Tag Archive for: Archie Watson

Bradsell and Hollie Doyle just brilliant in Nunthorpe victory

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Bradsell ran out a brilliant winner of the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Third 12 months ago off the back of winning the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot, Archie Watson’s colt has endured an interrupted campaign this season, not making his reappearance until earlier this month.

However, having proved his considerable sprinting ability remains very much intact with an impressive comeback victory in a Listed event at Deauville, the son of Tasleet was well-backed at 3-1 for his return to Group One level and proved much the best in the hands of Hollie Doyle.

After getting a perfect lead into the race on the far side of the track by the rapid Czech raider Ponntos, Bradsell took over travelling strongly racing inside the two-furlong marker, with Doyle taking a look across the course to see how her rivals were faring.

She will certainly have liked what she saw, as it was quickly obvious Bradsell was in full control and he was good value for the winning margin of three-quarters of a length.

The consistent Believing finished with gusto closest to the stands rail to fill the runner-up spot, with Starlust and the Australian 6-4 favourite Asfoora close up in third and fourth respectively.

“We were getting him ready for Dubai in the spring and he fractured a fetlock in February and it’s been an amazing route back for him,” said Watson.

“I’m not one for sectionals, but I was told he did the fastest closing final two furlongs in the race last year. This year thankfully we were drawn with the Czech horse who goes off quick.

“When Regional and Live In The Dream came out I couldn’t decide if I wanted them in as pace angles or out as very good horses. Luckily Ponntos was always going to go what he did, but Hollie was even taking Bradsell back off him he was going so well today.

“I thought when the injury happened it would be a question of saving him for a stallion job next year, but at every stage he passed with flying colours. I know the vets like to stay behind the scenes, but they really have done a phenomenal job with this horse.”

Hollie Doyle celebrates Nunthorpe victory with Bradsell
Hollie Doyle celebrates Nunthorpe victory with Bradsell (Mike Egerton/PA)

He went on: “We still can’t believe a horse like this was buyable for £50,000. That is expensive for us and I know people see us as a big yard but we have very few six-figure horses and for us to compete at this sort of level by buying horses at a lower level, it means a lot.

“He won the Coventry and he’s a King’s Stand winner. Now he’s a Nunthorpe winner and I hope he can keep doing more.”

On his relationship with Doyle, Watson added: “It means so much more when it is the two of us having the winners together because we grew together.

“She was just out of her claim when she came to me from Richard Hannon and all of our Group One winners have been together. She is a massive part of the team, we work well together and long may it continue.”



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Bradsell back to his flying best at Deauville

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Bradsell showed plenty of his old zest with an impressive return in the Prix du Cercle at Deauville.

Archie Watson’s dual Royal Ascot winner had been off the track for almost a year, with his last run when disappointing in the Curragh’s Flying Five Stakes last September.

With usual pilot Hollie Doyle in the saddle for his reappearance, the son of Tasleet wasted little time getting back to winning ways, racing prominently before storming clear of his challengers in the closing stages.

This victory came down at Listed level, but he is sure to be seen competing against the best of the sprinting crop again soon and Paddy Power went 7-1 from 14s for the Victorious Racing-owned speedball to better last year’s third in York’s Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

“I’m so happy and it’s amazing to see him back,” Doyle told Sky Sports Racing.

“I’ve never known a horse as tough as him and all credit to Archie and Mike Murphy who rides him every day and the future is bright isn’t it.

“I was in the stalls longer than I wanted to be today really and he was half asleep, I had to make him jump. Once he got into his stride he has so much natural speed so I just sat on him and held him where he is comfortable and he quickened away nicely.

“He’s had a good blow so I’m sure he will come on for it. He stayed on well and hit the line hard and took a bit of pulling up, which is a really good sign.

“He’s not had a race come as easy as it has being a Listed race, but it will do his confidence the world of good and it’s amazing to see him back. It’s an incredible training performance.”

No Half Measures followed up a handicap victory during Newmarket’s July meeting with a taking success in the Prix Moonlight Cloud.

A race that has been kind to British-trained raiders in recent years, Richard Hughes’ improving filly scored by a length in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Having scooped Listed honours, the versatile three-year-old could now move to Group Three company in Ireland next, with Hughes eyeing a Prix de l’Abbaye tilt for her final action of the year.

“We’re thrilled and we came over hoping to get some back type and then the closer we got to the race the more we fancied her,” said the Weathercock House handler.

“She’s so uncomplicated, five or six furlongs and she goes on any ground. She’s a wonderful filly to be able to travel and not worry about ground when you get there.

“She keeps improving and we don’t know where the end is. Early in the spring we thought she would be a 75-rated filly and she just keeps on surprising us. We don’t know where her ceiling is.

“I entered her in the Abbaye the other day and that will be her swansong, but I might take her for the Ballyogan Stakes in Ireland which is a Group Three.

“She’s gone up the handicap route and now has won a Listed so I would rather go baby steps (for now). We’ve had a brilliant day.”

On a possible Abbaye tilt later in the year, Hughes added: “She’s won heavy so we wouldn’t have to worry about that and if you got a good draw then she might just have a chance.”



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Aesterius rated quick enough for Molecomb dash

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Wathnan Racing have assembled a crack team of two-year-olds and their Aesterius has the chance to register a first group-level success in the Jaeger-Lecoultre Molecomb Stakes.

Archie Watson’s colt was a taking winner at Bath on debut and after running with credit when fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, he returned to winning ways in impressive style in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown.

Connections were mulling over a move up to six furlongs post Sandown, but have elected to stay at the minimum distance, where the speed he showed in Esher can come to the fore.

“We were delighted with him at Sandown and I think he has plenty of speed, so we’re sticking at five furlongs,” said Richard Brown, European racing adviser for the Qatar-based owners.

“It’s a big field, so we’re going to need some luck, but he’s a straightforward horse with a great temperament – he has a very relaxed demeanour which will stand him in good stead. Hopefully James (Doyle, jockey) can navigate a trouble-free course.

“You would imagine there is going to be plenty of pace, which might make James’ job a little easier and we’ll be leaving it up to him, he knows the horse.”

Watson’s hand is bolstered by Vingegaard, who was thwarted late on in his attempt to win the valuable Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury and was a respectable fifth in the Windsor Castle at the Royal meeting before that.

Vingegaard (centre) was narrowly denied at Newbury
Vingegaard (centre) was narrowly denied at Newbury (David Davies/PA)

Ed Walker’s Celandine built on a Windsor novice triumph to claim Listed honours in Newmarket’s Empress Fillies’ Stakes on her penultimate start and was only a length adrift of Karl Burke’s well-regarded Arabie in France last time.

She now drops back in trip attempting to regain the winning thread, with her handler confident she can take a hand in proceedings.

Walker said: “She’s in flying form and is taking her racing unbelievably well. She seems to be getting bigger and better and stronger with it.

Celandine has some smart form in the book
Celandine has some smart form in the book (Steven Paston/PA)

“She’s been busy, but she looks a proper two-year-old and I think strictly on a line through It Ain’t Two, I don’t see why we are a bigger price than Aesterius.

“I think coming back in trip will be a benefit and we’re very excited about it.”

Mick Appleby saddled Big Evs to claim this Group Three prize 12 months ago and returns with both Mr Lightside and Big Mojo.

The former is now ready for a step up in grade after two taking victories in calmer waters, while the latter goes immediately into group company having finished second at Beverley on debut.

Trainer Mick Appleby won the Molecomb with Big Evs last year
Trainer Mick Appleby won the Molecomb with Big Evs last year (Joe Giddens/PA)

“Mr Lightside won very well last time at Nottingham and it was quite a decent race as well – and he did it quite impressively,” said Appleby.

“He’s always kept improving since we’ve had him. He probably wouldn’t be quite as good as Big Evs but I think he is pretty decent and I think he goes there with a very good chance.”

On Big Mojo, he added: “He ran very well on debut at Beverley and I think he will run very well as well. I don’t think there is much between them and they both go there with live chances.”

Usdi Atohi won at Tipperary last time
Usdi Atohi won at Tipperary last time (Alan Magee/PA)

Donnacha O’Brien’s Irish raider Usdi Atohi has the assistance of Ryan Moore when looking to build on his Listed Ten Sovereigns Tipperary Stakes win, while Adrian Keatley’s Francisco’s Piece was a winner at the same level in France before faltering in the Coventry Stakes recently and now drops back in trip.

“We’re looking forward to running him and we’ve had this race on our minds with him for a while,” said Keatley.

“He’s got a good draw and the horse is in good form. Five furlongs shouldn’t be a problem for him, he’s won over five and has performed at a high level at that trip, so dropping back to five won’t be an issue.”



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Connections to remain patient with future plans for Shartash

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Connections of Shartash are willing to bide their time for the ideal opportunity this summer after his encouraging third in the Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville.

A high-class juvenile, the four-year-old appeared rejuvenated by a close-season switch to Archie Watson, winning his first two outings for the Lambourn handler and grabbing the attention of Wathnan Racing in the process.

The Qatari operation acquired Shartash as part of their pre-Royal Ascot spending spree and he finished a respectable eighth in his first outing in Wathnan’s colours before making the trip to France last Sunday, where he was third in an all-British finish to that six-furlong event.

Only beaten half a length at Group Three level, his team are now content to “pick and choose” from the plethora of suitable assignments available, with a return to the Normandy coast for the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest an option if ground conditions were favourable.

“We were delighted with Shartash,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown. “James (Doyle) was easy on him when his chance had gone at Ascot, so it was good to see him run a really nice race in what I think was a pretty solid Group Three.

“I just felt he would probably be better with a bit of cut in the ground, so we won’t rush him back on quick ground, we will bide our time now.

Archie Watson with Shartash at Haydock
Archie Watson with Shartash at Haydock (Ashley Iveson/PA)

“There’s plenty of options over six and seven furlongs in the second half of the season, so we will just take our time and pick and choose and wait for the ground with him.

“We will keep an eye on the Prix Maurice de Gheest, that is an obvious race for him over six and a half furlongs, but he won’t be running unless there is some give in the ground.”



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Aesterius aiming to fire in Dragon date

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Fresh from an exceptional Royal Ascot, James Doyle and Wathnan Racing will search for more success when Aesterius heads to Sandown for the Dragon Stakes on Friday.

Archie Watson’s son of Mehmas impressed when a ready winner at Bath on debut, earning him a spot in the Norfolk Stakes for his second start where he ran with real credit to finish just a length and a half behind taking winner Shareholder.

William Buick was in the saddle at the Royal meeting but Wathnan number one Doyle is back in the plate this time around, as the colt drops to Listed company attempting to regain the winning thread.

“He came out of Ascot in good form and Archie seems happy with him,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

“He obviously ran well at Ascot and I think the stiff five furlongs will be right up his alley. This should be ideal for him before I’m sure we will be stepping up in trip at some stage.

“It’s a Listed race so it is going to be tough and there are plenty of unexposed ones in there which could be anything. We won’t be taking anything for granted but hopefully he can run a good race.”

Doyle has also picked up the ride on Irish raider Run For Oscar in the Coral Marathon.

Charles Byrnes’ nine-year-old has been a regular visitor to UK shores over the years and the 2022 Cesarewitch winner has the opportunity to build on his recent Queen Alexandra Stakes second in a race where Hughie Morrison’s Quickthorn and Alan King’s Trueshan set a notable standard.

Run for Oscar winning the Cesarewitch at Newmarket
Run for Oscar winning the Cesarewitch at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

Byrnes said: “I was delighted with the run in Ascot and he has come out of the race really well.

“There aren’t many opportunities for him off his rating, so we thought this race was suitable and we would take our chance.

“Even though he ran a great race at Ascot the handicapper still thinks 103 is his level. He can contest the top races but he will probably come up a bit short in them. I know there’s a few with a higher rating in this but I think he is in with a fighting chance.”

The other Listed action on the card is the Davies Insurance Solutions Gala Stakes, where Doyle will renew his association with Simon and Ed Crisford’s Knight having been absent for both starts so far this term.

A first shot at 10 furlongs ended in disappointment in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, but connections are keen to persevere at that trip for now.

“He ran at Ascot a couple of weeks ago and ran respectably but from his draw, he was always stuck out the back and couldn’t really get competitive,” said Chris Wall, racing manager for owners KHK Racing.

“He stayed on and ran a solid enough race, which in a way was almost his seasonal debut because his first race at Doncaster back at the beginning of the season was a bit of a non-event, so we’ll take that as the starting point and we’ll hope for him to run a bit better.

“So we’re expecting a better run from him this time. It looked at Ascot as though the mile and a quarter was within his scope, so we’ll know a bit more. Sandown is obviously a fairly searching mile and a quarter so we’ll see if he stays, but I think we’ll see a better performance from him this time than we’ve seen so far.”

Faring much better in the Wolferton was Savvy Victory, who galloped on to finish an honourable fourth to Israr in his reappearance at the Royal fixture.

Sean Woods’ five-year-old now follows the same path as 12 months ago as the defending champion seeks a repeat of his taking victory in this race in 2023.

Savvy Victory winning at Sandown in 2023
Savvy Victory winning at Sandown in 2023 (Nigel French/PA)

Woods said: “He had been off for a long time going into Ascot, it was a very good run and we’ve been pleased with him at home since, so it is a natural progression to go for this race.

“He’s a much happier horse since being gelded in the winter and his first run at Ascot was very pleasing, but he had pleased us all the way into Ascot so it was not a surprise.

“He’s worked nicely since then and I’m very pleased with him. Any rain would be a help because he enjoys soft ground and he deserves to be in this race, he’s one of the higher-rated horses in there.

“I’m just pleased to have him in good order and hopefully this is a progressive step and whatever happens we can move on to Group races afterwards.”



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Ryan confident Washington can reach new heights at Royal Ascot

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Kevin Ryan is full of confidence that Washington Heights can mix it with the best sprinters around in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The improving four-year-old beat Mill Stream in the Abernant Stakes on his reappearance and was just behind the same rival in a blanket finish to the Duke of York Stakes at the Dante meeting.

He will be having his first run at the highest level on Saturday week but Ryan, who has handled such speedsters as Brando, Glass Slippers and Hello Youmzain in recent seasons, knows exactly what is required.

“I have no doubt he’s capable of being competitive at Group One level,” said Ryan.

“He’s done all his serious work now and is right where I want him going into Ascot.”

Washington Heights is owned by Hambleton Racing and their racing manager Cosmo Charlton added: “The owners of Washington Heights have enjoyed a great journey with him so far and are living every moment.

“He’ll have a great team at Ascot to support him for his Group One debut. Win, lose or draw, the day should make some more special memories for his owners.

“Not much beats having a runner at Royal Ascot. Winning down there is something special, but we tend to find our owners have a great day whatever the result.”

Tempus (light colours) has a good record at Ascot
Tempus (light colours) has a good record at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Hambleton are due to have three runners through the meeting, with the Archie Watson pair of Tempus and Beamish also running.

Of Tempus, due to go in the Royal Hunt Cup again, Watson said: “He is in great form and loves the straight track at Ascot. He has finished third in a Hunt Cup off 100 and seventh off 109. He is running off 96 this year and I hope can run another huge race if the race sets up well for him.”

Beamish will run in the Copper Horse Handicap, and Watson said: “Beamish is a talented stayer. I was very pleased with his first run for us at Newbury. That will have brought him forward off such a long break (544 days) and I hope he can be very competitive at Ascot.”



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Lofty ambitions for Shartash after shining again at Haydock

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Archie Watson is eyeing a step up to Group One level at Royal Ascot for Shartash after he made it two from two for the stable in the Pertemps Network Spring Trophy at Haydock.

The four-year-old was a high-class juvenile for Johnny Murtagh a couple of seasons ago, striking Group Two gold in the Railway Stakes before running with credit in the Phoenix Stakes, the National Stakes and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere before the end of the campaign.

But having failed to build on that promise last term, the son of Invincible Spirit was sold by the Aga Khan for €150,000 last September to resume his career in Britain with Watson.

Having been gelded during the off-season, Shartash made a successful start for his new connection in a small-field conditions event at Thirsk last month and he was a 6-1 shot to follow up in Listed company on Merseyside.

Ridden by Joshua Bryan, Watson’s charge cruised to the front two furlongs from home and was always doing enough to see off the challenge of admirable veteran Pogo by a neck.

“He’s a proper horse and we’re delighted, I’m very grateful to John and Max Wright (of owners Weldspec Glasgow Limited) for sending him to us,” said Watson.

“I think he was good value for €150,000 at the Arqana Sale and I think a winter on his back, but also gelding him, has been the key to him.

“We actually left him a colt over the winter because he was a good boy, but he was getting batted out of the way at home by 75-rated horses and I said to John ‘we need to geld this horse’.

“He wasn’t naughty in any way, but I’ve never seen more of a transformation in a horse – as soon as he’d been gelded, he started galloping with the Group horses like a Group horse and he’s shown it today.

“I think he can be versatile between six and seven furlongs, but I thought there he looked like a sprinter. If you stop that race at the furlong pole, he wins by three lengths and the miler has just got back at him to give him a fight.

“We’ll go straight to the (Queen Elizabeth II) Jubilee now and all those six and seven-furlong Group Ones this year he’ll be going for – the Prix Maurice de Gheest, the Foret, Champions Day at Ascot, those kind of races.”

The Richard Fahey-trained Silent Move (28-1) led from pillar to post in the Pertemps Network Handicap.

The Thirsk novice winner disappointed on his reappearance at Musselburgh, but bounced back under a well-judged ride from Connor Murtagh, who recently returned from a productive winter in Australia.

“On paper, it looked like there was a lot of pace in the race, but I started to get an easy time up front and I just started to build it up from four furlongs out,” said Murtagh.

“I had about 20 winners from 200 rides in five months (in Australia), it was a good spell but I got a little bit homesick and I thought I’d come back and chase the sun round this side of the world!”

Mereside Diva plundered the Pertemps Handicap for the training partnership of David and Nicola Barron.

Tackling seven furlongs for the first time, the 11-2 chance bagged her fourth career victory with a one-length verdict over Wreck It Ryley in the hands of Callum Rodriguez.

Nicola Barron said: “We were thinking she’d improve for a step up to seven, but until you’ve done it, you don’t know, do you? Thankfully, she’s done it well.

“We don’t really have any plans, as it was all hinging on whether she stayed seven furlongs or not, she’s also been running on bad ground, but that’s been by accident really because of the weather.

“Whether it was the seven furlongs or the better ground, everything has come together today, so we’ll see where the year takes us.”



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Outbox springs 50-1 surprise in Jockey Club prize

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Outbox registered his first success for over two years as he ran out a shock 50-1 winner of the William Hill Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

The nine-year-old was scoring for the eighth time in his career and has long been a stalwart of Archie Watson’s string, but it was a welcome return to form following a spell in the doldrums.

Not for the first time aboard the gelded son of Frankel, regular rider Hollie Doyle seized the initiative from the moment the stalls opened, dictating the pace and kicking on as the runners entered the dip.

She had a willing partner who responded to every urging and although Harry Charlton’s 11-8 favourite Time Lock tried in vain, she was unable to bridge the deficit as Outbox galloped on to a two-and-a-half-length success – his first at Group Two level.

Doyle said: “I was quite surprised and he’s got so much ability, but he’s so quirky.

“He loves being fresh and I got an easy lead and he just got in such a good rhythm, enjoying himself – he’s a Group Two winner now.

“I built the pace between the four (furlong marker) and the three, and then between the three and the two I kind of slipped them a little bit. I knew he’d stay and it’s nice to have him back.

“I’ve had some really good days on him and his last win was the Amir Trophy two years ago so he was due one. He’s nine now and a bit of a yard legend. When he’s good, he’s good.”

Time Lock headed into the race as a track-and-trip winner after securing Group Three honours on the Rowley Mile last September and although she ultimately failed to repeat that success on her return, her trainer was keen to take positives.

Time Lock has been given a summer target of the Yorkshire Oaks
Time Lock has been given a summer target of the Yorkshire Oaks (Tim Goode/PA)

She has a main summer target of the Group One Yorkshire Oaks during York’s Ebor meeting and could now head to Royal Ascot for an outing in the Hardwicke Stakes.

“She ran well and Ryan (Moore) was very happy with her, it was just the stop-start pace that didn’t play into her hands,” said Charlton.

“He was hoping the two in front may have pushed on to the leader and then Hollie kept going and quickened away from the three.

“I think the key to her is pace and wherever she gets some pace, she will show her best.

“She could run in something like the Hardwicke, but her main aim is the Yorkshire Oaks.”



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Bradsell scratched from Turf Sprint

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Royal Ascot winner Bradsell has been scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

In a huge blow to connections the King’s Stand Stakes hero will not be taking his place in the field.

He had been seen in action on the Santa Anita track on Wednesday but overnight trainer Archie Watson informed Breeders’ Cup officials Bradsell would not be running.

In the absence of usual partner Hollie Doyle, who is suspended, he was due to be ridden by Luke Morris but unfortunately for those concerned Bradsell will be absent when the field lines up on Saturday.

European interest in the race now rests with Nunthorpe winner Live In The Dream and Aidan O’Brien’s Aesop’s Fables.



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Luke Morris to ride Bradsell after Hollie Doyle fails in appeal

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Luke Morris will stand in on Bradsell at next week’s Breeders’ Cup meeting after Hollie Doyle failed in her appeal against the severity of a careless riding ban.

Doyle incurred a seven-day suspension for her ride aboard the Jonathan Portman-trained Rose Light in the Unibet More Boosts In More Races Fillies’ Handicap at Kempton last week, being found to have cut across a number of rivals in the early stages of the 11-furlong contest, causing them to be tightened for racing room.

The British Horseracing Authority’s independent disciplinary panel heard Doyle’s appeal on Thursday morning, with the jockey contesting the length of the ban rather than the riding offence itself.

After hearing submissions from Charlotte Davison, who was representing the BHA, and Rory Mac Neice for Doyle, the panel concluded the original penalty should stand, meaning Doyle will be suspended on November 4, when Bradsell is due to run in the Turf Sprint at Santa Anita.

Rachel Spearing, the panel’s chair, said: “We do accept there was corrective action taken by Miss Doyle, but the reality was unfortunately the situation had been caused. We can see from the footage interference does take place and it is, in our view, significant.

“We find interference was foreseeable, it was serious and it is appropriate to fall within the careless riding (penalty) of five to 14 days. We note she was provided with a seven-day suspension and we see no reason to interfere with those days.

“We have concluded this wasn’t a frivolous appeal and in those circumstances agree to return the deposit.”

Lambourn-based trainer Archie Watson subsequently confirmed to the PA news agency that Arc-winning rider Morris will now partner Bradsell in California on Saturday week.

The three-year-old defeated Highfield Princess when lifting the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot in June, since when he has finished third in the Nunthorpe at York and seventh in the Flying Five in Ireland.

Watson said: “Luke Morris will ride Bradsell at the Breeders’ Cup.”



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Ascot hero Bradsell ready for Nunthorpe challenge

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Bradsell is primed for a York rematch with Highfield Princess in the Group One Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday week.

The pair, trained by Archie Watson and John Quinn respectively, filled the first two places in the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, with Bradsell edging the victory by a length in a tight finish to the five-furlong heat.

Bradsell was trying the minimum trip for the first time that day after connections decided to supplement the three-year-old and following the colt’s maiden Group One victory, Watson is certain the fast five furlongs at York will present no issues.

He said: “I don’t see a sharper five furlongs being a problem.

“He travels so well that nothing can really take him far enough into his races. Over the quick five furlongs at York he should get a nice tow deep into the race.”

While Highfield Princess went on to finish third in the six-furlong Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal meeting and subsequently registered an impressive win in the King George Stakes at Goodwood, Watson has kept Bradsell in reserve for his Knavesmire date.

“I would say it’s (his absence) a reflection of the options over five furlongs,” said the trainer.

“He won his Group One at Ascot, so I didn’t feel the need to go to the Group Two at Goodwood, and I wasn’t going to step him back up to six furlongs in between either.

“I have been delighted with him since Ascot. He cantered away in his routine for six weeks and then has been galloping well through August into this race.”

Bradsell won at the first time of asking on good to soft ground at York last May and while he has stuck to sound surfaces since, Watson would not be perturbed should conditions be on the easy side.

He added: “He has obviously got very good form on good and good to firm ground.

“We haven’t deliberately avoided cut in the ground. His maiden win was on good to soft but until we run on proper soft ground we won’t know.

“I never get overly concerned about it until you know that a horse doesn’t handle a certain type of ground. If it rains, it rains.”

Aside from his sprint star, Watson also has Newbury Listed winner Action Point in contention for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes, while Ambushed features in the Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes.

Of Action Point, Watson said: “The flat, quick six furlongs at York should suit him well and I’m looking forward to seeing him up in class as he was impressive last time and is a horse we have always thought a lot of.

“Ambushed won his maiden at Newcastle from a horse of Adrian Keatley’s who was subsequently second in the Richmond Stakes (Ballymount Boy).

“He has plenty of ability and I hope he can run a good race, if the draw and pace set-up are kind. You need plenty of luck in the big-field sales races.”



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Saint Lawrence thrilling connections with recent progress

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Saint Lawrence will attempt to continue on his upward curve in Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup next month, with connections keen to praise Archie Watson’s influence since taking over training duties.

The five-year-old has been at the peak of his powers since switching to Watson earlier in the season and having won the Wokingham at Royal Ascot on stable debut, proved he could be a force in the leading sprint events with a near-miss in Deauville’s Prix Maurice de Gheest.

Although beaten half a length in third, things could have been different for Saint Lawrence granted a smoother passage in the contest, but the performance was enough to convince connections to continue campaigning the speedster in Group One company, with a trip to Merseyside on September 9 up next.

“He was probably a bit unlucky in the run,” said David Hilton, stud manager at owner John Deer’s Oakgrove Stud.

“The first and second probably got first run and he’s just had to wait and then he’s made up ground in the final furlong on ground which is probably not ideal for him, it was very tacky and holding ground.

“There will be stronger Group Ones but at the same time that might just suit him. They didn’t go that quick, probably sensibly on that ground, but his likely next target is going to be the Haydock Sprint Cup where they are bound to go very fast.”

Saint Lawrence is a son of owner Deer’s popular multiple Group One winner Al Kazeem, who last year was one of the leading British sires of three-year-olds in terms of winners to runners percentage.

Al Kazeem was a real star for owner John Deer
Al Kazeem was a real star for owner John Deer (Pat Healy/PA)

However, even though Saint Lawrence’s achievements further highlight Al Kazeem’s impact in the breeding sheds, it is Watson’s handling of the resurgent sprinter that has been the catalyst for the gelding taking his form to a new level.

“It’s all credit to Archie and his team really,” continued Hilton. “They have found improvement in the horse and John and the Deer family are delighted, especially with the horse being by Al Kazeem. It’s very exciting.

“I think what Archie has done with him in a short space of time is astonishing really. He has run two lifetime bests in a row and he’s still improving. Both of those races since Archie has had him, he’s really tanked through the race and it’s possible we are maybe still learning about him and just scratching the surface.

Archie Watson is doing a fine job with Al Kazeem
Archie Watson is doing a fine job with Al Kazeem (Simon Cooper/PA)

“He does have some really good form as a young horse and then had a few problems mid-season as a three-year-old which probably led to the horse losing a bit of confidence.

“We decided as a team after his second run this year that a change of scenery was probably the right thing to do and Archie was probably the obvious choice given his track record of improving horses and also there is probably no better trainer of sprinters in the country at the minute. He has a fantastic record and a team going places.”



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Overseas options for Deauville victor Brave Emperor

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A trip to Paris on Arc weekend and an appearance at the Breeders’ Cup are among the exciting options under consideration for Brave Emperor following his latest success in France on Sunday.

It has been quite the rise through the ranks for the Archie Watson-trained three-year-old, who began his campaign with a runner-up finish at Southwell in late January.

He had since won a Listed race at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, a conditions prize at Kempton, a Group Three in Germany and finished third in a Group Three in Sweden prior to his latest trip across the Channel.

Brave Emperor looked to face the toughest test of his career in the Group Three Prix Daphnis, but rose to the challenge under a power-packed ride from Luke Morris, leaving members of the Middleham Park Racing syndicate that own him eyeing loftier targets.

“It was a great piece of placement again from Archie. He’s placed him to perfection all season and I think Luke rode him to perfection as well,” said Middleham Park racing manager Tom Palin.

“You still need the horse to be able to do it, of course. It’s one thing finding these opportunities, but you’re still relying on a willing partner underneath you and this horse is definitely brave by name, brave by nature.

“He had to carry a 3lb penalty on Sunday, but he loves his racing and thrives on it. We’ve not really spared him, but he travels well and he’s just an absolute dude of a horse and a bit of a legend.

“There’s a small cohort of owners who follow him around. They’ve been to Sweden, they’ve been to Germany and they’ve been to France twice. He’s well supported wherever he goes and has a bit of a cult following here at Middleham Park.”

While plans for Brave Emperor’s next run remain fluid, Palin views the Prix Daniel Wildenstein – a Group Two run at ParisLongchamp in early October – as a likely objective for the autumn.

He added: “We’re probably going to have to start looking at bigger, sexier and dare I say scarier things with him going forward, but he’s fully entitled to now.

“The Wildenstein would be lovely and a very sensible target and we could look at the Prix du Moulin before then. I know that’s a Group One, but you are into Group Two/Group One territory now.

“We love to get our owners over for the Arc meeting if we can, it’s a meeting that’s served us well in the past, and maybe we’ll take in the Moulin on the way. It’s that or a Group Two in Germany, I think.

“I quite like the idea of the Wildenstein and then who knows, it could be onto the Breeders’ Cup. Archie and I have briefly mentioned that, but let’s see.

“Of course he’s going to have to improve, but that attitude he possesses is a huge asset, so why not give him a spin in those kind of races? You’re probably pitching him in for places, but who knows?”



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Deer eyeing Abbaye hat-trick with Saint Lawrence

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Owner John Deer has revealed his desire to try to win the Prix de l’Abbaye for a third time following Saint Lawrence’s Royal Ascot triumph.

Although a regular in some of the best sprinting contests over the past few seasons, the son of Al Kazeem was scoring for the first time since landing the Denford Stakes during his two-year-old days when storming to Wokingham glory – the last leg of a treble for Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle at the big meeting.

It was also Saint Lawrence’s first run for Lambourn-based Watson and having credited former handler Roger Varian for his input regarding the five-year-old’s switch from Newmarket, Deer – who enjoyed Prince of Wales’s Stakes glory with Al Kazeem – is keen to leave future plans to Watson.

“To have won twice there is quite fantastic really,” said Deer of his latest trip to the Royal Ascot winner’s enclosure.

“Roger Varian was very good and without any prompting suggested that perhaps a change of scenery might benefit the horse. Who knows, but there was a hell of an improvement. That improvement may have come with Roger in Newmarket, no one will ever know, but from my point of view it was sensational really.

“There has been such a change now in his performance that I’m just going to leave it (running plans) to his trainer and hope for the best!”

It was somewhat appropriate that Saint Lawrence should win the Wokingham for Deer, with the owner-breeder having seen his Averti withdrawn at the start when fancied for the race in 1996 and like the William Muir-trained sprinter, Deer hopes Saint Lawrence will one-day carry his colours at ParisLongchamp on Arc day.

Newbury Races – August 15th
Saint Lawrence winning the Denford Stakes as a two-year-old (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

He explained: “Many many years ago I had a very good horse called Averti with William Muir and he was supposed to be favourite for the Wokingham.

“He had been in the stalls for a long time and the horse that came in next to him played up and Averti got frightened or something and he was pulled out and didn’t run. That was a pity because he was a lovely horse and deserved a big race like that.

“He went on to be second in the Abbaye (in 1998) and then subsequently Patavellian (2003) and Avonbridge (2005) went on to win that race, so I think I have got close to breeding three of them.

“I would love to win the Abbaye again and he would be a candidate. Whether he goes this year I don’t know, but if he didn’t I would want him to go next year.”



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Bradsell repels Highfield Princess in dramatic King’s Stand

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Hollie Doyle gave Bradsell a brilliant ride to land a dramatic running of the King’s Stand Stakes, as the Archie Watson-trained colt earned a second Royal Ascot win in as many years.

Bradsell landed the six-furlong Coventry Stakes last term, yet had shown plenty of speed in his recent work and his trainer was able to persuade connections to supplement him for the five-furlong dash.

Doyle, gaining her fourth Royal Ascot success, was positive from the stalls aboard the three-year-old and had Highfield Princess for company throughout, in a race few ever really got into.

But it was not all plain sailing for Doyle and Watson, who had to survive a stewards’ inquiry as Bradsell – sent off a 14-1 chance – drifted left in the final furlong and intimidated 7-4 favourite Highfield Princess and jockey Jason Hart.

After an agonising deliberation by the stewards, it was a sweet success for Watson, who had to endure Dragon Symbol losing the 2021 Commonwealth Cup after an inquiry.

Doyle’s mount had three-quarters of a length to spare at the line, with 50-1 shot Annaf running a huge race to be third for Mick Appleby.

Watson said: “He’s a Coventry winner over a stiff six here and we were always going to go over six, we were never going to go over a mile or anything. The plan all winter was always to come to the Commonwealth trial here and on to the Commonwealth.

“I thought he showed up best of the horses in the Commonwealth trial, he got a bit tired late so we ran in the Sandy Lane and he ran similar race. I knew it couldn’t have been tiredness that day, even in the Coventry last year they could only really take him to the four-and-a-half-furlong pole, then Hollie had to say ‘right, I’m getting on with this now’.

A big smile from Hollie Doyle
A big smile from Hollie Doyle (John Walton/PA)

“He’s got so much speed, this horse. It was an easy decision to pull back to five, it wasn’t easy in that we had to pay £35,000 to supplement him! I was feeling slightly iffy yesterday when he was 40-1 in the betting, thinking ‘God, we’ve spent quite a lot of money for a 40-1 shot’. But when he was 12-1 I thought that was alright. Sheikh Nasser was incredibly supportive and said if it’s the right race then we will go for it. I’m just delighted.”

Of his partnership with Doyle, he said: “We’ve had 200-odd winners together now, she’s been massive for my career and I hope vice versa. What I’ve always said about Hollie is that she’s incredibly consistent, she doesn’t make many mistakes and she knows the team, she loves all the horses, she knows how we want them ridden.

“For a yard like us to have one of the top five jockeys in the country – which she is – to ride our horses is just fantastic.”

Doyle – becoming the first woman to ride at Group One winner at Royal Ascot – said: “It’s always heart-wrenching when you hear that claxon go and unfortunately it’s happened to me the last twice I’ve had a big winner here. When you get the result and the certainty of keeping the race you can relax, thankfully we kept the race today.

“It’s a huge training performance from Archie, thank God we supplemented him and thank God the owners allowed us to do so. The improvement with the step down in trip has been incredible, what a tough little horse.

“The race went perfectly well, I wanted to track Highfield Princess and she just hit a flat spot. Three down I had to kick in and hold my position and it lit him up – he got really competitive and scooted clear.

“He just idled quite badly towards the line and had a look at the exit, which shows he’s got a bit up his sleeve. I think if he’d stayed straight, he’d have won by two or three lengths.

“It’s so special and I’m so lucky – I have to pinch myself sometimes with the position I’m in. Coming to Royal Ascot and having a winner on the first day is unbelievable. I’ve got a big book of rides, but you play it down every year and think if you get one you’ll be doing well, so I’m lucky.”

Highfield Princess was out of luck
Highfield Princess was out of luck (PA)

Malton trainer John Quinn took defeat for Highfield Princess on the chin, although he was of the view the interference did hamper his mare.

“I’m delighted with how she ran and she definitely got taken off a straight line and it obviously hasn’t helped,” he said.

“If you’re trying to run in one direction and something is pushing you the other way – well you can’t go as quick can you. But I was delighted.

“Jason felt she was just getting going again. We certainly had a case.

“She’s a six-year-old mare and she’s run two fantastic races this season. The only thing I would say, and I’m not making excuses, is that she’s better when she just runs and runs and runs.”

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

He added of a possible quick reappearance later in the week: “We said if she won or ran well Saturday (Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes) was always likely. We’re leaving her down tonight and if she’s OK she will run.”

Of Annaf, Appleby said: “Hopefully he’s improving this year. I think he’s better over six furlong than five, too.

“We might look at taking him out to Korea again later in the year, he ran well there last year but it just didn’t pan out for him.”



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