ON THE TRACK
Clarity came out of her valiant run at Goodwood very well - her form continues to stack up nicely, with So Lovely winning a Fillies’ maiden at Leopardstown, and Beguiled going on to win a similar contest at Newmarket. Andrew Balding has had a monumental season, including an extremely successful York Ebor festival, and we are thrilled that Clarity could add to their success last weekend, winning the Class 2 Ascot Events EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes in emphatic fashion!
Another filly on an upward curve is Piazza. After struggling on the unconventional track at Epsom last month, Tom Marquand steered her confidently home at Ffos Las, where she looked every bit the winner, but missed out by just half a length. She showed further improvement next time out, winning at Kempton with a sweeping run as she quickened the whole way to the line, winning by nearly two lengths.
Tryst kicked off the month of August with a win at Newmarket on the July course. After going up 7lbs in between runs, she justified the handicapper’s opinion of her, as she thundered home, never letting any of her male rivals get ahead of her. The ground didn’t quite fall her way at York, but she ran respectable races there and subsequently at Ascot, finishing in mid-division. She is one that we look forward to seeing over seven furlongs again soon.
Piazza winning at Kempton
Angel Gabriel placed third at Kempton earlier on in the month, running into what looks like a talented horse in Victory Ace (John Butler) who had won three on the bounce and was second in the London Mile Series Final. Angel Gabriel then went on to finish fourth at Epsom, just under two lengths behind the winner, before sweeping to victory at Windsor over six furlongs!
Ancestor produced another winning performance, on only his third start, as he rallied close home against the Royal colours of Tropical Sands to win over 1m 2f at Haydock. Still looking a little green, he will be one to watch as he develops and learns how to knuckle down in his races. He has got a massive stride and a big engine from what we have seen. Interestingly, the horse that he beat last month at Yarmouth, Waterford Castle, went on to beat the Amo Racing Frankel filly, Partying, who was sold for a record breaking 4.4 million guineas at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales. The horse in third that day (Kokbastau) looks like a progressive three year old for Roger Varian, who went on to beat our own Alcarath in a close finish at Sandown later on in the month.
Zatsgood has had four runs in July and August, placing in all of them. He continues to show a great attitude in his races and has provided his owners with some enjoyable days out. Let’s hope he can get another win before the season is over!
Awaken has also provided her owners with some exceptional days out, from Royal Ascot, to Goodwood, to Deauville, read about her trip to France here. She will head to a Group 3 in the next couple of weeks and we are hopeful of her chances.
Cavolo Nero headed up an exciting double for Highclere at Kempton, with Piazza landing the last race on the day, which was under lights by 9pm (a sign of the Summer racing by us). Cavolo Nero is our first winner with Harry Eustace - who went on to run in the London Mile Series Final at Kempton where he had too much ground to make up. We hope to see him on the turf on soft ground soon.
Rhapsody was second in the Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Listed Stakes at York - she is aiming to get some bold Blacktype next to her name and could run in the John Musker Listed Stakes at Yarmouth on the 16th September, before she possibly heads to Saint Cloud to the Prix Dahlia on the 2nd October.
Topaz ran a fantastic race at Newmarket, placing third in the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Auction Race. Prize money was boosted to over £300,000 and for her efforts Topaz took home £31,234.84. It was a shame that she was not drawn on the stand side, as there was a lot more pace on there, and she did not have any rivals to chase home, winning her own division of the race on the far side comfortably.
Chants from the crowd later on echoed “Ruby Ruby Ruby” as the Kaiser Chiefs were playing live after racing, but the group of nearly 20 Topaz owners were surely cheering “Topaz, Topaz, Topaz” as this gem of a filly powered home doing us all very proud. She will head to a Listed or Group 3 contest to hopefully earn some well deserved blacktype.
Home Secretary justified his extremely short SP of 4-11 when winning at Newcastle, making it two wins in a row. He led for the whole two miles and set a beautiful pace with his massive stride and rhythmic gallop. It was a such a shame that after the race it was discovered that he had sustained an injury. Sadly he has run his last race, but he will be rehomed and given time to pursue a second career. His owners have thoroughly enjoyed his journey, and Sir Mark has always had the horse’s best interests at heart, thus making the decision to retire him from racing. We look forward to hearing what Home Secretary goes on to do for his new connections.
Home Secretary and Shareowners after his win at Newcastle