Three-Year-Olds of 2008

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)