International Guide: Benbatl highlights big week for Godolphin
The all-blue silks of Godolphin are routinely seen in major races around the globe, so it’s hardly surprising to see the internationally-acclaimed stable poised for success on multiple continents this week.
In addition to their runners in the U.S.—including Micheline in Friday’s Lake George (G3) at Saratoga—Godolphin has globetrotting star Benbatl set for a return to action in England’s Celebration Mile (G2), while Savatiano is slated to contest the Memsie (G1) in Australia.
Let’s take a quick trip around the world to review four of the most interesting international events on the agenda this week:
Friday, August 28
Curragh, Ireland, Race 2: Kilcarn Stud Flame of Tiara Irish EBF Stakes (G3, 9:40 a.m. ET)
Nicest is far from the most experienced 2-year-old filly entered in this 1-mile juvenile test. To the contrary, she’s only run once, whereas key rival Meala (fourth in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes at the Curragh last week) already has five starts under her belt.
But Nicest is the only undefeated filly in the field, having rallied gamely to win her debut traveling a mile at Leopardstown last month, and she also appears to have the most upside. Trained by Donnacha O’Brien, Nicest is a daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah out of the Montjeu mare Chicquita, winner of the 2013 Irish Oaks (G1) and fifth in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).
Saturday
Caulfield, Australia, Race 9: Memsie Stakes (G1, 2:45 a.m. ET)
Fifteen horses are set to sprint 1,400 meters (about 7 furlongs) in this top-level dash at Caulfield. The Group 1-placed 5-year-old Behemoth is the slight favorite after kicking off his current campaign with a comfortable victory in the 6-furlong Spring (G3) at Morphettville two weeks ago, but Savatiano can give him a battle.
Bred by Darley and owned by Godolphin, Savatiano has been competing almost exclusively in group stakes races dating back to September 2018. Runner-up in the Mar. 7 Canterbury (G1) sprinting 6 1/2 furlongs, Savatiano has demonstrated a clear affinity for Caulfield through the years and actually enters off a victory in the P.B. Lawrence (G2) over this course and distance on Aug. 15.
With accomplished jockey Mark Zahra in the saddle for trainer James Cummings, Savatiano is capable of springing a mild upset in the Memsie. Kingston Town Classic (G1) winner Arcadia Queen and the capable Group 1 performers Mystic Journey, Glenfiddich, and Cascadian are other prominent contenders in this deep and competitive field.
Goodwood, England, Race 2: Prestige Stakes (G3, 8:50 a.m. ET)
Half a dozen 2-year-old fillies will face the starter in this 7-furlong sprint, with Happy Romance the most accomplished after winning three of her five starts for trainer Richard Hannon. But the most exciting filly in the field might be Pomelo, a Juddmonte Farms homebred trained by Ralph Beckett.
A daughter of Dubawi, Pomelo was produced by the Dansili mare Emulous, winner of the 2011 Matron (G1) at Leopardstown and a competitor in the 2012 Matriarch (G1) at Hollywood Park. Favored at 6-5 to win her debut on July 19 at Newbury, Pomelo delivered on expectations with an eye-catching triumph, tracking the pace before powering clear under a hand ride to win the 7-furlong sprint by five lengths.
With one easy victory from one start, there’s no telling yet how talented Pomelo might be. We’ll get a better feel for her potential when she steps up in class for the Prestige.
Goodwood, England, Race 5: Celebration Mile (G2, 10:35 a.m. ET)
The highlight of the racing weekend in Europe is undoubtedly the Celebration Mile. Several quality runners have been entered, including Century Dream (beaten less than a length in the 2018 Group 1 Queen Elizabeth at Ascot) and Positive (who defeated future classic winner Kameko in the Group 3 Solario Stakes as a juvenile). But hands-down the horse to beat is Godolphin’s Benbatl.
A 6-year-old son of Dubawi trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Benbatl has been traveling the globe and competing against top-class competition for more than three years. A competitor in the 2017 Epsom Derby (G1), Benbatl has won Group 1 races in Dubai, Germany, and Australia, most notably scoring a blowout victory in the 2018 Dubai Turf (G1) against top-class international competition.
Benbatl hasn’t run since finishing third behind U.S. champions Maximum Security and Midnight Bisou in the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29, and this six-month break represents the longest layoff of his career. But Benbatl is catching an easier field than usual in the Celebration Mile, so a victory off the bench will be expected, with a productive fall campaign looming on the horizon.
Enjoy the racing!