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 son of Group 1 winner Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
1.25 Curragh, Mdn, €17,000, 2yo, 8fT
HIPPODROME (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of three Ballydoyle newcomers in this maiden won by TDN Rising Stars High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Duke De Sessa (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the last two runnings. A son of the 1000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas runner-up Lightning Thunder (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), the 650,000gns Book 1 graduate is joined by fellow newcomer Covent Garden (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-brother to Johannes Vermeer (Ire) and Wembley (Ire), and the Ryan Moore-ridden Hiawatha (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the full-brother to Luxembourg (Ire) who has the benefit of two runs.
2.00 Curragh, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT
CANUTE (Quality Road) is the second foal out of the G1 Falmouth S., G1 Matron S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. heroine Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and is one of another Ballydoyle trio alongside Ryan Moore's pick Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), a relative of Saxon Warrior (Jpn), and Charles Bianconi (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), a 320,000gns Book 1 half-brother to Dame Malliot (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) who carries the Evie Stockwell silks. They are met by Qatar Racing's fellow newcomer High Court Judge (Kitten's Joy), a Johnny Murtagh-trained son of the GII Lake Placid S. and GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile winner Proctor's Ledge (Ghostzapper).
4.25 Sandown, Mdn, £9,900, 2yo, f, 7fT
CATCH A STAR (IRE) (Cracksman {GB}) is a notable Godolphin newcomer on a day replete with exciting Classic prospects, being a daughter of the G2 Flying Childers S. scorer Sand Vixen (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who has produced the top-level winners Dream Castle (GB) and With The Moonlight (Ire) from matings with Cracksman's sire Frankel (GB). Charlie Appleby has charge of the March-foaled bay, whose rivals include the similarly-unraced Beautiful Star (Ire) (U S Navy Flag), Amo Racing Limited's Richard Hannon-trained half to Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never).
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