Friday's Thoughts (28th May)

It’s been a while since I have posted but my good friend Jason Coote has been writing a few posts to keep the blog ticking over. It was nice to see one of my three-year-olds to follow Empress Josephine come with a late rattle to get up and win the 1000 Guineas on Sunday. I mentioned this horse in December when unraced after being given a few significant entries as a 2-year-old last season. A few trackers have come through so I will give my thoughts quickly.

14:00 Yarmouth 28 May 2021 

A few nice looking 2-year-olds here but I will be keeping an eye on NEW SCIENCE for the Charlie Appleby team. I think with a few trainers Charlie's 2-year-olds have looked in need of the experience so far this season looking at his handful of runners, it’s not surprising with everything that has happened lately. Dam Alta Lilea was a decent type for Mark Johnston back in 2012. Alta Lilea won first timeout over seven furlongs at Leicester on good to soft going, her best performance was the following season when finishing third in the Park Hill at Donny. Bred to want further in time this looks a good starting point for the Lope De Vega colt. Trainer Charlie thinks a fair bit of New Science and has a decent strike rate at Yarmouth so I’m expecting a bold show here if under 15/2. 

17:05 Fairyhouse (IRE) 28 May 2021 

The lucky last at Fairyhouse here, well I will be hoping it is anyway. Back to my 3-year-old trackers from last season, they have been a bit hit and miss to be honest and that’s something I will look at after this season ends. ULSTER BLACKWATER made a promising debut for Joseph O’Brien at Leopardstown three weeks ago. Easy to back that day and looked to be given a nice ride without getting too serious. Joseph thought a bit of this Camelot filly as a 2-year-old plus has group entries this year, I will be seriously disappointed if Ulster Blackwater can’t make the frame at least here. We do have a few unexposed horses so I won’t be going mad and hopefully I can get an each price but that could be wishful thinking on my behalf. 

18:45 Haydock 28 May 2021 

Richard Fahey’s horses have looked in need of the run too this season and he’s a trainer I can’t seem to catch but it has to happen one day, it’s a shame only seven run here. NEAT AND DANDY was slowly away at Ripon a fortnight ago in heavy ground. Looking back at the race It looks like the Dandy Man colt definitely had more to give but wasn’t given a hard time. The price could be the key and if under 9/2 I will expect a decent run here. The Haydock King Tom Dascombe also brings one here and another who will be expecting a bold show from Lordman if supported in the betting. Not the easiest race to read. 

Thanks for reading and good luck.

Weekend Thoughts (7th May)

It’s been a while, and I am definitely struggling for motivation again! Don't get me wrong I have been loving the 2-year-old racing and found a good few winners of late but writing it all down is not something I have found easy. It was great to see a Charlie Appleby 2-year-old out on Friday at Ascot and even though Wild Beauty finished down the field I wouldn’t give up just yet. The winner was on my radar before the race, but I wasn’t confident so left this race alone. Get Ahead for the Clive Cox team won well and looks a nice type who is a full-sister to Alkumait who won the Mill Reef last season for trainer Marcus Tregoning. I still have a few 3-year-olds to follow trickling through and both run at Leopardstown on Sunday in what looks like a cracking card. 

15:45 Leopardstown (IRE) 09 May 2021 

All the top trainers turn up here for the fillies maiden in what looks a race full of potential. Likely favourite Call Me Sweetheart ran a decent debut at Dundalk last month and with Moore in the hot seat is entitled to come on for that run. Sunniyra another who ran a promising debut for Dermot Weld when finishing third at Curragh last November when staying on well to finish third with the winner Queen’s Speech finishing down the field in group company next timeout. The one I will be having a small each way if the price allows is the Joseph O’Brien trained ULSTER BLACKWATER who makes her debut here, as always with newcomers anything could happen. Dam Silver Rain wasn’t a bad filly back in her day winning a handful of races for trainer Mme Christiane Head. Offspring include Diametric who was a decent sort for Andre Fabre also winning a couple of nice races. Joseph thinks quite a bit of this filly but will she turn up today or need the run against a couple of nice types with a run under their belts already.

17:15 Leopardstown (IRE) 09 May 2021 

The final race of the day sees nineteen take part in what looks an interesting maiden. As always the O’Briens come mob handed here and would have a great chance of taking the euros home. The one I will have my money on is the Kevin Prendegast trained HATHLOOL who was unfancied on his debut at Naas last month. Took a drift that day and went off 20/1 which was a surprise but personally I thought that was a nice introduction that day when steadied at the back and didn’t make any ground till a couple of furlongs out, it looked at one stage he had lead shoes on coming up that hill but seemed to find a second wind and kept on till the line, the extra distance should be right up the son of Awtaads street and another I will be going with a low stake each way if the price allows. 

19:35 Thirsk 08 May 2021 

Cliff Horse Alert Pretty sure better was expected of this Kevin Ryan trained £60,000 breeze-up purchase last season but DEPP has looked disappointing to say the least. One last chance for me and I will be hoping for miracles after finishing miles back on his only two starts, very small each way and hoping the step up in trip will see him at least have a go. 

Thanks for reading and stay safe.

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.

Friday's Horse Racing + Updates & Eye Catchers

It’s been a while since my last post because I’m just far too busy at the minute but I know you are missing me so here we go. Jason Coote wrote a post for the blog this week about should we bet with all this rain making the ground soft or heavy and I have to say I’ve had a nightmare with my bets this week but I’m not making the ground an excuse I think it’s just been one of them weeks that discipline should have been on my mind but a year on I’m still struggling with that one. 

UPDATES:  A few I mentioned on twitter finished nearer last than first, I did mention a horse called Ziggy who was running at Kempton on Tuesday for trainer James Eustace, I noticed the champion jockey Oisin Murphy was in the saddle instead of riding Scampi for Andrew Balding and threw a speculative each way bet on at 40s, fast-forward to race time and the gamble had took place and Ziggy was 13/2, surely it would place at least but yeah wishful thinking hey as Ziggy crawled out the stalls and was outpaced and ran green, I will still keep an eye out for the son of Sixties Icon next timeout. Next was Cottam Lane for Kevin Ryan who ran a decent enough race to finish second behind the Karl Burke runner Bickerstaffe who is owned by David Armstrong. Next was Amal who was another who was well-supported but didn’t turn up. I thought one of my eye-catchers from last week would win easily yesterday at Newcastle and go onto better things, Bellissime was a short price favourite to take the class 5 event but winner Montassib had different ideas and got up in the dying strides to deny the Ryan filly. 

Onto a few positive notes it was nice to see one of my Mark Johnston 2-year-olds to follow finally winning when the well-bred LOVE IS GOLDEN put in a much improved performance to win with a bit in hand at Ripon on Monday at 9/1, did I back him? Of course not!!. Another of Eve Johnson Houghtons 2-year-olds to follow won on Wednesday at Bath, Soldier Lions won impressively and can hopefully step up a level and win again before the seasons out. It was nice to see M M Stables Night On Earth win again after my post with Armando Duarte last week. Really pleased for him as he’s a lovely fella and I wish him the best for the future.

EYE-CATCHER:  

I haven’t really had much time to go through the replays just yet but one I’m pretty confident will be winning sooner rather than later is Zinc White for the Ralph Beckett team who was seriously backed for his debut at Salisbury yesterday from 12s into 4/1. The 50,000 euro purchase definitely looked in need of the race when running green but hopefully he will settle next timeout. 

IRISH TRACKERS:  

My last venture into the Irish racing saw Moon Daisy finish fifth in a nice looking maiden. My next tracker Is the Joseph O’Brien trained Ulster Blackwater who is owned by Sun Bloodstock and should be up to getting off the mark before the season ends. As I mentioned earlier the 2-year-old races are coming thick and fast so I will mention a few trackers and a speculative bet. 

14:30 Ascot 04 Sep 2020 

The favourite Lockdown has ran well despite not winning for Hugo Palmer but I will take a chance with my tracker MUAY THAI who is a Richard Hannon newcomer by Acclamation and owned by Mr Saeed Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi. The £42,000 2yo has a nice pedigree and will hopefully be tuned up first timeout. 

17:50 Kempton 04 Sep 2020 

I won’t be backing this short priced tracker but really looking forward to the well-bred Godolphin runner ACT OF WISDOM, the 1,100,000 gns yearling is a brother to the very smart Line Of Duty and comes with a big reputation but plenty of dangers first time out here. 

18:20 Kempton 04 Sep 2020 

Favourite MEGALLAN is one of my John Gosden 2yos to follow and hacked up on debut, could easily win this doing handstands but Brian Meehan has a nice filly in the name of DECISIVE EDGE who cost £52,000 as a yearling, I will have a small each way on this No Nay Never colt but whatever she does here I’m sure this well-thought of colt will improve and not one to discard if disappointing. 

15:05 Ascot 04 Sep 2020 

I could be off my rocker for even mentioning this next one. *PURE BUBBLES is a 50/1 shot at the time of writing(00.52 and yes I should be well away) but you may or may not know trainer Gary Moore once popped up with a 100/1 winning 2-year-old back in August 2017 called The Children’s Trust, now Hector Crouch was on that day but is on the other Moore runner CHAMPAGNE PIAFF here, anyway whatever Bubbles does here another who will be worth keeping an eye out for further on down the line. 

*NR

Thanks for reading and stay safe.