Hills and Benevento Offer Bright Prospects for Freire's 2024 Season

Tuscan Hills promises an exciting future for trainer Raphael Freire after his emphatic Listed victory at Pontefract last month. A son of Night Of Thunder, the talented colt won impressively on debut at a mile at Thirsk, and on his second start, he relished the soft ground to secure the Silver Tankard Stakes by nearly five lengths.

Now owned by Amo Racing, Tuscan Hills will rest and strengthen over winter before returning for a spring campaign, where Freire hopes to see him in one of the early Classic trials.

"He has been perfect so far, and we always believed he would handle a mile, which he proved at Thirsk," Freire said. "Given how he travelled, we chose to keep him at a mile and raised him to the Listed level. His performance at Pontefract was a pleasant surprise. We knew he would handle the ground, but stepping up against renowned trainers and runners, you never know exactly where you stand. It was fantastic to see him finish so strongly."

Looking ahead to spring, Freire is optimistic about Tuscan Hills’ development. "He has done everything right so far, and his progress suggests he’ll improve as a three-year-old. We’ll set him aside until next year, and we’re hopeful of what he can achieve."

Freire also has high hopes for Benevento, who triumphed in the Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster in September. Though he could only manage fourth in Newbury’s Group Three Horris Hill Stakes, Freire remains confident in the colt's potential on better ground next season.

"He ran very honestly at Newbury, giving his best despite the unfavourable ground conditions," Freire explained. "On firmer ground, I expect him to be far more competitive, even though he held his own admirably. Like Tuscan Hills, I believe he’ll thrive as a three-year-old, and he’s another to look forward to next season." 

With Tuscan Hills and Benevento both showing promise, Freire enters the winter with plenty of optimism for the upcoming campaign.