United States
G1 Belmont S. victory for Mo Donegal
Carrying the royal blue-and-orange silks of Mike Repole, Donegal Racing and Repole Stable's Mo Donegal (USA) (Uncle Mo {USA}) delivered an authoritative, 3l victory as the 5-2 favorite before a crowd of 46,103 in Saturday's GI Belmont S. It is the fourth time that Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher has claimed victory in the third leg of the US Triple Crown.
The filly Nest (USA) (Curlin {USA}), also campaigned in partnership by Repole and trained by Pletcher, was a valiant second after stumbling at the start. Ashview Farm and Colts Neck Stables co-bred both of the top two finishers.
Mike Repole is the co-founder of the vitamin water company Glaceau, which sold to The Coca-Cola Company for US$4.1 billion (AU$5.8 billion).
Flightline fights for the Met Mile
The G1 Metropolitan H. (commonly referred to in the US as the 'Met Mile') was won by Flightline (USA) (Tapit {USA}), despite causing worry for his trainer at the start of the race. John Sadler admitted to a bit of a queasy feeling in the pit of his stomach. "When I saw him behind early, I wanted to throw up on myself," he said.
Nonetheless Flightline overcame trouble in running to round the field and eventually prevail by an impressive 6l. Being a 'Win and You're In' qualifier, he also thus earned himself a place in the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
The G1 Metropolitan H. is considered a stallion-making race in the US, with previous editions having been won by the likes of Darley shuttler Frosted (USA).
Tribhuvan goes one better in the Manhattan
Tribhuvan (Fr) (Toronado {Ire}) was the recipient of a beautiful ride from Manny Franco and proved not for catching in beating Adhamo (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) by a convincing 3.5l to win the G1 Manhattan S. - the pair sent out by trainer Chad Brown to do battle on the Belmont turf. Tribhuvan was making amends, having finished second in the race last year.
"He had been training well and we were confident that if he got somewhat loose in this race, at least he would be in the picture late," said trainer Chad Brown, winning the Manhattan for a remarkable and a record-extending ninth time in the last 11 years.
Toronado (Ire) shuttles from France to Australia, standing at Swettenham Stud in 2022 for a fee of $88,000 (inc GST).
Jaw-dropping Jack Christopher
Unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Jack Christopher (USA) (Munnings {USA}) put on an absolute show with a jaw-dropping win against five overmatched rivals in Saturday's GI Woody Stephens S. at Belmont Park. Away in good order from his rail draw, the flashy, blaze-faced chestnut conceded the early advantage to Provocateur (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) and was astutely guided by Jose Ortiz to the outside of that rival.
Jack Christopher is campaigned in partnership by Jim Bakke, Gerald Isbister, Coolmore Stud and Peter M. Brant. "I felt really good as he was coming down the lane," winning trainer Chad Brown said. "Once Jose (Ortiz) was able to extract himself and get this horse out in the clear, I didn't see any way the horse could lose."
Brown had further praise for the horse, saying: "This horse is an exceptional talent. This is my 15th year of training and I've never had a dirt horse with this much pure brilliance."
South Africa
Deep Field gets a third Group 1 winner
Al Muthana made it a trio of top-flight victors for his sire, Deep Field on Saturday, winning the G1 Gold Challenge at Greyville. Bred and raced by Shadwell, the 4-year-old gelding is an Australian native, being out of the Redoute's Choice mare El Daana.
Al Muthana joins the company of G1 MRC Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky and Sky Field as Group 1 winners for their sire.
United Kingdom
Zoustar breaking new ground
By winning on debut at Bath Racecourse, Lezoo (GB) recorded a second win in the Northern Hemisphere for her sire Zoustar. The Ralph Beckett-trained 2-year-old also makes it a first win in the UK for Widden Stud's star sire.
Zoustar shuttles to David Redvers' Tweenhills Stud in the UK, standing at Widden Stud in Australia for $198,000 (inc GST) in 2022.
Hoo Ya Mal supplemented for the G2 King Edward VII S.
Ahmad Al Shaikh's Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}) has been supplemented for £15,000 (AU$26,000) to the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot next Friday (June 18, 2:35am AEST). Trained by Andrew Balding, the colt was second at big odds when last seen running in the G1 Epsom Derby on June 4.
Japan
Maurice chalks up seventh stakes winner
Arrowfield Stud shuttler Maurice (Jpn) was handed his seventh stakes winner when his son North Bridge (Jpn) prevailed in a close finish in the G3 Epsom Cup at Tokyo on Sunday.
A winner of four of his previous starts, North Bridge had been beaten three times at stakes level, with this best result coming when he finished G3 Radio Nikkei Sho last July.
However, the colt finally put it all together, beating Galore Creek (Jpn) (Kinshasa No Kiseki) by 0.1l, while Darlington Hall (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) was the same distance away in third.
Purchased for ¥32,000,000 (AU$338,000) at the Hokkaido Hiddaka BA Hokkaido July Yearling Selection Sale in 2019, North Bridge is out of Listed-placed mare Amazing Moon (Jpn) (Admire Moon {Jpn}) (and she is herself a half-sister to dual Grade 1 triumphant Laurel Guerreiro (Jpn) (King Halo {Jpn}).
Maurice is the sire of 40 winners in Australia and they are headed by Group 1-winning pair Hitotsu and Mazu. The stallion will stand at Arrowfield for an increased fee of $82,500 (inc GST) in 2022, having stood last season for a fee of $44,000 (inc GST).
