Clive Cox

Jeff Smith's unbeaten G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. winner Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is pleasing trainer Clive Cox in his early preparation towards a potential start in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas back at the Rowley Mile. "He's done really well, he had a super break and he's been back cantering for three or four weeks," Cox said. "We're thrilled with the way he's developed over the winter, he's looking even stronger. "We were delighted with the campaign we enjoyed with him last year and we're all looking forward to...

Unbeaten entering Saturday's G2 Juddmonte Royal Lodge S. at Newmarket but untried in black-type company, Jeff Smith's Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) came through the test with flying colours to count himself among the 2024 Classic contenders. Always travelling easily in the wake of Ballydoyle's front-running G2 Champions Juvenile S. runner-up Capulet (Justify), the 100-30 second favourite who hails from the Juddmonte family of a former giant to master this Rowley Mile in Zafonic took the measure of that 7-4 favourite when sweeping to the fore two out. Pushed out...

Al Mohamediya Racing's twice-raced maiden winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}--Twilight Thyme {GB}, by Bahamian Bounty {GB}), previously untested at stakes level, was clearly the best of a nine-strong field in Thursday's G2 Kingdom of Bahrain July S. at Newmarket, powering by every opponent in the closing stages to win the six-furlong contest in decisive fashion. The 16-1 chance was placed under immediate restraint and trailed all eight rivals after an alert getaway from the stands' side gate. Making smooth headway into contention after halfway, he was shaken up to...

There is no doubt that, in general, Newmarket's G3 Craven S. has lost much of its former relevance as a 2000 Guineas trial, but in the last two years it has enjoyed a revival with winners Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) going close in the mile Classic. Godolphin and Charlie Appleby have another leading man this time in the GI Summer S. and G3 Prix Francois Boutin scorer Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), but the one that really catches the...

The first major yearling sale of the autumn in Britain or Ireland, the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale provided entertainment from the beginning to the end, but most importantly, boasted impressive figures. Brian Sheerin was in attendance and discusses the major talking points from the sale. Figures on the up The team at Goffs UK could hardly have wished for a better start to the Premier Yearling Sale. The day one figures were off the charts. Of the 218 lots offered on Tuesday, 199 were sold, representing a clearance rate...

Clive Cox, one of the best in the game in Britain, has made his name by conjuring top sprinters almost out of thin air and another has emerged from the stable's seemingly inexhaustible reserves in Harry Three (GB) (Adaay {Ire}). Making substantial leaps with each outing now, the bay went from a smooth win in a Newmarket handicap May 14 to another success in a much more competitive version at York June 11 which contained the week's July Festival scorer Lethal Levi (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}) and the subsequent G3...

Sumbe-under its previous guises as Haras de la Cauviniere and Haras de Montfort et Preaux and still today under the guidance of new owner Nurlan Bizakov-has made a concerted effort to upgrade the level of stallions standing of France. It has done so with success, too; as part of its fruitful relationship with Gerard Augustin-Normand, the Cauviniere principals retained the 2009 G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Le Havre (Ire) to stand in France, and the son of Noverre rose through the ranks to become one of the most successful...

Group winner Nando Parrado (GB) (Kodiac {GB}--Chibola {Arg}, by Roy), who placed twice at Group 1 level, will retire to the Irish National Stud in 2022. A fee for the G2 Coventry S. hero will be announced later. There will also be a limited number of shares available. Irish National Stud CEO, Cathal Beale said, "We are thrilled to be standing Nando Parrado, new for 2022. He was a precocious, high-class 2-year-old, by a sire of sires, from a great family and he is an exceptional physical. We are really...

Last year's G1 Middle Park S. winner Supremacy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}-Triggers Broom {Ire}, by Arcano {Ire}) will enter stud at Yeomanstown Stud next year. A fee will be announced at a later date. England's highest-rated 2-year-old of 2020, Supremacy also won the G2 Richmond S. for owner Jason Goddard and trainer Clive Cox. With a rating of 118, he is the highest-rated son of Mehmas and hails from the prolific family of Group 1 winner Xtension (Ire) and champion sprinter Harry Angel (Ire). "Supremacy is just pure class," said Cox....

It is a rare season that Clive Cox and Adam Kirby do not combine with a juvenile of note and Isa Salman Al Khalifa's Wings of War (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) stepped up to the plate for the combo in Saturday's G2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef S. at Newbury. Runner-up last time in the G3 Sirenia S. over this six-furlong trip on Kempton's Polytrack Sept. 4, the grey was keen early directly behind the leader Hierarchy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) after a start delayed by the withdrawal of the G2...

Saeed bin Mohammed Al Qassimi's 2-year-old colt Caturra (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) rebounded off a runner-up finish in last month's Listed Roses S. at York to swoop late for a career high in Friday's G2 Wainwright Flying Childers S at Doncaster. The April-foaled bay, who had earlier finished a close-up seventh in Royal Ascot's June 15 G2 Coventry S., made a stakes breakthrough with victory in Newbury's July 16 Listed Rose Bowl S. next time and posted a last-of-seven contesting Goodwood's July 29 G2 Richmond S. in his penultimate start. Caturra,...

Group 1 winner Supremacy (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who ran eighth and last in the G3 Pavilion S. as the 10-11 crowd's pick at Ascot on Apr. 28, returned a poor blood test after the race, trainer Clive Cox announced on Wednesday. Trainer Clive Cox said, "We have had a less than perfect blood result from him. We're leaving no stone unturned in the hope of rectifying the situation, which was far below expectations. We've had many tests--and without having a complete conclusion yet, we're hoping we can get him back...