Europe
Hotazhell returns in G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis
By Sean Cronin, TDN Europe
Silverton Hill Partnership's 4-year-old Hotazhell (Too Darn Hot) was winless in seven starts, including five at the highest level, since annexing 2024's G1 Futurity Trophy and regained the winning habit with a tenacious victory in a thrilling renewal of Sunday's G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis – Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich.
“He was a really good 3-year-old, but lost his way a bit last year and thank goodness his head was in front at the line,” said rider Shane Foley. “His last two runs have been good and he's coming back to himself, so hopefully he can have a good autumn. It wasn't the plan to make the running. I went forward from my inside draw, but there wasn't much pace and I ended up getting it easy in front. They attacked early in the straight, but this lad's a fighter on a going day.”
“He (Hotazhell) was a really good 3-year-old, but lost his way a bit last year and thank goodness his head was in front at the line.” - Shane Foley
The Jessica Harrington trainee, who followed up his career high with a third in last term's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas, was last seen running third in the Curragh's G3 International Stakes and was rousted from the gates to lead passing the judge first time in this 10-furlong feature.
Hounded by Timeforshowcasing (Showcasing) throughout, the 63-10 chance came under pressure when tackled by that G2 German 1000 Guineas heroine passing the quarter-mile marker and found plenty under a forceful Foley drive in the latter stages to prevail by a nose after a pulsating duel.
Victorious Forever's Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko), making a first appearance for his new connections, emerged from the pack as a serious threat inside the final furlong and finished a half-length back in third.
Pedigree: Hotazhell is the seventh of eight foals and lone black-type performer from four winners out of the winning mare Azenzar (Danehill Dancer).
His dam is out of a half-sister to five-time Group 1 heroine Alexander Goldrun (Gold Away) and the Group 3-winning G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Prix de la Foret runner-up Medecis (Machiavellian), with the former being the dam Listed Cooley Stakes and Listed Carlingford Stakes victrix Goldrush (Frankel).
South Africa
Champions Day trio of Group 1 winners
By Renee Geelen, TTR
Reigning South African Horse Of The Year Eight On Eighteen (Saf) (Lancaster Bomber {USA}) took his career for four Group 1 victories in the G1 Champions Cup over 1800 metres. It was the Justin Snaith-trained colt’s first win for this season and owner Nic Jonsson celebrated the quinella with second-placed and stablemate to the winner See It Again (Saf) (Twice Over {GB}).
“He’s back and it felt like goosebump stuff. In the race today the gates opened so relaxed, got a little bit worried before we straightened up but I just tightened the bit in his mouth and he was ready and waiting. He quickened past them really well and he saw the lights and carried on like he’s a youngster. He put them to bed with a phenomenal turn of foot,” jockey Richard Fourie told racecoast.co.za.
“He’s (Eight On Eighteen) back and it felt like goosebump stuff... He quickened past them really well and he saw the lights and carried on like he’s a youngster. He put them to bed with a phenomenal turn of foot.” - Richard Fourie
“As good as the season’s been this is a race that you always want to win and to win it with a colt that has a pedigree to die for.”
Eight On Eighteen, a R700,000 (AU$60,000) National Yearling Sale purchase, has six wins and earnings over R7.8 million (AU$665,000). His 3-year-old half-brother Future Free (Saf) (Futura {Saf}) was a last start Listed winner.
Hong Kong based jockey Lyle Hewitson returned home to South Africa for the meeting and won the G1 Champions Stakes on Louis Goosen-trained 2-year-old colt Erik Dubois (Saf) (Erik The Red {Saf}). Second season sire Erik The Red (Saf) also sired the third placed runner Red Spice (Saf), while second went to Kazenoyoni (Saf) (Danon Platina {Jpn}).
“There was a lot of confidence from everyone associated with this horse and I probably needed a little more confidence put into me but when I worked him on the day he filled me with a bit of belief and he obviously showed it today,” Hewitson said.
“He’s a lovely horse and I still don’t know what his distance is. He could get faster and stronger and come back in trip but he showed resilience today and it was a good win.”
“He’s a lovely horse and I still don’t know what his distance is. He could get faster and stronger and come back in trip but he showed resilience today and it was a good win.” - Lyle Hewitson
The juvenile colt was a R375,000 (AU$32,000) yearling and has two wins from five starts with earnings over R1.3 million (AU$111,000). He is the first stakes winner for Listed winner Comtesse Dubois (Saf) (Count Dubois {GB}).
Last year’s G1 Mercury Sprint winner Buffalo Storm Cody (Saf) (Buffalo Bill Cody {Ire}) returned to add his second win in the race. The Tony Peter-trainee now has three career Group 1 victories having also won this season’s G1 Computaform Sprint.
“The champions train themselves” said Tony Peter. “He is a really, really proper smart horse. He is very easy to train. He’s got one quirk about him is that he doesn’t like the lights and that found him out the last two years on July day.”
“He (Buffalo Storm Cody) is a really, really proper smart horse. He is very easy to train. He’s got one quirk about him is that he doesn’t like the lights and that found him out the last two years on July day.” - Tony Peter
Winner of 11 of his 21 starts and over R2.8 million (AU$240,000), Buffalo Storm Cody was a R410,000 (AU$35,000) yearling. He is a half-brother to Listed winner Freed From Desire (Saf) (Jackson {Saf}).
