Harzand (Ire)

By Brian Sheerin and Adam Houghton Via Sistina's exploits Down Under may well have been at the forefront of Yuesheng Zhang's mind when the Yulong team went to 1.8 million gns to secure Caught U Looking (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}), a filly that part-owner Tony O'Callaghan says "will do a bit of damage" whatever jurisdiction she ends up running in.  That's good news for Yulong, who bid online to the left of the rostrum to see off a spirited effort from Will Walden. Of course, it was in this exact sale...

The top lot on the second day of the Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale came late in the session when Aisling Noone and Simon Cavanagh of Drumloose Stables went to €54,000 for the Harzand (Ire) colt (lot 416) consigned by Garryrichard Stud. "As soon as we saw him we fell in love with him," Noone said of the foal. "We sold a Harzand for a client at the Derby Sale to Kevin Ross, so we have had some luck with him, and we have gone back to the well...

Minella Premier (Ire) (Shantou) (lot 498) topped the first day of the Goffs UK Spring HIT/PTP Sale at Doncaster on Wednesday. Consigned by Minella Racing, the 4-year-old gelding went to Jerry McGrath and Nicky Henderson for £400,000. Related to Grade 2 chase winner Function Dream (Ire) (Strong Gale {Ire}), he won his debut at Ballindenisk by 12 lengths. Another to break £200,000 was Dawn Miss (Ire) (Malinas {Ger}) (lot 486), who sold to Laura Morgan for £220,000. The Monbeg Stables graduate, a full to Listed December H. Hurdle winner Booster...

Noel Meade trainee Caught U Looking (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}--Wild Mix {GB}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) posted an impressive five-length tally when shedding maiden status at Leopardstown in July and made a smooth transition to black-type company with a landmark success in an attritional renewal of Sunday's G3 Weld Park S. at the Curragh. The 4-1 chance broke smartly from the outside stall and raced without cover in fifth through the initial fractions of this third start at the seven-furlong trip. Inching closer to the leading duo from halfway, she came under...

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 feature the debut of a half-sister to a Classic winner. 14.00 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, f, 10fT THE PLANETS (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is a half-sister to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning sire Study Of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who debuts for the...

Irish-based Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and French-based Siyouni (Fr) (Pivotal {GB}) will jointly lead their respective rosters in 2022 for The Aga Khan Studs. One of two stallions standing at Gilltown Stud, Sea The Stars will command €150,000. His unbeaten miler Baaeed (GB) and the progressive filly Teona (Ire) both scored at the highest level in 2021, bringing their sire's total Group 1 winners to 16. Overall, the bay has sired 22 black-type winners this term and he was the sire of the top-priced filly and top-priced...