Europe

   Like many Ballydoyle juveniles, Delacroix (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}--Tepin, by Bernstein) is very much a work in progress but everybody had a glimpse of what was to come in The Curragh's opener on Saturday as the son of the US legend overcame adversity to win his maiden with comfort. In doing so, the heavily-supported 2-5 favourite was become the stable's latest TDN Rising Star and his sire's 42nd in that category. Showing distinct promise when second on his Leopardstown debut last month, the half-brother to the yard's G3 Stanerra Stakes-winning...

Haras d'Etreham was top of the pops last year at the Arqana August Sale when selling a Dubawi (Ire) half-sister to the Group 1-winning duo of Wooded (Ire) and Bucanero Fuerte (Fr) for €2.4m to Oliver St Lawrence on behalf of Victorious Racing. Now named Battle Rhythm (GB), she has been assigned to trainer William Haggas.  Will history repeat itself when Etreham brings the full-brother to last year's sale-topper as Lot 134 late in Friday's opening session ? Time will tell. The Etreham stallion ranks will be boosted next year...

Saturday's G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh sees the first Group 1 action for the juveniles of 2024 and a fascinating colt-filly clash as Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) meets Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}). The former, who is seeking to extend Aidan O'Brien's tally of 17 successes in the six-furlong feature, like his full-brother Little Big Bear (Ire) went to Royal Ascot and Newmarket's July Festival and unlike him lost at the former meeting when one of the week's shock losers in fourth in the G2 Norfolk Stakes. While...

Coming into Friday's Listed Coolmore Stud Churchill Stakes at Tipperary on the back of a third in The Curragh's G2 Airlie Stud Stakes, Ballydoyle's January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}--I Can Fly {GB}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) made her class tell with an impressive four-length success to further enhance the power of Aidan O'Brien's extraordinary swathe of 2-year-old fillies in 2024. Always travelling comfortably tracking the leading pair, the 1-2 favourite was set alight by Ryan Moore passing two out and surged clear of Beckman (Ire) (Beckford {GB}) for a decisive black-type...

Building on her debut third at Leopardstown last month, Ballydoyle's Ecstatic (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}--Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) made experience count with an impressive win to become the stable's latest TDN Rising Star in Friday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Tipperary. Positioned on the tail of the leader early by Ryan Moore, the 2-1 second favourite was sent to the front passing two out and powered clear for an emphatic 3 1/4-length success from Lush Lips (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), with Juddmonte's highly-regarded and well-supported 6-5 favourite...

Arqana's August Sale bursts from the stalls next Friday which means it will be Christmas before we know it. It also means that over the three days which follow the spotlight will be shone on some of the finest yearlings from France and beyond as the European yearling season gets underway in its customary fashion of part-holiday/part-serious business in Deauville. In the days building up to the sale, we will be profiling some of the largest drafts at Arqana, beginning with Anna Sundstrom's Coulonces, which has 20 set to go...

The £150,000 Tattersalls Auction Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse's Rowley Mile will be run at seven furlongs beginning in 2025. Previously conducted over six furlongs, the race is open to graduates of Book 3 and Book 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale and the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. The 2025 edition is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2025. Graduates of Books 3 and 4 of the 2024 October Yearling Sale will also be eligible for the first time for the £100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes, which will be held over six...

by Keely Mckitterick/TTR AusNZ Friday's inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse evolved into a battleground where financial realities, governance controversies, and deeply personal accusations clashed in a high-stakes showdown. At the center of this unfolding drama is Peter V'landys, CEO of Racing NSW, who launched explosive allegations that "wealthy breeders" are orchestrating a campaign to undermine him. During the second inquiry on Friday, Peter V'landys, CEO of Racing NSW, made a series of explosive allegations about "wealthy breeders" engaging in a deliberate campaign to discredit him and Racing...

The Irish Racehorse Trainers' Association has cast its net out in search of a new chief after Ryan McElligott left his post after two years at the helm. McElligott, who succeeded former trainer Michael Grassick in the position, has joined Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing organisation.  McElligott said, "For the last two years my time at the IRTA has been instructive and enjoyable and I would like to thank the association's board for placing their trust in me when they took me on towards the end of 2022. "On a variety...

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. Friday's Observations features Mint Candy (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).   17.50 Tipperary, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 7f 100yT MINT CANDY (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the first foal out of the six-times Grade I winner Rushing Fall (More Than Ready), acquired for $5.5million by Coolmore at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November...

The celebrity teams for Hurling for Cancer Research, set for Netwatch Cullen Park on Monday Aug. 12, were revealed by Jim Bolger and Davy Russell on Thursday. The event, which starts at 7 p.m. aids the Irish Cancer Society and will be broadcast on TG4 for the first time. To date, Hurling for Cancer Research has raised an incredible €1.5m for cancer research. Liam Griffin and Brian Cody wil act as Bainisteoirí. Others signed on include John Kiely, Mark Landers, Jimmy Barry Murphy, Paul Townend, Rachael Blackmore, Bernard Dunne, Cora...

A total of 172 horses, including Group 1 winner Dubai Mile (Ire) (Roaring Lion) (lot 172) have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online August Sale. The sale begins at noon on Wednesday, Aug. 14 and ends beginning at noon on Thursday, Aug. 15. There are 139 horses in/out of training, 16 broodmares, nine stores, four yearlings, three foals, and the aforementioned Dubai Mile, who will be offered by Martyn Meade's Manton Park Stud, where he stood his first season in 2024. Baroda Stud will consign Useful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot...