Tag Archive for: regional

Regional return gives Bethell plenty to look forward to

/in /by

Ed Bethell will head straight to Royal Ascot with Regional following his excellent return to action in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Saturday.

A Group One winner in the Sprint Cup at Haydock two seasons ago, the seven-year-old failed to add to his tally last term, but did fill the runner-up spot in the Greenland Stakes at the Curragh and found only Australian raider Asfoora too strong in the King Charles III Stakes at the Royal meeting in June.

Regional headed to the Middle East for his first outing since finishing fourth at Newbury in July and having seen his stable star run a fine race to beaten just three-quarters of a length into third place by George Boughey’s Believing, Bethell is excited to see what the rest of the year has in store.

“He ran great and came out of it well, which is the main thing, so roll on the big turf races in England,” said the North Yorkshire-based trainer.

“You can never be confident going into Group Ones, but he’d been training nicely, especially when he got out to Dubai, so we were hopeful rather than confident.

“He’ll go straight to Royal Ascot for either the six-furlong or the five-furlong Group One. He seems quite versatile and we’ll just see which race looks most winnable nearer the time.

“There’s nothing to suggest he’s not as good as ever, that was what we took great heed in the other day, that he’s still able to compete at Group One level, which is amazing.”

Nunthorpe and Sprint Cup options open for Regional

/in /by

The Nunthorpe at York and the Sprint Cup at Haydock will be considered for Regional after his run in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury.

Ed Bethell’s stable star rounded off his 2023 campaign by lifting the Sprint Cup on Merseyside and kicked off this season by finishing second in the Greenlands Stakes in Ireland.

The six-year-old also filled the runner-up spot in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last month – and having sidestepped the July Cup at Newmarket on account of unsuitable ground, hopes were high he could regain the winning thread at Group Three level.

After forcing the early pace, Regional was eventually reeled in by the younger legs of a trio of three-year-olds in the impressive Elite Status, Lake Forest and Kind Of Blue, but Bethell feels his charge was far from disgraced in a race which was not run to suit.

“He’s come out of it well. It’s hard to say really, but they broke a track record and Quinault really blew the race wide apart and we got quite aggressive early on in the race which probably put paid to us in the last half-furlong,” said the North Yorkshire handler.

“Don’t take anything away from the winner, who was good and won well. Even if that hadn’t happened, would we have beaten the winner? I couldn’t be sure. I just feel that early pace duel might have put paid to our chances of finishing second.

“They went blisteringly quick – to break the track record at Newbury you’ve got to be pretty fast and they’ve got to be going a pretty end-to-end gallop, which is no one’s fault, it was just the way the race was run.”

While a defence of his Sprint Cup crown is clearly a major option for Regional, Bethell could be tempted to first head to the Knavesmire.

He added: “I’m going to leave him in the Nunthorpe and he’ll stay in the Sprint Cup and hopefully he’ll go for one if not two of those.

“I have a feeling that Sprint Cup could turn out to be hottest race of the year, whereas the Nunthorpe might open up a little bit.

“I’ll just see how he is over the next few weeks before making a decision closer to the time. Those are the aims and hopefully he’ll go for one of them if not two.

“There is also the Flying Five in Ireland, which is definitely an option as well if conditions allow.”

Bethell wary of Inisherin threat to Regional in July Cup

/in /by

Ed Bethell fears Inisherin could prove a tough nut to crack for Regional in the Darley July Cup on Saturday week.

Bethell’s stable star made his Group One breakthrough last autumn in the Haydock Sprint Cup and in two outings this season has run with great credit.

He was only worn down close home by Mitbaahy in the Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh carrying a Group One penalty, while he went out on his shield in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, staying on strongly but just unable to catch Australian challenger Asfoora.

Regional (near side) just failed to catch Asfoora at Ascot
Regional (near side) just failed to catch Asfoora at Ascot (John Walton/PA)

With Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin now entering the fray, having raced only against three-year-olds to date, Bethell is very respectful of the new challenge.

“He’s an almighty horse, no words can really describe him and I’m very lucky to be part of him,” said Bethell of Regional.

“Fingers crossed he’ll go well in the July Cup, but Inisherin is going to be pretty tough to beat, I’d say.

“Every trainer needs a horse like him and I’m just lucky to have found him.  Obviously there was a bit fortune involved given his price (3,500 guineas), but we’re very proud of him.”

Bethell confident Ascot assignment will suit Regional

/in /by

Trainer Ed Bethell believes the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot is “tailor-made” for Regional following his stable star’s pleasing comeback at the Curragh on Saturday.

A Group One winner in last season’s Sprint Cup at Haydock, the six-year-old was being readied for a return to Merseyside for Saturday’s Temple Stakes, but the prevailing soft ground prompted a late change of plan.

Instead, Regional crossed the Irish Sea to contest the Group Two Greenlands Stakes on Irish 2,000 Guineas day and ran an excellent race in defeat, cutting out much of the running before being mowed down late by fellow British raider Mitbaahy.

Bethell could not have been prouder of his charge in defeat and is confident he will head to Ascot as a major player next month.

“He ran really well, delighted with him,” said the North Yorkshire-based trainer.

“A stiff six (furlongs) just found him out and all roads lead to the King Charles at Royal Ascot. Hopefully we’ll get good, fast ground there and I’m really excited about his chance over five furlongs on that track.

“The whole idea was to go to the Temple, but the ground went against us at Haydock, so we went to the Curragh for the ground. A stiff six would never have been his cup of tea, but a stiff five at Ascot will be tailor-made for him.

“It’s what we all do it for, to have chances going down there, let alone a live one. To have runners at Royal Ascot is what we all do it for and we’re really excited, fingers crossed he’ll get there.”

Bethell identifies Al Quoz Sprint as big target for Regional

/in /by

Ed Bethell is planning to give his Sprint Cup hero Regional a well-earned break before targeting further big-race honours on Dubai World Cup night in March.

The five-year-old provided his young trainer with a first taste of Group One success at Haydock on Saturday, his third win from as many visits to the Merseyside venue.

Connections have the option of supplementing for next month’s Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot, while he also has foreign options at the Breeders’ Cup and in Hong Kong.

Bethell, though, is unsure about the suitability of any of those three races and would prefer to keep his powder dry for the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan in the new year.

Reflecting on Haydock, he said: “Things like that don’t happen very often and I probably was in a bit of shock. We celebrated on Saturday night, but I think I was so shattered from the whole occasion I went to bed quite early.

“The horse is absolutely fine – he came out of the race sounder than he went into it.

“I would imagine he’s probably going to go on holiday now. I don’t think the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita would really suit him. He got rushed off his feet in the Nunthorpe at York last month and I think if he went there the same would apply.

“We’re not entered for the Champions Sprint at Ascot, so we’d have to supplement, but for however many years it’s been run it’s been run on soft ground and he doesn’t like soft ground, so we don’t run him on it.

“After that there’s only really Hong Kong left and again, I’m not sure Sha Tin would be his bag, whizzing round that bend. I have nominated him, but I would rather end the year on a high.”

Regional (centre) strikes Group One gold at Haydock
Regional (centre) struck Group One gold at Haydock (Tim Goode/PA)

Although not ruling out the possibility of a prep run, the Middleham Moor handler is currently in favour of heading straight to the Al Quoz before bringing Regional back to Europe.

He added: “I’ve said to the lads that own him I’d quite like to train him for the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai on World Cup night. Of all these international tracks I think Meydan would be the place for him as it’s very similar to Haydock and York – a big, flat, open, galloping track, which is what he likes.

“I’ll see how he is. You’ve got that Super Saturday meeting you might fly out for. He’s travelled before, having been to Qatar and finished second for us out there, so we know he’s good off an aeroplane.

“He’ll be targeted at all the top sprints next year, starting off with the Duke of York maybe if he comes back from Dubai all right.

“He’ll get an entry in both sprints at Royal Ascot (King’s Stand and Jubilee) I would think and then hopefully all roads lead back to trying to defend his crown at Haydock.”

Sprint Cup hero Regional puts Ed Bethell in wonderland

/in /by

Trainer Ed Bethell was left fighting back the tears after Regional provided him with a first Group One success in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.

It is less than three years since the Middleham Moor handler took over the licence from his father James, who trained for over four decades before handing over the reins.

Regional has proved a real flagbearer since being bought for the bargain basement price of 3,5000 guineas in the summer of 2021, rewarding his connections with three previous wins, two of which have been achieved at Haydock.

Having landed the Listed Achilles Stakes at the Merseyside venue in June, the five-year-old got his first crack at Group One glory in the Nunthorpe at York last month and was not disgraced in finishing fifth, encouraging Bethell to give it another go over an extra furlong.

A 10-1 shot in the hands of Callum Rodriguez, Regional was never too far off the speed and dug deep as the post loomed to see off 50-1 outsider Shouldvebeenaring by a neck.

“I’m just over the moon. I’m in an incredibly fortunate position, to take over from my father, and my parents have been big supporters of mine,” said a clearly emotional Bethell.

“I never thought it would happen (winning a Group One). A huge ‘thank you’ has to go to Barbara Jones, who rides this horse every day – she doesn’t go on holiday because she wants to make sure he’s in tip-top form. She’s the important one here, along with the rest of my team at home. I’m just the lucky one to have my name on the ticket.

“We bought this horse just to win a race and he’s taken these guys (owners) on a tremendous ride. This meteoric rise is down to the team at home and we’ve just been incredibly fortunate.”

Regional (left) on his way to victory at Haydock
Regional (left) on his way to victory at Haydock (Tim Goode/PA)

Bethell felt the step up in trip was key to Regional’s performance, adding: “He was able to travel in his comfort zone, which he wasn’t in the Nunthorpe. The whole complexion of the race changed at York with Live In The Dream going so quick and fair play to him, but we were rushed off our feet.

“Today we were so much more comfortable at this trip at this level. I thought maybe he’d gone too quick and he’d get swallowed up, but he was one of the last to come off the bridle. I can’t believe it really.”

The trainer is keen to let the dust settle before firming up plans for his stable star.

He said: “I’ll enjoy today and tonight and get back to it tomorrow morning.

“I don’t know where we’ll go next, the owners might want to go to America, but I’ll just see how the horse is first and make a decision.

“Genuinely, I don’t think words can describe how I’m feeling. I told myself if we finish in the first five we’ve done well.

“When we won a handicap over six furlongs here two years ago I couldn’t believe it. I thought ‘I’ve done my job now, he’s won a race, maybe the owners will stick with me’.

“Did I ever think he could go and do this? No. These sort of days I hope will go a long way to helping the yard achieve what I want it to.”

Rodriguez – also winning his first Group One – said: “It was an amazing performance by the horse and what a story it’s been with him this year, being picked up for 3,500 guineas. The journey he has taken his syndicate on is just amazing. It was very smooth as he hit the gates very well and was in a good rhythm all the way and every time I asked him he responded.

“It was a great feeling. It is very fitting this has happened here as this is my local track from where I grew up 40 minutes down the road. It is just an amazing day.”

Rodriguez has worked his way back to the top after serving a six-month suspension in 2019, having tested positive for cocaine. He added: “I really hit the ground running as an apprentice and landed the Ebor and some other nice races along the way.

“It has been a little bit stop-start and you kind of ask yourself if you are going to find the one. I’ve been so lucky to find Regional this year. It is an amazing story and I’m thankful it has come off.

“I’ve a lot to thank Ed for. I stepped into the yard in January to ride out and get to know the horses.

“There is a real strong team of horses there and he is a real loyal man, and we work really well together and I’m happy with the way things are going.”

The disappointment of the race was undoubtedly Julie Camacho’s Shaquille, who was the 11-10 favourite to complete a top-level hat-trick following wins in the Commonwealth Cup and the July Cup.

Shaquille failed to fire in the Sprint Cup
Shaquille failed to fire in the Sprint Cup (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

But while the three-year-old – who got upset beforehand – was much quicker away from the starting stalls than had been the case at Royal Ascot and Newmarket, he was a spent force with a couple of furlongs to run and ended up trailing home last of 16 runners.

“Everything was fine, he had a bit of a wobbler before the gates opened (but) it didn’t affect his start and he jumped very clean,” said jockey James Doyle.

“He travelled super, but between the three and the two I had no power and I was beat very quick.

“As we know that’s not him as one thing he does do is get through the line, so we’ll see. They’re not machines, are they?

“The season is not over yet, we’ve got Champions Day to come and other races and we’ll see what comes to light. We’ll just regroup at this stage.”

The stewards inquired into the performance of the market leader, stating afterwards the representative of Camacho could offer no explanation for the colt’s performance and that the veterinary officer examined Shaquille during routine testing and had nothing to report.

Regional makes national headlines in Betfair Sprint Cup

/in /by

Regional provided trainer Ed Bethell and jockey Callum Rodriguez with the first Group One success of their careers in the Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock, in which hot favourite Shaquille finished last.

Shaquille had missed the break in both the Commonwealth Cup and July Cup before storming home to win, did not look happy before the race.

He had tried to unship James Doyle on the way to the start and then did not want to go in the stalls until Doyle jumped off.

He did break on terms on this occasion and soon found himself in front, at which point connections would have been delighted, but with two furlongs to run Shaquille had no more to give and Doyle looked after him.

Regional (10-1), who had been making his name over five furlongs and needed to prove he could beat the best over six, faced a strong challenge from 50-1 outsider Shouldvebeenaring but held on by a neck, with the supplemented Believing back in third.

Six-furlong switch on the cards for Regional

/in /by

Regional is set to be stepped up in trip for the Betfair Sprint Cup after running with credit in the Nunthorpe at York last week.

Having won a handicap on the Knavesmire in May before successfully stepping up in class in the Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock the following month, the five-year-old was kept fresh for a tilt at Group One glory by trainer Ed Bethell.

He was beaten only two and a half lengths into fifth place, and Bethell is now keen to bid for another top-level prize over an extra furlong.

He said: “He ran a really good race. I was really happy with how he got on and he wasn’t beaten far.

“The complexion of the race changed when the winner went off like a scalded cat and fair play to the winner, he kept going and it was a fair performance.

“We’re pretty quick and we jumped well, but we just weren’t as quick as the winner into our stride. If you took him out of it, the complexion of the race would probably have changed dramatically, but it’s a horse race, he set a relentless gallop and won fair and square.

“It looked as if we need to step up to six furlongs maybe at that level. He just got run off his feet the whole way, but on the whole I’m delighted with how he ran and I think we’re possibly going to target the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

“Hopefully it stays dry and we’ll see how we get on.”

Bethell favouring direct Nunthorpe route for Regional

/in /by

Regional is likely to skip the King George Qatar Stakes, with Ed Bethell favouring heading straight to the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes with his in-form sprinter.

Although having always been a consistent operator over the shorter distances, the five-year-old had won just one of his first 10 outings for the Middleham handler.

However, he has taken his form to the next level this season, winning a competitive York handicap in fine style before striking with authority in the Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock.

Bethell is now keen to test the waters at a higher level with his speedster and with the Regional proven on the Knavesmire, the trainer is keen to head to the Nunthorpe fresh rather than take on what could be a stellar cast at Goodwood.

“He is still entered in the King George at Goodwood, but I would imagine it would have to cut up for him to go there,” he said.

“Goodwood wouldn’t really be his track. We ran him in the Stewards’ Cup and although he ran well, he absolutely hated the downhill.

“I imagine we will be going straight to the Nunthorpe. He’s very good fresh and he’s a big, flat track type of horse.”

Regional was meant to run over the Nunthorpe course and distance in the City Walls Stakes earlier this month, but was pulled out when rain altered the going prior to the contest.

Regional winning the Sky Bet Achilles Stakes at Haydock
Regional winning the Sky Bet Achilles Stakes at Haydock (Nigel French/PA)

Bethell is content with the decision he made, with the focus firmly on keeping Regional’s confidence high ahead of his shot at Group One glory.

“I could have run him at York in the City Walls with a penalty, but he is a fast ground horse and it did go good to soft,” he added.

“I was conscious I want to go to the Nunthorpe with a horse full of confidence, rather than me ruining his confidence by running him on soft ground.”

As well as Regional, Bethell has also seen Oviedo fly the flag for his Thorngill House string and the handler was pleased with his third-placed finish in Newbury’s Steventon Stakes despite the race not unfolding in the colt’s favour.

“Unfortunately the hour and a half of rain before the race got into the ground, so it was softer than ideal,” explained Bethell.

“But I thought he ran very well and way above 100. He needs a fast pace to aim at really and it was quite a stop-start race, which doesn’t play to his strengths.

“I was thoroughly encouraged by the run and it was maybe not a career best, but it was right up there with the best performances he’s shown me in the past.”

Bethell will now wait to see how the assessor adjusts Oviedo’s mark before finalising future running plans, with big-money pots at both Goodwood and York, as well as a raid on Deauville on the agenda.

Oviedo (second left) in action at York
Oviedo (second left) in action at York (PA)

“I will see what the handicapper does with him,” he added. “There’s two very nice handicaps, one at Goodwood and one at York that he might slip into nicely.

“He’s a very hard horse to place in those Listed and Group races because, like yesterday, you could end up taking on a horse like Al Aasy who we all know is very good.

“He will have an entry in the Prix Nureyev (August 13) at Deauville as well, which would be very much ground dependent, but Deauville in August, you might just get some good ground over there.”

Nunthorpe aim for Achilles hero Regional

/in /by

A tilt at Group One glory in the Nunthorpe at York is on the agenda for Regional following a clear-cut victory in the Sky Bet Achilles Stakes at Haydock.

Placed on multiple occasions last season, including a runner-up finish in a valuable race in Qatar before finishing third in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood, Ed Bethell’s speedster made a successful start to his five-year-old campaign in handicap company at York last month.

He faced a rise in class in this five-furlong Listed event, but proved more than up to the task in the hands of Callum Rodriguez.

The 5-1 shot blazed a trail down the centre of the track and while Frankie Dettori did his best to get 3-1 favourite Equilateral on terms against the stands’ rail, Regional was ultimately well on top as he passed the post with a length and a quarter in hand.

“He’s a really fun horse and fast ground and flat tracks are his thing, so we’ll just try to keep him at that now,” said Bethell.

“We took him to Qatar last winter and finished second and he never really came back the same horse after that. I appreciate he came second at Doncaster and third in the Stewards’ Cup, but he wasn’t the same horse he is this year.

“We gave him a winter out and he’s just thrived. He’s enjoying his racing and Callum is riding out of his skin for me.”

With Regional not entered at Royal Ascot later this month, the North Yorkshire handler plans to give his stable star another run elsewhere before sending him back to York in August.

The trainer’s father James saddled Moss Gill to finish third in the Nunthorpe three years ago and Bethell junior is keen for Regional to head down the same path.

He added: “I’d imagine we’ll look at the Nunthorpe, that looks like a logical target. What we do in the meantime is between me and the guys (owners). We’ll sit down and have a chat, but I’m just delighted for everyone at home.

“They’re very different types of horses. Moss Gill had the most economical stride I’ve ever seen in our yard, whereas this fellow doesn’t have an economical stride at all, he’s just quick!

“It’s very exciting for everyone to be involved in a horse like this. He’s not entered at Ascot. He was in the Wokingham, but is probably too quick for that so I took him out.

“I could tell the owners they could supplement (for the King’s Stand), but it’s probably quite a lot of money, it’s a deep race this year and I think the Nunthorpe is more his race.

“In the interim I might go to York for the City Walls with a penalty and I might enter him in the King George sprint at Goodwood, those are two options.

“What I want to do is make sure there is a good gap between his next race and the Nunthorpe, that’s the imperative thing.”

Bethell hoping ‘stable legend’ Regional can take step up in class in his stride

/in /by

Regional will bid for the first Listed win of his career when he lines up in the Sky Bet Achilles Stakes at Haydock.

Ed Bethell’s five-year-old has been an ultra-consistent performer in the handicap ranks for the Middleham-based handler and produced arguably a career best on his seasonal return, making all to claim a competitive York heat in fine style.

He showed plenty of pace when dropping back to the minimum distance on the Knavesmire and connections believe he can now repeat the dose in Merseyside.

“He looked pretty quick at York last time and was pretty exciting then and I’m hoping we might be able to emulate that on a similar track in Haydock,” said Bethell.

“I’m hopeful that the forecast thunderstorms don’t hit before 1.15pm because he likes rattling fast ground. He is in great nick at home and I would be hopeful for a good run.”

It will be the first time Regional has competed in Pattern company since his juvenile days, but he was given a career-high rating of 105 following his York triumph and his handler is excited to see if he can continue climbing the sprinting ladder.

Bethell continued: “He’s always promised that (to be a stakes-level performer) and if you go back to his two-year-old form, he was only beaten a one and a half lengths by Winter Power so on the basis of that form he should be bang there in these types of races.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how he gets on, he’s a bit of a stable legend so fingers crossed.”

Trainer Ed Bethell regards Regional as a
Trainer Ed Bethell regards Regional as a “stable legend” (Mike Egerton/PA)

It was Karl Burke’s Korker who played second fiddle to Regional at York and the Spigot Lodge handler is hoping the four-year-old can make a snappy exit from the stalls in order to make his presence felt.

He said: “He makes his own problems messing around in the stalls, unfortunately. We’ve done a bit of work with him and if he jumps off anywhere near them he should run well.

“He’s got a lot of ability, but you can’t give three, four, five lengths away in these tough races.

“He the maker of his own downfall I’m afraid, but he doesn’t have a lot to find on ratings and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.”

Mick Appleby’s Raasel claimed this prize 12 months ago but was disappointing in the Temple Stakes over course and distance most recently – a race in which Charlie Hills’ Equilateral showed there was plenty of life in his eight-year-old legs when second to Dramatised.

“Equilateral is one of the yard favourites and I was delighted with his run at Haydock last time,” said Hills.

“It was a hot race although it did look to favour those drawn near the stands side rail. However, he seems to have come out of that race really well and we are going to give it another go up there.

“Frankie (Dettori) rode him last time and he has won on him before out in Dubai so he knows the horse well enough. He doesn’t like the ground too soft and looking at it the ground at the weekend should be perfect for him.”

Keith Dalgleish’s Prince Of Pillo produced some fine efforts over this trip as a two-year-old and is one of two for Middleham Park Racing in the contest alongside Robert Cowell’s Clarendon House, who makes a quick return to the track following his third in the Dash at Epsom last weekend.

Clarendon House is joined by stablemate Arecibo, with Mondammej (Anthony Britain), Fine Wine (Scott Dixon) and Makarova (Ed Walker) the others heading to post.