Europe

Shadwell's Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}--Adhwaa {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) was highly tried after posting a career high in last term's G2 Sky Bet York Stakes, finishing just off the podium behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in September's G1 Irish Champion Stakes and last month's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes on seasonal return, and secured back-to-back renewals in a tactical affair on the Knavesmire. The Owen Burrows trainee employed patient tactics and raced under a firm hold, behind all three opponents, through the initial fractions as King's...

Bouncing back from her disappointing effort in the G3 Musidora Stakes, George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}--In Clover {GB}, by Inchinor {GB}) relished the drop to a mile to boss Ascot's G3 Longines Valiant Stakes on Saturday. Only seventh in that York Oaks trial in May, the homebred half-sister to the group 1 winners With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Call The Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and We Are (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) who had previously impressed when taking Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes earlier that month was soon in front...

Compensating for her agonising reversal in the Royal meeting's G3 Albany Stakes, Al Shaqab Racing's acquisition Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}--Cashla Bay {GB}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) got up late to break her maiden in style in Saturday's G3 Princess Margaret Stakes back at Ascot. Third on debut at York behind the high-class Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) prior to her standard-setting Albany performance behind Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), the 11-8 favourite was held up early by Ryan Moore who had already ridden the opening race's...

Fans of sporting art can look forward to a special lecture at the National Horseracing Museum (NHRM) in Newmarket to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of renowned equine painter George Stubbs. Given by former NHRM director and art historian Christopher Garibaldi on Wednesday, September 11, the lecture looks at the life and work of Stubbs, with specific reference to his equestrian subjects, which include the famous painting of Whistlejacket, which hangs at the National Gallery. Tickets for the evening, which begins at 6pm in the John Lambton Rooms,...

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. Saturday's Observations features a 1.5-million half to crack sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). 13.15 Ascot, Mdn, £50,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT AL MISBAR (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}) is a key member of the "Crocker Bulteel" Maiden that opens the King George card, being Godolphin's 1.5million gns Tattersalls October Book...

   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 former multiple graded stakes hero Public Sector in the Great White North.   Kingman's Public Sector Wins In Canada Michael and Jules Iavarone and co-owner Saffie Joseph, Jr.'s Public Sector (GB) (Kingman {GB}) visited the winner's circle for the first time since taking Belmont's GII Hill Prince Stakes in the autumn of 2021 when capturing a Woodbine contest in July (video). The 6-year-old...

There can be few six-time Group 1 winners that have as weird a profile as Ballydoyle's enigmatic Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), but as Ascot's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes approaches of course all eyes are on him once again. It was in this summer jewel 12 months ago that one of the best Derby winners of recent times was seen floundering even before the home turn before disappearing from view, a scene that would normally represent a fall from grace. But where we are...

It has been the season of all seasons for the ever-young Dark Angel (Ire). So much so that Gay O'Callaghan has agreed to go in front of the camera to talk about the horse he describes as "part of the family".  The master of Yeomanstown Stud speaks about Dark Angel like a father of his favourite son. But when the 19-year-old stallion comes up trumps year after year with genuine top-notchers like Battaash (Ire), Harry Angel (Ire) and now Charyn (Ire), it's hard not to dote over the loveable grey. ...

Dual Group 1 winner Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has been supplemented at a cost of £40,000 to the G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on Aug. 1. Her addition brings the field to 12, with her rivals including both John and Thady Gosden stablemate Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and trainer Aidan O'Brien's Group 1 winner Opera Singer (Justify). Second in the G1 Oaks at three, the daughter of Hidden Brief (GB) (Barathea {Ire}) would go on to take the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes later...

ASCOT, UK -- Far from the madding crowd of the royal meeting, the exploits of those five heady days were still being celebrated at Ascot on Friday. And rightly so, for this was the day of the annual Royal Ascot winning breeders' lunch, a lovely touch from the racecourse to recognise those who make this great sport happen.  There's no one-upmanship here. Every breeder will tell you how much they need the owners - most of them are also owners themselves - and all the various participants in racing matter,...

KHK Racing's multiple Group 1 winner Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) is "extremely well" after his G1 July Cup third and will head to the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest next month, co-trainer Ed Crisford confirmed on Friday. "He's come out of the July Cup extremely well, we're really pleased with him," said Crisford, who trains with his father Simon. "It's all systems go at the moment for the Prix Maurice de Gheest. He wasn't really right that first day on that heavy ground at Haydock, the July Cup was...

A joint-record sale price was created in Thursday's session of the Tattersalls Ireland July Store Sale when lot 388A, a gelded son of Order Of St George (Ire), brought €65,000 from Ballycrystal Stud's Matthew Flynn O'Connor. The point-to-point trainer snapped up the wildcard entry from Mount Eaton Stud. He was originally a €21,000 November National Hunt Sale pinhook as a foal and is a half-brother to two winners. His dam, the Shernazar (Ire) mare Miss Cilla (Ire), is a half-sister to the three-time Grade 1-winning hurdler Peddlers Cross (Ire) (Oscar...