England
Earthlight’s three-quarter brother wins G1 Middle Park S.
Emulating his three-quarter brother Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal), Godolphin's 2-year-old colt Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) took a major stride forward to dominate Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Middle Park S. at Newmarket. Content to track the 4-5 market-leader Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) and the front-running Dash Dizzy (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the Charlie Appleby-trained 11-4 second favourite, who had been second in the G2 Gimcrack S. at York in August, was sent forward by William Buick to take command approaching two out and surge to an emphatic 4l success. Whistlejacket, who was the sole Ballydoyle representative after the withdrawal of Ides Of March (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), held on for second by 1.5l from Dash Dizzy. Shadow Of Light now has three wins and a second from four starts.
“I wouldn't have said he was unlucky in the Gimcrack by any stretch, but we all know it is a big step up to that level and he learned plenty from there,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “As a physical, he has maintained it but mentally he jumped forward so much from that run and we came here quietly confident today. He is a three-parts brother to Earthlight, so there is plenty of pedigree on that page and, being by Lope De Vega, we were hopeful he would go on the ground.”
“I would imagine we will put him away for the winter now and it will be a case of whether we look towards the 2,000 Guineas or a Commonwealth Cup programme. From his page, I would say he is a Commonwealth Cup horse. There is a lot of speed there and, as he gets stronger, he will probably get quicker.”
Shadow Of Light and the aforementioned Earthlight, who also captured the G1 Prix Morny, are out of the G1 Fillies' Mile-placed Winters Moon (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) who is in turn a half-sister to the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero Mandaean (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) and the G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Wavering (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}).
Wavering was responsible for the triple listed scorer and G1 Prix Rothschild runner-up Life In Motion (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Street Cry's Group-placed duo Switching (USA) and Flowrider (USA), while the second dam Summertime Legacy (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) was successful in the G3 Prix des Reservoirs and was third in the Saint-Alary.
Unbeaten Lake Victoria adds G1 Cheveley Park S.
Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park S. was billed as a heavyweight bout between unbeaten Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) and it was the former who emerged on top with a scintillating performance dropped in trip for the six-furlong test.
Lake Victoria won her June 28 debut over seven furlongs at the Curragh before notching a pillar-to-post victory in last month's G3 Sweet Solera S. and went postward as the 6-4 favourite returning off a 1.25l success in the Curragh's G1 Moyglare Stud S. The eventual winner was swiftly into stride and headed the smaller stands' side group of three, racing in an overall second, through the early fractions. Inching ahead at halfway, she was shaken up heading into the dip and powered clear in impressive fashion to outclass G1 Prix Morny third Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}) by 3l, becoming a record-breaking fifth winner of the contest for Aidan O'Brien. Arabian Dusk (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was a 0.5l away in third, herself 1.25l in front of the free-pulling Babouche. Lake Victoria is now unbeaten in four starts.
“She quickened very well and, for a Frankel filly, she was very impressive over six furlongs,” Aidan O'Brien said. “We always thought she could come here after the Moyglare as she was always very quick in her work. She was more impressive today and made her own running. Ryan gave her a lovely ride, he made it look so simple and she is obviously very quick and very talented. Ryan said she could come back here for the (G1) Fillies' Mile, but we'll see what the lads want to do. We have backed her up quickly and we will let her tell us if she goes again this season. She has always been very classy and we thought that the first time she ran at the Curragh. She looks a (G1 1000) Guineas filly as she travels and quickens really well and has a lot of speed, which are all the things you need here. She is very exciting.”
Lake Victoria, full-sister to a yearling colt and weanling colt, is one of her sire's 35 Group 1 winners and the first produced by G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 Haydock Sprint Cup heroine Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), whose first foal is G2 Dante S. third Bluegrass (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Quiet Reflection was a 2.1-million guineas (AU$4.25million) purchase at Tattersalls' 2017 December Mares sale. She is a granddaughter of Listed Hilary Needler Trophy victrix Clare Hills (Ire) (Orpen), herself out of a half-sister to the dam of G1 Moyglare Stud S. runner-up Fear And Greed (Ire) (Brief Truce {USA}), and hails from the family of G1 Kentucky Derby-winning sire Alysheba (USA) (Alydar {USA}).
G2 Royal Lodge S. goes to homebred
The Gredley Family's homebred 2-year-old colt Wimbledon Hawkeye (GB) (Kameko {USA}), who had placed in both G2 Superlative S. and G3 Acomb S., was rewarded for those earlier efforts with a decisive success in Saturday's G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket.
Easing to the fore going well approaching the quarter-mile marker, he quickened in style emerging out of the dip and kept on strongly, despite rolling around in front up the hill, to defeat G3 Solario S. third Royal Playwright (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) by 1.5l in game fashion. Wimbledon Hawkeye has now won two of his four starts and placed in both the others.
“We really hoped today would happen and now it has,” said owner Tim Gredley. “We have always believed there is so much more growing in him, so we'll sit back, let the dust settle and see what happens. Maybe the (G1) Derby next year could be his route, but we're all bluffers trying to have a dream. James (Doyle) said the horse travelled so easily through the race. The (soft) ground is not an issue for him and it's a lovely position to be in. I would say it's very doubtful he'll go to America for the Breeders' Cup this year. Let's just get today out of the way and enjoy it.”
Trainer James Owen added, “He's got stronger all year and has improved with every run. I can't thank the Gredley family and my other owners enough, horses like this make it all worthwhile. He's a horse to dream of. You'd have to be thinking of the (G1 2000) Guineas as the mile is fine, he handles the track well and for me he's a proper Guineas prospect. Whether he runs again this season, I don't see why not, we'll see how he is. He's in the (G1) Futurity at Doncaster, which is a possibility.”
Wimbledon Hawkeye, who becomes the second pattern-race winner for his first-crop sire, is the first foal out of Eva Maria (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a multiple-winning half to G1 Prix de Maurice de Gheest runner-up and dual Group-winning sire James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed And Excel). She is also kin to the stakes-placed duo The Shrew (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and Morag McCullagh (GB) (Exceed And Excel). Descendants of his stakes-winning second dam Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}) include Listed Rose Bowl S. winner Nate The Great (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and G2 May Hill S. third Perfect Prophet (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Whazzat is a half-sister to G3 Premio Sergio Cumani victrix Whazzis (GB) (Desert Prince {GB}) as well as being a full-sister to the dam of this year's G3 Prix du Lys winner and G1 Grand Prix de Paris third Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}).
Ireland
G2 Beresford S. winner adds to Too Darn Hot’s growing reputation
Successful in the G3 Tyros S. at Leopardstown and second in The Curragh's G2 Futurity S. over seven furlongs, the Silverton Hill Partnership's 2-year-old colt Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) showed that a strongly-run mile holds no fears as he conquered Saturday's G2 Beresford S. back at the Kildare venue. Positioned off the pace set by Ballydoyle's Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) by Shane Foley, the 2-1 joint-favourite wore down that rival a furlong from home before asserting to beat Tennessee Stud (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Windlord (GB) Dubawi {Ire}) by 0.75l and 0.5l respectively.
“He did everything the hard way there - he was a bit free coming down the hill and had to learn to do different things - but when he gets to the front he pricks his ears and doesn't do that much,” trainer Jessica Harrington said. “He is very straightforward at home, it's just when he gets to the races he could get hot but he was okay today. The plan at the moment is to go to Doncaster for the Futurity Trophy and he goes on anything other than good-to-firm. He will go on good-to-firm, but he's better off with ease in the ground at the moment.”
Hotazhell's dam Azenzar (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), whose yearling colt by No Nay Never (USA) sells in the upcoming Tattersalls October Book 2, hails from the family of the high-class Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away {Ire}) who captured two editions of the G1 Pretty Polly S. as well as a G1 Prix de l'Opera, a G1 Hong Kong Cup and a G1 Nassau S. Also in the family is Medecis (GB) (Machiavellian {USA}), winner of the G3 Prix de la Jonchere and runner-up in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix de la Foret.
Group 1 targets for Goffs Millions winner
Joseph O'Brien trainee Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), fresh off a black-type breakthrough in last month's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at Deauville, continued on a winning roll with a battling victory in Saturday's Goffs Million at the Curragh.
The 5-2 second choice was quickly into stride from the stands' side stall and gained an immediate advantage in this seven-furlong test. Comfortable on the front end until scrubbed along with a quarter-mile remaining, he was tackled by 9-4 favourite Antelope Canyon (Ire) (No Nay Never) entering the final furlong and refused to yield under a late drive to bravely deny that rival by a head in a ding-dong thriller.
“It was a good, aggressive ride from Dylan (Browne McMonagle), he's a very tough horse and he stayed on to the line well,” said O'Brien, who also trained the third and fourth home. “He's as tough as nails and I'm delighted with him. He's obviously better at a mile, but it's a great pot to win and fair play to Goffs. It's a fantastic incentive for people to buy horses next week and we'll hopefully be going back to try and find one for next year. He had stakes form, went and led all the way and he's a good horse. He should go ten furlongs next year, it's an Aga Khan family and he has a bit of stamina in his pedigree. We'll have a look at one of those Saint-Cloud (Group 1) races and he's in the (G1) Futurity Trophy as well. I'd say he might run in one of those races before we pull up for the year.”
Apples And Bananas, a €130,000 (AU$210,000) Goffs Orby graduate, now has won three of his four starts, with his only miss coming on debut. He is the second of three foals and lone scorer from two runners out of Listed Lenebane S. third Simannka (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), herself produced by a winning half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning sire Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge).
Wootton Bassett’s first Australian crop have just turned two, while in the Northern Hemisphere, he is the sire of 51 stakes winners including the sire Almanzor (Fr) and Swettenham Stud’s Wooded (Ire).
USA
Inaugural G1 California Crown won by Wathnan’s Subsanador
Wathnan Racing's Subsanador (Arg) (Fortify {USA}) sat the trip of the race and came out on top by a head in a blanket, three-horse finish in the inaugural $1-million G1 California Crown S. at Santa Anita. The Bob Baffert-trained duo of National Treasure (USA) (Quality Road {USA}) and Newgate (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) were second and third, respectively.
The 1 1/8-mile California Crown, a 'Win and You're In' for the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, replaced the G1 Awesome Again S. on the Santa Anita stakes calendar.
Subsanador, off at odds of 6-1, tracked in an inside fourth beneath the ageless Hall of Famer Mike Smith through a half-mile in 0:47.19. He was tipped out to take on the pacesetting G1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. and G1 Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan H. winner National Treasure as they straightened for home and rallied gamely down the lane in between the Baffert duo to take down the Crown in an absolute thriller.
Subsanador, champion 2-year-old colt and a three-time top-level winner in his native land, recorded his first graded stakes victory on these shores in the G3 Philip Iselin S. at Monmouth Park last time Aug. 17. He took his record to nine wins from 17 starts, having had his first two starts in America for Stud Facundito and trainer John Sadler, including a painful second, beaten only a head by Newgate, in the G1 Santa Anita H. on March 3.
Carrying the colours of Wathnan Racing for the first time, Subsanador faded to fourth after a freshening while making his first attempt for Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella in the G2 Hollywood Gold Cup May 27, before his last start win and now this Grade 1. Mandella's success with South American imports has been well-documented. He famously trained the world-class trio of Siphon (Brz), Sandpit (Brz), and Gentlemen (Arg) to a one-two-three finish in the 1997 G1 Santa Anita H. He has also campaigned fellow Grade 1 winners Malek (Chi), Puerto Madero (Chi) and Redattore (Brz).
“We've never been in a tight situation like that and at Monmouth, he never had a straw in his path,” Mandella said. “Everything went well. This was tight and he was cooped up a little bit, and I didn't know how he'd react. I was very proud that he kept trying.”
Subsanador is one of 42 Graded/Group winners worldwide for the Darley-bred and Godolphin-campaigned Fortify, who finished third in the 2012 G1 Champagne S. and fourth in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. He is the first foal out of his unraced dam Save The Date (Arg) (Hurricane Cat {USA}) who is a half-sister to Listed winner Solamente Vos (Arg) (Peer Gynt {Jpn}). His third dam is Group 2 winner Sa Torreta (Arg) (Southern Halo {USA}).
Quinella for English Channel in G1 Joe Hirsch
The late English Channel (USA) was himself a two-time winner of the race now known as the G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic, scoring in 2006 and 2007, the last of which preceded a victory in the Monmouth bog in the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf a handful of weeks later.
George Krikorian's outstanding turf distaffer 7-year-old mare War Like Goddess (USA) (English Channel {USA}) was in search of an unprecedented third straight win against the boys in the 12-furlong contest having won this race in 2023 and 2022, but LSU Stables' 4-year-old entire Far Bridge (USA) (English Channel {USA})–whose damsire Kitten's Joy (USA) (El Prado {Ire}) won the 2004 Turf Classic and sired 2015 winner Big Blue Kitten (USA)–was patiently ridden by Joel Rosario, slipped through at the inside with less than a furlong to race and outfinished the mare to lead home a 1-2 finish for the late stallion.
Whereas Joel Rosario surprised the field in the August 24 G1 Sword Dancer S. by leading through slow fractions, Far Bridge was taken back to second last this time around, while crucially racing against the rail as is his preference, with only War Like Goddess trailing him, as Get Smokin (USA) (Get Stormy {USA}) controlled the pace while being tracked through by favoured Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a latest third in the Sword Dancer.
The Godolphin runner inherited the lead fully three furlongs out when the pacesetter dropped anchor and went for home, but Junior Alvarado had gone for the two-time defending champion in the meantime and the duo advanced wide from the tail to rally up into second nearing the stretch. The 7-year-old mare went to Silver Knott at midstretch and looked well on her way to the victory, but Far Bridge was steered around the up-and-down Emmanuel (USA) (More Than Ready {USA}) nearing the entrance to the final furlong, dove down back to the inside to hit the lead where the chute intersects the course proper and fought off a resurgent War Like Goddess to stamp himself as America's best hope for the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf five weeks down the line.
“We just think it's easier for the horse mentally to relax when he's on the rail,” said trainer Christophe Clement, winning the Turf Classic for the first time since Winchester (USA) in 2010. “I told him (Joel Rosario) if you can be 1-2-3 on the rail, great. If not, take back and be on the rail. So, he was fourth on the rail and the good news is with the short field, it was easier (to navigate), but he ran great.”
A member of the Clement barn and owned by his breeder, Far Bridge made five starts while under the care of Todd Pletcher following a private purchase by LSU Stables, including a 1l victory in last year's G1 Belmont Derby. Far Bridge now has six wins from 13 starts.
LSU's Randy Sarf is not lacking for confidence looking ahead to Far Bridge's next appearance. “He can be anywhere, any place, any time–he loves the rail the most, but he can be on the outside or even on the lead if he needs to. He can come from the back if he wants to. He is in top form right now and he is ready to win the Breeders' Cup. We'll give him a nice little rest and he'll go out to California and we're going to win the Breeders' Cup.”
English Channel has now sired the winners of no fewer than five renewals of the Turf Classic, having been responsible for Channel Maker (USA) in 2018 and 2020 before War Like Goddess doubled up in the two most recent runnings. In addition to his two victories in the race, English Channel was beaten a head into second by Shakespeare (USA) as a 3-year-old in 2005.
Far Bridge is one of 14 top-level scorers for English Channel, who called Calumet Farm home from 2014 until his death in late 2021 at the age of 19. Far Bridge is the last of three foals to race from his dam, Fitpitcher (USA) (Kitten’s Joy {USA}) who passed away in 2021. A winner at two, Fitpitcher is out of a winning daughter of G3 Saratoga Ballston Spa H. and G3 Keeneland Jenny Wiley S. winner Pleasant Temper (USA) (Storm Cat).
Mufasa heads to Breeders’ Cup after Grade 3 win
Making just his third start in this country, Mufasa (Chi) (Practical Joke) backed up his big-figure victory at Colonial Downs earlier this summer with an impressive performance in Saturday's 'Win and You're In' G3 Vosburgh S. at the Big A.
Favored at 8-5 here, he travelled nicely in second through an opening quarter in 0:23.13, took over approaching the quarter pole and punched home with authority to defeat Scotland (Good Magic) by 4.25l. Mufasa, an eight-time winner from 10 starts in his native Chile, including last year's G3 General Jose Miguel Carrera V., made two prior starts on these shores. Sixth as the favorite while making his U.S. and seasonal debut in an optional claimer going 6.5 furlongs at Churchill Downs June 30, Mufasa earned a 99 Beyer Speed Figure in a live optional claimer going seven furlongs at Colonial last time August 12.
“I think it was impressive,” winning trainer Ignacio Correas, IV said. “He'd never run on the slop. He did everything good, like usual, like good horses do. He's a good horse, probably when he ran at Churchill, it was a little short, but he showed he could run, he made a big move that day. Then, at Colonial, he beat a very good horse (Repo Rocks). Then today he was impressive again. I mean, no words can describe his performance.”
As for what's next, he added, “(Breeders' Cup) Sprint, (Dirt) Mile, I don't know. I have to talk to the owners. He's going to Breeders' Cup if everything is OK. So, we'll see.”
Mufasa is one of 28 Graded/Group winners worldwide for Practical Joke (USA). His dam, Miscanti (Chi) (Scat Daddy {USA}) won five times and is from the family of Group 1 winner and sire My Halo (Arg) who sired seven stakes winners in NZ, and Group 1 winner Mi Surena (Arg) (Southern Halo {USA}).
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile next for Zulu Kingdom
One of two runners in the field for trainer Chad Brown, it was 4-5 favorite Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) who stayed perfect and punched his ticket into the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf with a win in Saturday's G2 Pilgrim S. at Aqueduct. The 2-year-old colt is now unbeaten in three starts.
Shipped to the United States after breaking his maiden at Saint-Cloud and selling privately to the partnership of Madaket Stables, Michael Dubb, William Strauss & Michael Caruso in early June, he joined up with Brown in time to impress with a narrow win in the G3 With Anticipation S. in his North American debut at Saratoga going this same 1 1/16-mile distance August 29.
“He ran great even though he got steadied on the backside,” said Brown. “Joel (Rosario) did the right thing covering him up and bided his time. It got a little tight in there. I was happy to see him handle the soft ground – I wasn't sure. It looks like a nice setup for the Breeders' Cup. He's always struck me as a horse that might be even better at a mile with more pace. He's been able to get the job done the last two starts with two good rides and he keeps moving forward. I think we'll see the best of him at a flat mile.”
From the second crop to race by Ten Sovereigns, Zulu Kingdom is a half to Listed Saint-Cloud Prix Turenne winner Zulu Warrior (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) and both are out of Zindziswa (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}). There is plenty of French black type under G2 Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte-winning second dam Zinziberine (USA) (Zieten {USA}) with four of her eight foals winning or placing at the stakes-level including G3 Deauville Prix de Cabourg winner Zanzibari (USA) (Smart Strike {Can}), Listed Longchamp Prix du Pont-Neuf winner Zelimir (USA) (Grand Slam {USA}) who was named Horace’s Empire in Hong Kong, and Listed Longchamp Prix Roland de Chambure winner Zenji (USA) (Hat Trick {Jpn}).
