Valmont

Continuing the purple patch of Joseph O'Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle, the progressive Limestone (New Bay) edged the photo at the end of Wednesday's G2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot. One for the St Leger candidates, the mile-and-three-quarter contest lacked a clear-cut candidate this year and it was only in the dying strides that the colt who races for Valmont, Al Shaqab and Ballylinch Stud put his name on the honour roll ahead of Godolphin's Del Maro (Camelot). The official margin was a nose, with the long-time leader and outsider...

Ballylinch Stud resident Bayside Boy (New Bay) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Ralph Beckett-trained son Blessed Voyager shed maiden status at the first time of asking in Friday's Dubai Duty Free EBF Maiden Stakes at Newbury. The 11-1 chance, his sire's second representative to hit the track, was positioned within range of the leaders racing fifth through the initial fractions. Making smooth headway once past halfway, he launched his challenge on the stands' side entering the final furlong and was pushed out to...

Reappearing for the first time since debuting in a hot Newmarket July Festival maiden, Amo Racing and Valmont's Billecart (Night Of Thunder) made light work of his Thursday assignment at Newcastle to keep Classic dreams alive. Far too strong for his three peers in the mile novice on the Tapeta, the 380,000gns Tattersalls Book 2 purchase will be campaigned with the 2,000 Guineas and Irish equivalent in mind according to Karl Burke. "He had a little injury last year, but sometimes they can be a blessing and he's one of...

Britain's clean sweep of Deauville's valuable juvenile Arqana Series races was completed in style on Thursday by Valmont's Cape Orator (Mohaather) in the 6 1/2-furlong Criterium d'Ete. Off the mark for the Ralph Beckett stable at Kempton in June, the 15-1 shot cut loose approaching the final furlong and surged to a 3 1/2-length verdict over Street Show (Showcasing), the only French-trained two-year-old to make the first two in the trio of sales races. "We've always thought he was a very good horse, it's just taken a long time for...

Having endured a number of near-misses in similar company, Michael Blencowe can be forgiven if he's still basking in the glory of last month's Group 2 victory at Meydan with West Acre (Ire), an "exhilarating" experience which now has the owner dreaming of a first Group 1 triumph in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night. Blencowe's red silks with gold collar, cuffs and cap have become an increasingly familiar sight on British racecourses in recent years, but he was still yet to see one of his horses...

The best is yet to come from You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), according to her trainer Ralph Beckett, who drew parallels between the Irish Oaks heroine and his brilliant Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) ahead of the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls, which takes place from December 2 to 5.  You Got To Me, who will go through the ring on Tuesday, December 3, is one of the star attractions at the upcoming Sceptre Sessions and Beckett admitted that he is quietly hopeful...

It was announced on Tuesday that Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me (GB) will be offered at the forthcoming Tattersalls December Mares Sale, which takes place from December 2-5. The daughter of Nathaniel (Ire) will feature in the third edition of the Sceptre Sessions, which will be held over the first two days of the sale. Bred by Dullingham Park Stud and Sarabex, You Got To Me first sold for 62,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale and was later bought by Alex Elliott for 200,000gns at Book 1...

All the rage ahead of Friday's British EBF Quidhampton Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury, Valmont and Ballylinch Stud's Ralph Beckett-trained Sandtrap (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Zindaya, by More Than Ready) produced all the expected pyrotechnics to become her sire's 17th TDN Rising Star. Always travelling with intent under Hector Crouch shadowing the leader in this seven-furlong test, the 4-5 favourite was shaken up approaching the furlong pole and responded with zest to bound 4 3/4 lengths clear of Jowddah (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) who had been second in a Newmarket...

NEWMARKET, England--For the second consecutive year Havana Grey (GB) and Whitsbury Manor Stud were responsible for the highest-priced yearling at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale as a filly by the in-demand stallion went the way of Alex Elliott, acting on behalf of Amo Racing, for 140,000gns during Tuesday's session at Park Paddocks. Lot 419 was the headline buy on a productive day for Elliott, who signed for the top three lots from the session in some shape or form. Lot 376, a Sergei Prokofiev colt offered by Chasemore Farm, is...

Ralph Beckett trainee Matauri Bay (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Matauri Pearl {Ire}, by Hurricane Run {Ire}) a 500,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 full-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Aunt Pearl (Ire), made a winning debut in Sunday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Stakes at Leicester. The May-foaled bay, let go as the 2-1 favourite, registered a 1 1/2-length success from Shah (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the straight seven-furlong contest. 2nd-Leicester, £9,000, Nov, 8-11, 2yo, 7fT, 1:24.77, g/f. MATAURI BAY (IRE) (c, 2, Lope De Vega...

Fourth in the Oaks and the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes, Valmont and Newsells Park Stud Bloodstock's You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}--Brushing {GB}, by Medicean {GB}) made the necessary improvement on Saturday to clinch the G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at The Curragh. Reserved by Hector Crouch in mid-division throughout the early stages in contrast to the forceful ride she was given at Royal Ascot, the well-supported 15-2 shot moved to the front a furlong out with the 3-1 favourite Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in hot pursuit. Where Content had met...

In scenes reminiscent of Wednesday's Listed Cheshire Oaks, Saturday's Listed Oaks Trial Fillies' S. at Lingfield resulted in a Ralph Beckett-trained filly getting to the line ahead of a Ballydoyle runner with You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}--Brushing {GB}, by Medicean {GB}) on top where it mattered. Last seen finishing fifth in Newmarket's Listed Montrose Fillies' S. in November, Valmont and Newsells Park Stud's 200,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 purchase set off at a demanding clip under Hector Crouch while her rivals were under restraint waiting for her to crack....