Dan Briden's series continues as Jack Jones takes him through some of his two-year-old team for 2025.
AFTON DOWN
17/3 b g Time Test - Spinacre (Verglas)
Owner: Antram, Pemberton & Lancaster Sales price: £13,000 (Jack Jones Racing)
Half-brother to French 1m 3yo winner Saccharose (84). Dam an Irish 1m 2yo Listed winner (102) who was a half-sister to 7f Group 3 winner San Sicharia (108) and Listed winners Same World (9/10f; 113) and Spin Cycle (5f, twice; 119).
“We only gelded him because he was becoming a bit heavy - it has done him the power of good. He isn’t a big, backward one by the sire and has actually turned a corner these past few weeks. That said we won’t be rushing him - if he runs in the autumn that’ll be great but only if he tells us he’s ready for that. I think he’ll be a nice horse in time.”
ALIKALU
21/2 b f Ulysses - Flying North (Raven’s )
Owner: Westlain Ltd Sales price: 2,000gns (Westlain Racehorse Breeding)
Second foal of a useful 8-10f winner (99) who was a half-sister to Listed-placed 7f 2yo winner Heading North (99) out of a 1m 2yo winning (94) half-sister to 1m 3yo Listed winner Heavenly Whisper (105) and the dam of Goodwood Cup winner Illustrious Blue (117).
“She was left out in the paddock until April and was only broken late as a result. She will be trained through until June and then be given another holiday. We will get her back in the autumn and see from there if she runs before the end of the year.”
DECEM STARR (IRE)
23/3 b c Showcasing - Purple Sage (Danehill Dancer)
Owner: Up the Racing Team 4 Sales price: 80,000gns (Jack Jones Racing)
Half-brother to useful Irish 1m 2yo winner Kolachi (97) and fairly useful 10-12.5f winner The Thunderer (91). Dam a 7f 2yo winner (106) who was a half-sister to 1m Listed winner Annabelle’s Charm (107; later dam of Middle Park Stakes winner Charming Thought (116)).
“A nicely-bred horse related to a couple of nice horses including one for Joseph O’Brien. He was immature through the winter but has grown a lot recently and is training well. We are going to treat him like a proper horse and give him all the time he needs. He will tell us when he’s ready to be stepped up in his work, but I hope he can be a nice horse in time.”
FEELIN’ FREE
3/2 b f Nathaniel - Francisca (Mizzen Mast)
Owner: Gary Nutting Sales price: 1,000gns (Vendor)
Half-sister to 12f 3yo winner Sea Battle (70). Dam an unraced half-sister to US 8.5f 3yo Grade 2 winner Willcox Inn (116).
“She is in the same boat as Alikalu. Having been in a paddock until April and broken in soon after, she will also be turned back out in June and come back into training in the autumn. She is a big girl and we will judge upon her return whether she will run this year or require some more time.”
LOUNANDEZ
9/3 gr f Lope Y Fernandez - Louya (Verglas)
Owner: Stuart Goodwin & Christopher Vasey Sales price: 4,000gns (Jack Jones Racing)
Half-sister to French dual 10.5f 3yo winner Biella (84). Dam a French 7.5f 3yo winner (86) who was a half-sister to Listed-placed French/US 6-7f winner Funmaker (95).
“A nice enough type, but she’s still physically immature and will need some time. The sire has made a good start and hopefully this filly can add to his tally once it all comes together for her.”
PAROLED
6/3 ch c Without Parole - Jadwiga (Pivotal)
Owner: Myddelton, Gunther & Carter Sales price: £15,000 (Dan Astbury/Jack Jones Racing)
Half-brother to four winners including fairly useful 5-7f winner Silks (80). Dam an unraced daughter of a 7f 2yo Listed winner/May Hill Stakes runner-up (109).
“A nice-bodied horse who is straightforward and very much a two-year-old type. He is training well and his big target will be the Goffs sales race at York. He should be running over 7f by July.”
ROGUE DEFENCE
15/5 gr c Dark Angel - Rehn’s Nest (Authorized)
Owner: The Rogues Gallery Sales price: 30,000gns (Rogues Gallery Racing/Jack Jones Racing)
Half-brother to UAE 6f Group 3 winner Meraas (116) and 2024 6f 3yo winner Winning Point (80). Dam an Irish 1m 3yo Group 3 winner/Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up (111).
“This colt was purchased at the December yearling sales. He is a lovely big horse out of a mare that was second in an Irish 1000 Guineas and who has produced a Group 3 winner. Although one who is just cantering away and will be given plenty of time, he does look quite a classy sort.”
ROGUE DESIRE (FR)
20/1 b f Lucky Vega - Gaita (Teofilo)
Owner: The Rogues Gallery Sales price: €36,000 (Adam Potts/Henry Lascelles/Rogues Gallery Racing)
Half-sister to useful French 7-7.5f winner Red Smile (87). Dam a French 12f winner (79) who was a half-sister to Listed-placed French 6.5f 2yo winner Hyper Hyper (94).
“A good-bodied filly who was purchased in as a foal and therefore qualifies for the Arqana fillies sales race in August. We will look to get a run or two into her before then. She looks a two-year-old type and I am looking forward to getting her started.”
RUBISTAR (IRE)
26/3 ch f Starman - Rubia Bella (Bated Breath)
Owner: Private Equineity Sales price: 22,000gns (Private Equineity/Jack Jones Racing)
Half-sister to 2024 Swedish/Norwegian 6-7f 2yo winner Crystal Love (90). Dam a 6f 3yo winner (81) who was a full sister to Irish 1m 3yo Group 2 winner Space Traveller (116) and a half-sister to Group 3-placed 6f 2yo winner Pellucid (93; later dam of 7f 2yo Group 3 winner Orne (103)).
“Starman has made an excellent start, and this filly looks a nice enough type. She had some immaturity issues in the spring but is training well now. We won’t be pushing any buttons with her just yet and she still needs to strengthen up a bit, but I am keen to get her out by the summer. She is showing all the right signs at present.”
SILICIANA
10/4 b f Sergei Prokofiev - Blue Lyric (Refuse To Bend)
Owner: Antram, Lancaster, Pemberton & Harrod Sales price: 24,000gns (Westlain Racehorse Breeding)
Half-sister to several winners including Listed-placed 5f 2yo winner Deia Glory (95) and 2024 dual 7f 2yo winner Searchingtheblues (80p). Dam a fairly useful dual 7f 2yo winner (81p) who was the granddaughter of Cheveley Park Stakes winner Blue Duster (118).
“Another filly who has had a few immaturity issues and is on the back burner as a result. However, she shows us all the right signs and will be fine once given the time she needs.”
THEREFORE (IRE)
8/4 b f Gregorian - If So (Iffraaj)
Owner: The Chestnut Tree Syndicate Too Sales price: 12,000gns (Rae Guest)
Half-sister to useful 6-7f winner Final Option (97) and useful UK/UAE 7f-1m winner Kaheall (97). Dam a useful multiple 6f winner (101) who was a half-sister to triple 6f Group 1 winner The Tin Man (124), 6f Group 2 winner Deacon Blues (130) and the dam of 2024 6f 3yo Group 1 winner Kind of Blue (122).
“A nicely-bred, good-bodied filly who is in the top work group. She looks a summer starter and is showing us all the right signs at this stage.”
WYLE COP (USA)
28/2 b/br c Omaha Beach - True Egyptian (Pioneerof The Nile)
Owner: D R ant Sales price: £160,000 (Jack Jones Racing)
Third foal of a US 7-8.5f winner who was the daughter of a stakes-placed US 8-9f winning half-sister to US 8.5f stakes winner Crow’s Nest.
“This colt was purchased at the Goffs UK Breeze Up sales. He has settled in really well and has a very good mind on him for a breezer. The plan is to start him off in a 6f maiden at Leicester on May 27, where we hope to utilise his fitness from the breeze ups. If he wins or runs very well there, we can consider a trip to Ascot for the Coventry. It’s nice to have a horse like this in the yard.”
ZOOTER
15/3 b g Australia - Kalagia (Kodiac)
Owner: Millennial Racing I Sales price: 8,000gns (Millennial Racing/Jack Jones Racing)
Second foal of a fairly useful 5f-1m winner (86) who was a full sister to Norfolk Stakes winner Prince of Lir (105p) and a half-sister to Irish 5f 3yo Listed winner Nitro Boost (104).
“Whilst not a ‘whizz-bang’ type of two-year-old, he certainly isn’t your typical Australia and has very much taken after the distaff side of the pedigree. He is a nice horse who has been training well since his gelding operation, and I see him running in either June or July.”
UNNAMED (IRE)
10/3 b c Kodi Bear - Harlequin Twist (Acclamation)
Owner: For Sale Sales price: £50,000 (Jack Jones Racing)
Half-brother to 7f 3yo winner Little Gem (61). Dam an unraced half-sister to 10f Listed winner Miblish (117) and Group 3-placed Irish 6.5f 3yo winner Count John (105).
“He came from the same sale as Wyle Cop and actually clocked a faster time than him. However, he isn’t quite as forward physically which perhaps isn’t what people want at that sort of sale. We gave him a quiet time post breeze ups, but he’s cantering away now and is already looking a nice type. The plan is to get him started around July time. He is currently for sale.”
UNNAMED
19/2 b c Without Parole - Teeky (Daylami)
Owner: K Snell Sales price: 1,500gns (Not Sold)
Half-brother to useful 12f 3yo winner Travel On (100) and useful triple 6f winner Secret Hint (99). Dam a fairly useful dual 12f 3yo winner (89) who was a half-sister to Group 2 winners Aiken (12f; 117) and Sleeping Indian (7f; 112) and 10f 3yo Group 3 winner Felicity (108; later dam of 12/12.5f Group 3 winner Gatewood (115)).
“A nice middle-distance type who has fitted into our system well. We will look to get him started around the middle of the summer, and he goes well enough in his work at home.”
Dan Briden Two-Year-Old Guides
More from Sporting Life
- Racecards
- Fast results
- Full results and free video replays
- Horse racing news
- Horse racing tips
- Horse racing features
- our free iOS and Android app
- Football and other sports tips
- Podcasts and video content
Safer gambling
We are committed in our of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
