Tag Archive for: Mill Stream

Mill Stream expected to be suited by return to conventional sprint trip

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Jane Chapple-Hyam expects Mill Stream to be much better suited back at six furlongs in Saturday’s Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot.

Having won the July Cup, hopes were high when he went to France for the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville.

However, he failed to see out the extra half-furlong and finished fifth behind Lazzat.

“He’s been our flagbearer this year, and a good one at that, winning the July Cup and before that winning the Duke of York and finishing third at Royal Ascot,” she said.

“He’s been so consistent and he’s never let us down. When he ran at Deauville last time it was six and a half furlongs. We thought he’d get it on a flat track, but the extra half-furlong was just too far for him.

“Everything has been smooth sailing and we are all very pleased with him. He worked on the racecourse at Newmarket the week before last. He’s not a flashy worker, but he did everything that was asked of him and William (Buick) was pleased with him.”

The previous two winners of the race, Art Power and Kinross, William Haggas’ Montassib, winner of the Sprint Cup at Haydock, Kind Of Blue, second that day, and Wokingham hero Unequal Love are others fancied.

Andrew Balding’s Kalpana will aim to continue her progression in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

Since finishing third in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot she has won a Listed race and a Group Three by an aggregate of almost 10 lengths

“She is very talented and in great form. This race is a good fit for her. If the ground is soft that is an unknown, but her form is very solid – if you look back at the Pretty Polly and what Friendly Soul has achieved,” said Balding.

Kalpana is a leading Ascot contender
Kalpana is a leading Ascot contender (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“Her only disappointing run was in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, but there was a slightly false pace which didn’t suit her.”

Sir Mark Prescott’s Tiffany has won three out of four this season, including a Group Two in Germany last time out, so is clearly still progressing.

Aidan O’Brien’s Grateful could drop in trip having been a somewhat surprising winner of the Qatar Prix de Royallieu, with stablemates Content, Lily Heart, Port Fairy and Wingspan also involved.

Oisin Murphy will take the ride on Queen Of The Pride, but soft ground is unlikely to suit her.

“Her dam (Simple Verse) won the Fillies & Mares and she didn’t mind soft ground, but Queen Of The Pride is by Roaring Lion and I think she prefers better ground, so I hope it doesn’t get too deep,” said Murphy.

Trawlerman (right) got the better of Kyprios last year
Trawlerman (right) got the better of Kyprios last year (John Walton/PA)

Kyprios, the star stayer of his generation, is the standout name in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

With Alan King deciding against taking him on again with Trueshan having come off second best in France, his main threat may come from Tom Clover’s Al Nayyir. Second to Vauban at York, he was an easy winner at Newmarket last time out in the Rose Bowl Stakes.

The John and Thady Gosden duo of Sweet William and Trawlerman are set to run, the latter beating Kyprios in this race last year.

Illinois is another possible for O’Brien, along with The Euphrates, Continuous, Grosvenor Square and Point Lonsdale.

Mill Stream to be saved for Ascot and Sha Tin targets

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Mill Stream is being freshened up ahead of a shot at big sprinting prizes both at home and abroad later in the year.

Jane Chapple-Hyam’s four-year-old has been a consistent performer in the speed events this term, winning the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes before placing in Group One company at Royal Ascot and then opening his account at the highest level when claiming the July Cup.

He was a respectable fifth when seeking further top honours at Deauville in the Prix Maurice de Gheest earlier this month, but after a busy first half to the 2024 campaign, will skip Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup in September, with connections eager to head into the latter part of the year in peak form.

Next up will be a second crack at Ascot’s Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes, after which the son of Gleneagles will make a trip to the Far East for the valuable Longines Hong Kong Sprint at Sha Tin on December 8.

“He’s turned out, having a little mini-break and then at this stage he will be next seen at Ascot on October 19, then on to Hong Kong,” said Chapple-Hyam.

Mill Stream after winning the July Cup
Mill Stream after winning the July Cup (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“He’s had five runs in two months and we just felt if we wanted to go to Champions Day with not a tired horse, it was wise to miss Haydock and get him fresh and ready for Ascot and then a trip to Hong Kong.

“He’ll come back in on Monday and will slowly work his way up to being prepared for October.

“Last year, when he went to Ascot, he went there a tired horse and this year we want to go there with a solid chance. Everyone is looking forward to the two runs at the back-end of the year.”

Mill Stream edges out Swingalong to grab July Cup glory

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Hot favourite Inisherin could finish only fifth as Mill Stream emerged triumphant in the My Pension Expert July Cup at Newmarket.

Following a stunning display in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last month, the Kevin Ryan-trained Inisherin was all the rage to beat his elders for the first time as the 11-8 market leader, but things did not go to script.

Art Power took the 11-strong field along for much of the six-furlong contest, closely pursued by Swingalong, and the latter had poked her head in front by the time she reached the final furlong.

In a race that turned into something of a scrap, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s 11-1 shot Mill Stream – third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the royal meeting – was produced with a well-timed challenge on the far side of the track by William Buick, swooping late to deny Swingalong by a neck.

Vandeek, who suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of Inisherin in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May before missing the rematch in the Commonwealth Cup owing to an unsatisfactory scope, shaped with plenty of encouragement in third.

Art Power boxed on to finish fourth ahead of the slightly disappointing Inisherin in fifth.

Chapple-Hyam said: “We were doing cartwheels when it rained, as it just took the sting out of the ground midweek. I think that is all he needs. He came here for a little bit of practice the other day.

“He’s never sparkling in his work, he just gets there but that’s him and as long as we know that, and William knows that, it’s fine, but he’s done it now, he’s got the Group One.

“You knew there was going to be a lot of speed and when they were doing 10 and change at halfway and he was sat in behind, I just knew he’d pick up and I’m thrilled.

Mill Stream just got the better of Swingalong
Mill Stream just got the better of Swingalong (Nigel French/PA)

“He likes it here, he’s been second here, so it’s nice to turn it round and get the win and he ran well at Ascot in third on very quick ground there.

“It’s nice to win here with it being my home track and my favourite track.

“I’m a very lucky lady to have Peter Harris as an owner, he knows the game and he believes in the horse too, so it’s good. It’s nice to join him and Gai (Waterhouse, who Chapple-Hyam had a winner for earlier in the day with Asian Daze) as a Group One-winning trainer.

“Peter has a good team in the yard, he supports them and he supports me, so to go and win a Group One for him, that’s what he wants and what the yard needs, so it’s good.

“He likes three weeks between races if you look back, so we’ll go to Deauville next for the Prix Maurice de Gheest, he’ll love the six and a half furlongs there – as a young horse, he got six there very well, so six-and-a-half, bring it on!”

Buick was completing a four-timer on the day after he previously enjoyed a treble for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby courtesy of Desert Flower, First Conquest and Ancient Truth.

The dual champion jockey was also securing the 100th Group One win of his stellar riding career.

He said: “He has been such a good horse for me this season. He is a Duke of York winner and ran well at Royal Ascot. We felt he had a bit more to give and Jane and the team convinced me he was a much better horse today – he duly was.

“That bit of rain really suited him and I was always so comfortable. He is really genuine and puts his head out. It was well deserved.

“This is my first July Cup and I’m absolutely thrilled.”

Mill Stream part of Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee field on Saturday

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Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Mill Stream will face 13 rivals as he aims to break his Group One duck in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on the final day of Royal Ascot.

The four-year-old was a Group Three winner in France last year and won a Group Two at York last time out in a blanket finish, making this the logical next step.

Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring and Kevin Ryan’s Washington Heights were right on his heels at York, though, and both take him on again.

Last year’s surprise winner Khaadem is back again for Charlie Hills who also runs Mitbaahy, who benefitted from a peach of a ride from Jamie Spencer in Ireland recently.

Believing, a fine fourth in the King Charles II Stakes on Tuesday, is set for a quick return, with Kinross, Shartash and The Wizard Of Eye among the others.

Last year’s St Leger winner Continuous makes his return to action in the Hardwicke Stakes.

He is one of nine runners for what will be his first outing since a fine fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Desert Hero was a popular winner at the meeting 12 months ago for the King and Queen in handicap company and now he is looking to bounce back from a below-par run at Newbury in May. Stablemate Candleford also runs for William Haggas.

That Newbury race was won by John and Thady Gosden’s Middle Earth who is well fancied for this.

George Scott’s Isle Of Jura arrives on a five-timer, Missed The Cut, a winner at the meeting for George Boughey two years ago, is now running for American trainer John Sadler, most recently of Flightline fame.

In the Jersey Stakes the Hannon-trained Haatem, placed in both the English and Irish Guineas this season, drops in class and trip for new owners Wathnan Racing having seen his form boosted by stablemate Rosallion earlier in the week.

A field of 20 will go to post, including Frankel’s half-brother Kikkuli and Sir Michael Stoute’s Never So Brave, who is the mount of Saffie Osborne.

There are 18 in the Chesham with Aidan O’Brien’s Bedtime Story – who is a daughter of Frankel and Mecca’s Angel – the favourite, while last year’s winner Saint Lawrence is in the hunt for another Wokingham Stakes.

Trueshan, a non-runner in the Gold Cup on Thursday, has been declared for the Queen Alexandra in the hope of some rain.

Mill Stream digs deep to take Duke of York honours

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Mill Stream just got up on the line to land a thrilling renewal of the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes at York.

Ridden by William Buick and trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, Mill Stream was sent off the 4-1 joint favourite for the Group Two affair but had to battle hard in a four-way fight to the line.

Mill Stream eventually edged ahead of Shouldvebeenaring by a nose, with a photo needed to separate the pair.

Diligent Harry is still looking for a first victory on turf as he was beaten into third by a neck, with Washington Heights a further neck adrift in fourth.

Mill Stream is now is 8-1 favourite from 14-1 with Coral for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and Chapple-Hyam would be eager to tackle that race, if owner Peter Harris agrees.

She said: “He’s a tough, brave horse and he’s come on a lot since (finishing second in) the Abernant but he’s only just won.

“I think he’s pretty versatile, he goes on any ground. It was soft when he won in France last year twice but quick in the Abernant.

“I’d like to go to Ascot on the Saturday (Jubilee) but I’ll see what Mr Harris wants to do.

“Mr Harris has landed me with some nice horses and I’m in a lucky position, I’ve got 18 for him so it’s nice to win a big race for him and we’ve got Rolica, the filly, to look forward to and some colts coming through.

“I think he’s good enough to run in the Jubilee, I’d like to see the splits as it’s on the slow side of good today but he’s against older horses.

“Mr Harris is very easy to deal with, he comes up every Saturday morning. He was out of the game for 15 years but now he’s in big. His daughter Alison has her horses with Mr (James) Fanshawe.”

Tom Marquand and Tiber Flow appeared to escape any serious injury when they came down with a furlong still to run.

Chapple-Hyam added: “I wasn’t sure if we’d won and I appreciate they couldn’t show the replay because of the faller but thankfully Tom and the horse look OK.”

Buick was more than satisfied with the winner’s performance and said: “I got carried left a little bit but he really put his head out and I was delighted he got the verdict.

“He’s been knocking on the door a few times, hopefully this is his year as three-year-olds can struggle when sprinting, he could have a big year ahead of him.”

Jane Chapple-Hyam has her eyes on Ascot now
Jane Chapple-Hyam has her eyes on Ascot now (Mike Egerton/PA)

Tim Palin, racing manager for Shouldvebeenaring’s owners Middleham Park Racing, was relieved to see the grey bounce back from a disappointing run when favourite for the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket.

He said: “Mill Stream was a worthy winner on the day, it was obviously close in the photo, and we’re just delighted with how our horse ran because we couldn’t really explain what happened last time – maybe there was a slightly bounce factor going into the Abernant from the Lady Wulfruna (at Wolverhampton).

“We’ve got our horse back, a horse who was running well in Group Ones at the backend of last year in the Haydock Sprint Cup and the Prix da la Foret, and we’ll continue to ply our trade in Group Ones and Group Twos.

“He’s in a Group Three over seven furlongs at ParisLongchamp a week on Sunday and he’s also in the Group Two Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh a week on Saturday, so he could go into one of those.

“He’s in both sprint races at Royal Ascot and probably him playing at home is the Prix Maurice de Gheest and the Haydock Sprint Cup, so I would say those would be his two Derbys, if you can use that term for a sprinter.”

Diligent Harry’s trainer, Clive Cox, could look to Royal Ascot with his runner, though a drop back from six furlongs is likely.

He said: “I’m very proud, it was a big run. I thought we’d done our fighting there and then the first and second came at us very late in the day.

“I’m very pleased he’s in a good place and Richard (Kingscote) gave him a super ride, I couldn’t be more happy bar winning.

“He’s in the shorter race at Royal Ascot (King Charles III Stakes) as I think a stiff five furlongs is more in our favour at the track than stretching him out over a stiff six.”

Mill Stream poised to take up Champions Sprint engagement

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Mill Stream is on course for one final outing of the season in the Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot later this month.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained three-year-old gave a glimpse of his ability when fourth behind Chaldean in the Acomb Stakes as a juvenile, but has thrived over sprinting distances this term and compiled a Deauville double in the summer as he stepped out of the handicap ranks into Pattern company.

He was enterprisingly supplemented by connections for the Betfair Sprint Cup last month and the thriving speedster was not disgraced finishing sixth, beaten just three-and-a-quarter lengths by Regional in his first outing at Group One level.

The Peter Harris-owned son of Gleneagles is now set for another taste of top-table action on British Champions Day.

“He’s really good and is heading for Ascot on October 21, we’re going to give it a go,” said Chapple-Hyam.

“I know it is pretty late for a three-year-old, but he’s in a good place and we’ve had a mild start to October.

“He was just a bit gassy up on the front (at Haydock), but they all were and the times reflected that. But we’re pleased with how he has come out of the race.

“He’s young and he’s still got to mature. He will have a roll out in this race and then we’ve got a nice winter to look forward to him over. He’ll be more mature (next year).

“At three they are just learning to leave the gates and get involved. We’re looking forward to him.”

Ghiani gunning for Sprint Cup glory on Mill Stream

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Marco Ghiani is confident Mill Stream is capable of providing him with a breakthrough Group One winner in Saturday’s Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.

The former champion apprentice has built up a good rapport with Jane Chapple-Hyam’s three-year-old, who has won his last two races at Deauville in impressive style.

While Ghiani has ridden at the highest level before, this weekend undoubtedly provides him with his best chance yet of claiming Group One glory.

“I’m looking forward to this weekend. I’ve ridden in the King’s Stand Stakes and the Coronation Stakes so riding in a Group One is not new, but Mill Stream is around third-favourite, whereas the others were outsiders so it makes things a bit spicier,” he said.

“It is quite a big challenge, but I’m ready to take it. It would be like winning at the Olympic games if I won my first Group One on Saturday.”

Mill Stream’s Deauville victories came at Listed and Group Three level and there is no doubt he will face a much sterner test on Merseyside.

“I thought he could win at Listed and Group race level, but I didn’t expect him to bolt up twice. I thought he would have to work a bit harder than that,” Ghiani continued.

“I think for a sprinter it is harder to get them to race the right way around. Sometimes they are keen, and they don’t finish off their races.

“At home he was a bit keen, but now he is settling down and he seems more relaxed. He is in good order, and he has been much more settled in his last two races in France as he wasn’t over racing in the early stages of those race, which has been key to his last two results.”

Mill Stream has won back-to-back Deauville contests
Mill Stream has won back-to-back Deauville contests (Tim Goode/PA)

Standing in his way is the not insignificant threat of fellow three-year-old Shaquille, already a dual Group One winner having landed the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the July Cup at Newmarket.

Ghiani added: “Shaquille is always slow out of the gates, but he finds another gear late at the end. My lad jumps out fast and then he finds another gear at the end so it will be very interesting to see what will happen.

“Obviously Shaquille is a Group One winner, and my horse isn’t yet. If they both find their turn of foot, and my lad is a good way in front, and he stays there, it will be interesting to see what Shaquille can do.

“Shaquille is favourite, but my lad has a good chance. He seems in good order and Jane’s horses are running well. I just have a vision in my head and hopefully that can come to life.”

Champions Day option for speedy Mill Stream

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A tilt at Qipco British Champions Day could be on the cards for Mill Stream having continued his Deauville love affair in the Prix de Meautry.

Having won the Prix Moonlight Cloud over track and trip earlier this month, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s colt thrived on his quick return to the Normandy coast, continuing his rise up the sprinting ranks by delivering a decisive blow over Garrus in the hands of Marco Ghiani.

Charlie Hills’ runner was a length and three-quarters behind Mill Stream in second and Chapple-Hyam is delighted by how the son of Gleneagles, who showed plenty of ability as a juvenile, has progressed throughout his three-year-old campaign.

She said: “He was very good and very competitive and has come out of the race in great order.

“He’s got the hang of it now. It takes three-year-olds a bit of time to get the hang of it and the Listed race the first time in Deauville was three-year-olds only.

“On Sunday he stepped up and met the older boys, who are more conditioned and professional at sprinting and it just showed how quickly he learnt from the Listed race when being in with the older horses. You can only take positives from the race going forward.

“He’s lightly raced and we used the first one (this season) at Haydock where he was kicked off the park. But we needed that as he had been off a long time and he was heavy and stuffy, so we had to start somewhere.

“He’s easy to manage and he’s that type of sprinter, in the sense he doesn’t boil over or anything and is good to manage.”

Owned by leisure tycoon Peter Harris, Mill Stream holds an entry for the British Champions Sprint Stakes on October 21 and could now be handed the opportunity to test his talent at Group One level.

“We don’t really have a plan as such, he’s in the Ascot Sprint but I don’t really have a plan beyond that,” added Chapple-Hyam.

“It’s the last sprint Group One in Europe. He’s not in the Abbaye and that would probably be a bit speedy for him over five at this stage.

“Now he’s got the hang of it, you would look forward to seeing him run against the English older horses.

“Garrus is a good line and Batwan (third) did a lot of racing in Dubai and then back in France so he’s not a poor horse either, he’s well campaigned.”

Jack Darcy makes it six of the best for the Coles

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Jack Darcy made all to uphold family honour and provide the Coles with their sixth success in the Grand Prix de Deauville.

Paul Cole first won the Group Two event with Ibn Bey in 1988 and took home the first prize five times as the sole licence holder at the family’s Whatcombe base.

But it is the first time since Oliver Cole has joined his father on the licence that they have tasted glory in the mile-and-a-half contest on the Normandy coast.

Second to Hamish in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood two starts ago, it was a welcome return to form for Jack Darcy who raced too freely when last seen at Newbury.

And having snapped a nine-race winless run, he will enter Cole family folklore having added his name to the race’s roll of honour.

“He’s a very good horse,” said Oliver Cole.

“Arguably he was a bit too keen in the Geoffrey Freer and it didn’t really go for him. Today he was lovely and relaxed in front and got his own way and won well.

“I nearly didn’t run him because he’s had two quick runs in succession and this was a third, but he’s a very talented horse and he’s shown it today, it’s a good race to win.

“My father has won the race five times, and now we’ve won it six (in total). We love the race and I’m really proud of the horse.

“I remember all the good horses we’ve had win this, Snurge, Courteous and the others. It just means so much for us.”

Delighted co-owner Edward Gascoigne said: “One of the owners is Mick Burns, who is Australian. He’s been very patient as he bought a 50 per cent stake in the horse over a year ago, before the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, and with the idea of acquiring a Melbourne Cup contender.

“It didn’t go well, as the horse suffered a setback and it took us a while to get him back to his best. We’re thinking in terms of the Caulfield Cup, but we’ll have to discuss it all together as there will be sizeable field, there’s going to be a lot of pace, and the distance is likely to be a bit long for him.”

He added: “I have fond memories of this place because I came here with my father a few years ago for a poker tournament, which I won. It was at the Lucien Barrière casino, so this win brings back good memories!”

Jack Darcy’s victory was the final leg of a fantastic treble for the British-trained raiders at Deauville on Sunday, and Mill Stream appears to have teed-up a shot at Group One competition having landed back-to-back course and distance sprints.

A winner of the Prix Moonlight Cloud earlier this month, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s son of Gleneagles took another step up the sprinting ladder by following up in impressive style in the Barriere Prix de Meautry.

Then fresh from a first Group One victory when winning the Prix Morny at the track last week, the father and son duo of Simon and Ed Crisford struck again when Poker Face claimed Barriere Prix Quincey honours.