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Gm Equinauts

Good practice needs to be remembered in both bull and bear runs. In bear runs when your bets are missing, it’s vital to play with a clear mind, sticking to your process and hitting your edge with conviction. In bull runs you might feel you have the Midas touch where everything you back just wins… this is when you need to stick to the prog more than ever because the temptation of playing with their money is all too easy.

Let’s dive in.

Headline Roundup

Alcohol FREE to race

Fireworks we wanted and fireworks we got at the December Mares sales last night as some of the best mares in the world were sold for as much as the revenue of a good SME.

Bear in mind, these are just fluffy animals that eat, shit and run fast, the market demand for them right now is just insatiable and the hammer was knocked down multiple times last night, selling mares for eye watering amounts including four-time Group 1 winner ALCOHOL FREE who sold for a monster 5,400,000gns.

The former Andrew Balding-trained four-year-old was bought by Michael Donohoe of BBA Ireland while sat next to Yuesheng Zhang of Yulong Investments, making her the second-most expensive thoroughbred ever sold at auction in Europe – the first was MARSHA who went through the Tattersalls ring for 6,300,000gns to MV Magnier in 2017.

The recent July Cup-winning mare will go to race in Australia for an assumed one more season to try recoup some of their price tag before going to stud. The prize money is so good down-under, I imagine she’ll be paying her way quite quickly before going to see big daddy FRANKEL.

ALCOHOL FREE has played a huge part in the short history of BGP and we owe her so much. From gambling her ante-post in the 1000 Guineas when she came up short, to redemption at 16’s in the Coronation Stakes. Woof.

Of course, it’s so nice to see a horse who has helped mould our success on Racing Twitter sell for this much money but equally it’s very sad to see her go. Good luck down under, old girl.

More sales

Another high-class mare went through the ring for a seven-figure price as SAFFRON BEACH was sold to Prince Faisal bin Khalid bin Abdulaziz’s Najd Stud for 3,6000,000gns.

The four-year-old Group 1 Prix Rothschild winner will remain in training with Jane Chapple-Hyam and is set to be targeted for the Saudi Cup in February 2023.

And for just 900,000gns less, TRANQUIL LADY was picked up by Godolphin for 2,700,000gns having been offered by The Castlebridge Consignment on behalf of the owner Teme Valley Racing.

The two-time Group 3 winner as a three-year-old was last seen beating RUMI at Saint-Cloud last month in the Gr3 Prix de Flore – she is a half-sister to the recently retired STATE OF REST.

Anthony Stroud of Godolphin said that she could stay in training or be retired to stud but the decision hasn’t been made yet.

If you want a good read, we highly recommend the bloodstock side of the Racing Post.

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King George confirmations

13 horses were confirmed for the Grade 1 King George just four weeks out from the big Christmas contest as both GALOPIN DES CHAMPS and TORNADO FLYER were scratched from the race.

At this stage, Willie Mullins is without a charge for the three-mile Kempton Clash on Boxing Day unless he supplements a runner. Stablemates BRAVEMANSGAME and HITMAN were both confirmed whilst ENVOI ALLEN and NOBLE YEATS are the remaining Irish contingent in this year’s renewal.

GREANETEEN is currently odds on for this with SHISHKIN unsteady in the market due to Hendo’s concerns over the going. Not my type of bet, but brave people will be looking at the weather forecast and backing GREANTEEN at the prices anticipating him going off a lot shorter on the day should big SHISH not run.

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Christmas gamble

Every yard has a Christmas gamble and farrier turned trainer, Russel Ross, executed his to perfection yesterday.

Backed in from 66/1 to 10/3, a huge gamble was landed on LISLORAN in the 14.40 to give the trainer his first ever winner under rules.

Having trained point winners well into high double figures, yesterday’s winner was Ross’ first under rules (he only trains two!) but tried to convince Racing TV that the gamble was nothing to do with him. Ffs. I’d love to see a trainer to one day say ‘yeh, we have the fucking lot on’.

The farrier and point-to-point trainer had saddled 63 horses before his winner up at Ayr yesterday and is set to run LISLORAN sharpish if he comes out of the race well.

Elsewhere on the card, Stuart Crawford landed his first ever four-timer thanks to victories from LARGY SHARK, CARNFUNNOCK, GOLD CUP BAILLY, and LARGY VALLEY at combined odds of 314/1.

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Risk on 

Hard racing today with nothing stand out but we’re going with two smalls bets today.

13.25 BLUE MISSILE

Nicely bred horse who went off strong fave in a warm race lto. Experience over the field here and could prove very hard to beat today. Full bet at 13/8.

13.35 INIS OIRR

JJ’s is a very expensive French recruit and yard have a great record when travelling to Haydock but I’m taking it on with Lucinda’s. INIS OIRR has had a run and yard own this race last year. 11/4 into 13/8, it’s still a nice price for a two-horse race with plenty of negatives for the fave. Disclaimer – for it’s price, JJ’s COULD fucking bolt up but not all the boxes are ticked for this lad. Half bet at 13/8 and tiny double with fave.

I’ve been monitoring TEEKANA (17.15) now for a while as pedigree is better than form suggests. Another yard Christmas bet about to be landed? Had a small play at 8/1 to find out.