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. Today's Observations features a close relative of the great Frankel.
1.45 Chantilly, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, f, 8fT
DARK LUCK (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is the first foal out of the G3 Prix Vanteaux winner Gold Luck (Fr) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}), a half-sister to the world-renowned Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), her talented sibling Anodin (Ire) and the Group 1-winning Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}). Also third in the G1 Prix Jean Prat, the Wertheimer homebred is in Freddy Head's hands in this intriguing affair which also plays host to SARL Darpat France's Lerma (Fr) (Reliable Man {GB}), a Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained half-sister to the G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Villa Marina (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}).
2.49 Chantilly, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, c/g, 8fT
BADGE (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is a significant runner for the longstanding Juddmonte-Andre Fabre axis as a son of the dual listed scorer and multiple group-placed Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). A close relation of Frankel (GB), the March-foaled bay is a full-brother to this year's G1 St James's Palace S. fourth Maximal (GB) and a half to the G1 Coronation S. third Jubiloso (GB) (Shamardal). The opposition includes a pair of Freddy Head-trained bluebloods in George Strawbridge's Mirsky (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), a son of the G1 Prix de Diane heroine Latice (Ire) (Inchinor {GB}), and the Wertheimers' Ilic (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), a son of the G2 Prix de Sandringham winner and dual Group 1-placed Impressionnante (GB) (Danehill) which makes him a half to Intello (Ger).
6.15 Dundalk, Mdn, €14,000, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT)
LUSTRE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) debuts in the Westerberg silks in partnership with Magnier, Tabor and Smith is a Donnacha O'Brien-trained full-sister to the G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Cliffs of Moher (Ire) from the family of Henrythenavigator. She meets another owned by that combination but sporting the Susan Magnier silks in Ballydoyle's West Coast (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a half-sister to the G2 Rockfel S. scorer and dual top-level placed Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}) whose dam Wading (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) also won that race and is a full-sibling of the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Bracelet (Ire).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
