Coolmore

Coolmore's first-season sire Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (by No Nay Never) was the latest freshman off the blocks on Tuesday as the Ballydoyle newcomer Brighter (Fr) duelled to success in Dundalk's five-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. Sent off the 13-8 second favourite behind the 11-8 choice Vanity Pays (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), the €110,000 Arqana Deauville October purchase who is a half to the Listed Prix Volterra scorer Charm Appeal (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) was swiftly away under Ryan Moore and on the flanks of the leader Love Ya (Ire)...

France Galop has boosted a series of 21 premium races for unraced 2-year-olds with increased prizemoney and the first such event, Tuesday's €50,000 Prix du Premier Pas at Chantilly, was bolstered by a 'TDN Rising Star' performance from Christopher Head incumbent Ramatuelle (Justify--Raven's Lady {GB}, by Raven's Pass), a €100,000 Arqana August purchase, who debuted with a stunning display in the straight five-furlong test. Ramatuelle, sporting the Infinity Nine Horses silks, broke well from an outer stall and raced prominently throughout. Looming large on the bridle approaching the final furlong,...

Coolmore resident Calyx (GB) (Kingman {GB}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when Patrice Cottier trainee Classic Flower (GB) (Calyx {GB}--Crown Of Flowers {GB}, by Garswood {GB}) subdued eight rivals over 5 1/2 furlongs in Wednesday's €23,000 Prix de la Cote Bleue at Salon-de-Provence. Finding a comfortable slot behind the leading trio through halfway after an alert getaway, the 6-5 favourite loomed large off the home turn and required minimal coaxing in the closing stages to easily account for Aquila Volante (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}) by a...

Joseph O'Brien has an array of talent to look forward to this season, headed by G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hope Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Group 1 winner Above The Curve (American Pharoah) and smart additions to the stable in Jumbly (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Mooneista (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and Ottilien (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). But a yard as big as Owning Hill needs a conveyor belt of youngsters coming through the ranks and O'Brien can boast just that. Last season's stats back up such a statement. With...

Coolmore's first-season sire Magna Grecia (Ire) (by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) proved an instant hit in 2023 as his first runner Myconian (Ire) captured Saint-Cloud's 4 1/2-furlong Prix du Debut on Thursday. Always prominent under Mickael Barzalona, the Amy Murphy-trained son of the Listed Tipperary S. winner and G3 Curragh S. third Sirici (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}) who traded as the 19-5 favourite outbattled The Fixer (Ire) (No Nay Never) inside the final 50 metres for a gutsy 3/4-of-a-length success. The dam hails from the family of the dual listed-winning sprinter Dazed And...

Prime Equestrian's €150,000 Arqana August graduate Secretive (Fr) (Justify--Media Mischief, by Into Mischief) backed up a debut success at Deauville last November with a comfortable three-length tally on sophomore return in Monday's Prix du Chateau over one mile at Chantilly. The daughter of $550,000 Keeneland November mare Media Mischief (Into Mischief) is entered in both May 14 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and June 18 G1 Prix de Diane, with trainer Yann Barberot stating the former is on the agenda after taking in one more run next month. 2nd-Chantilly, €28,000,...

Ballymore Thoroughbred Racing's undefeated 3-year-old filly Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}--Painter's Pride {Fr}, by Dansili {GB}) delivered a spectacular winning debut last month, attaining 'TDN Rising Star' status with a four-length tally atop Chantilly's all-weather surface, and made a smooth transition into black-type company with an impressive pillar-to-post victory on the turf in Thursday's Listed Prix Rose de Mai at Saint-Cloud. The 1-2 favourite broke smartly and held sway throughout the 10-furlong contest. Unflustered and dominating into the straight, she was allowed an inch of rein soon after passing...

Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Group 1-placed 4-year-old colt Ancient Rome (War Front--Gagnoa {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells) returns off a ninth in June's G1 Prix du Jockey Club when last seen and registers a stylish comeback win at Chantilly in his first start for over nine months. 6th-Chantilly, €18,000, Cond, 3-7, 4yo, 9f (AWT), 1:50.78, st. ANCIENT ROME (c, 4, War Front--Gagnoa {Ire} {MGSW & MG1SP-Fr, G1SP-Ire, $597,492}, by Sadler's Wells) snagged the G3 Prix des Chenes and placed in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and G1 Criterium International as a...

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. Tuesday's Observations feature a trio of Andre Fabre trainees, including a welcome return for Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Group 1-placed Ancient Rome. 14.25 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT) Godolphin's SWING VOTE (GB) (Shamardal) is an Andre Fabre-trained son of G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock...

Coolmore and Westerberg's 3-year-old colt Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road--Cuff {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), a multiple Classic entry, justified long odds-on favouritism with a comfortable success in Friday's one-mile Listed Patton S. at Dundalk. The homebred bay followed up an August maiden win at the Curragh with a second in the Co. Louth venue's Sept. 30 Listed Star Appeal S. and closed his juvenile campaign with a 2 3/4-length triumph in October's G3 Killavullan S. at Leopardstown. The eventual winner, Aidan O'Brien's first domestic runner of the year, was sharply into...

There is no denying that the stallion market is becoming increasingly difficult with appetites for stud prospects growing. There is also no questioning that the support a young stallion receives in their first few years is paramount to their success. Most stallions are an easy sell in their first year with many being oversubscribed and then numbers falling off in the years leading up to that first crop hitting the track. However, one stallion whose numbers and support could very likely stay consistent throughout those primitive years is Lope Y...

The group heroine Air De Valse (Fr) (Mesnil Des Aigles {Fr}) took top honours during the first session of the Arqana February Mixed Sale on Tuesday. The Bridge Consignment shelled out €240,000 for the 7-year-old G3 Prix du Petit Couvert heroine from the Corine Barande-Barbe draft. Placed in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye in 2021, Air De Valse is a daughter of listed winner Air Bag (Fr) (Poliglote {GB}). Jérôme Glandais, the Director of Haras du Logis Saint-Germain said, "She's been bought for Mr. Benaroussi, who continues to invest in...