Top trainer Eve Johnson-Houghton talks Dan Briden through her two-year-old team for the season ahead.
AIRSIDE
14/4 b c Ardad - Victory Garden (New Approach)
Owner: TSJ Partnership Sales price: 24,000gns (Highflyer Bloodstock/Eve Johnson Houghton)
Half-brother to useful 7.5-8.5f winner Percy’s Lad (107). Dam an unraced half-sister to 7f 3yo winner/Ribblesdale Stakes runner-up Eldalil (106) and the dam of Irish 6f 2yo Group 3 winner/Coventry Stakes runner-up Cappella Sansevero (109).
“A bonny horse who is one of a few we’ve got entered at Goodwood this coming Friday (May 2), though I’m not 100 per cent that he’s ready. We trained his half-brother Percy’s Lad during the early part of his career, and this colt is unsurprisingly a speedier, more precocious type being by Ardad. He is showing us enough to think he will win races.”
ARKLAN (IRE)
26/3 b c Palace Pier - Yaazy (Teofilo)
Owner: The Nigel Bennett Partnership Sales price: 34,000gns (Highflyer Bloodstock/Eve Johnson Houghton)
Half-brother to fairly useful French/UK 10.5-14f winner Motazzen (90). Dam a French 12f 3yo Listed winner (113) who was closely related to Group 2 winners Bangkok (10.5f; 118) and The Foxes (8/10.5f; 119) and a half-sister to UAE 10f Group 1 winner Matterhorn (123).
“Quite a big colt who is going to take a bit of time, as his pedigree suggests he should. He will probably be ready to get going once the 7f races get here in the summer.”
BAYBE DRIVER
12/2 b c Pinatubo - Baileys Jubilee (Bahamian Bounty)
Owner: Anthony Pye-Jeary & David Ian Sales price: 40,000gns (Highflyer Bloodstock/Eve Johnson Houghton)
Half-brother to a handful of winners including useful multiple 5-6f winner Nigel Nott (98). Dam a French 5f 2yo Listed winner/Cheveley Park Stakes third (103) who was the daughter of a Listed-placed 1m 3yo winner (98).
“A nice horse who does absolutely everything we’ve asked of him. I see him being out at the end of May or beginning of June, probably over 6f.”
