European Wrap - a Feast of a Fortnight

A lot has happened since I last wrote - at that time we were preparing for a big weekend of racing at Epsom and Sandown which included the Derby, Oaks and Coral Eclipse.

The programme from here on in reverts to normal transmission more or less, but let us first take a look at a grand total of 29 races of significance from this part of the world that have been run in the last two weeks:

Investec Oaks (Group 1 3yo Fillies, 1m 4f) - Epsom Downs, 4th July

Being run a month later than usual and on the same day as the Derby for the first time in its history, the Oaks shaped as a two horse war before the starting gates opened - Love vs Frankly Darling. Meaning Galileo vs Frankel, Aidan O’Brien vs John Gosden and Ryan Moore vs Frankie Dettori.

What materialised was a one horse procession and one of the most outstanding performances in the living memory of the race.

In a show of tactics (which I will put under the microscope in the not too distant future), the two stables sent out horses designed to aid their chances up front. What happened was ludicrous really, as Tempo Vieula (Lope De Vega) for Gosden and Passion (Galileo) for O’Brien in being 15 lengths clear at the 6f pole and in a race of their own were not so much pace-makers, but two horses on the fastest exhibition gallop you’ll ever see. They had neither aided or hindered any chances by the time the breathless pair were passed 4f from home.

Love (Galileo) was sensational in the Oaks Photo: Racing Post

Love (Galielo), under the watchful ride of Ryan Moore, bided her time toward the rear of the field. She was off the bit coming down the hill at Tattenham Corner when she begun to chase the leading pair, but was straight back on it when she straightened for the run in. Cruising past everything in her sight, she powered away in the straight. Drifting to the rail in the final 100 yards, Moore pulled the whip through to his left-hand and she balanced up and lengthened the gap to the rest. The margin to second was 9-lengths and she broke the Oaks record time. After such a brilliant performance in the 1000 Guineas the only question mark for the Oaks came in the form of her stamina (she is out of a Pivotal mare and most of the family have performed at sprinting trips), but she silenced that argument and wasn’t stopping at the finish. It was the 49th 1000 Guineas / Oaks double in history.

This was an extra special win for Coolmore, as the filly is home bred. Out of Pivotal mare Pikaboo, she is a full sister to Group 3 winners Flattering and Peach Tree and a half sister to three sprint winners including Group 2 winner Lucky Kristale (Lucky Story).

Ryan Moore is a man of few words as I’ve touched on before, so when he says after the race that she is “very special”, she must be very special!

Aidan O’Brien with his 8th victory in the race sits equal top on the all-time list, he confirmed that the Yorkshire Oaks will be next up and from there it will be a tilt at the Arc. This looks to be a very serious racehorse.

Ennistymon gave the sire Galileo a quinella in the race, whilst Frankly Darling (Frankel) was in third. That filly has to overcome some manner issues and looks best suited to a galloping track as opposed to the undulations of a course such as Epsom.

Investec Derby (Group 1 3yo , 1m 4f) - Epsom Downs, 4th July

For the first time in it’s illustrious history (for more on that click here), the Derby was being held behind closed doors and in July. That was strange enough, but the way the race played out topped that and then some!

The nature of the season meant that horses were only able to have one or at a push two lead in’s to the race, so we were all judging the chances on limited exposure.

Kameko (Kittens Joy) had been a tough winner of the 2000 Guineas, English King (Camelot) had destroyed his rivals in the Derby Trial, Russian Emperor (Galileo) part owned by Australian Laurie Macri and out of Atlantic Jewel had been a strong victor in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, Mogul (Galileo) a royally bred £3.4million yearling purchase had the pedigree to succeed, Vatican City (Galileo) had run a great second to Siskin (First Defence) in the Irish 2000 Guineas and Pyledriver (Harbour Watch) and Khalifa Sat (Free Eagle) were coming into the race off the back of good victories.

Followers of European racing will be very familiar with the Aidan O’Brien tactic of loading up with runners in a Classic race. Some will be strong chances and others will be in the race to serve one purpose: to aid those fancied runners. It is well within the rules of racing and something which serves to give the team a competitive advantage.

When Serpentine (Galileo) launched out of the gates and sprung to the lead early on, it was just a run-of-the-mill carbon copy of what has been seen many times before (it had incidentally happened just an hour and 15 minutes ago in the Oaks). You just knew the horse would come back to them.

If I pause a second to explain the nature of the 1m 4f trip around Epsom. The starting point is 13m lower than the finish (113m above sea level vs 126m), they then climb all the way to a point just before half way that is 152m above sea level. They then embark on the famous Tattenham Corner bend, a corner that is noticeably down hill and has a viscous camber that has tripped up many a runner in times past. The run from there is all down hill until (if it wasn’t enough) 100 yards from home they climb 8m to the finish line.

When the chestnut colt under the ride of jockey Emmett McNamara got to Tattenham Corner he was full of running and when he put 12 lengths on his rivals at the 3f marker, I sat forward on my seat and thought “hang on he may do this!”.

Serpentine didn’t stop in the Derby Photo: The Telegraph

Sure enough Serpentine carried a strong run to the line, he had pinched the Derby in quite astonishing circumstances. He was still 5 1/2 lengths clear at the finish.

There was plenty of post race conjecture around what the jockeys could have done. Tom Marquand who rode second placed Khalifa Sat in that position throughout the entirety of the race came under question for perhaps leaving the run too late. The fact was that they couldn’t do anything, they would’ve had to have run a sub 35 second last 3f in a Derby: Impossible!

The placings hardly changed all the way around. Khalifa Sat was good in second. Another unfancied Ballydoyle runner in Amrhan Na Bhfiann (Galileo) was a revelation in third. It was clear Kameko didn’t stay, but was good enough to finish 4th - I predict a big future for him when he gets back in trip to 1m 2f. He bears so many similarities to his champion relative Roaring Lion. English King made up some ground and he looks to have a bright staying future. The three leading Ballydoyle pre-race chances in Mogul, Russian Emperor and Vatican City filled 6th, 7th and 8th respectively. They were all cuddled up when it was clear they weren’t going to catch the winner - there were no black marks against them.

Now there are two schools of thought regarding the winner: 1) He stole the race and isn’t actually that good; or 2) He is a very good horse who proved himself as such on the day. I’m going with the latter, he shouldn’t have done what he did. Again, we have seen many a horse streak to a comical lead, they almost exclusively never hold on. He has scope about him and to carry that gallop along the most testing of Derby distances is a great performance. Sure, he will never get an uncontested lead like that again, but even if he doesn’t I believe he’s proved himself with enough staying ability to cope with more pressure.

Serpentine is another Coolmore home bred son of Galileo. He is a full brother to five winners including group winners Bye Bye Baby, Wedding Vow and Beacon Rock. His mother, Danehill Dancer mare Remember When was herself placed second in an Oaks. Her mother Lagrion (Diesis) is the dam of the outstanding six-time Group 1 winner and now sucessful sire Dylan Thomas (Danehill).

The win gave Aidan O’Brien a record 8 wins in The Derby and the sire Galileo a record 5 wins. You run out of superlatives for those two.

Sidenote: Pacemaking

It is very true that a real strength of racing in Britain is the strong tempo that is set in races, it is a major part of why we see such a high standard of racing in the middle distance and staying ranks. However, to say that what we saw in both the Oaks and Derby was an example of this is a bit far-fetched in my opinion. There is a distinction between setting a strong gallop and having a horse or horses so far out in front that they are in a race of their own. In the case of the Oaks, the two horses out in front played no bearing on the result. In the Derby, the pace being set did not influence the result either, the horse just belied all logic to carry on and win. Credit where credit is due, but not on this occasion.

Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3 3yo Fillies , 1m 4f) - Epsom Downs, 4th July

There was form coming out of the 2000 Guineas in this event, with runner-up Cloak Of Spirits (Invincible Spirts) and the unlucky Summer Romance (Kingman) lining up. The favourite was Foorat (Dubawi) who was carrying exceptionally strong all-weather form into the race.

On a firmer track and leading from the front it was Summer Romance for William Buick, Charlie Appleby and Goldolphin who put in a strong performance to turn the tables on Cloak Of Spirits here.

In a very successful pinhooking story, the filly was breed by Roundhill Stud and sold to Oceanic Bloodstock in Book 1 of the 2018 Tattersalls October sale for £315,000 and was then presented at the 2019 French Arqana Breeze Ups being sold to Godolphin for €800,000. She is a half sister to Group 1 winner Rizeena (Ifraaj) and her dam Serena’s Storm (Statue Of Liberty) is a half sister to Group 1 winner Zabeel Prince (Lope De Vega).

Coolmore Sioux Nation Lacken Stakes (Group 3 3yo, 1m 4f) - Naas (IRE), 4th July

A very smart 3yo sprinter is emerging here in the form of Art Power (Dark Angel). Coming off the back of a very impressive win in a 21-strong Handicap at Royal Ascot, this colt passed his toughest test to date with flying colours. Like his Ascot performance, he was eased down at the line to score in very impressive fashion to make his record four from five and three from three on turf.

A €110,000 purchase for King Power Racing (owners also of Leicester City Football Club) at the Goffs Orsby Yearling Sale, he is a half brother to Group 3 winner Penny Pepper (Fast Company).

With the likes of Battaash, Harry Angel, Mecca’s Angel, Lethal Force, Persuasive, Tip Two Win, Soveriegn Debt, Khadeem and now Happy Power as offspring to have performed at the highest sprinting level, Dark Angel is a sprinting sire who continues to kick goals at a prolific rate.

It will be interesting to see what path they take with the horse from here.

Coral Eclipse (Group 1 , 1m 2f) - Sandown Park, 5th July

This was as I described prior to the race, a high class renewal of this premier quality race. The field was packed full of horses of the highest order, none more so than glamour mare Enable (Nathaniel) who was making her return to the track in her 6yo season. She was bidding for her eleventh Group 1 win and second in succession in the race.

This race usually combines the best of the older brigade and 3yo’s coming out of the Classic contests. This year however was the first year 3yo’s were excluded, owing to the revision of the calendar through COVID-19.

Ghaiyyath lead all the way in the Eclispe. Photo: Sky Sports

John Gosden described Enable before the race as being at 85%, so in this field it made it a stiff task at that level. The main danger would come in the form of Ghaiyyath (Dubawi), a front running entire fresh off the back of a dominant win in the Group 1 Coronation at Newmarket. He was given an uncontested lead and you give him that at your peril around a known front running track such as Sandown. He quickened 3f out and was never really threatened in behind by a rusty Enable and Japan (Galileo), both horses who are more adept at 1m 4f. Now a three-time Group 1 winner and deserving the title of being one of the best middle distances in training in the world right now, he's really flourished this year and had drying conditions very much in his favour. He stays 1m 4f strongly but has plenty of pace too and proved here that he doesn't have to be fresh to be at his best. He's vulnerable on soft ground though, so a return to the Arc at Longcamp in October, a race he was beaten 33 lengths in last season, must be doubtful. It is because of this that I don’t see a trip down to Victoria for the Cox Plate to be out of the question, a race in which you’d imagine he’d be supremely hard to beat in. Charlie Appleby is keeping his options open, though a crack at the Juddmonte Internal at York next month is expected.

Out of a formidable Dubawi / Galileo cross, Ghaiyyath was a €1.1m purchase for Godolphin at the Goffs Foals Sale of 2015. His dam in Irish 2000 Guineas winner.

In second, Enable was not disgraced. She was fresh up and not at her peak. It is however clear now that she has lost a little of her turn of foot over 1m 2f and the extra 2f is her real go. She will train on well from this and contest the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot this coming weekend where she’ll strip a lot fitter. Her path still leads to the Arc where she will attempt her 3rd victory.

Japan put in a much better effort and was sound in 3rd. He is a horse looking for that extra distance and will head most likely to the Juddmonte before going to his main target of the Arc, a race precious to his Japanese part owners.

Mackinnon Stakes winner Magic Wand (Galileo) was solid enough in 4th, but is clearly a class below the top three.

Coral Charge (Group 3 , 5f) - Sandown Park, 5th July

The five-furlong category is dominated in this country by Battaash (Dark Angel) and with him not around (he’d won the race in 2017) it gave a mix of seasoned sprinters and young up and comers their chance to shine.

Having won three Group 2 contests and being considered good enough to contest a Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf in his 2yo, A’Ali (Society Rock) had disappointed in his return at 3 when reappearing at Newcastle in June. He bounced back to top form in this though and beat a strong field very comfortably in the end.

Star Bloodstock turned around a €35,000 yearling purchase to make €135,000 at the Goofs Breeze Ups for the colt.

The programme will be interesting for him and races like the Nunthorpe should come into calculation.

With A’Ali, Art Power and Royal Ascot winner Golden Horde (Lethal Force) appearing as strong 3yo sprinters, the division for that age bracket is in healthy condition.

Coral Henry II Stakes (Group 3 , 2m) - Sandown Park, 5th July

The Henry II was an opportunity to get a further line on the stayers, some of whom will be thinking about a path down to Melbourne for the first Tuesday in November. With connections of the ultra-impressive Gold Cup runner-up Nayef Road (Galileo) opting to bypass this contest, the gate was opened up for others to put their hats in the staying ring.

A small but select field of six runners were assembled, headed by Cross Counter (Teofilo).

Dashing Willoughby (Nathaniel) was appearing off the back of his resuming victory at Listed level last month in Newmarket. He made it two from two since being gelded, when he held on under pressure to take out this event. He was a Royal Ascot winner last season and has consistently competed at the highest level. He has always perhaps been a touch below the best of the staying ranks (running in behind the likes of Stradivarius, Logician, Communique, Technician), but he is a tough stayer.

Equally impressive was runner-up in Spanish Mission (Noble Mission) who pushed the winner very hard to the line after a 129 day break from the racetrack. He was confirmed by the connections prior to the race to be on a Melbourne Cup path and is exactly the sort of progressive type you’d like to see come November.

The first two look to be headed to the Goodwood Cup next week, where they’ll face the seemingly impossible task of trying to down Stradivarius, but they’ll be two who will have the best chance of doing so.

Cross Counter was sent off an 11/8 favourite and whilst you can argue that he may have needed a stronger pace, the excuse book is too long now and his featherweight victory in then 2018 Melbourne Cup looks set to be his career high.

Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1 3yo , 1m 2 1/2f) - Chantilly (FRA), 5th July

The Prix Du Jockey Club is commonly known as the French Derby and outside of the Arc would be the most prestigious race on the French calendar. Like the English version, this was put back a month owing to the revisions put upon us by COVID-19.

It has a rich history of producing high calibre winners and past the spoils have gone to the likes of Montjeu (1999), Dalakhani (2003) and Lope De Vega (2010).

Westbury Stud shuttle stallion Reliable Man was a very good winner of the event in 2011 and he is proving the attributes he possessed on the track can be passed on to his offspring, kicking more and more goals as the time passes.

Recent Cambridge Stud acquisition Almanzor was a stylish winner in 2016. He was a racehorse of the highest echelon and it will be very interesting to see the development of his progeny in time.

Mishriff wins the Prix Du Jockey Club Photo: Racing Post

As the prize money is so attractive, the race has in the past lured many English horses across the channel to compete in the race. Whilst the numbers have been high, the trophy has largely remained on French soil and you have to go back to The Grey Gatsby in 2014 for the most recent English success.

The Union Jack was raised this year though as the sole British runner in Mishriff (Make Believe) was a comfortable winner in the end for trainer John Gosden. Coming off the back of an impressive Listed win at Newmarket a month prior and with the form being franked by second placed Volkan Star (Sea The Stars) putting two wins together subsequently, this colt is now fashioning a very impressive record.

Out of Makfi sire Make Believe, Mishriff’s second dam is a half sister to high class sires Invincible Spirit and Kodiac. This is a rich family created by owner Prince Faisal when he purchased a mare named Eljazzi in 1982. Her second foal Rafha won the 1990 Prix de Diane before producing Invincible Spirit and Kodiac.

Prix de Diane Longines (Group 1 3yo Fillies , 1m 2 1/2f) - Chantilly (FRA), 5th July

The Prix de Diane is commonly known as the French Oaks and again was being run later than its customary mid-June slot.

Champion double Arc winning mare Treve (Motivator) took this out in 2013.

This year produced a very high class Irish trifecta, with form out of the Irish 1000 Guineas and Royal Ascot.

Fancy Blue (Deep Impact) had finished 2 lengths behind Peaceful (Galileo) three weeks prior in the Irish 1000 Guineas, but the way she was finishing off in that race suggested the step up in trip would perfectly suit. Alpine Star (Sea The Moon) had been a terrific winner of the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Alpine Star tried to grind it out from the front and when Fancy Blue came to her 2f out they engaged in a real battle to the line with the Deep Impact filly prevailing.

Peaceful in third lost no admirers as she staged a late bid down the outside, she is high class and will no doubt pick up more top level success in the future.

It was a first success in the race for young protege Donnacha O’Brien and another example of how Coolmore have used the late Japanese stallion Deep Impact to great effect (think the likes of Saxon Warrior). The dam of this filly Chencikova (Sadlers Wells) is a full sister to High Chaparral.

Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Group 3 , 1m 5f) - Newmarket 9th July

The first feature race of the Newmarket July meeting was a staying Group 3 in the Bahrain Stakes. Not normally a huge form indicator, this years event is probably one of the stronger renditions.

The prize went to 3yo Al Aasy (Sea The Stars) for owner Hamdan Al Maktoum who in association with his retained rider Jim Crowley continue to have such a good time of it. The horse was class in this and drew out an easy winner.

A £315,000 purchase out of Book 1 at Tattersals October 2018 he is an extremely well bred individual. From a family that boasts a host of high quality staying performers, you can go back and find that his third dam Gull Nook (MIll Reef) was the dam of Pentire.

On the strength of this performance he is a stayer for the future.

Tattersalls July Stakes (Group 2 2yo C&G , 6f) - Newmarket 9th July

This 2yo affair was a chance to see how the juveniles had progressed from Royal Ascot and there was a horse who proved his victory at the Royal meeting was no fluke.

For none other than the Queen, Tactical (Tornado) had been an impressive winner of the Windsor Castle and seemed to relish the step up in trip here when he took this out in equally eye catching style.

Bred by Her Majesty out of her Makfi mare Make Fast, this colt has the pedigree to suggest he will enjoy a further step up in trip, with the Prix Morny at Deauville next month looking like his principle aim. The profile he is creating suggests he could be an early contender for Classic contests next season.

Tatteralls Prince of Wales Stakes (Group 2 , 1m 4f) - Newmarket 9th July

This was another staying event, with a strong field of established performers and up and comers - most notably the winner.

This was a terrific performance from another stayer on the up in Dame Malliot (Champs Elysees). In a great training performance by Ed Vaughn, this 4yo mare had been absent from the racetrack for 307 days. She is a big strong mare and has obviously taken big improvement in her absence from 3 to 4. She will now look for Group 1 spoils in Germany next month, and aside from that she will be very competitive in her own sex bracket at that level in this country.

In winning this contest she beat a host of Group company performers who have a higher Official Rating than her and this was a real earmarking show.

By solid Danehill son Champs Elysees (most notable in the Southern Hemisphere as the sire of Harlem) from a Galileo mare, she has the pedigree to kick on from this and achieve a win at the highest level to boost her broodmare credentials.

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes (Group 2 , 1m 2 1/2f) - York 9th July

A real casualty of the revised programme, the Dante is usually a key lead in race to the Derby and has a strong history in producing chances for Epsom.

Horses to have graduated from a Dante victory to take out the Derby include North Light (2004), Motivator (2005), Authorized (2007) and Golden Horn (2015).

Other notable winners include Cape Blanco (2010), The Grey Gatsby (2014) and Roaring Lion (2018).

With the Derby having already been run five days prior, this year have the opportunity for those either not considered good enough for that contest or those that had peaked too late to show what they were worth.

The spoils went the way to Thunderous (Night of Thunder) for trainer Mark Johnston in a typical tough performance. This horse has now built a record of five starts for four wins and a second. That second came to the very good Volkan Star (Sea The Stars). He ground to the line to defeat the hot favourite Highest Ground (Frankel) and he will now set a path to the York Stakes next month, his pedigree is not considered with enough stamina for a St Leger tilt.

A word on trainer Mark Johnston who leads the premiership in the UK. In the mould of Murray Baker who is well known for producing horses that love a fight and use their supreme fitness, Johnston knows how to condition a horse to give every bit of it’s potential. You know when you see a horse from this yard in the book that it won’t lack for effort.

By the ever-more impressive sire Night Of Thunder, this colt was a £74,000 purchase in Book 2 of Tattersalls October 2018.

Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2 2yo Fillies , 6f) - Newmarket 10th July

The Duchess of Cambridge was another opportunity to have a look at 2yo’s coming out of Royal Ascot and again in the fillies contest a Royal winner backed up and took the prize.

Dandalla (Dandy Man) was a super impressive runaway winner of the Albany Stakes at Ascot and in this contest she had to work harder, but got the job done. She will head to the Prix Morny and will clash with Tactical, you’d say that the Colt is a little more progressive based on the two wins we saw on the July course.

A €15,500 purchase at the Goffs November Foals sale, she was turned around and sold for €22,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September yearling sales the following year. She is now three from three including a Group 3 and a Group 2 amassing £50K in prizemoney, so she has already well and truly paid her purchasers back in spades.

Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Group 1 F & M , 1m) - Newmarket 10th July

Part of the British Champions Series which culminates on Champions Day at Ascot in October, the Falmouth is an all-female affair over a mile. Always a very strong race, this year was no different with some animals taking part with impressive records.

The favourite was Terrebellum (Sea The Stars), for John Gosden and Frankie Dettori, who had gone toe-to-toe with the high quality Circus Maxiumus (Galileo) in the Group 1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

It was however Gosden’s other contender in Nazeef (Invincble Spirit) for that Al Makytoum / Crowley combination again who got a Group 1 to make her hugely impressive record six wins from seven starts. This mare is the real deal and this victory made her rise so irresistible. The comments were that she will have no trouble stepping up to 1m 2f and although the Sussex Stakes field is white-hot you’d have to think she’d deserve her place in that. Whatever the case, success at the highest level for this mare is sure to come again.

Bred by Al Maktoum at Shadwell Stud, Nazeef is from the dam Handassa (Dubawi) a listed winner who’s dam is a half sister to Group 1 winners Pastrol Pursuits and Goodricke.

Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2 , 1m) - Ascot 11th July

Mohaather will head to the Sussex Stakes Photo: Racing Post

This was a fairly average renewal of this contest, with the exception of the winner is another horse that looks extra special.

Mohaather (Showcasing) was a horse that came into the Queen Anne at Ascot last time out with big wraps. He was the hard luck story of the week and got an extremely chequered path which didn’t allow him to show anything near his best. Against much inferior rivals in the Summer Mile he had it as he liked and dismantled them ion a hand-canter by 4 lengths.

Carrying on the golden run for Hamdan Al Maktoum, he will be another high class addition to the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. If you put him up against the very well fancied Irish 2000 Guineas winner Siskin, he matches up as someone who has better bare form than that runner.

Mohaather was a £115,000 purchase from Book 2 of Tattersalls October 2018. By a personal stallion favourite in mine of Showcasing, he is a full brother to Prize Exhibit, a winner of £425,000.

Darley July Cup Stakes (Group 1 , 6f) - Newmarket 11th July

It’s no secret that the 6f Open sprinting division is not where the great strength of racing lies in this country. Since the retirement of Blue Point (Sharmadal), no runner has stamped their mark in this category and that is evidenced by seemingly each 6f Group race producing a different winner.

It was a re-run of sorts of the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot, where you had the likes of Cambridge Stud’s victor Hello Youmzain (Kodiac), the Irish Sceptical (Exceed and Excel) and Khadeem (Dark Angel) in the mix. There was hope around a new prospect in Golden Horde (Lethal Force) who was a mightily impressive winner of the Group 1 3yo Commonwealth Cup having come off the back of two minor placings to the French star in Earthlight (Sharmadal).

Carrying on the theme of a different winner, it was 4yo Oxted (Mayson) who backed up from a Group 3 victory at Newmarket to score in the July Cup. This was a very good win and was just 0.28 seconds outside the course record. It gave both trainer Roger Teal and jockey Ceiran Fallon their first victory at the highest level. On the strength of that performance, you’d say the horse should kick on to score more Group 1 success, but the way this division goes you’d be surprised if he did!

Unsold at the Goffs Yearling Sale, it gave his sire Mayson a son of Invincible Spirit and himself a July Cup winner his first Group 1 success as a stallion.

Of the others Sceptical just found one too good and looks as though 5f may actually be his best distance. Golden Horde in taking on the older horses for the first time lost no admirers in 3rd considering he raced keenly, he’ll benefit from that experience. Hello Youmzain in 5th made the running as he had done at Ascot, but just faltered in the run to the line and perhaps the drying ground counted against him.

Superlative Stakes (Group 2 2yo , 7f) - Newmarket 11th July

It was another look at the 2yo’s, this time over 7f.

It was a victory for Goldolphin when Master Of The Seas (Dubawi) made it two from two to score impressively by 3 lengths. The colt was fractious before the start and looks like he will improve further into races like the National Stakes and Dewhurst where he’ll look to emulate stable and owner mate Pinatubo (Sharmadal) from last year.

This colt looks to be a typically impressive Godolphin type.

Deriving from the powerful Dubawi / Danehill combination, the colt is a half brother to seven winners including UAE Group 3 winner Falls Of Lora (Street Cry), 2yo Listed winner Lartarnac (Ifraaj) and German Listed winner Etive (Elusive Quality). The dam is a French and US Listed winner out of a 2,000 Guineas runner up.

Qatar Prix Jean Prat (Group 1 3yo , 7f) - Deauville (FR) 12th July

Having been a shade off them in the 2000 Guineas and then subject to some searing tactics and a ride William Buick would rather forget at Royal Ascot, the highest rated 2yo in 25 years Pinatubo (Sharmadal) went to France in an attempt to get his career back on track.

Dropping back to 7f, which looks to be his best distance with question marks over his ability to stay a mile, he did what he needed to and scored to win a much needed Group 1 success at 3.

It is unlikely that he’ll head to the Sussex Stakes and may look for a break before returning in the Autumn. He’d have to up his game to compete at the highest level over a mile, so may now be confined to 7f for the rest of his career before embarking on his next phase at stud.

Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Group 2 , 1m 6f) - The Curragh (IRE) 18th July

There is now serious uncertainty from European trainers in regards to being able to make it down for the Melbourne Cup, but in any normal year the winner of the Curragh Cup in Lloyd Williams owned Twighlight Payment (Teofilo) would be booking his flight and be seriously competitive.

He is now 7, but looks to be getting better with age and this victory caps off a great 2020 campaign thus far. He is now a winner of seven from 29 and in the form of his life. He sat in second behind a strong pace and peeled out to score with ease. He is the definition of a tough and durable European stayer.

Bought for €200,000 at the Goffs Horses in Training Sale of 2018, his Oasis Dream dam Dream On Buddy is out of My Renee (Kris S) a granddaughter of the Arc winning Detroit who was the dam of Carnegie.

Minstrel Stakes (Group 2 , 7f) - The Curragh (IRE) 18th July

The Minstrel of 2020 went the way of Romanised (Holy Roman Emperor) who is still such a good horse. He quickened past last time Group 3 winner Lancaster House (Galileo) to put the race to bed. He is now a 5yo but is going just as good as ever.

An Irish 2000 Guineas winner at 3, he added a Group 2 and Group 1 victory at 4 before just going down a nose to Circus Maximus (Galileo) in the Group 1 Prix du Moulin at Longchamp last year. He will head back to France to attempt back to back Group 1 victories in the Prix Jacques le Marois where he will take some beating.

Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1 3yo Fillies , 1m 4f) - The Curragh (IRE) 18th July

A little over a month after Siskin provided trainer Ger Lyons and jockey Colin Keane with a breakthrough victory in the Irish 2000 Guineas, Even So (Camelot) notched up a second Classic victory for the combination in an effortless performance.

Even So winning the Irish Oaks Photo: Racing TV

Remarkably, out of the eight Classics to be run in Britain and Ireland this year, Coolmore and Galileo have been a part of six of those victories. Love (Galileo) won the 1000 Guineas and Oaks, the Derby was won by Serpentine (Galileo), The Irish 1000 Guineas was taken out by Peaceful (Galileo) and the Irish Derby by Santiago (Galileo).

Even So is part owned by Coolmore’s Susan Magnier and the siring rights this time went to Montjeu’s son Camelot.

She is the tenth foal out of the winning Danehill mare Breeze Hill, who was bred in Ireland but was based in Australasia for her broodmare career from 2004 until 2014, when she bought back to Ireland.

The dam has produced seven winners in total but Even So is her first to collect black type of any kind.

Breeze Hill has an outstanding pedigree. Not only is she by the super sire Danehill, but she was also the last foal of Rose Of Jericho. This means she is a half-sister to four stakes winners including Derby winner Dr Devious (Ahoonora).

Rain Flower (Indian Ridge) was a half sister to Breeze Hill. She produced Oaks winner Dancing Rain (Danehill Dancer) who was the dam of Group 1-placed pair Jalmoud (New Approach), Magic Lily (New Approach). Rain Flower also produced listed winner Sumora (Danehill), the dam of champion mare Maybe (Galileo) who in turn went on to produce 2,000 Guineas victor Saxon Warrior (Deep Impact).

Wrapping this all together means that Even So is the fourth British or Irish Classic winner to be descended from her grand dam Rose Of Jericho.

Even So becomes the fifth Group 1 winner of burgeoning sire Camelot, following Athena, Latrobe, Russian Camelot and Wonderment.

Bet 365 Hackwood Stakes (Group 3, 6f) - Newbury 18th July

Tabdeed (Havana Gold) (for that Al Maktoum / Crowley combination again) came off the back of two heavy defeats to score and evidence the topsy-turvy nature of the sprinting ranks once again. He is lightly raced for a 5yo and now has a eight start five win record. In defeating veteran 8yo Group 1 winner The Tin Man (Equiano), he may well be competitive if he contests a Group 1 at some stage in the season.

This gelding was a £44,000 purchase at the 2015 Tattersalls December Foals sale and amongst sprinting form in the pedigree he has Derby runner up and now stallion Walk In The Park (Montjeu) who’s dam Classic Park (Robellino) was a 2000 Guineas winner.

Bet 365 Steventon Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f) - Newbury 19th July

Frankie Dettori came to Newbury for one ride for his partner in crime John Gosden on Sunday and they were successful with the promising stayer Global Giant (Sharmadal). Having won a Listed race at Dundalk last year in the care of Ed Dunlop, this was the 5yo Entire’s career best performance. Owned out of Bahrain by Sheikh Isa, the main target is the Bahrain International in November, a race the same trainer and owner combination took Turgenev (Dubawi) to finish second in last year.

A £126,000 purchase at the 2015 Tattersalls December Foals sale, he was turned around to be sold for £195,000 the following year at the Tattersalls Book 1 October sale. The dam is a half sister to Anna’s Rock (Rock Of Gibraltar) a listed winner who has produced Group 2 winner Breton Rock (Bahamian Bounty).

Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2 2yo Fillies , 6f) - The Curragh (IRE) 19th July

There was a boil over in this 2yo feature for the Fillies over 6f when Aloha Star (Starspangledbanner) took out the contest at odds of 33/1.

It was a solid win at that, in the process defeating some regally bred more fancied opposition. This was a performance from a juvenile filly that looked full of improvement and it would be no surprise to see her train on to further success this season.

A €42,000 at the Goffs November Foals sale, she was turned around to fetch €67,000 at the Tattersalls Irish September yearling sales the following year. The sire Starspangledbanner, who stands at Coolmore for €22,500, was of course a high class performer in Australia and is fashioning a record for producing early going 2yo’s, most notably The Wow Signal who now himself stands at stud.

Kilboy Estate Stakes (Group 2 2yo F & M , 1m 1f) - The Curragh (IRE) 19th July

The Ger Lyons / Colin Keane roll continued as impressive type Lemista (Raven’s Pass) made it four in a row to score in good style in this contest. A step up to Group 1 company is the next test and both trainer and jockey see no concern with a further step up in trip.

A bargin buy for €16,000 at the Goffs Foals sale, this filly has now picked up €110,000 in prizemoney and Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 prizes. The dam Shortmile Lady (Arcano) is a half sister to Indian Maiden (Indian Ridge) a 15 times winner including at black type level.

In second was Lovlier (Galileo), a full sister to the sensational four-time Group 1 winning racemare Winter. This blue blooded filly is improving nicely and looks competitive at this level at the least.

Sapphire Stakes (Group 2, 5f) - The Curragh (IRE) 19th July

Fresh off the back of his Coral Charge victory at Sandown as reported on earlier in the article, A’Ali (Society Rock) crossed the Irish channel and backed up that performance with another powerful display over the minimum distance. He will now almost certainly head to the Nunthorpe where he will meet Battaash (Dark Angel). He’ll do well to match that rocket ship, but he is putting his head above the para-pit to be a classy sprinter.

Darley Prix Robert Papin (Group 2 2yo, 6f) - Chantilly (FRA) 19th July

There were only four runners in this juvenile contest, two of them had ventured over from England. As was reported in my Royal Ascot wrap, The Lir Jet (Prince Lir) had been a purchase by Qatar Bloodstock off the back of track record breaking performance at Yarmouth when he took out the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes in impressive fashion.

He could only manage second here as the second English runner in Ventura Tormenta (Acclamation) for trainer Richard Hannon held on to win after being headed in the straight. This 2yo has been very well tried in a short period of time, this was his third run since his debut in the aforementioned Norfolk Stakes exactly a month before. The experience of racing showed for this hardy 2yo, the comments from connections were that he will enjoy more distance and races such as the Dewhurst are in the plans.

A £40,000 purchase at the Tattersalls December Foals sale, he was turned around at the Goffs UK Premier Sale to be sold for £95,000. He is the seventh foal from Oasis Dream mare Midnight Oasis, the previous six all being winners having notched up 23 wins between them.

Prix d’Ispahan (Group 1, 1m 1f) - Chantilly (FRA) 19th July

This is usually run at Longchamp in May and the change in date meant that, for the first time in 30 years, this race was open to 3yo’s. Only one lined up, however. Five of the eight runners were British trained but it was the French trained favourite who stamped his class on proceedings.

2018 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas equivalent) winner Persian King (Kingman) has been making his way back to full fitness after an injury induced lay off of over a year. He took out a Group 2 prize in late June and still looked below 100%, but he was back to his best here today to comfortably dispatch his rivals. The Andre Fabre trained 4yo is an impressive individual and he will be looking for more top level success in the Group 1 Jacques Le Marois next month.

Raced in partnership between Godolphin and Ballymore Thorughbreds, this colt is out of Dylan Thomas mare Pretty Please, who is closely related to French Group 1 winner Planteur (Danehill Dancer) and a half sister to Australian Listed winner Pliote D’Essai (Oasis Dream) who was trained down under by the Hayes / Hayes / Dabernig team.

The winner was impressive, but this wasn’t the strongest renewal of the race. This was evidenced by 7yo veteran Stormy Antarctic (Stormy Atlantic) coming home in 2nd position.

The disappointment was second favourite Positive (Dutch Art) who I had been following closely, he had beaten 2000 Guineas winner Kameko (Kitten’s Joy) and been runner up to Pinatubo (Sharmadal) at 2 and after his fourth to Palace Pier (Kingman) in the Group 1 at Royal Ascot looked to shape up well for this. He will head to the Sussex Stakes where he will need to be at the very top of his game to compete in that.

That concludes a review of a jam packed last fortnight, next week we will have wall-to-wall coverage of the Glorious Goodwood meeting, where the Sussex Stakes amongst others provide some mouth watering contests!