Tag Archive for: Rossa Ryan

Evaluating Jockeys by Percentage of Rivals Beaten

/in /by

In this article I will put 35 jockeys under the microscope, writes Dave Renham. These are the riders with the most rides per year, on average, over the past four years. The data has been taken from UK flat racing (turf and all-weather (AW) and the full years 2021 to 2024.

Introduction

I have further limited the findings to mounts sent off at an Industry Starting Price (ISP) of 20/1 or shorter, in order to try to eliminate most of the horses that had little or no chance; and, further, because very big-priced winners tend to skew profit figures.

For this piece I will primarily examine the data using ‘Percentage of Rivals Beaten’, although I also plan to look at strike rates and A/E indices. Percentage of Rivals Beaten (PRB) is a calculation based on a horse's finishing position in relation to field size. It makes key distinctions between a horse finishing, say, fourth in a seven-horse race (PRB 50%, three rivals beaten, beaten by three rivals) and finishing fourth in a sixteen-horse race (PRB 80%, twelve rivals beaten, beaten by three rivals). We express the PRB as a number between 0 and 1. So, in the examples above, 50% is 0.5 and 80% is 0.8.

As racing researchers we can often be blighted by small sample sizes when analysing, for example, win strike rates. Hence, there is a strong argument to suggest that PRB figures are a more accurate metric, simply because they make datasets bigger: they award a sliding performance score to every runner in every race, whereas win strike rate only awards the winner a score with all other finishers getting zero.

Today's offering has a slightly different flow from usual I will be writing it "as I go along". In other words, I’m sharing the research and my thinking process stage by stage, rather than doing all the research and then writing about my findings afterwards. Thus, my main commentary will appear to be in the present tense. If that makes sense, let's crack on (and if it doesn't, it soon will!)

Top Jockeys' PRB: Overall

I will start by sharing the average PRB figures for each of the 35 jockeys over this four-year period. They are ordered alphabetically across two graphs:

 

 

 

 

To provide a benchmark, the average figure when combining these jockeys was halfway between 0.58 and 0.59, so 0.585 to be precise. Oisin Murphy has the highest PRB figure, 0.64, followed by five jockeys tied on 0.62 – William Buick, James Doyle, Rob Havlin, Jack Mitchell and Danny Tudhope. Tom Eaves, Cam Hardie and Andrew Mullen have the joint lowest PRB figure of 0.54.

It should be noted that all riders in this sample are above the 0.5 PRB benchmark and so even the lowest in the cohort are out-performing the norm.

Top Jockeys' PRB: ISP 6/4 or shorter

Although I have restricted qualifiers to those priced 20/1 or shorter, there are clearly some jockeys who have more rides at shorter prices than others. Hence, I am assuming that jockeys should have higher PRBs because of this. To help analyse and potentially confirm this hypothesis I am going to look at the percentage of rides each jockey had with horses priced 6/4 or shorter. The table shows the splits:

 

 

There is a huge variance here, from William Buick with more than 13% of his rides sent off 6/4 or shorter, to Cam Hardie at less than 1%. Of the six jockeys with the highest average PRBs I noted earlier, five of them were in the top six for the highest percentage of rides (highlighted in blue in this table). Therefore, we can see there is a strong looking correlation between price and PRB, as we should expect.

Top Jockeys' PRB: ISP 12/1 to 20/1

It makes sense next to look at the percentage of rides each jockey had when the qualifiers were bigger prices in order to consider both ends of the price spectrum. Therefore, below is a table showing these percentages when considering percentage of rides from runners priced 12/1 to 20/1.

 

 

The three jockeys with the highest percentages (shown in blue) are the jockeys who had the lowest overall PRB figures shared earlier, namely Tom Eaves, Cam Hardie and Andrew Mullen: this is further evidence of clear positive correlation. Also, the lowest four percentages in this group are for Messrs Buick, Murphy, Doyle (James) and Mitchell.

At this early point in my research I am starting to appreciate that despite the fact that PRB is a really useful metric, for this type of research the price of runners is also very important and can significantly sway the balance one way or the other. Hence, the market will be factored in for the remainder of what follows.

Top Jockeys' PRB by Price Range

Having established the importance of the starting price, I have decided to calculate PRBs for different price bands for all 35 jockeys. The brackets I am going to use are again based on Industry Starting Price and they are as follows:

 

 

In the table below I have collated the PRBs for each jockey for each price band. The average figures for all jockeys in the list are shown in blue at the bottom of each column, and I have highlighted any PRB that is at least 3% above the average or at least 3% below the average. The 3% ‘above group’ (positive) is highlighted in green, the 3% ‘below group’ (negative) is in red.

 

 

The colour coding helps to highlight jockeys that seem to perform above the norm and those that may have performed below what might be expected within each price band. There were three jockeys who obtained two ‘greens’: Robert Havlin, Clifford Lee and Kieran O’Neill. And there were four jockeys who obtained two or more ‘reds’: William Buick (3), Holly Doyle (2), Joe Fanning (3) and Rob Hornby (2).

 

Top Jockeys' PRB: All-Round Performance

I am thinking that another way we could analyse these data is to simply add up each jockey’s six PRB figures in the above table and compare them.  Below, then, are the riders with the top ten combined PRB figures when adding the six values together:

 

 

It could be argued that these are the top 10 performing jockeys from my original list of 35 as their totals are based on the overall performance across different price ranges. From looking at these findings I would be happy to see one of these ten riding a horse I am keen to back. Rab Havlin, who has consistently shown positive figures in the research to date, tops the list on a combined total of 3.99. (0.88 + 0.76 + 0.68 + 0.65 + 0.55 + 0.47).

Next, here are the lowest ten combined PRB totals from our sample of the top 35 riders:

 

 

As can be seen, we are talking small margins here so despite these ten being at the bottom we know that they are all still top-notch riders. However, in terms of PRB figures within certain price bands, they have performed with slightly less success than the rest of the jockeys in this sample.

To complete the set here are the remaining jockeys (positioned 11th to 25th) with their PRB totals. Due to the bigger group, I am using a table rather than a graph:

 

 

Top Jockeys: Other Metrics

I stated earlier that PRBs are arguably the most accurate metric but it always prudent to consider other metrics where possible in order to attain a stronger 'feel' for the data.

We know that finishing fifth in an 18-runner race will produce a better PRB figure than finishing eighth in the same the race, but usually finishing fifth does not make punters money (unless those generous bookie types are offering extra places).

At this point, then, I am thinking about the key battles in terms of finishing first rather than second and, therefore, I am going to share the wins, runs, strike rate, profit/loss and A/E indices for all 35 jockeys. As with the PRB data this does not include rides on horses priced over 20/1 ISP. Profits and losses have been calculated to Betfair SP less 2% commission. The A/E indices are based on Betfair prices and any figure above 1.00 has been coloured in green:

 

 

Somewhat surprisingly, 18 of the 35 jockeys have secured a profit which is impressive considering there are not any really big BSP winners to skew the returns. In fact, the highest winning BSP was 46.0 and there were only three winners in total above BSP 40.0, and only 23 above BSP 30.0 (out of total of nearly 12,000 winners).

Rossa Ryan, Saffie Osborne and William Buick have the best ROI%s (above 7%), and they each have one of the top five A/E indices. Impressively, Ryan has made a blind profit in each of the four years, Osborne and Buick matching that feat in three of the four years surveyed. There are two jockeys that made a loss in each of the four years, namely David Allan and James Doyle.

Conclusions

All this is helping me, and hopefully you, to start building a more complete picture of jockey performance; or, at least, the performance of these 35 top riders. The PRB data have given us an extra layer on top of the usual metrics we focus on. However, it is becoming clear to me that for this type of jockey-based research we do need other metrics (win percentage, profits, A/E indices, etc) to bring betting utility to the party.

I am just starting to expand the jockey PRB research into other areas and there is plenty more to share; so I have come to the realisation that this article will spawn a second piece. Thus, it is probably too early to draw any key conclusions from the research so far as there are more pieces of the puzzle to add.

However, next week I have a Royal Ascot article ready to go, so it affords me a little extra time to do further digging for part two of this jockey deep dive!

- DR

Dancing Gemini shows off winning Mile moves

/in /by

Roger Teal will consider top-level targets at home and abroad for Dancing Gemini after he continued his flying start to the season with an assured victory in the bet365 Mile at Sandown.

The Lambourn handler’s stable star disappointed as a leading fancy for last year’s Derby, but rounded off his three-year-old campaign with a creditable fourth-placed finish in the QEII at Ascot and made an impressive reappearance in the Doncaster Mile four weeks ago.

He was a 5-2 favourite to follow up at Group Two level and having travelled powerfully throughout in the hands of Rossa Ryan, the Camelot colt quickly clicked into gear once given his head to pull a length and three-quarters clear of a top-class filly in Tamfana.

Teal said: “I always knew he could perform like that and that is why we were pitching him in all the Group races last year.

“I’ve got to get back and watch it properly as I spent most of my time jumping up and down – I’m not a very good race watcher!

“Unfortunately last year with the wet ground, we never got the chance to show our best. Everyone keeps labelling him a soft-ground horse, but he is not a soft-ground horse and I’ve always said that.

“There are a lot of nice horses in behind who will improve for that today. I have so much respect for the opposition and Mr (Andre) Fabre’s horse (Alcantor, finished fourth) was fit and ready and he’s no mug. He was third behind us when we were second in the French Guineas.

“I didn’t want to see Haatem declared (finished fifth) and I think he’s a serious horse and I think will come on for that, but our lad has got it done.”

Dancing Gemini (left) pulls clear of his rivals at Sandown
Dancing Gemini (left) pulls clear of his rivals at Sandown (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Bookmakers were suitably impressed by Dancing Gemini’s performance, with Coral making him their 4-1 joint-second favourite for the BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes an May 17 alongside Notable Speech, with Rosallion their 2-1 market leader.

However, Teal warned he is not certain to line up at Newbury, having identified a possible alternative option in France.

He added: “There’s the Lockinge, but the Prix d’Ispahan (at ParisLongchamp) is another opportunity and we’ve got to get him a Group One.

“We’ll have to see how the dust settles, I have always had the Lockinge in mind for him and we’ve got to consider France as well.

“No Group One will be easy, but we’ll go where we feel is best for the horse.”

Tamfana ran with credit in second
Tamfana ran with credit in second (Joe Giddens/PA)

David Menuisier is considering the same two races after being delighted with the comeback run of his Sun Chariot winner Tamfana in second.

He said: “Beforehand it didn’t look an easy contest but it didn’t matter because I always wanted to come here for her first race (of the season) and I wasn’t going to shy away from the opposition.

“I’m delighted with her really. She was cruising nicely and quickened well and I have to be happy. I would expect her to improve and I’m not going to say she’ll improve dramatically but there was a little bit left to work on. Oisin said when he asked her to quicken she was a bit rusty, so next time she will be sharper.

“She’s in the Lockinge and the Prix d’Ispahan and we’ll decide nearer the time. The reason we came here was, despite the penalty, the timing was ideal and now we’ve got options open and there is Royal Ascot a month later – it fitted very well in the calendar.

“Who are we scared of? Nobody really because this filly tries her hardest every time and wherever we go I think we will be competitive.”

Smoken hot for Beckett and Ryan at Nottingham

/in /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Starzintheireyes swoops late to land Zetland spoils

/in /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rossa Ryan feeling ‘on top of the world’ after Arc win

/in /by

Rossa Ryan is still struggling to come to terms with the fact that he is a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winning jockey the day after Bluestocking ensured the pair will always have a place in history.

Ryan delivered the Ralph Beckett-trained four-year-old perfectly, sitting just off Ryan Moore and Los Angeles through the first half of the race before moving up menacingly with three furlongs to run.

A strong stayer at a mile and a half, despite winning the Pretty Polly in Ireland over 10 furlongs earlier in the season, Bluestocking confirmed the form of her Prix Vermeille win over Aventure when holding off the same rival by a length and a quarter.

Speaking to Racing TV at Pontefract having won on Beckett’s Sir Dinadan, Ryan said: “It’s a bit surreal to be honest, I woke up a very happy man this morning, I was on top of the world.

“It all went perfect but it came from the way she broke, I needed her to jump really well for me and she did, after that it was smooth sailing.

“When Ryan came over on Los Angeles, I thought ‘brilliant’ because that meant I had one of the main protagonists in front of me and he gave me a nice lead.

“I was able to sit on her in the false straight and that gave me some leeway before I pulled her out and made my challenge without having to force my way out – and the rest is history.”

Despite finishing second in the Irish Oaks and on Champions Day at Ascot, Bluestocking ended last year with just a novice stakes win to her name as a two-year-old.

She has thrived at four, however, winning the Middleton Stakes at York, the Pretty Polly at the Curragh, the Prix Vermeille and now the Arc.

Rossa Ryan returns with Bluestocking
Rossa Ryan returns with Bluestocking (PA)

“Three out, she lit up and when Sosie and them came around me, she lit up better than ever, she’s never done that under me – she was ready for yesterday, Ralph and the team had her absolutely spot on,” Ryan went on.

“There were a few in the pre-parade getting hot and a bit upset but she never turned a hair and took it like a champion – it was a dream come true.

“You have to admire the way Ralph has campaigned her, it’s been a bit like John Oxx with Sea The Stars, once a month, but this is her third run in nine weeks and she fired better than ever.

“I know a lot of the French trainers were saying theirs would come on from their runs in the trials but it was only three weeks out from the biggest day of their careers and the Vermeille form stacked up, Aventure came through with me again.

“I’m pinching myself, I still think it’s a dream. To have my parents there (was brilliant), a lot of my friends came over too. It was brilliant watching the media write her off all week, the more I got into the form, the more I thought I had a stronger chance – and she didn’t let me down.”

Beckett savours Bluestocking’s record Arc success for Juddmonte

/in /by

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bluestocking sees off all-comers in Prix Vermeille

/in /by

Bluestocking set herself up for a potential tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with a never-say-die display in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp.

Ralph Beckett’s top-class filly made a flying start to her campaign with an impressive victory in the Middleton Stakes at York before breaking through at the highest level in the Pretty Polly in Ireland.

She had to make with minor honours on her next two starts, filling the runner-up spot behind Goliath in the King George before finishing fourth to City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International, but got back on the winning trail in determined fashion against her own sex.

Ridden by Rossa Ryan, the 9-4 favourite tracked the pacesetting Halfday for much of the mile-and-a-half contest before taking over early in the home straight.

She was challenged and briefly passed by Aventure racing inside the final furlong, but battled back bravely to double her top-level tally.

John and Thady Gosden’s Emily Upjohn ran with credit in third, with the front trio clear of Hughie Morrison’s Stay Alert in fourth and Aidan O’Brien’s Opera Singer in a slightly disappointing fifth.

Trainer Ralph Beckett at York
Trainer Ralph Beckett at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

Of the winner, Beckett told Sky Sports Racing: “I thought she was beaten, she looked beat didn’t she, but she’s just really tough.

“She worked really well last weekend, but I wasn’t convinced that coming was the right decision. There were a couple of things in the week that I wasn’t just (happy with), not with the race or the circumstances, more with her, but she really loves it and that showed today.”

Paddy Power cut Bluestocking to 8-1 from 16-1 for the Arc, and Beckett confirmed Europe’s premier middle-distance contest as her likely target.

“She’s in the fillies’ and mares’ race on Champions Day. We got beaten there last year because it was on the inner track and she didn’t get going in time. For that reason, if she is well and connections are happy, I’d be keen to supplement in three weeks’ time to come back for the Arc,” he added.

“She won the Middleton the day after the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe closed and at the time she wasn’t even a Listed winner, so that’s why she isn’t entered.

“But I think today really suited her and when they’re enjoying racing as much as she is, it makes sense to carry on, so I’d be keen (on the Arc) if everybody else is keen.

“I sincerely hope the ground isn’t as fast as it was last year for the Arc and if it isn’t, hopefully she’ll be right in it.”

O’Brien, who was at the Curragh, said of Opera Singer: “I only saw it from halfway through the race. She was probably back a bit further than I thought she would be so she must have been slow away. I missed the first half of it.

“She did keep coming. I didn’t get to talk to Christophe (Soumillon) yet. The ground was a little bit on the soft side and mightn’t have been 100 per cent ideal, but I haven’t talked to him so I don’t know.”

John Gosden was pleased with Emily Upjohn, saying: “The ground was a bit sticky today. She prefers faster surfaces. But we saw what we wanted to see. She wouldn’t go for the Arc if the rains materialise. Instead, we would be more likely to go to the United States for the Filly & Mare at the Breeders’ Cup, where she’ll find the fast conditions that she relishes.”

Nice test likely to be next for Salisbury winner Tabiti

/in /by

Tabiti showed a tenacious attitude to remain unbeaten in the rearranged Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury.

Ralph Beckett’s daughter of Kingman had impressed when making a winning debut over seven furlongs at Newmarket, earlier in the summer, but having missed the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood on account of testing conditions, was dropping back in distance for this Group Three event.

Usurped as favourite by William Haggas’ Jewelry close to the off, Rossa Ryan’s mount was sent off the 11-4 second-favourite for one of the Wiltshire track’s key events and and proved she has a bright future when coming home strongly in the closing stages.

After being guided into clear air by Ryan, the youngster motored home to see off Roger Varian’s Miss Fascinator by half a length, with Clive Cox’s well-backed Magic Mild – who had been up with the pace throughout – back in third.

Tabiti was left unchanged by Paddy Power at 6-1 for the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket later this month, while shortened to 14-1 from 33s for the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at the same venue. Both races could be on the radar, with her trainer predicting a bright future.

Beckett said: “The drop back to six wouldn’t have suited her, neither would the tacky ground, so she has won against the curve really.

“She’s a good filly, I hope, and she’s shown she’s a good filly by winning that, but I hope we can go on to even bigger things. She’s going in the right direction and it’s terrific.”

“She’s in the Rockfel in a couple of weeks so we will see how she comes out of this. We will aim high and I hope she will progress into a really nice filly at a mile next year.”

Kinross and Lead Artist doing battle in Park Stakes

/in /by

Rossa Ryan has already played a part in Kinross’ journey to stardom and hopes Ralph Beckett’s stalwart can continue being a “legend” when he bids for a second Betfred Park Stakes at Doncaster.

The 24-year-old partnered the evergreen seven-year-old to victory in the Lennox Stakes in 2021, but had not ridden again on the racecourse until this season, as Kinross and Frankie Dettori claimed multiple big-race victories prior to the Italian’s relocation to America.

Ryan has reacquainted himself with the son of Kingman the last twice, and now hopes to add to that Goodwood triumph of three years ago.

Kinross winning the Lennox Stakes with Rossa Ryan on board in 2021
Kinross winning the Lennox Stakes with Rossa Ryan on board in 2021 (John Walton/PA)

After skipping the City of York Stakes last month, hopes are high for a strong performance in a race he won on Town Moor in 2022.

“He’s going well and looks great,” said Ryan.

“He was a legend for me and the first Lennox he won, I was on him, and that was the start of a great career for him.

“He’s helped me and I’ve helped him and hopefully we can continue that.”

John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist has shown notable ability in his four outings so far and the Thoroughbred Stakes scorer is another seeking to make up for lost ground having sat on the sidelines since Glorious Goodwood.

Lead Artist impressed at Goodwood
Lead Artist impressed at Goodwood (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“He’s in good form, he’s missed a couple of engagements due to soft ground but he’s a nice colt and we think he’s going the right way,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.

“The drop back to seven furlongs here will be fine, that won’t be an issue. He’s a horse either later this year or next year we hope could climb the ladder to the highest grade.”

Andrew Balding claimed this prize 12 months ago and saddles both Goldene Peitsche winner Al Shaqab Storm and Vetiver, while Karl Burke is represented by course and distance winner Poet Master who was last seen impressing in Ireland in the Minstrel Stakes.

Richard Hannon’s Shouldvebeenaring and Marco Botti’s Fred Darling winner Folgaria are other notable names, with Charlie Hills’ Pogo and Ed Walker’s Popmaster completing the nine-strong field after the withdrawal of Lake Forest.

It had been hoped the William Haggas-trained runner could set up a big-race tilt in Australia with a first try at seven furlongs, but the Somerville Lodge handler has deemed the ground unsuitable.

Tabletalk delights Clover with Melrose strike

/in /by

Tabletalk finished with a flourish to claim top honours in the Sky Bet Melrose Handicap at York.

Although down the field as a 100-1 shot for the Derby in early June, Tom Clover’s Chelmsford maiden winner proved he remains a colt of some promise when third on his handicap debut at Ascot last month.

He faced a step up in trip and class on the Knavesmire, but proved more than up to the task under a well-timed ride from Rossa Ryan.

Never too far off the pace, the 12-1 chance saw out the one-mile-six-furlong trip well to score by a length and a quarter from Aidan O’Brien’s The Equator.

Clover said: “That was extremely pleasing. He looked the winner the whole way round. He’d been shaping up nicely at home and he seems to be improving.

“I was thrilled to see him handle the ground so well, as that was a slight question mark for me, and he stayed on strong over the trip.

“He’s a very exciting prospect. It’s great for the whole team at home who’ve worked very hard. He ran in the Derby and that was a really tough experience so we gave him a bit of time, he’s a big horse and I think he’ll make up into a lovely four-year-old.

“He has a very patient owner who let me train him where we wanted to go. He ran a very good race at Ascot last time and he’s come to himself nicely.”

Elmonjed took a step forward to land the Sky Bet Constantine Handicap for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.

The gelding, who is owned and bred by Shadwell, benefited from the application of blinkers when winning at Windsor last time out in a six-furlong handicap.

Over the same trip at York as the 7-2 favourite under Tom Marquand, the bay began to make swift progress a furlong from home and put his head down to prevail by three-quarters of a length.

“He’s very tough, the team have put the headgear on him because previously everyone felt he was just idling,” said Angus Gold of Shadwell.

“We thought it would help him concentrate, he’s a horse who has always hit a flat spot in his races and then has stayed on as if he wants seven (furlongs).

“He’s won twice at six now and he’s by Blue Point, so I guess we’ll stay at six for the time being but I wouldn’t be amazed if he got further in the future.

“We’ll take it one step at a time, he’s not the biggest horse in the world but we’ll probably see if he’s good enough for a little black-type race somewhere.”

Sky Bet Ebor Festival – York Racecourse – Saturday August 24th
Tropical Storm and Oisin Murphy (Mike Egerton/PA)

Andrew Balding’s Tropical Storm struck to take the Julia Graves Roses Stakes under Oisin Murphy as the 5-2 favourite.

The two-year-old demonstrated his ability when second in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, a race in which he came home a length behind Karl Burke’s Shareholder.

He did not shed his maiden tag in the six-furlong Richmond at Goodwood last time out when finishing eighth, but back over the minimum trip, he made light work of his 15 rivals to win by a neck.

“It’s a nice way to break his maiden, we’ve just been learning a bit about him,” said Balding.

“We’ve always liked the look of him, he did too much in the Richmond at Goodwood and just didn’t get home, so for obvious reasons we’ve come back to five.

“He’s a half sister to Purosangue and she was second in this race last year, so they’re a talented family and they’re all about speed.

“I think we’ll stay at five furlongs, there’s a nice programme for him through the rest of the season.”

The concluding Sky Bet Finale Handicap was claimed by Brandon Wilkie and the popular Sir Busker, a prior winner of the York Stakes who led home stablemate Dual Identity over the same course and distance after the two horses started as 14-1 and 15-2 chances respectively.

Diligently does it for Clive Cox again in big sales race

/in /by

Diligently swooped in the final strides to register a 22-1 surprise in the Harry’s Half Million By Goffs Premier Yearling Stakes at York.

All eyes were on Arizona Blaze in the richly-endowed sales heat, with Adrian Murray’s Irish raider having finished third in the Group One Phoenix Stakes earlier this month.

Sent off the 11-8 favourite, he raced prominently for David Egan and looked to have sealed victory when he assumed control of the six-furlong contest inside the distance.

However, Diligently was on the leader’s heels for Rossa Ryan and delivered a finishing flourish on the far side with the line in sight.

Clive Cox’s charge had not won in five previous starts, but came good on the big day, prevailing by a head to secure the £249,908 first prize and deliver successive wins for his trainer following Dragon Leader 12 months ago.

“It was enormously satisfying to win Harry’s (Beeby, the late chairman of Goffs) race last year, he was a very special person to me and to win it two years running is amazing,” said the Lambourn trainer.

“He’s a very nice horse, especially with his pedigree (son of Harry Angel), that makes it all the more pleasing.

“He was one of those horses I wanted to run over five furlongs just to put his brain into gear. I thought he’d run well at Sandown last time, but he got absolutely murdered down on the rail and that’s why he finished nine lengths behind.

“He clearly put that result well and truly behind him today with a very satisfying reward. He’s got a wonderful mind and it’s really pleasing that he’s got a bit of scope to go on next year as well.

“It’s always a step-by-step process, but I’m really pleased that he’s confirmed he is what I hoped he might be.

“He cost a bit (£100,000), but he’s made up for that investment today and hopefully he’ll continue to progress as well.”

Adrian Murray said of Arizona Blaze: “He looked home and hosed, but he ran a blinder, we’re delighted with him.

“He looked like he had it 200 yards out, but the winner came very late at him, had he come at him sooner we might have hung on.

“We were a little bit slow out of the stalls, it probably cost us a length and David said it probably cost us the race.

“It will be back into Pattern company now, I think Kia (Joorabchian, owner) is anxious to go to America with him for the Breeders’ Cup.”

Bluestocking pounces on Emily Upjohn for Pretty Polly glory

/in /by

Bluestocking swooped late to grab the Group One honours in the Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

The Ralph Beckett-trained filly twice finished second at the highest level last term, beaten half a length in the Irish Oaks by Savethelastdance and just a neck by Poptronic in the Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot.

Having opened her campaign with a six-length Middleton Stakes triumph and with the Curragh ground easing all afternoon, Bluestocking was sent off a well-supported 11-10 favourite in the hands of Rossa Ryan, who managed to get his mount settled in behind as Lumiere Rock set the early gallop.

It looked as though Kieran Shoemark had made a race-winning move as he went for home on Emily Upjohn two furlongs out, quickly building up a couple of lengths advantage.

Bluestocking was only just getting going, though, and she reeled in the leader through the final furlong, eventually passing the post half a length clear, with Content nearly four lengths further back in third.

“It was great. Rossa had an inkling that Emily Upjohn might go forward at some point. In a way it helped us, in a way it was tough for her to run down but it gave us something to aim at,” said Beckett.

“It’s great to get it done. Last Irish Oaks Day will live long in the memory for the wrong reasons but it doesn’t matter now.”

Beckett opted to leave the cheekpieces off Bluestocking this time and explained: “We thought about it but last time she travelled so well through the race we thought we’d leave them. We have the right to put them back on of course.

“I thought she was always going to get there in the end, I thought she was always going to pick up, as she finds plenty under pressure.”

Bluestocking was cut for a range of summer highlights and is 5-2 favourite with Betfair for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the same price for the Yorkshire Oaks.

Beckett added: “You’d think the Nassau is the right place to go and she clearly enjoys York, she’s run well twice there, so the Yorkshire Oaks will probably be a good idea as well.

“I don’t think trip is that important, I just think conditions have to be right and they were today.”

Bluestocking (right) was too strong for Emily Upjohn
Bluestocking (right) was too strong for Emily Upjohn (Damien Eagers/PA)

Bluestocking runs in the colours of Juddmonte, with the filly hailing from one of the owner-breeder’s established families.

European racing manager Barry Mahon said: “The dam (Emulous) won the Matron in Leopardstown, so she was a high-class filly. She had speed to win a Group One over a mile.

“Last year, we sat down at the end of the season and felt we probably stretched the filly a little bit with a mile and a half and I think she’s a revelation this year back over 10 furlongs.

“This means a lot to Juddmonte. We have two bases here in Ireland and a lot of staff. It means a lot to Prince Khalid’s family and all the staff. It’s a great result and we’re very happy.”

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival – The Curragh Racecourse – Saturday June 29th
Jockey Rossa Ryan celebrates with his family after winning on Bluestocking (Damien Eagers/PA).

Ryan was thrilled to strike Group One gold and said: “It is brilliant!

“She had to dig deep with me and I thought Kieran had gone on me.

“We hadn’t gone overly quick and my plan was to take a lead off one. I didn’t think I would get shuffled back that far but, by God, she’s tough.

“I’m so delighted really for everyone at home in Kimpton – they are the unsung heroes. Eric, who looks after him, is not here today, but he definitely deserves it.”

Distance runner gets up late for thrilling King George V win

/in /by

Going The Distance came from the clouds to grab victory in a thrilling renewal of the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A field of 19 runners went to post for the mile-and-a-half contest, with much of the pre-race focus on Gilded Water, who was the 5-1 favourite to provide trainer William Haggas, jockey Tom Marquand and the King and Queen with back-to-back victories following Desert Hero’s memorable success 12 months ago.

Going The Distance, who won his last two starts of last season and his first of this, was a 9-1 shot for Ralph Beckett and had only Neski Sherelski behind him rounding the home turn.

Both horses made up from hand over fist in the straight and it was Going The Distance who finished just the best down the outside of runners to beat Neski Sherelski by half a length in the hands of Rossa Ryan. Gilded Water was a well-beaten 12th.

Winning owner Marc Chan said: “We have won in Ascot before, but Royal Ascot is such a difficult meeting to win at and I’m over the moon about this. This is right up there with my best achievements as an owner.”

Frankie Dettori (second left) getting in on the celebrations
Frankie Dettori (second left) getting in on the celebrations (David Davies/PA)

Chan’s good friend is a certain Frankie Dettori, absent from the saddle this week having said farewell to Britain on Champions Day.

He said: “Marc is a good friend of mine, we have just had lunch together and I said I would come to the paddock to support him.

“What a nice man he is and I had so much success for him. Unfortunately I could not win for him at Royal Ascot, but I’m so delighted for him, he’s put so much into the sport.

“I wish my saddle was here all week, but I can’t go back on what I said. I’ve tried to enjoy it and it has been hard work to be honest with you because I’m not used to the eating and drinking and the socialising and pictures and photographs. Everyone has been so kind, but it has been great.”

Beckett admitted the winner had been something of a long-term project.

“This was a bit of a plot, when he won around Kempton in April I think he was our only winner in April. He got four or five pounds for winning there and it just fitted like a glove,” he said.

“We’ll see what the handicapper does next, he’s certainly bred to get a bit further and I wouldn’t mind thinking of that as well. We’ll enjoy today, today was the plan.”

Mickley provided trainer Ed Bethell and jockey Callum Rodriguez with a first Royal Ascot success after completing his hat-trick in the Britannia Stakes.

Mickley and Callum Rodriguez impressed in the Britannia Stakes
Mickley and Callum Rodriguez impressed in the Britannia Stakes (David Davies/PA)

A winner at Southwell and Doncaster earlier in the year, the three-year-old was among the market principals at 15-2 and after being held up in the middle of three groups of runners, he displayed a smart change of gear to grab the lead.

Skukuza came from out of the pack in an attempt to reel him in, but Mickley was well on top as he passed the post three-quarters of a length clear.

Bethell, who earlier in the week saddled his Sprint Cup hero Regional to finish second in the King Charles III Stakes, said: “It’s a great feeling. I’m just delighted for everyone at home.

“Barry, who has led him up and rides him every day, he’s done a tremendous job on the horse, and Callum got down to a very low weight (8st 11lb), which he never normally does. That took a big effort from him but he had confidence in the horse, so we wanted to keep them together.

“He’s an interesting horse. He does absolutely nothing at home, so I couldn’t tell you where the limit is. He’s got size and scope and he looks the ideal horse to go out to Hong Kong now.

“It is like winning the lottery this race, you can never be confident, so it’s a great day for the whole yard. We are a young team and we’re only just getting started.”

Rodriguez added: “I’m over the moon – it’s the stuff of dreams. We went so close earlier in the week and I’m so glad to get it done.

“It was very smooth for me. I was pretty confident in this horse’s ability and I just wanted to keep it as smooth as possible.

“We got a good run and he was a lot more streetwise today than in his first four starts, so I’m very pleased.”

Wathnan racing, successful earlier in the afternoon with Shareholder in the Norfolk Stakes, doubled up and made it three for the week when English Oak (100-30 favourite) ran away with the Buckingham Palace Stakes.

Up 9lb for a Haydock win before Wathnan bought him, Ed Walker’s four-year-old sprinted clear to prevail by three lengths from Billyjoh.

Walker said: “We believed for a long time he was very good and last year he just wasn’t getting things right in his races. He just wasn’t behaving and getting a bit upset in the stalls.

“Fair play to everyone at home, they’ve all done such a good job and a big thank you to Dave and Sue Ward who owned him up until a few weeks ago, they’ve been huge supporters of my yard and had Starman and have done wonders for my career.

James Doyle aboard English Oak after winning the Buckingham Palace Stakes
James Doyle aboard English Oak after winning the Buckingham Palace Stakes (David Davies/PA)

“Richard Brown (of Wathnan) and I go back a long way and when he asked if I could recommend this horse, you shoot from the hip and I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I’m just glad it paid off.

“It was a very tough decision for Dave and Sue and they love their horses. I think it will be bittersweet for them, but they are big into their breeding now and have Starman to support and are increasing their broodmare band – and getting money in makes it work.

“I’ve been banging on about Ascot since he crossed the line here last autumn behind Rohaan, targeting this race or the Wokingham. After his performance at Haydock, the Buckingham Palace was the obvious target.

“It’s been a long plan and there’s been a change of silks, but it’s been great.”

Dividend pays out handsomely at Sandown

/in /by

Connections of Dividend are looking at a step up in class after an impressive victory against a number of blue-blooded rivals at Sandown on Friday.

The Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole-trained juvenile raced green on his debut under apprentice Gina Mangan when fifth at Lingfield.

But he learnt from that debut run as he came home two lengths in front in the hands of Rossa Ryan at odds of 50-1 in the British EBF Maiden Stakes.

Sent off the 5-4 favourite was Royal Officer, making his debut after being bought for one million guineas by Godolphin at the breeze-up sales. But the Galileo colt was no match for Dividend, eventually finishing fifth.

Insole told Racing TV: “No (not a surprise he won). I always thought he was a nice horse. That’s why we came here to Sandown. I thought the track would suit him down to the ground.

“I was a little bit disappointed with his first run at Lingfield, I thought he was very green early on. Gina rides out for us twice a week and I thought she gave him an educational ride and he was like a rabbit in the headlights for the first three furlongs.

“In the last two furlongs he was just starting to learn his job, so to now see him prove it on the track from what I’ve seen at home it’s very gratifying.”

But now the target is a stakes race after getting the better of a number of powerhouse yards, and Insole is confident there is more to come.

He added: “When you looked at the card this morning – Juddmonte, Qatar, Howden. You’ve got the massive superpowers in here. Massive trainers, so to win as impressively as he did.

“Rossa still thought he was very green, he was green around the bend, he was still hanging away from the horses. He said he didn’t do a lot in front even though it looked like he was pulling clear at the end, so Rossa says we have to go for a black-type race now.

“He’s a lovely, big, scopey horse and I think he’ll only get better as the season goes on.”

Forest pips Port in Cheshire Oaks Fairy-tale

/in /by

Forest Fairy enhanced her Betfred Oaks claims with a narrow victory in the Weatherbys E-Passport Cheshire Oaks at Chester.

Heading to the Roodee on the back of an impressive win at Wolverhampton on debut, big-race pilot Rossa Ryan pulled his mount wide as the six runners turned for home and just got up to beat Port Fairy by a head on the 11-4 shot for Ralph Beckett.

Ryan had failed to win at the course in 39 previous attempts before finally finding his way to the winner’s enclosure aboard the promising three-year-old.

He said: “We went an okay gallop, they steadied up down the back and we got racing three (furlongs) out.

“She’s still showed a lot of signs of inexperience when I had to come out from behind and be a bit aggressive on her, but you can’t be but impressed by the way she got out and had a look around and still when the job needed to be done, she stuck her head down and galloped right out to the line.

“I’ll leave it up to Ralph and the team to decide where she goes next, but I would imagine that when she gets on softer going conditions, she’ll be a lot better again – and I’d imagine with racing, she’ll get better.

“She got away with the ground today, it’s probably on the slow side of good and I don’t think she’d want it any quicker than that.

“She did everything I asked of her and more and answered more questions than I thought she would. We shall see what the future holds, but she’s an exciting filly for sure and she’s one that should get better with time and with age.”

Forest Fairy (second left) looks to be an Epsom contender after her win at Chester
Forest Fairy (second left) looks to be an Epsom contender after her win at Chester (Mike Egerton/PA)

Forest Fairy now looks to have booked her ticket to Epsom later this month, with the daughter of Waldgeist cut from 20-1 to 16s for Classic success in the Oaks at Epsom with sponsors Betfred and shortened to 10-1 by Betfair.

Beckett, who also saddled the third-placed Seaward, said: “It was a very good result on all levels, the winner is still a work in progress and was still learning plenty on the job today.

“I think it’s probable she’ll end up at Epsom on the last Friday of the month. I don’t think I will be too worried about the ground, they usually do a good job for the first day of that meeting, she’s a good-moving filly and I would imagine it will be similar ground to today.

“She was just very immature at two and we had to take our time with her. I think we were all a bit surprised by how well she won on her debut at Wolverhampton, but we certainly haven’t underestimated her since!”

He added on Seaward: “The filly that finished third ran a good race too and she could come back to 10 furlongs for a race like the Agnes Keyser at Goodwood (June 9).”