Tag Archive for: Believing

Joorabchian considering plans for big-money buy You Got To Me

Kia Joorabchian has pledged to send Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me back to Ralph Beckett – if Amo Racing’s 4.8million guineas acquisition stays in training.

The daughter of Nathaniel followed up her Curragh Classic success with second place in the Yorkshire Oaks before being below par in the St Leger.

Co-owners Valmont and Newsells Park Stud opted to cash in at the end of that three-year-old campaign and big-spending Joorabchian swooped with what was the third highest price ever realised at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale.

You Got To at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale
You Got To Me at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale (Tattersalls)

The Amo Racing chief said: “Obviously Ralph Beckett wants her back, and I said as long as he does not injure her, he can have her back!

“I am thinking about plans. If she stays in training, she is not a horse to take away from her current trainer, and Ralph has done a wonderful job with her.”

Joorabchian has been very active in both the yearling and mares’ markets of late, as he tries to take his Amo operation to the next level.

He added: “We are trying to do the right thing. We have to compete, and we have been trying to compete for many years and have probably burnt so much cash by trying to do it, by trying to pick the next one – why try to pick the next one when you have the one here?

“We were getting to a point that we were thinking she was overpriced but she could be very cheap in the long run. At least we know she is proven, she won the Irish Oaks amazingly.”

Believing at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale
Believing at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale (Tattersalls)

Leading sprinter Believing is set to remain with George Boughey after being bought by MV Magnier for 3million guineas.

The four-year-old landed the Group Two Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in July and will go in search of a first top-tier victory after being placed several times at that level, most recently when third in the Prix de l’Abbaye.

Boughey said: “We have had a few horses lately for Coolmore connections and we are delighted to have a filly to race at a high level for such a great operation. She will be back with us in her own stable, she will have a break now and then we will sit down and make a plan.”



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Believing set to light up sales ring

Believing will be one of the star attractions when she heads to the December Mares’ Sale early next month.

One of the most consistent sprinters around, George Boughey’s charge went to the Del Mar in a bid to bow out in a blaze of glory on her final start for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, but reared and unseated Ryan Moore in the stalls.

Although Believing escaped the incident unscathed, she was quickly withdrawn from the contest leaving connections to wonder what might have been in a race won by Ralph Beckett’s Starlust.

Believing has been a star for her connections
Believing has been a star for her connections (Richard Sellers/PA)

She will now head to Tattersalls for the Sceptre Sessions, which take place on December 2 and 3, as one of the feature lots.

Harry Herbert, managing director of Highclere, said: “It was not our finest hour, but these things happen. It was agony watching the whole thing unfold and we took her there thinking it was very probable/possible the pace would collapse, which it did, and which would have suited our filly down to the ground.

“It’s history now though and was just unfortunate. She’s come back and she now heads to the December Mares’ Sales. She’s out of contract with us this year, so rather like Cachet a couple of years ago, she heads to Tattersalls for the Sceptre Sessions.

“One would like to think with her brilliant record and fabulous looks, she is not only a breeder’s dream, but she could also race on for someone and she’s a high-class racing and breeding prospect and for anyone who wants a horse to run in Group One sprints next year, she’s a very attractive package.

“She’s such a beautiful filly with a wonderful conformation and she would be significant in anyone’s broodmare band. When you also have a temperament like hers which is extraordinarily sound, rather like her father Mehmas, it is worth their weight in gold as a broodmare prospect.”

Soprano won the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot
Soprano won the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Also in action in California was another of the owner’s and Boughey’s standout performers, Royal Ascot heroine Soprano, who failed to see out the 11-furlong trip in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

Unlike Believing, she is one who will return to Boughey’s Saffron House Stables next season to continue her career, when she is likely to revert back to the mile distance she has thrived over in 2024.

“Soprano is fine and she was drawn out in the ‘boonies’ and unfortunately there is nothing anyone can do,” continued Herbert.

“I don’t think we’ll run her over that trip again. I think she definitely didn’t stay, but we learned plenty and we needed to find out.

“She was in top form going into the race and we’ll bring her back to a mile, possibly nine furlongs abroad, but a stiffish mile over here suits her well. She will be staying in training with us as a four-year-old next year.”

There may be a slight changing of the guard for the Highclere team with Believing heading to pastures new, but there are high hopes many of this year’s two-year-olds can make their mark during their Classic season.

Herbert added: “We’ve got Orchid who is an exciting filly, so is Bountiful and there’s also Centigrade who is down with Ralph Beckett and looks a bit special and won very impressively at Newbury – he could be the best colt we’ve had for a while.

“We’ll look forward to 2025 and we’re always optimistic. We’ve shaken ourselves off after the debacle of Del Mar and have plenty to look forward to with some excitement through the winter.”



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Still Believing – Highclere hoping this is filly’s moment to shine

There could be a fitting end to a fantastic season for Believing in the Prevagen Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, with George Boughey’s filly backed to “get her skates on” and finally get her moment in the sun in California.

The four-year-old has been a model of consistency for connections, only once outside the top four in a multitude of the year’s hottest sprint contests and winning twice along the way.

Ryan More was the man in the saddle when she struck at the Curragh in the summer and the 41-year-old’s big-match experience is backed to come to the fore when he climbs aboard his willing ally at Del Mar on Saturday.

Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: “Ryan is such a go-to man and has ridden some wonderful horses for us over the years. He knows this filly well and he knows the track well and he’s pleased to be riding her.

Believing winning at the Curragh
Believing winning at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

“She gives you everything and you know when you ride Believing she absolutely leaves not an ounce in the tank. She’s like her father Mehmas and when you have a horse like that it’s exciting to come to a championship race knowing you will get everything she can give.”

This will be Believing’s 10th start of 2024, but Herbert is still backing the ultra-tough speedster to put her best foot forward.

He added: “Hopefully she’s ready to run well and she will have to get her skates on around here.

“She’s drawn well which is great and makes a big difference – if she can break well, she is drawn well and she seems to be in great form. She’s had a busy season, but she seems bright and George couldn’t be happier with her.”

It is Archie Watson’s Bradsell who has proved a thorn in Believing’s side, winning both the Nunthorpe and Flying Five Stakes with the Boughey-trained sprinter in second.

Bradsell has been better than ever this summer
Bradsell has been better than ever this summer (Mike Egerton/PA)

A narrow defeat on testing ground in the Prix de l’Abbaye brought an end to Bradsell’s imperious winning run since returning from a career-threatening injury and he now searches for one last hurrah Stateside before a stallion career beckons.

Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Victorious Racing, said: “He didn’t really like the ground at Longchamp and he was very brave to run through that. We think he prefers a firmer surface and hopefully the surface should suit us out there.

“Obviously it’s not an ideal draw in 12, but hopefully he can get forward and the big American horse Cogburn (trained by Steven Asmussen, in nine) is also drawn a bit wide so hopefully they can get across and it does not impede him too much.

“He retires to the National Stud after this run and hopefully he can run one last big race and show us what he can do again.”

Also making his final career appearance is Big Evs, who is another having to combat being positioned out wide in stall 11.

Big Evs struck Breeders' Cup gold
Big Evs struck Breeders’ Cup gold at Santa Anita (PA)

He gave handler Mick Appleby one of the biggest days of his career when scorching to Juvenile Turf Sprint glory at Santa Anita last year, but will arguably need a career best to replicate Wesley Ward’s Golden Pal and bring the curtain down on his career in style with a Breeders’ Cup double.

“He’s got a tough ask being stuck out wide and hopefully he can break well like he normally does, otherwise I think he will be up against it from that draw,” said Appleby.

“He’s in good form and we know he can come round the bend well, I just hope he can jump well so he can get a decent position coming round the bend. We’ve freshened him up since York and he’s absolutely bouncing.

“It’s nice to go back to America and it will be nice to go out with a win, but as long as he comes back safe, that is always the main thing.”

Starlust could end Ralph Beckett and Rosa Ryan's year on a real high
Starlust could end Ralph Beckett and Rosa Ryan’s year on a real high (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ralph Beckett’s Starlust was third behind Big Evs at Santa Anita 12 months ago and could cap a phenomenal autumn for the Arc-winning handler and his jockey Rossa Ryan, while Charlie Appleby will saddle Star Of Mystery who has built up plenty of experience in the US this summer.

“Star of Mystery will need to break from the draw and then get the breaks in running,” said Appleby.

“She put up two good performances at Saratoga where on one occasion you couldn’t see her because she’s so small.

“She won easily on her second start and was probably an unlucky loser at Keeneland. I think she will be bang there.”



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Soprano heading to Del Mar for Breeders’ Cup challenge

Soprano is to stay in America for a shot at the Breeders’ Cup, where she will step up in trip again for the Filly & Mare Turf.

Trainer George Boughey’s brave decision to send her to Keeneland for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup was certainly worthwhile as she finished a meritorious second, albeit beaten six lengths by impressive winner She Feels Pretty.

That was over nine furlongs, having finished off strongly over a mile when third in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Now she will run over the best part of a mile and a half at the Breeders’ Cup.

“We were thrilled with her and she’s still learning really, she didn’t take the last bend quite as she might have done,” said Harry Herbert, managing director of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“She’s run on really well, the winner had got away and looked an exceptional animal on the day. We were just thrilled to bits and the plan is to keep her in America and aim her at the Filly & Mare.

“The travelling didn’t bother her, I just think she needs to go further. I suspect her optimum trip is going to be a mile and a quarter in Europe. I know it is a mile and three at Del Mar but it’s a very sharp track and a very easy mile and three, so that’s the plan, which is very exciting.”

Another filly who has done Highclere proud this year is Believing, who has finished in the first four in five Group One sprints this season, unfortunately without winning one.

Believing has been ultra-consistent this season
Believing has been ultra-consistent this season (Niall Carson/PA)

“Believing won’t go to Ascot, she’ll go for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint as she needs a bit more time after the Abbaye,” said Herbert.

“She’s fantastic, she’s doing really well, but I think that is the best option for her and then that will be her last race for Highclere before she goes to the sales in December.

“Her and Bradsell are two fantastic horses, but we know out there she can’t afford to have a flat spot so we might put cheekpieces on her in America, to see if that sharpens her up a little bit more, it is a pretty good track for closers.”

Teenage sensation Billy Loughnane rode Soprano at Keeneland and in victory at Royal Ascot, but as yet no decision has been made who will ride her next month. Plans are, though confirmed for Believing.

“At the moment we don’t know who will ride Soprano, I haven’t had a chance to talk to George yet, but we’ve got Ryan (Moore) booked for Believing, he’s ridden her before and he’ll be out there,” said Herbert.



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Bradsell and Believing clash again in battle for Abbaye honours

Archie Watson’s Bradsell and Hollie Doyle will have to overcome stall nine if they are to make it a Group One hat-trick in Sunday’s Prix de l’Abbaye.

The UK and Irish raiders have a fantastic record in the Group One sprint over five furlongs, but the race has not always gone to the fancied runners.

Part of the reason for that is down to the draw, although the likes of Move In Time, Marsha, Mabs Cross and Highfield Princess last year have all defied a double-figure stall in the past 10 years.

“We’d have liked to have been a little bit closer to the rail but I don’t think it stops us, we’re happy to run,” said Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Bradsell’s owners, Victorious Racing.

“It would have been better to have been two or three closer to the rail, but there’s no excuses.

“Highfield Princess, Mabs Cross, Move In Time, Tangerine Trees – they’ve all won from double-figure stalls so it’s not impossible so we march on.”

Winner of the Coventry Stakes two years ago, injury threatened to finish Bradsell’s career. But he has been brought back expertly this season to be unbeaten, including two defeats of George Boughey’s Believing in the Nunthorpe and the Flying Five at the Curragh.

“Believing has a nice draw, which is good, so we can hopefully settle that argument in everyone’s minds!” Lawrence continued.

“They’ve emerged as the top two around, the only other around is Lazzat who won the Maurice de Gheest and he’s heading for the Golden Eagle in Australia, I believe. Hopefully all will be revealed and the rain stays away.

“I think next year will depend on how he runs over the next short while, but I think he will probably retire. Archie and the team have done an amazing job to get him back and it is testament to the horse himself.”

The team behind Believing have been thankful of the journey they have been on with their filly and are hoping she can go out on a high for them, with the sales beckoning.

Harry Herbert, racing manager for her syndicate, Highclere Racing, said: “We’ve got the better draw this time, but neither of us have got the ground really. At least we are inside him.

“There’s not much between them in what we’ve seen the last twice.

“I’ve actually been looking back at the race she ran on Champions Day last year and she travelled so well until the furlong marker and didn’t get home over six.

“She has won on soft ground in Chantilly so we’ll just have to take it as it comes. This is her last race anyway before she heads to the December sales.”

He went on: “She’s in very good form, has travelled over there really well and she doesn’t owe us anything. She’s just been the most phenomenal filly and incredible for the syndicate – most of them will be over there to see her race for the last time for them.

“She’s been remarkable as a syndicate horse, these are such rare items. To race as much as she does, placed in the first four in five Group Ones and second in two, it’s extraordinary so it would be incredible if she could bow out – for us anyway – with a Group One win.”

No Half Measures has improved at a rate of knots for Richard Hughes
No Half Measures has improved at a rate of knots for Richard Hughes (PA)

As ever there is a strong UK and Irish challenge with Richard Hughes’ improving No Half Measures the mount of Oisin Murphy, and Ryan Moore on Aesop’s Fables for Aidan O’Brien.

There are two juveniles in receipt of plenty of weight – John Ryan’s Mill Reef runner-up La Bellota and Boughey’s filly Englemere, while Tom Clover has fitted Rogue Lightning with first-time blinkers having finished just over a length behind Highfield Princess last year.

Richard Brown, of owners Wathnan Racing, said: “This seems to be the time of year where he thrives and it was his best run of the year when he was just beaten in the Group Three over track and trip a few weeks ago. We hope he will have an each-way chance.”



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Boughey won’t stop Believing his filly can beat Bradsell

Believing’s trainer George Boughey will not shirk a third clash with Bradsell before the season is out after his star filly again finished best of the rest behind Archie Watson’s star at the Curragh on Sunday.

She has enjoyed a tremendous campaign for Boughey and owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, with victories in the Achilles Stakes at Haydock and the Sapphire Stakes in Ireland supplemented by several excellent efforts in defeat, including two fourth-place finishes at Royal Ascot.

The four-year-old was second to Bradsell in the Nunthorpe at York last month and occupied the same position in Sunday’s Flying Five Stakes, leaving her trainer bursting with pride.

“What a season she’s had,” said Boughey. “It will be 51 weeks ago that she was supplemented for the Haydock Sprint Cup and finished third as a 66-1 outsider. To have come that far in a short space of time really is a huge credit to her and Holly, who rides her every day.

“She’s a filly who takes a lot of micro-managing and to keep her that busy and that consistent, it’s not lost on me how well these guys look after these horses.

“I was really enthused walking out onto the track with her on Sunday, just with the way she looked and the way she was bouncing around and looked at the top of her game.

“It will be interesting to see how she comes out of Sunday’s race. I was really pleased to hear from Ryan Moore on Sunday night that he felt she was better than ever.”

George Boughey trains Believing
George Boughey trains Believing (John Walton/PA)

Believing was drawn on the other side of the track to Bradsell at both York and at the Curragh and there is every chance she could take him on again in either or both of the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp and the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

Boughey added: “She’ll have a bit of a break and we’ll work out what we’re going to do next. The Abbaye and the Breeders’ Cup are the two entries she has. She’s not going to get her ground on Champions Day at Ascot, so we didn’t even enter her.

“I’m sure she’ll be seen again this year, whether that’s once or twice, we’ll see.

“The draw is one of those things you can’t change and the luck’s been with Bradsell for the best part of this season.

“I think the last three five-furlong Group Ones of the year, the Flying Five, the Abbaye and the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, are all on incredibly draw bias tracks. The hope is we might hit one right one day.”



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Still Believing! Highclere have sights set on big Irish prizes

Connections of Believing are hopeful she can finally land an elusive Group One when she takes her place in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh later this month.

The George Boughey-trained daughter of Mehmas was behind Bradsell by just three-quarters of a length in the Nunthorpe at York with an unfavourable draw.

That followed on from two near misses in the space of four days for the four-year-old at Royal Ascot, when beaten a length and a half and two and three-quarter lengths respectively in the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Believing pulls away to win the Sapphire Stakes
Believing pulls away to win the Sapphire Stakes (Niall Carson/PA)

In between she enjoyed Group Two success in the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in the hands of Ryan Moore, before being only three-quarters of a length third in the King George at Goodwood to Big Evs and Asfoora.

Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing is looking forward to a rematch with Bradsell in Ireland.

He said: “You’d have to say if she’d be drawn the other side (in the Nunthorpe) it would have been very close! It was close enough anyway, three-quarters of a length and seeing where she came from to get there…

“A wonderful performance and sensational splits through those last two furlongs so we head to the Curragh for the Flying Five, on a track where she won a Group Two last time and hopefully she will be highly competitive again.

“She always runs her heart out, she’s such an extraordinary filly and she bounces out of her races and has been kept very busy, when you think starting in Hong Kong where it was a deluge and the ground went against her, and then going every two or three weeks and twice at Royal Ascot and she’s still firing.

“She’s an extraordinary animal and giving everyone a lot of fun, so we hope it doesn’t get too soft over in Ireland and she can go one better.

“For everyone it’s to try to win a Group One, as a broodmare prospect winning a Group One with the rest of her CV to back that up is very special indeed when she eventually heads to the sales, so we’re very hopeful that she can do that in Ireland.

“We’ll see who turns up and what the ground is like and see what the final field for the Saturday looks like. Game on (for the rematch with Bradsell). He’s a wonderful horse, Bradsell, fantastic, and we weren’t that far away on the wrong side.

“This is a straight five and hopefully we can get Ryan again and Bradsell will obviously be a pretty warm favourite and we hope to go one better.”

Soprano winning the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot
Soprano winning the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Soprano is another Highclere-owned filly hunting a first Group One when she lines up in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes at Leopardstown 24 hours earlier.

Also trained by Boughey, the daughter of Starspangledbanner won at Royal Ascot this year and was last seen landing a Group Three at Deauville where a change of tactics bore fruit.

Usually held up, William Buick sent her to the front of the field and she kept on strongly to come home three lengths clear of Rose Bloom.

Herbert said: “She’s thriving, she’s fantastic and I think what we learned in France was very much that we won’t be afraid to ride her prominently.

“She’s had this little bit of a quirk where she’s running free and then it’s settle her down, settle her down at the back and in fact what she wants to be doing is be much more prominent.

“She seems to really enjoy that style of racing so in Ireland that will very much be the plan to ride her sensibly but don’t give her too much to do.”



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Believing the key word for Boughey in bid for first York success

George Boughey is backing Believing to provide him with a first ever winner at York when she shoots for Group One honours in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

Along with Wetherby, the Knavesmire is one of only two British tracks that host Flat racing where Boughey has so far yet to saddle a winner over the course of his successful five-year training career.

The 32-year-old will have an opportunity to put that anomaly right next week as his star sprinter Believing will line up as a genuine contender for the £500,000 feature on day three of York’s prestigious Ebor Festival.

“It would be great to have a winner at York, we haven’t got anywhere near yet. It doesn’t matter what day of the week it is – whether it’s the Ebor meeting or just a normal card, for some reason we can’t get them near the winner’s circle,” said Boughey.

“I stopped running horses at York a long time ago, but we might make an exception for a Group One!”

Believing has enjoyed an excellent campaign in the colours of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, with wins in a Listed event at Haydock and in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes in Ireland sandwiching two fine efforts at Royal Ascot where she finished fourth in both the King Charles III Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee.

Since her Curragh success, the four-year-old has finished a close-up third in the King George Stakes at Goodwood behind Big Evs and Asfoora, both of whom she is set to meet again at York.

Trainer George Boughey at Royal Ascot
Trainer George Boughey at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Reflecting on her Goodwood effort, Boughey added: “I did think after a furlong, ‘crikey, we’ve really slipped up here and run her downhill at Goodwood’, having won at a stiff five (furlongs) at the Curragh.

“The five at Goodwood is faster, probably, than the York five and I look forward to seeing her back at the top level. I think she’ll just be allowed to get into her own rhythm at York and we could see her doing her best work late.

“She’s just restarted training the last few days and come back in super shape. She’s an amazing filly – she keeps surprising me each time. You kind of think, ‘Oh God, we’ll come out of it and she’ll have said it was one (run) too many’, and she just bounces out of each one.”



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All eyes on York for round three of Big Evs and Asfoora

Henry Dwyer is relishing a York rubber match after his Royal Ascot heroine Asfoora went down valiantly to Big Evs in a pulsating renewal of the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood.

The Australian raider got the better of Mick Appleby’s Breeders’ Cup champion at Royal Ascot in the King Charles III Stakes, but with Big Evs getting first run on the lighting-fast Goodwood sprint surface the six-year-old was unable to reel in her rival, going down by a short head.

With both Big Evs and Asfoora on course for another showdown in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes later this month, the Ballarat-based trainer is looking forward to settling the rivalry on the Knavesmire.

Dwyer said: “I’m incredibly proud. She’s done a great job. It’s frustrating to come here and run so well and not actually win, but incredibly pleased that she’s run as well as she has, knowing that she’s come through the two runs well and we’ve got a horse to forward with.

“It went as well as we possibly could have hoped. We got a bump at the 300 (metre) pole which cost us, but it will be great to head for the Nunthorpe now.

“I just think the Nunthorpe is going to be great, back to weight-for-age for her. We’ve lost the battle, but we might win the war later on.

“It was always going to be problematic this race to start with, let alone getting an extra 2lb for winning at Ascot. I’m not making excuses, the other horse is a really good colt, and he’s got that ability to roll forward and control his own destiny, whereas we had to be back, we couldn’t go the early speed and that told late – we just got a bit of interference.”

Asfoora was a winner at Royal Ascot
Asfoora was a winner at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Despite the defeat, the performance was further vindication of Dwyer’s decision to campaign his star sprinter in Europe this summer and as well as a trip to York later this month, Asfoora’s stay at host Amy Murphy’s Newmarket base could be extended well into the autumn.

He added: “There’s so many options and that’s why we’re here. There were no options for us in Australia to be fair, but here we’ve got six or seven options, we’re not going to run in all of them, but we’ll pick and choose our path.

“Straight to York in three weeks, that’ll be absolutely perfect for her, and then we’ve got the option of the Flying Five at the Curragh and the Abbaye and America potentially. We could even go back to Australia for a race there. We’re just enjoying the experience.”

George Boughey’s ever-consistent Believing – who has become a regular at the business end of these top sprinting contests – was in the mix once again in third.

Believing winning at the Curragh last month
Believing winning at the Curragh last month (Niall Carson/PA)

Having won at the Curragh recently, Boughey has always had his eye on a return to Ireland for the Flying Five Stakes in mid-September.

However, he could now be persuaded to roll the dice with the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned filly and is another with the Nunthorpe as a possibility.

Boughey said: “She’s just showing her tenacity every time, really. I was a bit worried after a couple of furlongs that she was out of her ground on the fastest five that you run at this grade, but she’s still learning to sprint at this distance, I think.

“She’s carried a penalty there today and probably didn’t have the easiest of runs, all options are open for her.

“Ryan Moore was pretty insistent that she went to the Nunthorpe, but the Flying Five has always been the plan. There’s enough time for her to do both. She will govern whether we do that, if she’s all right it would be no surprise – it’s only 12 days ago that she won the Group Two in Ireland.

“She takes her racing so well – I think she was the only horse at the start without a drop of sweat on her. She’s still upwardly mobile. Credit to Billy (Loughnane, jockey) not giving up – I think she’s still learning really to sprint at that level.”



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Top sprinters set to clash once more at Goodwood on Friday

Royal Ascot rivals Asfoora, Big Evs and Believing are set for a mouthwatering Goodwood rematch after featuring among 15 confirmations for Friday’s King George Qatar Stakes.

Australian raider Asfoora took top honours in the King Charles III Stakes last month, with Big Evs picking up a bronze medal for third and Believing back in fourth.

However, having seen their charge lead until the closing stages, connections of Big Evs will be eyeing revenge at this sharper track, where he won last year’s Molecomb Stakes.

Mick Appleby said: “He’s in good order, we’re really pleased with him and he’s all set for Goodwood.

“It’ll be a tough race, but I can say that he’s in very good form.

“When he won there last year, it had gone pretty soft, but I think he’s better on quicker ground.

“He’s turned out to be pretty versatile, but quicker is probably better for him.”

Big Evs and Asfoora have been kept back for this Group Two contest, but Believing backed up at Royal Ascot with fourth place in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and then claimed a Sapphire Stakes success at the Curragh, where Makarova was third.

Temple Stakes winner Kerdos was fifth in the King Charles III Stakes and is also set to renew rivalry with those in front of him.

Commonwealth Cup third and July Cup sixth Jasour is set to drop down to the minimum trip after being supplemented, with Clive Cox’s three-year-old having taken a keen hold early on in both of those six-furlong Group One events.

Ralph Beckett’s Starlust could also represent the Classic generation after landing the Listed-class City Walls Stakes ahead of Rogue Lightning at York last time out.

Last season’s Nunthorpe hero Live In The Dream will have a change of jockey, with Jason Hart replacing Sean Kirrane on Adam West’s speedster.

Ponntos is a possible raider for Czech Republic trainer Miroslav Nieslanik, with the six-year-old completing a hat-trick on the continent when making all in Group Two company at Chantilly on his most recent outing.



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Believing in line for possible Glorious Goodwood reappearance

Believing could make a swift return to action at Goodwood next week following her Group Two breakthrough at the Curragh on Saturday.

After finishing fourth in both Group One sprints at Royal Ascot last month, George Boughey’s speedster recorded the most notable victory of her career to date on Irish Oaks weekend when comfortably coming out on top in the Sapphire Stakes under Ryan Moore.

“It didn’t surprise me that she won as she did, she’d been training good at home and it was great to put that Group Two on her pedigree because I think she sort of deserved it,” said Boughey.

“It was a pretty uncomplicated ride and I was delighted to tick the box.

“She’s a pleasure to train, but it’s taken a while to get there. She’s a credit to my staff, who have worked incredibly hard. She’s never been straightforward and she’s now absolute bus really – we can put her on a box or a plane or a boat, wherever she wants to go.”

A return to the Curragh for the Flying Five Stakes on September 15 is high on Believing’s agenda, but she is set for another outing in the meantime, with the King George Qatar Stakes on Friday week viewed as a likely target.

Boughey added: “The plan for some time had been to go to Ireland to trial her before the Flying Five and she may well go to Goodwood in between. I saw her this morning and she was fresh and well and sound and off to Goodwood we go, I think.

“Keeping her to five furlongs and it’s a lot of money at Goodwood. I know she’d have to carry a penalty, but so would the Australian horse (Asfoora) and I wouldn’t swap her at Goodwood anyway.

“I think she has the speed for it. Ryan was of the opinion that she would and if Ryan’s happy I’m pretty happy.

“The draw is obviously very key there and we’ll be slightly in the lap of the gods on that front, but she showed loads of pace when she won the Achilles Stakes at Haydock earlier in the year and again at Ascot and again on Saturday, so we’d certainly be willing to give her a chance.”

Trainer George Boughey at Royal Ascot
Trainer George Boughey at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Looking even further ahead, Believing could well be heading to California in November.

Boughey said: “The Breeders’ Cup Sprint is probably the end-of-season target.

“I think Glass Slippers won the Flying Five and ended up winning at the Breeders’ Cup, so it’s a race that feeds in quite well.”



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Believing sparkles in Sapphire success

Believing justified George Boughey’s decision to head to Ireland with an impressive success in the Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned filly has been a consistent operator in the top sprinting events of late, finishing fourth in both the King Charles III and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dropping back to Group Two company at the Curragh, she had the perfect opportunity to stamp her class on her rivals and grabbed the opportunity with both hands under the guidance of Ryan Moore.

With a furlong to run it was Believing and fellow British raider Beautiful Diamond who had come to the head of proceedings, but the evens favourite was always in control as Moore urged his mount on to score by a length and three-quarters.

Karl Burke’s Beautiful Diamond was second at 5-1 with Ed Walker’s Makarova completing a clean sweep of the places for the UK-based fillies and mares.

Henry Morshead, Boughey’s assistant trainer, said: “She’s such a hardy, tough filly and she did it well.

“She came out of Ascot great. She ran with great credit in two Group Ones over the week which is amazing. She hasn’t done a lot since and we’ve just freshened her up.

“She can be quite busy at a high level through the second half of the year, and I’d imagine she’ll have sales hopes later in the year.

“Highclere are great supporters of the yard and it’s great to get a Group Two win for them.”

Moore felt switching back to five furlongs had been a positive for Believing.

He added: “She has been in very good form this year, she won well at Haydock and had two very solid runs in Group Ones at Ascot. She was probably entitled to win this.

“She is very straightforward and seems to be most suited to five furlongs.”



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Boughey expects Flying Five to prove perfect test for Believing

George Boughey is confident the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh could be Believing’s “opportunity for her to be the shortest price in a Group One” later this season.

June was a productive month for the four-year-old filly as she returned to the winner’s enclosure in the Achilles Stakes at Haydock before making two appearances at Royal Ascot within four days, finishing fourth on both occasions in the King Charles III Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

This came on the back of her finishing down the field in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong on her seasonal appearance in April and Boughey believes his confidence in the daughter of Mehmas was well placed following her three subsequent starts.

Believing wins the Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes at Haydock
Believing starred last month with victory at Haydock before two fourth-placed finishes at Royal Ascot (Richard Sellers/PA)

The Newmarket handler admitted he had harboured ideas of heading for the Irish Group One before the current campaign began and those plans still remain in place.

Believing is set to travel across the Irish Sea for the Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes later this month before starting in the King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood in August, with the Flying Five Stakes at the top of the agenda on September 15.

“Thrilled with her, she’s a filly who probably needs it to go all her way at the top level, but she is a filly who can ply her trade at the top level,” Boughey said.

“I was delighted with her, she’s an incredibly tough, resilient animal to have come back from a pretty resounding defeat in Hong Kong and bounce back in the style that she did at Haydock. I was pretty confident going into Ascot that she was going to run a bold race, and she did twice.

“She’s the dream mare at the end of her career. She’s incredibly robust, sound minded, sound physically and she’s got a big year ahead of her.

“She’s had a quiet week, 10 days, out in the paddock at the moment and we are looking forward to getting her back in, in the next couple of days.

“In an ideal world, I think a stiff five (furlongs) or an easy six is what she wants. Danny (Tudhope) was pleased with her on the Saturday (at Royal Ascot), but he felt it just slightly stretched her late on, so the stiff five at the Curragh might just be the ticket for her.

“The Flying Five stood out to me as the opportunity for her to be the shortest price in a Group One this season. She’s shown versatility, winning at Haydock over five and then at Ascot over six.

“She will probably go to the Curragh and for her pedigree, it’s trying to make her a Group Two winner. She is taking a drop in grade, she takes her racing very well. She could feasibly do the Curragh and Goodwood.

“The Nunthorpe is probably unlikely, but then Flying Five. We’ll see, but she’s in good shape and flying the flag at the highest level.”

Saffron House celebrated a winner at the Royal meeting in the form of Soprano, the three-year-old filly who won the Sandringham Stakes by half a length ahead of Strutting.

She could tackle the Coral Distaff at Sandown on Saturday in her bid to make it back-to-back victories before returning to Pattern company this summer.

“She was impressive. It’s not lost on me how much work has gone into this horse,” Boughey said. “Charles Eddery, who rides her every day, an apprentice himself, has done a super job with her.

Billy Loughnane celebrates after winning the Sandringham Stakes aboard Soprano at Royal Ascot
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey celebrate after winning the Sandringham Stakes (John Walton/PA)

“She was deceptive, I kind of thought she was a sprinter for a long time because of how she trained at home and how she was a bit free on the track, but her pedigree would suggest she’s a miler.

“She’s out of a sister to a Breeders’ Cup Mile winner and she’s got a bit of length to her and doesn’t look like a sprinter.

“I think I told the owners in the paddock after the Albany that we will never see her run over six furlongs again, less than a month later I’m still running her at six furlongs.

“It’s nice when it comes together like that, and for (owners) Highclere, it really is their showpiece event of the year – it is for everyone, but none more so than them.

“She’s actually just had an entry in the Listed race at Sandown this week. She’s come out of the race in fantastic form, arguably in better form than she was going into it (Royal Ascot).

“Really thriving and a filly that really took her racing well at two, she’s continuing to do so at three. It’s a step back into stakes company, but she looked like she was the top rated and we will certainly consider it through the week.”

Pentle Bay was the best of the rest in the Chesham Stakes as Bedtime Story blitzed the field by nine and a half lengths in one of the most destructive performances of Royal Ascot.

Boughey revealed the star two-year-old colt may not be on British shores for much longer, although he still has targets for the son of New Bay before relocating to Australia.

Bedtime Story powers to victory in the Chesham Stakes on day five of Royal Ascot
Pentle Bay, centre yellow hat, finishes second behind Bedtime Story in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

He said: “Pentle Bay was super. Obviously bumped into an outstanding filly in Bedtime Story, he’s still a baby and it was very much the plan to ride him to hit the line like he did. I think Ciaron Maher and Teme Valley are going to have a lovely horse going forward.

“He’s not finished with us yet, but he will be heading down to Australia at some point and a race like the Vintage (Stakes at Goodwood) is a possibility for him. He’s come out of the race in great shape and we will be persisting with stakes company.

“At some point at the end of the year I would imagine, unless he really leaps forward and proves he can be a top force here, his future will probably lie in Australia.”

Boughey also enjoyed place honours in the King George V Stakes with Fouroneohfever, who finished fourth, and the three-year-old is in line for a swift return to the track in either the bet365 Handicap at Haydock or the Coral Daily Rewards Shaker Handicap at Sandown on Saturday.

“Fouroneohfever ran a massive race. He was fourth in the King George V, he might well run again this weekend, he has a couple of entries,” Boughey added.

“He’s a big, raw animal, he’s improving all the time, by Too Darn Hot. He could run on Saturday at Sandown or at Haydock, he’s come out of the race in super shape.”



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Believing blitzes Achilles Stakes field to set up Royal Ascot bid

Believing posted a commanding performance to win the Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes at Haydock.

All eyes were on 5-4 favourite Live In The Dream, winner of the Group One Nunthorpe Stakes last season, but it was the George Boughey-trained 5-1 shot Believing who proved the class act on the day.

Settled in behind by Danny Tudhope as Live In The Dream blazed an early trail with Democracy Dilemma, Believing was travelling incredibly well with a couple of furlongs to run and when shot to the front when asked.

Believing extended away to post a comfortable two-and-three-quarter-length victory over Commanche Falls in the five-furlong dash, with Korker keeping on for third place and Live In The Dream only fifth.

The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned winner was last seen when disappointing in Hong Kong and Boughey was delighted to see her back to her best on quicker ground.

“That was very impressive,” he said.

“I was really disappointed after Hong Kong when nothing really went right for her, but the key to her is good ground.

“There was a strong headwind today and the favourite was running into the teeth of it, but we weren’t sat that far behind.”

Believing is now a 12-1 chance from 33s with Coral for the five-furlong King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, and 16-1 from 25-1 for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over six furlongs.

The King Charles on day one is her primary target, but Boughey would not be opposed to shooting for both.

Believing on her way to post at Haydock
Believing on her way to post at Haydock (Richard Sellers/PA)

“She’ll definitely run in the five-furlong race,” he said.

“It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world if she also ran on the Saturday over six as well.

“She’s a very easy filly to train so if she’s OK after Tuesday’s race, she could then run on the Saturday.”

Tudhope was impressed with the winner, adding: “They went quite hard up front and there was a strong headwind, but I was able to get a nice bit of cover from the wind.

“She travelled super and she did it quite easy. She’s a good filly on her day.

“I won on her at Pontefract over six furlongs and she did it easily that day as well. She’s versatile, but she’s getting better and a lot quicker as well.

“There’s some lovely races for her to target and George is doing a great job with her.”

Live In The Dream (pink) could finish only fifth
Live In The Dream (pink) could finish only fifth (Richard Sellers/PA)

Live In The Dream weakened into fifth at the line and his owner Steve de’Lemos was struggling to figure out what he had just witnessed.

“I’m shocked and can’t believe he’s run that badly,” he said.

“Maybe it’s a bit of a City Of Troy moment in the Guineas. He was a short-priced favourite and he was stuffed.

“He’s been doing some great work at home and we feel he’s matured and is a better horse than last year. Everything was perfect.

“The only thing against us today was a 40mph headwind, but nobody really slipstreamed him. He did peck as he came out the stalls, so I don’t know if he’s hurt himself.

“There’s something not right, but Adam (West, trainer) will get to the bottom of it.”



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West backing Dream to deliver in Achilles

With two previous Temple Stakes placings over course and distance, Live In The Dream will start a hot favourite in the Betfred Passionate About Sport Achilles Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.

The five-year-old was beaten by half a length by Kerdos on his seasonal debut late last month at the Merseyside venue, improving from his third in the same race 12 months earlier.

However, he will drop down in grade as he seeks a first return to the winner’s enclosure since impressively claiming the Nunthorpe Stakes last August.

Live In The Dream will have seven rivals for the Listed contest over five furlongs and trainer Adam West is confident he can build from his reappearance run.

“I would hope so (a strong showing). It’s a strong field and I’m counting on him coming on nicely from the Temple Stakes,” West said.

“He enjoys his racing, he should be a strip fitter for it and it will be nice to open the throttle up a bit more.”

One of the main challengers for top honours is the George Boughey-trained Believing.

The daughter of Mehmas came third in the Sprint Cup at Haydock in September before finishing down the field on Champions Day at Ascot and on her first start of 2024 in the Group One Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong.

“Well it is an interesting one really, I think it is a very good entry from George,” said Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.

“She ran two disappointing races on her last two starts, both of which have been on very soft ground and she just can’t handle that. So rather than just going to Royal Ascot blind, if you like, we need to see where we are with her.

“This is a proper sighter as to how the filly is, whether she is quick enough for five or whether we should be going back to six and by having horses like the favourite in the race, we should have a very good idea.

“I’m looking forward to watching her run. She’s a very smart filly and she’s much stronger, physically really progressed from three to four, so lets hope she can show her true colours on ground she hasn’t had for her last two runs.”

The Karl Burke-trained Korker, who finished sixth in last year’s renewal, is among the declared runners alongside stablemate Marshman.

Democracy Dilemma, second in the Epsom ‘Dash’ last week, goes for Robert Cowell, with Michael Dods’ Commanche Falls shouldering top weight after winning York’s Garrowby Stakes last September.

Pink Crystal makes her seasonal reappearance for William Haggas, while Adrian Nicholls’ Tees Spirit completes the line up with the trainer’s daughter, Mia, aboard.



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