Tag Archive for: hugo palmer

Invictus Gold in the hunt for Rockingham honours

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Invictus Gold will seek to complete his hat-trick in the Coral Rockingham Stakes at York on Saturday.

Tom Clover’s juvenile has found confidence since finishing at the rear of a six-runner field on debut at Yarmouth in May.

He was subsequently gelded and it has seemed to do the trick, as the son of Invincible Spirit prevailed by one and three-quarter lengths on his next appearance at Southwell in July.

Invictus Gold followed that up with an even more impressive triumph at Newmarket in August, powering to a two-length success on good to soft ground, with more juice set to be under foot on the Knavesmire.

A solid display in the six-furlong Listed race could result in lucrative contests on the all-weather this winter.

“I’ve been very pleased with him, he’s trained well,” the Kremlin House Stables handler said. “His home work has been really pleasing and I would hope he’d shape up well.

“It’s that time of year when it’s hard to go in with lots of confidence, just because horses can tend to run a bit in-and-out at this time of year. It’s a step up in grade, but I feel that he deserves to take his chance in this sort of a race.

“Our plan is to go Saturday and then think about what we might do in the winter. We’ll probably give him an easy two weeks after Saturday and then think whether we want to try to aim him towards something nice on the all-weather.”

Clover’s charge is set to face eight rivals in the £70,000 opener, with Hugo Palmer’s It Ain’t Two among the three fillies in the field.

The daughter of Calyx impressed during her Class Two success at Chester in August before stepping up to Pattern company on her last two starts, most recently finishing three and a quarter lengths behind winner Sky Majesty when sixth in the Group Three Firth of Clyde at Ayr.

Palmer was clear on his ambitions for his charge, who will be making her 11th start of a campaign in which she has acquitted herself well.

He said: “She’s in good order, I’m happy with her. She should go on the ground and we are trying to win a stakes race with her, having been placed in a few, so fingers crossed. She’s a hardy filly.”

Dark Cloud Rising is out to help David O’Meara, who trails leader Andrew Balding by two victories, in his bid to become the Charles Clinkard Top Trainer at the Knavesmire.

“He’s in good form, we were happy with his run at Haydock most recently,” O’Meara said. “The ground conditions on Saturday will be a little bit of an unknown.”

Ralph Beckett’s Bolo Neighs is bidding to strike again having shed his maiden tag in a lucrative sales race at the Curragh last time out, while Shadow Army, trained by Richard Fahey, is the only runner who has won at York, scoring at the Dante meeting.

Raneenn looks for a third triumph in four appearances for William Haggas, Pearl Of Windsor lines up for Conrad Allen and Karl Burke has two starters in Jungle Drums and Milford.

O’Meara will have another chance to close the gap in the feature race, as the evergreen Summerghand aims for glory in the Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap – in what could be his swansong.

The 10-year-old is set to make the 106th appearance of an admirable career in the six-furlong contest and with over £50,000 for the winner, it would be a fitting way for the son of Lope De Vega to bid farewell.

“I’ll run him on Saturday and see how it goes,” O’Meara said.

“He could do with it drying out a little bit as well. He looks great, he’s moving well.”

The Fahey-trained Malc has not been seen since finishing down the field in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June after a number of minor setbacks.

However, Tom Palin, of owners Middleham Park Racing, is confident of a strong showing despite the lack of “peak fitness” in the three-year-old.

“He’s pretty well, obviously he’s been off the track for a fair while. Whatever happens on Saturday, he will come on for it,” Palin said.

“We were targeting the Ayr Gold Cup as a sort of return for him and he just keeps getting the odd little setback, we can’t put our finger on it but he keeps missing targets.

“He will come here a little short of peak fitness and ‘prime’ Malc. But there’s lots of prize-money, six furlongs we think is his trip for now and the ground should be OK.

“A nice flat track should be good for him as well. On peak form, he’s only dropped a few pounds at 99, he’s on the right side of the handicapper.”

Musley Bank trainer Fahey has another runner in the form of 2022 winner Strike Red, while Secret Guest goes for Bryan Smart and York-based trainer Craig Lidster has The Bell Conductor.

Kevin Ryan saddles Room Service, Aleezdancer and Sergeant Wilko, while Tinto and Woven line up for Michael Dods and Germanic starts for William Haggas in a 22-strong line-up.



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Palmer looking for Wolf Of Badenoch to show true worth

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Hugo Palmer feels Wolf Of Badenoch has a genuine excuse for his disappointing run last time out and expects him to be right in the mix in the Emirates Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

A winner on his debut at Doncaster, he then chased home Aomori City in the Vintage Stakes.

Strongly fancied for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, Palmer felt he was inconvenienced by Chancellor, who kicked out in the stalls and was withdrawn. Wolf Of Badenoch ran but finished down the field.

“He was disappointing at Doncaster, but he’s in good order,” Palmer said. “He banged his head when the Gosden horse (Chancellor) hit the gates – we hit the gates as well.

“We thought we were going and he banged his head. Whether he ran a little bit dazed or not, I don’t know.

“We’ve been very happy with him since, but obviously he needs to step back in the right direction.

“The ground might have been a little bit lively for him as well at Doncaster, I know he’s run well on fast ground at Goodwood but a bit of ease in the ground at Newmarket on Saturday would suit.

“If he comes back to his Goodwood form, then he’s probably the one to beat.”

Charlie Appleby’s Silver Peak will bid to give the stable a fifth consecutive winner in the race.

Charlie Appleby is aiming for a fifth straight win in the Autumn Stakes
Charlie Appleby is aiming for a fifth straight win in the Autumn Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

One Ruler, Coroebus, Silver Knott and Ancient Wisdom have seen Appleby dominate in recent years.

Appleby told Godolphin on X: “Silver Peak is a Dubawi who broke his maiden at Haydock and the form has worked out very well.

“He’s done very well physically at this time of year, as they always do, the Dubawis, so we’re testing ourselves at Pattern level to see what sort of a career he’s going to have in the early part of his three-year-old season.”

Ryan Moore is on Delacroix, rather than his Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate Genealogy, and appears hopeful.

The jockey told Betfair: “He stepped back up to the mile at Leopardstown after landing his maiden over seven furlongs at the Curragh and stayed on really well after becoming a little outpaced early in the straight there. He sets a decent standard here.”

Delacroix is building up a nice profile for Aidan O'Brien
Delacroix is building up a nice profile for Aidan O’Brien (Brian Lawless/PA)

Appleby has also won the last three renewals of the Palace Pier Zetland Stakes but he is not represented this time around.

James Doyle fancies his chances on the Wathnan Racing-owned Dunamase, trained by John and Thady Gosden

“He ran well on debut at Sandown and then was a novice winner at Kempton, so obviously this is a jump into deeper waters and we will find out what level he is at,” said Doyle.

“We’re kind of unknown at the minute where we are with him, so we’re dipping our toes in a bit to find out.”

Again, O’Brien runs two, with Moore on Shackleton and Wayne Lordan on County Mayo.

Shackleton looks a promising type
Shackleton looks a promising type (Niall Carson/PA)

“Shackleton got off the mark at the Curragh the last day when he was a decisive winner of a nine-furlong maiden after making all the running,” said Moore.

“A lovely Camelot colt who is a smart prospect for next year, he answered every call at the Curragh and was strong at the line.

“He probably sets the standard here. Our other runner, County Mayo, is out of a half-sister to Danedream and comes from a family with plenty of stamina in the pedigree.

“He took a nice step forward from his Tipperary debut to win in good fashion at Gowran Park last month and should run well.”

Ralph Beckett’s Starzintheireyes is another likely player.



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The Waco Kid could enter Lagardere equation

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Hugo Palmer is “weighing up” a quick return to action for The Waco Kid and supplementing for Sunday’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere following his recent Tattersalls Stakes victory at Newmarket.

A consistent performer since stepping into stakes company, the tough son of Mehmas got his reward for some fine efforts in defeat when scooping Group Three honours with relative ease on the Rowley Mile last Thursday.

His handler was left pondering his options in the immediate aftermath, as having proven his readiness for a step up to the highest level, The Waco Kid was without entries for the upcoming Group One contests.

Palmer, along with owners The Gene Genies, are now giving real consideration to Sunday’s top-level event at ParisLongchamp, where it would cost €28,800 at Thursday’s supplementary stage for the hardy youngster to enter the fray.

“We’re weighing up whether to supplement for the Lagardere,” said Palmer.

“I’m very happy with the horse since Newmarket, he very tough, takes his racing very well and doesn’t lose any weight. He’s come out of the race looking fantastic and was squealing away the next morning and has been in great nick since.

“It’s €28,8000 so it needs plenty of thinking, but the nice thing is we can see to a degree who is going to run. There were 12 left in the race this morning and we will just have to see how many of them stand their ground.

“I think to supplement and go and be in a 12-runner race we might feel that is not the right opportunity, but if the race slightly fell apart and horses weren’t going, it might seem worth having a crack.”

If the decision is made not to make a trip to Paris, The Waco Kid is likely to head straight to Del Mar to compete in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

He could be joined in California by stablemate and National Stakes third Seagulls Eleven, with the colt – who carries the colours of Brighton & Hove Albion and counts Seagulls star James Milner among his owners – also in contention for a trip Stateside.

Palmer added: “We’re pretty keen on the Breeders’ Cup plan for The Waco Kid, so it is just a question of do we go to France before America. If we don’t go to France I’d have thought it would be straight to the Breeders’ Cup.

“The Dewhurst will be a stronger race than France, I would have thought. He’s entered in the horses in training sale (October 28 to November 1), but if he’s going to go to the Breeders’ Cup then he won’t be able to go (to the sale).

“I think we might be two-handed in the race and I’m pretty sure Seagulls Eleven will go there as well.

“We will leave him in the Dewhurst on Monday morning and have a look and then it will just be a case of deciding if we run in the Dewhurst before the Breeders’ Cup.”



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The Waco Kid powers to Tattersalls triumph

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The Waco Kid kept his rivals at bay with an accomplished run to make all in the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket.

Jockey Oisin Murphy immediately grabbed the inside rail at the start of the seven-furlong contest and looked comfortable setting the early pace.

The Hugo Palmer-trained juvenile remained at arm’s length from his five rivals before Hamad Al Jehani’s Diego Ventura and market leader Monumental, representing Aidan O’Brien, made their charge after the halfway mark.

The Waco Kid en route to victory in the Tattersalls Stakes
The Waco Kid eased to victory in the Tattersalls Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

They closed the gap inside the final two furlongs but just as they looked to be reeling in The Waco Kid, he found an extra gear to streak clear.

The 13-2 shot claimed victory by two and quarter lengths to inflict Diego Ventura’s first defeat as he secured place honours with Monumental in third.

Palmer said: “I think he’s very typical of the stallion and Mehmas seems to be taking the mantle of Kodiac and you would always think if someone sent you a Kodiac, there was a ready-made winner for next year and I feel the same about Mehmas as well. They are just so tough and go on every ground.

“This has to be a career best and I think what is lovely about this horse is he has produced career best after career best on every start.

“He’s not the biggest in the world and we’ve tried to make as much of his two-year-old season as we can and I’m absolutely delighted.

“He probably deserves a step up in grade but I suspect I’ve made the most terrible mess of it because he did have nice entries. I think after he was only Listed third and I needed to confirm for the Dewhurst and that sort of thing, I probably took him out and out of the Lagardere as well.

“There’s the Group One in France, the Criterium International, we might go there, but we will see. Saint-Cloud would look his bag but he is not the biggest and he is in the horses in training sale at the end of the month.

“We will just have to look at dates and he is likely to be one of Tattersalls’ star lots there. The Breeders’ Cup could be an option as well, but we will just have to see.

“This is the second iteration of the owners syndicate (Gene Genies) and the first one will wind up this year and not be profitable but if we could sell this lad well, then it would have been a profitable syndicate and we can start buying horses for next year’s syndicate as well.

“I’m sure we will run again and we have five weeks before Tattersalls get their hands on him.”

Murphy said: “Hugo felt it was a good opportunity today and said I should make more use of him and maybe grab the rail.

“It’s rare he has an instruction but he really made it worthwhile and I’m delighted to get the job done.

“He looked like on his last run he would appreciate being ridden prominently and he was a simple ride. He has really improved for racing and training.”

Al Jehani was satisfied with Diego Ventura’s effort on a move up in class.

He said: “I was very happy with him and it was his first time in a stakes race.

“To run in that company of horse and be second or third favourite on his third time out, it shows he does his job very well.

“He handled the seven furlongs very well and the ground was very nice for him. We will see how he is after a couple of days and make a plan for him.

“I think he deserves to run again at this level. When he won at Ascot last time, he showed that he can be a stakes horse and the seven furlongs today was very suitable for him. We were happy to see him finish with a big heart.”



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Seagulls Eleven will stay on Group One path

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Hugo Palmer was “very pleased” with how Seagulls Eleven acquitted himself in the National Stakes at the Curragh and is plotting a second crack at Group One glory before the season ends.

The son of Galileo Gold was prominent throughout and kept on well to finish a highly-creditable third behind Scorthy Champ, despite being hampered by runner-up Henri Matisse.

Having previously won a Haydock novice before securing second place behind the unbeaten Ancient Truth in the Group Two Superlative Stakes at Newmarket, Palmer is now keen to stay at elite level.

The Manor House Stables handler said: “At the moment, I’d say all options are open. We’ll just see.

The July Festival 2024 – Cup Day – Newmarket Racecourse
Seagulls Eleven in the parade ring at Newmarket (David Davies for the Jockey Club).

“I’d say the Royal Lodge is not on the agenda, but the (Prix Jean-Luc) Lagardere possibly, the Dewhurst possibly, the Breeders’ Cup possibly – and I would have thought he will only run once more this year.

“He looks like he’s ready for a mile now, but if we stay in Europe, I suspect we’ll stay over seven furlongs.”

Galileo Gold won the 2000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes for Palmer back in 2016 and the trainer believes Seagulls Eleven, who is owned by a collective of Brighton & Hove Albion players, has the scope to head down the same path.

Reflecting on Sunday’s Irish raid, Palmer added: “He showed lots of guts and I’m absolutely certain he would have been second if he hadn’t been bashed into, I really am.

“He was hanging in there hard and he got absolutely taken off his feet with two big bumps from a wayward horse that didn’t really want to go forwards.

“So, that’s a little bit frustrating, as I thought he ran a really tough race and he showed plenty of gate speed, which if we went to the Breeders’ Cup would be a big advantage.

“We’re very pleased with him and he’s very versatile as far as the ground is concerned.

“He’s rated the same as his dad was as a two-year-old and his dad finished his season by finishing third in a Group One, he was third in the Lagardere.

“He’s a bigger horse than his father; it doesn’t always follow that a big horse will improve a great deal, but you always think there is more scope for improvement in a bigger horse than a small horse.

“He’s a big horse and we’d be very hopeful of his ability to improve over the winter and the Guineas would be the obvious starting point next season, I would think.”



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Palmer has big plans for juvenile pair

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Hugo Palmer is pondering how to split up his ace juveniles Seagulls Eleven and Wolf Of Badenoch, as both prepare to take the next step in their promising careers.

Seagulls Eleven is owned by a collective of Brighton and Hove Albion players, a syndicate headed by James Milner and also including Danny Welbeck.

The son of Galileo Gold was poised to contest the Solario Stakes last Saturday, but lacerated his tongue in the build-up to the Sandown Group Three, meaning he missed out on the opportunity to join Palmer’s Aktabantay on the roll of honour.

Seagulls Eleven in the pre-parade ring at Newmarket
Seagulls Eleven in the pre-parade ring at Newmarket (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

However, the positive news is Seagulls Eleven is well on the road to recovery and could be in fighting shape in time to contest one of the key two-year-old races scheduled to take place next weekend.

“Seagulls Eleven managed to lacerate his tongue four days before he was meant to go for the Solario,” explained Palmer.

“At this stage he could go to the Champagne Stakes (at Doncaster) or the National Stakes (at the Curragh) if his mouth heals quickly and he is cantering away in a bitless bridle. We’re lucky that he has a very good temperament that allows us to do that – I certainly don’t think we could have done that with his dad.

“If we have a bit comfortably back in his mouth, which we may well do in the early part of next week, then he could go one way and then Wolf Of Badenoch could go the other.”

The Qatar Goodwood Festival – Day One – Goodwood Racecourse
Aomori City ridden by jockey William Buick (left) on their way to winning the HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes during day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival at the Goodwood Racecourse, Chichester. Picture date: Tuesday July 30, 2024.

Wolf Of Badenoch followed in the footsteps of Palmer’s 2000 Guineas and Royal Ascot hero Galileo Gold by running in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on his second start, finishing a close up second to Charlie Appleby’s Aomori City.

The Pinatubo colt made a winning debut at Doncaster prior to his run on the Sussex Downs and that Town Moor course form has Palmer leaning towards the Champagne Stakes with Wolf Of Badenoch, which would open the door for Seagulls Eleven to step up to Group One level in Ireland the following day.

“Wolf Of Badenoch is in great shape and we’re slightly in two minds as to whether we go to Doncaster or to the Curragh,” continued Palmer.

“I think just because he won his maiden at Doncaster, I’m quite keen on the Champagne Stakes for him and if that was the case then we might let Seagulls Eleven step up to Group One in Ireland if we’re happy with him. We will have to see what the confirmations look like and then make a call.”



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Exciting options open to Wolf Of Badenoch after Goodwood

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Hugo Palmer is excited by what he might have with Wolf Of Badenoch after his encouraging run in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

The two-year-old son of Pinatubo made a winning start to his career at Doncaster, coming home a length and a half clear of a subsequent winner in Lazy Griff to break his maiden at the first time of asking.

From there he jumped straight up to Group Two company on the Sussex Downs, where he was held up as he raced keenly and started to make headway when shaken up two furlongs out by Jamie Spencer and ran on promisingly to claim second at 14-1, one and three-quarter lengths behind 2-1 favourite Aomori City.

Palmer has plenty of options for the Fitri Hay-owned colt, with the Champagne Stakes back at Doncaster or a step up to the highest level in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh high on the list of possibilities.

He also holds an entry in the Listed Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar in October.

Palmer said: “I was absolutely delighted with his performance. When you’re once-raced jumping into a Group Two like that you have hope and belief in your horse, but it doesn’t always go so well.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that he ran so well. He’s a very exciting horse for the future.

“(The Vincent O’Brien National Stakes) is a plan, he’s got other entries. I’ll be putting him in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster when the entries close on Tuesday and we’ll just have to see how things go.

“They’re on the same weekend with the typically bloated European Pattern. We’ll see, we’ll just have to see what the races look like and I’m already looking forward to the next day.”

Palmer conceded that Wolf Of Badenoch still has improvements to make to be considered a Classic contender in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket – a race he won in 2016 with his Vintage Stakes scorer Galileo Gold – but is heading in the right direction with his progress.

The Manor House Stables handler added: “He’s made a good step in that direction (2000 Guineas) by being second in the Vintage, but he’s got an awful lot more to do to be a Guineas horse – the winner of the race is 33-1 for the Guineas, so we’ve got some way to go.”



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Wolf Of Badenoch set for Vintage test

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Wolf Of Badenoch will bid to follow in the hoofprints of Hugo Palmer’s Classic hero Galileo Gold in the HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on Tuesday.

The son of Pinatubo made an impressive start to his career when making a successful debut at Doncaster last month in the colours of Fitri Hay and is poised to step up to Group Two level in Sussex.

Palmer has history in the seven-furlong contest, with Galileo Gold claiming victory nine years ago before going on to win the 2000 Guineas and the St James’s Palace Stakes the following season.

The Manor House handler is keeping his fingers crossed Wolf Of Badenoch can add his name to the roll of honour next week, but is is well aware he has plenty on his plate.

He said: “Look it’s a big step up for him, but he’s trained really well since his win and we’re very much looking forward to it. It’s been the plan for a long time.

“He did well didn’t he (at Doncaster)? I was impressed by him, but particularly Jamie Spencer was impressed by him that day. Let’s hope he can step up.”

Galileo Gold lined up in the 2015 having won two of his three previous starts and Palmer admits his latest promising juvenile has big shoes to fill.

He added: “Galileo Gold had rather more experience going into the race, but he won it on the way to better things of course. I was on honeymoon so I wasn’t actually there!”



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Palmer looking for It Ain’t Two to hit the back of the net

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Hugo Palmer’s It Ain’t Two looks to provide her trainer with a first success in the Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The Calyx filly pleasantly surprised connections, who include co-owner and breeder Michael Owen, on her debut when winning a five-furlong Newmarket maiden at 18-1 in April, earning a step up in class as a result.

Subsequently eighth in the Marygate at York, she then regained the winning thread in a Carlisle novice in late May to bring her record up to two wins from three starts.

At Listed level next time she was fourth in the Empress Fillies’ Stakes and the Dragon Stakes at Sandown was the next port of call for It Ain’t Two, where she was second to Archie Watson’s Aesterius when stepping back down to five furlongs.

It Ain't Two with rider Ross Coakley and co-owner and breeder Michael Owen
It Ain’t Two with rider Ross Coakley and co-owner and breeder Michael Owen (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“She’s a nice horse who has done well so far this season and we’re looking forward to running her,” said Palmer.

“The form is good and she’s in good nick, she’s run well over five and six furlongs.

“We were going to run in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes, perhaps we should have since Arabian Dusk who finished just in front of us at Newmarket won the race, but the Super Sprint is worth a lot of money and we got black type at Sandown, so we decided last week to run at Newbury.

“She got black type on similar ground, the concern would be how firm it could get.”

Richard Hannon has an excellent record in the race, which was partly devised by his father, and will this year saddle Miss Collada.

The filly is twice a winner after taking her last two starts over five furlongs, and fared well earlier in the season when not beaten far in a pair of novices over the same trip.

“Her last run at Salisbury was with a penalty and physically she has done extremely well since, she is a different filly to what she was then,” the trainer said.

“Tom Marquand is going to ride. There are a few horses in there with Ascot form but I’ve found over the years that those with Ascot form can often misfire in the Super Sprint.

“This filly has been targeted at this race from a fair while back and she comes into the race fresh and in great form.”

Another filly in the field is Alice Haynes’ Kuwaitya, who was placed at Listed level at Chantilly in May before returning to France to finish fifth at the same level in the Prix Yacowlef at Deauville.

“She’s a tough filly and she’ll like the ground quickening up,” the trainer said.

“You can excuse her run in France, I’m sure she’s the type of filly who will really suit these types of races.”

Elsewhere in the race is Harry Eustace’s Time For Sandals, a Sands Of Mali filly who has one run and one victory to her name so far.

Watson fields Vingegaard, fifth in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot, whereas Karl Burke has a trio of entrants in Invincible Annice, Kaadi and Larchill Lass.



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Seagulls could swoop on Solario prize

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Seagulls Eleven could attempt to find the scoresheet in the Virgin Bet Solario Stakes after finishing a fine second in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

Owned by a group of Brighton and Hove Albion players – including James Milner and Danny Welbeck – and the sporting the club’s blue and white stripes, the football stars could have a promising colt on their hands.

He impressed when getting off the mark at the second attempt at Haydock and was sent off 5-1 for his first foray into Group Two company on the July Course, giving Charlie Appleby’s well-regarded Ancient Truth something to think about.

It was a performance that allows connections to dream big and with races like the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy all possibilities for later in the season, immediate thoughts have turned to a trip to Sandown on August 31 for a race Palmer won 10 years ago with Aktabantay.

Palmer said: “He ran a lovely race, he’s a really big horse and I think his best days are all ahead of him.

“I think he is progressive, I think he will keep on improving and I think he will get a mile this year. I know some suggested coming back in trip, but I don’t see that and I’m sure he will get a mile before the year is out, that is what Rossa Ryan said after getting off him at Newmarket.

“He could go to Goodwood, but the Goodwood seven furlongs is a bit sharper than the Newmarket seven furlongs and I think we will most likely end up going to the Solario Stakes with him.

“We won the Solario 10 years ago with Aktabantay, who had also been second in the Superlative, and trainers are creatures of habit. I expect we will do the same thing.”

On targets later in the year, he went on: “The Futurity Trophy at Doncaster would be a possibility, the Jean-Luc Lagardere, there’s also a mile race at Del Mar in November as well and he could go to the Breeders’ Cup.

“I wouldn’t have thought he would run more than three more times this year and I would say twice is more likely – Solario and then once more most likely.”

Seagulls Eleven in the parade ring before the Superlative Stakes
Seagulls Eleven in the parade ring before the Superlative Stakes (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

Seagulls Eleven’s Newmarket conqueror is the 10-1 market leader in places for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Palmer has high hopes the runner-up will also begin next season in Classic company, where he could get the chance to replicate the exploits of his Guineas and Royal Ascot-winning sire Galileo Gold.

He continued: “We’re probably going to want to start his three-year-old campaign in a Guineas – England, Ireland or France.

“The Rowley Mile is a different track but he certainly handled Newmarket OK in the Superlative, so he is an exciting horse.”

Seagulls Eleven is one of three horses owned by the Two Plus Three Two Plus Four partnership made up of Brighton players, with Milner persuading his new teammates at the Premier League outfit to join the ownership ranks at Manor House.

James Milner is an owner of Seagulls Eleven
James Milner is an owner of Seagulls Eleven (Gareth Fuller/PA)

“Seagulls Eleven is owned by 11 Brighton players and it is headed up by James Milner,” added Palmer.

“James had some horses here from his time at Liverpool and when he moved to Brighton, he managed to sow the seed in another dressing room.

“They have three horses – this horse, The Flying Seagull who is already a winner and Seagolazo who is yet to win but I don’t think it will be long.”



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Zoffee lifts Chester Cup in famous success for Hugo Palmer

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Hugo Palmer’s Zoffee went one better than last year to land the 200th running of Duke Of Westminster Supporting The Chester Cup.

Drawn in stall one, the 9-1 winner – beaten a neck 12 months ago – was able to sit on the rail in the perfect position and former crack apprentice Harry Davies was able to time his challenge to perfection.

For much of the way the well-fancied Andrew Balding pair of Aztec Empire and Grand Providence controlled the pace, with Oisin Murphy looking to steal it on Aztec Empire with two furlongs to run.

But Davies pulled Zoffee out around Emiyn with a furlong to travel and his mount quickened away in good style.

It was a huge result for Palmer who moved from Newmarket to take over at Michael Owen’s Manor House Stables in Cheshire.

Emiyn, who completely missed the break before being rushed up to sit handy, ran a remarkable race in second, beaten three-quarters of a length with Zanndabad third and Aztec Empire fourth.

Having finished third and second in the last two renewals of the week’s showpiece event, Palmer was thrilled to finally land the big one.

He said: “It’s the big race in this part of the world and very exciting. We were second last year and third with Rajinsky the year before so we’ve gone three, two, one in our three years up here.

“He’s given him a wonderful ride. I’ve known Harry a very long time and his mother Angie is my assistant. He’s been with me since he was seven so to win this big race for us is fantastic.

“We kept racing ponies for him when we were in Newmarket and he had to stand on a bucket to tack his horses up. He’s been riding out for us for a very long time, he’s a talented young man and he’s going places.

“I’m just delighted and so pleased the Petersons sent him back after the hurdling didn’t go well. I’m grateful to Olly Murphy and his team, they’ve done all the work over the winter and we’ve only had him back a couple of months.

“We all love this horse and he might not be the highest rated horse in the yard, but he’s just the loveliest face, he loves his job and we just love him.

“It’s been a tough week, character building!”

Harry Davies with Zoffee and Michael Owen
Harry Davies with Zoffee and Michael Owen (Mike Egerton/PA)

Owen said: “It is pretty much a lifelong dream to win that race and he came second last year.

“I said earlier in the week I think we’d win the big one. He always looks the part and he’s a lovely, lovely horse.

“I’m so pleased for the owners and I said to them before the race, ‘I know he’s your horse, but they are all my horses at Manor House’, that is how it feels. Alan (Peterson) has been a great supporter and this horse has always been a yard favourite – he’s just the nicest person in the world.

“He was second last year and now he’s gone and done it.”

Davies said he was confident in the chance of his mount, as he celebrated a welcome big-race winner.

“He’s a really good horse on the Flat and he was 3lb lower than last year which I thought was absolute theft. It’s just great to win this race for the Palmer team and this is the race they come to Chester every year wanting to win,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

Harry Davies with Zoffee and Michael Owen
Harry Davies with Zoffee and Michael Owen (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Hugo is a massive supporter of mine and it’s just great to keep everyone happy.

“It’s hard when you lose your claim, but I’ve been very lucky to keep people who have supported me along the way. I probably have quite a small team and wouldn’t have the most outside rides, but the trainers I do ride for stick by me and I’m really grateful for that.”

He added: “Everyone has come down, they are all local, they all live in Cheshire and it’s the one meeting of the year they all go to. A few of them go to Royal Ascot, but this is definitely the big week of the year for them and for them to see me ride a winner as well, there will probably be a few pictures from today.”



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Zoffee primed for Chester Cup assignment

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Zoffee will bid to go one better than last year for trainer Hugo Palmer in the Duke Of Westminster Supporting The Chester Cup.

The eight-year-old was second to Metier 12 months ago and is 3lb lower this time around as he joins stablemate Solent Gateway in the handicap highlight.

Palmer said: “He’s in the form of his life and I’m much happier going into the race than I was last year.

“It was a struggle to get him ready last year, for whatever reason he didn’t want to come, he didn’t look right and we only just got him there.

“He ran a huge race on ground we didn’t think he would like and he’s definitely better on top of the ground. He gets his ground this time and he’s 3lb lower in the handicap and you would think he has a solid chance.”

Zoffee has been handed the plum draw in stall one, but his handler is cautious about the merits of that position, pointing out the potential pitfalls for jockey Harry Davies.

“I’m a little bit concerned about the draw and he probably will be OK, but in a big-field handicap you have the danger of horses coming back into your lap,” continued Palmer.

“There’s less of a cutaway for Friday and we’ve just got to be mindful of that and for one to be a good draw, the horses in front of you have got to be going forward when you want to be going forward.

“I don’t want to pour cold water on getting the number one draw, but there is a concern and if Harry gets himself forward and finds himself in the first half dozen and one off the rail, then I will much happier than if he is stuck in a pocket.”

Andrew Balding saddled his Ascot Gold Cup runner-up Coltrane to go close two years ago and has assembled a strong three-horse attack on this year’s renewal.

The consistent Grand Providence was the last to sneak into the line-up and races off 8st 6lb in the hands of Hayley Turner, while Aztec Empire also brings smart staying form to the table, with Oisin Murphy in the plate. Spirit Mixer completes the Kingsclere triumvirate.

Ian Williams is another handler to know all about the Chester Cup and Magic Circle’s trainer will rely on Aqwaam, Zealandia and The Grand Visir this time around.

The Shunter was expected to be a leading player for trainer Emmet Mullins but he was declared a non-runner due to the Chester ground, which is now good to firm, good in places.

Joseph O’Brien’s Irish raider Magellan Strait arrives on the back of victory at Dundalk and will have the assistance of William Buick, while Duke Of Oxford has been knocking on the door in staying contests, with his trainer Michael Bell taking plenty of encouragement from his second to Prydwen on All-Weather Championships Finals Day.

He said: “His recent form was franked by the horse that beat him at Newcastle and we’ve had this in mind ever since. He’s had a very good prep heading into the race and we are hopeful of a good run.

“He’s on an attractive mark and certainly deserves to be one of the market leaders.”

Duke Of Oxford is one of the horses burdened with an outside draw. However, Bell is buoyed by some of the recent results in the race and is confident the mount of David Egan can manoeuvre his way into contention.

Bell added: “A horse won from that draw four years ago (Making Miracles) and I’ve watched some replays of the recent Chester Cups and Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori both came from a fair way back on recent winners.

“Obviously you are a hostage to the pace up front if you drop in, but certainly over two and a quarter miles you can overcome it.”

As well as Magellan Strait, both Tony Martin’s Zanndabad and Dermot Weld’s Falcon Eight carry Irish hopes, with the latter running in the two-and-a-quarter-mile handicap for the fourth straight year having won in the hands of Frankie Dettori in 2021.

Kevin Ryan’s Forza Orza is 3lb higher than when landing a valuable handicap at last year’s Ebor meeting and is one of two in the race for Yorkshire trainers alongside Declan Carroll’s course specialist Emiyn, who seeks to better his seventh in the race in 2023.

“He’s won there a couple of times and he ran well in the race there last year,” said Carroll.

“He seems to be a better horse around there and I think the atmosphere lights him up. He seems to show his best form there for sure.

“He’s in good form and we’ve always had this race in mind as his main race for this part of the season. Seven is not a bad draw for him and he likes to go forward and he’s in good form and will give a good account of himself I’m sure.”

Ed Dunlop’s Citizen General and James Owen’s Too Friendly complete a reduced field of 16.



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Michael Owen on the scoresheet with It Ain’t Two

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Michael Owen is dreaming of bigger days having seen his homebred It Ain’t Two get on the scoresheet in the bet365 EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.

Trained by Hugo Palmer, her half-brother Balon D’Or hit the target at the first attempt last season, but odds of 18-1 perhaps told the true tale of expectation as the daughter of Calyx showed plenty of ability in the five-furlong event.

Balon D’Or would go on to run at the former England international’s beloved Chester May Festival and It Ain’t Two could now follow suit.

Michael Owen cut a delighted figure at Newmarket
Michael Owen cut a delighted figure at Newmarket (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Owen said: “Her brother won first time out at this time last year and we’ve obviously come to a trickier place in terms of quality, but you would have to be delighted with that, it’s a nice surprise.

“Lots of horses were fancied before the race, so we weren’t that confident, just because of what people were saying about theirs, but she’s a homebred filly and you have to start thinking of black type now. It will be interesting and a nice surprise and it will have us thinking in a different way.

“Normally with one of mine, I’m thinking maiden, Lily Agnes and Ascot. That’s the dream passage but we’ll see and, as she is a homebred and I have the mare at home, we may have to think of something else. It’s nice problems to have.”

The “something else” the former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker references could be the Marygate Stakes at York, with It Ain’t Two’s trainer eyeing an immediate step up into Listed company.

“We took her for a racecourse gallop at Wolverhampton about a month ago and she got lapped, so I thought I best run her as soon as possible,” said Palmer.

“We came here for some nice ground, as it was going to get called off at Redcar!

“Now she’s a winner, I guess we will go to York and try and finish in the top three in the Marygate.”

The Each Way Extra At bet365 EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes has been won by some useful operators over the years and Kevin Ryan’s Bolsena could have more to come after opening her account at the fourth attempt in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Bolsena was a three-length winner in the hands of Ryan Moore
Bolsena was a three-length winner in the hands of Ryan Moore (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Moore was also in the saddle aboard Juddmonte’s Kalpana, who showed a clean pair of heels to surge clear of her rivals in the Price Promise At bet365 Handicap.

The Andrew Balding-trained 11-2 winner could now have a return to the Rowley Mile on her agenda, before connections consider even bigger assignments in the future.

“She has had two very good runs and the horse who beat her the last day of Kevin Ryan’s (Inisherin) could be potentially a very, very good horse,” explained Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the owners.

“We were a bit disappointed that day, but today’s performance shows we probably bumped into a very good horse.

Kalpana impressed in the final race of the day
Kalpana impressed in the final race of the day (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“Andrew has liked her all the time and we thought a step up to 10 furlongs (next time) might bring about improvement and Ryan just said there, she might be a filly who could get 12 furlongs later in the season. We were hopeful of a good run and she definitely did well.

“We will maybe look at the Pretty Polly. She handled the track well and Ryan thought she would be versatile enough ground-wise, so we will look at that if she comes out of this one well.

“We’ll take small steps and if she showed up well in the Pretty Polly, we could consider the Oaks, but we’ll go small steps and see how we go.”

The opening race of the day went the way of Richard Hannon’s Dark Thirty, with the versatile operator proving as consistent as ever when notching up his fourth career success.

“He’s a genuine Saturday horse and one that is very useful. He will win us races every year and it gives us a lot of pleasure.” said Hannon.



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Golden Trick banks Ballyhane prize for Hugo Palmer

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Golden Trick showed plenty of guts to lead home a one-two for owners Bronte Collection in the valuable Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas on Monday.

There was €148,500 on offer for the winner of this fiercely-competitive two-year-old event, with Hugo Palmer’s raider holding off Kevin Ryan’s fellow British-trained runner Jungle Mate in a tight finish.

A winner at Chester last time, the winner was drawn on the far rail and stuck to the paint all the way up the six-furlong straight in the hands of Ben Coen.

Asked to kick on as the race entered the final furlong and a half, Golden Trick soon came to life under Coen and opened up a gap between him and the remainder of the field as the 20 runners were spread right across the width of the track.

Golden Trick’s advantage was diminishing by the stride inside the final stages as those on the far side were closing at a rate of knots. But the 13-2 scorer still had enough up his sleeve to come home a half-length winner and return to Palmer’s Cheshire base with the first prize.

Coen said: “I was hoping that they’d stay far side and not complicate things and go across.

“I had a lovely run the whole way. He came under me at halfway, I gave him a dig and kept him rolling. I probably got there too soon but he’s a hardy horse and he gets through that ground really well.

“In the last 75 yards he was having a look around and I’d say if something had come close to me, he would have went again.

“I had watched his couple of races. Hugo said he was straightforward and that he had come on from the last day and he’d handle the ground so to keep it simple. I’m delighted.”

In the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Race, it was Adrian McGuinness’ Rush Queen that got the better of Aidan O’Brien’s 4-5 favourite The Caribbean.

The filly was seen racing over seven furlongs in a Group Three prior to this, but thrived when dropped back to the minimum distance and proved the perfect tonic for her handler who endured a testing time during the recent Galway Festival.

“It’s a bit of compensation (after Galway), it’s forgotten about now after today,” said McGuinness.

“Cian (MacRedmond, jockey) gave her a great ride, I know it was a small field. I thought it was going to be tactical and I told him to sit behind Ryan and try to come with one blast with her.

“Aidan’s horse had blinkers on, so we were saying that he might not be the most straightforward. That’s exactly what he did and she quickened up really well and went away nicely.

“We might hunt a bit of black type with her again and maybe even try to find something in England. She’s for sale as well, but if she’s not sold we will hunt blacktype.

“She’s a very genuine filly and she’s won a nice pot of money today so it’s great.

“She’s not slow, I’ve worked her with the Listed filly at home (Tiger Belle) and there is not a whole pile between them. She travelled very well today.”



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International goals on the horizon for Stenton Glider

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German 1000 Guineas runner-up Stenton Glider could be on her travels again later this year as Hugo Palmer plots a course for America with the talented filly.

The three-year-old has thrice finished runner-up in four starts this term, taking the silver medal in the Fred Darling at Newbury and again in Dusseldorf, before achieving another second-place effort when collared late on by Mystic Pearl in Saturday’s Coral Distaff at Sandown.

She was also unplaced behind Mawj in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her second start this term.

Palmer felt Andrea Atzeni’s mount was a little unfortunate not to add to her Chester novice win as a two-year-old on her latest run in the Listed mile contest.

He said: “She was unlucky in some regards. She fended the other two off, they softened her up, Bridestones (third) and Magical Sunset (seventh), but she is rated 10lb higher than Bridestones.

“She is a very genuine filly, she’s tough and she tries, but she is also one of those that just does enough.

“I think she was content in herself that she was just doing enough and William’s (Haggas) filly has just come wide and late, and done her without any chance to respond.

“It was difficult from that draw (10), as I don’t think Andrea could have done anything else, as if she’d had a tow into the race and been able to quicken off the heels of something, she might have gone on and been a little bit clear of them.”

Palmer has plenty of faith that the best is yet to come from the strapping daughter of Dandy Man, who will be handed entries at Ascot and Haydock.

“We will probably make an entry in the Valiant at Ascot (July 29), but we’d be more likely to go to the Dick Hern (Haydock, August 12). She is a very big filly and still filling her frame. I think she’ll be, with luck and a fair wind, a really nice four-year-old. She didn’t run until the back end last year and she is just growing and changing all the time.”

Palmer saddled Hawksmoor to finish third in the Grade One Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland in 2016 and thinks a return to the Kentucky track could be a good long-term fit for Stenton Glider.

“The priority will be to make her a stakes winner this year,” added the Cheshire handler. “I’ve always had it in the back of my mind if she could be good enough to go and warrant the trip, I’d love to take her to the QEII at Keeneland in October. I think American racing there would suit her really well.

“The priority is to make her a stakes winner now she is Listed, Group Two and Group Three placed.

“She is gorgeous and I think she will keep getting better. If she could win either the Dick Hern or the Valiant, then the Atalanta at Sandown (September 2) would be another possibility for her.”

Hackman looks set for a trip to Goodwood
Hackman looks set for a trip to Goodwood (David Davies/PA)

Meanwhile Hackman, who was runner-up to the impressive Kylian in Friday’s Listed Dragon Stakes, will head to Goodwood.

Winner of a five-furlong Listed race at Chester in May, the Mehmas juvenile had little chance with the winner but has taken the race well.

Palmer said: “He is in really good order. He toughed it out to be second, but James (Doyle) has ridden him to be Listed-placed twice over that track at Sandown this year and he just said he feels like it’s a long way on him.

“So he is going to go to the Molecomb and hopefully maybe that very sharp five will play to his strengths.

“He’s not a superstar, but he is a well-above-average horse and can definitely win stakes races.”

Hugo Palmer may stay close to home with Brad The Brief this weekend
Hugo Palmer may stay close to home with Brad The Brief this weekend (Mike Egerton/PA)

Goodwood is also a possibility for Brad The Brief, who seems poised to miss the Group One Pertemps Network July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday in favour of the Listed Raymond & Kathleen Corbett Memorial City Plate at Chester.

“When I left him in, it looked likely there was going to be more rain, so I would say Brad The Brief is an unlikely runner in the July Cup,” said Palmer.

“But we got pretty wet up here, so I would say he’s pretty likely to run in the seven-furlong Listed race at Chester on Saturday.

“While he has never won over seven, he has always shaped like he could and if that went well, then the (Group Two) Lennox could easily be on his radar as well at Goodwood.”



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