Deauville

The wraps have already been lifted from Tattersalls and Goffs and this week it is the turn of Arqana to host its mixed February Sale to start the auction year rolling in Deauville. The 'something for everyone' nature of these sales is always a draw even in the depths of winter, and though this lower-key debut will have none of the glitz and glamour of the August Sale, history relates that there are always gems to be found. Of course only time will tell whether any of the 431 lots...

Charles Briere's Fairway Consignment seems to have sailed a smooth upward trajectory since its establishment four years ago, hitting one target after the next. This June, a significant milestone was achieved when Fairway pinhook graduate Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never) took Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry S. Fairway Partners purchased the dark bay for 65,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale and sold him to MV Magnier for €260,000 at last year's Arqana August sale. From the second crop of No Nay Never, Arizona is out of the placed English Channel...

Back in 2006, when the first two flashed past the winning post in the G1 Dewhurst S., they also earned themselves first and second places on the European Two-Year-Old Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings. Galileo's unbeaten son Teofilo topped the table by 1lb from Danehill's dual Group 1-winning son Holy Roman Emperor, who had also been beaten into second place by Teofilo in the G1 National S. Holy Roman Emperor, for his part, had won four of his remaining five starts, notably taking the G1 Phoenix S. and the G1 Prix Jean-Luc...

When stablemates Bricks and Mortar (Giant's Causeway) and Robert Bruce (Chi) (Fast Company {Ire}) first met in the June 8 GI Manhattan S. at Belmont, division-leading Bricks and Mortar got the jump while Robert Bruce was stuck in some midstretch traffic, and kicked away to a 1 1/2-length conquest. Saturday, the two will reconvene at Arlington Park for the 37th running of the GI Arlington Million, where Robert Bruce will be defending his title after taking home last year's Million trophy. Klaravich Stables and Bill Lawrence's Bricks and Mortar, four-for-four...

Last week's G3 Molecomb S. winner Liberty Beach (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) is likely to take in York's G2 Lowther S. on Aug. 22 rather than the G1 Prix Morny at Deauville four days earlier, according to trainer John Quinn. "She's in the Morny and the Lowther, but I think she'll run in the Lowther," said Quinn. "She's been absolutely fine since Goodwood. She's had an easy-ish time since. She cantered lovely on Monday and I couldn't be happier with her. "Obviously you never know until you try [six furlongs],...

The Richard Hannon-trained juveniles Threat (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and Mystery Power (Ire) (No Nay Never) were both overturned at Goodwood last week, but the trainer said he is confident both colts will bounce back. Cheveley Park Stud's 'TDN Rising Star' Threat, who had finished second in the G2 Coventry S., was beaten 3/4 of a length in second in the G2 Richmond S. at Goodwood after a less than ideal trip. "I was disappointed he didn't win at Goodwood as I think the world of the horse, but they did...

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. Today's Observations features a daughter of a French Oaks winner. 2.34 Deauville, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, f, 7 1/2f (AWT) SAVARIN (JPN) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is a daughter of the G1 Prix de Diane, G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Sarafina (Fr) (Refuse To Bend {Ire})...

Making it a dozen group 1 wins this summer, Frankie Dettori had Advertise (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) to aid his cause of streaking through the major European events in Deauville's G1 Larc Prix Maurice de Gheest on Sunday. Occupying 11-5 favouritism in this unique 6 1/2-furlong test, Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited's G1 Commonwealth Cup and G1 Phoenix S. hero and G1 July Cup runner-up travelled strongly behind compatriot Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who provided an ideal lead in the dominant group racing furthest from the rail. Taking over approaching the...

Exactly two months after his first group 1 victory of 2019, Frankie Dettori was churning out an incredible 11th for the year on Wednesday as he steered TDN Rising Star Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to success in Goodwood's G1 Qatar Sussex S. Gaining revenge on his G1 St James's Palace S. conqueror Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the process, the Lloyd-Webbers' homebred stayed in a pocket behind Phoenix of Spain (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and that rival and swooped on the Ballydoyle runner a furlong out....

With Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) delivering for Frankie on Tuesday, the weight of expectation now rests on Too Darn Hot (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to maintain the run in Wednesday's G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood. In many ways, the Lloyd-Webbers' 'TDN Rising Star' was the one who at the start of the season promised most to make this a memorable season for Dettori with his unbeaten streak culminating in juvenile champion status. That it has hardly gone to any kind of plan so far in 2019 is well-documented,...

Deauville's month-long festival begins in earnest on Sunday with the G1 Prix Rothschild the first of five such events at the Normandy venue. Last year's G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G1 Prix de Diane heroine Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) returns to France for the fourth time and to this venue for the second, having been runner-up in the 2017 G3 Prix du Calvados prior to her blossoming into the top-class filly we now know so well. Having taken part in the two mile championship races for older horses, the G1 Lockinge...