The Dubai Future Champions Festival takes place between Book I and Book II of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sales at Newmarket. Three graduates of STAUFFENBERG BLOODSTOCK contested three consecutive Group races at this prestigious festival, providing another rewarding afternoon for everyone at SCHLOSSGUT ITLINGEN. With a nose and a neck separating us from two Group victories, there was plenty of excitement—and another new Black Type performer to celebrate.
The 2yo filly IN THE BLACK came agonisingly close to winning the Cornwallis Stakes, Gr.3 over five furlongs. Racing for Bond Thoroughbred Limited, the daughter of HAVANA GREY out of Showstoppa battled all the way to the line under P. J. McDonald, finishing just a nose behind Mussab, with the third another 2¾ lengths away. Trained by Geoff Oldroyd, she secured her first Black Type with this excellent performance. Purchased by STAUFFENBERG BLOODSTOCK at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, raised and prepped at SCHLOSSGUT ITLINGEN and subsequently sold through their Book I consignment, she has progressed considerably since her promising but very green winning debut at Carlisle in June.
Another 2yo filly SIENA STORM was sent off the 7/2 favourite for the Oh So Sharp Stakes, Gr.3 over seven furlongs despite being the leased experienced filly in the field and finished fifth in a tightly contested finish, beaten less than a length by Lola De Valence. The bare placing hardly conveys how close she came. Trained by Ed Walker for TBT Racing and ridden by Kieran Shoemark, the daughter of NIGHT OF THUNDER out of SOUS LES ETOILES remains particularly special to us as the first foal and first winner bred by the STAUFFENBERG BLOODSTOCK BREEDING SYNDICATE. She was born and raised at SCHLOSSGUT ITLINGEN. To see her competing so closely at Group level already gives the syndicate plenty of encouragement for next season.
FLORA OF BERMUDA completed the trio with another admirable performance in the Challenge Stakes, Gr.2. The daughter of DARK ANGEL again fought bravely under James Doyle, going down by just a neck to her stablemate Never So Brave. Racing for Wathnan Racing and trained by Andrew Balding, she again demonstrated the determination and consistency that have made her such a wonderful representative of our pinhooking programme. Selected as a foal at Goffs, raised at SCHLOSSGUT ITLINGEN and sold by us at Arqana, she has continued to reward everyone who believed in her.
For our small operation, having three graduates competing so creditably in successive Group races at such a prestigious meeting is a source of considerable pride. These are the afternoons that make the daily work worthwhile: watching horses we have selected, bred or raised develop into athletes capable of competing with the best.
