Latest news with #GodolphinUSA
Gulf Today
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Highland Falls leads Godolphin charge at Spa
Highland Falls returns to Saratoga for a star-studded renewal of the G1 Whitney Stakes, with Think Big and Ragtime also challenging for G1 honours on an outstanding Whitney Day card on Saturday. Five-year-old Highland Falls was a decisive winner of the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on his only previous appearance at the New York course in September, a performance that earned him a spot in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic. The Curlin homebred failed to land a blow at Del Mar in November, coming home ninth, and reopposes the first two from that race, Sierra Leone and Fierceness, plus the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic winner White Abarrio. Highland Falls makes his second start of 2025 for Brad Cox, having easily captured an allowance optional claimer over a mile at Aqueduct in June. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Highland Falls has done nothing wrong since he came back from his winter break. He ran an impressive race in his comeback at a shorter distance than ideal and has worked very nicely since, pleasing Brad every week. 'The G1 Whitney is stacked with most of the best older horses in the country and, although there will possibly be a scratch or two, it will be a good test to see where he ranks in the older division. Hopefully, he can be very competitive and be in the mix. It will set him up nicely for an opportunity to defend his Jockey Club title at the end of August.' Think Big remains at a mile for the G1 Fourstardave Stakes after flashing home to comfortably take the G3 Kelso Stakes over the course and distance in early July. The Michael Stidham-trained four-year-old had previously built up an impressive profile as a sprinter, winning his first four starts on turf including this season's G2 Shakertown Stakes and G2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint. Think Big's only defeat on turf to date came in the G1 Jaipur Stakes on the Belmont Stakes card at Saratoga in June, when unruly behaviour and a slow break cost him any chance. Michael Banahan said: 'Mike is very happy with Think Big and his preparation for the G1 Fourstardave. He won the local prep well and deserves to take his chance against the best turf miler in the US last year, Johannes. 'It's a good opportunity to see where he stacks up against him and it will give us a clear path on the direction we need to go for the rest of the year. If he behaves, breaks well, and gets a good trip, he should prove a tough nut to crack.' Unbeaten filly Ragtime makes her Graded Staked debut for Bill Mott in the seven-furlong G1 Test Stakes following two sparkling displays over the course and distance. Following a dominant maiden win in June, the Union Rags homebred looked equally impressive when taking an allowance race the following month. Michael Banahan added: 'Ragtime has done nothing wrong in both of her wins and now gets a tough examination in the G1 Test against a very nice field of sprinters. Bill was very pleased with her breeze last Saturday and she is coming into the race in great shape.
Gulf Today
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Rebel's Romance seeks another first in G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes
International superstar Rebel's Romance bids to add a first UK G1 to his glittering CV in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday. Ascot's midsummer highlight has been won by Godolphin luminaries Swain, Daylami, Doyen and Adayar, although a seven-year-old has yet to be successful since the race was inaugurated in 1951. Rebel's Romance is no stranger to rewriting the record books. The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi became the first horse to win non-consecutive renewals of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf in November and is also the only overseas runner to capture Hong Kong's G1 Champions & Chater Cup. His tally of 18 wins, including 14 in Group races, makes him the most prolific Godolphin horse in history, with seven-top level victories including three in Germany and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in addition to his North American and Hong Kong successes. A valiant third in last year's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Rebel's Romance returns having won three of his four starts this season, including comfortably taking the G2 Hardwicke Stakes over the course and distance at Royal Ascot. Charlie Appleby said: 'Rebel's Romance goes into this in great order. There was plenty of strength in depth in this contest 12 months ago, when he ran a good race, and it looks a similarly strong renewal this time around. 'He is taking on younger opposition again but, wherever he finishes, the others will know that they have had a race.' Dubawi filly Dance To The Music hopes to follow up a winning introduction for the same trainer in the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes earlier on the card. The full-sister to three-time G1 winner Space Blues remains over six furlongs after overcoming signs of inexperience to score by a length at Newmarket in May. Charlie Appleby added: 'Dance To The Music has done well physically since winning at Newmarket. She is stepping up to Pattern company for the first time and it's a fact-finding mission. The form of her race has worked out well and we are hopeful that she can be competitive at this level.' Sovereignty aims to rule again in G2 Jim Dandy Stakes: Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty looks to continue the momentum of an outstanding campaign into the G2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga in US on Saturday. The Into Mischief homebred has established himself as the best three-year-old colt in North America and makes a second start at Saratoga this summer following a convincing victory over Preakness Stakes victor Journalism in the G1 Belmont Stakes. Sovereignty also denied Journalism in the G1 Kentucky Derby, as the Bill Mott-trained colt provided Godolphin with a first victory in the Run for the Roses. Winner of the G3 Street Sense Stakes on his final juvenile outing, Sovereignty started his year with two appearances at Gulfstream Park – winning the G2 Fountain Of Youth Stakes before taking second in the G1 Florida Derby. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Bill has been pleased with Sovereignty's build up to the Jim Dandy. He has done everything that Bill has wanted and is ready to get back to work. 'The Jim Dandy will serve as a nice prep to get to the mid-season goal of the G1 Travers in late August. It is a small field as expected – the one concern is that they are mainly closers except for Mo Plex, who is the lone speed and will probably try to control the field from the front. 'Sovereignty has a nice draw on the outside [5], so Junior [Alvarado] will have options of what type of trip he gets. We expect him to run very well and solidify his position as the top three-year-old in the country.' Time To Turn rises to the occasion at Ascot: Time To Turn provided Godolphin with a fifth Listed Pat Eddery Stakes win in the space of seven years as he reversed the form with A Bit Of Spirit at Ascot on Friday. A head had separated the duo in a Newbury novice race in mid-June, with the victorious A Bit Of Spirit going on to readily defy a penalty at Sandown Park and Time To Turn reopposing after scoring by 10 lengths at Wolverhampton. Held up at the rear of the six runners by William Buick, Time To Turn started to make smooth headway two furlongs out and the Dark Angel homebred quickened into a clear lead inside the final furlong. Palace Pier colt A Bit Of Spirit rallied and reduced Time To Turn's lead close home, with the Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile holding on by a head. The front two pulled more than three lengths clear of third home Italica. Charlie Appleby said: 'It was a pleasing run from Time To Turn, who is learning on the job. We are learning about him as well and it was another nice step forward today. We might give him a little break and look towards the autumn, as I think he will appreciate some juice in the ground.'
Gulf Today
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Immersive hopes to regain winning thread in G1 Coaching Club American Oaks
Reigning Champion Two-Year-Old Filly Immersive looks to avenge a first career defeat on her return to G1 company in the Coaching Club American Oaks at Saratoga in US on Saturday. The Nyquist filly emerged with plenty of credit when going down by a neck to Take Charge Milady in the Monomoy Girl Stakes at Churchill Downs in mid-June, in which the Godolphin homebred was making her first start of the season following a layoff with bone bruising. In an outstanding juvenile campaign for Brad Cox, Immersive dominated her division with four imposing wins, including a hat-trick of G1 victories in the Spinaway Stakes, Darley Alcibiades Stakes and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Michael Banahan, Director of Bloodstock, Godolphin USA, said: 'Immersive has trained like the champion she is since her extended spell off in the winter. Her comeback prep race was everything we could have asked for, except for losing her undefeated record. 'She had a bullet workout last Saturday, indicating her readiness for her first major goal of the season here. She didn't get an ideal draw down on the rail, but she dealt with the same issue last year in the Spinaway. 'Hopefully, La Cara doesn't get an easy uncontested lead, like she has in both her G1 wins, and is kept honest in front. Brad is very happy with Immersive's condition. We expect her to run very well and hopefully get back on the winning trail.' Nash bids to secure a first Graded Stakes win in the G2 Alfred G Vanderbilt Handicap on the same card, with the Medaglia d'Oro colt having found his calling as a hold-up sprinter. Runner-up to Preakness winner Seize The Grey in last year's G2 Pat Day Mile, Nash is two wins from three starts in allowance optional claimers since dropping to six furlongs earlier this season. Michael Banahan added: 'Nash is coming into the G2 Vanderbilt in great shape and had a very good breeze last Saturday at his homebase of Churchill Downs. Last year, we were hoping that he would make it down the Derby trail, but that didn't work out and trying to figure out his preferred distance was somewhat trial and error. He appears to have found his home as a come-from-behind sprinter. 'He received one of the highest 2025 speed figures winning his last race, so now is the time to find out if he can replicate that in Graded company. This is a tough race and would probably be much the same field if it were a G1. 'We are hopeful of a good performance and, if he runs back to his last race, he should be very competitive, although he must seal the deal against Graded opposition.' Rain key to Ancient Wisdom's Newbury chances: Ancient Wisdom looks set for a return to Listed company in the Steventon Stakes at Newbury in UK on Saturday providing the forecast rain arrives at the Berkshire course. The son of Dubawi finished third on his sole previous Listed appearance in Ascot's Pat Eddery Stakes in July, 2023, with his nine subsequent starts all coming in Group races including victory in the same season's G1 Futurity Trophy. Ancient Wisdom failed to act on quicker ground at Newbury on his four-year-old return but bounced back to form with a half-length second in the G3 Gordon Richards Stakes. He was pitched back into G1 company for the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on his latest outing, in which he faded to fifth. Trainer Charlie Appleby said: 'Ancient Wisdom has been gelded since his run in the Coronation Cup, and we feel that a mile and a quarter is probably his optimum trip these days. He wants plenty of cut underneath and would be an unlikely runner unless it's genuine good to soft ground.' Meanwhile, Consistent four-year-old Casapueblo produced another valiant effort as he went down by half a length to Mont de Soleil in the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy in France. Returning to the provinces having finished second in a Toulouse Listed race in April, the Andre Fabre-trained son of Le Havre was held up in sixth of the seven runners by Cristian Demuro for most of the 10-furlong highlight of Vichy's season. Tito Mo Cen made the early running before Cambronne snuck up the inside rail to hit the front after two and a half furlongs. Cambronne continued to save ground entering the straight, with Tito Mo Cen leading the rest of the field down the centre of the course. Casapueblo tracked Mont de Soleil as the eventual winner swooped to take up the running over a furlong out and the Godolphin runner saw out the trip well, edging out Woodchuck for second in the closing strides.
North Wales Chronicle
08-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Sovereignty makes it a Classic double in Belmont Stakes
The Bill Mott-trained Sovereignty provided the Godolphin operation with a first taste of Kentucky Derby glory at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, beating Michael McCarthy's hot favourite Journalism into second place. With connections of Sovereignty resisting the temptation to shoot for Triple Crown immortality and running in Preakness Stakes a fortnight later, Journalism took full advantage with a narrow success at Pimlico, setting up a tantalising rematch at Saratoga. Journalism was the first of the big two to commit for home, quickening to the lead off the final bend under Umberto Rispoli, but Sovereignty and Junior Alvarado joined him entering the final furlong before pulling three lengths clear to confirm his status as America's star three-year-old colt. Speaking on the Godolphin website, Mott said: 'We had a repeat of the Derby – the first three finishers in the Derby finished one-two-three here – and the form is holding up. They are three really good horses and I'm glad that Sovereignty was able to come back and put in a race like he did in the Derby. 'If we hadn't won today, we would have taken a lot of criticism for missing the Preakness, but it turned out good. Sometimes, you make the right decision and a lot of times you make the wrong ones. Today, it really worked out well.' Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA, said: 'It's the most fantastic feeling in the world. Sovereignty was trained to the minute by Bill and his team to come here off a five-week rest. 'We knew that he was a good horse going into the Kentucky Derby and he showed it that day. To come back here and show it again, and beat a really, really good horse in Journalism, it was a fantastic result for us. 'It's fantastic to win two legs of the Triple Crown. We are very, very happy with doing it – coming here after the Derby was the plan and it teed up a really good race, with the Derby winner and the Preakness winner having a showdown in the Belmont.' Considering plans for the rest of the year, Banahan added: 'There are races down the road that we would really like to win – the Travers is very special. We've won it before, but I don't think Bill has, so it would be great for him to do that. 'It would be great, if the horse is healthy and well, to try to get to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Classic. It's a race that we have run in several times without having the opportunity to win yet.' The Jamie Osborne-trained Heart Of Honor represented British hopes but he could finish only sixth under Saffie Osborne.
Rhyl Journal
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Sovereignty makes it a Classic double in Belmont Stakes
The Bill Mott-trained Sovereignty provided the Godolphin operation with a first taste of Kentucky Derby glory at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May, beating Michael McCarthy's hot favourite Journalism into second place. With connections of Sovereignty resisting the temptation to shoot for Triple Crown immortality and running in Preakness Stakes a fortnight later, Journalism took full advantage with a narrow success at Pimlico, setting up a tantalising rematch at Saratoga. Journalism was the first of the big two to commit for home, quickening to the lead off the final bend under Umberto Rispoli, but Sovereignty and Junior Alvarado joined him entering the final furlong before pulling three lengths clear to confirm his status as America's star three-year-old colt. Speaking on the Godolphin website, Mott said: 'We had a repeat of the Derby – the first three finishers in the Derby finished one-two-three here – and the form is holding up. They are three really good horses and I'm glad that Sovereignty was able to come back and put in a race like he did in the Derby. 'If we hadn't won today, we would have taken a lot of criticism for missing the Preakness, but it turned out good. Sometimes, you make the right decision and a lot of times you make the wrong ones. Today, it really worked out well.' Michael Banahan, director of bloodstock for Godolphin USA, said: 'It's the most fantastic feeling in the world. Sovereignty was trained to the minute by Bill and his team to come here off a five-week rest. 'We knew that he was a good horse going into the Kentucky Derby and he showed it that day. To come back here and show it again, and beat a really, really good horse in Journalism, it was a fantastic result for us. 'It's fantastic to win two legs of the Triple Crown. We are very, very happy with doing it – coming here after the Derby was the plan and it teed up a really good race, with the Derby winner and the Preakness winner having a showdown in the Belmont.' Considering plans for the rest of the year, Banahan added: 'There are races down the road that we would really like to win – the Travers is very special. We've won it before, but I don't think Bill has, so it would be great for him to do that. 'It would be great, if the horse is healthy and well, to try to get to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Classic. It's a race that we have run in several times without having the opportunity to win yet.' The Jamie Osborne-trained Heart Of Honor represented British hopes but he could finish only sixth under Saffie Osborne.
