Tir Prince Raceway once again hosted the British Classics last week. There were some fine performances but the number of runners was disappointing given the history and prestige of the races.
BHRC PACING 2yo FUTURITY FILLIES – Group 1
OAKWOOD FORESURE (IRE) Bred by Oakwood Stud and Owned by Peter Davison
Five fillies came to post, with the experienced and multiple winner Pussycat Doll taking pole position. A talented daughter of Always B Miki (US), a homebred and already winner of the 2 Group 1 races, the Kelly Blossom at York and the Breeders Crown. However, on the night it was Oakwood Foresure (IRE) that upped her game and found a winning way in a time of 1.59.9 (previous BT 2.04.6) and a very comfortable winning margin of 9 lengths. This was her first win, but had been previously placed in the Junior Welsh Dragoness Gp1, Breeders Crown Gp1 & BHRC Sire Stakes Gp2.
Oakwood Foresure (IRE), a £10,000 purchase at last year’s York Standardbred Sale, is by Foreclosure (NZ) and the second foal out of Oakwood Destiny (Western Terror). She is a full sister to Oakwood Dynasty (IRE), herself a winner at 2, winning the 2yo BHRC Sire Stakes Gp2 and placed in the Junior Welsh Dragoness Gp1, BHRC Futurity Gp1 & NWHOA Champ Gp2. Now 3, and winner of the STAGBI British Champ and placed Little Welsh Dragoness Gp1 & Breeders Crown Ht & Final Gp1. She furthered her CV by winning the BHRC 3yo Pacing Oaks later on the same night.
| Oakwood Foresure (IRE) | Foreclosure (NZ) | Rocknroll Hanover (US) | Western Ideal (US) | |
| Rich N Elegant (US) | ||||
| Pleasing Package (AUS) | Fake Left (US) | |||
| Pleading II (NZ) | ||||
| Oakwood Destiny | Western Terror (US) | Western Terror (US) | ||
| Arterra (US) | ||||
| Olympic Sign (US) | Life Sign (US) | |||
| Olympic Sign (US) | ||||
BHRC PACING 2yo FUTURITY Colts & Geldings – Group 1
ON FIRE ALADIN – Bred by Trevor Johnson and owned by James Stewart
Nine 2yo Colts & Geldings entered which include the 2yo super star & British Record Holder Moneyhill. However, he was a non-runner and this left it a wide open race. From pole position Always B Colour (IRE) was always prominent but the genie out of the lamp was On Fire Aladin, crossing the line to win in 2.02.3 (two seconds slower than the fillies). On Fire Aladin was imported in utero, by Sunshine Beach (US) and out of St Lads Moxie (CAN), a 1.50.4 performer (BT 1.49.2) with earnings of $136,451. He was an early season winner of the 2yo North Wales Horse Owners’ Association Gp2 and subsequently placed in a heat of the VDM.
On Fire Aladin has an interesting pedigree, as Light Up (US) is the dam of his sire Sunshine Beach and also his maternal grand-grand dam.
| On Fire Aladin | Sunshine Beach (US) | Somebeachsomewhere (US) | Mach Three (CAN) | |
| Wheres The Beach (US) | ||||
| Light Up (US) | Artsplace (US) | |||
| Lights On (US) | ||||
| St Lads Moxie (CAN) | Camotion (US) | Cambest (US) | ||
| Dancing Diane (US) | ||||
| Warrawee Cammy (US) | Camluck (US) | |||
| Light Up (US) | ||||
BHRC 3yo OAKS – Group 1
OAKWOOD DYNASTY – Bred by Oakwood Stud and owned by R & J Stewart
Three entries and three runners for the Fillies 1.5 mile Oaks. Three fillies that have competed consistently with total life time earnings of £18,000. The three had previously met in the Breeders Crown and in essence, despite the extra ½ mile it was a repeat performance with Oakwood Dynasty (IRE) leading them home. As outlined above Oakwood Dynasty (IRE) has been a consistent performer throughout her 2yo and 3yo career. A significant achievement for her dam, Oakwood Destiny to produce two classic Group 1 winners on the same race day.
Oakwood Dynasty (IRE) was purchased as a yearling at the 2021 York Sale for £10,000. Oakwood Destiny’s yearling (born 2022), Oakwood Dezzie (IRE) by Sweet Lou (US) will be offered as this year’s Sale.
BHRC 3yo DERBY – Group 1
JD CAMDEN – Bred by Camden Stud and owned by Patrick Anderson
The biggest field of the 4 classic races of the night with 7 runners sired by Tom Hill (3), Sweet Lou, Doonbeg, See And Ski and Forafewdollarsmore. The winner JD Camden had had 3 previous wins, notably in Appleby and then over extended distances at York and Haughfield. A Camden bred that was imported in utero, by Sweet Lou (US) and out of Special Sweetheart (US) and purchased as a yearling for £19,000 at the York Standardbred Sale in 2021.
Special Sweetheart may be one of the richest broodmare’s imported to GB, with earnings of $860,933 and 26 wins, racing against the best of her generation. At 2, she won the elimination of the Three Diamonds and third in the final; placed in the Breeders Crown and Champlain Stakes. At 3, she won the Valley Forge Pace and a leg of New Jersey Sire Stakes also placed in the heat of the Jugette, New Jersey Sire Stakes, Glen Garnesy memorial and the Fan Hanover Stakes. She took a record of 1.50.4 at 3 with a best time of 1.49.2. She has 4 foals in America, but JD Camden is her only foal born in GB.
| JD Camden | Sweet Lou (US) | Yankee Cruiser (US) | Artiscape (US) | |
| A Yankee Cruiser (US) | ||||
| Sweet Future (US) | Falcons Future (US) | |||
| Sweet Dahrlin (US) | ||||
| Special Sweetheart (US) | Western Ideal (US) | Western Hanover (US) | ||
| Leah Almahurst (US) | ||||
| Ladys Special Girl (US) | Artiscape (US) | |||
| Threeforyourlady (US) | ||||
Congratulations to the connections of all 4 winners, you and your horses have won your way into British Standardbred History. Be proud!
