Urban Sea "The Legacy of one of Racing Histories best ever broodmares"

When Urban Sea retired at the end of the flat season in 1994, no one could have foreseen the impact this mare would have on the European breeding industry. Urban Sea had a lot going for her when she did retire to stud. She proved herself an outstanding race mare when she captured the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, defeating fourteen Group 1 winners in the Autumn of 1993. Urban Sea was also placed in the Prince Of Wales stakes. She returned as a five-year-old being placed in the Group 1 Prix Ganey & Coronation cups, before her career was curtailed by an injury to her fetlock.

Urban Sea not only was an outstanding racemare, she also possessed an outstanding pedigree. Her dam was  Group 3 winner Allegretta. Urban Sea is a 1/2 sister to Group 1 2000G winner Kings Best, later a Group 1 sire and the Group 3 winner Alez les Trois, herself dam of Group 1 French derby winner Anabaa Blue. Alez les Trois is also the grand dam of Group 1 miler Tamayuz, who is currently standing at Shadwell's Derrinstown stud. Urban Sea's other 1/2 sisters include the stakes placed Turbaine, dam of Group 3 winners Tertullian and Terek. Another of Urban Sea's 1/2 sisters Anzille, is the dam of German Group 1 winner Anzillero.

Their dam Allegretta was from a very successful stakes winning family. Her full siblings include German Group 2 winner Alya, champion German 3yo colt Anno, who was a dual Group 2 winner and the Listed winner Arionnette, later dam of Listed winner Andronikus. While her 1/2 siblings include multiple Group winner and Group 1 placed colt Anatas. The next dam was the stakes winning Anatevka, a sister to stakes winners Antuco & Algarve.

Urban Sea's produce record is as follows:

Name:  Urban Ocean (Bering) 

YOB:  1996:  

Race Record: Gallinule stks Group 3, Mooresbridge stks LR

Stud Record:  sire of a handful of 80+ rated horses, now a jumps sire at Kilbarry Lodge stud (IRE)

Name:   Melikah (Lammtarra)

YOB:  1997

Race Record:  LR Pretty Polly stakes, 2nd Group 1 Irish Oaks, 3rd Group 1 Epsom Oaks

Produce Record:   2002 B.F Vallrica (Selkirk), dam of Gr3/Gr2 winner Khawlah 

                               2003 CH.C Lunar Landscape (Giants Causeway), placed in maidens in Dubai

                               2006 B.C  Valedictory (Dubai Destination), winner 

                               2007 B.C Burj Nahar (Shamardal), twice winner 

                               2008 B.C Chief Of Staff (Pivotal), winner at 2 in France

                               2009 B.C Masterstroke (Monsun), Gr wnr, 3rd in Gr1 Arc de Triomphe, sire in France

                               2010 B.G Urban Dance (Street Cry), 2yo mdn & H'cap winner 

                               2011 B.F Hidden Gold (Shamardal), dual winner in UK in 2014

                               2013 B.C Unamed (Cape Cross), 3/4 brother to champion Sea The Stars

                               2014 B.C Unamed (Dubawi)

Name:  Galileo (Sadlers Wells)

YOB:  1998

Race Record:  Champion EU 3yo, dual derby & King George winner

Stud Record:  Multiple champion sire of over 40 Gr1 winners inc Frankel (GB), leading sire of sires

Name:  Black Sam Bellamy (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 1999

Race Record:  Dual Gr1 winner inc. Tatts Gold Cup & Gran premio del jockey club

Stud Record: sire of Gr1 wnr Earl Of Tinsdel & seven 100+ rated horses, stands at Shade Oak Stud (UK)

Name: Atticus (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 2000

Race Record: Unraced

Stud Record:  Unknown

Name: All To Beautiful (Sadlers Wells)

YOB: 2001

Race Record: LR & Gr3 wnr, 2nd in the Gr1 Epsom oaks

Produce Record:  2007 B.F All For Glory (Giants Causeway), Unraced 

                              2008 B.F Wonder Of Wonders (Kingmambo), LR wnr, dual Gr1 Oaks placed 

                              2009 B.F Along (Smart Strike), ran three times in Ireland

                              2010 B.C Victory Song (Dansili), won mdn race as a 3yo in 2010

                              2011 B.F Sparrow (Oasis Dream), 2yo mdn wnr, Gr3 pl in 2014

                               

Name: My Typhoon (Giants Causeway), 1.800,000gns foal

YOB: 2002

Race Record: Grade 1 Diana stks wnr, also multiple Graded winner

Produce Record:  2009 B.G He's A Cyclone (Smart Strike), winner in USA

                              2010 CH.C Endorphins Fly (Distorted Humor), ran a few times in USA

                              2012 B.F Tsunami of Love (Bernardini), 2yo unraced-to-date 

                              2014 B.C Unamed (Tapit)

Name: Cherry Hinton (Green Desert)

YOB: 2004

Race Record: Gr3 Blue Wind stks placed

Produce Record: 2009 B.F Wading (Montjeu), 2yo Gr2 wnr, foaled a colt by War Front in 2014 in USA

                              2010 B.C Lake Michigan (Montjeu), unraced, jumps sire at Park House Stud (IRE)

                              2011 B.F Bracelet (Montjeu), dual Gr wnr in 2014 inc Gr2 Ribblesdale stks 

                              2012 B.F Simply A Star (Giants Causeway), stakes placed 2yo in 2014

                              2013 B.C Unamed (Fastnet Rock)

                              

Name: Sea's Legacy (Green Desert)

YOB: 2005

Race Record:  unraced 

Stud Career:  standing first season in France in 2014

Name: Sea The Stars (Cape Cross)

YOB: 2006

Race Record:  2yo Gr2 wnr, world champion 3yo inc 2000G/Derby/Arc de Triomphe

Stud Record: Two classic winners in first crop 3yo's in 2014, Europe's hottest young sire

Name: Born To Sea (Invincible Spirit)

YOB: 2009

Race Record:  2yo LR debut wnr, placed in the Gr1 Irish Derby

Stud Record: First crop are foals in 2014, standing at Rathaskar stud (IRE)

                              

                                

Urban Sea has lived up to her family's outstanding success. Not only is she the dam of two high class stallions, her daughters are also following in her trend. Sadly Urban Sea died after foaling Born To Sea but thanks to the success of her progeny, her name will live on through generations of Group 1 winners. This years Epsom derby festival was a memorable one for Urban Sea, with both her derby winning sons Galileo & Sea The Stars siring both classic winners. Taghrhooda ( Sea The Stars) was a three length winner of the Oaks. While Australia (Galileo) was as equally impressive in the derby, he later followed up in the Irish equivalent. While Taghrhooda is a hot favourite to win this weekends Irish Oaks.  As the famous saying goes success runs in the family. 

(Urban Sea & Group producing broodmare Cherry Hinton as a foal in 2004)

Date with Destiny: a legacy of George Washington

When George Washington was officially retired to stud at the end of the 2006 Flat season. Many breeders were already booking their high quality mares, so that they could produce the next generation of top class milers. George Washington was an unbeaten Gr1 winning 2yo & classic winning three-year-old. His win in the 2006 2000 Guineas beating subsequent Epsom Derby winner Sir Percy, was among one of the best displays by a young horse in a major European classic. George Washington was beaten in the Irish version due to an injury. But he came back at the end of the season to win the QEII at Ascot. He was then retired to his owners Coolmore stud in the hope that, he could take up the mantle left by his own outstanding sire Danehill. 

George Washington had an outstanding sires pedigree. He was by the all conquering sire Danehill, who was just at the time proving himself as a sire of sires. George Washing was out of the Alysheba mare Bordighera. She herself was stakes placed as a three-year-old. George Washington was also a half brother to the high class Group 1 winner Grandera. 

The 2007 breeding season had begun & the future looked very bright for George Washington, meanwhile Coolmore were nurturing another son of Danehill in HolyromanEmporer for another victory in 2000 guineas. However on the 10thMarch  2007 Coolmore suspended George Washington from covering duties due to severe fertility problems. To accommodate the breeders who had booked mares to George Washington, Coolmore brought in the nearest replacement Group 2 winning & Group 1 placed 2yo HolyromanEmporer. 

George Washington returned to training later that year. It turned out that he did get one mare in foal. That mare was Flawlessly, carrying the only ever George Washington foal. Meanwhile George Washington was under performing on the racecourse, this is often a regular problem with top class horses that return from covering duties. George Washington failed to win a single race that year & was tradigically killed when running in the 2007 Breeders Cup Classic. 

However his legacy has been passed down through Flawlessy filly foal. On the 4th February 2008, the Irish National Stud who boarded Flawlessy announced that she had produced a filly foal. There was much anticipation when it was announced later that year that Tattersells were to sell the only foal in the world by George Washington at their annual Tattersalls December foal sale. The filly boasted a nice pedigree. She was a half sister to the dam of group 3 winner & group 1 placed Best Name. While her half siblings were Group winner Ombre Legure, later dam of Japenese Group winner Germinal. The filly didn't disappoint selling for 320,000gns to Peter & Ross Doyle on behalf of Julie Wood. 

Named Date With Destiny, she was placed in the care of Richard Hannon. Date With Destiny got off to the perfect start winning on her debut at Newbury in July 2010. That proved to be her only win in 7 career starts. But she was stakes placed in the LR Lancashire Oaks. Date With Destiny returned to the Tattersalls ring in December 2011. She sold to John Warren Bld'stk for 185,000gns. 

Date With Destiny is now currently at Newsells Park Stud in England as a broodmare. She currently has a yearling filly by champion sire Galileo and was covered by Group 1 winner Nathaniel this year. Her offspring are eagerly awaited as they will be the only foals ever with George Washington as their dam sire.

Date With Destiny

Broodmare Focus: Quevega

Quevega proved herself to be one of jumps racing best race mares when this year she won the Grade 2 David Nicholson mares hurdles a record six times, becoming only the second horse ever to win at the Cheltenham six times. Golden Miller is the only other. Quevega was also a four time Grade 1 winner when she won the Ladbrokes series hurdle a record four times. This year she just failed to make it a fifth when finding Jetson too strong. Shortly after that defeat Willie Mullins announced her retirement. 

Quevega is the beat racehorse under her first three dams. Although some of her siblings managed to win races, none were as near Quevega in terms of ability. Some of her winning siblings include Little Vega, Sivega & Monvega. She also has a 5yo full brother named Vivega, he was third on his debut & like his sister is in the care of Willie Mullins. He is owned by Mrs Sussanah Ricci. 

Quevega's second dam Nigrella is unraced but did produce some winners at stud. Her winners included Ajask & Hesck both were winners over jumps. The third dam Escarbille II is the dam of Mir II a winner over jumps four times in France. 

Since her retirement Quevega was covered by Beat Hollow. A son of Sadlers Wells and Oaks winner Wehymiss Bight, he hails from the same Juddmonte family as top class flat sire Oasis Dream & this seasons leading miler Kingman. Beat Hollow stands at Ballylinch as a dual purpose sire. 

He has sired some very good horses on the flat including Group 1 winner Proportional & Royal Ascot Group 2 winner Sea Moon. His winners over jumps include Grade 1 winners Cinders And Ashes & Hollow Tree as well as multiple graded winners over hurdles. 

Quevega is a jewel as a broodmare. Not only has she a fantastic record but her pedigree is open to all the major jumps sires in Ireland & Britain. Racing eagerly anticipates her first foal. I would love to see what a mating with four time Gold Cup winner Yeats could produce. 

(Quevega with another racing legend in Hurricane Fly) 

Broodmare Focus: The Fugue

The Fugue has been a mare of consistency and proved to be a top class mare winning four Group 1 races. One of her best wins was in the Irish Champion Stakes in 2013, where she beat top middle distance performer Al Kazeem and that years Irish Derby winner Trading Leather. Her other wins included the Group 1 Prince Of Wales Stakes beating dual Group 1 winner Magician & Prix De Arc De Triomphe winner Treve. Her other top flight wins were in the Naussau stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks. 

The Fugue is owned and bred by Watership Down Stud, also breeders of another multiple Group 1 winning mare in Dar Re Mi. The Fugue is the first top flight winner for her dam. She is a half siater to minor winner Susan Stroman, while her full brother Ducab was also a minor winner. They are out of Group 2 placed Twyla Tharp, who has an unraced 2yo colt by Shamardal named China Club & a yearling filly by Oasis Dream.

Twyla Tharp is a 1/2 sister to two individual Group 1 winners. They are QEII winner Summoner also a winner at Group level & Coral Eclipse winner Common Admiral, who was a European champion 3yo. This is also the family of multiple Group winners Arvada & Ardagio. 

The Fugue is an interesting mare to retire to the paddocks. She has to be considered an exceptional broodmare prospect with her record and pedigree. Her sire Dansili is the broodmare sire of two Group 1 winners in Irish Oaks winner Chicquitta (Montjeu) & Middle Park Stakes winner Astaire (Intense Focus). Daughters of Dansili have also produced Stakes Winners with Walk In The Park (son of Montjeu), High Chaparral, Zafeen, Intikhab, Selkirk & Nayef. 

I'm not a close fan of too near inbreeding so I wouldn't be quick to choose an obvious sire like Galileo as he is by The Fugue's dam sire in Sadlers Wells. One sire in particular that strikes out for me is Giants Causeway. A top class racehorse himself & has proved himself to be a top class Gr1 sire. He is the grand sire of Astaire while his son Shamardal is the sire of The Fugue's 1/2 brother China Club. I do question weather connections would send The Fugue to the states when there is plenty of other sires to choose from here in Europe. Proven Group 1 sires like Oasis Dream, Invincible Spirit & Dubawi, who is a fascinating outcross. While there is also proven young sires like New Approach & the top class Sea The Stars, my guess is that they will choose a much more proven sire for The Fugue's first mating. 

(The Fugue winning the Naussau Stakes) 

Pedigree Profile: Sea The Moon

Sea The Moon kept his unbeaten record in tact with a facile victory in the Group 1 German Derby. Although the field wasn't a true high class field it did include Group winners Geoffrey Chaucer, Lucky Lion, & Magic Artist. Sea The Moon's impressive 11L victory says to me that he should be more then capable of taking on some of Europe's finest in the coming weeks. Before his Group 1 victory Sea The Moon was a dual Group winner. He was a Group 3 debut winner and followed that win up in the Group 2 Oppenheim-Union Rennen. 

Sea The Moon comes with a top class German family. His dam the unraced Sanwa is a full sister to three individual Group 1 winners. They are five time Group1 winner Schiaparelli and dual Group 1 winner including German Derby hero Samum and also Salve Regina, a Group 1 winner she went on to produce Grade 2 winner Salve Germania. Sanwa is also a half sister to the dams of Group 1 winners Sortilege, Seismos and his 1/2 sister the German Oaks winner Soberania, who is also by Monsun. 

The second dam Sacarina was unraced but is a 1/2 sister to Group 3 winner Lady Member, herself dam of Group 3 Jeresey stakes & Group 2 Mill Reef stakes placed Brave Owen. Sea The Moon is the only colt racing by his sire out of a Monsun mare. 

Sea The Moon was sent to the 2012 Tattersalls Book 1 October yearling sale. He was led out unsold at 230,000gns. It was a wise decision by his breeders Gestut Gorldorf as he is now worth much more then that. Sea The Moon has a yearling full sister already named Sea The Sun. She made 320,000gns at last years December foal sale and was bought by Christopher Tsui who owned and bred her famous sire. Sea The Sun is currently in the care of her sires handler John Oxx. 

Sea The Moon's prospect as a future stallion is already well established but if he can go on to win prestigious Group 1 races in France, England & Ireland he will further enchance his stud value. His owner has stated that it is unlikely that he will stand in Germany as they may not get the best mares for such an illustrious colt. With that in mind and more european Group 1's to his name preferby the Prix De Arc de Triomphe, I can see the France, UK or Ireland being the place for him to stand at stud when he does retire. 

(Sea The Moin draws away for an empathic success in the Gr1 German Derby) 

(Sea The Sun showm here as a foal selling for 320,000gns to Sunderland Holdings) 

Pedigree Profiles: Lankan Rupee

Lankan Rupee is now officially the best sprinter in the world. The son of Australian champion sire Redoutes Choice is the winner of nine of his sixteen career starts including three at Group 1 level. His major wins include the TJ smith stakes, Newmarket H'cap & the Oakleigh Plate. Before his Group 1 wins he was a dual Group winner including the Group 2 Rubitin stakes and the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan stakes. 

Lankan Rupee is the second foal and first runner for his dam, the Group 3 winner Estelle Collection, herself a daughter of Group 1 July cup victor Stravinsky. Estelle Collection has three other full siblings to Lankan Rupee including the unraced pair of Timeless Choice & Unmissible Choice, she also has Charming Estelle an unraced six-year-old. Estelle Collection's yearling is a filly by Manhatten Rain. She was sold this year to Coolmore for $1,400,000 carrying a full sibling to yer high class sprinter. 

Lankan Rupee's second dam is the dual Group winning Ana Zeel, she is a sister to the dam of stakes winner La Sizeranne.

The third dam My Tricia had a better career as a broodmare producing two dual Group 1 winners in Grosvenor winner of the Victoria Derby & Sires Produce, he became a successful sire at stud, while his full sibling National Gallery won the Group 1 WA derby. Their 1/2 sister Concia was a minor winner but followed up her dam in producing Group 1 winners. Her progeny including the dual Group 1 VRC & AJC Oaks winner Mahaya & the Group winning Shadea, who in turn is the dam of multiple Group 1 winner & Australian champion sire Lonhro. 

It is Unfortunate that Lankan Rupee is gelded as he has the pedigree to be a decent stallion with two proven Group 1 sires featuring in his pedigree, his sire is also establishing himself as a sire of sires however connections had felt that after he was gelded he became a better horse temperament & ability wise. Lankan Rupee is owned & bred by the Teeley Assests LTD syndicate who also bred his dam & his successful sire. Talent definitely runs in the family!. 

"Frankel Fever" set to hit public auctions alight with first foal!

The moment many bloodstock agents & owners have been waiting for, the unique opportunity to purchase the first foal by world champion Frankel has arrived. The auction will take place at the Goffs London Sale after they announced that the unraced Crystal Gaze and her three month old colt by Frankel will be offered as the last lot, lot 65 on 16th June. The special part of it is that Crystal Gaze is back in foal to him with a LSD of April 16th. 

Before Goffs announced this, Japan Racing Association had been given the privilege of selling Frankel's first foal when they auction off a filly foal 1/2 sister to Hong Kong champion Gold Fun next month. Crystal Gaze's colt is backed up by a nice black type pedigree. He is a 1/2 brother to Spirit Quartz, a multiple Group winning sprinter and beaten only a nose in the Group 1 Nunthorphe stakes. Another 1/2 brother is Caspian Prince who won the Investic dash on derby day last weekend. Crystal Gaze herself is a full sister to Desert Quest a Graded winner over hurdles. Her 1/2 siblings include SWnr Jonquil & Graded winner over hurdles Stocktons Wing. This is from the immediate family of Group winner & sire Passing Glance & Group winner Hidden Meadow. 

(Frankel colt foal out of Crystal Gaze)

(Frankel foal 1/2 sister to Hong Kong champion Gold Fun selling next month in Japan) 

Pedigree Analysis Epsom Oaks Taghrooda

Taghrooda was a very impressive winner of the Oaks & kept her unbeaten record in tact. She is the first Group 1 winner & classic winner by her sire, champion racehorse Sea The Stars. Taghrooda is the second foal & first winner for her dam Ezima. Ezima herself stayed 14F, meaning Taghrooda had more then enough stamina in her pedigree. Taghrooda is from a stout line of stayers including Irish oaks winner Ebadiyla, Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate, she is also a close relation of Derby contender Ebanoran. Ezima has a two-year-old filly by Dansili named Maktaba, a yearling sister to Taghrooda named Taqaareed & a filly foal by Ravens Pass. 

Pedigree Analysis Irish 1000G Marvellous

Marvellous by name, marvellous by pedigree. This filly was a game winner of the Irish 1000 Guineas. She is a daughter of the all conquering stallion Galileo out of a Group two winning juvenile. Marvellous is the first foal of Yoursothrilling, an own sister to champion racehorse & sire Giants Causeway. They are out of Mariahs Storm, a multiple Graded winner in America. Mariahs Storm is herself a half sister to Group winner Panoramic, they are out of multiple Graded winner Immense. Yoursothrilling has a two-year-old full brother to Marvellous named Gleneagles & a yearling full sister also. 

Pedigree Analysis Irish 2000G Kingman

Kingman certainly stamped his authority in this Guineas. A homebred of Juddmonte Farms, he is outstandingly bred. Kingman is by champion stallion Invincible Spirit and is out of Group 1 french guineas heroine Zenda. Before Kingman burst on the scene Zenda had already supplied a stakes winner courtesy of Remote. She is a 1/2 sister to champion sprinter and sire Oasis Dream. Their dam Hope is an own sister to Irish Oaks winner Wemyss Bight, she in turn is the dam of multiple Group/Grade 1 winner and sire Beat Hollow. This is from the family of Reefscape. Zenda has a 2yo full sister to Remote and foaled a filly by Juddmonte's first season sire Bated Breath.

Classic hopefuls Pedigree Analysis: Australia

Australia's impressive run in the guineas at a mile prompted bookmakers to make him the clear favourite for this years Epsom Derby, a race which since the day this regally bred colt made his debut has been edged in the minds of Coolmore. 

Australia's pedigree suggests he is the 'clear' derby winner. A son of derby winner Galileo whose progeny have won this race twice, he is out of dual Oaks winner Ouija Board. Australia is bred on very similar lines to Epsom Derby hero Sea The Stars. Sea The Stars is Galileo's half brother, while his sure Cape Cross is the broodmare sire of Australia. 

Ouija Board got off to a slow start as a broodmare. While her first two foals to race Voodoo Prince (Kingmambo) & Aegaeus (Monsun) were both winners, the distance which they both won 1m-1m4F suggests that Australia will undoubtedly be a better horse over 1m2F. Australia's full sister Felia Regina was also a winner at 1m6F. Australia is her first black type winner. 

The second dam Selection Board was twice placed & is a full sister to champion miler Teleprompter. Their half sibling Chatoyant was placed in the Prince of Wales stakes at 1m2F, a race which Ouija Board won. They are from the immediate family of Ibn Yay a dual Gr1 winner including the 12F Irish Leger. He is a half brother to Roseata Turn a winner of the Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks at 1m4F & was also second in the Epsom equivalent. This is also the immediate family of Gr1 2yo Red Bloom. 

Ouija Board has a yearling colt by champion sire Dubawi, and returned to Australia's sire Galileo last year. 

Australia as a foal with his multiple Gr1 winning dam Ouija Board. 

Miss France 2014 1000G winner Pedigree Analyst

Miss France has risen through the ranks from coming 9th of 10 on her debut to winning a European classic. However she improved drastically from that performance to beat subsequent Group one winner Indonesienne. She also won the Group three Oh So Sharp stakes at two. 

Miss France is the 17th individual Group one winner for her sire Dansili & is also his first classic winner. Miss France is superbly bred. She is a half sister to stakes winners Mer De Coreil & Alsace Lorraine, while another sibling was stakes placed. Another half sister is Miss Hawai, she was unraced but has had success at stud producing stakes winner & Group one placed filly Beach Bunny. 

They are out of champion 2yo Prix Marcel Boussac winner Miss Tahiti. She went on to be placed in the French Oaks & Prix Vermeille as a 3yo. She is a half sister to the dam of Grade one winner England's Legend.   

Night Of Thunder 2014 2000G winner Pedigree Analyst

Night Of Thunder provided his sire Dubawi with a 15th Group one winner since his retirement to stud. He is the first foal of his dam, who sadly passed away in 2012. Night Of Thunder was bought for just 32,000gns at the 2012 Tattersalls Book 1 yearling Sale. He has raced four times winning three of them, his only defeat came when a well beaten second to Kingman in the Group 3 Greenham stakes. 

His dam Forest Storm, a daughter of champion sire Galileo was herself placed in the Listed flame of tara stakes. 

The second dam Quiet Storm was also a dual listed placed runner & is a half sister to a pair of stakes performers in Safarando & Castillian. 

The fourth dam Forest Flower won the Irish 1000 guineas and was also a multiple Group winner. At stud she produced Hill of Dreams who was stakes placed. Forest Flower is also grand dam of another black type performer in Best Of Me. 

Stakes Races: 12/04/2014 Winners Pedigree:

Navan Racecourse, Ireland

3:00pm Irish Stallion Farms EBF  Salsabil Stakes

Dazzling (IRE)
3yo Bay Filly by Galileo x Secret Garden

This well related filly made all in this moderate listed race. The step up to 10 furlongs seems to bring out the best in her & it seems the step up to 12F in the Oaks would suit her quite well. Dazzling didn't come cheap as Coolmore had to part with £925,000 to acquire her at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Coolmore had enjoyed classic success with her full brother Roderic O'Connor, he won the Gr1 Gran Criterium as a 2yo before finishing second to Frankel in the Dewhurst, and going on to land the Irish 2000 guineas as a 3yo. Dazzling is the second stakes winner produced by her dam Secret Garden. A daughter of Danehill she was a stakes winner herself and was placed at Grade 3 level in America. Dazzling's third dam Durtal was a champion at two. She produced Gr1 Ascot Gold Cup winner Glidoran at stud. Secret Garden was purchased for £900,000 at the 2012 Tattersalls December Mare Sale to Hugo Lascelles Bloodstock, she has a 2yo and yearling brother to Dazzling & Roderic O'Connor.


3:35pm Ballysax Stakes Group 3

Fascinating Rock (IRE)
3yo Bay Colt by Fastnet Rock x Miss Polaris

This colt prvided his sire with his first stakes winner in Europe. Fascinating Rock is the third foal out of maiden winner Miss Polaris, a daughter of Polar Falcon. He is a half brother to minor winner Secretsubstitute and hurdle winner Quick Jack. His dam is a winning sister to Slovakian stakes winner Euro Falcon. Further back in the family is Italian Group winners Gothenberg & Omaha City. This is from the immediate family of champion Japanese 3yo filly Cesario & Group 2 placed Anna Pavlova.


Newbury Racecourse, Britain

1:50pm Dubai Duty Free Surprise Stakes Group 3

Cubanita
3yo Chesnut filly by Selkirk x Caribana

This well bred filly is the first foal of her dam. Her third dam is Group 1 yorkshire oaks winner Key Change. She produced Grade 1 hurdler Pittoni, as well as Listed winner & Group placed Calorand. This is the family of Group winner Discreet Belief.


2:20pm Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Fred Darling) Group 3

J Wonder
3yo Bay Filly by Footstepsinthesand x Canterbury Lace

This filly is also superbly bred & cost connections $300,000 as a yearling. Her full sister is Chachmaidee who won the Group 1 Matron stakes & was also placed in the Group 1 Sun Chariot. Her dam is the unraced Canterbury Lace. She is a sister to Irish Derby runner up Alexander Of Hales and is also a sister to Group 1 Gran Criterium runner up Chevalier. Canterbury Lace is a 1/2 sister to classic heroine Virginia Waters, they are out of Legend Maker, a Group 3 winner. This is from the family of Group 1 winner & sire In The Wings & also to stakes winner Alive Alive Oh.

2:55pm Aon Greenham Stakes Group 3

Kingman
3yo Bay Colt by Invincible Spirit x Zenda

Kingman certainly stamped his authority in this Guineas trial event. A homebred of Juddmonte Farms, he is outstandingly bred. Kingman is by champion stallion Invincible Spirit and is out of Group 1 french guineas heroine Zenda. Before Kingman burst on the scene Zenda had already supplied a stakes winner courtesy of Remote. She is a 1/2 sister to champion sprinter and sire Oasis Dream. Their dam Hope is an own sister to Irish Oaks winner Wemyss Bight, she in turn is the dam of multiple Group/Grade 1 winner and sire Beat Hollow. This is from the family of Reefscape. Zenda has a 2yo full sister to Remote and foaled a filly by Juddmonte's first season sire Bated Breath.

Broodmare Focus: Atlantic Jewel

The last few years in thoroughbred racing has seen some tremendous fillies. Australia has been blessed in recent times with the likes of Black Cavair undefeated in twenty-five races & the mare in question Atlantic Jewel who lost her unbeaten record by a short head.

Atlantic Jewel was the winner of four Group 1 races in Australia including the 1000 guineas & the Cathy Pacific Caulfield stakes. Atlantic Jewel was ultra consistent winning ten times from eleven runs. Her career was blighted by injury problems which prevented her from racing over seas. 

Atlantic Jewel has a very strong female pedigree. She is a daughter of Australia's leading sire Fastnet Rock. She cost Coolmore $320,000 as a yearling & was trained by Mark Kavanagh. 

Atlantic Jewel was the second & first living produce foaled by her dam Regard. A daughter of champion sire Zabeel, she was twice a winner & is a half sister to the dual stakes placed Shaan. They are both out of Nanshan who won twice as a three-year-old. Regard was a high class broodmare who was plagued by foaling problems, her only two living progeny were both Group 1 winners. Regards first foal died soon after birth, she then foaled Atlantic Jewel, while her third foal was Group 1 thousand guineas winner Commanding Jewel, her fourth foal died and tragically she died herself. 

Atlantic Jewel comes from a top class European family. Her fourth dam was Group 1 cheveley park stakes winner Pass The Peace, she in turn produced Embassy who emulated her dam by winning the cheveley park stakes & by becoming a Group 1 producer when her son Kings Apostle won the Group 1 Prix Maurice De gheest. This is from the immediate family of stakes winners Vital Statistics & Cobra.

It didn't come as much surprise to racing fans when Coolmore announced Atlantic Jewel would visit their flagship sire Galileo. The Galileo/Fastnet Rock cross has yet to be tested, but if Galileo can replicate the success he has so far had with the sire line then this cross could produce the next generation of champions. Atlantic Jewel  arrived at Coolmore in Ireland well in advance for her date with the worlds best sire. I am eagerly anticipating the arrival of her first foal. 

Freshman sire focus: Equiano

Equiano proved himself one of Europes beat sprinters when he won the Group 1 Kings Stand Stakes twice. He is a son of Acclamation, who finished second in Europe's premier sprint race. Acclamation has already established himself as a sire of sires with his Group 1 winning two-year-old son Dark Angel making huge headlines for himself as a stallion. Equiano also serves in the Southern Hempishere with his first yearlings there proving as popular as his Northern Hempishere stock, where here they averaged over £42,000.

Equiano is the best horse from his dam Entente Cordiale. He traces back to Hessonite, who was champion 3yo filly in New Zealand & Anbandana who was champion 2yo filly in New Zealand. This is also the ancestress of Marchfield who was champion older horse in Canada. Equiano's pedigree is numerous with Stakes winners under his fourth dam who was Grade 1 placed.

If he can replicate his paternal 1/2 brother Dark Angel in the sire ranks he will be well on his way to establishing himself as a sire to note. Equiano was Group 2 placed as a two-year-old. He won twice from six starts placing in three. He was also second in the Group 1 July Cup. He has proved a very good bargain. He stands at Newsells Park Stud at a very reasonable fee of £8,000

Second Crop sires to follow for 2014!

(1).
Sea The Stars (IRE)
Bay Stallion by Cape Cross x Urban Sea by Miswaki
Standing: Gilltown Stud

Sea The Stars retired to stud in 2010. He retired unbeaten in a classic three-year-old campaign. Six Group 1 wins in six months culminating in the Prix D'e L'arc De Triomphe. Not only was he a world champion racehorse, Sea The Stars has one of the most sought after stallions pedigrees in the world. He is a 1/2 brother to 8 Stakes winners/performers including multiple Group 1 winner & global sire phenomenon Galileo, as well as Group 1 winners/placed Black Sam Bellamy, My Typhoon, Melikah, All To Beautiful, Born To Sea, Urban Ocean & stakes placed Cherry Hinton. Sea The Stars first crop yielded him 12 individual winners including Stakes winner & 1,000 guineas prospect My Titania. I've always believed his progeny will improve from two to three with 2014 looking to bring him a first classic winner. There is still so much more to come from this exciting young sire & I hope he can build on his freshman success.

Sea The Stars (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)

(2).
Mastercraftsman (IRE)
Grey Stallion by Danehill Dancer x Starlight Dreams by Black Tie Affair
Standing: Coolmore Stud

Mastercraftsman was champion two-year-old of his year & was also a leading miler as a three-year-old. Many breeders were confident that he could make progress as he was by sire of sires Danehill Dancer. Mastercraftsman did not disappoint he was some bit ahead of his predecessors in the freshman table by number of stakes winners & prize money. His star juvenile was undoubtedly racing post trophy winner Kingston Hill, who is now a leading candidate for the 2,000 guineas & Epsom derby. He also has a 1,000 guineas candidate with Amazing Maria, who was a Group 3 winner at Goodwood. Mastercraftsman's progeny should undoubtedly improve from two to three and with the impressive start he has got off to, here's hoping he can keep that going in 2014.

MasterCraftsman (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)

(3).
Archipenko (USA)
Bay Stallion by Kingmambo x Bound by Nijinsky
Standing: Lanwades Stud

Archipenko is a tremendously bred horse coming from one of the best sire producing families in the stud book. He was a Group 1 winner in Hong Kong , & was also a stakes winner at Group level in Ireland & the UK. Archipenko is a 1/2 brother to Liable, the dam of 2012 Breeders Cup classic winner Blame. His dam Bound is a 3/4 sister to champion sire Nureyev. Bound is also a 1/2 sister to Fairy Bridge the dam of one of the best sires in Sadlers Wells & his full brother Fairy King, who was also a champion sire. This also from the family of American sires Corinthian, Jade Robbery. It is also the family of Breeders cup winner Wrote & leading sire Soldier Hollow. Archipenko sired the winners of 14 races and he also sired dual stakes placed Lady Penko. I am a huge fan of his pedigree and I believe he represents great value for breeders.

Archipenko (Lanwades Stud)

(4).
Dunkerque (FR)
Bay stallion by Highest Honour x Dissertation by Sillery 
Standing: Haras Du Quesnay 

Dunkerque had a realtivly quiet year with his first juveniles siring only a handful of winners. I am still a small fan of this young sire. He is an own brother to Group 1 Prix Foret winner Dedication, while his dam is a 1/2 sister to dual Group winning & dual Grade 1 placed Beau Sultan. Dunkerque never won a Group 1 race but he was a dual Group winner & listed placed. He won 5 times from 16 starts placing in 8 of them. He was a consistent horse. He does have plenty to fine on some of the other sires but I'd be hoping for a few stakes horses in his older crops.

Dunkerque (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)

(5).
Champs Elysees (GB)
Bay stallion by Danehill x Hasili by Kahyasi
Standing: Juddmonte Farms

Champs Elysees had a good freshman year, with his best juvenile being the listed winning and Group 2 placed filly Avenue Gabriel. It is hard to dismiss this sire as he has a huge amount of potential. Not only is his dam Hasili one of the best broodmares of all time, he is a brother to a champion sire in Dansili, their other brother Cacique has also had success as a sire. Champs Elysees full sisters include multiple Group 1 winner and Group 1 producer Banks Hill as well as Intercontinental who was also a Group 1 winner. While his half sister Heat Haze was also a dual Group 1 winner. They come from a top class female line with such names as leading sire Leroidesanimaux, Group 1 winner Promising Lead, champion two-year-old Three Valleys and Group winner and Group 1 placed Visit featuring as their close relatives.

Champs Elysees (Juddmonte Farms)

(6).
Soldier Of Fortune  (IRE)
Bay stallion by Galileo x Affianced by Erin Isle
Standing: Haras Du Logis Saint Germain

I have always been a fan of this horse. He went from winning a maiden to contesting a european Group 1, which he finished runner up. Soldier Of Fortune made huge improvement to run out a nine length winner of the Irish Derby making him champion three-year-old in Ireland. He was also a winner of Group level including the Chester Vase. At four he added the Coronation Cup and was also placed in the Grand Prix De Paris and the Prix D'e L'arc De Triomphe. Soldier Of Fortune is a brother to Group winner and Group sire Heliostatic. His dam Affianced is a 1/2 sister to the top class Sholokhov. This is the immediate family of Intense Focus. Soldier Of Fortune sired the winners of 11 races with over €100,000 in win prize money. I would be hoping he can sire some nice horses in his older crops.

Soldier Of Fortune (Haras Du Saint Germain)

   

First Season Sires: Lope De Vega

Lope De Vega is an interesting sire prospect by leading young sire Shamardal. He is from the sire line of the top class Storm Cat. He stands at the renowned Ballylinch Stud & at €12,500 he is great value for breeders.

Lope De Vega was a very precocious racehorse. He was champion three-year-old colt in France where he won the French guineas & Derby. He was a very useful two-year-old winning twice & placing on his only other start. In all he won four times from nine starts. Lope De Vega was the leading freshman sire with yearling averages at the sales & he has a very well bred crop to come including a half sibling to the ill fated top two-year-old Chrisellium.

Lope De Vega is out of Group 3 winner & Group 1 placed Lady Vettori. His half sister Bal De La Rose was also a stakes winner in France. Lady Vettori has a two-year-old by Sea The Stars, while her three-year-old is an unraced brother to Lope De Vega named Lord Of The Land.

This is from the immediate family of top class American pair Lady Blessington & Gotta Have Her, both twice placed at Grade 1 level.

Lope De Vega,  is also one of the first stallion sons by his sire Shamardal at stud in Europe.  There are plenty of stakes horses in this young sires pedigree and he looks a sire capable of fairing quite well with his first crop. If he can replicate his sires success he will be well on his way to establishing himself as a premier young sire.

First Season Sire Focus: Makfi

The new flat season of 2014 brings the first juvenile runners of top class miler Makfi. Makfi is one of the first sire sons by his sensational sire Dubawi at stud. Makfi stands at Tweenhills stud in the UK at a fair price of £25,000. His first yearlings were very warmly received & there will sure to be plenty of interest in his first runners.

Makfi won his only start as a two-year-old and progressed rapidly from winning his maiden to becoming champion three-year-old miler. He was also a Group 3 winner. Makfi's finest moments came in the 2,000 guineas & proving that win was no fluke when winning the Prox Jaques Les Marois, emulating his sire in the process. When Makfi retired he was rated 4lbs higher then his sire Dubawi.

Makfi boasts a lovely pedigree. He is out a Green Desert 1/2 sister to Alhaarth, who was champion two-year-old, he also became a useful sire at stud. Makfi is also a close relative of Aqaleem, who was placed in the Derby.

Makfi's second dam is Irish River, herself a 1/2 sister to dual Group 1 winner & leading sire Green Dancer, this is also from the immediate family of leading sire Pink, & Group 1 sire Authorized.

Makfi possesses extremely good looks and represents an exciting sire line. He also serves in the Southern Henisphere where he has been very warmly recieved. He is an interesting and exciting sire prospect. He looks an interesting sire for Sadler's Wells & Danhill line mares. I would also like to see how he would fare with Sinndar mares etc.

Freshman Sires to follow for 2014!!

(1). Zebedee (IRE)
Grey horse by Invincible Spirit x Cosy Maria (Cozzene)
Standing: Tally Ho Stud

With the encouraging start Invincible Spirit has got off to as a sire of sires, Zebedee, for me looks to be a force to be reckoned with when his first runners make their debuts in the coming weeks. Zebedee himself proved to be a major two-year-old of his generation. A winner on his debut he was a dual stakes winner winning the Group 3 Molecomb stakes and Group 2 Flying Childers. These wins proved that he was one of the fastest two-year-olds of his generation. Richard Hannon described him as "one of our star two-year-olds with a great turn of foot" while jockey Richard Hughes described him a "one of the fastest two-year-olds in the yard". Zebedee's yearlings were all the rage last year with a colt fetching 220,000gns while others sold for 120,000gns & €100,000 etc all conceived at a fee of €5,000. Zebedee should get fast precocious types that can compete and win at stakes level and I would be very surprised if he wasn't battling for Freshman Sire honors.

 
Zebedee (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)


(2). Fast Company (IRE)
Bay horse by Danehill Dancer x Sheezalady (Zafonic)
Standing: Rathaskar Stud

Fast Company was also a leading two-year-old of his generation and was behind only subsequent derby winner New Approach on the 2yo European list. A winner on his debut he followed that up by winning the Group 3 Acomb stakes beating triple Group 1 winner Camponologist. He stepped up in grade considerably on his third and final start when running New Approach to the line in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes beating Group 1 winners Ravens Pass & Rio De La Plata. It was a real shame Fast Company never ran again as he had the scope to improve with age. A son of proven sire of sires Danehill Dancer, he is out of a half sister to high class filly Hawajiss. Fast Company's yearlings were in consistent demand with some individuals fetching €260,000, €150,000, €120,000, 82,000gns etc. A fine profit from a service fee of €5,000. He should be capable of getting some stakes horses.


Fast Company (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)


(3). Lord Shanakill (USA)
Bay horse by Speighstwon x Green Room (Theatrical)
Standing: Irish National Stud

Lord Shanakill was a very consistent performer as a two & three-year-old. At two he won the Group 2 Mill Reef stakes and was second in the Dewhurst \& third in the Prix Morny. As a three-year-old he won the Group 1 Prix jean prat and was also a winner of the Group 2 Lennox stakes. He is one of the first stallion sons in Europe by Speighstown who has taken America by storm in recent years. Lord Shanakill is suberbly bred with his dam being a half sister to  Grade 1 winner Chain Fern, and his second dam being a full sister to Irish 1000 guineas winner Al Bahathri, dam of classic winner Haafhd. Lord Shanakill is also from the family of champion two-year-old Hearts Of Fire and Heatseeker, a Grade 1 winner in America he was Group 1 placed as a two-year-old in Europe. Lord Shanakill's yearlings sold for up to €160,000 with good remarks of his first yearlings. He stands at €5,000 and I would be hoping that he has a good start with his first crop.


Lord Shanakill (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)


(4). Rip Van Winkle (IRE)
Bay horse by Galileo x Looking Back (Stravinsky)
Standing: Coolmore

Coolmore currently house the reigning champion freshman sire with Mastercraftsman and they have another exciting candidate in Rip Van Winkle. Rip Van Winkle ran three times as a two-year-old winning twice including when scoring in the Group 3 Tyros stakes at Leopardstown. At three he became champion miler when winning the Group 1 Sussex stakes and the Group 1 QEII. He returned at four to win the Juddmonte International stakes at 10 furlongs beating Group 1 winners Twice Over & Byword. Rip Van Winkle was also placed in the Group 1 Irish champion stakes, Sussex stakes & QEII as a four-year-old. Of all the top class sons sired by Galileo only the exceptional Frankel is rated higher by Timeform, With yearling prices of up to €400,000, the Rip Van Winkles are hugely exciting. He will stand this year at €20,000.

Rip Van Winkle

(5). Showcasing (GB)

Bay horse by Oasis Dream x Arabesque (Zafonic)

Standing: Whitsbury Manor Stud

Showcasing was a fast two-year-old & is to date the fastest Gimcrack stakes winner ever. He was also placed in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes & was a higher rated two-year-old than his 1/2 brother Camacho, who sired over five two-year-old stakes winners in 2013. His dam was a stakes winning daughter of Group 1 Cheveley Park stakes winner Prophecy. Showcasing had yearlings sell for 150,000gns, 120,000gns, 100,000gns. He stands at £4,500 and is an interesting sire to follow with his juvenile runners. 

Showcasing (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)

(6). Approve 

Bay horse by Oasis Dream x Wyola (Sadlers Wells)

Standing: Morristown Lattin Stud 

Approve deserves to be included in this list. He was a dual group 2 winning two-year-old when winning the Gimcrack stakes & Norfolk stakes at Royal Ascot. He was also placed at Group 1 level. Approve was quickly snapped up for stud duties after his two-year-old campaign. His foals & yearlings were very warmly received. Approve's second dam is a 1/2 sister to Culture Vulture who was a dual Group 1 winner as a two-year-old. Approve is also from the family of champion 3yo miler Zilzal. I liked his yearlings and hope that he can do well with hits first crop. At €5,000 he is very good value. 

Approve (Thoroughbred Stallion Book)