Havana Gold: 3YOs to watch in 2022

With over 150 three-year-olds to run for Tweenhills sire Havana Gold in 2022, Racing Analyst Adam Brookes looks at those we are likely to see in the winner’s enclosure…

El Caballo (Timeform 105) became the 13^th individual Stakes winner for Havana Gold when completing a four-timer in the Listed Spring Cup at Lingfield last Saturday. It was also the first time El Caballo had raced over seven furlongs and many options are now open to him, presumably leading to either the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup or Gr.3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A setback meant El Caballo didn’t get chance to run in Stakes company at two (the colt that beat him on debut, Armor, went on to win a Gr.3 and finish a close third in a Gr.1) but Havana Gold still had juvenile Listed winners in Chipotle (TF 101) and Fearby (TF 103) in 2021.

It appeared dual Listed winner Chipotle was destined for Saudi Arabia after his sale to Najd Stud for 210,000gns last October but he stayed in Britain with William Haggas; don’t forget Chipotle’s second Listed win came on his first try over 6f and he could be another with the Gr.1 Commonwealth Cup as his main aim. Fearby also remains unexposed over 6f but he will not continue his career in Europe after being sold privately to race in Hong Kong.

Another promising young Havana Gold runner sold to continue abroad is filly Cuban Crisis (TF 67p), now with Mark Glatt in the US after finishing a close second at Kempton on her sole two-year-old start for David Simcock. She joins Philly Eagles (TF 92) who was sold after her winning debut at Doncaster last June and finished fourth in the Gr.2 Miss Grillo Stakes at Belmont in October on her US debut for Mark Casse. Colt Picota is another Havana Gold who left Britain for the US.

In Ireland, Cavalry Charge (TF 88p) came on plenty for his debut when beating 14 rivals in the Silver Ballyhane Stakes at Naas last August. The fact he tanked through that race dropped to 6f bodes very well given he’s closely related to a smart 9f winner Patentar and out of a 7f-1m winner.

Tweenhills homebred Cuban Beat (TF 79p) was another who scored second time out, both her runs coming over 7f at Kempton. She overcame greenness when beating another daughter of Havana Gold in Belacqua (TF 94p) and has the physical scope to improve plenty more in 2022. Bellacqua only narrowly failed to give Cuban Beat 5 lb that day and she quickly returned to winning ways at Lingfield.

Another Havana Gold filly who made a very promising start to her career was Poppy Bouchet, overcoming inexperience when winning a 1m Kempton maiden in December. She is out of Listed winner Audacia so open to improvement. Tippy Toes took a few goes to win but really clicked when returning to the all-weather, making all in 6f novices at Chelmsford – that raw speed will help her win more races.

Among the males, Elsals (TF 79p) could be very interesting as he went close over 7f at York on debut (next-time-out winner just behind) for Richard Hannon and was bought by Kevin Philippart de Foy for 140,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Sale. Golden Voice (TF 81p) finished runner-up at Redcar and is a half-brother to Brunch, who won a Listed race aged four in 2021. Ernie’s Valentine (TF 93) won three of his five starts as a juvenile and ran at Royal Ascot, so should pay his way again in 2022.

If you’re looking for a horse who may improve beyond recognition as a three-year-old then bear in mind Glory And Gold – she was fancied in the betting for her debut and is a full sister to Havana Gold’s five-time winner Alkaamel, as well as a half-sister to Gr.3 Musidora Stakes winner Give And Take.

Finally, at this year’s Tattersalls February Sale, Havana Gold’s son Land of Eagles was bought for 44,000gns by Sam Haggas’ Hurworth Bloodstock and has likely joined George Boughey. Given he finished just a length behind future Gr.1 Vertem Futurity Trophy fourth Hannibal Barca at Ascot yet will make his handicap debut off 77 makes him yet another Havana Gold to look out for.