At the start of a new year, one cannot help but cast the mind forward to the upcoming classic season; Kentucky Derby/Oaks, Epsom Derby/Oaks, 1,000/2,000 Guineas in particular and the races running up to them.
This means taking a close look at my 100 foals of 2005 and deciding which ones are most likely to show up in these races.
As far as the Kentucky Derby is concerned I can safely say that I do not have any contenders. My colts this year have been relatively poor. Probably the most promising colt in North America I have is Meer Kat, who is a turfer, so the Ky Derby seems far fetched for him.
My North American fillies are a slightly better bunch than the colts, but whether any of them are good enough to take their place in the Kentucky Oaks, I doubt very much. The best bred and least exposed is Cloudburst possibly, but with only a turf sprint win to her name, her chances of getting to the Oaks are slim. Another filly I am very keen of is Fancy Footsteps. She has won a couple of races, but again over turf. She is the daughter of Fancy Tale, who is a mare from my 2001 crop.
Not a classic contender either, but I am following Sarcasm with interest. Racing in Canada, she seems to be the bridesmaid and never the bride. She raced five times at 2, finishing 2nd four times and 3rd in her only other race. I hope she can finally break her maiden at 3. She deserves it!
That is all I have to offer in the way of North America-based horses I am afraid.
In Europe it's a different story, I have a few very interesting prospects. The most prominent being Ibn Khaldun, already a G1 and G3 winner. He won the Racing Post Trophy in good style in his last race, showing that he is one to be reckoned with for the spring classics. In my eyes he is more a miler than a middle distance runner and my hope for him is that he will win the 2,000 Guineas. I think he's good enough. He has not yet met many of the prime contenders, but he is a fighter and I believe he can do it. The Derby distance might be a bit far for him, though I would not be surprised if his connections gave it a shot. May 2008 be his year!
Maybe for the Epsom Derby General Eliott may be an interesting prospect. He won his only race as a two-year-old in October and being by Rock Of Gibraltar out of a Selkirk mare, the classic distance should suit quite well. He is a bit of an enigma at this stage and it is hard to say how much he will improve.
For the filly classics and more specifically the Epsom Oaks, Step Softly is my girl. She is bred by The Queen and I believe she will get better as the distances stretch out. The 1,000 Guineas may be too short for her, but the Oaks, yes, that should be within her powers. Fingers crossed!
Others that I am expecting a lot from include Starlit Sands (G2 placed), Alfathaa, and sprinter Spitfire.
Thought those are my picks for the coming year, I am sure there will be some surprises in store, some may not even have run yet.
Come on 2008, make it a good one!
(Meer Kat (IRE) - bay colt, Red Ransom x Bush Cat, by Kingmambo)
(Cloudburst (USA) - dark bay filly, Storm Cat x Harbor Springs, by Vice Regent)
(Fancy Footsteps (USA) - chestnut filly, Sky Classic x Fancy Tale, by Rahy)
(Sarcasm (CAN) - chestnut filly, Distorted Humor x Point Gained, by Hennessy)
(Ibn Khaldun (USA) - chestnut colt, Dubai Destination x Gossamer, by Sadler's Wells)
(General Eliott (IRE) - bay colt, Rock Of Gibraltar x Marlene-D, by Selkirk)
(Step Softly (GB) - bay filly, Golan x Step Aloft, by Shirley Heights)
(Starlit Sands (GB) - bay filly, Oasis Dream x Shimmering Sea, by Slip Anchor)
(Alfathaa (GB) - bay colt, Nayef x Arctic Char, by Polar Falcon)
(Spitfire (GB) - bay gelding, Mujahid x Fresh Fruit Daily, by Reprimand)
Sunday 27 January 2008
Thursday 24 January 2008
2006 Crop - Work In Progress!
My crop of 2006 is taking shape. Originally I picked around 100 horses each year, but I have decided this is too many. 50 at the most will be picked from now on.
I have 21 newly turned two-year-olds picked at the moment. It is starting to get interesting as many mares from my first two crops (2001 & 2002) have two-year-olds this year, around 30 in all. I will pick around ten to fifteen of those. Also Cat Dreams (2001) is a freshman sire this year and has quite a few youngsters rearing to go. Certain Storm (2001) also will have his first crop hitting the track this year, though he only has a few.
With so many offspring from my crops this year, it promises to be an interesting one. However, I am also adding some interesting broodmare, stallion or racing prospects from the UK, Ireland, France and North America. I have noticed that my focus when picking my prospects has changed very much over the years. With only going for 50 this year, it forces me to be more picky and selective. I am leaving horses out that any other year would have been included.
Every year I hope to pick a champion, and twice I have picked the sprint champ (Lost In The Fog and Thor's Echo), but I hope I can once pick a Kentucky or Epsom Derby winner, or a Breeders' Cup Classic winner, or even better, an Arc De Triomphe winner! A World Champion even? The chance might be a slimmer with fewer horses, but does that not make it more exciting?! And how wonderful would it be if a champion was born out of one of my mares?
One of the best-bred colts I will include in my 2006 lot this year is a grey Unbridled's Song colt called Rotterdam. He went through the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling Sale ( he was named Sing Zoftly at the time) and brought $235,000. I chose him on name alone, as I grew up in Holland near the city Rotterdam, so the name has special meaning.
I am sure as the season progresses I will mention some more of my 2006 youngsters! For now, I still have a lot of picking to do!!!
I have 21 newly turned two-year-olds picked at the moment. It is starting to get interesting as many mares from my first two crops (2001 & 2002) have two-year-olds this year, around 30 in all. I will pick around ten to fifteen of those. Also Cat Dreams (2001) is a freshman sire this year and has quite a few youngsters rearing to go. Certain Storm (2001) also will have his first crop hitting the track this year, though he only has a few.
With so many offspring from my crops this year, it promises to be an interesting one. However, I am also adding some interesting broodmare, stallion or racing prospects from the UK, Ireland, France and North America. I have noticed that my focus when picking my prospects has changed very much over the years. With only going for 50 this year, it forces me to be more picky and selective. I am leaving horses out that any other year would have been included.
Every year I hope to pick a champion, and twice I have picked the sprint champ (Lost In The Fog and Thor's Echo), but I hope I can once pick a Kentucky or Epsom Derby winner, or a Breeders' Cup Classic winner, or even better, an Arc De Triomphe winner! A World Champion even? The chance might be a slimmer with fewer horses, but does that not make it more exciting?! And how wonderful would it be if a champion was born out of one of my mares?
One of the best-bred colts I will include in my 2006 lot this year is a grey Unbridled's Song colt called Rotterdam. He went through the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling Sale ( he was named Sing Zoftly at the time) and brought $235,000. I chose him on name alone, as I grew up in Holland near the city Rotterdam, so the name has special meaning.
I am sure as the season progresses I will mention some more of my 2006 youngsters! For now, I still have a lot of picking to do!!!
Wednesday 23 January 2008
Moonlight Miracle
"...Literally and figuratively a filly by Moonlight"
That is what the auctioneer told the potential buyers when Moonlight was led into the Keeneland ring with her little chestnut filly by her side on 8 January. The filly, by Belong To Me, was born on Sunday night, 6 January on the Keeneland sales grounds. And already she has had to deal with noise, people and going through the hustle and bustle of a big horse auction.
Moonlight with her 2-day-old filly
Moonlight herself was part of my 2001 stable - she was a decent runner at allowance level, winning once and placing/showing 5 times out of 13 races. She should make a decent broodmare. This filly is her second foal . She has a 2007 colt by Forest Camp as well.
Bred and campaigned by Overbrook Farm, she is by Breeders' Cup Classic winner Unbridled out of G3 winner Cat Appeal. She was sold on 8 January at Keeneland for $90,000, Gayle Van Leer (agent) signed for her. Hopefully Moonlight and her girl are bonding somewhere somewhat quieter!
(Moonlight - 2001 bay mare - Unbridled x Cat Appeal, by Storm Cat)
That is what the auctioneer told the potential buyers when Moonlight was led into the Keeneland ring with her little chestnut filly by her side on 8 January. The filly, by Belong To Me, was born on Sunday night, 6 January on the Keeneland sales grounds. And already she has had to deal with noise, people and going through the hustle and bustle of a big horse auction.
Moonlight with her 2-day-old filly
Moonlight herself was part of my 2001 stable - she was a decent runner at allowance level, winning once and placing/showing 5 times out of 13 races. She should make a decent broodmare. This filly is her second foal . She has a 2007 colt by Forest Camp as well.
Bred and campaigned by Overbrook Farm, she is by Breeders' Cup Classic winner Unbridled out of G3 winner Cat Appeal. She was sold on 8 January at Keeneland for $90,000, Gayle Van Leer (agent) signed for her. Hopefully Moonlight and her girl are bonding somewhere somewhat quieter!
(Moonlight - 2001 bay mare - Unbridled x Cat Appeal, by Storm Cat)
Wednesday 16 January 2008
Sugar Swirl Lands The First Lady
My first Stakes winner of the year - Sugar Swirl, a sturdy chestnut mare, started the year in good form, finally landing her long over due Graded win. Her win came in the $100,000 First Lady Handicap (G3) on Sunday 14 January.
She was held up on the sloppy Gulfstream Park as Rgirldoesn'tbluff set the pace. Sugar Swirl was ridden by Javier Castellano, who angled her out on the turn as she found another gear. She gamely conquered her foes in good style and came home in 1.10.06 in the slop.
The pacesetter Rgirldoesn'tbluff held secon, comfortably clear of Bereba, who finished in third.
She is trained by Brian Lynch for Stronach Stables.
(Sugar Swirl - 2003 chestnut mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)
She was held up on the sloppy Gulfstream Park as Rgirldoesn'tbluff set the pace. Sugar Swirl was ridden by Javier Castellano, who angled her out on the turn as she found another gear. She gamely conquered her foes in good style and came home in 1.10.06 in the slop.
The pacesetter Rgirldoesn'tbluff held secon, comfortably clear of Bereba, who finished in third.
She is trained by Brian Lynch for Stronach Stables.
(Sugar Swirl - 2003 chestnut mare - Touch Gold x Astrapi, by Distinctive Pro)
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