Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes - 1 Mile (1,600 metres) - Group One (class one) - 2 Year Olds Only - 8 Runners. Going: Heavy.

Introduction:
The final Group One of the British flat season and it saw a small but very talented group of juveniles, taking in the biggest test of their careers so far. Run over a straight mile, the course at Doncaster is a relatively flat and smooth experience for horses which provides fair results. The change of season brought with it a change of going, one that the majority of the competitors were yet to experience so far. 
Formerly known as the Timeform Gold Trophy and Racing Post Trophy, the Vertem Futurity Trophy has an illustrious past and an impressive list of former winners. In the recent decade, it has become almost an Aidan O'Brien exclusive race with five wins in past twelve years. The master trainer is best known for aiming one or two of his leading two year olds at the prize. The legendary Irishman is tied for most wins in the race with another legend of the sport, Sir Henry Cecil, on ten wins. Therefore, a win this year would be even more craved to make him winning most trainer in the race. 
Previous History:
As mentioned before, the Vertem sponsored race has seen a plethora of equine talent land the trophy. Twelve months ago, Aidan O'Brien relied on the Beresford Stakes winner Luxembourg as his sole contender with a big reputation. Facing seven rivals, Luxembourg travelled stylishly throughout before kicking clear with minimal of fuss, winning by two lengths over Sissoko and a certain Bayside Boy who would go on to win this year's QEII Stakes on Champions Day. The manner of Luxembourg's win prompted confidence that he could win the coveted Triple Crown, a win in the 2000 Guineas, Derby and St. Leger, which hasn't been achieved since 1980. A defeat in this year's Guineas and an injury setback meant time was lost with Luxembourg, but he made an immediate impact on his return to racing by winning the Irish Champion Stakes in thrilling style. Sent off favourite for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, he suffered a recurrence of the hip injury and it is hoped he will return even stronger next year.
Former Winners:
2020 - Mac Swinney (Irish 2000 Guineas winner 2021)
2019 - Kameko (2000 Guineas winner 2020) 
2018 - Magna Grecia (2000 Guineas winner 2019), runner up Phoenix of Spain (Irish 2000 Guineas winner 2019)
2017 - Saxon Warrior (2000 Guineas winner 2018), runner up Roaring Lion (Eclipse & Juddmonte winner 2018)
2013 - Kingston Hill (St Leger winner 2014) 
2011 - Camelot (2000 Guineas, Epsom Derby winner 2012)
2009 - St Nicholas Abbey (Coronation Cup winner 2011/12/13, Dubai Sheema Classic 2013)
2006 - Authorized (Epsom Derby & Juddmonte winner 2007) 
2004 - Motivator (Epsom Derby winner 2005)
2002 - Brian Boru (St Leger winner 2003)
2001 - High Chapparal (Epsom Derby & Irish Derby winner 2002, Breeders Cup Turf winner 2002/03, Irish Champion Stakes 2003)
1994 - Celtic Swing
1986 - Reference Point (Epsom Derby, King George & St Leger winner 1987) 

2022 Entrants and Profiles:

1: AUGUSTE RODIN
Sire: Deep Impact - Dam: Rhododendron. 
Race Record: 3 starts, 2 wins, 1 placing.
Owners: M. Tabor/ D. Smith/ Mrs J. Magnier/ Westerberg.
Silks: Royal Blue with Orange Disk, Orange sleeves with Blue stripes, Blue cap with Orange stripes. 
Profile:
At the early entry stage of this race, Aidan O'Brien was responsible for a high amount of names, but as time went by, the entrants whittled down one by one. The main representive for a race dominated by O'Brien is Auguste Rodin, a horse with a very high reputation. Like so many of his stablemates at Ballydoyle, August Rodin is very well bred. A son of legendary Japanese racehorse Deep Impact who tasted defeat just once in his career, he follows the likes of Saxon Warrior and Snowfall as progeny of Deep Impact. Auguste Rodin is the first foal of the high class mare Rhododendron, who landed the Fillies' Mile, Prix de l'Opera and Lockinge Stakes on track as well as finishing second in the Epsom Oaks to Enable. 
A striking bay colt with defining facial markings, he has the stamp of an even better three-year-old next year like so many of Aidan O'Brien's horses. Making his debut at the Curragh, Auguste Rodin drew the attention of many eyes with the way he finished his race. Racing in midfield, he was soon trapped on the rail and unable to find a gap. Jockey Ryan Moore had wait and wait for daylight and once a gap appeared, Auguste Rodin made up a lot of ground in vain as he chased home Crypto Force who in turn would go on to win the Group Two Beresford Stakes. 
Compensation would be around the corner as Auguste Rodin kept things uncomplicated by making the running and winning at the second time of asking. His next start would take place during the valuable Irish Champions Weekend where he took in the Group Two Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown. His lofty reputation meant he was strongly fancied in the betting and he delivered for punters. Despite racing keenly in the early stages, Auguste Rodin impressed in the way he made his challenged and only needed to be kept up to his work to win the race with minimal fuss.
Named after a French sculptor, Auguste Rodin certainly looks like a museum piece and is expected to be one of the leading stars at Ballydoyle next year with the 2000 Guineas on the horizon. 

2: CAPTAIN WIERZBA
Sire: Night Of Thunder, Dam: Return Ace.
Race Record: 3 starts, 1 win. 
Owners: Valmont.
Silks: White body with Pink diamond, Dark Blue sleeves and cap. 
Profile:
The stable of Ralph Beckett has enjoyed another brilliant season this year courtesy of Group One wins from Kinross, Prosperous Voyage, Lezoo and Westover and is renowned for unveiling his better calibre of juveniles at this time of the year. A son of the 2014 English 2000 Guineas Night Of Thunder, the flashy chestnut is out of Return Ace who won on testing ground conditions. Captain Wierzba may not have the look of a future champion based on breeding, but has enjoyed a promising first season of racing.  Finishing second on debut to a colt who was regarded highly enough to run at Royal Ascot, connections decided to bide their time and wait for the Autumn in search of softer ground. A three month break between debut and second start didn't deter the horse and he showed his class by winning a small event at the Welsh venue Ffos Las in clearcut style. It would be on his latest start where Captain Wierzba would be involved in one of the most controversial incidents ever seen on a racecourse. 
Racing in the Group Three Prix Thomas Byron at Saint-Cloud just days before the Arc, Captain Wierzba travelled comfortbly enough on the very soft ground. Approaching the home bend, Christophe Soumillon onboard opponent Syros angled out of the pack to gain daylight but in the process, inexplicably extended his elbow into Rossa Ryan which caused him to lose balance and crash to the ground in a horrific image. It was a hotly debated topic and although thankfully both horse and rider were both fine, it will be a moment remembered for years to come. 
Arriving at Doncaster, Captain Wierzba should be able to get the conditions he seemingly appreciates and could outrun his odds. Ralph Beckett is an astute judge of picking races and wouldn't be one to aim a horse at a big race for a day out. 

3: DANCING MAGIC
Sire: Camelot, Dam: Poisson d'Or
Race Record: 4 starts, 2 placings.
Owners: Fishdance Ltd. 
Silks: Orange body and sleeves with dark blue stripes, Orange cap.
Profile:
The sole maiden in the race; it would probably be a big ask for Dancing Magic to win his first race in this particular race, but he has much better performance stats than his form figures suggest. A son of Camelot, who produced a magical performance when winning this race eleven years ago before going onto nearly completing the Triple Crown, Dancing Magic's dam Poisson d'Or has produced plenty of stamina in the family. 
Making his debut in mid-summer at Salisbury, Dancing Magic found trouble in running early on and had to overcome greenness before staying on nicely into fourth and beaten only a length in a bunched finish. It was an eye-catching debut and hinted at his ability. Despite the promise of his debut, he was sent off at big odds at Newbury and ran another big race to finish second, beaten half a length.
Co-trainers Harry and Roger Charlton know they have a good youngster on their hands and decided to move him into pattern races and took in the listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. Depsite an uphill task about the unbeaten at the time Naval Power, Dancing Magic caught the eye again when chasing the well-touted Godolphin colt. Stepping up once again in class, it would be the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on the agenda next and a similar comment for his performance, running well without threatening the protagonists. 
A first shot at group one company comes at Doncaster and it's possible this is a reward by the Charltons for having a promising first season. A colt with plenty of stamina in his pedigree, Dancing Magic has done very well to be competitive over shorter distances this year. Not many maidens have an official rating of 106 which could define his future. 

4: EPICTETUS
Sire: Kingman, Dam: Thistle Bird
Race Record: 2 starts, 1 win, 1 placing. 
Owner: Mr George Strawbridge
Silks: White body, cap and sleeves, Green hoop on body.
Profile:
One of the leading opponents to Auguste Rodin and a representative of the mighty Clarehaven stable of trainers John and Thady Gosden with enigmatic jockey Frankie Dettori in the irons. A very well bred colt with a big reputation, Epictetus is a son of the brilliant miler Kingman and out of the Group One winning mare Thistle Bird, it makes him a half brother to the talented Jumbly who won a listed race on soft ground as well as winning at Group Three level. 
The racing career of Epictetus got off to a very promising start. Thought highly enough to make his debut at the prestigious July Festival at Newmarket, he travelled through the race like a very good type and picked up in style to land a win at the first time of asking. As soon as he crossed the line, pundits posed the question of next year's Classics and it is possible that he could still be up to that quality. 
A long break between races saw Epictetus reappear at Newmarket again, but this time on the Rowley Mile course for the Autumn Stakes. Held up in the same fashion as his debut, Dettori began to ease his horse closer and the response when asked was instant again. A thrilling battle with Godolphin's Silver Knott ended with the Gosden colt tasting defeat, but it was still a high class effort against a more experienced colt. 
The biggest ask at Doncaster will be the ground and if a win doesn't materialise in this race, the future for next year is still bright. 

5: HOLLOWAY BOY
Sire: Ulysses, Dam: Sultry
Race Record: 4 starts, 1 win, 2 placings.
Owners: Mr Nick White & Mrs E Burke.
Colours: White body with Red quarters, White sleeves with Red stars, White cap with Red star. 
Profile:
Almost every juvenile takes in a maiden or two before winning their race, but Holloway Boy achieved something seen very rarely in modern racing. A product of the powerful Cheveley Park Stud and a son of Juddmonte International and Eclipse winner Ulysses and out of an unraced mare, he hails from deepest Yorkshire in Middleham for the team of trainer Karl Burke who is enjoying a brilliant season.
The Chesham Stakes is a seven furlong listed race for two year olds by sires who won races over ten furlongs as is run on the final day of Royal Ascot. It is often the aim of many for a middle distance type for next year, but this year saw the debut of Holloway Boy. Available widely at huge odds, Holloway Boy took the atmosphere of racing's premier fixture with the comfort of a horse with calmness beyond his years. His chestnut coat caught the eye, but he needed to overcome a slow start from the stalls. One by one he began to pick rivals and amazingly motored home to win on his debut at Royal Ascot. In a memorable interview, it was revealed Holloway Boy only ran to provide his owner Nick White an owners badge to attend the meeting, but he never imagined he'd be doing a winning interview. 
Life has been a little tougher for the chestnut colt but he has still raced with credit in all three subsequent starts. Narrowly beaten in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood where a distinct look of inexperience cost him. In the Somerville Stakes at Newmarket, Holloway Boy bumped into a very good prospect Nostrum and finished on the tails of Silver Knott and Epictetus in the Autumn Stakes.
A modestly bred colt who has exceeded expectations in a major way and given plenty of joy to those following him, stories won't come bigger than his.

6: KING OF STEEL
Sire: Wootton Bassett,  Dam: Eldacar
Race Record: 1 start, 1 win.
Owner: Amo Racing Limited. 
Silks: Purple body and sleeves, Purple and White quartered cap.
Profile:
Each year, a nicely bred two-year-old wins on debut in the style which suggests not many people know where the ceiling of ability is. Race watchers try to decide if the horse is a future world beater or a flash in the pan and the term "could be anything" can be applied to the grey King Of Steel. 
Owned by the powerful Amo Racing Limited, spearheaded by football agent Kia Joorabichan, King Of Steel held an entry in this race before he had stepped foot on a racecourse which suggests he was showing very good signs at home. A son of leading and unbeaten two year old Wootton Bassett, he was popular in the sales ring with plenty of money spent to purchase him.
Making his debut at Nottingham just a week and a half prior to the Futurity, he caught the eye of paddock onlookers with his sheer size and physical presence. He had the the making of a much older horse than his juvenile counterparts. Stepping onto soft ground, King Of Steel appeared to travel very confidently and the win looked evident from a long way out, it was only a matter of by how far. Once his rider Adam Kirby pressed the button, the son of Wootton Bassett lengthened immediately to win by five lengths. 
A steep jump into the highest level for a horse who only made his debut a short time beforehand, but Nottingham has a reputation for being a playground of future top class horses. With his size, presence and evident ability, King Of Steel just might be that kind as well.

7: SALT LAKE CITY
Sire: Galileo, Dam: Heartache
Race Record: 3 starts, 1 win, 1 placing.
Owners: M. Tabor/D. Smith/Mrs J. Magnier/Westerberg.
Silks: Royal Blue body with Orange disk, Orange sleeves with Blue stripes, Blue cap. 
Profile:
The second of the two Aidan O'Brien runners in this year's Futurity, but seemingly not in the same bracket as Auguste Rodin. A son of the greatest sire in racing to date, Galileo, Salt Lake City is another product of the Coolmore super talent conveyor belt. His dam Heartache was a high class sprinter in her own right, winning the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot which makes this colt another example of the tried and trusted mix of stamina and speed courtesy of Galileo and Heartache.
Salt Lake City's career began brightly, finishing a promising second to the Joseph O'Brien-trained Al Riffa where he couldn't match that one's turn of pace. That debut effort would be boosted as Al Riffa went on to win the Group One National Stakes later in the season. A trip to York was up next for the richest maiden race in Britain, the Convivial Maiden, where plenty of well bred and highly regarded sorts were in opposition. From the word go however, things did not go well. Salt Lake City looked ill at ease on the quick ground and was eased down to finish 15th of 17 to understandable disappointment of connections.
The key was soon found on his next start where Salt Lake City gained a valuable first race win. Racing in much calmer waters and this time on heavy ground, he appeared to glide across the surface whilst others struggled. Crossing the line five lengths clear and putting forward his case for Group race tasks. It is possible Salt Lake City won't be as high on the list of best juveniles at Ballydoyle, but the fashion of his latest win was very impressive and the genes of Galileo will be an asset. 

8: STORMBUSTER
Sire: Dubawi, Dam: Barshiba.
Race Record: 4 starts, 1 win, 3 placings.
Owner: Mr J C Smith.
Silks: Purple body and sleeves, Light Blue chevron on body, Light Blue cap.
Profile:
Another exciting type to carry the famous colours of owner Jeff Smith, Stormbuster has been a slow work in progress, but looks above average.
Three defeats before a first victory wouldn't suggest a future champion, but experience is critical and Stormbuster has improved with each race this year. A son of leading sire Dubawi, his dam Barshiba was also very popular in her racing career, famously racing with one eye. 
The bay colt is also very well bred as a half brother to the 2015 Juddmonte International winner Arabian Queen who also raced in the purple and blue silks of Jeff Smith which have been winning high profile races for over four decades. 
A promising third on debut behind subsequent July Stakes winner Isaac Shelby was followed by another third, this time in a competitive event at Sandown behind One Nation for Godolphin. A better effort came when stepped into listed company where the Andrew Balding trained colt chased home highly regarded Flying Honours into second in the Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury. 
Stormbuster would gain his revenge on the Godolphin operation on his next start a month later in the Clarke, Haynes and Hanson Conditions Stakes at Newbury. Formerly an illustrious event which often saw a small field but a very good winner, the 2006 winner Sir Percy is on the list of previous winners. Making the running in the four runner race, regular jockey David Probert kept things simple and allowed his mount's stamina reserve come into play. Stormbuster began to stretch clear to win impressively and set up a tilt at Group One company. Like so many of his rivals in this race, he will more than likely improve again over the winter and go on to better things.

Story of the race:
1st: Auguste Rodin
2nd: Epictetus 
3rd: Holloway Boy
4th: Dancing Magic
5th: Salt Lake City
6th: Captain Wierzba 
7th: King Of Steel
8th: Stormbuster
Distances: 3 and a half lengths, 1 and three-quarter lengths.
A spectacular display
The grey skies and downpours of the previous day had moved away to leave a bright autumnal day, perfect weather conditions for the final premier meeting of the British flat turf meeting. The pre-race build up was dominated by talk of the ground conditions. Even the night before, trainer Aidan O'Brien sounded major doubts over the participation of the highly anticipated colt Auguste Rodin. The anxiety was further heightened as Aesop's Fables was beaten into second in the preceding race to cast further doubt over the hot favourite. Connections were sporting enough to take their chances and they had a key ally in the form of Ryan Moore who had ridden a winner earlier in the afternoon as a guide to ground conditions. 
As the gates snapped back, the eight runner field decided to split into two groups. In the main group down the centre of the track, Stormbuster was the overall leader in the early stages whilst the leading protagonists stayed on the near side rail on the fresher ground. Salt Lake City led his stablemate Auguste Rodin and market rival Epictetus. As the race began to heat up, Holloway Boy moved into the lead of the larger group but the drama of the race came when he drifted markedly to the right and joined the stands' side group. All the while, Auguste Rodin began to assert into the outright lead and began to power away. Daylight appeared between himself and Epictetus before he crossed the line over three lengths ahead of Epictetus and the wayward Holloway Boy. Dancing Magic finished best of the rest when staying on into fourth and "winning" his race. 
It was a spectacular display by a colt who was regarded as "only scratching the surface of his potential". The ground was troublesome for the majority of the day's runners young and old. It was clear that Auguste Rodin didn't enjoy the conditions but the way he quickly put the race to bed and drew further clear showed all the hallmarks of a serious horse. A landmark eleventh victory in the race for trainer Aidan O'Brien to make him the winning most trainer in the historic race. He took the risk on the ground with his horse and he reaped the rewards.