Henri Matisse (Ire)

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the second victory of Rebel's Romance in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Another Turf Title For Rebel's Romance Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) delivered his second GI Breeders' Cup Turf in three years at Del Mar for trainer Charlie Appleby on Nov. 2 (video). He also took out the 2022 renewal at Keeneland. A Group/Grade 1 winner in Hong Kong, the UAE, and Germany besides his...

Some of us may be attempting to look the other way but with the Breeders' Cup behind us and the November Handicap now just a matter of days away we are going to have to admit that it is well and truly jumps season. There is some Flat excitement still in store on the international calendar with the potential appearance of Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in the Japan Cup at the end of this month but...

Sunday's G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at The Curragh had a more open look to it than the betting suggested beforehand and that proved the case as the Joseph O'Brien-trained outsider Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}--Fidaaha {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) stepped up to earn the bragging rights. Third behind this race's favourite Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on his second start over this course and seven-furlong trip in the G2 Futurity Stakes last month, the 12-1 shot who had won on debut at Leopardstown in May raced...

Sunday's field have now been set, with the group 1 races at The Curragh and ParisLongchamp hosting some major names including Ballydoyle's elite-level winners Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Opera Singer (Justify). The former bids for a second G1 Irish St Leger during the second day of the Irish Champions Festival in Kildare, while the latter is one of a dozen fillies set to contest the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille which is the feature of the French Arc Trials card. Kyprios will face seven in the 14-furlong contest, including Scuderia...

Camelot (GB)'s Los Angeles (Ire) is likely to contest the G1 Irish Champion Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend alongside Aidan O'Brien stablemates August Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Luxemborg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), O'Brien revealed on Monday. The master of Ballydoyle also outlined plans for other runners from his stable for the mid-September meeting. Five-for-six in his young career, with a third in the G1 Derby followed by victories in the G1 Irish Derby and G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in June and August, respectively, Los Angeles faces a tough ask...

Benefitting from the ideal pace set-up in Saturday's G2 Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes at The Curragh, Ballydoyle's G2 Railway Stakes winner Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Immortal Verse {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) swooped to defy a penalty and continue his perfect record under Ryan Moore. Settled in third early with the pace generously provided by Rock Of Cashel (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), the 5-6 favourite surged by the G3 Tyros Stakes winner Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) a furlong out en route to a length...

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Henri Matisse (Ire), a decisive winner of Sunday's G2 Railway Stakes at the Curragh, has been awarded a Timeform rating of 110p, identifying him as the highest-rated two-year-old colt to have raced so far in 2024. By Wootton Bassett (GB) and out of the multiple Group 1 winner Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), Henri Matisse is now unbeaten in two starts after swooping late to beat The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) by half a length on Sunday, five weeks on from his winning debut...

Ballydoyle representative Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Immortal Verse {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}) finished the right side of a short-head verdict tackling six furlongs at the Curragh in May and pounced late over the same course and distance to garner a record-equalling 14th renewal of Sunday's G2 GAIN Railway Stakes for Aidan O'Brien. The victory moved O'Brien alongside legendary former Ballydoyle incumbent Vincent O'Brien on the honours board. The Aug. 10 G1 Phoenix Stakes and Sept. 15 G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes entry was sluggish from the traps and trailed...