Six for Churchill
New winners
Caravaggio – Former shuttler Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) sired his fourth individual southern hemisphere winner when Palaggio (2 g ex Rocket Commander by Court Command) made a winning debut in a 1200-metre maiden on the Ballarat synthetic track. Trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, the newcomer finished four and a half lengths clear of the second home Our Total Recall (Darci Brahma). Bred and raced by Dorrington Farm’s Robert Crabtree, Palaggio is out of the Group 3 winner Rocket Commander (Court Command). Caravaggio, who has now had 64 winners from 149 starters worldwide, now resides full-time at Coolmore’s base in the US where his 2022 fee was listed as US$35,000 (approx. AU$50,750). His four southern hemisphere-bred winners have come from 24 starters.
Harry Angel – Darley shuttler Harry Angel (Dark Angel) sired his sixth individual first-crop winner when Felix Natalis (2 f ex Newtown Pippin by Dubawi) struck for a dominant win at Newbury. The Tom Dascombe-trained filly won by three and a half lengths in the Nursery Handicap (6f) to beat Uffington (Equiano). The filly was sold for €3,500 as a weanling before being bought by SackvilleDonald for $20,000 from the Goffs Sportsman Yearling Sale. Harry Angel, who has had 32 starters, will stand at Kelvinside for the southern hemisphere breeding season, where he will command a fee of $16,500 (inc GST).
Hellbent – Sire of the moment Hellbent (I Am Invincible) continued his incredible run of winners this week as he took his tally to 12. Negation (2 f ex Gloray by Street Hero) won a maiden handicap at Goulburn, providing the Yarraman Park stallion with his tenth individual winner. Trained by Kurt Goldman, the filly ran out a determined head winner over favourite Lady Fraulein (Panzer Division) with a further half a length back to Edna (Stratum Star) in third. A $50,000 purchase for her trainer at last year’s Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Negation is out of the winning Street Hero (Street Cry) mare Gloray and is a half-sister to winner Chuckanev (Moshe). Fire And Ice (2 c ex Cersei by All Too Hard) continued the stallion’s run when he struck in a 1000-metre maiden at Wyong. The Mark Minervini-trained colt was racing for the fourth time as he beat Nonshalaant (Shalaa) by four and a half lengths to become his sire’s 11th individual winner. An $80,000 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale purchase by his trainer from the Kitchwin Hills draft last year, Fire And Ice is the first foal out of Cersei (All Too Hard), an unraced half-sister to the Group 1 placed Reemah (Redoute’s Choice). Hellbent’s 12th winner came when Tantrums (2 f ex Layo Layo by Encosta De Lago) won a maiden over 800 metres at Hastings, the sire’s first New Zealand victory. Trained by Simon and Katrina Alexander, Tantrums beat Written Up (Wrote) by a length and a quarter. The Diviner (Darci Brahma) finished third, beaten by four lengths. Purchased by Stanton Thoroughbreds for $15,000 at the Inglis March (Early) Online Sale, Tantrums is out of six-time-winning mare Layo Layo (Encosta De Lago). Hellbent, who has now had 40 starters, will stand the upcoming breeding season at Yarraman Stud for a fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
Impending – Doublesharkattack (2 f ex Aljawzaa by Exceed And Excel) provided Darley stallion Impending (Lonhro) with his sixth individual winner when she produced her best career effort by far to win at the sixth attempt in the Soldiers Club Maiden (1000m) at Goulburn. The Clarry Conners-trained filly beat Selfie Time (Savabeel) by just under half a length with a half-length further back to Glint Of Silver (Rubick) in third. Having been sold for $8,500 at the 2020 Inglis 2020 March (Late) Online Sale, Doublesharkattack was picked up for a mere $2,000 at last year’s Inglis January (Early) Online Sale. She is the only foal to race out of the winning Exceed And Excel (Danehill) mare Aljawzaa. Impending, who has now had 29 starters, will stand the upcoming breeding season at Northwood Park for $22,000 (inc GST).
Merchant Navy – Brisbane-based trainer Kelly Schweida believes connections’ patience shown with Merchant Navy (Fastnet Rock) juvenile Diana’s Affair (2 c ex Diana’s Star by Northern Meteor) will pay off after the colt made the perfect start to his racing career at the Sunshine Coast. The seventh winner for Coolmore’s first season sire Merchant Navy, Diana’s Affair closed strongly to win the 2YO Maiden Plate (1200m), defeating Big Sky Country (Spirit Of Boom) and Sir Leonidas (Nostradamus). A $210,000 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase by Schweida from the Segenhoe Stud draft, Diana’s Affair is one of three named foals out of the unraced Diana’s Star, herself a half-sister to Australian Horse of the Year Dissident (Sebring). Merchant Navy, who has had 30 starters, will stand for a fee of $27,500 (inc GST) this year.
Saxon Warrior – Coolmore shuttler Saxon Warrior (Deep Impact) sired his fifth individual winner when Buccabay (2 ex Fifth Commandment by Holy Roman Emperor) won a six-furlong maiden stakes contest at Ascot. The colt, who was making his second start, won by one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Bailey Gate (Shamardal). Buccabay was a £35,000 buy for trainer Eve Johnson Houghton and Highflyer Bloodstock from the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale. His dam Fifth Commandment is a half-sister to Group 3 winners Via Medici (Medician) and Via Ravenna (Raven’s Pass). Saxon Warrior, who has now had 25 starters, will stand for a fee of $19,250 (inc GST) this southern hemisphere breeding season.
New Group / Grade 1 winners
Intello – Adhamo (4 h ex Foreign Tune by Invincible Spirit) provided Haras du Quesnay resident Intello (Galileo) with a second elite-level winner when the colt built on his recent run of near misses to notch a breakthrough success in the United Nation Stakes (Gr 1, 11f) on the Monmouth turf. Having filled the places on his two previous tries in Grade 1 company stateside, the Chad Brown-trained four-year-old beat outsider Epic Bromance (Kitten’s Joy) by a length and a half, with Temple (Temple City) a head further away in third. A €250,000 purchase out of last year’s Arana Arc Sale, Adhamo is the third foal out of the Listed winner Foreign Tune (Invincible Spirit), who herself is a sister to the Group 2 winner Impassable. Intello, who has had 331 starters, stood the 2022 northern hemisphere breeding season for a fee of €8,000 (approx. AU$11,785).
New stakes winners
Churchill (pictured above) – Coolmore shuttler Churchill (Galileo) sired his sixth individual stakes winner when Perotan (3 f ex Tanaghum by Darshaan) ran out a commanding winner of the Her Majesty’s Plate (Listed, 1m 6f) at Down Royal. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt – who is owned by Masaaki Matsushima, Coolmore and Westerberg – won by two and three-quarter lengths ahead of Moon Daisy (Australia) and Manu Et Corde (Teofilo), who was a further half length adrift in third. Perotan is the 13th foal out of the stakes placed Tanaghum, with Perotan a half-brother to four stakes winners including Group 1 winner Matterhorn (Raven’s Pass), Group 2 scorer Bangkok (Australia) and Group 3 winner Tactic (Sadler’s Wells). Churchill, who has had 144 starters, will again shuttle to Australia this year, where he will stand for a fee of $22,000 (inc GST).
Cracksman – Cracksman (Frankel) sired his first stakes winner when his daughter Dance In The Grass (2 f ex Dance The Dream by Sir Percy) made it two wins from as many starts with a victory in the Star Stakes (Listed, 7f) at Sandown. Trained in partnership by Mark and Charlie Johnston, the filly kept on well to follow up her course and distance win last month with a three-quarters of a length win over Fairy Cross (Dubawi). There was a gap of six lengths back to the third home, Lady Alara (Invincible Spirit). A 57,000gns buy out of Book 1 at Tattersalls, Dance In The Grass is the first foal out of the Listed-placed winner Dance The Dream (Sir Percy). Cracksman, who has had 12 starters, stands at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud where his 2022 fee was listed as £17,500 (approx. AU$30,340).
Dark Angel – Alflaila (3 c ex Adhwaa by Oasis Dream) built on the promise of his recent second in Newmarket Listed race when he made the breakthrough in stakes company with a victory in the Pomfret Stakes (Listed, 1m) at Pontefract. Trained by Owen Burrows, the three-year-old was winning for the third time in his ten starts as he beat Marie’s Diamond (Footstepsinthesand) by a length and a half. Modern News (Shamardal), sent off the odds-on favourite, could only manage third, a further two and a quarter lengths behind the runner-up. Carrying the colours of his breeders Shadwell, Alflaila, who became the 87th individual stakes winner for Dark Angel (Acclamation), is out of the Listed-placed winner Adhwaa (Oasis Dream). Dark Angel, who has had 1,261 starters, stood the 2022 northern hemisphere breeding season at Yeomanstown Stud for a fee of €60,000 (approx. AU$88,375).
Dubawi – Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) juvenile Never Ending Story (2 f ex Athena by Camelot) stepped up to stakes level to record victory in the Silver Flash Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Leopardstown. The Aidan O’Brien-trained two-year-old won by a half-length over Zoinocent (Zoffany), with La Dolce Vita (Caravaggio) a head further back in third as Aidan, Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien-trained runners filled the places. Never Ending Story is out of the Belmont Oaks (Gr 1, 10f) winner Athena (Camelot), herself a three-quarter sister to Group 1 winner Bracelet (Montjeu) and Group 2 winner Wading (Montjeu), and a sister to Group 3 winner Goddess. Dubawi, who has had 1,500 starters, stands at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud for a fee of £250,000 (approx. AU$433,565).
Exceed And Excel – Exceed And Excel (Danehill) edged closer to his double century of individual stakes winners when Pirate Jenny (3 f ex Chica Whopa by Oasis Dream) landed the Yeomanstown Stud Stakes (Listed, 6f) at Naas to take his tally on to 199. The Ger Lyons-trained filly beat Sablonne (Dark Angel) by three-quarters of a length with favourite Sacred Bridge (Bated Breath) another head away in third. A 105,000gns purchase out of Book 1 at Tattersalls, Pirate Jenny is the sixth foal out of Chica Whopa (Oasis Dream) making her a half-sister to Group 2 winner Barraquero (Zebedee). Exceed And Excel, who has had 2,359 starters, will stand the upcoming breeding season at Darley’s Kelvinside for a fee of $132,000 (inc GST).
Galileo – Coolmore ran out victors of the Tyros Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Leopardstown as Proud And Regal (2 c ex Simply Perfect by Danehill) prevailed in a strong performance. The Donnacha O’Brien-trained colt defeated Hellsing (Dandy Man) by a length and a quarter, with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Age Of Kings (Kingman) in third. Proud And Regal, who is unbeaten in two starts, is out of dual Group 1 winner Simply Perfect. Group 1 targets await the colt, with the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) on the agenda. The win provided late sire Galileo, who has now had 2,403 starters, with his 357th individual stakes winner.
Havana Grey – Lady Hollywood (2 f ex Dubai Legend by Cadeaux Genereux) became the first stakes winner for Havana Grey (Havana Gold) when she landed the Marwell Stakes (Listed, 5f) at Naas. Trained by Alice Haynes, the British raider beat favourite Mauiewowie (Night Of Thunder) by a length and a half, with Treasure Trove (Siyouni) a further length and a quarter away in third. Lady Hollywood is the eighth foal out of Dubai Legend (Cadeaux Genereux), making her a half-sister to four winners. Havana Grey, who has had 64 starters, stood the 2022 northern hemisphere breeding season at Whitsbury Manor Stud for a fee of £6,000 (approx. AU$10,380).
Henny Hughes – Henny Hughes (Hennessy) sired his 40th individual stakes winner courtesy of a victory for New Monument (6 h ex Annata by Admire Moon) in the July Stakes (Listed, 1700m) at Fukushima. The Ken Kozaki-trained six-year-old, who has now won five of his 28 starts, beat Jun Light Bolt (King Kamehamha) by a length and a quarter. Favourite Kenshinko (Pyro) filled third place, another half a length away. Henny Hughes, who has had 1,162 starters, stood the 2022 northern hemisphere breeding season as Yushun Stallion Station for a fee of ¥4,000,000 (approx. AU$41,445).
Johnny Barnes – Haras des Granges resident Johnny Barnes (Acclamation) sired his first stakes winner courtesy of a win by Hayejohn (2 c ex Loumaxaye by Hold That Tiger) in the Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles – Bernard Ferrand (Listed, 1400m) at Vichy. Sent off the favourite, Hayejohn beat Axdaliva (Elusive City) by a length and a half. Showay (Galiway) filled third spot, another short head away. Hayejohn is the fifth foal out of the winning mare Loumaxaye (Hold That Tiger). Johnny Barnes, who has had 42 starters, stood the 2022 northern hemisphere breeding season for a fee of €2,500 (approx. AU$3,700).
Pastorius – Pastorius (Soldier Hollow) sired his sixth individual stakes winner when Riocorvo (6 h ex Rio Cobra by Silvano) struck in the Grand Prix de Vichy (Gr 3, 2000m). Trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, the six-year-old entire was winning for the seventh time in 13 starts as he beat Sundoro (Sea The Stars) by three lengths. Diamond Vendome (Style Vendome) finished another neck away in third. Riocorvo is the first foal out of the unraced Rio Cobra (Silvano) who herself is a half-sister to Listed winners Rumh (Monsun) and Realeza (Maxios). Pastorius, who has had 116 starters, stood the 2022 northern hemisphere breeding season at Haras de la Hetraie for a fee of €5,800 (approx. AU$8,580).
Rio De La Plata – Lord Achilles (5 h ex Lords Lane by Sulamani) provided the late Rio De La Plata (Rahy) with a ninth individual stakes winner when running out a narrow victor of the Prix Hubert Baguenault de Puchesse (Listed, 2400m) at Vichy. Trained by Phillippe Van De Poele, Lord Achilles held on for a narrow neck success over Royal Force (Mastercraftsman) in a tight finish, with just a further head back to favourite Opasan (French Navy) in third. Lord Achilles is the first foal out of the winning Sulamani (Hernando) mare Lords Lane. Three-time Group 1 winner Rio De La Plata died last month aged 17. He has now had 189 starters.
Sir Prancealot – One of the most popular horses in training, Sir Busker (6 g ex Street Kitty by Tiger Hill) finally broke through at Group level for the first time in the York Stakes (Gr 2, 1m2½f) for the Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds syndicate and became the eleventh individual stakes winner for Sir Prancealot (Tamayuz). He won over six furlongs as a juvenile and progressed through handicaps to win the 2020 Silver Royal Hunt Cup (1m) at Royal Ascot and placed in a few more valuable heritage handicaps over a mile. He then stepped up to Group company to run second behind Century Dream (Cape Cross) in the Celebration Mile (Gr 2, 1m) and has been placed five times in black type company since, including third to Palace Pier (Kingman) in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1, 1m). Stepped-up to this trip for the first time, he raced at the rear of the field but battled hard at the business end to win in a photo by a nose from the favourite Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai), four lengths clear of Dubai Future (Dubawi) in third. Sir Busker was purchased for €25,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and he is out of the unraced Street Kitty (Tiger Hill), while his Listed-winning third dam Loon (Kaldoun) is the dam of multiple US Grade 1 winner Golden Apples (Pivotal). Sir Prancealot, who has had 300 starters, stands this season at Cornerstone Stud for $8,800.
Teofilo – Teofilo (Galileo) notched a 110th individual stakes winner when his son Naval Power (2 c ex Emirates Rewards by Dubawi) won the Pat Eddery Stakes (Listed, 7f) at Ascot. The colt is now unbeaten in three starts for owners Godolphin after a dominant six-and-a-half-length victory over Waiting All Night (Rajasinghe) and the Australian Bloodstock-owned Mascarpone (Massaat). Teofilo, who has had 1,162 starters, stands at Kildangan Stud for a fee of €30,000 (approx. AU$44,186).
Toronado – Jouza (3 f ex Rasmiya by Galileo) became the 26th individual stakes winner for Toronado (High Chaparral) when striking in the Prix Madame Jean Couturie (Listed, 2000m) at Vichy. The filly was winning for the third time in six starts as she beat Perle Rouge (Zelzal) by two lengths. Blue Wings (Wings Of Eagles) was just a nose further away in third. Bred by owners Al Shaqab Racing, Jouza is the second foal out of the winning Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Rasmiya. Toronado, who has had 525 starters, will once again shuttle to Swettenham Stud where he will stand for a fee of $80,000 (plus GST).
Turtle Bowl – Belenus (5 h ex Cathbharr by Durandal) became the tenth individual stakes winner for Turtle Bowl (Dyhim Diamond) when landing the She Chukyo Kinen (Gr 3, 1800m) at Kokura. Trained by Haruki Sugiyama, Belenus was winning for the fifth time in 21 starts as he beat Catedral (Heart’s Cry) by half a length. Favourite Falconia (Deep Impact) was just a nose further away in third. Turtle Bowl, who has had 484 starters, died in 2017 at the age of 15.
Zoffany – The late Zoffany (Dansili) sired his 52nd individual stakes winner when Achelois (4 m ex Fontley by Sadler’s Wells) won the Lyric Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m 2.5f) at York. Achelois backed-up a last-start second in the valuable John Smith’s Cup (1m 2.5f) over the same course and distance, in defeating Poptronic (Nathaniel) by one and three-quarter lengths. Pearl Beach (Footstepsinthesand) was third, five and a quarter lengths from the winner. Achelois was a £55,000 buy from the Baroda Stud draft at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Coolmore sire Zoffany, who has had 1,028 starters, died in January last year.