JAMES OWEN RACING
Zaraquelle (FR)
This three-year-old daughter of leading sire ZARAK possesses significant potential under both codes. Bred in France, she is out of the winning SHAMARDAL mare COIF, who is a half-sister to the Irish Listed winner DADOOZDART. The second dam is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes winner and sire INTENSE FOCUS, while the wider family includes the Gr.1 winners MARHABA YA SANAFI, SKITTER SCATTER and ASPEN GROVE.
Having realised €65,000 and 50,000gns in two appearances in the sales ring as a foal and yearling respectively, ZARAQUELLE started her racing career with Ed Dunlop in Newmarket. She recovered from a slow start to finish a creditable fifth on debut at Haydock last September before completing her two-year-old education with a pair of midfield finishes in maiden/novice company at Newmarket (behind subsequent Gr.3 winner SAQQARA SANDS and Deva Racing’s highly progressive MISTY SKY). Those performances earned her an opening handicap mark of 66 and she was quietly fancied when making her seasonal appearance in a 1m1½f handicap at Wolverhampton in April where she was not beaten far in fifth. Following two heavier defeats her official rating was eased to 59, a mark that looks lenient based on her pedigree and initial promise.
Switched to hurdles for her debut for new connections at Uttoxeter last month, where she was fitted with a first-time hood and tongue-tie and partnered by champion jockey Sean Bowen, ZARAQUELLE proved a natural over obstacles to finish a rallying fourth behind the exciting Joseph O’Brien-trained juvenile DIGNAM. This performance showed her promise under both codes, looking more than good enough to win a juvenile hurdle in the coming weeks, while also hinting that a step up in trip on the Flat would also unlock some further improvement. She duly delivered next time out to gain her first placing when third over 1m4f at Wolverhampton when switching back to the Flat, just missing second place by a head. This lightly-raced filly is primed ready to take her new owners into the winners' enclosure.
Please contact us for further details on 01638 676513 or office@jamesowenracing.com.
Knight of Magic (IRE)
This six-year-old son of DECORATED KNIGHT has only recently joined the yard but he is already showing signs of improvement for the change of scenery. Out of the unraced MONTJEU mare MAGIC MINOR, there is a real depth of quality to his pedigree. KNIGHT OF MAGIC's second dam is the Gr.3-placed MINOR VAMP, who won the lucrative Goffs Fillies Million at the Curragh as a juvenile, and she is a half-sister to a pair of black-type performers, plus the dam of the dual Gr.3 winner and NH sire QUEST FOR PEACE.
KNIGHT OF MAGIC made his debut in a Kelso bumper as a four-year-old but was switched to the Flat immediately afterwards. Gaining experience at Newcastle during the 2023/24 all-weather season, his potential became apparent when he returned to turf the following spring. He finished fifth in a competitive 1m handicap at Pontefract in May of last year, a race that produced no less than six future winners, and another solid effort followed when sixth at Beverley, again in a race that worked out very well. The promising sequence was completed with a highly creditable fourth over 1m1f at Hamilton.All three of those runs suggested that KNIGHT OF MAGIC is capable of winning races and that his modest rating masks his true ability. He was given a break and returned to the NH sphere towards the end of last year, pulling up on his hurdling debut at Sedgefield but gradually improving with experience before switching stables.
Making his debut for James Owen at Yarmouth in late July, KNIGHT OF MAGIC was sent off the 2/1 favourite in a 1m2f Class 6 handicap. Racing enthusiastically in a first-time hood, he stayed on for an eye-catching third, showing a clear improvement on his most recent form. Another sound effort followed when fifth over 1m4f at Lingfield and then fourth at Brighton when returning to 1m2f. Winning races will be a formality if he can learn to settle and this well-handicapped horse retains potential under both codes.
Please contact us for further details on 01638 676513 or office@jamesowenracing.com.
Blue Bresil x Aintnosanityclause '21
An exciting opportunity to join a brand new syndicate with a daughter of BLUE BRESIL out of the lightly-raced hurdler AINTNOSAINTYCLAUSE, whose Grandam DERRY GIRL boasts a trio of top performers. These include: Fairyhouse Gr.1 Champion Stayers Hurdle and triple Gr.2 scorer BANNOW BAY, who was also runner-up in the Gr.1 Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham by a neck; FAR FROM TROUBLE, the Gr.1 Galway Plate Handicap Chase winner and winner MIGHTY MOSS, who was placed in two Gr.1 bumper starts, runner-up in the Gr.1 Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham and placed twice at Gr.2 level over hurdles.
The four-year-old filly was backed and ridden away patiently prior to arriving in training earlier this month. She is now being put through her paces and is looking for new owners to join the syndicate ahead of her racing debut. This limited syndicate only has eight 10% shares available as her current owner is keen to keep two shares and remain involved in this exciting filly. Ownership shares are available at £1,500 for a 10% share with ongoing usual monthly costs of £280/month while in training and £130/month out of training; 5% shares are also available. All prices are plus VAT and exclude any unusual costs, such as excessive vet fees or racing abroad.
Please contact us to purchase the shares on 01638 676513 or office@jamesowenracing.com.
Bite the Bullet (GB)
BITE THE BULLET is by dual purpose stallion and useful stayer, YORGUNNABELUCKY, winner of five races from three- to five-years of age over 10-14f and by GIANT'S CAUSEWAY. He has achieved some great results on the track with his progeny under both codes, with his standout performer being the 157-rated LIBBERTY HUNTER - winner of 6 races, including The BetMGM Handicap Chase at Cheltenham and placed in three Group races. YORGUNNABELUCKY's dam is
an own sister to STREET CRY, sire of 36 Gr.1 winners including WINX and ZENYATTA and now Gr.1-producing sons. His dam is dual winner PARADISE PLACE by COMPTON PLACE. She has produced six-time winner WILLINGLY.
Trainer Comment: BITE THE BULLET has settled nicely into Newmarket life and is showing up well on the canters, he has great movement and a great attitude. He is a horse I really like and I am looking forward to the future with him.”
Please contact Racehorse-Ownership | HW Racing Services | Racehorse Trainers & Owners for more information
Nazare (FR)
Own a 12.5% share in NAZARE by MASTERSTROKE, winner of the Gr.2 Grand Prix de Deauville.
A very exciting five-year-old who finished second on debut in December and has since followed that up with a victory at Huntingdon and was also runner-up last time out. Showing incredible promise, he is from a strong family of champion older horses, along with plenty of Black Type from horses such as NEEDLE GUN, CLOUD CASTLE and CANDLE.
Trainer Comment: “He’s a lovely athletic sort with plenty of size and scope. He shows a good attitude and is a quick learner. He ran a great race on his first start, settling really nicely and staying on well at the finish proving he was capable of winning a bumper. He is a horse with a great future ahead of him, especially when progressing over obstacles in time. NAZARE has made a very encouraging step in what looks to be a huge career” .
He is by MASTERSTROKE from the brilliant family of GALILEO. His sire won the Listed Prix Frederic De Lagrange and Gr.2 Grand Prix de Deauville and was also third in the Gr.1 Prix de la Arc de Triomphe.
Please contact Racehorse-Ownership | HW Racing Services | Racehorse Trainers & Owners for more information