Favoured at 6-5 in this step up to stakes company, Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) duly delivered in the G2 Tokyo Sports Hai Nisai Stakes on Saturday. After an even break, he soon ranged up in between horses to sit third behind a freewheeling Satono Shining (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and second choice Red [...]

In 2023, Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) parlayed a victory in the G2 Fuji Stakes en route to a neck defeat of Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) in the G1 Mile Championship. This term, the top Japanese pair face a tougher ask, as Europe's Champion Miler elect Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) attempts to become the [...]

Run under lights for the first time, the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy featured some familiar faces in the winner's circle once the dust settled, as co-breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, and co-owners Ged Mason and Peter Done's Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Queen's Dream {Ger}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) became the first dual winner of the [...]

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the second victory of Rebel's Romance in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Another Turf Title For Rebel's Romance Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) delivered his second GI Breeders' Cup Turf in [...]

Heavily favoured in the Japanese ante-post markets, juvenile Group 1 winner Regaleira (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) is the pick versus 16 members of her own sex in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Kyoto on Sunday. The 2023 Hopeful Stakes heroine successfully faced males last December, and that theme continued through the Japanese Classics. [...]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. That was the case for Canadian Horse of the Year MOIRA (Ghostzapper–Devine Aida, by Unbridled's Song) as she took the lead in her third attempt in the GI Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, before driving home a half-length winner for her first Grade [...]

Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) sired a new stakes winner on Saturday with Dantsu Elan (Jpn), who clawed out a nose victory in the G3 Fantasy Stakes at Kyoto. Fourth choice, the filly was under a tight hold and raced just behind the first flight as the field raced right-handed down the backstretch. Mozu Nana Star (Jpn) [...]

The 20-1 shot Panja Tower (Jpn) (Tower Of London {Jpn}) defended his unbeaten record with a neck score in the G2 Keio Hai Nisai Stakes at Tokyo on Saturday. The Deep Creek runner won a newcomers' affair at Chukyo on Sept. 8. Away without incident, the bay drifted back through the field to sit in [...]

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Scarlet Poppy during the Belmont at the Big A meeting.   Night Of Thunder Filly Wins In New York Wesley Ward trainee Scarlet Poppy (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) [...]

Nakayama newcomers' winner Brown Ratchet (Jpn) became the 35th stakes winner (22nd group) for Shadai Stallion Station resident Kizuna (Jpn) in the G3 Artemis Stakes on Saturday. The 3-1 third choice and half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Classic hopeful Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) broke alertly in a battling second as Mistress (Jpn) (Kizuna [...]

Japanese horses returning from overseas exploits and melding back into the local population with more Pattern race glory is not a rarity, and 2023 Japanese Triple Tiara heroine Liberty Island (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) aims to do just that in the 2000-metre G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) at Tokyo on Sunday. A winner of the 2022 G1 [...]

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Aussie Girl in Lexington. Aussie Flair At Keeneland Woodford Thoroughbreds' Aussie Girl (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) triumphed in her second American start for trainer Will Walden at Keeneland on [...]