Improving QUDDWAH ready to tackle Queen Anne big guns

Information provided by Racing & Sports

30/05/2025

The Simon and Ed Crisford team believe there is still more to come from QUDDWAH as he gears up to take his chance in a potential red-hot Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Whilst there will be more fancied runners in this year’s 1600m Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes than QUDDWAH, Ed Crisford believes their contender has what it takes to be competitive with the best as he gears up to take on the Lockinge battalion OF LEAD ARTIST, DANCING GEMINI, ROSALLION and NOTABLE SPEECH, in what looks sure to be a mouthwatering curtain-raiser to the Royal Meeting should they all stand their ground.

The striking son of KINGMAN has gone from strength-to-strength since a narrow success over Royal Ascot handicap hero DOCKLANDS in last year’s Listed Paradise Stakes on Royal Ascot Trials Day, winning two of his four next outings and building up a good rapport with rider Callum Shepherd.

Although connections subsequently decided against running in last season’s Queen Anne Stakes, the opening day feature, QUDDWAH certainly proved he was capable of competing in races of that nature, going on to land the Group 2 Summer Mile Stakes over the same Ascot course and distance, before creditable fourth and fifth place finishes behind European Champion Miler CHARYN in both the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

A commanding one-and-three quarter length reappearance success in a strong-looking Listed event at Longchamp in late May, which featured the likes of last year’s Jersey Stakes winner HAATEM and the 2023 Poule d'Essai des Poulains scorer MARHABA YA SANAFI, has left connections eyeing a return to Berkshire, with Ed Crisford confirming the Queen Anne Stakes will be his next port of call.

“QUDDWAH has come out of his race in France very well,” said Ed Crisford, who trains the progressive five-year-old alongside his father Simon.

“He won nicely, and it was a hot Listed race. He did it well, so we’re planning to go to the Queen Anne.”

“It’s going to be a very hot race, but he deserves to be in it, and he’s got course form. His first run this year was good and that should put him spot on for the race at Royal Ascot.

“I think he is up to that level. He won the Summer Mile well last year and he ran a nice enough race in the QEII at the end of the season. That day he was dropped out the back, sat last, came with a run but it was all too late and he finished fifth.

“This year he’s going to be a bit wiser to those top-level races now that he’s experienced that.

“Last year he was very lightly raced. He did very well, and he didn’t disgrace himself on his first start at the top-level in the Prix Jacques Le Marois last year, but it’s a different style of racing and they do grow up and they did mature.

“With another year under his belt you expect him to improve again, and he deserves his chance to run in a race like the Queen Anne.”

Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.

Docklands set to continue Ascot love affair in Queen Anne

Information provided by Racing & Sports

05/06/2025

The Simon and Ed Crisford team believe there is still more to come from QUDDWAH as he gears up to take his chance in a potential red-hot Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Docklands could continue his love affair with Ascot, after trainer Harry Eustace confirmed the five-year-old will return to the Royal meeting despite suffering defeat at Epsom.

The son of Massaat rose to prominence with a success in the 1600m Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) at Royal Ascot in 2023 and returned to the course in October of the same year for a commendable third in the Balmoral Handicap. His efforts as a three-year-old earnt Docklands a step up in class to Black Type company in 2024 and he produced a career-best when finishing second in the 1600m Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes.

With a Group 1 placing on his record, Docklands had the credentials for an international expedition, and he rewarded connections with fair efforts to finish fifth in the Group 1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley and sixth in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Flemington.

Returning to the UK as a well-travelled five-year-old, Docklands confirmed his love affair with Ascot when second on seasonal reappearance in the Listed Paradise Stakes behind Sardinian Warrior, who boosted the form on his subsequent run when second in the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan.

A first visit to Epsom for the 1700m Group 3 Diomed Stakes ended in a narrow defeat behind Persica, with jockey Richard Kingscote struggling for racing room with 600m to run. “It’s frustrating because he’s at that level where everything has to go right for him,” Eustace said.

“It didn’t quite go right, he got in a pocket when he needed to lengthen. He doesn’t quicken, he lengthens – the winner, and the German horse (Geography) has just kept us in longer than Richard (Kingscote) would have wanted. I can’t give any real excuses, they’ve gone a nice fair gallop, everyone has had a chance. It’s just when Richard wanted to make his run, he’s had to wait. I thought we were going to be a well-beaten third, but actually we’re not that far away at the line.”

If Docklands took up his intended entry in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, it would be the five-year-old’s seventh attempt at the Berkshire course – he boasts an enviable record of two wins and four placings.

“It’s another good run, he’s a legend of a horse for us and he’ll definitely go [to Royal Ascot] now for the Queen Anne,” confirmed Eustace.

This year, versus last year, is a much deeper Queen Anne, it could be the race of the week.

Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.

Francis-Henri Graffard readying sizeable Royal Ascot team

Information provided by Racing & Sports

07/06/2025

The Simon and Ed Crisford team believe there is still more to come from QUDDWAH as he gears up to take his chance in a potential red-hot Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Francis-Henri Graffard looks set for a big week at Royal Ascot as he gears up to send a number of contenders across the Channel.

The 48-year-old from Le Creusot has already enjoyed notable success at the Royal meeting, with Watch Me striking in the 2019 Coronation Stakes and Calandagan turning last year’s King Edward VII Stakes into something of a procession.

Further glory at the Berkshire venue has come in the form of The Revenant’s narrow victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while Goliath stunned a stellar line-up in the 2024 King George VI Stakes, defeating the likes of globetrotting star Rebel’s Romance, dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin, multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg and subsequent Arc heroine Bluestocking.

The multiple Group 1 and Classic-winning trainer now looks set to take aim at Royal Ascot 2025, with Zarigana, Candelari and Map Of Stars gearing up to form what looks like being his strongest squad ever.

Zarigana will make the journey to Ascot in a bid to repeat Watch Me’s success of 2019 in the Coronation Stakes. A breakthrough winner at the top-level when dramatically awarded the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches by the raceday stewards’, the Aga Khan Studs-owned homebred now looks set to take on Irish Guineas heroine Lake Victoria.

Following her Poule d'Essai des Pouliches triumph, Graffard now admits the pressure is somewhat off as he vamps up the training for the daughter of Siyouni, who will try to replicate recent victories in the contest from Ervedya (2015) and Tahiyra (2023).

He said: “For Zarigana, 1600m and good ground is her ideal scenario,”

“There’s less pressure now that she’s already a Group 1 winner. It’s’ job done’ on that front.”

Joining Zarigana will be the upwardly mobile Candelari, who has fairly burst onto the scene in the staying division in France this season, defeating former Group 1 winner Double Major in a conditions event at Chantilly in March before a commanding success in the Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigie at Longchamp last month.

On his chances, Graffard said: “I think Candelari is a top-class horse over the distance. The timing for Royal Ascot is good and we wanted to try our luck in the Gold Cup.

“It’s a very selective race and it won’t be easy, but my horse will be in great shape, and we’ll see what happens.”

Joining both Zarigana and Candelari on the Francis-Henri Graffard Royal Ascot roster is the highly talented Map Of Stars. Owned by Wathnan Racing, the improving four-year-old son of Sea The Stars has won two of his three starts this season, claiming the Group 3 Prix Exbury and Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt before running the subsequent Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan winner Sosie to within a neck in the Prix Ganay.

A first trip to Britain for the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes now looks firmly on the agenda, with Graffard keen to see how his colt shapes up against some of the best 2000m horses in Europe.

“Map Of Stars is in good form and will run in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes,” said Graffard.
“Everything is going well. We’ll see where we stand, but the horse will be in good shape for the race in any case.”

On what it means to have his biggest team of runners at Royal Ascot to date, Graffard added: “We will probably send four or five. It will be our biggest team ever and it’s very exciting.”

Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.

Colin Keane 'hugely excited' to be Juddmonte's new number one with 'Baby Mick Kinane' set for star-studded book of Royal Ascot rides

Source: Racing Post, David Jennings, Deputy Ireland editor

09/06/2025

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Colin Keane has called his new job as Juddmonte's retained rider in Europe "hugely exciting", and his long-time boss Ger Lyons described the six-time champion jockey in Ireland as "more Mick Kinane than Frankie Dettori" as he takes on one of the biggest roles in Flat racing.

The 30-year-old was announced as Juddmonte's new number one on Monday morning and will fill a job that has been vacant since James Doyle had a brief stint back in 2014.

Reacting to the news, Keane told the Racing Post: "It's brilliant. To be asked to ride in those colours is amazing. I grew up watching those colours all through my childhood and to be wearing them now is just brilliant. The family has been steeped in racing for generations so it's an honour and a privilege for me to be riding for them.

The timing could not be better for Keane as he is set to come in for a star-studded book of rides at Royal Ascot, headlined by Field Of Gold in the St James's Palace Stakes on Tuesday, while other big names he will be on board include Lead Artist in the Queen Anne, Babouche in the Commonwealth Cup and possibly Kalpana in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

"I can't wait to ride Field Of Gold again," Keane said. "He was very good at the Curragh, he gave me such an exciting feel that day. I couldn't believe how straightforward he was. Hopefully he's like that at Ascot as he was a pleasure to ride at the Curragh."

Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.

Blinkers for Asfoora at Royal Ascot?

Source: racing.com, Mathew Toogood

10/06/2025

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Trainer Henry Dwyer is considering applying blinkers to Asfoora for the Australian mare's defence of the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.

Asfoora turned in a pleasing gallop in blinkers on the July Course at Newmarket on Monday as Dwyer prepares her for her first assignment of this year's overseas campaign.

"We threw a set of shades on her," Dwyer told RSN's Racing Pulse on Tuesday, talking about the gallop.

"I've always wanted to but it's a bit hard to change things when they are going really well. Not that she's not going well, but I just feel like we're nearer the end than the start and I've got a bit of an itch to scratch with the blinkers, I think.

"I reckon they'll help her find a length or two, so we threw them on in trackwork just to make sure she'll be OK with them, and she was.

"So I dare say at this stage we'll put them on when she runs next Tuesday."

Dwyer said he had long thought Asfoora would improve with blinkers but had been reluctant to change given how well the flying mare has continued to race.

But he feels now might be the time to try the sprinter in the headgear on race day.

Asfoora stormed to victory in Adelaide first-up this preparation in the RN Irwin Stakes (1100m) in April, before finishing seventh in the G1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) two weeks later in her final start before her trip back to the UK.

"She won well first-up," Dwyer said.

"I just thought she probably was entitled to go a bit better in Adelaide (in the Sangster), despite the fact it was 1200m and despite the fact she was a bit flat second-up, maybe.

"I just thought she was probably a bit below her best and then she trialled at Flemington before she left and once again I just thought she probably didn't do as much as she should.

"And just her recovery has been a lot better this prep. I think it's a legacy of her reserving her energy a bit more. She used to get very wound up, whereas now I think she's just being a bit complacent.

"I think she's in good order and she's going well but I just think there's one little key missing and I'm hoping it's the blinkers."

Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.

Dominant at Epsom and odds-on to be champion trainer - which stars are in line to continue Aidan O'Brien's unstoppable run at Royal Ascot?

Source: Racing Post, Oliver Barnard

10/06/2025

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When Godolphin stole the show on Guineas weekend at Newmarket it looked like they might set the tone for the season. How wrong we were. Since then, Aidan O'Brien and his fleet of superstars have completely dominated the Flat racing scene.

Following that Guineas weekend, O'Brien has racked up victories in the French 2000 Guineas, Tattersalls Gold Cup, Irish 1,000 Guineas, French Derby and just this weekend completed a remarkable Group 1 clean sweep at Epsom with wins in the Coronation Cup, Oaks and the Derby.

O'Brien has been Royal Ascot's leading trainer in eight of the last ten years and his record 91 winners is 25 more than any other active trainer.

He is already odds-on to be crowned Britain's champion trainer for an eighth time, and despite Lake Victoria being ruled out of Royal Ascot, the trainer's dominance may not be stopped any time soon, with this powerful squad being aimed at Royal Ascot's Group 1s.

Diego Velazquez
Queen Anne Stakes (Tuesday, June 17)
Diego Velazquez, who is set to be O'Brien's sole runner in the opening race of Royal Ascot, was withdrawn at the start when set to make his seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown last month, so will head to Berkshire without a run under his belt.

He ended last season on a high, however, with victories in a Group 2 and a Group 3, but could be up against it in the Queen Anne, where he is likely to take on the first four home in the Lockinge, including market leader Rosallion.

Henri Matisse
St James's Palace Stakes (Tuesady, June 17)
Having already won the French 2,000 Guineas this season, Henri Matisse heads to Royal Ascot as one of Ballydoyle's best three-year-olds. O'Brien’s runner will have to get the better of Ruling Court and Field Of Gold, the British and Irish 2,000 Guineas winners, if the trainer is to win the race for a tenth time.

It will be Henri Matisse's first run on British soil, with his previous successes coming at the Curragh, Longchamp and at Del Mar.

Storm Boy
King Charles III Stakes (Tuesday, June 17) and/or Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Saturday, June 21)
With entries in the King Charles III Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes options remain open for this talented sprinter. Sired by Triple Crown winner Justify, the three-year-old was moved to Ballydoyle at the start of the year from Australia, but finished last on his stable debut in a Group 2 at the Curragh.

However, if anyone can fine-tune a horse to be ready for a race it is the master of Ballydoyle. Time after time we have seen O'Brien's runners bounce back in emphatic style, and a similar scenario could be on the cards for Storm Boy.

Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.

Zahra booked to ride at Royal Ascot

Source: racing.com, Ryan Reynolds

11/06/2025

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With Racing Post

Superstar jockey Mark Zahra will ride at Royal Ascot this year.

The Melbourne Cup-winning jockey has secured the ride on OTI-owned Docklands, who will contest the Queen Anne Stakes.

Zahra's manager Reece Murphy confirmed Zahra had been booked to ride the 2024 Cox Plate fifth placegetter on Wednesday morning.

Docklands, who is likely to be back in Victoria this spring for a crack at the Carnival is trained by Harry Eustace.

Docklands went down by two and a quarter lengths when runner up to Charyn 12 months ago and heads back to the opening race of the royal meeting after finishing a close third in Saturday's Group 3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom.

Trapped in a pocket around three furlongs from home, Docklands finished his race strongly to be beaten only three-quarters of a length by Persica. Eustace is now looking forward to returning to Ascot, a course where his stable star has never finished outside the first three in six runs over the straight mile.

"I never like making too many excuses but I don't know if we got the luck through the race which you need at Epsom," said the trainer. "Sometimes the gaps come and in this case they didn't.

"The reason it's so frustrating is that he's put in so many good efforts over the last couple of years without winning and more than anything, for the horse, we'd love to make him a winner again. He's put in two good runs this season and we'll go back to his favourite track at Ascot now."

Important Notice:
Information is provided by the third-party provider and it is intended to be used for reference only. The content and information have not been verified or confirmed by The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its affiliates (together, the “HKJC”), and will not be used for dividend payout purposes. HKJC also do not make any representation or warranty about the timeliness, reliability or accuracy of any such information. The data, articles and other information on these pages are provided on an “as is” basis for information purposes only. None of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, its affiliates or any other person involved in or related to the compilation of such information guarantees its accuracy or reliability and accepts no liability (whether in tort or contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage arising from any inaccuracies or omissions.