Europe
'He was special today': Routh hails Moulin hero Erdenali
By Tom Frary
Illuminating the annus mirabilis of The Aga Khan Studs and Francis Graffard, Erdenali (Caravaggio) announced his arrival on the big stage when taking command of Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.
Unexposed entering this first real examination of his ability, the TDN Rising Star was happy tracking the strong early tempo under Mickael Barzalona before being launched in the straight.
In front a furlong out, the 9-2 shot stayed on strongly to beat the G1 Queen Anne Stakes hero Ten Bob Tony (Night Of Thunder) by one and a quarter lengths, with three lengths back to the disappointing 4-5 favourite Gstaad (Starspangledbanner). The time of 1:33.01s was over two seconds faster than any renewal and a stunning new track record.
“We were wondering if we were going to the Arc sale with him before this, but obviously not now!” Nemone Routh said.
“He doesn't show much at home – if you'd seen him work this week, you wouldn't have been particularly impressed, but it all comes together in the afternoon. We wanted to see if he was a Group 1 horse and he's proven that resoundingly I think. He can do anything, as he's a very relaxed horse and he was green early on in his career but proved he's special today.”
“We wanted to see if he (Erdenali) was a Group 1 horse and he's proven that resoundingly I think.” - Nemone Routh
Graffard revealed that Erdenali's last start defeat in Chantilly's G3 Prix Messidor had failed to shake his belief in the homebred, who has continued to surprise with his performances.
“He's not an impressive horse physically, is very laid-back and so I was surprised with the way he won first time out – I always try to find out in the races and not in the mornings and we went step-by-step,” he said “He should have won the Group 3 and so we stuck to the plan and came here and it was an impressive win and fantastic performance.”
The G1 Breeders' Cup Mile is on the cards now, with the planned interim target ruled out.
“We were looking at the Coolmore Turf Mile before today so we could get an entry into the Breeders' Cup Mile, but after this we'll go directly there,” he added. “As he is a gelding, we have plenty of time and options but the Breeders' Cup Mile will be interesting.”
“As he (Erdenali) is a gelding, we have plenty of time and options but the Breeders' Cup Mile will be interesting.” - Francis Graffard
Frances Graffard | Image courtesy of Graffard Racing+
Routh was quick to point out the extra gravitas of this win for the operation.
“A nice story is that his granddam won this race a few years ago, Ervedya. She didn't have very long at stud, but we're so lucky that we have her son at stud as well as I think she was a proper mare,” she explained. “It's a new legacy that's forming.”
The Aga Khan Studs ruled ParisLongchamp's Arc Trials Day, with the king of them all Daryz (Sea The Stars) completing a high-profile treble with another tour de force in the G2 Qatar Prix Foy.
Treating the Coronation Cup winner Bay City Roller (New Bay) like a lead horse, the reigning G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero took that rival's measure inside the final furlong with Mickael Barzalona sitting chilly and at the line the 1-5 favourite had a comfortable one and three-quarter-length margin to spare. He will attempt to claim back to back Arcs on the first Sunday in October.
Joining him at the start will be fellow Aga Khan trainee Varandir (Zarak), who dented some lofty reputations and mustered a career high when winning Sunday's G2 Qatar Prix Niel to round out the treble.
Pedigree notes: Erdenali's dam Erdana (Sea The Stars) was the first foal out of the aforementioned G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Coronation Stakes and G1 Prix du Moulin heroine Ervedya (Siyouni), who also produced Dubawi's dual Group-winning and Group 1-placed sire Erevann. Erdenali is Erdana's first foal, while she also has the unraced 2-year-old Erdelann, a son of Dubawi's son Zarak, and a colt foal by Dubawi's Night Of Thunder.
Vermeille glory for Friendly Soul, Arc option opens up
By Tom Frary
Handed one of the masterclass rides around Paris Longchamp on Sunday, George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (Kingman) led at every step under James Doyle to land the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille in race-record time.
Resisting pressure on the front end from Ballydoyle's outsider Composing (Wootton Bassett), the 6-1 shot who was trying this mile-and-a-half trip for the first time kicked away from that rival entering the home straight and had enough rope to hold on and win by three quarters of a length from Pink Panthera (Chachnak).
The hard-luck story of the race was Juddmonte's Sunly (Night Of Thunder), who stumbled coming out of the stalls and lost lengths and was staying on powerfully at the death to finish only a length behind the winner in third.
“I had a good chat with everyone who knew her beforehand and she jumped super quick, pricked her ears and then got on me a bit which is what I didn't want,” Doyle said of the 2024 G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine. “Once I let out a bit of rein, we found that happy medium and she was very brave for a mare who hadn't proven her stamina for this.”
“She (Friendly Soul) was very brave for a mare who hadn't proven her stamina for this.” - James Doyle
“She got lonely in front, but when she felt the second coming to her went again,” he added. “One thing everyone said before was that she keeps going and she was very tough at the business end. Going a mile and a half on testing ground may not be 100% what she needs, but it could stay dry for the Arc, you never know.”
Thady Gosden added, “She likes to do things her own way, but was never really able to get a breather and showed that she is a hugely talented filly and tough too. It's great to have her back to her best. The mile and a half was unknown territory, but she's from one of George Strawbridge's best families and it's wonderful to win over this trip.
"We'll talk to George and see how she comes out of this, but it's great to have the option of the Arc and if it comes up soft we know she likes that.”
Pedigree notes: Friendly Soul is one of seven stakes winners out of the remarkable G3 Prix de Flore-winning In Clover (Inchinor), with the fellow Opera heroine We Are (Dansili), her G1 Prix Rothschild-winning full sister With You and the G1 Prix du Cadran hero Call The Wind (Frankel) among them. Another is the Listed scorer Incahoots (Oasis Dream), who in turn produced Frankel's G1 Prix de la Foret heroine Kelina while Dansili's Elodie produced the G2 Prix Saint-Alary third Queen Trezy (Almanzor).
The G3 Prix de Royaumont-winning second dam Bellarida (Bellypha) is the ancestress of the G1 Hong Kong Vase hero Dominant (Cacique), the G1 Prix Jean Romanet winner Aristia (Starspangledbanner) and the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Teppal (Camacho). In Clover's 2-year-old Kingin is a full brother to Friendly Soul, while her yearling is a full sister.
Group 1 first for Pinatubo as Saddadd strikes in Baden-Baden feature
By Sean Cronin
Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's 4-year-old Saddadd (Pinatubo) posted commendable efforts in both prior starts in elite-level company and stepped forward to become jockey Jack Mitchell and his sire's first Group 1 winner in a pulsating renewal of Sunday's G1 Wettstar 156th Grosser Preis von Baden at Baden-Baden.
The G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup third and G1 Eclipse fourth went postward as a 17-5 chance and broke well from the outside stall to tracked the leaders in fourth after passing the judge first time.
Urged forward rounding the home turn, he joined Parachutiste (Dubawi) and Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) on the front end with 300 metres remaining and kept on strongly under whipless rousting to defeat those rivals by a half-length and two lengths.
“He's got a great attitude, he's a real fighter and he's run some great races this year,” said Roger Varian.
“It was a very strong Tattersalls Gold Cup that he was third in back in May and we've minded him through the summer and waited for this race, so I'm really delighted. There's never one plan when you go through a race and, having been so slow into stride in the Eclipse, we were keen just to get him out and get him travelling.
“Jack (Mitchell) has been very much part of our team of jockeys over the last 12 years and for him to ride his first Group 1 for us is a nice part of the story as well.” - Roger Varian
"As things began unfolding, Jack (Mitchell) couldn't have been any further forward than falling in behind Giavellotto, so as it happened it worked out well. He's very talented and I'm delighted for Sheikh Ahmed, who has been a great supporter of the stable over the years. Jack has been very much part of our team of jockeys over the last 12 years and for him to ride his first Group 1 for us is a nice part of the story as well.”
Looking ahead without committing to a specific target, the trainer continued, “We'll get him home and make sure that he's okay. I'll have a chat with the owner Sheikh Ahmed and we'll make a plan. It doesn't need to be decided today, so we'll enjoy third and we're really delighted with the result.”
“I'm speechless, it's nice to finish first and I can't believe we've done it... His (Saddadd) stamina really showed up well.” - Jack Mitchell
Mitchell added, “It's a great job by all of the team at Roger's. I'm speechless, it's nice to finish first and I can't believe we've done it. I was drawn wide and I could have gone a bit more forward, but the pace was okay. I just got a nice settle and kept my eye on Giavellotto and, when he made his move to the outside, I just followed him through. His stamina really showed up well.”
Pedigree notes: Saddadd is the third foal and black-type performer for the stakes-winning G1 E P Taylor Stakes runner-up Talmada (Cape Cross), who has also produced G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Almaqam (Lope De Vega) and the dual stakes-placed Saleymm (Dubawi).
His dam is a half-sister to G2 Champagne Stakes-winning sire Saamidd (Street Cry) and the stakes-winning G3 Desmond Stakes runner-up Masaarr (Distorted Humor). Talmada has the 2-year-old filly Tarrjoo (Dubawi) and a yearling full sister to the winner to come.
America
'Rising Star' The Good Life takes Saratoga's Hopeful
By Christina Bossinakis
Highlighting another banner day at Saratoga, meet-leading jockey Manny Franco guided 5-2 favourite The Good Life (Life Is Good) in Sunday's G1 Hopeful Stakes during Saratoga's closing weekend.
Going to the front soon after the start, 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' The Good Life led Mystrix (Good Magic) through an opening quarter in 0:22.71s and a half through 0:45.40s. The Good Life was still confidently in charge turning for home, and while Mystrix did his best to close the gap on the loose-on-the lead frontrunner, the favourite was not to be caught late, crossing the wire clear of the 6-1 chance.
Booked (Yaupon), winner of this summer's G3 Sanford Stakes, was caught flat-footed at the start, and despite spotting the field several lengths, ran on gamely to take third.
“I didn't expect to be on the lead to be honest, but the way he breaks, I got the one hole, so I've got to go with the flow,” said Franco who was winning his 70th race of the meet. “I outbroke the other horses, so I went on with him. I was comfortable and happy with the way he was doing it.”
Commenting on the early fractions, trainer Brad Cox said, “(I was) comfortable enough. The final time looks decent. At the three and a half, I was just kind of watching everybody else. Obviously, we were on the lead, everybody looked like they were kind of knuckling down on their horse, so I thought that was a good sign. Turning for home, looked like we had some horse and he responded down the stretch.”
“Turning for home, looked like we had some horse and he (The Good Life) responded down the stretch.” - Brad Cox
Asked whether the colt will make his next start in either the 1 1/16-mile G1 Breeders' Futurity on October 3 at Keeneland or the one-mile G1 Champagne on the same day at Belmont Park–both “Win and You're In” qualifiers for the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile–Cox said, “(Either race) is possible. We'll let him tell us, he's a fast horse.
"We'll see how he bounces out of it. Ship him back to Churchill this week, but yeah I mean we'll let the dust settle and come up with a plan with the WinStar team, go from there.”
Pedigree notes: The Good Life's victory in Sunday's Hopeful gives Freshman Sire Life Ihs Good (by Into Mischief) is initial Grade 1/Group 1 winner. The sire was also represented by Hopeful fourth Lifesong in Saratoga's marquee for juvenile colts.
Out of First Hour, the colt is a half-brother to multiple Graded performer Hereforagoodtime (Justify). The 8-year-old mare is notably a half-sister to Graded winner Justwhistledixie (Dixie Union), who in turn is responsible for G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner New Year's Day (Street Cry {Ire}), G1 Clasico Jockey Club del Peru Enforceable (Tapit), in addition to Graded winners Mohaymen (Tapit) and Kingly (Tapit).
The daughter of Speightstown produced a filly by Flightline last season and was most recently bred to Justify.
Hughes Gives Baffert 20th Del Mar Futurity Win
Hughes (Into Mischief), who followed his 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard'-worthy debut with a romping win in the G3 Best Pal Stakes, added another furlong and another Graded win to his resume with a powerful victory in the G1 Del Mar Futurity at the oceanside oval Sunday.
“It is the best of the west. Undefeated and headed to the Breeders' Cup,” track announcer Larry Collmus crooned as the bay colt sailed under the wire, giving trainer Bob Baffert his 20th Del Mar Futurity winner.
Sent off the 1-5 favorite in the five-horse field, Hughes prompted the pace of longshot High Pronto (Hightail) through fractions of 0:22.87s and 0:45.69s. He grabbed command leaving the bend, while Phone Booth (Pavel) tried to make a race of it while sneaking through along the rail. Hughes shrugged off the rival in upper stretch and strode home some four lengths in front and under wraps, completing the seven furlongs in 1:22.57s.
“I was aware that this was seven-eighths and I know that can sometimes be a tough one for a young horse,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “So, I had that horse (High Pronto) inside me, but I didn't want to push on my horse too early. He was handling it all well. I never hit him. When we straightened out, he was lugging in just a bit, so I tapped him on the left side and we were fine. He did his job today.”
Baffert saw plenty to be optimistic about for Hughes's future.
“He's (Hughes) the kind of horse who does most of his running at the end, which is what you like to see and he was taking off at the end.” - Bob Baffert
“He sat off the speed horse,” said Baffert. “We knew the inside horse was really fast. Juan said if he had gone to the lead, they would have gone faster, so he relaxed. We're still learning about these horses. He's the kind of horse who does most of his running at the end, which is what you like to see and he was taking off at the end.”
Of his Futurity domination, Baffert said, “It's very exciting to win this race. It all started with Silver Charm. It's crazy. It's a long way from Prescott Downs.”
Pedigree notes: Hughes, a US$675,000 (AU$937,550) Keeneland September yearling purchase, is out of G1 Chandelier Stakes and G1 Starlet Stakes third K P Dreamin (Union Rags). The mare, purchased by Breffni Farm for US$260,000 (AU$361,000) at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton November sale, has a yearling colt by Elite Power who is catalogued for the upcoming Keeneland September sale and she produced a colt by McKinzie this year before being bred back to Patch Adams. The winner's third dam, Mediation, produced G1 Pacific Classic winner Go Between (Point Given).
