Frankel (GB)

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 Grade I winner Sophie P (GB) (Bushranger {Ire}). 2.55 Sandown, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 7fT THE PARENT (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a son of the GI Gamely S. heroine Sophie P (GB) (Bushranger {Ire}) who makes his debut for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum...

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 pricy son of Siyouni (Fr). 2.50 Yarmouth, Novice, £10,800, 2yo, 6f 3yT LORD UHTRED (IRE) (Siyouni {Fr}) debuts for KHK Racing and the Charlie Hills stable and at €520,000 was the second-highest-priced juvenile to sell at last month's Arqana Breeze-Up Sale. The April-foaled bay, whose...

Saturday's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby had been teed up as a match between Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Mirabilis, by Lear Fan) and Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), but in the ultimate assessment it was really a matter of no contest as Ralph Beckett's powerhouse colt overwhelmed all assembled for the Curragh Classic. Always travelling in a beautiful rhythm for Colin Keane granted a perfect lead by French Claim (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}), the 11-8 joint-favourite took control at the top of the straight and had already stretched into an unassailable...

Overnight contenders for Saturday's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish were reduced by half, leaving eight declared for the Curragh's €1,000,000 12-furlong Classic. Aidan O'Brien took the most drastic measures and reduced his team of six to just one with G1 Cazoo Oaks heroine Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set to depart from stall one in her bid to become the first filly to prevail since Balanchine (Storm Bird) in 1994. Her chief rival, Juddmonte's G1 Cazoo Derby third Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}), has drawn stall five.

If riding Classic winners came down to sheer ability alone, there was never a question that Hollie Doyle would achieve the landmark sometime soon but even the best need the horse to get it done and on Sunday she had just that as Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) conquered Chantilly's G1 Prix de Diane Longines. So good by this point, Doyle has almost transcended the subject of female jockeys winning Europe's monuments but it still had to happen and in Imad Al Sagar's TDN Rising Star she had the ideal portal...

Lesser mortals than Frankie Dettori would had been in danger of imploding with his June hex, so it was with a large measure of relief that Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) timed her dramatic reintroduction perfectly for Friday's G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot. It is clear after this emphatic display that her absence from the 1000 Guineas was a big miss, but the Gosdens were right to wait out the cold Spring and choose an English summer's afternoon that was as glorious as is as gets 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 the returning group winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}. 3.30 York, Listed, £60,000, 4yo/up, 7f 192yT MOHAAFETH (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) makes his eagerly-awaited European bow, having blown his chance at the start in the G1 Dubai Turf in March. William Haggas has always held the G3 Hampton...

Short-listed nominees for seven of the award categories for the annual TBA Flat Breeders' Awards were announced on Wednesday. Sponsored by The Jockey Club, The National Stud and drinks reception partner Newsells Park Stud, the award ceremony will take place on Wednesday, July 6 at Chippenham Park near Newmarket. The winners of all 14 awards, including the previously announced statistical awards for British-based stallions and breeder, will be feted that evening. Tickets for the TBA Flat Breeders' Awards Evening are £80 (inc. VAT) per person and include entry to the...

He had to fight to extend his winning sequence on his black-type bow on Thursday, but Al Asayl France's L'Astronome (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Tymora, by Giant's Causeway) proved equal to the task when eking out a narrow verdict over Galaxie Gold (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}) in a thriller for ParisLongchamp's G2 Prix Hocquart. Sent off the 7-10 favourite for the 11-furlong test, having shown abundant promise so far and having scored over slightly shorter at this track last time Apr. 28, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained chestnut was unable to get a lead from...

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. Wednesday's Observations features a son of Group 1 winner Moonlight Cloud (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). 15.40 Beverley, Nov, £7,700, 3yo/up, 7f 96yT George Strawbridge's homebred MOON WATCH (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a son of six-time elite-level distaffer and three-time G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Moonlight Cloud (GB) (Invincible...

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. Tuesday's Insights features debuting Tabarin (Ire) (Frankel ({GB}) and 'Rising Star' Eldar Eldarov (Dubawi {Ire}). 2.25 Saint-Cloud, Debuntates, €27,000, 3yo, c/g, 12fT TABARIN (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) debuts for the Niarchos Family and Francis-Henri Graffard and is a son of the G3 Prix Vanteaux winner and G1 Prix Saint-Alary runner-up...

Kept back from the 1000 Guineas and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, Moyglare Stud's TDN Rising Star Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was finally let loose on unsuspecting victims lined up for what appeared to be a competitive edition of the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on Sunday. Travelling like the best filly the whole way settled in rear of mid-division by Chris Hayes, the 11-2 shot who had offered tantalising insight into what was to come when taking the seven-furlong G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at...