Pedigree Watch – UK – Star 2YOs No Nay Never - Churchill

Tara Madgwick - Saturday September 24

Group I racing at Newmarket overnight also featured the Group I Middle Park Stakes (6f) for the colts with victory going to the favourite Blackbeard, while Coolmore shuttler Churchill (IRE) added a new Group winner to his tally.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Ryan Moore, No Nay Never colt Blackbeard has had a busy season and scored a two length win, his sixth victory from eight starts.

Advertisement

“Blackbeard has moved up a little bit again. I think he was comfortable. I was very happy to see Ryan getting a lead and Ryan was as well, as usually they don't go fast enough to lead him and he usually ends having to make his own running,” said Aidan O’Brien.

“I'm not sure (as regards to targets next year). I'd say he is fast and I wouldn't be sure he would stay. He looks a five or six furlong horse but you never know.”

Bought for 270,000 guineas at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2020, Blackbeard is the first winner for Born to Sea winner Muirin, a daughter of Group III winner Gioruette. His yearling full sister will be offered at the Goffs Orby Sale.

Blackbeard is one of five two year-old stakes-winners this year among 24 winners for No Nay Never, whose star filly Meditate was second to Lezoo in the Group I Cheveley Park.

This stellar crop of juveniles were conceived in 2019 when his service fee was lifted to €100,000 and No Nay Never stood this year at a fee of €125,000 at Coolmore Ireland.

No Nay Never shuttled to Coolmore Australia for four seasons with his last crop of foals born here two year-olds this season.

The Group II Royal Lodge Stakes (7f) was won by progressive Churchill colt The Foxes, who improved from a last start maiden win at Goodwood to score by half a length.

Trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by David Probert, The Foxes is held in high regard and is entered for the Classics next year as well as the Group I Doncaster Vertem Futurity Trophy next month.

“It was a tactical race. We thought they would go a stronger gallop than that but he has done very well to come from that position to get the job done. I love the way The Foxes galloped out head down,” said Balding.

“I would think that would be it (for the year). He has (got an entry in the Vertem Futurity Trophy) but I think he is a horse that will go on next year, so we might prefer to wait.”

Bought for 440,000 guineas at Tattersalls October Book Yearling Sale by Sackville Donald, The Foxes has won two of four starts and is a full brother to this year’s stakes-winner Perotan.

Bred by Barronstown Stud, he becomes the sixth stakes-winner among 11 winners from blue hen Tanaghum, whose other stakes-winning offspring are Group I winner Matterhorn, Group II winner Bangkok, Group III winner Tactic and stakes-winner Yaazy.

Churchill (IRE) is at Coolmore Australia this spring.

The Foxes is the eighth stakes-winner for Churchill, who stands at Coolmore Australia at a fee of $22,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Stallion Shares in Cool Aza Beel Offer Rare Opportunity via Magic Millions Virtual Sale
Breeders will have a timely chance to invest in one of Australia’s most exciting young stallions next week, with two individual stallion shares in Cool Aza Beel to be offered via the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday, August 5.
Consecutive Wins For Lucky Vega’s I’m Lucky Two
Off the back of an impressive two length victory over 1000m at Toowoomba at the end of June, the month between runs didn’t pose any issues as the Michael Nolan trained Lucky Vega (IRE) gelding I’m Lucky Two stepped out over 870m to win once again.
Waikato Stud claim 11th Breeder of the Year title
Another year of New Zealand thoroughbred breeding excellence was celebrated on Saturday night at the Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro, with powerhouse breeders Waikato Stud claiming top honours.
New G1 Winner for Too Darn Hot
Fresh from siring two new stakes-winners in Europe on Saturday Too Darn Hot (GB) kept the momentum going on Sunday with a new Group I winner and Tornado Alert is a half-brother to Just Fine (IRE), winner of the Group I ATC The Metropolitan in 2023.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
This will be the last Juvenile Trial Watch story for this season with all these youngsters to turn three on Friday and there was plenty of action with eight heats won by 2YOs and two more of this season’s G3 2YO’s North England and Memo stepping out against the older G1 stars.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 27
Here is the full list of 54 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Carrazzo Melbourne 'Sport of Kings' Tax Talk
It gives Baumgartners great pleasure to announce that the Paul Carrazzo’s “Sport of Kings” horse tax talk returns to Inglis Melbourne on Wednesday 13 August.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Steve Davis Awarded NZTBA Personality of the Year
Bloodstock auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis has been honoured as the 2025 NZTBA Personality of the Year, in recognition of a lifetime of contribution to the New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry.
Closer Look at Written Tycoon – The Golden Crop Delivers
The sun might be setting on the stud career of Written Tycoon, but he’s not going into the twilight years quietly and is set to be crowned Champion Australian 3YO Sire this season, which is probably something predicted by many when he got the opportunity of a lifetime to cover at Arrowfield Stud for one season in 2020.