Tag Archive for: Solario Stakes

Field strikes Solario Gold for Gosden team

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Field Of Gold provided John and Thady Gosden with a notable winner when confirming the promise of his maiden victory in the Sky Bet Solario Stakes at Sandown.

In what has been a difficult season to date for the Clarehaven trainers and their jockey Kieran Shoemark, they now appear to have a real prospect for the major autumn juvenile contests and big races next year.

Field Of Gold’s sire Kingman won the Group Three contest for John Gosden in 2013, with the grey’s success a seventh overall for the handler and a second in partnership with his son, following Reach For The Moon in 2021.

Royal Playwright attempted to make all but Shoemark always looked confident and Field Of Gold took two lengths out of the field when asked to go on.

To his credit Matauri Bay closed to within three-quarters of a length of the 5-4 favourite, but never looked like getting on terms.

“He’s obviously progressed and he’s had a nice break since his last run,” said Thady Gosden.

“As you saw he quickened up nicely, they didn’t go much of a gallop early on, and once he hit the front he was having a good look around. He’s a horse with plenty of class.

Field Of Gold after winning the Solario Stakes
Field Of Gold after winning the Solario Stakes (Steven Paston/PA)

“He’s benefitted for his nice break since winning his maiden and looking at him there today, he has still got plenty of depth to him and he still has to fill out a bit. He’s done much of that today on natural ability. It was a deep field on their performances before and hopefully he will keep on improving.

“There is plenty of scope for improvement next year and like his sire, he has a fantastic mind which will help him develop.

“There’s two big races at the end of the season, the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and the Dewhurst Stakes, and we will talk to the owners and see where we go next. He’s won a Group Three today, but he won in a style where that could be his next step.

“It’s what it’s all about, having horses that could progress from two to three, and he’s a horse with plenty of class and we’re looking forward to him.”

Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte, would be favouring the French option at this stage.

He said: “He’s a big horse and he’s going to be better as he strengthens and will hopefully make a better three-year-old.

“He will have no problem staying a mile and I think we will look at the Jean-Luc Lagardere next, at this stage that looks an obvious plan. The two-year-olds have been exciting this year and in general we have a good bunch led by Babouche in Ireland who is a Group One winner, so it’s an exciting time.”

Field Of Gold is now a 16-1 shot with Coral for next year’s 2000 Guineas, with Matauri Bay available at odds of 20-1 with the same firm.

The pair could yet clash again this term, with trainer Ralph Beckett also looking to ParisLongchamp on October 6.

He said: “I thought he was a little green around the bend and Hector (Crouch, jockey) thought they slowed it down between the four and the three (furlong poles) and that has perhaps cost us because he couldn’t get out and then he was a little green when he did get out.

“He made up plenty of ground in the last furlong and I thought it was a pretty good effort.

“We will think about the Lagardere and all of those Group One races. He’s not a big horse so we will be getting on with it this year.

“He moved like a horse who will appreciate a bit of juice in the ground and Sandown is a great place to bring a horse who needs a bit of give. I think if it does start raining next month, we will be using that angle as well.”

Sat TV Trends: 31st Aug 2024

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More LIVE horse racing action this weekend as the ITV cameras head to Sandown, Chester and Beverley – we’ve got it all covered with the key trends and stats to help you whittle down the runners and find the best profiles of past winners.

Chester Horse Racing Trends

3.15 Virgin Bet Chester Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 1m 6 1/2f ITV

10/11 – Aged 6 or younger
9/11 – Returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
9/11 – Carried 9-5 or less in weight
9/11 – Have 4 or less past wins
9/11 – Drawn in stalls 5 or lower
9/11 – Ran in the last 6 weeks
9/11 – Won over 1m4f+ in the past
8/11 - Didn’t win last time out
8/11 – Favourites placed in the top 3
8/11 – Aged 5 or younger
5/11 – Ran at either Ascot (3) or Newmarket (2) last time out
5/11 – Aged 3 years-old
4/11 – Had run at Chester before (2 won)
4/11 – Winning favourites
2/11 – Trained by Andrew Balding
2/11 – Trained by Ralph Beckett (2 of the last )

Beverley Horse Racing Trends

1:30 - William Hill Silver Cup Handicap Cl2 (3yo 0-105) 1m2f ITV

13/13 - Returned 9/1 or shorter in the betting
11/13 - Ran in the last 6 weeks
10/13 - Carried 9st or less in weight
10/13 - Drawn in stalls 4 or lower
10/13 - Finished 1st or 2nd last time out
10/13 - Favourites placed
9/13 - Placed in the top 3 last time out
8/13 - Irish bred
5/13 - Winning favourite
4/13 - Ran at Newmarket last time out
2/13 - Trained by Richard Fahey
2/13 - Trained by Karl Burke

2:05 - William Hill Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo+) 5f ITV

13/13 - Previous winners over 5f
13/13 - Returned 10/1 or shorter
12/13 - Aged 4 or older
12/13 - Rated 100+
11/13 - Aged 5 or older
11/13 - Had won 5+ races before
11/13 - Placed favourites
10/13 - Ran in the last 4 weeks
10/13 - Ran at Ascot (5), York (2) or Goodwood (3) last time
8/13 - Had run at the track before
8/13 - Drawn in stalls 4 or lower
4/13 - Winning favourite
3/13 – Trained by Clive Cox (last 3)
2/13 - Ridden by Jamie Spencer
9 of the last 11 winners drawn 7 or lower
6 of the last 10 winners drawn 4 or lower

SANDOWN Horse Racing Trends (ITV/RacingTV)

1.50 Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap Cl3 (3yo+ 0-90) 7f ITV

Just 3 previous runnings
3/3 – Drawn in stall 6 or lower
2/3 – Winning favourites
2/3 – Drawn in stall 6
2/3 – Carried 9-11 or more in weight
Trainer Michael Herrington has a 67% strike-rate at Sandown
Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is just 3-from-51 with her runners at the track
Trainer Karl Burke is just is just 4-from-43 with his runners at the track
Jockey William Buick has a 22% strike-rate riding at the track

2.25 –Sky Bet Atalanta Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) Cl1 1m14y ITV

18/22 – Had 3 or more runs that season
17/22 – Winning distance 1 1/2 or less
16/22 – Had won over a mile before
15/22 – Priced 9/2 or shorter
14/22 – Aged 3 years-old
14/22 – Rated between 98 and 108
13/22 – Placed last time out
13/22 – Had won 3 or more times before
13/22 – Had won a Listed or Group class race
8/22 – Winning favourites
7/22 – Won last time out
7/22 – Had run at Sandown before
6/22 – Trained by Sir Michael Stoute
5/22 – Ran at Ascot last time out
The last 10 winners were aged 3 or 4 years-old

3.00 – Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap Cl2 (3yo+) 1m2f ITV

11/11 – Aged 3, 4 or 5
10/11 – Carried 9-1 or less in weight
10/11 – Ran in the last 4 weeks
10/11 – Won over at least 1m2f before
9/11 – Carried 8-12 or less in weight
9/11 – Top 5 finish last time out
9/11 – Won between 1-4 times before
8/11 – Unplaced favourites
8/11 – Rated between 82-95
5/11 – Ridden by a claiming jockey
5/11 – Won last time out
5/11 – Had run at the track before
3/11 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
1/11 – Winning favourites
3 of the last 6 winners came from stall 3
Trainer James Ferguson has a 43% record with his horses at the track
Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam has a 33% record with his horses at the track
Trainer Simon and Ed Crisford are just 3 from 47 with his horses at the track
Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is just 3 from 51 with his horses at the track

3.35 –Sky Bet Solario Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 7f16y ITV

21/22 – Had won at least one race before
20/22 – Never raced at Sandown before
20/22 – Had won over 6 or 7f before
19/22 – Foaled in Jan, Feb or March
16/22 – Placed favourites
14/22 – Had 2 or more previous runs
15/22– Won last time out
13/22 – Had won over 7f before
11/22 – Winning favourites
9/22 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
6/22 – Won by trainer John Gosden (2 of the last 6)
3/22 – Trained by Charlie Appleby (3 of the last 7)
Trainer Charlie Appleby has a 33% record with this 2 year-olds at the track
The last winners came from stall 5

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Solario Gold in Juddmonte’s sights at Sandown

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Field Of Gold will be following in some illustrious hoofprints if he can add to John Gosden’s record tally in the Sky Bet Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

The Clarehaven handler, who now trains in partnership with son Thady, has saddled six previous winners of the Group Three contest, with his Breeders’ Cup Classic hero Raven’s Pass (2007) and a pair of top-class milers in Kingman (2013) and Too Darn Hot (2018) featuring on the roll of honour.

Field Of Gold, a Juddmonte-owned son of Kingman, finished third behind subsequent Listed scorer New Century on his Doncaster debut in late June before opening his account with a facile success at Newmarket’s July meeting.

Connections expect to have a clearer idea of his long-term aspirations after he lines up in this weekend’s seven-furlong feature.

Field Of Gold stretches clear of his rivals at Newmarket
Field Of Gold stretches clear of his rivals at Newmarket (David Davies/PA)

“We’re excited to see him. Obviously he won his maiden in good fashion and this is the next step up the ladder we sort of waited for,” said Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon.

“He seems in good form and John and Thady are happy with him. The Acomb Stakes at York last week was mentioned, but I think we were always going to sit tight and wait for this.

“He’s a big horse, so we were keen to give him a little bit of time. He probably got to the races plenty early because he was naturally so talented, but he’s had a nice gap from his last race and I think physically he’s done very well.

“John has used this race plenty of times in the past, it can be a very good race and we’re looking forward to seeing if we’re up to this level.”

Chief among Field Of Gold’s rivals are two unbeaten juveniles in Royal Playwright and Matauri Bay.

Andrew Balding’s Royal Playwright looked the part when making a successful start to his career at Salisbury last month under Hayley Turner, and three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy is looking forward to taking over in the saddle.

He said: “Royal Playwright won well on debut at Salisbury. He’s very well bred and he’s training like a nice horse.”

A brother to Breeders’ Cup winner Aunt Pearl, the Ralph Beckett-trained Matauri Bay has his sights raised after scoring on his introduction at Leicester three weeks ago, with the runner-up Shah doing the form no harm when occupying the same spot in the valuable Convivial Maiden at York.

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

“He was very professional on debut and it was nice to see the second come out and run so well in the Convivial, which must be a nice indicator I suppose to the strength of that race,” said Alex Elliott, racing adviser to Matauri Bay’s part-owners Valmont.

“We’ve got a nice draw (stall two), Sandown is a very fair track, we’re excited to run him and this should tell us where we’re at really.

“John Gosden’s horse looked very good when he won at Newmarket, but he’d had a run, and the horse of Andrew’s beat one of ours (Original Outlaw) at Salisbury and is a very well-bred horse.

“Quite often the Solario is a stallion-making race, when you look through the history of it. If it goes to plan, we can map out the rest of the year. We’re looking forward to it.”

Seagulls could swoop on Solario prize

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Seagulls Eleven could attempt to find the scoresheet in the Virgin Bet Solario Stakes after finishing a fine second in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket.

Owned by a group of Brighton and Hove Albion players – including James Milner and Danny Welbeck – and the sporting the club’s blue and white stripes, the football stars could have a promising colt on their hands.

He impressed when getting off the mark at the second attempt at Haydock and was sent off 5-1 for his first foray into Group Two company on the July Course, giving Charlie Appleby’s well-regarded Ancient Truth something to think about.

It was a performance that allows connections to dream big and with races like the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf and Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy all possibilities for later in the season, immediate thoughts have turned to a trip to Sandown on August 31 for a race Palmer won 10 years ago with Aktabantay.

Palmer said: “He ran a lovely race, he’s a really big horse and I think his best days are all ahead of him.

“I think he is progressive, I think he will keep on improving and I think he will get a mile this year. I know some suggested coming back in trip, but I don’t see that and I’m sure he will get a mile before the year is out, that is what Rossa Ryan said after getting off him at Newmarket.

“He could go to Goodwood, but the Goodwood seven furlongs is a bit sharper than the Newmarket seven furlongs and I think we will most likely end up going to the Solario Stakes with him.

“We won the Solario 10 years ago with Aktabantay, who had also been second in the Superlative, and trainers are creatures of habit. I expect we will do the same thing.”

On targets later in the year, he went on: “The Futurity Trophy at Doncaster would be a possibility, the Jean-Luc Lagardere, there’s also a mile race at Del Mar in November as well and he could go to the Breeders’ Cup.

“I wouldn’t have thought he would run more than three more times this year and I would say twice is more likely – Solario and then once more most likely.”

Seagulls Eleven in the parade ring before the Superlative Stakes
Seagulls Eleven in the parade ring before the Superlative Stakes (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

Seagulls Eleven’s Newmarket conqueror is the 10-1 market leader in places for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Palmer has high hopes the runner-up will also begin next season in Classic company, where he could get the chance to replicate the exploits of his Guineas and Royal Ascot-winning sire Galileo Gold.

He continued: “We’re probably going to want to start his three-year-old campaign in a Guineas – England, Ireland or France.

“The Rowley Mile is a different track but he certainly handled Newmarket OK in the Superlative, so he is an exciting horse.”

Seagulls Eleven is one of three horses owned by the Two Plus Three Two Plus Four partnership made up of Brighton players, with Milner persuading his new teammates at the Premier League outfit to join the ownership ranks at Manor House.

James Milner is an owner of Seagulls Eleven
James Milner is an owner of Seagulls Eleven (Gareth Fuller/PA)

“Seagulls Eleven is owned by 11 Brighton players and it is headed up by James Milner,” added Palmer.

“James had some horses here from his time at Liverpool and when he moved to Brighton, he managed to sow the seed in another dressing room.

“They have three horses – this horse, The Flying Seagull who is already a winner and Seagolazo who is yet to win but I don’t think it will be long.”

Plenty of options for Devil’s Point after encouraging Sandown run

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All options are open for David Menuisier’s Devil’s Point following his promising run in the Virgin Bet Solario Stakes on Saturday.

The New Bay colt was fifth when only beaten a length and a half on debut at Sandown in July, a competitive race that was won by Sir Michael Stoute’s Starlore.

He then headed to Ffos Las and was a taking winner, coming home four and half lengths to the good with a subsequent scorer behind him in Ralph Beckett’s Going The Distance.

Those efforts prompted a step up to Group Three level on his return to Sandown, where he encountered Starlore for a second time alongside Charlie Appleby’s Aablan.

Devil’s Point, a 4-1 shot, rocked backwards as the stalls opened and was left with ground to cover at the rear of the field, but once finding room in the final furlong he began to pick off his rivals and was a fast-finishing third after a less than ideal passage through the race.

Devil’s Point during the Virgin Bet Solario Stakes
Devil’s Point during the Virgin Bet Solario Stakes (Adam Davy/PA)

Menuisier was pleased with the run and believes the chestnut will take a step forward from it, meaning none of his autumn entries in either France or England are ruled out – with the Champagne Stakes, the Royal Lodge, the Dewhurst and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere all possibles.

The trainer said of Sandown: “It was a promising run.

“There wasn’t much pace in the race, unfortunately he couldn’t really make his own luck.

“He was stuck on the rail there so he had to suffer the slow pace from the others.

“He ran a stormer, I wouldn’t swap him for anything else in the race. He will definitely come on for the race and the experience.”

Of the next step for Devil’s Point he added: “I don’t know at the moment, he only ran a few days ago and all of the options are open, really, and there will be some options in France also.

“He will also improve for a step up in trip too, he should stay a mile any day of the week. He’s an exciting prospect for the future.”

Aablan demonstrates his promise with Solario Stakes victory

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Aablan battled back gamely to claim the honours in the Virgin Bet Solario Stakes at Sandown.

The Group Three contest has a fine roll of honour, with the likes of Kingman, Too Darn Hot and 2018 Derby victor Masar all landing the contest in the last 10 years.

Like Masar, Aablan was representing trainer Charlie Appleby in the blue Godolphin silks and he carried plenty of market confidence after winning on debut at Newmarket last month.

Sent off the 7-4 favourite in the hands of James Doyle, Aablan went to challenge two furlongs out but could not quite get his head in front of leader Inishfallen and looked set to be swamped as Starlore was unleashing his run down the outside.

However, Aablan kept finding between those two rivals, digging deep to get his head in front just strides from the post, prevailing by a neck from 22-1 shot Inishfallen.

Devil’s Point finished with a flourish widest of all to be beaten a length and a quarter in third, with Starlore edged into fourth by a short head.

Appleby was recording back-to-back wins in the Solario after Silver Knott last year and his assistant Alex Merriam said: “Aablan had only had the one run coming into today, and I thought James gave him a lovely ride and taught him a fair bit.

“A furlong out I thought we weren’t going to win and James has said he is a horse that wants a mile in time, so that is probably what we will look at next.

“I thought two down he was going to win quite easily as he travelled into it, whether it was just through greenness or that he wants the mile, but he has got the job done in quite a competitive race, so we are happy with him.”

Aablan (right) is expected to thrive over further
Aablan (right) is expected to thrive over further (Adam Davy/PA)

Aablan’s odds for next month’s Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket were cut to 14-1 from 25s by Betfair, but his next target has yet to be decided.

Merriam added: “To be honest, Charlie said we will get him home and probably go a mile, but there were no immediate plans. He is a big, raw horse so he might need a bit of time between his races. We will see how we go.

“I’d say we would probably start at a mile next year and go from there. Whether he gets a bit further, he could in time.”

James Doyle was impressed by Aablan
James Doyle was impressed by Aablan (Tim Goode/PA)

Doyle was satisfied with Aablan’s performance and thinks a longer trip will benefit the colt, who is a son of Dubawi out of a multiple Group race winner in Promising Run.

He said: “He is quite flamboyant in his early paces and it is key to conserve that energy at this stage.

“The race couldn’t have worked out much better as we were able to get that cover straight away which helped him find a rhythm, although it took a little time.

“Once we got to the bend, he was nicely under control and ultimately he gets through the line pretty well. I was keen once we straightened up to just let him gradually go through his paces.

“He hasn’t got an electric turn of foot, but I knew this distance would be perfect with the stiff finish. I think going further is going to be better for him.

“Charlie does the race planning and a lot will depend how this fellow takes the race. I don’t think they will be in any great rush to make a target.

“As we have seen he is a lively character that takes a bit of managing, but the boys have done great job with him.”

Starlore out to emulate crack sire in Solario Stakes

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Starlore bids to add his name to an illustrious roll of honour in the Virgin Bet Solario Stakes at Sandown on Saturday.

The Group Three contest has proved a breeding ground of champions in recent years, with star miler Kingman (2013), Derby hero Masar (2017) and triple Group One winner Too Darn Hot (2018) all on the winners’ board.

Like his sire Kingman, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Starlore carries the Juddmonte silks and is well fancied to successfully step up in class after making a winning debut over the course and distance.

While the margin of victory was only a nose, the form looks strong, with the third placed Arabian Crown now a Listed winner and the fifth home Devil’s Point subsequently scoring at Ffos Las.

“He’s had a nice amount of time since his first race and it’s going to be another stepping stone,” said Juddmonte’s racing manager Barry Mahon.

“Hopefully he’ll have improved. He’ll need to improve, but hopefully he will.”

David Menuisier’s Devil’s Point was only a length and a half behind Starlore in early July and is set to take him on again after a demolition job in Wales three and a half weeks ago.

His trainer would, however, like to see some rain in Esher.

Menuisier said: “Devil’s Point ran well at Sandown on his first start. He was a bit green, but the form of the race is good, with Arabian Crown subsequently winning a Listed race.

“I’m hoping that the rain comes and there’s a significant amount to make the ground slower than good, as that would help us.

“The horse has been absolutely fine and has improved after each race so we’ll see how he goes.”

The bang-in-form Ralph Beckett saddles impressive Leicester victor Mortlake, while Charlie Appleby is represented by Aablan, who justified cramped odds on his introduction at Newmarket.

Speaking on the Godolphin website, Appleby said: “Aablan has done well since winning on his debut and we feel that the stiff seven at Sandown will suit.

“Like the rest of the field, we are dipping our toe at this level for the first time and it should hopefully provide a nice springboard into an autumn campaign.”

Cerulean Bay has his sights raised by David O’Meara following a couple of low-key wins north of the border, with maiden success at Hamilton followed by a novice victory at Ayr.

The field is completed by Brian Meehan’s Inishfallen, who turns out little over a week after finishing third in a valuable nursery at York.