Europe

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features the Goffs Orby Book 1 topper for her debut. 15.40 Cork, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 8fT MINNIE HAUK (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) made a splash at last year's Goffs Orby Book 1 when topping the charts when selling to M V Magnier for €1.85million and makes her...

The hunt for the next Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) is on at this year's Goffs Orby Sale, with Henry Beeby saying that he is convinced the sales house has never assembled such a strong group of yearlings to be offered at Ireland's premier yearling sale this week.  Trained by George Scott, Bay City Roller stretched his unbeaten record to three in the G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, and his connections harbour genuine Classic aspirations heading into the winter.  Stakes winners Beechwood (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), She's Quality...

The unbeaten Lake Victoria (Ire) is now Timeform's highest-rated two-year-old filly in Europe, it was announced on Monday. The daughter of Frankel (GB) earned a Timeform rating of 119p for her impressive success in Saturday's G1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket when beating Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}) by three lengths. G1 Phoenix Stakes winner Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), who finished only fourth at Newmarket, remains the best of the rest in this division with a rating of 113. Incidentally, Hooray (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) was the last filly to be...

The Industry Induction Programme, which will set a consistent standard for introducing new stable staff to horse racing, has been launched by Horse Racing Ireland's equuip and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) as announced via release Monday. The new online course will set a minimum standard of education for all new entrants into the industry and ties in with the continuing professional development and educations objectives of HRI's equuip and the IHRB. It will be mandatory for new recruits, and is a general introduction to the industry with topics...

Following Monday's confirmation stage, 18 horses remain in contention for Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, including the three-year-old Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who has topped the ante-post betting since registering his second consecutive victory over the course and distance in the G2 Prix Niel. He also won the G1 Grand Prix de Paris on his previous start. Sosie is one of three potential runners for Andre Fabre, who will be seeking a record-extending ninth win in the Arc. Fabre is also set to...

"It feels like a holiday!" joked Ed Player when discussing the task of showing Whatton Manor Stud's three-strong consignment to potential buyers ahead of Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Sale, a historic offering as the first at this particular sale from an operation with over 40 years of experience in the industry. Player has been the one responsible for overseeing this latest chapter in Whatton Manor's history since taking over at the helm from father Peter, but don't mistake him for a man taking his responsibilities lightly because of...

Let go at odds of 28-1 while looking to collect his first victory at the highest level, Lugal (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) came from just off the pace to take Sunday's G1 Sprinter Stakes at Nakayama. Cruising in a ground-saving spot just behind a free-running Puro Magic (Jpn) (Asia Express {Jpn}) with Win Greatest (Jpn) (Secret Hero {Jpn}) within striking distance, Lugal overtook the latter straightening for home and closed the leader's advantage passing the 200-meter mark. Hitting the front late, the 4-year-old had enough left in reserve to hold off...

A trio of yearlings have been added to Book 1 of the upcoming Goffs Orby Sale. Heading the youngsters is Lot 5A, a colt by Wootton Bassett (GB) out of SW and MGSP Thai Haku (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who is already responsible for listed winner Sarrocchi (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The Irish-bred colt is consigned by Marlhill House Stud. Offered by Al Eile Stud, Lot 81A, a filly by Siyouni (Fr) is out of An Cailin Orga (Ire) (Galileo), herself a daughter of European Champion 2-year-old filly and Irish champion...

Blood, sweat and tears. That is what it took Michael Halford to turn Copper Beech Stables from a green field site into one of the most renowned racing yards in Ireland. One from which Group 1 and Royal Ascot winners were sent out and where the trainer managed the careers of over 100 steeds in his pomp.  Halford has trained more than 1,000 winners in his 41-year career, almost 500 of which were managed from Copper Beech during 16 full seasons there, but dwindling numbers during Covid and the separation...

Coolmore's Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}--Itqaan, by Danzig), with a half-dozen prior outings under her belt, was the most experienced of nine contenders entering Sunday's G3 Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh and her ringcraft was a telling factor  in the seven-furlong contest as she delivered a display of power to claim a career high. She had previously hit the board in the G3 Albany Stakes and G2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and annexed a valuable pot at Naas in her penultimate start before running fourth in York's G2 Lowther...

John and Clodagh McStay of Oaklawn Stud near the Curragh, have placed that 68-acre property up for auction on Oct. 25, The Irish Field reported. The stud, which has two yards--Oaklawn Stud and Carhue Stud--will go under the hammer from 3 p.m. at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, unless sold prior to the auction date. Originally the property of the O'Mahony family with a history dating back over 100 years, the property was developed by John's father, the late Michael McStay, and has been owned and managed since the late 1980s...

Joseph O'Brien trainee Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Simannka {Ire}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}), fresh off a black-type breakthrough in last month's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at Deauville, continued on a winning roll with a battling victory in Saturday's Goffs Million at the Curragh. The 5-2 second choice was quickly into stride from the stands' side stall and gained an immediate advantage in this seven-furlong test. Comfortable on the front end until scrubbed along with a quarter-mile remaining, he was tackled by 9-4 favourite Antelope Canyon (Ire)...