By Tom Frary
Backing up his success in last month's G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York, Victorious Racing's Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}–Russian Punch {GB}, by Archipenko) proved he is a sprinter to be reckoned with by doubling up in Sunday's G1 Flying Five Stakes at The Curragh. Prominent throughout under Hollie Doyle, the Archie Watson-trained 2-1 favourite was committed two out and stayed on strongly to score by 1 1/4 lengths from compatriot Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) to bring his group 1 win tally to three having also conquered last year's G1 King's Stand Stakes. Another Brit Makarova (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) was the same margin back in third, with the first six home all hailing from England. With the victory, Bradsell has punched his ticket to the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar in November.
“He's so special. He just dominated them,” Doyle said of the winner, whose prior visits to this track had resulted in a fourth in the G1 Phoenix Stakes and seventh in this race 12 months ago. “I'm always confident when I'm riding him, but his track record hasn't been great here which was a little bit of a worry. He's just improved and improved and proven today he's one of the best sprinters around.”
“He bangs out of the stalls, you can fill him up and hold onto him. He's got a good turn of foot and he tries real hard,” she added. “I was happy to have the two to aim at and I knew when I pushed the button he'd give me all he could, but it's a stiff five here so I was just trying to hold onto him as long as I can. He has been our flagbearer this year and long may it continue.”
Watson is ready for the next part of the journey. “I thought he was by far the best sprinter around and I hope he's showing people that he is,” he declared. “He's so fast and so tough and just a pleasure to have anything to do with. At the beginning of last year we were going down the Commonwealth Cup route as he had won a Coventry over a stiff six and I didn't even have him in the King's Stand, but he wasn't really finishing off over six. Luckily, we were able to supplement him for the King's Stand and it's been five since then.”
“I wouldn't mind trying an easy six, but I don't see why. He's so good at five, there are plenty of group 1s to run in and the two more obvious races–the Abbaye and the Breeder's Cup in Del Mar. I wouldn't want it to be horrible ground and the draw stupid at Longchamp, so the Breeder's Cup should be right up his street. One or both of those would be the plan.”
Pedigree Notes
Bradsell's dam Russian Punch, who captured the seven-furlong Listed Radley Stakes, hails from the family of the G1 Middle Park Stakes hero Mister Majestic (Ire) and the G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Homme De Loi (Ire). Her filly foal by Oasis Dream (GB) is named Ruby Punch (GB).
BRADSELL 💫
Bradsell remains unbeaten in 2024 after landing the Group 1 @BarOneRacing Flying Five Stakes.
That's 3⃣ top-level wins for the @Archie_Watson stable star.
🟥⬜️ @HollieDoyle1 | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/VKxjTBcn7B
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2024
Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
BAR ONE RACING FLYING FIVE STAKES-G1, €400,000, Curragh, 9-15, 3yo/up, 5fT, :57.25, gd.
1–BRADSELL (GB), 132, 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. €240,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, SW-Fr, 11-6-0-3, $1,336,090. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Believing (Ire), 129, 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. €80,000.
3–Makarova (GB), 129, m, 5, Acclamation (GB)–Vesnina (GB), by Sea The Stars (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Brightwalton Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Ed Walker. €40,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 2.00, 3.50, 28.00.
Also Ran: Kerdos (Ire), Washington Heights (GB), Desperate Hero (GB), Bucanero Fuerte (GB), Beautiful Diamond (GB), Big Gossey (Ire), She's Quality (Ire), Ano Syra (Ire), Givemethebeatboys (Ire), Go Athletico (Fr), Matilda Picotte (Ire), Jasour (GB), Vadream (GB), Moss Tucker (Ire), Go Bears Go (Ire).
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