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