Highclere-Bound Cable Bay Takes the Challenge

Runner-up at 20-1 in the G1 Dewhurst S. here in 2013, Cable Bay managed only one placing in four starts last term and that was a second in this race before returning with a third in the G3 Gladness S. over this trip at The Curragh Apr. 19. After an eye-catching fifth at 66-1 in Newbury's G1 Lockinge S. May 16, the bay broke through in black-type company with a win in the seven-furlong G3 John of Gaunt S. at Haydock May 30 prior to finsihing third in Ascot's G2 Summer Mile July 11 and fourth in the G2 Hungerford S. back at this distance Aug. 15. Two weeks later, he was fourth again in the G2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood before appearing to flatten out when sixth in the G2 Park S. over seven at Doncaster Sept. 12 but was kept busy with an outing in the G3 Bengough S. trying six at Ascot on Saturday. Fourth there and showing some sparkle, Cable Bay was ridden more positively this time and after stalking the strong early fractions pounced passing the quarter pole and hung on gamely as Breton Rock and last year's Dewhurst winner Belardo closed in. Trainer Charlie Hills said, “He's had a really long season, but he's got such a great temperament and a very good constitution as well. He ran last Saturday over six furlongs at Ascot and came out of that bouncing, so we thought maybe we'd give him one more chance. John and Jake Warren have bought the horse to go to stud now. Winning a Group Two like that is great for them and he'll stand at Highclere Stud next year. I'm not sure if he'll have one more run–maybe in the USA or Hong Kong.”

Friday, Newmarket, Britain
DUBAI CHALLENGE S.-G2, £150,000, NEW, 10-9, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:24.45, g/s.
1–CABLE BAY (IRE), 129, c, 4, by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
1st Dam: Rose de France (Ire), by Diktat (GB)
2nd Dam: Cherokee Rose (Ire), by Dancing Brave
3rd Dam: Celtic Assembly, by Secretariat
(€130,000 Ylg '12 GOFORB). O-Julie Martin & David R. Martin & Partner; B-Irish National Stud (IRE); T-Charles Hills; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £85,065. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng & GSP-Ire, 20-3-4-3, $506,993. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Breton Rock (Ire), 129, g, 5, Bahamian Bounty (GB)–Anna's Rock (Ire), by Rock of Gibraltar (Ire). (£20,000 Ylg '11 DNPRM). O-Mr John Cook; B-George Kent (IRE); T-David Simcock. £32,250.
3–Belardo (Ire), 127, c, 3, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Danaskaya (Ire), by Danehill. (€100,000 Ylg '13 ARAUG). O-Godolphin & Prince A A Faisal; B-Ballylinch Stud (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £16,140.
Margins: NK, HF, HD. Odds: 8.00, 7.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: So Beloved (GB), Markaz (Ire), Here Comes When (Ire), Shining Emerald (GB), Coulsty (Ire), Glory Awaits (Ire), Ascription (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.