Profitable gets off the mark with a victory by George Boughey's filly Thunder Love at Kempton.
When I wrote this in September I thought one, or hopefully two, would be the type of horse to turn up at Royal Ascot. As it is the first one is near the top of a lot of people's lists for the 2000G. I hope he runs well. I trust Carnarvon is turning in his grave.The Feola family refuses to die, even if it's not looking very well in the Royal Stud. This season the main flagbearer has been Hukum who probably found the Leger a bit far. He could still improve next year over 12f.
Last week two 2yos from this family won good races at Newmarket and Newbury. The first was Charlie Hills Mutasabeq in a maiden at Newmarket. He was 5th favourite in a field of 7 yet despite running green won pleasingly. He is a colt by Invincible Spirit out of that excellent filly Ghanaati, who of course won the 1000G and Coronation Stakes. He's likely to be suited by 8f and will have to improve a lot. Ghanaati is a daughter of Giants Causeway and a mare called Sarayir, who in turn is a daughter of Height of Fashion.
A more prominent performance on Saturday was the victory of Love is You, who won the Listed Radley Stakes over 7f at Newbury. She had already won a decent Ascot maiden in September over 8f. She is by Kingman out of a really good filly called Fallen for You who also won the Coronation Stakes. However if you look at Love is You's 3rd dam you realise she is a full-sister to Highclere the dam of Height of Fashion. Highclere won the 1000G and Prix de Diane and was out of a filly called Highlight. She was an average filly who managed to win two small races and come 4th in the Princess Royal Stakes. Off to stud after 3 very ordinary foals she appeared a duffer. Her 4th foal at least won a small race as a 3yo (though as 7yo he won the Schweppes). Her 5th foal was better still but just a good handicapper but by this time her 6th foal had arrived, Highclere. Strangely enough she was probably by the cheapest stallion so far used and that was Queens Hussar. A year later a full-sister, called Light Duty, arrived who was good enough to finish 2nd in the Ribblesdale and Yorkshire Oaks whilst winning a listed race. It is through Light Duty that Love is You descends.
Both these 2yos look more like milers than stayers, though both could get 10f. This great family of Deep Impact, Nashwan and Highclere (amongst others) generally show improvement with age. It would be no surprise to see at least one of them at Royal Ascot next year. Just a pity that they're not Royal.
First Season Sires: so far
Ardad; 10 runners, 4 winners, 5 wins
Cotai Glory 14, 4 , 4
Profitable 8, 3, 4
Caravaggio 8, 3 , 3
Mondialiste 4, 1, 1
Decorated Knight 1, 1, 1
no-one else has scored. Aclaim has had 11 runners but no winners.
You have to say a good start by Kodiac's son Ardad with a 40%wtr and 50% wins tr.
I dont think my shout has even had a runner yet!
After Ballymacoll sold up I said I'd keep an eye on their scatterlings. Not much has made me put 'pen to paper'. But at last on Friday the win of Berkshire Shadow in the 5f maiden gave me something to talk about. He is a Dark Angel colt out of an Oasis Dream mare called Angel Vision, who won two races as a 3yo for Ballymacoll over 7f and 8f. She in turn is a daughter of that top-class filly Islington (Sadler's Wells). The debutant couldn't have made things harder for himself by being left about 6 lengths. He was still with no chance 2 furlongs out but came with a sustained run to win by a short head. Should get further.
He will be because of Danehill.That is some %age. I see Ribot not far back in the pedigree. Didn't realise he was behind Kodiac