Tag Archive for: Harry Charlton

Dettori teaming up with Kikkuli at Keeneland on Saturday

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Frankie Dettori will don the Juddmonte silks aboard Kikkuli on Saturday when the colt takes aim at the Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland.

Trained by Harry Charlton, the son of Kingman – who is a half-brother to the all-conquering Frankel – has acquitted himself well this season, rattling the crossbar at Royal Ascot when runner-up in the Jersey Stakes.

Last seen involved in a blanket finish to the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, connections have been forced to look overseas for his preferred going with conditions turning easy on home soil.

Kikkuli is a half-brother to Frankel
Kikkuli is a half-brother to Frankel (Bradley Collyer/PA)

But that has presented the three-year-old with the perfect opportunity to play himself into Breeders’ Cup contention with a pleasing display Stateside.

“The ground has gone a bit for him in Britain and his career-best has come on fast ground at Royal Ascot,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“The ground is basically soft everywhere here at the moment, so this race presented in Keeneland and it looks a nice opportunity.

“The race is a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup so we just thought if he was to run well and is lucky enough to win it we could give the Breeders’ Cup a tilt and if not he will come back to Harry and be a nice horse to look forward to for next year.”

Jockey Frankie Dettori in the colours of Kikkuli's owner Juddmonte
Jockey Frankie Dettori in the colours of Kikkuli’s owner Juddmonte (Danny Lawson/PA)

Amongst the opposition is Aidan O’Brien’s Mountain Bear, while Chad Brown’s Fourstardave winner Carl Spackler appears to set the standard of the home contingent.

However, Kikkuli will have the assistance of someone who is no stranger to wearing the famous Juddmonte colours in victory as Dettori returns to action following a shoulder injury.

“It looks a deep race and Carl Spackler and one or two others look exceptional turf horses in America, but Kikkuli is in great form and has travelled over well,” continued Mahon.

“Harry is really happy with him and Frankie is booked to ride him. He knows a thing or two about winning in those colours, so hopefully he can replicate some of those successes.”



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Time Lock too strong again in Princess Royal repeat

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Time Lock opened her account for the campaign with a successful defence of the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes at Newmarket.

Harry Charlton’s Frankel mare was a decisive winner of the Group Three contest 12 months ago, but subsequently disappointed on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.

While the five-year-old had failed to add to her tally in three subsequent starts this term, she was placed in the Jockey Club Stakes in May and in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes on her most recent outing in July and she was a 13-8 favourite to rediscover the winning trail following a two-month break.

After being settled in third place for much of the mile and a half contest by Ryan Moore, Time Lock was asked to go about her business racing inside the final two furlongs and soon pulled clear of the pacesetting duo of Place Of Safety and Comic Book.

The result was never in any doubt thereafter, with Moore keeping his mount up to her work in the testing conditions to seal a five-length victory, with Comic Book pipping Place Of Safety to second.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s racing manager, said: “She obviously likes it here, that’s twice she’s won this race now. We’ll talk to the owners whether she will be retired or not.

“We had half an idea about whether or not to go to Hong Kong for the mile and a half race or not in December, Ryan just said that could be a good option for her depending on what’s in it.

“The owners would be delighted whether we retire her now or give her one more roll of the dice. She’ll retire either way at the end of this year to be bred from and she’s a nice broodmare prospect.”

Juddmonte have two other very smart middle-distance fillies in their ranks in Kalpana and Bluestocking for the rest of the season.

“Kalpana is in very good nick and she goes to Ascot for the Fillies & Mares on Champions Day,” continued Mahon.

“Bluestocking is going to do a bit in the morning and if Ralph (Beckett) is happy with everything, then we’ll probably look to supplement her for the Arc on Tuesday.”



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Kikkuli primed for Hungerford action at Newbury

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Oisin Murphy will be reunited with Kikkuli on Saturday when he goes for BetVictor Hungerford Stakes glory at Newbury.

The three-time champion jockey and current title leader was aboard Harry Charlton’s strapping son of Kingman when going down by the barest of margins to Haatem in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He handed over the reins to Ryan Moore for his tilt at the Prix Jean Prat, but is back in the saddle for this Group Two assignment.

Kikkuli is a half-brother to the brilliant Frankel
Kikkuli is a half-brother to the brilliant Frankel (Bradley Collyer/PA)

The colt has always been in the spotlight being a half-brother to the brilliant Frankel, but so far a stakes success has eluded him despite some fine efforts in defeat since stepping up in grade.

However, Murphy has been impressed with Kikkuli’s work at home in the build-up to this seven-furlong event which will be the three-year-old’s first outing at a venue his illustrious sibling dazzled during his all-conquering career.

“He felt good last week and this looks a good spot for him,” said Murphy.

“We’re hopeful of a good run in what looks a competitive race. It’s great to ride a half-brother to Frankel for sure.”

Ed Walker’s English Oak is another seeking to regain the winning thread after missing out on a hat-trick in a muddling running of the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.

That was his first appearance in Group company, but before that he was a most impressive winner of the Buckingham Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting, producing a performance suggesting he is more than worthy of his place in this grade.

His handler has elected to come here rather than wait a week for the City of York Stakes and feels the Berkshire track is the perfect place to showcase his best as he lines up alongside stablemate Popmaster.

“English Oak is well and on track for the Hungerford. He came out of Goodwood in good order,” said Walker

English Oak after winning at Royal Ascot
English Oak after winning at Royal Ascot (PA)

“I think over a straight seven at Newbury it is the perfect place to bounce back. It was a funny race at Goodwood.

“There aren’t that many opportunities over seven furlongs and it is a shame there are two only a week apart. Sadly it doesn’t have the prize-money of York but as a result could be slightly weaker.”

William Haggas’ Tiber Flow also struggled to land a blow on the Sussex Downs but was a seven-furlong scorer in the John of Gaunt Stakes at Haydock prior to Goodwood.

Tiber Flow winning at Haydock
Tiber Flow winning at Haydock (Richard Sellers/PA)

Marco Botti has decided to drop back to seven furlongs with his star filly Folgaria, looking to replicate her fine effort over track and trip when claiming the Fred Darling Stakes earlier in the season.

Since then she has been tried up at mile in search of Group One honours, but her trainer expects her to be suited by moving back slightly in both distance and grade.

Botti said: “I’ve been saying for a while seven furlongs is her optimum trip and we took a chance at Ascot in the Coronation Stakes. She did OK and ran respectably, but over a mile it just stretches her a little bit.

Folgaria impressed at Newbury
Folgaria impressed at Newbury previously (PA)

“She is taking on some good horses and it is not an easy task, but she seems to be in good form and has won at Newbury before. It will be nice to see how she gets on at this level and we are happy with her, she has done some nice work at home.

“I’m pleased they have had a little bit of rain and it is not going to be really fast ground – it should be nice ground for everyone.”

Defending champion Witch Hunter represents Richard Hannon, with locally-based Eve Johnson Houghton saddling the 2022 Hungerford winner Jumby at a track he knows well.



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King’s Gambit in line for possible York return following narrow reverse

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King’s Gambit could return to York next month following his narrow defeat at the track on Saturday.

So impressive when winning the London Gold Cup at Newbury on his seasonal bow, Harry Charlton’s three-year-old was then widely considered an unlucky loser when charging home to finish second to Jayarebe in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The Saxon Warrior colt stepped up to Group Two level for the Sky Bet York Stakes and was only reeled in close home by Alflaila after leading for most of the way in what was a slowly-run affair.

Charlton believes his charge was not seen to best effect on the Knavesmire and is now contemplating another trip for the Ebor meeting.

“We were delighted with him and I think it’s fair to say the race wasn’t really run to suit,” said the Beckhampton handler.

“We’re probably more 12 furlongs than 10 furlongs at some point and a sprint really didn’t suit us, but he ran great and it was lovely to see him lobbing along with ears pricked relaxed, whereas all the others were tanking.”

Harry Charlton trains King's Gambit
Harry Charlton trains King’s Gambit (Bradley Collyer/PA)

King’s Gambit is entered in the Great Voltigeur Stakes and the Juddmonte International and both races will be considered.

Charlton added: “We need to talk to Mohammed Jaber (owner) and see what he thinks, but there aren’t actually that many options.

“He’s got two entries at York and we’ll see whether Mohammed Jaber wants to go that way or not, and then we’ll make a plan from there.”



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Fascinating clash on the cards for Racing League curtain-raiser at Yarmouth

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There is a blockbuster clash to bring the curtain up on the new Racing League season, with the Juddmonte-owned Midair taking on Sir Michael Stoute’s Believe In Stars in the £75,000 finale at Yarmouth.

Now in its fourth year, there was a thrilling finish to the competition in 2023 with Kevin Blake’s Ireland proving victorious in a dramatic conclusion at Southwell, narrowly pipping Wales & The West by seven points.

And it could return with a bang as Yarmouth is all set to welcome back the seven regional teams for the opening night of action on Thursday.

The feature Weekly Rewards With tote Stayers Club Racing League Race 7 Handicap concludes the seven-race card, with Stoute’s Believe In Stars attempting to build on his near miss on his return at Windsor for Classic-winning owner Saeed Suhail and Chris Hughes’ East region.

Standing in his way is Harry Charlton’s Midair, who would usually sport the famous silks of Juddmonte but on this occasion will be wearing the red of Wales & The West.

Beaten a neck on his first run since being gelded, the son of Frankel steps up for another crack at 10 furlongs.

“He’s a beautiful horse, we thought we might be in a higher grade at this time of the year but he’s bumped into a couple of good horses, to be fair,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte.

“Going through the form lines he has bumped into plenty of 90-plus rated horses in maidens and he’s been a little bit quirky at times hence he’s been gelded.

“I think in a good handicap like this they will go a good pace, which will suit him better. He’s down at the bottom of the weights there, but I think he has a chance of running well and after being gelded he should keep improving after that.

“The Racing League has great prize-money on offer and in the modern era we always complain about prize-money so when you are putting on prize-money like that, you have to give it a go.”

It was Jamie Osborne’s Wales & The West team which lit up the Yarmouth curtain raiser 12 months ago, with daughter Saffie Osborne firing home a treble which went some way to helping her defend her leading jockey crown.

The Racing League was paying its first visit to the east coast on that occasion and the course’s general manager Tom Pennington is delighted to see the track host Racing League action once again, with 84 of a maximum 98 runners declared across the card.

He said: “It’s a very good card and there’s some strong fields, which I suppose there should be for more than £300,000 in prize-money up for grabs.

“It’s fantastic for Yarmouth and it’s our most lucrative race day of the year. We had a fantastic night of the year last year and we’re hoping for more of the same this time around.

“It’s a great initiative and we’re fully behind the Racing League. We had a great turnout last year and hopefully that will be replicated again.”



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King’s Gambit ‘all set’ for the Knavesmire, with Callum Shepherd booked

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Harry Charlton is excited to see his Royal Ascot runner-up King’s Gambit step up in class for the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday, with Callum Shepherd booked to take the ride for the first time.

A facile winner of the London Gold Cup on his three-year-old debut, the Saxon Warrior colt then charged home from an uncompromising position to finish second to Jayarebe in last month’s Hampton Court Stakes.

Having arguably been an unlucky loser in that Group Three contest, King’s Gambit is being readied to test the water at Group Two level in what looks a potentially mouthwatering contest on the Knavesmire this weekend.

Charlton said: “He’s in good form and he’s all set. He’s had a good prep since (Royal Ascot) and is working well. It will be interesting up in grade against the older horses.

“It’s always been a likely plan to go to York. There aren’t that many options for three-year-olds, that’s the crux of it. You either go in against the older horses or wait for France (Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville) in the middle of August, so this is what we’re trying.”

William Buick has been on board King’s Gambit for each of his two previous starts this season, but he is required to ride at Ascot on Saturday, where his likely mounts include Rebel’s Romance in the King George.

Charlton has therefore turned to Shepherd, who has enjoyed big-race victories this summer aboard Isle Of Jura in the Hardwicke Stakes and Quddwah in the Summer Mile, for what he expects to be a tough test.

Callum Shepherd will ride King's Gambit at York on Saturday
Callum Shepherd will ride King’s Gambit at York on Saturday (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Oddly, it probably looks better than the Eclipse was – it’s a good race,” Charlton added.

“We’re happy with our horse and booking Callum has come about because he’s obviously in good form, he’s a good jockey and has ridden a few Group winners recently.

“With Ascot on, our regular go-to jockeys are obviously there and we thought he was the best available.”

King’s Gambit is an 11-2 shot with the race sponsors, who make Sir Michael Stoute’s Passenger their 13-8 favourite ahead of the Owen Burrows-trained Alflaila at 5-2 and Ed Walker’s Almaqam at 5-1.

Alflaila in action at York
Alflaila in action at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

Alflaila, winner of this race 12 months ago, made an encouraging return from injury when fourth in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and is on course to defend his York crown.

“I think it was a very solid first run of the year,” said Burrows.

“It was a big ask, first run of the season, in a Group One. I’m not saying we were unlucky at all, but he did get hampered one-and-a-half (furlongs) down. I think he would have been a bit closer.

“He’ll just have a breeze tomorrow – all his work’s done as such. Touch wood, all the boxes have been ticked. As long as he breezes well, we’ll be declaring Thursday morning.”



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Kikkuli in line for crack at top-grade honours in France

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Frankel’s little brother Kikkuli is set to get his first shot at Group One glory in the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville on Sunday.

Harry Charlton’s colt has plenty to live up to as a son of Kingman and a half-sibling to one of the greatest horses to ever grace the turf, but he has so far upheld family honour admirably.

Since breaking his maiden tag at the second attempt at Newmarket in April, the Juddmonte homebred has finished second in a soft-ground Heron Stakes at Sandown before going down by a diminishing short head to Haatem in a pulsating renewal of the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

With Haatem having previously been placed in the 2000 Guineas and the Irish equivalent, connections of Kikkuli feel he now fully merits his place at the highest level, with this weekend’s seven-furlong feature across the Channel appearing an ideal target.

“I think so long as Harry is happy with him in the morning, the plan is for him to go to Deauville. He bounced out of Ascot in good shape and the owners are keen to roll the dice,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon.

“He obviously had a big run in Ascot and we’re looking forward to seeing him again. The form of the Jersey stacks up, he obviously pushed Haatem all the way and there was River Tiber and plenty of other very good horses behind him.

“Seven furlongs was perfect in Ascot, Deauville is a nice, fair track and hopefully the ground is good.

“With his pedigree, if he was to clinch a Group One it would be a great result.”



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Charlton rues the one that got away with King’s Gambit a York possible

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The Sky Bet York Stakes has emerged as a potential next port of call for King’s Gambit following his luckless defeat at Royal Ascot last week.

Harry Charlton’s Saxon Warrior colt was a hot favourite for Thursday’s Hampton Court Stakes after routing his rivals in the London Gold Cup at Newbury, but connections were left wondering what might have been after he charged home from an unpromising position to finish a close second to Brian Meehan’s Jayarebe.

King’s Gambit already holds an entry in the Group Two Princess of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket over a mile and a half, but he could instead stick to a mile and a quarter and seek compensation on the Knavesmire on July 27.

“Take nothing away from Brian’s horse, who is a lovely horse. He won the race and we can’t forget that,” Charlton told Sky Sports Racing.

“From the moment the gates opened William (Buick) was never able to get where he wanted to, we were a long way back and even in the straight we got a bump or two. He made up an exceptional amount of ground and was closing the winner down, but it was just too much of an effort for him.

“He’s run with huge credit and we’re very proud of him, but had things panned out a little differently in the first two furlongs, I’m sure a victory was possible for him. In that sense it’s frustrating, but we need to be realistic and say that’s racing – and he’s a horse to look forward to.”

Considering future plans, Charlton added: “He’s in the Group Two at Newmarket against older horses. It’s a possible, that’s obviously up in trip, and he might stay at 10 furlongs, so maybe something like the Sky Bet at York is a possibility.

“There are a few other races – there are some three-year-old only 10-furlong races at Deauville in August – but I suspect we might be leaning towards York.

“We’ll discuss it with Mohammed Jaber (owner) once we’ve got through this week and just see how he’s come out of the race. I think when you go and run a big effort like that, it takes more out of you than you think because you’ve run a lot further than some other horses and made up a lot of ground.”

Hand Of God winning at Royal Ascot
Hand Of God winning at Royal Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Charlton saddled just four horses across the five-day meeting, striking gold with Hand Of God in Saturday’s Golden Gates Stakes after Kikkuli had pushed Haatem to a short head in the Jersey Stakes earlier that afternoon. His only runner not placed was Roarin’ Success in the Kensington Palace Stakes and she effectively lost all chance by rearing in the stalls.

The trainer admitted to having mixed emotions, saying: “You go there hoping for a winner and we came away with a winner and two seconds.

“We have to be delighted, but obviously you’re always thinking what could have been. Maybe we were due another one, but it didn’t quite happen.

“Hand Of God was well handicapped on the basis that we hadn’t run him since Sandown. We went into the week thinking and hoping that we had a horse with quite a few pounds in hand and that’s how it transpired.”

He went on: “He’s got a huge stride for the size of horse he is and he’s always had a wonderful attitude. He’s a horse we’ve always liked and when you’ve got horses like King’s Gambit and Kikkuli around, it makes it a lot easier to put a gauge on where the horses are in terms of ability.

“He was showing plenty of ability before, so went into the week thinking he was our best chance of a win and that’s how it proved.

“I guess he’s heading for a 10lb rise, we’ll see what the handicapper does tomorrow (Tuesday) and make plans from there. He’s in the John Smith’s Cup and the weights are already out. He’s on 7st 11lb and he’ll get a 5lb penalty, but I’d be surprised if that’s enough to get in.

“He is in the valuable 10-furlong handicap at Newmarket’s July meeting for three-year-olds, that’s also an option, but Mohammed Jaber might say he wants to step up in class and he would be perfectly entitled to do so, so we’ll have a few discussions and see where we get to.

“He’s exciting because we haven’t got the max of him yet.”

Kikkuli (pink hat) is touched off by Haatem in the Jersey Stakes
Kikkuli (pink hat) is touched off by Haatem in the Jersey Stakes (John Walton/PA)

Kikkuli is bred in the purple as a half-brother to the great Frankel by crack sire Kingman and Charlton is excited to see what the rest of the season has in store following his narrow Jersey defeat.

“I haven’t watched it back as many times as some, but I’m told before the line and after the line he was ahead,” he added.

“He travelled exceptionally strong and I actually don’t think they went a great pace.

“Haatem is an incredible horse and has had lots of runs and for Kikkuli to run him that close is mighty impressive in what I thought was a very deep Jersey.

“It’s exciting to think what he might be able to do down the line.”



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Hand Of God scores Golden Gates winner for Harry Charlton

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On the 38th anniversary of the Diego Maradona goal that knocked England out of the 1986 World Cup, Hand Of God was an appropriate winner of the Golden Gates Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Having rounded off his juvenile campaign with a maiden victory at Newmarket, the Harry Charlton-trained colt won on his handicap debut at Sandown in April and was a 9-4 favourite to complete the hat-trick in the hands of William Buick.

The son of Churchill picked up well once asked to go about his business and passed the post with a length and three-quarters in hand over Cambridge, with Black Run third.

It was a deserved victory this week for Charlton after King’s Gambit came from the clouds to finish second in the Hampton Court Stakes in the same colours on Thursday, while Kikkuli was beaten just a short head in the Jersey Stakes earlier on Saturday’s card.

Charlton said: “He didn’t have a great trip, but he had a clear run and picked up very quick and William thought he almost got there too soon.

Hand Of God powers clear to win
Hand Of God powers clear to win (David Davies/PA)

“It was hard to plan as the complexion of the race changed so much with the non-runners as we were originally drawn 17 of 19 and it came down to 10 of 12 so it wasn’t as bad as it first looked

“The plan was to be mid-div and not three off the rail, I think he was further back than planned and he was three off the rail so it didn’t go to plan, but he picked up great.

“I think he’s still a 10-furlong horse; he’s got a great mind and is good physically. He’s not done much wrong and I guess he’s probably due a step up in class. He works with King’s Gambit, so we were all quite confident.

“Credit to Mohammed Jaber as he’s had a tough week with what happened to King’s Gambit, we all thought we were a bit unlucky that day so for him to get a winner is important.”

Buick said: “I know there were a few non-runners, but to be drawn 17 at a mile and a quarter is a notoriously hard draw. We got in where we could and got a lovely rhythm. To be honest, when he picked up early in the straight, he was pretty instant and progressive to the line.

“He gave me a really good feel. He’s very comfortable at a mile and a quarter, I would say that he’s been needing this trip. He’s a young horse going places.”

He added: “King’s Gambit in the Hampton Court was a very unlucky loser. We kind of lost it at the start, unfortunately, where we got back and then the race was getting away from us – there wasn’t much of a pace and it was very much a Plan B sort of ride.

“It wasn’t the plan to ride him (King’s Gambit) like that at all, but it was through unfortunate circumstances and he ran very well to finish second as close as he did. I believe he should have won, but he’s a nice horse for the future, and Hand Of God winning now gives some compensation.”



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Charlton upbeat on King’s Gambit’s Hampton hopes

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Fledgling trainer Harry Charlton is excited to have major shot at claiming Royal Ascot glory with King’s Gambit in Thursday’s Hampton Court Stakes.

The 37-year-old is in his first season since taking over the licence at the historic Beckhampton Stables from his father Roger, who famously saddled Quest For Fame and Sanglamore to win the Epsom Derby and French Derby respectively in 1990 and enjoyed several victories at the royal meeting.

After two seasons with a joint licence, during which time Harry and Roger enjoyed a Royal Ascot success with Thesis in the 2022 Britannia Handicap, Charlton junior took over the reins fully at the start of this year and already appears to have unearthed a potential gem.

Having shown a good level of ability in three juvenile starts, King’s Gambit turned the traditionally competitive London Gold Cup into a procession on his three-year-old debut at Newbury last month.

Roger Charlton won the valuable handicap with a couple of subsequent Group One performers in Al Kazeem and Time Test and just as the latter did nine years ago, King’s Gambit will look to follow up his London Gold Cup triumph with victory at Group Three level in the Hampton Court.

“We’re very happy with him, we’ve had some lovely weather for him to do some nice work on our grass gallops, he’s in great shape and spot on for Thursday,” said the trainer.

“I was pretty hopeful he was going to win at Newbury, but as to the manner that he did it in, he was very impressive. I think what we saw was a much more professional horse than we knew of last year on the track and he’s mentally growing up all the time. You’re getting a more complete package every time he races now, so it’s exciting and I think he’ll improve again.

“It would be lovely to have a winner at Royal Ascot. Thesis did for us in our first year with a joint-licence and obviously it would be nice to try to do it on my own as well.”

One of the biggest threats to King’s Gambit is Andre Fabre’s First Look, who has been snapped up by the Wathnan Racing team since finishing second in the French Derby.

“We’ve been very impressed with First Look all season and very impressed with his run in the French Derby,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

“Andre Fabre is obviously a master of bringing these horses along and we are delighted and excited to have added him to the team.

“It’s quite a quick turnaround from Chantilly and we’re leaving it down to Andre – he is the master. He feels he has come out of the race quite well.

“Like a lot of the horses we have bought, they will go to Ascot and take their chance, but they haven’t just been bought for Ascot. They are horses for the future and beyond and a horse like him, there’s no reason he won’t be running with Andre as a five-year-old.”

Day three gets under way with the Group Two Norfolk Stakes, for which Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket is all the rage following his runaway Listed win at the Curragh last month.

“He’s not small and has plenty of size. He’s a brother to Little Big Bear,” O’Brien told Racing TV.

“We thought he couldn’t get beat first time and he did by one of Joseph’s (Cowardofthecounty) who beat him very nicely.

“He went back to five next time in a good winners’ race and won very well. That is what we thought he would do the first day, but he looks a fast horse and is uncomplicated too. He’s had his two runs which would be a help for him and we think that is very important.

“The Norfolk looks a nice race for him and we’re very happy with him.”

Shareholder belied his inexperience to make a winning debut for Karl Burke at Beverley less than two weeks ago. The €460,000 Wathnan purchase lines up as one of two leading contenders for the Qatari-based Wathnan operation along with Archie Watson’s Bath scorer Aesterius.

Of Shareholder, Brown said: “It’s a very quick turnaround this and he was bought in the Arqana sale. I said to Karl when we bought him, we won’t tell anyone this, but I think the horse is very quick and ready to go and let’s see if we can give him a chance to get to Ascot, even though it’s a very quick turnaround.

“Karl and his team have done a tremendous job with this horse and he has bounced out of Beverley and done very well since. He’s eating up and drinking and had a very easy breeze and looks full of himself.

“Everything went wrong at Beverley and he still managed to win and it’s the Norfolk, there will be plenty there with a similar profile, but I think he goes there with a realistic chance of running a good race for us.”

Wesley Ward’s American challenger Saturday Flirt and Adrian Murray’s Group Three winner Arizona Blaze also feature.



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Revised targets on hold for Okeechobee

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Future plans for Okeechobee are on hold after a late setback ruled him out of an intended trip to Ireland for the Tattersalls Gold Cup on Sunday.

Winner of the Gordon Richards Stakes last month, the Harry Charlton-trained five-year-old had the option of returning to the Esher track for the Brigadier Gerard on Thursday.

Connections instead opted to supplement the son of Time Test for his first Group One assignment, but he was ultimately unable to line up at the Curragh.

“He had a bruised heel and a foot infection, which was annoying, but unfortunately that’s the way it goes,” said Barry Mahon, racing manager for owner-breeders Juddmonte.

“It’s nothing too major, hopefully. He’ll have an easy week or 10 days and hopefully he should be back on the go.”

Okeechobee is entered in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Mahon added: “We’ll wait and see and make sure everything is all right before we start making any plans, but options are probably limited. You’re heading to Ascot time of the year, so if he’s fit and well, we’ll look at something there – and if not, we’ll wait a bit longer.”



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Okeechobee set to clash with Auguste Rodin at the Curragh

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Okeechobee has emerged as a rival to Auguste Rodin at the Curragh on Sunday after being supplemented for the Tattersalls Gold Cup.

A narrow winner of the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown last month, Okeechobee had the option of returning to the Esher venue for the Brigadier Gerard on Thursday evening.

However, owners Juddmonte have instead decided to stump up the required €50,000 to add the Harry Charlton-trained colt to this weekend’s Group One contest.

“He’s been supplemented for the Tattersalls Gold Cup, so the plan is for him to run in Ireland,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

“He’s a lightly-raced horse who has won his Group Three and rather than go back to Sandown to a carry a penalty we thought we’d give him a crack at Group One and see just where his limitations lie.

“We’ll find out a bit more about him on Sunday.”

Okeechobee’s addition leaves a total of 11 contenders for the 10-furlong contest, with last season’s dual Derby winner and Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup her Auguste Rodin one of three potential runners for Aidan O’Brien along with last year’s winner Luxembourg and Hans Anderson.

Auguste Rodin (left) winning last season's Irish Champion Stakes
Auguste Rodin (left) winning last season’s Irish Champion Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)

The Ballydoyle handler on Tuesday reaffirmed his intention to saddle Auguste Rodin, but that could change if conditions deteriorate significantly.

He said: “That (running Auguste Rodin) is the plan, hopefully they won’t get too much rain.

“That (Coronation Cup at Epsom) is the plan for Luxembourg, he was just left in for Sunday in case the ground came too soft for Auguste or something like that.”

Adrian Murray has confirmed Crypto Force and Elegant Man, while John Joseph Murphy looks set to saddle his stable star White Birch, who has made an excellent start to his four-year-old campaign by winning both the Alleged Stakes and the Mooresbridge Stakes over the course and distance this spring.

Joseph O’Brien’s pair of Goldana and Lumiere Rock and Mashhoor from Johnny Murtagh’s yard complete the potential field.



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Siyola justifies being held in high regard by Gosdens

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John and Thady Gosden could have a talented filly on their hands having unleashed Siyola in the bet365 “Wild Card” Fillies’ Novice Stakes at Sandown.

Unraced as a two-year-old, the Juddmonte-owned daughter of Siyouni was sent off at 4-1 for her racecourse debut in the hands of William Buick and showed plenty of potential to run down the 5-2 favourite and Clarehaven stablemate Beeley in the closing stages.

It is a race the Gosden team have won with Emily Upjohn in the past and hopes are now high they could have another high-ranking prospect in their midst.

“We liked her a lot and were always coming for this race – she was the one who was selected for this race and I have always liked this race a lot,” said John Gosden.

“When the other horse (Beeley) got loose at Newbury, it kind of concertinaed things and she had to come here and they had to race against each other. I have a high opinion of both fillies and I think they have shown it today, the winner has always looked a classy type.

“She’s a very leggy girl and does not carry massive weight to her or anything, but she has always shown us a lovely level of ability. She was just very immature last year, we did educational work but she was never ready to race.”

Victory in this race gives Siyola automatic entry into the Betfred Oaks if connections wish, but her handler sounded a note of caution on any Epsom participation, suggesting her main summer target could well be the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

However, there is a chance she may follow in the footsteps of previous winner Emily Upjohn if heading to York for her next start, with Gosden highlighting the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes as a possible option.

John Gosden was delighted with Siyola's debut
John Gosden was delighted with Siyola’s debut (John Walton/PA)

“It might all come a bit soon for her, the hurly-burly of Epsom, and she could be more of a Ribblesdale filly,” continued Gosden.

“I think we will sit down and we may go to a novice with a penalty, or you could look at a Musidora – that comes a bit quick but you could look at that on a nice, flat, galloping track – and you could look at the Listed race at Newbury as well.

“The thing I hate about novice races is giving away 7lb, especially if there is a nice maiden in there. So maybe we will look at the two Listed races.”

Hand Of God advertised his class to get on the scoresheet and provide Harry Charlton with a notable victory in the bet365 Esher Cup.

The Beckhampton-trained colt had shown good ability as a two-year-old, signing off with a taking success in a Newmarket maiden, and put his stamina to good use in this one-mile event, as he beat off all challengers to make all in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Charlton, who took over sole control of his family’s Berkshire operation at the beginning of this season, is now toying with the idea of stepping the son of Churchill up to 10 furlongs, with Newbury’s London Gold Cup a possible next port of call for the successful even-money favourite.

“The Esher Cup is one of the famous handicaps and it is nice to win it,” said Charlton.

“I was told after he won at Newmarket that if he had run in the Sun Chariot that day, he would have finished fourth, so my time people told me it was a good performance, even if the form around it wasn’t.

“I said to Ryan that I thought he would stay and some of the other horses are seven-furlong horses that have been keen, that are now stepping up in trip. I said to go and make it and he should stay up the hill.

“He’s a great physical, who was always going to be better this year. In our heads, last year he was going to stay 12 furlongs but he probably won’t stay that far. Ryan said he has enough tactical speed for a mile but I think he will stay 10.

“I think he will ultimately be a 10-furlong horse and something like the London Gold Cup springs to mind if owner Mohammed Jaber wants to go down that route. We will talk to him and see what he thinks.”

Equity Law sprints clear of his rivals
Equity Law sprints clear of his rivals (John Walton/PA)

Also with the London Gold Cup in mind is David Menuisier after seeing Goodwood Odyssey (5-1) claim the Nordoff & Robbins Judy Martin Memorial Handicap, while Andrew Balding’s Equity Law (15-2) bounced back from an underwhelming return at Bath to oblige in the five-furlong bet365 Handicap.

Owned by Jeff Smith, the mount of Oisin Murphy brought some smart course form from last season to the table and showed a good attitude to see off Shagraan by three-quarters of a length.

“He disappointed us first time out and we thought he’d go really well, he just got stuck in the mud, but that was much more like it today,” said Balding.

“He’s a smart sprint handicapper, so there’s lots to look forward to and he should keep improving. We will stick to five furlongs until after Royal Ascot.

“We will probably look at the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes and he will probably have to go up to about 90 to be safe to get into that.”



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Okeechobee fends off Desert Hero for Gordon Richards win

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Okeechobee just held off the late thrust of the King and Queen’s Desert Hero to win the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown.

Unraced at two, he showed smart form at three when trained by Roger and Harry Charlton, but with Harry now striking out on his own, this Group Three represented the biggest win in the career of the young handler so far.

Second on his return from a long lay-off at Kempton, the now five-year-old was sent off a 100-30 chance under Ryan Moore, who had already teamed up with Charlton to win the Esher Cup on Hand Of God.

He looked to have plenty to do with two furlongs to run, as Jim Crowley cruised to the front on Israr, who was putting behind him a very disappointing run in Qatar last time out.

Okeechobee quickened past Desert Hero, third in the St Leger when last seen and running over a trip half a mile less, and he initially looked like winning quite comfortably when claiming Israr.

But Tom Marquand really got William Haggas’ Desert Hero rolling and he laid down a strong challenge, only for the line to come two strides too soon, going down by a head with a further three-quarters of a length back to Israr.

“I thought he would go very close beforehand, but watching it was less enjoyable,” said Charlton.

“Turning in, Ryan said they really kicked off the front, which we thought might happen, as it was a field full of stamina horses. He had quite a lot of ground to make up and Ryan was impressed with him from the three to the two to the one.

“He just got there and like they sometimes do, he just leaned in. Al Kazeem used to do it; think he was going to win then start hanging into the rail. But it was impressive.

“He obviously ran a lovely race at Kempton the other day and was entitled to come on for that. He came here 10kg fitter and I think he can probably tighten again, he’s a big, round, rotund horse. That’s only his sixth race and there’s scope for more hopefully.

“Dare I say it, we might have to look at something like the Prix d’Ispahan or the Tattersalls Gold Cup next, it will be one of those two I suspect.”

bet365 Spring Celebration – Sandown Park Racecourse – Friday 26th April
Harry Charlton at Sandown (John Walton/PA).

Haggas will not be too despondent with Desert Hero, as he was on his way out to Hong Kong to watch Dubai Honour, the horse who beat Okeechobee on his comeback at Kempton.

Marquand said of the runner-up: “It was the perfect comeback run for him. I would have loved him to get his head in front but he’s been beaten by a good horse and it was a good reintroduction to racing for him.

“Everything went to plan and he pulled up well and no doubt we will be back up to a mile and a half next and having some more fun with him.”

Maureen Haggas said: “The ground would be too soft for him and the trip would be too short for him. They went a good clip and two from home he was on the back foot a little bit, but he stayed on very well and it’s a nice start.

“He’s come back from a mile and six to a mile and a quarter, so it’s a bit different, but he needed to get going and it will probably be one more run before the Hardwicke.

“For me, he is still not there in his coat and he could change a bit between now and Ascot. These horses at the moment are having a lot to contend with, it’s freezing cold and the trees are coming out and there’s pollen everywhere.

“It’s hard for them and it’s nearly May – and I know it’s the same for them all, but they all have a lot to contend with.

“He took until Ascot to come to himself last year, but he’s getting there earlier this year, so I’m really happy with that and he was good here today.”



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Hand Of God on target for Esher Cup success

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Hand Of God advertised his class to get on the scoresheet and provide Harry Charlton with a notable victory in Sandown’s bet365 Esher Cup.

The Beckhampton-trained colt had shown good ability as a two-year-old, signing off with a taking success in a Newmarket maiden, and put his stamina to good use in this one-mile event, as he beat off all challengers to make all in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Charlton, who took over sole control of his family’s Berkshire operation at the beginning of this season, is now toying with the idea of stepping the son of Churchill up to 10 furlongs, with Newbury’s London Gold Cup a possible next port of call for the successful even-money favourite.

“The Esher Cup is one of the famous handicaps and it is nice to win it,” said Charlton.

“I was told after he won at Newmarket that if he had run in the Sun Chariot that day, he would have finished fourth, so my time people told me it was a good performance, even if the form around it wasn’t.

“I said to Ryan that I thought he would stay and some of the other horses are seven-furlong horses that have been keen, that are now stepping up in trip. I said to go and make it and he should stay up the hill.

“He’s a great physical, who was always going to be better this year. In our heads, last year he was going to stay 12 furlongs but he probably won’t stay that far. Ryan said he has enough tactical speed for a mile but I think he will stay 10.

“I think he will ultimately be a 10-furlong horse and something like the London Gold Cup springs to mind if owner Mohammed Jaber wants to go down that route. We will talk to him and see what he thinks.”

Equity Law sprints clear of his rivals
Equity Law sprints clear of his rivals (John Walton/PA)

In the opening bet365 Handicap, Andrew Balding’s Equity Law bounced back from an underwhelming return at Bath to oblige at odds of 15-2.

Owned by Jeff Smith, the mount of Oisin Murphy brought some smart course form from last season to the table and showed a good attitude to see off Shagraan by three-quarters of a length.

“He disappointed us first time out and we thought he’d go really well, he just got stuck in the mud, but that was much more like it today,” said Balding.

“He’s a smart sprint handicapper, so there’s lots to look forward to and he should keep improving. We will stick to five furlongs until after Royal Ascot.

“We will probably look at the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes and he will probably have to go up to about 90 to be safe to get into that.”



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