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Mid December Update

It's mid December now and soon the yearlings will turn to two-year-olds and an exciting new year will start for horse racing.

I have been a little more actively looking for youngsters to include in my crop of 2007 in the past couple of weeks and though most are still unnamed I have quite a shortlist already.

Of the US-breds Liam will likely make the final cut. He is a grey colt from the only crop of Saint Liam, out of Grey Traffic, by Numerous. I like simple names and is he is the first foal of a graded stakes placed dam.
Two ladies, Lady Minx (Atticus x Toot Sweet, by Pirate's Bounty) and Lady Wolf (St Averil x Wolf Lake, by Wolf) are also definite maybes, as are Nordic Dancer (ch colt, Out Of Place x La Belle Danse, by Beau Genius). In a previous post I mentioned Untamed Wolf (ch f Kokand x Wolf Tree, by Wolf Power) and Wind Tamer (dbr c Kitten's Joy x Spent Gold, by Unaccounted For), which are still high on my list. Then there are two Dance With Ravens that I like the sound of, Fire Raven (b f out of Fire Place, by Out Of Place) and Moon Raven (out of Trysail, by Afleet). And there are a few more, but I will keep it at that for now.

As for the UK/IRE ones, I am not that far with that. Very few seem to be named yet. I am building a list with unnamed ones as well, just to keep track of the ones I like to look of. Leith Hill Dancer is one I have added to the list for now. She is a chestnut filly by Imperial Dancer x Leith Hill Star, by Comme L'Etoile. Not sure whether she will be a flat horse or a jumper...

First Musings

A first look at some prospects for inclusion in my Crop of 2007 :o)

EUROPEAN-BRED
I like horses named after animals, so when I saw that a Mark Of Esteem colt was named Siberian Wolf I was pretty excited. He is out of Mary Rose (Royal Academy). However, the breeder seems to be Spanish, so he will probably end up running in that area, which makes it pretty much impossible for me to follow him, so it's no use including him unfortunately...
Same goes for another Mark Of Esteem filly named Bramble out of the Doyoun mare Babalu - lovely name, but likely based in Italy, so another toss.

A lot of Shadwell-breds have been named already. I picked a few of the names I like the sound of, such as Tamaathul (grey colt by Tiger Hill), Kayaan (brown colt by Marju) and Turuqaat (brown filly by Fantastic Light).

Some others under consideration from this side of the Atlantic: Play Of Light (bay colt by Fantastic Light), Oak Leaves (bay filly Mark Of Esteem), Fearlessness (bay colt Exceed And Excel)

NORTH AMERICAN-BRED:
There are plenty of well-named yearlings about, so I will have plenty to choose from. Snow Sprite will likely be part of my crop, partly because this bay filly has a lovely name, but also because her dam is by Thirty Six Red, who is an old favourite. She is by Snow Ridge.

Wind Tamer (dark bay colt by Kitten's Joy) and Untamed Wolf (chestnut filly by Kokand) are also very likely to make it to my final 50 simply based on their names.

another instalment soon!

Decision: Crop of 2007

Instead of following all my past crops on here, I will from now on exclusively dedicate this blog to my Crop of 2007 to make things easy for myself and maybe more interesting as well.

I will document my progress as I choose my 50 2yos of 2009 over the next few months. I have been researching in the last few weeks already, so I will soon be able to list some prospects that I am thinking of including.

By concentrating on one crop I will be able to explain fully why I chose those particular fifty horses and document their progress through their racing careers more closely.

I have already thought long and hard about what kind of horses to include. I really want a nice mixture breeding-wise. Of course I will include some well-bred animals, but I would also like to include some of the non-commercial sires that might only have 10 or 20 mares a year or even fewer.

I have also already seen a lot of youngsters with beautiful names that I am keen to include. Dance With Ravens lends himself to lovely naming options for instance and Fantastic Light always seems to get some nice ones. I am superficial after all and a beautiful name goes a long way in my book!

I am already getting excited about choosing my fifty :o)

Thinking Things Over

What a Breeders' Cup it was! Wahey for Raven's Pass - I really like that horse.

Anyway, I am going to revamp this blog somehow over the next few weeks - I am not sure exactly how yet, but I will think of something.

I have a fair amount of horses I follow and now with my first few crops having offspring as well and trying to keep track of them as well needs a lot of energy and I am trying to think of the most efficient way of doing it.

I might decide to start a 'sister-blog' on which I keep track of the offspring of my crop mares and stallions. I will remove the horses from my 2006 crop that are offspring by earlier crops.

The other dilemma I have is how to keep track of all the offspring of the few stallions I have at stud: Cat Dreams, Certain Storm and Dubawi. Gauguin, Ten Centuries and Shaniko had their first foal crops in 2008. Indy and Echo Of Light will both have their first foals in 2009. I have to come up with an ingenious way of doing this and I haven't yet! I might choose to only track their first crops in detail, but I just have to have a think about it.

Bear with me!

ToF Update - 6 Oct 08

Three of my horses started in graded stakes over the last few days and this is how they fared:

General Eliott ran a very respectable 4th behind Eagle Mountain, Bankable and Ordnance Row on Friday 3 October in the Nayef Joel Stakes (G3) at Newmarket. He was beaten by only 3/4 of a length. He had been off since getting injured in the French 2000 Guineas back in May. It was a very good performance and he can only improve from this. I am expecting a lot from him next season and there should be a group win in him, at the very least.

Sugar Swirl finished 3rd in the Thoroughbred Club Of America Stakes (G3) at Keeneland on Saturday 4 October. She was beaten by Indyanne and Wild Games by a total of 4 lengths. Not bad at all.

I saved the best for last. Callwood Dancer ran 2nd behind Godolphin's Folk Opera in the E P Taylor Stakes (G1) at Woodbine on Saturday. She is entered in the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale (hip 578) and the fact that she is now not only a G2 winner (Nassau S), but also G1 placed won't do her any harm at all. I hope she will stay in training next year, but who knows?

A Tribute To Conjugal Visit

It never gets easier to hear when a horse you have followed since they were youngsters has passed away.

I emailed Mountaineer after I heard the news that he was vanned off in his last race. Unfortunately the news coming back was not good. He was euthanized.

Conjugal Visit was a 2003 chestnut gelding by Yes It's True out of Erie Delight. Erie Delight is a Thirty Six Red mare that ran almost 50 races in her career, winning 3.

Conjugal Visit himself ran 15 times. He made his debut at Tampa Bay Downs in March 2006, finishing 10th in a field of 12. He followed up with three consecutive 2nd place finishes in maidens at Philadelphia Park and Monmouth. In September 2007 he won his first race, a maiden claiming at Meadowlands. He won his first race of 2008, a claiming race at Mountaineer on 24 May. It was his last victory.

I will miss him...

Condolences to all his connections.

ToF Update - 1 Oct 08

Life is pretty busy and hectic at the moment (in a good way), so I will stick to these updates for now. I hope to go back to a quieter life at the end of October!

Wordspinner did the unthinkable - he won a race! He broke his maiden in his 51st start on 26 September. He did place and show regularly, so hopefully the step up against horses that have won races as well won't be too hard on him. He won for owner/trainer Daniel Jacobs under Chin Yang in a maiden claiming at Finger Lakes.

It was a bad few days for horses pulling up.

Silver Swallow was pulled up in her race at Oak Tree at Santa Anita on 25 September, but according to her trainer she was fine before and after the race. Hopefully she is in perfect health and will run again soon. I am sure she will have a thorough veterinary check-up first though!

Conjugal Visit was pulled up in race 4 at Mountaineer on 27 September and Wildwood Peekaboo was pulled up in race 1 at Hawthorne on 26 September. I am keeping my fingers crossed that both will be ok. I have emailed the tracks to ask their status.

ToF Update - 23 Sept 08

Monsoon Rain made it five wins in a row when he captured the $50k Gold Cup S at Assiniboia Downs on Sunday 21 September. He did it in style, winning by more than 11 lengths over Tejano Trouble in second and Voorhee's Ballad back in third. The bay gelding, by Old Trieste out of Smokey Mirage, by Holy Bull, was bred by Ten Broeck Farm in Kentucky, owned by Larry A Carter and trained by Martin Drexler.

CLAIMS:
17 Sep: Noble Texas was claimed for $5k from race 2 at Northlands Park by trainer Garry Marks and owner Leonard Marks.
19 Sept: Fly With The Wind was claimed out of an allowance optional claiming race at Calder for $16k. His new owner is Pennston Farm and his new trainer is Steven W Standridge. Fly With The Wind finished 6th in the race.

ToF Update - 15 Sept 08

I have been away for a few days, but here's a small recap of what happened with the ToF horses in the meantime:

Richochet, a 7yo grey gelding by El Prado out of Attach, won a claiming race at Mountaineer Park on 9 September. It was his first win in almost a year and his 19th start of 2008. He won the race by 2 1/4 lengths over Yoyo Jabo and ran the 6 furlongs in 1.11.97 over a muddy track. He is owned by Fred C Schunmann and trained by Charles Kieser and it is the first win for them since he was claimed in March 2008 for $5,000. He was bred at Claiborne Farm.

Two 2004 boys I am happy to see back on the work tabs are Z Z Dome and Helsinki. Helsinki ran third in the 2007 editions of the Travers (behind Street Sense) and the Brooklyn H (behind Any Given Saturday). He was never quite good enough to run with the big boys, but I always cheered him on. Z Z Dome is a stakes winner at Sunland Park (2007 Pepsi Cola H) and Zia Park (2007 NM Cup Classic Championship). I hope they will get back to their best.

Ought, a four-year-old Grand Slam filly, won for the second time this year, when she beat her rivals with a front running performance in the 7th at Mountaineer on 14 September.

Frozen Fire unfortunately disappointed in the St Leger. Warringah was in way over his head as his stablemate Conduit took the spoils. Hopefully they will both bounce back well from this.

Keeneland Yearling Results

A few weeks ago I posted the list below of yearlings that are going through the Keeneland Yearling sale that are offspring of my crop horses. I will add the results in this post"

29. bF, Dubawi x Regina Maria, by Unbridled
--> $300,000 to Mark Johnston

103. bF, Giant's Causeway x Wildwood Flower, by Langfuhr
--> $310,000 to Starlight Partners

173. dbF, A P Indy x Ensenada, by Seeking The Gold
-->$475,000 to G Watts Humphrey Jr

188. dbF, Elusive Quality x Golden Sphinx, by Storm Cat
--> $330,000 to Amerman Racing

437. chF, A P Indy x Friendly Michelle, by Artax
--> $320,000 to Kaleem Shah

491. Supreme, bF, Empire Maker x Mon Belle, by Maria's Mon
--> $80,000 to Fares Farm LLC

649. chC, Smart Strike x Allencat, by Storm Cat
--> $500,000 to Blandford Bloodstock

793. grF, Maria's Mon x Greenberg, by Royal Academy
--> $70,000 to Suarez Racing

856. Choral Symphony, dbF, A P Indy x Last Song, by Unbridled's Song
--> $210,000 to John Connelly

1021. bF, Pivotal x Thousand Islands, by Dubai Millennium
--> out (unsurprisingly)

1300. chC, Lion Heart x New Jersey, by Kingmambo
--> $325,000 to Maverick Racing

1564. bF, Indian Charlie x Enchant, by War Chant
--> out

1727. grC, Forest Wildcat x Pier Sixty Six, by Cozzene
--> $150,000 to Kenneth McPeek, agent

1996. bF, Quiet American x Fancy Tale, by Rahy
--> $135,000 to Lucy's Farm

2110. dbC, Forest Camp x Moonlight, by Unbridled
--> out

2117. bF, Dubawi x Mystic Melody, by Seattle Slew
--> out

2139. chF, Fusaichi Pegasus x Pagosa Springs, by A P Indy
--> out

2402. bF, El Corredor x Firebaby, by Marquetry
--> $14,000 to M Doyle

2768. chF, North Light x Dovie, by Coronado's Quest
--> $12,000 to Haymarket

2822. bC, Purge x Gypsy Hollow, by Dixieland Band
--> $17,000 to Luis A. Shirley

2832. Berkley Road, Proud Citizen x Howl At The Moon, by Dynaformer
--> $110,000 to Anthony Stroud Bloodstock

2891. dbF, Dubawi x Menhoubah, by Dixieland Band
--> RNA ($95,000)

2968. bF, Thunder Gulch x Random Chance, by Red Ransom
--> $30,000 to Keith Lazarz LLC

3292. dbF, Orientate x Mississippi Madam, by Smoke Glacken
--> $50,000 to Bar None Ranch

3432. chF, Cat Dreams x Super Glued, by Heart
--> RNA ($30,000)

ToF Update - 9 Sept 08

Callwood Dancer ran a good race on Sunday in the Canadian Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. The liver chestnut daughter of Danehill Dancer only just failed to nodge another stakes win onto her resume when she was overtaken late by J'ray. She will win a nice race yet!

Clinch, a 7-year-old son of Skywalker, is back on the work tab. I had not heard anything about him since May this year and I am glad he is back. I expect him to race fairly shortly. He is a seven-time winner and I hope he will add some more wins soon!

Another back on the work tab is a filly called Carmel Coffee , a 4-year-old Holy Bull half sister to Premium Tap. She has only ran three times, but did show some talent at the time. She won her second start and placed in an allowance in her next start in February 08. She must have gotten injured as nothing was heard from her since March. Nice to see her back and I hope she will continue where she left off.

Looks like Dusk and Southern Mistral will meet each other in the 9.20 at Kempton tomorrow. It is always interesting when two of my horses meet. My guess is that Dusk will finish before Southern Mistral, but that neither will win - we'll see!

Another two that might meet at a slightly higher level are Frozen Fire and Warringah, who both are likely to run in the St Leger at Doncaster. Frozen Fire has not run since his Irish Derby win, but is likely to go off favourite. The distance will be a stiff test, but he goes in the ground, which is likely to be soft, wet and sticky as rain is still battering the British isles. Warringah goes in with less credentials, but will go well in the ground and should run well .

Attention for Howl At The Moon

I was surprised to see Howl At The Moon's name on the Bloodhorse home page. She never did anything special, though she is a nicely bred mare. She won a few races: her last win coming in a claiming race.

She was in the Bloodhorse classifieds as up for sale and caught Scot Gillies' attention, who then decided to highlight her in his blog The Five-Cross Files. Excellent! -->> The Article

I am surprised actually at the $75,000 price tag, as in May 2005 she was claimed for only $12,500 and surely she had the same bloodlines back then!

However, I do expect good things from her offspring as on paper she is a very exciting broodmare. I had honestly hoped she would have gone to more proven stallions. That said, her second foal, named Beth's Angel, is by Olmodavor, a young sire I actually like a lot.

In 2009 her first foal, now named Berkley Road, will be a two-year-old and that signals the real start of Howl At The Moon's journey as a dam.

ToF Update

I have been a bit lazy!

Not that much has happened in the meantime with my ToF horses - Well a lot of horses ran, but nothing really noteworthy, apart from:

Monsoon Rain won his fourth race in a row when he won the R J Speers S ($30k) at Assiniboia Downs on Sunday. Kudos to him and his connections - very well done. Not quite up there with Cigar or Pepper's Pride yet, but you never know :o)

Fancy Footsteps won a $46k claiming race at Saratoga on the same day. Out of 2001 crop mare Fancy Tale, she won her fourth race in nine career starts.

After 49 starts Wordspinner is still a maiden. He has run 2nd and 3rd plenty of times and he should be capable of winning one! He holds an entry on 5 September at Finger Lakes, race 9. Keep an eye out - it could be lucky No 50!!!!

Shaimaa was winless since October 07, but finally came good. Different tactics were tried with her and she was held well of the pace in handicap hurdle in Killarney (Ireland) on Sunday. She came past the outside of the field and won going away by two lengths. Really pleased with her!

Bahar Shumaal, as far as I know the only Dubai Millennium left in training in Europe, won a class 3 handicap over the all weather at Kempton on Monday. He has been trying higher class handicaps and this is really more his level. Nice to see him win again anyway.

That's it for now - I will try and keep up a bit better ;oP

ToF Weekend Results - 23/24 August 08

I forgot to put up the entries, but I will put up the results anyway!:

Saturday:
Amethyst Dawn - 1.50 Beverley - £5k maiden - 7f turf -
WON - Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong
Barbican - R8 Delaware - $100k Kelso S - 1 1/2m dirt -
6th - Lacked a rally
Dark Echoes - 4.10 Newmarket - £21k race - 6f turf -
9th - Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Misty Glade - 4.10 Newmarket - £21k race - 6f turf -
6th - Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra
Wildwood Peekaboo - R2 Arlington - $10,5 claiming - 1 1/16m aw -
8th- Pressed pace, faded

Sunday:
Blacktoft - 3.55 Goodwood - £6k handicap - 1m 1f turf -
9th - Ridden over 3f out, no headway, behind final 2f
Dawn Wind - 3.30 Yarmouth - £2k handicap - 1m turf -
7th - Held up, ridden halfway, never on terms
Fly With The Wind - R3 Calder - $27k All Opt Cl - 1 1/16m dirt -
3rd - Tired
Indy Moon - R1 Arlington - $11.5k st all - 1 1/16m aw -
3rd - Closed willingly
Mouftari - 4.55 Cork - €10k handicap - 2m hurdle -
12th - Always towards rear
Possum - R3 Arlington - $11.5k claiming - 1 1/16m aw -
5th - Late rally inside
Sandstorm Cat - R8 Saratoga - $63k maiden - 1 1/16m turf -
WON - Drew clear late
Seventeen Red - R10 Woodbine - $24k maid claim - 7f aw -
4th - To rail late turn, game
Shaimaa - 4.10 Ballinrobe - €6k handicap - 2m hurdle -
8th - Prominent, 4th 4 out, ridden and weakened from next
Sugar Swirl - R10 Saratoga - $250k G1 Ballerina S - 7f dirt -
3rd - Steadied, altered 3/8 pole
Wordspinner - R9 Finger Lakes - $9k maid claim - 1m70y dirt -
3rd - Reared start, with interest

Crop of 2006

f = female
m = male
names in capitals: ToF horses

1. Acquiesced (IRE) - b f - Refuse To Bend x North East Bay
2. Adri's Emblem (USA) - b f - Our Emblem x ADRIATICA
3. Amethyst Dawn (IRE) - gr f - Act One x A L'Aube
4. Ancient Future (USA) - ch f - CAT DREAMS x Ma Guerre
5. Barnstorming (USA) - b m - Thunder Gulch x SOUL OF THE CAT
6. Bear Canyon (USA) - gr f - Champali x Miss Vesuvio
7. Bonfire (USA) - dbr m - Runaway Groom x Tenacite
8. Burgee (USA) - b m - Awesome Again x Gold Streamer
9. Captain Captivated (USA) - dbr f - El Corredor x CAPTIVATED
10. Certainly You (USA) - ch f - CERTAIN STORM x Had To Be You

11. Curlew (IRE) - b m - Cape Cross x Billbill
12. Curragh Mon (USA) - gr m - Maria's Mon x IMARI
13. Damselfly (GB) - b f - Dr Fong x Mazarine Blue
14. Darcey (GB) - ch f - Noverre x Firozi
15. Dark Echoes (GB) - blk m - Diktat x Calamanco
16. Downstream (GB) - b f - Marju x Sister Moonshine
17. Early Morning Rain (IRE) - b f - Rock Of Gibraltar x Honorine
18. Emilia Plater (CAN) - ch f - Ascot Knight x Heavenly Glitter
19. Eochair (IRE) - br f - Key Of Luck x Karaliyfa
20. Ermine Slippers (USA) - gr f - El Prado x Sweet As Honey

21. Firsaan (IRE) - b m - Haafhd x Walayef
22. Flashy Flyer (USA) - b f - Valid Expectations x WOOD DUCK
23. Flowerbomb (USA) - b f - Mineshaft x WILDWOOD FLOWER
24. Hickory Nut (USA) - dbr m - Horse Chestnut x MASKED BALL
25. Legendary Peace (USA) - ch f - Peace Rules x Red Mischief
26. Lipi (GB) - gr m - Sadler's Wells x Frosty Welcome
27. Man Of Faith (USA) - dbr m - Essence Of Dubai x RIVER OF FAITH
28. Marleau (USA) - gr m - CAT DREAMS x Ascalon
29. Masdar (IRE) - gr m - Dalakhani x Balaabel
30. Misty Glade (GB) - ch f - Compton Place x Shifting Mist

31. Morning Mist (USA) - gr f - Holy Bull x Go For Bail
32. Olynard (IRE) - b m - Exceed And Excel x Reddening
33. Omega Wolf (IRE) - b m - Spartacus x Brave Cat
34. Porcupine (USA) - b m - Housebuster x Loon Lake
35. Premium Action (USA) - ch f - Action This Day x Premium Red
36. Ptarmigan (USA) - gr f - Unbridled Jet x Flaine
37. Qelaan (USA) - b f - Dynaformer x Irtahal
38. Race The Breeze (CAN) - dbr f - Theatrical x Wedding Day Blues
39. Rightly So (USA) - dbr f - Read The Footnotes x FIT RIGHT IN
40. Rotterdam (USA) - gr m - Unbridled's Song x Zoftig

41. Run With The Wind(IRE) - b m - Sadler's Wells x Chase The Wild Wind
42. Secret Wish (CAN) - b f - Street Cry x Awesome Lass
43. Shadows Lengthen (GB) - b m - Dansili x Bay Shade
44. Shetan (GB) - ch m - Desert Prince x Seven Notes
45. Shining Dawn (USA) - ch f - Seeking The Gold x Easy 'n Gold
46. Snow Valley (FR) - b f - Choisir x Snow Lady
47. Stoic (IRE) - b m - Green Desert x Silver Bracelet
48. Storm's Ransom (USA) - gr m - CERTAIN STORM x Cushina
49. Sunspear (IRE) - b f - Montjeu x Out West
50. Tiger Tracks (USA) - b m - Storm Cat x Paiota Falls

51. Valkyrie (IRE) - b f - Danehill Dancer x Ridotto

Note:
A few more horses may be added

28 Aug 08: Edited to add: Run With The Wind

TofF Tidbits - 16 August 08

River Of Faith, a 7-year-old Bahri mare out of Atyab, by Mr Prospector, is doing ok as a broodmare. Sterling Faith (2005) was her first foal and broke his maiden last year in a maiden claiming race. Unfortuntely he hasn't been active since November and I hope he is ok. But her second foal, Man Of Faith (2006), now also won a maiden claiming event yesterday, which makes River Of Faith's record 2 winners out of 2 to race. She also has a 2007 colt by Omega Code.

Some news from a few days ago. Patti's Classy really is a classy girl. The 6yo chestnut mare ran her 52nd race on 11 August at Finger Lakes and she managed to win for the first time since November 2006. It was her fifth win in total, though she won another race, but was disqualified from 1st place. She is by Regal Classic out of the Thirty Six Red mare Patti's Red Lady. She was bred by Melvin D Schneider and runs for Kathleen and Rodney Mastin. Kathleen Mastin trains her. She has accumulated winnings of $58.4k, just over a grand a race.

ToF Weekend Entries - 16/17 August 08

SATURDAY:
Mr Deputy - Blue Ribbon Dns, R7, allow $8k, 1m drt,
11th - Stopped
Richochet - Mountaineer, R9, claim $10.1k, 1m drt,
Non-runner
Brumby - Penn National, R4, claim $10.4k, 1m70y drt,
4th - Three wide, passed tiring rivals
Black Hawk Soaring - Philadelphia, R3, claim $27k, 1m drt,
scratched
Gentlemen's Gun - Fairmount Pk, R7, claim $5k, 6f dirt,
3rd - Altered 4 wide stretch, got third
Eastern Anthem - 2.40 Newbury, £36k G3 stakes, 1m5f trf,
6th - Chased leaders 3f out, soon ridden, no headway from 2f out
Vogarth - 7.30 Lingfield, £2k seller, 6f all w,
7th - Chased leaders 4f
Miss Ziggy - Presque Isle Dns, R2, claim $14k, 6f all w,
2nd - Six wide stretch, outfinished
Scottish Gale - Evangeline Dns, R7, maid claim $17k, 1m70 drt,
2nd - Outside, clear, no match
Silver Wind - 3.50 Newbury, £11k handicap, 7f turf,
10th - Under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Spitfire - 3.30 Newmarket, £18k handicap, 6f turf,
7th - Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong

SUNDAY:
Zillah's Knight -Emerald Dns, R3, claim $15k, 1 1/16m drt,
7th - Off rail, no menace
Bitter Lemon - Delaware Pk, R3, all opt cl $46k, 1m70y drt,
5th - Failed to menace
Ought - Presque Isle Dns, R4, claim $15k, 5 1/2 f all w,
3rd - Bid, could not sustain
Lost In The Dark - Finger Lakes, R9, claim $8.5k, 5 1/2f drt,
9th - Tired
Chasin The Tornado - Woodbine, R1, msw $36k, 7f all w,
7th - Always well back, rail
Sarcasm - Finger Lakes, R6, allowance $17k, 5 1/2f dirt,
WON - Drove clear

Eastern Anthem is my only stakes horse this weekend. I do strongly believe he can win his race. He is also one of my favourites from my crops, because he is the first son of Kazzia, my favourite race mare ever! Come on Anthem!!!!

I should stop making these predictions, because I am starting to think I am jinxing these horses!

Keeneland Yearlings

Well, it's almost that time of year: yearling sales time. The biggest sale in the US is the Keeneland September Yearling Sale with 5,555 youngsters catalogued to go through the sales ring between 8 and 23 September.

A surprisingly large number of yearlings by my crop horses are going through the sale, so I thought I'd put together a list and I can add the sales results later on. The horses in bold are in my crops.

29. bF, Dubawi x Regina Maria, by Unbridled
103. bF, Giant's Causeway x Wildwood Flower, by Langfuhr
173. dbF, A P Indy x Ensenada, by Seeking The Gold
188. dbF, Elusive Quality x Golden Sphinx, by Storm Cat
437. chF, A P Indy x Friendly Michelle, by Artax
491. Supreme, bF, Empire Maker x Mon Belle, by Maria's Mon
649. chC, Smart Strike x Allencat, by Storm Cat
793. grF, Maria's Mon x Greenberg, by Royal Academy
856. Choral Symphony, dbF, A P Indy x Last Song, by Unbridled's Song
1021. bF, Pivotal x Thousand Islands, by Dubai Millennium
1300. chC, Lion Heart x New Jersey, by Kingmambo
1564. bF, Indian Charlie x Enchant, by War Chant
1727. grC, Forest Wildcat x Pier Sixty Six, by Cozzene
1996. bF, Quiet American x Fancy Tale, by Rahy
2110. dbC, Forest Camp x Moonlight, by Unbridled
2117. bF, Dubawi x Mystic Melody, by Seattle Slew
2139. chF, Fusaichi Pegasus x Pagosa Springs, by A P Indy
2402. bF, El Corredor x Firebaby, by Marquetry
2768. chF, North Light x Dovie, by Coronado's Quest
2822. bC, Purge x Gypsy Hollow, by Dixieland Band
2832. Berkley Road, Proud Citizen x Howl At The Moon, by Dynaformer
2891. dbF, Dubawi x Menhoubah, by Dixieland Band
2968. bF, Thunder Gulch x Random Chance, by Red Ransom
3292. dbF, Orientate x Mississippi Madam, by Smoke Glacken
3432. chF, Cat Dreams x Super Glued, by Heart

That's quite a few! Hope they will sell well and that whoever takes them home will do the best for them and maybe, just maybe, one of them will be the next great champion.

ToF Weekend Entries - 9/10 August 08

SATURDAY:
C R Power - Northlands Pk, r3, $8.6k claim, 1 1/16m drt
WON - Rallied three wide, up late
Bahar Shumaal - Ascot 1.25, £16k handicap, 1m turf,
14th - Ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Winterlily - Finger Lks, r8, $17k all opt cl, 1m70y dirt,
6th - Six wide 3/4, tired
Sheikh - Calder, r5, $20k claiming, 1m turf,
5th - Outrun
Shaimaa - Kilbeggan 6.00, €6 maiden, 2m hurdle,
Non-runner
Darian 'n Me - Kamloops, r2, Allowance $3.4k, 4 1/2f dirt,
3rd - Evenly
Filios - Ascot 3.30, £17k handicap, 1m4f turf,
4th - Switched left approaching 1f out, hard ridden, one pace
Cinnamon Hill - Lingfield 6.40, £2.5k handicap, 7f aw,
8th - Pushed along halfway, no impression final 2f
Bitter Bill - Les Bois, r3, $20k stakes, 5f dirt,
3rd - Closed willingly
Silver Wind - Lingfield 7.40, £4.6k handicap, 6f turf,
2nd - Unable to quicken final furlong
Spitfire - Ascot 2.20, £17k handicap, 6f turf,
5th - hung right under pressure final furlong and faded
Sunny Morning - Woodbine, r7, $76k allw, 1 1/16m aw,
8th - Chased three wide, tired in the stretch
Dancinginthestorm - Canterbury, r9, $10k maid claim, 1m70y dirt,
3rd - bumped break, fanned six wide

SUNDAY:
Wildwood Peekaboo - Arlington, r2, $10k claim, 1m aw,
4th - Bid wide turn, no kick
Aragorn - Hastings, r7, $27.7k allowance, 1 1/16m dirt,
Scratched
Sandstorm Cat - Saratoga, r11, $63k maiden, 1m turf,
7th - Never involved
Coal Valley - Laurel Pk, r2, $12k claim, 1m dirt,
3rd - Circled 4 wide, mild gain

Tipped for a win next time out: Dancinginthestorm, Filios

Three In A Row for Monsoon Rain

Monsoon Rain, a six-year-old bay son of Old Triese and Smokey Mirage (Holy Bull), completed a hattrick of wins yesterday when he won for the third time in three consecutive races within a month.

Monsoon Rain was originally owned by Darley and ran for Godolphin in the UK as a two-year-old. He ran respectably over turf there and bagged a win in his second race, which was over a mile. He must have gotten injured as he was had a lengthy spell on the sidelines. He did not race again until May 2006, when he had been moved to the USA and placed under the care of Eoin Harty for the Darley Stable. He ran third in a couple of races for them at Belmont and then disappeared again from the work tabs.

When he came back it was at Assiniboia Downs, a racetrack in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, in September 2007. His owner is now listed to be Larry A Carter. After that start, in which he didn't impress much, he was off again, only to once again come back in June of this year. He is under the care of trainer Martin Drexler and has raced regularly since then. He started winning on 11 July, when he won a Allowance race at the track. 11 days later he won an allowance optional claiming and yesterday he conquered in the Wheat City S, a $30k race over a mile by 1 1/4 lengths over Voorhee's Ballad and Charley Tango.

It is nice to see him come right at last. He obviously has had a lot of problems, and I hope with all my heart he will stay sound!

Congrats to Monsoon Rain's connections!

Crop of 2004

m=male
f=female

1. Aragorn (CAN) - gr m - Cat's At Home x Desert Mouse
2. Arctic Eagle (IRE) - b m - Bertolini x Clarice Orsini
3. Arturus Rex (USA) - b m - Capote x Royal Feat
4. Barbary Falcon (GB) - br m - Machiavellian x Candice
5. Battle Amour (USA) - b m - Parade Ground x High Number Gal
6. Baytown Rosie (IRE) - ch f - Intikhab x Masaniya
7. Bint Tattling (CAN) - dkbr f - Variety Road x Tattling
8. Bitter Bill (USA) - dkbr m - Cobra King x Revelation Bay
9. Bitter Lemon (USA) - b f - Lemon Drop Kid x Snit
10. Black Magic Girl (USA) - dkbr f - Artax x Free Fantasy

11. Boudoir (USA) - ch f - Mutakkdim x Cafe Risque
12. Bridle Way Bay(USA) - dkbr m - Street Cry x Unfurled
13. Callwood Dancer(IRE) - ch f - Danehill Dancer x Ahdaab
14. Carmel Coffee (USA) - b f - Holy Bull x Premium Red
15. Challenger (USA) - dkbr m - Chester House x Best Of Memories
16. Cinnamon Hill (GB) - ch f - Compton Place x Cajole
17. Cloud Of Fire (IRE) - ch m - Hernando x Diner De Lune
18. Daweyrr (USA) - b m - Kingmambo x With Flair
19. Diego Velasquez (IRE) - b m - Sadler's Wells x Sharata
20. Don't Mind Me (USA) - b f - Freud x Gaye's Blossom

21. Dubai Builder(GB) - b m - Tobougg x Roseum
22. Dubai Magic (USA) - ch m - Rahy x Dabaweyaa
23. E Cadence (USA) - b m - E Dubai x Compromised Crown
24. Eastern Anthem (IRE) - b m - Singspiel x Kazzia
25. Easy Grace (USA) - dkbr f - E Dubai x Model Performer
26. Edwardian (USA) - gr m - Awesome Again x Cozzena Cozzena
27. El Indy (USA) - b m - A P Indy x Corrazona
28. Elizabeth Street (USA) - b f - Street Cry x Affirmed Ambience
29. Elusive Fox (USA) - b m - E Dubai x Shesastonecoldfox
30. Fainne Geal An Lae (IRE) - b f - Galileo x Lyric

31. Fiery Pulpit (USA) - ch f - Pulpit x Pretty Flame
32. Filios (IRE) - b m - Kutub x Karlinaxa
33. Firestorm (IRE) - b m - Celtic Swing x National Ballet
34. Fleeting Shadow (IRE) - b m - Danehill x Rain Flower
35. Floral Reflections(USA) - dkbr f - Deputy Minister x Mischievous Ways
36. Follow The Wind (USA) - gr m - Millennium Wind x Unfounded Luck
37. Forsake (IRE) - b m - Sakhee x Queens Way
38. Francesco (GB) - ch m - Vettori x Violet
39. Gobbler's Knob (USA) - b m - Worldly Manner x Joanna
40. Heir To The Wind (USA) - b f - Forest Wildcat x Penniless Heiress

41. Helsinki (USA) - dkbr m - Distored Humor x Well Dressed
42. Hum'ingbird (GB) - b f - Piccolo x Mockingbird
43. Ice Storm Coming (USA) - ch f - Storm Boot x Wild And Icy
44. Jacks New Cat (USA) - b f - King Cugat x Private Label
45. Jocaster (USA) - gr f - Service Stripe x Hopes And Fears
46. Kaleidoscope Eyes (USA) - dkbr f - Real Quiet x Tiger Gal
47. Kaw Moe (USA) - ch m - Rock And Roll x True Compassion
48. Kestrel Quest (USA) - b f - Silver Hawk x Quick To Please
49. Kyle (IRE) - ch m - Kyllachy x Staylily
50. Lady Of Swain (USA) - ch f - Swain x Countess Clever

51. Little Grey Wolf (IRE) - br f - Indian Ridge x Banquise
52. Lost In The Dark (USA) - dkbr f - Lost Soldier x Dark Of The Moon
53. Matt's Turn (USA) - dkbr m - Matty G x Rare Dawn
54. Mawaared (GB) - b f - Machiavellian x Inaaq
55. Military Mistress (USA) - ch f - Ochoco x Army Brat
56. Mischief (USA) - gr f - With Approval x Be Mine
57. Naayla (IRE) - dkbr f - Invincible Spirit x Pink Cashmere
58. Napa Cat (USA) - dkbr m - Storm Cat x Compassionate
59. Narrjoo (USA) - ch m - Elusive Quality x Edhkerini
60. Nobu (USA) - ch m - Fusaichi Pegasus x Class Play

61. Noel (USA) - dkbr f - Stormy Atlantic x A Penny Saved
62. Orange (GB) - ch f - Giant's Causeway x Shopping For Love
63. Ought (USA) - b f - Grand Slam x Silver Valley Girl
64. Owen (USA) - b m - A P Indy x Fly North
65. Panicking Petunia (USA) - ch f - Lycius x Patti's Red Lady
66. Pearl (IRE) - b f - Daylami x Briery
67. Peregrine Falcon (GB) - b m - In The Wings x Island Race
68. Pharaway Eyes (USA) - ch f - Fusaichi Pegasus x My Cherie Amour
69. Polar Night (USA) - gr m - El Prado x Evening Hush
70. Possum (USA) - gr m - Silver Charm x Regal Eyre

71. Prancing Lioness (USA) - ch f - Lion Cavern x Pleasant Prancer
72. Queen Noverre (IRE) - b f - Noverre x Tafrah
73. Ragdoll Molly (USA) - b f - Cee's Tizzy x Emerald Magic
74. Red Rain (USA) - ch f - Red Bullet x Pure Red
75. Redan (USA) - ch m - Storm Boot x Thirtysix On Ice
76. Reem Al Fallah (IRE) - br f - Cape Cross x Hanna Dome
77. Rouen (IRE) - b m - Noverre x Sheezalady
78. Rubysfavoritetrick (USA) - b f - Favorite Trick x Ruby Red Mist
79. Miss Penny Lane (USA) - ch f - Coronado's Quest x Sandy's Storm
80. She's Sensational (USA) - ch f - Point Given x Blushing Issue

81. Silca Arrow (IRE) - b f - Montjeu x Dart Board
82. Silmi (GB) - gr m - Daylami x Intimaa
83. Silver Swallow (USA) - gr f - Alphabet Soup x Topsom
84. Sir George (USA) - gr m - Freud x Georgialina
85. Storm Petrel (GB) - b f - Xaar x Vitesse
86. The Black (FR) - b m - Valanour x Black Charm
87. The White Lady (USA) - gr f - Johannesburg x Maha Al Iman
88. Turkus Quercus (USA) - gr f - Tactical Cat x Antipodes
89. Two Dreamers (GB) - ch f - Best Of The Bests x Mossy Roe
90. Uluru (IRE) - ch f - Rock Of Gibraltar x Dajarra

91. Valarchos Destiny (KY) - b f - Monarchos x Valenza
92. Varves (USA) - gr f - Runaway Groom x Miss Vesuvio
93. Vintage (IRE) - b m - Danetime x Katherine Gorge
94. Vogarth (GB) - ch m - Arkadian Hero x Skara Brae
95. Wait For The Light (GB) - b m - Fantastic Light x Lady In Waiting
96. Wind Comes Sweepin (USA) - b m - Distant Music x Oklahoma
97. Wingstar (IRE) - b f - In The Wings x Thirtysomething
98. Winter Sunrise (GB) - b f - Pivotal x Winter Solstice
99. Yossi (IRE) - b m - Montjeu x Raindancing
100. Z Z Dome (USA) - dkbr m - Dome x Zsa Zsa K

ToF Weekend Entries - 2/3 August 08

Saturday 2 August:
Barbican - Mountaineer, race 7, $125 WV Gvrnor's S, 1 1/16m dirt
3rd - Rail rally, up for third
Noble Texas - Northlands Pk, race 3, $11.5k claiming, 6.5f dirt
2nd - Close up, held place
Boudoir - Arlington, race 3, $34.5k all opt cl, 7f aw
6th - Unruly gate, swerved
Possum - Arlington, race 6, $11.5 claiming, 1m aw
4th - Late gain inside
Battle Amour - Fairmount Park, race 7, 5k claiming, 6f dirt
4th - Rail bid, evenly late
Wonder Beach - River Dwns, race 9, $7.7k allowance, 1m dirt
4th - Passed tiring rivals
Temper Temper - Arlington, race 9, $100k Arlngtn Oaks G3, 1 1/8m
7th - Chased, stopped stretch
Trippin Up - Monmouth Pk, race 4, $20k maid claim, 1 1/16m turf
2nd - Came out, rallied
Alfathaa - Goodwood 2.40, £28 listed race, 1m turf,
8th - Weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
Porcupine - Colonial Dwns, race 6, $60k Jamestown S, 6f dirt
6th - Swung out 1/8, belated
Silver Swallow - Del Mar, race 9, $300 CL Hirsch G2, 1 1/16m aw
6th - Came out stretch, no rally

Sunday 3 August:
Behind The Screen - Mountaineer, race 2, $14k claiming, 7f turf
Scratched
Redan - Finger Lakes, race 3, $9.6k claiming, 5.5f dirt
Scratched
Lost In The Dark - Finger Lakes, race 9, $8.5k claiming, 5.5f dirt
5th - Rail turn, tired
Chasing Clouds - Galway 3.45, €10k handicap, 7f turf
Non-Runner

Whether Silver Swallow will be able to upset the short priced favourite Zenyatta, but she will try for sure. She is one of those fillies that goes under the radar, but she could just step up to the plate for an upset. She didn't. She was not disgraced at all, but this class might just be a little too much for her.

Temper Temper will contest the G3 Arlington Oaks. Her previous try at G3 success was unsuccessful and she finished last, but I think she is ready this time. She should be close, though I don't think she will win. Wrong! This type of company seems a little too hot for her.

Now Alfathaa, who is running in the listed Blue Square Premier Stakes on the last day of glorious Goodwood today, will be overlooked in the betting, but he likes quicker ground and has shown promise in the past. I will be putting some money on him. Didn't run up to scratch at all and left me scratching my head!

Back In Action!

Much needed catch-up after I have not been able to spend much time online because my adapter (battery charger) broke and my laptop battery is completely knackered anyway so was empty quickly. But... I am back and I have an adapter that works properly!!!

In the meantime, my girl Sugar Swirl won the inaugural Scotzanna Stakes at Woodbine on 18 April on her way to the Ballerina Stakes at Saratoga next month. Her connection are considering pointing her to the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Spring at Santa Anita at the end of October.
Her trainer Brian Lynch was quoted as saying: "She's been a lot of fun. She's the best mare I have ever trained."
Very nice to hear. She is a true asset to my stable and is the star of my 2003 crop. A lovely mare to follow.

Another Winner For Cat Dreams

Very pleased to announce another winner for freshman sire Cat Dreams.

Po's Dream Kitty, a dark bay/brown filly out of Po, a decent race mare by Well Decorated.

She went to the start for the first time yesterday in race 7 at Arapahoe Park. She met six opponents over a 4 1/2 furlong trip on a fast dirt track.

The race chart reads: close up from the start, moved willing entering stretch, took over mid stretch, won handily while increasing margin.

She won by 6 1/4 lengths as the 1.90 favourite. Hopefully she will progress nicely from here.

ToF Tidbits - 12 July 08

Just a few bits and pieces that I think are worth mentioning:

This past week saw the Newmarket July meeting. I had three runners at the meet; Spitfire, Alfathaa and Unleashed. I was home on Wednesday afternoon to see Spitfire take 2nd in the Toteswinger Handicap, a class 2 heritage handicap over 6 furlongs. He had shown decent enough form in the past and had Frankie Dettori on board. I put my money where my mouth is and put some each way money on him. Good for me! He was 2nd by only 3/4 of a length.
It was Alfathaa and Unleashed's turns on Thursday. I wanted to have a bet on them both, as they both looked to have great chances, but I completely forgot! Unleashed ran in the Bahrain Trophy, a listed event over 1m5f. He too lost by 3/4 lengths, but was 4th.
Alfathaa ran in the 4.20, a class 2 conditions stakes over a mile. I have always had a lot of faith in Alfathaa and I believe he is still improving. He led for long time, racing keenly, but was beaten by Generous Thought to finish second by, you guessed it, 3/4 lengths.

2yo filly Acquiesced made her debut on 3 July in a maiden at Newbury. She ran an excellent 2nd losing only by a short head to Starlarks. She is owned by Mrs J Wood and trained by Richard Hannon.

Silver Moose broke the $200k mark in prize money yesterday when he won an allowance optional claiming race at Monmouth Park. He is owned and trained by Edwin Thomas Broome. Congrats to him. Silver Moose is one of my favourites :o)

Eastern Anthem ran 3rd today in the John Smith's Extra Smooth Silver Cup Stakes, a listed handicap over 1m6f at York, behind Yellowstone and Gull Wing. I really quite fancied him in this and he came off a good performance in a listed event at Goodwood last month. It was the first time he tried this distance and it looked like it was just a furlong too far for him, especially in the heavy ground. A decent performance, but he should do better next time out. He will win a listed event in time.

Callwood Dancer is about to try to equal her performance in the Nassau S when she takes onfive of her Nassau rivals in a 7-horse field in the $300k Dance Smartly (G2) at Woodbine. She beat Quiet Jungle by a nose last time, but today Quiet Jungle has a 8 pound advantage, Callwood Dancer carrying 121 to Quiet Jungle's 113. I know she can do it. C'mon girl!

ToF Weekend Entries - 12/13 July 08

Saturday 12 July:
Mr Deputy - Anthony Downs, race 11, $2k allowance, 5f dirt
- 4th - evenly
Lemon - Hollywood Pk, race 5, $32k starter allowance, 6.5f allw,
- 3rd - 4 wide turn, 3 wide into stretch
Classic Punch - Ascot 4.00, £24k handicap, 2m turf,
- 14th - weakened from 3f out
Callwood Dancer - Woodbine, race 6, $300k DanceSmartlyS G2, 1m1f turf, - 5th - flattened out
Wildwood Peekaboo - Arlington, race 11, $30.5k allowance, 1m allw,
- 9th - flattened out
Eastern Anthem - York 3.50, £24k listed handicap, 1m6f turf,
- 3rd - held well over 1f, on pace final furlong
Torpedo Run - Delaware, race 5, $42k allowance, 6f dirt,
- 3rd - bid 4 wide, outkicked
Primed And Poised - Hollywood Pk, race 9, $15k maid claim, 6.5f allw, - WON - 3 wide into lane, gamely

Sunday 13 July:
Jack's Grace - Monmouth Pk, race 4, $22k maid claim, 1 1/16m turf,
- 7th - inside, no response

A few more 08 foals

My mares have given birth to 70 foals so far this year.... An amazing number. I don't know how I am going to keep an eye on all those babies!

Here are the few I found out about recently:
- Kitten's Joy x Imari (Forty Niner) - FILLY
- Include x K'ehleyr (Rahy) - COLT
- Strategic Mission x McSlew (Slew O'Gold) - FILLY
- Parachutist x Whirling Free (Fly So Free) - COLT
- Cape Cross x Antique (Dubai Millennium) - COLT
- Araafa x Naayla (Invincible Spirit) - COLT

I am looking forward to K'ehleyr's first in particular. K'ehleyr was a very consistent allowance mare while she was racing and she should be a good broodmare in my humble opinion.

A complete list will follow later in the year.

Sensational Gets Her Blacktype

She's Sensational, who already won three-in-a-row at Bay Meadows this year, went one better to win the $50k Alameda County Handicap at Pleasanton on Saturday 5 July.

The Point Given filly really has come into her own as a four-year-old. She first tried her hand at stakes company in June at Golden Gate Fields, but was disappointing. Not this time.

She really showed her class in the Alameda. She was taken in hand early, happy to run leisurely in last place. She was boxed in around the second turn, but her rider Joe Castro took his time and angled her out in the stretch. With a clear track in front of her there was no longer any doubt and she showed a remarkable turn of foot to dominate completely, winning by 6 lengths over Double Dip and Andover The Cash another couple of lengths back.

I can really see this girl grab a G3 on the NoCal circuit. She should still be improving.

Longshot Fillies Do Well

Silver Swallow and Temper Temper were longshots in their respective races, but both did really well.

Silver Swallow ran third by 1 3/4 lengths in the Vanity Handicap (G1) behind short-priced favourite Zenyatta and Tough Tiz's Sis at Hollywood Park yesterday. A great achievement and I am so happy with her. Looking at her record, though she has never won a stakes-race, she has been remarklably consistent. She only won a maiden and a optional claiming race, but she has only finished worse than 3rd once. Ithink she took everyone by surprise (including me!) when she ran 2nd behind Rags To Riches in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) in March last year. She now was 2nd in a G1, G2 and G3 and 3rd in a G1. Not bad at all I say! She has now earned over $265k for owner/trainer Bruce Headley.

Temper Temper might just be a filly on the way up. She went into the $50k Sweetest Chant Stakes at Arlington Park from a disappointing last-place finish in the Dogwood at Churchill Downs on 31 May, but took to the polytrack very well. Her long price was understandable however and I am afraid to admit that I always saw her as just a decent allowance filly. However, yesterday she earned some blacktype and did it well, finishing with a late run to finish just a neck away from victory. Dreaming Of Liz won the race with favourite Choragus back in third.

Owner Lost In The Fog Dies

Harry J Aleo died at his home in San Francisco on 21 June, a day before the race named after his brightest star. He died of cancer at the age of 88.

He endeared himself to me with his blunt refusals to sell Lost In The Fog. After all, how often would you come across a horse like Fog?

He was a man who loved his horses and loved to see them run. I loved to see his horses run as well and Lost In The Fog is a horse that will always be in my heart. The lightning fast colt died too young with so much left to give and I will always wonder what could have been. I am sure Harry did as well...

My condolences to his close friends and family and he will be greatly missed by the racing industry, especially in the Bay Area in California.

Article from The bloodhorse

Frozen Fire Wins Irish Derby

We returned from holiday 1am last night and was still quite bleary-eyed this morning, but still managed to remember to put some money on Frozen Fire this morning, when I got a price of 21/1 on him. I don't bet much; after all, it's a mug's game, but a couple of pounds on Frozen Fire were sure to be a good investment in my opinion. I was actually quite surprised to see him at such long odds. I know he ran only 11th at Epsom, but it was well publicised that he had not handled the track or the way the race was run. I felt quite confident that the Curragh would suit him better and that he would show himself to be a very good horse today.

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) went off and Frozen Fire settled comfortably at the back of the pack. Seamus Heffernan really took it easy with him and was happy to chase the rest from the tail end. I was slightly worried, though I knew that Frozen Fire had a decent turn of foot. I properly sat up and started cheering him on when I noticed that all the other jockeys started pumping on their mounts and yet Seamie was still sitting still on Frozen Fire. He had to feel that he had plenty of horse left, I thought. Then I saw him started to make his move and the horse made ground quickly. Alessandro Volta drifted in and then out, hampering Tartan Bearer and Curtain Call in the process. It also meant that Frozen Fire had to go wide, to the middle of the track. By that time he had gained momento and no one was going to stop him.

Casual Conquest finished 2nd with Alessandro Volta back in third, but he was demoted to fourth due to the interference and Tartan Bearer was promoted to third instead. Controversially, places between Alessandro Volta and Curtain Call were not reversed.

There is plenty of debate to say that Tartan Bearer or Curtain Call would have won if not for Alessandro Volta's interference, but I disagree. This was Frozen Fire's day and he would have won no matter what.

Of course I would say that, as he is a TOF horse :o)

He won the 1m4f race in 2:31.90 under Seamus Heffernan. He is owned by Michael Tabor and trained by Aidan O'Brien in Ireland.

At The Races article

Just a note

I have been quite slack in the last week or so, but we are off on holiday to France on Saturday and trying to sort stuff out plus work is wearing me out - no good!

I just got a notification that both Ibn Khaldun and Frozen Fire are entered for the Irish Derby. I doubt whether Ibn Khaldun will run in it, as I see him as more of a miler. I hope that the fact he holds an entry means that his injury has cleared up. As for Frozen Fire, I honestly think he has a great chance. The Epsom course was not to his liking, but maybe the Curragh will suit better?

Anyway, my posts will probably be sparse until I am back from holiday on 28 June, but 29 June it is time for the Irish Derby! Wooohoo!

Plus I hope Holland will be in the final of Euro 2008 on the same day :o)

Epsom Derby Day 2008

Just thought I'd post a few photos from the Epsom races last week:

It was a lovely day, some sunshine and some cloud. There was a good crowd and the Derby promised to be an interesting one with New Approach as a late surprise addition to the field.

We got there before the second race, the Woodcote Stakes, for two year olds over 6 furlongs. We managed to get a nice spot at the bottom of Tattenham corner. Smokey Storm won the race, he is the fourth horse from the right, his jockey has a red cap and the red bands around his arms.

Then came the Princess Elizabeth Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile. We wanted to catch the start of that one, but couldn't quite got there. We were on the inside of the track and were not allowed to cross to the outside anymore, so didn't quite catch the start. It was nice to see the horses cantering to the start though.





































Lady Gloria won the race, but of course I never managed get a photo of her!!

Next was the Dash, one of my favourite races, over five furlongs.
Especially eye catching going to the start was Hereford Boy with his big white face:
But the winner was Holbeck Ghyll:

Then it was finally time for the Derby. Of course Frozen Fire was my favourite, but he did not seem to quite handle the topsy turvy nature of the Epsom course, but he should be winning soon! Watch my words :o)
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My favourite moment of race day is to see the horse go down to the start. They are all still possible Derby winners and they all look strong and beautiful as they canter past. A horse I liked a lot was Rio De La Plata. He is one of those horses that is not very elegant or pretty, but he looked strong and impressive to me. He too should be winning some big races this year:


The Derby field came round the turn and there was still everything to play for. Maidstone Mixture was leading at this point, New Approach and Frozen Fire both at the back of the field with Rio midpack.
And finally, I present the Derby winner, New Approach:

2008 Foals, update 8

Some more foals from my crop mares:

- Canadian Frontier x Enchant (War Chant) colt
- Forestry x Seeking The Heart (Seeking The Gold) filly SHARED HEART
- Rockport Harbor x Vaulting (Dubai Millennium) colt
- Heckle x Dakota Ruby (Stephen Got Even) filly
- Pulpit x Golden Sphinx (Storm Cat) colt
- Forest Camp x Her Temptation (High Yield) filly
- Motivator x Japanese Whisper (Machiavellian) colt
- Cape Cross x Mille (Dubai Millennium) filly
- Songandaprayer x Mizzen Lass (Grand Slam) colt

Mille is my favourite Dubai Millennium daughter and I hope her Cape Cross filly will do well.
I am also looking forward to the Motivator/Japanese Whisper colt in particular.

Sunny Morning Breaks Maiden

3yo filly Sunny Morning broke her maiden yesterday at her second attempt. Her first attempt came a month earlier when she finished 2nd by a head in a similar maiden a month ago.

She went to the start of race 7 at Woodbine, a maiden special weight worth CAN$66,000 over a fast all weather track. She showed obvious promise in her first race and went off favourite. She led on the turn and drew off to win by 5 1/4 lengths over Fix You and Reverently.

Sunny Morning is owned by Gainesway Stable and trained by Steven Asmussen. She was bred by Dr Patricia Ziefle.

She is a daughter of Miss Delta Dawn, who is also the dam of Mississippi Madam.

Weekend Afterthoughts 7/8June 08

The weekend did not quite go as planned, but am not too dissatisfied.

Thor's Echo's return to the track was low key, but he finished a tidy 4th behind Benny The Bull, only losing by less than a couple of lengths. He can only improve after this run and I am looking forward to his next run.

Frozen Fire only finished 11th in the Derby, but he was not disgraced and there should be a group race in him somewhere. He holds entries for the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot on 20 June and the Irish Derby on 29 June at the Curragh, plus the Coral Eclipse on 5 July. Whichever his connections decide to go for, he should still in with a good chance. One report said that Frozen Fire did not like the hill at Epsom at all! It was nice to be able to see him in person.

This is a photo I took of him:

ToF Weekend Entries 7/8 June 08

Saturday:
Thor's Echo, Belmont, race 6, $150k G2 True North H, 6f dirt,
4th - pressed pace, tired
Watchtower, Suffolk Downs, race 5, $14k claiming, 1m70y dirt,
7th - four wide 1st, six wide top stretch
Gentlemen's Gun, Fairmount Prk, race 7, $7,6k all opt cl, 6f dirt,
5th - three wide turn, late gain
Darian 'n Me, Kamloops, race 6, $3,3k allowance, 4 1/2 f dirt,
Yossi, Doncaster 4.30, £4,8 handicap, 1m4f turf,
10th - weakened final furlong
Trippin Up, Monmouth Prk, race 6, $37k maiden, 1 1/16m dirt,
5th - steadied when in tight 7/8
Torpedo Run, Pimlico, race 6, $30k allowance, 6f dirt,
2nd - move between, angled five wide, game
Through The Clouds, Churchill Downs, race 9, $43k allowance, 1m trf,
4th - three wide 1/4 pole
Frozen Fire, Epsom 4.00, £802 Vodafone Derby, 1m4f turf,
11th - fifteenth straight, kept on but no danger final 2f
Nobu, Presque Isle Dns, race 3, $17k maid claim, 4 1/2 f all wthr,
5th - even trip
Bitter Bill, Hollywood Prk, race 7, $34k claiming, 6f turf,
5th - four wide into lane, no bid


Sunday:
Bitter Lemon, Delaware Prk, race 8, $46k all opt cl, 1m70y dirt,
3rd - Finished determinedly
Valarchos Destiny, Delaware Prk, race 8, $46k all opt cl, 1m70y dirt,
5th - led 3/4, weakened
Aragorn, Hastings, race 2, $20k allowance, 6 1/2f dirt,
7th - trailed
She's Sensational, Golden Gate Flds, race 3, $75k Yerba Buena S, 1 3/8m trf, 4th three wide final turn, evenly
El Indy, Churchill Downs, race 10, $32k claiming, 1 1/16m turf,
5th - four path second turn

Expectations For Frozen Fire's Derby

Well, today is one of the most exciting days since I started picking crops in 2001. It is the first time that one of my lot is taken its place in the ye olde Epsom Derby.

Frozen Fire will go the post in the historic race over the Epsom Downs. And in my opinion he goes in with a great chance. He was only just beaten by a head in the Dante by Tartan Bearer and the Dante has had a habit of delivering Derby winners in the last few years. He should be able to beat Tartan Bearer. Frozen Fire is relatively inexperienced, but he has improved from last year and should be able to stay the Derby distance.

What a twist it was earlier this week when Jim Bolger announced New Approach would go to the Derby after all. It certainly made the race more interesting.

Still, for me it is still Frozen Fire. I honestly believe he has the stamina and the guts to win this.

And you know what the best thing is? I will be there to see it! I am hoping to be at Epsom this afternoon. It looks to be a nice day, so I am looking forward to it. So nervous already for the Derby!

Thor's Echo To Make Welcome Return

Another of my favourites will return to the racetrack. Thor's Echo, the 2006 champion sprinter, will return to the racetrack today. He goes to the start for the G2 True North H at Belmont.

He had a bone chip removed in August and has been given some time off. Hopefully he will come back refreshed and ready to run. In my opinion he does not need to win today, even though I fully expect him to run well. He should get better over the course of the season, so expect he shows up for the Breeders' Cup Sprint again this year.

Eastern Anthem Beaten By A Head

Eastern Anthem only lost by a head to Peppertree Lane in yesterday's Hildon Stakes, a Listed event over 1 1/2 miles at Goodwood. As you know, I was surprised to see him as a third string for Godolphin, but I think he proved today that he definitely deserves to be first string and if he continues this season as he started he will be winning some nice races for the Godolphin team.

He holds an entry in the G1 Gold Cup at Ascot on 19 June, but I am concerned that the race might be a little far for him. From his pedigree he should be most effective over 1m2f, but we will see.

I am very pleased that he ran well and I hope he can build on this.

The Return Of The Anthem

Eastern Anthem, son of the great Kazzia, makes his return to the track today. I adore this horse and have done since he was a foal, simply because he is Kazzia's first foal. Kazzia was a fantastic racemare and I wanted her son to take after her. He broke his maiden first time out and but 'only' managed a second and third as a three-year-old. He hasn't raced for over a year.

Funnily enough, he seems to be Godolphin's third choice in the race, but I am hoping his return will be successful,. Fingers crossed!

ToF Tidbits - 4 June 2008

I have been really busy and a 'tidbits' is long overdue.

First off all I would like to mention Ibn Khaldun. He was supposed to run in the Prix De Jockey Club at Chantilly last week, but was pulled out on the Friday before when he was found lame that morning, though I had a feeling he was going to be scratched anyway. The week before he was not running in the Irish 2000 Guineas because he was to be given a bit more time, so the notion that he would run in the French Derby a week later is rather odd. Fingers crossed that his injury is not too bad. I simply hope it is not something that has been lingering. His performance in the Guineas was very disappointing and I am in no doubt that he is a better horse than he showed that day. I hope he gets a chance to prove that.

Miracles do happen, Sarcasm finally lost her maiden status. The three-year-old filly by Distorted Humor had had 10 starts before yesterday's race, in five of those she finished second. She made her move at Fort Erie, away from her usual Woodbine track. Maybe the change of scenery did it, but most probably a weaker field. Whatever the reason, she trounced a 7-horse field by over fourteen lengths.

Cat Dreams' most expensive offspring has started working. Kat Bon D, who brought $200k at the two-year-old sale at Keeneland, worked 3 furlongs at Santa Anita's all weather on 1 June in 37.20.

Winterlily won her first start at the season in a claiming race over 6 furlongs at Finger Lakes on 2 June, beating Patti's Classy in the process, who came in last of seven.

Meer Kat was vanned off after his race on 1 June at Hollywood Park. He finished 6th in a race that he should have been there or thereabouts in. He was not unsaddled but was vanned off immediately. I am keeping my fingers crossed he is ok.

Weekend Afterthoughts 31 May/1June 08

I already posted on Callwood Dancer, who became a G2 winner on Saturday.

O Devil broke his maiden on Saturday in race 9 at Prairie Meadows. It was his fourth lifetime start. He beat Heaven Waits into second by 4 lengths. He led throughout and drew off driving.

Bluesbdancing, one of my favourite race mares, finished third in the Your Ladyship S at Arlington yesterday behind Magnetic Miss and Modjadhi. She now has earnings of over $400k

Unfortunately I saw on the chart that Meer Kat was vanned off after his race at Hollywood Park. I sincerely hope he is ok and that whatever injury he sustained is not too serious.

A Nose Is Enough For Callwood Dancer

I felt that Callwood Dancer would be able to get some black type in yesterday's Nassau S, a G2 race for 3yo and upward fillies and mares at Woodbine over 1 1/16m on the turf, but she really did show she is a gutsy filly. She surpassed my expectations by winning and I can't tell you how pleased I am that she did!

I remember picking her for my 2004 crop. She was in the Goffs sale and on the Goffs website they sometimes have pictures next to the results that are taken at the sale. There was one of Callwood Dancer that caught my eye, she has this lovely liver chestnut colour and she looked very elegant. I loved her named too, so one to follow she became.

She raced twice in the UK as a two-year-old and although winless she ran decent enough with a third in her first race and a second in her second and last race there, both at Windsor. She transferred to Harlequin Ranches in the summer and finished her 2yo campaign with consistent performances in Canada, but remained a maiden.

She grew into a nice three-year-old and broke her maiden first time out in May 2007. She was once again very consistent, winning a further two races and showing in another two. That she has once again improved as a four-year-old is a definite. She won on her return in a allowance race at Woodbine by half a length and her trainer and owner believed in her enough to enter her into the Nassau S against the likes of Sealy Hill. I was in doubt whether she would be quite up for such a jump in class, but boy, am I glad they did!

She set the pace straight out of the gate. With no other frontrunner in the race, she could do pretty much what she wanted. The pace was slow over the first four furlongs, which obviously suited her fine. Quite a European way of racing; start slow and speed up later, I like it. Quiet Jungle rallied to try and get passed her and it looked like she would, but Callwood Dancer would just not give up and prevailed by a nose. The favourite Sealy Hill was maybe a little unlucky in running and was going well at the finish 1 1/4 lengths behind Quiet Jungle.

She won for owner Harlequin Ranches and trainer Roger Attfield. She was bred by Quay Bloodstock in Ireland.

So far she has run 13 races, 5 firsts, 1 second and 5 thirds.

Story from Thoroughbred Times

ToF Weekend Entries: 31 May/1 June 08

A busy weekend!

SATURDAY:
Richochet, race 1 Mountaineer Park, $16k claiming, 4 1/2 f turf,
9th - broke slowly, outrun
Clinch, race 9 Evangeline Downs, $10.5k claiming, 1m dirt,
7th - outrun
Mr Deputy, race 7 Eureka, $3k allowance, 4f dirt,
5th - through early
Brumby, race 6 Penn National, $9.5k claiming, 1m70y dirt,
3rd - evenly late
Battle Amour, race 6 Fairmount Prk, $7.6k allowance, 1m60y dirt,
5th - wide, altered in 1/16
Callwood Dancer, race 6 Woodbine, $300k G1 Nassau S, 1 1/16m turf,
1st - all out, held on
Vintage, 8.15 Lingfield, £2.3k handicap, 7f all w,
10th - led, soon weakened and eased
Black Mallou, race 9 Golden Gate Flds, $11k claiming, 6f all w,
scratched
Coal Valley, race 2 Pimlico, $14k claiming, 6f dirt,
scratched
O Devil, race 9 Prairie Meadows, $30k maiden, 1m dirt,
1st - drew off, driving
Scottish Gale, race 6 Evangeline Downs, $15k maid claim, 6f dirt,
9th - wide early, no factor
Temper Temper, race 8 Churchill Downs, $100k G3 Dogwood S, 1m dirt,
6th - 4 path 1/4 pole, tired


SUNDAY:
Centaurus, race 5 Fort Erie, $13k claiming, 1 1/16m turf,
8th - came up empty
Indy Moon, race 10 Arlington, $11.5k starter all, 1 1/16m all w,
6th - far back, altered course, late run
Bluesbdancing, race 7 Arlington, $50k Stakes, 7f all w,
3rd - tired between horses
Military Mistress, race 4 Lethbridge, $4.4k allowane, 6f dirt,
8th - dropped back
Chasin The Tornado, race 7 Woodbine, $150k Stakes, 1 1/8m all w,
6th - closed 3 wide, never reached contention
Meer Kat, race 3 Hollywood Pk, $53k all opt cl, 1 1/16m turf,
6th - dueled, weakened, vanned off after race : o ( keeping fingers crossed...
The Willowy Wigeon, 2.40 Bath, £2 handicap, 1m turf,
2nd - chased leaders, rallied near finish

ToF Weekend Entries 24/25 May 08

Bit late, as it is Sunday already, but here are the entries (and results) for this weekend:

SATURDAY:
Conjugal Visit, race 4 Mountaineer Racetrack, $9.4k claiming, 5 1/2f dirt
1st - Extended clear between horses
Gobbler's Knob, race 7 Hollywood Park, $50k maiden, 1 1/16 miles all weather
DNF - fell over fallen foe (is ok as far as I know)
Petrel, race 1 Indiana Downs, $11k maiden, 1 mile turf
3rd - bid four wide turn, outfinished
Possum, race 1 Prairie Meadows, $15.5k claiming, 1m70y dirt
3rd - Angled in, stayed on
Sheikh, race 5 Calder Race Course, $14k claiming, 1m turf
1st - Along hedge, game effort
Silver Wind, 4.10 Haydock, £9,7k handicap, 7f turf
8th - chases leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Wordspinner, race 2 Finger Lakes, $8,5k maiden claiming, 6f dirt
4th - With interest
Darian 'n Me, race 4 Kamloops, $3.4k allowance, 4 1/2f dirt
1st - Saved ground, driving

SUNDAY:
Under The Sun, race 7 Dayton, $2.2k claiming, 5f dirt
1st - responded, handily
Quagmire, race 2 Hastings, $8.6k claiming, 6 1/2f dirt
2nd - Set pressured pace
Valarchos Destiny, race 8, Delaware Park, $46k all opt cl, 1 1/16, dirt
3rd - Set pace, faded after 3/4

ToF Tidbits - 22 May 08

Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk didn't shine in his G3 attempt and finished 8th of 9. The race was won by Disfunction.

Silver Swallow finally got back to winning ways in an allowance optional claiming race at Hollywood Park yesterday. Her last win came when she broke her maiden on 18 February 2007. She followed up back then with a second in the Santa Anita Oaks to Rags To Riches. She only finished out of top three once in her 12 races, so she is very consistent and I am glad to see her win again. I hope it is the start of a good year for her.

Crop of 2003

f = female
m = male

1. Abhisheka(IRE) - b f - Sadler's Wells x Snow Bride
2. Above Spirit(USA) - b m - Awesome Again x Pure Red
3. Alambic(GB) - gr f - Cozzene x Alexandrine
4. All You Need(USA) - ch f - Lycius x Simply Geraldine
5. Am I Tan(USA) - ch f - El Prado x Try My Thai
6. Anabaa Dream(GB) - gr f - Anabaa x Gaelic Dream
7. April San(GB) - b m - Nashwan x April Lee
8. Arabian Tiger(GB) - b m - Singspiel x Um Lardaff
9. Barbican(USA) - dbr m - A P Indy x Colour Chart
10. Bisbee Slam(USA) - ch m - Grand Slam x Bisbee

11. Black Hawk Soaring(USA) - b m - Black Minnaloushe x Dicken's Miss
12. Blacktoft(USA) - dbr m - Theatrical x Black Truffle
13. Blizzard(USA) - dbr m - Williamstown x Scoutingforastar
14. Bonnie Grace(USA) - dbr f - Cape Canaveral x Thirtysix On Ice
15. C K Given(USA) - ch f - Point Given x Rapunzel Runz
16. Calusa(USA) - dbr f - Unbridled's Song x Raging Apalachee
17. Chanteuse(USA) - b f - Tiznow x Ballad
18. Classic Punch(IRE) - b m - Mozart x Rum Cay
19. Cockatoo(USA) - dbr m - Dynaformer x Enticed
20. Conjugal Visit(USA) - ch m - Yes It's True x Erie Delight

21. Daanet Al Dunya(USA) - ch f - Rahy x Jood
22. Dakota Ruby(USA) - ch f - Stephen Got Even x Ruby Red Mist
23. Darian 'n Me(CAN) - ch f - Vying Victor x Cindy's Dream
24. Daylami Star(GB) - gr m - Daylami x Ascot Cyclone
25. Deep Woods(GB) - b m - Nashwan x Moss
26. Divine Shadow(USA) - b f - Capote x Sweet Magie
27. Dovie(USA) - ch f - Coronado's Quest x Ascutney
28. Ebony Lady(GB) - br f - Vettori x Keen Melody
29. El Cyclone(USA) - dbr m - El Corredor x Pretty Tricky
30. El Lace(CAN) - ch f - Elajjud x Woven

31. Ermine(USA) - ch f - Exchange Rate x Red Mischief
32. Evening Princess(USA) - gr f - Monarchos x Evening Primrose
33. Evening Rain(USA) - dbr f - Free At Last x Regally Kist
34. Fantastisch(IRE) - b f - Fantastic Light x Alexandra S
35. Flaming Lady(USA) - ch f - Flaming Quest x Villa Lady
36. Fly With The Wind(USA) - dbr m - Fly So Free x Chloe
37. Free The Falcon(CAN) - b m - Sky Classic x Puffin Island
38. Fyvie(GB) - ch f - Grand Lodge x Island Of Silver
39. Gentlemen's Gun(USA) - ch f - Gentlemen x Run N Gun
40. Gently(USA) - dbr f - Storm Cat x Cuddles

41. Golden Sphinx(USA) - b f - Storm Cat x Gold Sunrise
42. Grey Desert(IRE) - gr m - Aljabr x Sublime Beauty
43. Harness The Wind(USA) - ch m - Storm Of Angels x Timeless Affect
44. Her Temptation(USA) - dbr f - High Yield x Pleasant Jolie
45. Iberville Slew(USA) - b m - Evansville Slew x Apariddle
46. Ice Princess(IRE) - b f - Grand Lodge x Ghana
47. India(USA) - ch f - Hennessy x Misty Hour
48. Jamrah(IRE) - b f - Danehill x Pipalong
49. Jinni(USA) - b f - A P Indy x Ajina
50. Jipi Gin Fizz(USA) - gr m - Slew Gin Fizz x Jipi Japa

51. Karlee's Kitten(USA) - ch f - Pioneering x Colonial Kitten
52. Kibara(GB) - b f - Sadler's Wells x Kithanga
53. King Of Luck(IRE) - br m - Key Of Luck x Cheeky Maid
54. Kolibre(GB) - br m - Mtoto x Eternal Flame
55. Lavender Moon(USA) - ch f - Mojave Moon x In Her Honor
56. Lemon(USA) - dbr m - Lemon Drop Kid x Call Her Magic
57. Lit Up(IRE) - ch m - Fantastic Light x High Spirited
58. Mersaides(USA) - dbr f - Montbrook x Merica
59. Miss Fury(USA) - gr f - Unbridled's Song x Catatonic
60. Miss L Woods(USA) - b f - A P Jet x Forest Garden

61. Mississippi Madam(USA) - b f - Smoke Glacken x Miss Delta Dawn
62. Moonlight Mimosa(USA) - dbr f - Delaware Township x Fulla Finesse
63. Noble Texas(USA) - dbr m - Texas City x Ms Rosealee
64. Our Milky Way(USA) - dbr f - Our Emblem x Protogalaxy
65. Pier Sixty Six(USA) - gr f - Cozzene x Double Sixes
66. Quaich(GB) - b f - Danehill x Quecha
67. Quest For Eternity(IRE) - b f - Sadler's Wells x Head In The Clouds
68. Quiet Embrace(GB) - ch f - Sunday Silence x Flying Kiss
69. Qutang(GB) - ch m - Dr Fong x Ravine
70. Red Behreness(USA) - ch f - Behrens x Premium Red

71. Red Red Raider(USA) - b f - Louis Quatorze x Ooo La La Red
72. Saffwah(IRE) - b f - King's Best x Saafeya
73. Sahf London(GB) - b f - Vettori x Lumiere d'Espoir
74. Sand Sprite(IRE) - b f - Green Desert x Fleet Amour
75. Saor Sinn(IRE) - ch f - Galileo x La Meilleure
76. Sapphire Stone(IRE) - b m - Intikhab x Marju Guest
77. Sarah Sunshine(USA) - ch f - Lycius x Patti's Red Lady
78. Saxon Saint(GB) - b m - Josr Algarhoud x Antithesis
79. Scherzo A La Russe(USA) - dbr f - Stravinsky x Zadracarta
80. Scotch Pancake(GB) - ch f - Selkirk x Galette

81. Shaimaa(IRE) - b f - Fantastic Light x Najmat Alshemaal
82. Sheikh(USA) - gr m - Cozzene x Shifting Dunes
83. Shine Like The Sun(CAN) - dbr f - Seeking The Gold x Radiant Ring
84. Shinko(IRE) - b f - Shinko Forest x Sharp Circle
85. Silver Bell(GB) - gr f - Silver Patriarch x Lillibella
86. Snow Nose(USA) - dbr f - Pioneering x Lively Lynx
87. Sofie(GB) - ch f - Efisio x Krista
88. Song Of The Lark(CAN) - b f - Seeking The Gold x Wilderness Song
89. Sugar Swirl(CAN) - ch f - Touch Gold x Astrapi
90. Summer's Eve(GB) - gr f - Singspiel x Early Rising

91. Sweet Velvet(USA) - dbr f - Mach One x Candi's Velvet
92. Teton Timber(USA) - dbr m - Forestry x Emily's Angel
93. Thornfield Clo(IRE) - gr f - Zafonic x Flounce
94. Thunder S(USA) - ch f - Kris S x Thunder Maid
95. Tiffed(USA) - dbr f - Seattle Slew x Plaintiff
96. Two More Star(CAN) - b f - More Than Ready x Twentytwotwentytwo
97. Ushnu(USA) - ch m - Giant's Causeway x Serape
98. Wagtail(GB) - b f - Cape Cross x Dancing Feather
99. Whirling Free(USA) - b f - Fly So Free x Whirling Sun
100. Winterlily(USA) - b f - Regal Classic x Love Spiel

101. Wordspinner(USA) - gr m - Alphabet Soup x Georgia Anna
102. Yes Darlin(USA) - b f - Marquetry x Thirty Six Blue
103. Yiri Yiri(USA) - ch m - Rahy x Shiva
104. Zillah's Knight(USA) - dbr m - Basket Weave x Knights Fantasy
105. Zsa Cat(USA) - b m - Dome x Zsa Zsa K

stats will follow in due course

Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk Tries To Make The Grade

Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk will go to post today in the Vigil S (G3) at Woodbine. The race is over 7 furlongs over the all-weather. David Clark will be on board.

The hard knocking gelding by Mutakddim finished a good second in his last race, the Jacques Cartier S on 26 April. He has been working well up to this race and I hope he finally gets a graded win. If there is any horse that deserves it, it is Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk.

Ancient Future Wins For Cat Dreams

Cat Dreams is doing well so far as a sire. He has had 3 2yos to run, 2 of them are winners.

Ancient Future broke her maiden first time out. She is out of a stakes placed full sister to multiple graded stakes winner Mighty. To me Ancient Future is the most promising on paper from Cat Dreams' first crop.

She went to the post for the first time yesterday in race 1 at Delaware Park, a $40k maiden. She went off at 4.60, the 2nd favourite. She took a little time to settle and came four wide into the stretch at the back of the pack before closing well late to nail the leader close home.

She is owned by Frank Henson and trained by Timothy Salzman.

I know one of Cat Dreams' fillies (Grey Girl Cat) is running in Mexico, but it is hard to follow horses there. All I know is that she ran 4 times and placed once.

From the Bloodhorse sire lists, his stats are as follows: 39 2yos, 4 runners/2 winners, combined earnings of $45,719.

ToF Weekend Entries 17/18 May 08

SATURDAY:
- Ancient Future - race 1, Delaware Park - $40k maiden - 4 1/2f dirt
1st - ran down leader 4w
Battle Amour - race 7, Fairmount Park - $7.6k opt cl - 1m70y dirt -
6th - pressed, flattened 3 wide
- Eleanor's Groom - race 6, Indiana Downs - $8.6k claiming - 1m70y dirt
3rd - squeezed start, gaining
- O Devil - race 6, Prairie Meadows - $30k maiden - 1m70y dirt -
2nd - worn down last 1/8th
- Sunny Morning - race 7, Woodbine - $66k maiden - 6 1/2f all w -
2nd - 5w, rallied, just missed
- Warringah - 2.35 Thirsk - £3.8 maiden - 1m4f turf -
4th - lost 3rd near finish

SUNDAY:
Diego Velasquez - 2.30 Market Rasen - £3.5 handicap - 2m1f hurdle -
8th - tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out
Military Mistress - race 1, Lethbridge - $4,4k allowance - 5 1/2f dirt -
7th - dropped back
Miss Ziggy - race 6, Presque Isle Downs - $15k claiming - 6f all w -
5th - no factor
Sandstorm Cat - race 7, Churchill Downs - $41k maiden - 1m1f turf -
4th - lost position 2nd turn
Sir George - race 7, Finger Lakes - $19.5k maiden - 1m70y dirt -
7th - gave way
Zillah's Knight - race 9, Emerald Downs - $14k claiming - 6f dirt -
9th - chased 3 wide, gave way

Promising Win For Boudoir

There are few horses as wonderfully consistent as Boudoir, a 4yo allowance filly running at the Arlington/Hawthorn circuit. I have a soft spot for the racing up there with Bluesbdancing (who is one of my absolute favourites) and Battle Amour running successfully up there as well. All three of those share the same broodmare sire: Thirty Six Red.

In race 4 at Arlington, Boudoir ran her 10th race yesterday and celebrated with the 5th win of her career. She did it well too, especially considered that she hit the gate on the way out. In fact, by the quarter pole she was trailing six lengths behind. However, she was plenty game enough and closed strongly to lead in the stretch. She won by 5 lengths in the end, finishing full of run.

It was her first race since November and it looks like she is better than ever. There certainly should be a minor stakes race in her future. She might meet Bluesbdancing along the way!

Boudoir is owned by her breeder Dede McGehee and trained by James Gulick.

Frozen Fire Excellent 2nd in Dante

Frozen Fire was only beaten by a head in this afternoon's G2 Dante Stakes at York. At his seasonal reappearance he looked strong and fit and proved I was right. He ran a good race, sitting back early and taking his chance the last couple of furlongs. He ran on well, but was just not quite good enough to keep Tartan Bearer at bay. Nevertheless, Frozen Fire can only come on for the run and I am looking forward to his next race, wherever he may go.

I presume a Derby, may it be the Irish or English version is on the cards for the bay son of Montjeu. An extra 2 furlongs should do him no harm at all.

1. Tartan Bearer
2. Frozen Fire
3. Twice Over

A Trio Of Wins For ToF horses

14 May was a pretty good day for ToF horses.

Black Mallou, a 3yo gelding by Black Minnaloushe out of a Thirty Six Red mare, recorded his third victory of the year in a claiming race at Golden Gate Fields. He was quickly in front, setting the pace. He turned back a bid from the runner-up Flaming Mandate, and drove clear again in mid stretch.

Wonder Beach, a 3yo gelding by Worldly Manner, broke his maiden in his 11th start in a maiden claiming at Indiana Downs. A P Prime was getting closer in the stretch, but I am glad Wonder Beach finally managed to get a win for his owner/trainer Jackie Christenson.

Last but not least, Watchtower, son of the late great Dubai Millennium, also won for the third time this year. Coming of a win in a similar race 11 days before, he won easily in the claiming race at Suffolk Downs over 1 mile 70 yards by 3 3/4 lengths for his owner Philip DiCosmo and trainer Robert Raymond. . Unsurprising to me, he was claimed out of the race. His new owner/trainer is Lorita Lindemann. He should be an asset to anyone's stable and I hope he will continue his form with his new owner. On a side note. He is still a entire horse and well bred. Considering he was claimed for $6,250, I would pay that money and produce a couple of foals by him. But that's just me. I absolutely adored his sire.

3yo - update 1

Frozen Fire is entered in the Dante Stakes (G2) at York tomorrow. If Twice Over shows up he will be a short-priced favourite, around 4/6 at the moment. Frozen Fire is expected to go off around the 14/1 mark. The race over one and a quarter miles should be right up his street and there could be a big improvement on the cards for him. Aidan O'Brien's horses seem in good form and if this guy is entered in such a race he must be deemed to have a good chance by his owner and trainer. I hope he will do really well. Unfortunately I will be at work so I won't be able to see the race :o(

Godolphin have announced that Ibn Khaldun may run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas on 24 May after a pleasing work over Chippenham hill. He ran very flat in the english version and I hope he will redeem himself, because he is much better that he showed in that race.

2008 foals, update 7

A couple more foals:

- Mr Greeley x Jinni, by A P Indy - FILLY born 1 May
- Tapit x Mississippi Madam, by Smoke Glacken
- Kheleyf x Fyvie, by Grand Lodge - FILLY
- Singspiel x My Dubai, by Dubai Millennium - COLT

Jinni was supposed to be bred back to Storm Cat, but who knows what will happen in light of recent news that his fertility is not what it used to be.

Crop of 2001

I will list my crops with links to their pedigrees.

May I present my crop of 2001. They were the first bunch I chose and I knew nowhere near as much about all sorts as I do now (not that I know much now!). Most horses I picked from various sales in the USA. I picked a lot of them because the sire sounded familiar and therefore it is probably my best-bred bunch. I followed Artax when he was racing and that explains why there are quite a few by him chosen.

Lists of my other crops will follow in a little while.

(f=female - m=male)

1. Adventure(USA) - gr f - Unbridled's Song x Palace Weekend
2. Aimer(USA) - dbr f - Swain x Vickey's Echo
3. Allencat(USA) - b f - Storm Cat x Pharma
4. Anwar(USA) - ch m - Southern Halo x Single Blade
5. Artax Dancer(USA) - dbr f - Artax x Nada Bid
6. Artaxes At Work(USA) - ch m - Artax x Cardamine
7. Badr(USA) - bay m - Theatrical x Bejat
8. Bank On Batonnier(USA) - dbr f - Batonnier x Bank On Red
9. Beaufort Scale(USA) - dbr m - Storm Cat x Unbridled Wind
10. Breaking The Rule(IRE) - ch f - King Of Kings x Thirtysomething

11. Bridled(USA) - b f - Unbridled x Holy Niner
12. Captivated(USA) - b f - Capote x Silken Ripples
13. Cat Dreams(USA) - b m - Storm Cat x J J'sdream
14. Catapila(USA) - ch f - Tactical Cat x County Fair
15. Catbaby(USA) - dbr f - A P Indy x Catinca
16. Certain Storm(USA) - b m - Storm Cat x La Affirmed
17. Chilham Castle(CAN) - dbr f - Alydeed x Castle Mey
18. Citron Moon(USA) - dbr f - Danzig x Ruznama
19. Clinch(USA) - dbr m - Skywalker x Loose Park
20. Confirmed Temper(USA) - ch f - Kris S x Wisla

21. Czar Of Cozzene(USA) - dbr m - Cozzene x Sarabi
22. Derby Fever(USA) - dbr m - Arch x Mariamme
23. Dossier(USA) - ch f - Storm Cat x Sacahuista
24. Dynaway(USA) - b m - Dynaformer x Lateral
25. Emtyazat(GB) - dbr f - Gone West x Multiply
26. Ensenada(USA) - dbr f - Seeking The Gold x Desert Stormer
27. Exploited(USA) - b m - Exploit x Gold Fashioned
28. Fall Fantasy(USA) - dbr f - Menifee x Maple Creek
29. Fancy Tale(USA) - ch f - Rahy x Dance Trick
30. Farhana(USA) - ch f - Out Of Place x Wheedle

31. Fire Strike(USA) - gr m - Smart Strike x Cape Fire
32. Friendly Michelle (USA) - ch f - Artax x Valiant Jewel
33. Fully Vested(USA) - b m - Artax x Nancy's Place
34. Greenberg(USA) - ch f - Royal Academy x What Is Next
35. Grey Admiral(USA) - gr m - Cozzene x Remarkable Style
36. Gypsy Hollow(USA) - dbr f - Dixieland Band x Turkish Gipsy
37. Hawking(USA) - dbr m - Defrere x Rare Fling
38. Honour Star(USA) - b m - Honour And Glory x Arctic Affair
39. Hope For(USA) - b f - Rahy x Margaret's Hope
40. Howl At The Moon(USA) - b f - Dynaformer x Northabout

41. Imari(JPN) - dbr f - Forty Niner x Western Sharp
42. Inducement(USA) - b m - Danzig x Weekend In Seattle
43. Indy (USA) - dbr m - A P Indy x Izana
44. Japanese Whisper(UAE) - dbr f - Machiavellian x Sawara
45. Jazz Band(USA) - b f - Dixieland Band x Medinilla
46. K'ehleyr(USA) - b f - Rahy x Restless
47. Kakapo(USA) - b m - Silver Charm x Boom Bird
48. Kiridan(CAN) - b m - Kiridashi x Cindora
49. Kschessinka(USA) - dbr f - Nureyev x Gran Dama
50. Last Song(USA) - b f - Unbridled's Song x Queen Of Spirit

51. Lot One (IRE) - b m - Theatrical x Natalie Too
52. Lucky Fern(CAN) - dbr f - Tethra x Freezbie
53. Malhoof(USA) - b m - Siphon x Tedarshana
54. Masked Ball(USA) - b f - Lear Fan x Broom Dance
55. Mizzen Lass(USA) - b f - Grand Slam x Minstrelsy
56. Moonlight(USA) - b f - Unbridled x Cat Appeal
57. Mouftari(USA) - b m - Miswaki x Nature's Magic
58. Mr Deputy(USA) - dbr m - Deputy Minister x Omi
59. My Lou Lou's Red(USA) - dbr f - My Mike x Thirty Six Lou Lou
60. Nature's Gold(USA) - ch f - Valiant Nature x Seek Home

61. Necropolis(USA) - b m - Seeking The Gold x Gioconda
62. New Jersey(USA) - dbr f - Kingmambo x Falling In Love
63. New York Dancer(USA) - dbr m - Dance Floor x Pass Me
64. Night Heron(USA) - b f - Silver Charm x Tactile
65. Note Appeal(USA) - dbr m - Notebook x Really Appealing
66. Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk(CAN) - b m - Mutakddim x May Time
67. Pagan Ceremony(USA) - ch m - Rahy x Delightful Linda
68. Pagosa Springs(USA) - b f - A P Indy x Cahill Kate
69. Paiota Falls(USA) - ch f - Kris S x Dance Swiftly
70. Paul's Girl(CAN) - dbr f - Bianconi x Alma's Alibi

71. Picadilly Bay(CAN) - b m - Cape Town x Queen Jeanne
72. Prado Del Zorro(USA) - gr m - El Prado x Lady Aloma
73. Premium Hope(USA) - ch f - Miswaki x Premium Red
74. Purple And Gold(USA) - ch m - Unbridled x Fantasy Angel
75. Random Chance(USA) - b f - Red Ransom x Happenchance
76. Raphaelite(USA) - b m - Broad Brush x Nakiska Wind
77. Richochet(USA) - gr m - El Prado x Attach
78. Riesling(CAN) - gr f - Wolf Power x Malbec
79. River Of Faith(USA) - b f - Bahri x Atyab
80. Royal Charm(CAN) - gr f - Silver Charm x Cool Excellence

81. Royal Liverpool(USA) - ch f - Gulch x Tycoon's Dolce
82. Satin Belle(USA) - b f - Artax x Made For Satin
83. Schapiro(USA) - b m - Nureyev x Konvincha
84. Seeking The Heart(USA) - b f - Seeking The Gold x Corrazona
85. Shanghied(USA) - b m - A P Indy x Fleet Road
86. Shaniko(USA) - dbr m - A P Indy x Sapphire n' Silk
87. Sheikh Moon(USA) - dbr f - Malibu Moon x So Sheikh
88. Shrewd Deputy(USA) - gr m - Silver Deputy x Shrewd Vixen
89. Snap Judgement(IRE) - b m - Sunday Silence x Ultra Finesse
90. Snow Eagle(USA) - b m - Wild Again x Music Zone

91. Snow Queen(CAN) - gr f - Parade Ground x Princess Of Winter
92. Sobriquet(USA) - ch f - Hennessy x Scrape
93. Soul Of The Cat(USA) - dbr f - Stravinsky x Seattle Kitty
94. Southern Fire(USA) - b f - Southern Halo x Fire The Deputy
95. Stunning Rose(IRE) - b f - Sadler's Wells x Golden Reef
96. Takkat(USA) - ch f - Horse Chestnut x Relasure
97. Tarascon Diligence(USA) - ch m - Diligence x Crimson Orchid
98. Tarfu(CAN) - b m - Langfuhr x Southern Cat
99. Theatrical Doll(USA) - ch f - Theatrical x Secretariat's Fire
100. Tynan(USA) - ch m - Irish River x Sublime Beauty

101. Unaltered(USA) - dbr f - Pulpit x Lipstick
102. Under The Sun(USA) - ch m - Coronado's Quest x In On The Secret
103. Uriel(USA) - b f - Unbridled x Episode
104. Vevina(USA) - b f - Rahy x Lovely Keri
105. Whistler(CAN) - dbr m - Whiskey Wisdom x De Sister
106. Whitewater(USA) - dbr f - Forestry x Colorado Song
107. Wild Wadi(USA) - b m - Old Trieste x Out Of Taxes
108. Wildwood Flower(USA) - b f - Langfuhr x Dial A Trick
109. Wolf Kitten(USA) - b f - Tabasco Cat x Loretta Wolf
110. Wood Duck(USA) - b f - Kingmambo x Duck Trap
111. Zamba(USA) - b f - Bahri x Zabaad

111 horses (65 females, 56 males) ran in 1,288 races so far. 15 remained unraced. The horses have ran an average of 12 races per horse. The Crop of 2001 provided 76 winners of 204 races, but only 4 graded stakes wins.

Graded wins:
- Friendly Michelle won the Prioress S. (G1) and La Troienne S. (G3)
- Last Song won the Bonnie Miss S. (G2)
- Shaniko won the Kentucky Cup Classic S. (G2)

Top earners:
- Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk: $680k
- Friendly Michelle: $404k
- Last Song: $336k

Foals of 2001 are 7 this year and the following have been running or training in 2008: Clinch, Lot One, Lucky Fern, Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk, Richochet, Snow Eagle and Under The Sun.

First Winner for Cat Dreams: Cat Dreamer

Cat Dreamer recorded the first win for his sire Cat Dreams yesterday in the 2nd at Hollywood Park. The maiden claiming race over four and a half furlongs was right up his street and he won it a shade easily by 3 3/4 lengths over Swiss Alpine and Fil's Regent.

The chart reads: had good early speed a bit off rail then dueled between horses into the turn, came in a bit midway on the bend, inched away nearing the stretch, found the rail in the drive and won clear under some left handed urging and good handling.

Cat Glitter was back in 6th and failed to menace.

Cat Dreams vs Cat Dreams

Cat Dreamer and Cat Glitter will go head to head in race 2 at Hollywood Park today, each hoping to be their sire's first winner. They will compete in a maiden claiming race over 4 1/2 furlongs. So far they are the only two of their sire's first crop to race, though many are busy working.

Cat Dreamer and Cat Glitter met before in their last race, a maiden special weight over 2 furlongs at Santa Anita, in which Cat Dreamer finished 5th and Cat Glitter came in last of 10. Whether it will be a different story over 4 1/2 furlongs we will have to wait and see. I'd give Cat Glitter a slight edge in this one as he has been training better, but how much you can tell from that is hard to say.

Good luck boys!

Crop of 2002

Since 2002 was the year the only offspring of the great Dubai Millennium were born I included quite a few of them. My crop of 2002 included some really nice horses, among which two champion sprinters: Lost In The Fog and Thor's Echo, and stakes winner like Dubawi, Echo Of Light and Premium Tap. It still is my most accomplished so far.

1. Adriatica(USA) - ch f - Old Trieste x Two Seasons
2. Al Maha(USA) - gr f - Holy Bull x Lost Code
3. Anna Wi'yaak(JPN) - ch f - Dubai Millennium x Anna Palariva
4. Antique(IRE) - ch f - Dubai Millennium x Truly Generous
5. Apalachee Tiger(USA) - ch m - Tiger Ridge x Indian Saint
6. Archeology(USA) - dbr f - Seeking The Gold x Caress
7. Asyouwish(USA) - b f - Pioneering x Nature's Magic
8. Aweless(USA) - b f - Seattle Slew x Awesome Strike
9. Bahar Shumaal(IRE) - b m - Dubai Millennium x High Spirited
10. Behind The Screen(USA) - b m - Royal Anthem x Simply Geraldine

11. Behrly Mine(USA) - ch f - Behrens x Mine Tonight
12. Black Dark(USA) - ch m - Stalwart x Twilight Girl
13. Black Ghost(USA) - dbr m - Langfuhr x Areti
14. Blonde Bombshell(USA) - ch f - Sky Classic x Ms Forte
15. Bluesbdancing(USA) - dbr f - Golden Gear x Casino Blues
16. Bright Morning (GB) - b f - Dubai Millennium x Sabaah
17. Brumby(USA) - b m - Friendly Lover x November Moon
18. C R Power(USA) - dbr m - High Brite x Charm Power
19. Centaurus(GB) - gr m - Daylami x Dandanna
20. Concert Bythe Lake(USA) - b f - Stormy Atlantic x Black Tie Melody

21. Dance In The Fog(USA) - gr f - Slew Gin Fizz x Bare The Sword
22. December Fire(USA) - b m - Allen's Prospect x December Ember
23. Distorted(USA) - b m - Distorted Humor x Alma's Motel
24. Dream Time(USA) - dbr f - Storm Cat x Fantastic Find
25. Dubai Opera(USA) - b f - Dubai Millennium x Cape Verdi
26. Dubawi(IRE) - b m - Dubai Millennium x Zomaradah
27. Echo Of Light(GB) - b m - Dubai Millennium x Spirit Of Tara
28. Enchant(USA) - dbr f - War Chant x Ramirena
29. Esquire(GB) - b m - Dubai Millennium x Esperada
30. Event To Remember(USA) - dbr f - Event Of The Year x Super Rich's

31. Fazlollah(USA) - b m - Gold Legend x Joi'ski Too
32. Finnegan (USA) - dbr m - Giant's Causeway x Pleasant Performer
33. Firebaby (USA) - ch f - Marquetry x Baby North
34. Fit Right In(USA) - ch f - Out Of Place x Gaye's Blossom
35. Funny Ha Ha(USA) - dbr f - Distorted Humor x Conscience
36. Gauguin (USA) - dbr m - Unbridled x Colonial Review
37. Grey Winter Breeze(USA) - gr f - Winter Halo x Marcys Cool Breeze
38. Halle Bop(GB) - b f - Dubai Millennium x Napoleon's Sister
39. Hawk Hill(USA) - dbr m - Rahy x Falcon Dancer
40. Indy Moon(USA) - b m - A P Indy x Autumn Moon

41. Intishaar(IRE) - gr f - Dubai Millennium x Bint Shadayid
42. Kiss The Flame(USA) - ch m - Menifee x Beautiful Craft
43. La Walry(USA) - b f - Military x Miss Vesuvio
44. Light And Magic (USA) - b f - Skywalker x Sweet Ernestine
45. Loch Nessie(USA) - b f - Meadow Monster x Sea Loving
46. Lost In The Fog(USA) - dbr m - Lost Soldier x Cloud Break
47. Madam's Playboy(USA) - ch m - Western Playboy x Madam Moscow
48. McSlew(USA) - ch f - Slew O'Gold x Gravy Boat
49. Memo Bay(USA) - dbr f - Memo x Revelation Bay
50. Mille(GB) - b f - Dubai Millennium x Cloelia

51. Miss Alana(USA) - gr f - Runaway Groom x Thirty Six Blue
52. Mizna(USA) - b f - Dubai Millennium x Tribulation
53. Mocha Magic (USA) - ch f - Mocha Express x Heartbreak Reason
54. Mon Belle(USA) - b f - Maria's Mon x Regal Band
55. Monsoon Rain(USA) - b m - Old Trieste x Smokey Mirage
56. Multicolored Lady(USA) - b f - Marquetry x Abduckted
57. My Dubai(IRE) - ch f - Dubai Millennium x Pastorale
58. My Thirty Six(USA) - dbr m - My Mike x Thirty Six Lou Lou
59. Mystic Chant(USA) - gr f - Unbridled's Song x Mystic Rhythms
60. Native Badgett(USA) - dbr m - Bold Badgett x Margaret's Native

61. Nine Jewels(USA) - b f - Devil's Bag x Red Cascade
62. Now Then Katie(GB) - b f - Kayf Tara x Nativus
63. Oberon's Girl(USA) - b f - Coronado's Quest x Fairy Queen
64. Outsmoken(USA) - b m - Smoke Glacken x Weejiner
65. Parisiana(USA) - b f - Mutakddim x Heathers Surprise
66. Patti's Classy(USA) - ch f - Regal Classic x Patti's Red Lady
67. Pickwickian(USA) - dbr m - Dubai Millennium x Piquetnol
68. Pixie Dust(USA) - dbr f - Tale Of The Cat x Estate Sale
69. Pocomoonshine(USA) - dbr m - Malibu Moon x Summell
70. Premium Tap(USA) - b m - Pleasant Tap x Premium Red

71. Qaasi(USA) - ch m - Rahy x Recording
72. Quagmire(USA) - dbr m - Mud Route x Broadbill
73. Quickfire(GB) - b f - Dubai Millennium x Daring Miss
74. Quizzene(USA) - Cozzene x Company Binness
75. Rajwa(USA) - ch m - Dubai Millennium x Zelanda
76. Razcal(USA) - ch m - Raz Lea x Sexy Crownrebelry
77. Rebelry(USA) - b m - Swain x Prospinsky
78. River Mist Image(USA) - ch f - Swain x Cat's Image
79. River Street(GB) - ch f - Machiavellian x Helen Street
80. She's My Mystery(USA) - gr f - Wekiva Springs x Ghost Princess

81. Shimmer(USA) - dbr f - Pulpit x Private Light
82. Silver Moose(USA) - gr m - Concorde's Tune x Molly's Message
83. Snowflakekisses(USA) - gr f - Friendly Lover x Polar Rain
84. Spacecapade(USA) - dbr m - Fortunate Prospect x Outta My Space
85. Speckled Fox(CAN) - ch f - Silver Fox x Miss Enforcer
86. Squall Winds(USA) - dbr f - Thunder Puddles x Rare Indicator
87. Star Gale(IRE) - b m - Supreme Leader x Astral Gale
88. Stretching(USA) - dbr f - Red Ransom x Broad Pennant
89. Swift Satan(USA) - dbr m - Accelerator x Cute Little Devil
90. Ten Centuries(USA) - ch m - Dubai Millennium x Fitnah

91. The White Fox(USA) - w m - Pioneering x Patchen Beauty
92. Theforceofmachone(USA) - ch m - Mach One x Juggable
93. Thor's Echo(USA) - ch m - Swiss Yodeler x Helen Of Troy
94. Thousand Islands(GB) b f - Dubai Millennium x Minister Wife
95. Tiffany Touch(USA) - b f - Deputy Minister x Careless Heiress
96. Truly Lovely(USA) - b f - Straight Man x True Compassion
97. Vaulting(USA) - b f - Dubai Millennium x Eaves
98. Velocista(USA) - gr f - Artax x Tengo Prisa
99. Watchtower(IRE) - ch m - Dubai Millennium x Balisada
100. Wind Dancer (CAN) - dbr m - Slew Express x Dancer On The Wind

101. Word Power(USA) - dbr f - Notebook x Red Mischief
102. Zirke Falls(USA) - b f - War Chant x Summertime Showers

Some stats will follow in the near future.

What's In A Name?

Just a more fun note after yesterday's downer.

I chose the Dalakhani x Balaabel colt to include in my 2006 crop. The horse's name keeps changing! I think he is owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, as they are all his kind of names plus he is Shadwell-bred.

At first when I put him in my stable he was called Nethaam. Nice enough name I thought and a well-bred colt. Next he was suddenly called Mathaal (or something along those lines). Then he was back to being named Nethaam. And shock, horror, he's got a new name again!

He is now named.... drumroll please.... Masdar. I like it, let's just hope he keeps it this time!

That just amused me :o) I wonder what reason they have to keep changing the colt's name. He will end up with multiple personality disorder if they continue like that!

(Masdar (IRE) - 2006 grey colt - Dalakhani x Balaabel, by Sadler's Wells)

A Disappointing Saturday

I had such hopes for yesterday. In my mind Ibn Khaldun had a great chance and Sugar Swirl was going to win the Humana Distaff. Unfortunately, things do not always go the way you want them to...

The Guineas was worthy of the 2ooth birthday of the race, but Ibn Khaldun was not involved. He ran flat and backed up quickly through the field about 2-3 furlongs out and finished 10th in the end. His trainer Saeed Bin Suroor has not made further plans for the colt, but is sure he can do better. As am I. Normally he cruises quite easily, but he was struggling a long way out. Maybe a lack of fitness? I still believe in him and I think he will redeem himself over the course of the season.

Whether Alfathaa was quite ready for such a big task was always the question. He missed training and the Craven Stakes with a foot abscess, so his preparation was far from ideal. He started keenly near the front, but was not quite fast or fit enough to stay out the trip and also faded through the field. Alfathaa should do better as the season progresses and a longer trip would probably suit him better as well. Another who I hope will improve over the course of the season. The 2,000 Guineas was won by Henrythenavigator by a nose over New Approach with Stubbs Art putting in a fantastic performance to be third.


Then there's Sugar Swirl, my best horse in the US right now. She too disappointed, finishing 5th. The race was won by Intagaroo. I am sure she will get her revenge.

Then there was the tragic events that unfolded after the Kentucky Derby. Eight Belles, the brave filly that just finished second behind Big Brown, broke both her ankles while galloping out and had to be euthanized. Poor girl. My heart goes out to all her connections. She will be remembered as a great filly.Horse racing is a beautiful sport, but sometimes it shows its ugly side and I wonder whether it is all worth it. And yet, is there a more beautiful sight than a horse in full stride.

Sugar Swirl After First G1 Win

It's Kentucky Derby day, but all I care about is one race on the undercard on America's most famous race: race 8, the Humana Distaff (G1) over seven furlongs.

In this race Sugar Swirl will take her first crack at a G1 race and she is showing up with tremendous form, touted as the most exciting sprinter in the US at the moment. The powerhouse chestnut filly comes of an impressive win in the G2 Shirley Jones Handicap at Gulfstream Park, in which she conquered the field, including Baroness Thatcher, by 5 1/2 lengths.

Her biggest rival will likely be Hystericalady, who comes off a strong win in the Azeri S (G3).

I have been very keen on Sugar Swirl from very early on. I saw her yearling photos on the Adena Springs website and she just looked like she was built like a tank. That was it, I was sold and it goes to show, if you like the look of a horse, go with your gut feeling!

I am looking forward to her race. She will run well and hopefully she will show she is the top female sprinter in the USA.

The field:
1. Hystericalady (Rafael Bejarano) 120 lbs
2. Change Up (Kent Desormeaux) 118 lbs
3. Graeme Six (Julien Leparoux) 120 lbs
4. Miss Macy Sue (Eddie Razo Jr) 118 lbs
5. Sugar Swirl (Javier Castellano) 122 lbs
6. Windyindy (Calvin Borel) 118 lbs
7. Miraculous Miss (Jeremy Rose) 118 lbs
8. Baroness Thatcher (John Velazquez) 118 lbs
9. Intangaroo (Alanso Quinonez) 124 lbs

Here Comes The Guineas

I am so proud that two of my ToF horse have made it to the 2,000 Guineas this year. It promises to be a great race with New Approach firmly at the head of the betting with many believing he should be the easy winner. Of course I beg to differ.

Ibn Khaldun : By a miler out of a miler, he is perfectly bred for the Guineas. His dam Gossamer in fact won the Irish 1,000 Guineas in 2002. Gossamer is also a full sister to Barathea, who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas and was second to Zafonic in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket in 1993. Ibn Khaldun has nothing but improved over his two-year-old season and the noises coming out of the Godolphin camp are positive. If he kept up the progression at the same rate as through last year, he will be right up there and should be capable of winning. He is likely to be 3rd in the betting behind New Approach and Raven's Pass. I definitely feel he is a better horse than Raven's Pass. Whether he will be able to beat horse-of-the-moment New Approach, we will find out tomorrow. He is trading at 4/1 to 9/2 at the moment. I put some money on him last October at 25/1. Fingers crossed! He could be a superstar...

My other runner is Alfathaa. He has recovered from his foot problem and will likely take his place in the starting stalls tomorrow. He is a bit of an enigma. I am not quite sure what to expect of him. He ran well enough last year as two-year-old and was not far behind the leading two-year-old colts. He won a maiden by five lengths over a mile and finished a creditable fifth in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge (G2) behind City Leader by only 1 1/4 lengths. His sire Nayef won G1s at 3, 4 and 5 and his dam was a listed winner at 4, so plenty of scope for improvement for him over the coming season. Whether he is ready for such a big task yet remains to be seen, but I hope he will run well. I have bet him each way for tomorrow, as I think he definitely capable of running a good race.

The field:
SC PP Horse (Jockey)
1. 4 Alfathaa (Richard Hills)
2. 8 Bahamian Kid (Ted Durcan)
3. 3 Dream Eater (Martin Dwyer)
4. 6 Fireside (Alan Munro)
5. 10 Henryhenavigator (Johnny Murtagh)
6. 9 Ibn Khaldun (Frankie Dettori)
7. 11 Moynahan (Richard Quinn)
8. 2 New Approach (Kevin Manning)
9. 5 Perfect Stride (Ryan Moore)
10. 1 Plan (Michael Kinane)
11. 13 Raven's Pass (Jimmy Fortune)
12. 15 Scintillo (Richard Hughes)
13. 12 Stimulation (Steve Drowne)
14. 14 Strike The Deal (Eddie Ahern)
15. 7 Stubbs Art (Seb Sanders)

My somewhat biased prediction for tomorrow:

1. Ibn Khaldun
2. New Approach
3. Alfathaa

2008 foals, update 6

Some more foals!

First Samurai x Wildwood Flower
Northern Afleet x Funny Ha Ha
Redoute's Choice (AUS) x River Street (GB)
Platinum Crown x Truly Lovely
Thunder Gulch x Velocista
Tale Of The Cat x Random Chance
Cape Cross (IRE) x Dubai Opera - FILLY
Tiger Hill (IRE) x Bright Morning (GB) - COLT

I am particularly exciting about the Redoute's Choice x River Street. River Street is a full sister to Street Cry and Redoute's Choice is a top stallion.

Hattrick for She's Sensational

The 4yo chestnut filly She's Sensational (USA) scored her third win in a row in a optional claiming race at Bay Meadows yesterday. All three of her wins have been over 1 mile at Bay Meadows, over both dirt and turf. Her maiden win came on 7 March when she conquered a field of five over dirt by 5 1/2 lengths. Her second win was on 23 March when she won a optional claiming race over turf, her first run over the surface, by 3 1/2 lengths.

Yesterday she defeated six other fillies as a short-priced favourite. She ran well off the pace, making her move on the second turn. She came three wide to the stretch and rallied determinedly to get up in the final strides.

She's Sensational is owned by La Canada Stables and trained by John Martin. She was bred by ClassicStar.

Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk 2nd in Jacques Cartier

Seven-year-old gelding Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk showed that he is as good as ever yesterday in the Jacques Cartier Stakes at Woodbine. He gamely raced near the front, bid inside the leader at the turn, but was taken back from tight quarters. He rebid nearing the top of the stretch, vied and was passed only a sixteenth out by the favourite Legal Move.

The Mutakddim gelding, owned by Tucci Stables and trained by Sid Attard has now accumulated price monies of over $650,000.

General Eliott Stays Unbeaten

General Eliott made his first start of the season, his second lifetime start, yesterday at Sandown in a condition stakes. I had been looking forward to this race, as he had been a horse I have been quite excited about since I picked him for my crop.

I was very happy he won. He galloped to victory quite easily in the end and the 3/4 length margin of victory does not tell the whole story. He had little room approaching the furlong marker and had to squeeze through a narrow gap. It shows that he is a brave horse that wants to win and the son of Rock Of Gibraltar could be a top three-year-old in the making.

A Win for Barbican

Barbican, full brother to ill-fated filly Tempera, is finally back to winning ways a year and two days after he recorded his last win.

Formerly owned by Darley, he won for his new owners Tea Party Stable and trainer Todd Beattie in only his second start for them. He won a an allowance race at Penn National as a short-priced favourite. He beat Unansweredquestion by a half length with Ice Berlin back in third.

I am glad to see him win again. Tempera was a very talented filly and a favourite of mine, so I always hoped that Barbican would follow her legacy. He never quite got there, but I am sure he can win some decent races in the near future.

(Barbican (USA) - 2003 dkbr horse - A P Indy x Colour Chart, by Mr Prospector)

Two-Year-Old Report - 20 April 08

Just a few notes on my two-year-olds:

Eochair ran her second race. She once again finished last in the fillies-only maiden at Dundalk. However, with her breeding, anything she does at 2 is a bonus and I would expect her to improve as she gets older. She did run better than in her first race.

Race The Breeze worked out for the first time Saturday morning, breezing 2 furlongs in 25.40 sec at Woodbine's all weather. I like this filly a lot. I chose her partly because I love her name and partly because she has great broodmare potential.

Other that have been working for the first time this month are Porcupine and Ancient Future. Ancient Future might pedrigree-wise be the strongest of Cat Dreams' first crop. Porcupine is from Housebuster's last crop.

I have added Misty Glade to my crop. She is a full sister to Italian G3 winner Shifting Place. She has a pretty name too, which always helps! Her dam was best over 1m4f. A nice filly with good broodmare credentials for the future.

(Ancient Future (USA) - 2006 chestnut filly - CAT DREAMS x Ma Guerre, by Lord At War)
(Eochair (IRE) - 2006 brown filly - Key Of Luck x Karaliyfa, by Kahyasi)
(Misty Glade (GB) - 2006 chestnut filly - Compton Place x Shifting Mist, by Night Shift)
(Porcupine (USA) - 2006 bay colt - Housebuster x Loon Lake, by Cryptoclearance)
(Race The Breeze (CAN) - 2006 dkbr filly - Theatrical x Wedding Day Blues, by El Prado)

2008 foals, update 5

A few more foals have been reported:

- Northern Afleet x ADRIATICA, by Old Trieste
- Came Home x EVENING PRINCESS, by Monarchos
- Giacomo x FANCY TALE, by Rahy
- Ghostzapper x STUNNING ROSE, by Sadler's Wells

ToF Tidbits - 16 April 08

Twilight won a maiden special weight at River Downs yesterday. A product of the last US crop of Silver Charm before the stallion relocated to Japan, the grey colt made his debut in style, winning by 2 lengths for breeder/owner Lucy Bassett and trainer Jeffrey Thornbury.

Alfathaa is out of the Craven Stakes and probably also the 2,000 Guineas. The son of Nayef was going to take on some of the big boys in first big prep for the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby. Some of the contenders include Raven's Pass, City Leader, Declaration of War and Scintillo amongst others. However, his trainer William Haggas reports that Alfathaa has a foot abscess, and the poor colt is very sore. Haggas says he might go straight for the Guineas if the colt is fit enough, but things have not really been discussed with owner Hamdan Al Maktoum yet. I hope to see him fit and ready soon. I am expecting big things from this colt. I like him a lot!

(Twilight (USA) - 05 grey colt - Silver Charm x Daydream, by Believe It)
(Alfathaa (GB) - 05 bay colt - Nayef x Arctic Char, by Polar Falcon)

Weekend Afterthoughts

There are a few things I want to reflect on regarding the weekend's action:

# Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk won his third race of the year. He returned to his native Canada and his hometrack Woodbine in style after a winter spell in Florida, winning an allowance optional claiming race worth CAN$78,400. It was the tenth win of his career, in which he accumulated over 600k in winnings. He's no slouch!

# Quite remarkably Under The Sun and Sweet Velvet both returned to the races for the first time since 2005! Both ran at the Washington track Sun Downs on Sunday going 4f in different races on the card. Under The Sun managed to come back with a win and Sweet Velvet ran third in her race.

# Fancy Footsteps won for Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey, the first race since they claimed her on 29 February. She is a Maktoum-bred (Gainsborough) filly out of one of my 2001 crop mares.

# Spitfire and Silver Wind finished second and third respectively when they competed against each other in conditions stakes at Doncaster on Saturday. Both should do well this season.

# Last, but not least, Gipson Dessert ran a credible fifth in the Prix De La Grotte at Longchamp on Sunday. She bravely set the pace in the heavy ground, only to run out of puff in the final furlong. Zarkava, the Aga Khan filly that won the race, looks to be quite something and is one to keep an eye on. However, I think Gipson Dessert, a daughter of my 2001 crop mare Gypsy Hollow, will improve from her first outing of the season and she should be competing in the top 3yo filly races through the spring and summer. She deserves her shot!

Crop Of 2006... update 3

Acquiesced (IRE)	06F - Refuse To Bend x North East Bay
Adri's Emblem	06F - Our Emblem x ADRIATRICA
Amethyst Dawn (IRE)	06F - Act One x A L'Aube
Ancient Future	06F - CAT DREAMS x Ma Guerre
Barnstorming	06M - Thunder Gulch x SOUL OF THE CAT
Bear Canyon	06F - Champali x Miss Vesuvio
Bonfire	06M - Runaway Groom x Tenacite
Burgee	06M - Awesome Again x Gold Streamer
Captain Captivated	06F - El Corredor x CAPTIVATED
Certainly You	06F - CERTAIN STORM x Had To Be You
Curlew (IRE)	06M - Cape Cross x Billbill
Curragh Mon	06M - Maria's Mon x IMARI
Damselfly (GB)	06F - Dr Fong x Mazarine Blue
Darcey (GB)	06F - Noverre x Firozi
Dark Echoes (GB)	06M - Diktat x Calamanco
Downstream (GB)	06F - Marju x Sister Moonshine
Early Morning Rain (IRE)	06F - Rock Of Gibraltar x Honorine
Emilia Plater	06F - Ascot Knight x Heavenly Glitter
Eochair (IRE)	06F - Key Of Luck x Karaliyfa
Ermine Slippers	06F - El Prado x Sweet As Honey
Firsaan (IRE)	06M - Haafhd x Walayef
Flashy Flyer	06F - Valid Expectations x WOOD DUCK
Flowerbomb	06F - Mineshaft x WILDWOOD FLOWER
Hickory Nut	06M - Horse Chestnut x MASKED BALL
Laura's Lady (IRE)	06F - Namid x CATAPILA
Legendary Peace	06F - Peace Rules x Red Mischief
Lipi (GB)	06M - Sadler's Wells x Frosty Welcome
Man of Faith	06M - Essence Of Dubai x RIVER OF FAITH
Marleau	06M - CAT DREAMS x Ascalon
Morning Mist	06F - Holy Bull x Go For Bail
Nethaam (IRE)	06M - Dalakhani x Balaabel
Olynard (IRE)	06M - Exceed And Excel x Reddening
Omega Wolf (IRE)	06M - Spartacus x Brave Cat
Porcupine	06M - Housebuster x Loon Lake
Premium Action	06F - Action This Day x Premium Red
Ptarmigan	06F - Unbridled Jet x Flaine
Qelaan	06F - Dynaformer x Irtahal
Race the Breeze	06F - Theatrical x Wedding Day Blues
Rightly So	06F - Read The Footnotes x FIT RIGHT IN
Rotterdam	06M - Unbridled's Song x Zoftig
Secret Wish	06F - Street Cry x Awesome Lass
Shadows Lengthen (GB)	06M - Dansili x Bay Shade
Shetan (GB)	06M - Desert Prince x Seven Notes
Shining Dawn	06F - Seeking The Gold x Easy 'n Gold
Snow Valley (FR)	06F - Choisir x Snow Lady
Storm's Ransom	06M - CERTAIN STORM x Cushina
Sunspear (IRE)	06F - Montjeu x Out West
Valkyrie (IRE)	06F - Danehill Dancer x Ridotto
47 chosen - another 3 to go. I might go 2 or 3 over 50, but that's no problem of course. It's no exact science. I have decided to to drop Artax Minstrel from my stable. She is by Artax out of a Cozzene mare, which I liked, but I have a few Artax fillies/mares in former crops already, most notably Friendly Michelle. I have added a few, but one I am quite excited about is Flowerbomb, the Mineshaft filly out of Wildwood Flower. Wildwood Flower is a stakes winning Langfuhr mare from my first crop (2001) and I was waiting anxiously for her first foal to be named. Horses in capitals are from former crops.

2008 foals, update 4

Just a few more:

- Roman Ruler x Allencat, by Storm Cat
- Rock Hard Ten x Greenberg, by Royal Academy
- Swiss Yodeler x Light And Magic, by Skywalker
- Sakhee x Intishaar, by Dubai Millennium FILLY

Entries Weekend 12-13 April 08

Just thought I'd share my horses' entries for this weekend, as there seem to be so many!

Saturday 12 April:
- Spitfire (GB): Doncaster 4.45-condition stakes-7f- 2nd
- Silver Wind (GB) - Doncaster 4.45-condition stakes-7f- 3rd
- Indy Moon (USA) - Hawthorne, race 6-claiming-1 1/16m- scratched
- Watchtower (IRE) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 10-claiming-1m40y- 3rd
- Barbican (USA) - Penn National, race 5-all opt claim-1m- 2nd
- Wildwood Peekaboo (USA) - Hawthorne, race 9-claiming-6 1/2f- 7th
- Gobbler's Knob (USA) - Santa Anita, race 7-maiden-1m- 6th
- Sandstorm Cat (USA) - Keeneland, race 3-maiden-7f- 2nd
- Temper Temper (USA) - Keeneland, race 5-maiden-7f- 1st dead heat (finished dead heat second, but first horse was DQ and placed 3rd)

Sunday 13 April:
- Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk (CAN) - Woodbine, race 4-optional claiming-5 1/2f- 1st
- Under The Sun (USA) - Sun Downs, race 6/8-claiming-4f- 1st
- Noble Texas (USA) - Stampede Park, race 7-claiming-6f- 4th
- Chasin The Tornado (CAN) - Woodbine, race 5-maiden-7f- 4th
- Fancy Footsteps (USA) - Gulfstream, race 6-starter allowance-1 1/16m- 1st
- Sweet Velvet (USA) - Sun Downs, race 1 - maiden - 4f - 3rd
- Jacks New Cat (USA) - Lone Star Park, race 2 - maiden - 1m - 3rd
- Gipson Dessert (USA) - Longchamp, race 4 - G3 Prix De La Grotte - 1600m - 5th

And one of my ToF horses' foals has also been entered that was not included in my stables but I wanted to note anyway:

- Inside The Parker (USA) - 12.4 Laurel Park, race 1 - maiden - 2f - 6th
>> (06 bay colt - Parker's Storm Cat x Jazz Band, by Dixieland Band)



(Barbican - 2003 dkbr horse - A P Indy x Colour Chart, by Mr Prospector)
(Chasin The Tornado - 2005 dkbr colt - Smart Strike x I Beat The Tornado, by Regal Classic)
(Fancy Footsteps - 2005 ch filly - Sky Classic x FANCY TALE, by Rahy)
(Gipson Dessert - 2005 bay filly - Orientate x GYPSY HOLLOW, by Dixieland Band)
(Gobbler's Knob - 2004 bay gelding - Worldly Manner x Joanna, by Theatrical)
(Indy Moon - 2002 bay gelding - A P Indy x Autumn Moon, by Mr Prospector)
(Jacks New Cat - 2004 bay filly - King Cugat x Private Label, by Thirty Six Red)
(Noble Texas - 2003 dkbr gelding - Texas City x Ms Rosealee, by Thirty Six Red)
(Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk - 2001 bay gelding - Mutakddim x May Time, by Cure The Blues)
(Sandstorm Cat - 2005 bay filly - Tale Of The Cat x Sand Pebbles, by Sadler's Wells)
(Silver Wind - 2005 bay colt - Ishiguru x My Bonus, by Cyrano De Bergerac)
(Spitfire - 2005 bay gelding - Mujahid x Fresh Fruit Daily, by Reprimand)
(Sweet Velvet - 2003 dkbr mare - Mach One x Candi's Velvet, by Candi's Gold)
(Temper Temper - 2005 bay filly - Empire Maker x Storm Alert, by Storm Cat)
(Under The Sun - 2001 ch gelding - Coronado's Quest x In On The Secret, by Secretariat)
(Watchtower - 2002 ch horse - Dubai Millennium x Balisada, by Kris)
(Wildwood Peekaboo - 2004 grey filly - Aljabr x Curiously, by Warning)

Teton Timber Breaks Maiden

Teton Timber, a 5-year-old son of Forestry, broke his maiden in his 10th start yesterday. He finally acclomplished this feat in a 4 1/2 furlong maiden claiming race at Charles Town. He went off favourite for the 6th consecutive time and finally managed to give a return to his backers. He gained the lead from Lord Of Soul on the turn and held sway under strong urging to win by 2 lenghts. Thirs was Ballado's Tune.

Teton Timber has earned $36,670 in his 10 starts, placed twice and was third in four of his races. He won for his owner Diamond Oak Stable and trainer Amy Albright, who claimed him on 1 February 2008 for $10,000. He is bred by Double R Stables in Kentucky

Maybe now he broke the deadlock he can win again next time out?

(Teton Timber - 2003 dkbr gelding - Forestry x Emily's Angel, by Saint Ballado)

ToF Tidbits - 6 April 08

Eochair was my first two-year-old runner in Europe. She contested the first two-year-old race of the season at the Curragh on Sunday 30 March. She finished last of eight, 21 lengths behind the winner, but it's so hard to tell much from a first race. She is a daughter of one of my favourite stallions, Key Of Luck, out of the Aga Khan bred mare Karaliyfa. There is a photo of her on the Goffs website. Her name is Gaelic for Key by the way. She was bred by Gerry Flannery Developments in Ireland. She is owned by the Eochair Syndicate and trained by Ms Joanna Morgan, who bought her at the Goffs Sales.

Cinnamon Hill broke her maiden at Lingfield over the all weather track on Friday in only her fourth race. The four-year-old Compton Place filly contested three 7f events as a three-year-old and benefited from the drop in trip to 6f. The Racing Post comments that she is a keen sort, but despite being a little green she found plenty when asked in the straight off and held off the 77-race veteran Linda Green. She is owned by Mrs C J Hue Williams and J C Nowell Smith. Mrs C J Williams also bred the filly. She is trained by Eve Johnston Houghton, who will have to teach her to keep her cool!

Also Outsmoken returned to training recently. The six-year-old gelding had been out of training since February 07, but he was a decent allowance runner and I am pleasantly surprised to see him back on the work tabs at Hawthorne Race Course, Illinois, USA. I hope he will be able to get back to form.

(Eochair (IRE) - 2006 bay or brown filly - Key Of Luck x Karaliyfa, by Kahyasi)
(Cinnamon Hill (GB) - 2004 chestnut filly - Compton Place x Cajole, by Barathea)
(Outsmoken (USA) - 2002 bay gelding - Smoke Glacken x Weejiner, by Ack Ack)

Grand National - Result

1st - Comply Or Die
2nd - King Johns Castle
3rd - Snowy Morning
4th - Slim Pickings

My horses didn't fare too well:

Mr Pointment: started to backing up after the 26th fence - not surprising with that enormous weight on his back - and was pulled up at the last (30th) fence

Vodka Bleu: pulled up at the 19th fence

No Full: Fell at 6th fence (Becher's Brook)

Of course a big congrats to Comply Or Die's jockey, trainer and owner.

Unfortunately Mckelvey had to be euthanised after suffering fatal injuries in a fall. My thoughts are with his connections.

The Gamble - Grand National Bets

Like every year I have placed a few bets on the Grand National. This year I have spread my £10 as follows:

£1 e/w on Mr Pointment @ 20/1 (total £2)

£2 e/w on Vodka Bleu @ 40/1 (total £4)

£2 e/w on No Full @ 200/1 (total £4)

With Mr Pointment I am worried about the amount of weight he is to carry (11-11). I have no idea whether Vodka Bleu will stay the trip, but I like him. No Full seemed the most probable ultra-longshot.

Wish me good luck!

2008 Foals, update 3

Just listing the newborns - full list will follow later in the year. My lot are pushing out babies left right and centre!

- Unbridled's Song x Dream Time, Storm Cat
- Roman Ruler x Firebaby, Marquetry
- A P Indy x Last Song, Unbridled's Song
- Include x Night Heron, Silver Charm
- Yes It's True x Pagosa Springs, A P Indy
- Anabaa x Premium Hope, Miswaki

and a special cheer for the first time mums:
- More Than Ready x Oberon's Girl, Coronado's Quest
- Malibu Moon x Mystic Chant, Unbridled's Song
- High Fly x Multicolored Lady, Marquetry - named Independent Lady
- Orientate x Miss Fury, Unbridled's Song
- Najran x Mersaides, Montbrook
- Bellamy Road x Divine Shadow, Capote

I have 33 foals already!

Sugar Swirl: The Sprint Queen

My girl Sugar Swirl did it with style. Yesterday she became the Queen of Gulfstream, as she shone in the Shirley Jones Handicap (G2), winning comfortably by 5 1/2 lengths. She covered the 7 furlongs in 1:22.57, only 1.5 seconds away from the track record. She seems to be getting better and better with every race she runs. She was under restraint, tucked in behind the leaders around the turn. She was angled out and rallied to take over entering the stretch, drawing off when asked. She is a very, very good mare.

She has now won 4 stakes raced in a row. She is on route to be the first Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint in the autumn if you ask me. For some reason I do well with sprinters, with Lost In The Fog and Thor's Echo before her.

She might be pointed at the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill Downs on 3 May, but a decision has not been made yet.

She is owned by Stronach Stables and trained by Brian Lynch. She was bred by Adena Springs in Canada.

(Sugar Swirl (CAN) - 2003 chestnut mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)

The Tap 9th in Dubai World Cup

Premium Tap finished a disappointing 9th in the Dubai World Cup. Of course it was not completely unexpected as his connection did announce their doubts about the horse's fitness. There might have been a slight excuse as he almost clipped heels in the back straight when he started running, which threw him off stride. Whether his connection will decide to retire him or not remains to be seen, but it is certainly a possibility. I hope in my heart he will return to the US to stand at stud there, but he will most likely stay in Saudi Arabia.

Of course I have to take my hat off to Curlin. He ran the kind of race a short-priced favourite should. He certainly seems the best horse on dirt in the world right now. I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if Premium Tap had showed up with last year's form, but that is a mute point, isn't it?

It will be interesting to see where Curlin will go from here. In the meantime I am anxiously awaiting an announcement on Premium Tap's future. I love his bloodlines and he would be an asset at stud in the US.

Complete order of finish:
1. Curlin (USA)
2. Asiatic Boy (ARG)
3. Well Armed (USA)
4. A P Arrow (USA)
5. Great Hunter (USA)
6. Lucky Find (USA)
7. Jalil (USA)
8. Gloria De Campeao (BRZ)
9. Premium Tap (USA)
10. Sway Yed (KSA)
11. Kocab (GB)
12. Vermilion (JPN)

Video Replay


(Premium Tap (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Pleasant Tap x Premium Red, by Thirty Six Red)

The World Cup For Premium Tap

Premium Tap will take his rightful place in the line-up for the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba on Saturday. For a while his contention was in doubt after a disappointing 4th place in Saudi Arabia's premier race on 15 February. His trainer was unhappy with the way the horse was working and he had some other problems. Though he just about won his follow-up start in a mile race on 7 March, he is still not quite back to the old Tap.

But Premium Tap will travel to Dubai to challenge 2007 american horse of the year Curlin and I will be cheering for him. Curlin is likely to be a short-priced favourite. He is looking a dream and has had a dream preparation for the big race. But there are others beside Premium Tap that will be challenging the 4yo Smart Strike colt.

The field looks like this (per DRF):

* DUBAI WORLD CUP-G1. Purse $6,000,000. 1 1/4m (dirt) 4yo+

Post time: 1:30 p.m. (EDT)

1 - Sway Yed - O Peslier - 126 - 100-1

2 - Well Armed - A T Gryder - 126 - 33-1

3 - Happy Boy - K McEvoy - 126 - 16-1

4 - Kocab - S Pasquier - 126 - 33-1

5 - Great Hunter - G K Gomez - 126 - 66-1

6 - Premium Tap - S Madrid - 126 - 14-1

7 - Vermilion - Y Take - 126 - 12-1

8 - Jalil - L Dettori - 126 - 7-1

9 - Asiatic Boy - J P Murtagh - 126 - 10-1

10 - Lucky Find - K Shea - 126 - 25-1

11 - Gloria de Campeao - C-P Lemaire - 126 - 33-1

12 - Curlin - R J Albarado - 126 - 2-5

13 - A.P. Arrow - R A Dominguez - 126 - 25-1

I wish I could say that Premium Tap will win, but his form is suspect at best and one has to wonder whether the level of competition he has been facing is enough to have fit and ready for a clash like this. But yet, I believe he has a lot of class and an enormous amount of talent and heart and if he would win I would be over the moon. However, Curlin is looking strong and there are other contenders, like Asiatic Boy, that cannot be underrated. I hope he will be able to equal or better his 2nd place in last year's race and that is what I am hoping for. He is definitely not without a chance and I will be cheering him on all the way!

Unfortunately I won't be around this weekend as I will be climbing a mountain in Wales, but I will be anxiously looking for the result as soon as I am back home on Sunday.

(Premium Tap (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Pleasant Tap x Premium Red, by Thirty Six Red)

ToF Tidbits - 26 March 08

The Shirley Jones Handicap (G2) has been rescheduled for Saturday 29 March, so Sugar Swirl will have her chance for queendom after all!

2007 Champion Sprinter Thor's Echo is back on the worktab with a workout at Hollywood Park. It took him 37.20 secs to cover the 3f distance over a fast all weather track. He had not worked from 6 August last year. He has undergone surgery to remove a bone chip from a hind ankle. It;s good to see him back! Looking forward to a good 2008 from him.

(Sugar Swirl (CAN) - 2003 chestnut mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)
(Thor's Echo (USA) - 2002 chestnut gelding - Swiss Yodeler x Helen Of Troy, by Mr Integrity)

ToF Tidbits - 23 March 08

Flashy Flyer, daughter of 2001 ToF horse Wood Duck, had her first workout on 20 March at El Primero Training Center, where she worked 3f out of the gate in 40.60. Flashy Flyer is included in my 2006 crop.

Bonfire was the third horse part of my 2006 crop that worked. He worked 3f in 40.00 at Laurel Park on Saturday (22 March).

Sugar Swirl was denied the chance to claim queendom as after the sixth race racing was cancelled at Gulfstrea. A daylong deluge compromised the safety of the horses. A decision on rescheduling the Shirley Jones Handicap has not yet been announced.

(Flashy Flyer (USA) - 2006 bay filly - Valid Expectations x Wood Duck, by Kingmambo)
(Wood Duck (USA) - 2001 bay mare - Kingmambo x Duck Trap, by Affirmed)
(Bonfire (USA) - 2006 dkbr colt - Runaway Groom x Tenacite, by Seattle Slew)
(Sugar Swirl (USA) - 2003 ch mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)

Cat Dreamer Second

Cat Dreamer, Cat Dreams' first starter as a sire, finished 2nd in his debut outing yesterday. according to the chart he had good early speed and pressed the pace on the outside, he drifted in some past midstretch and continued willingly to the wire. Turbo Call clinched the race.

I am pleased. Second is a good start and Cat Dreamer earned $7,200 in the process.

(Cat Dreams (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Storm Cat x J J'sdream, by Glitterman)

Sugar Swirl Ready To Reign

Sugar Swirl is currently the horse in form and she could be crowned the Sprint Queen of Gulfstream this Saturday went she will be contesting the G2 Shirley Jones Handicap there. The 7f race for older fillies and mares carries a purse of $200,000.

She already won the First Lady Handicap (G3) and Hurricane Bertie Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream this year and the Shirley Jones would provide her with an impressive hattrick. However, the other fillies and mares in the race have a weight advantage of 6 to 9 lbs to Sugar Swirl's 124 lbs and they will all be out to get her. The field includes the G1 placed Shaggy Mane and Baroness Thatcher, though neither of those come into the race with the form that Sugar Swirl has showed this winter. The biggest danger is likely to be Lady Marlboro, who also comes off a graded stakes victory at Gulfstream. She has not raced for two months, but is coming into the race fit and ready.

Javier Castellano will be on board once again, as he was in her last two wins. He has ridden her five times in the past and won four with her, so he must be feeling confident in the five-year-old Touch Gold mare.

Despite the weight disadvantage Sugar Swirl is the likely short priced favourite, as she should be. She is a fast powerful mare who is in the form of her life. She won authoritatively in both her starts this year for Brian Lynch and she obviously likes Gulfstream. She has an outstanding chance.

Come on Sugar!

(Sugar Swirl (CAN) - 2003 ch mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)

First Starter For Cat Dreams

Cat Dreams will have his first progeny in the starting gate this afternoon in one of the earliest two-year-old races of the season.

Cat Dreamer, a chestnut colt out of Silent Alarm, by Boundary, was an early foal, born on 14 January. He sold at the Barretts Yearling Sale for $18,000 to Michael Shustek, the top price paid for a Cat Dreams.

He will enter the gate for the first race at Santa Anita this afternoon, a two furlong contest for California-bred maidens together with eight other precocious youngsters.

He is owned by Kentucky D Stables LLC & Stanley & Firsthome Thoroughbreds and trained by Adam Kitchingman. Martin Pedroza will be the man on his back.

I hope he will do well, but it is debatable how much can be read from a two-furlong race. Even though I am not a fan of racing two-year-olds this early, I cannot help feeling excited about Cat Dreams having his first starter. Here begins another road for Cat Dreams. May he do well as a sire and have plenty of winners.

(Cat Dreams (USA) - 2002 bay horse - Storm Cat x J J'sdream, by Glitterman)

Remembering The Fog

Last week I said I would put the spotlight on one of my former stable stars. And where better to start than with the star that shone the brightest, and whose light was cruelly dimmed too soon.

When scouting for horses to include in my crops, it is always a pleasure to look through the photos for the Ocala Breeders Sales August Yearling Sale. When checking out horses for my 2002 crop, I came across a conformation photo of a dark bay yearling who carried the beautiful name Lost In The Fog. He was by Lost Soldier out of Cloud Break, a Dr Carter mare. Not a fashionable pedigree for sure. He looked balanced and strong for a yearling and had none of the awkwardness that many other yearlings have. His backside was already showing the promise of power. So, with such an impressive physique and a gorgeous name like that, how could I not include him. So in August 2003 into my stable the lovely dark bay colt went. Little did I expect the kind of ride that he would take me on.

He was bred by Susan Seper in Ocala, Florida. The story goes that she went to pasture to look for the weanling, but the field was covered in a blanket of fog. As she searched, this young horse emerged and walked towards her. And so Lost In The Fog was named.

He was owned by 85-year-old Californian Harry J Aleo and trained by veteran trainer Harry Gilchrist. I received his first official workout on 16 May 2004. He worked 2 furlongs in 24.40, good, but not spectacular. Towards the autumn his workouts made me sit up and take notice, he was consistently fast and I mentioned to someone about this colt that was working like lightning at Golden Gate Fields.

I was surprisingly nervous when he was entered into his first race on 14 November 2004 in race 3 at Golden Gate Fields. I wasn't the only one who had noticed him and he went off favourite. He was already an old pro it seemed. He sped to the front, set the pace and was easily best under a hand ride. Yes, I knew, this colt really could be something.

And something he was. He took me on a journey that none of my other horses have taken me on so far. He ran again and again and climbed up in the ranks, coming out top every time. That he was a sprinter I never doubted. One only had to look at those hind quarters to know that this horse was all about speed. And speed was something he had excesses off.

The first graded stakes win came in his 4th start in the Riva Ridge Breeders' Cup S (G2) at Belmont Park on 11 June 2005. He followed up with another G2 win in the Carry Back and a well-deserved G1 win in the King's Bishop S at Saratoga over 7 furlongs. Another win was recorded back in California in the Bay Meadows Speed H. Then on to the Breeders' Cup at Belmont, still undefeated and the fastest horse in the US. The Sprint was his for the taking and it was his to lose. He went off as a short-priced favourite. I couldn't watch the race, but was listening to the audio broadcast. My heart sank when he started to fall back late in the race. This was not like Fog, something had to be wrong. I was so disappointed. That was supposed to be his the diamond in his crown. He was the Eclipse Champion Sprinter, I just wished he would still be undefeated. One can ask for too much I suppose.

As a four-year-old he came back in the at the Golden Gate Fields Sprint S on 22 April. I was nervous, his Breeders' Cup loss still in my memory. He lost to Carthage. Again, I was baffled, had Fog lost his speed, his power? Was he just not quite fit? Churchill Downs was his next stop in the G3 Aristides Breeders' Cup H over 6f. I was so relieved when he won again and in a time quicker than the winning Sprint time had been. Was Fog back, was he going to take revenge?

Then came the Smile Sprint H (G2) at Calder. Surely Fog would show the field his heels and be back to his best. But he just did not fire. He finished 9th. I felt worried - something had to be not quite right. That was not the Fog of old!

His trainer Greg Gilchrist said after the race that he had not been quite right, but still believed he would run his race. In August he showed some discomfort, which was believed to be colic and he was taken to the University of California-Davis Veterinary School to be treated. There they discovered a mass in in the Fog's spleen that the doctors believed to be lymphoma. I remember seeing the first reports and my heart sinking. A few days later even graver reports came - more tumours were discovered and they were inoperable. He had a tumor the size of a football near the spine, a second large tumor in the spleen and a third in the membrane that suspends the spleen.

The vets told us that these tumours could have been growing there for four months, maybe even up to a year. It sure would have affected his last race but could it have caused him discomfort as far back as October 2005? But how much did that matter now I knew that my favourite horse would soon be no more.

The colt was brought back to his own stable to be cared for by his groom Pascual Garcia to live out his last days. Hopeful reports briefly came, Fog was going to undergo chemotherapy, but I was sceptical. But the end came, all too quickly.

Lost In The Fog lost his battle with cancer on Sunday 17 September 2006 when he was euthanized after he went into distress just after Gilchrist had grazed him.

I don't often cry, but I cried for Lost In The Fog. For him, for his connections, for all that could have been. Here had been a horse with so much talent, so much raw speed, and yet he was no longer here.

Necropsy revealed that the cancer was even more extensive than it had been believed. One tumour ran almost the length of his back. The cancer also involved his arteries, kidneys and intestinal organs.

Lost In The Fog earned $978,099 in a 14 race career, which included 11 wins and 1 second.

The star is gone, but his memory remains. He will always be special to me and to many others I am sure. Thank you Fog, for all the beautiful moments you have given me. I am so proud!

(Lost In The Fog (USA) - 2002 dkbr colt - Lost Soldier x Cloud Break, by Dr Carter)

Imari's Firstborn Named

Curragh Mon is the name of Imari's first foal, a two-year-old grey colt by Maria's Mon.

Imari is a daughter of Forty Niner out of a Sunday Silence granddaughter. She was bred in Japan by Nishikawa Co Ltd. Imari's dam, Western Sharp, was a winner in Japan. I first noticed her in the Keeneland September Yearling Sales Catalogue of 2002. Her breeding really caught my eye. I mean, Forty Niner and Sunday Silence! So into my first stable she went. She sold for $285,000 to Amerman Racing.

She didn't show that much promise in her 3yo year, but managed to win her two races at 4. Her last race was in February 2005, in time for her to be bred for a 2006 foal! I am not sure whether there was an injury or whether her owners decided she was never going to get blacktype. Anyway, she was bred to Maria's Mon on 7 April 2005. She once again entered the Keeneland sales ring in November 2005, pregnant with her Maria's Mon foal. She was sold to Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey for $100,000, a bargain if you ask me!

On 19 March 2006 she gave birth to her first foal. She was then bred to Ramsey Farm's own Kitten's Joy. I wonder, was she bought with Kitten's Joy in mind? Her Kitten's Joy foal was born on 11 April 07, a chestnut colt.

I am looking forward to Curragh Mon, he should be an interesting race horse. He brought a meagre price of $9,000 at the Keeneland Yearling Sale last year when he was bought by Crupi's New Castle Farm, but I hope that he can run. I have added him to my 2006 crop.

(Imari (JPN) - 2001 dkbr mare - Forty Niner x Western Sharp, by Sunday Silence)
(Curragh Mon (USA) - 2006 gr colt - Maria's Mon x Imari, by Forty Niner)

Stars Of The Turf

I am participating in a new online horse racing game called Stars Of The Turf, started by Alex. He has devised this idea for a horse racing game, that lets you choose 30 2yo race horses based on their sires' stud fees. 5 horses for each level of stud fee. You score via a points system as the horses run throughout the year. See the website for more details. This could be a really good game and I hope a lot of people will enter!

My picks are all either in my ToF Stable or foals by my ToF horses:

Tier A ($100k +)
1. Burgee (USA) : colt - Awesome Again ($150k) x Gold Streamer
2. Rotterdam (USA) : colt - Unbridled's Song ($150k) x Zoftig
3. Secret Wish (CAN) : filly - Street Cry ($100k) x Awesome Lass
4. Sunspear (IRE) : filly - Montjeu (EUR 125k) x Out West
5. unnamed (USA) : colt - Storm Cat ($300k) x Paiota Falls

Tier B ($50k - <$100k):
1. Ermine Slippers (USA) : filly - El Prado ($75k) x Sweet As Honey
2. Early Morning Rain (IRE) : filly - Rock Of Gibraltar (EUR 35k=$54k) x Honorine
3. unnamed (USA) : filly - Mineshaft ($75k) x Wildwood Flower
4. unnamed (USA) : filly - Mineshaft ($75k) x Whitewater
5. Seiun Knowledge (USA) : colt - Vindication ($60k) x Dossier

Tier C ($20k - <$50k):
1. Captain Captivated (USA) : filly - El Corredor ($30k) x Captivated
2. Barnstorming (USA) : colt - Thunder Gulch ($20k) x Soul Of The Cat
3. Race The Breeze (CAN) : filly - Theatrical ($40k) x Wedding Day Blues
4. unnamed (USA) : colt - Medaglia d'Oro ($40k) x Mizzen Lass
5. unnamed (USA) : filly - Lion Heart ($20k) x New Jersey

Tier D ($10k - <$20k):
1. Flashy Flyer (USA) : filly - Valid Expectations ($17.5k) x Wood Duck
2. Legendary Peace (USA) : filly - Peace Rules ($12.5k) x Red Mischief
3. unnamed (USA) : colt - Five Star Day ($15k) x Adventure
4. Flat Water (USA) : colt - Stephen Got Even ($12,5k) x Zirke Falls
5. unnamed (USA) : colt - Kafwain ($10k) x Unaltered

Tier E ($5k - <$10k):
1. Rightly So (USA) : filly - Read The Footnotes ($8.5k) x Fit Right In
2. Man Of Faith (USA) : colt - Essence Of Dubai x($5k) x River Of Faith
3. Bear Canyon (USA) : filly - Champali ($7.5k) x Miss Vesuvio
4. Oscar's Nominee (USA) : filly - Marino Marini ($5k) x Theatrical Doll
5. Hickory Nut (USA) : colt - Horse Chestnut ($5k) x Masked Ball

Tier F (<$5k):
1. Ancient Future (USA) : filly - Cat Dreams ($4k) x Ma Guerre
2. Certainly You (USA) : filly - Certain Storm ($2.5k) x Had To Be You
3. Marleau (USA) : colt - Cat Dreams ($4k) x Ascalon
4. Storm's Ransom (USA) : colt - Certain Storm ($2.5k) x Cushina
5. Cat Dreamer (USA) : colt - Cat Dreams ($4k) x Aunt Polly

Crop Of 2006... update 2

Acquiesced (IRE)	06F - Refuse To Bend x North East Bay (Prospect Bay) BAY
Adri's Emblem	06F - Our Emblem x ADRIATRICA
Amethyst Dawn (IRE)	06F - Act One x A L'Aube (Selkirk) GR
Ancient Future	06F - CAT DREAMS x Ma Guerre (Lord At War) CH
Artax Minstrel	06F - Artax x Coquina Bay (Cozzene) CH
Barnstorming	06M - Thunder Gulch x SOUL OF THE CAT
Bear Canyon	06F - Champali x Miss Vesuvio (Thirty Six Red)
Bonfire	06M - Runaway Groom x Tenacite (Seattle Slew) DKB
Burgee	06M - Awesome Again x Gold Streamer (Forty Niner) B
Captain Captivated	06F - El Corredor x CAPTIVATED
Certainly You	06F - CERTAIN STORM x Had To Be You (Horatius)
Curlew (IRE)	06M - Cape Cross x Billbill (Storm Cat) BAY
Damselfly (GB)	06F - Dr Fong x Mazarine Blue (Bellypha) BAY
Darcey (GB)	06F - Noverre x Firozi (Forzando) CH
Dark Echoes (GB)	06M - Diktat x Calamanco (Clantime) BLK
Early Morning Rain (IRE)	06F - Rock Of Gibraltar x Honorine (Mark Of Esteem) B
Emilia Plater	06F - Ascot Knight x Heavenly Glitter (Thirty Six Red) CH
Ermine Slippers	06F - El Prado x Sweet As Honey (Strike The Gold) GR
Firsaan (IRE)	06M - Haafhd x Walayef (Danzig) BAY
Flashy Flyer	06F - Valid Expectations x WOOD DUCK
Hickory Nut	06M - Horse Chestnut x MASKED BALL
Legendary Peace	06F - Peace Rules x Red Mischief (Thirty Six Red)
Man of Faith	06M - Essence Of Dubai x RIVER OF FAITH
Marleau	06M - CAT DREAMS x Ascalon (Two Punch)
Morning Mist	06F - Holy Bull x Go For Bail (Go For Gin) GR
Omega Wolf (IRE)	06M - Spartacus x Brave Cat (Catrail) BAY
Porcupine	06M - Housebuster x Loon Lake (Cryptoclearance) B
Premium Action	06F - Action This Day x Premium Red (Thirty Six Red) CH
Ptarmigan	06F - Unbridled Jet x Flaine (Chenin Blanc) GR
Qelaan	06F - Dynaformer x Irtahal (Swain) BAY
Race the Breeze	06F - Theatrical x Wedding Day Blues (El Prado) DBR
Rightly So	06F - Read The Footnotes x FIT RIGHT IN
Rotterdam	06M - Unbridled's Song x Zoftig (Cozzene) GR
Secret Wish	06F - Street Cry x Awesome Lass (Awesome Again) BAY
Shadows Lengthen (GB)	06M - Dansili x Bay Shade (Sharpen Up) B
Shetan (GB)	06M - Desert Prince x Seven Notes (Zafonic) CH
Shining Dawn	06F - Seeking The Gold x Easy 'n Gold (Slew O'Gold) CH
Snow Valley (FR)	06F - Choisir x Snow Lady (Vision) BAY
Storm's Ransom	06M - CERTAIN STORM x Cushina (Holy Bull)
Sunspear (IRE)	06F - Montjeu x Out West (Gone West) B
Valkyrie (IRE)	06F - Danehill Dancer x Ridotto (Salse) BAY

Lucky No 25 for Kaw Moe

Many things get written about G1 winners, about outstanding equines and champions, but few words are devoted to the unsung heroes, the bread and butter horses, the ones that are an integral part of racing; the claimers.

One such claimer is Kaw Moe, who I included in my 2004 crop, as he is a son of a Thirty Six Red daughter. The chestnut gelding by Rock And Roll out of True Compassion, had 24 runs behind him when he was fed and watered on Friday morning, 14 March. All his runs had come in maiden claiming raced and despite running second and third regularly during his career a win remained elusive.

He was entered in another maiden claiming on Friday afternoon at Mountaineer Racetrack in West Virginia, USA. The race carried a purse of $9,100 and a claiming tag of $5,000. The ten horses in the starting gate would have to cover 1 mile 70 yards over a sloppy dirt track. Kaw Moe went off second favourite, his record such that in company of other non-winners he sure would stand a chance. Lost At The Ritz went off favourite.

Finally he made it happen, finally he came good and how! He trounced the field, winning by almost twelve lengths under John Perez Jr.

Kaw Moe sat close up following Shocking Surprise into the far turn, challenged for the lead, powering clear into the upper stretch, winning much the best while kept to a drive (Equibase chart). He crossed the finish line in 1:52.87. Strike Two was second and Treasure's Joy back in third. The favourite finished fourth.

Kaw Moe was bred by Pine Manor Stable, is owned by Michelle Helms and trained by Edward Clouston. He was foaled on Valentine's Day 2004 in Pennsylvania. He has now earned $18,178 in 25 career starts.

Congrats to his connections and may he win again!

(Kaw Moe (USA) - 2004 chestnut gelding, Rock And Roll x True Compassion, by Thirty Six Red)

2008 Foals, update 2

A couple of more foals have been born.

Mon Belle, full sister to Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos has had her second foal, by Empire Maker. Last year she had a filly by the same sire.

Gypsy Hollow, dam of Gipson Dessert, who is a listed winner in France, had a foal by El Corredor. It is her third foal.

Sire x Dam (Dam Sire)
- Mr Greeley x Adventure (Unbridled's Song)
- Langfuhr x Aimer (Swain)
- Consolidator x Al Maha (Holy Bull)
- Harlan's Holiday x Calusa (Unbridled's Song)
- Elusive Quality x Catbaby (AP Indy) COLT
- More Than Ready x Citron Moon (Danzig)
- Value Plus x Concert Bythe Lake (Stormy Atlantic)
- Unbridled's Song x Friendly Michelle (Artax)
- Vindication x Gently (Storm Cat) FILLY
- El Corredor x Gypsy Hollow (Dixieland Band) NEW
- Olmodavor x Howl At The Moon (Dynaformer) named Beth's Angel
- Chief Seattle x Loch Nessie (Meadow Monster)
- Empire Maker x Mon Belle (Maria's Mon) NEW
- Belong To Me x Moonlight (Unbridled) FILLY
- Arch x Quickfire (Dubai Millennium)
- Unbridled Energy x Tiffed (Seattle Slew)
- Johannesburg x Uriel (Unbridled)
- Valid Expectations x Wood Duck (Kingmambo)

I am away for a few days, but next week on my return, I will write something on one of my past stable stars.

I will be away for a the next few days.

Birthday Starters - Results

Well my birthday horses did rather poorly, only Watchtower managed 2nd, the rest finished 6th and worse! That's that for my lucky birthday theory...

- Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk (CAN) - Gulfstream Park, race 8 - Richter Scale H G2 - 7f dirt - finished 6th, the chart reads: off slowly, moved up to chase the pace around the turn, then faded

- My Thirty Six (USA) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 3 - claiming - 1 1/16 m dirt - finished 7th, the chart reads: Failed to menace

- Watchtower (IRE) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 4 - claiming - 1m40y dirt - finished 2nd, the chart reads: set a moderate pace, resisted the winner though a prolonged duel then just hung late

- Kaw Moe (USA) - Mountaineer Park, race 1 - claiming - 1m70y dirt - racing cancelled

- Possum (USA) - Hawthorne, race 6 - claiming - 1m70y dirt - finished 6th, the chart reads: Never menaced

- Bitter Bill (USA) - Santa Anita, race 10 - claiming - 6 1/2 f turf - finished 6th, the chart reads: close up stalking the pace inside, bid along the rail in the stretch and was outfinished.

- Redan (USA) - Aqueduct, race 6 - claiming - 6f dirt - finished 9th, the chart reads: raced inside and tired

- Silmi (GB) - Sandown 3.15 - Listed Handicap - 2m110y hurdles - finished 16th, chart reads: in touch, reminder after 5th, weakened under pressure after 3 out

Birthday Starters

Tomorrow, Saturday 8 March, is my birthday. Last year on my birthday every single horse won. I know this is unlikely to happen again, but I will list my crops' starters for tomorrow:

- Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk (CAN) - Gulfstream Park, race 8 - Richter Scale H G2 - 7f dirt -
- My Thirty Six (USA) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 3 - claiming - 1 1/16 m dirt -
- Watchtower (IRE) - Tampa Bay Downs, race 4 - claiming - 1m40y dirt -
- Kaw Moe (USA) - Mountaineer Park, race 1 - claiming - 1m70y dirt -
- Possum (USA) - Hawthorne, race 6 - claiming - 1m70y dirt -
- Bitter Bill (USA) - Santa Anita, race 10 - claiming - 6 1/2 f turf -
- Redan (USA) - Aqueduct, race 6 - claiming - 6f dirt -
- Silmi (GB) - Sandown 3.15 - Handicap - 2m110y hurdles -

Funnily enough a lot of them seem to be by Thirty Six Red daughters. I always include quite a few Thirty Six Red grandkids in my crops. He is the first horse I remember seeing on television, so has a special place in my heart. I will write more about him soon.

Wish my lot good luck!

(Bitter Bill - 2004 dk bay gelding - Cobra King x Revelation Bay, by Thirty Six Red)
(Kaw Moe - 2004 chestnut gelding - Rock And Roll x True Compassion, by Thirty Six Red)
(My Thirty Six - 2002 dk bay gelding - My Mike x Thirty Six Lou Lou, by Thirty Six Red)
(Nyuk Nyuk Nyuk - 2001 bay gelding - Mutakddim x May Time, by Cure The Blues)
(Possum - 2004 grey gelding - Silver Charm x Regal Eyre, by Regal Remark)
(Redan - 2004 chestnut gelding - Storm Boot x Thirtysix On Ice, by Thirty Six Red)
(Silmi - 2004 grey colt - Daylami x Intimaa, by Caerleon)
(Watchtower - 2002 chestnut horse - Dubai Millennium x Balisada, by Kris)

Godolphin Seven Stars Competition

I enter the competition on www.godolphin.com every year, but never seem to do very well :o) They have made it more complicated over the last couple of years, with all this active and non-active horses rubbish! Very annoying! Just thought I'd share my choices this year:

Blackat Blackitten
Blue Ksar
Creachadoir
Eastern Anthem
Filios
Happy Boy
Ibn Khaldun
Literato
Moon Quest
Numaany
Ramonti
Rio De La Plata
The Illies
West Wind

Three of these I already follow in my ToF stables: Eastern Anthem, Filios and Ibn Khaldun, so obviously I couldn't leave them out!

Eastern Anthem was very disappointing for me last year, as I adored his dam Kazzia, who won the 1,000 Guineas and the Epsom Oaks, and expected big things from him. He still might be something and I hope he will bloom this year. Filios has been a decent handicap horse last year and made his first start at Nad Al Sheba after a seven-month absence. He did not very well at all, but as it was his first start back I sure hope he will get to his old level and even better. The guys at Godolphin must have seen something in him. He is by Kutub, who was a triple G1 winner for Godolphin. Ibn Khaldun is my main hope for the classics next year. He really ran very well last year and I think he is still underrated. As far as I can tell generally Rio De La Plata is considered to be Godolphin's main classic hope, but my eye is definitely on the chestnut son of Dubai Destination. He is a very professional genuine colt and he should definitely be a contender.

As for the rest of my choices, some of them are obvious ones and others are bigger gambles.
My active horses for Challenge I, which runs from 29 March till 31 May are:

- Blackat Blackitten
- Blue Ksar
- Filios
- Ibn Khaldun
- Moon Quest
- Rio De La Plata
- West Wind

Let's just hope I picked the right 7!

Fingers crossed - some toes as well!

(Eastern Anthem (IRE) - 2004 bay colt - Singspiel x Kazzia, by Zinaad)
(Filios (IRE) - 2004 bay colt - Kutub x Karlinaxa, by Linamix)
(Ibn Khaldun (USA) - 2005 chestnut colt - Dubai Destination x Gossamer, by Sadler's Wells)

2008 Foals, update 1

Sire x Dam (Dam Sire)
- Mr Greeley x Adventure (Unbridled's Song)
- Langfuhr x Aimer (Swain)
- Consolidator x Al Maha (Holy Bull)
- Harlan's Holiday x Calusa (Unbridled's Song)
- Elusive Quality x Catbaby (AP Indy)
- More Than Ready x Citron Moon (Danzig) NEW
- Value Plus x Concert Bythe Lake (Stormy Atlantic) NEW
- Unbridled's Song x Friendly Michelle (Artax)
- Vindication x Gently (Storm Cat) FILLY NEW
- Olmodavor x Howl At The Moon (Dynaformer) named Beth's Angel
- Chief Seattle x Loch Nessie (Meadow Monster) NEW
- Belong To Me x Moonlight (Unbridled) FILLY
- Arch x Quickfire (Dubai Millennium) NEW
- Unbridled Energy x Tiffed (Seattle Slew)
- Johannesburg x Uriel (Unbridled) NEW
- Valid Expectations x Wood Duck (Kingmambo

Crop Of 2006... update 1

I have added quite a few horses since my last list - mainly European. Unfortunately I have had to remove Saluki, a Dubai Destination colt, as he had been exported to South Africa, which would make him hard to follow. Apart from a few foals from my earlier crops I am unlikely to add any more north american horses. I am shortlisting some Europeans and the final choice is going to be hard. I might go slightly over 50 horses, but I will try and contain myself and not go crazy. The last one I added was Shetan, a Desert Prince colt, as it was the arabic name of The Black Stallion from Walter Farley's books that I loved so much when I was little. I still love them really!

Acquiesced (IRE)	06F - Refuse To Bend x North East Bay (Prospect Bay) BAY
Adri's Emblem	06F - Our Emblem x ADRIATRICA
Amethyst Dawn (IRE)	06F - Act One x A L'Aube (Selkirk) GR
Ancient Future	06F - CAT DREAMS x Ma Guerre (Lord At War) CH
Artax Minstrel	06F - Artax x Coquina Bay (Cozzene) CH
Barnstorming	06M - Thunder Gulch x SOUL OF THE CAT
Bear Canyon	06F - Champali x Miss Vesuvio (Thirty Six Red)
Bonfire	06M - Runaway Groom x Tenacite (Seattle Slew) DKB
Burgee	06M - Awesome Again x Gold Streamer (Forty Niner) B
Captain Captivated	06F - El Corredor x CAPTIVATED
Certainly You	06F - CERTAIN STORM x Had To Be You (Horatius)
Damselfly (GB)	06F - Dr Fong x Mazarine Blue (Bellypha) BAY
Darcey (GB)	06F - Noverre x Firozi (Forzando) CH
Early Morning Rain (IRE)	06F - Rock Of Gibraltar x Honorine (Mark Of Esteem) B
Emilia Plater	06F - Ascot Knight x Heavenly Glitter (Thirty Six Red) CH
Ermine Slippers	06F - El Prado x Sweet As Honey (Strike The Gold) GR
Hickory Nut	06M - Horse Chestnut x MASKED BALL
Legendary Peace	06F - Peace Rules x Red Mischief (Thirty Six Red)
Man of Faith	06M - Essence Of Dubai x RIVER OF FAITH
Marleau	06M - CAT DREAMS x Ascalon (Two Punch)
Morning Mist	06F - Holy Bull x Go For Bail (Go For Gin) GR
Neptune Fix (FR)	06M - Goldneyev x Bella Dicta (Vayrann) BLK
Omega Wolf (IRE)	06M - Spartacus x Brave Cat (Catrail) BAY
Porcupine	06M - Housebuster x Loon Lake (Cryptoclearance) B
Ptarmigan	06F - Unbridled Jet x Flaine (Chenin Blanc) GR
Qelaan	06F - Dynaformer x Irtahal (Swain) BAY
Race the Breeze	06F - Theatrical x Wedding Day Blues (El Prado) DBR
Rightly So	06F - Read The Footnotes x FIT RIGHT IN
Rotterdam	06M - Unbridled's Song x Zoftig (Cozzene) GR
Secret Wish	06F - Street Cry x Awesome Lass (Awesome Again) BAY
Shadows Lengthen (GB)	06M - Dansili x Bay Shade (Sharpen Up) B
Shetan (GB)	06M - Desert Prince x Seven Notes (Zafonic) CH
Shining Dawn	06F - Seeking The Gold x Easy 'n Gold (Slew O'Gold) CH
Snow Valley (FR)	06F - Choisir x Snow Lady (Vision) BAY
Storm's Ransom	06M - CERTAIN STORM x Cushina (Holy Bull)
Sunspear (IRE)	06F - Montjeu x Out West (Gone West) B
Valkyrie (IRE)	06F - Danehill Dancer x Ridotto (Salse) BAY

Two ToF Offspring in Keeneland Breeze-Up

Two youngsters from my ToF crop horses are in the Keeneland Two-Year-Olds In Training Sale on 8/9 April 2008:

Hip 41: chestnut colt (2006), Storm Cat x Paiota Falls
and
Hip 163: dark bay or brown filly (2006), Cat Dreams x Siphonophora

In the Keeneland September Yearling Sale the Paiota Falls colt, who is her first foal, went unsold for $425,000. I am very interested to see what he will bring in this sale. It should be around the half million mark in my opinion.

The Cat Dreams x Siphonophora filly is quite experienced at this whole sales t