Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Insights features 1.5-million Tattersalls October Yearling graduate Ylang Ylang.
17.30 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
YLANG YLANG (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who debuts for Ballydoyle in the maiden won in the last two years by the subsequent Group 1 performers Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), was one of the six Frankel millionaire lots at the most recent Book 1 Sale. The second-highest-priced filly at that auction, the March-foaled bay is the first foal out of the G1 Fillies' Mile fourth Shambolic (Ire) (Shamardal), a half to the accomplished pair Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) and Laughing (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Ryan Moore rides her in preference to the stable's Opera Singer (Justify), a half-sister to War Front's top-level winners Hit It A Bomb and Brave Anna, while there is another regally-bred individual in the line-up in Michael Ryan's Finsceal Luas (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) , the 11th foal out of his champion Finsceal Beo (Ire) (Mr. Greeley) starting out for Jim Bolger.
14.45 Doncaster, Novice, £9,950, 2yo, 7f 6yT
ARABIC LEGEND (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), the second foal out of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's GI E.P.Taylor S. heroine Sheikha Reika (Fr) (Shamardal), is poised to make his debut for the Andrew Balding stable. Also starting out is Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's Al Mootamarid (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), a Marco Botti-trained half-brother to none other than Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) who despite that cost a mere 200,000gns at the Tatts Craven Breeze-Up; and Godolphin's Stormy Waves (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a Charlie Appleby-trained grandson of the prolific producer Pieds De Plume (Fr) (Seattle Slew) who was a 525,000gns Book 1 purchase.
17.00 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT
BENNU (IRE) (Magna Grecia {Ire}) is a big-deal representative of Coolmore's first-crop sire, being the 11th foal out of the Niarchos Family's excellent producer Alpha Lupi (Ire) (Rahy). Trained for the operation by Willie Browne, the May-foaled half-brother to the heavyweight pair Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and the former's group 1-winning full-sister Discoveries (Ire) is up against some big-yard runners including Ballydoyle's second-string and fellow newcomer House Of Aviz (Uncle Mo), a full-brother to the GIII Santa Ysabel S. winner and GI Starlet S. and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Donna Veloce.
20.25 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 3yo/up, 10fT
SATURN (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) carries on the theme set earlier on the card by his relative Bennu (Ire) (Magna Grecia {Ire}), with this Jessie Harrington-trained newcomer the landmark first foal out of the brilliant Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Grey like his dam, the Niarchos colour-bearer has a wide draw to contend with on his racecourse bow.
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