Spitfire at Kempton Park

I enjoyed an afternoon at the races on Saturday at Kempton Park. When I checked the entries I was pleasantly surprised to see one of my crop horses enter in one of the races.

Spitfire, a four-year-old bay gelding by Mujahid out of Fresh Fruit Daily (Reprimand) ran in the 3.45. It was his first race of the season. Considering that, he ran really quite well. He finished 4th of 14. The race was won by Something.

I took some photos of him.

In the last photo Spitfire is the horse on the right of the picture on the nearside with the white blaze and the jockey in the red and white silks. He finished well enough to suggest there should be a couple of races for him this year.

Weekend Entries: 11-12 April 09

SATURDAY:

Boudoir – Tampa Bay, race 10, allowance $23.5k (1m1/16)
7th – Showed little

Diego Velasquez – Newton Abbott 4.20, handicap chase £4.2 (2m)
7th – Mid-division until 8th

Ermine Slippers – Santa Anita, race 6, maid sp wt $46k (1m)
4th - Off step slow

Pearl – Newton Abbott4.55, handicap hurdle £1.9 (2m6f)
7th – Led 3rd until 7th, weakened after 3 out

Spitfire – Kempton Park 3.45, handicap £11 (7f)
4th – behind, hung right over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders

Winterlily – Philadelphia Pk, race 3,  claiming $18k (1m)
3rd – Bid, needed more

SUNDAY

Chasing Clouds – Cork 3.25, handicap €5.1 (1m)
9th - prominent, 3rd straight, soon no extra under pressure

Dusk – Towcester 3.10, novices’ hurdle £3.9 (2m)
Non-runner

Weekend Entries: 4-5 April 09

SATURDAY:

Primed And Poised – Turf Paradise, race 4, claiming 3.5k (6f)
3rd – Mild bid, up for show

Winterlily – Mountaineer Pk, race 7, claiming $18.6k (1m)
2nd – Swung six wide, willing for second

SUNDAY:

El Indy – Keeneland, race 4, claiming $30k (7f)
9th – Showed little

Sandstorm Cat – Keeneland, race 5, allowance $58k (1 1/2m)
3rd – Bold bid inside, hung

Morning Mist – Tampa Bay, race 5, claiming $11.3k (1m40y)
6th – Stopped

Eastern Anthem Shows Class In Dubai

I have always been very fond of Eastern Anthem, not least because he is the first foal of one of my all-time favourite race mares Kazzia (GER). He was a definite for my 2004 crop before he was even named.

He has been lightly raced and I felt he never quite fulfilled his potential over the years. However, I was quite hot on him coming into the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) on the Dubai World Cup undercard. He won the Alhaarth Handicap at the beginning of February with an impressive late run. He ran again a couple of weeks later, when he was up late for the win again, though seemingly the jockey (Royston Ffrench) had to work harder.

Ahmed Ajtebi was aboard for the first race, which he won so impressively and was aboard the Anthem again for the Sheema Classic.  The partnership really seems to work. Eastern Anthem went down on his nose early and lost quite a bit of ground, but Ajtebi was patient and happy to stay back, making his move into the home straight, when his horse flew home to score by a nose in a three-way photo.

There could be really good stuff to come from the Anthem and I am looking forward to see him back in Europe. I am just slightly worried he will go backwards again when he changes trainer, as after this performance he might well be back in the Godolphin blue.

Weekend Entries: 28-29 March 09

SATURDAY:
Artax Returns – Penn National, race 4 – claiming $11k (1m)
scratched

Battle Amour – Hawthorne, race 2 – claiming $9.5k (6f)
6th – Took no part

Cockatoo – Lingfield 5.10 – handicap hurdle £4.8k (2m3f)
WON – tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, led last, kept on

Eastern Anthem - Nad Al Sheba 4.40 – G1 Dubai Sheema Clssc £3.4m (1m4f)
WON – slowly away, settled in rear, ran on well final 2 1/2f, led last stride

Indy Moon – Hawthorne, race 3 – claiming $13.5k (1m70y)
4th – never involved

Mischief – Camden, race 2 – maiden hurdle $25k (2m1f)
DNF – Fell at last jump

SUNDAY:
Ash – Gulfstream Park, race 6 – claiming $25k (1 1/16m)
7th – Poor start

Diego Velasquez – Newton Abbot 3.25 – handicap chase $4.5k  (2m5f)
5th – led until 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next

Follow The Wind – Greenelee County, race 6 – stakes $1k (7f)
2nd – Steady gain

Shaimaa – Leopardstown 5.15 – handicap €9.6 (1m2f)
WON – tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd travelling easily over 1 1/2 f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear, easily

Z Z Dome – Sunland Pk, race 4 – allowance $44,5k (1 1/16m)
scratched

Cat Dreams

CAT DREAMS (USA)

bay horse – Storm Cat x J J’sdream, by Glitterman
Foaled: 24 April 2001 in Kentucky
Breeder: Equine Stable Ltd
Owners: B Wayne Hughes/Bongo Racing Stable

Cat Dreams is a well-bred son of Storm Cat, out of J J’sdream,  a multiple graded stakes winner. Cat Dreams only ran one race, a maiden at Churchill Downs, which he won by an impressive 8 lengths. Injury cut his career short unfortunately and the next time I saw his name was he was standing his first season at stud. He had a decent sized book his couple of years, with around 40 foals, but none have as yet been particularly good racehorses. But, he was a freshman sire last year and his foals still could come good. He just needs a few horses to make an impact for breeders to remain interested.

STUD FEES:

2005-2006 Pepper Oaks Farm (Santa Ynez, California) $4,000
2007-2008 Tommy Town Thoroughbreds (Santa Ynez, California) $4,000
2009 Tommy Town Thoroughbreds (Santa Ynez, California) $2,000

Blood Horse page

PROGENY:

2006:
Ancient Future (USA/KY) ch f out of Ma Guerre, by Lord At War
Capital Cat (USA/CA) b c out of Queenofluv, by Fruition
Cat Dreamer (USA/CA) ch c out of Silent Alarm, by Boundary
Cat Glitter (USA/CA) b c out of Aunt Polly, by Raise A Champion
Cat Scratch Boogie (USA/CA) b f out of Clever Frosty, by Clever Trick
Catifornya Dreamin (USA/CA) ch f out of High Bolly, by Saros
Chas G (USA/CA) ch c out of Roman Gift, by Smokester
Chino Cowboy (USA/CA) b c out of Happy Countess, by Conte Di Savoya
Diva Dolly (USA/CA) gr f out of Grey Prism, by Grey Dawn
Dream Cat (USA/CA) ch c out of Raise Her Right, by Raise A Cup
Ens Perfectum (USA/CA) ch f out of Strictly Speaking, by General Meeting
Faithless (USA/CA) ch f out of Good Faith Woman, by Syncopate
Feigh (USA/CA) dbr f out of Flor De Morelia, by Candi’s Gold
Grey Girl Cat (USA/CA) gr f out of Blue Country, by Grey Dawn
Humane (USA/CA) ch f out of Humanist, by Sharp Victor
J P’s Dreams (USA/CA) gr c out of Classy Lily, by Bertrando
K J’s Cat Dancer (USA/UT) dbr f out of Mavi, by Corwyn Bay
Kap Kat (USA/CA) dbr f out of Kapu Slew, by Seattle Slew
Kat Bon D (USA/KY) dbr f out of Siphonophora, by Siphon
Kitty Kat Queen (USA/CA) gr f out of Queen Of The Mall, by Runaway Groom
Marleau (USA/CA) gr c out of Ascalon, by Two Punch
Midnight Kisses (USA/CA) dbr f out of K’s Best Legal, by Kalim
Misdream (USA/OR) ch f out of Misowpy, by Slewpy
Mistical Dream (USA/CA) ch f out of Mistical Mist, by Mehmet
Po’s Dream Kitty (USA/CA) dbr f out of Po, by Well Decorated
Purrfect Gem (USA/LA) ch f out of Fourcarrotdiamond, by Regal Search
Redneck Dreamer (USA/CA) dbr g out of Istaria, by Star De Naskra
Reindeer Dippin (USA/CA) dbr g out of Miss Lady Fan, by Proud Irish
Rulz N Regulations (USA/CA) dbr f out of McLean, by Hostage
Sierra Silver Cat (USA/CA) dbr f out of Supreme Silver, by Silver Hawk
Six Dreams (USA/CA) ch f out of Timely Six, by Saratoga Six
So Thankful (USA/CA) b f out of Meadow Sprite, by Meadowlake
Sticktoyourdreams (USA/CA) ch f out of Super Glued, by Herat
Summmertime Dream (USA/CA) ch f  out of Summertime Romance, by State Dinner
Swirly Girl (USA/KY) ch f out of San Diego Sue, by Red Ransom
Thelifeoftheparty (USA/CA) dbr f out of Martinis Atmidnite, by Dynaformer
Whatafantasy (USA/CA) ch f out of Weaving Magic, by General Meeting
Whatimlookingfor (USA/CA) b f out of Kintla, by Lear Fan
unnamed colt (USA/CA) out of Promenade Lady, by West By West
unnamed filly (USA/CA) out of Saint In A Dress, by Emperdori
unnamed colt (USA/CA) out of Prospect Report, by Corporate Report
unnamed filly (USA/CA) out of Most Awesome, by Awesome Again
unnamed colt (USA/CA) out of Soft Coral, by Cape Town

2007:
A J’s Cat (USA/OK) dbr c out of Valid Kris, by Valid Wager
Alwaysinmydreams (USA/CA) dbr f out of Treatmelikealady, by Distinctive Pro
Cant Cats Me (USA/CA) dbr f out of Super Super Sweet, by Supermec
Cat Cracker (USA/CA) dbr f out of Jumberca, by Carson City
Catch As Cats Can (USA/CA) b f out of Liz Ficken, by Gallant Prospector
Catty Desdemona (USA/CA) ch f out of Desdemona, by Lahib
Chiquita Gato (USA/CA) b f out of Charm Power, by Lines Of Power
Denise’s Gift (USA/CA) ch f out of Super Glued, by Heart
El Tee (USA/CA) ch c out of Touchdownsandiego, by Turkey Shoot
Eventful Conquest (USA/CA) b c out of Event To Remember*, by Event Of The Year
First Wish (USA/CA) ch f out of Timely Six, by Saratoga Six
Henry’s Joy (USA/TX) b f out of Catch The Joy, by Bertrando
Lightning James (USA/CA) b c out of Dancin’ On Water, by Salt Lake
Luv’n That Cat (USA/CA) dbr f out of Queenofluv, by Fruition
Natural Dreams (USA/CA) ch c out of Natural Route, by Mud Route
One Fine Cat (USA/CA) b c out of Aunt Polly, by Raise A Champion
Pali Cat (USA/CA) b c out of Pali Girl, by Bertrando
Piolin (USA/CA) dbr c out of Pareek, by Tinners Way
Prepare For Glory (USA/CA) b c out of Blazing Bonnie, by Formal Gold
Sabino Storm (USA/CA) b c out of Done With Pleasure, by Foolish Pleasure
Sweettina (USA/NJ) b f out of My Moonbeam, by Malibu Moon
Tabiano (USA/CA) dbr c out of Ruby Ruby Doo, by Rubiano
Theotherlebowski (USA/CA) b f out of Go Girl Go, by Abstract
These Dreams (USA/CA) ch f out of French Wedding, by French Deputy
Tizaboutacat (USA/CA) gr f out of Tizaboutime, by Cee’s Tizzy
Touch A Dream (USA/CA) b f out of Ebbets Field, by Touch Gold
unnamed (USA/KY) ch f out of High Delight, by Mt Livermore
unnamed (USA/CA) dbr f out of Hey Ma, by Wheaton
unnamed (USA/CA) ch c out of Gleeful Yodeler, by Swiss Yodeler
unnamed (PHI) gr f out of Kiara Patricia, by Vice Regent
unnamed (USA/LA) ch f out of Addario, by Spectrum
unnamed (USA/CA) dbr f out of Batscan, by Batonnier
unnamed (THA) ch c out of All In Line, by Pleasant Colony
unnamed (USA/CA) b c out of Latin Mary Can, by Latin American
unnamed (USA/CA) ch c out of Mons Venus, by Maria’s Mon
unnamed (USA/CA) b f out of Battledress, by Elusive Quality
unnamed (USA/CA) ch c out of Whataninspiration, by Full Of Fools

I will add the race records for 2008  (if available) soon!

Certain Storm

CERTAIN STORM (USA)

Bay horse – Storm Cat x La Affirmed, by Affirmed
Foaled: 5 May 2001 in Kentucky
Breeder: Brushwood Stable

Certain Storm was sold at the Keeneland Yearling Sale for $925k to Overbrook Farm. He comes from a stellar female family and is by Storm Cat. He never did make it to the track and in a market saturated with Storm Cat sons, it will be extremely hard for him to make a dent.

STUD FEES:

2005-2009: Pin Oak Lane Farm (New Freedom, PA) $2,500

Thoroughbred Times Stallion Page

PROGENY:

2006:
Certainly You (USA/PA) ch f  out of Had To Be You, by Horatius
Hello Storm Kitty (USA/WV) dbr f  out of Rambling Barb, by Cormorant
Natural Honey (USA/PA) b f  our of Our Recall, by Repriced
Red Pauline (USA/PA) dbr f out of Image Of A Halo, by Halo’s Image
S W Shannon (USA/CA) dbr f out of S W Stephie, by Bankbook
Storm Idol (USA/NY) dbr f out of Lamb’s Idol, by Northern Idol
Storm’s Ransom (USA/MD) gr c out of Cushina, by Holy Bull
Stormin Raven (USA/MD) b f out of We Believe, by Irish Tower
Stormy Zanna (USA/PA) ch f out of Zany Zanna, by Petorius
Tempest Worrell (USA/PA) dbr f out of Fingers Cross, by Le Merle Blanc
unnamed colt (USA/MD) out of Malie’s Princess, by Thirty Eight Paces

2007:
Call Me Lonesome (USA/NJ) b c out of Our Recall, by Repriced
Certain Secret (USA/PA) dbr c out of Foolish Secret, by Maudlin
Certain To Rain (USA/PA) dbr f out of Assaggini, by Vendor
Certaindeal (USA/PA) ch c out of Cordelia, by Contested Bid
Certainly Zany (USA/PA) dbr f out of Zany Zanna, by Petorius
Coastal Paradise (USA/PA) dbr f out of Perfellia, by Perfecting
Native Child (USA/PA) ch f out of Protect The Child, by Housebuster
Sweet Tata (USA/NJ) b f out of  Sweet Willy, by Williamstown
Teenage King (USA/PA) b c out of Sheltered Teenager, by Magic Prospect
unnamed colt (USA) out of Ms Cappuccio, by Cappuccio

I will add race records where available at a later date, though not many of these have made it to the track yet…

Weekend Entries: 21-22 March 09

SATURDAY:
Challenger – Mountaineer Pk, race 4 – claiming $11.3k (1m70y) -
WON – Wide drive, drew off

*Santi’s Girl – Santa Anita, race 10, maid claim $18k (7f) -
9th – Between horses, dropped back, weakened

Scottish Gale – Delta Downs, race 10 – claiming $19k (1m) -
10th – Broke poorly, bid, done

Winterlily – Mountaineer Pk, race 6 – claiming $10.9k (1m70y) -
2nd – Bore down abreast foe

Z Z Dome – Sunland Pk, race 11 – Mt Cristo Rey H $100k (4½f) -
3rd – Angled in 1/8, gained

SUNDAY::
Dusk – Huntingdon 2.10 – maiden hurdle £3.2k (2m)
10th - held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, behind when not fluent 3 out

Shaimaa – Cork 3.35 – handicap hurdle €11 (2m) -
4th – Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 7th and slightly hampered 3 out, under pressure in 6th next, kept on same pace

Trippin Up – Tampa Bay Dns, race 6 – claiming $18.3k (1 1/16m) -
5th – Passed tiring rivals

Yossi – Huntingdon 4.10 – handicap hurdle £3.9k (2m) -
WON – In touch, jumped slowly 4th, left in lead soon after, hung left when not fluent 2 out, driven out

* = progeny of crop horses

Arturus Rex

Most people who enjoy horse racing have at some point wondered what happens to the horses that leave the track after a successful or unsuccessful racing career. Some careers never even get off the ground.

One of those that never raced is Arturus Rex. He is a bay gelding by Capote out of Royal Feat (Kingmambo) and was part of my Crop of 2004. His owners apparently did try to make a race horse out of him, but no avail. He trained as a tw0-year-old at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland throughout the summer and after a long lay-off again in April 2008, but never did make a single start. Who knows, he might have been troubled by injury or just not fast enough. I will probably never find out.

I got an e-mail just the other day from a lady called Susan,  telling me that Arturus Rex had been given to her and asking whether I knew anything about him. He was given to her after he been out in a field for a year.  I could not give her an enormous amount of information, but I was very happy that he seems to have fallen into good hands, unlike so many thoroughbreds when they come off the track. She is hoping to fatten him up, retrain him and to find a good home for him. It sounds like he will be just fine!

She kindly provided me with a photo of him:

Arturus Rex, photo by Susan Dykstra

Cat Dreams: Denise’s Gift’s Task

I was pleasantly surprised to see a story about one of Cat Dreams‘ daughters on the Blood Horse website.

It is the story of how two-year-old filly Denise’s Gift, who was named after a lady who donated her organs and saved lives that way for the first time, will be used to  raise awareness and encourage organ donation .

I hope you will read the story and think about the issues and the need that exists for organ donation, wherever you are.

The Blood Horse – Inside Track:  Gift Of The Heart