Jean-Claude Rouget

G1 Prix du Jockey Club DAWN INTELLO (FR) (Intello {Ger}-Gadalka, by Giant's Causeway) The dual winner Dawn Intello, who makes the jump to pattern company here, was offered by Montaigu at Arqana's October Yearling Sale in 2018, where he was picked up by Rabbah on behalf of Jaber Abdullah for €57,000. The unplaced dam is a daughter of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Sulk (Ire) (Selkirk), the half-sister to American champion and dual Grade I winner Dank (GB) (Dansili {GB}). B-V Timoshenko FANTASTIC SPIRIT (FR) (Charm Spirit {Ire}-Fantastic Cuix...

It was another big day in the careers of Jean-Claude Rouget and Cristian Demuro at Chantilly on Sunday as Shadwell's Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) brought up a group 1 double for the trainer-jockey combination when extending her unbeaten run in style in the G1 Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary. Always travelling on an even keel in third, the winner of three minor all-weather events rushed by the G3 Prix Vanteaux winner Magic Attitude (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) with 350 metres to race and on to a five-length success from that rival,...

It was not easy for Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in Sunday's G1 Prix Ganay at Chantilly, but White Birch Farm's G1 Prix du Jockey-Club hero and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe third duly delivered to put his 4-year-old campaign on the right track. Settled third early by Cristian Demuro racing without cover as Shaman (Ire) (Shamardal) enjoyed an unpestered lead, the even-money favourite who had been fourth in the G2 Prix d'Harcourt at ParisLongchamp May 11 gained a narrow advantage with 300 metres remaining and battled gamely as Way...

Eleven runners remain in the potential line-up for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and 16 for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, both of which are to be run on Monday at Deauville. With French racing remaining restricted to domestic runners until mid-June, all foreign-trained horses have been removed from the initial list of entries. A notable domestic defector among the colts is the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. winner Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal), who was scratched from his intended comeback run in the G3 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. Today's Observations features a pair of 3-year-olds by standout young sire Kingman. 1.25 Deauville, Debutantes, €20,000, 3yo, c/g, 8fT EDGE OF VICTORY (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) is a son of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Beauty Parlour (GB) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who was bought by White Birch Farm...

Setting aside the disappointment that most of us won't actually be able to attend race meetings, June is promising to be a stellar month of action after a prolonged spell of inactivity. France has eased us back into the idea of being able to watch live European racing with a week of informative meetings, including a number of trials and juvenile contests, and Ireland was given a boost by government on Friday when it was confirmed that racing could begin again on June 8. In theory, British racing will start...

Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) posted an impressive three-length success going 10 furlongs in her Jan. 23 unveiling at Cagnes-sur-Mer and doubled up in style to remain unbowed in this turf and black-type debut. Stalking the leader in second until looming large at the quarter-mile marker, she was shaken up to seize control with 350 metres remaining and was ridden clear in the closing stages to easily outclass American Apples (Fr) (American Post {GB}) by four lengths for a career high. "She came to me at the end of March...

Des Ailes (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the first foal out of 2014 G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches/G1 Prix de Diane heroine Avenir Certain (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), graduated at first asking despite blowing the start at Hanshin on Sunday (VIDEO). The 3-year-old raced last barring one rival through the early stages and had improved to fourth-last after the first half-mile. Traveling ominously well despite needing to pass a wall of horses 300 metres from home, she split horses decisively with two furlongs remaining and unleashed a furious turn of foot...

Coolmore has agreed to purchase a 50% interest in last year's G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), who stays in training this year with trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. The news was first reported by Paris-Turf. Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux out of Starlet's Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Sottsass was a €340,000 purchase at the 2017 Arqana August Yearling Sale by Peter Brant through Michel Zerolo's Oceanic Bloodstock. Racing in the green silks of Brant's White Birch Farm, Sottsass won at second asking at two. He took the...