International Latest
IRE: Melbourne Cup aim for Poniros
Irish trainer Willie Mullins is eyeing another trip to Australia with Friday’s shock Triumph Hurdle (Gr 1, 2m) winner Poniros (Golden Horn). Previously trained by Ralph Beckett, Poniros has eight starts for his original trainer with his only other win a 1709-metre maiden win on debut in October 2023 and Mullins outlined Melbourne aspirations for the gelding after his Cheltenham win. “We bought him in October, schooled him and gave him a break. We said we’d better drag him in from the field and get him ready for Cheltenham, and that’s what we did,” Mullins said. “But I didn’t expect any more than a nice run. I imagine he’ll go to Punchestown, and then we’ll find something at Royal Ascot, perhaps. He was bought as a dual-purpose horse, and I am hoping in time he might turn into a Melbourne Cup horse – that would be the long-term plan.”
144 for Lope De Vega
Polyvega (3 f ex Polydream by Oasis Dream) made the perfect start to her three-year-old career when she broke through at stakes level in the Prix Ronde de Nuit (Listed, 1100m) at Chantilly on Monday. The filly, who was winning for the first time since her debut victory last June, defeated Hot Darling (Too Darn Hot) by an impressive five lengths. The filly is out of the Group 1-winning mare Polydream (Oasis Dream), who is herself a daughter of Listed winner Polygreen (Green Tune), making her a half-sister to Group 3 winner Big Brothers Pride (Invincible Spirit) and Listed scorer Evaporation (Red Ransom). Lope De Vega is standing at Ballylinch Stud for a fee of €175,000 (approx. AU$299,500).
90 for Kingman
Banstead Manor Stud stallion Kingman (Invincible Spirit) registered his 90th individual stakes winner on Sunday when Flaming Stone (3 f ex Burning Rules by Aussie Rules) scored in the Prix la Camargo (Listed, 1600m) at Saint-Cloud. Ridden by Alexis Pouchin for trainer Henri-Francois Devin, the three-year-old filly defeated Iron Bird (Showcasing) by two lengths with the same distance further back to Glamis Road (Kodiac) in third place. Bred by Mrs A Wigan and Juddmonte Farms, the filly was purchased by Juddmonte for 425,000gns at the 2022 Tattersalls December Foal Sale. Out of the Aussie Rules (Danehill) mare Burning Rules, Flaming Stone is a half-sister to Group 2 scorer Angel Power (Lope De Vega) and three other winners. Kingman is standing for a fee of £125,000 (approx. AU$254,510).