Tag Archive for: Bradsell

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

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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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Bradsell to sign off after Breeders’ Cup bid

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Hollie Doyle hailed the “unreal” Bradsell after news he is to bow out following his run at the Breeders’ Cup to commence stallion duties at the National Stud in Newmarket.

Trained by Archie Watson, Doyle has been in the saddle for all but one of Bradell’s career outings, aboard the son of Tasleet for both of his Royal Ascot victories and his phenomenal Nunthorpe Stakes performance earlier this season.

Owned by Victorious Racing, Bradsell has registered big-race wins in all three of his seasons in training, scooping the Coventry Stakes as a juvenile before returned to the Royal meeting 12 months later to edge out John Quinn’s Highfield Princess and claim the King’s Stand Stakes.

Bradsell after winning at the Curragh
Bradsell after winning at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

An injury suffered earlier in the year when preparing for a valuable sprint assignment in Dubai threatened to curtail the career of the star sprinter, but he was been expertly nurtured back to his very best by Watson and his team, proving better than ever once returning this summer.

An impressive comeback victory in France teed up his Nunthorpe tilt, where he blitzed the opposition with a devastating display on the Knavesmire before marching on to the Curragh to secure further Group One honours in the Flying Five Stakes.

“He’s been an unreal horse and he’s won races like the Coventry, King’s Stand an Nunthorpe, he’s just been unreal,” said Doyle.

“It was a great training performance from Archie and what he has done this year has been a complete bonus.

“It will be sad to see him go, but he owes no one anything and I hope he has a fantastic career as a stallion.”

Bradsell narrowly missed out on a Group One hat-trick when second in the Prix de l’Abbaye earlier this month and the four-year-old is scheduled to make the final start of his career at Del Mar early next month in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Watson said: “Bradsell has so much speed, so much class and is so tough. He is a pleasure to do anything with and is just so good over five (furlongs). If he puts an ounce of that into his stock, I’m looking forward to training them.”

Bradsell winning at Royal Ascot
Bradsell winning at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Victorious Racing, added: “Bradsell has been an exceptional flagbearer for Shaikh Nasser, winning every top sprint race and showing his incredible toughness, tenacity and sheer will to win. The Shaikh is looking forward to supporting him with mares at stud and in the sales ring in the future.”

Bradsell will join the likes of former champion stayer Stradivarius and Time Test at the National Stud, who are looking forward to welcoming their new arrival.

National Stud CEO Anna Kerr said: “We are delighted to welcome Bradsell to the National Stud and stand him in partnership with Shaikh Nasser’s Victorious Racing.

“He is the standout sprinter of recent years with a great physical. We are looking forward to presenting him to breeders at the December sales.”



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Bradsell and Believing clash again in battle for Abbaye honours

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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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Bradsell blazes to Flying Five glory at the Curragh

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Bradsell produced another blistering display to supplement last month’s Nunthorpe success with another Group One victory in the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

Having sat out the first half of the season before a comeback victory in Listed company at Deauville, Archie Watson’s speedball has quickly confirmed himself as the real deal in the five-furlong division.

Having won the Nunthorpe at York just over three weeks ago with something to spare, the four-year-old was sent off the 2-1 favourite to follow up and broke smartly to ensure he was right in the firing line from the off in the hands of Hollie Doyle.

After taking over the lead from fellow British raider Washington Heights racing inside the final two furlongs, Bradsell quickly drew clear of the chasing pack to win by a decisive length and a quarter.

George Boughey’s admirable mare Believing, runner-up in the Nunthorpe, got rolling late further across the track to again pick up second place.

“To be fair it was pretty easy watching. There wasn’t really a moment where you had any worries. He was imperious really,” said Watson.

“He never looked like being beat, he kicked clear and he’s done it very well.

“I was surprised he wasn’t favourite for the Nunthorpe and was surprised this morning when there was a bit of negativity about the horse. I thought he was by far the best sprinter around and I hope that he’s showing people that he is.

“He’s just got so much speed, so much class, he’s tough and he’s just a pleasure to have anything to do with.”

Bradsell on his way to victory at the Curragh
Bradsell on his way to victory at the Curragh (Niall Carson/PA)

Paddy Power make Bradsell their 5-2 favourite from 4-1 for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, while the Prix de l’Abbaye in three weeks’ time at ParisLongchamp is also likely to come under consideration.

Watson added: “There are two more obvious races. The Abbaye is one, but I wouldn’t want it to be horrible ground or for him to be drawn stupidly high. If he got a good draw on all right ground there you’d say again he’d be very hard to beat.

“Then there is the Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar which should be right up his street, a very quick five. One or both of those, all being well, would be the plan.”

When asked if Bradsell could return as a five-year-old next season, the trainer said: “I hope so. He’s very good, he’s obviously had a slightly truncated career and he hasn’t really had a full season yet.

“I might have the best two-year-old five-furlong horse in my yard in Aesterius so it depends on what’s coming through and will be three-year-olds next year.

“I’d obviously love to have this horse to run throughout the year in all these divisions because I’d say he’d be very hard to beat again.”



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Bradsell bidding for Flying Five triumph

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Bradsell will attempt to remain unbeaten for the year and replicate his thrilling Nunthorpe success at the Curragh on Sunday in the Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes

Archie Watson’s star sprinter has been in imperious form since returning from a career-threatening injury, dashing to a comeback victory in France before romping away with York’s feature sprint last month.

Bradsell’s previous visits to the Curragh – both as a two-year-old and in this race last season – have ended in disappointment, but in the form of his life, the four-year-old has the chance to erase his Irish demons in the hands of Hollie Doyle.

“Archie seems very happy with him and we go there full of confidence,” said Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Fawzi Nass of Bahrani owners Victorious Racing.

“The way he won at York has always been his style, he likes to sit just off a strong pace and he is able to sustain it. I think it’s fair to say he is as good as ever this year and that is certainly how we view him.

“In the Phoenix Stakes as a two-year-old, he fractured his tibia and still managed to finish fourth – he probably fractured it coming out of the stalls in hindsight. And last year, Highfield Princess and him were drawn the wrong side and it just didn’t happen.

“Bradsell and Believing seem to be on opposite sides of the track, which is similar to York, but what will be, will be and we will go there with confidence.

“I think there are horses that will go forward on our side and I would suspect some of the horses that are more tilting their hats are probably likely to put on a strong pace.”

Chasing home Bradsell at York was George Boughey’s Believing, who has been an ever-present at the business end of the biggest sprints this year.

Believing winning at the Curragh earlier this summer
Believing winning at the Curragh earlier this summer (Niall Carson/PA)

A Curragh winner earlier in the campaign, the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned filly flew home from an unhelpful draw on the Knavesmire and is backed to give another solid account.

Boughey said: “She has gone from strength to strength all year and she was probably unlucky to be on the wrong side in the Nunthorpe and she was the only horse to run a big race from that side on the straight course this year.

“She goes there with every chance. She never lets anyone down and if she can keep turning up in the same form, she is going to give us a good shot.”

Also amongst the British raiding party is Clive Cox’s duo of Kerdos and Jasour.

The latter only ran last weekend in Haydock’s Sprint Cup, but makes a quick return while also testing his credentials over the minimum distance for the first time since his early two-year-old days.

Jasour winning at Ascot
Jasour winning at Ascot (Adam Davy/PA)

“He only ran last weekend in the Haydock Sprint and the ground and a high draw were very much not in the reckoning as it worked out, but I’m very pleased with how he has come back this week,” said Cox.

“It wouldn’t have been a long-term objective, but the way the weather has been behaving, it became a possibility. He’s a horse I think would be very agreeable over five furlongs.”

The Irish contingent of Ken Condon’s Moss Tucker, Jessica Harrington’s Givemethebeatboys and Adrian Murray’s Bucanero Fuerte are others to make a quick return after appearing at Haydock.

Murray is confident that respectable appearance, when fading late into sixth, will have sharpened up his Group One winner, who races this time at the scene of some of his finest hours.

The trainer said: “We think he just needed the run at Haydock and hopefully that will have put him right for this week.

“A stiff five furlongs will be right up his street and hopefully he will run a big race. Every time you run a sprint, you get a different result, but we would be confident we would be bang there now.”

David Loughnane’s Go Bears Go will also don the Amo Racing silks of Kia Joorabchian’s racing operation and is another with fond memories of the Kildare venue from his formative years in training with the Shropshire-based Irishman.

Now a five-year-old, he is back from a spell in America with Wesley Ward, with Loughnane hopeful he is seeing signs of the old Go Bears Go in his homework.

“It’s a tough ask and the Flying Five is a competitive race – you could run the race 10 times and get a different result,” said Loughnane.

Go Bears Go winning at the Curragh earlier in his career
Go Bears Go winning at the Curragh earlier in his career (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“He loves the Curragh and is in super order at home and we will take a crack and see how it goes.

“He’s coming back to his old self and definitely showing us that spark. He’s in a good place mentally and fingers crossed he can put in a good run.”

Wearing cheekpieces for the first time is the consistent Washington Heights, who will bid to follow in the footsteps of Glass Slippers and win this for Kevin Ryan.

“I think he ran a decent race in the Nunthorpe and unfortunately he was just drawn on the wrong side and needed to be drawn lower,” explained Cosmo Charlton, racing manager for owners Hambleton Racing.

“Also, the rain that came the night before might have just taken the edge out of the ground, but he has come out of the race well and is training well and we just don’t want to see too much rain.

“I think a stiff five at the Curragh will suit him, he gets the six well and is in good form. He’s in the hands of a master sprint trainer and we’re delighted Tom (Eaves) is going over to ride. Fingers crossed he can run a big race for us.”



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Hollie Doyle within sight of 1,000 career winners

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Hollie Doyle is looking to follow up Bradsell’s stunning Nunthorpe success in the Flying Five at the Curragh, after moving tantalisingly close to 1,000 career winners with her 100th success of the year at Ripon.

Doyle rode Archie Watson’s Zayer (4-5 favourite) to victory in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, blazing a trail and setting a new track record in the process.

“It’s good to get that done, especially for the team at Archie’s. He’s a really nice horse and we’ve always thought highly of him,” Doyle told Sky Sports Racing.

“The further he went the better, he’s quite unfurnished and weak still so he found the track quite challenging, but I think he’ll be a nice horse next year.”

The win moved Doyle to within three of 1,000 winners, just 11 years after her first in 2013, with almost 700 of those having come in the last five years.

“That was my target at the start of the year, to try to get to 1,000 international (career) winners,” she said.

“I’m not too far away so that will be good to get that done.”

Doyle’s smile lit up York last week when Bradsell scorched a trail in the Nunthorpe and she is hoping he can repeat the dose in the Flying Five at the Curragh on September 15.

Bradsell pulls clear to win the Nunthorpe
Bradsell pulls clear to win the Nunthorpe (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He seems absolutely fine since his run, you have to take every day as it comes with him, but he seems fine since York,” she said.

“All systems go for the Flying Five, hopefully. He showed so much natural speed and I think he’s getting better with age, which can be the case with sprinters.

“All being well it will be Ireland next, that’s what Archie mentioned.”



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Hollie Doyle so proud of ‘very special’ sprint king Bradsell

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Hollie Doyle was all smiles having registered her ninth European Group One victory aboard Archie Watson’s Bradsell in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.

Having already won the Coventry Stakes and King’s Stand at Royal Ascot on the four-year-old – stallion-making races in their own right – Doyle will probably need to make the most of what this season has left in store with him, as surely a second career at stud beckons.

He was nearly already enjoying that, as when he broke a fetlock in February when being prepared for Dubai there were questions on whether he would return to action.

However, nursed back to full health by Watson and his team of vets, Bradsell returned to action with a win in France just 19 days ago and in truth never looked like losing on the Knavesmire.

Bradsell had plenty in hand close home
Bradsell had plenty in hand close home (Mike Egerton/PA)

Third in the race 12 months ago when drawn on the wrong side, his task was made slightly easier on the morning of the race when last year’s first and fifth, Live In The Dream and Regional, were taken out.

Doyle needed a big winner this season, as while her old ally Trueshan is still about, as an eight-year-old he is in the twilight of his career. The numbers are still healthy, but every jockey needs a headline horse.

In winning another Group One, Doyle proved yet again she is among the best around – with a particular penchant for winning big sprints, having landed the 2022 Prix de l’Abbaye on The Platinum Queen, the 2020 Champions Sprint on Glen Shiel and last year’s King’s Stand with Bradsell.

Alex Greaves was famously the first female jockey to win a Group One in Britain, on Ya Malak, dead-heating in the Nunthorpe with Coastal Bluff in 1997, while Hayley Turner won it outright on Margot Did in 2011.

“It’s a real credit to Archie, when he had his injury we weren’t sure if he was going to run again, but here we are, winning the Nunthorpe,” said an elated Doyle.

Hollie Doyle was overjoyed at winning another Group One
Hollie Doyle was overjoyed at winning another Group One (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Obviously I’m aware Hayley won this and I think she’s just grateful to see someone else in the position to be capable of winning it.

“The race went perfectly to plan, that was how I saw it unfolding, to be honest. Although I ran the track this morning, and despite there being a draw bias, there was such fresh ground on the other side, I was worried that by race time it might become poached, but clearly not!

“I just feared that the other side might come across and negate the advantage, but the ground Bradsell gained on the others in the first two furlongs was incredible really.

“I could have really done with Ponntos leading me for a bit longer, definitely, but I’m lucky that Bradsell is very straightforward. He was travelling best everywhere.

“I had plenty left in the final furlong but he was idling a bit, I was starting to think I could have gone quicker!”

She went on: “Coming here this week, I didn’t have a strong book of rides numerically, but this was the one I was looking forward to most. I thought he could get me out of jail and Group Ones are Group Ones – there’s not many of them. I haven’t won one since Trueshan in the Prix du Cadran (2023).

“He’s a very special horse to me, I’m really lucky, he’s four now and you never know how long these horses are going to carry on. That’s the problem with Flat horses, they come and go very quickly, so I’m lucky to have him still.

“It’s very important to have these big winners, you can have as many as you like but no one really cares unless you are riding big ones.

“Doing it for Archie makes it really special, and the owners Victorious Racing, they’ve been really loyal to us, so it’s great.”



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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 can make his mark in Nunthorpe, says Hollie Doyle

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Hollie Doyle is backing Bradsell to be right in the mix when he goes for Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes glory at York on Friday.

Archie Watson’s dual Royal Ascot winner was third behind shock winner Live In The Dream and Highfield Princess in the Knavesmire Group One 12 months ago and is back in Yorkshire as the 27-year-old’s star mount for the four-day Ebor Festival seeking to go two places better.

The son of Tasleet returned from a 329-day break in fine form when landing Deauville’s Prix du Cercle earlier this month, and Doyle is hopeful he will put his best foot forward in one of the sprinting showdowns of the season with Henry Dwyer’s Australian ace Asfoora and Mick Appleby’s Breeders’ Cup hero Big Evs also among the protagonists.

Doyle told TalkSPORT 2: “We know he’s a very good horse on his day and I thought his reappearance run in Deauville was very smooth and I liked the way he hit the line.

“He’s been in amazing form since that, and you never know what he’s capable of – he’s full of surprises!

“I think sprint form can be turned around, you can run the same race three or four times and get a different winner. It’s such small margins. I think it depends on which horse is in the best condition on the day.”

On the four-day feast of racing on the Knavesmire, she added: “I love York, it’s a great track and a great atmosphere.

“I could do with a bit more luck there, Tom (Marquand, husband) has a great week usually with William Haggas’ runners, but it’s something I look forward to every year and hopefully I can ride a winner or two.”



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Bradsell on track for Nunthorpe and other top sprint targets

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Bradsell will head next to the Nunthorpe as he is pencilled in for a late summer sprint campaign after returning to action with victory in the Prix du Cercle at Deauville.

The Tasleet four-year-old has twice been a Royal Ascot hero, taking the Coventry on his second career start in 2022 and returning to land what was then known as the King’s Stand the following year.

After that run, he headed to the Nunthorpe at York to finish a solid third behind Live In The Dream, beaten a length and three-quarters, with Highfield Princess the runner-up.

His three-year-old season ended with a seventh-placed run in the Flying Five, as he did not make it to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint in November.

While being prepared to return to action in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in March, the colt met with a setback which ruled him out of that event and also saw him miss Royal Ascot, but thanks to the efforts of trainer Archie Watson, he evidently arrived at Deauville back in good form.

Under usual rider Hollie Doyle, Bradsell contested the Listed Prix du Cercle, facing 11 rivals over five furlongs, and triumphed by a length and a quarter.

The run came after 329 days off the track and sets the bay up nicely for a late summer and autumn sprint campaign that will include a next stop at York for the Nunthorpe.

“It was wonderful to see him back, it is the result of a tremendous effort from Archie and his team to get him back fit enough to win first time out in France,” said Oliver St Lawrence, racing manager to Fawzi Nass of Bahrani owners Victorious Racing.

Royal Ascot 2023 – Day One – Ascot Racecourse
Bradsell ridden by jockey Hollie Doyle winning at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA).

“I think he won in a reasonably good field and he should certainly come on from the run. His next step, all being well, will hopefully be the Nunthorpe.

“Timeform have him as the second to top horse in the race behind Asfoora, who I think is beatable.

“It’s a division I really think he could make his mark on, the plan is very much Nunthorpe, the Flying Five, potentially France and then the Breeders’ Cup.

“He is a stallion prospect as he stands, whether we race him for another year or retire him to stud is up in the air at the minute – we’re hopeful that he can get his head in front at York and go from there.”



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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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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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Hollie Doyle to miss out on Bradsell after failed appeal

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Hollie Doyle will miss the ride on Bradsell at next week’s Breeders’ Cup meeting after failing 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.”



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Bradsell aiming to provide Doyle with American glory

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Hollie Doyle will look to tick another big ambition off her “bucket list” when riding Bradsell at this year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.

American duo Julie Krone and Rosie Napravnik are the only female jockeys to have tasted success at the meeting, in 2003 and 2012 respectively.

Doyle’s best effort so far in her previous attempts to join that exclusive club was a fourth-placed finish on Nashwa 12 months ago when favourite for the Filly & Mare Turf.

“It’s something that is definitely on the bucket list,” said the 27-year-old. “I’ve had a few attempts so far without any luck but it’s something that would be a dream to achieve.

Bradsell and Hollie Doyle winning last year's Coventry Stakes
Bradsell and Hollie Doyle winning last year’s Coventry Stakes (David Davies/PA)

“Every time I go to America I bring a lot back and learn from it. You realise how good they have to be to win a Breeders’ Cup race. You can’t just turn up there, they have to be trained to the minute for it.”

This year, Doyle appears to have a decent chance of hitting the target with dual Royal Ascot winner Bradsell in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Archie Watson’s three-year-old followed up last season’s Coventry Stakes triumph by beating Highfield Princess in the King’s Stand Stakes at the Berkshire track in June.

He has since finished third in the Nunthorpe at York before a below-par effort in the Flying Five at the Curragh, but there were excuses for that setback in Ireland.

“We went there looking for good ground but I think an hour before the race there was a deluge,” said Doyle. “It was very loose ground and although he travelled nicely on it, he just wheel spun when push came to shove. That’s all we put it down to.

“Bradsell is always a horse we’ve thought highly of. He won the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and then sustained that injury afterwards. All credit to Archie for getting him back, because you never know how they’re going to come back from that type of thing, if not physically then mentally.

“He’s so tough and to bounce back in the way he has, stepping back down to five furlongs, has been incredible.

“I’m so lucky and blessed to be riding these horses. I had Nashwa last year, and The Platinum Queen; to be able to go this year with Bradsell, I’m just very lucky.”

Doyle is also dreaming of Melbourne Cup glory after being booked to partner recent Flemington Group Three scorer Future History in Australia’s biggest race.

Reflecting on that opportunity, she told Sky Sports Racing: “I’m really happy and very excited about that. It was always going to be a hard task to get a ride in the Melbourne Cup, but I’ve managed to pick one up and it’s pretty cool.

“It’ll be great to have a change and hopefully have a bit of success abroad.”



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