While we wait for racing on grass to resume, the all weather tracks have been busy with four Croom House bred horses reappearing in the week of January 17th. Two placed efforts at the beginning of the week gave hope for better to come and we were not disappointed with a winner on Thursday and another winner on Saturday.
With the sharp cold weather our January foaling mares have been taking their time but we do expect foaling to get underway in the coming days.
We look forward to seeing many exciting horses run in 2022. Broome and Point Lonsdale should start early for Coolmore. Croom House has four of its own fillies to race this year and we look forward to seeing Siamsa step up in grade, a winner and listed placed in 2021, and soon the 2YO full sister to Mehmas now named Mehme.
July - October
Rathmore
If Rathmore remains injury free we can expect many better days to come.
14th November 2022
Rathmore (Kingman X Knocknagree) finished third at Deauville on October 19th on just her second outing for her trainer Andre Fabre. He had continued talking of her ability but had missed chances to run with various niggles. Making a fast return on November 14th he went to post and money on favourite and with little effort won by four lengths. She is the second winner in ten days out of the mare Knocknagree. In October last Knocknagree’s yearling filly, a full sister to Rathmore, was bought by Mike de Koc the outstanding South African trainer who has had winners worldwide in the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore, UK and in the USA.If Rathmore remains injury free we can expect many better days to come.
Idea Generation
Idea Generation is the first winner out of the mare Knocknagree and her trainer says she will be campaigned in black type company from here on. She realised €340,000 as a yearling in Book One and it looks as if the Dubawi/Galileo cross is again working. Idea Generation has a 3YO, older sister that finished 3rd in Deauville in France on October 19th and is likely to be a winner shortly.
5th November 2022
Idea Generation (Dubawi X Knocknagree) started her career at Saratoga in September with her first outing in a listed race. On that occasion she finished fourth just denied a black type pedigree by a nose. Her talent did not go unnoticed and when she appeared at Aqueduct on November 5th she went off a short price favourite. Staying close to the pace she won by a comfortable two and a half lengths drawing away.Idea Generation is the first winner out of the mare Knocknagree and her trainer says she will be campaigned in black type company from here on. She realised €340,000 as a yearling in Book One and it looks as if the Dubawi/Galileo cross is again working. Idea Generation has a 3YO, older sister that finished 3rd in Deauville in France on October 19th and is likely to be a winner shortly.
Physique
Physique’s trainer reports that he is a very talented horse and will be aimed at black type races in 2023.
28th October 2022
Physique (Kingman X Shapes) had his first run on October 21st at Newbury and was beaten by a neck. Trying to get a win before the flat season closed on turf he reappeared seven days later and made no mistake on this occasion winning by two lengths and a distance back to third. Physique is the daughter of Maskaya who is the dam of multiple black type winners and her dam being Majinskaya also the dam of many group winners. Shapes did not have a foal in 2022 but is carrying a No Nay Never foal due in January.Physique’s trainer reports that he is a very talented horse and will be aimed at black type races in 2023.
Escobar
As always he was held up at the rear but on this occasion he was switched right at the 1f mark and had a clear run to the winning post. Surprisingly he started at odds of 20/1. Now that he has hit form he is likely to contest the Balmoral Handicap which he won in 2019. He carried top weight on Saturday and will not be easy to beat.
1st October 2022
Escobar has an official rating of 107 and has become a big handicap specialist, having won over €600,000. On Saturday he added a further €100,000 to his winnings.As always he was held up at the rear but on this occasion he was switched right at the 1f mark and had a clear run to the winning post. Surprisingly he started at odds of 20/1. Now that he has hit form he is likely to contest the Balmoral Handicap which he won in 2019. He carried top weight on Saturday and will not be easy to beat.
Hi Clare
He is a second winner from Shemda’s first two foals. She herself was a winner at middle distance so Hi Clare can win again at a mile or one mile plus. Shemda’s third foal is a Night of Thunder filly which sells as Newmarket Book One on October 5th.
29th September 2022
Hi Clare (Kodiac X Shemda) had three seconds and a third to his name when taking on the At The Races Nursery Handicap at Wolverhampton. Here he was given top weight for the extended one mile handicap. His jockey led from stalls to post and though other were closing towards the finish he did enough to win snuggly.He is a second winner from Shemda’s first two foals. She herself was a winner at middle distance so Hi Clare can win again at a mile or one mile plus. Shemda’s third foal is a Night of Thunder filly which sells as Newmarket Book One on October 5th.
Unsung Hero
28th September 2022
Having won at Kempton on the 16th September the trainer Heather Main wasted little time bringing Unsung Hero back to the same track twelve days later. Using the same tactics he again bounced out of the stalls and made all the running from start to post. Well clear at the 1f mark he kept on strongly with two and a half lengths to spare on the line. Obviously the handicapper will make life more difficult in the months ahead but having good form more wins are likely.
Unsung Hero
This is the fifth winner from six runners for the dam Red Avis and we can expect to see further wins in the months ahead.
16th September 2022
Unsung Hero (Iffraaj X Red Avis) was placed twice in July and August so a win at Kempton on September 16th was not unexpected. With Kieran Fallon on the saddle he bounced out of the stalls and made all the running, increasing the tempo from over 1f out. He kept on well and had one length to spare at the post.This is the fifth winner from six runners for the dam Red Avis and we can expect to see further wins in the months ahead.
USS Constitution
USS Constitution is the fourth produce, all winners, of the unraced Montjeu mare Stor Mo Chroi. She is the daughter of Landmark who has produced multiple black type winners. The full sister to USS Constitution sells at Tattersalls Book 2 in October and there is a new bay foal on the ground.
3rd September 2022
USS Constitution (US Navy Flag X Stor Mo Chroi) went close on his debut at Sandown being beaten less than half a length. He went off at a much shorter price in the British EBF Novice Stakes Class 4 at Ascot taking the lead shortly after coming out of the stalls and never headed. The runner up threw down a strong challenge in the final furlong both being five lengths In front of the 3rd but the winner found plenty and was always in control. After the race his trainer said that USS Constitution will go for a black type race before being put away for a 3YO Career.USS Constitution is the fourth produce, all winners, of the unraced Montjeu mare Stor Mo Chroi. She is the daughter of Landmark who has produced multiple black type winners. The full sister to USS Constitution sells at Tattersalls Book 2 in October and there is a new bay foal on the ground.
Mehme
With four races and two wins in a forty four day period Mehme will get a break before returning to try her luck in a listed race in September or October.
Great credit is due to her trainer Richard Hannon and his staff for the successful programme marked out and achieved. We would also like to congratulate Mrs Joan Brosnan and she can undoubtedly look forward to further success.
13th August 2022
Mehme had run three times in July and wasted little time when going to Newmarket on August 13th to take her place in the Class 2 Jennings Fillies Nursery. This was run over seven furlongs with both her pedigree and her full brother, Mehmas suggesting it might be too far. Steadied at the start and held up in last place for most of the race she moved from last to first two furlongs out and though the margin kept reducing she fought off all opposition to win by a neck. After the race her jockey Jamie Spencer suggested that her best distance may be six or six and a half furlongs. Her full brother had his many group wins over six furlongs and when trying seven finished 2nd not quite getting the final hundred yards.With four races and two wins in a forty four day period Mehme will get a break before returning to try her luck in a listed race in September or October.
Great credit is due to her trainer Richard Hannon and his staff for the successful programme marked out and achieved. We would also like to congratulate Mrs Joan Brosnan and she can undoubtedly look forward to further success.
System
4th August 2022
System got off to a flying start in June 2021 being beaten by just half a length on her debut and two weeks later winning a listed race at Newmarket. After this win she was given an official rating of 95 and brought this rating into her 3YO career. With poor runs in April, May & June she bounced back to form on the 9th July when beaten by just a neck in a Valuable Ascot handicap. She continued with her good form on August 4th when finishing an easy 1st in the William Hill Handicap and collecting a prize of Stg. £25,770. Great credit must go to the trainer and staff at the Hannon Yard for getting her back to her best and winning ways. Her official rating is now at 89 so she is well positioned to go for more valuable handicaps or target pattern races.
Mehme
28th July 2022
Mehme (Acclamation X Lucina) is a full sister to the outstanding sire Mehmas and is the final produce of Lucina. Having been placed fifth on both occasions earlier in July she was crying out for a step up in trip to six furlongs or even seven furlongs. Over six furlongs in Salisbury she relished the extra distance. Held up at the back of the field until the 2f mark she began her challenge to take the lead 1f out and ran on well for a comfortable one length victory. This was her third run within a four week period but being totally relaxed she takes everything in her stride. Having now won her maiden she will move to the higher class nurseries.January - July
Islay of Anglesey
The handicapper will certainly notice her easy win on June 30th. However Islay of Anglesey can be expected to visit the winners enclosure on further occasions in the months ahead.
30th June 2022
Islay of Anglesey (Holy Roman Emperor X Fiuise) had his three runs in late April, May and June and got a rating of 72 for his first handicap. This was over 1m at Yarmouth and he went to post the short priced favourite. Running against older horses as well as his own age group he won readily with the 2nd two and a half lengths away and the 3rd seven lengths further back. Islay of Anglesey was the fourth winner from four runners out of Fiuise. Fiuise’s yearling by Muhaarar was sold at the Tattersalls December Sale last year, to race in Australia. She has a Ten Sovereigns Colt to be sold at Tattersalls this Autumn and a Blue Point Colt foal on the ground. Unfortunately she died after foaling this year and with four winners from four runners we have every reason to believe she will produce a perfect seven winners from her seven foals in her short nine years breeding.The handicapper will certainly notice her easy win on June 30th. However Islay of Anglesey can be expected to visit the winners enclosure on further occasions in the months ahead.
Austrian Theory
We would like to congratulate Charlie &Mark Johnston for getting Austrian Theory back to his winning ways.
28th June 2022
Austrian Theory won first time out as a 2YO and was immediately introduced to pattern racing, being placed in both his GR3 and GR2 outings. He finished his 2YO career with a rating of 104. Having run four times since April 2022, without getting placed we all wondered what had gone wrong. However Charlie & Mark Johnston as well as Austrian Theory himself had the last laugh when he turned up at Hamilton on June 28th for the valuable Almada Mile Handicap. His followers had deserted him and he went to post at a price of 14/1. Both he and a short priced favourite battled it out to the final furlong with Austrian Theory leading in the final 100 yds to lead by a length. The firm ground at Hamilton was obviously to his liking and we can expect further trips to the winning enclosure if he gets the ground to his liking.We would like to congratulate Charlie &Mark Johnston for getting Austrian Theory back to his winning ways.
Bullet Force
Bullet Force tried his luck in GR1 company as a 2YO, running respectively in the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes GR1. Though GR1 may be a step too far we expect to see him running soon again in pattern company.
19th June 2022
Never far away, Bullet Force had been placed in his three previous outings in April, May and June. On this occasion he went to Pontefract to contest the valuable Sky Bet Sunday Series Mile Handicap. Though hampered by the runner up inside the final furlong he still managed to get up and lead at the post. Though prize money is not great at many tracks, this time he collected a valuable Stg £12,300 for his effort. He also went up 5lbs in the official rating with a new rating of 89.Bullet Force tried his luck in GR1 company as a 2YO, running respectively in the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes GR1. Though GR1 may be a step too far we expect to see him running soon again in pattern company.
Broome
In his career Broome has run twenty four times with twenty two of those runs in Stakes races. He has won seven of these races and has been 2nd on six occasions. His total winnings are now €1.7 million. For the remainder of the year he will be aimed at GR1’s on many continents so if he keeps his form and gets firm ground he will add significantly to his winnings.
His trainer says we are next likely see him in the King George GR1 at Ascot.
18th June 2022
After a 175 days break Broome made his return at the Curragh on May 22nd finishing 5th in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (GR1). His trainer said this was his prep race for the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot on June 18th. He did not disappoint his many followers winning by a comfortable three and a half lengths. His jockey Ryan Moore took Broome into the lead after 2f and for the remainder of the race showed a clean pair of heels to all his challengers.In his career Broome has run twenty four times with twenty two of those runs in Stakes races. He has won seven of these races and has been 2nd on six occasions. His total winnings are now €1.7 million. For the remainder of the year he will be aimed at GR1’s on many continents so if he keeps his form and gets firm ground he will add significantly to his winnings.
His trainer says we are next likely see him in the King George GR1 at Ascot.
Grand Canal
17th June 2022
After his victory at Ayr on May 30th Grand Canal made a fast return to Ayr on June 17th in the Racing TV Handicap over 1m7f, further than he had gone up to then. On this occasion it was an easier victory winning by a comfortable one and a half lengths. Though carrying top weight his rider tried a catch me if you can approach, leading from the start and never looking in danger. Though raised 7lbs in the handicap for these two Ayr victories he should be able to chalk up more wins if he gets the good to firm ground he loves.
Grand Canal
Grand Canal is a colt out of Loreto, herself being a half sister to Cabaret – the dam of St Mark’s Basilica and Magna Grecia. Another half sister to Cabaret, Cnoc an Oir has also been retained by Croom House. Cnoc an Oir’s first foal by Dark Angel will be sold at Tattersalls in October.
30th May 2022
Grand Canal was off the track for 363 days when reappearing for two runs within a week for his new trainer Jim Goldie. He finished in mid field on both occasions but his runs did not go unnoticed when he turned out at Ayr on May 30th. Giving weight to the others in a small field he had a ding dong battle with the runner up over the final furlong to lead at the post where it mattered.Grand Canal is a colt out of Loreto, herself being a half sister to Cabaret – the dam of St Mark’s Basilica and Magna Grecia. Another half sister to Cabaret, Cnoc an Oir has also been retained by Croom House. Cnoc an Oir’s first foal by Dark Angel will be sold at Tattersalls in October.
Escobar
His next run is likely to be in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot where he finished in mid field, after no luck in running, in 2021.
21st May 2022
Escobar was off the track for 217 days when reappearing at York on May 21st. With earnings in excess of half a million euros and an official rating of 107 he had to once again shoulder a top weight of 10st 11lbs in a very competitive handicap. Held up at the rear of the thirteen runners he started to make headway from the 2f mark, making his challenge from the furlong pole. It seemed an impossible task but his jockey did not panic to hit the line a neck in front and drawing away. He was giving 18 lbs to the horse who finished 2nd and 34 lbs to the horse in 3rd place.His next run is likely to be in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot where he finished in mid field, after no luck in running, in 2021.
Solid Stone
Having last been seen on a UK track when winning the GR3 Arc Trial at Newbury on September 18th he returned to contest Huxley Stakes (GR2) at Chester on May 6th. He finished an easy three lengths winner with a further nine lengths back to the third horse. Solid Stone’s Showcasing brother was sold at Tattersalls Book One in October last year. He has also gone into training with Sir Michael Stoute. Their dam Landmark has a Blue Point colt foal on the ground – he being a three quarters brother to Solid Stone. Two of the mare’s offspring are back in Croom House to carry on the breeding dynasty – a mare by Montjeu and a mare by Galileo.
6th May 2022
Solid Stone has run twenty four times, has won on eight occasions including four at Group level and has been in the frame for seventeen of his twenty four runs. He is a credit to his trainer Sir Michael Stoute and to his owner Saeed Suhail. He has now earned over €300,000 and with his appetite for racing and winning there is lots more to come.Having last been seen on a UK track when winning the GR3 Arc Trial at Newbury on September 18th he returned to contest Huxley Stakes (GR2) at Chester on May 6th. He finished an easy three lengths winner with a further nine lengths back to the third horse. Solid Stone’s Showcasing brother was sold at Tattersalls Book One in October last year. He has also gone into training with Sir Michael Stoute. Their dam Landmark has a Blue Point colt foal on the ground – he being a three quarters brother to Solid Stone. Two of the mare’s offspring are back in Croom House to carry on the breeding dynasty – a mare by Montjeu and a mare by Galileo.
Desert Angel
After racing the vets reported that he came home lame and will need to be box rested until he is fit to race again. We can only hope we see him in the Autumn, having made a full recovery. We would like to congratulate his owner Ziad A Galadari and hope that Desert Angel returns to racing soon.
1st May 2022
Desert Angel (Dark Angel X Slieve Mish) ran twice as a 2YO in September 2021 earning himself an official rating of 90 for his 3YO career. The second September win was at Newmarket, with Ryan Moore in the saddle and the combination teamed up again on May 1st in the Class 3 Betfair Handicap and carrying 9st 7 lbs. On this occasion he had a comfortable four lengths victory bringing his total winnings to just under Stg. £50,000. It has to be black type racing from here.After racing the vets reported that he came home lame and will need to be box rested until he is fit to race again. We can only hope we see him in the Autumn, having made a full recovery. We would like to congratulate his owner Ziad A Galadari and hope that Desert Angel returns to racing soon.
Merweh
This was his third win. Now that he has mastered a longer distance we can expect a fast reappearance and further prize money.
24th April 2022
Merweb changed trainers in March and showed promise for his new stable and stepped up to 1m4f on the 9th of April, where he finished fifth. At Bath on April 24th his new trainer again chose that he run over 1m3½f and he made no mistake on this occasion. Taking the lead at the 2f but kept doing enough in the final two furlongs to stay in front all the way to the line.This was his third win. Now that he has mastered a longer distance we can expect a fast reappearance and further prize money.
Soaring Star
His dam Peig has a Profitable yearling colt and is in foal to Cable Bay. She will return to be covered by Profitable in April.
8th February 2022
Soaring Star winner at 2 and at 3 when trained by Kevin Ryan, changed trainers to Philip Kirby in November 2021. Stepped up in distance to run over 1m4f he finished a close 2nd on both January 11th and January 18th at Southwell. Turning out again in the Betway Handicap at Southwell on Tuesday, he made no mistake on this occasion winning by three lengths under a hands and heels ride. Patiently ridden at the rear of the field Soaring Star started to make headway from the 2f mark and took the lead 1f out to go on and win comfortably. Now that he has found his best distance we can expect other handicap wins.His dam Peig has a Profitable yearling colt and is in foal to Cable Bay. She will return to be covered by Profitable in April.
Pedestal
As he is now returning to his 2YO form he should win more handicaps whether that be at Kempton or further away.
5th February 2022
Pedestal loves Kempton and having won there on January 12th he just got touched off finishing a close 2nd on February 2nd. To overcome this disappointment his trainer sent him back there on Feb. 5th and on this occasion he made no mistake finishing 1st ahead of a twelve runner field.As he is now returning to his 2YO form he should win more handicaps whether that be at Kempton or further away.
Stardayz
She did not disappoint her supporters winning by a comfortable three and a half lengths and picking up a nice 1st prize of almost €7,000.
We would like to congratulate her trainer, Ciarran Murphy and her owner Mrs. D A Love and there is likely to be many more good handicaps to be picked up over this shorter trip.
4th February 2022
Stardayz (Exceed and Excel X Red Avis) went to post at Dundalk on February 2nd, to race over one mile four furlongs. She did not see out the trip finishing last of the fourteen runners. Her previous run at Dundalk on January 14th saw her finish a close up 4th, replicating her good form as a 2YO. The trainer returned to Dundalk, just two days later on February 4th and everyone noticed backing her down to the short price of 5/1.She did not disappoint her supporters winning by a comfortable three and a half lengths and picking up a nice 1st prize of almost €7,000.
We would like to congratulate her trainer, Ciarran Murphy and her owner Mrs. D A Love and there is likely to be many more good handicaps to be picked up over this shorter trip.
Kodias Sangarius
This filly and How Impressive, a winner two days earlier were purchased and are owned by Middleham Park Racing. We would like to congratulate them for the astute purchases and they can expect many more wins from these two in the months ahead.
22nd January 2022
Kodias Sangarius (Kodiac X Oui Say Oui) won a Fillies Novice Stakes on December 18th and was making her handicap debut at Lingfield on Saturday. After her maiden win the handicapper gave her an official rating of 77 and with this rating and the weight to match she went to post unfancied at 12/1. Given a patient ride by her jockey Sean Levey he moved smoothly through the field to go fourth inside the final furlong. From there she kept on strongly to lead in the final strides.This filly and How Impressive, a winner two days earlier were purchased and are owned by Middleham Park Racing. We would like to congratulate them for the astute purchases and they can expect many more wins from these two in the months ahead.
How Impressive
Bright New Day was an unraced filly out of the group winner Oui Say Oui. How Impressive was her second foal and she will have an Awtaad filly running this year as a 2YO and has a Cable Bay yearling colt. He is booked to return to Starspangled Banner.
20th January 2022
How Impressive (Starspangled Banner X Bright New Day) was unraced as a 2YO but wasted little time at three when heading to Newcastle for the Coral Novice Stakes over seven furlongs. Though racing against previous runners, his work on the Newmarket gallops did not go unnoticed when he went to post as the second favourite. Held up in last place In the nine runner field he smoothly moved from last to first between the five and six furlong mark and ran out a comfortable winner. We expect to see him on a racecourse again shortly.Bright New Day was an unraced filly out of the group winner Oui Say Oui. How Impressive was her second foal and she will have an Awtaad filly running this year as a 2YO and has a Cable Bay yearling colt. He is booked to return to Starspangled Banner.
Pedestal
All that has changed in 2022 and with a new owner a new trainer and a new jockey he has fallen in love with Kempton Racecourse recording a fourth, a second and two firsts in the thirty days from the 5th of January to the 5th of February.
When finished fourth at Kempton on January 5th he reappeared quickly on January 12th and with different tactics staying at the rear for most of the journey he was shaken up approaching the 1f pole and kept on to win by one and a half lengths.
12th January 2022
Pedestal is a full brother to Loch Lein and he himself was sold for Stg. £220,000 as a yearling. He quickly made his mark as a 2YO winning his maiden in Tipperary followed up by a third place finish, a few weeks later, in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Ascot. He did not run again as a 2YO and with an official rating of 95 he made one appearance at three in the Copiers Lacken Stakes at Naas, finishing 6th to Carravagio. Over the next few years he totally lost his way finishing last in many of his races.All that has changed in 2022 and with a new owner a new trainer and a new jockey he has fallen in love with Kempton Racecourse recording a fourth, a second and two firsts in the thirty days from the 5th of January to the 5th of February.
When finished fourth at Kempton on January 5th he reappeared quickly on January 12th and with different tactics staying at the rear for most of the journey he was shaken up approaching the 1f pole and kept on to win by one and a half lengths.