Lope de Vega (Ire)

Applying the core principles of breeding to stallions who were top racehorses while enhancing their own core families, Dietrich and Annabel von Boetticher's Gestut Ammerland has forged a reputation as one of the best owner-breeder operations in Europe.  The results of the Bavarian farm speak for themselves but let us offer a reminder here. At one stage Ammerland was home to around 50 mares, but generally the average number has been closer to 30: not quite boutique but also not behemoth.  Over the last 30 years or so, 60 group...

  In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Unconquerable Keen at Del Mar.   Keen Rides Out The Storm At Del Mar It was another stakes victory for the Phil D'Amato barn with the former European runner Unconquerable Keen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) in the Stormy Liberal S. at Del Mar on Saturday (video). Bred by Nicholas Hartery, the 4-year-old gelding managed a pair of victories in his native land in 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. Sunday's Observations features a half-brother to crack miler Ribchester (Ire).   16.07 Deauville, Debutantes, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) RIBBLE VIBE (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is a half-brother to the four-times Group 1-winning miler Ribchester (Ire) who debuts on the Polytrack in the Godolphin blue for the...

2nd-AQU, $85k, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 12:20p.m. ET From the family of GISW Acoma (Empire Maker) and her half-brother, the late, great GISW Arch (Kris S.), CONQUEST WARRIOR (City of Light) will be the priciest unveiling on the afternoon in New York, carrying a princely $1 million tag from the 2022 KEESEP sale. Racing for Courtlandt Farms under the tutelage of Shug McGaughey, the colt is a half-sibling to a series of winners out of dam MSW Tea Time (Pulpit) including unraced 3-year-old filly Soul Play (Union Rags), who was also...

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 full-brother to Irish Oaks heroine Savethelastdance. 14.30 Newcastle, £9,950, Mdn, 2yo, 10f 42y (AWT) Amo Racing's hitherto unraced MR HAMPSTEAD (Galileo {Ire}) is a $575,000 Keeneland September full-brother to this term's G1 Irish Oaks heroine Savethelastdance (Ire) and encounters seven in this debut. Opposition to...

Lope De Vega (Ire), whose new top-level winners in 2023 include Program Trading (GB) and Arapaho (Fr), has had his fee held at €125,000 for the fourth year. Four of the Ballylinch Stud stallions will stand in 2024 at the same price as they were advertised this year, while the fee for Waldgeist (GB) has been reduced. Ballylinch Stud's managing director John O'Connor said, "The Ballylinch stallion roster had another flagship year in 2023, with our proven sires Lope de Vega, New Bay and Make Believe being responsible for some...

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-sister to a Group 1 winner. 13.58 Deauville, €30,000, Mdn, unraced 2yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT) Gitte Poulsen-Allaire's AQUA AUGUSTA (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a Yann Barberot-conditioned daughter of Listed Prix Dahlia victrix Alzubra (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and thus kin to a trio...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victories of Buffoon and Kick A Rhyme for trainer Mike Maker and Pura Vida Investments during the past week.   Lope De Vega Colt Strikes At Keeneland Buffoon (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) put it all together at second asking at Keeneland for Pura Vida Investments and trainer Mike Maker on Saturday (video). Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux and Rifa Mustang Europe, Ltd., the €175,000...

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. Monday's Observations features a full sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Found (Ire) debuting at Galway. 12.30 Galway, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 8f 73yT RUBIES ARE RED (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is the 10th foal out of the G1 Matron S.and G1 Lockinge S. heroine Red Evie...

A son of Lope De Vega (Ire) (lot 260), a full-brother to G2 Champagne S. hero Iberian (Ire), became the latest seven-figure lot during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale when selling to Sumbe for 1.1 million gns. Consigned by Ballylinch Stud where his sire stands, the colt is out of Bella Estrella (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), who won the Listed Cairn Rouge S. and is a full-sister to G3 St Simon S. victress High Heeled (Ire), who ran third in both the G1 Oaks and the 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. Friday's Observations features the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 13.40 Saint-Cloud, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, f, 7 1/2fT BAUHINIA (IRE) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) earned TDN Rising Star status at ParisLongchamp last month and Godolphin's daughter of the G2 Rockfel S.-placed Desert Blossom (Ire) (Shamardal) is kept away from...

Less than a week on from that scintillating display in the G2 Flying Childers S. at Doncaster, the connections of Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) were reinvesting at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale on a Lope De Vega (Ire) filly for €190,000.  Fitting that it was a Blue Point half-sister, the Jessica Harrington-trained Bluedrum (Ire), who provided the page with a timely update when running out an ultra-impressive winner of a maiden at Naas last week.  She looks destined for black-type races and Conor Quirke, who purchased the...