By Tom Frary
Impressing with his debut success over six furlongs at Nottingham last month, KHK Racing Ltd's Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}–Mosa Mine {GB}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}) stamped his class on Thursday's G2 Markel Richmond S. at Goodwood. As the 625,000gns joint-topper at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained relative of Anabaa and Key Of Luck travelled ominously well following the pace before taking command with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining. Soon clear under Andrea Atzeni, the 11-8 favourite had a length to spare over Ballymount Boy (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) at the line as he in turn pulled five lengths clear of the G2 July S. third Toca Madera (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}).
This renewal lost some lustre after the withdrawals of the G2 July S. winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and the G2 Railway S. runner-up and TDN Rising Star Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), but in Vandeek it was showcasing a genuine talent for the operation that had enjoyed success at this level last season with another juvenile sensation Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Vandeek had blown the start at Nottingham, but showed an abundance of class to easily overcome that disadvantage and he was nobody's secret here.
“He looked pretty special when he won first time out at Nottingham,” Atzeni said. “He's got a bit of a pedigree, he's obviously improved since Nottingham and he showed today how good he is.” Simon Crisford added, “Nothing really took him into the race for as long as we would like today, he was in front too soon and he sorted of idled. I think there's tons of improvement to come and I think we'll head for the Prix Morny on Aug. 19. Obviously that is dependent on Sheikh Khalid's wishes, but he likes to be bold and brave and I'm sure he will want to go for the Group 1. Stamina-wise, he's of out an Exceed And Excel mare, there's tons of speed in his pedigree but he strikes us at home like he will go further. He's big, scopey, he stands over a lot of daylight–he will stay.”
Ballymount Boy's trainer Adrian Keatley said, “He didn't help himself early on–he was a bit slow away and slow to get into his stride, but he's a fair horse and we were expecting that kind of run from him. We'll see where we go with him next, but we might contemplate going seven furlongs.”
Pedigree Notes
Vandeek's third dam Bamieres (Fr) (Riverman) was responsible for Balbonella (Fr) (Gay Mecene), who captured the Prix Robert Papin when it carried Group 1 status before producing a trio of high-class individuals. They were the aforementioned Anabaa who was successful in the G1 July Cup S. and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, Key Of Luck who also became an notable sire having finished runner-up in the GI Pimlico Special and Always Loyal (Zilzal), heroine of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.
Always Loyal is the second dam of the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies-winning champion Shonan Adela (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while another of Balbonella's progeny was the G3 Prix de la Grotte-placed Country Belle (Seattle Slew) who was the dam of the G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Country Reel (Danzig). Also connected to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Baine (Fr) by Country Reel, Mosa Mine's colt foal is by Starspangledbanner (Aus).
Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
MARKEL RICHMOND S.-G2, £175,000, Goodwood, 8-3, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:13.45, sf.
1–VANDEEK (GB), 128, c, 2, by Havana Grey (GB)
1st Dam: Mosa Mine (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus)
2nd Dam: Baldemosa (Fr), by Lead On Time
3rd Dam: Bamieres (Fr), by Riverman
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (52,000gns Wlg '21
TADEWE; 42,000gns Ylg '22 TADEY; 625,000gns 2yo '23
TATBRE). O-KHK Racing; B-Maywood Stud (GB); T-Simon & Ed
Crisford; J-Andrea Atzeni. £99,243. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0,
$130,900. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ballymount Boy (Ire), 128, c, 2, Camacho (GB)–Kasalla (Ire),
by Footstepsinthesand (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP
BLACK TYPE. (€8,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY; €110,000 2yo '23
TATGOR). O-Keatley Racing Owners Group & D Moore;
B-Fontstown Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Adrian Keatley. £37,625.
3–Toca Madera (Ire), 128, g, 2, Bated Breath (GB)–Hala Hala
(Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€40,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1;
£45,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Family Amusements Ltd & Mr J
Botton; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock (IRE); T-Brian Meehan. £18,830.
Margins: 1, 5, 2. Odds: 1.38, 25.00, 7.50.
Also Ran: Hala Emaraaty (Ire), Bobsleigh (Ire), Sketch (Ire), Nazalan (Ire). Scratched: Asadna (Ire), Emperor's Son (Ire), Jasour (GB), Unquestionable (Fr), Watch My Tracer (Ire). VIDEO.
🏆Gr.2 Winner for HAVANA GREY🏆
And what a performance! 🚀
VANDEEK storms clear to win the prestigious G2 Richmond Stakes @Goodwood_Races
Congratulations to breeder @maywoodstud & all connections of this exciting colt 👏👏pic.twitter.com/vmqkY1sSgG
— Whitsbury Manor Stud (@WhitsburyManor) August 3, 2023
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