Lady Bowthorpe

"This business is a great leveller," says Emma Banks, who is preparing for the sales debut of the first foal of her star mare Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) at Tattersalls next week. The Dubawi (Ire) colt is being consigned by Fittocks Stud, where he was born, and is lot 242 on Wednesday.  "It's getting nerve-wracking. He's going to be the second horse I've sold this year. I had a yearling in the Somerville Sale, which didn't sell. I'd have happily raced him but Tim Easterby bought him outside the...

William Jarvis is to decide between Group 1 targets for stable star Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) at Goodwood next week with the Qatar Nassau S. and Qatar Sussex S. both under consideration.  The 5-year-old mare, owned by Emma Banks, started her season with victory in the G2 Dahlia S. at Newmarket and was then runner-up to Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Lockinge S. A poor blood test has ruled Palace Pier out of the Sussex S., bringing the mile contest and a clash with top 3-year-old...

Having sprung a surprise when winning Ascot's G3 Valiant Fillies' S. over a mile in July, Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) demonstrated a deadly turn of acceleration which made the difference on Sunday as she upgraded her portfolio with a win in Newmarket's G2 Betfair Dahlia S. Comfortable being held up in last off the moderate early pace by Kieran Shoemark, the 6-1 shot tracked last year's runner-up Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal) heading down into the "dip" and blew by that 2-1 favourite inside the final 150 yards. At the...

Let's not forget, however great the lure of the sales ring or a wafting cheque book may be, thoroughbreds are bred to race. In the case of Prince Khalid Abdullah, Coolmore and Peter Brant, it could be said that we have three owner-breeders who are somewhat immune to commercially-based decisions when it comes to keeping a horse in training. Nevertheless, they are to be commended for racing on mares of the calibre of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). At 'only' five, Magical...