Tag Archive for: Amo Racing

Breeders’ Cup the ultimate goal for Valiant Force

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Adrian Murray is targeting further big-race success having got on the Royal Ascot scoreboard with Valiant Force in the Norfolk Stakes.

The Irish handler saddled only three runners at the Royal meeting and as well as Valiant Force’s shock 150-1 Norfolk triumph, Murray also saw Bucanero Fuerte run with real credit in the opening day’s Coventry Stakes to finish third.

Both two-year-olds are owned by Amo Racing and are now set to be campaigned at the highest level, with the Breeders’ Cup highlighted as the long-term aim for Valiant Force having provided Kia Joorabchian’s racing operation with their long-awaited first winner at the summer’s big meeting.

“I couldn’t believe he was 150-1,” said Murray. “I was drawing a line completely through his last run as he ran no race at all that day and with his form with His Majesty before that, I felt he had a right chance.

“He’s probably going to be aimed at the Breeders’ Cup now in November. He will more than likely run before then but having talked to the owner he is keen to go there, so that will be our big target for him.

“He’s a horse with a lot of speed, so I would say we will stick to five furlongs for the time being.”

With Valiant Force being pointed towards America, it could be left to Bucanero Fuerte to fly the flag on home soil with the son of Wootton Bassett set to continue plying his trade in Group company.

Curragh Races – Saturday 25th March
Bucanero Fuerte winning at the Curragh (Healy Racing/PA)

Although the GAIN Railway Stakes on July 2 may come too soon for the improving colt, a trip to the Curragh could be on the cards for the Group One Keeneland Phoenix Stakes later in the summer on August 12.

“He’s a really nice horse and I think he’s going to be a really good horse down the road, there’s lots of improvement to come from him yet,” continued Murray.

“He might go for a Group One at the Curragh, but we will need to sit down and have a discussion. He’s entered for a couple of Group Ones but it might be the Phoenix Stakes for him. He’s entered in all the good races anyway, but we’re not going to rush him though.”

Reflecting on Bucanero Fuerte’s Coventry run when third to Aidan O’Brien’s River Tiber, he added: “I would say if he was able to have got a tow into the race longer, he might have got closer the other day.

“I don’t know if he would have beaten the winner or not, but it would have been more helpful for him. It was just the way the race went for him, he was in front and went idle a bit, he was a bit green. But there should be lots more improvement to come from him.”

As well as providing his big-name owner with a Royal Ascot victory, it was the biggest success of Murray’s training career in its own right – something that the Westmeath-based trainer is still coming to terms with.

“It’s been fabulous and I can’t complain, it’s been a great week,” he said.

“It still hasn’t sunk in. You go there with great chances and you can still get beat, it’s a tough game. But we were delighted with the week.”

Amo looking to King Of Steel for Ascot breakthrough

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King Of Steel could be the horse that gives Amo Racing a treasured first Royal Ascot winner if lining up in the King Edward VII Stakes on Friday.

Despite having plenty of runners at the showpiece meeting in recent years, the racing operation of Kia Joorabchian is yet to find the scoresheet.

And while the two-year-old division normally provides Amo with their best shot at glory, this time around hopes could be pinned to the Derby runner-up, providing he is given the go-ahead for the Group Two contest.

“It’s obvious, but if King Of Steel turns up in the same form as he did at Epsom he would have an outstanding chance,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for Amo Racing.

“You know what this sport is like and there is no such thing as a guaranteed winner, but if you are going into a Royal Ascot Group Two with an 11-8 or 6-4 shot, then that doesn’t happen too often.”

Amo Racing’s purple silks have become a prominent fixture on the racecourse since Joorabchian’s increased investment in the sport, with a winner at the Royal meeting being what he has craved most of all.

“Kia, arguably his whole season revolves around this week and it would be huge for him and the team to get on the scoreboard,” continued Pennington.

“It’s the Olympics of our sport and where everyone wants to be, so it would be a big moment and a deserved moment considering the level of investment Kia and Amo have put into the sport.

“If we can just get one winner this week, it would mean a lot to everyone.”

King Of Steel could be joined at the meeting by his Roger Varian-trained stablemate Olivia Maralda and she is also backed to be one of Amo’s leading players when she lines up in the Jersey Stakes, while Maximum Impact and Magical Sunset are also poised to provide the leading owners with live claims in their respective Royal Ascot assignments.

“I know she’s taking on colts, but Olivia Maralda based on her Epsom run in the Surrey Stakes, would go there with a live chance,” added Pennington.

Olivia Maralda winning the Surrey Stakes at Epsom
Olivia Maralda winning the Surrey Stakes at Epsom (Mike Egerton/PA)

“In terms of two-year-olds, I would say Maximum Impact would be at the forefront of our minds but again you have 25 plus runners in these two-year-old races and you need an awful lot of luck in running.

“I think Magical Sunset is a lovely filly and I can’t believe the handicapper put her up 4lb for her run behind Olivia Maralda in the Surrey Stakes.

“She looked potentially high-class last year and we need to sit down and discuss it with Richard (Hannon, trainer). I think she will improve for a step up to a mile and even though she might be a couple of pounds too high, she might be just under the radar in the Sandringham – I think she would have a squeak in that at a price.”

Indestructible will bid to get back on track at Royal Ascot

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Karl Burke’s Craven winner Indestructible will aim to leave a disappointing showing in the 2000 Guineas behind him when he heads to Royal Ascot for the St James’s Palace Stakes.

The Kodiac colt was an ultra-consistent performer when trained by Michael O’Callaghan as a juvenile, chasing home Chaldean in both the Acomb and the Champagne Stakes last term, and threw his hat in the ring for the opening Classic of the summer when striking first time out for Burke in the Craven.

However, testing ground at Newmarket on 2000 Guineas day blunted any chance he had of figuring as old rival Chaldean took home the spoils and Indestructible’s connections are now hoping for a sounder surface when they lock horns for a fourth time at the Royal meeting.

“He’s come out of the Guineas very well,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for owners Amo Racing.

“The ground probably didn’t play to his strengths at Newmarket. We’ve always said he is not a soft ground horse and it was decent ground when he won the Craven.

“He’s in decent form and is working well, Karl is happy with him, and it is all systems go for the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot.

Indestructible (purple, centre) will take on Chaldean (right) once again at Royal Ascot
Indestructible (purple, centre) will take on Chaldean (right) once again at Royal Ascot (Tim Goode/PA)

“Quick ground round a bend should see him at his best, he’s a nice horse and you don’t do what he did in the Craven without being a nice horse. I think getting on better ground will see him replicate what he did at Newmarket in the Craven.

“You can’t knock his form and his only disappointing run before the Guineas was when he was second to Chaldean at Doncaster last season. The ground was hock deep that day as well and he’s just not as effective on that sort of ground. He’s much better on a sound surface.”

Olivia Maralda and Magical Sunset primed for Surrey challenge

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Amo Racing will launch a two-pronged assault on the Nyetimber Surrey Stakes at Epsom on Friday, with both Olivia Maralda and Magical Sunset donning the purple silks of Kia Joorabchian’s racing operation.

Both fillies are returning to seven furlongs having raced either side of that distance most recently and it is Olivia Maralda who appears to have the best chance of scooping black type in this Listed event.

The daughter of Kodiac rarely disappointed when trained by Michael O’Callaghan last term, with some of her highlights including a successful raid on Newbury and chasing home Aidan O’Brien’s Meditate in the Group Two Debutante Stakes.

Switched to Roger Varian in the close season, she was upped to a mile for her return in the 1000 Guineas, acquitting herself well before fading in the testing conditions at Newmarket inside the final furlong.

Now the filly returns to the distance some of her best outings have come at in search of a first victory in Pattern company.

“I thought Olivia Maralda ran a fantastic race in the 1000 Guineas,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for Amo Racing.

“She looked nailed on for fourth until the final furlong and then in that ground it just sapped it out of her.

“Dropping back to seven furlongs will suit and she goes there in good form.”

Meanwhile, Richard Hannon’s Magical Sunset was a Listed winner at Newbury in heavy ground as a juvenile and was sent off favourite at the Berkshire venue for the Fred Darling on her seasonal bow.

Dropped back to six furlongs at Ascot following a fifth in that 1000 Guineas trial, she was seen doing her best work late which has prompted a swift return to further.

“We came away from Newbury and the Fred Darling a little disappointed and then we dropped her back in trip to six furlongs for the Commonwealth Cup trial,” continued Pennington. “All she did at Ascot was stay on and run like she was screaming out for further.

“Royal Ascot will be her target and we’ll look at something like the Sandringham. This is a stepping stone for that, but she’s a very nice filly.

“These are two very nice fillies and they go there with live chances but I think Andrew Balding’s Holguin is the one to beat, he has some good form in the book. However, they are both good fillies and should run nice races.”

The consistent Holguin heads the bookmakers lists on the back of two neck seconds so far this season.

The Kingsclere representative was just touched off by Ralph Beckett’s Angel Bleu in a Haydock Listed event most recently and is a worthy market leader.

Holguin after winning at Newbury
Holguin after winning at Newbury (Neil Morrice/PA)

Meanwhile, the Nick Bradley Racing-owned Secret Angel is another filly in the line-up bringing top form to the table.

The Karl Burke-trained daughter of Dark Angel was a Deauville Listed winner last term and has performed with credit in two outings so far this season, finishing third in the Nell Gwyn before fourth to Sacred when taking on her elders at Lingfield.

“There was a case to run her in a Group Two in France against three-year-old fillies, but I just thought this race was small on numbers and although I’m not sure we’ll beat Holguin, I think she will will run well,” said Nick Bradley, managing director of Nick Bradley Racing.

“I think the track will suit, the trip will suit and I’m going to watch all the previous Woodcote and Surrey Stakes, but stall one, I think I would have chosen stall one right now.

“She is in good form at home and last time out at Lingfield I kind of felt we were running against the all-weather specialists and a couple of really classy fillies who are effectively Group One horses in Sandrine and Sacred.

“It’s a drop down in class, I think she will run a big race and I will be disappointed if she wasn’t first or second.”

King Of Steel out to rule at Epsom for Amo Racing

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King Of Steel will attempt to break Amo Racing’s Classic duck when he lines up in the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

Kia Joorabchian’s operation has yet to taste success in the sport’s truly flagship contests – but came close to Derby glory with their only other runner so far in the race, Mojo Star, who finished second to Adayar at 50-1 in 2021.

Now hopes are pinned on Roger Varian’s strapping colt defying similarly long odds when he tackles the undulations of the Surrey Downs.

Although an impressive winner on debut at Nottingham in the autumn before going on to run in Group One company at Doncaster, he has not been seen yet since joining his new trainer at Carlburg Stables having been withdrawn at the start after getting upset in the stalls when due to run in the Dante at York.

However, having passed a required stalls at Leicester earlier this week, he will now attempt to become the first horse to win the Derby on their first start at three since the William Haggas-trained Shaamit in 1996.

“We’ve always been a huge fan of the horse,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager at Amo Racing.

“It was unfortunate what happened at York, but he came through his stalls test at Leicester on Monday with flying colours and Roger has been pleased with his work throughout the spring and likes the horse.

“It’s a big ask to run in the Derby on your seasonal reappearance, it’s the biggest three-year-old race of the year, but we would like to think he will outrun his odds.

King Of Steel after winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Nottingham
King Of Steel after winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Nottingham (PA)

“We genuinely thought he was overpriced in the Dante and he had been working well before that. Both Kevin (Stott, jockey) and Roger had been happy with him and that race would have been an ideal springboard for the Derby. It just didn’t happen.

“I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason and maybe he would have had gone to York and had a really hard race and that might have affected his run this weekend. So you have got to try to take the positives out of it, he went up there and had a nice away day, he’s since been to Leicester and been through the stalls and you’ve got to take things as they come.

“Touch wood he will have a blind on in the stalls and he won’t repeat what he did at York.

“Whatever he does on Saturday will be a bonus for the remainder of the season. He’s a lovely big horse who is still filling his frame and maturing and I think he will improve as the season goes on.”

The Amo silks will also be represented in the Betfred Oaks on Friday afternoon when the Richard Hannon-trained Maman Joon takes the ‘Mojo Star route’ to Epsom, lining up in a Classic as a lightly-raced maiden.

Maman Joon after finishing second at Newbury
Maman Joon after finishing second at Newbury (PA)

In fact Maman Joon has been sighted just the once, when second to Gather Ye Rosebuds at Newbury, but connections are happy to roll the dice with the daughter of Sea The Stars.

“She’s a lovely filly and Richard has always held her in high regard,” continued Pennington.

“It looks a massive task to go there as a once-raced maiden, but she goes there in good form and has been working well. We’re hoping she can outrun her odds.

“She’s a lovely filly but you’re up against some of the best three-year-olds of a generation and the way Aidan’s (O’Brien, Savethelastdance) won at Chester she looked very good and obviously John Gosden’s filly (Soul Sister) who won at York has to be respected – understandably the competition looks very strong.”

Cuban Thunder is electric in Knavesmire maiden

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Cuban Thunder looks another Royal Ascot-bound juvenile for Amo Racing having won the Frank Whittle Partnership EBFstallions.com Maiden Stakes at York.

The Profitable colt was second on his debut at the Craven meeting to James Tate’s Blue Storm and the third, Hugo Palmer’s Hackman, came out and won well at Chester.

Sent off a heavily backed 5-4 favourite, Dominic Ffrench Davis’ youngster had to battle hard to gain the upper hand but eventually saw off a pair of newcomers in Charlie Appleby’s Impressive Act and Kevin Ryan’s We Never Stop by two lengths and a head.

The winner earned a 25-1 quote for the Coventry Stakes with Paddy Power, a race for which Kevin Stott looks likely to have the choice of a few.

Ffrench Davis said: “He ran a blinder at Newmarket and he’s such a laid back individual he was half-asleep that day.

“Today he was very different and I did think York might do that to him as they have to walk over the track and can get a little bit on their toes. I knew he’d cope with it, but he got a little bit warm.

“He was very professional in the race. Halfway through he switched off and Kevin wondered how well he was going, but he asked him to quicken and he was straight back on the bridle.

“He’ll get seven furlongs and he’s a lovely horse going forward. The team will have to decide about Royal Ascot, but he’d have to be in mind for the Coventry if there was bit of juice in the ground.”

Croupier (right) won a thrilling Sky Bet Hambleton Handicap
Croupier (right) won a thrilling Sky Bet Hambleton Handicap (Mike Egerton/PA)

Croupier (7-1) will head for the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot after putting a disappointing effort in the Lincoln well behind him when clinging on to win the Sky Bet Hambleton Handicap.

Simon and Ed Crisford’s four-year-old had got bogged down at Doncaster but was much more at home on ground which was quickening up all the time.

William Buick arrived on the inside travelling well at the two-furlong marker but was all out in the end to hold off Point Lynas and Thirsk Hunt Cup winner Northern Express by a head and a nose.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained favourite Assessment burst through the stalls and had to be withdrawn.

Ed Crisford said: “It’s nice to see him bounce back as we ran him in the Lincoln on terrible ground. We probably shouldn’t have done that, but he’s bounced back today in good style.

“He’s a lovely horse. They went quite hard up front and William sat just off the pace and I thought he rode a very nice race.

“He travelled into it so well. I thought they were coming after him, but he kept finding more.

“We can head to the Hunt Cup now – that’s the plan. It should be a good race for him as a strong pace and a big field should suit.”

The Crisfords doubled up when 3-1 favourite Chesspiece won the Collective Green Energy Handicap under Ryan Moore.

“He did it very well. It was just the third race of his life and we always felt he wanted a step up in trip,” said Ed Crisford.

“We were a little worried about the ground but he went on a fine and he’s got a big future. I’d say the Queen’s Vase would be the plan as an extra two furlongs would suit him well.”

Regional winning the first race at York on Thursday
Regional winning the first race at York on Thursday (Mike Egerton/PA)

Regional continued trainer Ed Bethell’s excellent run of form with victory in the Lindum York Handicap.

The Middleham-based trainer had enjoyed winners at Nottingham, Haydock and Leicester in the past seven days and Regional was a 5-1 shot to add to his tally on his seasonal reappearance.

Ridden by Callum Rodriguez, the five-year-old was in front racing inside the final furlong and had enough up his sleeve to repel the slow starting but fast finishing Korker by half a length.

Bethell said: “It wasn’t the plan to make the running, but he’s a decent horse and always has been ever since we’ve had him.

“He came third in the Stewards’ Cup and has been unlucky in other handicaps. I’m just delighted for the guys that own him and he’s a fun horse for the summer.

“He ran off 100 in the Stewards’ Cup, I think that’s his mark in handicaps and I would think he will go to 104 or 105 after today. That makes life difficult, but there is the City Walls back here (a Listed race in August) and he’s shown me he’s electric today, which is something I didn’t think he was.

“I thought he would miss the break and finish, but he’s not missed the break, he’s made the running and shown me that he’s quick enough and talented enough to do it.”

Persian Dreamer team deliberating Royal Ascot route

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Dominic Ffrench Davis believes the Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes at York could be the perfect spot for Persian Dreamer to tune up for the Queen Mary Stakes.

Owned by Amo Racing, the speedy daughter of Calyx knew exactly what was required at Newmarket on debut, racing prominently before surging to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory – a performance that saw her priced up as the 13-2 favourite with Unibet for the five-furlong dash at the Royal meeting.

Gilded (2006), Ceiling Kitty (2012) and Signora Cabello (2018) have all done the Marygate/Queen Mary double in the past but connections are still to decide what route Persian Dreamer will take to Ascot, with the option of heading straight to the Berkshire track also on the table for the €145,000 buy.

However, Ffrench David feels the opportunity to secure black type in the Listed contest before her main objective later in the summer is an attractive proposition, though the filly is also entered in a conditions event at Salisbury on Thursday.

He said: “She’s a very exciting filly and is a lovely, laid-back sort.

“She’s come out of her Newmarket run well and we’re just trying to decide whether we go for a novice, go for the Marygate or whether we go straight to the Queen Mary.

“I quite fancy the Marygate myself, that would be my preferred option. It would be nice to go to Royal Ascot having already got some black type and her value is cemented once she has black type.

“The race comes at just about the right time. There’s a nice space between Newmarket and the Marygate and then again a nice gap between the Marygate and Ascot.”

Ffrench Davis has enjoyed a fruitful start to the 2023 season aided by his link up with the Amo Racing operation and another exciting prospect for the trainer-owner combination is Maxident.

The gelded son of Nathaniel relished testing ground when romping to an emphatic 50-length triumph at Leicester on debut and although failing to follow up under a penalty in quicker conditions at Haydock, Ffrench Davis is toying with an entry for the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot if the ground came up soft.

“We do think he likes soft ground and to take those rivals on on quicker ground at Haydock was always going to be a struggle under a penalty,” the handler continued.

“But he’s come out of the race fine and we will be looking for somewhere with a bit of juice for him.

“He will definitely go further, I could see him getting one-mile-six very easily and he would probably stay two miles. If Ascot was to come up soft, then we wouldn’t be averse to an entry in something like the Queen’s Vase. But then if Ascot came up good to firm, we wouldn’t be going there.”

In-form Amo team mount dual assault on Fred Darling prize

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Olivia Maralda and Magical Sunset will try to keep up the momentum of Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing as they line up in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

From 20 runners, the purple colours have been carried to success on seven occasions in the last 14 days, victories that have included Mammas Girl in the Nell Gwyn and Indestructible in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

In what appears to be a hugely competitive, yet open renewal of the seven-furlong Group Three contest more familiar as the Fred Darling, Magical Sunset and Olivia Maralda both appear to have plenty going for them.

Magical Sunset, trained by Richard Hannon and ridden by Kevin Stott, won three of her five races last season, signing off with victory over course and distance.

Tom Pennington, Amo’s racing manager, said: “To beat Sakheer on debut on quick ground at Windsor was impressive and she was a bit unlucky not to win the Goffs Million at the Curragh, she suffered some really bad interference at halfway.

“To then have the guts to run on and finish fourth, we were delighted with that.

“She obviously came back and won well at Leicester under James Doyle and then backed it up with the good win in the Radley Stakes at Newbury.

“We thought she would run well at Newbury but we didn’t think she would win by five lengths, so we were delighted by that.

“Richard is very happy with her and she has been showing him all the right signs at home.”

The Roger Varian-trained Olivia Maralda is drawn one, next to her stablemate. It will be her first run for the yard, having earned one win and three runner-up berths in five outings for Michael O’Callaghan last season.

Her sole success came in a maiden over course and distance before she was touched off by Meditate in the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh in September.

She was last seen finishing ninth of 14 to Commissioning in the Rockfel at Newmarket in September and makes her three-year-old debut against 13 rivals.

Pennington added: “I thought she was going to win the Debutante Stakes. She was sort of the last filly off the bridle and travelled into it very well.

“Then it was perhaps a bridge too far at Newmarket – she was just beginning to turn in her coat and it was probably just one race too many, she was over the top.

“Roger is very happy with her which is the main thing and she hasn’t missed a day this spring.”

Remarquee/Salisbury
Remarquee looked smart on debut at Salisbury (Simon Milham/PA)

Two fillies, who have each won their sole start, head the market.

Ralph Beckett’s Remarquee, a daughter of Kingman, took a seven-furlong Salisbury novice in fine style from Bresson last September, while Godolphin’s Bridestones, by Teofilo, scored with ease on her Yarmouth debut for John and Thady Gosden in October.

Beckett said: “She has done well this winter. She will need the run, but she is training well.”

Thady Gosden hopes Bridestones will continue the yard’s excellent form as she drops back a furlong.

He said: “She is a nicely-bred filly and has done well over the winter. It is a hugely competitive race, but we are looking forward to it. We will learn a bit more about her, I’m sure.”

Karl Burke, fresh from his Craven success with the Amo-owned Indestructible, saddles Swingalong, who won the Lowther at York in August before finishing four lengths behind Lezoo in the Cheveley Park at Newmarket on her last juvenile run.

Swingalong took York's Lowther and steps up to seven furlongs at Newbury
Swingalong took York’s Lowther and steps up to seven furlongs at Newbury (Mike Egerton/PA)

“She is in great form and has been training very well,” said Burke of the Showcasing filly, who steps up to seven furlongs for the first time.

“I’m confident she’ll stay the seven and we’ll make the decision about the mile after that.

“It is a competitive race, no doubt about it. There looks to be some very nice fillies in it, so it is going to be tough, but she is in good form.

“She’s matured really well and wintered very well and she looks great.”

King Of Steel could test Classic aspirations at Sandown

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If his size and scope are matched by achievements on the track this season, the exciting King Of Steel – who could start off at Sandown next week – promises to be a horse to follow.

Owned by Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation, the strapping son of Wootton Bassett was not seen until October during his two-year-old season but proved well worth the wait, bolting up on debut at Nottingham in the hands of Adam Kirby.

Sights were soon raised and he was pitched into the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster for his second start and although failing to land a blow in that Group One assignment, he remains a colt of significant potential ahead of his three-year-old campaign.

Switched to Roger Varian over the winter, he is in line for a step up to 10 furlongs in the Esher track’s bet365 Classic Trial before potentially following a similar path to the Carlburg handler’s St Leger hero Eldar Eldarov as the season progresses.

“He’s a very nice horse and he just doesn’t realise how big he is,” said Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for Amo.

“He is absolutely enormous, but he is such a gentle giant and so straightforward and easy to deal with. Roger is thrilled with him.

King Of Steel after winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Nottingham
King Of Steel after winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Nottingham (PA)

“He really is a super balanced horse for his size and it is only when you stand into him you realise how big he is.

“He has some fancy entries and we don’t know exactly where we are going to go with him yet, but as things stand we could go to Sandown a week on Friday for the Classic Trial. I think a stiff 10 furlongs there on softish ground would be a nice starting point.

“You would hope he might go to Royal Ascot for something like the Queen’s Vase and then build through the season to be a Leger horse, but it is still early days.”

Valadero aiming to emulate Persian Force in Brocklesby test

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Valadero has some big boots to fill as he bids to provide prominent owners Amo Racing with back-to-back victories in the Pertemps Network EBF Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.

The five-furlong contest for unraced two-year-olds is the traditional curtain-raiser to the British turf Flat season and was won in brilliant style 12 months ago by Persian Force.

The Richard Hannon-trained colt went on to carry the purple and white silks of Kia Joorabchian’s group to big-race success in the Group Two July Stakes before being placed in three successive Group Ones and finishing fourth at the Breeders’ Cup, after which he was retired for stud duties.

Having made three entries earlier in the week, Amo Racing’s representative in this year’s Brocklesby is Starspangledbanner colt Valadero, who cost the team €250,000 as a yearling and is now under the tutelage of Lambourn-based trainer Dominic Ffrench Davis.

While he has plenty to live up to, connections are hopeful of a bold showing on Town Moor.

Amo’s racing and operations manager, Tom Pennington, said: “Persian Force was obviously an incredibly special horse who was verging on Group One standard.

“Valadero is a very nice colt who has been very straightforward to deal with and his work’s been good.

“We sat down as a team this week, we had the three entries and there’s a long season ahead.

“This horse will go there in A1 condition. I wouldn’t say we’re confident, but he does go there in very good shape.”

Persian Force is not the only high-class recent winner of the Brocklesby, with 2021 scorer Chipotle going on to score at Royal Ascot and 2016 victor The Last Lion striking Group One gold in the Middle Park Stakes before the end of his juvenile campaign.

Pennington added: “There’s 17 other runners on Saturday, all unraced and everyone thinks they’ve got a good one. It’s difficult in this sort of ground as well – which horse will handle it best?

“Winners of the Brocklesby used to be first half of the season wonders, but now they tend to go all the way through.”

John Quinn likes what he has seen at home from Ribchester colt Sankari, but fears he is not well placed in stall one.

Trainer John Quinn at Doncaster
Trainer John Quinn at Doncaster (Mike Egerton/PA)

He said: “He’s a nice sort of horse. I don’t know about the ground, but we’ll find out.

“I’m not mad about the draw, but there we are. He’s fit and he’s well and we’ll see how we go.”

Tom Dascombe has enjoyed his fair share of juvenile success over the years and is looking forward to saddling Old Chums – a son of Kodiac out of Listed-winning mare Magical Dreamer.

“He’s owned by a wonderful group of friends and I sincerely hope that he’s pretty useful,” said the Lambourn-based trainer.

Tom Dascombe has high hopes for Old Chums
Tom Dascombe has high hopes for Old Chums (Julian Herbert/PA)

“He has a fantastic attitude, he’s going to give me his best, I’m pretty sure he’ll handle the ground and I’m really looking forward to watching him run.

“His dam handled soft ground, Kodiacs generally handle soft ground and he’s pretty quick – it’s as simple as that.

“I’m sure there’ll be half a dozen better than him, but we’ve got to start somewhere.”

Magna Grecia colt Loaded Gun is prominent in the market for Andrew Balding, while Karl Burke’s Indication Call and Bellarchi from Grant Tuer’s yard both carry the colours of Nick Bradley Racing.

Doddie’s Impact (Robyn Brisland) and Go To Work (David Evans) also feature in what promises to be an informative affair.

Amo Racing team looking to Mojo to be staying Star

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Mojo Star is reported to be in rude health as connections begin to plot a route back to the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June.

Richard Hannon’s charge might have won only one of his eight starts to date, but proved himself a top-notch three-year-old by finishing second in both the Derby and the St Leger two seasons ago and split Kyprios and Stradivarius when filling the runner-up spot in the Gold Cup last summer.

That proved to be Mojo Star’s first and last start of 2022, but he is back in full work ahead of the new campaign and could be back on a racecourse within a matter of weeks.

Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for owners Amo Racing, said: “I saw Mojo Star last week and he looks fantastic. He’s working away and, touch wood, he’s sound and in great form.

“He’s moving well and Richard couldn’t be happier with him at the moment, so hopefully it’s going to be an exciting season for him.”

With Aidan O’Brien recently revealing Kyprios is a major doubt to defend his Gold Cup crown following a setback and Stradivarius retired, the staying division appears wide open.

Mojo Star has a drink of water after the Gold Cup
Mojo Star has a drink of water after the Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

Pennington added: “You hate to see horses like Kyprios falling away as while it obviously makes it easier for us, you want to beat those horses on merit.

“We monitor Mojo Star on a daily basis, but at the moment he’s going fantastic, he looks a picture and hasn’t missed a day.

“We have made a few plans, but the dream would be to go to Ascot and have another go at the Gold Cup.

“There’s lots of options (for a run before then), including the Further Flight at Nottingham in a couple of weeks over a mile and six (furlongs) in soft ground. You’ve got to remember he’s only a maiden winner, so he wouldn’t carry a penalty in a race like that.”

Indestructible another added to growing Greenham list

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Indestructible could renew rivalry with old foe Chaldean in the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

Kodiac colt Indestructible was beaten half a length when second to Chaldean in the Acomb Stakes at York last summer and filled the runner-up spot behind the same horse in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

Having rounded off his juvenile campaign with Group One success in the Dewhurst Stakes, Chaldean is a leading contender for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and connections have already declared their intention to give him a prep run in the Greenham on April 22.

Indestructible has moved across the Irish Sea during the off-season, leaving Michael O’Callaghan to join North Yorkshire-based Karl Burke, and he too has Newbury as a potential comeback target.

Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager for owners Amo Racing, said: “I spoke to Karl about him earlier this week and he’s working very nicely.

“He’s been pencilled in for the Greenham and we’ll make a decision on his Classic participation after that, I suppose.

“Chaldean is going there, as well as Noble Style from what I hear, but if we wanted to be running in a Guineas, we’ve got to be finding out how good he is in these trials.

“The Champagne Stakes form looks good, with the third (Silver Knott) touched off at the Breeders’ Cup.”

Indestructible is one of several Amo Racing-owned three-year-olds to switch yards this winter, with Crypto Force perhaps the most notable.

Crypto Force winning the Beresford Stakes
Crypto Force winning the Beresford Stakes (Brian Lawless/PA)

An impressive winner of the Group Two Beresford Stakes for O’Callaghan, the Time Test colt is now in Newmarket with John and Thady Gosden.

Crypto Force does not hold a 2000 Guineas entry, but hopes are high that he can make an impact at the highest level in due course.

“He’s cantering away and John is taking it very patiently with him,” Pennington added.

“He’s obviously a high-class horse and hopefully he’ll be out in all those mile or 10-furlong races from the summer onwards.

“Beresford winners tend to be 10-furlong plus horses and he’s by Time Test out of a Galileo mare, so you would think he’ll get a mile and a quarter standing on his head, but John will tell us more when he steps up his work.”

Two three-year-old fillies Pennington is looking forward to seeing in action are Mammas Girl and Magical Sunset, both of whom are trained by Richard Hannon and entered in the 1000 Guineas.

Mammas Girl impressed on her only start to date in a Newmarket maiden in October, while Magical Sunset won three of her five outings as a juvenile including an impressive Listed triumph at Newbury.

Pennington said: “Mammas Girl won on her debut and has all the nice entries. As Richard says, any horse of his that wins first time out tends to be half-decent and I know Richard really likes her.

“We’ve also got Magical Sunset, who won the Radley Stakes at the backend by five lengths. She’s very exciting and both of those fillies will run in trials.”

Kevin Stott announced as retained rider for Amo Racing

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Amo Racing Limited has announced Kevin Stott as its new retained rider for the 2023 Flat season.

The ownership group, led by football agent Kia Joorabchian, has become an increasingly powerful force in recent years, with winners Persian Force, Go Bears Go, Crypto Force and Hello You among those to carry their purple and white silks to Group-race success.

Rossa Ryan was previously the number one jockey for Amo Racing, but lost the job last summer, after which the likes of Frankie Dettori and Colin Keane were called upon for high-profile rides.

But in a statement released on Wednesday, it was confirmed that Stott, who enjoyed Group One success aboard Hello Youmzain in the 2020 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, will now ride the majority of Amo Racing’s horses.

Crypto Force and Colin Keane winning the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh
Crypto Force and Colin Keane winning the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh (Brian Lawless/PA)

Joorabchian said: “We’re delighted to have secured Kevin as our number one rider for the 2023 season. He is super-talented, and we consider him as one of the top tier elite Flat jockeys.

“I am positive we can provide him with a platform from which he can excel further, and we look forward to a successful partnership.”

Stott said: “The Amo Racing job is arguably one of the biggest. The strength and depth they have at their disposal is second to none and I’m very excited to be part of the team. I look at this as the beginning of a long and successful partnership.

“I want to ride the best horses in the best races and that is the level Amo operate at. I can’t wait to get started.”