Four for Astern
New first season sire winners
Astern
Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) continued his eyecatching run of winners and nailed a fourth through Arnaqueur (2 c ex Aloona by Smart Strike) who hung on for victory in the two-year-old maiden handicap (1300m) at Kembla Grange on Saturday. The debutant defeated Akahata (Pins) by a nose for trainer Jean Dubois, who also prepared Astern juvenile Zadig to win at Wagga last week. Bred by Woodpark Stud, Arnaqueur is a half-brother to Aylmerton (Siyouni), who Dubois trained to win the Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) in 2018. Astern stood the 2020 season at Darley’s Kelvinside property for a fee of $22,000.
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Brazen Beau
Darley stallion Brazen Beau (I Am Invincible) landed a first Group 1 winner in the shape of the Te Akau-raced On The Bubbles (2 g ex More Bubbles by Sebring), in turn becoming the first son of I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) to sire a Group 1 winner. On The Bubbles built on two second placings behind stablemate Sword Of State (Snitzel), to take full advantage of his absence and claim Saturday’s Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) by three lengths ahead of I Wish I Win (Savabeel), while Group 2 winner Bonny Lass (Super Easy) finished seven lengths behind the winner in third. On The Bubbles is out of a half-sister to Myer Classic (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Politeness (Street Sense) and was a $90,000 purchase for David Ellis from the 2020 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. Brazen Beau stood the 2020 season at Darley’s Northwood Park for a fee of $49,500.
Candy Ride
Rock Your World (3 c ex Charm The Maker by Empire Maker) made a successful transition from turf to dirt as he took out the Santa Anita Derby (Gr 1, 9f) on just his third start and in the process provided his sire Candy Ride (Ride The Rails) with a 17th individual elite-level winner. The John Sadler-trained colt made all the running to come home four and a quarter lengths clear of the favourite Medina Spirit (Protonico), with Dream Shake (Twirling Candy) another two and a quarter lengths away in third. A spot in next month’s Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) now awaits the winner. Candy Ride stands at Lane’s End in Kentucky for a fee of $75,000 (approx. AUD$98,550).
Curlin
Shadwell’s Malathaat (3 f ex Dreaming of Julia by A. P. Indy) stretched her unbeaten record to four when she provided Curlin (Smart Strike) with a 14th individual elite-level winner courtesy of a victory in the Ashland Stakes (Gr 1, 8.5f) at Keeneland on Saturday. Already a winner at Listed and Grade 2 level, the Todd Pletcher-trained filly added a Grade 1 to her haul as she edged out Pass The Champagne (Flatter) by a head. Will’s Secret (Will Take Charge) finished five and a half lengths behind the winner in third. Malathaat was bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet and is out of Grade 1 winner Dreaming of Julia (A. P. Indy). Curlin stands at Hill ‘N’ Dale Farm for a fee of $175,000 (approx. AUD$230,000).
Deep Impact
Lei Papale (4 f ex Shells Lei by Kurofune) provided the late Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) with his 48th individual elite-level winner when taking out the Osaka Hai (Gr 1, 2000m) at Hanshin on Sunday. Trained by Tomokazu Takano, Lei Papale maintained her unbeaten record when defeating outsider Mozu Bello (Deep Brillante) by four lengths, with short-priced favourite Contrail (Deep Impact) another three quarters of a length back in third. It was a disappointing return to the track for Contrail, last year’s Triple Crown Series winner, who was narrowly defeated by the now-retired Almond Eye (Lord Kanaloa) when last seen in the Japan Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) in November.
Frankel
Hungry Heart (3 f ex Harlech by Pivotal) became the second individual Group 1 winner for the great Frankel (Galileo) in Australia and 13th worldwide as the Yulong Investments-owned filly backed up her victory in the Phar Lap Stakes (Gr 2, 1500m) with a tenacious win in Saturday’s Vinery Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Rosehill. The filly, who was bred by Mr Zhang’s Yulong operation and bought back for $300,000 at the 2019 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, defied an on-pace bias to wear down long-time leader Harmony Rose (Glass Harmonium) to win by a neck. Impecunious (Sacred Falls) finished three lengths behind the winner in third. Hungry Heart’s dam Harlech (Pivotal) was purchased for 60,000gns by Sheamus Mills Bloodstock and Yulong Investments at the Tattersalls July Sale, and the mare has a Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) yearling catalogued as Lot 328 in the upcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She was put in foal to Yulong’s freshman stallion Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice) last year having not been served in 2019. Frankel is standing 2021 at Juddmonte Farms for a fee of £175,000 (approx. AUD$317,000).
Into Mischief
Mischevious Alex (4 c ex White Pants Night by Speightstown) made the breakthrough in elite company in spectacular fashion when running away with Saturday’s Carter Handicap (Gr 1, 7f) at Aqueduct. The Saffie Joseph-trained colt rewarded his backers who sent him off warm favourite as he scored by five and a half lengths to provide his sire Into Mischief (Harlan’s Holiday) with a ninth individual elite-level winner. Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) finished best of the rest, a length in front of Souper Stonehenge (Speightstown). Now the winner of seven of his 12 starts, Mischievous Alex is the second of three foals to race by White Pants Night (Speightstown) and her sole winner. Into Mischief stands at Spendthrift’s US base for a fee of $225,000 (approx. AUD$295,625).
Munnings
Dual Royal Ascot runner-up Kimari (4 f ex Cozze Up Lady by Cozzene) rewarded her supporters who backed her into a short price as she made the breakthrough in elite level with a win in Keeneland’s Madison Stakes (Gr 1, 7f). Second in last year’s Commonwealth Cup (Gr 1, 6f), the Wesley Ward-trained filly came out on top in a tight finish, beating the dead-heating pair Estilo Talentoso (Maclean’s Music) and Bell’s The One (Majesticperfection) by three-quarters of a length. Kimari, who becomes the third individual elite-level winner for Munnings (Majesticperfection), has now won six of her ten starts, including five stakes successes. Bred in Kentucky by China Horse Club International out of Cozze Up Lady (Cozzene), Kimari was a $152,000 purchase by Eaton Sales from Bluewater Sales’ consignment to The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton’s Kentucky yearling sale. Munnings stands at Ashford Stud for a fee of $40,000 (approx. AUD$52,550).
New stakes winners
Acclamation
Bjorn (3 c ex Apace by Oasis Dream) took out the Premio Gardone (Listed, 1600m) at Milan on Sunday to earn Rathbarry Stud’s Acclamation (Royal Applause) his 56th individual stakes winner. The colt, who placed at Listed level on his final start in 2020, defeated Mordimi (Morpheus) into second, with Carrobbio (Arcano) finishing third of the six-runner field. Acclamation, the sire of five top-level winners, is standing at Rathbarry in Ireland for a fee of €27,500 (approx. AUD$42,500).
Bernardini
Darley’s Bernardini (A. P. Indy) sired his 80th individual stakes winner when his son Bourbonic (3 c ex Dancing Afleet by Afleet Alex) ran out a shock winner of Aqueduct’s Wood Memorial Stakes (Gr 2, 9f). Sent off the outsider of the nine-strong field, the Todd Pletcher-trained colt turned the form book on his head as he beat stablemate Dynamic One (Union Rags) by a head. Crowded Trade (More Than Ready) finished a length and a half behind the winner in third. A half brother to the Grade 2 placed Avant Garde (Tonalist), Bourbonic is the third foal from Dancing Afleet (Afleet Alex) and her first stakes winner. Bernardini stands at Darley’s US base for a fee of $35,000 (approx. AUD$46,000).
Camelot
Coolmore’s ex-shuttler Camelot (Montjeu) sired his 34th individual stakes winner when Moll (4 f ex Jamm by Duke Of Marmalade) overcame a lengthy absence to take out the Noblesse Stakes (Listed, 1m 4f) at Cork on Saturday. Trained by Paddy Twomey, the four-year-old was having her first start for 273 days, and just her seventh in total, as she beat Flor De La Luna (Sea The Moon) by a length and a quarter to register her third win. Yaxeni (Maxios) finished third, another length and a half away. Moll is the second foal out of the unraced Jamm (Duke Of Marmalade) who herself is closely related to Hong Kong Group 3 winner Out And About (Fastnet Rock). Camelot, who covered 104 mares at $22,000 in his sole season Down Under, stands at Coolmore’s base in Ireland for a fee of €60,000 (approx. AUD$92,700).
Deep Impact
A fifth win in six starts by Terzetto (4 f ex Raddolcendo by Danehill Dancer) provided Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) with his 172nd individual stakes winner when the Shoichiro Wada-trained filly took out Saturday’s Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (Gr 3, 1600m) at Nakayama. Stepping up into graded company proved to be no barrier to the progressive four-year-old as she beat Catedral (Heart’s Cry) by a length with Bom Servico (Daiwa Major) another neck away in third.
Distorted Humor
Soothsay (3 f ex Spellbound by Bernardini) looks to have a bright future after she took the step up in class firmly in her stride to land the Santa Anita Oaks (Gr 2, 8.5f) on just her second ever start. Trained by Richard Mandella, the filly beat favourite Beautiful Gift (Medaglia D’Oro) by half a length, the front two pulling well clear of Moraz (Empire Maker) who was another five and a quarter lengths away in third. Bred in Kentucky by Raydelz Stable, Soothsay, the 160th individual stakes winner for Distorted Humor (Forty Niner), is the first stakes winner out of the Grade 2-winning mare Spellbound (Bernardini), who herself is a half sister to Grade 3 winner Kid Cruz (Lemon Drop Kid). Distorted Humor stands at WinStar Farm in Kentucky for an undisclosed fee.
He’s Remarkable
Our Boy Ritchie (5 g ex Miss Andrea by King’s Chapel) recorded a first stakes winner for his sire He’s Remarkable (Pentire) with a victory in Saturday’s Riverton Cup (Listed, 2147m). The five-year-old defeated Gold’nguru (Gallant Guru) by a head, with Rainman (Pins) a further short-head back in third. Runner-up in the NZ 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) in 2010, He’s Remarkable stands at Simms Davison’s Mapperley Stud.
I Am Invincible
An impressive performance from the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Najmaty (2 f ex Najoom by Northern Meteor) saw the filly remain unbeaten from two starts, becoming the 63rd individual stakes winner for I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) as she claimed the Redoute’s Choice Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday. The filly became the fourth juvenile stakes winner for her sire this season, who leads the way by that metric, defeating He’s The Ultimate (Fastnet Rock) by two and three-quarter lengths, with Hunnam (Shalaa) a head further back in third. A homebred for Emirates Park, Najmaty is the second living foal out of Group 3 winner Najoom (Northern Meteor), a winner of five of her seven starts. The mare has a three-year-old filly by Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice), named Najmah, who is a winner of two races from four starts, while she is currently in foal to Newgate Farm’s first season sire Tassort (Brazen Beau). I Am Invincible stood the 2020 season at Yarraman Park for a fee of $209,000.
Kingman
Juddmonte stallion Kingman (Invincible Spirit) sired his 31st individual stakes winner when Megallan (3 c ex Eastern Belle by Champs Elysees) landed the Burradon Stakes (Listed, 1m) at Newcastle on Friday. The Hascombe and Valiant Stud homebred tracked the leading pair in the four-runner field before quickening to lead with two furlongs remaining. The three-year-old fought on under a drive to hold runner-up Legion Of Honour (Wootton Bassett) by half a length with Final Voyage (Camacho) nine lengths behind the winner in third. It was a second career success for Megallan at his seventh start. The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt is out of Ballymacoll Stud Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f) winner Eastern Belle (Champs Elysees), a half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning champion Golden Horn (Cape Cross). Kingman stands at Banstead Manor Stud for a 2021 fee of £150,000 (approx. AUD$272,635).
Mayson
Cheveley Park Stud resident Mayson (Invincible Spirit) sired his eighth individual stakes winner when his son Laugh A Minute (6 g ex Funny Enough by Dansili) bounced back from a below par performance on his return last time out to bag the Sean Barrett Bloodstock Stakes (Listed, 6f) at Cork on Saturday. The Ado McGuiness-trained six-year-old was winning for the first time in ten starts as he beat Fiscal Rules (Make Believe) by two lengths, with Make A Challenge (Invincible Spirit) another length behind in third. Laugh A Minute has now won four of his 27 starts. Mayson, the sire of Group 1-winning sprinter Oxted, stands for a fee of £4,000 (approx. AUD$7,270) at Cheveley Park Stud.
Noble Mission
Frankel’s (Galileo) brother Noble Mission sired his third individual stakes winner when Jouster (3 f ex Playtime by Street Cry) got the better of her five rivals in the Appalachian Stakes (Gr 2, 8f) on the Keeneland turf. Scoring for the third time in six starts, the Todd Pletcher-trained favourite beat Gift List (Bated Breath) by a length and a half. Plum Ali (First Samurai) was another half length behind in third. Jouster was a $360,000 purchase from the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale from the Lane’s End consignment. Former Lane’s End stallion Noble Mission now stands at Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan.
Novellist
Multiple Group 1 winner Novellist (Monsun) sired his third individual stakes winner when Praetorius (4 c ex Ponte Tresa by Sicyos) landed the Altano Rennen (Listed, 2800m) at Hoppegarten on Sunday. Trained by Andreas Wohler, the four-year-old was registering his second win in six starts as he beat Enjoy The Moon (Sea The Moon) and Ida Alata (Adlerflug). Novellist stands at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan.
Pride Of Dubai
Saif (2 g ex Little Miss Smiley by Husson) produced a timely pedigree update for his dam Little Miss Smiley (Husson), as he proved dominant in Saturday’s T L Baillieu Handicap (Gr 3, 1400m) ahead of his yearling brother passing through the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale within Coolmore’s draft as Lot 393 on Wednesday. Saif, a $290,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Hawkes Racing, became the eighth individual stakes winner for Coolmore stallion Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry), defeating Converge (Frankel) by a length and three-quarters, with Gin Martini (Rip Van Winkle) three lengths behind the winner in third. Saif is the fourth foal out of Fastnet Rock (Danehill) mare Little Miss Smiley, who was purchased for $160,000 out of the Patinack Farm dispersal by Tom Magnier.
Roc de Cambes
Joy Alone (3 f ex Optimum Note by Park Regent) produced a late charge to win her first stakes race at her sixth start. The filly defeated Milford Sound (Ocean Park) by a nose to claim Saturday’s Manawatu Classic (Gr 3, 2000m) for trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, who also saddled third placegetter Daqiansweet Junior (Sweet Orange), and in the process also become the fifth individual stakes winner for Roc De Cambes (Red Ransom). “She’s a nice filly who we thought would go well over more ground,” Baker said. “She had been running on over a mile so we thought this might be the race for her with the step up to 2000 metres. She’s always shown us plenty.” Joy Alone is out of Japanese-bred mare Optimum Note (Regent Park), an 11-time winner in Singapore and Japan. Roc De Cambes stood the 2020 season at The Oaks Stud for a fee of $5,000.
Smart Missile
Yao Dash (4 g ex Rahy Storm by Rahy) skipped away with Saturday’s Doncaster Prelude (Gr 3, 1500m) to secure his place in the Doncaster Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) as he became the 20th individual stakes winner for his sire Smart Missile (Fastnet Rock). The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained four-year-old found the lead and the rail under Craig Williams and proved too hot for his rivals, winning by three and a half lengths over Mister Sea Wolf (Amadeus Wolf) with Bottega (Snitzel) a further half-length back in third. A $90,000 purchase from the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for owners Dynamic Syndications, Yao Dash is the first foal out of winning Rahy (Blushing Groom) mare Rahy Storm, who died after foaling a Written Tycoon (Iglesia) colt last year. Smart Missile stands at Olly Tait’s Twin Hills Stud, where he commanded a fee of $22,000 in 2020.
So You Think
Consistent mare Nimalee (4 m ex Dezign by Zabeel) stepped up to stakes level for just the second time in her 11-race career but ran out a comfortable winner of Saturday’s Emancipation Stakes (Gr 2, 1500m) to give Coolmore stallion So You Think (High Chaparral) a 33rd individual stakes winner and a big-race victory in consecutive weekends after Think It Over’s win in the George Ryder Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m) a week earlier. Travelling on the rail behind the pacesetter Greysful Glamour (Stratum), Nimalee came off heels to defeat the grey by three-quarters of a length, with Quantum Mechanic (Deep Field) a length behind the winner in third. Bred by Cressfield Stud, Nimalee was sold for $270,000 to Randwick Bloodstock Agency out of the Millford Thoroughbreds draft at the 2018 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. She is the third living foal out of the unraced Zabeel (Savabeel) mare Dezign, a half-sister to Ladies Day Vase (Gr 3, 1600m) winner Star Fashion (Street Cry). Dezign was covered by The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) last year. So You Think stood last season for a fee of $38,500 at Jerrys Plains.
Street Boss
Street Life (7 g ex Mimiele by Barely A Moment) edged his sire Street Boss (Street Cry) closer to a half century of stakes winners as he claimed the Oakbank Stakes (Listed, 1100m) on Saturday. The Karen Byrnes-trained gelding defeated Elderflower (Toronado) by a length, while Golden Halo (Your Song) was a further two and a half lengths back in third. Street Life has 11 wins from 48 starts. With Street Life conceived off an $11,000 service fee, Street Boss now stands at Darley in Victoria for $27,500.
Tapit
Pauline’s Pearl (3 f ex Hot Dixie Chick by Dixie Union) notched her second win in five starts and in the process became stakes winner number 143 for Tapit (Pulpit) when landing the Fantasy Stakes (Gr 3, 8.5f) at Oaklawn Park on Saturday. The Steve Asmussen-trained filly beat Ava’s Grace (Laoban) by a length with Coach (Commissioner) another three-quarters of a length away in third. Bred in Kentucky, Pauline’s Pearl was produced from the Asmussen-trained Grade 1 winner Hot Dixie Chick (Dixie Union), also the dam of multiple stakes winner Union Jackson (Curlin). Tapit stands at Gainesway for a fee of $185,000 (approx. AUD$243,000).
Vancouver
Yaletown (3 g ex Marianne by Darci Brahma) led from start to finish to land Saturday’s Tulloch Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m), becoming the fourth individual stakes winner for Coolmore stallion Vancouver (Medaglia D’Oro), his second in Australia. Racing in the Coolmore silks after his purchase as a yearling for $320,000 by Tom Magnier and his trainers, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Yaletown held off New Zealand-bred duo Prompt Prodigy (More Than Ready) and Young Werther (Tavistock) to land the Group 2 at just his fourth start. Bred by Max Whitby, Yaletown is out of Listed winner Marianne (Darci Brahma), who was purchased by Magnier for $1.1 million at the 2018 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Last year she was covered by Justify (Scat Daddy). Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Vancouver stood last season for $30,250 at Jerrys Plains.
What A Winter
Grade 1 winner What A Winter (Western Winter) sired his 15th individual stakes winner when his daughter Celestial Love (3 f ex Leylani by Lecture) took out the Man O’ War Sprint (Gr 3, 1100m) at Turffontein on Saturday. The three-year-old filly was winning for the fourth time in seven starts as she beat Laetiteia’s Angel (Potala Palace) by three and three-quarter lengths. Favourite Al Sakeet (Var) was another length and a half away in third. What A Winter stands at Drakenstein Stud for a fee of R60,000 (approx. AUD$5,375).
Windsor Knot
Rossenarra Stud resident Windsor Knot (Pivotal) sired his sixth individual stakes winner when Irish Import Hang Man (7g ex Halliard by Halling) struck for a maiden success at stakes level in the Easter Cup (Gr 3, 2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. Hang Man, a €15,000 purchase for Paul Moroney Bloodstock out of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, defeated Bart Cummings (Gr 3, 2510m) winner Persan (Pierro) by half a length, while the Nick Ryan-trained Mahamedeis (Magnus) was three-quarters of a length further back in third.