SAHorseracing.com
SAHorseracing.com
Rivet Rises to the Grade 1 Challenge

Stepping up to a mile saw the William Haggas-trained RIVET (IRE) rise to Group 1 status, running out a commanding winner of the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster on Saturday. A winner of his second start over seven furlongs in August, he went on to land the Group 2 Champagne Stakes the following month, before not handling the ridges at Newmarket when finishing three and a half lengths fifth in the Dewhurst Stakes at the beginning of October. Andrea Atzeni, who was winning his fourth consecutive Racing Post Trophy, took the reins, setting a steady pace after his nine rivals showed no desire to lead. Quickening over two furlongs from home, he asked for more a furlong later and his mount stayed on well to beat favourite Yucatan (IRE) by a length and three quarters, just a neck in front of Salouen (IRE).

All 10 of the Group 1 contenders carried an IRE suffix, with the first four horses home by Irish sires, as the winner continued an excellent season for Fastnet Rock, as Yucatan (IRE) did for the great Galileo (IRE), while Salouen (IRE) is by fellow Coolmore sire Canford Cliffs (IRE) and Raheen House (IRE), who was a further neck fourth, being a son of champion racehorse Sea The Stars (IRE). In fact, Irish-foaled horses have won 23 of the 35 Group 1 races in Britain this season.

RIVET (IRE) is owned and was bred by a partnership that includes Des Scott, Lester Piggott and Coolmore entities. The same group owned his Galileo (IRE) dam, Starship (IRE), who also produced Group 3 winner Packing Tycoon (IRE) and four other winners. Starship (IRE) is a half-sister to dual Group winner Superstar Leo (IRE), herself the dam of another dual Group winner Sentaril. Other siblings include the dams of Group 1 winner December Draw (IRE), Group 2 third Appiel and Listed performer Boston Rocker (IRE), from the family of sires Footstepsintehsand and Power.

Which leads perfectly to Power's Stakes double at Newbury on the same day; begun by PLEASELETMEWIN (IRE)'s two and a quarter length victory in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes for Ralph Beckett. Ridden prominently by stable jockey Fran Berry, the two-year-old gelding led over a furlong out and despite hanging left, was driven clear as Kings Gift (IRE) did his best to bridge the gap. Once again, Irish breeders dominated, with the first five horses home being Irish-bred, while the first eight home were by Irish sires.

PLEASELETMEWIN (IRE), now a three-time winner from seven starts, was bred by Ballykilbride Stud out of the Indian Ridge mare Jacaranda Ridge, whose Camacho (IRE) yearling sold for €55,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland last month. Jacaranda Ridge is a winning half-sister to Group 1 Premio del Jockey Club victor Rainbow Peak (IRE) and Sandringham Handicap winner Celtic Heroine (IRE), out of a half-sister to champion two-year-old and sire Celtic Swing.

Completing the Stakes double for Power was his daughter CRISTAL FIZZ (IRE), who followed up on her successful Ascot debut when taking the Listed JLT Stakes over seven furlongs. Bought privately by Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum after her debut, she was now partnered by Frankie Dettori, who held her up to the back of the 11 horse field, making headway over a furlong from home and was pushed to lead in the final 50 yards, denying stablemate Glitter Girl by a neck on the line.

Cristal Fizz (IRE) was bred by Norelands Stud, who also bred Power in partnership with Hugo Lascelles. They sold her for €47,000 at the Goffs November Foal Sale, where they consign eight foals next month, including a filly by their favourite sire. Their latest Stakes winner is out of a Galileo (IRE) half-sister to six-time Stakes winner and July Cup third Hitchens (IRE) and comes from the family of multiple Group 1 winners Glint Of Gold and Diamond Shoal. 

© 2009 SAHorseracing.com. All rights reserved.