TWELVE months ago, with the yearling sales season fast approaching, Peter Chapple-Hyam chose to revert to what he does best. He would buy no more backward youngsters requiring time and patience. In their place he came home with horses that looked ready to run as juveniles.
The consequence is that Chapple-Hyam’s two-year-old string is as potent as any in the land. Hamoody recently landed the Richmond Stakes to augment Tariq’s third place in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, where Dutch Art was an impressive winner of the Norfolk Stakes.
Weather permitting, Dutch Art is now bound for the Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday. The Newmarket trainer feels the group one test presents an ideal opportunity for a colt he likens to Turtle Island, with whom he won the Irish 2,000 Guineas 12 years ago. “Dutch Art is not as tough or as much of a handful,” he related, “but that makes him a whole lot easier to train. He just switches off.”
The son of Medicean faces a tough assignment on Sunday, particularly if Holy Roman Emperor, winner of the Phoenix Stakes four days ago, turns out again for Ballydoyle. British stables will also be represented by Elhamri, three times a winner for Sylvester Kirk, and the Neville Callaghan-trained Excellent Art, who chased home Holy Roman Emperor at the Curragh last month.
Nevertheless, Chapple-Hyam is optimistic. “I was delighted with Dutch Art’s work on Tuesday,” he said. “I hope the ground doesn’t get too soft or we’ll have to think again, but one way or another it will take a very good one to beat him — and that includes the Ballydoyle horse.”
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Like Chapple-Hyam, Kirk is hoping rain stays away from a venue that served up heavy ground last weekend. “If it stays dry, I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Kirk said. “If Elhamri doesn’t run on Sunday, we will aim him at the Gimcrack Stakes next week.”
Chapple-Hyam, for his part, recognises the importance of a successful second half of the campaign for Dutch Art. Before his Norfolk Stakes victory, the colt was bought privately by Susan Roy. In partnership with her husband, Paul, Roy has raced the likes of Majors Cast, Sixties Icon and Wilko — and the yearling sales are again imminent.
“Having bought horses that needed time in 2004, I decided to go for the two-year-old types last year,” Chapple-Hyam said. “For some reason I’ve always been a bit lucky with my two-year-olds, and we are back in business this season.”
Unbeaten in two starts, Dutch Art has long surpassed in value the 16,000 guineas he cost as a yearling. Tariq, another well bought at 65,000 guineas, pulled a muscle in the Coventry Stakes, but his trainer expects an imminent return to the track. “He will either go for the Mill Reef Stakes [at Newbury] or the Champagne Stakes [at York],” he said.
Meanwhile Hamoody, who disappointed Chapple-Hyam with the style of his narrow Richmond Stakes victory, is on course for the Dewhurst Stakes in October. “Hamoody needs to learn to relax mentally,” he said. “When he does, I’m sure he will be a very good horse.”
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With further unraced ammunition at his disposal, Chapple-Hyam should add substantially to the six-figure prize-money haul accrued by his juveniles.
Godolphin, by contrast, are bringing their juveniles along slowly, although their older horses continue in impressive form. Hunters’ Glen’s victory at Beverley completed a Godolphin double yesterday after Pictavia had annexed the listed EBF Upavon Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury in equally decisive style.