Hats Off At Royal Ascot As The Queen’s Tactical Takes the Windor Castle
Tactical | Julian Finney/Getty Images
A gamble was landed in the Listed Windor Castle S. as Tactical (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) brought up a 24th Royal Ascot winner for The Queen. Third on debut over this five-furlong trip at Newmarket June 4, the heavily-supported 7-2 favourite tracked the early pace stands’ side and after reeling in Muker (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the last half a furlong asserted to score by 1 1/4 lengths from Yazaman (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who denied Muker in a photo.
Trainer Andrew Balding, whose stable is in a rich vein of form, was basking in the satisfaction of training a first for the English monarch and said, “Tactical was showing a fair bit at home before we ran him first time out. He ran a nice race and learnt plenty and James [Doyle] gave him a lovely ride today, but we were quite hopeful, especially when it looked like the draw was more of a help than a hindrance. He would have been, for me, ready to run in April, which is very early for one of mine. He has got a great attitude and is very professional. It is obviously a huge thrill for all of us to have a Royal winner at the Royal meeting. I feel very lucky. Dad was lucky enough to have a Royal winner here and my uncle William [Lord Huntingdon] had a couple, so it is nice to keep up with them. I think he will be better over six furlongs and we stuck at five because we thought the Coventry Stakes would be a much stronger race, but he will certainly be going six furlongs and looks up to group class, anyway.”
James Doyle, who was riding a double on the day, added, “Things just didn’t quite go to plan [first time] as there was a speed and rail bias that day, but I loved the way he came home. The vibes were very positive and that was justified by him going off favourite–there was plenty of market support for him all day. It was a straightforward race. I was a bit concerned about the draw, but testament to Tactical–he took it all in his stride, he jumped the gates very quick. I kept things simple and was conscious about not getting to the front too soon on a horse who is inexperienced. It is just a huge honour. It is not one of the flagship races here, but it is the connections involved–it’s great.”
John Warren, Racing Manager to The Queen, commented, “Everyone involved is thrilled. All of Her Majesty’s stud team and staff team at Sandringham and Polehampton through to the operations that provide the horses and obviously Andrew Balding and his team. It is a big team effort and it’s wonderful for Toronado to sire a big two-year-old winner like that. It is lovely for The Queen. She has a nice, young mare and this is her first foal. Throughout the conversations, Her Majesty was saying how delighted she was to breed a two-year-old winner. It is lovely to breed and own a lovely Royal Ascot two-year-old.”
“Andrew Balding had been saying from the spring that Tactical was naturally precocious and had found his work terribly easy,” Warren continued. “It looked as though he was a nice prospect, although at that point we didn’t immediately clock him as an Ascot two-year-old. When he ran at Newmarket and he got himself into a bit of trouble, but he had such a good introduction and came out of the race so well, it boded well for his prospects to come here. He is very powerful and strong, so we thought we would take our chance over the five furlongs and luckily we learned that he will make the switch up to six furlongs quite happily, so we will look at races like the [G2] Richmond at Goodwood or the [G2] Prix Robert Papin. It is obviously a great shame that Her Majesty is not at Royal Ascot to enjoy the buzz of a winner. She has studied every bit of it today watching the races. The last two days she has been able to spend a little bit of time watching the big races.”
As John Warren stated, the winner is the first foal out of Make Fast who was second in the Listed Radley S. and Listed Surrey S. over seven furlongs. She is a half to Raymi Coya (Van Nistelrooy) who took the G3 Oh So Sharp S. and is related to this yard’s smart Raise You (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) who captured the Listed Fairway S. and was third in the G3 Rose of Lancaster S. Her yearling colt is by Iffraaj (GB), while her filly foal is by The Queen’s Recorder (GB).
Wednesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
WINDSOR CASTLE S.-Listed, £40,000, Ascot, 6-17, 2yo, 5fT, 1:00.04, gd.
1–TACTICAL (GB), 129, c, 2, by Toronado (Ire)
1st Dam: Make Fast (GB) (MSP-Eng), by Makfi (GB)
2nd Dam: Raymi Coya, by Van Nistelrooy
3rd Dam: Something Mon, by Maria’s Mon
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O/B-The Queen (GB); T-Andrew Balding; J-James Doyle. £23,680. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $30,547.
2–Yazaman (Ire), 129, c, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Online Alexander (Ire), by Acclamation (GB). (185,000gns Ylg ’19 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Mount Armstrong Stud (IRE); T-William Haggas. £8,956.
3–Muker (Ire), 129, c, 2, Mehmas (Ire)–Naias (Ire), by Namid (GB). (€32,000 Wlg ’18 GOFNOV; £27,000 Ylg ’19 GOFFPR). O-SYPS (UK) Ltd; B-Joe & June Staunton (IRE); T-Phillip Makin. £4,476.
Margins: 1 1/4, NO, 2. Odds: 3.50, 20.00, 40.00.
Also Ran: Get It (GB), Mighty Gurkha (Ire), Victory Heights (Ire), Chief Little Hawk, Sheriff Bianco, Sunshine City, Fools Rush In (Ire), Hyde Park Barracks, Selected (Ire), Fast Start (GB), Stay Smart (GB), Tantastic (GB), Astimegoesby (Ire), Tenth Century (GB), Honeydew (Ire). Scratched: Macho Pride (Ire), Steadman (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result.
Dubawi’s Lord North Sensational In the Prince of Wales’s
Lord North | Racing Post
With Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in her box at Clarehaven, John Gosden could have been forgiven for giving up on the 2020 G1 Prince of Wales’s S. but instead he unleashed a secret weapon in the hugely-progressive Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and duly collected regardless. Despite the striking manner of his success in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Haydock just 10 days previously, it was still a surprise to see that his trainer believed he was worthy of being pitched in at this level and now we know why. Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing’s imposing bay was the consummate professional for James Doyle throughout the early stages, cruising in rear and beginning his charge off the home turn. Storming past Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and to the front approaching the furlong pole, the 5-1 shot surged clear to beat that dual group 1 winner by a yawning 3 3/4 lengths, with Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}) completing the gelding trifecta 1 1/4 lengths further behind in third.
“I think when John takes a horse into a race like this you do have to prick your ears, and he was quite unexposed,” his jockey explained. “He felt great and although we had planned to take a nice tow into the race, as the gates opened the whole complexion of the race changed. It ended up being a truly-run race which suited us perfectly and he settled beautifully out the back and saved plenty of ground up the rail. He quickened up like a really nice horse and from my point of view it felt a pretty even pace. He travelled into it great and showed a good turn of foot. I think he can continue now and be a pretty strong force in these type of races.”
Lord North demonstrated what he was capable of when scoring by 11 lengths in a two-runner Newcastle novice last April, but after his subsequent last of eight in the Listed Heron S. at Sandown the following month it was clear that he needed gelding to fully tune in to his metier. Back in early September to finish second in a Cambridgeshire warm-up over a mile here, he built on that effort later in the month when annexing Newmarket’s prestigious nine-furlong contest in the style of a top-class animal. Runner-up sent back to this venue for the Balmoral H. again over a mile on Champions Day, he signed off his 3-year-old campaign with a clear-cut first black-type success in Newmarket’s Listed James Seymour S. over this trip in November.
This race was marked by the sluggish start of the 6-4 favourite Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and the subsequent decision by Silvestre de Sousa to cut out the running on Bangkok (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Barney Roy was too fresh in behind, as was the returning Headman (GB) (Kingman {GB}) but Lord North was always travelling well within himself as he waited for the pace to collapse up ahead. With the main contenders fanning out across the track in the straight, the powerful bay was able to cut between rivals and at the line was the only runner moving forward with any momentum.
John Gosden’s four winners of the Cambridgeshire all won group races the following season, but it was his first in 1994 that has entered immortality. Successful that year was Halling, who went on to operate as lord of the manor in Britain’s main 10-furlong contests of the following two seasons. Comparison with Lord North is undeniable now and their trainer was not playing it down after this sensational display. “It does bring back memories–both this horse and Halling came through, but both had interruptions to their training careers as three-year-olds,” he said. “This one had to be gelded, as he wasn’t prepared to play ball but he’s the happiest fellow ever now and a great character. Testosterone is the most dangerous drug in the world and it was certainly driving him completely mad. Since he’s been gelded he’s a very content, still very playful horse, but he’s not crazy like he used to be. We’ve always thought he was a very classy horse. It’s taken a long time to get it out of him, but that has always been more to do with the mind than anything else.”
“Bangkok set a strong pace, it was an end-to-end gallop and he picked them off,” Gosden added. “The favourite missed the break, which muddled the race for him, but this is a proper horse. He sat out the back and won with great authority–he could have waited even longer. He has got that turn of foot, but he is quickening and those in front were tiring a bit. This mile and a quarter takes some getting from Swinley Bottom, it rises many feet.”
Gosden was not committing to putting Lord North up against Enable in the G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown July 5. “I’d like to see how he comes out of this, as he was at Haydock only a few days ago and needs ot be freshened up. We’ll look at all possibilities, but he’s had two quick races and you have to be careful not to risk flattening them and taking that little bit of zest and energy away from them.” Longer term, Gosden has his eye on the GI Breeders’ Cup Turf, for which this is a ‘win and you’re in race’. “He might get a mile and a half at Keeneland. I just hope it doesn’t rain too much, as that track turns into a bit of a sandpit when it does,” he added.
William Haggas said of Addeybb, “I’m proud of him. He ran a great race, but he is better on softer ground. He ran terrific and tried his heart out. If I keep running him on good ground he won’t keep doing that though. He has become a very high-class, consistent horse.” Charlie Appleby was happy with the effort of Barney Roy and commented, “I was pleased. He has run well and he saw the ten furlongs out well. The winner has been very impressive in the end, but you could have thrown a blanket over the rest of them. He might be a horse to go to Australia with, if we are allowed. Some of those tracks might suit him.”
Lord North is out of Najoum (Giant’s Causeway), a winner at Redcar and Kempton in the Godolphin silks who is a half-sister to the GI Blue Grass S.-winning sire Bandini (Fusaichi Pegasus), as well as the G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Discourse (Street Cry {Ire}) who also produced two listed winners including Discursus (GB) to a mating with Dubawi. Lord North also shares his second dam Divine Dixie (Dixieland Band) with the GI Ashland S. winner Out For a Spin (Hard Spun), while the GI Santa Anita Oaks-winning third dam Hail Atlantis (Seattle Slew) produced the sire Stormy Atlantic from a mating with Giant’s Causeway’s sire Storm Cat.
This is also the family of the GI Summer S. winner Decorated Invader (Declaration of War), last year’s G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up Olendon (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) and the group and graded-stakes-winning half-siblinngs Atlando (Ire) (Hernando {Fr}) and Incanto Dream (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Also related to the G1 Observer Gold Cup hero and sire Apalachee (Round Table), Najoum has an as-yet unnamed 3-year-old filly by Teofilo (Ire), a yearling colt by Postponed (Ire) and a filly foal by New Approach {Ire}).
Wednesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
PRINCE OF WALES’S S.-G1, £250,000, Ascot, 6-17, 4yo/up, 9f 212yT, 2:05.63, gd.
1–LORD NORTH (IRE), 126, g, 4, by Dubawi (Ire)
1st Dam: Najoum, by Giant’s Causeway
2nd Dam: Divine Dixie, by Dixieland Band
3rd Dam: Hail Atlantis, by Seattle Slew
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-HH Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-James Doyle. £148,000. Lifetime Record: 9-6-2-0, $443,701. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Addeybb (Ire), 126, g, 6, Pivotal (GB)–Bush Cat, by Kingmambo. (200,000gns Ylg ’15 TAOCT). O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-William Haggas. £55,975.
3–Barney Roy (GB), 126, g, 6, Excelebration (Ire)–Alina (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (30,000gns Wlg ’14 TATFOA; £70,000 Ylg ’15 DNPRM). O-Godolphin; B-Eliza Park International Pty Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £27,975.
Margins: 3 3/4, 1 1/4, HF. Odds: 5.00, 3.50, 8.00.
Also Ran: Japan (GB), Bangkok (Ire), Mehdaayih (GB), Headman (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Galileo’s Russian Emperor Swoops in the Hampton Court
Russian Emperor | Racing Post
Bouncing out of Leopardstown’s G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, Ballydoyle’s Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) demonstrated the buoyant health of his stable by landing a strong renewal of the G3 Hampton Court S. on Wednesday. Second eight days ago racing against the bias at that Foxrock venue, Laurie Macri and Coolmore’s 10-3 second favourite was delivered from rear by Ryan Moore with a surge to overwhelm the 9-4 favourite First Receiver (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in the final yards. With full momentum as he crossed the line, the son of the triple group 1 heroine Atlantic Jewel (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) forged a half-length success over The Queen’s representative, with 1 1/4 lengths back to Berlin Tango (GB) (Dansili {GB}) who was excelling under a four-pound penalty.
“He is a lovely horse that is straightforward and has a great attitude,” commented Ryan Moore after steering a landmark 60th Royal winner. “He was very professional–he has had the benefit of a couple of runs this year and let’s see if he will keep progressing. He has a very good pedigree–his dam was exceptional in Australia. I think he will be a nice horse going forward for the rest of the year.”
Having scored before the lockdown in a mile maiden on soft-to-heavy ground on the Irish season opener at Naas Mar. 23, Russian Emperor was the leading candidate for the yard in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and despite meeting with narrow defeat Seamie Heffernan was at pains to point out that he was compromised by a front-running bias at Leopardstown that day. Anchored in rear early with Moore tracking Dettori on the keen-going Royal runner, the bay was the last of the main protagonists to arrive on the scene after the smooth-travelling G3 Classic Trial winner Berlin Tango and First Receiver had swamped the aggressively-ridden G1 2000 Guineas fifth Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel {GB}) on the front end at the top of the straight. His finishing flourish suggests the mile-and-a-half of the July 4 G1 Epsom Derby will pose no problem and it could be a case of the Russian Emperor vs the English King in the blue riband.
Dettori said of the runner-up, “He ran a bit fresh, but he ran a super race.” Andrew Balding was pleased with the effort of Berlin Tango and said, “He ran very well with a penalty. It was an excellent run from three good horses. He will go to the [G2] Dante [at York July 9] next. A mile and a quarter is his trip.”
Russian Emperor is the third foal out of the distinguished dam, who was crowned champion 3-year-old filly and older mare in Australia by virtue of her successes in the G1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas, G1 All-Aged S., G1 Caulfield S. and G1 Memsie S., among others. A half-sister to Commanding Jewel (Aus) (Commands {Aus}), who also captured the Schweppes Thousand Guineas, she also has a 2-year-old full-sister and yearling full-brother to the winner to follow.
Wednesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
HAMPTON COURT S.-G3, £60,000, Ascot, 6-17, 3yo, 9f 212yT, 2:05.86, gd.
1–RUSSIAN EMPEROR (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Atlantic Jewel (Aus) (Ch. 3yo Filly-Aus, Ch. Older Mare-Aus & MG1SW-Aus, $1,559,748), by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
2nd Dam: Regard (Aus), by Zabeel (NZ)
3rd Dam: Nanshan (Ire), by Nashwan
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Laurie Macri, Susan Magnier, et al; B-Coolmore, Lauri Macri & Partners (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £35,520. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, 4-2-1-1, $76,502. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–First Receiver (GB), 126, c, 3, New Approach (Ire)–Touchline (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). O/B-The Queen (GB); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £13,434.
3–Berlin Tango (GB), 130, c, 3, Dansili (GB)–Fantasia (GB), by Sadler’s Wells. O/B-George Strawbridge (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £6,714.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 3. Odds: 3.33, 2.25, 4.00.
Also Ran: Juan Elcano (GB), New World Tapestry, Kenzai Warrior, Mascat (GB), King Carney (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
by TDN
