Mohaafeth (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 the returning group winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}. 3.30 York, Listed, £60,000, 4yo/up, 7f 192yT MOHAAFETH (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) makes his eagerly-awaited European bow, having blown his chance at the start in the G1 Dubai Turf in March. William Haggas has always held the G3 Hampton...

York's Ebor Festival kicks off today with an opening card headed by an enticing renewal of the £1-million G1 Juddmonte International over an extended 10 furlongs at the Knavesmire venue. With Ballydoyle's intended number one St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) sidelined due to a late setback, Aidan O'Brien has rerouted this term's G1 Prince of Wales's S. winner and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. third Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to take his place in the day one feature. Last term's G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Epsom Oaks...

Aidan O'Brien has declared Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Wednesday's G1 Juddmonte International at York after revealing that St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) has suffered a setback in training. "Yesterday morning he lost a front shoe and it came back and hit his hind leg--his near-hind joint," the Ballydoyle handler explained on Monday. "We didn't think a lot of it, but this morning there was a little bit of swelling in it and when we took bloods off him, his bloods came back and it was a little bit...

William Haggas provides a twin assault on York's Aug. 19 G1 Juddmonte International with Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and stable companion Alenquer (Adlerflug {Ger}). Mohaafeth, winner of the G3 Hampton Court S. at Royal Ascot in June, lost his unbeaten record for the season in the G2 York S. over the course and distance July 24. Most recently, Alenquer won the G2 King Edward VII S. at the Royal meeting before finishing third in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over a mile and a half July 14. Alenquer is...

Denied a tilt at the G1 Epsom Derby due to the eve-of-race downpour, Shadwell's Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) had luck on his side on Thursday and after the overnight thunderstorm had bypassed Ascot duly showed his wares in the G3 Hampton Court S. Anchored towards the back early by Jim Crowley, the 11-8 favourite had to come five-wide on the home bend but had the engine to get to the front passing two out as Roman Empire (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) stuck close by. Drifting away from the whip and across...

Shadwell's Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was taken out of Saturday's G1 Cazoo Derby due to the ease in the going and will head to Royal Ascot, trainer William Haggas explained. Visibly disappointed as he made the declaration on ITV Racing, the Newmarket-based handler was not happy to chance the Listed Newmarket S. winner on the good-to-soft ground following Friday's heavy rain. "After lots of soul searching and discussion, we have decided to scratch and go to Ascot," he said. "It was a decision that essentially was left by Sheikha Hissa...

Derby-winning trainer William Haggas is looking forward to the G1 Cazoo Derby on June 5. The trainer, who won the race 25 years ago with Shaamit (Ire) (Mtoto {GB}), has listed winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to take part in the Blue Riband. "The race means exactly the same as it did 25 years ago in that it's the ultimate race for an English trainer to win or to try to win," Haggas reflected. "We've thrown a few darts at it unsuccessfully and it's a very hard race to win....

Shadwell's Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was Saturday's most visually impressive winner as he took apart the Listed Newmarket S. to earn a tilt at the June 5 G1 Epsom Derby. Anchored in last early, the 2-1 second favourite who had won over the same course and distance in a handicap at the Craven meeting Apr. 14 cruised to the front passing two out and was not asked a single question from there as he coasted to a five-length success from the 4-5 market-leader Secret Protector (War Front). "He has clearly...