Robert Havlin

Cheveley Park Stud's homebred Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the second foal out of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), was an absentee from last year's October Book 1 fixture, but made his presence felt in Thursday's Napoleons Casino & Restaurant EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster and collected a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette with a taking 4 3/4-length tally in the six-furlong contest. The 16-5 favourite was slowly into stride and trailed all 10 rivals through the early fractions of this debut. Taking forward...

Irish Derby weekend kicks off at the Curragh on Friday and there are no shortage of potential talking points. From highly-regarded juveniles, intriguingly-bred newcomers, stars of the future and potential banana skins, all of the ingredients are there to make the action on the track absorbing and informative. Here are some things to keep an eye out for.  Twomey Tipped To Begin Derby Weekend With A Bang The opening two-year-old maiden on Friday has the potential to be a cracker and the Paddy Twomey-trained Admiral Churchill (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) is...

The G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday, June 30 has been confirmed as the next port of call for Epsom runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), with Robert Havlin again booked to ride having replaced Callum Shepherd in the premier Classic. Sent off the 9/2 second favourite at Epsom following a dominant four-and-a-half-length success in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial S. on his previous start, Ambiente Friendly proved himself a high-class colt when chasing home City Of Troy (Justify) on that occasion, ultimately passing the...

Robert Havlin has been booked to ride Ambiente Friendly (Ire) in the G1 Betfred Derby, replacing Callum Shepherd aboard the leading Epsom contender when the Classic is run on Saturday, June 1. Trained by James Fanshawe, Ambiente Friendly has been ridden by Shepherd in both his previous starts this season, most notably in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial S. earlier this month when he announced himself as a potentially top-class colt with an impressive four-and-a-half-length victory. The son of Gleneagles (Ire) is now a best-priced 5/1 for the Derby and...

As expected, Cheveley Park Stud's colours were in the winner's enclosure following Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. on Saturday but it was aboard the Gosdens' 22-1 shot Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}--Ladyship {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) who uber-excelled in his task of pacemaking for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Labelled a TDN Rising Star at two, the homebred grandson of the Thompsons' 2006 Lockinge heroine Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) had shown what he could do when left alone on the lead with ample space to express himself in last year's G3 Criterion...

It is the G3 Winter Derby, so it must be time for the return from hibernation of the Clarehaven stalwart and late-winter specialist Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Gearing up for his attempt at a fourth consecutive G1 Dubai Turf, the 8-year-old will be reunited with Robert Havlin who has partnered him in the last two editions of this prize formerly staged over 10 furlongs at Lingfield. Now at Southwell with an extra furlong added on, it will represent a different test for the high-class veteran whose probable limit is...

Al Shaqab Racing's Orne (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}--Pellucid {GB}, by Excelebration {Ire}) followed up a Sept. 22 debut success at Kempton with a fourth over one mile in last month's G3 Autumn S. and regained the winning thread with a pillar-to-post victory in Saturday's rescheduled G3 Betfred Horris Hill S. at Newmarket. The 10-1 chance was swiftly into stride and tanked along on the front end through halfway. Nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker, he came under sterner urging approaching the final furlong and, despite drifting left in the closing stages,...

Almost a year on from the portentous debut win of Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) at Kempton, that recently-crowned king of the staying division's more fleet-footed half-brother Lion's Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion--Crimson Ribbon, by Lemon Drop Kid) surged to TDN Rising Star status at the same venue on Wednesday evening. Having been a highly promising runner-up on debut over 10 furlongs at Newcastle in May, Anthony Oppenheimer's homebred was partnered by Robert Havlin who had also been aboard his illustrious G1 Gold Cup-winning half-sibling in that eye-catching win 10...

Ascot's Naas Racecourse Royal Ascot Trials Day British EBF Fillies' S. offers the G1 Coronation S. hopefuls a chance to get acquainted with the track and Normandie Stud's Queen For You (Ire) (Kingman {GB}--Fallen For You {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) could be one for that contest after earning TDN Rising Star status on Wednesday. Debuting in the mile encounter, the John and Thady Gosden-trained daughter of the 2012 Coronation heroine whose half-siblings include the multiple group winner Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and who is a full-sister to the listed scorer Love...

Meydan's G1 Dubai Turf calls again for the now-veteran Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) as HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing's pride and joy marked his 2023 debut with a comfortable success in Saturday's G3 BetUK Winter Derby at Lingfield. Reported by jockey Robert Havlin to be further ahead than 12 months ago when he came up against the formidable presence of Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) in this, the 8-11 favourite travelled with gusto anchored behind the early leaders. Taking time to wind up approaching the home straight, the Gosdens'...

Newcastle's Monday card featured the It's Time To Turn To Talksport Novice S., a juvenile novices' heat annexed in 2020 by Godolphin's subsequent dual Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), and this year's renewal has yielded another capable of striking at a higher level after Imad Al Sagar's 2-year-old colt Intinso (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}--Rose Of Miracles {GB}, by Dalakhani {Ire}), a homebred John and Thady Gosden trainee, powered to an impressive 3 1/4-length debut victory and a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette. The well-backed 1-2 favourite settled under cover...

One-time Derby favourite Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will return to action at Saint-Cloud on Saturday. Connections of the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt opted to sidestep the Derby after he picked up a mid-season setback. Instead, Reach For The Moon was aimed at Royal Ascot, where he was beaten as a 2-5 favourite behind Claymore (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) in the Hampton Court S. Now owned by the King, he is back in action over a mile in Paris for the Group 3 Prix Perth,...