So well past half way and the score on the door for the Queen is 19 wins (The Royal Stud has slightly more because of sold horses, specifically Hammer Gun). While this is only one less than the whole of last year I can't help be disappointed there isn't more (she does have a lot in training and a lot aren't running), and that there isn't the quality there.
Some key horses:
Sextant has won 3 times this year but when upped to Gp3 was found wanting.
Magnetic Charm ran a good race with top weight at Royal Ascot but then disappointed in a listed event.
Eightsome Bells also ran well at Royal Ascot but hasn't been seen since.
She's had two 2yo winners (Otago and Cloud Drift) but Otago looks limited and Cloud Drift may be the same.
Kings Lynn made a pleasing debut at Windsor and should be capable of winning a maiden.
Calculation is improving all the time but soon will have to step up to Listed/Group3 level. He does however appear a stayer in the making.
Invictus Spirit continues the Queen's bad luck with Frankel offspring as he appears of little account.
So what is there to look forward to. Well hopefully some good 2yos. First Receiver ran a good debut at Newmarket in mid-July but has not been entered since. The same for Award Scheme although she did worryingly flash her tail early in the race: could have been greenness, could have been temperament. Two 2yos have recently been entered. The first is Eight Bells who is already gelded but has shown promise on the gallops. The other is Fruition (Haggas) who is an Oasis Dream colt out of a new mare from the family of Dancing Brave. As regards further ahead Haggas has entered Dusty Dream in the Fillies Mile (a Haggas big entry has been the kiss of death recently though).
I got very sour about Shrewdness after two disappointing runs but on her latest start she really looked as if she was getting the hang of things. She's a big filly and may improve a good deal more.
A lot of horses have departed. Most notable was that Fabricate appears to have been retired. Just last year he was just beaten by Crystal Ocean at Sandown! A great servant he had some good seasons. A sad loss, probably due to injury, was the filly Equal Sum who looked classy on both her 2yo studs. She is now down to about 50 in training with a couple of winners (West Newton and Regular being sold).
It would be nice to have more runners. The fact that the Queen had only 3 runners at Ascot, 2 at Goodwood and only one at York is illustrative that something is missing.
Some key horses:
Sextant has won 3 times this year but when upped to Gp3 was found wanting.
Magnetic Charm ran a good race with top weight at Royal Ascot but then disappointed in a listed event.
Eightsome Bells also ran well at Royal Ascot but hasn't been seen since.
She's had two 2yo winners (Otago and Cloud Drift) but Otago looks limited and Cloud Drift may be the same.
Kings Lynn made a pleasing debut at Windsor and should be capable of winning a maiden.
Calculation is improving all the time but soon will have to step up to Listed/Group3 level. He does however appear a stayer in the making.
Invictus Spirit continues the Queen's bad luck with Frankel offspring as he appears of little account.
So what is there to look forward to. Well hopefully some good 2yos. First Receiver ran a good debut at Newmarket in mid-July but has not been entered since. The same for Award Scheme although she did worryingly flash her tail early in the race: could have been greenness, could have been temperament. Two 2yos have recently been entered. The first is Eight Bells who is already gelded but has shown promise on the gallops. The other is Fruition (Haggas) who is an Oasis Dream colt out of a new mare from the family of Dancing Brave. As regards further ahead Haggas has entered Dusty Dream in the Fillies Mile (a Haggas big entry has been the kiss of death recently though).
I got very sour about Shrewdness after two disappointing runs but on her latest start she really looked as if she was getting the hang of things. She's a big filly and may improve a good deal more.
A lot of horses have departed. Most notable was that Fabricate appears to have been retired. Just last year he was just beaten by Crystal Ocean at Sandown! A great servant he had some good seasons. A sad loss, probably due to injury, was the filly Equal Sum who looked classy on both her 2yo studs. She is now down to about 50 in training with a couple of winners (West Newton and Regular being sold).
It would be nice to have more runners. The fact that the Queen had only 3 runners at Ascot, 2 at Goodwood and only one at York is illustrative that something is missing.
