Battaash (Ire)

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 1.5-million half to crack sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). 13.15 Ascot, Mdn, £50,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT AL MISBAR (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}) is a key member of the "Crocker Bulteel" Maiden that opens the King George card, being Godolphin's 1.5million gns Tattersalls October Book...

Multiple group winner The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}--Anna Law {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}), a full-brother to crack sprinter Battaash (Ire), has been retired and will stand under the Coolmore banner at Castlehyde Stud in 2024, Coolmore announced on Wednesday. A fee for the G1 Middle Park S. second and G1 Prix Morny third will be announced later. "He's fast, a very good-looking individual and his own-brother Battaash is probably the best five-furlong sprinter of recent times," said Castlehyde's Paddy Fleming. "On a mark of 113 as a 2-year-old, the...

It was late in the day, but the demand for quality bloodstock had not diminished at Tattersalls and Richard Knight made the winning bid of 1.8 million gns for lot 344, a Lope De Vega (Ire) half-sister to crack sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the Group 2-placed The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Consigned by breeder Ballyphilip Stud, the bay is from the same family as dual group winner and smart, young sire Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}).   ' - . # This filly by Lope de Vega...

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. Thursday's Observations features a full-brother to Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).   15.55 Tipperary, Cond, €22,000, 2yo, 5fT THE ANTARCTIC (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a 750,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate representing Aidan O'Brien, is a full-brother to MG1SW speedster Battaash (Ire) and faces five rivals in this debut....

Champion sprinter and four-time Group 1 winner Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}--Anna Law {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}), has been retired from racing, connections announced on Saturday. The 7-year-old gelding raced in the Shadwell colours for the late Sheikh Hamdan and in 2021, his daughter, Sheikha Hissa. His final start was a seventh-place run aiming for a fifth-straight win in the G2 King George Qatar S. at Goodwood on Friday. Racing Manager Angus Gold said on behalf of Shadwell Estate Company, Ltd., "Following telephone conversations with HH Sheikha Hissa Bint Hamdan...

Trainer Charlie Hills has been named the Flat Racing Ambassador for William Hill. Hills, who is the trainer of MG1SW sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), will provide regular blogs on his runners, views, and opinions, kicking off with an exclusive update on Battaash ahead of his seasonal bow in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot on Tuesday. Hills's appointment will last through 2022. "William Hill Racing Ambassador, Charlie Hills, said, "The Flat season is really hotting up with the start of Royal Ascot and I'm looking forward...

Evergreen sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is in good form in advance of a title defense in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot. Also a winner of the G2 King George S. last July and the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. at York on Aug. 21, the 7-year-old Charlie Hills trainee is fully healed from an injury picked up over the winter. "His trainer will tell you he's definitely on course for Ascot," said Shadwell Racing Manager Angus Gold. "It's been well documented he was late going back...

Shadwell's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is aiming to defend his G1 King's Stand S. title at Royal Ascot and is training well trainer Charlie Hills reports. The 7-year-old gelding is thriving at Hills's yard in Lamborne after recovering from a small fracture sustained in the off season. The bay was undefeated in three starts last term, beginning in with the King's Stand in June, followed by the July 31 G2 King George Qatar S. and the Aug. 21 G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. "Battaash has been back with us a...

Trainer Charlie Hills was very pleased with the recent performance of G1SP Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) in the Listed Dubai Dash last Thursday, and the 6-year-old gelding will remain in Dubai for another tilt at the G2 Meydan Sprint on Feb. 18. In 2020, Equilateral ran second in the Sprint. "I was really delighted with him," said Hills. "Frankie [Dettori] gave him a great ride and it looked like he was always going to win the race. It's nice to have won the race twice now and he was 5lb...

Shadwell had watched the first three races fall their way at York's Ebor Festival on Friday and so there were more than the usual share of nerves as their flagship Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) went to post for the G1 Coolmore Nunthorpe S. In the event, he gave the team their most anxious moments of all the races they conquered on the card as he had to graft to subdue yet another flying filly from Michael Dods's Darlington yard in Que Amoro (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}). Finally managing...

Shadwell's MG1SW Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who won the 2019 edition of the G1 Nunthorpe S., is doing well ahead of a title defense in the Aug. 21 York contest. Trainer Charlie Hills is upbeat ahead of the big day, especially as the bay sports a two-for-two record in 2020. He opened his 6-year-old account with a win in the G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot on June 16, and then added his fourth G2 King George Qatar S. at Goodwood on July 31. "He had a nice...

His odds were 2-7 and that proved generous as early as halfway as Shadwell's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) pulled off a historic fourth victory in Goodwood's G2 King George Qatar S. on Friday. Recording his fastest time (55.62) in the race in the process, the G1 Nunthorpe S., G1 King's Stand S. and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye hero was shadowed by last year's G1 Prix de l'Abbaye winner Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead) but was comfortably on top at the line to score by 2 1/4 lengths, with Ornate...