Tag Archive for: Newbury

Charlie Appleby’s Modern Games part of deep Lockinge field

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Dual Breeders’ Cup winner Modern Games tops 13 contenders for Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

Winner of the Juvenile Turf in 2021 and the Mile last term, Modern Games has also tasted Group One success in France and Canada, but will be shooting for a first British win at the highest level.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Laurel is one of his main rivals at the Berkshire track, having finished a narrow second in the Sun Chariot last year and opened with an easy Listed verdict on Kempton’s all-weather surface last month.

My Prospero represents William Haggas and he will be having his first run since finishing third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in the autumn.

Mutasaabeq was a cosy Newmarket winner
Mutasaabeq was a cosy Newmarket winner (David Davies/PA)

Jadoomi finished third on his first attempt at Group One company in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and he returns for Simon and Ed Crisford, while Mutasaabeq arrives on the back of a fine front-running success in the bet365 Mile at Newmarket at the start of the month.

Light Infantry was third in that event for David Simcock and reopposes, as does William Knight’s fourth-placed Checkandchallenge.

Richard Hannon is double-handed with Chindit and Lusail, first and fourth in the Paradise Stakes at Ascot recently.

Berkshire Shadow, Jumby, Triple Time and The Wizard Of Eye complete the line up, with Angel Bleu and Cash the only horses not declared.

Mutasaabeq has eyes on Lockinge prize this weekend

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Mutasaabeq will bid to break his Group One duck in Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, with connections confident his rivals “will have to go some to beat him”.

The Charlie Hills-trained five-year-old defied a penalty to beat last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail in the bet365 Mile, which was switched to Newmarket’s Guineas meeting after heavy rain forced Sandown’s card to be abandoned the previous week.

The Shadwell Estates-owned Mutasaabeq, who registered a fourth win at Rowley Mile course, was one of 16 horses confirmed for the Lockinge on Monday.

Angus Gold, Shadwell’s racing manager, believes his victory in the Joel Stakes last September in first-time blinkers showed improvement and the signs are that he will continue to progress.

“He goes to the Lockinge. It was a nice performance last time. It didn’t surprise me that he stayed on well, because he looked like he wanted that (a mile) before,” said Gold.

“Obviously, you don’t go into a race like that thinking you are going to beat a Guineas winner necessarily, but I was obviously really pleased with him.”

Winner of six of his 13 starts, Mutasaabeq seeks a hat-trick after back-to-back Group Two victories.

He could take on Ralph Beckett’s dual Group One winner Angel Bleu, Sun Chariot runner-up Laurel, Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Modern Games and Champion Stakes third My Prospero in what is shaping up to be an excellent renewal, although Inspiral is a notable absentee.

Gold feels match fitness should benefit the son of Invincible Spirit, adding: “All being well, if he turns up in the same sort of form he was at Newmarket, they will all have to go some to beat him.

“Certainly the early signs – and though it is only one run so far – are that his behaviour was much better. He is a much more mature and relaxed horse and he was heading very much the right way the other day.

“The blinkers certainly didn’t seem to do him any harm.”

Hannon anticipating retirement for recovering Mojo Star

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Mojo Star, who sustained an injury when making his return to action at Newbury last month, is on the mend but looks set to be retired from racing.

The Richard Hannon-trained Classic and Ascot Gold Cup runner-up finished lame when fourth to Grand Alliance in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.

The five-year-old, who was second in Adayar’s Derby and occupied the same spot behind Hurricane Lane in the St Leger before finding only Kyprios too good in last year’s Gold Cup, was making his seasonal return after a 310-day lay-off.

His injury was not life-threatening and after being treated by vet Jamie O’Gorman, the son of Sea The Stars looks primed to enjoy stallion duties after a nine-race career that has seen him earn just shy of £543,000 in prize=money.

“He is back here now, but I would say he probably won’t race again,” said the East Everleigh handler.

“He’s always had issues with his joints and he’s quite a heavy horse who has always had problems all his life.

“He’s back home now though, although I would say he is doubtful to race again. I think he will go back to Ireland, where they will get him a job as a stallion.

“He was second in three massive races, the Derby, the Leger and in the Gold Cup. He’s still here and he’ll enjoy life, which is the most important thing.”

Meanwhile, Hannon’s hopes that Mammas Girl would keep her unbeaten record in the Qipco 1000 Guineas were dashed when she finished 16 lengths behind Mawj at Newmarket on Sunday.

Winner of a seven-furlong novice at the same track in October, the daughter of Havana Grey landed the Group Three Nell Gwyn on her first start as a three-year-old.

Mammas Girl found the ground against her in the Guineas
Mammas Girl found the ground against her in the Guineas (Tim Goode/PA)

However, having raced prominently in the early stages in the mile fillies’ Classic, she weakened late on under Kevin Stott in very soft ground, eventually finishing 11th of the 20 runners.

Hannon said: “Mammas Girl is fine. The ground was shocking really, but that’s nobody’s fault.

“She will show her true self, probably at Royal Ascot in the Coronation on fast ground and hopefully she will run much better.”

Globetrotting Yibir on course for Newbury comeback

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Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Yibir is on course to return to action in the Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury on May 20.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Yibir enjoyed a fruitful campaign in 2021, culminating with successes in the Great Voltigeur, the Jockey Club Invitational at Belmont and the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar.

He showed smart form again at four, finishing third in the Man o’War before winning the Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket, but he has been off the track since that win in July.

Yibir helped put stablemate Flying Honours through his paces in a gallop at Newmarket on Friday.

Appleby said: “I’m delighted with Yibir as he has been off the track since winning the Princess of Wales’s Stakes on the July course last year.

“The plan with him is to head to the Aston Park Stakes (Al Rayyan) at Newbury. He had a setback after Newmarket and has been off since.

“Admittedly Yibir was in the Jockey Club Stakes (on Friday) but I felt he was maybe a gallop or two short to go for that, so that is why I decided to take him for a gallop instead.”

Appleby also has a Hong Kong entry for Yibir, as he is one of four for the Newmarket handler together with Global Storm, Rebel’s Romance – who emulated Yibir in last year’s Breeders’ Cup Turf – and Siskany in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, the final Group One of the Hong Kong season on May 28 at Sha Tin.

Gather Ye Rosebuds aiming to bloom in Classic trial

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Jack Channon will fire Gather Ye Rosebuds at a Classic trial following her deeply impressive debut win at Newbury.

The Zoffany filly blitzed 15 rivals in a 10-furlong fillies’ maiden under Connor Beasley, romping to a nine-and-a-half-length success in soft ground.

Now the West Ilsley handler is looking to set her sights a little higher, after her surprise 33-1 success.

“She has come out of the race really well and she looks fantastic,” said Channon. “I’m really happy with the way she is progressing.

“We will probably have a look at one of the Oaks trials, maybe Lingfield (on Saturday week) or Newbury (Fillies’ Trial Stakes, May 20), I would have thought, in a couple of weeks’ time.

“She is in great form and we will aim her at one of those, I should think.”

Channon, who is in his first season with a training licence after taking over from his father, former Southampton and England international striker Mick Channon, was taken aback by the manner with which Gather Ye Rosebuds put her rivals to the sword.

He added: “I was surprised by what she did, but if you are expecting a horse to go and do that first time, then only Sir Henry (Cecil), when he had Frankel, could expect that!

“I expected her to run a nice race and I’d thought she would come on for the run. She seems to have done and we hope she is very nice.”

Fabre planning Lockinge bid for Tribalist

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Andre Fabre has confirmed Tribalist is being aimed at the Al Shaqab Lockinge at Newbury on May 20.

A total of 20 horses remain in contention for the Group One following the latest scratching stage, including the John and Thady Gosden-trained fillies Inspiral and Laurel.

However, they will have to contend with Fabre’s Godolphin-owned four-year-old, who produced a career-best effort on Monday when making all in the Group Two Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud.

Tribalist finished third behind Charlie Appleby’s Modern Games in the French 2000 Guineas last year and the pair could renew rivalry.

“Tribalist is in the Lockinge and all going well, he’s going to run there,” said Fabre.

“It was a good performance, he looked in control all the way.

“The only time we have tried to make him settle he pulled very hard and finished nowhere. Since then we have let him race close to the pace. That’s his style of racing and it suits him, there’s no need to change.

“I wouldn’t be worried about running him on better ground, he acts on any ground.”

Simon and Ed Crisford’s Jadoomi, third in the QEII when last seen, William Haggas’ My Prospero – a non-runner at Ascot on Wednesday due to an unsatisfactory scope – and last year’s runner-up Real World are also among the 20.

Theoryofeverything options to be considered after Greenham effort

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Connections of Theoryofeverything will wait before deciding whether he will be handed the chance to run in another Classic trial following his effort in the Greenham at Newbury on Saturday.

A son of Frankel, the Prince Faisal-owned colt looked well above average when making light work of his 12 rivals in a seven-furlong Doncaster novice on his racecourse debut earlier this month.

Having powered to six-length victory over Godolphin’s Striking Star, he was handed a berth in the Greenham, and in very soft ground finished eight and a half lengths third to Isaac Shelby in the Group Three contest.

Thady Gosden, who trains in partnership with his father, John, said: “It was very specialist ground and the winner looked very smart.

“This was only the second run of his life and he was up against some more serious horses. He ran a pleasing race, all things considered.

“He’s fine. He is in the Dante, but we will see how he comes out of the race before making any decisions.”

Chaldean none the worse for Newbury and on course for Newmarket

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Chaldean is still on course for the Qipco 2000 Guineas despite his unfortunate mishap when unseating Frankie Dettori coming out of the stalls at Newbury on Saturday.

The Frankel colt was a warm favourite to emulate his sire, who won the Greenham Stakes in 2011 on his way to success in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket.

However, he received a bump from Streets Of Gold when leaving the starting gates. Dettori lost an iron as a result and as Chaldean veered left, his rider was left on the turf.

The riderless Chaldean, who had won his four previous starts, enjoyed himself out in front in the seven-furlong contest, which was eventually won by Isaac Shelby.

Bookmakers kept the Juddmonte-owned Chaldean at a general 5-1 for the Guineas on May 6, and trainer Andrew Balding reported he has taken his unfortunate mishap well.

“He’s fine,” said the Kingsclere handler. “None the worse for his little saunter down the track. He had a great time, hardly lost any weight.

“It was an unconventional dress rehearsal, but there we are – it is what it is.”

Kirby outlines Royal Ascot aim for Farhan

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Phil Kirby is eyeing an appearance at Royal Ascot for Farhan after performing above expectations at Newbury on Saturday.

The five-year-old won the 2021 November Handicap and a valuable prize at York last season for John Butler before changing hands for 150,000 guineas in October.

Following a slow start, Farhan failed to make an impact when defending his November Handicap crown on his debut for new connections, but fared far better in filling the runner-up spot as a 40-1 shot in Saturday’s Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes – better known as the John Porter.

Kirby said: “I was delighted – I thought he ran really well and hopefully he’ll come on for it.

“The plan is to go for the mile-and-a-half handicap on the Friday of Royal Ascot (Duke of Edinburgh Stakes), so I couldn’t really afford to come down in the handicap, but I might go the wrong way now!

“I was trying to find something competitive for him, as mad as it sounds, but he put up a really good show and probably didn’t need the run as much as I thought he would.”

Farhan was beaten just over two lengths by the Charlie Fellowes-trained Grand Alliance, with Max Vega a neck behind him in third.

With hot favourite Hurricane Lane failing to fire and the top-class Mojo Star suffering an injury that could be career-ending, Kirby is hoping the handicapper does not take the form too literally.

Trainer Phil Kirby
Trainer Phil Kirby (Phil Kirby Racing)

“He travelled and stayed on nicely, but I suppose we rode him to run well. We sort of took our time and tried to pick up the pieces if we could and it ended up better than we expected,” the trainer added.

“I thought it was a hot enough Group Three, but the favourite has run badly and the other horse got injured, so I don’t know what they’ll do.

“We’ll look towards Royal Ascot and I think there’s room for another run before then. There’s another Group Three back at Newbury (Al Rayyan Stakes, May 20) and there’s also a race at York for him around the same time, so he’ll probably go for one of the two.

“I don’t think he’s desperate for it soft, but I don’t think he wants quick ground – easy side of good or softer is fine.”

Jimmi Hendrix calls the tune at Newbury

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Ralph Beckett will consider his options before making any firm plans for Newbury’s BetGoodwin Spring Cup winner Jimi Hendrix, who stayed on well to take the valuable mile handicap under Rossa Ryan.

Things did not go according to plan when fancied for the Lincoln, where he had finished a disappointing 13th of 22.

Jockey Rossa Ryan felt the fitting of blinkers helped his cause as he powered to a three-and-a-half-length victory over Lattam.

“He is just a bit claustrophobic, hence putting the blinkers on and hence me coming across on my own. It has done the trick, really,” said Ryan.

“He has beaten an Irish Lincoln winner pulling up and he took a lot of pulling up, so I wouldn’t fear going up in trip again with him.

“He has not hit his ceiling and you’d like to think there’d be more to come.”

Beckett, who was recording a double, having taken the Fred Darling with Remarquee, added: “I think he likes this ground to degree. But he’s won on fast ground at the July meeting, so I don’t think it is that important to him.

“But the blinkers today and a bit of space on the wing has really made the difference.

“I’m not sure where we go. The Royal Hunt Cup maybe, with something in between, we’ll have to go away and work it out.”

Golspie/Newbury
Golspie surprised Eve Johnson Houghton (Simon Milham/PA)

Newbury maidens at this time of year are invariably informative, although Eve Johnson Houghton was as surprised as anyone when Golspie (12-1) landed the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Maiden by a length and a half in the hands of Charlie Bishop.

“Slightly unexpected,” said Johnson Houghton. “I thought he would get very tired in the ground. My other horse got very tired on the ground.

“Actually, he quite enjoyed it I think, but he possibly wants further, so it was a lovely surprise.

“We were going to go for a maiden next time!

“He wasn’t very well when we first bought him so gave him loads of time and we were never really going to run him as a two-year-old, and he is still weak, but he’s going to be a nice horse with a bit of luck.”

Klondike/Newbury
Klondike looked a smart recruit in the mile and three-furlong maiden (Simon Milham/PA)

Klondike (7-2), a son of Galileo, who cost 600,000 guineas as a yearling, is bred to be a nice horse.

He overcame abundant greenness under Tom Marquand to take the Too Darn Hot Darley Maiden Stakes by a head for trainer William Haggas.

After his polished and patient ride, where he taught the three-year-old plenty, coming from off the pace to score, Marquand said: “It was a proper William-style run. It is probably as much as you want to see. William likes them to be ridden like that.

“It’s lovely to see a horse like that go and drop down that last half furlong, and actually go and win a race like that.

“You teach them. That is the whole point of their first and early runs, to teach them what their job. We want them all to win, but sometimes emptying the tank isn’t the way they learn the most.

“I gave him a flick a furlong and a half out to get him to straighten up and another flick with half a furlong to go.

“He’s a lovely horse and stays well, and hopefully has a pretty exciting future.”