Deauville

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 daughter of Group 1 winner Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). 4.06 Deauville, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, f, 8fT LEFT SEA (GB) (Frankel {GB}) debuts for the Wertheimers and is a daughter of their G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) from the family of...

By Emma Berry, Brian Sheerin and Sue Finley DEAUVILLE, France--Monday may have felt like Sunday in Deauville as the French observed the holy day of the Assumption of St Mary, but business continued apace at Arqana, with strength in depth to the final session hitherto unseen at the August Sale and new record figures set in all sectors. Reworked this year so that the former select evening sessions held over the weekend with a supplementary session on Monday were all rolled into an alphabetical singular sale, the new format may...

A son of Dubawi (Ire) (lot 292) went to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin for €2 million during the third and final session of the Arqana August Sale on Monday. He is the fourth seven-figure yearling of the three-day stand. Out of G3 Prix Minerve heroine Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), the bay colt was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. His second dam, G3 Prix Cleopatre victress Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon), is responsible for no less than seven black-type horses, with four stakes winners to her credit. She is,...

Few horses can defy a penalty in a pattern race at somewhere like Deauville, but few are built like Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) and the stalwart of the Nick Bradley Racing syndicate was at it again on Monday when beating off smart rivals in the G3 Prix de Lieurey. Now the proud bearer of four black-type titles, the George Boughey-trained 3-year-old was under an extra three-pound burden having conquered Goodwood's G3 Oak Tree S. over seven furlongs July 27 which had been her fourth outing during the month. Out...

A grey filly by Siyouni (Fr) made €1.4 million from Alex Solis and Jason Litt to become the second seven-figure lot at Arqana on Sunday and third overall. Lot 216, out of the Listed Prix de Saint-Cyr heroine Aviatress (Ire) (Shamardal), was consigned by Ecurie des Monceaux. The dam is a half-sister to GIII Seaway S. heroine Marbre Rose (Ire) (Smart Strike), as well as the stakes winner and dual graded-placed Gidu (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Under the third dam are the top-level winners Zoftig (Cozzene), Zo Impressive (Hard Spun) and...

Held in the highest regard by Jean-Claude Rouget, Al Shaqab Racing's Al Hakeem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) puts that on the line in Monday's G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville. Impressive in the Listed Prix de Suresnes over this 10-furlong trip at Chantilly May 3, the homebred was one of the few fancied contenders compromised by a wide draw when fourth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly June 5. That form has subsequently been boosted by those who finished either side of him, Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})...

By Emma Berry and Brian Sheerin DEAUVILLE, France--If two of the certainties in life are death and taxes, the third, in the world of bloodstock at least, is that if a yearling out of Starlet's Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) turns up at the Arqana August Sale then he or she will steal the limelight. This time it was a colt (lot 154), a full-brother to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) no less, whose arrival in the ring...

Group 2 winner Persian Force (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who won the G2 July S. last month and was second to Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the G1 Phoenix S. on Aug. 6, will contest the Aug. 21 G1 Prix Morny in Deauville, trainer Richard Hannon revealed on Sunday. "He came back in good shape and all being well we'll head to the Prix Morny," said Hannon. "He ran a good race in Ireland. I didn't think there was a 2-year-old that could beat him seven lengths, but...

Entering Sunday's G3 Prix Minerve at Deauville off a success in the Listed Aphrodite S. at Newmarket July 16, Godolphin's Eternal Pearl (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was on top again with the class rise as less a problem as her odds of 9-10 suggested beforehand. Always travelling easily for William Buick under cover, the descendant of the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Pearly Shells (GB) (Efisio {GB}) moved to the front with a furlong remaining and stayed on powerfully to score by two lengths from Queen Trezy (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}). "She's learning...

Putting her first career defeat in the G1 Falmouth S. firmly behind her on Sunday, Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) took another step forward to defeat the colts and older horses in Deauville's illustrious G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois, a 'Win And You're In' for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland in November. Always travelling with abundant intent under Frankie Dettori as she craved action restrained a few lengths off the fierce pace duel up ahead, the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Fillies'...

While Saratoga continues to thrill across the Atlantic, the long hot summer of 2022 rolls on with Deauville staging its own prolonged festival to draw the elite to Normandy's cradle of racing. The G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois is arguably the jewel of the whole month and has attracted some notable actors on Sunday including Godolphin's exciting Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). At this mile trip, Charlie Appleby has the material this season with the English, French and Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace S. already...

by Emma Berry, Brian Sheerin & Sue Finley DEAUVILLE, France--A Shamardal colt with rarity value to add to his illustrious family ties was the sole millionaire yearling during the opening session of the Arqana August Sale when selling for €1.6 million from Gestut Ammerland to Godolphin. Bred by one of the most respected studs in Europe, the close relation to dual Classic winner and leading sire Lope De Vega (Ire) was the stand-out on a day which had a strong clearance rate for an elite sale of 84%, with the...