We usually start writing up the year’s winners when racing commences on the grass tracks in mid March. However horses that come to hand late in the season are now more likely to commence the year’s racing on the all weather in January and February. With two maiden winners in early January, and four winners in all we felt it worthwhile to start recording all our winners from January 1st.
We look forward to an exciting year ahead on the racetrack.
Broome should continue where he left off, running at the highest level. We are told Point Lonsdale, after almost a year on the sidelines, is back to his best and will be seen early.
We have many exciting 3YO’s to look forward to, all who won on either their first or second appearance late in 2022:-
- Idea Generation – won at Aqueduct on November 5th, continues to race In the USA
- USS Constitution – won at Ascot in September, will race in Hong Kong in 2023
- Physique – won at Newbury in October, continues to race in the UK
- Saadiyat – 2nd on his only racecourse appearance, will continue to race in France
- Lan Cinnte – unlucky when beaten a short head at Navan in October races in the family colours in Ireland
With a very successful sale of yearlings in September and October 2022 we expect many to do the stud proud in the year ahead.
July - December
6th December 2023
When Dutch Kingdom, rated 79 at the beginning of the year, won on November 22nd with his new rating of 70 we predicted there would be more wins if the handicapper was lenient. In the opening race at Lingfield he was given just 2 lbs extra to carry and won by half a length from the favourite with the third horse two lengths further back.As in his previous race he stayed close to the pace and took the lead at the furlong mark. He was always in control, with the favourite giving everything and trying hard to catch him.
He could well achieve a hat trick in the weeks ahead and great credit must go to his trainer Darryll Holland and to his patient owners who deserve the wins.
26th November 2023
My Forever Annie (Champs Elysees x Hurricane Bleue) is the first National Hunt horse to be bred by Epona Bloodstock and sold at the Landrover Sale in Goffs for 3YO’s. His dam, Hurricane Bleue was the first National Hunt horse to be raced by the Brosnan family and where her career finished in her third run due to a serious injury.My Forever Annie made her Point to Point debut on November 25th winning by a short head with five lengths back to the third. After a ding dong battle from the last the Patrick Turley trained filly, under Declan Lavery just got the better of the second placed close home. We will follow her career with interest.
25th November 2023
Haaracaine (Muhaarar X Fiuise) was bought at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale in 2021 and shipped to Australia. He was placed when running over six and seven furlongs as a 2YO and showed his true promise when he was stepped up to ten furlongs and twelve furlongs in the past two months. He won his first race on the 15th October by a comfortable three and a half lengths and went on to win again on November 1st when racing over twelve furlongs. He completed the hat trick of wins on November 25th and has now earned over $100,000 recouping his purchase price.Though we have had our horses racing In Europe, the USA, the Middle East and Far East this is the first horse to race in Australia. We expect him to continue putting Epona Bloodstock on the map there.
22nd November 2023
Dutch Kingdom had three placed efforts before making a winning debut on the 20th March 2023. After that win he received an official rating of 79 and found the burden too much to carry in his four races across the summer. With the rating reduced to 70 he was given top weight in the BetMGM Handicap at Wolverhampton on November 22nd. Staying up with the pace from the beginning he took the lead from few furlongs out and came home an easy winner.Though his rating has gone up as a result of this win he should be able to add more winning runs in the months ahead.
4th November 2023
Dynamic Pricing (Night of Thunder X Shemda) was sold as a yearling in Tattersalls Book 1 in 2022 to Mike Ryan, for Klaravich Stables in the USA and going into training with Chad Brown. We all awaited a racecourse appearance and were disappointed when she did not race in September due to a water logged track. She made her racecourse debut at Aqueduct on November 4th going to post as the second favourite at 4/1. Racing in third position all the way and staying close to the two front runners she made her move in the short straight and in sight of the winning post. She ran very green when asked for her effort but in the final hundred yards got the message, put down her head and though winning by just a short head powered away at the winning post being difficult to pull up. Her dam, Shemda is by the Derby and Arc de Triumph winner Azamour where the family have done their best at mid distance. Her trainer suggests she may have one run in Florida before being put away for the winter and that she is an exciting prospect for 2024.Shemda’s Pinatubo foal in 2022 was dead at birth and she was rested that year. An early visit to Mehmas in February last should give us an early January foal next spring. The mare returns to Night of Thunder.
14th October 2023
Kodias Sangarius won as a 2YO in 2021 and was a winner again in 2022 off an official rating of 80. She changed trainers in March this year leaving Richard Hannon’s yard and going to Henry Spiller. After five runs for her new trainer, her official rating was reduced to 62 when she appeared at Chelmsford on Saturday after two months break. Staying close up from the outset, she took the lead at the furlong pole and pulled right away from the field with two lengths to the 2nd and six lengths back to the 4th horse. This victory earned her owners a nice Stg. £5,000.The dam of Kodias Sangarius had a Fastnet Rock filly which sold at the Orby sale last month.
30th September 2023
Alsimrya (Mehmas X Ghand) ran two excellent races in July and August at Clairefontaine and Deauville. When she reappeared at Angers on September 30th she went to post a short priced favourite and made no mistake winning by two and a half lengths. Alsimrya is the third produce out of the mare Ghand, herself a daughter of Galileo. Ghand had a Bated Breath filly, born in 2021 which is yet unraced. A colt by Romanised is entered in the Tattersalls sale at Fairyhouse.20th September 2023
How Impressive (Starspangled Banner X Bright New Day) did not race as a 2YO but as a 3YO got off the mark in January 2022, winning on his first appearance on the racecourse. Placed 2nd in March 2022 he was off the track for over a year making his next appearance in April 2023. Running well when placed four times a win was well overdue and he obliged at Yarmouth on September 20th when brought back to race over six furlongs. The Racing Post commented that the shorter six furlongs suited his front running style. On this occasion he took the lead at the outset and ran on from the furlong pole to win cosily.How Impressive’s half brother by Codi Bear was the highest Kodi Bear sold at Fairyhouse this week making €62,000. On the ground is a full sister filly foal and the dam Bright New Day is in foal to State of Rest, a son of Starspangled Banner.
16th September 2023
Salt Spray (Kodiac X Taste The Salt) ran once as a 2YO in 2022 and just beaten in a photo finish. We were told he was good but would need time and he did not appear again until September 16th. Heavily backed, even though he was drawn widest of all in stall ten, he disputed the lead from the outset and took in over in the final stretch. This was a valuable $95,000 race but for Salt Spray it is onwards and upwards from here to race in Black Type company.Salt Spray is the second produce out of the Born to Sea mare Taste the Salt. His older sister Cashew is already a multiple winner. He has a half brother Mehmas colt which will be sold at the Orby Sale in Goffs on September 26th and a full sister Kodiac filly foal. Salt Spray realised 285,000 guineas as a yearling at Tattersalls Newmarket.
9th September 2023
Diego Valazques won at the Curragh on August 12th, his trainer named the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes GR2 at Leopardstown as his next target. Going to post at the very short price of 8/15 he duly obliged to make it two wins from two starts. On this occasion he left his stable companion make the running, but never moved from 2nd place. Shaken up in the final hundred yards he had half a length to spare at the post but won drawing away. The third horse was a full four lengths behind.His trainers has named the Racing Post Trophy (GR1) at Doncaster as his next target, following the course chosen by this years Irish and English Derby winner Auguste Rodin. Diego is already favourite for the 2024 English Derby.
12th August 2023
Coolmore have a habit of giving the best 2YO’s a special name and once we saw the name Dego Valazquez it was a pointer that he was special. Purchased at Tattersalls Book One for Stg. £2.4 million after a protracted duel with Darley he was put in the care of the great Aiden O’Brien.Diego Valazquez is by Frankel out of Sweepsake and is closely related to both Broome and Point Lonsdale. Though it was his first time on a racetrack Brian Moore chose the race prominently and never out of the first three. He was shaken up at the 2f mark, getting into his stride as he entered the final furlong to stretch away and score by four and three quarter lengths. This looked to be one of the best maidens of the year with the fourth horse eight lengths behind and a field well strung out.
After the race his price was immediately shortened at 10/1 for the 2024 Epsom Darby. There are many exciting days ahead and we would like to wish his five owners – Smith, Magnier, Tabor. Westerberg and Brant the success they deserve over the next two years.
2nd August 2023
Winning in Limerick in June Lan Cinnte ran in two premier handicaps at The Curragh and at Leopardstown finishing close up and earning over €20,000 in prize money. This had not gone unnoticed when she reappeared at Galway in the Tote App Handicap and went to post a 5/4 favourite. She had to concede weight all around including 15 lbs on the second horse which chased her home and who won four days later at the same venue.Tracking the leaders, and content to stay in 3rd or 4th place her jockey Shane Foley hit the front as they turned to climb the hill to the winning post. Being chased by the light weights she was never going to be caught but winning by just a snug short head. With word around Galway was that she was the bet of the week many happy racegoers surrounded the ring as she was led in by her owner Mrs Joan Brosnan.
With her new official rating of 91 she will now step up to black type racing with her entries being listed at group races over the next two months.
2nd August 2023
Saadiyat (Lope de Vega X Sweepstake) was a close 2nd, beaten three quarters of a length, on her only race as a 2YO in October 2022. With promising efforts, on soft ground, at Longchamp in June and July she started as favourite when going to Vichy on August 2nd. Stepping up to one mile and two furlongs in the Louis Cambreleng Maiden Stakes she obliged followers with a hard fought win, bringing her winnings to date to just over €20,000. Her owner and trainer say that she will next run in pattern company, preferably on good ground and over the longer distance. Saadiyat is a half sister to Broome and Point Lonsdale. The former a GR1 winner and many group placings and the latter a multiple GR2 winner and GR1 placed.We all look forward to the racecourse debut of Diego Valazquez, the 2YO sibling to all three who we are told will be on a racecourse in the weeks ahead.
26th July 2023
We predicted that Bailar Contigo would win more races off her handicap mark and she wasted no time appearing again on the 26th July, 7 days after her Yarmouth victory. Carrying top weight in the thirteen runner field she led from the start and drew right away in the final furlong winning by a comfortable three and a half lengths.Having had an easy 2YO career with just two appearances in September and October she is likely to run again within the next ten to fourteen days and we can expect another win. She is obviously continuing to improve.
19th July 2023
Bailar Contigo (Gleneagles X Slieve Mish) had three placed efforts when she got her handicap mark of 54 in April. At Yarmouth on July 19th she went to post as the 2/1 favourite and came home a comfortable winner. Staying in 2nd or 3rd spot for most of the journey she went to the front of the furlong mark opening up a two and a half lengths gap by the winning post. Off the current handicap mark she should win more races, with her next run at Bath in the coming days.We would like to congratulate her owner Paul Brosnan and trainer Stuart Williams for their patience in this introduction to racing and wish them further success with the filly.
1st July 2023
San Francisco Bay had his first win on June 5th and was an unlucky loser at Lingfield on June 24th, beaten by a neck. With a very short seven days turnaround he went back to Lingfield on July 1st and made no mistake on this occasion. Going to post as the 7/4 favourite he had three lengths to spare over the runner up, when taking control a long way out.The handicapper has raised his rating by 7 lbs. Nevertheless the ease of his victory suggests that he can win again particularly on the all weather surface which he loves.
His New Bay half sister goes to the Orby sale at Goffs.
January - July
28th June 2023
Oliver Show (No Nay Never X Ashley Hall) added just three promising runs to get his rating of 76. When he turned up on June 28th at Kempton he went to post as favourite and had a comfortable two and a half lengths victory.Sir Michael Stout is the master at bringing along and improving his horses performance. Everyone noticed his easy victory and none more so than the handicapper who has increased his official rating to 83. This should not get in the way of further wins and we can expect to see him back in the winners enclosure shortly.
Oliver Show being by No Nay Never out of the American mare Ashley Hall is comfortable running both on the grass and on the all weather. His victory on June 28th was on the all weather at Kempton but he had already shown his versatility in finishing 4th on the grass track at Newbury. Ashley Hall has already produced the black type horses Pedestal and Loch Lein. She has a Wooden Bassett yearling colt which will sell in Book One at the Tattersalls October sale.
27th June 2023
The lightly raced Aurora Dawn has run just seven times, achieving two wins and three placed efforts. Her performance has not gone unnoticed where her official rating on May 19th, her first win, is now being increased to 82.At Newbury on June 27th, when carrying top weight was held up in last position in the ten runner field. Moving closer at the 2f mark he put the race to bed very quickly sprinting clear and winning by a comfortable two lengths. She continues to improve and the handicapper may not have got her measure just yet. Credit must go to her trainer Ed Walker and owner Dubai Thoroughbred Racing for giving her time to mature which has led to her continuous improvement.
16th June 2023
Rapparee Champ (Churchill X Pernica) did not race as a 2YO and made his racecourse debut on May 16th. Coming home a fast finishing 3rd went to Fairyhouse on June 16th and was all the rage at a 4/5 favourite. Again showing his greenness against experienced horses he wondered about in the straight and would have been an unlucky looser. He still won and will learn plenty from his two outings.Raparree Champ is the ¾ brother to Fernando Vichy whose wins included a listed race. He is likely to follow the same route stepping up to run in black type races as he gains more experience. He is the son of the Sir Percy mare, Pernica, who has an Australia foal on the ground and who is back in foal to Australia.
14th June 2023
Lan Cinnte (Saxon Warrior X Yellow Hammer) was lightly raced as a 2YO and was just beaten at Navan in October over five furlongs which was way too short. After a 228 day break she reappeared in Naas on May 21st finishing 2nd to a much more experienced filly. On June 14th she went to post at Limerick in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden as a money on favourite and did not disappoint her followers. Her jockey was content to sit in 4th position for most of the race and asking her for her effort at the 1f mark. She quickly put the race to bed coming home an easy 1½ length winner. She will next run at the Curragh on Derby weekend in a valuable 3YO fillies handicap.Lan Cinnte is the second foal out of the mare Yellow Hammer who has now produced two runners, being two winners. A Kodiac 2YO filly is in training and a Lope de Vega yearling colt will sell in October at Tattersalls Book 1.
12th June 2023
After winning as a 2YO on the 29th of September Hi Clare returned to the track on May 31st and after this long lay off was just beaten by ¾ of a length. After just a break of 12 days made no mistake at Pontefract in winning the Sky Bet Handicap. Though shouldering top weight his jockey chose the lead from stalls to post and try as the favourite did to catch him he was not to be denied winning by ½ a length. Keeping his best performance for ground that is good to firm he should notch up more wins in the months ahead.Hi Clare is the daughter of Shemda whose next daughter by Night of Thunder was sold at Tattersalls Book 1 in October 2022 to race in the USA.
5th June 2023
Grand Canal excels when stepped up in trip to run over 1m6f and up to 2m. At Ayr on June 5th he had his favourite over 1m7f and on a firm surface which he cherishes. Shouldering top weight in the Western House Handicap he made light of the task with four lengths to spare over the runner up.This is Grand Canal’s fifth victory and while the ground remains firm he can easily add some more. Grand Canal is out of the mare Loreto, herself a sister to the dam of St Mark’s Basilica. She has a Sottsass yearling colt which will be sold at the Goffs Orby or at Tattersalls Book 2.
5th June 2023
San Francisco Bay (Muhaarar X Stor Mo Chroi) is the fourth foal and fourth runner of her dam and now the mares fourth winner. Having won as a 2YO at Wolverhampton, but subsequently placed 2nd, he returned to Wolverhampton on June 5th to contest the Sky Sports Handicap over seven furlongs. He made easy work of it on this occasion winning by a length from the favourite and never in danger of being caught. Off his current handicap he can easily add more winnings in the months ahead.San Francisco Bay’s younger brother, USS Constitution had a successful 2YO career in 2022 before being sold to race In Hong Kong. His trainer described him as a horse who would easily win Black Type races so we look forward to seeing him race in the Far East. We also look forward to the full sister who will race as a 2YO this year and to an outstanding new bay filly which will sell in the Orby at Goffs.
2nd June 2023
Austrian Theory has had three wins and five placed efforts, earning his owner Dr. J Walker over Stg. £100,000. He won first time out in June 2021 and as a 2YO finished third in the GR2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. While continuing to compete in top company he continued his winning ways as a 3YO and as a 4YO went to Epsom on June 2nd to compete in The Racehourse Lotto Handicap with a prize of Stg. £39,000 for the winner. Going to the front in the long Epsom straight he was not to be denied and fought off all challengers to win by half a length.His official rating is 93 which has come down from 100 as a 3YO. From here on he must shoulder top weight in handicaps or revert to the pattern races where he was previously placed.
19th May 2023
Aurora Dawn (Awtaad X Bright New Day) had run three times in December and January to get her handicap mark returned in April to finish a close 3rd at Lingfield. She reappeared on May 19th at Newmarket to run in the Jockey Club Grassroots Mile Series and beat a field of sixteen runners by four and a half lengths. Going to post with an official rating of 67, the handicapper has not been kind raising her official rating to 73. However the manner in which she left the remainder dead in their heels when asked to go at the 1f mark suggests she can win many more handicaps off the new rating.Aurora Dawn is the second winner out of the young mare Bright New Day. The next sibling, a cable bay colt is due to run at Pontefract on May 26th and we are hopeful the winning streak will continue.
12th May 2023
When Point Lonsdale won the Alledged Stakes (GR3) at The Curragh in mid April we said he had an exciting year ahead. On May 12th he went to Chester to run in the Huxley Stakes (GR2) and went to post money on favourite. He did not disappoint his supporters winning for the fifth time in Stakes company from seven starts.His trainer said he will next contest the Coronation Stake (GR1) at Epsom on June 2nd. Having missed out on all of 2022. apart from one run when injured. he is now making up for lost time with three runs in Stakes company in just over six weeks.
16th April 2023
In my introduction to our expected winners for 2023 I said “Broome should continue where he left off, running at the highest level. We are told Point Lonsdale, after almost a year on the sidelines, is back to his best and will be seen early”. On the 25th of March at Meydan Broome lived up to expectations in winning the Dubai Gold Cup worth €550,000. On April 16th at The Curragh Point Lonsdale reappeared after a 351 day absence, in the Tote Alledged Stakes (GR3). Toying with the opposition he was never in any danger drawing away at the finish and winning by 1½ lengths.Having run just once in 2022 where he picked up an injury in the Newmarket 2000 Guineas it looks like he has an exciting year ahead just like his brother Broome. While we all look forward to these two exciting horses we also await their brothers appearance, a Frankel Colt who sold as a yearling in Newmarket for Stg. £2.4 million. Their dam Sweepstake also took a year off in 2022 but with an early cover is now back in foal to Lope de Vega.
29th March 2023
Dutch Kingdom (Iffraaj X Kiyra Wells) had one run as a 2YO last October and in total 3 runs before making his handicap debut at Kempton. Placed in his three runs, he went to post at Kempton with an official rating of 77 in the Unibet Handicap – a London Mile Series Qualifier. Though carrying top weight he disputed the lead from the beginning and when passed by the favourite at the 1f mark he dug deep to lead again close home. With the turf season about to start his trainer said that he will be campaigned on a grass surface in the months ahead.Kiyra Wells had her last foal in February and is now being retired.
25th March 2023
Broome, the most travelled horse in the world, made his 2023 debut at Doha on February the 18th in the Amir Trophy (GR1). Finishing 5th and not beaten far, adding a further €95,000 to his worldwide earnings. After a five weeks break he again headed back to the Middle East to run at Meydan on March 25th, in the Dubai Gold Cup. With a huge prize fund worth €550,000 to the winner, the trip to Dubai would be worthwhile if he could stay 2 miles which he was trying for the first time. Ridden patiently by Ryan Moore he broke well and stayed in mid field on the rails until the field turned for home. With 8 lengths to make up he passed each horse one by one and entering the final furlong he had the favourite, who was in the lead, in his sights. Collaring the favourite in the final 50 yards he had a neck to spare on the line with 5 lengths back to the third horse and further to the remainder of the field.When he won at Ascot on the 18th June 2022 he brought his earnings at that time to €1.7 million. Adding to his earnings almost every time he runs and with the huge prize money at Meydan his total earnings have now reached €2.5 million. His earnings are all the more impressive when we see where the prize money came from since he reappeared at The Curragh in May 2022 – UK, USA, France, USA, Doha and Dubai.
His trainer said his connections will consider the Melbourne Cup in November 2023 but we can be certain he will add further to his earnings before then. Before that happens we are likely to see his full brother, Point Lonsdale, and his ¾’s brother by Frankel on racecourses in the months ahead.
9th March 2023
Lord Cherry won at Southwell on the 2nd February over 7f and on returning there ten days later he finished a close 2nd over the shorter trip of 6f. On March 9th he went back to Southwell and over his favourite 7f trip he again came home a winner. If his official rating stays at his present mark he should add more wins, if staying at 7f or even up to 1 mile.We would like to congratulate his trainer Stuart Williams and his owners and wish for them many more wins in the months ahead.
4th March 2023
Furniture Factors (Pride of Dubai X I Hearyou Knocking) was the last foal of the mare. Finishing a close 4th at Southwell on the 10th February it went to post here at the much shorter price of 5/1. He had a ding dong battle with a short price favourite through the final furlong, prevailing in a photo finish at the post.If his handicap mark does not increase too much he should pick up more in the months ahead, either on the flat turf or on the all weather.
23rd February 2023
Odin Owns You All (No Nay Never X Kitty Love) did not run as a 2YO and finished a close 2nd at Newcastle in January. Dropping back in trip to 7f he made no mistake this time at Southwell in a large field of fourteen runners. Going to post as the 5/2 favourite he had a comfortable 2½ lengths to spare at the line. The first three home in the Newcastle race in January have now all won so we can expect Odin to notch up more wins in the months ahead.He is the fourth foal of racing age out of the dam Kitty Love. All are winners including Like a King who has a black type win and GR3 placed. He has a 2YO by Too Darn Hot which sold at the Goffs Orby and who will go to the Doncaster Breeze Up.
Kitty Love has a full brother yearling by Too Darn Hot and is in foal St Mark’s Basilica. She will return to St Mark’s Basilica.
2nd February 2023
Lord Cherry (Profitable X Winning Sequence) had a 172 days break when reappearing in the Spreadex Sports Classified Stakes at Southwell on February 2nd. Strongly fancied he went to post at a price of 3/1 and justified the confidence placed in him. He went to the front 5f from home and though headed on the 1f mark by the favourite he fought back to lead again close home.Lord Cherry was the last foal out of the mare Winning Sequence. Having won this classified stake he should now pick up some handicaps off his present mark.
20th January 2023
Stardays had done much of his racing at Dundalk and had finished 2nd on November 9th. On this occasion he stayed close to the leaders and went to the front 1f out. Faced with a strong challenge from the favourite in the final 100 yards he was not to be denied, just lasting home. When asked to explain his improvement in form from seven days earlier his trainer said it was a result of the positive ride he got letting the other horses, catch me if you can.With this change in tactics he could easily add to his winnings at Dundalk in the months ahead.
16th January 2023
Solent Gateway was not winning out of turn when an easy winner of this Class 2 handicap at Wolverhampton on January 16th. With two wins off an easy rating in 2021 his official rating was increased to 94. Running with 9st 12lbs on his back he still ran out a one and a half length winner. This valuable handicap was worth Stg. £13,000 bringing his total earnings to over Stg. £75,000. If his official rating is not increased again he should pick up some more valuable handicaps.13th January 2023
Selador (Dark Angel X Loreto) had finished a close 2nd twice, from three runs on grass in early 2022. Being left off for the summer she reverted to the all weather at Dundalk finishing 4th on her three runs in November and December over 1m which was all too short.Stepping up to 1m2½f on January the 13th she kept on strongly inside the final furlong for an easy win and showing that she may even be better at 1m4f. Even though Loreto is by Holy Roman Emperor all her siblings have won at distances from 1m2f to 1m6f. With her maiden win achieved and a rating in the mid seventies she should pick up some worthwhile handicaps in the months ahead.
3rd January 2023
God Of Fire (Muhaarar X Loreto) had two easy runs in late 2022 but went to post favourite in the Fans Maiden Stakes at Wolverhampton on January 3rd. He did not leave his followers down winning by a comfortable two lengths. The report next day said “he travelled powerfully and it was just a question of how much he would find when asked”. The answer was plenty and he won drawing right away from the field. This was his first trip over 1m2f and there should be a lot more to come when running in middle distant races.God Of Fire was the highest priced sire yearling by his sire Muhaarar when sold at the October sales in 2021. We would like to wish his trainer Stuart Williams and owners Opulence Thoroughbreds a very successful 2023.