Robert Havlin

Jaber Abdullah's Million Gold (Earthlight), a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero Big Evs (Blue Point), made a winning debut in Wednesday's Unibet British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at Kempton. Swiftly into stride and positioned in a prominent second from flagfall, the 10-3 second choice ran green throughout the final quarter-mile and outmuscled Alasrae (Havana Grey) in the closing stages to register a 1 1/2-length verdict. Million Gold, the eighth of nine foals, becomes the seventh scorer from as many runners out of a half-sister...

Ed Dunlop trainee and 150,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 graduate Pathein (St Mark's Basilica) was an unconsidered 28-1 outsider for Saturday's British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster and returned to the winner's enclosure with a TDN Rising Star rosette--and a free entry to next year's G1 St Leger-- after delivering a taking display in the straight one-mile heat. He becomes 14th winner and third Rising Star for his freshman sire (by Siyouni) and joins Listed Ingabelle Stakes victrix Diamond Necklace and Galway maiden winner Piazza San Marco in...

One of Britain's most beloved stayers, Normandie Stud's homebred Sweet William (Sea The Stars) came good again on Friday to add his name to an illustrious list who have won the G2 Doncaster Cup more than once. Left behind at the start, the 10-11 favourite was coaxed into contention by Robert Havlin and after moving to the three-year-old Pendragon (Camelot) approaching two out stormed clear for an emphatic 3 3/4-length success. "These staying races are a whole lot of fun and he's a wonderful old horse," John Gosden said. "He...

Cheveley Park Stud's Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}) collected a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette at Doncaster last month, before hitting the board in Ascot's Listed Pat Eddery Stakes, and regained the winning thread with an impressive 3 1/4-length tally in Saturday's British EBF Future Stayers Novice Stakes upon his return to Town Moor. The well-backed 8-13 favourite, who is a homebred son of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), was the slowest of four into stride and recovered to claim an early advantage at...

Lumbered with a five-pound penalty for his G1 Lockinge Stakes victory, Cheveley Park Stud's 5-year-old gelding Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}--Ladyship {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) was just too good for his rivals and surged to an impressive four-length triumph in Tuesday's G2 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The homebred bay, who finished last of six last year, was let go at generous odds of 4-1 coming back off a fifth in Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Anne Stakes and stalked the pacesetting Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})...

Cheveley Park Stud's homebred Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}), the second foal out of GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), was an absentee from last year's October Book 1 fixture, but made his presence felt in Thursday's Napoleons Casino & Restaurant EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster and collected a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette with a taking 4 3/4-length tally in the six-furlong contest. The 16-5 favourite was slowly into stride and trailed all 10 rivals through the early fractions of this debut. Taking forward...

Irish Derby weekend kicks off at the Curragh on Friday and there are no shortage of potential talking points. From highly-regarded juveniles, intriguingly-bred newcomers, stars of the future and potential banana skins, all of the ingredients are there to make the action on the track absorbing and informative. Here are some things to keep an eye out for.  Twomey Tipped To Begin Derby Weekend With A Bang The opening two-year-old maiden on Friday has the potential to be a cracker and the Paddy Twomey-trained Admiral Churchill (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) is...

The G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday, June 30 has been confirmed as the next port of call for Epsom runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), with Robert Havlin again booked to ride having replaced Callum Shepherd in the premier Classic. Sent off the 9/2 second favourite at Epsom following a dominant four-and-a-half-length success in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial S. on his previous start, Ambiente Friendly proved himself a high-class colt when chasing home City Of Troy (Justify) on that occasion, ultimately passing the...

Robert Havlin has been booked to ride Ambiente Friendly (Ire) in the G1 Betfred Derby, replacing Callum Shepherd aboard the leading Epsom contender when the Classic is run on Saturday, June 1. Trained by James Fanshawe, Ambiente Friendly has been ridden by Shepherd in both his previous starts this season, most notably in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial S. earlier this month when he announced himself as a potentially top-class colt with an impressive four-and-a-half-length victory. The son of Gleneagles (Ire) is now a best-priced 5/1 for the Derby and...

As expected, Cheveley Park Stud's colours were in the winner's enclosure following Newbury's G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. on Saturday but it was aboard the Gosdens' 22-1 shot Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}--Ladyship {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) who uber-excelled in his task of pacemaking for Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Labelled a TDN Rising Star at two, the homebred grandson of the Thompsons' 2006 Lockinge heroine Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) had shown what he could do when left alone on the lead with ample space to express himself in last year's G3 Criterion...

It is the G3 Winter Derby, so it must be time for the return from hibernation of the Clarehaven stalwart and late-winter specialist Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Gearing up for his attempt at a fourth consecutive G1 Dubai Turf, the 8-year-old will be reunited with Robert Havlin who has partnered him in the last two editions of this prize formerly staged over 10 furlongs at Lingfield. Now at Southwell with an extra furlong added on, it will represent a different test for the high-class veteran whose probable limit is...

Al Shaqab Racing's Orne (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}--Pellucid {GB}, by Excelebration {Ire}) followed up a Sept. 22 debut success at Kempton with a fourth over one mile in last month's G3 Autumn S. and regained the winning thread with a pillar-to-post victory in Saturday's rescheduled G3 Betfred Horris Hill S. at Newmarket. The 10-1 chance was swiftly into stride and tanked along on the front end through halfway. Nudged along passing the quarter-mile marker, he came under sterner urging approaching the final furlong and, despite drifting left in the closing stages,...