Tag Archive for: The Lion In Winter

The Lion In Winter unlikely to run again this season

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The Lion In Winter is unlikely to run again this year having been ruled out of Newmarket’s Darley Dewhurst Stakes with a foot infection.

Aidan O’Brien’s son of Sea The Stars is unbeaten in two starts and was preparing to step up to Group One company after creating a taking impression in the Acomb Stakes at York.

Already favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Derby, he was also the overnight market leader for the Rowley Mile’s seven-furlong event before being withdrawn on Saturday morning.

The master of Ballydoyle confirmed it was a foot infection that was responsible for his big-race absence but is content to pull stumps on his two-year-old campaign at this stage, having satisfied connections with his on-track displays so far.

“It’s a foot infection and they can take a while and can come very quick overnight – it’s just an abscess that could release and be gone in a couple of days, but could take 10 days,” said O’Brien.

“I don’t think we will be pushed to run again and he has had his two runs, which is great. He’s learned plenty now and I think talking to the lads, we won’t be rushing to run again.

“You race them at two to teach them for next year and I suppose we saw plenty from him the last day. It would be tough ground too and that might not have been ideal to bottom him in that either.”



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Appleby sweet on Godolphin’s Dewhurst dual threat

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As far as championship two-year-old contests go, the Darley Dewhurst Stakes needs little introduction and another high-class renewal looks to be in prospect at Newmarket on Saturday.

Charlie Appleby has claimed the seven-furlong showpiece twice so far, both times with exciting operators, as Pinatubo was brilliant in his juvenile year and Native Trail was similarly smart.

Pinatubo and Native Trail were unbeaten heading to the Rowley Mile and already had Group Ones to their name by way of the National Stakes at the Curragh.

That had been thought a likely route for Ancient Truth after he won the Superlative Stakes in July, but instead he was given time and this will be his first run since then.

In contrast, stablemate Shadow Of Light has been relatively busy, winning the Middle Park after losing his unbeaten record when second in the Gimcrack at York.

It came as a minor surprise to see him supplemented for Dewhurst duty, but he is the pick of William Buick over Ancient Truth, who will be ridden by James Doyle.

“I’m delighted with the pair of them coming into it,” said Appleby.

“Shadow Of Light, you are going to tell me that two weeks ago you thought you were going to go sprinting. But as I look at it, he has everything to gain and nothing to lose.

“If he goes and wins, then fantastic, he adds an extra dimension to his three-year-old career and do we look at a Guineas route. If he gets beat, like Blue Point did, then we just cement he’s a sprinter and you can tailor your training programme in the spring. It’s a win-win situation, really.

“Ancient Truth is three from three coming into it and we haven’t seen him since the Superlative.

“We were toying with the idea of running in the National Stakes in Ireland, but I felt he was a horse who would be better given more time and I didn’t want to have two cracks at Group Ones – and this one, the Dewhurst, is an important Group One for us.

“He looks great, he’s strengthened and has done everything we have asked for.”

While Appleby has two Dewhursts to his name, Aidan O’Brien has eight – including a certain City Of Troy 12 months ago.

However, he lost his main contender for this year when The Lion In Winter was taken out due to a bruised foot.

That left him with the once-raced Expanded and Rock Of Cashel.

O’Brien said: “We feel Rock Of Cashel is better than we have seen and we feel he is a little bit like his sister Snowfall (winner of Oaks, Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks) – we could only win a maiden with her at two, but we always thought she was good.

“We think he’s a bit like that and there is plenty there we haven’t seen yet. He had a bad run the last day, but we think there is more to come. Whether that comes in the Dewhurst or whether we have to wait until next year we will find out.”

Completing the line-up is Seagulls Eleven, who is anything but a forlorn hope for Hugo Palmer in the blue and white of Brighton & Hove Albion, having been runner-up to Ancient Truth at Newmarket and then third in the National Stakes.

“He’s done better and better and better; he’s just improved all year,” said Palmer, whose Dubawi Legend gave Native Trail a real race in his Dewhurst victory. “He’s such a big horse, he’ll be better again next year.

“We couldn’t be happier with him going into the race and they say dogs are like their owners, but horses are like their owners.

“He is owned by 11 Brighton footballers and he’s Brighton taking on Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal.

“He’s a lovely horse, we think the world of him, he’s proved he’s capable of mixing it at this level and he’s a big horse who’s still improving.

“Things didn’t go right at the Curragh, he probably over-raced for a little bit in the early part of the race and then virtually wore Ryan Moore (riding Henri Matisse) for half of the last furlong, so there are things that can go better for him going forwards.

“He needs to find probably 7-8lbs on what he’s done before, but he’s a young and improving two-year-old and why can’t he?”



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Shadow Of Light supplemented for Dewhurst date

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Middle Park Stakes victor Shadow Of Light has been supplemented for Saturday’s Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.

In the immediate aftermath of his four-length success over Whistlejacket, trainer Charlie Appleby suggested he would likely be put away for the season, with the Commonwealth Cup a possible 2025 aim.

However, he will now step up to seven furlongs after connections paid £35,000 to enter him for a race which tends to decide the leading juvenile colt of the season.

Appleby and Godolphin also intend to run the unbeaten Ancient Truth, who has not been seen since his victory in the Superlative Stakes in July.

Appleby said of Shadow Of Light on X: “The current plan is for him to join Ancient Truth and run on Saturday. We are very pleased with what we have seen so far from him, and feel that he has the potential to stretch out to seven furlongs.”

The main danger to Shadow Of Light could be The Lion In Winter, one of five contenders for Aidan O’Brien and the Coolmore team.

He heads ante-post lists for the 2000 Guineas and Derby after impressing in the Acomb Stakes at York – form which has been franked by runner-up Wimbledon Hawkeye subsequently winning the Royal Lodge.

The Lion In Winter is a leading Classic contender for next year
The Lion In Winter is a leading Classic contender for next year (Niall Carson/PA)

The son of Sea The Stars was originally being aimed at the Goffs Million sales race before O’Brien had a late change of heart.

The Ballydoyle handler also has Aftermath, Expanded, Rock Of Cashel and Camille Pissarro entered, although the last-named colt would be making a swift reappearance after winning Sunday’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp.

Hugo Palmer’s Seagulls Eleven, second to Ancient Truth in the Superlative Stakes, is the only non-Godolphin or Ballydoyle-owned colt remaining.



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Lion roars to head of Guineas and Derby betting

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The Lion In Winter roared loudest at York to come out on top in a Tattersalls Acomb Stakes showdown with Ruling Court.

The duo were dominating the top of the markets for next year’s Classics having both impressed in their respective debuts and a change in race conditions saw the stellar two-year-olds lock horns on the Knavesmire on just their second career outings.

Charlie Appleby’s son of Justify was billed as the star attraction following his spectacular display at Sandown and was settled in mid-division by William Buick, as Ryan Moore aboard The Lion In Winter was at the head of proceedings alongside Hugo Palmer’s The Waco Kid.

Buick asked the even money favourite to move into contention as the race entered the final quarter mile but there was no way past Aidan O’Brien’s son of Sea The Stars, who grew stronger the further he went.

The Lion In Winter came home with a length and three-quarters advantage as the 2-1 second favourite, with Ruling Court eventually giving way to Wimbledon Hawkeye for second, James Owen’s colt outrunning odds of 22-1.

The winner was made 8-1 favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas with Paddy Power, with the firm also making him the 6-1 market leader for the Derby.

The Lion In Winter previously impressed in Ireland
The Lion In Winter previously impressed in Ireland (Niall Carson/PA)

O’Brien said: “He won very well the last day and people gave him a very high rating, everyone thought he was a very good horse.

“Wayne (Lordan) rode him and loved him. He’d been working very well, he’s always been a lovely straightforward, uncomplicated horse.

“We came here as we wanted to give him experience ahead of the Goffs Million as we felt it looked a lovely race for him. We thought it could be sharp enough for him but he hit the gates well and Ryan had him in a lovely position, he didn’t even touch him with the stick and he broke the track record, so obviously he’s a very smart colt.

“I’m delighted, you couldn’t be happier really. The Goffs Million was the target, we have Henri Matisse going for the Futurity this weekend to split them up but the lads will decide – they always do.

“We came here for experience but we were a little bit afraid as this place can be sharp enough. It’s a quick seven furlongs but obviously he has loads of class. You’d have to be very impressed.

“He’s the only Sea The Stars we have, he’s very good looking which is why the lads bought him, you’d have to like everything he’s doing at the moment.

“I think he’d be OK at the top level this year looking at what he did there. We knew the third horse was very good but we know having come through the breeze-ups, sometimes they take a few runs to show how good they are, so he might not have been as good as he was at Sandown so we knew he might be vulnerable today.

“It looked a good Acomb, looking at him he’d have no problem at a mile and further next year.”

Owen expects his colt to move up in distance now.

He said: “He’s run a great race and I think we’ll definitely step him up to a mile – he’s a mile-and-a-quarter horse for me all over.

“We’ll see how we go, the Gredleys (owners) know more than I do and hopefully we’ll get it right.

“Beforehand I would have been delighted to come in the first three and I’m over the moon.”

Ruling Court (left) had to settle for third behind The Lion In Winter
Ruling Court (left) had to settle for third behind The Lion In Winter (Mike Egerton/PA)

Alex Merriam, Appleby’s assistant trainer, felt Ruling Court had fallen a little short of expectations.

He said: “On the face of it it’s disappointing, he looked like he travelled into it quite nicely and then just slightly flattened out.

“Ryan was on the front end and it might just turn out we were beaten by a better horse. The first three pulled clear, (but) it is a little bit disappointing.”

Asked whether he felt Ruling Court was better than he showed, he added: “It’s hard to say, you’d like to think so and we’ll see what comes out in the wash.

“He hasn’t totally disgraced himself and finished out the back, but we were excited about him.”



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Ruling Court aiming to state Classic case at York

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Ruling Court, the early ante-post favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas and Derby, puts his reputation on the line against The Lion In Winter in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes at York.

The Godolphin-owned and Charlie Appleby-trained Justify colt cost €2.3million at the breeze-up sales in May and created a huge impression at Sandown last month when winning by over five lengths.

A change in the conditions of the race has resulted in an increased field of 11 runners this year, with contenders including Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter, Ruling Court’s main rival in the Derby betting.

“We were obviously delighted with Ruling Court on his first start at Sandown and he has definitely come on for the run,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“We always felt that a nice, galloping track like York would suit, and it looks a more competitive contest than in the past with the race conditions having changed this year.

“We go there with a horse who looked very exciting on his debut and, if the improvement that we have seen at home is there, he is hopefully going to be very competitive again.”

Ruling Court will be partnered by Godolphin number one William Buick who is eager to see if the youngster can take the step to the next level having delighted him on debut.

Ruling Court really impressed on debut
Ruling Court really impressed on debut (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Buick said: “He’s in good form, I’m looking forward to getting back on him. He did very well on debut and I was very pleased with him at Sandown. I’m looking forward to Wednesday.

“Obviously, it looks a very competitive race as you would expect, and we will know a lot more after it. He couldn’t have done any more first time out so we’re hopeful.”

There was a lot to like about the way The Lion In Winter breezed home to deny a better-fancied stablemate at the Curragh first time out and he will be ready to exploit any weakness Ruling Court presents.

Ballydoyle’s Ides Of War, who was third behind The Lion In Winter, has since boosted the form with a Curragh victory.

The Lion In Winter was a taking winner on debut
The Lion In Winter was a taking winner on debut (Niall Carson/PA)

“He created a nice impression on his debut, it was a nice performance,” said O’Brien.

“He is just ready to start again and we thought the experience of York would do him good. The track should suit him.

“We’ve got the Goffs Million possibly in our minds for him and the timing of this race, and the experience he should pick up, should help with that in mind.”

Diablo Riojo went all the way to Redcar to score at the first time of asking and heads north once again as he steps up markedly in grade.

He looked a cut above the opposition on that occasion and could be a top-draw operator for Amo Racing handler Raphael Freire.

“Diablo Rojo showed real class when winning at Redcar on debut,” his rider David Egan told Tattersalls.

“He always showed potential at home, and it was nice that it showed at the races. He has come forward from that run and I expect him to put up a good account of himself in what looks to be a strong contest.”

Other exciting prospects in the field include Andrew Balding’s Jouncy, who now steps up in trip after shedding his maiden status at Goodwood, while Ralph Beckett’s Mr Chaplin accounted for that rival earlier in the season and was another to taste success on the Sussex Downs recently, notching his second victory.

He will be ridden by Rossa Ryan, who said: “He is going really well, he was impressive at Goodwood given he didn’t see daylight until he hit the half-furlong pole. He deserves his step up in class now.

“He looks great and everyone seems happy with him, so we’re hopeful of a good run.”



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Lion roars for O’Brien at the Curragh

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The Lion In Winter surprised his better-fancied stablemate Ides Of March to win the Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden.

Aidan O’Brien’s pair were sent off at odds of 11-2 and 5-4 favourite respectively, with Ryan Moore opting to ride the market leader.

However, it was The Lion In Winter who proved strongest over the seven-furlong trip, sweeping through late on to win by two and a quarter lengths from Currawood, with Ides Of March a further length back in third.

The Lion In Winter is a 25-1 shot with Coral for both the 2000 Guineas and Derby next year and O’Brien has no concerns about a longer distance.

The Lion In Winter (left) was too good for his Curragh rivals
The Lion In Winter (left) was too good for his Curragh rivals (Niall Carson/PA

He said: “He’s been working lovely and you would have to be very happy with him. He has plenty of class and would have no trouble going up in trip.

“He was a bit green but finished out very well and looks a quality colt.

“Ryan said his horse is more fast than stamina, so he might go back in trip.”

Rudi’s Apple coasted home for a clear-cut victory
Rudi’s Apple coasted home for a clear-cut victory (Niall Carson/PA)

Rudi’s Apple (5-2) dominated the Barberstown Castle Sprint Nursery Handicap for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The Phoenix Stakes entry showed a fine turn of foot at the business end to easily account for Snapdragon by three and three-quarter lengths.

McMonagle said: “He was straight forward and travelled well. He was always comfortable through the race.

“I was always confident, and he quickened up good. He was a good winner at the line. He’s progressing and is only going to get better.

“He had a big weight but is probably a level above them.”

Puturhandstogether (5-2 favourite) later made it a double for the team in the Businessplus.ie Handicap.

Big Gossey (right) on his way to Curragh glory
Big Gossey (right) on his way to Curragh glory (Niall Carson/PA)

Big Gossey (12-1) registered a sixth Curragh success as he returned to his best in the David Power Memorial Premier Handicap.

The seven-year-old is a regular in the big sprint handicaps but had not hit the mark since winning over seven furlongs last November.

He returned to form in style though, coming home a length and a quarter clear of Greek Flower for trainer Charles O’Brien and jockey Robert Whearty.

Part-owner Gary O’Brien rides the horse out every day and said: “That’s his sixth win here and his 35th run at the Curragh. He’s an incredible little horse and has a big heart.

“We thought this race was mapped out for him today. He ran a brilliant race in the Rockingham and Charles said to me the drop of rain this morning will do no harm to him.

“You have to work out his programme every day because no one day is the same with him. When we bring him here to work, you have to lead him down to the Old Vic.

“We don’t argue with him any more and there is no point as he’d win the battle anyway.

“He’s like a family pet and will retire to St Margarets when he’s 10 or 11 and we can all go up and visit him for the rest of his life.

“I’ve such an attachment to the horse and he trusts me like you wouldn’t believe. I ride him out every morning and today was a very special day.”

Kailasa (9-2) claimed the closing La Celia Wines Irish EBF Fillies Maiden for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen.



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