Danny O'Brien

Following some eleventh-hour persuasive talks between racing's leaders and the French government on Friday, action returned to three of France's racecourses on Monday, with ParisLongchamp meaning business by opening its ten-race card with the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges. The yellow and white silks of Guy Pariente are now a regular fixture on racecourses and, almost invariably, they are carried by the offspring of the owner-breeder's Haras de Colleville flagbearer Kendargent (Fr). With the stallion's 5-year-old son Batwan (Fr), Pariente and trainer Philippe Sogorb took the first, long-awaited race of the...

While Irish racing awaits a resumption date following a week of uncertainty over lockdown easing, two of the country's exports did Ireland proud in Adelaide on Saturday when Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), ridden by former jump jockey Johnny Allen, became the first horse bred in the northern hemisphere to win a Derby in Australia. It's no surprise to see the name O'Brien next to a Derby winner, but this time it was Flemington-based Danny O'Brien, whose season is continuing in fine style after adding the G1 South Australian Derby...

The state of lockdown has given a decent boost to TV viewing figures in Australia, where racing has been allowed to continue behind closed doors. The major feature this week is the Warrnambool May Carnival, which is perhaps best described as Victoria's answer to the Galway Festival, with its mixture of Flat and jumping action and, in a normal year, huge crowds. It's quieter at 'The Bool' this year but there are a few familiar names among the entries for anyone tuning in from this part of the world. In...