Tag Archive for: Roger Teal

Teal encouraged by Dancing Gemini’s Ascot effort

Roger Teal is buoyed by Dancing Gemini’s fourth-placed run when returning to Group One company in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

The Camelot colt started his season at the same grade at ParisLongchamp, where he was the runner-up when beaten only half a length in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains.

Subsequent runs in the Derby and Eclipse saw him finish sixth both times, after which a step down to Group Three class resulted in a fifth-placed finish in the Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

Teal felt the latter run was an unreliable reflection of the bay’s ability and that theory was proved to be true when he lined up at Ascot as a 50-1 chance under Tom Marquand on Saturday.

On soft ground the three-year-old finished fourth in an admirable run that stands him in good stead for his next outing, whether that be later this season or next year.

The Betfred Derby Festival – Derby Day – Epsom Downs Racecourse
Dancing Gemini heading to post for the Derby (Bradley Collyer/PA)

“He ran a lovely race to get us back on track, it was a solid run in a very classy field,” said Teal.

“I was delighted with him. Now it’s all a bit up in the air at the moment, there are no firms plans. I’ll have to speak to his owner and see how he comes out of the race and then we’ll decide if we want to look for something else or put him away until next year.

“He took the race very well, he settled much better and Tom might have ridden him a bit more forward if he’d known he was going to settle so well.

“He was just too keen the previous time, it was a very solid run and it was really nice to see him back on track.”

Teal considers the horse to have developed physically throughout the season and is looking forward to seeing how he returns to the yard with a winter break under his belt.

Betfred Derby Festival Gallops Morning – Epsom Downs Racecourse
Dancing Gemini working on the track at Epsom ahead of the Derby (John Walton/PA)

“I think he’ll probably get a mile and a quarter next year, he’s still maturing, still growing,” he said.

“He looks better now than he did at the start of the season, he’s put on a bit of weight and there’s much more about him than there was.

“I think he’s a horse that has just taken a while to come to hand. Physically he’s looking much better and when he’s found his full strength, he will probably get a mile and a quarter.

“To be fair to the horse, apart from Goodwood he hasn’t had a chance on better ground and he just boiled over that day. He was keen to post and keen in the race, he got very worked up so it wasn’t a race to judge him on.

“I’d like to see him on a bit of decent ground because he tends to have run in the mud, so it’s hard to get a true guide on him.

“I said to David (Fish, owner) when we were going to meet him in the winners’ enclosure ‘we’ll come back next year and win that!’.”



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Teal hopes new Goodwood trip can be a hit for Dancing Gemini

Dancing Gemini drops both in grade and distance seeking to rediscover the winning groove in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood.

Roger Teal’s star colt has been set lofty targets since winning the Flying Scotsman Stakes at two and has not been disgraced when campaigning at the highest level ever since.

He returned at three with an agonising second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, a performance which earned him a shot at further Classic honours in the Derby and while things did not go to plan at Epsom, he came back to 10 furlongs for another shot at City Of Troy in the Coral-Eclipse.

Having been last of six in testing conditions at Sandown, connections have decided to take stock and lower their sights slightly, with the son of Camelot reverting to Group Three company as he drops back to a mile on the Sussex Downs.

Dancing Gemini after the French 2000 Guineas
Dancing Gemini after the French 2000 Guineas (PA)

“I felt the Eclipse was a tough run for him in that ground and ideally we shouldn’t have run him, and I just wanted to find something easier for him so we could regroup really and see how we get on,” said Teal.

“He was a bit quiet for a week after Sandown, it took a lot out of him, but he seems to be back to himself now and I’m happy with him.

“If he can bring his French Guineas run to the table he should be challenging.”

Dancing Gemini will be ridden for the first time by Oisin Murphy, with Teal finally getting the chance to leg-up the three-time champion jockey having pencilled him in to ride in the Eclipse in June.

Oisin Murphy will ride Dancing Gemini at Goodwood
Oisin Murphy will ride Dancing Gemini at Goodwood (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“I have not really heard of him much, but I think he’s all right,” quipped Teal.

“I was hoping Oisin could have ridden him in the Eclipse, but he had to go to Haydock that day. He’s had a sit at home and he liked him a lot when he rode him.

“Fingers crossed we can get a clear run and then see what happens.”

This race was won 12 months ago by John and Thady Gosden and they have a real player once again in Lead Artist.

Lead Artist has shown plenty of ability so far
Lead Artist has shown plenty of ability so far (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Beaten a nose on debut in the Wood Ditton, he then impressed when shedding his maiden status at York before finishing third when upped to Listed level for the Henry Cecil Stakes.

Lead Artist is one of two in the race for owners Juddmonte who can also rely on Ralph Beckett’s Task Force – with the Kimpton Down handler himself doubly represented by also saddling King’s Gamble.

Barry Mahon, European racing manager for Juddmonte, feels there is still plenty to be discovered about both of their colts and said: “They are two nice horses and we are probably trying to learn a bit about both of them, hence why we are letting them run.

“I think Lead Artist didn’t appreciate the soft ground the last day in Newmarket and it was a bit of a messy race – there was one group up the middle and we were on the far side on the slowest ground.

“Kieran (Shoemark, jockey) felt he just didn’t handle the ground and it was good to firm the day he won his maiden and we are looking forward to seeing him back on a sounder surface and we still think he is a colt with plenty of potential moving forward.”

On Task Force, he added: “We’re just in a little bit of limbo with Task Force, in the Guineas he ran a good race but the Jersey was a bit messy and we didn’t really learn much that day.

“He looked to us like he wants further and I think Goodwood on Friday, stepping up to a mile on a sound surface, is going to pinpoint to us whether he is a mile horse, a mile plus or where we are going with him.

“It could be that he has not trained on from two to three, I think we’ll find answers to all the questions like that on Friday, but his work at home has been solid and I do think he has done well from two to three, so we just need to get back on the right path with him.”

Al Musmak winning at Newmarket
Al Musmak winning at Newmarket (Joe Giddens/PA)

It was Roger Varian’s Al Musmak who was ahead of Lead Artist when claiming the Henry Cecil Stakes, successfully dropping back to a mile at Newmarket’s July meeting.

The Carlburg Stables handler is wishing for a favour from the weather gods as he competes at that winning distance once again, with Silvestre de Sousa in the saddle.

“I wouldn’t mind a thunderstorm for him and he appreciated getting his toe in at Newmarket in the Henry Cecil Stakes,” said Varian.

“He’s in great form, but I do think he is better with a little bit of cushion in the ground. It’s a nice race for him.”

Varian is another with two contenders, with Boiling Point another in the mix, while his owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid will see his colours also carried by Karl Burke’s Ice Max.

Socialite lost his unbeaten record in the Henry Cecil and goes for Charlie Hills, with Joseph O’Brien’s Irish Raider Atlantic Coast and Richard Fahey’s Native American completing the line-up.



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Drop in class and trip on the cards for Dancing Gemini

Dancing Gemini is poised to drop back to a mile in search of a confidence boost after the colt finished down the field in the Coral-Eclipse.

Roger Teal’s stable star had finished second in the French 2000 Guineas on his return before not being disgraced behind City Of Troy in the Derby.

The move back to 10 furlongs at Sandown was expected to bring the two Epsom rivals closer than the eight and a quarter lengths which separated them on the Surrey Downs.

However, after travelling menacingly into the straight, Dancing Gemini failed to pick-up in the rain-softened ground – finishing last of the six to take part as City Of Troy once again took home the spoils.

Dancing Gemini winning at Doncaster as a two-year-old
Dancing Gemini winning at Doncaster as a two-year-old (Tim Goode/PA)

Teal said: “I think he struggled on the ground and he travelled really strong, it was just when Kieran (Shoemark, jockey) thought he was going to pick up, he just couldn’t and his stride shortened.

“I’m not sure he saw the trip out on that ground and he was travelling best of all coming up the hill but when Kieran asked him, he was padding a little bit.

“I would love to run this horse on better ground and I was concerned in the morning because of the amount of rain they had. I know what that hill is like at Sandown, it stops trains.”

As well as somewhat regretting the decision to run once conditions deteriorated in Esher, Teal feels now is the time to take stock and return to a mile.

Trainer Roger Teal is considering a move back to a mile with Dancing Gemini
Trainer Roger Teal is considering a move back to a mile with Dancing Gemini (John Walton/PA)

A drop in grade is also on the cards and the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on August 2 is in the back of the trainer’s mind for his colt’s next outing.

Teal continued: “He’s got form on soft ground and you were snookered into running him, but I think in hindsight I might have been better hooking him out – you live and learn.

“I would like to drop back to a mile and regroup. We’re just going to monitor him over the next week or so and make sure we are happy with him and then maybe step back to a mile next time.

“I think we will lower our sights a little bit, get a confidence-booster into him and get him back on track. We probably need to get our sensible heads on and try something at a slightly lesser level and go from there.

“There’s a Group Three at Goodwood over a mile in August – that is something I have my eye on if he is OK. We will probably aim for that and see what happens and try to get him back on track.”



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City Of Troy hardens as Eclipse favourite after White Birch KO

City Of Troy is now the 2-5 favourite with the sponsor for Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse after leading rival White Birch was ruled out.

The Derby hero was already the 1-2 market leader on the back of his Epsom victory, but his odds were further trimmed after it was reported Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch will not travel to Sandown, as connections were not entirely satisfied with the results of a blood test on Wednesday.

White Birch’s defection has left Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini and the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter now joint second-favourites at 7-1.

“It’s obviously disappointing for all concerned that White Birch will not be lining up in Saturday’s big race, and he would have been the chief market rival to City Of Troy, but in his absence, the Derby winner is now 2-5 favourite to complete the big-race double,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

In White Birch’s absence, connections of Dancing Gemini are relishing the chance to take over the mantle of City Of Troy’s biggest danger, as they attempt to reverse Epsom form with the Derby victor.

The colt’s trainer has the utmost respect for the challenge Aidan O’Brien’s son of Justify presents, but is optimistic he can close the eight-and-a-quarter-length gap that separated Dancing Gemini and the winner on the Surrey Downs.

“It’s quite sad news for connections (of White Birch), maybe not so sad for us, but he will be a big loss to the race, that’s for sure,” said Teal on a media call arranged by the Jockey Club.

“City Of Troy is a very good horse and Aidan has been very confident and bullish about him. Even after the Guineas run, he knew that was an off day.

“We’ve got to respect him but we’ve got to roll our sleeves up and do what we do – and if we can get anywhere near him, then we would have run a blinder.

“We had a wide trip in the Derby and were further back than we wanted to be. Ryan (Moore) went down the inner and Dylan (Browne McMonagle) went on the outer, so City Of Troy gained many lengths on us there. If we are a lot closer to him, I can see him shortening the distance for sure.

“The horse is fit and well and we’ve just got to let the horse do what he can do.

“I think the whole team does a great job and we seem to find a good one each year or every other year. For a yard of our size, it is brilliant and we’ve been to some big occasions – and I don’t think we’ve ever disgraced ourselves.”



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Teal believes that Shoe fits for Dancing Gemini ride

Kieran Shoemark has been booked to ride Dancing Gemini when he lines up for Roger Teal in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday.

The Camelot colt made a pleasing start to the season when second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, the French equivalent of the 2000 Guineas, at ParisLongchamp in May.

He then took aim at the Derby in June, stepping up sharply to a mile-and-a-half trip at Epsom and starting an 8-1 chance when drawn wide in stall 15.

There he finished sixth of 16 when not afforded the most competitive passage through the race from his draw, but connections were far from disheartened and made plans to skip Royal Ascot to pitch him in at the top level again at Sandown.

Dancing Gemini has been ridden in both starts this season by the young Irish talent Dylan Browne McMonagle, but the rider is based with Joseph O’Brien and will be required to ride Al Riffa for the stable on Saturday.

Oisin Murphy was also considered but is required to ride for John and Thady Gosden in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock on the same day, as he is retained by Qatar Racing, owners of his mount Queen Of The Pride.

Shoemark will therefore get the leg-up as Dancing Gemini steps back down to 10 furlongs at the weekend.

“Al Riffa is committed for Joseph, we knew he had an entry so we’ve basically worked around the idea that we won’t be getting Dylan,” said Teal.

“We set out to use a jockey familiar with our tracks, which will help us, though Dylan’s a very good jockey and I’m sure he’s going to be champion in Ireland.

“It will help to have someone who is streetwise and has a bit of knowledge of the track, so that decision was made.

“Oisin Murphy was due to take the ride but Mr Gosden has made an entry up in the Lancashire Oaks and Oisin is under contract to go out there.

“We’ve taken the chance on Kieran and we think he ticks a lot of the boxes.”



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Teal planning Eclipse challenge with Dancing Gemini

Roger Teal is eyeing up a crack at the Coral-Eclipse for Dancing Gemini who ran with credit to finish sixth in the Derby on Saturday.

Having already run a huge race this season to be an unlucky second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas), he stepped up half a mile in trip at Epsom.

Drawn in stall 15, Dylan Browne McMonagle had to take his medicine and found himself at the back of the pack before working his way into contention with a furlong to run, only to fade in the final 100 yards behind impressive winner City Of Troy.

“He seems fine, all is good with him,” said Teal.

“He made up a lot of ground but we were just in the wrong position on the track and he had to use up a lot of horse to get into a position and then he weakened close home.

“He’d made a big effort to get among the placings but it didn’t go as smooth as we would have liked. It was a big field and there was a lot of congestion around Tattenham Corner, he ended up going wider than he would have liked.

“What he has shown is that he belongs in those races, he hasn’t disgraced us at all and he ran with credit. With a clearer run he might have been placed.”

Looking towards the future, Teal said: “Timing-wise I think the Eclipse looks the favourable race to go for.

“We had him in the St James’s Palace but we took him out as we thought he’d probably have a hard race in the Derby and it would come too quick. The Eclipse gives us time to freshen him up so as we stand, that’s his target at the moment.

“I’m not sure where the winner will go, possibly the Irish Derby. I just thought he had a bad day at Newmarket, I never bought into the fact he hadn’t trained on. Had he won the Guineas ironically there might have only been eight runners in the Derby which would have suited us but because he got beat a few more threw their hat in the ring.”



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Stars align for Dancing Gemini to get Derby go-ahead

Roger Teal has given Dancing Gemini the green light to line up in the Betfred Derby following a pleasing racecourse gallop at Epsom on Tuesday morning.

Twice a winner from five starts as a two-year-old last season, the son of 2012 Derby hero Camelot has already come close to claiming Classic glory this spring, finishing a half-length second to Metropolitan in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, the French 2000 Guineas, at ParisLongchamp.

Another trip across the Channel for the French Derby was under consideration, but having seemingly taken well to the cambered Epsom track in a workout with high-class sprinting stablemate Chipstead, he is poised to take his chance in the world’s most famous Flat race on June 1.

Roger Teal and Will Cox at Epsom
Roger Teal and Will Cox at Epsom (Neil Morrice/PA)

Teal said: “I’m very happy, he looked good coming down the hill. Will (Cox) said he handled the track beautifully and although we didn’t go mad, it was a nice healthy exercise.

“William said it all went well, so I think we will roll our sleeves up and come here. While it’s tempting to go back to France, coming here with a live contender is unbelievable, especially for David Fish and his wife Linda (owners).”

Having never previously raced beyond a mile, Dancing Gemini will be taking a big step into the unknown over a mile and a half in the Derby, but Teal is hopeful his stamina will stand up to the test.

He added: “We actually had discussions about this possibility last year and deduced that although he’s very speedy, he’s bred to be a mile and a half horse. He has such a relaxed manner you can put him to sleep, and I hope we can use his burst of speed at the finish.

“The field has thinned out, which helps us a little bit, and I feel we’ve got to have a crack.

“I have lots of good memories here, as I used to stand in Philip Mitchell’s garden near the start and watch the field go by.

“It’s very exciting to be involved in the Derby this year.”

David Fish, owner-breeder of Dancing Gemini at Epsom
David Fish, owner-breeder of Dancing Gemini, at Epsom (John Walton/PA)

Irish rider Dylan Browne McMonagle was on board Dancing Gemini in the French 2000 Guineas and looks set to be reunited with Teal’s stable star at Epsom next month.

“Dylan couldn’t make it this morning as he’s riding at Cork, but he’s ridden a Listed winner for Mr Fish and we’ve bought into him because he’s a cool cookie, which is what you need on a big raceday,” said the trainer.



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Dancing Gemini denied Classic crown by Metropolitan

Dancing Gemini’s fast-finishing effort was in vain as Metropolitan and Alexis Pouchin caused a shock in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp.

Trained by Mario Baratti, the son of Zarak charted a course close to the pace set by John and Thady Gosden’s Orne, and from his position on the far rail was in the perfect spot to make his charge for home in the closing stages.

Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini emerged from the pack to lay down a strong challenge late in the day but Metropolitan was finishing just as strongly, pulling out extra when it mattered most to seal the victory.

Aidan O’Brien’s Henry Longfellow was sent off favourite but was never a factor, with Diego Velazquez finishing best of the Ballydoyle pair in fourth. Having been up with the pace throughout, Andre Fabre’s Alcantor was third.

It was a bittersweet result for Teal, who although agonisingly denied in his quest to secure a first Classic, can take comfort in the fact he has a top-class performer to look forward to in Dancing Gemini.

The Camelot colt holds entries for both the Betfred Derby at Epsom and the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly a day later and the handler admits he has plenty to ponder over the coming days.

Teal said: “He ran a blinder and we’ve always had confidence in him – thank God he’s backed us up today.

“I thought we were going to get there and he’s done everything right, the winner just got a few lengths on us turning in and got a good run up the rail. Dancing Gemini was getting there and he went down on his sword.

Dancing Gemini after the French 2000 Guineas
Dancing Gemini after the French 2000 Guineas (PA)

“He hasn’t had a prep run and will benefit for this race. If he can come forward from this, then you would like to think there is a big day in him.

“We’re going to have to have a chat and he’s in both the English and French Derby. He’s bred to stay, but he’s also got a lot of speed, he’s got a good kick. We’ll let the dust settle, have a chat and see which way we want to head.”

Meanwhile, Royal Ascot could be on the agenda for the winner Metropolitan having secured Classic honours.

Baratti said: “In the preparatory race, his performance wasn’t as bad as it seemed. He needed the run after a break and was ridden very conservatively.

“Physically, he’s splendid, and he’s only improving mentally. We drew one – it was a gift from heaven.

“As for the future, I’m sure he could stay and go a bit longer, but Pascal Bary told me that when you have a horse performing well at a mile, don’t stretch him. So, we’re not ruling out Royal Ascot and the St James’s Palace Stakes, even though he’s not entered.

“After his comeback, it seemed presumptuous, but I’ve always believed in him.”

O’Brien felt the race had not been run to suit either of his contenders, saying: “My two horses ran well, but the race lacked pace.

“I’m happy with their performance and we’re looking to the future now. The soft ground throughout the spring didn’t help. I think Diego Velazquez can at least stay 2,400 meters (12 furlongs).”



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Dancing mixing it with the stars on Sunday

Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini is bidding for French Classic success as he takes his chance in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Camelot colt acquitted himself well as a two-year-old, winning a Newbury maiden and the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster.

On his final run last year, he was fifth in the Group One Futurity Trophy back at Doncaster, though the heavy ground there was not considered ideal and he will encounter a better surface in France.

The bay is drawn in stall four, a competitive berth and one Teal is hoping will bode well after connections chose to head across the Channel with the horse instead of the Rowley Mile.

“He’s great, he’s done very well over the winter and we’ve been incredibly pleased with him,” said Teal.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to has told me that you need a low draw at Longchamp and I was dreading it, I thought we were guaranteed to get 13!

“For once we were lucky and actually got a decent draw so I’m happy with that.”

Of the decision not to head to Newmarket, Teal added: “The owner was pretty keen to go to France. I agree you shouldn’t be afraid of one horse, but I think it was probably the sensible thing to do.

“The decision is made so we’ll go over and hope he runs well.”

Aidan O’Brien has a high-profile unbeaten contender in Henry Longfellow, a Dubawi colt who won three successive Curragh contests last year – including the Group Two Futurity Stakes and the Group One National Stakes.

Henry Longfellow winning the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh
Henry Longfellow winning the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh (Damien Eagers/PA)

He sidestepped the English Guineas to allow City Of Troy to make his ultimately unsuccessful bid, but now has his own chance to bring a Classic title back to his Ballydoyle yard.

“He’s in good form and he’s ready to start back,” said O’Brien.

“Obviously he had some very good form to his name last season, winning a Group Two and a Group One, and we’re hoping he’ll run another good race again.

“He’s done everything right this year and is ready to get going.

“This is his first time on a round track, so it will be different for him, but he’s in good form.”

O’Brien also runs the striking Diego Velazquez, winner of the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes last term.

“He’s working like a horse that will stay further than a mile, and would be comfortable going up to a mile and a quarter. So we think it will be good experience for him to get him out around Longchamp.

“It’s possible he could go to the French Derby after that, he’s in good form and working nice.”

Supercooled is trained by Andre Fabre for the Niarchos family and has run twice already this season, finishing second in the Prix Comrade and then winning the Prix Machado over course and distance.

Both runs were on heavy ground, but his two-length maiden win the season prior was on good to soft and connections are expecting him to appreciate better conditions.

“He’s been an exciting horse from the day he broke his maiden,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager for the owners.

“He had a bit of a setback later on in the season last year, but he’s done very well in conditions that are slower than ideal for him.

“On Sunday it is meant to be good ground and hopefully he will give a very good account of himself in his first black-type race.

“He takes a big step up, but Mr Fabre is there every day with him and likes him and we’ll see how he stacks up with those with proven Group form in the race. Like all Group One races, it will be very interesting.”

The Aga Khan silks are represented by Keran and Roshvar, trained by Jean-Claude Rouget and Francis-Henri Graffard respectively.

Keran was second in the Group Three Prix Djebel when last seen, with Roshvar a runner-up over course and distance on his last outing.

Georges Rimaud, director of the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: “Keran has worked very well and Jean-Claude Rouget thinks that he can stay a mile. It’s a gamble that’s worth taking.

“As for Roshvar, we’re continuing along the path we set ourselves. It’s true that he showed immaturity in the Prix Machado, but he’s learning through experience.”

Yann Barberot’s Beauvatier fared well as a two-year-old, winning four races and finishing third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere before beginning this year with a second-placed run behind Ramadan in the Prix de Fontainebleau.

“Beauvatier worked very well on Monday morning. Maxime Guyon came to ride him,” Barberot said of the colt.

“He knows every inch of him and everything, so far, is going according to plan. The plan was, in fact, to ensure that he wasn’t fully wound up for his reappearance, with a view to stepping up on that effort in the Classic.

“He will have the notable advantage of being familiar with ParisLongchamp compared to the foreign colts.”

Christopher Head’s Ramadan is also a part of the field, with his Prix de Fontainebleau success preceded by a Listed win at Saint-Cloud.

Mathieu le Forestier, racing manager for owner Nurlan Bizakov, said: “The news concerning Ramadan is good and his trainer reports that he’s doing very well. His preparation has gone smoothly, and Christopher Head is following the pre-established plan.

“All the lights are flashing green. There won’t be that many runners, which means we can be more relaxed about our race plan. In a field of 13 runners, that’s enough to facilitate a fast-run race, while, by the same token, it should guarantee no hard-luck stories. The race should be a fluid one.

“Victory would be important in so many ways. Le Havre (the sire of Ramadan) died all too soon (in 2022) after putting the Haras de Montfort and Preaux stud on the map, so it would obviously make a lot of sense for us to have one of his sons as a stallion prospect.”



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Teal plotting direct 2000 Guineas route for Dancing Gemini

Roger Teal’s Dancing Gemini could start his campaign in either the French or the English 2000 Guineas.

The Camelot colt was twice a winner as a juvenile, taking a Newbury maiden and then the Listed Flying Scotsman at Doncaster.

He then stepped up to Group One level to contest the Kameko Futurity Trophy back at Doncaster, a mile event run on heavy ground in October.

There he finished fifth as Charlie’s Appleby’s Ancient Wisdom took first place, a run Teal has taken the positives from as Dancing Gemini gained experience ahead of his three-year-old campaign.

Dancing Gemini (centre) impressed in Listed company
Dancing Gemini (centre) impressed in Listed company (Tim Goode/PA)

“Conditions were soft when we won the Listed race but it wasn’t as bad as when we ran him in the Group One,” he said.

“We perhaps committed him too soon and then there was the horse that got upset in the stalls, so there was a delay as they’d all been loaded.

“He probably used up a bit of nervous energy, but he didn’t run bad at all in those conditions.”

Teal is pleased with how the colt has developed over the winter and is taking aim at either the French or English Guineas as his opening run of the season.

“He’s taken his work very well, he looks like he’s come forward so we’re really happy,” he said.

“He’s in both Guineas, French and English, so that’s what we’re aiming at. We’ll see a bit closer to the time which one we’re going to go for.

“He’s by a Derby winner and out of an Australia mare, so he’s bred to get the trip. Fingers crossed he goes well in the Guineas so we can start to dream big.

Dancing Gemini (right) in action at Doncaster
Dancing Gemini (right) in action at Doncaster (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“He was a bit of a frame last year but he was always growing, he was a bit bum high but he seems to have levelled off now.

“He’s done very well, we’re very happy with him. He’s not a massive horse but he is a nice stamp, a nice athletic animal.

“He’s a Camelot and he tends to stamp them as good-looking horses.”



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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.



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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.”



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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.”



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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.”



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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



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