Haydock

Bouncing out of an increasingly-strong looking edition of the 2,000 Guineas, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal--Ajman Princess {Ire}, by Teofilo {Ire}) converted instantly and successfully to leading sprinter of his generation by taking Haydock's G2 Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Sandy Lane S. on Saturday. Producing sensational splits when beating the smart filly Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) in a mile novice at Newcastle in March before acquitting himself with credit when sixth in the Newmarket Classic three weeks ago, the Kevin Ryan-trained blueblood travelled strongly...

Unbeaten colt Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) continues to progress in his preparation for the G2 Sandy Lane S. at Haydock on May 25. The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained colt's long-term goal is Royal Ascot's G1 Commonwealth Cup S. next month. A winner of all four of his starts including the early August G2 Richmond S., G1 Prix Morny later that month, and the G1 Middle Park S. in September, the colt is pleasing his connections. "He's coming along nicely now, so we're hoping we'll be all systems go at...

The much-anticipated third encounter between Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will take place in Saturday's G1 Royal Bahrain Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown, as the Derby one-two featured among the nine heavyweights on Thursday. Ryan Moore is on Auguste Rodin in the 10-furlong feature of the Irish Champions Festival, with the Ballydoyle first string looking to bounce back from a below-par showing in Ascot's King George in which Amo Racing's King Of Steel was third. Auguste Rodin is in two, next door...

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 Insights features Skellet, a half to MGSW Skitter Scatter.   15.10 Salisbury, Mdn, £30,000, 2yo, f, 6f 213yT SKELLET (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) was one of the unluckiest losers all season at Sandown on her debut for the Ralph Beckett stable last month and with her killer pedigree steps...

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 Insights features a relation to listed winner English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}). 18.15 Haydock, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 7f 212yT AGE OF TIME (FR) (Dubawi {Ire}) was, at €800,000, the second-highest-priced breezer at Arqana May when purchased by Godolphin and is the first foal out of a half to...

Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), a dual Group 1-winning sprinter in the colours of Hughes, Rawlings, and O'Shaughnessy, will shortly begin his fast work in preparation for the G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock on Sept. 9. Trained by Julie Camacho, the 3-year-old is eight-for-seven and claimed both the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the G1 July Cup S. in July. "Shaquille is in really good form," said Camacho's husband and assistant Steve Brown. "We purposely gave him a quiet couple of weeks after Newmarket which was always...

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 grandson of King (Ire) (Danehill). 18.05 Newbury, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT ARRAY (IRE) (No Nay Never) wins the award for the day's best-bred newcomer, being the sixth foal out of Juddmonte's prized mare Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who shares her famed dam Kind...

There must be something in the air at Haydock this month as Opulence Thoroughbreds and Teme Valley's newcomer Purosangue (GB) (Aclaim {Ire}--Avon Breeze {GB}, by Avonbridge {GB}) became the second TDN Rising Star on Thursday's evening fixture and the third in the last three meetings at the Merseyside venue. Unleashed by Andrew Balding having brought enough attention at April's Goffs UK Breeze-Up Sale to fetch £125,000, the 5-1 shot proved a handful for Ray Dawson going to post and in the early stages before establishing a lead before halfway in...

Hot property at 1-3 for Thursday's Broad Oak Fillies' Novice S. at Haydock, Godolphin's Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}--Mistrusting {Ire}, by Shamardal) made even those odds look generous as she registered a TDN Rising Star performance when breaking her maiden by 11 lengths. Having met a potentially top-class peer in the Crisfords' Carla's Way (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) on debut over nearly 6 1/2-furlongs at Doncaster 12 days previously, the Charlie Appleby-trained half-sister to Dark Angel's GI Summer S. winner Mysterious Night (Ire) and GI Just a Game S. and...

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 an auction star by Dubawi (Ire). 20.25 Haydock, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 6f 212yT ANCIENT WISDOM (FR) (Dubawi {Ire}) caused a stir at last year's Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale when selling for €2 million and ending the auction as the second-highest-priced lot. Charlie Appleby has charge...

One of the premier sprints on the calendar, Haydock's G2 Betfred Temple S. went to the Clipper Logistics-owned Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}--Katie's Diamond {Fr}, by Turtle Bowl {Ire}), who was just ahead of Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}) at the line. The 4-1 crowd's pick received weight from each of her rivals, and the in-form William Buick kept his filly within shouting distance of the vanguard, as Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) set the pace from the bell. Travelling well into the race, the 'TDN Rising Star'...

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Westerberg's Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never--Adventure Seeker {Fr}, by Bering {GB}) overraced and encountered a rough journey when well back in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at the beginning of the month, but on livelier ground over Haydock's straight course, the even-money favourite ran out an open-length winner of the one-mile G2 Betfred Nifty Fifty Sandy Lane S. on Saturday. Always forwardly placed against the fence as last year's G2 Coventry S. hero and G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial S. third...