Frankel (GB)

Aidan O'Brien trainee Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}--Quiet Reflection {GB}, by Showcasing {GB}) attained 'TDN Rising Star' status with a narrow victory in her June 28 debut tackling seven furlongs at the Curragh and doubled up in style with a pillar-to-post victory in Saturday's G3 JenningsBet Sweet Solera Stakes over the same trip at Newmarket. The Sean Levey-ridden filly broke smartly and was a shade keen on the front end through the early strides of this black-type bow. Settling into a comfortable rhythm by halfway, the 11-8 favourite was held...

Cheveley Park Stud's Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will face seven rivals as she bids for a historic treble in Sunday's G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville. Aided by Ryan Moore for the first time, the John and Thady Gosden-trained 5-year-old will upstage fellow dual winners Miesque, Spinning World and Palace Pier (GB) if successful in the prestigious mile feature where last year's runner-up Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) is set to re-oppose. Yeguada Centurion's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes hero Big Rock has...

Although in its 30th rendition in 2024, the GII Glens Falls Stakes at Saratoga has been contested at the distance of 1 1/2 miles for just the past four years. Only two mares have won those four renewals: War Like Goddess (English Channel) in 2021 and 2022 and now McKulick (GB) (m, 5, Frankel {GB}--Astrelle {Ire}, by Makfi {GB}) in 2023 and 2024. Last year, McKulick denied War Like Goddess a three-peat in a neck victory. This year, McKulick circled six wide to best fellow late runners Parnac (Fr) (Zarak...

A full-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will be offered by her breeder Kirsten Rausing's Staffordstown Stud during the first day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the sales company announced on Tuesday. Book 1 of the sale takes place from Oct. 8-10 in Newmarket. Kirsten Rausing said, "Lanwades and Staffordstown are proud to present world champion Alpinista's own sister at Tattersalls October Book 1. The filly, an exceptional individual whose pedigree speaks for itself, represents the pinnacle of my...

She was highly unlikely to be as impressive as at Royal Ascot and while Ballydoyle's Listed Chesham Stakes-winning TDN Rising Star Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}--Mecca's Angel {Ire}, by Dark Angel {Ire}) wasn't as ruthless in Thursday evening's G3 Jockey Club Of Turkey Silver Flash Stakes, her class duly told in Leopardstown's joint-feature. Settled behind her course-and-distance-winning stablemate Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) by Ryan Moore, the 1-16 favourite was pulled out of her slipstream approaching the furlong pole and sent onwards to a 3 1/2-length success. There was another 1...

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 seven-figure sales graduate. 14.40 Sandown, Mdn, £10,000, 2yo, 7fT Godolphin's RULING COURT (Justify) caused a stir when realising a whopping €2.3-million at this year's Arqana Breeze-Up sale and makes his eagerly awaited debut in a contest won in recent years by Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi...

Juddmonte's Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Red Impression {GB}, by Dark Angel {Ire}) had already shown that she is a top-drawer prospect with impressive late fractions on her seven-furlong Curragh debut last month and merely confirmed that with another scintillating performance to become her sire's 42nd TDN Rising Star on Sunday. Narrowly denied by Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) when storming home late on her racecourse bow, the Ger Lyons-trained homebred was sent straight to the lead this time by Colin Keane. Never in any danger with...

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 returning daughter of Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 13.40 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT BALLET SLIPPERS (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a hot prospect in the card's opener, being the first foal out of the multiple Group 1-winning Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) making her debut in...

Such an eye-catcher when fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp in May, Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}--Sweepstake {Ire}, by Acclamation {GB}) who failed to stay the mile and a half of Royal Ascot's G2 King Edward VII Stakes roared back to form dropping to nine furlongs in Thursday's G3 Meld Stakes at Leopardstown. Kept wide early by Ryan Moore, the 8-11 favourite took up a prominent position and when sent for home two out stretched his rivals to breaking point en route...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Godolphin's Cinderella's Dream in the Belmont Oaks.   Slipper Fits For Godolphin Miss Flawless in her first four starts in England and Dubai prior to a seventh in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas, Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal) handed breeder Godolphin and Charlie Appleby a victory in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes during the final days of the Belmont at the Big A meeting...

Andre Fabre trainee Gun Of Brixton (Fr) (Frankel {GB}--Cat Kate {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) encountered the 'TDN Rising Star' performance of Tiego The First (Fr) (Blue Point {Ire}) in his May 20 debut over six furlongs at Saint-Cloud, before graduating over seven furlongs back there last month, and continued on the upgrade with a Rising Star display of his own in Thursday's Prix Bamboo Edition at Clairefontaine. He becomes the 41st Rising Star for his sire. Steadied to race in third after a slick getaway in this one-mile test,...

British bloodstock industry stalwarts Chris Richardson and Paul and Sara Thorman featured among the headline winners at the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Flat Breeders' Awards for the 2023 season, held at Chippenham Park on the evening of Wednesday, July 10. With recipients revealed only at the event, Cheveley Park Stud managing director Chris Richardson received the Dominion Bronze Award, which recognises outstanding contribution and long-term commitment from someone in the industry, while Paul and Sara Thorman, who have run Trickledown Stud since 1990, received the Andrew Devonshire Bronze Award, which acknowledges...