Dubai
Laurel River stuns in Dubai World Cup
Carrying the famous pink, green and white colours of Juddmonte Farms to a tour-de-force in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan was the Bhupat Seemar-trained Laurel River (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).
The colours had been carried to success in 2017 when the Champion Arrogate (USA) overcame a world of trouble to salute. Many at the time suggested it was the best performance in the history of the Dubai World Cup.
However, Laurel River put his name in the challenger spot with a stunning, front-running display breaking the long-held record of the legendary Dubai Millennium (GB) who won by 6l in 2000. Finishing 8l adrift of the son of Into Mischief (USA) was last year’s victor Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) while Senor Buscador (USA) (Mineshaft {USA}) held third.
It was the sixth success for Laurel River, who’s best performances prior to Saturday came in the G2 Pat O’Brien S. at Del Mar and the G3 Burj Nahaar S. at Meydan.
Winning jockey Tadhg O’Shea said, “When Laurel River had his first run for the stable, we thought he was disappointing, but we never lost faith. He was explosive last time, and I said the other morning to Bhupat (Seemar) I’d never ridden a horse with his ability ever.”
Laurel River is the 20th Group 1 winner for Into Mischief and is from the Empire Maker (USA) mare Calm Water (USA). Making Laurel River bred on the same cross as the G1 Kentucky Derby victor Mandaloun (USA).
Calm Water is a sister to Emollient (USA), who was an outstanding performer for Juddmonte in the United States. She won six races, including the G1 Ashland S., the G1 Spinster S., the G1 Hollywood Park American Oaks and the G1 Rodeo Drive S. at Santa Anita.
Avdulla salutes with Spangle
Australian-born hoop Brenton Avdulla celebrated Group 1 success in Dubai on Saturday for Hong Kong when he partnered the Tony Cruz-trained California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) for an emotional and track record-setting victory in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint.
California Spangle originally raced for Howard Liang, but after Liang passed away several months ago, the Michael Enright-bred 6-year-old raced under the Liang estate.
The son of Starspangledbanner also becomes the first Hong Kong-trained winner of the G1 Al Quoz Sprint since Amber Sky (Exceed And Excel) won 10 years earlier.
Winning trainer Cruz said, “I knew I’d win this race sooner or later. I got this opportunity and I came with a lot of confidence that we would win this race today (Saturday).
“The family - the ‘California family’ - is here today. Howard Liang, whose horses are named California, passed away recently so I would like to dedicate this win to him. We are over the moon with this, the owner’s wish was always to win these big races. I wish he was here tonight but his whole family is here and we’re going to celebrate together.”
California Spangle is one of six Group 1 winners for the Australian-bred Starspangledbanner, who stands at Coolmore Stud. His dam Pearlitas Passion (Ire) is a daughter of High Chaparral (Ire).
She has produced five winners, with California Spangle being her best performer. He has won 13 races from 1000 to 1800 metres. Among his notable successes is the G1 Hong Kong Mile, the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup and two editions of the G2 Chairman’s Trophy.
California Spangle was a €150,000 (AU$248,200) purchase by MC Bloodstock at the 2019 Goffs Ireland Orby Yearling Sale.
Rebel rolls hotshots
Rebel’s Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was a shock winner of the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan for Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
The son of Dubawi (Ire) ran out an authoritative winner of the star-studded field. Finishing in Rebel Romance’s wake was the Japanese pair, Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}). Meanwhile, Aidan O’Brien’s star Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) trailed home in last.
Appleby said, “Rebel’s Romance is a Breeders’ Cup winner and a four-time Group 1 winner coming into the race and we were a 28-1 shot so that shows you the strength and depth of this race.
“I was very confident down the back that William (Buick) was in the right spot because the fractions just weren’t that quick, and Williams knows this track so well. Most importantly I’m delighted for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and to have a winner tonight (Saturday) is a great relief.”
O’Brien addressed Auguste Rodin’s performance and admitted he has been left scratching his head, “It was a bit of a non-event really. The race just developed into halves so we just want to put a line through the race really. Ryan (Moore) just said he felt he wasn’t happy where he was or anything.
“They just never activated at all so it was a bit of a non-event. It was just one of them where it didn’t happen.”
Rebel’s Romance is from the Street Cry (Ire) mare Minidress (GB). She won as a juvenile and was placed in the Listed Height of Fashion S. and finished fourth in the G3 Oh So Sharp S.
Minidress has proven to be an outstanding producer. In addition to Rebel’s Romance, she is also the dam of the G1 Jebel Hatta S. winner Measured Time (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Listed-placed Petticoat (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}).
Ribchester on the board as a Group 1 sire
Darley’s Ribchester (Ire), who shuttles to Haunui Farm in New Zealand became a Group 1-producing sire when his admirable son Facteur Cheval (Ire) won the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday.
The Team Valor and Gary Barber-owned runner had been placed in four Group 1 events in his four most recent starts. Seeking a four-peat in the race was Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) although the John and Thady Gosden-trained gelding broke from the barriers awkwardly and finished off the board.
The G1 Dubai Turf also had a downcast note with the North American-trained Catnip (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}) who went amiss in the straight, with rider Christophe Lemaire thrown to the ground and removed from his final mounts on the program after being taken to hospital. Reportedly, Lemaire sustained a broken collar bone and rib, while the injuries Catnip sustained necessitated his euthanasia shortly after the race.
Ribchester, when not shuttling, is a resident of Darley’s Haras du Logis in France. Facteur Cheval is from the unraced Shamardal (USA) mare Jawlaat (Ire). She is a half-sister to the G3 Prix de Cabourg victress Tantheem (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}).
Forever Young stamps himself a potential superstar
Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) lived up to the hype in the G2 UAE Derby, stamping himself as a potential superstar and giving Japan a third consecutive victory - and fourth since 2016.
The Yoshito Yahagi-trained 3-year-old chased gamely to defeat the pacesetter Auto Bahn (Arg) (Asiatic Boy {Arg}), while the sole North American representative Pandagate (USA) (Arrogate {USA}) was third.
Forever Young essentially has been guaranteed a start in the G1 Kentucky Derby in May with the G2 UAE Derby offering 100 points to the winner. Yahagi indicated he is eager to take the son of Real Steel (Jpn) to Churchill Downs.
“My teacher, mentor, and father passed away this morning and I want to dedicate this win to him,” Yahagi emotionally shared.
“Of course, it will be very difficult to manage the horse’s condition from Dubai to Kentucky, but I really believe my team will be able to get him in good order.”
Auto Bahn also received points for his effort, but the Kentucky Derby is not an option, as he is a 4-year-old on Southern Hemisphere time.
Forever Young is a son of the former Arrowfield Stud shuttler Real Steel, who stands at the Shadai Stallion Station. Real Steel saluted in the G1 Dubai Turf in 2016, and is a full brother to the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf victress Loves Only You (USA).
The G2 UAE Derby winner is Real Steel’s first stakes winner outside of Japan. His dam Forever Darling (USA), a daughter of Congrats (USA) won the G2 Santa Ynez S.
Bargain buy takes Golden Shaheen
Tuz (USA) (Oxbow {USA}) sensationally claimed the G1 Golden Shaheen at Meydan for Bhupat Seemar and Tadhg O’Shea, who later combined to win the G1 Dubai World Cup with Laurel River (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).
The son of Oxbow (USA) was a US$7000 (AU$10,700) purchase by Oracle Bloodstock from the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He is the son elite-level winner for the G1 Preakness S. victor, who is also the sire of Hot Rod Charlie (USA), a runner-up in the 2022 G1 Dubai World Cup.
Tuz is from the Pulpit (USA) mare Suede Shoes (USA). She won three races in France and the United States of America. Suede Shoes is the dam of five winners with Tuz the best of them.
Royal Ascot on the cards for London?
Although Aidan O’Brien didn’t get the chocolates with Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), he and Ryan Moore started on the right rein with the progressive stayer Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup.
The full brother to the G1 St Leger winner Capri (Ire) burst from the back of the field and stormed home to collar Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Trawlerman (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}).
Moore said, “Tower Of London was better again. The pace slackened up down the back straight and I had to move him forward but he quickened up very well. He was impressive.”
Aidan O’Brien shared that the G2 Hardwick S. at Royal Ascot is the likely next call of port for Tower Of London rather than the G1 Gold Cup.
“He’s an Ascot-type horse, he could go for the Hardwicke-or something like the G1 Coronation Cup. Ryan (Moore) was very adamant he doesn’t need to go two miles. I don’t think Ryan thought he’d get the Gold Cup trip. He’s classy.”
Tower Of London is from the Anabaa (USA) mare Dialafara (Fr), who won over 2500 metres in France. In addition to Capri and Tower Of London, she is also the dam of the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Passion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Cypress Creek (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a Group 3 winner.
United States of America
Fierceness finds best in Florida Derby
Last year’s Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Fierceness (USA) (City Of Light {USA}) returned to his best form with a resounding success in the G1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
Fierceness gave his master trainer Todd Pletcher a record-extending eighth Florida Derby while jockey John Velazquez was winning the feature for the sixth time.
“That was a pretty awesome performance. That’s what we see in the mornings when we breeze Fierceness, a special talent. That’s why it was so perplexing his two races that he didn’t run brilliantly,” Pletcher said.
“From a talent perspective, he has it all. Like everyone else in the (Kentucky) Derby you’ve got to hope you draw a good post, you get a good trip and you like Churchill Downs – all those things.”
The son of City Of Light (USA) won the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as a 2-year-old and recently returned in the G3 Holy Bull S. where he could only manage third before his G1 Florida Derby romp.
Fierceness is from the Stay Thirsty (USA) mare Nonna Bella (USA), who was fourth in the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks and is a half-sister to the G1 Wood Memorial winner Outwork (USA).
Nonna Bella produced a full brother to Fierceness in 2022 and has a filly by Caravaggio (USA) born last year. She was bred to Uncle Mo (USA) for 2024.
Muth makes magic in Arkansas Derby
Muth (USA) (Good Magic {USA}) posted an impressive win in the G1 Arkansas Derby for trainer Bob Baffert.
The Zedan Racing Stables-owned runner defeated the favoured Timberlake (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}), who faded to fourth. While Just Steel (USA) (Justify) ran into second and Mystik Dan (USA) (Goldencents {USA}) took third.
Muth won the G1 American Pharoah S. at Santa Anita and then was second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. He also has a victory in the G2 San Vicente S. and was placed in the G3 Best Pal S. at Del Mar.
Originally, a US$190,000 (AU$291,800) purchase by Bishop Bloodstock from the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Muth was re-sold for US$2 million (AU$3 million) at the 2023 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Ocala Winter 2YO Sale.
Muth is the first named foal from the winning Uncle Mo (USA) mare Hoppa (USA). She hails from the family of the G1 Dewhurst S. winner War Command (USA) who sired Saturday’s G1 Tancred S. victor Kalapour (Ire).
The G1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner Rollout The Carpet (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) also hails from this family.
Flying filly makes stylish return in Fantasy
Thorpedo Anna (USA) (Fast Anna {USA}) made a stylish return in the G2 Fantasy S. at Oaklawn. The filly hadn’t been seen since finishing second in last year’s G2 Golden Rod S. but reminded all of her talent.
The filly is the 14th stakes winner and the first Group 2 winner for Fast Anna (USA), a son of Medaglia D’Oro (USA). Thorpedo Anna is from the unraced Uncle Mo (USA) mare Sataves (USA).
Furthermore, this is the family of the G1 Wood Memorial S. victor Eskendereya (USA) and Balmont (USA), a winner of the G1 Middle Park S.
Thorpedo Anna was a US$40,000 (AU$61,300) purchase by Kenneth McPeek from the 2022 Fasig Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale
Power causes upset in G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks
The Jorge Delgado-trained Power Squeeze (USA) (Union Rags {USA}) booked her place in the G1 Kentucky Oaks when upsetting the heavily favoured Ways And Means (USA) (Practical Joke {USA}) in the G2 Gulfstream Park Oaks.
Power Squeeze won her fourth straight race, after earlier claiming the Listed Cash Run S. in January and the February Listed Suncoast S. The Gulfstream Park Oaks was worth a total of 200 qualifying points to the top five finishers for the G1 Kentucky Oaks in May.
“We always thought very highly of Power Squeeze. I believe the stretch at Churchill Downs is going to be really good for her. Hopefully everything comes back in order and we’re going to plan a trip to go there,” winning trainer Delgado said.
The filly was a US$50,000 (AU$76,700) purchase by Monarch Farms from the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale and then was reoffered at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Spring 2YO Sale where Lea Farms paid US$90,000 (AU$$138,000).
Power Squeeze is from the Awesome Again (Can) mare Callmethesqueeze (USA) who won seven races, including the Listed Hollywood Wildcat S., the Listed Judy’s Red Shoes S. and the Listed Sweettrickydancer S.
In addition to Power Squeeze, she has also produced the Listed winner Call On Mischief (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}).
Callmethesqueeze has a 2-year-old filly by Street Sense (USA) and a yearling colt by Liam’s Map (USA). She was bred to Vino Rosso (USA) in 2024.
