Queen Mary

Star Bloodstock, the consignment that unearthed talents like Malavath (Ire), A'Ali (Ire) and more, is set to wind down its breeze-up operation and concentrate entirely on producing future top-notchers on the racetrack instead.  The shift in focus has reaped immediate rewards with the aptly-named Make Haste (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), a leading Royal Ascot contender after posting a stunning debut success at Naas for trainer and breeze-up consignor Diego Dias, being snapped up by Gainesway and LNJ Foxwoods.  Bought by Byron Rogers, Star Bloodstock and Dias at the Tattersalls Book...

As 2023 draws to a close, the TDN is asking industry members to name their favorite moment of the year. Send yours to suefinley@thetdn.com Crimson Advocate winning the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot in a photo finish. It was a huge moment and accomplishment for my young syndicate.

Ever since Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio)'s win in the G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. at Naas last month, bloodstock agent Mark McStay had been pestering Taylor Made's Mark Taylor to make his plans to come to Royal Ascot. But the Taylor family is more known for probity and hard work than they are flights of fancy, and Taylor demurred, citing preparations for upcoming sales in America. But when Porta Fortuna launched a determined bid and got up for the win in Friday's G3 Albany S. at Ascot...

Top breeze-up handler Katie McGivern has put Queen Mary favourite Born To Rock (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}) up there with the best horses that she has been associated with and described producing a two-year-old with leading Royal Ascot credentials as "ridiculously exciting". Born To Rock confirmed herself to be aptly named when romping to victory for trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam on debut at Yarmouth just 20 days after being sold by McGivern's Derryconnor Stud to Amanda Skiffington for 110,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale.  "To have a winner at Royal...

While records were being broken at the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Sale on Friday, leading breeze-up handler Diego Dias showed that there is always another way to get a horse sold when sending out Gaenari (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) to finish second in the opening maiden on Guineas weekend.  It was just over a month ago when Dias was forced to buy back Gaenari after she failed to put in the breeze he felt she was capable of doing. Devoid of any other options, Dias, backed by Star Bloodstock's Matt...

It was Mike Tyson who famously said, 'everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.' Racing is a sport where the metaphoric punches can be unrelenting.  Therefore, when New York-based trainer Tom Morley dreamed up the idea of purchasing a filly with the idea of returning home to England to try and win the G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot, he knew the plan was a daring one.  But credit to Cynane (Omaha Beach), bought for $250,000 through Oracle Bloodstock at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale,...

The first major yearling sale of the autumn in Britain or Ireland, the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale provided entertainment from the beginning to the end, but most importantly, boasted impressive figures. Brian Sheerin was in attendance and discusses the major talking points from the sale. Figures on the up The team at Goffs UK could hardly have wished for a better start to the Premier Yearling Sale. The day one figures were off the charts. Of the 218 lots offered on Tuesday, 199 were sold, representing a clearance rate...

From State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) silencing his doubters once again to Irad Ortiz's week going from bad to worse, there was plenty to digest from day two at Royal Ascot. Brian Sheerin fleshed out the main talking points from another thrilling day's action.  Eldar Eldarov Owner Is Living The Dream  HH Shaikh Khalid, owner of Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), told ITV Racing that his dream in racing is to find a horse good enough to stand as a stallion. Eldar Eldarov could well be up to fulfilling...

David Marnane has warned that MRC International, the syndicate behind Tuesday's impressive Tipperary scorer Lady Tilbury (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), are only just getting started and have much more to look forward to than the Royal Ascot-bound speedster.  Lady Tilbury is just the type you need for the Queen Mary S., according to Marnane, who revealed that of the 19 juveniles that the recently-formed syndicate own, some of the best have yet to grace the track.  No stranger to success at the royal meeting having managed Dandy Boy (Ity) (Danetime)...

Last week's G3 Molecomb S. winner Liberty Beach (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) is likely to take in York's G2 Lowther S. on Aug. 22 rather than the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville four days earlier, according to trainer John Quinn. "She's in the Morny and the Lowther, but I think she'll run in the Lowther," said Quinn. "She's been absolutely fine since Goodwood. She's had an easy-ish time since. She cantered lovely on Monday and I couldn't be happier with her. "Obviously you never know until you try [six furlongs],...

Wesley Ward was no shrinking violet in the build-up to Wednesday's G2 Queen Mary S. at Royal Ascot, and stressed just how well Acapulco (Scat Daddy) had prepared for her date with destiny. Having surprised her trainer by fading into third after attempting to make all tackling 4 1/2 furlongs on the Churchill Downs main track May 8, he reported the imposing chestnut had breezed in eye-popping style in subsequent Keeneland works. Ultimately, the $750,000 OBS March purchase (click here for breeze video) justified every breath of hyperbole, and improved...