Dubawi (Ire)

After a shift in tone on Saturday, Team Ballydoyle continued to reach a pitch with their 2-year-old crop at The Curragh on Sunday as the regally-bred Concert Hall (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) built to her own crescendo in the G3 Weld Park S. As if the juveniles at Rosegreen have been moved stealthily towards a peak for the all-important autumn scene, the daughter of the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Was (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) put two uninspiring efforts behind her to deliver on her early promise under Seamie Heffernan. Held up in...

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. Sunday's Observations features a brother to five-time Group 1 winner St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).   14.00 Curragh, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT Bob Scarborough's prolific mare Cabaret (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has excelled in the paddocks with her nine foals headed by MG1SW sire Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit...

Stepping off a 3 1/2-length Doncaster nursery handicap victory earlier this month, Godolphin's 2-year-old colt Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was in command throughout Thursday's G3 Tattersalls S. at Newmarket and registered another clear-cut success at the expense of Coolmore and Westerberg's French raider Trident (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in his fifth consecutive start at the seven-furlong distance. He had earlier backed up a July 1 debut fifth at Haydock with a July 24 breakthrough score at Newmarket's Summer course and posted an Aug. 8 conditions second to the reopposing...

European shipper Yibir carried the blue Godolphin silks to victory in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational S., securing a spot in the starting gate for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in the process. Off a step slow, the chestnut caboosed the field early as Tango Tango Tango (Tourist) was pressed by fellow longshot Slicked Back through early splits of :25.37, :49.45 and 1:14.46. Still last on the backstretch run, Yibir swung out five wide turning for home and instantly inhaled his rivals, charging clear for a dominant victory. "We've been...

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 son of Group 1 winner Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 14.00 Naas, Mdn, €15,500, 2yo, c/g, 5f 205yT Westerberg & Coolmore's LEINSTER HOUSE (War Front) is the lone newcomer in an 11-strong field and gets assistance from Seamus Heffernan in this debut for Aidan O'Brien. The...

Godolphin's annus mirabilis shows no sign of halting, with Wednesday's "Breeders' Day" card at Sandown playing host to one of the operation's more promising juveniles seen out so far. Debuting over a mile on soft ground in the Time Test EBF Novice S., the Charlie Appleby-trained colt Goldspur (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) streaked to a 6 1/2-length success to become the 16th TDN Rising Star by his sire sensation. Out of the G2 Lancashire Oaks and G3 Prix Minerve winner Pomology (Arch), the bay raced in second throughout the early stages...

The winners of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Flat Breeders' Awards sponsored by Fitzdares were revealed at Chippenham Park on Sept. 2. Spread across 14 categories, the best of British bloodstock was toasted at the event, which was hosted by Gina Bryce. The Andrew Devonshire Award, which honours outstanding contribution to the industry went to Lady Emma Balding. She is the wife of former trainer Ian and mother of broadcaster Clare and Classic-winning son Andrew. Also a former TBA Trustee, Lady Balding assisted in the creation of the Retraining of Racehorses...

Now a 7-year-old, Godolphin's Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) still has relatively few miles on the clock as he launches his 2021 campaign in Saturday's G2 tote Celebration Mile at Goodwood. With nine pattern-race victories on his portfolio including the 2018 G1 Dubai Turf, G1 Grosser Dallmayr Preis and G1 Ladbrokes S., he has been in the wilderness since finishing third defending his title in the G2 Joel S. at Newmarket in September. "Benbatl had a nice break earlier in the season and we decided not to take him out to...

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 son of G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Even Song (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). 1.10 Newmarket, Novice, £9,000, 2yo, f, 7fT COLOURFUL DREAM (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of two Charlie Appleby-trained representatives and the unraced one tasked with dealing with the promising Kempton debut second Silk Romance...

Godolphin's Saturday at York had started in ideal fashion and got better as TDN Rising Star Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) came back to near his peak over his favoured trip in the seven-furlong G2 Sky Bet City of York S. Last year's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero had needed his European return when fourth in Goodwood's G2 Lennox S. July 27 and was kept away from the frantic speed duel up ahead anchored towards the rear by William Buick. Making smooth progress wide to take control passing the...

Further evidence that Charlie Appleby holds all the aces in the 3-year-old middle-distance colt department was in plain view on Wednesday as Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had his turn on the Moulton Paddocks carrousel of success in York's G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. Backed into 6-1 before the off, the July 8 G3 Bahrain Trophy winner who was last seen finishing sixth in the G3 Gordon S. over this 12-furlong trip at Goodwood July 29 was dropped out in rear early by James Doyle as Ballydoyle's outsider The Mediterranean...

DEAUVILLE, France--The second and final session of the select part of the Arqana August Sale lit up in ebullient fashion with two seven-figure yearlings, including the €2.4-million sale topper by Dubawi, a half-sister to Group 2 winner Babylone (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Charlie Gordon-Watson made a significant impact on the day's action when acting for an unnamed client and signed for the filly (lot 108) out of Typique (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) shortly after bidding €525,000 for lot 99, a filly by Frankel (GB). The sale leader was consigned by Haras...