Shadwell

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's twice-raced Alkumait (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) broke through tackling six furlongs in a July 28 Goodwood maiden and continued his upward path with a decisive victory returning in Saturday's G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef S. at Newbury. The February-foaled bay, who had posted a close-up fourth in a July 19 novice heat over Newbury's straight six in his only other start, was 3/4-of-a-length too good for King Power Racing's 475,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling Fivethousandtoone (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with G1 Prix Morny third...

1st-Belmont, $63,000, Msw, 9-18, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:12.01, ft. ZAINALARAB (f, 2, War Front--Delightful Joy {GSW, $179,200}, by Tapit), whose $1-million purchase price out of last year's Keeneland September sale was the second-highest for her hugely successful stallion, got the Belmont fall meet off on a chalky note, grinding her way past her chief market rival Exact (Competitive Edge) for a narrow victory. Allowed to sit the box-seat trip as Exact made the running in advance of the blinkered Jade Empress (Shanghai Bobby), Zainalarab was pulled off the fence in...

By Brian DiDonato & Jessica Martini LEXINGTON, KY--While Thursday's second and final Book 2 session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale included some lulls without big-money sellers, it finished strong, with the day's top two lots coming in the final 20 or so hips. A colt by the in-demand Into Mischief (hip 1203) was the lone Book 2 offering to reach the seven-figure threshold, selling for an even $1-million to Peter Leidel, who did his bidding on the phone. The son of Grade II winner Teen Pauline (Tapit) was consigned...

by Jessica Martini & Brian DiDonato LEXINGTON, KY - The Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued to see strong action at the top, but an elevated buy-back rate at the first of two Book 2 sessions Wednesday in Lexington. A colt by Uncle Mo from the Gainesway consignment brought the day's highest bid when selling for $950,000 to bloodstock agent David Ingordo. In all, 185 yearlings sold for $40,861,000. The average was $220,870 and the median was $180,000. Through three sessions, 394 head have grossed $126,076,000 for an average of $319,990...

Four-time highweighted Muhtathir (GB) (Elmaamul-Majmu, by Al Nasr {Fr}), who won twice at the highest level for Godolphin, has passed away from the infirmities of old age, Shadwell Stud announced on Tuesday. The 25-year-old chestnut was bred and raced by Shadwell and trained by John Gosden through his 3-year-old season, where he claimed the G2 Celebration Mile. He was also second in the G1 French 2000 Guineas.  For the rest of his career he bore the silks of Godolphin and was trained by Saeed bin Suroor to victories in the...

Shadwell's speedy MG1SW Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is being considered for a start in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint on Nov. 7, if he exits the Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l'Abbaye in good form. A winner of the GI King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot in June, they grey took his fourth G2 King George Qatar S. at Goodwood on July 31 and won the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. at York on Aug. 21. "He's only had three runs this year," said trainer Charlie Hills to Sky...

Sheikh Hamdan's G3 Geoffrey Freer S. winner Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will line up next in the G1 St Leger on Sept. 12. The Owen Burrows-trained colt is looking to extend his perfect record this season, having also taken Royal Ascot's King George V S. on seasonal debut in June. "He's fine, and we're hoping to go to the Leger," said Racing Manager Angus Gold. "He's progressing very well, I was impressed with him at Newbury the other day. It's an extra furlong, but I don't see that...

Champion jockey Jim Crowley rode his 2000th winner aboard Shadwell's  Modmin (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) in the Ladbrokes Supporting 'Children With Cancer UK' Novice S. at Goodwood on Sunday. Crowley, who rides is the retained rider for Sheikh Hamdan's operation, was previously a jumps jockey based in the north. "It has been a fantastic season so far and I hope it continues," said Crowley. "It was nice to do it here as it's my local track. I've got a lot of fond memories here and to ride it in these colours...

Trainers Nick Esler and Carl Allsop have launched Sandhurst Thoroughbreds in Morriston, Florida to provide breaking and lay-up services for young racehorses. The new operation will be based at Sunnyside Training Center. The two transplanted Englishmen were road-tripping down the East Coast to Central Florida Wednesday, with Esler's wife and daughter expected to follow next week. Allsop, along with his wife, veterinarian Elizabeth Weber, are already based in Ocala. "I've had it in the back of my mind for maybe the last 18 months now about doing this venture," Esler,...

Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}-Roodeye {GB}, by Inchinor {GB}), a group winner at two, three and four who earned his first Group 1 victory last out in the Sussex S., has been retired to stud due to bone bruising in his near hind fetlock joint. "Towards the end of last week it was noticed that Mohaather was not moving as well as he had been immediately after the Sussex S.," said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan. "Precautionary x-rays were taken over the weekend which have revealed significant bone...

MGSW Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), who won the G2 Great Voltigeur S. on Aug. 19, has been confirmed for the G1 St Leger at Doncaster on Sept. 12, Racing Post reported on Sunday. Trainer William Muir confirmed the news, with the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp, also on Sept. 12, off the table. The La Pyle Partnership, consisting of owner/breeders Roger Devlin and brothers Guy and Hugh Leach, raced Pyledriver to a listed success at two. The colt ran second in the G3 Unibet Classic Trial S....

Going four-for-four when plundering June's G1 Prix Saint-Alary over 10 furlongs at Chantilly, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) maintained her unblemished record with a battling success tackling the same trip in Saturday's G2 Shadwell Prix de la Nontette at Deauville. The 1-2 favourite was positioned second as British raider Frankel's Storm (GB) (Frankel {GB}) established a clear lead through halfway. Easing closer rounding the home turn, she was confronted by Tickle Me Green (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) soon after cruising to front on the...