Leopardstown

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 daughter of Group 1 winner Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).   5.05 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 7fT UNLESS (Justify) is the second progeny by the Triple Crown hero to represent Ballydoyle after Saturday's 'TDN Rising Star' Statuette, and no less fascinating as the first foal...

Kick-starting a new weekly Q&A series in TDN Europe, former champion trainer John Oxx, whose spellbinding career will forever be remembered through his masterful handling of Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Sinndar (Ire) (Grand Lodge) and Ridgewood Pearl (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), sat down with Brian Sheerin to talk all things racing and breeding. The dual Derby-winning trainer speaks about Epsom, how delighted he is that Sea The Stars has a top-notch miler in Baaeed and his life in retirement.   Brian Sheerin: There are few weeks in...

To mark The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Leopardstown's King George V Cup has been reinstated and will be the feature race at the meeting of Thursday, June 2, which coincides the start of a four-day Jubilee bank holiday weekend in Britain.  The British Embassy in Ireland has worked in partnership with Leopardstown Racecourse, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce and Kmend to revive the race which was initially run in 1911 following the presentation of a specially commissioned trophy by King George V at Leopardstown during his visit to Ireland. The...

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 Dubawi (Ire) half-brother to Group 1 winner Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). 1.30 Newbury, Mdn, 2yo, 6fT MYSTERIOUS NIGHT (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is one of a few intriguing types in this often-informative juvenile scene-setter, being a full-brother to last year's GI Just a Game...

There will be time to reflect on the career of Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) at a later date, but for now his is a story still unfolding with perhaps the best yet to come. Whatever happens in Friday's G2 Paddy Power Yorkshire Cup, the horse that took to acquiring millions with the same aplomb as his hedge fund trader and investor owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen is heading to his own personal crescendo. Odds-on for the race he garnered in 2018 and 2019, the Gosdens' beloved chestnut may be attracting...

ROSEGREEN, Ireland--Ryan Moore will find it difficult to ride anything other than Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Cazoo Derby, according to Aidan O'Brien, who may be without the ace--Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB})--in his Epsom pack, but expects to run up to six colts as he bids for a record-extending ninth win in the race on June 4. Stone Age didn't just open the door to a tilt at the Derby in winning the G3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday, he kicked it open and announced himself as...

Barely moments after the news broke that Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) will miss the G1 Cazoo Derby, a stunning G3 Derby Trial win by Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}--Bonanza Creek {Ire}, by Anabaa) caused the Ballydoyle seismometer to significantly downgrade its disaster measurement. Throughout what can only be termed as "Galileo week", the stable's Classic trial winners have come in a relentless flow and the injury to the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy which would normally have registered as a five on the Richter scale was only a one or two...

The week's narrative had involved Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore and the ground-breaking Galileo (Ire) and that ran into Sunday's G3 Cornelscourt S. at Leopardstown as the aptly-named History (Ire) swooped in the last of the trials for the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas. At 2.8million gns the second-highest-priced lot at the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, the daughter of the multiple graded-stakes winner Prize Exhibit (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) was last seen breaking her maiden at this trip at Gowran Park in September. Soon manoeuvred to mid-division from her wide...

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. Sunday's Observations features a full-brother to Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 3.00 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,500, 3yo, 12fT GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) was the top-priced colt at €2 million at the Arqana Deauville September Yearling Sale, which is no surprise given that he is a full-brother to the globe-trotting...

Next month's Epsom Oaks looks more exciting than the Derby at present and Juddmonte's unbeaten Agave (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could join the picture if she can master the colts in Sunday's G2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud. Kept at the same venue at which she has won twice this term and the same 10 1/2-furlong distance as the G3 Prix Penelope Apr. 2, the relative of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is one of France's most fascinating members of the Classic crop at present. Olivier Peslier retains the ride and jumps off...

15.05 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,500, 3yo, c/g, 10fT Coolmore and Westerberg's Newfoundland (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a full-brother to G1 Epsom Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Snowfall (Jpn), was one of the first under pressure after halfway and made some late headway in the straight to finish sixth.   16.50 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Only (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Coolmore and Westerberg's first foal out of MG1SW dual Classic winner Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), held every chance at the business end and finished a neck...

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. Wednesday's Observations features a full-brother to Classic winner Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). 15.05 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,500, 3yo, c/g, 10fT Coolmore and Westerberg's NEWFOUNDLAND (IRE) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Irish Derby entry, is a son of G3 Give Thanks S. victrix Best In The...