The 13th may be unlucky for some but proved pretty good in May. Aiden O’Brein’s rising filly UP was an eyecatching third in the Group 1 Poule d’essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas) at Longchamp over a mile. Up is out of broodmare purchase Halland Park Lass. She seems to be improving with every run this season so is definitely one to keep an eye on. The Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot is a possible next target.
BEYOND DESIRE (Photograph shown) won the Group 3 Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp over 1,000m having led all the way. She is out of broodmare purchase Compradore. Her next race is likely to be in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Another broodmare purchase, Forever Bond, had her daughter LADIES ARE FOREVER run third in the Listed Kilvington Fillies Stakes at Nottingham. Aislabie Stud’s broodmare, Play Bouzouki, had exciting 3 year old prospect, DREAM TUNE, run a very promising race to finish fourth in the leading Epsom Derby trial the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York. Yearling purchase, CAVALEIRO ran third in the Group 3 Lingfield Derby Trial which was sadly switched to the Polytrack surface after all the heavy rain. He took his chances in the Group 1 Derby Stakes at Epsom but was outclassed – he’ll win more races when dropped slightly in grade.
On the other side of the Atlantic I had my first ever runner in the GRADE 1 Kentucky Derby – WENTTHEDAYWELL had a pretty poor passage during the race and he did incredibly well to come from off the pace to finish a very honourable fourth. Not bad for a 26,000 Guineas yearling purchase. Sadly he ran a uncharacteristic poor race in the Grade 1 Preakness at Pimlico – hopefully there was no underlying issue.
Future Sales –
Arqana Summer Sale (Tuesday 3rd to Thursday 5th July) Arqana Summer
at Saint-Cloud, France (in 2011; 170 broodmares, fillies & racehorses sold for a median of €15,000)
Tattersalls July Sale (Wednesday 11th to Friday 13th July) Tattersalls July
– in 2011; 457 broodmares, fillies & racehorse sold for a median of 7,000 Guineas)