Six for Astern
New first season sire winners
Astern
Divina (2 f ex Sakitto by Domesday) got off the mark at Canterbury on Wednesday to provide first season sire Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) with his sixth individual winner. The Chris Waller-trained filly finished third to subsequent dual Group 1 runner-up Hilal (Fastnet Rock) on debut in February and that form proved good enough for Divina to get her head in front in the 1250-metre 2YO Fillies Maiden. Sent off a $3 chance under James McDonald, Divina defeated Smart Little Miss (Smart Missile) by a short head, with Santorini Sun (Choisir) another length away in third. A $190,000 buy for last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Divina is the second foal and second winner out of Sakitto (Domesday), who is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Hairpin (Octagonal), the dam of Group 3 winner Detours (Ad Valorem). Astern, the sire of Cinderella Stakes (Listed, 1050m) winner Seradess, will stand at Darley in NSW for $16,500 (inc. GST) in 2021, down from last year’s fee of $22,000.
Capitalist (pictured above)
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Hurtle (2 g ex Murtle Turtle by Murtajill) demolished the field on debut at Ballarat last Monday to provide leading first season sire Capitalist (Written Tycoon) with his 16th individual winner. Ridden by Dean Holland, the gelding was sent off a $2 chance and rewarded favourite backers with a comfortable five and a half-length success over Rock Melody (All Too Hard), with Ostracised (Divine Prophet) a long neck further back in third. Capitalist, who now has 15 Australian winners and one in New Zealand, will stand at Newgate Farm for an increased fee of $99,000 in 2021.
Divine Prophet
Selling Sunset (2 f ex Rolling Stock by High Rolling) got off the mark at Casino on Friday to give Divine Prophet (Choisir) his fifth individual winner. The Kacy Fogden-trained filly was racing for the third time when successful in the Parker/Kissane Solicitors Handicap (1200m) as the $1.57 favourite. Selling Sunset made all and scored by two lengths under Matthew Bennett, ahead of runner-up Bean Foggy (Spill The Beans), with Waltz (Hinchinbrook) three lengths behind in third. The winner is a half-sister to three-time winner Jazari (Not A Single Doubt), out of the eight-time winner up to a mile, Rolling Stock (High Rolling). Her fourth dam is the Group 2-winning black type producer Fiancee (Baguette). Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Divine Prophet stands at Aquis Farm for a fee of $16,500 (Inc. GST).
Extreme Choice
Tiger Of Malay (2 c ex Sambar by More Than Ready) became the third individual stakes winner for Newgate stallion Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt) after winning the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) on Saturday. In what has been an extraordinary season for the first season sire, from limited foal numbers he has sired Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Stay Inside and recent stakes winner Xtremetime. Tiger Of Malay defeated Converge (Frankel) by a neck, with Port Louis (Maurice) a half-length further back in third. Tiger Of Malay was bred by Bridie O’Bree and bought for $255,000 from the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year. Extreme Choice will be standing for a private fee at Newgate Farm this breeding season.
Flying Artie
Flying Artie (Artie Schiller) sired his eighth individual winner when Flying Tyrol (2 f ex Burgeis by Catbird) landed the Hibernian Hotel Maiden Handicap (1000m) at Goulburn on Friday. Keagan Latham drove the John Thompson-trained filly to score by a neck from Shocking Force (Air Force Blue) with Devine Miss (Headwater) another half-length behind in third. Flying Tyrol’s dam is the speedy and talented Burgeis (Catbird), a Listed winner who placed third behind Reaan (Hussonet) in the 2008 Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m). Burgeis is out of a winning half-sister to Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) victor Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) and Group 3 scorer Dystopia (Redoute’s Choice). Flying Artie stands at Newgate Stud for a fee of $33,000 (Inc. GST).
Kiss And Make Up
Miss Mecca (2 f ex Miss Elvee by Elvstroem) got off the mark at Rockhampton on Tuesday to provide 2016 Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) winner Kiss And Make Up (More Than Ready) with his second individual winner. The Garnett Taylor-trained filly improved on her third-placed effort behind Sequesay (Rothesay) on debut in February with a one and three-quarter-length win in the QTIS 2YO Maiden Handicap (1100m). I’m Strolling (Better Than Ready) was second, with Jungle Beat (Drumbeats) three lengths behind the winner in third. Miss Mecca is the first winner out of dual Listed-placed mare Miss Elvee (Elvstroem), who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Magnapal (Magnus) and the Group 1-placed Red For Lou (Testa Rossa). First season sire Kiss And Make Up, who was retired after finishing down the field in the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) on his third start, will stand at Aquis Farm for $8,800 in 2021.
Rebel Dane
Lloyd’s Crown (2 g ex Mahogany Room by High Rolling) became first season sire Rebel Dane’s (California Dane) second individual winner after taking out the Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (1000m) at Sandown on Wednesday. The Rebecca Waymouth-trained gelding finished a narrow runner-up on debut at Pakenham earlier in May and followed that up with a head victory over Along The River (Written Tycoon). Rambeau (Brazen Beau), who defeated Lloyd’s Crown last time out, was two lengths further away in third, while the $2.20 favourite Tycoon’s Girl (Written Tycoon) finished last of the seven runners. The win capped off a productive Wednesday for Dual Group 1 winner Rebel Dane, whose son Rebel Shadow finished a narrow runner-up on debut at Canterbury. The Glen Eden Stud stallion has so far had four runners and two winners, with the other being last-start Ken Russell Memorial Classic (Gr 3, 1200m) winner Subterranean, who is set to run in Saturday’s BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m). Rebel Dane, who had 28 live foals in his first crop and 26 in his second, will stand for $8,800 (inc. GST) in 2021.
Star Turn
My Snow Queen (2 f ex Lionel Left Me by Casino Prince) gave Star Turn (Star Witness) his 13th individual winner when taking the Iron Horse Global Maiden Plate (1300m) at Goulburn on Friday. The John Sargent-trained $1.45 favourite drew clear under Keagan Latham on a Soft 5 track to win by three and a quarter lengths from After Dinner (Choisir), with She’s Justified (Vancouver) a further three and a half lengths behind in third. The filly was winning at the third attempt, having placed fourth on debut at Warwick Farm on April 28 and runner-up at Hawkesbury a week ago. J & J Thoroughbreds purchased My Snow Queen for $5,000 as a weanling out of the 2019 Great Southern Sale, having been offered by Oakford Thoroughbred Farm, Maldon. She went unsold at $2,000, after failing to hit her $5,000 reserve, at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale when offered by Tallarook, Chambers Flat, Qld (agent). Austin racing then bought her for $15,000 at last year’s Scone Yearling Sale, the vendor being Jazcom Thoroughbreds, The Oaks. My Snow Queen is out of a winning half-sister to Hawkesbury Gold Cup (Gr 3, 1600m) winner Amovatio (Al Maher). Her fourth dam is the multiple Group 1-winning champion Emancipation (Bletchingly). Star Turn stands at Vinery for a fee of $16,500 (inc. GST).
New Group/Grade 1 winners
Deep Impact
Shahryar (3 c ex Dubai Majesty by Essence Of Dubai) took out the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) (Gr 1, 2400m) on Sunday to earn the late Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) his 49th individual elite-level winner and also provide him with a record-breaking seventh Japan Derby winner. The Hideaki Fujiwara-trained colt demonstrated an impressive late turn of foot to defeat odds-on favourite Efforia (Epiphaneia) by a nose, while Stella Veloce (Bago) was one and a quarter lengths back in third. “It’s so great to have won the Derby which I had made it my target with this colt ever since his debut,” said winning jockey Yuichi Fukunaga. “We were keeping an eye on the race favourite but the race didn’t go as smoothly as planned and we were in a tight spot so we were forced to make our charge late, but this colt really gave a terrific effort.” A brother to 2017 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) (Gr 1, 2000m) victor Al Ain, Shahryar is one of five winners out of Grade 1 winner Dubai Majesty (Essence Of Dubai).
Kendargent
Skalleti (6 g ex Skallet by Muhaymin) got up late to get the better of Tilsit (First Defence) after a photo-finish to Sunday’s Prix d’Ispahan (Gr 1, 1850m) at Longchamp, earning Haras de Colleville resident Kendargent (Kendor) his first elite-level winner. Sent off the odds-on favourite under Gerald Mosse, Skalleti lunged in the dying strides to deny the Charlie Hills-trained Tilsit by a head, with My Oberon (Dubawi) a short neck further away in third. Despite never winning a Group 1, Skalleti has proved himself at the top level on numerous occasions, most recently when second to Addeybb (Pivotal) in the Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 1m2f) at Ascot last October. Skalleti lost his off-hind shoe during the race, and winning trainer Jerome Reynier said: “It’s great that he’s been able to show he is a top horse on more than just soft ground. We never got hung up on winning a Group 1, but I’ve been really concentrating on building a career for this horse. Now he’s shown he’s one of the best older horses in Europe. We’ll let him down now and the main aim is to take our revenge in the Champion Stakes.” Out of stakes winner Skallet (Muhaymin), Skalleti is a brother to Group 2 winner Skazino and the Listed-placed Skalleto. Kendargent, the sire of 33 individual stakes winners, stands for a service fee of €10,000 (approx. AU$15,800).
Lope De Vega
Vega One (5 g ex One Funny Honey by Distorted Humor) overcame several injury problems this last year to become a Group 1 winner at his 25th start, coming from nowhere with a late run to defeat stablemate Jonker (Spirit Of Boom) and Signore Fox (Exceed And Excel). In doing so he became the 13th Group 1 winner for former shuttle stallion Lope De Vega (Shamardal), when winning the Kingsford-Smith Cup (Gr 1, 1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Tony Gollan-trained five-year-old is a half-brother to One More Honey (Onemorenomore), winner of the Sweet Embrace Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) in 2017. Lope De Vega stands at Ballylinch Stud for a fee of €125,000 (approx. AUD$197,600).
Night Of Thunder
Kukeracha (3 g ex Portrait Of A Lady by A.P. Indy) denied Explosive Jack (Jakkalberry) a record-equalling fourth Derby success as he won the Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. The Chris Waller-trained Kukeracha came out on top in a close battle with stablemate Senor Toba (Toronado), with Explosive Jack finishing in third, a length behind the leading duo, to deliver Night Of Thunder (Dubawi) a first Group 1 winner. The result completed a clean sweep for New Zealand-breds in Australian Derbies this season. Kukeracha, who races in the Neville Morgan colours worn by Kolding (Ocean Park) and Shaquero (Shalaa), was a $130,000 purchase from the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. Out of Portrait Of A Lady (A.P. Indy), Kukeracha descends from Champion 3YO filly in Ireland, the Irish Oaks (Gr 1, 1m 4f) winner Alydaress (Alydar), a sister to Park Appeal (Ahonoora), the dam of Cape Cross (Green Desert), as well as Flames Of Paris (Blushing Groom), the dam of BTC Cup (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Hot Snitzel (Snitzel).
Wootton Bassett
Incarville (3 f ex Ilhabela by Azamour) survived a lengthy stewards’ inquiry in a thrilling edition of the Prix Saint-Alary (Gr 1, 2000m) at Longchamp last Monday to become the fourth individual elite-level winner for Coolmore’s Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), who will shuttle to Australia for the first time later this year. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, the three-year-old filly flew down the outside late on to score a last-stride win in a blanket finish, with the first four home separated by just a length. Cirona (Maxios) was a head behind Incarville in second, with Es La Vida (Soldier Hollow) the same distance further back in third. Incarville, who finished second in her two previous runs at Group 3 level, is one of four winners from as many to race out of Ilhabela (Azamour), who is a half-sister to dual Group 1 Classic winner Vahorimix (Linamix). Wootton Bassett, who is currently based at Coolmore in Ireland, will stand for $71,500 in his first southern hemisphere season.
New stakes winners
Cable Bay
King’s Lynn (4 g ex Kinematic by Kyllachy) provided the Queen with a Royal winner at Haydock when the four-year-old took out the Achilles Stakes (Listed, 5f) and became the fourth individual stakes winner for former Woodside Park shuttler Cable Bay (Invincible Spirit). The Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old was held up behind the leaders under Oisin Murphy, was ridden to lead a furlong from home and showed his determination when headed in the final 110 yards to rally back and get up by a neck from Moss Gill (No Nay Never). The pair were two lengths clear of Count D’Orsay (Dandy Man) in third. King’s Lynn is a homebred full-sister to Group 3 winner Collinsbay, out of the juvenile winner Kinematic (Kyllachy), who is a half-sister to Listed scorer Musical Comedy (Royal Applause). Cable Bay stands at Highclere Stud where his fee this year is £8,000 (approx AUD$14,725).
Distorted Humor
Gershwin (3 c ex Music Note by A. P. Indy), the half-brother to Dubai World Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), was successful in the Penn Mile (Gr 3, 8f) at Penn National Racecourse and he became the 161st individual stakes winner for Distorted Humor (Forty Niner). Trained by Mike Stidham, like his brother, the Godolphin homebred tracked the pace on the rain affected track and bursting through three wide from the second turn, he took it up halfway up the stretch and went on to win by two lengths from The King Cheek (Laoban). Chess’s Dream (Jess’s Dream) was third. Gershwin has now won two of his six starts for prize-money of US$249,600. Distorted Humor stands at WinStar Farm where his fee this year was listed as private, having stood for US$50,000 (approx AUD$38,555) for the previous three years.
Galileo Gold
Galileo Gold (Paco Boy) sired his first stakes winner when Ebro River (2 c ex Soft Power by Balmont) won the National Stakes (Listed, 5f) at Sandown on Thursday evening. The Hugo Palmer-trained juvenile took the lead approaching the furlong pole in the straight dash, drifted left under James Doyle once clear but drew away to win by three and a quarter lengths from Little Earl (Havana Gold) with Navello (Ivawood) a further three-quarters of a length behind in third. It was Ebro River’s second win at his third start, having followed a sixth on debut at Newmarket with a win at Doncaster, also over five furlongs on soft going. Bred in Ireland by Tally-Ho Stud, the Al Shaqab Racing-owned youngster is out of Soft Power (Balmont), a winning half-sister to Girl Power (Key Of Luck), the dam of champion sprinter Slade Power (Dutch Art). Charlie Gordon Watson Bloodstock and Al Shaqab purchased Ebro River for 75,000 guineas out of Tattersalls Book 2 last October. Galileo Gold stands at Tally-Ho Stud for a fee of €5,000.
Ghostzapper
Award Winner (5 g ex Devine Actress by Theatrical) became Ghostzapper’s (Awesome Again) 84th individual stakes winner when causing an upset in the Charles Whittingham Stakes (Gr 2, 10f) at Santa Anita. The David Hofmans-trained gelding narrowly edged out Acclimate (Acclamation) in the closing stages to score by a head after a fierce battle up the straight. Red King (English Channel) was another two and a half lengths back in third, while short-priced favourite United (Giant’s Causeway), who landed this contest last year, finished last of the four-runner field. Out of Listed winner Devine Actress (Theatrical), Award Winner is a half-brother to four-time Grade 1 scorer and sire Oscar Performance (Kitten’s Joy) and Grade 3 winner Oscar Nominated (Kitten’s Joy). Ghostzapper stands at Hill ‘N Dale Farms in Kentucky for US85,000 (approx. AUD$110,227).
Gleneagles
Coolmore sire Gleneagles (Galileo) was provided with his first Classic winner and 12th individual stakes winner courtesy of Novemba (3 f ex Nevada by Dubai Destination) taking out the German 1,000 Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) at Dusseldorf on Sunday. The win continued a great run for the sire who was recording his fourth new stakes winner in May. The Peter Schiergen-trained three-year-old made all and romped to a seven and a half-length victory from the Godolphin runner Sky Angel (Dark Angel) and Belcarra (Estidhkaar), who were split by a neck for second and third respectively. Novemba won her maiden on her second start at Hannover and has since run second in the Preis der Winterkonigin (Gr 3, 1600m), while Sunday’s victory takes her tally to two wins from six starts. The Gestut Brummerhof homebred is out of Listed winner Nevada (Dubai Destination), who is a half-sister to Champion German Three-Year-Old Miler Nordico (Medicean) and Classic-placed Nordic Flight (Adlerflug). Dual 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) winner Gleneagles stands at Coolmore in Ireland for a fee of €25,000 (approx. AUS$39,528).
Gold Ship
Win Kiitos (4 f ex Excuse by Boston Harbor) became Gold Ship’s (Stay Gold) fourth individual stakes winner after landing the The Meguro Kinen (Gr 2, 2500m) at Tokyo on Sunday. Having finished last of 15 in Grade 2 company on her last start in March, Win Kiitos showed considerable improvement from that effort to score by a comfortable two lengths over Heat On Beat (King Kamehameha), with outsider Admire Alba (Heart’s Cry) another one and three-quarter lengths back in third. Win Kiitos is one of six winners out of dual Listed scorer Excuse (Boston Harbor), who is also the dam of the Grade 2-placed Win Exceed (Manhattan Cafe). Gold Ship, the sire of last weekend’s Yushun Himba (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Uberleben, stands at Big Red Farm in Japan.
Iffraaj
Consistent four-year-old Reshabar (4 c ex Rait by Tamayuz) was a close up third in Listed company in April and he broke through at that level last Monday in the Prix de Montretout (Listed, 1600m) at Longchamp to become the 79th individual stakes winner for Iffraaj (Zafonic). Ridden by Gerald Mosse, the Markus Munch-trained four-year-old hit the front in the final furlong and stuck to the task to see off the favourite Magny Cours (Medaglia D’Oro) by a neck, while they were two lengths clear of Irska (Hunter’s Light) in third. Reshabar is the first foal out of a winning half-sister to Fillies’ Mile (Gr 1, 1m) and Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (Gr 1, 1600m) runner-up Nathra (Iffraaj), who also scored at Group 3 level. Iffraaj stands at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket where his fee this year is £20,000 (approx. AU$36,532).
Kallisto
Aff Un Zo (3 c ex Andarta by Platini), who broke his maiden at start six last time, stepped forward to take the Grafenberger Derby Trial (Listed, 2200m) at Dusseldorf on Sunday and became the eighth individual stakes winner for the late Gestut Rottgen stallion Kallisto (Sternkonig), who died last year. The Markus Klug-trained three-year-old flew late down the centre of the track to win comfortably by a length and a quarter from Sisfahan (Isfahan), with Elegant Maximus (Maxios) a further length and a half away in third. A €13,000 BBAG yearling purchase by his trainer, Aff Un Zo is out of a winning sister to Champion German middle distance filly Antara (Platini) and Group 3 scorer Andolini, who is also by Kallisto.
Kizuna
Sefer Rasiel (3 c ex Dark Sapphire by Out Of Place) eased to a comfortable victory in Sunday’s Shirayuri Stakes (Listed, 2000m) at Chukyo to become the 14th individual stakes winner for Kizuna (Deep Impact). A winner of just one of his previous seven starts, the Daisuke Takayanagi-trained colt stepped up on his second try at Listed level to romp to a four-length win over Anagosan (Mikki Isle). Short-priced favourite Machaon d’Or (Gold Ship) was another length away in third. One of ten winners from as many to race out of Dark Sapphire (Out Of Place), Sefer Rasiel is a half-brother to Listed scorer Logan Sapphire (Daiwa Major) and the Graded-placed pair of Sappheiros (Kinshasa No Kiseki) and Cordierite (Daiwa Major). Kizuna, winner of the 2013 Japanese Derby, stands at Shadai Stallion Station.
Lord Kanaloa
Lord Kanaloa (King Kamehameha) sired his 27th individual stakes winner when his daughter Lei Halia (3 f ex Lightly Tune by Manhattan Cafe) came out on top in a tight finish to the Aoi Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Chukyo on Saturday. Trained by Toshiaki Tajima, the filly was winning for the third time in five starts as she beat Yoka Yoka (Squirtle Squirt) by a nose. All At Once (Makfi) was another length away in third. Lord Kanaloa stands at Shadai Stallion Station for a fee of ¥15,000,000 (approx. AUD$177,075).
Motivator
Monty (6 g ex Antebellum by Anabaa) broke through at stakes level on Saturday in the Grand Prix de Bordeaux (Listed, 1900m) and became the 32nd stakes winner for Motivator (Montjeu). The six-year-old completed a stakes double on the card for trainer Jerome Reynier when beating the favourite Pao Alto (Intello) by a length and three quarters. The progressive gelding was coming off the back of a fourth place finish in the Prix Ganay (Gr 1, 1900m) earlier in May and he was only beaten two and a half lengths in the Prix d’Harcourt (Gr 2, 1800m) last month. He is a half-brother to Listed-placed Victory Bond (Medicean), out of a half-sister to Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed Ziyad (Rock Of Gibraltar). Motivator stands at Haras du Quesnay where his fee this year is €7,000 (approx AU$11,070).
Mshawish
The Pennine Ridge Stakes (Gr 2, 9f) was switched from the turf track at Belmont to a sloppy main track and the Todd Pletcher-trained Sainthood (3 c ex Lemon Hero by Lemon Drop Kid) bounced back from a down-the-field run in the Kentucky Derby (Gr 1, 10f) to take the honours for WinStar Farm and China Horse Club. The colt was due to tackle the turf for the first time, having won on his second start at Fair Grounds on a fast dirt track in February and his other run coming when he was a length second in the Jeff Ruby Steaks Stakes (Gr 3, 9f) on the synthetic surface at Turfway Park. The victory provided former shuttler Mshawish (Medaglia D’Oro) his first stakes winner, with Arabian Prince, Igloo and Taylor Avenue also hitting the crossbar in stakes company to date for the Taylor Made stallion, who stands for US$7,500 (AUD$9,726) this year. Ridden by Joel Rosario, Sainthood was sent off as favourite and prevailed by a length from The Reds (Ash Zee) while Shawdyshawdyshawdy (Summer Front) was five lengths adrift in third. Future plans for Sainthood include the Belmont Derby (Gr 1, 10f). He was a US$62,000 Ocala yearling purchase and is out of Listed-placed Lemon Hero (Lemon Drop Kid), who is a half-sister to stakes winner Saint Gold (English Channel).
Nathaniel
Nathaniel (Galileo) sired his second new stakes winner in as many days when Bubble Gift (3 c ex Bubble Back by Grand Lodge) took out the Prix Hocquart (Gr 2, 2200m) at Longchamp last Monday. Ridden by Gerald Mosse, the three-year-old colt picked up late on the outside to defeat Gregolimo (Galiway) by a neck, with Lambo (Protectionist) a length behind the winner in third. Trained by Mikel Delzangles and out of Bubble Back (Grand Lodge), Bubble Gift is a half-brother to Group 3 winner and Classic-placed Bubble Chic (Chichicastenango) and stakes-placed Queen Bubble (Layman). Nathaniel, also the sire Sunday’s French Listed winner Nationalista, stands at Newsells Park Stud for a fee of £15,000 (approx. AU$27,400).
Noble Mission
Gam’s Mission (3 f ex Auntie Martha by War Pass) provided trainer Cherie DeVaux with her first Graded win when taking out the Regret Stakes (Gr 3, 9f) at Churchill Downs. Ridden by Adam Beschizza, the three-year-old filly collected her third consecutive win with a three-quarter-length defeat of favourite Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie). Flown (Kitten’s Joy) was a length behind the winner in third. Gam’s Mission is out of Auntie Martha (War Pass), a daughter of the Grade 1-winning Auntie Mame (Theatrical). Auntie Martha, herself a winner on the track, has produced two winners from as many to race. The win provided Noble Mission (Galileo), a brother to Frankel and the sire of dual Grade 1 scorer Code Of Honor, with his fourth individual stakes winner. Noble Mission stood at Lane’s End Farm in Kentucky in 2020 but is now standing at the Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan.
Paco Boy
The Jean-Claude Serooul homebred Paco (3 c ex Momo No Sekku by Leroidesanimaux) claimed black-type success on his first attempt in the grade when landing the Derby du Midi (Listed, 1900m) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat on Saturday and became the 14th individual stakes winner for former Waikato Stud shuttler Paco Boy (Desert Style). The Jerome Reynier-trained three-year-old was prominent throughout, hugged the rail around the bend, took the lead and toughed it out to the line to see off Absurde (Fastnet Rock), Singledon (New Bay) and Pouvoir Royal (Mayson) in a blanket finish, the distances a neck, nose and short neck respectively. Paco is one of two winners from as many runners out of the Listed-placed Momo No Sekku (Leroidesanimaux) and is from the family of Group 1 winners Hartnell (Authorized) and Land Of Plenty (Stratum). Paco Boy stood seven seasons at Highclere Stud until he was sold to Turkey in 2017.
Screen Hero
Kurino Gaudi (5 h ex Kurino Billionaire by Diablo) finally got off the mark in stakes company when taking out the Azuchijo Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Chukyo on Sunday, earning Screen Hero (Grass Wonder) his 12th individual stakes winner. The five-year-old has narrowly missed out in stakes company on multiple occasions, including a second-placed effort in the 2018 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m), but managed to get the better of Shivaji (First Samurai) by a length. Meisho Titan (Lord Kanaloa) was a further length back in third. Screen Hero, the sire of six-time elite-level scorer Maurice, stands at Lex Stud in Japan.
Street Boss
The brilliant season being put together by Street Boss (Street Cry) juveniles in Australia received a New Zealand addition thanks to the victory of Atullibigeal (2 g ex Kellys Ocean Jewel by Dansili) in Saturday’s Auckland Futurity Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Ellerslie. The Carl Henderson-trained juvenile gained revenge on his last start conqueror Lady Maroal (Power) as he strode three lengths clear to provide Darley’s Street Boss with his 51st individual stakes winner. Atullibigeal is one of six to race from the Dansili (Danehill) mare Kelly’s Ocean Jewel, all of whom are winners, and descends from the family of Irish Oaks (Gr 1, 1m 4f) winner Wemyss Bight (Dancing Brave). Street Boss will stand the coming southern hemisphere season at Kelvinside, NSW, at a fee of $55,000, including GST.
Tapit
Magic On Tap (5 h ex Aubby K by Street Sense) took out the Triple Bend Stakes (Gr 2, 7f) at Santa Anita to earn Tapit (Pulpit) his 144th individual stakes winner. The lightly-raced five-year-old was making his second start in Grade 2 company after finishing fourth in the Californian Stakes (Gr 2, 9f) last time out and looked to appreciate the drop down in trip when defeating Shooters Shoot (Competitive Edge) by two lengths. Exaulted (Twirling Candy) was one and three-quarter further lengths behind in third. Magic On Tap improved his overall mark to three wins and two seconds from six starts. He was bred in Kentucky out of the late Grade 1-winning mare Aubby K (Street Sense), who died in 2019. Her last foal was a Tapit filly, now a two-year-old named Definitive. Tapit stands at Gainesway in Kentucky for a service fee of US$185,000 (approx. AU$240,000).
Zoffany
The late Zoffany (Dansili) sired his 42nd individual stakes winner when Lismore (4 f ex Tecla by Whipper) powered up the Sandown hill to win the Henry II Stakes (Gr 3, 2m 50y) on Thursday under Jamie Spencer. The four-year-old led with half a mile to go and galloped on resolutely to finish four and a half lengths ahead of runner-up Ranch Hand (Dunaden) with Ocean Wind (Teofilo) another 11 lengths behind in third. The Irish raider was having her third start for trainer Henry de Bromhead, having worked her way up the ranks with four wins from 12 starts for her previous handler Sir Mark Prescott. Lismore was a 60,000 guineas buy-back at Tattersalls last December, with her owner-breeders Sonia and Anthony Rogers of Airlie Stud having purchased her dam Tecla (Whipper) for 190,000 guineas from the Ecurie Christiane Head consignment at the same auction back in 2013. Tecla has also produced the Listed scorer Testa (Acclamation) and is herself a half-sister to the Group 3 winners Johnny Barnes (Acclamation) and Albisola (Montjeu).