Three 3-year-old colts to watch in 2024
Valvano
- Night Of Thunder x Vuela - Ralph Beckett
This horse falls firmly in the "could be anything" category, and he was one of the most eye-catching 2yo's for me last year, for a trainer who does so very well with this type. Smartly bred, this horse has some very eye-catching entries after his debut demolition job at Nottingham, including the Dante Stakes, the Derby and even the Irish Derby later on in the season.
No Guineas entries to his name, which is quite refreshing to see in a way, as clearly connections have a plan of attack, and that is to go straight down the Derby route stepping him up in trip to 1m4f and/or beyond. Ralph and connections have had a 2yo winner already this season, as Moon Over Miami won on the first turf meeting at Doncaster a few weekends back, so they are clearly starting as they mean to go on this season.
Back to Valvano, where he was sent off the 8/11 odds-on favourite for his debut, so there were clearly good vibes floating around for this horse, and he duly obliged the market support when winning by a very easy 6 lengths in the end, in very impressive fashion as he ran through the line, looking like there is plenty more to come.
As seems to be the case for most race days at Nottingham, there was plenty of cut in the ground, so to win in the manner that he did, against a few horses who have already got a run to their name, suggests he is a very classy type.
Being out of Night Of Thunder, it does seem a little strange they aren't trying the mile route to start with, but when it comes to a Ralph Beckett horse getting aimed at the Derby, we must trust the process. Ralph has a very good record at Nottingham, so does usually send his good ones there for a run.
This is the horse I am most excited to see out for the 2024 turf season, and is the 2yo that really caught my eye last season with that glittering display on debut in the mud at Nottingham. Although the form of that novice contest hasn't been franked as such, I am sure there will be a few winners to come out of the race in the long run.
Ghostwriter
- Invincible Spirit x Moorside - Clive Cox
Clive Cox certainly knows the time of day when it comes to training flat horses, especially classic prospects, and his unbeaten son of Invincible Spirit Ghostwriter has certainly got Clive purring and ready to go to war with him.
He had three runs as a 2yo last season, and ended up being unbeaten in them all, progressing very nicely with each passing run, which ended in a Group 2 Royal Lodge win over the mile trip at Newmarket to end the season.
A very taking debut winner at Newmarket over 7 furlongs, he was sent off at the odds of 9/1 that day, so maybe the vibes were not as strong as they first thought, but the horse does not know his starting price, and he proved by going to win by 3 and a half lengths in the end.
That race did gather a few eyes on him, as he then went on to run in another novice contest carrying the penalty, where he was then sent off the odds-on favourite. He duly justified the market support, and went on to win in very game fashion by a little over a length. He was the only runner in that race to carry a penalty, therefore it was a risk to run him, but it was a risk worth taking as he made all and forged clear in the closing stages, despite edging left as they got close to the post.
It was his next run back at Newmarket that is clearly the best one to date: stepping up in both class and trip, he lined up for the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes over a mile, back at the scene where he had won on racecourse debut. Sent off the 100/30 2nd favourite, behind Capulet for Aidan O'Brien who was a short-priced favourite at 7/4, he firmly put his rivals in their places by landing the Group 2 contest in very nice fashion, winning by a little over a length, running on up the Newmarket straight pretty nicely in the end.
That was an impressive performance, and it does mean he has that invaluable Newmarket experience, especially over the mile trip which can be priceless for younger horses with Guineas aspirations. He has been entered up for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in May, and Clive has come out and said that is the main plan this season, as he will potentially look to head there with no prep run, but they are unsure on what to do as yet.
He also has a Dante and Derby entry, so if all else fails with the Guineas, then the Derby route could be taken up. Clive stated in an interview that on his dam side there is a bit of staying ability there, so the 1m4f trip should be no issues for him.
Quite a big price for the 2000 Guineas at this stage, I think he could be a player, especially with that all-important Newmarket experience under his belt.
God's Window
- Dubawi x Perfect Clarity - John & Thady Gosden
This really nicely-bred son of Dubawi for the Gosdens in the form of God's Window could in time become the new star to come out of Clarehaven. It is clear to see connections think that might be the case, as he was thrown into Group 1 company on just his 2nd ever star, and he also has some very eye-catching entries for the season ahead, including both the Guineas and the Derby.
He probably wasn't the most spectacular debut winner at Doncaster back in September if you were to just look at the result on paper, but he did get the job done in the end, despite looking pretty green throughout the race. Another thing to note is that contest was a hot novice race, which will yield many winners in time.
Although the winning margin suggests it wasn't too easy for him, as he only got his head in front by three quarters of a length, I suggest you go back and watch that race just to see how comfortable he actually was crossing the line in the end, hands and heels stuff in the end from Kieran Shoemark. Also another thing to note was his leg action whilst running, it really looked as if he enjoyed the softer going, so that could be something to keep an eye on going forward.
After that nice debut win at Doncaster over the mile trip, he was then pitched into the Group 1 Futurity Stakes over course and distance, and given that was on just his 2nd ever racecourse run, I would say the vibes were strong going into the race from the camp.
From what I could tell connections very much thought the expected heavy going at Doncaster that day would more than suit him, and although he ran very green throughout, he still ran an incredible race to claim 3rd spot in the closing stages.
You could argue he was running past beaten horses who were going backwards in the closing stages, but the way I look at it I would say he was running on well after it all clicked into gear in the end. As mentioned he was slow away and running keen throughout, so it took a bit of time for Kieran to gather him up, but once he switched to the rail he absolutely flew home, and if it was a furlong or two further, he could well have won going away.
Again, like his debut win, I highly recommend you go and check out the replay, he was a real eye catcher in behind that day, running on well to claim 3rd spot late on.
With Guineas and Derby entries for the season ahead, with a winter on his back and now a year older, I fully expect him to progress into a nice horse this season, and from what I can tell with breeding and how he ran at Doncaster last time, the middle-distance trips might be his bag this season.
Summary of 3-year-old colts to follow:
- Valvano - Ralph Beckett
- Ghostwriter - Clive Cox
- God's Window - John & Thady Gosden
All previews and tips provided by @ Jake Russell