Cork

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 Group 1 winner and sire Aclaim (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}).    16.00 Cork, Mdn, €12,000, 3yo/up, 10f 30yT Aidan O'Brien trainee FLEET COMMANDER (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full-brother to this year's G1 Hong Kong Gold Cup hero Russian Emperor (Ire) and makes his...

GAIN Equine Nutrition has extended its support of 'GAIN The Advantage Series' for a second year. In 2021, Toomevara trainer Ray Hackett won the overall trainers award and €5,000 of GAIN Equine Nutrition products. The 2022 series will follow the same format, featuring a variety of race conditions with an increase prize fund of 50% for each race in the series. Each trainer will receive points for their successes over the course of the series through a grading process, which is designed to give equal opportunity to each trainer to...

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. Wednesday's Observations features a daughter of Oaks winner Was (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 2.20 Doncaster, Mdn, £30,000, 2yo, 8fT FRANTASTIC (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is one of the St Leger Festival's opening card's main attractions, being a full-brother to the illustrious dual G1 Champion S. hero Cracksman (GB). One of two...

Coming into Saturday's G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks S. with a growing reputation, Team Valor's La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}) only served to enhance it significantly as she ruled with an iron fist in the Cork feature. Runner-up to the re-opposing Willow (Ire) (American Pharoah) in the June 23 Listed Naas Oaks Trial before dominating a conditions event over 11 furlongs at Killarney July 12, the 2-1 favourite was always travelling enthusiastically behind the front pair and when given her head by Billy Lee...

Chester's May meeting gets underway on Wednesday, with the G3 Chester Vase and Listed Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks offering the opportunity for Epsom hopefuls to enter the fray at the famous "Roodee". While neither has attracted a standout this year, the Derby and Oaks trials are at times fertile ground for the lesser-exposed types to flaunt their wares such as Godolphin's Wirko (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) in the Vase. Having already proven himself on Epsom's inimitable terrain when winning the Apr. 20 Listed Blue Riband Trial, the Charlie Appleby-trained bay could...

Princess Zoe (Ger) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) captured the imagination of many with her meteoric rise from 64-rated German handicapper to Irish listed winner and French Group 1 scorer last season, and the Tony Mullins charge gets her 6-year-old campaign underway in Saturday's Listed Noblesse S. going 12 furlongs at Cork. Princess Zoe was second on her first start for Mullins at Navan last June before winning five straight. She earned her first black-type victory under Joey Sheridan in Galway's mile and a half Listed Oyster S. before stepping up to...

GAIN Equine Nutrition will sponsor a new race series, The Advantage Series, for the Irish Flat Season, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Tuesday. Launched with Ado McGuinness Racing, the eight part series of races will be run for points over a variety of conditions to cater to different trainers and horses throughout the season. For each race, there will be a 40% prizemoney boost. A grand prize of €5,000 worth of GAIN Equine Nutrition products will be awarded to the trainer who tops the GAIN The Advantage Series at 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. Wednesday's Insights features a son of MG1SW Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}). 1.10 Doncaster, Mdn, £30,000, 2yo, 8fT Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's LATEST GENERATION (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a son of G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Coronation S. heroine Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), gets a second chance to shed...

Brushing aside some talented 3-year-olds for a repeat success in Saturday's G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks S. at Cork, The Aga Khan's Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) served notice that she will be a force to be reckoned with in any company in 2020. Settled in mid-division on the rail by Oisin Orr, the 8-1 shot travelled easily and when switched delivered a strong effort down the outer to swamp the smooth-going 11-10 favourite Cayenne Pepper (Ire) (Australia {GB}) at the two pole. Quickly settling the issue, the homebred who...