By Sean Cronin
Victorious Racing's 2023 G1 King's Stand Stakes hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}–Russian Punch {GB}, by Archipenko), on an enforced sabbatical for 329 days after registering that career high, added to his comeback win in this month's Listed Prix du Cercle with a dominant performance in Friday's G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
The 3-1 second favourite was swiftly into stride on the far wing and chased the trailblazing Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}) in second through the initial stages of this straight five-furlong dash. Easing to the front passing halfway, he was beyond recall entering the final furlong and kept on powerfully under a late Hollie Doyle drive to hold the chasing pack, headed by Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), by 3/4-of-length. Course specialist Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) was a head adrift in third, a neck in front of the fast-closing antipodean Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}).
“We were getting him ready for Dubai in the spring, but he fractured a fetlock in February and it's been an amazing route back for him,” explained trainer Archie Watson. “I'm not one for sectionals, but I was told he did the fastest closing final two furlongs in the race last year. This year, thankfully, we were drawn with the Czech horse who goes off quick. When Regional and Live In The Dream came out I couldn't decide if I wanted them in as pace angles or out as very good horses. Luckily Ponntos was always going to go what he did, but Hollie [Doyle] was even taking Bradsell back off him as he was going so well today. I thought when the injury happened it would be a question of saving him for a stallion job next year, but at every stage he passed with flying colours. I know the vets like to stay behind the scenes, but they really have done a phenomenal job with this horse. We still can't believe a horse like this was buyable for £50,000. That is expensive for us and I know people see us as a big yard, but we have very few six-figure horses and for us to compete at this sort of level by buying horses at a lower level, it means a lot. He won the Coventry and he's a King's Stand winner. Now he's a Nunthorpe winner and I hope he can keep doing more.”
Hollie Doyle was beaming in the aftermath and added, “It's a real credit to Archie. When Bradsell had his injury we weren't sure if he was going to run again, but here we are winning the Nunthorpe. Obviously I'm aware Hayley [Turner] won this and I think she's just grateful to see someone else in the position to be capable of winning it. The race went perfectly to plan, I just feared that the other side might come across and negate the advantage. The ground he gained on the others in the first two furlongs was incredible really. I could have really done with Ponntos leading me for a bit longer, but I'm lucky that Bradsell is very straightforward. He was travelling best everywhere. I had plenty left in the final furlong, but he was idling a bit and I was starting to think I could have gone quicker. I haven't won a Group 1 since Trueshan in the [2023] Prix du Cadran and this was the ride I was looking forward to most this week. He's a very special horse to me and doing it for Archie makes it really special. The owners, Victorious Racing, have been really loyal to us, so it's great.”
George Boughey was buoyant after the display of second home Believing, whose consistency has been her hallmark this term. “I'm just delighted,” he said. “She was probably on the wrong side [of the draw] and credit to Archie's horse, he's a very fast horse. Believing just gets a bit outpaced at that crucial point and nothing really took her into the race properly. It was a lovely ride from Ryan [Moore] and she was getting there with each stride. She will head to the [G1] Flying Five [at the Curragh] and that has been the plan for a long time. She's dancing every dance and, hopefully, she pops up at some point.”
Ralph Beckett was delighted with the performance of third-place finisher Starlust and commented, “It was a terrific effort and I'm thrilled with him. He's a big horse and he's going to get bigger and stronger as he gets older. He's climbed the ranks, he's very consistent and loves it here. That's a significant factor and hopefully we will be back here this time next year.”
Henry Dwyer was at a loss to explain the defeat of 6-4 favourite Asfoora, who might continue her European tour in Ireland. “Oisin [Murphy] made mention of the fact that the track was suitable, firmness-wise, but after three days of racing, it's quite chopped out and he just didn't feel like he could get traction,” the trainer said. “He might be looking for excuses and we might be looking for excuses, but that's what he was hanging his hat on, to an extent. I'd have to watch a replay, but it just looked like Ponntos quickened away from them early and Bradsell sort of tracked him and we couldn't quite go. I didn't like Asfoora's last 50 yards, she was there to run second, or at least third, and she just looked a little bit plain. We never make decisions on raceday and we won't know if there is a genuine excuse until the next couple of days. We'll have a think about things and see what we do going forward. Whether she's reached her peak and is on the way down, or whether she didn't like the track, I'm not sure. I wouldn't be thinking of going to the Breeders' Cup and, if there was an option, we might go to Ireland for the Flying Five. If anything comes out of the run and we're not happy with her, she'll be going home for sure.”
🚀🔴⚪️
Bradsell prevails to land the Group 1 @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes for @Archie_Watson and @HollieDoyle1 🏆 @yorkracecourse @ChampionsSeries | @SkyBet pic.twitter.com/5HATvLdvqE
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Bradsell's catalogue page is light on black-type with his Listed Radley Stakes-winning dam Russian Punch (GB) (Archipenko) the only individual of note under the first four dams. Half-brother to a weanling filly by Oasis Dream (GB), he is the fourth of six live foals and one of two winners for his dam. The February-foaled bay's fourth dam Champenoise (GB) (Forzando {GB}), who hails from the family of Group 1-winning sires Mister Majestic (Ire) (Tumble Wind) and Homme De Loi (Ire) (Law Society), is out of a half-sister to G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Phoenix Stakes placegetter Run To Jenny (Ire) (Runnett {GB}) and G3 Child Stakes third Linda's Fantasy (Ire) (Raga Navarro {Ity}).
Friday, York, Britain
COOLMORE WOOTTON BASSETT NUNTHORPE STAKES-G1, £500,000, York, 8-23, 2yo/up, 5fT, :57.34, g/f.
1–BRADSELL (GB), 139, c, 4, by Tasleet (GB)
1st Dam: Russian Punch (GB) (SW-Eng), by Archipenko
2nd Dam: Punch Drunk (GB), by Beat Hollow (GB)
3rd Dam: Bebe De Cham (GB), by Tragic Role
TDN Rising Star. (12,000gns Ylg '21 TATSOM; £47,000 2yo '22 GOFTY). O-Victorious Racing; B-Mrs D O'Brien (GB); T-Archie Watson; J-Hollie Doyle. £283,550. Lifetime Record: SW-Fr, 10-5-0-3, $1,076,304. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Believing (Ire), 136, f, 4, Mehmas (Ire)–Misfortunate (Ire), by Kodiac (GB). (70,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT; 115,000gns 2yo '22 TATBRE). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Jane Addams); B-M Mullen & Cloneymore Farm (IRE); T-George Boughey. £107,500.
3–Starlust (GB), 137, c, 3, Zoustar (Aus)–Beyond Desire (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (55,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Branton Court Stud LLP (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £53,800.
Margins: 3/4, HD, NK. Odds: 2.00, 7.00, 12.00.
Also Ran: Asfoora (Aus), Ponntos (Ire), Washington Heights (GB), Makarova (GB), Big Evs (Ire), Azure Blue (Ire), Frost At Dawn, So Majestic (Ire), Clarendon House (GB). Scratched: Live In The Dream (Ire), Regional (GB).
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