Tweenhills stars heading to Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot is always a thoroughly exciting occasion for those who work with racehorses but there’s extra incentive for Tweenhills staff this year as several horses born, raised and grazed at the stud go to the meeting with winning chances. 

Running Lion gave David Howden and his family a truly unforgettable day when making all in the Gr.2 Duke of Cambridge on the Wednesday of Royal Ascot in 2024. 

What made it even more special was that David bred Running Lion at Tweenhills, by our dear departed friend Roaring Lion out of the Dansili mare Bella Nouf, who was purchased on his behalf by Tweenhills at the 2018 Tattersalls December Mare Sale, carrying future Gr.3 winner Majestic Glory. 

After a couple of tune-ups this year, Running Lion should be spot on to defend her crown in the same race, for which she will be among the favourites.

Howden and Nick Wheeler’s pride and joy, 3yo filly Flight, shone when runner-up to Desert Flower in the 1000 Guineas. She didn’t get the rub of the green when sixth in the Irish 1000 Guineas but will be back for the Coronation, which has lost Lake Victoria in recent days and presumably won’t feature Desert Flower after he Oaks third. 

Promoted Poule d’Essai des Pouliches winner Zarigana will be the one to beat but it’s open behind her and Flight continues to train very well at home. Her dam, Run Wild, won a Stakes race for the Tweenhills Fillies partnership in Covid-struck 2020 and has also produced another stunner in 2yo filly Light – so the family is very special to us at Tweenhills. 

Mgheera was bred by David Redvers & Framont Ltd and goes to the Gr.1 King Charles II at the top of her game. She spent the first few years of her career in France, where she won a Listed sprint last summer, but she has taken her form to the next level since being bought for  €250,000 by owners Lord Lloyd Webber and Arthur Mitchell and sent to Ed Walker. 

Mgheera made her stable debut a winning one back in France in the Gr.3 Prix de Saint-Georges in May, and then she beat some of the best British and Irish sprinters in the Gr.2 Temple Stakes at Haydock. 

Walker told the Racing Post: “I’m really excited to see her step up in grade. She’ll have to improve again but you wouldn’t rule it out.”

Elnadim mare Arabda has been a great addition to the Tweenhills broodmare band since being picked up for €55,000 at Arqana in 2018. As well as being the dam of Couplet, who made a winning 2yo debut in 2022 before being sold privately, she has also produced Jarraaf who has never run a bad race, inc. Gr.3 and Listed company. 

His trained Owen Burrows told the Racing Post: “He's won twice over six furlongs at Ascot, so the Wokingham looks a logical next step. He was a beaten favourite on his return at Salisbury, but he needed the run and was beaten only a length, so I wasn't too disappointed. The ground was also a bit too quick and if it were similar conditions then we'd consider switching to the Buckingham Palace over seven furlongs, although he'd have top weight in that and as it stands, I’m keen on the Wokingham.

On the 2yo front, Kameko’s daughter Spinning Lizzie looks a lively outsider for the Gr.3 Albany. She’s out of another favourite mare at Tweenhills in Cockney Dancer, who has produced four other winners, headed by Stakes-placed 2yo Lambeth Walk, herself the dam of exciting 3yo Excellent Believe. 

Spinning Lizzie was well bought as a foal for 40,000gns by JP Bloodstock – from the Tweenhills draft at the Tattersalls December Sale. 

American Gal has already won a Listed race this year, so it seems like connections are rolling the classic dice with the daughter of Kameko in the Gr.1 Prix de Diane this Sunday. If she doesn’t run there, then she could be a possible for the Sandringham at Royal Ascot off 97.