Equinties - ISTABRAQ

Gm Equinauts

The legendary champion hurdler ISTABRAQ sadly passed away today at the old age of 32. What an innings.

Amongst his litany of wins he was most famous for his three Champion hurdle victories, stamping him as truly one of, if not ‘THE’ greatest race horse in the history of the sport.

Bred to be special on the flat, amazingly he didn’t make the grade in ‘96 but flat’s loss was jumps gain as he was moved to the care of Gosden’s assistant John Durkan with the Cheltenham festival in mind.

Suffering from leukaemia, Durkan sadly never got to see ISTABRAQ go on to greatness. A tragedy, John died in ‘98 just before the ISTABRAQ won the champion hurdle for the first time!

ISTABRAQ continued his career under the tutelage of one Aidan O’Brien and, as they say, the rest is history.

Enjoy:

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

TRAVELLING STREAM

The July Cup at Newmarket was setting up to be a corker of a race, but it proved to be a bit of a surprise as MILL STREAM collected his first Group 1 at 11/1.

It’s weird he went off this price, and it’s even weirder that people don’t rate him as much as they should.

It’s a mystery this occurs as he beat INISHERIN and VANDEEK at Newmarket as well as SWINGALONG, the runner-up in the Jubilee Stakes, which is proper form.

So, he has most of the sprinting division behind him, and not many new horses have come into the scene, so why isn’t he considered top of the division?

Well, maybe it’s because the current crop of sprinters isn’t vintage, so any decent ones tend to rise to the top fairly easily without competition.

Despite this, connections are looking to capitalise as he’s heading back to France for the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest on August 4th.

“He loves travelling so there are no worries there,” said his trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam. “It's an extended six, but going on how he hit the line in the July Cup, I don't think it will be a problem, and he likes the track.

“There wouldn't be a Breeders' Cup on the cards because Peter is happy to keep him in training next year so I don't want to run the risk of sending him there.”

More: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/mill-stream-set-for-deauville-return-and-will-race-on-next-year/

ENGLISH DREAM

The Lennox Stakes lost a runner on Tuesday as Richard Hannon confirmed that HAATEM would miss the Lennox Stakes.

However, Wathnan are ready to unleash another runner as ENGLISH OAK is a readymade replacement in the Lennox.

His Royal Ascot form looks solid as CARRYTHEONE, an eye-catcher at Ascot, was again an eye-catcher in the Bunbury Cup, so he probably beat a good field.

The fact Wathnan are putting full confidence in him is a boost, and racing advisor Richard Brown has backed this up.

He said: "He was great at Royal Ascot and he was really impressive, but this is going to be a different ballgame as this is a big step up in quality to what he's faced. He'll need a career-best run, but we're looking forward to running.

"Ed's delighted with him and he did a great piece of work this week. We have an eye on the Prix de la Foret, but it's always one step at a time and he looks a really good seven-furlong horse."

More: https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/glorious-goodwood/its-one-of-the-most-important-weeks-for-us-wathnan-set-for-glorious-goodwood-as-english-oak-spearheads-day-one-team-aOxdJ1C0UNAa/

HANNON’S SECRET WEAPON

As it’s well-known, Richard Hannon had a media day on Tuesday and plenty was said about ROSALLION and HAATEM.

However, there was one piece of news that came out yesterday, and it was about a handicapper who Hannon likes.

GREAT BEDWYN, an 88-rated four-year-old by SHOWCASING, won at Newbury last week and could be aimed for Goodwood.

On the horse, Hannon said: “Great Bedwyn has a super chance. The handicapper has put him up 4lb for his win at Newbury and there are two options for him.

“We’re delighted with the way he’s come back as we just gelded him; he’s a horse that could have a nice backend of the season.”

Out Listed-placed MISTRESS QUICKLY, he is a well-bred sort who is unexposed to some degree off his mark, and when Hannon goes out of his way to mention one, it’s worth taking note.

He is also entered for York on Saturday, so watch where he goes.

More: https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/glorious-goodwood/he-has-a-super-chance-glorious-goodwood-handicapper-has-richard-hannon-excited-aEv5u5z7vde1/

TWEETS OF THE DAY

YOUNG BLOOD

15.15 LISTED STAR STAKES

When Juddmonte filly bred in the purple wins a Newbury maiden by 4 lengths you’ve got to sit up. FLAMING STONE was described as a ‘beautiful mover’ by Oisin.

Miss Rausing’s filly ALLA STELLA and FLAMING STONE have beaten the same yard stick, a filly of Beckett’s called We Sea You. There’s not much in it, a length in fact. Mind you, DOLLYANA has beaten Alla Stella as well and she is 18/1.

THE TERMINUS is once raced and won on her debut at Kempton. The fillies she beat have since been beaten fair and square by Alla Stella.

This is becoming quite confusing…

The lads behind this newsletter are a sucker for HAVANA GREY’s offspring and SANTA SAVANA descends from a lovely speedy family. Last seen finishing 5th at Newmarket, that race has been boosted as the 3rd that day is ARABIAN DUSK who won the gr2 recently at Newmarket. The winner of the maiden has since ran third in the gr3 Robert Papin.

Arabie won the Robert Papin, previously mentioned and LOVES TALK has been beaten by him in France. Only 3 lengths seperated them and that was in Group 3 level. Drop in class today.

JEWEL OF LONDON and CELESTIAL ORBIT have both taken turns beating each other.

Right. Fun race to watch.

Verdict: LOVE TALK for Grant Tuer ran a good race in France in Group 3 company, the form has plenty of substance as the winner has since gone on to win the gr2 Prix Robert Papin but this might not be his day today. The fave FLAMING STONE for Juddmonte x Blading looked oh so good at Newbury lto and can go in again.

Another race to watch is the 14.40 and we’re looking forward to seeing RULING COURT. Topped the Arqana breeze ups for 2.3 million euros. ARABIAN CROWN won it last year, other winners have included KAMEKO and NOSTRUM. Keep your eye’s peeled for RESPIRO SOLITARIO - 100/1 and probably in too deep today as the market suggests but apparently he’s flying and a winner in waiting! Watch him and keep him close.

RISK ON

A down day yesterday with three of our horses getting beat, today looks no easier but we do think several old bets could make for redemption today:

14.50 OLIVERS TRAVELS

Won his bumper and novice hurdle here. He was expected to win at Cartmel lto but perhaps the track didn’t suit. Back to Worcester to, up in trip, he has a good chance at 5/1 ew. Please show us you’re a good horse Oliver!

16.35 & 17.10 PAULING DOUBLE

IM RAVENOUS and FOURTOWNS both should be winning their respective races. Redemption bet for FOURTOWNS. Pays just short of 3/1.

IF YOU CAN SEE THE LINK BELOW YOU’RE NOT SUBSCRIBED TO OUR WEEKENDER EDITION. ACCESS IT FOR JUST £1 A SATURDAY AND ENJOY OUR BIG RACE PREVIEWS, BETS FROM OUR NEW HIRE NORM AND OF COURSE, AN ENTRY TO OUR NEXT COMPETITION!

Become a paying subscriber of Premium to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.

A subscription gets you:

• • The weekender edition (Mon-Fri still free)
• • The weekends best bets
• • That warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing the intern gets fed
• • Only £1 a week!