Latest news with #SkyBetCityofYorkStakes
Powys County Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Maranoa Charlie on course for City of York test
The Maranoa Charlie team are counting down to the Sky Bet City of York Stakes after an excellent first outing in the Bond Thoroughbred colours when agonisingly denied in the Prix Jean Prat. Christopher Head's son of Wootton Bassett was a headline purchase by the Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbred operation – the racing entity of the late Reg Bond now overseen by son Charlie – prior to the Deauville Group One and proved himself to be a quality acquisition with a fine run amongst a stellar cast. 'It's exciting times and it was quite a pressure run having invested a lot of money but it worked out well and he backed everything up that we had seen previously,' said Charlie Bond. 'Christopher was very complimentary of him and told us after we had purchased him he thinks this is the best horse he has ever trained, so we knew we had bought into a serious horse and he went and proved it.' WOODSHAUNA WINS THE PRIX JEAN PRAT! 🏆 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 6, 2025 Attempting to make all on the Normandy coast, Maranoa Charlie was able to repel the likes of Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter and Charlie Appleby's Shadow Of Light before being thwarted by the narrowest of margins after the late thrust of the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Woodshauna. Bond added: 'He sort of ran four races and three horses took him on, he eyeballed them and got the better of them, just unfortunately the fourth one didn't give him enough time to react, even though the jockey said he went after him and a stride after the line he was getting back on top of him again. 'The jockey said this horse just does not like to get beat and it's incredible how three of them came there on the bridle, but once he eyeballed them he saw them off and they were proper Group One contenders, so you can definitely upgrade our run.' Although trained in France by Chantilly-based Head, Maranoa Charlie will be seen as a local hero if able set the record straight and register a first victory in the famous yellow and black colours of his ownership team on their home soil in York's newly upgraded Group One on August 23. 'I think Christopher and the jockey may try some different tactics at York, but you'll see what they decide on the day,' continued Bond. 'It's a kink at York rather than a straight and a bit of a dogleg, which I think will benefit us and we hope he loves the Knavesmire as it's the race Christopher has in mind for him. 'It's exciting times for Bond Thoroughbreds, so we can look forward to York and go again.'
Leader Live
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Bond backing Maranoa Charlie to go the distance at Deauville
Monsieur Bond and Ladies Are Forever both famously flourished in the black and yellow spots of the late Reg Bond, who enjoyed Group One success in France as part-owner of 2014 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Move In Time. Now with son Charlie now at the helm, the Bond Thoroughbreds operation has a growing broodmare band at Yapham Mill Stud near Pocklington and have added a touch of quality to the ranks by swooping for Christopher Head's crack French-trained three-year-old Maranoa Charlie, who is blessed with both a glowing pedigree and impressive on-track CV. 'The reason we bought him was his form, but to have a colt with the speed in the pedigree from Tiggy Wiggy and by Wootton Bassett was so exciting to add to the ranks with what Bond Thoroughbreds is trying to achieve in racing,' said Charlie Bond. 'Wootton Bassett is flying at the minute and he looks to have great stallion potential for a long way down the line. We have a big broodmare band now, so we do need to be looking towards the future as well. 'We saw his last win and the time of the race compared to the other racing that day and he won a bit cosily carrying a penalty. The previous owners were fantastic to deal with and will be joining us on Sunday at Deauville.' Maranoa Charlie was subject to plenty of hype as a two-year-old when effortlessly winning his first three starts before seeing his momentum checked when upped to Group One level at Saint-Cloud in the final outing of his juvenile campaign. Maranoa Charlie leads them all the way in the Prix Paul de Moussac! 🇫🇷 The high-class Lazzat took the Group Three contest last year, what next for @CHeadRacing's talented colt? — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 8, 2025 However, he has left that minor blip in the past since returning this season, winning two Group Three contests to tee-up a return to the highest level at Deauville – which in turn could lead to a raiding mission to York for the upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes on August 23. 'The main race for him will probably be the City of York which Christopher identified and it is our home track, which I think will really suit him,' added Bond. 'Obviously we will see how he gets on stepping back into to Group One company on Sunday, Christopher is looking forward to running him and we'll get to see what level he is at. 'It's the best of the best in the Jean Prat and we're straight in there in a really hot race. 'But his stature, when you look at the videos we've been sent of him, has been impressive and we're really looking forward to seeing him in person. 'I'm also really looking forward to seeing him as a four-year-old. He's a great looking horse now, but the potential improvement at four looks to be there.' Maranoa Charlie is one of eight standing their ground for the Deauville feature, with Harry Charlton's Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year and Charlie Appleby's dual Group One-winning two-year-old Shadow Of Light providing further British interest.
North Wales Chronicle
02-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Bond backing Maranoa Charlie to go the distance at Deauville
Monsieur Bond and Ladies Are Forever both famously flourished in the black and yellow spots of the late Reg Bond, who enjoyed Group One success in France as part-owner of 2014 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Move In Time. Now with son Charlie now at the helm, the Bond Thoroughbreds operation has a growing broodmare band at Yapham Mill Stud near Pocklington and have added a touch of quality to the ranks by swooping for Christopher Head's crack French-trained three-year-old Maranoa Charlie, who is blessed with both a glowing pedigree and impressive on-track CV. 'The reason we bought him was his form, but to have a colt with the speed in the pedigree from Tiggy Wiggy and by Wootton Bassett was so exciting to add to the ranks with what Bond Thoroughbreds is trying to achieve in racing,' said Charlie Bond. 'Wootton Bassett is flying at the minute and he looks to have great stallion potential for a long way down the line. We have a big broodmare band now, so we do need to be looking towards the future as well. 'We saw his last win and the time of the race compared to the other racing that day and he won a bit cosily carrying a penalty. The previous owners were fantastic to deal with and will be joining us on Sunday at Deauville.' Maranoa Charlie was subject to plenty of hype as a two-year-old when effortlessly winning his first three starts before seeing his momentum checked when upped to Group One level at Saint-Cloud in the final outing of his juvenile campaign. Maranoa Charlie leads them all the way in the Prix Paul de Moussac! 🇫🇷 The high-class Lazzat took the Group Three contest last year, what next for @CHeadRacing's talented colt? — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 8, 2025 However, he has left that minor blip in the past since returning this season, winning two Group Three contests to tee-up a return to the highest level at Deauville – which in turn could lead to a raiding mission to York for the upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes on August 23. 'The main race for him will probably be the City of York which Christopher identified and it is our home track, which I think will really suit him,' added Bond. 'Obviously we will see how he gets on stepping back into to Group One company on Sunday, Christopher is looking forward to running him and we'll get to see what level he is at. 'It's the best of the best in the Jean Prat and we're straight in there in a really hot race. 'But his stature, when you look at the videos we've been sent of him, has been impressive and we're really looking forward to seeing him in person. 'I'm also really looking forward to seeing him as a four-year-old. He's a great looking horse now, but the potential improvement at four looks to be there.' Maranoa Charlie is one of eight standing their ground for the Deauville feature, with Harry Charlton's Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year and Charlie Appleby's dual Group One-winning two-year-old Shadow Of Light providing further British interest.
Rhyl Journal
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Bond backing Maranoa Charlie to go the distance at Deauville
Monsieur Bond and Ladies Are Forever both famously flourished in the black and yellow spots of the late Reg Bond, who enjoyed Group One success in France as part-owner of 2014 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Move In Time. Now with son Charlie now at the helm, the Bond Thoroughbreds operation has a growing broodmare band at Yapham Mill Stud near Pocklington and have added a touch of quality to the ranks by swooping for Christopher Head's crack French-trained three-year-old Maranoa Charlie, who is blessed with both a glowing pedigree and impressive on-track CV. 'The reason we bought him was his form, but to have a colt with the speed in the pedigree from Tiggy Wiggy and by Wootton Bassett was so exciting to add to the ranks with what Bond Thoroughbreds is trying to achieve in racing,' said Charlie Bond. 'Wootton Bassett is flying at the minute and he looks to have great stallion potential for a long way down the line. We have a big broodmare band now, so we do need to be looking towards the future as well. 'We saw his last win and the time of the race compared to the other racing that day and he won a bit cosily carrying a penalty. The previous owners were fantastic to deal with and will be joining us on Sunday at Deauville.' Maranoa Charlie was subject to plenty of hype as a two-year-old when effortlessly winning his first three starts before seeing his momentum checked when upped to Group One level at Saint-Cloud in the final outing of his juvenile campaign. Maranoa Charlie leads them all the way in the Prix Paul de Moussac! 🇫🇷 The high-class Lazzat took the Group Three contest last year, what next for @CHeadRacing's talented colt? — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 8, 2025 However, he has left that minor blip in the past since returning this season, winning two Group Three contests to tee-up a return to the highest level at Deauville – which in turn could lead to a raiding mission to York for the upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes on August 23. 'The main race for him will probably be the City of York which Christopher identified and it is our home track, which I think will really suit him,' added Bond. 'Obviously we will see how he gets on stepping back into to Group One company on Sunday, Christopher is looking forward to running him and we'll get to see what level he is at. 'It's the best of the best in the Jean Prat and we're straight in there in a really hot race. 'But his stature, when you look at the videos we've been sent of him, has been impressive and we're really looking forward to seeing him in person. 'I'm also really looking forward to seeing him as a four-year-old. He's a great looking horse now, but the potential improvement at four looks to be there.' Maranoa Charlie is one of eight standing their ground for the Deauville feature, with Harry Charlton's Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year and Charlie Appleby's dual Group One-winning two-year-old Shadow Of Light providing further British interest.
South Wales Guardian
02-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Bond backing Maranoa Charlie to go the distance at Deauville
Monsieur Bond and Ladies Are Forever both famously flourished in the black and yellow spots of the late Reg Bond, who enjoyed Group One success in France as part owner of 2014 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Move In Time in 2014. Now with son Charlie now at the helm, the Bond Thoroughbreds operation has a growing broodmare band at Yapham Mill Stud near Pocklington and have added a touch of quality to the ranks by swooping for Christopher Head's crack French-trained three-year-old Maranoa Charlie, who is blessed with both a glowing pedigree and impressive on-track CV. 'The reason we bought him was his form, but to have a colt with the speed in the pedigree from Tiggy Wiggy and by Wootton Bassett was so exciting to add to the ranks with what Bond Thoroughbreds is trying to achieve in racing,' said Charlie Bond. 'Wootton Bassett is flying at the minute and he looks to have great stallion potential for a long way down the line. We have a big broodmare band now, so we do need to be looking towards the future as well. 'We saw his last win and the time of the race compared to the other racing that day and he won a bit cosily carrying a penalty. The previous owners were fantastic to deal with and will be joining us on Sunday at Deauville.' Maranoa Charlie was subject to plenty of hype as a two-year-old when effortlessly winning his first three starts before seeing his momentum checked when upped to Group One level at Saint-Cloud in the final outing of his juvenile campaign. Maranoa Charlie leads them all the way in the Prix Paul de Moussac! 🇫🇷 The high-class Lazzat took the Group Three contest last year, what next for @CHeadRacing's talented colt? — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 8, 2025 However, he has left that minor blip in the past since returning this season, winning two Group Three contests to tee-up a return to the highest level at Deauville – which in turn could lead to a raiding mission to York for the upgraded Sky Bet City of York Stakes on August 23. 'The main race for him will probably be the City of York which Christopher identified and it is our home track, which I think will really suit him,' added Bond. 'Obviously we will see how he gets on stepping back into to Group One company on Sunday, Christopher is looking forward to running him and we'll get to see what level he is at. 'It's the best of the best in the Jean Prat and we're straight in there in a really hot race. 'But his stature, when you look at the videos we've been sent of him, has been impressive and we're really looking forward to seeing him in person. 'I'm also really looking forward to seeing him as a four-year-old. He's a great looking horse now, but the potential improvement at four looks to be there.' Maranoa Charlie is one of eight standing their ground for the Deauville feature, with Harry Charlton's Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year and Charlie Appleby's dual Group One-winning two-year-old Shadow Of Light providing further British interest.
