There are various reasons why any particular horse will be remembered and, from a personal point of view, Rahaam is one such individual. I worked briefly with the winning daughter of Secreto (by Northern Dancer) and was there for the Indian Ridge (by Ahonoora) covering that resulted in her star daughter Cassandra Go.
In addition to her pedigree, it was aspects of her personality that made the big grey mare stand out, and although it was no surprise to see her do well as a producer, the impact that she has had exceeds expectations. When Brundtland (by Dubawi) narrowly beat Hunting Horn in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp last month he became the latest of her descendants to become a winner of note. This was his third start, he won a 10-furlong Newmarket maiden on his only outing as a juvenile, and the race between those two is his 12-furlong listed success at Clairefontaine in August. The Charlie Appleby-trained bay is due to step up in trip tomorrow afternoon when he contests the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay over 15 furlongs.
Brundtland was bred by James Hanly and he is the first foal of Future Generation (by Hurricane Run), who won the Group 3 Desmond Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown. The mare is a half-sister to the blacktype-placed full-sisters Dancing Breeze (by New Approach) and Rasmeyaa, and she is a mare called Posterity (by Indian Ridge).
That half-sister to Group 3 Prix de Meautry scorer Do The Honours (by Highest Honor) and listed-race winner Seba (by Alzao) could be described as being as three-parts sister to the afore mentioned Group 2 King's Stand Stakes heroine Cassandra Go as both her dam and that sprint star are out of Rahaam. Cassandra Go also won the Group 2 Temple Stakes, the Group 3 King George Stakes, and a listed contest at Bath, and it was she who chased home champion Mozart in the Group 1 July Cup. Her busy juvenile daughter Fantasy (by Invincible Spirit) was to Ten Sovereigns in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes last month and is one of four blacktype earners for the grey. Tickled Pink (by Invincible Spirit) won the Group 3 Coral Charge and Group 3 Abernant Stakes, and Theann (by Rock Of Gibraltar) won the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York before going on to become the dam of US Grade 1 star Photo Call (by Galileo) and of this year's Group 2 Richmond Stakes scorer Land Force (by No Nay Never). The best of Cassandra Go's quartet is, of course, is mile ace Highway To Heaven (by Pivotal) who won the Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas, Group 1 Nassau Stakes and Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes 10 years ago and is now just as well-known for her success as a broodmare thanks to the exploits of her Group 1-winning daughter Rhododendron (by Galileo) and that star's pattern-winning full-siblings Magical and Flying The Flag. Brundtland's third dam is listed scorer Persian Secret (by Persian Heights) and, in addition to being a half-sister to Cassandra Go, she is a half-sister to the speedy classic-placed pattern winner Verglas (by Highest Honor), a former member of the Irish National Stud team and who was responsible for the top-level winners Glass Harmonium, Silver Frost and Stormy River, among others of note. Rahaam, the fourth dam of Brundtland, was a half-sister to Group 3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner and Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) third Glory Forever (by Forever Casting), and their unraced dam, Fager's Glory (by Mr Prospector), was a granddaughter of Kentucky Oaks heroine Native Street (by Native Dancer). That star's offspring included Grade 1 Florida Derby winner Royal And Regal (by Vaguely Noble), she was the grandam of Group 1 Sprint Cup scorer Dowsing (by Riverman) and of Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes heroine Fire The Groom (by Blushing Groom), and third dam of Group 1 July Cup and Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes champion Stravinsky (by Nureyev). Those horses are remotely connected to Brundtland, a colt who shows more stamina than most in his family. It would appear, therefore, that he got that gene from his dam's sire – the top-class middle-distance horse Hurricane Run (by Montjeu) – and possibly also one from Dubawi. If this is the case, then there is every chance that he will stay the 15 furlongs at ParisLongchamp, and could even become a Cup horse. It will be interesting to see how his career turns out, and whether his forte is within the stayers' division or back over 12 furlongs.
Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium) is long-established as one of the world's leading sires and he will soon hit two new landmarks in his already glittering career.
When Godolphin's homebred Soliloquy won the Group 3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket yesterday she became her sire's 96th pattern winner among an overall total of 147 blacktype scorers. Numbers 100 on the first tally and 150 on the second may be just weeks away. There are 35 top-level winners on his roll of honour, and although that figure will also increase in 2018, it remains to be seen if the Charlie Appleby-trained filly will be good enough to add her name to the list. She was runner-up in a seven-furlong maiden on the July Course at Newmarket in late August, beat the useful-looking Sheikha Reika by half a length over a mile at Ascot, but was not seen out again until this week. She made most of the running to beat Altyn Orda by one and three-quarter lengths, with Eirene a neck back in third and another three and a half lengths back to Billesdon Brook in fourth. Both the second and fourth were prior pattern winners, and the third a pattern-placed stakes winner, so the form looks decent.
A half-sister to dual mile winner Musical Terms (by Shamardal), Soliloquy is the second foal out of the prolific Dysphonia (by Lonhro) who won eight times in Australia from six and a half furlongs to a mile and including two listed races.
She finished third in the Group 1 Meyer Classic over a mile and in a Group 2 contest over seven – both at Flemington – and she from four starts in England, she was third to Chachamaidee in the Group 3 Chartwell Fillies' Stakes over seven on the polytrack at Lingfield. The mare's siblings include a prolific middle-distance to staying horse – Shearer (by Reset) – but his stamina is greater than might have been expected from the immediate family as he's out of speedy five-time scorer Stutter (by Night Shift) and she, in turn, is out of an unraced half-sister to Ivory (by Gold And Ivory) – the mile stakes winning dam of New Zealand mile Group 1 winner Sir Kinloch (by Rhythm). Simmer (by Canny Lad), a six-time successful half-brother to Stutter, got his wins at up to seven and a half-furlongs, as did their pattern-placed half-sister Lament (by Mighty Avalanche) – dam of dual 10-furlong listed scorer Jeremiad (by Octagonal) – and nine-time winner Scarf (by Lonhro). The latter is out of Muffle (by Quest For Fame), who is an unplaced half-sister to Stutter, and he supplemented his string of Australian wins with two seven-furlong scores at Newbury, notably a neck defeat of Producer in the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup, achieving an official handicap mark of 108. All of this suggests that Soliloquy has the potential to prove best at around a mile and that there is a chance she may stay 10 furlongs. The Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas is currently her only big-race entry, but the season is young and there should be plenty of opportunities for us to assess her further.
Two sons of Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium) shared top billing at the 2016 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, each fetching a staggering 2,600,000gns. One was maiden winner Emaraaty, who was unplaced in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes in his final outing at two but is odds-on for a novice event at Newcastle tomorrow evening, and the other was Glorious Journey.
He joined the Charlie Appleby stable, made a winning debut over six furlongs at Newmarket in June and then beat Feralia by a length and a quarter to take the Group 3 Prix La Rochette over a furlong farther at Saint-Cloud three months later. Timeform gave him a rating of 105p. He holds several classic entries, as you would expect, and he is due to make his seasonal reappearance in Thursday's Group 3 bet365 Craven Stakes over a mile at Newmarket.
Glorious Journey was bred by Normandie Stud Ltd and he is the second foal out of their Group 1 Coronation Stakes heroine Fallen For You (by Dansili). That Timeform 121-rated mare won three of her seven starts and her other piece of blacktype came when a neck runner-up to Lyric Of Light in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.
Her late half-brother Fallen Idol (by Pivotal) was a mile stakes winner who stayed 10 furlongs, and their half-sister Fallen In Love (by Galileo) chased home Barshiba in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock before going on to become the dam of the smart Loving Things (by Pivotal). That filly raced in her breeder's well-known pink and white colours, she won the Group 3 Prix de Flore over 10 and a half furlongs at Saint-Cloud and the Listed Pontefract Castle Stakes over a mile and a half, and she was only beaten a length when third to Endless Time in the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks. Fallen Star (by Brief Truce), who is the grandam of Glorious Journey, was also a talented performer, winning three of her nine starts including a listed contest at Ascot. She was only beaten a head when losing out in a similar contest at that venue the previous autumn, she was a half-length runner-up to Welsh Diva in the Group 3 Premio Sergio Cumani, and she finished third to Dress To Thrill in the Group 3 Matron Stakes – all over a mile. This was, of course, the distance over which her star half-brother excelled, as Fly To The Stars (by Bluebird) won the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes, Group 2 Prix du Rond Pont and Group 3 Prix Messidor. Their dam, Rise And Fall (by Mill Reef), was unplaced but a valuable broodmare prospect as she was by a hugely influential stallion and out of Light Duty (by Queen's Hussar), a stakes winner who was runner-up in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes, third in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, and a full-sister dual classic star and hugely influential mare Highclere. It is from that Group 1 1000 Guineas and Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) heroine that Group 1 standouts such as Deep Impact (by Sunday Silence), Ghanaati (by Giant's Causeway), Nashwan (by Blushing Groom), Nayef (by Gulch), Talismanic (by Medaglia d'Oro), and Wind In Her Hair (by Alzao) descend. Those celebrities are remotely connected to Glorious Journey, but if he lives up to his immediate pedigree and to the expectations that come with a seven-figure yearling price tag, then he could a Group 1 winner in waiting, likely at a mile or 10 furlongs.
Moorestyle, Danehill, Lapierre, Green Desert, Mystiko, So Factual, Desert Prince, Indian Haven and Garswood are horses who used victory in the Listed European Free Handicap as a springboard to Group 1 success in the last 40 years, and although Anna Nerium may not be in their class, the manner of her victory in today's bet365-sponsored edition of that seven-furlong contest suggests that she is a high-class miler in the making.
The daughter of Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium) was only rated 100 after five starts as a two-year-old – and just 97 by Timeform – even though she had followed her narrow seven-furlong maiden success on Newmarket's July Course with a neck defeat of Eirene in the Group 3 Bathwick Tyres Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes over six at Salisbury. Her final start resulted in nine-place finish in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes, crossing the line 10 lengths behind the winner, Altyn Orda, and so it was no surprise that she was sent off as one of the outsiders on her seasonal reappearance. The farther she went, the better she was going, and she landed the spoils by three lengths from Finniston Farm. She holds entries in both the Group 1 Qipco 1000 Guineas and Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas), and although more improvement is needed to have a realistic chance of winning either of those classics, she is bred to be suited by a mile, and possibly even stay 10 furlongs.
The Richard Hannon-trained chestnut was bred by Stowell Hill Ltd, she was a buy-back at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, and she is fifth blacktype horse among racing-age offspring of dual German winner Anna Oleanda (by Old Vic).
Middle Club (by Fantastic Light) won the Group 3 Prix d'Aumale and was runner-up in the Group 2 Oaks d'Italia, Anna Mona (by Monsun) was third in the Group 3 Prix de Royaumont over 12 furlongs, and Anna Royal (by Royal Dragon) was listed-placed over that trip in Germany, but perhaps the most notable is Piping Rock. A full-brother to Anna Nerium, he looked a potential star in the making after three starts as a juvenile, which he won by a total of eight lengths. His debut was on good ground, the other two were on heavy, and in that latter pair he beat Hartnell by four lengths over seven furlongs at Salisbury and Galiway easily in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury. Timeform rated him 113, he was snapped up by Godolphin, but tragically lost a battle with colic that December.
Anna Oleanda, who is also notable as being the grandam of last year's Group 3 Prestige Stakes winner Billesdon Brook (by Champs Elysees), is out of the Group 2 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) champion Anna Paola (by Prince Ippi) and that makes her a sister to several mares of note.
Her full-sister Anno Luce is the pattern-winning dam of Grade 1 Champion Hurdle heroine Annie Power (by Shirocco), two-time scorer Anna Petrovna (by Wassl) is the dam of ill-fated classic-placed multiple pattern winner Annus Mirabilis (by Warning), and Anna Of Brunswick (by Rainbow Quest) is the grandam of a string of blacktype scorers, including German juvenile Group 2 winner and champion Smooth Operator (by Big Shuffle). Most notable of the siblings, however, is Anna Matrushka (by Mill Reef). In addition to being the dam of Group 2 Prix Hubert de Chaudenay winner Pozarica (by Rainbow Quest) and of Annaba (by In The Wings), who won the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu and Group 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris, she is the grandam of Group 1 stars Anna Monda (by Monsun), Epaulette (by Commands), and Helmet (by Exceed And Excel), the third dam of US Grade 1 scorer Ave (by Danehill Dancer), and fourth dam of Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium winner National Defense (by Invincible Spirit). The latter is, of course, standing his first season at the Irish National Stud, while both Helmet and Epaulette are reverse-shuttle stallions, with the former being responsible for international Group 1 star Thunder Snow, who pushed his earnings past the £6.3 million mark when running away with the Group 1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan last month. It remains to be seen just how good Anna Nerium is, but she is on the upgrade and bred to improve further, especially when stepped up to the mile.
The Listed Zetland Stakes at Newmarket is not a contest that we typically consider to be a source of potentially high-class racehorses. It is over 10 furlongs, a marathon trip for juveniles, and so generally not on the radar of the potential classic or middle-distance stars, who go for the top six to eight-furlong pattern events instead.
The 2016 edition of the race, however, now looks like having been one of the better two-year-old races of the season because each of the first four home that day is a pattern winner already in 2017, three of them being horses of particular note. The race went to the 3/1 favourite who won by a neck from an 11/1 shot, who was half a length ahead of a 20/1 outsider, and the fourth-placed runner, at 10/1, was another three and three-quarter lengths behind. Their names were largely unknown on the day, but look how it reads now when we can say that Coronet, Cunco, Permian, and Wings Of Eagles were those four horses, in that order. Coronet won the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday, Cunco won the Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown in April, Permian has won both the Group 2 Dante Stakes and Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes, and Wings Of Eagles sprang a 40/1 shock in the Group 1 Investec Derby at Epsom. Coronet had won her only previous start – a mile maiden at Leicester – so finished her first season with an unbeaten record and a Timeform rating of 102p. She finished third to Sobetsu in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary on her first start of this year, disappointed when finishing a well-beaten fifth to Enable in the Group 1 Investec Oaks at Epsom, but then bounced back to beat Mori by a neck at Ascot. She holds an entry in the Group 1 Darley Irish Oaks and, given what one of her siblings achieved, and the famous family that she represents, it would be no surprise to see her line up at Doncaster in September for the final classic of the year – the Group 1 St Leger.
Coronet is owned and bred by Denford Stud, she is trained by John Gosden, and she is a daughter of Dalham Hall Stud’s outstanding stallion Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium).
Her half-brother Streetcar To Stars (by Sea The Stars) was short-headed in a 12-furlong listed contest at Leopardstown, finished third in a Group 3 over the same course and distance and then a one and a half length fourth to Leading Light in the 14-furlong Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial at the Curragh, all from just five starts, but it is another of her siblings who is the really notable one. Midas Touch (by Galileo) won the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, was a half-length runner-up to Cape Blanco in the Group 1 Irish Derby, and also runner-up in the Group 1 St Leger and Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes before moving to Australia where, in a campaign that included unplaced runs in sprints, he finished third in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes over nine furlongs. Coronet is out of Approach (by Darshaan) who won the Listed Ballymacoll Stakes at Newbury, was Grade 2-placed at Keeneland and finished third in the Group 3 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster. The mare’s stakes-placed full-sister Intrigued is the dam of Listed Cocked Hat Stakes winner and Group 1 St Leger third Michelangelo (by Galileo), and Aussie Rules (by Danehill) was the best of her male siblings. He won the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket as a juvenile, added both the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) and Grade 1 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes at three, he began his stallion career at Coolmore and then moved to Lanwades Stud. His progeny include Group 1 Matron Stakes heroine Fiesolana and New Zealand Group 1 scorer Willie Cazals, but, sadly, he died last year at the age of 13. Approach and Aussie Rules were the best of 10 winners among 14 foals out of Last Second (by Alzao), one of the notable daughters of the influential mare Alruccaba (by Crystal Palace). She was also one of the most talented of them as she won the Group 2 Nassau Stakes, Group 2 Sun Chariot Stakes and Group 3 C L Weld Park Stakes, and was runner-up in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes. Her half-sister Alleluia (by Caerleon) won the Group 3 Doncaster Cup before going on to become the dam of Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak heroine Allegretto (by Galileo), and another half-sister, Arrikala (by Darshaan), won the Listed Curragh Cup and finished third in the Group 1 Irish Oaks. Although that filly did not achieve fame at stud, two of her full-sisters did. Alouette was the more talented of the pair on the racetrack, winning a listed contest at Galway and finishing third in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, and the grey has several descendants of particular note, two of them top-class daughters: dual Group 1 Champion Stakes heroine Alborada (by Alzao) and dual German Group 1 star Albanova (by Alzao), both bred by Kirsten Rausing. The latter is the dam of Group 3 scorer and last month’s Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes runner-up Algometer (by Archipenko), of triple listed scorer All At Sea (by Sea The Stars), listed race winner Alwilda (by Hernando) and multiple stakes-placed Albamara (by Galileo). Alborada’s son Albion (by With Approval) was only beaten by a head when runner-up in the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe, the lightly-raced Nordic Hero (by Archipenko) won an eight and a half furlong listed contest at Killarney two years ago, Albaraka (by Selkirk) was stakes-placed, and Alvarita (by Selkirk) won the Listed Prix Petite Etoile over 10 and a half furlongs at Saint-Cloud before becoming the dam of Group 3 scorer Alla Speranza (by Sir Percy) and pattern-placed stakes winner Altesse (by Hernando). Alakananda (by Hernando), a dual winning half-sister to those two Group 1 stars, has done her part for the family as she is the dam of listed scorer Dragon Dancer (by Sadler’s Wells) who was short-headed by Sir Percy in the Group 1 Derby at Epsom. Alouette’s other notable full-sister is Jude. She was only placed on the racetrack but has become a broodmare of considerable value as her offspring include Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Yesterday (by Sadler’s Wells), classic-placed Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Quarter Moon (by Sadler’s Wells), and Group 1 Oaks third All My Loving (by Sadler’s Wells). The last-named of that trio is the dam of the ill-fated Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes winner Thomas Chippendale (by Dansili), whereas Quarter Moon’s four blacktype earners feature Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes scorer Diamondsandrubies (by Fastnet Rock) and Group 1 Fillies’ Mile third You’ll Be Mine (by Kingmambo), dam of this year’s Group 3 Craven Stakes winner and Group 1 Investec Derby fourth Eminent (by Frankel). In addition to Jude and and her blacktype stars, Alruccaba’s progeny also include Alexandrine (by Nashwan), a four-time winner who has a perfect record at stud, with eight winners from eight foals of racing age including the stakes-placed six-time scorer Alambic (by Cozzene) and South African Group 2 winner Kingston Mines (by Archipenko). This is one of the most famous families in the stud book and that makes Coronet an exciting prospect, both as a racehorse and, eventually, as a broodmare. It would be no surprise to see her make the necessary improvement to win at the highest level.
Two-year-olds who win their maiden by 10 lengths or more seldom prove anything but smart and the way that Sobetsu beat nine rivals by that distance and more over a mile at Newmarket in September put her into many notebooks as a potential Group 1 candidate for 2017.
She had been third to Spatial and Unforgettable Filly over a furlong less at that venue three weeks before, her only other juvenile outing ended in a somewhat disappointing fifth to Rhododendron in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile, also at headquarters, and she finished her first season with a Timeform rating of 103. She had been beaten by 15 lengths on that first tilt at blacktype company so it was not really a surprise that she was sent off at 14/1 on her seasonal reappearance at Deauville last month. She belied those odds, however, and on her first attempt at 10 furlongs, and on soft ground, Godolphin's Darley-bred took the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary by three lengths from Vue Fantastique. Sobetsu is trained by Charlie Appleby, she was raised to an official mark of 113 after this success, and it will be interesting to see how this daughter of outstanding Dalham Hall Stud stallion Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium) fits into the overall end-of-year rankings.
There is no doubt that she is bred to achieve anything, both on the track and, eventually, at stud, because in addition to having such a notable sire, she comes from one of the most famous families in the stud book.
Sobetsu is out of Lake Toya (by Darshaan), a dual listed race winner who was third in the Group 3 Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud. That mare has nine winning siblings, three of them blacktype earners, and she is also a half-sister to Hermes Tiara (by Brian's Time), the unraced dam of Group 1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner and Group 1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) third Dee Majesty (by Deep Impact). Shinko Hermes (by Sadler's Wells), the grandam of Sobetsu, was only placed but her full-sister Imagine won the Group 1 Oaks and Group 1 Irish 1000 Guineas in 2001, and another full-sister, Strawberry Roan, won a Leopardstown listed race before chasing home Classic Park in the 1997 edition of that same Curragh classic. Strawberry Roan is the grandam of Group 2 Rockfel Stakes winner Cape Dollar (by Cape Cross), Imagine's daughter Kitty Matcham (by Rock Of Gibraltar) won that same juvenile contest, Imagine is also responsible for the classic-placed Group 2 scorer Viscount Nelson (by Giant's Causeway), US mile Grade 3 winner Point Piper (by Giant's Causeway), and ill-fated Group 1 Grand Criterium winner Horatio Nelson (by Danehill), and those mares are only two of the notable offspring of Doff The Derby (by Master Derby). She was unraced because of an injury sustained early in life, but she comes from a family whose many top-level stars include the prolific but ill-fated Group 1 heroine Triptych (by Riverman), that standout's dam and US champion Trillion (by Hail To Reason), and, distantly removed, the brilliant dual Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve (by Motivator). Doff The Derby's roll of honour also includes the Group 1-placed pattern winner Wedding Bouquet (by Kings Lake), the talented Japanese colt Osumi Tycoon (by Last Tycoon), and, best of all, the Timeform 139-rated superstar Generous (by Caerleon). That flashy chestnut sprang a 50/1 surprise in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at two, finished an eye-catching fourth behind Mystiko in the Group 1 2000 Guineas on his seasonal reappearance, and then posted a hugely impressive success in the Derby at Epsom, easily beating subsequent Group 1 scorer Marju by five lengths. Suave Dancer had looked equally brilliant when taking the Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly and the prospect of a match between the pair generated great excitement at the Irish Derby meeting a few weeks later. Generous trounced his Gallic rival by three lengths – the pair well clear of the other four runners – and followed that with a seven-length victory in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, with Sanglamore, Rock Hopper, and Terimon the ones who chased him home. It was to prove to be his final win, but his Curragh foe, who bypassed Ascot, went on to impressive wins in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes and Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, being applauded through the final furlong in the former by an appreciative Leopardstown crowd. Generous sired winners at all levels but, like most sons of his dual champion sire, had an overall disappointing record at stud. But back to Wedding Bouquet for a moment as her pattern-winning descendants include a brilliant granddaughter: champion and prolific Group 1 star Moonlight Cloud (by Invincible Spirit), who Timeform rated 129. Sobetsu has a long to go yet if she is to get close to the ratings produced by some of her most famous relations, but she holds a string of Group 1 entries from eight to 12 furlongs – starting with tomorrow's Group 1 Investec Oaks at Epsom – so hopefully we will get plenty of opportunities to see what she can do.
Blacktype is a valuable commodity for any filly and the usual route to such success generally begins with maiden success before stepping up in grade, sometimes taking in a conditions race on the way. Bean Feasa tried the maiden route but four outings yielded just two seconds and two unplaced results.
She was also unplaced in Group 3 company, finishing only fifth behind Hydrangea in the Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial Stakes over seven furlongs at Leopardstown last month. Yet, despite what might sound like a somewhat unpromising record for a potential stakes winner, the Jim Bolger-trained bay was sent off favourite for the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial over a furlong farther at the same venue on Sunday. This was her first time running in a tongue-tie and she boosted her rating from 99 to 103 with a two and three-quarter lengths defeat of Asking on fast ground. Pattern race victory would enhance any filly's future paddocks appeal, but with the pedigree that this three-year-old has, it would be no surprise if she can improve again on the track before going on to what could be a notable career at stud.
She is owned by Godolphin, she was bred by Darley, but the best of her siblings was bred by Bolger, who also trained the colt. He won all five of his starts as a juvenile, including the Group 1 National Stakes and Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes, and could have enhanced that profile with further Group 1 or even classic success had injury not ended his career prematurely.
Teofilo (by Galileo) is a leading member of the team at Kildangan Stud, his 65 individual stakes winners include a dozen who have won at least once at the highest level, notably Irish 1000 Guineas and Yorkshire Oaks heroine Pleascach, ill-fated Irish Derby star Trading Leather, and, also among his European runners, Prix Jean Prat scorer Havana Gold, the young Tweenhills Farm and Stud stallion who is already off the mark with his first crop. One would imagine that Galileo and/or some of his sons would be potential future mates for Bean Feasa. Her siblings also include Senora Galilei (by Galileo), who is the winning dam of the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes runner-up We'll Go Walking (by Authorized), and her dam is Speirbhean (by Danehill) who also won the Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial, back when it was a listed contest. The mare is a half-sister to listed handicap scorer Graduated (by Royal Academy), to the dam of high-class hurdler Via Galilei (by Galileo) and to Elida (by Royal Academy), the grandam of the late-season staying juvenile stakes winners Dubai Sand (by Teofilo) and Glamorous Approach (by New Approach), both of whom are also trained by Bolger. Saviour (by Majestic Light), who is the grandam of Bean Feasa, won three times and she is a full-sister to the Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes winner War, one of three top-level winners produced from the Canadian champion Victorian Queen (by Victoria Park). The other pair are Peace (by Naskra), who won the Grade 1 John Henry Handicap, and Judge Angelucci (by Honest Pleasure), who took the Grade 1 Mervyn Leroy Handicap, Grade 1 Californian Stakes, and Grade 1 San Antonio Stakes, as well as earning several top-level placings, one of which was third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic. Extraterrestral (by Storm Bird), a half-sister to Saviour, has also done her part for the family because she is the dam of three stakes winners, one of whom will be known to Irish racegoers, and that one is Radharcnafarraige (by Distorted Humor), who won the Group 3 Naas Juvenile Sprint Stakes at two and later added the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes. Bean Feasa is now a pattern-winning half-sister to a dual Group 1 star and leading international sire. She holds entries in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, Investec Oaks, Coronation Stakes, Pretty Polly Stakes, and Darley Irish Oaks – all Group 1, of course – and it will be fascinating to see how much higher in the rankings she can go before she eventually retires to the paddocks.
The regard with which Left Hand was held by her connections last year was evident when, one month after making a winning debut over a mile at Longchamp, she took her chance in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac – Criterium des Pouliches over the same course and distance.
She finished fourth that day, behind Ballydoyle, Turret Rocks and Qemah, an effort of sufficient promise to suggest that she would be a likely pattern race winner in 2016. Her seasonal reappearance, however, was disappointing because she finished only sixth of seven in a one-mile conditions event on soft ground at Maisons-Laffitte in April. A month later she stepped up in distance for the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary, and although finishing a two-length fourth behind Jemayel was a much better effort, she was still sent off at 50/1 in the Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) over a half-furlong farther at Chantilly in June. It was that race, however, that confirmed the promise of her juvenile form as she came within half a length of producing a shock in the classic and of ending the unbeaten run of La Cressonniere. Her victory in the Group 3 Prix Psyche at Deauville was an odds-on success and she was one of the market leaders when beating Endless Time and The Juliet Rose by half a length and three-parts of a length in the Group 1 Qatar Prix Vermeille nine days ago. That prestigious race turned into something of a sprint, as many French races do, thereby making the form had to interpret with confidence. It is no surprise, therefore, that she is available at around 14/1 for next month's Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot. She is trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, she is a Wertheimer brothers homebred, and her recent Chantilly success makes her the latest in a long list of Group 1 winners for the distaff side of her family. Left Hand is a daughter of Dalham Hall Stud's classic star and outstanding stallion Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium), whose 115 individual stakes winners include 24 who have won at least once at the highest level. His early sons at stud include the classic sire Makfi, and he looks a likely candidate to become an influential broodmare sire. She is the fourth foal out of the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu winner Balladeuse (by Singspiel) and that makes her a half-sister to the French 10-furlong listed scorer Bilissie (by Dansili). Her two-year-old half-brother has been named Acrobate (by Oasis Dream) and the mare had another Dansili (by Danehill) filly in February. The lightly-raced Maniaco (by Galileo), who was sixth in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris in July, is engaged in a conditions race at Saint-Cloud on Thursday and that Andre Fabre-trained three-year-old is out of Plumania (by Anabaa), the best of the string of successful siblings of Balladeuse. She won the Group 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the Group 2 Prix Corrida, she was third in the Group 1 Prix de Diane (French Oaks) and runner-up in two editions of the Group 1 Prix Vermeille, and her two-year-old son, Plumatic (by Dubawi), is very closely related to Left Hand. Plumania's yearling has been given the intriguing name Maniac (by New Approach) and the Sea The Stars (by Cape Cross) colt she had in April is her fifth foal. Balladeuse and Plumania are out of Featherquest (by Rainbow Quest), whose only win came as a two-year-old, and that mare is, in turn, one of eight winners out of the stakes-placed dual scorer Featherhill (by Lyphard). The star among the octet was Groom Dancer (by Blushing Groom), a prolific colt who won the Group 1 Prix Lupin, Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange, Group 3 Prix Daphnis and Group 3 Prix de Conde and who went on to become a successful sire, with winners at all levels. His best included the Group 1 scorers Groom Tesse, Sphenophyta and Lord Of Men, and the classic-placed Group 2 stars Dancienne, Maiden Tower, and Pursuit Of Love (successful sire), to name a few. His lightly-raced half-brother Tagel (by Cox's Ridge) won the Group 3 Prix Saint-Roman and finished third in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and Slew The Slewor (by Slew O' Gold) was a pattern-placed stakes winner on both sides of the Atlantic. Like Featherquest, three of their sisters made their names at stud rather than as racehorses, with Sea Hill (by Seattle Slew) being the only one of the trio who was herself a winner. Her daughter Legerete (by Rahy) won the Group 2 Prix de Mallaret at Saint-Cloud and finished third in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp before going on to produce the Group 2-placed stakes winner Pilote (by Pivotal), while Sea Hill's one-time scorer Icelips (by Unbridled) made her name by becoming the dam of three stakes winners, most notably the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) winner and blacktype sire Falco (by Pivotal). Pieds de Plume (by Seattle Slew) was placed once as a three-year-old, but five of her offspring are stakes winners, including the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes winner Hearthstead Maison (by Peintre Celebre), listed scorer and Group 1 Premio Lydia Tesio runner-up Rave Reviews (by Sadler's Wells), and that one's listed-winning full-sisters Fermion and Sail. The fifth one is the French listed scorer Dirgam (by Galileo), and her progeny also include 2013's Group 1 1000 Guineas third Moth (by Galileo). The third of Featherquest's notable sisters is Keltshaan (by Pleasant Colony). She was unraced but is the dam of the dual Japanese Group 1 scorer Kinshasa No Kiseki (by Fuji Kiseki) and grandam of the Group 1 Australasian Oaks-winning full-sisters Abbey Marie (by Redoute's Choice) and Absolutely. All of this Group 1 talent falls under the first three generations of Left Hand's family, and its branches from those, and yet to stop there would be to leave out a major part of the family's story. The fourth dam of Left Hand is Lady Berry (by Violon d'Ingres), and in addition to being a winner of the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak, and an ancestor of all those aforementioned Group 1 stars, she is also one of those rare mares who produced at least three top-level winners at stud. Her son Le Nain Jaune (by Pharly) won the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris in 1982, her daughter Indian Rose (by General Holme) was the Group 1 Prix Vermeille heroine of 1988, and Vert Amande (by Kenmare) won the 1993 edition of the Group 1 Prix Ganay, seven months after finishing third to Subotica (no relation) in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. And that's not all, because Rose Bonbon (by High Top), a dual stakes-placed daughter of Lady Berry, is the grandam of the outstanding filly Danedream (by Lomitas), winner of the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Grosser Preis von Berlin and two editions of the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden, in addition to the Group 2 Oaks d'Italia. It remains to be seen if the classic-placed Group 1 scorer Left Hand can add to her top-level tally, but she is bred to achieve anything, both on the track and at stud, and that places her highly among the most intriguing members of her generation. One of the best-bred horses in the Stud Book advertised her Group 1 potential when winning the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes over 10 furlongs at York.
This four-length defeat of Group 1 1000 Guineas fourth Fireglow saw her shoot to the top of the ante-post market for both the Group 1 Investec Derby and the Group 1 Investec Oaks, but five days later it was announced that she was lame and would miss Epsom. It is to be hoped that she recovers quickly and can return to action before long. So Mi Dar is trained by John Gosden, she was bred by her owner Lord Lloyd-Webber's Watership Down Stud and she is a daughter of Dalham Hall Stud's outstanding stallion Dubawi (by Dubai Millennium). She is a half-sister to the multiple pattern-placed colt De Treville (by Oasis Dream) and these two talented performers are the first two progeny of the triple Group 1 star Dar Re Mi (by Singspiel). Placed in her only starts at two, Dar Re Mi, who was also trained by Gosden, won a 10 furlong Sandown maiden by seven lengths, finished third behind Lush Lashes in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes and came off worst in a three-way photo finish for the Group 2 Prix de Mallaret over 12 furlongs at Saint-Cloud. Three weeks later she won a listed contest at Newmarket, followed-up with victory in the Group 3 Prix Minerve at Deauville, and then chased home her old rival Lush Lashes in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, run that year at Newmarket. Dar Re Mi completed her three-year-old campaign by chasing home Zarkava in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille and taking third in the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu. At four she won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes over 10 furlongs at the Curragh, beat Sariska in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks, and was first past the post in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille (relegated to fifth) before finishing a three and a half length fifth behind Sea The Stars in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. A month later she was third to Conduit in the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Turf, and although her five-year-old campaign was restricted to just two appearances, she showed herself to be at least as good as ever with victory in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. With a dam like this, So Mi Dar could have a top-class career on the track and still remain in her mother's shadow. And Dar Re Mi could produce a string of stakes-winning progeny without matching the exploits of her dam, the Group 1 Prix Vermeille heroine Darara (by Top Ville), one of those exceptionally rare broodmares who have produced at least four individual Group/Grade 1-winning offspring. Darazari (by Sadler's Wells) won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes in Australia, Diaghilev (by Sadler's Wells) won the Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong under the name River Dancer, and Derby-third Rewilding (by Tiger Hill) looked set for a glittering career on the track, and potentially at stud, after wins in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic and Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes of 2011, but tragically suffered a fatal injury during the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot that summer. Darara was also responsible for the Group 1-placed multiple stakes winner Dariyoun (by Shahrastani), for Group 1 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) third Rhagaas (by Sadler's Wells), for Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes runner-up Kilimanjaro (by Shirley Heights), and for Dararita (by Halo), the mare who gave us the high-class stayer Darasim (by Kahyasi). He won the Group 2 Goodwood Cup and Group 2 Prix Kergorlay and the races in which he was placed included the Group 1 Gold Cup and Group 1 Prix du Cadran. A daughter of the pattern-placed Delsy (by Abdos), Darara was bred and raced by the Aga Khan, and the Lloyd-Webbers acquired her as an 11-year-old when she was sold, with Kilimanjaro in utero, for IR£470,000 at the 1994 Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale. The best of her siblings was her classic-winning half-brother Darshaan (by Shirley Heights), the 1984 Group 1 Prix du Jockey-Club hero stood at Gilltown Stud, and in addition to being the sire of a Group 1 roll of honour that includes standouts such as Dalakhani (classic sire), Kotashaan and Mark Of Esteem (classic sire), he has had powerful influence as a broodmare sire. Their Group 2-winning half-sister Dalara (by Doyoun) gave the dual Group 1 scorer and dual Derby runner-up Daliapour (by Sadler's Wells), Delsy's descendants also include the triple Group 1 winner and new Haras du Logis stallion Hunter's Light (by Dubawi), and all of this represents just the highlights in the family's achievements. So Mi Dar has a tremendous amount going for her, she is unbeaten in three starts and Timeform awarded her a figure of 120p for her York success. That is the same mark given to that week's Group 2 Dante Stakes winner Wings of Desire and it ranks her second only to Minding (122) among the three-year-old fillies. She could be anything, and it will be exciting to find out just how good she will be when she reaches her peak. |
Archives
October 2018
Sires
All
|