Doncaster

by Heather Anderson & Brian Sheerin The final leg of the original Triple Crown, the G1 Betfred St Leger features nine colts, with several homebreds and auction graduates, including two at €440,000. If Their Majesties' Desert Hero (GB) pulls off the victory, he would be the first royal winner since Queen Elizabeth's Dunfermline (GB) in 1977. Aidan O'Brien, gunning for his seventh edition, will saddle a quartet of individuals, all in with a chance, and the choice of Ryan Moore is the G2 Great Voltigeur S. hero Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's...

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 'TDN Rising Star' in the Listed Flying Scotsman S. 13.50 Doncaster, Listed, £60,000, 2yo, 7fT WAR ROOMS (IRE) (Churchill {Ire}) earned TDN Rising Star status on debut over course and distance in July and takes the next step in his career in this Listed Flying...

Causing an upset when edging out Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) in a thriller for last year's G2 Doncaster Cup, one of the staying division's leaders Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) returns to Town Moor for another encounter with his nemesis on Friday. Having won Ascot's G3 Sagaro S. and the G2 Lonsdale Cup at York and been runner-up in the G1 Gold Cup in the interim, Mick and Janice Mariscotti's stalwart is better than ever at the age of six and is the one with the target on his back this...

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 the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 14.25 Doncaster, Cond, £300,000, 2yo, 6f 111yT JOHANNES BRAHMS (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) earned TDN Rising Star status on debut at Naas in May and has done nothing wrong in two subsequent starts, meeting one too good in the Listed...

Fresh from celebrating a Group 1 success with one of his 2-year-old fillies on Sunday, Karl Burke is looking to continue that run in Doncaster's G2 May Hill S. on Thursday with the standard-setting Darnation (Ire) by the Moyglare heroine Fallen Angel's sire Too Darn Hot (GB). Following up a 10-length novice win at Thirsk in July with success in the G3 Prestige S. at Goodwood last month, Newtown Anner Stud Farm's homebred is up to a mile but her trainer has no concerns on that score. "The trip, the...

Nine horses have stood their ground for the Betfred St Leger, which takes place at Doncaster on Saturday. While much attention will focus on the presence of a royal runner, Desert Hero (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who bids to give King Charles III his first Classic success 46 years after Dunfermline (GB) won the St Leger for his late mother, there is also the matter of Frankie Dettori's last ride in a British Classic. The Italian, who is set to retire from race-riding at the end of the year,...

John and Thady Gosden could have as many as four runners, led by G2 Queen's Vase hero Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), in the Sept. 16 G1 Betfred St Leger at Doncaster next Saturday. The Wathnan Racing colourbearer was most recently third to St Leger rival Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) in the G2 Great Voltigeur S. at York last month. He will be partnered by the retiring Frankie Dettori, who has already won the Classic six times including twice for Gosden with Shantou (Alleged) in 1996 and Logician (GB)...

Classic winner Cachet (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}) is approaching her long-awaited return and is targeting the G3 Sceptre S. at Doncaster during the St Leger meeting next week, trainer George Boughey revealed. Boughey told SBK, "I'm very happy with her. She's in as good a form as I could have her considering the lay-off she's had. She's been away to Chelmsford, and we worked her at Kempton on Thursday morning. She's worked in between on fast ground at home in Newmarket. Fast ground is really key to her. The surfaces on...

Wednesday's Goffs September HIT Sale at Doncaster saw 70 lots sold, headlined by drafts from Gigginstown House Stud and Gordon Elliott and NH 2YO stores. A total of 89 head were offered, down from 113 last season, amassing £697,500, down from £1,294,200 for 106 sold in 2022. Average dipped to £9,964 from £12,210 as did the median, dropping from £8,500 to £6,750 this term. Trade was topped by Champ de Gane (Lot 68), a horse in training from Newlands Farm who was purchased by Kevin Jardine for £33,000. Other lots...

Classic-winning owner Phil Cunningham has said that linking up with renowned bloodstock agent Anthony Bromley to secure nearly £1 million worth of yearlings in the past week alone can be viewed as a statement of intent ahead of what the 53-year-old hopes will be his best season yet in 2024.  Cunningham, whose Cockney Rebel (Ire) landed a memorable Guineas double in 2007, spent £617,000 on seven colts at the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale last week and added another five to the squad through the Highflyer agent at the Tattersalls Somerville...

Wednesday's Goffs September HIT Sale at Doncaster has added nine supplementary entries to the previous catalogue of 121 lots, the auction company announced Monday. In addition to the 13 2-year-old NH stores, the sale will offer the second part of Gigginstown Stud's annual dispersal and a number of Group 1 performers. The Goffs September HIT Sale begins at 10:00 a.m. and the catalogue can be viewed online.

DONCASTER, England--A serious tempo was set to the European yearling sale season at Arqana last week with strong trade recorded in the August and V2 sales. If the momentum is to continue into the Doncaster Premier Yearling Sale this week, Goffs could be in for a productive week.  G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Sacred Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was sourced here 12 months ago for £52,000 while similarly smart two-year-old Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) cost £85,000.  Both juveniles have flown the flag for the Donny yearlings with their...