Circus Maximus (Ire)

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. Thursday's Observations features a Tattersalls October Book 1 topper. 17.40 Naas, Debutantes, €18,000, 2yo, 7fT GALVESTON (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a big deal debuting at a track that Aidan O'Brien favours, being the Coolmore partners and Peter Brant's 2million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 topper. Out of a full-sister...

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 returning winner by American freshman sire Maximum Security. 13.40 Clairefontaine, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 8fT ROSA SALVAJE (IRE) (Maximum Security) is one of very few by her sire running in Europe and got off to the ideal start when winning at Saint-Cloud last month. Ecurie Francky...

Circus Maximus (Ire) (by Galileo {Ire}) was the latest first-season sire off the mark on Friday as his Marcus Tregoning-trained daughter Alerta Maxima (GB) captured Goodwood's Sir Eric Parker Memorial EBF Restricted Maiden Fillies' S. Sent off the 4-1 second favourite for the six-furlong contest, Kirsten Rausing's homebred who was sixth over course and distance on debut last month was delivered by Jim Crowley to take command approaching the furlong pole and record a length verdict over Mollie Foster (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Stoutly-bred for this trip, Alerta Maxima is the...

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 the second foal out of a four-time Group 1 winner. 16.45 Leopardstown, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo, f, 7f 47yT The Niarchos Family's homebred filly PROXIMA CENTAURI (IRE) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) is the second foal thrown by four-time Group 1-winning Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman...

Three-time Group 1 winner Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})'s first reported foals arrived earlier this season. Fillies by Shy Bride (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}), a half-sister to three group winners including Gold Away (Ire) (Goldneyev) and Danzigaway (Danehill); and Haida Gwai (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), herself out of a stakes winner, were both born at Coolmore Stud on behalf of Barronstown Stud. Another filly, out of Village Gossip (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) from the family of Classic winner Crimplene (Ire) (Lion Cavern), was bred by Chris McCracken, who described her as "a...

When an ageing emperor has as many sons extending his dominion as Galileo (Ire), the eventual succession is bound to be fiercely contested. The onus, then, is on each of his sons entering stud to establish the credentials that set him apart. In the case of Circus Maximus (Ire), the latest to set up shop as a more accessible alternative alongside his sire at Coolmore, two things stand out straightaway--and so does the link between them. One is that Circus Maximus, unlike those thorough staying types who have made Galileo...

Now I do realise that I am in a minority of one here. But while everyone else seems to perceive some unique alchemy between Galileo (Ire) and Danehill, to me the number of good horses obtained by that cross is pretty much as you should expect when one breed-shaping stallion is mated with the daughters of another. After all, their dams will in turn have been well-bred and/or accomplished runners, simply to have gained access to an elite sire. If we call this "selective breeding", we are surely flattering ourselves....

The Niarchos Family's G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) could step forward in the Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l'Opera. Last seen finished a good second in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday, the 3-year-old filly's plans are yet fluid, but she has exited that Deauville test well. "The Prix de l'Opera is a definite possibility for Alpine Star," said Alan Cooper, racing manager for owners, the Niarchos Family. "She got home ok and we'll need a few days to come...

Denied a clear run when seventh in Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Anne S., Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Mohaather (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) gained some measure of compensation in the G2 Summer Mile back at the Berkshire venue earlier this month and produced an explosive turn of foot to secure a career high in Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood. The well-backed 3-1 second choice was handily placed in fourth after an alert getaway, but slipped one spot at halfway. Shuffled back to last of the seven runners when...

Juddmonte's undefeated G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas hero Siskin (First Defence) and G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas Kameko (Kitten's Joy), who represents Qatar Racing, lead the nine-strong G1 Qatar Sussex S. field at the latest entry stage on Thursday morning. The duo are joined by fellow sophomores: MG1SP G2 Coventry S. winner Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never), Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and G3 Tattersalls S. hero and MG1Sp Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never), all from Ballydoyle. Aidan O'Brien also sends 4-year-olds MG1SW Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo...

Godolphin's unbeaten Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal), a winner of the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. as a juvenile, is a potential runner in the upcoming G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood on July 29. Although injury kept him from the G1 French 2000 Guineas, he resurfaced to take a listed race at ParisLongchamp the same day as Godolphin's champion and MG1SW Pinatubo (GB) (Shamardal) claimed the G1 Prix Jean Prat. The one-mile feature is also the next likely target for G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Kameko (Kitten's Joy),...