Mehmas (Ire)

Francis-Henri Graffard sent juvenile Group 1 winner Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) through the Tattersalls ring as the penultimate Sceptre Sessions lot (1770A), and she duly made 3,200,000gns on the bid of John Stewart's Resolute Racing, bidding online. Bred by Haras du Mont dit Mont in Ireland, the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine is out of the Sea The Stars (Ire) mare Krunch (GB). Second dam Spinacre (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}) won the Listed Flame of Tara Stakes and was third in the G3 Prix Imprudence. Paul Nataf signed the ticket...

The consistent G2 Sapphire Stakes heroine and Breeders' Cup starter Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) (lot 1740) brought a final bid of 3,000,000gns from MV Magnier to take the lead during the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. Part of the Highclere Stud consignment, the 3-year-old filly was placed in a trio of Group 1 sprints in three consecutive months: the Nunthorpe Stakes (August), the Flying Five Stakes (September), and the Prix de l'Abbaye in October. Bred by M. Mullen and Cloneymore Farm, she was third in the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup last...

Rathbary Stud's influential sire Acclamation (GB) has died at the age of 25. The son of Royal Applause (GB) had recently been retired from covering duties. The stud announced the news via a statement on social media which read, "It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Acclamation this weekend. He leaves behind a legacy as a true legend of the Irish stallion ranks. He will be deeply missed by all at Rathbarry Stud but never forgotten." Bred by Tedwood Bloodstock and partners, the son of Princess Athena...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the second victory of Rebel's Romance in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Another Turf Title For Rebel's Romance Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) delivered his second GI Breeders' Cup Turf in three years at Del Mar for trainer Charlie Appleby on Nov. 2 (video). He also took out the 2022 renewal at Keeneland. A Group/Grade 1 winner in Hong Kong, the UAE, and Germany besides his...

Group 2 winner and Group 1 sire Acclamation (GB) has been pensioned from stallion duties at Rathbarry Stud. The 25-year-old son of Royal Applause (GB) stood for €25,000 this term. Bred by Tedwood Bloodstock and partners, the son of Princess Athena (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}) won the G2 Diadem Stakes and was placed in both the G2 King's Stand Stakes prior to it being elevated to Group 1 level and the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes for Gerald Cottrell. The sire of 155 stakes horses internationally and 68 lifetime stakes winners, the bay...

This year has seen a 6% decrease in the number of live foals registered to date in the General Stud Book, according to the Return of Mares, which has been published by Weatherbys. The returns to September 30, 2024 show that a total of 12,578 foals have been born in Britain and Ireland, 840 fewer than the 2023 figure of 13,438. It marks the first time in the last decade that the overall foal crop has fallen by more than 4% from one year to the next. The 6% drop...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred 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 features a half-brother to a Classic heroine. 2.45 Yarmouth, Novice, £9,950, 2yo, 7f 3y (SWT) SALLAAL (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) is a significant newcomer at a track his trainer Roger Varian has used for several of his better prospects, being a half-brother to this year's G1 1,000 Guineas...

A son of Mehmas (Ire) and Sagely (Ire) (Frozen Power {Ire}) (lot 389) became the latest yearling to reach the seven-figure mark when selling to 1,000,000gns to Godolphin during the third and final Book 1 session at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale on Thursday. The Tally-Ho Stud-consigned colt is a half-brother to three-time Group 1 winner and young sire Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) and the stakes-placed Golden Mind (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}). Tally-Ho also bred the bay. This is the extended family of Saganeca (Sagace {Fr}), the dam of...

It was Francis-Henri Graffard celebrating after Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac which opened ParisLongchamp's Arc card, but not with the filly widely expected as Gemini Stud and Argella Racing's Vertical Blue (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}--Krunch {GB}, by Sea The Stars {Ire}) denied her much-vaunted stablemate Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) in a pulsating finish. Last seen finishing second in Lyon-Parilly's Listed Criterium de Lyon over this mile trip last month, the 32-1 shot was settled in mid-pack early enjoying crucial cover as Ballydoyle's Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) cut out the running....

Hugo Palmer trainee The Waco Kid (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}--Catchingsnowflakes, by Galileo {Ire}) served a three-race stakes apprenticeship after graduating over six furlongs at Newbury in July and made a black-type breakthrough with a pillar-to-post triumph in Thursday's G3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket. The January-foaled bay bettered an Aug. 2 fifth in Goodwood's G2 Richmond Stakes with a fourth in the Aug. 21 G3 Acomb Stakes at York in his penultimate start and arrived here off the back of a third in this month's Listed Flying Scotsman Stakes at Doncaster. Quickest...

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 son of Kingman (GB). 15.20 Newmarket, Group 3, £60,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT MONUMENTAL (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) returns to Britain 12 days after his G2 Champagne Stakes second as he flies the flag for Ballydoyle in the G3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes. From the Urban Sea family...

Consistent filly Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), second in Sunday's G1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh to Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), will be given a break, according to trainer George Boughey. The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing and Jane Addams runner will return in either or both the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye in October or the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar a month later. "It will be interesting to see how she comes out of Sunday's race," he said. "I was really pleased to hear from Ryan Moore on...