Mastercraftsman (Ire)

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...

Jon and Julia Aisbitt's homebred 4-year-old filly Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}--Lavender Lane {Ire} {MGSP-Fr}, by Shamardal), whose lone stakes success came in last term's Listed Upavon Fillies' S. at Salisbury, went postward at odds of 15-2 for Thursday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S. at York and displayed a willing attitude at the end of the extended 10-furlong test to continue William Haggas' fine run of form at the Knavesmire venue. She had closed last term with a second to the reopposing Ville de Grace (GB) (Le...

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-brother to MG1SW Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). 1.10 Curragh, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo, 6fT SIMPSON'S PARADOX (IRE) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is the 10th foal out of the Niarchos Family's now-legendary Alpha Lupi (Ire) (Rahy), whose prior offerings by this sire are the Group 1-winning distaffers Alpha...

The two-for-two White Marlin (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) has been added to the upcoming Tattersalls February Sale on Feb. 3-4. Consigned as lot 375A by Ronald Rauscher, the 4-year-old colt is rated 93p by Timeform after winning a Dec. 15 Dundalk maiden and a Jan. 14 handicap there, both over 1 ½ miles on the all-weather for trainer Joseph O'Brien in the colours of Ms. M. McDowall. In addition, the grey is a half-brother to G1 Flying Five S. heroine Romantic Proposal (Ire) (Raven's Pass). The duo are out of the...

Celtic Art (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) (lot 36) topped the Tattersalls Ascot December Sale when purchased by Tom Malone and Jeremy Scott for £39,000. The winning 4-year-old has been placed at Group 3 level and listed level during his career and he was offered by Whatcombe Stables. Second on the leaderboard was lot 38, the 2-year-old gelding Sen Ding (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). Stuart Williams snapped up the Castledillon Stud-consigned grandson of stake winner Al Ihtithar (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) for £26,000. Of the 89 lots catalogued and 68 offered, 50 sold (74%)...

The Curragh's G2 Debutante S. is always a key pointer to the course-and-distance G1 Moyglare Stud S. and Sunday proved no exception as the one-two-three again filled those places headed by the Niarchos Family's Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Only third to Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) in that seven-furlong precedent Aug. 21, the Jessica Harrington trainee has abundant room for improvement within as a full-sister to Alpha Centauri (Ire) and half to Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) and was able to turn that around on this slicker surface. Sent up...

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 Niarchos start Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). 1.20 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 6f 171yT DISCOVERIES (IRE) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) is the latest progeny out of the Niarchos Family's remarkable Alpha Lupi (Ire) (Rahy), which makes her a full-sister to the accomplished Alpha Centauri...

The Curragh announced that the Niarchos Family will sponsor the Aug. 22 G2 Debutante S. to acknowledge the racing career of Niarchos homebred Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), who was named Cartier champion 3-year-old filly and Irish Horse of the Year in 2018. During her racing career, she won six of 10 starts, including the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas, G1 Coronation S., G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard. "The Niarchos family are synonymous with racing at the Curragh with their name associated with numerous high-quality...

The catalogue for the Goffs Sportsman's Sale, which features a Camelot (GB) filly (lot 618) who is closely related to G1 Irish Derby hero Frozen Fire (Ger) (Montjeu {Ire}) from Camas Park Stud, was released on Thursday. A total of 386 yearlings will go under the hammer on Sept. 24-25 at the Goffs Sales Complex in Doncaster. River Boyne (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), who won the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. at Santa Anita Park in the U.S. on Mar. 7, is a Sportsman's Sale graduate and is just...

There is plenty of music in the pedigree of Newbury listed winner Cabaletta (GB). She is out of Allegretto (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (moderately fast tempo in classical music, 102-110bpm technically speaking), herself out of Alleluia (GB) (Caerleon). Still, the name of this filly is particularly fitting: a "cabaletta" can be defined as an operatic aria with a simple, animated rhythm, and, according to Wikipedia, "the word may derive  from the Italian cavallo (horse), a reference to the pulsating rhythm of a galloping horse". In fact, both jockey David Egan and...