Trainer dreaming of Group 1 breakthrough with Nunthorpe hope he says is 'the one to beat'

Source: Racing Post, David Jennings

14/08/2025

She's Quality has been the bridesmaid of the sprinting division all season but Jack Davison feels her big day could arrive on Friday week in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at a track that the trainer feels was "invented for her."

The speedy daughter of Acclamation heads to York with a string of twos next to her name. She has been runner-up in the Palace House Stakes, Temple Stakes, Coral Charge and King George Qatar Stakes and she is set to make her first appearance on the Knavesmire where there are bonus points for pure speed.

That is what She's Quality has got in spades and aims to give Davison a first Group 1 victory in what the trainer believes is a wide-open Nunthorpe. He is convinced she is the one to beat in the £600,000 event.

"I think York is going to suit her even better than Goodwood," said Davison. "I suppose you could call it the British equivalent of Tipperary in that it's such a sharp five furlongs and all about speed. It feels like the track was invented for her.

"She's got so much natural speed and she has the pace to put the race to bed. I know I'm biased, but I think she's the one to beat in the Nunthorpe."

Having tried to burn off her rivals from the start in the Coral Charge at Sandown on her penultimate start last month, we saw a different She's Quality at Glorious Goodwood. She was held up and arrived on the scene late, only failing by a neck to catch Jm Jungle.

That performance in a Group 2 was exactly what Davison was looking for and he believes she is now ready to make a big splash at the highest level.

"She could not be in a better place than she is right now," said Davison. "It was a very efficient losing performance at Goodwood. She's learning to race properly with every run and she did things the right way at Goodwood. She got cover, gradually moved through the gears and finished out her race. I know she didn't win, but I couldn't have been any happier with the run."

The biggest moment in Davison's training career to this point arrived in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh in 2021 when Mooneista scored under Colin Keane. Thunderbear has been another flagbearer for the stable in recent years.

On She's Quality, Davison added: "I genuinely could not be any happier with her going into the race. I can't wait for it and, as I said, I do think she is the one they all have to beat."

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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.

Hong Kong based Harry Bentley in line for York ride

12/08/2025

Adrian Murray is eagerly anticipating relishing another bid for Group One glory at York next week, when Arizona Blaze goes for gold in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe.

Arizona Blaze is among the favourites in the 1000m feature on the Friday of the four-day Ebor Festival.

Second at the Breeders’ Cup, he has been running consistently this season, finishing second in the Commonwealth Cup to Time For Sandals and then winning the Sapphire Stakes by a clear-cut two lengths.

“He’s among the favourites and that is because he always turns up on the day – hopefully he will do again in the Nunthorpe,” said Murray.

“He’s a very exciting horse, he never runs a bad race and the sprint division is wide open this year.

Connections of another juvenile keen to chance their arm are on course to supplement Spicy Marg, an easy winner at Newmarket on debut in June.

Michael Bell’s charge bounced back from a couple of disappointments in style at the Goodwood Festival prompting connections to consider a run at York.

Bell said: “The plan is to give it a go. All the speed analysts seem to think she should be having a crack at it – her figures are very, very good – and she clearly is in very good form.

“I think it’s very relevant her dam [Main Desire] won two Listed races over five furlongs [1000m] on the Knavesmire, so it’s in her genes she should like the track and I strongly think she will.

“We’re very happy with her and very much looking forward to it.”

Connections are ready to pay the £40,000 supplementary fee to add Spicy Marg to the Nunthorpe field at the weekend, with Hong Kong-based rider Harry Bentley booked for the ride.

“Harry is waiting for his licence to be rubber-stamped by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, he tells me that’s a formality, so the intention is for him to ride,” said Bell, who won the Nunthorpe in 2011 with Margot Did.

“She wants good, fast ground. We’ll wait until Saturday to confirm it, but the intention is very much to supplement her at this stage.”

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.

'He's got everything you want in a sprinter' - Nunthorpe next on in-form Adrian Murray's mind with rapid Arizona Blaze

Source: Racing Post, David Jennings

10/08/2025

Adrian Murray enjoyed his "best day in racing" at the Curragh on Saturday when Power Blue and Bucanero Fuerte won the two big races, and the trainer has nominated the Nunthorpe Stakes as his next mission with the rapid Arizona Blaze.

News that Joe Fanning had been booked by Ger Lyons for Lady Iman and that the two-year-old is an intended runner in the Coolmore-sponsored Group 1 was not music to the trainer's ears, but he said he was delighted with his own leading contender and reports him to be bang on course to try to land the famous sprint for Amo Racing on Friday week.

"It's all systems go for the Nunthorpe," said Murray. "Arizona Blaze is all speed and built like a proper sprinter. He has a huge backside and is full of muscle; he's got everything you want in a sprinter.

"We know he likes York, too. He ran a cracker in the big sales race there last year when he was just touched off, and the track seems to suit his style of running. It was always the intention to go back there for the Nunthorpe and, fingers crossed, he'll go close. We worked him the other morning and everybody was thrilled so we're looking forward to York."

Arizona Blaze looked a prime Nunthorpe candidate when bursting clear to win the Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Derby weekend.

It will be Arizona Blaze's 16th start and Murray said: "He loves his racing. He's so consistent and seems to be getting better all the time. The big worry is two-year-olds being supplemented. Let's just say I'd be happier if they weren't. Giving the likes of Lady Iman all that weight will be a tough job, but we'll give it a lash and see how he gets on. He couldn't be in better form anyway."

Plans are in place for Power Blue and Bucanero Fuerte, too. The shock winner of Saturday's Phoenix Stakes will return to the Curragh next month for the National Stakes, while Bucanero Fuerte is set to appear on the same card on day two of the Irish Champions Festival, with the Flying Five on his radar.

Murray said: "Power Blue has an unbelievable constitution. He's getting bigger, stronger and better. We went there being the underdog but he produced one hell of a performance and we'll head back to the Curragh for the National Stakes.

"I've been told Bucanero Fuerte broke the track record on Saturday. That's some going if he did. What a horse he is; he has speed to burn and should have no problem dropping in trip for the Flying Five next."

Murray praised his assistant trainer Robson Aguiar, stressing he is a vital cog in the Amo machine.

"Myself and Robson go way back," he said. "We used to have a horse together years ago and he'd come in at 5am to ride him out every morning before the other lots would go out for their work.

"He's a serious operator, so shrewd. I've never seen anyone like him as a judge of a horse. He sees things others don't. He always has to see a horse first before he looks at a page. He's just unbelievable, I cannot speak highly enough of him."

He added: “Saturday at the Curragh was just magic. Days like that can take a while to come, but when they do they're worth all the work. It was my best day in racing.”

Power Blue was Murray's second Group 1 winner, with his first also coming in the Phoenix Stakes, Bucanero Fuerte winning it in 2023.

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.

'Tough as metal' Washington Heights is set for the Nunthorpe Stakes after impressive City Walls win

Source: Racing Post

12/07/2025

Washington Heights bounced back to his best in the City Walls Stakes to line himself up for a potential tilt at the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes.

The Kevin Ryan-trained five-year-old got his head in front for the first time since the Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April last year. His three-quarter length win earned him a spot in the 5f Group 1 at Ebor Meeting

Adam Ryan, assistant trainer to his father, said: "He's been going against the best company around and been doing well. The good thing with him though is he's as tough as metal and just keeps on going.

"It takes a brave horse to get past him and he really knuckled down in the last furlong. He's getting faster and he loves to hear his hooves rattle, so thankfully the weather's been kind to us."

He added: "He takes his owners to all of the right meetings and he's in races like the Nunthorpe for a reason. It'd be no surprise to see him back here next month."

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.

International challengers prep for York Ebor Festival

Danon Decile, conqueror of Calandagan in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic in April, has arrived in Britain ahead of his intended run in the Group 1 Juddmonte International Stakes at York on Wednesday, August 20.

The Japanese star arrived in midweek and enjoyed a taste of the Newmarket gallops, working in company with horses from James Horton’s stable where he is based.

Trainer Shogo Yasuda, who partnered Danon Decile in his workout, said: “We did travel very well, so we’re very satisfied. My training plan between the two weeks from here to York, the main thing is to take care of his mind – make him happy.”

The £1.25milllion Group 1 on the Knavesmire will see Danon Decile coming back in trip to tackle an extended 2000m but that is of no concern to Yasuda.

“I’m not concerned for the shorter distance,” he continued. “I believe he’s got a lot of experience from racing. I’m not worried about the drop in distance. He can adjust pace.”
One international runner who has already had a taste of York is Asfoora who will bid to improve on last season’s fourth in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on Friday, 22 August.

The Henry Dwyer-trained sprinter was said to have lacked ‘traction’ after a slightly disappointing run on the Knavesmire in 2024 but is on course to have another crack at the Group 1 having bounced out of her latest start at Goodwood where she ran seventh in the King George Stakes.

Chenelle Ellis, Asfoora’s groom, said: “She’s going well, I think she’s going as well as she can be. If we get good to fast ground, I think she will be very hard to beat. She’s on-song to run a really big race.”  

Featuring among the opposition is likely to be two runners from the yard of Ed Walker who has three entered in Celandine, last year’s Group 2 Lowther Stakes winner, Mgheera, the Temple Stakes victor, as well as Balmoral Lady.

Walker said: “I think it’s probably unlikely we’ll run all three. It will probably be Celandine and Mgheera – or Balmoral Lady. To be competitive at that level, I think Balmoral Lady needs softer ground.

“Celandine’s in great form. She’s definitely trained on. I’m adamant that she will be comfortable with the five furlongs [1000m]. I feel she just about hangs on over six – like she did in the Lowther – and I’m really excited about seeing her in a strong five furlongs [1000m]. She showed great speed in the Molecomb as a two-year-old. The owners are supportive, so I think we’re going to roll the dice in the Nunthorpe.

“Mgheera, it’s been the plan since the Temple Stakes. We thought we’d take in Ascot and that went terribly wrong [Mgheera was withdrawn at the start of the King Charles III Stakes]. Then we felt we needed a run in between the Temple Stakes and the Nunthorpe, so squeezed in Ireland [the Sapphire Stakes]. That was a big run in Ireland – very happy with her. I just think the very slick nature of York, Haydock, flat track, hopefully fast ground is exactly what she wants.

“We’re really excited about her. Touch wood, she’s in good nick – she’s a definite runner as long as the ground stays good or faster and she’s been training really well.”

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.