By the time Toormore lined up for the G3 Craven S. last April, he was the reigning champion European juvenile of 2013 courtesy of his success in the G1 National S. at The Curragh. In that Newmarket Guineas prep, the dark bay mastered two future luminaries The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to maintain his unbeaten sequence and so lined up for the mile Classic a leading player. By the time he had run seventh in that feature, sixth in the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot June 17 and been beaten into second as the 5-6 favorite in this race, he was starting to look disappointing and a third in Veliefendi's G2 International Topkapi Trophy in September hardly helped to redeem his reputation. Upping his game again when third on testing ground in Ascot's G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on his 3-year-old finale, Toormore returned to be second to stable companion Night of Thunder (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 16 and fourth behind Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot last time June 16. Sent straight to the lead from the break by from James Doyle, he was generally left alone until challenged and briefly headed by Code Red (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) approaching the furlong pole. Digging in to see off that non-stayer, he was driven out to secure an ultimately workmanlike success from the staying-on Dutch Connection, with Godolphin's second-string Safety Check running highly creditably under his penalty. “He's a solid horse and seven furlongs is definitely the minimum for him,” his jockey said. “I just let him use his stride and he relaxed nicely in front–Hughesie often thought he'd get a little bit further. He's battle-hardened and although they were all coming at him, he kept pulling a bit out.” Trainer Richard Hannon added, “I think he wants a mile now and it's lovely to see him win a race, as he'd been second in so many nice races. He was champion two-year-old and we needed to see that so we could go up to the next level. He's always been a very pleasing horse to have at home–he's a lovely-moving horse with a lovely attitude and a pleasure to have around. There are plenty of options for him abroad–he has plenty of invitations everywhere–and his next race will be the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois [at Deauville Aug. 16]. That straight mile will suit him.” Dutch Connection's conditioner Charlie Hills was delighted with the performance of the G3 Jersey S. winner and is looking forward to stepping him back up in trip now. “He was doing all his best work at the finish and we've learnt plenty about him today,” he explained. “We'll go back up to a mile with him and we'll try to keep him to quick ground. I don't know where we'll go next, it could be soft for the Jacques le Marois and we'd like to give him a chance. The Breeders' Cup Mile is his long-term objective.” Safety Check, who was having his first outing since winning the G2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan Feb. 26, will be staying at seven furlongs for now according to Charlie Appleby, who said, “As long as he comes out of this well–there's no reason he won't take a big step forward–he'll go for the G2 Hungerford S. [at Newbury Aug. 15] next, as he'll only have a two-pound penalty in that, so he should be competitive.”
Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR LENNOX S.-G2, £300,000, GOO, 7-28, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:25.98, g/s.
1–TOORMORE (IRE), 129, c, 4, by Arakan
1st Dam: Danetime Out (Ire), by Danetime (Ire)
2nd Dam: Matila (Ire), by Persian Bold (Ire)
3rd Dam: Peace Girl (GB), by Dominion (GB)
(£36,000 Ylg '12 DNPRM). O-Godolphin; B-BEC Bloodstock (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-James Doyle. £170,130. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Colt-Eur, Eng & Ire, G1SW-Ire, MG1SP-Eng & GSP-Tur, 12-5-2-2, $1,028,097. *1/2 to Estidhkaar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), MGSW-Eng, $213,498. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Dutch Connection (GB), 122, c, 3, Dutch Art (GB)–Endless Love (Ire), by Dubai Destination. O-Mrs Susan Roy & Cheveley Park Stud; B-Mrs Susan Roy (GB); T-Charles Hills. £64,500.
3–Safety Check (Ire), 133, c, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Doors to Manual, by Royal Academy. (125,000gns Wlg '11 TA11). O-Godolphin; B-Malih Al Basti (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £32,280.
Margins: 3/4, HD, 3/4. Odds: 2.25, 2.25, 11.00.
Also Ran: Code Red (GB), Ascription (Ire), Aeolus (GB), Tupi (Ire). Scratched: Absolutely So (Ire), Glory Awaits (Ire), Limato (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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