By Sean Cronin
Coolmore and Westerberg's 'TDN Rising Star' Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Devoted To You {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) followed up an eighth-length debut tally at the Curragh with a black-type breakthrough back there in June's G3 International Stakes and, penalised three pounds for his narrow success in the latter, dipped into deep reserves to maintain his perfect record with a battling performance in Thursday's G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
The 4-5 favourite allowed this track's Listed Cocked Hat Stakes victor Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) establish a clear advantage through halfway and took closer order turning for home. Bustled along with three furlongs remaining to gain an edge passing the quarter-mile pole, he was joined by G3 Hampton Court Stakes third Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) approaching the final furlong and found plenty under a late drive to deny that rival by a neck in game fashion. The runner-up was 3 3/4 lengths clear of G1 Derby fifth Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire) (Anodin {Ire}) as Meydaan faded late to finish nine lengths back in fourth.
“Jan Brueghel stays very well, but he is very babyish and green,” said Aidan O'Brien after collecting a fourth renewal of the G1 St Leger trial. “He had to do an extra round in the parade ring because we were talking, Ryan [Moore] had to go down on his own and said he was very green going to the start. Ryan was delighted when the other horse went off in front and time and distance is going to improve him. We didn't do anything with him last year and you can really see it now. Ryan was very good on him and you'd have to be very happy. He led the other two to the leader and then got left there. All he was doing was looking in front of him and he wasn't really concentrating because he is such a baby, but he fought them off when Ryan asked him. It was a bit of a crash-course to come here, he had a lot to learn in a short time and I would say you'd have to go straight to the St Leger. It is only his third run but I wouldn't think there would be a chance for a run in between. He was a lot heavier today than for his last run, which usually means he is maturing. We also have the horse that won at Royal Ascot [Illinois] for the St Leger and the Irish Derby winner Los Angeles is a possible.”
Moore added, “Jan Brueghel will get better, there is definitely more class in there and we just need to get it out.”
It wasn't pretty but he's still unbeaten
toughs it out to land the Group 3 Gordon Stakes under an animated Ryan Moore.
Thoughts on his Leger prospects?@Goodwood_Races | @Qatar_Racing pic.twitter.com/0Nsx4aOTLU
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 1, 2024
Pedigree Notes
Jan Brueghel is the ninth of 11 foals and one of eight scorers for G2 Debutante Stakes and G3 Park Express Stakes placegetter Devoted To You (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), herself kin to a sextet of black-type performers headed by GIII Honeybee Stakes victrix Humble Eight (Seattle Battle). His second dam Alleged Devotion (Alleged) is a half-sister to G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Derby heroine Balanchine (Storm Bird). The May-foaled bay is a full-brother to G1 Irish Derby hero Sovereign (Ire) and G1 Irish St Leger third Dawn Rising (Ire). He is also kin to a yearling filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr) and a weanling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB).
Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
JOHN PEARCE RACING GORDON STAKES-G3, £200,000, Goodwood, 8-1, 3yo, 11f 218yT, 2:34.76, g/f.
1–JAN BRUEGHEL (IRE), 132, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Devoted To You (Ire) (MGSP-Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
2nd Dam: Alleged Devotion, by Alleged
3rd Dam: Morning Devotion, by Affirmed
TDN Rising Star. O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £113,420. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 3-3-0-0, $221,264. *Full to Sovereign (Ire), G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Eng, $1,173,919; and Dawn Rising (Ire), G1SP-Ire & GSP-Eng, $277,824. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Bellum Justum (Ire), 129, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Natural Beauty (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). (375,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £43,000.
3–Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire), 129, c, 3, Anodin (Ire)–Bell Su River (GB), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€30,000 Ylg '22 BBAGS). O-Australian Bloodstock; B-Thomas Lines (IRE); T-David Simcock. £21,520.
Margins: NK, 3 3/4, 9. Odds: 0.80, 2.75, 11.00.
Also Ran: Meydaan (Ire). Scratched: Align The Stars (Ire).
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