Godolphin jockey James Doyle was seen to fabulous effect at the Curragh on Saturday - although his main employers didn’t benefit on this occasion. His efforts put him among the most notable movers in the TRC Global Rankings after last week’s action.
It was three out of three for Doyle (+6pts, #18 from #21). The former world #5 (in 2015) headlined his hat-trick with G1 Irish Oaks heroine Sea Of Class, timing his late challenge to perfection.
And his efforts did no harm to the cause of sire Footstepsinthesand (+11pts, #80 from #150), who was the biggest points gainer of the week across all four categories in the rankings. It was two from two at the Curragh for the son of Giant’s Causeway thanks to the other two legs of the Doyle treble - G3 Anglesey Stakes hero Marie’s Diamond and G2 Minstrel Stakes scorer Larchmont Lad.
Yutake makes flying visit count
Legendary jockey Yutaka Take (+3pts, #15 from #16) made a successful visit to Europe when the Japanese-bred Geniale won the G3 Prix Messidor at Maisons Laffitte. The colt was one of two winners on the week for super sire Deep Impact (+1pt, stays #4).
Owner Barber up five places
Among owners, the most significant move was authored by new world #21 Gary Barber (+4pts, was #26), whose runners circled the G3 Ontario Colleen Stakes (Got Stormy) at Woodbine and the G2 San Clemente Stakes (War Heroine) at newly opened Del Mar.
Momentum for Casse
From eight Graded runners on the week, world #15 Mark Casse trained Got Stormy to win the G3 Ontario Colleen Stakes at Woodbine and Catherinethegreat to annex the G3 Schuylerville Stakes at Saratoga. These results were good for a 3pt gain.
Burke keeps on climbing
British trainer Karl Burke (+4pts, #25 from #33) continues his ascent of the Trainer classifications. It is four winners from his last nine Group runners after Havana Grey landed the G2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh - an Irish raid from his North Yorkshire base.
Havana Grey is a son of Tweenhills Stud project Havana Gold, who could be a stallion going places. The G1 Prix Jean Prat winner of 2013, based at the stud in Gloucestershire, England, earned a 7pt rise and climbed 64 places to #144 after Havana Grey’s triumph.
Yeomanstown sires gaining ground
Former world #6 Dark Angel (+5pts, #10 from #18) regained a top ten Sire ranking when Yafta won the G3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury – the only runner of the week for the star of Yeomanstown Stud in Kildare, Ireland.
Not to be outdone, fellow Yeomanstown Stud producer Camacho (+9pts, #107 from #177) gained a rankings rise of his own when Signora Cabello followed up her Queen Mary win at Royal Ascot with another G2 strike in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons Laffitte.
Looking good for Crowley
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s jockey Jim Crowley (+2pts, #25 from #26) had only one ride in counting races this week – G3 Hackwood Stakes hero Yafta. By summer’s end, he could surpass a career-best ranking of #22.
A stallion in form
A sire we continue to monitor closely is Union Rags (+4pts, #85 from #105). Runner number 72 in Graded stakes produced winner number nine when Catalina Cruiser won the G2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar for the Lane’s End, Kentucky, third-crop prospect.
Click here for a list of all last week’s biggest TRC Global Rankings points gainers.
Click here for a list of all the week’s Group and Graded winners.