New Century (GB), the full-brother to the colt who topped Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when selling to Godolphin for 1,000,000gns, is said to be “flying at home” following his success in the GI Summer Stakes at Woodbine, with a trip to the Breeders' Cup next on the agenda for the son of first-season sire Kameko.
Like Kameko, New Century is trained for owners Qatar Racing by Andrew Balding, who said “He's got a great constitution and has taken everything in his stride, from travelling to Canada and winning to preparing now for the Breeders' Cup. He's been flying at home since he arrived back from Canada.”
The Summer Stakes was a “Win and You're In” for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf and all roads now lead to Del Mar where New Century will try to double his top-level tally when he lines up on Friday, November 1. Balding acknowledges that the sharp track might not be ideal, but he considers it a challenge worth taking on with a colt who continues to go from strength to strength.
“He's a horse that learns and improves and he's turned into a fantastic competitor,” the trainer added. “It's probably not the ideal track for him, but this is the Breeders' Cup–a million-dollar Grade I–and we're going for it. We'll need a bit of luck with the draw, but he's taken international travel in his stride.”
David Redvers similarly hailed the temperament of New Century after selling the full-brother at Park Paddocks on Thursday in his role as owner and managing director of Tweenhills Stud where Kameko stands. He also serves as the racing and bloodstock manager for Sheikh Fahad Al Thani and his brothers' Qatar Racing.
“New Century was bred at Tweenhills, he's by Kameko and he's trained by Andrew [Balding]–the whole story has come full circle,” said Redvers. “Winning at the Breeders' Cup is one of Sheikh Fahad's unfulfilled ambitions and to have a genuine contender in New Century gives the whole operation a huge boost.”
Boughey Fillies set for Breeders' Cup
The New Century team will be joined in San Diego by Newmarket trainer George Boughey, who is looking forward to travelling with both Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) and Soprano (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in his quest for a first winner at the Breeders' Cup.
The consistent Believing is set to take her chance in the Turf Sprint following a series of near-misses at the top level in Europe, while Soprano is an intended runner in the Filly and Mare Turf, having filled the runner-up spot on her most recent outing in the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland.
“She's a dream filly to train,” Boughey said of Believing. “Her rider Holly Walker has done a fantastic job with her and we've kept her work light. She's danced every dance and kept improving. We were unlucky not to win the Nunthorpe at York and we were drawn on the wrong side in Ireland, but she's been knocking on the door and, hopefully, it will open at the Breeders' Cup.”
Believing will reportedly wear cheekpieces for the Breeders' Cup, a decision influenced by her performance at Ascot last year when she contested the Champions Sprint Stakes.
“We put a set of cheekpieces on her for Ascot last year and I think that was as well as she's ever travelled–she was pretty much the last horse off the bridle,” Boughey continued. “That race was a defining factor in our decision to send her to America, because she travelled so well in the early stages of the race. It's a fast five [at Del Mar], but I've heard it can suit closers. As long as she's not too far out early, I think we'll see her finishing very strongly.”
Meanwhile, Soprano is said to have come out of her race at Keeneland last weekend in excellent shape as she prepares to step up in distance for the Filly and Mare Turf.
“She's put on muscle and weight and has turned into a big, strong filly–if she stays, she'll be a live each-way chance,” said Boughey, who has gone close at the Breeders' Cup before when Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) was beaten just a length into fourth in the 2021 Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar.
“To have runners there is special,” he added. “The Breeders' Cup has always been an important event for everyone involved and we're excited to be part of it again.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
