Ballydoyle

Introduced in the same seven-furlong Goodwood maiden on Thursday that Ballydoyle won with Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2016, Dreamy (Ire) (American Pharoah--Tapestry {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) became the latest to fly the flag for the Rosegreen stable in a largely fruitful week. Bred by Flaxman Stables and Coolmore and carrying the famed colours of the Niarchos Family, the daughter of the G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine qas quickly away from her high draw before being settled in fourth by Ryan Moore. Taking her time to build in the closing stages,...

Coolmore and Westerberg's 'TDN Rising Star' Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}--Devoted To You {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}) followed up an eighth-length debut tally at the Curragh with a black-type breakthrough back there in June's G3 International Stakes and, penalised three pounds for his narrow success in the latter, dipped into deep reserves to maintain his perfect record with a battling performance in Thursday's G3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. The 4-5 favourite allowed this track's Listed Cocked Hat Stakes victor Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) establish a clear...

Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) heads a field of nine for Saturday's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. after final declarations were confirmed for Ascot's midsummer showpiece on Thursday morning. Aidan O'Brien trimmed his team from five to three for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf "Win and You're In", sidelining Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and will also saddle Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Auguste Rodin, who has hit...

TDN Rising Star Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) suffered his lone career defeat when fourth in the 2008 renewal of the Curragh's Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden and his son The Lion In Winter (Ire), a €375,000 Goffs Orby yearling, restored family honour in the seven-furlong contest by delivering a stunning closing burst to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette of his own in this year's edition. The 11-2 chance tracked the leaders from off the pace, racing eighth, through the early stages of this debut. Cajoled closer...

Aidan O'Brien trainee Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}--Gossamer Wings, by Scat Daddy) made a winning debut in Wednesday evening's Irish EBF Median Sires Series Race at Killarney and was the main beneficiary as winner elect Green Triangle (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) crashed through the rail when looking nailed on for victory. 2nd-Killarney, €25,000, Mdn, 7-17, 2yo, 8f 40yT, 1:43.12, gd. LAMBOURN (IRE) (c, 2, Australia {GB}--Gossamer Wings {MGSP-Eng & SP-Ire}, by Scat Daddy) raced off the pace in eighth after a sluggish getaway in this debut. Bustled along before halfway, the 6-1...

Peter Brant and Coolmore's Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never--Adventure Seeker {Fr}, by Bering {GB}) led home the stands' side group when fourth in last month's G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and found plenty in the closing stages to secure an ultimately impressive tally in Thursday's G2 Kingdom Of Bahrain July Stakes at Newmarket. Breaking on the lead and remaining there throughout, the 11-10 favourite came under pressure when threatened on both sides passing the quarter-mile marker and kept on powerfully, despite drifting left on the climb, to prevail by...

Aidan O'Brien trainee Surpass (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}--Blending {GB}, by Medicean {GB}) shaped with promise when getting up late to snag his May 29 debut at Tipperary by a neck and returned to the Limerick Junction venue to attain 'TDN Rising Star' status with a powerful display in Wednesday's Glenvale Stud Race over an extended seven furlongs. The G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes entry, racing under a three-pound penalty, jumped out in second and was the nearest pursuer of the clear leader through halfway. Looming large going ominously well passing...

Ballydoyle representative Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Immortal Verse {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) finished the right side of a short-head verdict tackling six furlongs at the Curragh in May and pounced late over the same course and distance to garner a record-equalling 14th renewal of Sunday's G2 GAIN Railway Stakes for Aidan O'Brien. The victory moved O'Brien alongside legendary former Ballydoyle incumbent Vincent O'Brien on the honours board. The Aug. 10 G1 Phoenix Stakes and Sept. 15 G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes entry was sluggish from the traps and trailed...

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 half-brother to Snowfall (Jpn) in a deep field of maidens at the Curragh. 13.15 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT ROCK OF CASHEL (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the pick of Ryan Moore from a Ballydoyle trio in this maiden used by Aidan O'Brien for...

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. Friday's Observations features a daughter of Group 1 winner Quiet Reflection (GB).   17.30 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT LAKE VICTORIA (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) makes her debut for Ballydoyle in the maiden won 12 months ago by Frankel's future G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Ylang Ylang (GB) and is...

Irish Derby weekend kicks off at the Curragh on Friday and there are no shortage of potential talking points. From highly-regarded juveniles, intriguingly-bred newcomers, stars of the future and potential banana skins, all of the ingredients are there to make the action on the track absorbing and informative. Here are some things to keep an eye out for.  Twomey Tipped To Begin Derby Weekend With A Bang The opening two-year-old maiden on Friday has the potential to be a cracker and the Paddy Twomey-trained Admiral Churchill (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) is...

There will be a maximum of eight runners in Sunday's Irish Derby at the Curragh with Aidan O'Brien's Epsom third Los Angeles heading the four-strong assault on the race for Ballydoyle.  O'Brien will also be represented by Grosvenor Square, Euphoric and The Euphrates in the mile-and-a-half showpiece.  The defection of Chief Little Rock and Agenda means there will be a maximum of eight runners in a race where the supplemented Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly heads the market at odds of 11-10. A statement published on the Coolmore website read, "Ballydoyle...