Tag Archive for: George Boughey

Billy Loughnane straight back to winning ways

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Billy Loughnane wasted no time in getting back among the winners on his return from Australia and is looking forward to a big year ahead – with a title tilt possibly on the cards.

The teenage sensation signed off his stint in the Southern Hemisphere with a win on Yorkshire at Wyong in New South Wales over the weekend, and quickly picked up where he left off by partnering 2-9 favourite Stage Winner to victory at Lingfield.

Asked about his time in Australia, he told Sky Sports Racing: “I enjoyed every minute of it out there, I had a great time and I learned a lot.

“Riding work in the mornings, I learned loads, especially with the way they do everything to the times and the way they train two-year-olds out there and gate speed, I learned a lot in that respect.

“Getting into position quickly is quite key over there, they jump and are sharp away from the gates and very much into stride a hundred yards into the race, whereas over here, especially on the turf, you can find your time a little bit more and get a position more easily.

“There, you’ve got to be very sharp and aware of what’s going on around you.”

Stage Winner secured a straightforward success in the BetMGM: It’s Showtime Novice Stakes for George Boughey, who has just expanded his operation with the purchase of new training facilities from Godolphin.

The Newmarket handler confirmed that Loughnane will be his first-choice jockey this term and they look set to form a formidable partnership.

Loughnane added: “It’s very exciting and I’m very lucky to be riding for George. We’ve got a really great batch of two-year-olds turning three coming this season and again it looks like we’ve got some nice yearlings stepping forward.

“Now that we’ve got a beautiful yard to train from as well, it’s definitely going to be a good year.

“I love working with George, I’ve been with him now since I’ve been claiming, he’s supported me a lot through the past two years and I’ll definitely be trying to pay him back.”

Having finished fourth in the table behind Oisin Murphy last season, the 18-year-old accepts pushing for the jockeys’ championship will be tough but insists he is “100 per cent” up for the challenge.

He said: “I’ve got a lot of goals again for this year that I’ll be disappointed if I don’t tick off. I’ve got a lot of goals to get done.

“I’ll definitely be going for it, it’s going to be very tough to be able to get up there with the numbers of winners, but I’m definitely keen to look at it.

“I want to try to beat my numerical number again from last year and try and get some group success along the way as well.

“There’s not as much racing every day in Australia, so I had a little bit more time to myself, recharge the batteries a little bit and in the gym every day, so I’m fitter and ready to take on a big season.”



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A Look at All-Weather Returners

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In this article I am looking at some all-weather data going back to 2019 in the UK, writes Dave Renham. At this time of year, the only flat racing in Britain occurs at the six all-weather tracks, these being Chelmsford, Kempton, Lingfield, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton. The first three named all race on a Polytrack surface, the last three on a Tapeta surface.

My initial research for this piece is connected with the last time out all-weather (LTO AW) course that a horse ran and linking it to the course they raced on next time. As you might expect, certain horses tend to stick to one specific AW track. The two most likely reasons for this are either they run better there, or their stable is close to the track in question (or both). I guess trainers with smaller yards have to keep a close eye on costs, and travelling less distance is one way to save money.

All Runners: Surface Same or Different

When thinking about AW runners that have run well LTO, my perception in the past has been that I would rather see a horse running at the same AW track as they raced last time. If the horse switches tracks, then I would prefer them to stick to the same surface (e.g. Polytrack to Polytrack or Tapeta to Tapeta). If a horse did not run particularly well LTO then any switch of track or surface could be seen to be a potential positive. Thinking about this now, I realise that I have not crunched any data comparing the LTO AW course to current AW course, so my starting point is to look at just that.

Let me begin by comparing all runners between the LTO AW course to today's AW course. It should be noted that for any data connected with Southwell, I have used only runs on the new Tapeta surface which was first deployed at the end of 2021. It made no sense to include previous fibresand results.

The table below displays win strike rates, ROI percentages (to both Industry Starting Price, SP, and Betfair Starting Price, BSP), as well as Actual vs Expected (A/E) indices. I have colour coded some of the A/E indices – those in green are deemed positive (0.95 or above), those in red deemed negative (0.79 or below):

 

 

The vast majority of LTO course to ‘this time’ course stats seem much of a muchness. However, the five A/E ‘positives’ each have one thing in common – these paired courses all have different surfaces:

 

 

I concede I was not expecting this. In terms of strong positives, I would have expected to see the two courses in question either being the same course, or at least having the same surface.

Sticking with Newcastle as the LTO course, the data seem to suggest that horses perform better next time when switching to race on Polytrack. Indeed, here are the exact splits for this:

 

 

There is quite strong evidence here highlighting that if a horse ran at Newcastle LTO, one would much prefer to see it switch surfaces next time to race at one of the three Polytrack courses (Chelmsford, Kempton, Lingfield).

Let’s now compare the A/E indices of the other five courses in terms of LTO course to the today's surface and see if a surface switch is also preferable:

 

 

As an example, the first bar represents a run at Chelmsford last time and racing on Polytrack next; second is Chelmsford runners moving to Tapeta next time; and so on.

Chelmsford (Polytrack 0.83/Tapeta 0.82) and Wolverhampton (Polytrack 0.82/Tapeta 0.83) have very similar A/E figures indicating that the next time surface makes little or no difference from a value standpoint.

However, the other three tracks have slightly bigger differentials seemingly in favour of a surface switch. This is especially true for LTO runners at Southwell. This cohort, when switching surfaces to Polytrack, has produced an A/E index of 0.91 compared to 0.84 for those remaining on Tapeta. That is not quite as potent as the figures shared earlier for Newcastle, but the differences are noteworthy given the data analysed covers thousands of races.

The overall data shared to date points firmly to the fact that a surface switch offers punters better value. This has especially been the case for horses that raced at either Newcastle or Southwell LTO.

LTO Winners: Surface Same or Different

So far, I have only looked at general cases connected with all runners. But what if we restrict the research only to LTO winners? The table below has the same columns as in section one, showing win SR%, A/E indices and returns to SP and BSP. Again, I have highlighted positive and negative A/E indices – green for positive, red for negative.

 

 

Nine of the LTO to 'today' course combinations have seen LTO winners show a profit to SP; this increases to 18 when using BSP.

Looking at the negatives we see that Southwell to Chelmsford and vice versa have both produced poor results for LTO winners. This may be worth noting.

Staying with A/E indices, here are the ten ‘positives’ (0.95 or higher) grouped together:

 

 

Again, perhaps surprisingly, nine of these ten ‘positives’ involve a surface switch. In fact, if we lump together all the results of LTO AW winners, comparing horses that have switched surfaces with those that did not, we get the following results:

 

 

All the evidence is pointing to the fact that LTO AW winners that switched surface are by far the best value and also are more likely to win compared with those that haven’t switched.

Looking at the least experienced LTO winners, two-year-olds (2yos), we can see that a surface switch (regardless of which way round) is an extremely strong positive when comparing the returns to SP and BSP:

 

 

These numbers show that 2yos that won LTO on the all-weather were far better on the wallet when switching surfaces from their last run to this one. In terms of win strike rates 2yos switching surfaces won 28.3% of the time, with those racing on the same surface having won 26.9% of the time. These SR%s are quite close together, so I am thinking it is not solely the 1.4% difference in strike rates that has affected the bottom lines. My guess is that it is also due to the fact that the market has been slightly blind, offering bigger prices on these inexperienced LTO winners when they switch surface.

 

Surface Same or Different: Trainers

I now want to look at a handful of trainers who seem to have strong patterns when it comes to comparing the LTO course surface with the course surface next time.

George Boughey

George Boughey’s runners seem to have performed better on a Tapeta surface than on Polytrack. In fact, looking at his runners on the sand since 2019 (regardless of whether they ran on the AW LTO) he has shown a blind profit to BSP at all three Tapeta courses (Newcastle, Southwell, Wolverhampton). I want to compare his record with horses that raced on Polytrack LTO and are racing on it again next time, with those that ran on Tapeta LTO and stick to Tapeta in their follow-up run. Here are the splits:

 

 

The differences are stark and the ‘betting angle’ is clear. Boughey horses staying on a Tapeta surface require very close scrutiny. Profits have been made ‘blind’ to SP; to BSP the profit stands at £50.10 (ROI +22.7%). Those returning to a Polytrack surface look best avoided. Here are some additional Boughey stats worth sharing:

1. Horses that have started favourite racing on a Polytrack surface having raced LTO on the same surface have won 9 of their 35 starts (SR 25.7%) for losses to SP of £16.07 (ROI -45.9%)

2. Horses that have started favourite racing on a Tapeta surface having raced LTO on the same surface have won 25 races from 62 (SR 40.3%) for a small SP profit of £1.67 (ROI +2.7%); to BSP this improves to +£10.54 (ROI +17%)

3. Boughey 2yos racing on a Tapeta surface having raced on Tapeta LTO have won 14 races from 50 runners (SR 28%) for a profit to SP of £24.73 (ROI +49.5%); to BSP the figures read +£32.31 (ROI + 64.6%). Compare this to his 2yos going from Polytrack LTO to Polytrack this time – these figures read a dismal 6 wins from 53 (SR 11.3%) for an SP loss of £40.97 (ROI -77.3%)

 

Charlie Johnston

Charlie Johnston has only been training on his own for a couple of years, but he runs plenty of horses on the AW, so we have sufficient data to crunch. Johnston has been the reverse of Boughey when it comes to Tapeta LTO to Tapeta this time runners. He has really struggled with these horses. Of the 159 qualifiers only 14 have won (SR 8.8%) for an SP loss of £41.10 (ROI -25.9%). The loss figures would have looked much worse but for one of his winners that scored at a very unexpected 40/1. He has saddled 24 favourites with this profile and only two have won for a whopping 82p in the £ loss to SP. His second favourites have fared little better winning three from 21, losing 44p in the £.

Compare this to a near 19% strike rate with Johnston horses racing on a Polytrack surface having raced on Polytrack LTO. Backing all runners blind to BSP in this scenario would have seen one break even. Backing favourites and second favourites combined with this profile yielded excellent results unlike their Tapeta/Tapeta counterparts. These runners have scored 16 times from 46 (SR 34.8%) for an SP profit of £8.36 (ROI +18.2%).

 

David O’Meara

O’Meara has a good record with horses racing on a Polytrack surface having raced on Polytrack LTO. 153 horses have tried, of which 28 have won (SR 18.3%) for a profit of £30.12 to SP (ROI +19.7%). To BSP this improves to +£60.66 (ROI +39.7%).

Horses switching from Polytrack to Tapeta though have been only half as successful from a win perspective, passing the post first just 9.7% of the time (17 wins from 176). It should also be noted that horses making this surface switch for O’Meara, and which started in the top three of the betting, have incurred SP losses of over 24p in the £. In addition, horses that finished first or second LTO on Polytrack before switching to Tapeta next time have won just four times from 46 attempts.

 

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Concluding Thoughts

When researching huge data sets like I have for the majority of this article, the good news is we can have a fair degree of confidence with the results that are found. As a general rule, this research seems to suggest that a switch of AW surfaces from LTO run to today's run is preferable, especially when we are talking about betting value. It certainly should not be viewed as a negative. For LTO winners and especially LTO 2yo winners, a surface switch does seem a real positive. The figures shared here for both look strong and clear-cut, showing positive correlation.

So, does this mean I’ll be lumping on surface switchers this winter? No, of course not, but I will take a much keener interest in such runners than I have done in the past. Another thing this research has done is open my eyes to how punters, like me, can be blinkered in their thinking. In the third paragraph of this article, I said,

‘When thinking about AW runners that have run well LTO, my perception in the past has been that I would rather see a horse running at the same AW track as they raced last time. If the horse switches tracks, then I would prefer them to stick to the same surface (eg. Polytrack to Polytrack or Tapeta to Tapeta). If a horse has not run that well LTO then any switch of track or surface could be seen to be a positive.’

As a mathematician by trade I am a logical thinker, so what I wrote earlier made perfect sense. Well, it did at the time! Now I have researched this area I can see that, according to this recent data at least, my perception was an inaccurate one.

This process has also demonstrated to me that as punters we should be evolving and always trying to get better. If we stand still, we will fall behind the crowd. Every day is a school day!

- DR

 



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Believing set to light up sales ring

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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

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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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Monday Musings: Sistina’s Aussie Fortunes

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Who would have believed it? Three hundred and twenty-five days after buying the then five-year-old mare Via Sistina for 2,700,000 guineas at Tattersalls December sales, new owners Yu Long Investments were already in the black, writes Tony Stafford.

On Saturday at Moonee Valley racecourse, Via Sistina tackled the Ladbrokes Cox Plate over ten furlongs. She won, beating the Japanese-trained favourite, the six-year-old entire Prognosis by eight lengths in track record time, taking her earnings in Australia to £2.9 million.

It’s common knowledge that Australian trainers know how to prepare for the Melbourne Cup, Tuesday week’s (November 5) biggest prize and “the race that stops a nation”, but before we get too excited about Via Sistina’s chance in the big one, there is a small hurdle for her to overcome.

Moonee Valley and Flemington may only be 3.1 kilometres apart, so less than the Cup’s distance of two miles (3,200 metres), but the double in the same year of these two highly prestigious races has been only rarely achieved. Phar Lap, the greatest Australian horse of the Inter-War period, did it in 1930, while the dual Melbourne Cup heroine Makybe Diva did the Cups double 19 years ago. Time flies.

She was a six-year-old, and that second Melbourne Cup win proved to be her racing swansong before retiring to stud.

The Cox Plate is acknowledged to be Australia’s premier non-handicap Group 1 race and it carried just over £1.6 million to the winner on Saturday. It was Via Sistina’s fourth Group 1 victory in six starts since travelling down to Australia, to which can be added one second place in another £1.6 million to the winner extravaganza.

Chris Waller, best known for his training of Winx, never asked that great mare to go further than the 1m2f of the Cox Plate. She won the second of her consecutive quartet in the race by eight lengths, mirroring Via Sistina on Saturday, and won 37 of her 43 career starts.

Should Waller decide to go for the Cup. Via Sistina will clearly challenge for favouritism and while like Winx she has never won at beyond 1m2f, she is a staying rather than the speed type of Winx at the trip. If she runs it would add massive excitement and a completely different aspect to an already compelling race.

Two people at least that will be looking on wanly should she run, will be previous owner Becky Hillen, daughter of the late David Wintle, and her initial trainer Joseph Tuite, who handled the five grand yearling as an unraced two-year-old and progressive three/four-year-old.

George Boughey had her in his yard at the latter part of her four-year-old season and then at five, where she began the startling progression, that culminated (so far) in that Cox Plate tour-de-force. Some selling owners cannot bear watching their former horses win for the new connections. Until Saturday, Becky and husband, bloodstock agent Steve, were probably happy enough. After Saturday and maybe next week, it might be a different story.

But for Joe Tuite it can only have been two years of turmoil and what might-have-been after he relinquished his licence in late August 2022. Clearly, studying Via Sistina’s career from the comfort of my office, Tuite had a major part in developing a late-maturing filly into the colossus she now is.

Unraced at two, Via Sistina won second time out as a three-year-old, by five-and-a-half lengths in a Goodwood maiden fillies’ race. She added a Newmarket handicap off 89 by four lengths in October of that year. Such was her obvious potential at that stage, that when Tuite targeted a fillies’ Listed race at Doncaster the following month, she went off as the 11/4 favourite, but finished in the ruck, only 13th of 18.

Clearly at the start of her four-year-old season, her training hadn’t gone smoothly, and it wasn’t until August 27 that Via Sistina made her debut. She appeared in the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor, a Group 3 race open to colts and geldings as well as fillies. She was a 33/1 shot and in finishing fourth she probably exceeded expectations.

By now though, the die was cast and Joe had already made up his mind to give up the unequal fight of trying to keep himself financially afloat. A report in the Racing Post the day after the filly’s promising return to action tells how it was almost with a measure of relief that he was finishing. The story went thus:-

Joe Tuite felt a mix of sadness and nerves as he saddled the final runner of his 11-year training career on Saturday, yet he stands by a decision to retire due to financial difficulties. Via Sistina outran her 33/1 odds to finish fourth in the Sytner Sunningdale & Maidenhead BMW Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.

Tuite revealed he'd had a "few offers" for a future job in racing but no decision had been made.

Tuite said on Saturday morning: "It's a bit of a weird feeling – I can't really describe it. It's a bit of sadness I suppose.

"There are a lot of times where you go racing and there's not much of a worry but today I'm on tenterhooks about it all."

The trainer said a difficult season, with just two winners, and financial issues heightened by escalating costs were behind his reasons to retire.

He added: "It's definitely the right thing to do. I was down on numbers, and it was putting square pegs into round holes. I'd be worried looking down the road what the future would be like for the lower-tier of racing, that's for sure.

"It's tough but business is tough for everyone, not just racing, it's in all walks of life.

"I know my decision surprised a few people, but a few people that were closer to me weren't, as they could see the way things were going."

Within not much more than a month, Via Sistina was already showing Joe that maybe if he had held on for a short while, things might have sorted themselves out for him. Transferred to George Boughey, Via Sistina was quickly off the mark for him, running 2nd in the Group 3 Pride Stakes at Newmarket at the beginning of that October and then going across to Toulouse and picking up a provincial Group 3 in November.

She ran five times for Boughey last year as a five-year-old, starting off with a six-length win in the Group 3 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket in May, before going across to the Curragh for the Group 1 Pretty Polly on July 1 where she beat Hughie Morrison’s slightly unlucky in running Stay Alert by two lengths.

She didn’t win again in this hemisphere, but third as the even-money favourite in the Group 1 Falmouth at Newmarket 13 days later when dropping back to a mile probably wasn’t her ideal task. Then it was 2nd, beaten a nose in the Prix Jean Romanet (ten furlongs) at Deauville before that sale-exploding run behind King Of Steel in the Champion Stakes at Ascot a year ago.

The luck was certainly just as much with Becky Hillen in terms of the timing with the December sales and all that Aussie money, barely a month ahead. Just as the luck had been notoriously absent when Joe Tuite had to make the awful decision to cut his losses and hand in his licence even as the filly he nurtured so carefully was about to come into full bloom as a late-developing racehorse.

For each of her 121 seconds of action around Moonee Valley on Saturday, Via Sistina earned her new (ish) owners £13,000.

In 11 years as a trainer in the UK, Joe Tuite had a best tally of 30, but usually picked up between 15 and 20 or so wins each year. From 1,881 runs over those 11 seasons, on the flat he won 173 races and total earnings of £1,552,585. Put another way, it represented a return of £825 per runner.

It must be salutary to think that his former inmate, the one that he brought to a position where she was equipped to make the giant strides she later managed as she had not been rushed or abused, won more in those 121 track-record-breaking seconds than he did in all those 11 years.

We keep saying it. Something’s rotten about English racing that we can afford to lose people with the skills of a Joe Tuite because he can’t manage to make it pay. Our only point in world racing seems to be to provide the proven material that can then go back to countries with many times more prize money to spread around and clean up – like Via Sistina!

One footnote. Cheltenham’s winter season proper started on Friday and Saturday and, as usual, it proved a bonanza for the Irish. They had six winners over the two days, including the first four races on Saturday. Henry De Bromhead had the 1-2 in the £100,000 featured chase, his pair mopping up £75k as they careered well clear of the rest up the Cheltenham run-in. Here we go again!

- TS

 



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Soprano heading to Del Mar for Breeders’ Cup challenge

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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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Boughey won’t stop Believing his filly can beat Bradsell

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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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Soprano could be pitched at Keeneland contest next

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George Boughey is eyeing a possible trip to Kentucky with Soprano following her third-place finish in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.

Winner of the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the daughter of Starspangledbanner had since struck Group Three gold in France, earning her a step up to Group One level in Ireland.

Boughey feels his star filly produced a career-best performance in picking up the bronze medal behind multiple Group One winner Porta Fortuna and Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Fallen Angel and will now aim to secure a top-level prize of his own before the season is out, potentially in America next month.

“She’s for a long time threatened to be a Group One filly and I was slightly scratching my head for a large part of her career so far,” said the Newmarket handler.

“I think a change of tactics has been a huge help to her going forward. She was given a brilliant ride by Billy (Loughnane) on Saturday to get the position she did from a wide gate and she possibly used a bit of juice to get there, so I’m very proud of her and good to see her back at that level.

“Huge credit has to go to Charles Eddery, who rides her every day at home and travelled her over to Ireland the other day. He knows her inside out and was very bullish that she’d be in the shake-up against some very good fillies.

“Not many win four Group Ones, as Porta Fortuna has this year, and there was a Classic winner in second, so she’s mixing it with the very best.”

Considering future plans, Boughey added: “She may well go to Keeneland for the QEII on October 12. It’s a nine-furlong, three-year-old fillies only Group One that is worth just shy of $1million, so that’s a possible plan for her next.”



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Soprano likely to be given chance to prove herself in top-level company

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George Boughey was thrilled to see Soprano hit the right note and return to winning ways Deauville on Thursday and has predicted she is only just getting started.

The daughter of Starspangledbanner has always been held in high regard by her connections and was a player in some hot heats at two.

After some respectable efforts earlier this season, she has thrived since upped to a mile and became a Royal Ascot winner when striking in the Sandringham.

After getting stuck in soft ground in the Coral Distaff on her next start, she struggled to land a blow at Ascot in the Valiant Stakes on her return to Ascot.

However, she secured Group honours for the first time when blitzing the opposition in the Prix de Lieurey, with a return to the forward-going tactics which served her well previously credited as the reason for her resurgence on French soil.

“I think I probably hold myself accountable for her riding instructions to date,” explained Boughey.

“She’s a filly who was very good on the front-end when chasing home Shuwari and Fallen Angel in the Star Stakes. She carries her head a bit funny and we decided to try to tuck her in and ride her to finish. It worked at Royal Ascot in the Sandringham and we went back to the old tactics of dropping her in and she just never quite got there.

“It was a bit of a bold move, but I was very keen for William to go forward and keep wide at Deauville and she is a filly who loves it on the front end. She hit the line very strong.”

Soprano holds an entry at Leopardstown in the Coolmore America “Justify” Matron Stakes next month, with Boughey admitting that race is a possibility with the filly warranting her chance to prove her quality at a higher level.

Soprano (left) winning the Sandringham Stakes
Soprano (left) winning the Sandringham Stakes (John Walton/PA)

The Saffron House handler has also expressed his wish to see her return next season at four, feeling the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned charge is getting better and better with experience.

He added: “She’s a filly who deserves to step up in grade again, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her racing again next year as she is a filly who is getting better with age and with racing.

“It (Leopardstown) is a possibility, but we will see how she comes out of the race. She has always taken her racing incredibly well – even as a two-year-old – but it is all up in the air a bit at the moment.”



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Hopewell Rock-ets to prominence at Newbury

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George Boughey could have an exciting prospect on his hands after unleashing Hopewell Rock at Newbury on Friday.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, the son of New Bay – who cost 235,000 guineas as a yearling – was sent off at 17-2 in the hands of Billy Loughnane for his racecourse bow and produced a performance that suggests brighter days lie ahead.

Settled in mid-division in the early stages, he began to make significant headway inside the final quarter-mile of the one-mile Go Bonkers With Dizzee This Saturday EBF Maiden Stakes to hunt down the enterprisingly-ridden Pantile Warrior.

There was three-quarters of a length between the front pair at the finish, with some well-regarded types in behind, and Boughey confirmed his team have always held the youngster in real esteem.

Boughey said: “He’s a nice horse and has not done a huge amount of and was a bit green today, but he is a horse we have thought a lot of since we bought him as a yearling. It is nice to have another nice horse for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid who looks to have a bright future.

“I’m sure he will stay further than the trip today and it was a good start.”

Hopewell Bay holds an entry for the Juddmonte Royal Lodge on September 28, with Paddy Power providing a quote of 14-1 for that Group Two event at Newmarket on September 28.

However, Boughey hinted he may give his talented two-year-old another run in calmer waters before stepping up in class.

“I’ve put him in the Royal Lodge, but he is a horse who is sill learning and I was very keen to start off at Newbury rather than Newmarket because a nice, big, long flat track rather than an undulating track will suit him at the moment.

“He’s a horse who is obviously going to stay further and something like the Zetland (Stakes) could be right up his street. He’s a horse who will step up in grade but it would be no surprise to see him in another novice event as he is so raw at the moment.”

It was a successful afternoon for Boughey at the Berkshire track with the Saffron House handler also landing the feature Highclere Thoroughbred Racing St Hugh’s Stakes with Englemere.

Jockey Billy Loughnane partnered both of George Boughey's winners at Newbury
Jockey Billy Loughnane partnered both of George Boughey’s winners at Newbury (Bradley Collyer/PA)

The 8-1 chance reversed Sandown form with 2-1 favourite Adrestia to scoop Listed honours and also give Loughnane a double on the afternoon.

Elsewhere on the card, Jewelry dazzled on debut for William Haggas and Cieren Fallon in the Tom Mitchell 70th Birthday Celebration British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.

Less than 24 hours after Economics thrived in the dark blue of Sheikh Isa in France, the owner could have unearthed another gem as the 14-1 shot defied her outsider status to win in the manner of a smart prospect.



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

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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

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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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Boughey backing Soprano to be on song in Valiant Stakes

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Royal Ascot heroine Soprano returns to the scene of her finest hour seeking a first Group-level victory in the Longines Valiant Stakes.

George Boughey’s daughter of Starspangledbanner thrived over Ascot’s straight mile when claiming the Sandringham Stakes at the Royal meeting, but now looks to claim Group Three honours when tackling the Berkshire track’s round course.

Since her Sandringham success she has finished a respectable third when encountering soft ground in Sandown’s Listed Coral Distaff.

However, conditions should be ideal on Saturday afternoon for the three-year-old to return to her very best, with weighing-room star Billy Loughnane retaining the partnership.

Billy Loughnane celebrates with George Boughey after winning the Sandringham Stakes
Billy Loughnane celebrates with George Boughey after winning the Sandringham Stakes (John Walton/PA)

Boughey said: “It was a gallant effort on ground that was probably too slow for her at Sandown but it was good to see her show her versatility.

“She was never likely to get into the race from that draw and having to sit so far off the pace, but I couldn’t be much happier with how she has trained heading into this race and hopefully we get some decent ground and she should go there with a very good chance.

“There’s happy memories at Ascot and she’s a much more straightforward filly these days, you can just ride her wherever she lands and it’s over to Billy – he knows her very well from home and obviously on the track now as well.”

Soprano is one of a trio of three-year-olds in the contest, with John and Thady Gosden’s Friendly Soul dropping back in trip having disappointed when sent off favourite for the Musidora earlier in the season and Charlie Appleby’s Devoted Queen looking to maintain her unbeaten record.

Having opened her account at Newmarket late last season, Devoted Queen has confirmed the promise in two outings this year, firstly scoring at Kempton before striking at Listed level at York.

Devoted Queen is unbeaten in three starts
Devoted Queen is unbeaten in three starts (Steven Paston/PA)

She has been off the track since that impressive two-length victory on the Knavesmire in May, but the talented daughter of Kingman now returns taking another step up in grade.

“Devoted Queen has had a nice break since York and we feel that she is ready to step up into Group company,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“She goes into this on the back of a nice preparation and we are looking forward to seeing how she gets on.”

The best of the older horses on official ratings is David Menuisier’s Sirona, with rider Oisin Murphy confident she can make her presence felt back at this level having dipped her toe into elite company in the Falmouth Stakes.

Before that run, she placed in Group Three company at both Haydock and Lingfield and is a filly who rarely disappoints her connections.

“She’s trained really well since David has got her and both of us have always liked her,” said Murphy.

“She has done nothing wrong in her starts this year.

“We obviously respect the three-year-old who gets weight, Devoted Queen, but Sirona comes out the highest rated and I would be very hopeful she will put up a brave show.”

William Haggas’ Doom was a respectable third in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal meeting and has been a consistent operator at this level, while Ryan Moore gets the leg-up aboard Joseph O’Brien’s Irish raider Thornbrook.

David O’Meara’s Julia Augusta and Richard Spencer’s Naomi Lapaglia complete the field.



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Believing in line for possible Glorious Goodwood reappearance

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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

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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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