Kingman (GB)

"Look away Mick Appleby, but there has arguably been no finer exponent of the new and improved all-weather programme in the last decade than the Gosden stable, home to a handful of Classic/Group 1 winners who learned the ropes at the likes of Kempton and Newcastle in the depths of winter." That comment featured in our first installment of Winter Watch, followed by a promise to put that illustrious roll of honour under the spotlight at a later stage when it seemed appropriate. Now, following a week in which John...

As expected, Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) (lot 200) caused quite a stir in the Arqana ring, and the 2024 G1 Prix de Diane scorer will join the Coolmore partners' fold, after selling to Oceanic Bloodstock on behalf of MV Magnier and associates for €5,000,000. Consigned by Haras de Bouquetot, the bay, also successful in the Prix de Sandringham and third in the G1 Nassau Stakes and G1 Prix de l'Opera, is a full-sister to G3 Jersey Stakes hero Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), who was second in the G1...

Lordship Stud's hitherto untested homebred Bowmark (GB) (Kingman {GB}--Bound Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) lined up as a 5-1 chance for division two of Wednesday evening's Unibet More Boosts In More Races EBF Novice Stakes at Kempton and came home with a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette after unleashing a display of raw power in the one-mile heat. The March-foaled bay raced in the front rank early and was steadied to track the leaders in a handy fourth after the initial exchanges. Readied for his bid soon after turning for home, he...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a pricy auction grad. 16.10 Kempton, Nov, £6,800, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT) Shadwell's ALFAREQA (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is an Owen Burrows-trained daughter of G1 Cheveley Park Stakes victrix Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and was the top-priced filly when knocked down for 1.6-million guineas at last year's...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features features a half-sister to Group 1 winner Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}). 14.50 Kempton, Mdn, £6,800, 2yo, f, 8f (AWT) William Haggas-conditioned debutante CARLYLE SQUARE (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is a half-sister to ultra-consistent G1 July Cup and G1 Prix de la Foret winner Limato (Ire) (Tagula...

A total of 197 lots have been catalogued for the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, which takes place at Park Paddocks on Monday, November 25. The catalogue features 11 siblings to Group 1 winners, including lot 63, a Dark Angel (Ire) half-sister to this year's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and the Commonwealth Cup winner and sire Golden Horde (Ire); lot 102, a Nathaniel (Ire) half-sister to this year's Irish Champion Stakes scorer Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}); and lot 179, a Saxon Warrior (Jpn)...

A consequence of massive book sizes is that it has become even harder for a less obvious prospective stallion to break into the elite tier. However, just as many seemingly excellent stallion prospects over the years have failed to make the grade, and there is still scope for a stallion to succeed against the odds, to 'pull himself up by his bootstraps', to join the elite after having started out considerably farther down the ladder. One such has been the admirable Invincible Spirit (Ire), whose retirement from active service at...

Invincible Spirit (Ire), the sire of 22 individual Group 1 winners worldwide, has been retired from covering duties, the Irish National Stud announced on Wednesday. Now 27, Invincible Spirit was a fixture on the Irish National Stud roster of stallions for 22 consecutive seasons, starting in 2003 after his breakthrough Group 1 victory in the Sprint Cup at Haydock the previous autumn. As a racehorse he won seven of his 17 starts for trainer John Dunlop and owner-breeder Prince Faisal, with his other wins including the Duke Of York Stakes...

Group 1 winner Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) will stand at Haras de la Hetraie in 2025, the stud announced on Saturday. The G1 Grand Prix de Paris victor's fee will be €4,500. Retired in September, the bay was bred by Monceaux, Lordship Stud and Clear Light SAS. Offered by Ecurie des Monceaux at the 2021 Arqana August Sale, he brought €270,000 from SAS Larrieu Gerard, and would go on to run for Jean-Louis Bouchard. The 'TDN Rising Star' was kept in training at four, and he placed three...

After five days of selling that saw a pair of €500,000 yearling colts by Night Of Thunder (Ire) and Kingman (GB) share topper honours, the Arqana October Yearling Sale concluded with a second day of Part III in Deauville. The clearance rate for 604 sold from 730 offered was 83% for an aggregate of €29,413,000 (+12%). This year marked the fifth consecutive October Sale reached 80% or higher. In addition, the total average was €48,251) (+9%), nearing the elusive €50,000 mark for the first time. The median also rose 14%...

While torrential rain had poured over Deauville in the last few days, a late summer atmosphere floated around the Arqana sales complex when the first lot made its way through the ring for the October Yearling Sale. In the wake of buoyant renewals of the Tattersalls October Book 1 and Book 2 sessions, the opening day set new records for both average and median price, at €104,882 (+15%) and €73,500 (+5%), respectively. Eighty-six percent of the 197 yearlings on offer changed hands, a 4% increase from a year ago, and...

The catalogue for the Goffs November Foal Sale, which features 1,021 lots, was released on Wednesday. Set to run from Monday, Nov. 18 through Thursday, Nov. 21, the sale will have lots catalogued alphabetically by dam each day from Monday to Thursday inclusive. Monday and Thursday are billed as equal, Tuesday raising the bar to an extent, and Wednesday traditionally attracting the most black-type pedigrees. Successful alumni include Japanese Group 1 winner Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), and Classic victories in the G2 German 2000 Guineas by Devil's Point...