Shadwell Retires Ghanaati, Aqlaam, Announces New Fees

Seeing a horse one loves retire is always painful and we have two more to regret. 

Prix du Moulin winning miler Aqlaam, the first son of Juddmonte's leading sire Oasis Dream to retire to stud, has Shadwell Stud excited "from the enquires we have already had, we are confident that he is going to be very popular".

They have set a 2010 fee of £7,000 for him.

Haafhd and Sakhee had their fees halved to £6,000 to reflect the economy, but Nayef's fee remains at £15,000.

Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Ghanaati USA (Giant's Causeway USA), who did not enjoy her racing since injuring her back at Goodwood, will retire to Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum's Beech House Stud in Newmarket.

Jockey Richard Hills, whose father Barry trained Ghanaati, said "I've been very fortunate in that I've been associated with some very high-class milers, but she's the best I've ridden over that trip.  She was awesome at Ascot."


Champions' Day at Newmarket

One of the most exciting professional British racing days is held at racing's Newmarket Headquarters in the Autumn on Champions' Day. 

The two Group 1, three Group 2s, one Group 3 and the Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) are season targets of some of the world's finest international horses.  

This year two horses lost their races rather than the winners won, beloved trainer Henry Cecil survived an enquiry to win the Champion Stakes, Ballydoyle's team took first, second and fourth in the Dewhurst Stakes, Darley Sun justified the pre-Cesarewitch hype in spades and France triumphed in The Pride Stakes.

There was some minor quibbling over the two Group 1s being run too early in the day and The Jockey Club Cup too late, but in the end it was a power-packed joy on very good ground.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum had several of the best horses competing on the day.  Two of his, Quqba (Red Ransom USA) and Mawatheeq USA (Danzig USA), should not have lost their races and did. 

His charismatic Aqmal (Selkirk USA) was the only successful runner and provided trainer John Dunlop with his 250th winner at Newmarket in The Jockey Club Cup.

Despite his losses, Sheikh Hamdan emerged as Newmarket's most successful owner for 2009 as he had at Ascot earlier in the year.

Brother Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum's Godolphin was less successful though his Darley Stud provided the sires of two winners:  Tiger Hill IRE (Cesarewitch) and Noverre USA (Rockfel Stakes).

The day opened with The Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes (Group 2), 7f, 3yo and upwards. 

Arabian Gleam (Kyllachy), 5yo, defeated Quqba and Godolphin's Donativum (Cadeaux Genereux) by a neck and 3/4 length.  

Taking nothing from the likeable winner who did nothing wrong.  It was a strange race as it was difficult to understand how Quqba drifted left and backwards when he was urged to make his first challenge. 

It was positively amazing that he recovered well enough to close to a neck in a race the 3yo should have won. 

The second race was unblighted as Ballydoyle's brilliant team dominated one of the day's two feature races:  The Jumeirah Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1), 7f, for 2yo.

Steinbeck IRE (Footstepsinthesand) was second favourite in betting and favourite of retained jockey Johnny Murtagh and trainer Aidan O'Brien.

O'Brien's 33-1 Beethoven IRE (Oratorio IRE) sprung a surprise followed by another O'Brien 33-1--Fencing Master (Oratorio IRE) for second. 

This was a fine start for freshman sire Oratorio and his first crop of 2yos. 

Steinbeck squeeked in fourth, Clive Cox' Xtension IRE (Xaar) third and favourite Chabal IRE (Galileo IRE) tenth.

Xtension is the first horse ever placed in a Group 1 race for the excited Cox and the striking colt will be aimed at the 2010 season's first Classic, the 2000 Guineas in May at Newmarket.

The third race and second feature of the day proved not to be the best day for favourites.  O'Brien's 13-8 favourite Fame And Glory (Montjeu IRE) not only came in sixth in the Arc de Triomphe behind Sea The Stars IRE, but he could only manage sixth in The Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (Group 1), 1m2f for 3yo and upwards.

Newmarket trainer Henry R A Cecil's 4yo Twice Over (Observatory USA) won and survived an enquiry for two interferences against the vastly impressive Mawatheeq of trainer Marcus Tregoning with 3yo filly Sariska (Pivotal) ridden by Kieren Fallon to third place justifying trainer Michael Bell's faith in the Oaks' winner.

Juddmonte-bred Twice Over's jockey Tom Queally was banned for a day for careless riding and the results stood. 

It is a good thing.  The crowd booed Tregoning's decision to lodge a complaint as Cecil is so popular in Newmarket. 

The offences were unintentional.  Queally had a defiantly drifting winner like his Fleeting Spirit in the Darley Sprint Cup. 

Mawatheeq's jockey Richard Hills tried to squeeze him between horses and his horse refused showing more common sense than his jockey.  The jockey seemed to freeze which made the horse's ability to recover and get within a 1/2 length of Twice Over truly amazing.

Twice Over qualified for the Breeders' Cup as did Beethoven.  Both are expected to compete November 7 at Santa Anita.  

Mawatheeq came out the moral winner and the 4yo is headed Eastwards for some of the big races in Japan and Hong Kong.

Sariska, a length behind, will be back next year for the Coronation Cup and the King George.

There was no dispute about the winner of the totesport.com Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap), 2m2f, for 3yo and upwards.

Long touted as favourite, Darley Sun IRE (Tiger Hill IRE) cut down the cavalry charge at the end to a five-length canter victory for trainer David Simcock and apprentice jockey Andrea Atzeni.  He is the first 3yo to win the Cesarewitch since Spirit of Love in 1998.

Simcock is thrilled with his confident young horse and looks forward to Cup races next year including the Ascot Gold Cup.

Two-year-old fillies had their chances in the Group 2 Lotus Evora Rockfel Stakes, 7f, and Michael Channon's 25-1 outsider Music Show IRE (Noverre USA) beat Jim Bolger's Atasari IRE (Whipper USA) by a neck and 4-6 favourite Tabassum IRE (Nayef USA) 3/4 length in third. 

Tabassum's defeat was another disappointment for Sheikh Hamdan and Richard Hills on the day.

Music Show is quoted at 20-1 for the 1000 Guineas next year.

The Pride Stakes (Group 2), 1m4f for 3yo and upwards fillies and mares, was the target of trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre for his Ashalanda FR (Linamix FR) and she was fresh for the race.

Four-year-old Crystal Capella (Cape Cross IRE) ran an outstanding race from the front and was just overtaken near the line by Ashalanda literally in a leap forward.  Saphira's Fire IRE (Cape Cross IRE) was third
 
Royer-Dupre also trained the magnificent mare Pride in 2006 who ended her racing career in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.  The beautiful grey Ashalanda may be headed East as well.

In the final race of the day, 3yo Akmal (Selkirk USA) provided a winning purse for Sheikh Hamdan and Richard Hills and their Nehaam (Nayef USA) came second in The Jockey Club Cup (Group 3), almost 2m for 3yo and upwards. 

In another messy race, Hills almost lost it to Nehaam at the end, but his willing and combative chestnut gelding would not give in.

What a pity he was gelded!

Applause greeted popular trainer John Dunlop for his 250th winnner at Newmarket and the Sheikh's team finally had some compensation for their disappointing day. 


Down To Earth With A Crash

Ghanaati winner of 1000 Guineas.

Both miler fillies, England's Ghanaati and France's Goldikova, lost Group 1's for 3yo+ in their respective countries. 

Ghanaati's partner Richard Hills struggled to pick up his filly to challenge leader Spacious and then fight off French-trained Sahpresa USA (Sahm USA) in the final furlong of the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at a mile at Newmarket. 

Sahpresa sailed through to win by 1-1/2 lengths; Ghanaati kept second, Spacious third and second-favourite Strawberrydaiquiri fourth. 

This is the first Group 1 for the 4yo filly trained by Rudolphe Collet and for her sire Sahm in Europe.  Sahm was bred by Shadwell Stud.

My impression is that Ghanaati's reluctance to pick up may result from pain remaining from the back problems she developed at the Sussex Stakes.

Goldikova's trainer Freddy Head could not explain her loss to Varenar FR (Rock of Gibraltar IRE) and Sweet Hearth USA (Touch Gold USA) by a shoulder and 1/2 length in the Total Prix de la Foret. 

He suggested the race might have been run too fast at the beginning for her.  His first reaction was bewilderment and then to reconsider if she should contend the Mile in the Breeders' Cup.  It is still the plan.

Others suggested that seven furlongs (1400m) is a 'batarde' distance and not right for a miler.

Goldikova entered the stalls without incident conduct in contrast to her defiant conduct at the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.  Her reluctance there could reflect a 4yo filly who no longer wants to race; she returned shattered from that race (see RI photo France). 

The Aga Khan and trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre won three of Saturday's races at Longchamp with Varenar, Manighar FR (Linamix FR) in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay and Daryakana FR (Selkirk) in the Group 2 Qatar Prix de Royallieu.

The French struck it lucky again at Redcar in the totesport Two-Year-Old Trophy (Listed), 6f.  Lucky Like FR (Lucky Story USA), trained by Eoghan O'Neill, beat Huey Morrison's Pastoral Player (Pastoral Pursuits) who was favourite.

Defeat did not daunt Morrison.  He won the big calvary charge at Newmarket--the totesport.com Cambridgeshire, 1m1f, with Supaseus (Spinning World USA).  The six-year-old led all the way against 40-45 mph winds to beat off Tartan Gigna IRE (Green Desert USA) by a nose in a thrilling conclusion.

All the favourites changed in the Cambridgeshire after the Tattersalls Timeform Million, 7f, for 2yos where the high draws won and placed.  Oasis Dancer (Oasis Dream), drawn 22 and dismissed at 66-1, was ridden beautifully to success by Seb Sanders.  

Only the Tattersalls Timeform Fillies' 800 (Class 2), 7f for 2yo, confirmed the favourite's form.  Lillie Langtry IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE) ran into a bit of trouble before making her successful run at leaders Dubawi Heights (Dubawi IRE) and Waveband (Exceed And Excel AUS) by 2-1/4 lengths and 1-3/4 lengths respectively. 

Since Lillie Langtry kept going at the end, she certainly can get a mile in the 1000 Guineas next year for which she is a favourite with Special Duty (Hennessy USA) of yesterday's Cheveley Park fame.

Many contend that Special Duty is a sprinter with a top distance of 7f and will not make the 8th furlong.

Frankly, SD looks to be a very special filly who will have no trouble upping her game.  Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek has put her away for the winter and will train her for the 1000 Guineas.

After Shadwell Stud's successes yesterday, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum also crashed to earth with Ghanaati's loss, a possible injury to his promising 2yo filly Habaayib (Royal Applause) who finished last in the Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes, and his favoured runners losing out in the Cambridgeshire due to the high-draw bias in the furious winds at Newmarket.


Shadwell Stud Dominates English Races

Promising 2yo colt Awzaan (Alhaarth) won his first Group race in Newbury's Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes in September so well that he was installed as 12-1 favourite for the 2010 Stanjames.com 2000 Guineas. 

On the same day and the same course, 3yo Almiqdaad (Haafdh) landed the John Smith's Stakes and was installed as one of the favourites for the famous Totesport Cambridgeshire Saturday, October 3. 

If Awzaan's performance in winning Newmarket's Shadwell Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) for entire colts, 6f, is any indication, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum will spend a lot of time in the Winners' Circles next year.

He is likely to return a bit quicker.  Tomorrow his Almiqdaad has a good chance in the Cambridgeshire and his lovely miler 3yo Ghanaati USA (Giant's Causeway USA) returns for the Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1) to compete against fillies and mares 3y+ as the favourite.

So far in this Meet, his jockey Richard Hills has ridden winners Akmal (Selkirk USA) in the Directa Signs Noel Murless Stakes (Listed), 1m6f for 3yo, on Thursday, filly Tabassum IRE (Nayef USA) in the Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3) for 2yo, 7f, Alainmaar FR (Johar USA) in the Standing for Success Handicap (Class 2), 1m2f, and Awzaan.

Nayef's 3yo gelding Neeham came second to Akmal and his 4yo gelding Confront won his sire's Nayef Joel Stakes (Group 3), 1m, Rowley Mile for trainer Sir Michael Stoute and owner Prince Khalid. 

For those who do not know, Alhaarth, Nayef, Sakhee and Haafdh are all winning sires bred and raced by Sheikh Hamdan and stand at Shadwell Stud. 

Sheikh Hamdan already owns Arcano (Oasis Dream) who heads the Stanjames 2000 Guineas favouites' list. 

Awzaan's fast-time defeat of Radiohead, Showcasing, Poet's Voice and Arctic in a very competitive Shadwell Middle Park Stakes has installed him as an 8-1 shot for the 2000 Guineas. 

Jour de Galop also tips another of his 2yos, Mubtassim (Red Ransom USA), trained by Freddie Head in France as a 'Rising Star'   

No one I have ever met in the racing world begrudges Sheikh Hamdan winning as he is widely known for his loyalty, kindness and generosity.

There is no question that Sheikh Hamdan knows his horses, breeds the best and takes very good care of them.


Cheveley Park Stakes Produces 1000 Guineas Favourite

Special Duty routs Misheer in Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes and shoots to favourite for the 1000 Guineas in 2010 where they will meet again.     Getty Images/Tom Ducat

After making all in the Group 1 Prix Morny, Special Duty (Hennessy USA) was 'mugged on the line' by 2yo colt Arcano (Oasis Dream), according to her trainer Criquette Head-Maarek 

She had no such worries in Newmarket's prestigious Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1) for 2yo fillies, 6f. 

Head-Maarek brought the big, beautiful chestnut over from France with absolute confidence that she has one of the best fillies around. 

Special Duty easily outran the favourite Lady of The Desert, Misheer, Shamandar, Song Of My Heart, Puff, Sand Vixen and Habaayib winning by 2-3/4 lengths under a powerful ride from Stephane Pasquier. 

So impressive was she that she was immediately installed as favourite in next year's Stanjames.com 1000 Guineas with no controversy. 

Not only does her owner, Prince Khalid Abdullah of Juddmonte Farms, have a powerful hand for next year, his Breeders' Cup entires include the outstanding home-bred filly Midday, her stable companion Father Time, Spanish Moon and perhaps Zacinto. 


Rip Van Winkle Is Europe's Champion 3yo Male Miler

Rip Van Winkle wins Glorious Goodwood's Sussex Stakes.

The hooves of Aiden O'Brien's three-year-old colt Rip Van Winkle IRE (Galileo IRE) were sufficiently healed to allow him to race in and win the Group 1 Sony Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, 1m on the Round Course, Saturday September 26.   

Winning the race automatically qualified Rip for a place in the $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Mile November 7 on Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface.

Delegator already has his place in the same race.

O'Brien prefers the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, 1m2f, instead.  Mastercraftsman IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE) will also be entered in the Classic.

Rip is trading as joint favourite in the Classic with John Oxx's Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE).

Since O'Brien is zero for 10 entries in the race and STS is a vastly superior horse, it is surprising that Rip is joint favourite.

The great American mare Zenyatta USA (Street Cry USA) is also a possible opponent on her specialty All Weather along with three-year-old Summer Bird USA (Birdstone USA), a Belmont-Travers Double winner like his sire.  SB trained on AW and should not be inconvenienced. 

Many American Dirt horses are at a disadvantage on the Pro-Ride surface That accounts for the race not being on Rachel Alexandra's (Megdaglia D'Oro USA) agenda until next year when the Breeders' Cup returns to Churchill Downs. 

The Queen Elizabeth II mile race itself was not particularly impressive in spite of being run on good-to-firm ground at a second short of record time:  1m38:82secs. 

Only three horses contested Rip for the £250,000 total purse:  Aqlaam (Oasis Dream) for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, Delegator (Dansili) for Godolphin and Zacinto (Dansili) for Juddmonte.

Many wondered why one of the major racing empires did not engage a pacemaker.  Instead, Richard Hills did the donkey work on Aqlaam down the middle of the course.  This double Group 1 miler faded to a distant last after Johnny Murtagh passed him and took Rip over to the rail. 

Delegator, a fast horse with a toe, had every chance under Frankie Dettori but never picked up after the seventh furlong. 

The only challenge came from a brilliant last-to-first run by Zacinto, under Ryan Moore, who nearly headed Rip. 

Murtagh looked stunned, but rallied his brave horse to win by 1-1/4 lengths. 

O'Brien explained that Rip has had infections in all four hooves since May and was lame for three weeks after his other Group 1 success--the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.  

It is amazing that this courageous horse showed up let alone won.

The race lacked the excitement of the other two Breeders' Cup Challenges where the placings were in question.  Both the Group 1 Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile and the Group 2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes were subject to stewards' enquiries.

The enquires showed sharp contrasts between the British and inconsistent, draconian French system on the issue of interference.  The crowd hotly debated the contrasts and, in the end, almost everyone was content with the British system and that the placings remained the same in both races. 

Colm Donoghue on the Royal Lodge winner, two-year-old Joshua Tree IRE (Montjeu IRE), cut sharply in front of several horses impeding their action especially the second Waseet (Selkirk) and third Vale of York IRE (Invincible Spirit IRE). 

His action was careless, not reckless, in that he failed to take use the whip quickly enough  He was banned for five days and his horse retained its place.

O'Brien's Joshua Tree now qualifies for the Breeders' Cup $1 million Juvenile Turf.

Jockey Neil Callan's interference in the Fillies' Mile was much more serious.  His winning two-year-old filly Hibaayeb (Singspiel IRE) drifted sharply to her left near the winning post and Callan whacked the second, Lady Darshaan IRE (High Chaparral IRE) in the nose as she continued in a straight line for her challenge.

Callan used the correct hand for the whip and it was deemed that his hitting Lady Darshaan was not intentional.

Septuagenarian trainer Clive Brittain did his little victory dance.  He sees his Hibaayeb as an Oaks prospect for 2010 and would definitely like her to take her qualifying place in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf.

Had any of the jockeys actions been deemed reckless, intentional interference or unfair team tactics, measures would have been much more severe than a few days' ban in the UK.

The British Horseracing Authority holds jockeys accountable for their actions and is reluctant to demote a horse except in extreme cases.

On Sunday, another O'Brien juvenile and Montjeu son joined Joshua Tree in victory. 

St Nicholas Abbey IRE won the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes (Group 2), 1m, at the Curragh Sunday and was made betting favourite for the 2010 Investec Derby. 


Queen Elizabeth II Stakes' Preview

Frankie Dettori's agent, Ray Cochrane, is looking for a seventh ride Saturday for his friend in hopes of his riding seven winners on Queen Elizabeth II Stakes Day as he did 12 years ago.  The "magnificent seven" Dettori is represented in a large on-course sculpture.

Dettori just won his first Ayr Gold Cup Saturday on Jimmy Styles (Inchinor) for Clive Cox and is in top form. 

Question is: are the horses?

Godolphin has chosen Delegator (Dansili) to carry the 'blue' in the eponymous Group 1 QEII race, Long Lashes USA (Rock Hard Ten USA) in the Meon Valley Stud Fillies' Mile with Moonlife, Frozen Power, Vale of York and possibly Muslah in other races on the day.

Aiden O'Brien is confirmed three-year-old Rip Van Winkle IRE (Galileo IRE) and/or Mastercraftsman IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE) as Ballydoyle's champion.  No pacemakers.

Both horses have had very hard races against Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE) and may not be at their best. 

Rip has an ongoing foot problem and may be pulled.

Angus Gold, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's racing manager, set the QEII as Aqlaam's (Oasis Dream) principal target after winning the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville in August.

The only possible filly, Ghanaati USA (Giant's Causeway USA), has not been declared and is more likely to compete in the fillies' Sun Chariot at Newmarket in October.  

She does not need another hard race against colts as she had when she was third to Rip in Glorious Goodwood's Sussex Stakes and ended up with a sore back.

With Rip an uncertainty, punters are at loggerheads over which horse could win with firm advocates in the Rip, Mastercraftsman, Aqlaam and Delegator corners slating each others' choices with Juddmonte's Zacinto (Dansili) overlooked. 

Zacinto lost the totesport.com Celebration Mile to Delegator.

He, four-year-old Aqlaam and three-year-old Delegator are fresher horses than the Ballydoyle duo with the latter two coming off confidence-boosting victories.  We have not seen the best of this threesome yet.

If Rip is out, it could be a race of Al Maktoum brother vs brother.


First Patron of Retraining of Horses

HH Princess Haya of Jordan has agreed to become the first Patron of Retraining of Horses (http://www.roh.org.uk) which was founded in 2000 to raise funds from racing to provide and maintain facilities for the care, 
retraining and re-homing of former racehorses and to promote awareness of the suitability of the retrained racehorse for other equine careers. 

Princess Haya is President of the Federation Equestre Internationale and an official governing member of the Olympics Committee.


Haydock Surprises

Confront (Nayef USA) impressively beat the favourite Bushman (Maria's Mon USA) with substitute rider Stephen Pasquier in Haydock's Betfred 'Support Harley Slack Fund' Superior Mile (Listed) (Class 1), 1m. 

Pasquier hoped his luck would hold for the Betfred Sprint Cup (Group 1) (Class 1) 6f when he rode another Khalid Abdullah horse Main Aim (Oasis Dream).  It did not. 

Nor was the favourite Fleeting Spirit IRE (Invincible Spirit IRE) lucky.  Her connections debated not racing her at all because the ground was described as soft to heavy to testing.  She is definitely a speedy good ground filly.

They showed their sporting spirit and she cantered home until overtaken by the big, rangy horse Regal Parade (Pivotal) outstayed her.  Her jockey Tom Queally wisely encouraged her to finish second without beating her.

Dandy Nichols, sprint specialist from the North Country, could barely contain his excitement for son Adrian who rode his first Group 1 winner.

Yes Mr President IRE (Montjeu IRE) earned himself another bump up in handicap with his 6-7 length victory in the Betfred.com Old Borough Cup Heritage Handicap (Class1) 1m6f.  Joe Fanning rode the colt for Mark Johnston.


Kirklees off to Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup

Keeping up the momentum for Godolphin, Kirklees IRE (Jade Robbery USA) mowed down the opposition in the totesport.com September Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) 1m4f and earned himself a trip to Australia for the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup if he does well in the first two.


Delegator is Godolphin's New Flagship Horse

Delegator (Dansili) won the Craven Stakes on a foggy Newmarket day with former trainer Brian Meehan.  Photo by David Hastings.

UPDATE:  Delagator tested positive and belatedly lost the race.


From 2008 onwards, it looked as if trainer Brian Meehan had the 2000 Guineas winner in Delegator (Dansili) until this handsome colt ran into Sea The Stars IRE (Cape Cross IRE). 

Mastercraftsman IRE (Danehill Dancer IRE) just managed to beat him in the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot earning a ban for Johnny Murtagh for excessive use of the whip.

Critics said Delegator did not stay, but Godolphin was so impressed with him that they bought him to become their champion three-year-old miler.

Their judgment was sound as Delegator came into his own when he won the totesport.com Celebration Mile (Group 2) (Class 1) at Goodwood for his new trainer Saeed bin Suroor on Saturday. 

He looked caught in a pocket until Frankie Dettori took him out wide and he put his toe in sweeping impressively by Zacinto (Dansili) and Ordnance Row (Mark of Esteem IRE) to win by a comfortable 1-1/2 lengths.

Godolphin will run him in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in September and the Breeders' Cup Mile against the formidable French champion filly Goldikova IRE (Anabaa USA).  Her photo is below.  

The almost-universal reaction to Delegator's win was "For anyone who loves horses and horse racing, this win will bring real joy."  It was long overdue as he was unlucking coming along during STS' reign.  He has his chance now.

Ordnance Row showed his guts and class by beating Godolphin's Asset IRE (Marju IRE) and Brian Meehan's Cat Junior USA (Storm Cat USA) after coming third to Delegator.  He won the Supreme Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1), 7f, at Goodwood the very next day.

Mourilyan IRE (Desert Prince IRE) also suffered from running up against one better (as he did with Schiaparelli photo below), but won the Windflower March Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) at Goodwood by three lengths in the 1m6f race.

Unlucky filly Victoria Montoya (High Chaparral IRE) led until Mourilyan made his move and she was followed in by Oasis Knight IRE (Oasis Dream).  She may go to the Park Hill or be covered.

Godolphin's new acquisition and 7/4 favourite Urban Poet USA (Dynaformer USA) trailed in 31 lengths behind the winner without any obvious cause.


Monitor Closely--St Leger £45K Supplement?

Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, also back to winning form, will meet with Monitor Closely's IRE owner Lawrie Inman to decide he wants to supplement the three-year-old Oasis Dream colt for the Ladbrokes St Leger on September 12 at Doncaster. 

Monitor Closely won was a shock winner of the Great Voltiger at the Ebor Festival, York, and is quoted third favourite to Godolphin's Kite Wood and Ballydoyle's Age of Aquarius at 6-10.1 for the St Leger despite not being entered.

If supplemented, one hopes they will retain Jimmy Fortune to ride him again.


Boys In Blue Have Their Long Lashes

It took a long time for Godolphin to get going in Europe this year after their triumphs at the Dubai Festival and Dubai World Cup, but they are back with a seemingly endless arsenal of youngsters.

The much-touted Long Lashes USA out of the first crop of Rock Hard Ten (USA) won her first Listed race at the Curragh on soft ground and won her second for new owner Godolphin in the Skybet.com Sweet Solera Stakes (Fillies Group 3) for 2yo, 7 furlongs, at Newmarket with a length to spare.

Jockey Ted Durkin described her as "a scrapper of a horse.  She's not really a speed horse, but she's strong and has a lot of scope."

Her next race could be the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on August 30 and she is entered in top races like the Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile at Ascot and the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Godolphin commandeered the Crown Prince of Dubai's impressive third in the Betfair Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, Urban Poet USA (Dynaformer USA), from trainer Mark Johnston at Johnston's suggestion.

Simon Crisford, Godolphin racing manager, said "It's fantastic what Mark's done with him and there are a few horses that we've sent to Mark in similar fashion.  He was a backward, weak three-year old and he's come back extremely well in himself." 

The brother of Pulpit USA who cost $2.9 million as a yearling will be aimed at the St Leger at 8.1 odds. 

Mark Johnston evidently did too good a job training Jukebox Jury Ire (Montjeu Ire), because he beat the favourite in the Totepool Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (Class 1), 1m 2f, by 1-1/4 lengths at Haydock Park.  The favourite was Godolphin's Campanologist USA (Kingmambo USA) ridden by Frankie Dettori.

Dettori had better luck with a classic ride on Libel Law (also by Kingmambo USA) for Michael Jarvis and owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum in the Totescoop6 Heritage Handicap (Class 2), 1m 2f, at Haydock Park.  Libel Law won by a comfortable 2-1/4 lengths.

Another non-Godolphin winner was two-year-old Eolith (Pastoral Pursuits) for young trainer William Knight (Illustrious Blue of Glorious Goodwood fame).  She took the race by 2-3/4 lengths as a debut maiden in the Performance And Value-German Thoroughbred Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 4), 7f.


Godolphin's Juvenile Hand

Charlie McCann, spokesman for Stan James bookmakers, said "Godolphin had an impressive winning juvenile Atlantis Star (Cape Cross Ire) at Pontefract earlier in the week and this son of Medaglia D'Oro (Al Zir) looked different class to today's opposition."

Al Zir USA, a $1.6 million Fasig Tipton acquisition, won his debut in the July Course Maiden Stakes at Newmarket, 7f,  by four lengths and is quoted at 12.1 for the stanjames.com 2000 Guineas in 2010.  

He is expected back at Newmarket for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) in October.

Atlantis Star won his debut at 6 lengths. 

Sheikh Mohammed could add to Godolphin's arsenal from runners in his own colours from France in particular.
                  

Unstoppable Fillies

Clive Brittain and Saeed Manana now have a brace of fillies for the 1000 Guineas after She's OK (Ire) (Xaar) took the sportingbet.com Fillies' Nursery (Class 2), 6f, at Newmarket Saturday.

Bookies went mad over Seta (Pivotal) who won the sportingbet.com EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes (Class 4), 7f, for Luca Cumani. 

She is being offered at 10.1 for the Guineas for her maiden win at eight lengths at Newmarket though there are skeptics.


Melbourne Cup Nominations


Schiaparelli Ger (Monsun Ger) ridden by Godolphin's retained jockey Frankie Dettori beats Ryan Moore on Mourilyan Ire (Desert Prince Ire) in the Coutts Goodwood Cup.
Julian Herbert/Getty Images

Godolphin has six entries which include Eastern Anthem, Schiaparelli, Kirklees and Age of Reason.

Luca Cumani decided to pass on the King George and is sending Cima de Triomphe for the August 8 Arlington Million instead and has entered him in the Melbourne Cup as well.