Hong Kong
Premier success for Lucky Patch
Francis Lui and Zac Purton combined to win the G2 Premier Bowl at Sha Tin with Lucky Patch (NZ) (El Roca).
The Gerry Harvey-bred 5-year-old made it four wins from 14 starts in Hong Kong when striking the front down the straight and holding off Super Wealthy (Epaulette) and Stronger (Not A Single Doubt) to record a narrow win, his first at stakes level.
Lucky Patch was originally a $40,000 buy for GPI Racing, Healey Racing and Andrew Williams Bloodstock at the 2018 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. He raced as Paleontologist in Australia, winning both of his starts for trainer Billy Healey.
He is out of Gould (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who is a three-quarter sister to Australian Listed winner Spitz (Danehill {USA}).
The Tony Millard-trained Panfield (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky {Chi}) won the G2 Sha Tin Trophy for jockey Karis Teetan.
United Kingdom
Creative Force secures first Group 1 in Champions Sprint
A €400,000 purchase by Darley as a yearling, Creative Force (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) again proved that they made the right decision to geld him last year when he added a Group 1 to his 2021 Royal Ascot Group 3 victory on Saturday in the G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint S. at the same track.
The 3-year-old gelding got to work just outside the final 200 metres to take the lead from last year’s Sprint winner Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and win by 1l with Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in third.
“Sprinting at this level, we've been lucky with the likes of Blue Point, and this guy can travel for fun,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “William was confident riding him and he has won over seven furlongs here, so he wasn't going to stop. I'm delighted, it's a great team result, it's been a great season and this lad deserves it.”
Creative Force is one of two Group 1 winners for stakes winner Choose Me (Ire) (Choisir) alongside Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). In all, the mare has produced three stakes winners and six winners overall from six to race. Choose Me is a half-sister to stakes winner Shanghai Glory, who is by another Australian sire in Exceed And Excel.
Sealiway proves best in Champion Stakes
Winless since his victory in last year’s G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) ended his dry spell with a win in Saturday’s G1 Qipco Champion S. at Ascot.
Always among the front of the field, Sealiway had to hold off Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) near the line but in the end won by 0.75l with Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) 1.25l back in third.
“We had a good draw, he broke well, settled well and we had a good position - it was good,” jockey Mickael Barzalona said of the trip. “Sealiway showed plenty of stamina in the Arc (where he finished fifth), but today he showed plenty of speed. He is an excellent horse.”
The 3-year-old Sealiway is one of two winners from two to race out of the stakes winning Kensea (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}). Last year’s French champion juvenile, Sealiway and his dam are the only two stakes winners in his first four generations. The colt is one of eight stakes winners and three group winners by third crop sire Galiway.
Baaeed stays undefeated in QEII
It was a second straight Group 1 win for Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) on Saturday when the 3-year-old took out the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot by .25l.
Running exclusively at 1600 metres for all six of his starts, this victory was the closest he’s come to defeat when Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) ran him to within .25l. The ultra-consistent Lady Bowthrope (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) ended her career on a high note with a third place finish in the race.
"I know Sheikh Hamdan will be looking down, smiling, and I owe him everything,” jockey Jim Crowley said. “He gave me this opportunity, he chose me to be his jockey and although he's not here to see it, it's nice to be able to repay him."
A Shadwell homebred, Baaeed is a full brother to multiple Group winner Hukum (GB) and out of the stakes-winning Aghareed (USA) (Kingmambo {USA}), a daughter of champion Lahudood (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}). A strong Shadwell family, the colt’s fifth dam is the blue hen mare Height of Fashion (Fr) (Bustino {GB}).
Eshaada upsets Fillies & Mares' S.
Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) gave Shadwell one of two Group 1 victories on British Champions Day when she led home a 1-2 finish for her sire in the G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S.
Taking on her elders, the 3-year-old showed talent she hadn’t shown off before with a first group win in the race. She finished a nose in front of Albaflora (GB) (Murhaarar {GB}) with favourite Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) settling for third 3.5l behind the pair.
“I think a discussion will be had with Shadwell,” Roger Varian said after the race. “She is a great, big scopey filly and I think her best days are ahead of her. I would like to keep her in training.”
Eshaada gave Muhaarar (GB) his first Group 1 winner with the third-crop stallion now the sire of three group winners with three of his 14 stakes performers hitting the board in Group 1s. Eshaada is out of a full sister to multiple Group 1 winner Tamayuz (GB) (Nayef {USA}) with the family also including the race’s fourth place finisher La Jocande (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Among the others on the page are G1 Irish Derby winner Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) and G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Anabaa Blue (GB) (Anabaa {USA}).
The same family also saw Glounthaune (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) win Saturday’s G3 Richmond Homes Killavullan S. at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Trueshan repeats in Long Distance Cup
If he hadn’t already proven the staying crown is now his, Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) made sure everyone was aware on Saturday with his second G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup victory.
Going off as the favourite, Trueshan did just enough to take home his third straight victory by 1.5l over Tashkhan (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}). Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) looked like he was going to be a threat going into the final 400 metres but flattened out inside the final 100 metres.
"It was a bit of a nightmare really,” said jockey Hollie Doyle. “He jumped nicely, I got a nice position early on and he switched off. At halfway he came to life, put the brakes on and raced rather keenly but that's just the way he is.”
A dual Group 1 victor in addition to his two Long Distance Cups, Trueshan is the best in his family for four generations. Under his fourth dam, one also finds G1 Derby Italiano winner Houmayoun (Fr) (Shernazar {Ire}) and G1 Irish St. Leger winner Flag Of Honour (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) among others.
United States
Shantisara continues march at Keeneland
Continuing to prove she’s the best 3-year-old female turf sprinter in North America, Shantisara (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) won her third straight stakes in style on Saturday with a win in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. Presented by Dixiana.
The first Grade 1 win of her career, Shantisara dominated by 5l over stablemate Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) to give trainer Chad Brown his third win in the race in the last four years.
“I expected her to run really well because (of) the way she breezed last time,” said Brown’s assistant Baldo Hernandez. “She improves all the time. She’s coming along. This filly, she has a really good talent. She handled the turf really well here.”
Purchased privately from Europe, Shantisara’s third dam is a half-sister to the dam of G1 Queensland Derby third Heidilicious (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) and to the dam of champion racehorse and sire High Chaparral (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells {USA}). The family also includes Australian Group 2 winner Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Queensland Cup third Fastnet Cyclone (Ire) (Fastnet Rock).
