Sunday’s G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Baden looked a competitive affair beforehand, but Godolphin’s always highly-regarded and long-absent Ghaiyyath (Ire)(Dubawi {Ire}) turned it into his own personal procession with as impressive a display to have been witnessed at the picturesque Iffezheim venue. Allowing William Buick an armchair ride as he clicked into autopilot in an isolated lead, the 23-10 second favourite already had all rivals in trouble turning for home in what amounted to a Dubai Millennium-style exhibition. Keeping up the remorseless gallop to the line, the bay came home alone with a yawning 14-length gap to the 3-year-old filly Donjah (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}) and another 4 1/4 lengths to Gestut Ittlingen’s G1 Deutsches Derby hero and 9-5 favourite Laccario (Ger) (Scalo {GB}) in third. “Ghaiyyath is an amazing horse,” commented Buick, who was gaining his first group 1 win since his own comeback from injury. “He is a monster, an absolute monster. Let’s hope that he will be around for a while.”

 

Ghaiyyath, who issued early notice that he was an above-average proposition when winning the G3 Autumn S. at Newmarket in October 2017, has proven hard to keep on the track with patience the watchword for the imposing colt. Not seen after that success until registering a three-length verdict in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange over 10 furlongs at ParisLongchamp in September, he was next in evidence in totally dominant mood from the front in the G2 Prix d’Harcourt back there Apr. 7. When it came to the G1 Prix Ganay over an extra half furlong there three weeks later, he was only third as the 1-2 favourite as Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) bounded past in the straight and connections were left with the impression that he had failed to fire.

 

This was a resounding statement of intent from the bay on his first attempt at a trip that Charlie Appleby felt would fit perfectly and it would be no surprise were connections to tilt at the Oct. 6 G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at France’s premier track that he knows so well. “He was very impressive in the Prix d’Harcourt in the spring–you very rarely see a horse do what he did that day,” Buick added. “For one reason or another, he disappointed in the Prix Ganay but Charlie has always been adamant that Ghaiyyath will stay a mile and a half and he showed that today.”

 

Appleby, who had picked him out as the stable’s most exciting prospect at the start of the season, was not ruling out a crack at the Arc and commented, “I am very lucky to be in this position with Ghaiyyath and we have always felt that a mile and a half was going to be his trip. It was a very impressive performance and I am delighted that the horse has shown us today what we have always felt he could potentially do. This race is a very good preparation for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and it is a nice discussion that we can have over the next 10 days or two weeks. All of my decisions are made with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and we look forward to talking about Ghaiyyath and deciding whether we head towards Longchamp or look elsewhere.”

 

Ghaiyyath’s dam is the Late Gita Weld’s homebred G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is also responsible for the GI Man o’War S., G3 Kilternan S. and G3 Blue Wind S. heroine Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and the listed-placed Sleeping Beauty (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The latter is in turn the dam of the GIII With Anticipation S. runner-up Irish Territory (Ire) (Declaration of War), while Zhukova is now in the Godolphin broodmare band after being secured for 3.7million gns at the 2017 Tattersalls December Mares Sale. The second dam is the Listed Platinum S. winner Caumshinaun (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who is connected to the GI Sword Dancer Invitational hero King’s Drama (Ire) (King’s Theatre {Ire}). Nightime’s yearling and foal colts are also by Dubawi, with the former being snapped up by Stroud Coleman Bloodstock for 700,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.

 

Sunday, Baden-Baden, Germany
147TH LONGINES GROSSER PREIS VON BADEN-G1, €250,000, Baden-Baden, 9-1, 3yo/up, 12fT, 2:30.08, gd.
1–GHAIYYATH (IRE), 132, c, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
     1st Dam: Nightime (Ire) (G1SW-Ire, $299,507), by Galileo (Ire)
     2nd Dam: Caumshinaun (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
     3rd Dam: Ridge Pool (Ire), by Bluebird
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€1,100,000 Wlg ’15 GOFNOV). O-Godolphin; B-Springbank Way Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. €150,000. Lifetime Record: MGSW & G1SP-Fr, GSW-Eng, 7-5-0-2, €345,854. *1/2 to Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Hwt. Older Mare-Eur at 9.5-11f, GISW-US & MGSW-Ire, $499,594; and Sleeping Beauty (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for theeNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Donjah (Ger), 121, f, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Dyanamore, by Mt. Livermore. (€100,000 Ylg ’17 BBASEP). O-Darius Racing; B-Gestut Karlshof (GER); T-Henk Grewe. €60,000.
3–Laccario (Ger), 125, c, 3, Scalo (GB)–Laccata (GB), by Lomitas (GB). O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen (GER); T-Andreas Wohler. €25,000.
Margins: 14, 4 1/4, 4HF. Odds: 2.30, 19.00, 1.80.
Also Ran: Colomano (GB), Accon (Ger), Akribie (Ger), Amiro (Ger), Ashrun (Fr), Communique (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(1) SEUNGNI JEONSEOL was all over the place in her first few starts but has got things together well recently and comes in having finished 2^nd in her latest start on August 11^th, running on well. She’s the form horse and should be registering her maiden win here. (10) GYEONGGUKJIMA has had an interrupted career but goes well on her day. She’s not got much in the way of speed but may not need to in order to go close here. She got a good 2^nd two starts back and can repeat that today. As for the rest, we’re looking for something to step up. (8) MASEONG JILJU has been through three trials since he last raced and could be one. (4) HIT THE PACE, returning from six months out, could be another.

Selections	(1) Seungni Jeonseol (10) Gyeonggukjima (8) Maseong Jilju (4) Hit The Pace
Next Best	2, 3
Fast Start	1, 7, 8

Seoul Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 60 Million

Juvenile filly maidens here with just three of the twelve having raced before. Of those three, only (11) JEONGSEONG STAR has demonstrated much in the way of ability, running 3^rd – albeit ten lengths behind the winner – over 1200M on her second start at the end of July. She can aim to match that here. O the debut makers, (4) DOKBO CHEONHA is half-sister to Captain Blade, who was a precocious youngster before injury ended his career after six wins from ten starts. She won her latest trial in a fast time and is set to be favourite. (2) CHEONDUNG YEOUL is the third foal out of Korean Listed winner Cheoneun and she was similarly impressive when winning a trial, albeit on a wet-assisted track. (5) LUCKY SMILE and (7) SHINY FIRE are others who can debut well.

Selections	(4) Dokbo Cheonha (2) Cheondung Yeoul (11) Jeongseong Star (5) Lucky Smile
Next Best	7, 6
Fast Start	2, 3, 4, 11

Seoul Race 3: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

It’s time for (4) YULONG FLYING to make the breakthrough. He’s been knocking on the door for some time and comes in off a good 2^nd on a muddy track at this distance at the end of July. He should be a cut above these. (2) ACE WIN has done nothing wrong in two starts so far and can continue to improve here while (11) WONDERFUL PANGPANG disappointed slightly last time out but looked well when winning a trial a couple of weeks ago. (1) PENUNMBRA and (8) WONDERFUL CAT, the latter starting for just the second time, are others who may challenge for the places.

Selections	(4) Yulong Flying (2) Ace Win (11) Wonderful Pangpang (1) Penumbra
Next Best	8, 3
Fast Start	1, 3, 4, 11

Seoul Race 4: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Totally wide-open handicap here with lots coming in off good recent form and potentially ready to win. (9) BLACK PARTY has a 2^nd and a 3^rd in two starts at this level since getting her maiden win over this distance in March. She’ll look to get on pace here and can win again. (3) HANSEN BAROWS comes in having run a close 2^nd over the distance on July 27^th, running on well from a wide draw. Expect him to be up with the leaders earlier rom gate 3 and he has a real chance. (1) MYEONGMA JILJU was a touch disappointing when 6^th on a very wet track last start but has unlucky not to win the time before at class and distance and should be close here. (2) LUCKY SOCHEON, (11) CHEON GOE SEONG and (4) LAO JIN, the latter specialising in finishing 3^rd, are among several others in the hunt.

Selections	(3) Hansen Barows (9) Black Party (1) Myeongma Jilju (11) Cheon Goe Seong
Next Best	2, 4, 7
Fast Start	1, 3, 5, 9

Seoul Race 5: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(3) MENI GRAND has a 4^th and a 2^nd from two starts so far at this class following back to back wins in April and May which got her rapidly promoted. She’ll be close to the pace here and can go on to win. (9) LUMINESCE comes in with similar form having also been rapidly promoted and also runs at this class for the third time. He was 2^nd on his latest outing, also at this distance. He’s very much a front-runner and could prove difficult to get past. (2) DELTA K has recent form reading very positively and can continue that good run here. (1) FOREVER WINNER, who already has a class and distance score to her name, and (6) BUCKETFUL GOLD, up in class after a pair of runner-up finishes, are others in at least the placing frame in what is a competitive race.

Selections	(3) Meni Grand (9) Luminesce (6) Bucketful Gold (2) Delta K
Next Best	1, 10
Fast Start	3, 4, 6, 9

Busan Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

(4) DONE IT MY is a twenty-six-race maiden but beat a couple of these on his way to 4^thplace over 1300M on August 4^th. He’s a slow starter but has a decent finish on him and will pass horses late on. Will he pass enough, though? If he doesn’t then (2) ULSAN JANGGUN may be one that he fails to reel in. He’s a solid campaigner at this level and should be on pace from the gate here with every chance of sticking on the whole way around. (6) MAJOR PUNCH is up in class having scored her maiden win by half a length at the end of July and looks to have scope for more progress. (3) TIZ JYFUL and (12) MAJOR POWER are others who can go close in a competitive race.

Selections	(2) Ulsan Janggun (4) Done It My (6) Major Punch (3) Tiz Joyful
Next Best	12, 9
Fast Start	2, 5

Seoul Race 6: Class 4 (1700M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

(9) CALL WIN has been knocking on the door in each of his latest three, beating several of these along the way. He’s taken to this distance very nicely and today ought to be the day he makes his breakthrough. (5) YOUNG STORM also has recent good form over this distance and while he only managed 5^th of 8 over 1300M last start, he should be better…   Read more of this post