After the great run of the wonder mare Winx on Saturday it was another awesome race in the Arc de Triomphe overnight with two super mares in Enable and Sea of Class doing battle with the Galileo mare for John Gosden just holding on . The Godolphin stable had group one success on the day as well when Wild Illusion scored her second win in the Prix de L'opera and Royal Marine won the Prix Jean Luc Degadere.
Enable and the Arc -- Enable shot to the lead around the turn in the Arc De Triomphe while Sea of Class after drawing an outside gate forced jockey James Doyle to settle second last with the Sea of Stars filly . Frankie Dettori rode a perfect race on the Galileo filly and that break proved a winning one for Enable. The 15 length margin from the turn proved just beyond a gallant Sea of Class.
WHAT AN INCREDIBLE RACE! 😱
SEA OF CLASS comes within a whisker of a remarkable victory but ENABLE holds on to make it back-to-back wins in The Arc 🇫🇷
The Dubawi mare, Wild Illusion for trainer Charlie Appleby and Godolphin made it her second victory in the Group one Prix de L'opera. Ridden by William Buick and defeating the Aiden O'brien trained, Magic Wand.
Savvy Coup -- In New Zealand the Livanol Classic over 2040 metres was run and won by the Savabeel four year old mare, Savvy Coup and connections are now looking across the Tasman at the Cox Plate for their next appointment. Here is Savvy Coup's dam Eudora with her new foal.
In the USA at Belmont a young two year old star called Uncle Benny saluted in the $150,000 Futurity Stakes, He is by Declaration of War and stays unbeaten after two starts.
New 2YO Stakes-Winner for Declaration of War.
The $150,000 Futurity Stakes at Belmont on Sunday was won by unbeaten colt Uncle Benny (2c Declaration of... https://t.co/p2nxcBJN6fpic.twitter.com/mzbIJe3qGP
What an amazing stallion Sea the Stars is turning out to be and you have to do a double take knowing he is a half brother to the mighty Galileo. Urban Sea certainly brings them up tough and talented. What a mum she is.
Stradivarius -- The amazing wins of Sradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup, Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup set him up for the big payday. He may not have been at his best for the Lonsdale Cup at York but his toughness secured victory and the £1 million bonus for the team. After the race Frankie said "“He laboured today. He’s had a very hard season. Sometimes it can take its toll. His class and his courage got him through, he got the the job done." The four year old Sea the Stars gelding is all warrior and owner Bjorn Nielsen is planning another assault at next years bonus. The runner up Count Octave, and trainer Andrew Balding is likely to head down under for the Melbourne Cup.
£1million bonus ✔️
Stradivarius takes the sponsors' money in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup #Ebor
Lah Ti Da --Frankie Dettori was on the promising Lah Ti Dar, daughter of Dubawi in the Galtres Stakes at York and she blitzed her lowly rivals by a huge margin of ten lengths. It was her first start in more than three
months . Frankie believes she would be capable of winning a St Leger later this season.
Sea of Class -- Last month's success in the Irish Oaks by Sea of Class and now an effortless win in the Group One Yorkshire Oaks at York sees the Sea the Stars filly at the head of the betting for the Prix de l’Arc De Triomphe . She now joins last year’s winner, Enable on the 5/1 line .The late developing, William Haggas filly could well go to Longchamp without another race. Sea The Stars, himself won the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and Arc.
Some sire Sea The Stars, it looks like he just bred a Champion Hurdle winner there with Stradivarius
Sea The Stars
1) As a foal with his mum Urban Sea
2) His dad Cape Cross beating Poteen in the 1998 Lockinge Stakes @NewburyRacing
3) Winning the Derby
3) As a stallion pic.twitter.com/AnQPACqXEW
Justify -- Purchased as a yearling for $US500,000 he became the 13th horse in history to win the Triple Crown. After not racing as a two-year-old, he remained undefeated from six starts with six wins. Justify’s racing career maybe over but his life on stud duties is set to begin, after a deal for his breeding rights went for a record $US75 million.
Benbatl -- Godolphin’s rising star Benbatl by Dubawi put in a poor performance when 10th in the Royal Ascot’s G1 Queen Anne Stakes but the 4 year old was far too good in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis. He was never under any pressure and raced away from Stormy Antarctic for an easy win. Benbatl is now on his way to Australia for the Cox Plate to take on the queen of the thoroughbreds Winx.
Poets Word -- On the weekend the five year old entire by Poets Voice for Sir Michael Stout put in a brave finish to win the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes under hard riding from James Doyle.
What an epic finish! This is why we love racing. 👏👏👏
Poet's Word battles bravely and powerfully to the line to land the King George. Another inspiring ride by the talented James Doyle. Epic stuff! 🏇🏆
Roy Had Enough -- The three year old colt by Pierro x Elusive Quality mare, Queens Plaza won his second stakes race in South Africa on the weekend in the Listed Avontur Darley Arabian at Greyville.
U.S.Navy Flag -- Great to hear the War Front colt, U.S.Navy Flag is heading towards the Everest after his strong win in the July Cup at Newmarket. It was Ryan Moore's first triumph in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket and the fourth win in the big sprint for Aidan O’Brien. The race featured seven Group 1 winners, among them victors of the King's Stand and Commonwealth Cup but was missing the injured Harry Angel . After the inaugural running of the Everestin Australia last year . Aidan O’Brien has his sights set on the richest sprint race in the world so the colt will be rested now ahead of a trip to Australia. I have to give credit to Racing New South Wales for having such foresight with this race and now with this new project in place to bring country racing to the city. Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys is planning to expand Everest day to include the first $1 million feature restricted to country trained horses in NSW. Here comes "The Kosciuszko". Due to the success of the Highway Handicap series which has brought the bush to the big smoke in NSW. They see an opportunity to grow this idea even further .
— Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) July 14, 2018
Alpha Centauri -- Alpha Centauri was pegged as a horse to follow last season and even though her star had dimmed a bit at the end of her two year old year with a couple of lack lustre efforts. It was at the start of her three year old career with a disappointing finish on heavy going at Leopardstown, where it almost went out. The daughter of Mastercraftsman has risen again and is back shining with an impressive hat trick of wins. Starting with the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot where she scorched the Ascot turf breaking the track record for the round mile course. And after her latest romp at Newmarket in the Falmouth, she is looking like the new star. Trainer, Mrs Jessica Harrington has the Prix Jacques le Marois and Breeders Cup Mile on the radar for this exciting filly .
Alpha Centauri winning the Coronation Stakes
🗣 “She came out of Ascot well, thank god, and seems in very good form so I’m very much looking forward to it."
Colm O'Donoghue dreaming of riding Alpha Centauri tomorrow at Newmarket. Watch analysis and read our Falmouth preview 👇 #JulyFestivalhttps://t.co/MPr7j2GZcdpic.twitter.com/QrDiSh4Pnf
Hong Kong Season -- The contest for the Hong Kong jockey title captured the imagination of racing fans worldwide with the Magic Man Moreira who had won the last three titles in a row and Australian jockey Zac Purton as they battled it out over the last few meetings. It came down to the last day and when Zac came out on top in the fourth last race of the season on the Caspar Fownes trained gelding, Rise High who took out the Class One Sha Tin Mile Trophy. The title had Zac's name on it. It was an emotional day at Sha Tin with the Magic Man signing off and heading to Japan after the meeting. Zac Purton said “I’ve enjoyed the battle, I think we’ve both enjoyed it and the racing community have enjoyed it as well, competition is always good.” Sha Tin parade ring showed their appreciation, clapping and cheering as Moreira headed out for the last race. The hysteria after the race would have made Joe feel like Justin Bieber for 30 minutes as screaming women and a swarm of cameras jostled for photos and just to be close to him. Joe said “The relationship I have with the fans here in Hong Kong is something special and I really do love them all,” .
Well over the five day Ascot carnival we saw some royalty with new princess Meghan Markle making her first public appearance. We also saw a strong Australian presence around with many aussies here to cheer on their sprinters, in the Diamond Jubilee. Redkirk Warrior for the Hayes/Dabernig stable and former handlers of the now Coolmore based, Merchant Navy. It was the Fastnet Rock colt for Coolmore who produce a fighting victory after being cannoned into at the 150m mark that was to shine a light on Australias thoroughbred industry.
Diamond Jubilee -- Merchant Navy in a fighting finish, prevails, over the French horse City Light in the Group one Diamond Jubilee Stakes. It was a great ride by Ryan Moore for the Aiden O'bien stable and secures a dual hemishpere stallion deal with Coolmore for the 30 million dollar purchase. There to see the victory was his former Australian trainer, Cairon Maher who was elated for everyone involved. Rather than worry about what might of been if the horse had stayed with him. Cairon, said, "He has a great set of lungs on him and he is still developing so he will only get better. You cant blame the owners for selling him. It was a large amount to refuse."Cairon is keen on returning one day with a horse of his own to compete at Ascot. He also stated , " We thought we had the right horse last year with Jameka but she got ill, just before we were to come.".
Ascot Gold Cup over 4000m went to Mighty Mouse as he is affectionately known because of his small stature. Stradivarius is now recognized as Europes best young stayer and provided jockey, Frankie Dettori with his 60th Royal Ascot victory. The Sea the Stars gelding recently won the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup and has also won the Group one Goodwood Cup . If he can add the Goodwood Cup again and then the Lonsdale Cup, in September,he takes home a million pound bonus. He is trained by John Gosden for owner and breeder, Bjorn Nielson. The businessman is a passionate racing man and when asked what sparked his interest in racing, he said. "That it was the spectacular Australian jumps competitor Crisp that drew him to racing." “Watching the epic 1973 Grand National in which Red Rum caught the gallant Crisp in the dying stages scarred me for life,”.
Prince of Wales Stakeswinner Poets Word is by Poets Voice and he stalked Cracksman all the way and when James Doyle made his move he was too good for the odds on favourite. It was another victory for trainer Sir Michael Stout.
Sir Michael Stoute becomes the winning-most trainer in #RoyalAscot history as Poet's Word powers to victory in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes.
Belmont Stakes and the triple crown -- On the weekend, Justify led all the way to make him the 13th crown achiever and only the second undefeated horse to win the crown after Seattle Slew. While Mike Smith became the eldest winning jockey, at 53.trainer, Bob Baffert adds a second triple crown after his 2015 success with American Pharoah. Bob's first winner of one of the big three was in The Preakness of 1997 when his grey filly Silver Charm was successful he has now won 15 legs of the triple crown. It was a strong runner up finish for Gronkowski, the son of Australian Champ, Lonhro. Justify is by Scat Daddy who leads back to Storm Cat on the male side a descendant of the great Secretariat and on his dam, Stage Magic we find Secretariat through A.P.Indy.
Secretariat's, triple crown was probably the most breathtaking of all time but there was a horse who never got to complete the three, failing in the Belmont of 1989 that i wanted to highlight upon. A horse that could well be one of the saviors of our sport. His name Sunday Silence. After his retirement from racing, Sunday Silence attracted little support by breeders in the United States and was exported to Japan. He was Leading Sire in Japan on thirteen occasions. The Japanese are so passionate about the thoroughbred and are willing to put their money where their passion is. There have been plenty of quality mares who have been sent to Deep Impact and Arrowfield Stud in Australia has just purchased two more in Abbey Marie and Omei Sword, for that reason. The Deep Impact the son of Sunday Silence is having on International racing cannot be under estimated. Deep Impact's son Study of Man scored at Chantilly, France, last week in the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club ( French Derby ) . It was the stallions 37th group one winner and the first time a French race has ever been broadcast in Japan. The far reaching effects of social media and live broadcasts, I believe will be the second coming of the thoroughbred. Its in Asia where the sport is taking off and big money continues to be on offer in Japan. Australia has a strong presence all over this region and there is a strong desire for Aussie horses.
Classic winner - Study Of Man, a son of Deep Impact, lands the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club at @fgchantilly for trainer Pascal Bary and jockey Stephane Pasquier: pic.twitter.com/oOFCX0AqlZ
In the Group 3 Epsom Cup in Japan on the weekend we saw another son of Deep Impact in Satono Arthur secure victory after charging home, from way off the pace. His dam, Kings Rose is the daughter of Australia's super stallion, Redoutes Choice. While in another group 3 The Mermaid Stakes Andriette won. Making it a red letter day for the stallion in Japan.
Saxon Warrior the son of Deep Impact is favourite for the up coming Irish Derby in the UK even though he was beaten by Masar in the Epsom Derby so more glory could be just around the corner.
Congratulations to Sheikh Mohammad and the Godolphin stable in winning the Epsom Derby with Masar, overnight. A memorable moment for William Buick, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin as the New Approach colt becomes their first Derby winner .The great broodmare, Urban Sea features not once but twice in the pedigree of Masar. He is by New Approach, who is by Urban Sea's son Galileo, and he boasts Urban Sea as his fourth dam through her daughter, Melikah.
Gutsy effort by the son of Frankel, Cracksman in winning the Coronation Cup after knocking his head on the barriers. Frankie Dettori lifted Cracksman to claim his third straight Group One and defeat Salouen who had kicked clear down the straight . Prince of Wales Stks is next on his agenda in 19 days and trainer John Gosden said " his star is just not really at home at Epsom".
Cracksman is given a mighty scare by Salouen before claiming a third straight Group One win in the Investec Coronation Cup
