United Kingdom
Constitution River gives O'Brien historic 4th consecutive Eclipse
Written by Tom Frary
No trainer had won Sandown's G1 Coral-Eclipse four years in a row before Saturday, but Aidan O'Brien's Team Ballydoyle did what they do and put another statistic to bed with their exciting talent Constitution River (Wootton Bassett).
In a finish which almost mimicked that of the Prix du Jockey Club, the 8-11 favourite was in command by three lengths from A Boy Named Susie (Starspangledbanner), with Donnacha's colt reversing the Chantilly Classic form with Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett) by a neck as the 3-year-olds and the O'Briens dominated.
“We've always thought the world of him–he's a special horse,” O'Brien said after greeting his 10th Eclipse winner, with five coming in the last six years. “Ryan's just said he was coasting through the last furlong and he's not sure he's ever ridden a better horse, so that's big praise from him. He said we could put him anywhere we want.”
"We've always thought the world of him (Constitution River)–he's a special horse." - Aidan O'Brien
With Gethin (Ghaiyyath) wrecking his prospects by pulling too hard throughout the early stages and Hawk Mountain also running too free tracking the pacemaker Flushing Meadows (Wootton Bassett), this was always going to go to the closers and predictably Constitution River was the sharpest and the fastest of them. Saddadd (Pinatubo) tried, but was only able to tread water and as the older-horse challenge died A Boy Named Susie emerged to keep the winner honest to the line.
This was plain sailing for Ryan Moore, who looked to be only cajoling the winner from the two pole to maintain focus. It was a sixth renewal for the rider, who is just one short of the legendary Lester Piggott's record.
“We went hard early and it was always the plan to get him into his rhythm, but the horses in front came back to him quickly and he got there too early,” the rider said. “You can't be waiting up the hill here and he was a bit idle but always in command.”
“It's hard to know where he'll end up, but he's got an awful lot of ability, is a beautiful-looking horse who stood out here and has a deep pedigree–he's done nothing wrong in his whole career,” he added. “We're learning all the time and given how the race panned out, he could be even better than this. I know how good Hawk Mountain is and the Eclipse is never easy–you are meeting that rising ground at Sandown and it's hard to be wildly impressive here.”
Ryan Moore | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
What is so tantalising about Constitution River is that he is still a work in progress with everything in place to further enhance his status. O'Brien is looking forward to what lies ahead.
“He's maturing, he's a big, scopey, proper physical and we felt we hadn't seen the bottom of him,” the trainer said. “He's classy, pacey and is heavier today than he was the last day which is always a good sign. He has that sharpness of mind, he's not a slob and in no way backward-thinking–when you put him into gear, he's ready to rock.
"When you put him (Constitution River) into gear, he's ready to rock." - Aidan O'Brien
“He has all the options, the Juddmonte, the Irish Champion and the Champion and I'm not sure what the lads are thinking, but he will have an easy time now. This is such a prestigious race and a difficult race to win and you need a good horse to win it and I'm grateful the lads let us run both him and Hawk Mountain.
“He also ran a stormer. He did a good bit of the donkey work, but still came there and the French form really stood up–Donnacha's colt is obviously very good as well.”
Aidan O'Brien | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Pedigree notes: Constitution River, who became the third Prix du Jockey Club for his much-missed sire, was bred by Gerard Laboureau of LG Bloodstock at Pierre Talvard's Haras du Cadran in the Orne department of Normandy. He is the first foal out of Chuppy (Le Havre), a full sister to the high-class British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, Prix de Royallieu and Hardwicke heroine Wonderful Tonight.
The second dam Salvation (Montjeu) is a daughter of the Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Birdie (Alhaarth), whose three stakes performers are headed by the GIII Providencia Stakes winner Hostess by Wootton Bassett's sire Iffraaj. Birdie's Listed-winning half-sister Fickle (Danehill) produced the G3 Dahlia Stakes scorer Tarfah (Kingmambo), in turn responsible for the operation's 2,000 Guineas and Derby hero and leading sire Camelot by Salvation's sire Montjeu.
Chuppy's second foal is the 2-year-old filly Sensational Filly (Mehmas), who was a €300,000 (AU$494,500) purchase by Paddy Twomey for Bond Thoroughbred Limited at last year's Arqana Deauville August.
United States
Clan O'Brien tops another elite race as Kensington Lane wins Belmont Oaks
Written by Patrycja Szpyra
Elite-level turf races have more or less become synonymous with a member of the O'Brien clan and this time it was Donnacha O'Brien's Kensington Lane (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) who took home top prize in the GI Belmont Oaks.
Her conditioner had already enjoyed a big afternoon overseas long before this contest went to post, thanks to A Boy Named Susie’s second in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes behind father Aidan O'Brien's imperious Constitution River.
Sent off at 23-1 odds here, Kensington Lane initially took the lead coming out of the gate, but saw familiar face Abashiri (GB) (Frankel {GB}) try to overtake her with an aggressive move going into the first bend. Stepping on the gas to regain her lead through an opening quarter in :23.47s and a half-mile in :48.82s, Kensington Lane had that early challenger just off her flank after six panels in 1:13.17s, but the 6-5 favorite was soon backpedaling heading into the final bend.
Ears pricked coming off the turn, the chestnut had built up a clear advantage heading for home and was extending that lead under little urging by midstretch. Never really asked for more, Kensington Lane handily defeated Faithful Departed (Yoshida {Jpn}) by open lengths. Fitz Right (Charlatan) was turned away late and had to settle for third.
“Given the way she's broken out of the gate in Europe, we thought she could be forward,” said Phillip Shelton, racing manager for co-owner Medallion Racing. “I told (Joel Rosario), 'we want her to be within a couple lengths of the lead, if she ends up on the lead because nobody goes, that's fine.' He opened up by three (lengths) and I was hoping he didn't go too early, but it never felt like he had to get into her too hard. She appreciated the circumstances of the race.”
"He (Rosario) opened up by three (lengths) and I was hoping he didn't go too early, but it never felt like he had to get into her (Kensington Lane) too hard." - Phillip Shelton
When the inevitable question surfaced about what Kensington Lane's next plans would be–returning to Europe or remaining in the States–Shelton said, “I'll have to talk to the partners and see what we want to do. In Europe, there are no more restricted 3-year-old only Grade Is, (and) in America, there are three more.
“Given her propensity for firm ground, she still may go to California (for the GI Del Mar Oaks on August 22), but she could go back to Europe. We'll have to talk amongst ourselves and figure out what we want to do.”
"Given her (Kensington Lane) propensity for firm ground, she still may go to California." - Phillip Shelton
“Everything went as planned,” said Kieran Murphy, traveling assistant to O'Brien. “We shipped in Monday morning and (Kensington Lane) was very relaxed, did a couple of bits of work on Thursday, Friday–not much–just ticking over and here we are.”
Phillip Shelton | Image courtesy of Medallion Racing
Pedigree notes: This victress is out of a half-sister to Group 1-placed Flying Cross (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Kensington Lane is the mare's first black-type runner from five to race, and is one of four winners. Dam Almost Always (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has a juvenile filly by the late Wootton Bassett in the wings as well as a yearling colt by No Nay Never.
Second dam Ramruma (Diesis {GB}) was a multiple Group 1 winner who was also crowned as Europe's Champion 3YO Filly during her time on the track. She was one of 10 winners for third dam Princess Of Man (Ire) (Green God {Ire}), making her a full-sibling to multiple Group-placed Ausherra. That sister went on in her broodmare career to produce multiple Group winner Strategic Prince (GB) (Dansili {GB}) as well as a branch of the family that later yielded Australian multiple Group 1 winner Montefilia (Kermadec {NZ}).
This is also the female family of another Australian Group 1 winner in All The Good (Ire) (Diesis {GB}).
Title Role wins nail-biting photo in Belmont Derby over fast-closing West End Kid
For as clear as the winner of the GI Belmont Oaks was just two races prior, the GI Belmont Derby was a diametrically opposed result. It came down to a desperate photo on the wire that ultimately went to Title Role (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) over a fast-closing West End Kid (Twirling Candy).
Carrying 7-1 odds as the domestic audience's betting dollars drifted to the locals and fellow European invader Pacific Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), he broke well and was content to watch from second as 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Touch Of Fire (Constitution) rolled into the lead heading for the first bend.
Working hard, but in command into the final sixteenth, Title Role had an oncoming cavalry charge to fight off late, led by the furious rally of West End Kid and Cherie DeVaux's 3-2 favorite Remember Mamba (Kitten's Joy) to his outside. The group hit the wire together, and it was Title Role who got lucky by the slimmest of noses. 'Rising Star' Remember Mamba was a clear third and Touch Of Fire held on for fourth in a mad scramble for the minors.
“They were closing him down,” said winning co-trainer Ed Crisford. “Johnny (Velazquez) rode a good race. He jumped well and found himself in a good position early, but they were going pretty quick. They slowed it down on the backstretch, but that last furlong he was just treading water a bit, but he did it well.”
"That last furlong he (Title Role) was just treading water a bit, but he did it well." - Ed Crisford
Crisford added that the plan was to keep Title Role in America, but wasn't sure if a trainer swap to Brendan Walsh would be immediate, saying, “I'll need to speak with the owners whether we keep him for another race or not. Hopefully, we can and then he's going to stay in America. He'll suit America.”
“I don't think (going longer in the GI Saratoga Derby at 1 3/16-miles) is too much of an issue for (Title Role). If he can ride more of a race in terms of not using so much petrol up early, I think he'll get the trip.”
Ed Chrisford | Image courtesy of Highclere Racing
Pedigree notes: Title Role is a son of Graded winner Valiant Girl (GB) (Lemon Drop Kid), making him a half-brother to Plucky Lass (Medaglia d'Oro), herself mother of English Group winner Calendar Girl (GB) (Advertise {GB}) and multiple staked-performed Gutsy Girl (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}). He has six other winning siblings and is the sixth consecutive offspring for the mare to get a picture taken. Valiant Girl's last registered is a juvenile named Lupin's Girl (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}).
Their dam claims a fleet of accomplished siblings, namely multiple Group-winning full brother Bronze Cannon; English Group winner Across the Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}); and stakes-placed Valiance (Horse Chestnut {SAf}). A full-sister to Valiant Girl named Crimson Ribbon enjoyed a wildly successful broodmare career, producing six black-type horses led by G1 Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Group winner Danielle (GB) (Cracksman {GB}).
South Africa
Note To Self leads home stable quinella in Durban July
The most prestigious event in South Africa’s racing calendar, the G1 Durban July’s 2026 renewal was set to be one full of drama after the prize pool was elevated to R10 million ($892,000). Just four days out from the event, the short priced favourite Star Major (Querari), last start winner of the G1 Daily News 2000, was scratched, as was The Ultimate King (Vercingetorix), leading to both emergencies making it into the 18-horse field.
South African Champion Trainer Justin Snaith had a five-strong hand in the race, and it was his 3-year-old colt Note To Self (Futura) who delivered his sixth success in the event. Champion Jockey Richard Fourie was in the irons and he guided the colt round the field at the 800-metre mark in the 2200-metre event, but with 350 metres to run, Legislate filly Wish List had found the front of the pack.
But Note To Self was not to be outdone, running down his stablemate by a neck to claim his first stakes victory after two placings at the top level.
"He (Note To Self) walks like a leopard." - Justin Snaith
“He’s an unassuming baby,” Snaith said after the win. “He walks like a leopard. There were people who asked what he’d done up till now. And his Daily News run was all wrong. He had a temperature for two days after. We weren’t sure if this was a year too soon. As it turned out, it wasn’t.
A R300,000 (AU$26,800) BSA National Yearling Sale purchase, Note To Self is raced by Jonathan Bloch, Jonathan Snaith, and Nancy Hossack and was bred by Varsfontein Stud.
A familiar face took out the third race on the card; Zac Lloyd steered home 4-year-old Magic Verse (Vercingetorix) to score in the G3 Zulu Kingdom 2200 - known as the Consolation July.
Pedigree notes: Note To Self is the second stakes winner in as many months for dam Guiding Light (Judpot), who also produced Viking Leader (Erik The Red), winner of June’s Listed Gatecrusher Stakes.
A granddaughter of South African Champion 3YO Classic Filly Promisefrommyheart (Elliodor), Guiding Light is an unraced half-sister to G3 Flamboyant Stakes winner Hashtagyolo (Dynasty) and Listed Sophomore Sprint winner Green Gateway (Gimmethegreenlight). The family includes South African Triple Crown winner and sire Malmoos and G2 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-winning sire Pluck.
