Tag Archive for: Ralph Beckett

Change of tack for Arc ace Beckett with bumper entry Gnomon

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Ralph Beckett enjoyed a fabulous 2024 on the Flat, but the first runner of the new year for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning handler will be a rare foray to the National Hunt scene, as Gnomon goes for glory at Cheltenham.

It is barely three months since Beckett enjoyed big-race success in Paris with Bluestocking, but he has an exciting prospect to unleash in the concluding Raceridecheltenham “Junior” National Hunt Flat Race judged on the nature of Gnomon’s clear-cut Exeter win on debut.

Although best known for his exploits training on the level, the Kimpton Down handler in fact possesses a 100 per cent record in bumpers over the last five seasons – albeit from only three runners – and has called up Harry Cobden to partner his contender following the recent retirement of Daryl Jacob.

The Classic-winning handler will not be in attendance at jumping HQ for the concluding race of their New Year’s Day action, but feels his contender has all the right credentials if proving effective over an extended distance

Beckett said: “He’s a nice horse and we’ll see whether he gets two miles tomorrow. He should like the ground.

“He’ll be missing Daryl, who has ridden work on him as well as winning on him, but he has an able replacement and we will see how we get on. It’s a good pot to run for and he’s ready for it.”

Anthony Honeyball appears to hold a strong hand in the contest and saddles Wincanton scorer Marhaba Prince along with newcomers Walk In The West and Crest Of Stars, while Jamie Snowden is double-handed in the finale as a stacked field of 17 head to post.

His Lady Tadita romped to an eight-length success on her Huntingdon debut, but stable jockey Gavin Sheehan will partner Latopix, who tasted success in France before being beaten as favourite on her UK bow.

Snowden said: “Lady Tadita is lovely and looked pretty impressive when she won first time out, and Latopix we bought having won in France and she just ran with the choke out at Doncaster.

“I thought she put in a mighty performance considering the speed she went over the first mile and the fact she was still there with half a chance at the furlong pole suggests she has got plenty of ability.

“Ridden with a degree more patience this time around, I think she can go well.”



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Lord Melbourne caps excellent campaign for Beckett

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Ralph Beckett ended what has been a memorable season in terrific fashion by saddling Lord Melbourne to win the Virgin Bet November Handicap at Doncaster.

Beckett won the 2005 renewal with Come On Jonny when it was one of the highlights of his year but such has been his success this term, the trophy will be struggling for space on the mantlepiece.

He began the campaign with a gap to fill as Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Westover had been retired to stud, but winning a couple of Classic trials in May and the Middleton Stakes with Bluestocking signalled what was to come.

Bluestocking went on to win the Pretty Polly in Ireland before landing the Prix Vermeille and the Arc, while You Got To Me claimed the Irish Oaks and Starlust was on target in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

Jack Doughty and Lord Melbourne return
Jack Doughty and Lord Melbourne return (Nick Robson/PA)

Having had over 40 juvenile winners too, next season looks bright, just as it does for the winning jockey Jack Doughty, who may have come up short in the apprentice title race but advertised his talents once again with a nerveless ride.

Sent off at 14-1, Doughty smuggled Lord Melbourne into contention before seeing off Waxing Gibbous and Oneforthegutter by a length and a head.

Beckett also fielded the better-fancied Valvano, who ran on into fifth.

“Jack gave him a lovely ride. He’s a push-button ride, which is why he’s suited (amateur jockeys) Serena Brotherton and Simon Walker this year,” said Beckett.

“He didn’t really travel today but Jack kept him in the hunt and he kept finding.

“I won the race 19 years ago – I haven’t actually won that much more today – but it’s lovely to win it again.

“Valvano was a bit gassy early and didn’t really get the breaks. Hector (Crouch, jockey) thought he’d go close a furlong down but he’s still learning his job. He’ll be a nice horse next year.”

Doughty said: “It’s a great way to end what has been a good season.

“Before the race, Mr Beckett told me he could hit a flat spot but once I got him back on the bridle, he was very game and kept finding.

“That’s the highlight of the season for me, on the last day!”

There was no fairytale ending for Jimmy Quinn, who finished well down the field on Dark Moon Rising on his final ride.



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Valvano backed to show true worth in November Handicap

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Valvano will try to make up for lost time and end his season on a high note in Saturday’s Virgin Bet November Handicap at Doncaster.

Trained by Ralph Beckett, Valvano was a six-length maiden winner last year and finished second to subsequent 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner Notable Speech on his seasonal bow.

A setback then saw him miss a significant part of the campaign, but his two runs since returning in September have resulted in encouraging third-placed finishes behind horses who have gone on to strike at Listed level.

“We thought he was going to be a very good horse at the start of the year, but he’s had an interrupted season,” said Alex Elliott, racing adviser to owners Valmont.

“This is a race we’ve always had in the back of our minds, I think conditions should suit.

“Stretching him out for the trip should suit him, Hector (Crouch, jockey) thought that the last time, so we’re looking forward to it.

“He’s a Night Of Thunder and they seem to appreciate a bit of juice in the ground, so that should help him.

“We thought he was going to be a better horse than his official mark would suggest, so hopefully he can prove that to be true.”

Beckett has a second runner in Lord Melbourne, due to be ridden by 5lb claimer Jack Doughty, while David Menuisier also has two chances, in the shape of Waxing Gibbous and Master Builder.

Minstrel Knight in the winners enclosure at York
Minstrel Knight at York (Molly Hunter/PA)

Ed Bethell is another double-handed with the hat-trick-seeking Minstrel Knight and Chillingham.

Minstrel Knight was five lengths too good for Filibustering over a mile and three-quarters at Haydock in September and franked that form by again beating the Tim Easterby inmate into second in the William Hill Finale Handicap at York last month.

Bethell is expecting a big race from the well-handicapped three-year-old, who is dropping back in trip.

He said: “He’s a progressive horse. He’s done nothing wrong this autumn.

“We gave him a break mid-summer with this autumn campaign in mind. I think he’s very well weighted off a low weight to run a big race.

“Whether dropping back to a mile and a half is the right thing I’m not sure, as he’s looked like an out-and-out stayer in the races he’s won recently at Haydock and York, but he goes there in great nick and I’m really looking forward to running him.

“Ending the season on a high with 23 runners is going to be difficult and he’s got Chillingham in there as well, who is not a walkover.”

Chillingham is likewise back in trip after a smart effort when second to the evergreen Not So Sleepy over an extended one mile and five furlongs at Newbury last time out.

Bethell added: “We’ll have to keep our fingers crossed. He ran a blinder (at Newbury) and he ran well for a very long way in the Ebor.

“He’s been trained for this race and he’s in really good nick. It would be very hard to split the two of them, to be honest, and I wouldn’t want to put my neck on the line to say which one would win, because I think they’ll both go very well, hopefully.

“We’ll see how they get on on Saturday and then take things from there, but I’d imagine they’ll have a winter off and then come back for next year and there are races in France. The staying programme in France is possibly the strongest, so we might look at that next year.”

Gary Moore trains Miller Spirit alongside his son, Josh
Gary Moore trains Miller Spirit alongside his son, Josh (John Walton/PA)

Miller Spirit, meanwhile, is on a four-timer for Gary and Josh Moore, following a successful campaign that has included a notable Epsom ‘Derby’ double in the versions for jumps jockeys and apprentices, although he would prefer softer ground on Town Moor.

Josh Moore said: “He’s done remarkably well, he’s won five races this season from good ground to heavy ground. As his mark’s gone up, it’s mostly gone up when it’s been on the heavy ground. That’s probably why it has gone up so much, but he’s become a consistent horse.

“It’s going to be hard work for him, but he’s in good form. He’s working well, so hopefully he can give a good account of himself.”



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Arc victor Bluestocking retired to stud

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Juddmonte has announced the retirement of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking.

The Camelot filly won five of her 13 starts for the leading owner-breeder and trainer Ralph Beckett, also enjoying Group One success in the Pretty Polly Stakes in Ireland and the Prix Vermeille in France en-route to landing Europe’s premier middle-distance prize on her return to Paris earlier this month.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager, said in a statement: “Bluestocking has given so much enjoyment over the last three seasons and we thank Ralph Beckett and his team at Kimpton Down Stables who have done such an excellent job with her.”

While Bluestocking and the top-class American mare Idiomatic will commence broodmare duties in 2025, Juddmonte’s Champions Day winner Kalpana will remain in training next season.

The three-year-old was a brilliant winner of the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes for trainer Andrew Balding and connections will aim for more top-level success in 2025.

Douglas Erskine Crum, Juddmonte’s chief executive, said: “It is not often that Juddmonte has had three outstanding fillies and mares at the same time and, as the season draws to a close, we have had some important decisions to make.

“Idiomatic retired last week after a minor injury kept her from attempting a repeat of her win in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff this Saturday. She won five Grade One races and was the leading filly and mare in the USA for the past two years.

Kalpana winning on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot
Kalpana winning on Qipco Champions Day at Ascot (Nigel French/PA)

“Bluestocking has been the leading four-year-old filly in Europe this year and the two together bring further outstanding quality to our broodmare band both in the UK and the US.

“Kalpana will continue to race for us next year and is clearly an exciting prospect.”

On a day of announcements for the team, Juddmonte also revealed it’s 2025 European stallion fees, with the superstar racehorse and sire Frankel to stand for £350,000.

Bated Breath’s stud fee is £8,000, Chaldean’s is £25,000, Kingman will stand for £125,000 and Oasis Dream for £15,000.

Mating plans for Bluestocking and Idiomatic will be decided at a later date.



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I Am I Said earns Derby quotes with taking Newmarket victory

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I Am I Said could prove to be a real diamond for Ralph Beckett having shone brightly on Newmarket’s Two-Year-Old Day card.

The Kimpton Down handler, who scooped the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking earlier this month, is enjoying a phenomenal end to the season and is amassing a strong team for next season.

He could now have another smart prospect to look forward to next year after the son of Almanzor scooted to a four-and-a-half-length success at odds of 20-1 in the hands of Richard Kingscote, attracting quotes of 40-1 for next year’s Derby from Paddy Power.

“He is just a nice backward horse that has been coming along slowly but surely,” said assistant trainer Joseph Tuite.

“He was ready to come racing and it’s a bit of a surprise he’s won as easily as that, but we’ve always liked him at home.

“He’s been very green in his work at home and it’s only been lately he has shown he has been ready to go racing. Ralph is never too hard on them at home and you wouldn’t be gauging them on work at home. When one wins first time out you think they are nice because they are never gunned at home.

“It looked a competitive race on paper before the race and Richard said he would get further and he would be a nice horse on better ground.”

There was a double on the card for young apprentice Jack Doughty who found the scoresheet in the British Stallion Studs EBF Future Stayers Nursery Handicap aboard Jim Boyle’s 14-1 chance Many Men and then added to his tally with Paul and Oliver Cole’s Jakarta (12-1) in the TrustATrader Nursery Handicap.

Ziggy's Phoenix was a winner at Newmarket
Ziggy’s Phoenix was a winner at Newmarket (Adam Morgan/PA)

Meanwhile Richard Hannon’s Ziggy’s Phoenix may have earnt a reprieve having landed the My Pension Expert Fillies’ Handicap at 14-1.

Owned by Middleham Park Racing, the filly was due to head to the sales, but a rethink could be in order having showed a willing attitude in the one-mile event.

“We might be having to take a little re-vote, off the back of a win it might enhance the value a little or the owners might just have a change of heart,” said Middleham Park’s Tom Palin.

“She seems to love it here and there is a bit of correlation as the last time she won here during the Sunday Series there was only one owner in attendance and the same thing has happened again!

“She’s a very gutsy filly and this track suits her quite well and she’s a credit to herself and the yard. The question today was could she handle it up in grade slightly and she’s answered the question emphatically.”



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Sprint contests unlikely for Kinross going forwards

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Kinross looks set to stick to longer trips next season after coming up short in his bid for a second victory in the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on Saturday.

Ralph Beckett’s stable stalwart has enjoyed another fine campaign, wrestling back his crown in the Park Stakes at Doncaster before finding only Ramatuelle too strong when aiming to do the same in the Prix de la Foret on Arc weekend at ParisLongchamp.

The seven-year-old was a 7-2 favourite to successfully drop back down to six furlongs on Champions Day, but was beaten just under four lengths into seventh place and connections feel that while he may have lost some of his old dash, his enthusiasm remains undimmed.

“We were pleased with his run, six furlongs is just probably too sharp for him now and maybe next year we’ll stretch him out to a mile,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Marc Chan.

“Like always, we’ll take each race as it comes, but he’s fine after the race and he can have a good holiday and you’ll probably see him start off somewhere in June next year.

“We’re at the stage of his career where every race is a bonus. He’s got the enthusiasm for it for sure, but he hasn’t got the legs for that six furlongs any more, that was the problem on Saturday.

“He wasn’t distressed afterwards and was happy, so all is good.”



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Juvenile duo firing Egan’s winter Classic dreams

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David Egan feels there is plenty more to come from exciting duo Cathedral and Angelo Buonarroti after both showcased their potential at Newmarket recently.

The Amo Racing-owned pair are both trained by Ralph Beckett and took their place in the recent two-year-old group contests on the Rowley Mile, producing displays that signal a bright future.

Cathedral may have failed to add to her impressive debut success at Lingfield when thwarted by Aidan O’Brien’s Merrily in the Oh So Sharp Stakes, but departed Headquarters having entered many people’s notebooks by the way she travelled stylishly through the contest.

The future looks bright for the €800,000 breeze-up buy, with her big-race pilot excited to see what the daughter of Too Darn Hot can do on better ground in the spring.

“I think Cathedral will be a really nice filly in the spring on a sounder surface,” said Egan.

“I thought she travelled beautifully through the Oh So Sharp and just got beat by a hardened, experienced rival.

“I think on a sounder surface she might have quickened up better and may have put the race to bed, but I’m really excited for her next season.”

Angelo Buonarroti was a winner at York in the summer
Angelo Buonarroti was a winner at York in the summer (Mike Egerton/PA)

A few weeks prior, Convivial Stakes winner Angelo Buonarroti had not been disgraced when third to James Owen’s Wimbledon Hawkeye in the Royal Lodge and having cost €1millio at the sales earlier in the spring, the son of Justify is another fancied to thrive during his three-year-old season.

“Angelo Buonarroti shaped very well in the Royal Lodge and is definitely capable of more considering he has size and scope and was always going to be a better three-year-old,” continued Egan.

“He’s nearly 17 hands and to achieve what he has done at two is quite impressive and I’d like to think there is more to come.

“I’d like to think they will both be running in some sort of trials next year and the races they’ve ran in at two have some strong form in them. They probably deserve to take their places in a trial as long as they winter well.”



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Smoken hot for Beckett and Ryan at Nottingham

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Rossa Ryan and Ralph Beckett were the stars of the show at Nottingham on Wednesday, as they unleashed hot juvenile prospects Smoken and Revoir.

The Kimpton Down operation has been virtually unstoppable in recent weeks, with the trainer-jockey combination’s hot streak including big-race glory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Bluestocking.

Colwick Park is of course a far cry from the glitz of ParisLongchamp, but Beckett has a fine record in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes, winning with Valvano (2023) and Artistic Star (2022) in recent years.

Top-class pair King Of Steel and Eldar Eldarov are other former winners of the extended mile contest and this year’s winner, the Too Darn Hot filly Smoken, could have a big future having denied Sir Michael Stoute’s smart runner-up Archivist (4-5 favourite) by two and a half lengths at odds of 6-1.

“I was very taken with her and she’s beat a solid horse in second, who has been beaten by a good horse of Paul and Oliver Cole (Seaplane) and by Starzintheireyes the last twice and Starzintheireyes has been given an opening mark of 108,” said Ryan.

“She’s a grand filly and she quite enjoyed that bit of juice in the ground and she has a bright future but it will be next year when we see that bright future.

“She travelled up lovely and then got a bit lonely in front, I was hoping Ryan might take me a tad bit further and she then she would have been more visually impressive but she got the job done nicely which is the main thing.”

Beckett and Ryan wasted little time adding to their tally when Revoir obliged favourite-backers in fine style at odds of 6-4 in the EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Revoir made a taking debut
Revoir made a taking debut (Mike Egerton/PA)

A half-sister to Fred Darling winner Remarquee, the daughter of Study Of Man defied inexperience on debut to follow in the footsteps of the stable’s Treasured who landed this 12 months ago.

“She was lovely and still pretty green and raw, but as the race developed I had the revs up so had to just stay going,” continued Ryan.

“I didn’t mind letting her idle in front as they are not making too much ground. She’s a filly that enjoyed the ground and a filly that next year will go places.”

Albany (9-2) capped a fine afternoon for Beckett and Ryan when overcoming a year’s absence to claim the Trustatrader Fully Vetted Tradespeople Handicap by a commanding four and a quarter lengths.



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Decision on future for Arc heroine Bluestocking yet to be made

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The future of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking is still to be decided by owners Juddmonte – but it has been confirmed the ParisLongchamp champion will not run again this year.

It has been a fine season for Ralph Beckett’s four-year-old who has taken her form to the next level and was winning her third Group One of he campaign when claiming Europe’s richest middle-distance crown under Rossa Ryan.

That victory would be the perfect way to put a full stop on the filly’s on-track career, but having proved better than ever in the French capital the temptation is now there to return at five in search of further riches.

It is a call that is still to be decided by the daughter of Camelot’s owners, but further action this term either on Qipco British Champions Day or at the Breeders’ Cup has been ruled out.

“She’s in great form. Ralph has said she hasn’t stopped eating since she has come home, she’s jogging up well and is doing great,” said Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s European racing manager.

“Ascot would be off the table as we have Kalpana and Time Lock for Ascot and we will sit down now with the owners and make a plan as to whether she will stay in training or be retired.

Bluestocking has won three times in 2024
Bluestocking has won three times in 2024 (Mike Egerton/PA)

“I’d say she is done for this year. The owners think she has done enough and were not keen on Del Mar, so we will put her away now and have a discussion and see what we’re going to do.

“It will be the owners’ decision, they will decide and either way we will be happy.”



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Starzintheireyes swoops late to land Zetland spoils

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Rossa Ryan was sporting a big plaster on his face courtesy of Starzintheireyes giving him a bash earlier in the week but all was forgiven as the pair stayed on powerfully to win the Palace Pier Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.

If Ryan had any delusions of grandeur having won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Bluestocking last weekend, he was soon reminded of the ups and downs of the sport when the Ralph Beckett-trained juvenile headbutted him on the gallops.

Thankfully, the damage was only superficial and given the form Beckett’s string are currently in, not surprisingly Ryan did not want to miss any likely winners.

Successful at Pontefract, Bath and already at Newmarket this week since his Arc heroics, Ryan has enjoyed a stellar season and this March Chan-owned colt entered the Derby picture having showcased his stamina.

Starzintheireyes had them strung out a long way behind him
Starzintheireyes had them strung out a long way behind him (Mike Egerton/PA)

In a race run in filthy conditions, the youngsters finished well strung out, but with a furlong to run, Charlie Johnston’s Green Storm had shot clear, with the race seemingly in the bag.

Hot favourite Shackleton failed to pick up but Ryan had timed his challenge just right on the Starspangledbanner colt, who had finished second to the smart Field Of Gold on debut and since won easily at Leicester.

As Green Storm began to wander having been in front, Starzintheireyes (9-2) went clear to win by a length.

The winner was introduced into the Derby betting at 25-1 by Betfair and Paddy Power.

Ryan said: “What happened in the week was one of those freak accidents but he has duly obliged today and the only horse he has been beaten by is a Group Three Solario winner of John Gosden’s who ran well in the Lagardere (Field Of Gold).

“I knew he would get lost coming down the hill and the day he won at Leicester it took him forever to organise himself. He’s still learning and was a bit gassy to post, so I took it upon myself to drop him in today, just to get him to relax early, which he did well.

“They went a good honest gallop the whole way and on this ground, I knew he would outbattle everything, I just needed to organise him, hence the sitting into him a little bit earlier than everyone else.

“He’s a big stayer, a big galloping horse. I would say this sort of ground and worse is his conditions and he’s going to grow up an awful lot from two to three, I think. Physically, he’s all there, but mentally it’s coming slowly, but nowhere near the final destination.

“He’s a lovely horse, just things are coming together slowly. I Imagine next year he will be a better horse again.”

Chan could be represented by his stalwart Kinross on British Champions Day and is assembling a smart team of new blood which includes Jessica Harrington’s Group Two winner Green Impact.

He said: “I’m very happy with the performance and according to Rossa he is quite immature mentally and the penny still hasn’t fully dropped, so hopefully there is something to look forward to next year.

“There is a lot of stamina on the dam’s side of Starzintheireyes and he is related to Crystal Ocean, but the sire is Starspangledbanner, so it was interesting to see what we had. It turns out he is a big-actioned horse who likes a mile and a quarter or even more.

“Green Impact is my first home bred and hopefully next year we have lots to look forward to and I will be here a lot. I will hopefully be going to lots of races in the UK and Ireland. It’s very important we have new blood coming through to bring us more action next year.”

He added: “Our trainer Ralph Beckett is red-hot right now. Kinross could possibly go back to Ascot in a week’s time, depending on his condition. That is a high possibility but we will leave that to Ralph Beckett.”



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Monday Musings: Gloom?

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There’s so much gloomy navel-searching about all the things that are perceived to be wrong with racing in the UK, but it took only a couple of days in Paris to dispel them, or some of them anyway, writes Tony Stafford.

True, the statistics are invariably distorted by first place in the £2.4 million to the winner Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – something which wouldn’t have been allowed to happen in pre-supplementing days – by Ralph Beckett’s remarkable filly Bluestocking, but in overall terms the home team took a real hiding.

Four wins for the UK, via Brian Meehan, the Gosdens and Ed Walker, as well as Beckett, matched Aidan O’Brien’s personal quartet over the two days. The French, on home soil with everything - even down to the going in their favour - limped behind with three.

Aidan also collected the £100k-plus Arqana sales conditions race on the first day and front-running Los Angeles picked up just shy of half a million for his third in the Arc. Once more, though, it was fillies to the fore, Bluestocking confirming Prix Vermeille form with Aventure, edging a half-length further away than in the trial three weeks earlier.

I’ve always found the fillies’ Group 1 on Trials Day much more significant than either the Prix Niel for 3yos or the Foy for the older colts. Those two races had five runners each last month, whereas the Vermeille had a field of 12.

The Arc 1-2 had some smart performers behind them that day: Emily Upjohn, Stay Alert and last year’s champion juvenile filly Opera Singer were the next three home. The races for the boys were remarkably similar, each run at more than four seconds above standard, a full three seconds slower than Bluestocking in the Vermeille.

Ralph Beckett has been relentless closing on the top training positions over the past few seasons and his comment, “I couldn’t see any reason not to supplement her,” epitomises his pragmatic approach to training.

Of course, as with all the big stables, and he had 183 listed in this year’s Horses In Training, there is a margin for error. When the year began, Bluestocking had won only once, on juvenile debut in September 2022. Since the summer, it has been a roller-coaster of ever greater success.

I had a look at the overall prizemoney earned by each of three major European horseracing and breeding superpowers over the weekend. Although Aidan got off to a flyer winning three Group races, including Kyprios’s second Prix du Cadran over 2m4f on day one, the momentum wasn’t quite maintained.

Yesterday, the lesser fancied of his two Jean-Luc Lagardere runners, Camille Pissarro, echoed the late-running performance on the first day of 25/1 shot Grateful. The similarity? Both were ridden by Christophe Soumillon with Ryan Moore on the first string. Ryan had the consolation of three €100k plus wins on day one, the third in the valuable conditions event put on by the Arqana sales company. And his third place on Los Angeles in the Arc earned him his jockey’s share from around half a million.

The overall Irish haul not including the Arc was around £675,000. The French on home soil amassed just over £800,000 for their non-Arc runners, while UK horses collected more than £1.22 million for 22 places. When you add in the Arc money, the GB total thanks to Bluestocking is more than £3.67 million; the French total comes to approximately £2.15 million and Ireland – almost entirely via the Coolmore runners was close to £1.3 million. So the UK stables picked up better than half the available money!

Even though the French had many more runners in the additional races than either UK or Ireland, they retained barely 30% of the money available. If we’re in trouble, how about them?

Those from the big teams cannot rest. After a day today looking at stock in the Tattersalls sales barns, Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale starts tomorrow, three days when 448 yearlings – blue-bloods all, but which cannot all turn out to be talented – go under the hammer.

The sale nowadays closely echoes the example of the Goffs Orby sale in Ireland, staged last week. That also commences with a Book 1 for the top stuff and Book 2 for the rest. A later sale offers less expensive pedigrees.

It’s amazing how the decisions of a sales company can make such a difference to the prospects of a borderline Book 1/Book 2 yearling. It’s simply the difference between whether an owner is to get a decent price for his/her sales candidates. Book 1 over there had 466 lots going under the hammer over two days. Of those, 399 (80%) found new owners at an average price of €128k.

The two days of the similarly populated Book 2 proved far less attractive to buyers with only 332 of 449 changing hands, that’s 70%. If that was significant, the average price of €20k was disturbing for many stud owners, especially pin hookers who will have struggled to match foal prices never mind a year’s costs.

One well-known trainer who was happy to pick up a horse from Book 1 at a fair price, did not look at any of the stock in Book 2. “It’s okay to buy them just because they are cheap,” he said, “but you have to find someone to pay for them and to have them trained.”

I canvassed a few trainers some weeks ago as it was proposed by friends to buy a horse in training. They were all middle-range but talented trainers and they were all somewhere around £60 a day (plus VAT of course). So, we’re already up to at least £500 a week, with extras like shoeing, vet charges and transport to the races. In Newmarket and many other training centres, there is also a gallops fee levied.

On Friday, the day after the conclusion of Book 1 and three days before Book 2 where most owners will not have to worry much about the likes of Godolphin, Coolmore, Amo Racing and rest to find a yearling, there are more than 750 lots to wade through. Smaller catalogues for Books 3 and 4 next week conclude as the runners for the Cesarewitch, Dewhurst and the rest go to post next weekend.

Newmarket’s first day stages a race which illustrates just how tough and frankly absurd UK’s horse racing economics are for all bar the super-rich – or those lucky enough to get a superstar for not much money.

The opening maiden of that Friday’s card has a prize of just more than £10k, much better admittedly than some that have been run on the Rowley Mile recently. Many were bought at this time last year, so at around a minimum £2,500 per month that’s at least £30,000 to get to this stage on top of their purchase price.

The happy winning owner on Saturday will receive approximately 70% of the £10,000 first prize, less jockeys’ fees and transport to the course. Sixteen of the 30 entries went through the ring, home-breds making up the remaining 14.

The cheapest of the sales group cost £45k – bought by our friend Sam Sangster and trained by Brian Meehan. The most expensive was £400k for a newcomer from Aidan O’Brien. The average - going for a £7k pot I emphasise - was 135k.

Talking of Sam Sangster and his link with Brian Meehan, Manton's longest-serving present incumbent had a Royal Ascot double this June with Rashabar (Coventry Stakes, Group 2) and Jayarebe (Hampton Court Stakes, Group 3). They had only one run each in the meantime, Rashabar when second in the Group 1 Prix Morny to Whistlejacket, and Jayarebe, also second at Deauville, to Economics. They came to Longchamp with high hopes.

Jayarebe did the business on Saturday in the Group 2 Prix Dollar, making all, while Rashabar was caught only in the last few strides of the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere by Camille Pissarro, the aforementioned O’Brien second string ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

Rashabar will aim at the 2,000 Guineas next spring while it would be no shock if Jayarebe pitched up at the Breeders’ Cup. Meehan won the Turf race there a decade or so ago with Dangerous Midge, who raced in the same Iraj Parvizi colours. Parvizi only came back to the stable after a break of several years with his purchase of Jayarebe.

There were two other notable efforts over the weekend that caught my eye. Apollo One, so often the bridesmaid in big sprint handicaps, gained a first Group-race win at Ascot on Saturday. Peter Charalambous, his owner/trainer/breeder had been frustrated at being beaten close home in the Wokingham, Stewards’ Cup and Portland handicaps this year, but on ground Pete believed he wouldn’t handle, he did, winning almost as he liked.

Secondly, another working on the wrong surface was Hughie Morrison’s Mistral Star, third in Saturday’s Group 1 Prix Royallieu where she was in front until the last 50 yards. I’m confident she would have won on faster ground.

Finally, last week I mentioned Joe Lee and his filly May Day Ready. The pair, with the help of Frankie Dettori in the saddle, got the best of a wafer-thin three way photo (centre, see below) on Friday in the Grade 2 Jessamine Stakes at Keeneland, a Win And You're In for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Exciting times!

- TS



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Beckett savours Bluestocking’s record Arc success for Juddmonte

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Ralph Beckett reflected on an “extraordinary” afternoon in Paris after Bluestocking carried the Juddmonte colours to a record seventh victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

There are few silks more famous than those of the late Prince Khalid Abdullah, with some of the greatest equine names the sport has ever seen carrying the green, pink and white with distinction in the world’s biggest races.

Rainbow Quest (1985), Dancing Brave (1986), Rail Link (2006), Workforce (2010) and the brilliant dual Arc heroine Enable (2017 and 2018) have all struck gold in Europe’s premier middle-distance contest, quite a list for Beckett’s superstar filly to join.

“It’s extraordinary really. I grew up watching Rainbow Quest and Dancing Brave, so to train a winner in these colours is a huge thrill,” said the Kimpton Downs handler.

“It’s a privilege to train for Juddmonte and to train an Arc winner for them as well is extraordinary.”

Bluestocking was just a yearling when Abdullah died at the age of 84 in January 2021. She was a winner on her only start at two and showed top-class form in defeat at three, but few would have marked her as a potential Arc winner until as recently as three weeks ago.

The daughter of Camelot was brilliant in winning the Group Two Middleton Stakes on her seasonal bow and broke her Group One duck in the Pretty Polly in Ireland.

However, she was clearly second best behind the remarkable Goliath in the King George and a fourth-place finish in a Juddmonte International won by City Of Troy had connections thinking Bluestocking might be best served going back against her own sex.

Bluestocking passes the post in front
Bluestocking passes the post in front (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

There was, though, a change of of heart following her never-say-die success over the Arc course and distance in last month’s Prix Vermeille, prompting the Juddmonte team to pay the €120,000 supplementary fee to book her ticket back to the Bois de Boulogne for the big one.

Beckett added: “I think after York we were going to go back to fillies only, but obviously she won what looked a strong Vermeille at the time and that gave us encouragement to come here.

“The fact that she really enjoyed the ground here three weeks ago was a positive as well and the fact that she came through that test was another positive.

“We were slightly taking it on trust that we could get her back for the Arc. It went pretty smoothly at home, but mostly because we didn’t ask her any questions – it was all about her well-being really.

“She came here in good form and I was pleased with the way she looked in the preliminaries. She’s just a real professional as she knows what’s required and has worked it out for herself, which makes our job a whole lot easier.”

Rossa Ryan celebrates with connections after winning the Arc
Rossa Ryan celebrates with connections after winning the Arc (AP/Michel Euler)

Beckett is no stranger big-race success, having enjoyed Group One and Classic glory at home and abroad.

Asked about his emotions as Bluestocking approached the winning line in Paris, he said: “I was expecting something to come and run her down late, as happened last year with Westover (finished second to Ace Impact).

“She actually hit the front earlier than Westover did and it’s a long straight, so that’s always a concern, but it was going to take a good one to go by her as she doesn’t give in easily.”

In contrast to Beckett, Rossa Ryan is still a relative newcomer when it comes to winning at the top level, with his maiden Group One victory aboard Shaquille in last year’s July Cup followed up by his two on Bluestocking earlier this season.

The Galway-born jockey has now proved his worth on the biggest of stages, though, with the more positive tactics employed three weeks ago again working a treat.

Ryan said: “When I dissected the form I was fairly confident, but I wasn’t confident enough to tell anyone!

“She fulfilled what I thought she possibly could and I’m just the lucky one to have been on her. There’s a lot of people involved that have done a lot more work than I have, I’m just here in front of you.

“In the Vermeille, being drawn where we were opened doors to us and it’s probably won us the Arc really and truly. The draw was key and she’s been jumping and settling well and once I got in behind Ryan (Moore, on Los Angeles) I got into a great rhythm and from there I had every chance to win, but at the same time we had to see what was really there and she didn’t let us down.

“To be honest, I was just praying to get to the line. She quickened and quickened well and kept going. She did it well, but for me it was just getting to the line as quickly as we could and thankfully we did.”

What the future now holds for Bluestocking remains to be seen, with connections keen to enjoy this landmark success before deciding on their next move.

“It’s unbelievable and a huge relief,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

“More often than not, it (supplementing) doesn’t work out, but if Ralph was happy the owners were very keen to do it and he gave us the green light on Wednesday morning and it’s been a dream since.

“What’s next for her, I don’t honestly know. We discussed during the year that this could be her final season racing, but the owners will ultimately decide that in the next few weeks.

“For Juddmonte, Prince Khalid’s whole ethos was female bloodlines and broodmares. To win Juddmonte’s seventh Arc with a filly is very, very special.”



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Top filly Bluestocking added to Arc field

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Ralph Beckett’s Bluestocking has been supplemented for Sunday’s Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

It has cost her owners Juddmonte €120,000 to add the four-year-old to the field but after two Group One wins already this season, they felt it was a chance worth taking.

Bluestocking was a course and distance winner last time out in the Prix Vermeille, and finished second against the boys in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in August.

Her owners have already seen their famous pink, green and white silks carried to victory in the race by Rainbow Quest, Dancing Brave, Rail Link, Workforce and Enable twice meaning one more victory would take them clear of Marcel Boussac as the most successful owners in the race.

Beckett himself finished second with Westover in the Juddmonte colours 12 months ago.

Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon said: “It’s exciting and she is in good form. Ralph has had a good look at her this morning, she cantered and had all her tests done and he was very happy with her condition.

“We feel she is in good form and we’re very much looking forward to Sunday. It’s going to be a tough task, but she’s a filly who runs her race every time and hopefully she will do so again on Sunday.”

A total of 18 remain in contention for Europe’s showpiece race with Aidan O’Brien taking out Opera Singer. She has also been removed from her other option in the Prix de l’Opera but Auguste Rodin still holds an Arc entry ahead of the final declaration stage on Thursday.



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Bluestocking on course to be supplemented for Arc bid

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Ralph Beckett has given the green light for Bluestocking to be supplemented for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next week.

The winner of two Group Ones already this season, the Pretty Polly at the Curragh and the Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp, she will be aiming to go one better than Westover, who finished second to Ace Impact for Beckett 12 months ago.

Having proved her suitability to the course and distance of Europe’s premier race, her owners Juddmonte will have to part with €120,000, but after impressing connections in a workout on Saturday, they have been persuaded to have a go.

“She’s very well, I’m happy with her,” said Beckett.

“If she’s in the same form on Monday and Tuesday, and if the forecast is correct for France, then we will supplement on Wednesday.

“I don’t want to make a decision until I have to and the French system gives us an extra couple of days, but w’re very pleased with her.”



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Beckett youngster cruises into Derby reckoning

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Seacruiser has connections dreaming of Classic glory after opening his account at Newmarket.

Ralph Beckett’s son of Sea The Stars cost 200,000 guineas as a yearling, but suffered interference when a beaten favourite at Goodwood on his debut.

He was again sent off the market leader, this time at odds of 11-8 for the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Stakes on the Rowley Mile, only on this occasion there were no traffic issues, as Rossa Ryan set sail from the off and made every yard to hold off Charlie Appleby’s Present Times by a length and a quarter.

He was left unchanged at 50-1 for next year’s Derby by Paddy Power, but he is unlikely to be given chance to further enhance his Classic claims this term, with connections hinting they will enjoy this maiden success and then begin to look ahead to next season.

“I don’t think he will race again this year. Marc and Ralph will decide that, but I don’t think so,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Marc Chan.

“He was always going to be next year’s horse and he has done what he has to now. We will probably put him away now and begin to dream about different things. I’m just really pleased to see him win today.”

Also obliging favourite backers was Charlie Appleby’s Olympus Point, who opened his account as the 6-4 favourite in the Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Nursery Handicap.

Placed in all three starts prior to this event, the son of Earthlight appeared to enjoy both the step up to a mile and the underfoot conditions in the hands of William Buick.

Olympus Point gets off the mark at Newmarket
Olympus Point gets off the mark at Newmarket (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He’s run some nice races and I was just saying to Will (Buick) that stepping up to a mile seems to have helped him,” said Alex Merriam, assistant trainer to Appleby.

“On his pedigree, it wouldn’t be screaming he wants a mile but he did it quite nicely I thought.

“Hopefully now he has got his head in front, he will keep progressing and we will see where we go. I suppose he could (join our Dubai Carnival team) but he has gone on the soft ground there, so there is no reason to not keep him going if he goes through it.”

Trainer Grant Tuer, jockey Sam James and owners Nick Bradley Racing combined to win their second valuable handicap in as many days as Sophia’s Starlight (13-2) showed a game attitude to land the British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap to add to their big winner at Goodwood on Wednesday with Love Talk.

Sophia’s Starlight showed her guts at Newmarket
Sophia’s Starlight showed her guts at Newmarket (Mike Egerton/PA)

The forward-going four-year-old held off the closing pack with real fighting spirit to return to the scoresheet for the first time since last season’s Great St Wilfrid.

James said: “She has had a few niggly issues throughout the year, but Grant, to be fair to him, thought she was in good form coming here today and she loves that bit of juice in the ground which helps. She was tough today and did it well.

“She’s had a little freshen up and I don’t think she’s the easiest filly to keep right and they do a very good job with her at home. She likes this soft ground and hopefully now they can have a bit of fun with her.

“It’s good of Nick (Bradley) to put me back up on her after my suspension so it’s nice to repay him with a couple of winners the last couple of days.”

Hugo Palmer’s Wonder Kid (7-2) appears to have booked his ticket to the track’s bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap with a facile success in the Graham Budd Horseracing Memorabilia Handicap, while Mick Appleby and Tom Marquand combined in the concluding Ultimate Provence Handicap with 6-5 favourite Terries Royale.



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