Lope de Vega (Ire)

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column covering Mar. 15-21, is highlighted by the victory of new 'TDN Rising Star' Preliminary (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables already celebrated the victory of Equitize this past week, and the white-and-red-striped colours were back in the limelight with the 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy performance of Preliminary in the ninth race in Hallandale Beach on Thursday for trainer Chad...

Into black-type company on her second start after a winning debut over 7 1/2 furlongs at Saint-Cloud in October, Peter Savill's Autumn Starlight (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Falling Leaves {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) emerged from Saturday's Listed Prix la Camargo at that venue with her perfect record maintained and reputation enhanced. Tracking the early leader Heavenly Breath (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in third under Christophe Soumillon, the 14-5 second favourite looked to have it to do a furlong from home as that 8-5 market-leader who had run second to Blue...

Forced to break from the far outside gate, Preliminary (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) rewarded her backers at 3-1 with a 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy trip to break her maiden on debut at Gulfstream Thursday. Caught five wide into the first turn, the 250,000gns Tattersalls yearling purchase raced in the back-third of the field as Conseillante (Quality Road) set the tempo up front through opening fractions of :22.49 and :46.10. Allowed to tip in towards the rail to save ground up the backstretch, Preliminary held that position before advancing three wide...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at the success of European-based sires in North America, on a semi-weekly basis. This column (Feb. 26-Mar. 5) is highlighted by the victory of Gold Phoenix in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. at Santa Anita on Saturday, Mar. 4. One of several Europeans to cause a stir Stateside on Saturday, Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) became the first top-level winner for his sire with a neck victory in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. (video). Offered by co-breeder/owner...

Andre Fabre's team has hit the ground running as winter slowly transitions to spring and the veteran maestro unleashed G1 Prix de Diane entry Algolia (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Viva Rafaela {Brz}, by Know Heights {Ire}) to claim 'TDN Rising Stardom' with a scintillating performance in Tuesday's Prix du Soissonnais over one mile at Chantilly. Her victory was the middle leg of a Fabre hat-trick on the card, the trainer also successful with the dual Group 1-placed Ancient Rome (War Front) coming back off a nine-month break and capping a...

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. Tuesday's Observations feature a trio of Andre Fabre trainees, including a welcome return for Coolmore and Westerberg's dual Group 1-placed Ancient Rome. 14.25 Chantilly, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT) Godolphin's SWING VOTE (GB) (Shamardal) is an Andre Fabre-trained son of G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock...

   In this new series, the TDN takes a look at the success of European-based sires in North America, on a semi-weekly basis. This week's column (Feb. 18-Feb. 25) is highlighted by the victory of Godolphin homebred Lake Lucerne (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Albert M. Stall Memorial S. at Fair Grounds on Feb. 18. A worldwide influence for class, Dubawi celebrated his 250th stakes winner with Lake Lucerne's two-length victory for Brendan Walsh and Tyler Gaffalione in a 1 1/16-mile turf stakes in New Orleans eight days previously. The 6-year-old...

There is no denying that the stallion market is becoming increasingly difficult with appetites for stud prospects growing. There is also no questioning that the support a young stallion receives in their first few years is paramount to their success. Most stallions are an easy sell in their first year with many being oversubscribed and then numbers falling off in the years leading up to that first crop hitting the track. However, one stallion whose numbers and support could very likely stay consistent throughout those primitive years is Lope Y...

Tom Lacy received a heartwarming reception at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Awards last week. And rightly so. A legendary figure in Irish racing, Lacy rode 50 winners on the Flat and found only Arkle and Flyingbolt too good aboard Height Of Fashion in two Irish Grand Nationals.  As a trainer, Lacy sent out hundreds of winners from Rhode, County Offaly, including Ingabelle (GB), who later became a hugely important foundation mare at Ballylinch Stud. His sons Barry and Tony rode multiple winners for the stable down through the years....

6th-Lingfield, £100,000, Hcp, 1-21, 4yo/up, f/m, 10f (AWT), 2:05.12, st. AL AGAILA (IRE) (f, 4, Lope De Vega {Ire}--L'Amour de Ma Vie {GSW-UAE, SW-Fr, GSP-Eng, $322,632}, by Dansili {GB}), sent off the 10-11 favourite for this Winter Oaks having won the course-and-distance Winter Oaks Trial with ease last month, tracked the leading trio throughout the early stages. Earning the advantage approaching the furlong pole, the bay held on to score by a head from Morgan Fairy (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). Simon Crisford said, "It was a tactical race and...

Whether it was Bayside Boy (Ire) at Ballylinch, Minzaal (Ire) at Derrinstown or King Of Change (GB) and Dubawi Legend (Ire) at Starfield, one of the main takeaways from this year's Irish Thoroughbred Stallion Trail was that the pedigree buffs and bloodstock fans love nothing more than getting a glimpse at the new stallions this country has to offer.  "Don't dream of putting a picture of that lad up on Twitter otherwise I'll have Eddie O'Leary tweeting that it's not the only pig down in Ballyhane," - Joe Foley. Few...

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 Observations features a half to Group 1-winning sprinter Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). 1.10 Lingfield, Novice, £8,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8f 1y (AWT) SPRING PROMISE (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is one of two representatives of the Charlie Appleby stable and a half-sister to last year's G1 Platinum Jubilee...