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. Friday's Insights features a half to MGISW Tepin (Bernstein). 1.05 Leopardstown, Debutantes, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT HARVARD (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is introduced by Aidan O'Brien away from the Goodwood fayre and is a fascinating runner as a half-brother to the six-times top-level scorer and GI Breeders' Cup Mile and G1...

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 a daughter of G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). 1.00 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 8fT NICEST (IRE) (American Pharoah) is a daughter of the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) who debuts for the Tabor/Smith/Magnier axis and Donnacha O'Brien. A half-sister...

The Longines Irish Champions Weekend, held Sept. 12-13, will take place behind closed doors, the Longines Irish Champions Weekend Committee confirmed on Wednesday. The committee's recommendation, which was made as the COVID-19 pandemic continues,  was approved by the Board of Horse Racing Ireland at their July meeting on Monday, July 20. The Sept. 12 card at Leopardstown features the G1 Irish Champion S., and G1 Coolmore America 'Justify' Matron S. The Curragh plays host on the second day, with four Group 1 races on tap: the Comer Group International Irish...

Not having the rub of the green when runner-up in the G3 Leopardstown Fillies Trial S. over seven furlongs last time June 9, Qatar Racing's Know It All (GB) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) took a sizeable step forward to dominate Wednesday's G3 Derrinstown Stud Fillies S. over another furlong at that venue. Always travelling with ease in a pocket on the rail tracking the leading duo, the 3-1 second favourite struck the front approaching the furlong pole en route to a 2 1/4-length defeat of Celestial Object (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), with...

Mick Halford has a strong hand in Wednesday's pattern races at Leopardstown, with 'TDN Rising Star' Ridenza (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) making her keenly-awaited reappearance in the G3 Derrinstown Stud Fillies S. Half an hour before stablemate Sinawann (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) represents The Aga Khan in the G3 Amethyst S., Ridenza gets her season underway having been taken out of the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas due to the prevalent fast surface. Not seen since winning on debut over seven furlongs at this venue in August, her trainer is hoping...

Coolmore has extended their support of the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown during Irish Champions Weekend, Leopardstown announced on Monday. The race, which has twice been voted the highest-rated race for fillies and mares by the Longines World Thoroughbred Rankings, will be officially known as the G1 Coolmore America Justify Matron S. Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky stands two Triple Crown winners, American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) and Justify (Scat Daddy). The 2019 edition of the Matron was landed by Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}). "Coolmore are delighted...

There was more joy for the Jessie Harrington stable at Leopardstown on Sunday as Craig Bernick's One Voice (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}) emerged on top in the G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Blue Wind S. Having her first outing since winning a seven-furlong maiden here in July when runner-up to stablemate Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in Navan's Listed Salsabil S. over this 10-furlong trip June 10, the bay was reserved towards the rear throughout the early stages of this contest by Shane Foley. Unleashed out wide to cut down...

2.10 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 7fT SWEET MOLLY MALONE (American Pharoah) is one of two regally-bred fillies from Ballydoyle and the pick of Seamie Heffernan, which is probably the best guide as to what is expected. The half-sister to the stable's G1 Irish Oaks heroine Bracelet (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and her Grade I-winning close relative Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) is joined by Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a full-sister to TDN Rising Star Found (Ire) who is partnered by Wayne Lordan while Donnacha saddles Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}, a daughter...

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 Insights features a €3.2-million Goffs Orby sale-topping full-sister to two Group 1 winners. 1.25 Chantilly, Cond, €28,000, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT BONNE IDEE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) created a big impression for the Andre Fabre stable when winning a Lyon-Parilly maiden last month and takes the next step towards...

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. Saturday's Insights features a full-sister to G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Cliffs of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 12.45 Haydock, Mdn, £6,400, 2yo, 6f 212yT KING LEO (GB) (The Last Lion {Ire}) is the first runner in Britain for the Kildangan Stud-based G1 Middle Park S. hero and at 170,000gns his...

After it was announced that QIPCO had ended its sponsorship of the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Prix du Jockey Club,  Leopardstown thanked QIPCO for their support on Thursday. QIPCO had assisted with Longines Irish Champions Weekend since it began in 2014, but is now turning its focus toward its sponsorship activities in Britain. (Click here for some highlights of the Irish Champion S.) "I would like to thank QIPCO and Sheikh Fahad for their incredible support of the Irish Champion S. for the past six years," said Leopardstown...