Haydock

Carrying a seven-pound penalty for his taking debut win at Newmarket last month, Wathnan Racing's Defence Minister (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}--Tears Of The Sun {GB}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) shrugged off the extra burden to win decisively in his six-furlong novice at Haydock on Thursday. Settled behind the leaders early by James Doyle, the 11-8 favourite surged to the front inside the final furlong for a 1 1/2-length defeat of Arabian Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). The Hamad Al Jehani trainee, who was a €210,000 Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) heads a field of 16 sprinters confirmed for Saturday's G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. Rested since his fifth as favourite for the G1 July Cup, the Kevin Ryan-trained homebred returns to the scene of his success in the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes in May with regular rider Tom Eaves retaining the ride. "Inisherin is in great form," his trainer said this week. "We've had an uninterrupted preparation and all his work has gone to plan when we...

Group 1-winning sprinter Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) faces 21 rivals in Saturday's G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock at the latest entry stage. Trained by Kevin Ryan, the 3-year-old colt won the G3 Sandy Lane Stakes in the spring, before prevailing in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Favoured for the G1 July Cup, he could only manage fifth, and has been benched since. Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), successful in that July Cup, was followed home by Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who is trained by Karl Burke for Sheikh...

Shadwell's Group 1 winner Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) is aiming to make his long-awaited return to the races in the G3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on Aug. 10, according to trainer Owen Burrows. The 6-year-old gelding has been out of action with a foot issue since winning the G1 Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp in May of 2023. A multiple group winner, Anmaat was successful in the 2022 edition of the Rose of Lancaster. "All being well, he's going to run, we've had this in mind for him for...

Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal), an impressive winner of last month's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, and last year's unbeaten two-year-old Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) head the sponsor's ante-post betting for the G1 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock on Saturday, September 7, with both horses featuring in a list of 35 as the first entries were released on Tuesday. Barry Orr, head of racing PR at Betfair, said, "This is a top list of entries, although there is a lot of water to pass under the sprinting bridge between...

Returning to the course and distance of her G3 Lester Piggott Stakes win, Qatar Racing's prized homebred Queen Of The Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion--Simple Verse {Ire), by Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) mastered Saturday's G2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock to continue her upward trajectory. Held up by Oisin Murphy throughout the early stages, the John and Thady Gosden-trained 100-30 second favourite moved powerfully to Tiffany (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and drew away from that 85-40 favourite to win by three lengths, with the Lester Piggott Stakes runner-up...

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 close relatives of two Darley sires. 15.00 Great Yarmouth, Mdn, £9,950, 2yo, 6f 3yT Godolphin homebred SHADOW OF LIGHT (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a three-parts brother to dual Group 1-winning first-crop sire Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal) and has William Buick in the plate for this...

Group 2 winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) will be supplemented at a cost of £46,000 to the G1 Commonwealth Cup on Saturday, trainer Kevin Ryan has confirmed. The G2 Sandy Lane S. hero, who races for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, has won half of his four starts. He was a solid sixth in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas in May, prior to his Sandy Lane victory. "He is in good form," said Ryan. "He runs in the Commonwealth Cup." The colt will square off with dual Group 1 winner and...

Qatar Racing through-and-through, Queen Of The Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion) gave the operation a moment of celebration in Saturday's G3 Lester Piggott Fillies' S. at Haydock. Out of their G1 St Leger and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. heroine Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), the Gosdens' 4-year-old who had finished runner-up in the Listed Daisy Warwick Fillies' S. at Goodwood last month quickly took up prominent rank in this extended 11-furlong contest. Sent to the fore approaching the furlong pole, the 9-2 shot stuck to her...

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 seven-figure son of Galileo (Ire). 20.03 Haydock, Nov, £10,000, 2yo, 6f 212yT Godolphin's 1-million guineas Craven Breeze-Up sale topper ROYAL OFFICER (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is a son of stakes-placed G1 1000 Guineas fourth Manderley (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) and thus a sibling of Listed Prix de...

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 Frankel filly out of a Breeders' Cup heroine. 16.40 Haydock, Nov, £10,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f 212yT Imad Al Sagar homebred HAUTE COUTURE (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is a half-sister to G1 Jebel Hatta, G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup and G1 Irish Champion S.-winning sire Decorated Knight (GB)...

Springing a surprise in the G2 Temple S. at Haydock on Saturday, John Connolly and Alan Spence's Kerdos (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) became the latest from the never-ending Clive Cox manufacturing line to garner one of Britain's big sprints. Boasting just one black-type success so far in his career, having mastered the Listed Bullet Sprint S. in September, the 4-year-old had caught the eye when staying on into fifth in Newmarket's G3 Palace House S. three weeks ago but still had a jump to make to get to this level. Using...