Our globetrotting star BRAVE EMPEROR scooped the most valuable prize of his prolific career when winning the Group 2 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup Invitational in Qatar on 17th February.
Owned by Middleham Park Racing, the son of Sioux Nation was given another fantastic ride by regular partner Luke Morris to scoop £224,000 and take his career earnings to £545,000. A full report on his success in the desert appears on this site.
On the same day, Hambleton Racing’s Noble Order scored impressively on stable debut at Newcastle in the ever-reliable hands of Hollie Doyle. It was the Dubawi gelding’s first run since finishing third for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby 16 months ago.
Bought for just 16,000gns by Tom Biggs of Blandford Bloodstock at the autumn sales, the five-year old comfortably defied his long absence to take a competitive Class 4 mile handicap on the Tapeta and earn a 6lb rise in the ratings to a mark of 90.
On 10th February, Jungle Charm gave Hollie another winner when she broke her maiden at Newcastle. Salem Rashid Bin Ghadayer’s filly returned to the track for the first time since last summer to take a six-furlong novice stakes by a hard-fought short-head.
Hollie was also in the saddle for Perfectly Timed’s win at Kempton Park earlier in the month. Hambleton Racing’s three-year-old gelding confirmed the promise of his Southwell debut in January by taking a mile maiden in game style. Out of a winning miler by High Chaparral, he was headed but despite signs of greenness fought back to score on only his second career start.
The month got off to a flying start when Monsieur Fantaisie proved too good for the opposition in a classified stakes at Chelmsford City for owners El Jefe, with Hollie again on board. He was subsequently sold to join Yorkshire trainer Peter Niven.
Meanwhile, Archie’s wife and assistant Brodie Hampson is starring in a docuseries filmed by her sponsors The Tote as she strives to become one of the first lady amateur to ride out her claim. You can watch the insightful ‘Making A Claim’ now on YouTube.
By Simon Mapletoft
