October 22 / 15.35 Doncaster

15.35

Soft

Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings)

  • Prize money: £118400
  • 1m 0f 0y
  • Class 1
  • 8 runners
ITV4
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Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes (Group 1) (No Geldings)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

OUR TIP

Evs (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 211 D

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
First foal of connections' triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron; comfortably won Naas maiden (7f, yielding) on his second start and followed up in Leopardstown Group 2 (1m, soft) in September; he could have lots more left in the tank and has leading claims for a trainer who has won this ten times.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(4)

14th Sep 2024

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:25 Leopardstown

Auguste Rodin

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

towards rear, headway under 3f out, challenging 1f out, briefly disputed lead inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish

9/4

5th

1

(2)

27th Jul 2024

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Auguste Rodin

9st 9lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Has flopped badly on three occasions in his career, including in this race 12 months ago; otherwise a high-class performer who has won several top middle-distance prizes, all on good/firmer, including the 2023 Derby and most recently the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot; leading player provided he avoids one of his bad days.

5/4

1st

2

(3)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:25 Ascot

Auguste Rodin

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

The Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders' Cup Turf all fell to him last season but he ran absolute shockers in the 2,000 Guineas and King George (here) and flopped again in the Dubai Sheema Classic this March; Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (good to yielding) late last month was much more like it again, albeit leading only briefly in the closing stages before White Birch asserted by 3l; peak efforts have been on good or firmer (also Group 1 winner on heavy as 2yo) but he's uncomfortably enigmatic.

7/4

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 12

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 111

Form & Verdict
Won on debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in July and beaten just a neck on the other course there recently in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes (1m, good), with Holloway Boy and Dancing Magic behind; that form is up there with the best in the field and he could have more to offer for his top yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

30th May 2026

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 4

18:42 Lingfield

Epictetus

9st 5lb

J: William Carver

T: Jamie Osborne

Things didn't pan out his way on first crack at 1m4f here last time (AW) and that was another in-form effort; has found his level again but wants a good test over this trip, he hasn't won in a long time and has become inconsistent on turf.

7/1

3rd

2

(5)

12th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

20:20 Lingfield (AW)

Epictetus

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Beaten half a length or less in his last three goes on the AW (7f-9.5f), but losing run up to 22 and has never attempted this far before; others safer.

5/1

2nd

1

(5)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Epictetus

9st 9lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Has gone close recently and was only beaten half a length at Lingfield (1m, AW) 13 days ago but is without a win since landing a Group 3 for the Gosdens three years ago; looks sure to be thereabouts once again.

7/2

8/1

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1223 BF

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) on his debut and has run well in defeat in three Group races since (7f/1m, good), most recently third in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket; he was a bit short of room last time but he'd have struggled to beat runner-up Epictetus even with a clear run; each-way contender if he's suited by the first-time visor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(4)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Holloway Boy

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: K R Burke

His strike-rate is an unimpressive 3-26 but he's seldom far away and last October's excellent second in a top handicap over C&D preceded an AW Listed win; came up short at Doha and Meydan early this year but showed enough to suggest he should be on the premises.

6/1

1

(2)

18th Oct 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:40 Ascot

Holloway Boy

9st 12lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

This is his first run since April and he has a lofty mark, but he won a Group 3 at Haydock (1m, good) last September and has a history of running well off big weights in handicaps; likes it here; not ruled out.

18/1

6th

1

(7)

4th Dec 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

19:10 Kempton (AW)

Holloway Boy

9st 11lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

took keen hold, raced wide, in touch with leaders

13/2

33/1

Form: 4224

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Talented four-race maiden; unraced on slow ground; Listed runner-up at Haydock (1m) last month and again showed strong form when fourth of six in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket (1m; led) a fortnight ago; however, he was behind two of these last time and looks vulnerable once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(10)

13th Jun 2025

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 4

13:40 Chester

Dancing Magic

11st 0lb

J: Miss Megan Jordan

T: Roger Teal

Is 0-19 and he came in a below-par fifth of eight in 1m Salisbury handicap 20 days ago; he needs to take a big step forward.

14/1

5th

2

(4)

24th May 2025

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Salisbury

Dancing Magic

9st 8lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Roger Teal

Showed some smart form in defeat in his younger days, finishing fourth of eight behind Auguste Rodin in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity; runner-up three times last year, but failed to beat a rival on last month's Kempton return (7f, AW) and is now 0-18; best watched.

12/1

Form: 201 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up to subsequent Group 1 winner Al Riffa on debut at the Curragh (7f, good) in August and bounced back from York flop with 5l win from the front in recent Navan maiden (1m, soft), when bounding clear late on; others have much stronger form and Auguste Rodin is Ballydoyle's chief hope, but he should continue to progress and could be an each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(10)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

15:55 Leopardstown

Salt Lake City

9st 5lb

J: Colin Keane

T: A P O’Brien

raced in second

14/1

1st

6

(5)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 0f 30y

17:30 Killarney

Salt Lake City

9st 3lb

J: Killian Hennessy

T: A P O’Brien

in touch with leaders, headway and went third 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went second inside final 110yds, ran on well to lead post

4/1

16th

7

(12)

1st Aug 2023

Soft

1m 0f 123y

18:40 Galway

Salt Lake City

9st 10lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A P O’Brien

Wide-margin Navan maiden winner last year before contesting the Vertem Futurity; neck second on seasonal debut in 1m1f Listed at Leopardstown; looked a bit one-paced over 1m on his next start and found 7f inadequate in a Group 2 event at Leopardstown last week; interesting on handicap debut, but no horse of his age has won this since 2004.

8/1

Form: 21U

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Runner-up on debut at Windsor (6f, good to firm) in May and readily made all at Ffos Las (7.3f, good) in August on his second start; unseated rider (who was nudged off by rival jockey) 5f out in six-runner French Group 3 (1m, very soft) last time, when sent off at 11-1; unexposed and open to further improvement but others have far more substance to their form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(3)

4th May 2024

Heavy

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:30 Goodwood

Captain Wierzba

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Useful 2yo but well held in his two starts at three; only a midfield finish in the Rosebery at Kempton on his reappearance four weeks ago (40-1); dropped another 5lb but he has enough to prove.

16/1

8th

3

(3)

4th May 2024

Heavy

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:30 Goodwood

Captain Wierzba

9st 5lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Useful 2yo but well held in his two starts at three; only a midfield finish in the Rosebery at Kempton on his reappearance four weeks ago (40-1); dropped another 5lb but he has enough to prove.

16/1

8th

8

(7)

6th Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

14:40 Kempton (AW)

Captain Wierzba

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

No impact in a 1m1f Newmarket Listed race and 1m Goodwood conditions event last spring but it's of some interest that his powerful yard has persevered and it'll be interesting to see what the betting makes of him of stepping up in trip for this handicap and AW debut after 11 months off (has been gelded).

16/1

Form: 1

Last run: 10 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR:

Form & Verdict
Impressive on debut at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) ten days ago, powering about 5l clear despite Adam Kirby not having to get fully serious (jockey said afterwards he's "one of the biggest 2yos I've ever ridden"); this is a quick turnaround and he has lots to find against some classy opponents, but he's exciting and it remains to be seen where his limitations lie.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(1)

21st Oct 2023

Soft

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

King Of Steel

9st 3lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: Roger Varian

raced in last, pushed along over 4f out, headway on outer from 2f out, prominent when ridden and hung right 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, led towards finish

4/1

4th

8

(5)

9th Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:20 Leopardstown

King Of Steel

9st 3lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Varian

held up in midfield, headway 3f out, ridden and went fourth inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, not reach leaders

9/4

3rd

11

(3)

29th Jul 2023

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

King Of Steel

8st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Roger Varian

Strapping colt who nearly won the Derby on stable/seasonal debut, leading from over 2f out until collared by Auguste Rodin near the finish (pair clear); went one better in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot where he comfortably justified favouritism while confirming he's very smart and suited by this C&D; both starts this season on good to firm but 2yo debut success came on soft; still has very low mileage, having raced just four times, and commands the utmost respect with further progress on the cards.

4/1

Form: 3321 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Considerable promise on first three starts (including on good to soft) before making all by 5l in a notable conditions race at Newbury (1m, good) last month; today's assignment is much more demanding but things may now have clicked for this brother to Group 1 winner Arabian Queen, and his trainer has won two of the last eight runnings; could make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

(9)

6th Oct 2023

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

15:22 Ascot

Stormbuster

9st 4lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred colt who won a notable conditions race at Newbury as a 2yo; has proved disappointing since, latterly in handicaps; chance depends on how well he responds to first-time headgear.

20/1

8th

7

(3)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

13:15 Ayr

Stormbuster

9st 0lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

Well-bred 3yo who is in good hands and has dropped down the weights; however, he's struggled this season and needs to turn things around.

16/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £8.20
Straight Forecast £9.24
Tricast £27.20
Trifecta £26.00

Selections

TOPSPEED:

Epictetus

SPOTLIGHT:

Auguste Rodin

LAMBOURN:

Dancing Magic

The Star:

Holloway Boy

POSTDATA:

Epictetus

NEWMARKET:

Epictetus

Telegraph:

Epictetus

The Guardian:

Epictetus

D Express:

Epictetus

Daily Mirror:

Epictetus

RP Ratings:

Auguste Rodin

The Times:

Auguste Rodin

Daily Mail:

Auguste Rodin

The Sun:

Auguste Rodin

Daily Record:

Auguste Rodin