Tag Archive for: Roger Teal

James Doyle booked for Diego Velazquez Trophy bid

James Doyle has been booked for the plum ride on Kameko Futurity Trophy favourite Diego Velazquez at Doncaster on Saturday.

His trainer Aidan O’Brien has an enviable record in the Town Moor Group One and is responsible for five of the 11 possibles.

The Ballydoyle handler has won the race a record 11 times already and is going for three in a row on the back of Luxembourg (2021) and Auguste Rodin last year and also has Battle Cry, Chief Little Rock, Capulet and Henry Adams engaged.

Doyle partnered O’Brien’s Warm Heart to a Group One double this season in the Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille.

James Doyle (left and Aidan O'Brien have teamed up to good effect this season
James Doyle (left and Aidan O’Brien have teamed up to good effect this season (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Diego Velazquez looks the main one for the Futurity Trophy on Saturday,” said O’Brien.

“We are very happy with him since his last run and James Doyle has been booked for him.  We will probably run one other horse in the race and we are looking forward to it.”

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin supplemented impressive Autumn Stakes scorer Ancient Wisdom as expected having pleased in a weekend workout.

Appleby said: “He has come out of that piece of work in good shape so we were keen to supplement this morning. The ground is looking like it will be soft at Doncaster and I feel like he is going to be a very strong contender.”

Roger Teal is looking forward to taking on the big guns with Dancing Gemini, who followed up a Newbury maiden win by romping away with the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes on Town Moor.

“Everything seems spot on with him and it’s all good at this stage,” said the Lambourn trainer. “He was very impressive at Doncaster last time and we’re looking forward to giving it a go.

“I think the mile will suit him, as he certainly wasn’t stopping there over seven furlongs – and when he won at Newbury, he was only just getting going in the closing stages.

“Soft ground obviously wouldn’t be a problem as it was pretty testing up there last month but, looking at the weather forecast, it could well end up heavy and that is always a bit of an unknown.

“But all we can do is roll our sleeves up and get on with it. It’s a good race and something like this is never going to be easy, but we’ll be giving it a real go.”

John and Thady Gosden could be represented by God’s Window, a course and distance maiden winner on soft ground when getting the better of Ben Brookhouse’s Redhot Whisper, who could reoppose.

David Menuisier will bid to follow up Sunway’s Group One success in France on Sunday by saddling Devil’s Point and outsider Deira Mile could make his debut for Owen Burrows after being switched from Charlie Johnston.

Dancing Gemini all set for Futurity Trophy challenge

Roger Teal is looking forward to taking on the big guns with Dancing Gemini in Saturday’s Kameko Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster.

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for five of the 11 remaining entries, including ante-post favourite Diego Velazquez, while Godolphin have supplemented recent Newmarket scorer Ancient Wisdom, as expected.

However, Teal is not shying away from going for Group One glory with Dancing Gemini, who followed up a Newbury maiden win by romping away with the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes on Town Moor.

“Everything seems spot on with him and it’s all good at this stage,” said the Lambourn trainer. “He was very impressive at Doncaster last time and we’re looking forward to giving it a go.

“I think the mile will suit him, as he certainly wasn’t stopping there over seven furlongs – and when he won at Newbury, he was only just getting going in the closing stages.

“Soft ground obviously wouldn’t be a problem as it was pretty testing up there last month but, looking at the weather forecast, it could well end up heavy and that is always a bit of an unknown.

“But all we can do is roll our sleeves up and get on with it. It’s a good race and something like this is never going to be easy, but we’ll be giving it a real go.”

Ballydoyle maestro O’Brien has won this race a record 11 times and will be chasing a hat-trick of victories following triumphs for Luxembourg in 2021 and Auguste Rodin last term.

Leopardstown Races – Saturday 9th September
Diego Velazquez ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (left) beating Capulet at Leopardstown (Damien Eagers/PA)

His main hope this season appears to be Diego Velazquez, last seen securing a Group Two success at Leopardstown in September when seeing off stablemate Capulet, who is another possible Doncaster contender.

O’Brien also has Battle Cry, Chief Little Rock and Henry Adams still engaged.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Ancient Wisdom created a big impression when powering just under four lengths clear of Chief Little Rock in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

John and Thady Gosden could be represented by God’s Window, a course and distance maiden winner on soft ground when getting the better of Ben Brookhouse’s Redhot Whisper, who could reoppose.

David Menuisier will bid to follow up Sunway’s Group One success in France on Sunday by saddling Devil’s Point and outsider Deira Mile could make his debut for Owen Burrows after being switched from Charlie Johnston.

Coral’s David Stevens said: “Whilst Dancing Gemini is very much respected following his Listed course success last month, the market for the season’s final Group One is dominated by Diego Velazquez and Ancient Wisdom.

“Both colts are also prominent in the betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Derby, although it will take a special performance from either to dislodge City Of Troy as winter favourite for either Classic.”

Dancing Gemini steams home in Flying Scotsman

Roger Teal could have a smart operator on his hands after Dancing Gemini stormed to victory in the Betfred Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.

The Lambourn-based trainer won this Listed event with Tip Two Win in 2017 and his latest scorer arrived on Town Moor on an upwards curve having won well at Newbury last month.

Always travelling smartly in the hands of Lewis Edmunds, the son of Camelot moved purposely to the front a furlong from home and galloped on powerfully to the line to make a real statement, registering a commanding four-and-a-quarter-length victor over Andrew Balding’s Gushing Gold.

Dancing Gemini after securing Listed honours at Doncaster
Dancing Gemini after securing Listed honours at Doncaster (Nick Robson/PA)

Tip Two Win would go on to finish second to Saxon Warrior in the 2000 Guineas and it appears Teal is already dreaming of next year’s Classics with his impressive youngster.

Before that though, he could return to Doncaster for the Futurity Trophy next month and both Paddy Power and Betfair go 20-1 from 66s for that end-of-season Group One event.

Teal said: “That was really impressive. We’ve held him in high regard all year. He did a piece of work last week that was breathtaking and I knew we had him in good shape heading into today.

“I said to Lewis, ‘if we can back up that bit of work, you’ll be going past the lollipop in front’ and he did. It was a very nice performance.

“We won this with Tip Two Win and I think he could possibly be as good, he’s got a similar profile because he’s got speed, with a good turn of foot and a good cruising gear.

“He’s in the big one here at the end of the season, but we’ll play it by ear and see how he comes out of today. If all is well and the owner is happy, we might take a punt, if not we’ll wait for next year when we’ll go for a trial before the Guineas.

“Lewis is a very underused jockey – I shouldn’t say that because more people will start using him. Fair play to the owner because Rossa Ryan was supposed to ride him last time but got claimed by a bigger stable, but Lewis did a great job at Newbury and he has again today.

“He handles the soft, when I watched the first I thought it was a little softer than they thought as they were well strung out, so I said to Lewis, ‘don’t sit too far off the pace and give him every chance’.

“We really fancied him on his debut but he was slowly away before passing everything bar the winner but he’s come on bundles, he’s improving with every race. He’ll get a mile no problem.”

Edmunds added: “That was good, he was very impressive. It’s nice to sit on horses like that. I think he’s got no end of class and the sky’s the limit for him at the minute.

“That’s my biggest winner. I’ve won a sales race but that was something special, the way he’s done it.”

Dante target for Dancing Magic

Roger Teal views Dancing Magic as “probably the best maiden in the country” as he prepares to step his consistent colt up in trip for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York.

Beaten only a length on debut at Salisbury last season, the son of Camelot was unfortunate not to shed his maiden status at Newbury on his second start before being handed some stiff assignments in his final three outings at two.

Following a second to Naval Power in Haydock’s Ascendant Stakes, he was then beaten less than three lengths behind Godolphin’s 2000 Guineas hope Silver Knott before bumping into Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin in the Group One Vertem Futurity where the bay finished a creditable fourth.

Held in high regard by his handler and the team at Shefford Valley Stables, he again ran a fine race in defeat when third in the Craven on his return and having ruled out a return to Newmarket for the 2000 Guineas, Teal is now eyeing a move up to 10 furlongs on the Knavesmire on May 18.

He said: “He’s come out of the Craven well and we decided to miss the Guineas and go to York for the Dante – I think he will be suited by a step up in trip.

“We were delighted with him and he ran a great race and hopefully he can go to York now and we’ll give him a chance over a mile and a quarter and see how he goes.

“He’s probably the best maiden in the country and he has never actually disappointed us. He was unlucky not to break his maiden tag at Newbury last season, but whenever we’ve thrown him in, he’s never disgraced us. He’s going the right way anyway.”

York could also be graced with the presence of Teal’s Royal Ascot scorer Oxted who is in line to return from a long absence in the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes.

The winner of the King’s Stand at the Royal meeting in 2021, he was last seen finishing third in the July Cup later that summer, then missing the best part of two years through injury.

However, the seven-year-old is now nearing his eagerly-awaited return with the hope of rewarding the patience of his connections when back to full fitness.

Oxted ridden by jockey Cieren Fallon celebrates winning the King’s Stand Stakes during day one of Royal Ascot in 2021
Oxted ridden by jockey Cieren Fallon celebrates winning the King’s Stand Stakes during day one of Royal Ascot in 2021 (Steven Paston/PA)

“Oxted is good and hopefully you will see him at York,” continued Teal.

“He’s training well and we are delighted with him. Fingers crossed we can get him to York in one piece and that will kick start his season.

“Whether or not he will be straight enough to win I don’t know, but we’ve got to start somewhere and he will come on for the run that’s for sure – he’s been off the track a fair while.

“The owners have been very patient and a lot of work has gone into getting him back. He’s been up on the treadmill at Fiona Marner’s at Windmill Farm and they have done a lot of the boring stuff for us and then we’ve got him back and he’s starting to shine.

“Every day is a sort of prayer day but hopefully we can get him there.”

Monday Musings: No More Lockdown Barnett!

As one of the world’s leading football agents, Jonathan Barnett, with his business partner David Manasseh, through their Stellar Group, heads up probably the biggest “stable” of footballers in the world, writes Tony Stafford. Always a racing fan, Barnett has lately been making tentative moves into racehorse ownership but for much of this year he would have been excused for thinking he might never have another runner.

Injuries have either delayed or ended the careers of three of his hopefuls, one with Wesley Ward being a particular disappointment.

Over the winter, Eden Gardens, owned in partnership with Manesseh’s father Maurice, and trained by Simon Crisford, did at least have a couple of all-weather runs without much luck. All his horses are partnerships, usually with his share carrying the name of his son James, who also works in the family business.

Like all owners Barnett’s aim is to win a Group race one day and failing that to have the all-important “Saturday horse”. Well he might not yet have achieved the former part of his wish-list, but on Saturday, as was readily trailed by Alex Hammond on Sky Sports Racing beforehand, he did have a runner in a three-year-old fillies’ race on that Ascot card.

Margaret Dumont, named after a regular character in the Marx Brothers films, is listed as owned by Tactful Finance and J Barnett. Tactful Finance is the father-and-son team of Cyril and Jonathan Shack. Cyril was one of the mainstays in the Paul Kelleway stable in the 1980’s, often in partnerships with, among others, David Dein, one-time Arsenal Vice-Chairman and the man who recruited Arsene Wenger.

The younger Shack is a Marx Brothers devotee and he sourced the Camelot filly at the 2018 yearling sales, paying only 20,000gns for her. Mark Johnston agreed to take her having approved her looks even though she didn’t meet his own strict rating criterion for one of his own purchases.

The Ascot race included three other well-connected fillies, home-breds owned respectively by the Queen and Bjorn Nielsen, with a third bred by David and Diane’s Nagle’s Barronstown Stud but now in different ownership.

Joe Fanning set off in front on Margaret Dumont, encouraged by the stamina she had shown when third on debut over ten furlongs at Thirsk last month. The Queen’s Lightness, a daughter of Shamardal trained by John Gosden, had had three previous placed runs behind her; and when she took up the running in the home straight, Barnett was resigned to her fate.

But then the renowned Johnston factor kicked in and Margaret Dumont rallied to beat the 82-rated favourite in a tight finish. This promising filly has a bright future, especially when allowed to race over further. Charlie Johnston was quickly on the phone saying her entry in a sale later this month would not be fulfilled.

Barnett also bought into a French-trained horse last year, but the then two-year-old Fitzcarraldo was always going to take time to come to hand. A big, backward son of Makfi, again relatively-cheaply bought at €27,000, he came strongly recommended by Nicolas Clement, but as the spring and lockdown wore on, there was little sign of any action.

Those planned trips across to Paris and Chantilly for weekend breaks were just a forlorn illusion, but then suddenly the by-now gelded Fitzcarraldo started pleasing the ever-patient Clement. He was ready for a first run early this month over 10 furlongs at Compiegne and, having turned for home well behind the principals, stayed on all the way home to finish an eight-length fifth to Zaykava, a son of top French stallion Siyouni out of the unbeaten Arc winning champion, Zarkava.

Barnett has a half-share in this potential stayer with the trainer and his breeder Hubert Honore taking the other half. With the public now being allowed back on track in France, starting at Deauville yesterday, those summer – what’s left of it – excursions on Eurostar might still be possible.

Deauville featured the full restitution to Group 1 success – if not yet domination of his generation - of Pinatubo. Beaten in both the 2,000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes, he was a deserved winner of the Prix Jean Prat, run over seven furlongs (formerly a mile) since last year. Runner-up yesterday was Lope Y Fernandez, twice well behind Charlie Appleby’s champion last year, but now within three-quarters of a length, spectacularly out-running his 40-1 odds.

Pinatubo’s exploits last year were a fitting closing memento for sire Shamardal’s career which ended with his death earlier in 2020. Winning a Group 1 (and hopefully for Godolphin more) as a three-year-old adds credibility to the obvious stallion appeal of an unbeaten champion juvenile.

Saturday’s highlight in the UK was the July Cup and I’ve not heard a single negative word about Oxted’s trainer Roger Teal who goes around the whole time with a smile on his face. Anyone who has met Roger will find it hard to believe he was once a jumps jockey, but he’s a talented trainer as his previous handling of 2,000 Guineas runner-up (to Saxon Warrior) Tip Two Win amply testified.

Now his training career has gone into a different orbit. Oxted, a four-year-old son of Mayson, fully justified Teal’s decision to avoid Royal Ascot after his Palace House Stakes success last month, by beating the winners of both the Commonwealth Cup (Golden Horde) and Golden Jubilee (Hello Youmzain) as well as Sceptical and Khaadem, who were third and fourth in the latter event.

There was no hint of a fluke about the result as this former handicapper was always up with the pace and found much the best speed up the hill. His sire won the same race in his four-year-old season on officially heavy ground, something that is always thrown up to diminish his excellence as a racehorse.

This progressive sprinter, who as a gelding will have no stud future to worry about, will be free to continue to give pleasure on the track to his trainer and three owners who include Tony Hirschfeld. Tony’s had plenty of success over the years with horses trained by Susan Piggott and later William Haggas.

Mayson has always been close to my heart having carried in his racing days my former colours, now more realistically of David Armstrong. Raymond Tooth has bred a number of horses from him, notably Sod’s Law, but one Mayson in which he has a share was a breeze-up purchase last year by Shaun Keightley. Mayson Mount, owned in partnership by Ray and Clive Washbourn runs tonight at Kempton with decent chances of a first win.

Another much more famous Raymond Tooth-owned horse was Punjabi and his finest hour, winning the 2009 Champion Hurdle, was remembered again yesterday when Barry Geraghty, the man who rode him , announced his retirement at the age of 40.

After the epic victory over Celestial Halo and Binocular up the Cheltenham hill, Geraghty once described him as “the bravest horse I’ve ridden”. Whether in the manner of all things ephemeral in racing, that accolade was traded elsewhere about earlier and later triumphs in his 24-year career, no matter. We’ll take it.

Barry was always polite and professional, calm and powerful in a finish. He fitted neatly somewhere between his other contemporary fellow Irish-born greats, McCoy and Walsh in terms of strength and subtlety. Now all we have to admire of the four riding giants of this latest era is Richard Johnson and he is now in the unusual post-McCoy position of no longer being champion jockey.

It wasn’t all gloom for the Queen on the racetrack last week. Her home-bred colt Tactical followed up his Windsor Castle triumph at Royal Ascot by stepping up a furlong to win the July Stakes at Newmarket. Andrew Balding intends looking for Group 1 prizes now for the son of Toronado, with the Prix Morny as a likely first step.

Godolphin and Charlie Appleby have a very talented juvenile with Classic pretensions in the Superlative Stakes winner Master Of The Seas. In what looked an above-average renewal of the seven-furlong event, the son of Dubawi drew clear for a three-length verdict, and must rate right at the top among this year’s juvenile colts.

- TS