I attended both days of Newmarket's Future Champions Weekend, seeing the Fillies' Mile run for the first time (another Group 1 knocked off the list). It was unusually quick ground for the time of year which may have helped the quality of the horses on show.
Beckford's Folly was relatively ignored in the market and allowed to go off at 16/1. The nice looking son of Lope De Vega ate up ground late on to nab the hot favourite on the line. The winner was not stopping at the line and will have no issue going back up to 6 furlongs next year and potentially even a bit further in time. Connections will no doubt work back from the Commonwealth Cup. As for Brussels, he looked to have the race won with 100 yards to go and shaped like the best horse throughout. It was disappointing he couldn't go through with it but it was another good effort. He goes to Del Mar with decent chances. He a strapping sort, so he may not just be a 2 year old, for all that he goes into next year pretty exposed now.
The Oh So Sharp Stakes was won by Owen Burrows' Calendar Girl. The daughter of Advertise showed a willing attitude here and looks as though she has booked her place in next year's 1000 Guineas for all she will need to step up in trip again. She's likeable but perhaps the runner up Mubasimah is the one for next year. The strong looking daughter of Frankel ran a mighty race to be beaten just a neck on only her second career start. She has some growing to do over the winter and goes into 2025 pretty unexposed.
The Challenge Stakes went to France as Beauvatier came from last to first. She looked good this day but the race was run to suit and perhaps it wasn't as strong a renewal as it first looked. Audience doesn't look the force of old and although Poet Master seemed to run to form, Cosmic Year is now regressing and it wouldn't surprise if this was his last start in the UK.
Precise was a mighty winner of the Fillies' Mile and could end her year with another win at the highest level at Del Mar on Friday. She's not the most imposing filly to look at but she's very smart and looks sure to take some beating in the Guineas next year. Venetian Lace ran a career best and looks like she'll improve as her stamina is stretched out next year being by Derby winner Masar whilst Evolutionist ran well to finish 3rd on her first start since August and is one to note for next year as she's a lovely looking Night Of Thunder filly. Legacy Link was weak in the market and looked like one who would appreciate a winter on her back whilst Moments Of Joy is one who will make a 3 year old and will come into her own over middle distances, perhaps expect to see her start off in an Oak's trial in the Spring.
Yabher won the Old Rowley Cup for the Haggas team and was given a great ride by Tom Marquand. He's a typical improver from the stable and it will be interesting to see if he stays in training in the UK next year or is sold abroad. Respond was well backed but had no luck in running and finished well. He's could take a real step forward next year and is one to keep onside.
Falekayah was well backed for the Pride Stakes but was edgy in the prelims and didn't look as good as when I saw her win the Pretty Polly back in the spring. She ran poorly and it could be curtains for her career.
The first race on the Saturday (Darley Stakes) was taken by the Gosden's Damysus. The gorgeous son of Frankel defied market indifference to down Gladius who is now looking a tad exposed. The winner will be one to keep onside next year and shapes as though a mile and a half is within reach still. Goes on all grounds.
Pierre Bonnard took the eye out in the prelims before he claimed the Zetland Stakes. He's a tall, rangy son of Camelot and duly dominated the paddock. He won like a good horse and it was no surprise he went on to win at Group 1 level in France on his next start. He is now your 2026 Derby favourite and it's hard to argue with that. He's got the scope to make into a lovely 3 year old and will get a mile and a half standing on his head. Del Maro is still a maidan for Charlie Appleby but ran well to finish 3rd. He's a middle distance horse for next year and one to keep an eye on.
The Autumn Stakes was won impressively by Karl Burke's Hankelow. He's a very good horse who is worth his place in the Guineas for sure. Looks an out and out miler. Al Zanati ran well to finish 2nd despite a bit of greenness and could line up in a Guineas trial in the Spring. New Zealand ran well and looked in need of the run. He's since run well again in France and looks in need of a stamina test next year. He'll make a 3 year old and expect to see him line up in a Derby trial next year but is perhaps more of a Leger type. Pathein also ran well for Ed Dunlop on only his second start. He'll appreciate a softer surface next year.
One of the better renewals of the Dewhust threw up a surprise as Andrew Balding's 25/1 shot Gewan came out on top. He's another notable winner for sire of the moment Night Of Thunder. The grey shrugged off a poor run in the Flying Scotsman at Doncaster last time out and with this form being a standout from the Autumn, he must go into the Guineas next year with a huge chance. He was helped by being ridden more prominently today and seems in need of a decent surface but is clearly very talented. Gstaad finished runner up again but it was another fine effort despite not looking in love with the track. He's favourite for the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar and will have a huge chance there of making that top flight break through. He looks as though he'll make a 3 year old but could perhaps be one for the French Guineas. Distant Storm ran well to finish 3rd but was once again beaten by Gewan and it's hard to see how he will turn the form around next year. Has a turn of foot so could be one aimed at foreign targets in 2026 by Godolphin. Zavateri was disappointing for Eve Johnson-Houghton. The son of Without Parole could only manage 4th but was keen enough early doors and got unbalanced in the dip. He'll appreciate a flatter track and probably a bend as well considering he's won at Salisbury, Goodwood and the Curragh. He doesn't strike as a Guineas horse but could be one for the French Guineas or St James' Palace via something like the Heron Stakes. Although I wouldn't be surprised to see him turn up in the Greenham.
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