After many winners in 2023 we have lots to look forward to in the year ahead. Broome, a winner of over €2 million for his owners has gone to Turkey to start his new career at stud. His younger brothers continue in training with Aiden O’Brien and time will tell if they can match the much travelled Broome’s racing performance.
It is too early to comment on the 2YO’s, but we are told that the Wootton Bassett X Ashley Hall sold in Book One and in training with Joseph O’Brien will be well worth following. Hereunder are five older horses well worth following:-
Diego Valasques – Multiple group winner as a 2YO in 2023, he will be targeting one of the derby’s this year.
Point Lonsdale – Deigo’s older brother and the younger full brother to Broome. Winner of multiple group races at two and at four he will be stepping in to Broome’s shoes targeting middle distance races for older horses worldwide
Idea Generation – Very lightly raced in the USA at two and at three and winning and also being placed at listed and group level. Will be a group winner this year
Dynamic Pricing – Just raced once and winning at Aquaduct in November. A very exciting filly for her patient owners
Lan Cinnte – A multiple winner in 2023 and was about to start competing at group level, when she got injured in August. She is now fully recovered and back in training with Jessica Harrington
We are seeing many of the yearlings we sold entered to race in the weeks ahead so it looks certain we will better the January 2023 performance which commenced with three winners.
January - July
Diego Valazquez
His jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aiden O’Brien said after the race that they now realise that his performance is over a mile and maybe stretching to a mile and two furlongs as a maximum. On good ground he has lots of opportunities and racing at Saratoga and at Melbourne is on the cards according to his trainer.
18th July 2024
Diego Valazquez returned to his best form when running out an easy seven lengths winner in the GR3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday. In 2nd spot was a filly who had already finished 4th in the GR1 Irish Oaks. Beaten by just a length in the French 1000 Guineas in May over a mile, Diego was stepped up to 1mile 2½ furlongs in the French Derby and subsequently to 1 mile & 4 furlongs in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. When he did not perform in either of these two races he was brought back to 9 furlongs at Leopardstown, running out an easy winner.His jockey Ryan Moore and trainer Aiden O’Brien said after the race that they now realise that his performance is over a mile and maybe stretching to a mile and two furlongs as a maximum. On good ground he has lots of opportunities and racing at Saratoga and at Melbourne is on the cards according to his trainer.
Beauty Nation
Beauty Nation is the sixth winner out of the Exceed & Excel Mare Red Avis, she herself being a half sister to the GR3 Albany Stakes winner New Fangled. Red Avis does not have a yearling but has a Calyx colt foal at foot.
16th July 2024
Beauty Nation (Sioux Nation X Red Avis) was sold earlier this month by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing. She was all the talk when making her racecourse debut at Kempton and went to post as the 5/2 favourite. Being restrained and on the rails for much of the race did not look like she would find a gap in the twelve runner field and on the tight Kempton track. However when the gap came with a furlong to go she sprouted wings and flew, winning by 1¾ lengths and drawing right away from the field. We look forward to seeing her step up into pattern company.Beauty Nation is the sixth winner out of the Exceed & Excel Mare Red Avis, she herself being a half sister to the GR3 Albany Stakes winner New Fangled. Red Avis does not have a yearling but has a Calyx colt foal at foot.
God Of Fire
After the race Daniel Kubler, his trainer, suggested that he might run again in the very near term.
We would like to congratulate Daniel and Claire Kubler for getting God of Fire back to the form he showed in his first races. He loves to lead the field from the outset and when the other horses join at about the 1f mark he has stretched and pulled right away in each of his three victories.
10th and 15th July 2024
When God of Fire won at Beverley on July 6th, he had so much in hand that further wins looked inevitable. With a four day break he appeared again in Kempton on July 10th and won with a 2½ length margin while being eased down at the finish. With these two victories the handicapper increased his rating by 6 lbs so his connections decided to race again at Windsor on July 15th. His victory was even more decisive, with 4½ lengths to spare at the winning post under a hands and heels ride by William Buick.After the race Daniel Kubler, his trainer, suggested that he might run again in the very near term.
We would like to congratulate Daniel and Claire Kubler for getting God of Fire back to the form he showed in his first races. He loves to lead the field from the outset and when the other horses join at about the 1f mark he has stretched and pulled right away in each of his three victories.
Bateman
Bateman was the last foal of the young mare Fiuise who had to be euthanised when he was born due to severe laminitis. Five of her six produce were winners of fourteen races earning over €350,000 between them.
11th July 2024
Bateman (Ten Sovereigns X Fiuise) ran once as a 2YO in September 2023 before being sold at the Horses in Training sale to his new owners. The owners, Mostly Cloudy Syndicate, went to Pontefract on July 9th where he went to post as favourite but was beaten by a neck in a three way photo. With little rest his trainer took him to Carlisle just two days later where he again went to post as the 6/4 favourite. On this occasion he did not leave his supporters down and when joined in the final 100 yards he was always doing enough to win.Bateman was the last foal of the young mare Fiuise who had to be euthanised when he was born due to severe laminitis. Five of her six produce were winners of fourteen races earning over €350,000 between them.
Dutch Kingdom
Dutch Kingdom’s dam, Kiyra Wells, died when foaling in 2023. Her last foal, a Lucky Vega colt, will be sold at Tattersalls Book Two in October.
9th July 2023
Dutch Kingdom won at Lingfield on December 2023 and while running well on grass in 2024, kept his best for a return to Lingfield on July 9th. Here he claimed his fourth victory with a comfortable two lengths margin and going to post as favourite. His four victories to date have all been on the all-weather tracks, Kempton Wolverhampton and Lingfield. Though his official rating is now in the mid-seventies further victories can be expected on the artificial surface.Dutch Kingdom’s dam, Kiyra Wells, died when foaling in 2023. Her last foal, a Lucky Vega colt, will be sold at Tattersalls Book Two in October.
God of Fire
After a break of 251 days, he changed stables going to Daniel Kubler. When he reappeared at Salisbury on the 16th of June 2024, he returned to his best form being beaten just a length into 2nd place. At Beverley on the 6th July he had a comfortable 2½ lengths victory pulling right away from the field in the final furlong.
Loreto’s progeny have all done best when running in the mid distance races and God of Fire has been no different. His two runs in June and July were each over 1¼ miles and it is quite possible he could improve further when stepped up to a 1½. Having returned to his early form we can expect more wins in the months ahead.
6th July 2024
God of Fire (Muhaarar X Loreto) won his maiden in January 2023. He was given a rating of 82 but seemed to totally lose his way in seven other starts that year.After a break of 251 days, he changed stables going to Daniel Kubler. When he reappeared at Salisbury on the 16th of June 2024, he returned to his best form being beaten just a length into 2nd place. At Beverley on the 6th July he had a comfortable 2½ lengths victory pulling right away from the field in the final furlong.
Loreto’s progeny have all done best when running in the mid distance races and God of Fire has been no different. His two runs in June and July were each over 1¼ miles and it is quite possible he could improve further when stepped up to a 1½. Having returned to his early form we can expect more wins in the months ahead.
Dynamic Pricing
Sitting quietly in 4th or 5th place for most of the race she came with a strong run in the home straight winning by half a length going away. This race was over one mile and a half a furlong which is probably her minimum trip and we can expect GR1 success when stepped up for longer.
Dynamic Pricing is the third foal out of the Dutch Art mare Shemda. Unfortunately she had a dead foal in 2022 but was covered early in 2023 producing a Mehmas colt this past January. She is back in foal to Knight of Thunder. Dynamic Pricing will now go on to compete at GR1 level.
4th May 2024
Dynamic Pricing (Knight of Thunder X Shemda) won at Aquaduct in November, on her only start as a 2YO. Her next run was at Gulf Stream Park in February in the GR3 Sweetest Chant Stakes where she finished a fast closing 3rd. This was followed by a disappointing run, as favourite, in a GR3 Florida Oaks at Tampa Bay Downs. Her trainer Chad Brown suggested that one should ignore this race, when entering her for the GR2 Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs, worth $300,000 to the winner.Sitting quietly in 4th or 5th place for most of the race she came with a strong run in the home straight winning by half a length going away. This race was over one mile and a half a furlong which is probably her minimum trip and we can expect GR1 success when stepped up for longer.
Dynamic Pricing is the third foal out of the Dutch Art mare Shemda. Unfortunately she had a dead foal in 2022 but was covered early in 2023 producing a Mehmas colt this past January. She is back in foal to Knight of Thunder. Dynamic Pricing will now go on to compete at GR1 level.
Unavoidable
His trainer said that he is a lovely big horse and will improve a lot from this run. He suggested he would even be better over one mile and a half and on a fast ground.
Unavoidable is bred on the Pivotal Sadlers Well line and with more distance and faster ground he should have a bright future. In each of the past three years the mare has been bred to sons of Galileo – Circus Maximus, Churchill and a Churchill foal due in the coming days.
27th April 2024
Unavoidable (Gleneagles X Shannow) did not run as a 2YO and spent April waiting for better ground and a one mile and a quarter maiden race. Though running against horses with experience this opportunity came in the EBF Sponsored Spring Series at Navan worth €15,000 to the winner. Tracking the leaders from the beginning, he was left in front at the furlong mark when they fell away. Initially not knowing what to do he got passed and battled back to have a head to spare on the line. With six lengths back to the third horse he left a youthful field strung out behind him.His trainer said that he is a lovely big horse and will improve a lot from this run. He suggested he would even be better over one mile and a half and on a fast ground.
Unavoidable is bred on the Pivotal Sadlers Well line and with more distance and faster ground he should have a bright future. In each of the past three years the mare has been bred to sons of Galileo – Circus Maximus, Churchill and a Churchill foal due in the coming days.
Oliver Show
His official rating will obviously move close to 90 but the ease at which he won suggests he has plenty more to offer. His new owners, Pompey Ventures made a wise decision to buy him when he was offered at the Horses In Training Sale in November 2023.
15th April 2024
Oliver Show won the valuable MGM Handicap at Newcastle on February 4th and went to Kempton with his new official rating of 84. In this London Mile Series Qualifier he again carried top weight and looked to have plenty to hand from a long way out. Staying in 3rd position for most of the race he took the lead at the 2f pole and from there it was a case of, how much he would win by. Drawing right away he was eased close home with 2¼ lengths to spare over the 2nd.His official rating will obviously move close to 90 but the ease at which he won suggests he has plenty more to offer. His new owners, Pompey Ventures made a wise decision to buy him when he was offered at the Horses In Training Sale in November 2023.
How Impressive
10th March 2024
How Impressive had wins on the 5th and 14th February and was beaten by a nose over the shorter 6f trip on February 15th. Returning at Southwell to contest the BetMGM Handicap, worth Stg. £14,000 to the winner he went to post as second favourite and did not let his backers down. Under the experienced jockey, Oisin Murphy, he led from the stalls was never headed and had a cosy half a length to spare at the line. His total winnings have now exceeded Stg. £50,000 and the handicapper has noticed and given him a new official rating of 85. In addition to his five wins he has been placed 2nd on six occasions. The handicapper may not have caught up with his ability just yet.
Optic
Apart from his four wins he has also finished 2nd on five occasions and is proving a fun horse for his owner John Cook & Partner. Though he is creeping up in the handicap more wins can be expected.
9th March 2024
Optic won three in a row in January but was out of luck in two starts in February, not getting a clear run. He returned to Chelmsford on March 9th to run in the Apprentice Handicap over his favourite distance of 1m2f. Carrying top weight he was held up at the rear and with no traffic problems on this occasion he sprinted away in the final furlong to win by a comfortable two lengths.Apart from his four wins he has also finished 2nd on five occasions and is proving a fun horse for his owner John Cook & Partner. Though he is creeping up in the handicap more wins can be expected.
How Impressive
14th February 2024
When How Impressive won by an eased down three lengths at Lingfield on February 5th I predicted we could expect further wins in the immediate term. He went to Kempton just nine days later and again obliged in the Apprentice Handicap. This brings his strike rate to four wins and seven places, six times finishing 2nd. His young apprentice jockey Brandon Wilkie has notched up twenty three winners and Stg. £190,000 for the owners. We must also congratulate Hugo Palmer, his trainer, for bringing How Impressive back to his best. More wins can be expected.
How Impressive
His dam Bright New Day has produced a full sister which will be sold at Newmarket later this year.
5th February 2024
How Impressive had finished last at Wolverhampton on January 19th when he did not get a clear run. At Lingfield his jockey, Oisin Murphy, had him in the first two from the start and took over at the furlong mark to run out a clear winner. With three lengths to spare at the post he was pulling away from the field and justified his short odds as the 2/1 favourite. This was his third victory but he has also been placed on six occasions. Having previously won at Newcastle on the all weather and at York on grass he obviously can manage on both surfaces. The manner in which he won would indicate that further and immediate wins will happen in the weeks ahead.His dam Bright New Day has produced a full sister which will be sold at Newmarket later this year.
Oliver Show
Oliver Show’s dam , Ashley Hall, did not go in foal in 2022 and 2023 and has now been retired. Her last foal a colt by Wootton Bassett was sold in the Book One Yearling Sale at Newmarket for Stg. £550,000. Ashley Hall’s legacy will carry on with both a daughter and a half sister still at Croom.
4th February 2024
Oliver Show (No Nay Never X Ashley Hall) was lightly raced when trained by Sir Michael Stoute in 2023. With just five runs he was never out of the first four and won at Kempton on June 28th. Moving to Newmarket trainer George Boughey he finished a close 2nd at Newcastle on January 16th. He returned to Newcastle on Saturday to run in Valuable Bet MGM Handicap, worth Stg. £15,000 to the winner. Though carrying top weight he made light of the task and chalked up his second career win.Oliver Show’s dam , Ashley Hall, did not go in foal in 2022 and 2023 and has now been retired. Her last foal a colt by Wootton Bassett was sold in the Book One Yearling Sale at Newmarket for Stg. £550,000. Ashley Hall’s legacy will carry on with both a daughter and a half sister still at Croom.
Optik
We would like to congratulate his owners John Cook and Partner and trainer David Simcock for pulling off this three timer within a short two weeks.
With no further runners until February 3rd January has given us four wins and a very good start to the year.
25th January 2024
Having won on both the 13th and 16th of January Optic was given little time to rest and made the long journey to Newcastle on January 25th. Carrying top weight and penalised with 11 lbs more than he carried on his first win on January 13th he again went to post as the money on favourite. Again he went to the front inside the final furlong and given just a hands and heels ride by Hayley Turner it was always doing enough with a head to spare at the line. We can expect to see him on the racecourse again in the coming weeks where hopefully he can get his four timer.We would like to congratulate his owners John Cook and Partner and trainer David Simcock for pulling off this three timer within a short two weeks.
With no further runners until February 3rd January has given us four wins and a very good start to the year.
Optik
We can expect Optik to seek a third victory in the weeks ahead, giving his owner, trainer and jockey a great start to 2024.
16th January 2023
Optik won at Wolverhampton on January 13th and we predicted that further wins would be on the cards. Reappearing again just three days later at the same venue he went to post at 5/6F and though carrying a 5 lb penalty he made light of the task. Going to the front 1F out he again had a comfortable 1½ lengths to spare at the line.We can expect Optik to seek a third victory in the weeks ahead, giving his owner, trainer and jockey a great start to 2024.
Optik
Optik is the third runner and third winner out of the mare Sliabh Luachra – Sliabh Luachra being a daughter of Lucina the dam of Mehmas. Her fourth foal by Dark Angel has yet to run and her yearling by No Nay Never was sold in Book One for Stg. £240,000. Sliabh Luachra is in foal to Lope de Vega.
13th January 2023
Optic (Expert Eye X Sliabh Luachra) finished second on four occasions in 2023 and his connections must have wondered if their luck would ever turn when he was beaten by just one length at Kempton on the 6th January when denied a clear run in the final furlong. He made a fast appearance just seven days later and with Hayley Turner again in the saddle he recorded his first win. With the longer straight at Wolverhampton Hayley had him in front 1f out and went on to win by a comfortable 1½ lengths. Further wins in this handicap company look to be on the cards.Optik is the third runner and third winner out of the mare Sliabh Luachra – Sliabh Luachra being a daughter of Lucina the dam of Mehmas. Her fourth foal by Dark Angel has yet to run and her yearling by No Nay Never was sold in Book One for Stg. £240,000. Sliabh Luachra is in foal to Lope de Vega.
I'm Too Tired
We would like to congratulate his new owners and trainer Jennie Candlish who look to have a real jumping prospect and a fun year to look forward to.
12th January 2024
We may not like the name and we never give a mention to one of our horses who has gone the national hunt route. However me must make an exception for I’m Too Tired trained by Harry and Roger Charlton when placed in running on the flat in 2023 he went to the National Hunt Stable of Jennie Candlish on October 16th 2023. Knowing little about jumping hurdles he took to it like a duck to water six days later being beaten by just half a length on his first outing over hurdles. During the next eight weeks he ran four times being placed on each occasion. On the 12th January 2024 he went back too Sedgefield, where he had his first narrow defeat and with his original jockey, Sean Quinlan and a step up in trip he took on eleven other runners going to post as joint favourite. Instead of staying up with the pace he bided his time and joined the leaders when jumping the final hurdle. From there he led to the line, winning by a comfortable one length and though he has run five times in less than twelve weeks an early run and a further win looks inevitable.We would like to congratulate his new owners and trainer Jennie Candlish who look to have a real jumping prospect and a fun year to look forward to.