A decision on whether Karl Burke’s top-class sprinter Swingalong remains in training next season will be made in the coming days.
The filly has been a narrow second in three Group Ones this season, including in the Champions Sprint at Ascot.
If the decision is taken to retire her, there is a possibility her career will end in Hong Kong but if she carries on for one more year she is unlikely to travel.
“We haven’t completely decided but a decision will be made shortly,” said Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum. “She’s still in great form and has come out of the race really well.
Such a game win 💪
The @james_fanshawe team win a record THIRD QIPCO British Champions Stakes.
Kind of Blue sticks his neck ou to hold off all challengers under @the_doyler for Wathnan Racing.
“The discussion is whether she stays in training, which if she does she probably won’t go to Hong Kong, but if Sheikh Juma decides to retire her to stud she might have one more bash in Hong Kong before going.
“She’s come so close in three Group Ones, that is why the temptation is there to bring her back for another year.
“When you are beaten a matter of inches in those sort of races, you almost think surely she can win one. She’s proved what a tough filly she is and how genuine she is.
“If she stays in training one more year she might have her head down at the right time.”
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James Doyle admitted it will be tough to choose which of Wathnan Racing duo Shareholder and Aesterius to partner in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar after putting Karl Burke’s Royal Ascot hero through his paces at Southwell on Thursday.
Shareholder was a length and a half ahead of Aesterius when storming to his Norfolk Stakes success at the Royal meeting, but since then has only been sighted once, when disappointing tried over six furlongs in the Prix Morny.
In the meantime, the Archie Watson-trained Aesterius has gone from strength to strength winning three of his four starts since Ascot and picking up the Group Two Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster most recently.
Both colts are headed to California next month to contest the five-furlong event won last year by Mick Appleby’s Big Evs, with the owners’ retained rider not pinning his colours to any particular mast at this stage, as both youngsters build towards their big assignment.
Aesterius (left) winning at Doncaster (Mike Egerton/PA)
Doyle said: “It’s not an easy decision, but a nice one to have to make. I’ll leave it as late as possible before deciding.
“They’re in good shape and they’ve had gallops around a bend and similar workouts – Aesterius went to Kempton and worked anti-clockwise.
“It was not necessarily a test of his ability just a case of giving him that experience of going fast round a turn, similar to Shareholder here today. They are both in good shape and I couldn’t be happier with them.
“They’ve done a good job so far for myself and Wathnan and anything else they do this year will be a bonus.”
Shareholder and James Doyle at Southwell (Adam Morgan/PA)
Shareholder cost connections €460,000 at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year and having made an immediate impression for the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation, is now on a slight recovery mission when he heads to the country of his sire, Not This Time.
Doyle has partnered the Spigot Lodge-trained youngster in all three outings so far and was happy with what was underneath him during a spin on the Southwell Tapeta.
He added: “I was very pleased with Shareholder, it was a nice exercise for him to do. It was his first gallop around a turn and he handled it well. He’s in good order and I was very pleased.
“He’s very fast, very quick. It is always hard to know how he will get on and it is always a different story when you get out to America. It’s a different test and one he will not have faced before, but you couldn’t be happier with his preparation anyway.”
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Karl Burke enjoyed another big Saturday winner when Al Qareem landed back-to-back BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot.
Burke has saddled the first three home in the Ayr Gold Cup and won the Cambridgeshire on the last two Saturdays, on top of several other major victories this season.
Al Qareem had been winless this term until he won a Listed race at Chester three weeks ago and that seemed to put an extra pep in his step.
Heavily backed, the 11-10 favourite built up an early advantage under Clifford Lee and while Cieren Fallon attempted to smuggle Al Aasy, who had played up pre-race, into it he could get no closer than two lengths.
Speaking from Newmarket, Burke said: “He won well and wears his heart on his sleeve.
“A mile and a half is his minimum trip and I said to Cliff if they give you an easy lead take it and if you can pinch a length or two up the hill it will be hard work for them to catch you on that ground. He never looked like being caught, did he.
“He’s got an entry at Ascot (Champions Day) and we will keep an eye on that race, but he is more likely to go for the Prix Royal-Oak and take a shot at that. We will see what turns up at both meetings and make a decision closer to the time.”
Johnny Portman’s Rumstar won for the first time since the Cornwallis Stakes in 2022 when streaking clear in the BetMGM Rous Stakes.
As usual Democracy Dilemma set a scorching early gallop but in testing conditions he was unable to keep it up.
Hector Crouch came through with a powerful run on Rumstar (6-1) and he beat Beautiful Diamond by two lengths.
Crouch told Sky Sports Racing: “Johnny is very easy to ride for, he leaves it up to you. He’s a very good trainer, he just said to put him in the right spot and let the horse do the rest.
“He deserved to win a decent race, it’s been a long time between drinks for him, he carries a lot of weight in handicaps and has been unlucky in a few Listed and Group races so it’s nice to get his head in front, for his owners and for Johnny.”
He deserved that! ✅
Second in a Wokingham, a Stewards' Cup (twice) and a Portland, Apollo One finally gets his day in the sun with victory in the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at @Ascot 👏pic.twitter.com/ptEz4KHWGj
Apollo One (17-2), who has come close in so many big handicaps, got his day in the sun when winning the John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes.
The six-year-old has been second on seven occasions, including in the Stewards’ Cup and most recently when beaten a nose in the Portland.
However, this time it never looked in doubt as he travelled sweetly throughout for Danny Tudhope before holding off Jarraaf by a length.
“He’s quick out of the stalls but he needs to be held together and have a bit of cover. He pinged the gates, they went steady and he travelled like a train throughout,” said Tudhope.
“He deserves that, he was very unlucky last time and deserved to get a win under his belt. It’s the first time I’ve ever sat on him but I think he enjoyed the ground.”
Peter Charalambous trains Apollo One in partnership with James Clutterbuck and said: “I think at Doncaster he actually thought he had won!
“That’s him done for the year now, I did think about Dubai but he can be quite naughty when he’s travelling.”
Kevin Ryan’s Volterra (11-2) did it the hard way from the front in the valuable BetMGM Challenge Cup.
Shane Gray was afforded an easy lead on the three-year-old and when he asked for more a furlong out Volterra scooted away to win by three and a quarter lengths.
Gray said: “It made it so simple, he jumped and travelled and when I gave him a squeeze he immediately picked up. He’s won over a mile but he’s not slow, if anything we could bring him back to six (furlongs).”
Karl Burke’s Classic heroine Fallen Angel puts her stamina to the test as she steps up in trip for the Prix de l’Opera Longines on Sunday.
The daughter of Too Darn Hot was a beaten favourite in the 1000 Guineas earlier in the year, but quickly made up for that disappointment when claiming the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, confirming the promise of her high-class juvenile form.
A setback kept her on the sidelines for Royal Ascot and all of the summer’s feature attractions, but she made an extremely positive return behind Porta Fortuna when second in the Matron Stakes.
That was her first run in the colours of new owners Wathnan Racing and a performance that encouraged connections to now move up in distance and test the waters at 10 furlongs.
Fallen Angel after winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas earlier in the year (Healy Racing/PA Wire)
“Going up in trip is going to be the big question, but everyone in the team feels that will really suit her,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser for the owners.
“It was a great comeback run in the Matron and we were delighted with that having been off a fair while and we’re looking forward to seeing her up in trip.
“The ground will be on the soft side and she will enjoy that. James (Doyle) said you can do what you want with her, put her where you want in a race, she’s just a complete pro and that is going to stand her in good stead for a big day.”
There is a strong cast of rivals in opposition, with Aidan O’Brien set to field Matron fourth Ylang Ylang and Yorkshire Oaks scorer Content, while Patrice Cottier will saddle his Prix de Diane champion Sparkling Plenty.
Sparkling Plenty (right) running at Goodwood earlier in the season (Andrew Matthews/PA)
Al Shaqab Racing joined Jean Pierre Dubois on the ownership ticket after her Chantilly Classic triumph and after giving a mile and a half a try in the Prix Vermeille most recently, she is now back down to her optimum trip.
“Everyone agreed it was worth trying her over a mile and a half in the Vermeille and as you saw she got back a little bit too far and it became a bit mission impossible,” said Rupert Pritchard-Gordon, Al Shaqab’s French racing consultant.
“Her running style, she travels strongly and the more pace there is in front of her the better. There is always more chance of that going a mile and a quarter rather than a mile and a half and we just feel it is the most logical race for the filly.
“The fact that Bluestocking, Aventure and Mqse De Sevigne have all taken their chance in the big one, all those sort of things made us feel it was the right decision for Sparkling Plenty to run in the l’Opera.”
Friendly Soul has been a shining light for John and Thady Gosden this term (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)
Other British and Irish interest in the race is provided by John and Thady Gosden’s duo Friendly Soul and Running Lion, Johnny Murtagh’s Blandford Stakes winner Hanalia and Joseph O’Brien’s Prix Jean Romanet runner-up American Sonja.
In the Qatar Prix de la Foret, Kinross will attempt to regain the crown he surrendered to Carlos Laffon-Parias’ reopposing Kelina 12 months ago.
Ralph Beckett’s gelding won this title in the midst of a halcyon campaign in 2022 and looked back to his best when winning Doncaster’s Park Stakes last month.
“We’re very excited. Hopefully the ground doesn’t dry out too much, but I can’t see that happening. We’re all looking forward to it,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for owner Marc Chan.
“Hopefully his win will give him the confidence ahead of this race and it’s really exciting to be going back to the Foret.”
William Haggas’ Hungerford Stakes winner Tiber Flow and John and Sean Quinn’s supplemented City of York Stakes scorer Breege feature amongst the raiders, while there is a strong home team led by Andre Fabre’s Prix du Moulin hero Tribalist.
Christopher Head will be represented by his star filly Ramatuelle, who drops in distance following fine efforts in defeat in both the 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Ramatuelle (left) in action in the 1000 Guineas (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)
“Ramatuelle is really nice and she’s had a lot of advantage missing the summer, it’s really done her well,” said Head.
“She is really doing her job every morning and I am really happy with her. She is still as good as she was at the beginning of the season.
“We are really happy with the stall number (six) we have got in the Foret and I am pretty sure Aurelien (Lemaitre, jockey) and Ramatuelle can handle it.”
Head trained Big Rock to Queen Elizabeth II Stakes success last year, but since switched to Maurizio Guarnieri he has failed to reach the same heights and he also drops in trip having been supplemented on Thursday.
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Karl Burke was left to celebrate at home in Middleham as Lethal Levi spearheaded a one-two-three for the trainer in the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup.
Burke had already trained the first and second in the race back in 1998, but he bettered that effort as Lethal Levi was just too good for stablemates Silky Wilkie and Korker in this year’s renewal.
The five-year-old has been running consistently well all season but his victory over seven furlongs at Newbury last time pushed him up another 4lb and combined with what had previously been seen as a negative draw in stall 20, he was sent off at 20-1 under Clifford Lee.
Adopting his usual front-running tactics, he was taken on for the lead by Silky Wilkie and that pair had it between them from some way out.
Lethal Levi (far left) leads home two stablemates (Steve Welsh/PA)
With half a furlong to run, Lethal Levi’s stamina really kicked in and he began to pull away and eventually crossed the line three lengths to the good.
Silky Wilkie just held off stablemate Korker by a short head for second with Aramis Grey the first home behind the Burke trio in fourth.
The heavily backed 11-4 favourite American Affair met plenty of traffic problems and finished unplaced.
Burke was not at Ayr having decided to travel to Newbury where Andesite was due to contest the Mill Reef Stakes.
However, he was withdrawn due to heavy ground, leaving Burke to take in the action at his Spigot Lodge base.
“I thought we had plenty of staff going up to Ayr and I was heading to Newbury with the two-year-old, but when he didn’t run I stayed at home – I should have probably gone the other way,” he said.
Clifford Lee with the Ayr Gold Cup (Steve Welsh/PA)
“If everything went to plan, I did think Lethal was our best chance as he’s been in great form. Korker had been moving really well but with him it’s how well he breaks and we put a visor on Silky Wilkie for the first time, which clearly worked and he gets on really well with Sam Feilden.
“It had looked like the handicapper had Lethal Levi until recently, but he won well at Newbury last time over seven and he’s broken the track record today over six. He’s in great form. Putting blinkers on him has made a huge difference.
“I’m not sure what we’ll do, I’d imagine he’ll be out of handicaps but I’ll have to look in the book, that looked to be at least a Group Three performance and he’d deserve the step up.”
Always Alight (left) topped Daring Destiny back in 1998 (David Cheskin/PA)
Daring Destiny’s victory in the 1994 renewal of Scottish highlight was one of the first major winners for the trainer, with the same mare beaten just a head by stable companion Always Alight four years later.
Burke said: “Daring Destiny was a big filly for us, after winning the Gold Cup she went and won a couple of Group races when we didn’t have many horses.
“She won it at three and four years later she was second to Always Alight. She was a bit regressive then, while he was a bit of a monkey.
“They used to work together and they were drawn close to each other which I’m sure is the reason he won as he just followed her the whole way and had his head down where it mattered! She could have easily been a dual winner.
“It’s a great race to win, especially to us based in the north and I’m delighted to win it again.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/277538609-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-09-21 16:09:432024-09-21 16:09:43Levi proves Lethal as Burke bosses Ayr Gold Cup
Lethal Levi led home an incredible one-two-three for trainer Karl Burke in the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup.
The five-year-old has been running consistently well all season but his victory over seven furlongs at Newbury last time pushed him up another 4lb and combined with what had previously been seen as a negative draw in stall 20, he was sent off at 20-1 under Clifford Lee.
Adopting his usual front-running tactics, he was taken on for the lead by his stable companion Silkie Wilkie and that pair had it between them from some way out.
With half a furlong to run, Lethal Levi’s stamina really kicked in and he began to pull away and eventually crossed the line three lengths to the good.
Silkie Wilkie just held off fell stablemate Korker by a short head for second with Aramis Grey the first home behind the Burke trio in fourth.
The heavily backed 11-4 favourite American Affair met plenty of traffic problems and finished unplaced.
Burke won his first Ayr Gold Cup in 1994 with Daring Destiny and followed up four years later with Always Alight.
Lee told ITV Racing: “I was delighted when he won at Newbury the last day as his fractions over seven were very good, so I knew he’d stay well.
“I went pretty quick but I always felt I had a lot of horse underneath me.
“It’s great riding for Mr Burke, he puts me on some very nice horses and this horse has won some very nice races.
“I’m delighted, this is my first Gold Cup, I hope there’s many more to come.”
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James Doyle will sport the Wathnan silks aboard Fallen Angel for the first time as Karl Burke’s Classic heroine aims to continue her Irish love affair in the Coolmore America ‘Justify’ Matron Stakes at Leopardstown.
The Karl Burke-trained daughter of Dark Angel has tasted defeat just twice in her six-race career and both of her victories at the highest level have come when crossing the Irish Sea.
A winner on this weekend in the Moyglare Stud Stakes as a two-year-old, she recovered from being beaten in the 1000 Guineas to claim the Curragh equivalent in decisive fashion in her most recent appearance.
She suffered a setback following that triumph which saw her miss both the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the height of summer, but she returns with new ownership to her name in the shape of the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation.
“We’re very much looking forward to seeing her running in the Wathnan colours,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.
“She’s been off the track a long time and it’s a big ask going up against that calibre of opposition after time off, but Karl reports her to be in great shape.
“Karl is a top-class trainer and top-class guy. He’s done a superb job for Wathnan this year and we’re delighted to add this filly to the team.”
While Fallen Angel was on the sidelines, Porta Fortuna has established herself as the leading performer in the division, winning at both Royal Ascot and the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.
Donnacha O’Brien’s stable star is reunited with Tom Marquand as she seeks a third a third straight Group One victory which could set up an exciting return to the Breeders’ Cup later in the year.
Porta Fortuna and Tom Marquand combined to win at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)
Marquand said: “She’s been faultless, not just this season but throughout, and she’s a very good filly.
“She’s an exciting filly and it’s great to be getting back on board her. It’s a very good race, but it’s Irish Champions Weekend and a Group One and the races are as they’re supposed to be. I wish they were a bit easier!”
Ylang Ylang spent last winter being talked about as a Classic prospect having ended her two-year-old campaign as a Group One winner.
However, things have not gone to plan so far this term for Aidan O’Brien’s daughter of Frankel.
“We rode her very gently the last day because we were very conscious that she was just about ready to run,” explained O’Brien.
Ylang Ylang is yet to hit her straps this term (Nigel French/PA)
“The race wasn’t fast so it never really opened up and Ryan (Moore) kind of floated her home when that happened because he was never going to get in the race.
“She could go to the fillies’ race on Arc weekend and we’re thinking about America, but over a mile the next day will be different – we’ll ride her more positively and forward.”
Willie McCreery will saddle both his French 1000 Guineas third Vespertilio – second to Fallen Angel in the Moyglare last year – and the unbeaten Jancis who has twice shown a devastating turn of foot in her two outings.
Both of Jancis’ victories have come at the Dublin track, with her handler hoping her local knowledge can combat a lack of experience.
McCreery said: “It’s a huge step for Jancis and you would love to have more experience into her and if it was a different track you would be worried. However, it’s the same track she’s run on so she will know where she is, she seems in great form and will love that quicker ground.
Jancis lands an impressive victory in the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes at @LeopardstownRC , under Billy Lee for Willie McCreery
“Billy (Lee) has opted for Vespertilio and he thinks the more toughened, harder filly might suit, but he doesn’t know if he has made the right choice either.
“I hate running two horses against each other – especially ones of their quality. If there was a fillies’ Group One over seven furlongs I would split them up, but when the races are on your doorstep you have to take your chance and it’s a great weekend of racing.”
Also testing her mettle at the highest level is George Boughey’s Royal Ascot heroine Soprano’ who thrived for a change of tactics when returning to winning ways at Deauville last month.
Billy Loughnane has enjoyed plenty of good days with the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing-owned filly, who despite a tricky draw to overcome, deserves the opportunity to race in this grade.
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey celebrate Soprano’s Royal Ascot victory (John Walton/PA)
Boughey said: “Soprano was impressive under new tactics in France. The draw is not ideal, but we’re looking forward to seeing her back up at the top grade.
“It is obviously a very hot race, but she deserves her place in this field. She’s a Royal Ascot winner and now a Group Three winner and I think physically she is the best she’s ever looked. This won’t be the end for her and we’re also looking forward to seeing her again as a four-year-old next year.”
Joseph O’Brien’s Rogue Millennium was second to Tahiyra in this when trained by Tom Clover 12 months ago and arrives having finished third behind Porta Fortuna in the Falmouth and then the Prix Rothschild most recently.
Adrian Murray’s Magical Sunset and Mammas Girl, along with Ger Lyons’ Wendla, complete the field.
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Holloway Boy secured his first victory since making a successful debut at Royal Ascot over two years ago in the Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile at Haydock.
Karl Burke’s four-year-old made an explosive start to his career when running out a shock 40-1 winner of the 2022 Chesham Stakes, but while he has been placed in good company on numerous occasions since, he had failed to add to his tally.
Returning to Group Three company after being on the podium in lucrative handicaps Sandown, Goodwood and York this summer, Holloway Boy was a 7-2 shot to snap a 12-race losing streak and travelled strongly for much of the race in the hands of William Buick.
Prague, the 100-30 favourite, came from the rear of the field to throw down his challenge and encountered traffic problems along the way.
Dylan Cunha’s runner got rolling late, but having navigated his way to the front a furlong out, Holloway Boy had just enough up his sleeve to repel the market leader by half a length, with Witch Hunter only a head further behind in third.
“He’s a very talented horse, always has been, but he does just save a bit for himself. You could see in the last half-furlong there he was pulling up a bit,” said Burke.
“He’s been running really well in big handicaps. He’s been travelling well and then petering out inside the last half-furlong and not quite getting there, so I said to William today ‘if you’re travelling well three down, go and let him get his head in front’ – and I’m so glad he didn’t listen!
“William came in and said he’s a horse who wants something to aim at. He doesn’t down tools, but he’s a lazy horse and he’s like that at home.
“We went the route of big-money handicaps and it didn’t quite happen, so we were looking for this type of race and it’s worked out.
“I’m not sure where we’ll go next, to be honest. He’ll go on any ground, so he’ll run right the way through and I might look at travelling abroad to Dubai or Saudi – he’s that type of horse you could go anywhere with.”
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Classic winner Fallen Angel has been bought by Wathnan Racing for an undisclosed fee.
Karl Burke’s charge was a Group One winner as a juvenile, landing the Moyglare Stud Stakes, before adding a Classic to her tally when winning the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh back in May.
The three-year-old was then due to contest the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot but a setback prevented her from lining up in the June highlight and she has been off the track since.
Bred by Steve Parkin’s Branton Court Stud, she raced in the colours of Parkin’s Clipper Logistics but will now sport the old gold and peacock blue colours of Wathnan when she makes her planned return to action in the Matron Stakes next month.
Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan, said: “She’s a tremendous athlete, already a dual Group One winner, and we’re very excited to see what she can do in the months and seasons ahead.”
Burke and Wathnan have already enjoyed high-profile success this term, with Leovanni winning the Queen Mary Stakes and Shareholder taking the Norfolk, both at Royal Ascot.
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Royal Ascot heroine Leovanni will bid to regain the winning thread in Newmarket’s Cheveley Park Stakes next month after tasting defeat for the first time at York.
An impressive winner on debut at Nottingham, Karl Burke’s youngster marched on to the Royal meeting where she dazzled in the Queen Mary Stakes, showing plenty of speed to win in commanding fashion.
Upped to six furlongs for the Lowther Stakes at York, she was still in the discussion approaching the finishing line but was unable to pass Ed Walker’s Celandine as she finished an honourable third.
However, connections are taking plenty of positives from Leovanni’s Knavesmire appearance, with the daughter of Kodi Bear now poised to move into Group One company on the Rowley Mile on September 28.
“She’s bounced out of the race well and we’re delighted,” said Richard Brown, European racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.
“She definitely got home over the six furlongs and I thought she ran very well under a penalty.
“She relaxed nicely which was good to see and she will come to Newmarket for the Cheveley Park all being well.”
It was mixed fortunes for the Wathnan string during the Ebor weekend as the peacock blue and old gold silks failed to appear in the winner’s enclosure despite some fine efforts from the squad in defeat.
The likes of Gregory and exciting juveniles Artagnan and Realign joined Leovanni in making the podium in Yorkshire, but there was the odd disappointment along the way – especially Hamad Al-Jehani’s high-profile recruit The Strikin Viking who failed to figure in the Gimcrack Stakes last Friday.
“Most of them ran really well and we’ve had plenty of luck this year so we were probably due a week where things didn’t quite go our way,” continued Brown.
“The Strikin Viking was very disappointing and too free – he was out on a wing and we need to get cover with him.
“We will give him a break now and probably bring him back for one target at the back-end. He’s a big horse so I think he has scope for next year.”
Also on the Wathnan York team was William Haggas’ King Edward VII Stakes runner-up Space Legend who was not disgraced in the Great Voltigeur and could now be put away for a four-year-old campaign.
Brown added: “He’s a big horse and he’s only going to get better over the winter and we’ll see what we think.
“I wouldn’t completely dismiss the option of putting him away for next year as I really think he is a horse for next year.
“He has plenty of speed and I don’t think being out of a Dark Angel mare he will get an extreme trip, so we will see. We’ve made no firm decisions with him yet.”
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Spycatcher rekindled his love affair with Deauville when returning to winning ways in the Group Three Prix de Meautry.
Karl Burke’s six-year-old scored at the same level at this track last summer, as well as going down by just a short head in the Prix Maurice de Gheest.
He was not beaten far when defending his Prix de Ris-Orangis title early last month, finishing just a length and a half behind Shouldvebeenaring in sixth.
Having been given a short break to freshen up, Spycatcher got the better of a late battle with the Clive Cox-trained James’s Delight to get back on the scoresheet, prevailing by a neck under Clifford Lee.
SPYCATCHER records his 6th career success and second Group victory at Deauville in the Group 3 Prix de Meautry under Clifford Lee for Karl Burke 🏆
Congratulations to all of his owners in the The Adriana Zaefferer Syndicate 👏🏻#HighclereRacing
Harry Herbert of owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing said: “It’s absolutely fantastic, he’s an amazing old servant and it’s just great to see him winning again.
“We’ve been waiting to get his ground all season and Karl said he was in great form going into this race.
“The ground has actually been changing from one way to another over the past few days but it went the right way for him in the end.
“He really is an amazing horse and it’s very special. Karl and his team have done a fantastic job and we were actually going to retire him at one stage but the vet said to just give him time and now he’s back winning Group races again.
“He loves that style of racing out in France and always seems to do well there.
“Deauville isn’t the easiest place to get to but he has a great bunch of owners and they’ve had plenty of fun out there today, which is what it’s all about.”
Karl Burke trains Spycatcher (Mike Egerton/PA).
Make Me King gave new Wathnan Racing trainer Hamad Al Jehani his biggest success since setting up in Newmarket when running out an emphatic winner of the Prix Quincey.
The four-year-old had some decent form in France for Andre Fabre before joining his current connections at the end of last year.
He returned to his homeland in fair form after splitting two creditable efforts in valuable Ascot handicaps with a Newcastle victory and fairly bolted up in this Group Three contest.
James Doyle was happy to track firm favourite Topgear early on and Make Me King ultimately came through strongly to comfortably beat that rival by two and a half lengths over a mile.
Make Me King makes it look easy!
This Wathnan-owned four-year-old hits the front comfortably under James Doyle and delivers in the G3 Prix Quincey… pic.twitter.com/PHAChb64xg
Former Derby favourite Arrest remains without a win this season after having to settle for second best for a third straight outing in the Group Two Grand Prix de Deauville.
John and Thady Gosden’s charge was a well-beaten runner-up behind Point Lonsdale in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester and chased home Giavellotto in Newmarket’s Princess of Wales’s Stakes.
He was heavily backed to go one better in France and Kieran Shoemark looked in control of proceedings when kicking on from the front turning for home.
However, German raider Quantanamera came out of the chasing pack and finished strongly, sweeping past to score by four lengths.
Her trainer Andreas Suborics said: “She was impressive. It’s a racecourse where she is particularly effective. The ground, too, was ideal for her.
“However, it was the step up in trip – from 2,000m to 2,500m – that proved decisive on this occasion, as it was the key to her victory.
“Stephane Pasquier rode the perfect race. She beat a good field and that’s a good pointer for the future. We’re now going to head to Ascot for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on October 19.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/272830827-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-25 15:30:232024-08-26 10:20:07Spycatcher strikes at Deauville once more
Clifford Lee was a cool customer aboard Ice Max as he pounced late to take the William Hill Celebration Mile Stakes at Goodwood.
Karl Burke’s gelded son of Dark Angel looked a progressive operator earlier in the season but has had his momentum checked in deep waters the last twice.
However, he regained the winning thread in great style on the Sussex Downs, relishing testing conditions as he denied Simon and Ed Crisford’s Poker Face who ultimately showed his hand too early as he tried to make all.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, Burke was always confident about Ice Max’s chance once the rain arrived and was thrilled to see his charge scoop Group Two honours.
“The more rain that fell, the more confident we were,” said Burke.
“He is a progressive, talented horse and when he learns to settle better will stay further. We are delighted with his performance.”
Anshoda booked her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup by claiming the William Hill Prestige Fillies’ Stakes for David Loughnane.
An impressive winner on debut at Lingfield, she outran huge odds to finish second in the Listed Star Stakes at Sandown and proved she is a filly on the rise after scoring at 4-1 in the hands of Billy Loughnane.
She was cut to 16-1 for Newmarket’s Rockfel Stakes and 20-1 for the bet365 Fillies’ Mile by Paddy Power following the Group Three success, but a trip to Del Mar in November is uppermost in connections’ thoughts.
Loughnane said: “I’m delighted and it’s our first runner for Gary Barber and Team Valor, who bought the filly after she won at Sandown, so it’s a huge result in that respect and a great start to the relationship.
“I bought her in the Guineas breeze-up from Diamond Bloodstock and Rodrigo Goncalves recommended her. She was a cheap buy but Rodrigo did a great job with her and told us to mind her until the seven-furlong races start and then she will win first time.
“She’s tough and hardy and they all had to go on that ground, but we were hopeful that with her attitude she would get through it fine. She crept through it beautifully, hit the line strong and I’m over the moon.
“She’s American-owned now and the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf will very much be her target and we will work our way back from there. She has a few entries between the Rockfel and the Fillies’ Mile and I always felt getting her up to a mile is when you would see her true ability – she’s tough and she grinds it out and over a mile, hopefully she will be even more impressive.”
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Alfa Kellenic gave Yorkshire handler Craig Lidster a day to remember when bringing up a five-timer in the British EBF Fillies’ Handicap at York.
Rotherham-born Lidster trains out of Easingwold and had already saddled the in-form three-year-old to win once on the Knavesmire this term.
However, the flying daughter of Havana Grey was giving him by far the biggest success of his fledgling training career by repeating the dose at the venue’s flagship meeting.
The 17-2 shot travelled strongly in the hands of Tom Eaves and when hitting the front inside the final half-furlong clung on gamely by a short head to extend her winning streak.
Lidster said: “Five wins in a row, unbelievable. She’s tough filly and what an accolade for the yard, the owners and all my staff. I’m chuffed to bits.
“She’s versatile and we know she can win over six furlongs and stays seven now. Do we go to the Ayr Gold Cup? What do we do? This has opened up lots of different avenues for us now and it’s back to the drawing board.
“We’ve still got our plans over six and now we need to look at options over seven at the same time.
“She’s a filly we have always took our time with and thought a lot about. Everyone has had patience and she has delivered in the end.
“To win this at the Ebor meeting, I’m chuffed to bits. I’m chuffed for the owners, everyone at the yard and also all the owners within my yard as well, it’s just a huge team effort.”
Elsewhere, Thunder Run led from pillar to post in the £150,000 Clipper Handicap.
Owned by the race sponsor, Steve Parkin, the Karl Burke-trained three-year-old was second on his Wetherby debut before claiming back-to-back wins in July at Thirsk and Hamilton respectively.
He could finish only third as an odds-on favourite for his handicap debut in the Summer Cup back at Thirsk earlier this month, but rewarded those who kept the faith with an improved performance on the Knavesmire, seeing off all-comers at 6-1 under David Egan, scoring by half a length from Mirsky.
Burke, who also saddled the third-placed Holloway Boy, said: “I’m just glad to get a winner, what we’ve run so far have been running reasonably well but it’s nice to get one, especially for Steve in the race he sponsors.
“I think this is a very good horse in the making, he’s still very raw. It wasn’t the plan to go out and make it, but David said he jumped well and didn’t feel he was going quick enough so wanted to go on.
“He did say if something had taken him on it probably would have cost him the race as he was on fresh air in the last 100 yards. At the moment a mile is far enough for him.
“Holloway Bay has run his usual game race, too, but he’s carrying plenty of weight at the moment.
“The Balmoral (on Champions Day) will be the right type of race for them both.”
Angel Hunter did just enough to hold off a fast-finishing Age Of Gold in a gallant display to land the sensory-junction.co.uk Autism Awareness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.
The Richard Hannon-trained colt had not finished higher than third in any of his three career starts, but never relinquished his advantage once getting his nose in front for Ryan Moore.
The son of Acclamation, who went off at 8-1, had to overcome a deficit at halfway in the seven-furlong race, but he ebbed away at Qaseem’s early lead to draw level just as they passed the final furlong marker.
He powered ahead in the closing stages for what looked to be a comfortable victory, only for Age Of Gold to provide a late scare as Angel Hunter held on by a neck with Qaseem a further length behind in third.
Hannon said: “I wanted to run him in the sales race, but it would have been a bit sharp.
“It’s actually very fitting as he’s owned by the same people as Witch Hunter who I thought had won the Hungerford on Saturday.
“He’s disappointed me a couple of times this season, but he’s a typical Camacho. He’s got a few nice entries, the sales race at Doncaster, but he’s a horse for next year really.
“Ryan did well to win from stall 17, I just wish I could get him more often, I used to get him all the time but he’s made it!”
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Thunder Run led from pillar to post in the £150,000 Clipper Handicap at York.
Owned by the race sponsor, Steve Parkin, the Karl Burke-trained three-year-old was second on his Wetherby debut before claiming back-to-back wins in July at Thirsk and Hamilton respectively.
He could finish only third as an odds-on favourite for his handicap debut in the Summer Cup back at Thirsk earlier this month, but rewarded those who kept the faith with an improved performance on the Knavesmire, seeing off all comers at 6-1 under David Egan, scoring by half a length from Mirsky.
Burke, who also saddled the third-placed Holloway Boy, said: “I’m just glad to get a winner, what we’ve run so far have been running reasonably well but it’s nice to get one, especially for Steve in the race he sponsors.
“I think this is a very good horse in the making, he’s still very raw. It wasn’t the plan to go out and make it, but David said he jumped well and didn’t feel he was going quick enough so wanted to go on.
“He did say if something had taken him on it probably would have cost him the race as he was on fresh air in the last 100 yards. At the moment a mile is far enough for him.
“Holloway Bay has run his usual game race, too, but he’s carrying plenty of weight at the moment.
“The Balmoral (on Champions Day) will be the right type of race for them both.”
Angel Hunter did just enough to hold off a fast-finishing Age Of Gold in a gallant display to land the sensory-junction.co.uk Autism Awareness EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap.
The Richard Hannon-trained colt had not finished higher than third in any of his three career starts, but never relinquished his advantage once getting his nose in front for Ryan Moore.
The son of Acclamation, who went off at 8-1, had to overcome a deficit at halfway in the seven-furlong race, but he ebbed away at Qaseem’s early lead to draw level just as they passed the final furlong marker.
He powered ahead in the closing stages for what looked to be a comfortable victory, only for Age Of Gold to provide a late scare as Angel Hunter held on by a neck with Qaseem a further length behind in third.
Hannon said: “I wanted to run him in the sales race, but it would have been a bit sharp.
“It’s actually very fitting as he’s owned by the same people as Witch Hunter who I thought had won the Hungerford on Saturday.
“He’s disappointed me a couple of times this season, but he’s a typical Camacho. He’s got a few nice entries, the sales race at Doncaster, but he’s a horse for next year really.
“Ryan did well to win from stall 17, I just wish I could get him more often, I used to get him all the time but he’s made it!”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/277203482-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-08-22 14:36:022024-08-22 16:30:06Thunder runs to York victory for Burke and Egan
Karl Burke appears to hold all the aces as the exciting Leovanni seeks to replicate her Royal Ascot heroics in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York on Thursday.
The flying daughter of Kodi Bear confirmed the promise of her taking Nottingham debut when following up in style in the Queen Mary Stakes, and having been given a break following her exertions at the summer showpiece, she is back to serve a reminder of her qualities.
She is one of three in the mix for the Spigot Lodge handler, alongside Queen Mary fourth and Naas Listed scorer Miss Lamai and dual winner Unspoken Love.
However, it is Leovanni who has Burke most excited following an impressive piece of work in preparation for this Knavesmire Group Two, which the North Yorkshire handler has won twice in the last five years.
“She worked exceptionally well last Friday and I’m very happy with her and I think we go there with a major chance,” said Burke. “I think she’s a deserved favourite.”
Leovanni went into Wathnan Racing folklore when getting them off the mark for the week at Ascot in June and the Qatari operation are excited to see her step up to six furlongs, in what is seen as the “obvious next target” for the £190,000 breeze-up purchase.
“We’re looking forward to seeing her back, we gave her a little break after Ascot, with this the obvious next target,” said Richard Brown, the owners’ European racing adviser.
Leovanni and jockey James Doyle at Ascot (David Davies/PA)
“Karl and the team seem to be happy with her. She’s up in trip and has to carry a penalty, but she’s in good form and we’re looking forward to seeing her on course again.
“It’s a fast six furlongs at York, so I don’t think the step up in trip will be an issue.”
Aidan O’Brien won this in 2018 with Fairyland and his Heavens Gate looks to add her name to the roll of honour, having won the Ballyhane Stakes at Naas earlier this month and placed in both the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and the Albany at Royal Ascot before that.
Ryan Moore takes the mount and told Betfair: “A beautifully-bred filly, who is uncomplicated, consistent, straightforward and hasn’t been out of the first three in five starts.
“Her third in the Albany reads well considering what Simmering has done since and she showed a great attitude to land the Ballyhane at Naas last time out. Obviously more to do here but a fast track like York will suit her well.”
Celandine has been holding her own up against colts of late but now the Empress victor reverts to competing against fillies, with trainer Ed Walker feeling she will be right in the mix.
Celandine winning at Newmarket earlier in the year (Steven Paston/PA)
Walker said: “I’m looking forward to seeing her back among her own sex and the ground should suit.
“The easy six furlongs will be ideal for her and she has Tom (Marquand) on board, so I think she has plenty in her favour.
“She’s been fairly busy, but she has taken it really well and she’s a very good filly. She’s well proven and I think it is going to take a good one to beat her. We’re hoping for a big run.”
Eve Johnson Houghton’s Betty Clover and Ralph Beckett’s Tales Of The Heart finished second and third behind Simmering in the Princess Margaret Stakes recently, with Ollie Sangster’s winner giving the form a strong boost in France at the weekend.
Weatherbys Super Sprint third Time For Sandals steps up to six furlongs for Harry Eustace, while Hilary Needler winner Perfect Part will try to do what The Mackem Bullet narrowly failed to do in 2018 and give Brian Ellison Lowther glory on the Knavesmire.
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