary about these early races so will be leaving well-alone but I still have a few 3-year-old trackers coming through. 

17:15 Nottingham 17 Apr 2021 

I do have two trackers in this and will wait to see the betting first but here we go. 

The Roger Varian trained THIRD REALM comes from a very nice family with plenty of winners, Cape Byron was a nice type for Roger winning the Victoria Cup in 2019, also won on his reappearance as a 3-year-old. Another offspring of dam Reem Free who was decent type herself for Luca Cumani is Ajman Princess who won the Group One Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in 2017. Third Realm is a bay 3-year-old Sea The Stars colt owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum who made his debut at Kempton last November when sent off 16/5 from 6/1. Third Realm was caught napping at the start and missed the break but caught back up soon enough, watching the replay again I think the front few got first run on Third Realm and the Sea The Stars colt wasn’t given a hard time, the trip should be more to his liking and hopefully Third Realm can be involved at the finish. The winner Lord Protector has won again since. As long as no big drift I will hope I can get an each way price but could be wishful thinking by me. 

Richard Hannon has REMEDIUM in this race who was purchased for 48,000 gns. 

16:50 Curragh (IRE) 17 Apr 2021 

BLUE PLANET comes with a big price tag for Aidan O’Brien. The KIngman colt was a 9/1 shot on debut at Dundalk and managed to finish third to Hype. Blue Planet cost a whopping 1,800,000 gns and can hopefully get off the mark here. 

11:10 Thirsk 17 Apr 2021 

I did say I had no 2-year-olds but CLAIM TO FAME runs here for Richard Fahey who seems in great form. A Half-brother to three winners and cost 38,000 gns purchase, debut always a worry. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Three-Year-Olds To Follow (2021)

1: FLYIN' HIGH is by Siyouni (FR) out of Zee Zee Top (GB), trained by Andrew Balding and owned by Castle Down Racing High. Purchased at the Tattersalls 2019 October Yearling Sales for 150,000 Guineas. The Siyouni Bay colt comes from a lovely family most notably the John Gosden mare Izzy Top who ran at group level for most of what was an outstanding career winning the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet along the way. Flyin’ High made his debut at Sandown back in July last year in what turned out to be a pretty hot race with the winner Etonian winning the Group 3 Solario Stakes a month later. Despite a slow start and several lengths down Flyin’ High did well to finish so close to Etonian and with an early entry for the Derby a step up in trip looks on the cards this year. 

2: MUTARABES is by Dark Angel (IRE) out of Relation Alexander (IRE), trained by Charlie Hills and owned by Mr Hamdan Al Maktoum. Purchased at the Goffs 2019 Premier Yearling Sale for £145,000. Mutarabes is a full-brother to the Godolphin colt Future King who also looks a nice prospect for the season ahead. Mutarabes started off in another hot race at Newmarket in June when a relatively unfancied 14/1 shot, the fourth, fifth and six all winning nice races since. Jim Crowley gave Mutarabes a nice educational ride that day without being too hard on the Dark Angel colt who looks to have a nice turn of foot and will hopefully progress this season. 

3: HMS SEAHORSE is by Galileo (IRE) out of After (IRE), trained by A P O'Brien and owned by M.Tabor/D.Smith/Mme J. Magnier. I have to say if Hms Seahorse can’t win his maiden at least I will show my ass! Only kidding, not a sight to see. The Galileo colt is another who comes from a nice family being a full-brother to Armory who had a smart career winning over £800,000 in prize money. It’s tough trying to pick out an Aidan O'Brien 3-year-old to follow with the amount of firepower and lovely pedigrees they have at the Ballydoyle yard but I thought it was a pleasing debut finishing fourth in what wasn’t to bad of a race considering the winner Mac Swiney went onto win the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster. Hms Seahorse remains with promise and one to consider this season. 

4: THIRD REALM is by Sea The Stars (IRE) out of Reem Three (GB), trained by Roger Varian and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum. The Sea The Stars colt was well-supported for his debut at Kempton in November, not really sure about the form of the race but the Beckett winner Lord Protector certainly won well with Third Realm finishing a never nearer fifth. Third Realm is a half-brother to Cape Byron, another Varian runner who got better with age and won the Group 1 July Stakes at Newmarket last year. The Derby entry is worth checking out this season and can hopefully get a win sooner rather than later. 

5: CATCH UP EFFECT is by Oasis Dream (GB) out of Daana Qatar (GB), trained by Ralph Beckett and owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Tha. The Oasis Dream colt made his debut in a hot race back in June at Haydock Park and hasn’t been seen since. Pretty weak in the market that day going off a 16/1 shot. Catch Up Effect will have learned plenty from that experience and stayed on one pace to the line but with the winter behind him hopefully he has grown into a nice type for the season ahead.

6: EVALUATION is by Dubawi (IRE) out of Estimate (IRE), trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by The Queen. Hopefully Her Majesty has a nice one here and it’s pretty obvious to see the Bay colt needs a bit further than his two previous outings, well I say plain to see actually his latest run at Kempton I couldn’t see a thing with the fog. Evaluation is a full-brother to Calculation who took a few runs to get going before winning three handicaps on the bounce as a 3-year-old so I will be keeping an eye on how he progresses.

7: FIREWORKS is by Kingman (GB) out of Miss Plimsoll (USA , trained by William Haggas and owned by Mrs Fiona Carmichael. Pretty sure the Kingman colt will be a short price when next seen but as I was thinking shall I put him in my selections or not some fireworks came on the film I had on tv so if that's not a sign I don’t know what is! In all fairness Fireworks debut run at Newcastle in December looked promising when finishing third behind a nice Palmer horse called Oz Legend, well-supported in the market that day Fireworks was a touch green but finished well. The 850,000 euro purchase looks to be one to keep on the right side of this season. 

8: GEORGE PEABODY is by Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) out of Swordhalf (GB), trained by George Scott and owned by W J And T C O Gredley. Purchased for 90,000 gns at the 2019 October Yearling Sales. George Peabody is a half-brother to a nice type in Germany named Satomi who has done very well winning the Group 2 Grosser Hansa-Preis. George Peabody ran a great race at Kempton when in with a chance a furlong out before being squeezed up and losing all momentum, if you looked at the race report in the Racing Post it says no extra but I’m not having that so I will be checking out this geldings next run for sure. 

9: GOOD AND PROPER is by Dansili (GB) out of Grace And Glory (IRE), trained by William Haggas and owned by Mr Nicholas Jones. J Haggas. I will be very surprised if this Dansili filly doesn't go onto better things this season after two decent efforts last year. A half-sister to the Haggas trained Give And Take who wasn’t too bad herself winning the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York. Good And Proper stepped up to a mile last timeout and despite being a touch keen stayed on steadily to finish a close up fourth to Love Is You who won the Radley Stakes next timeout at Newbury. 

10: MAYTAL is by Sea The Stars (IRE) out of Midsummer (GB), trained by Sir Michael Stoute and owned by Mr K Abdullah. I'm pretty sure Maytali will be losing her maiden tag before long after a pleasing debut when unfancied at Kempton back in November. The Sea The Stars hombred will have learnt plenty from that experience when a never nearer third after running about a bit the last furlong. Maytal is a half-sister to the top class Midday who was trained by the legend Sir Henry Cecil of course. A step up in trip will hopefully bring further improvement to Maytal and another to keep on the right side of this season. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.