Cracksman (GB)

Sunday's G1 Grosser Allianz Preis von Bayern, the final Group 1 event of the season in Europe, has attracted a field of 11. The 12-furlong heat marks the return of Charlie Appleby trainee Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who comes back off a win in July's G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Last term's G1 Futurity Trophy hero finished a well-beaten eighth in Epsom's G1 Derby in his penultimate start. "We had this race pencilled in for Ancient Wisdom for some time, hoping that the ground would be on the soft...

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 sister to Group 1 winner and sire Cracksman (GB). 2.08 Doncaster, Mdn, £40,000, 2yo, f, 8fT QUEEN OF THIEVES (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a big-deal runner for Anthony Oppenheimer and the Gosdens in a maiden the stable won two years ago with Frankel's eventual Oaks...

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. Monday's Observations features 'TDN Rising Star' Ocean of Dreams on his bid to get his season back on track as well as the debuting full-brother to four-time Group 1-winning Ghaiyyath. 15.35 Gowran, Cond, €200,000, 3yo, 9f 100yT OCEAN OF DREAMS (IRE) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) bids to get back on...

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 the Classic winner Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). 16.35 Ascot, Nov, £40,000, 3yo, f, 7f 213yT Godolphin's hitherto unraced DIAMOND RAIN (GB) (Shamardal) is a daughter of G1 Oaks and G1 German Oaks heroine Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and thus...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Kalispera at Gulfstream Park.   Ten Sovereigns Filly Delivers In Florida William Werner's Kalispera (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) won her American debut at Gulfstream Park for trainer Brian Lynch earlier this month (video). A product of the storied Annemarie O'Brien breeding programme, the 3-year-old rattled off a trio of group placings at two in her colours when third in both the G2 Debutante...

Frankel (GB) has recaptured the crown he first wore in 2021 and is the champion sire in Britain and Ireland for 2023, as well as being the leading sire in Europe, for the second time. It won't be the last. Whether or not he will be able to emulate the long reigns of his sire Galileo (Ire) and grandsire Sadler's Wells remains to be seen, but it would be unwise to bet against it. Yes, Frankel's launch into his stud career was the stallion equivalent of being born with a...

A share in Haras de Colleville stallion Galiway (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was purchased by the Broadhurst Agency's Laurent Benoit for €160,000 to be the top-priced offering during Arqana's final online sale of the year Tuesday, Dec. 19. The rising 13-year-old is the sire of 14 black-type winners, eight at group level, including G1 Champion S. and G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere hero Sealiway (Fr) and Sunway (Fr), victorious in the G1 Criterium International. Galiway is also the sire of Vauban (Fr), a Group 3 winner on the flat and 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 Insights features the half-sister to G1 Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}). 18.00 Southwell, Nov, £6,600, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) John and Thady Gosden trainee DANIELLE (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) is kin to five black-type performers headed by this year's G1 Gold Cup hero Courage Mon...

Japanese superstar Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) has topped the rankings at 129 in the ninth edition of the 2023 World's Best Racehorse rankings followed closely by Arc winner Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) and Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who are tied for second with a rating of 128 each. Noteworthy movement in the rankings include dominant G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. victor Big Rock (Fr) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), now the co-fourth highest along with Hukum (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). The Breeders' Cup had its impact on the...

The nominations for the 33rd Cartier Racing Awards, to be presented Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Dorchester Hotel in London, have been revealed with Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) named as finalists for Cartier Horse of the Year. Many in contention in other categories made appearances at the Breeders' Cup, including GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf victrix Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for Cartier Older Horse; Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and Warm...

A 1/50th share in Zarak (Fr) (lot 1) is one of nine stallion shares or breeding rights catalogued for the Arqana November Online Sale from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28. The Aga Khan Studs' stallion is the leading stallion in France by number of winners in 2023 and has a percentage of 70% winners to runners. He sired his first Group 1 winner, Zagrey (Fr), in Germany this year and five other horses have placed at the highest level. Other stallion shares on offer include first-season sire City Light...

As has become customary, Dubawi (Ire) heads the list at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud, where his fee will remain unchanged in 2024 at £350,000, making him the most expensive stallion in Europe. The champion sire covered 137 mares this spring, in a year in which he was represented by nine Group/Grade 1 wins on the track. One of those came in the Lockinge S., won by his son Modern Games (Ire), who joins him at stud in Newmarket at a fee of £30,000 after notching a total of five top-level...