Newmarket

We already knew we were dealing with an Oaks filly in Juddmonte's Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) prior to Sunday's Listed William Hill Pretty Polly S. at Newmarket, but now we have another after George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}--In Clover {GB}), by Inchinor {GB}) took her measure in an epic renewal of the 10-furlong Classic trial. To the fore soon after the start under Kieran Shoemark, the 10-1 shot who scored on debut  at Kempton in December had everything on the stretch bar that 4-6 favourite heading...

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 to brilliant juvenile Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal). 16.15 Newmarket, Novice, £40,000, 2yo, f, 5fT MOUNTAIN BREEZE (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) debuts for Godolphin in an intriguing affair stacked with bluebloods and is the key member as a half-sister to the operation's brilliant juvenile champion...

Even if Saturday's Newmarket Classic had a major twist in store, it was all about one horse beforehand whereas Sunday's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas is open season especially given the way the Spring has gone for the Classic fillies. How will the likes of TDN Rising Star Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) have fared during the wet and cold weeks leading up to this test? Many starlets have come here in the past with impeccable form credentials only to be lost in...

NEWMARKET, UK -- They came for a coronation and perhaps, when we look back at the end of the season, that's what those packed into the stands and around Newmarket's vast parade ring will have seen. The crown now just rests on a different head to the one we were expecting.  Those who don't appreciate the blustery open swathes of the Rowley Mile are quick to knock the course, but over that same strip last October there had been a truly stellar performance in the Dewhurst by City Of Troy...

Saturday's G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas went to an unbeaten colt with TDN Rising Star status, but instead of the bitterly disappointing City Of Troy (Justify) it was Godolphin's Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}--Swift Rose {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) who stepped up to conquer the Newmarket Classic. Sent off at 16-1 on his first start on turf, the Charlie Appleby-trained homebred who unusually had not raced at two and had only been to Kempton so far in his career, was kept sprung-loaded in last by a confident William Buick content...

Newmarket Heath's nude brutality awaits a clutch of elite 3-year-olds on Saturday, from the ones who have flashed unusual prowess in the major juvenile exposés to those whose flashes of luminosity have come on smaller and less expected stages. The Rowley Mile's designated strip for the 2000 Guineas is as hostile this horrid Spring as it ever has been and Friday's grey skies and rain only served to extend Europe's winter hangover. Indifferent to weakness, expecting many a flinch and fold from the competitors lined up for the first Classic...

Juvenile group 1 winners Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) head a field of 16 fillies for Sunday's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. TDN Rising Star Ylang Ylang, winner of the course-and-distance G1 Fillies' Mile, will be the sole representative for Ballydoyle and is drawn 12 next to Godolphin's G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner and G3 Nell Gwyn S. runner-up Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in 13, while Clipper Logistics' G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Fallen Angel...

13.30 Goodwood, Cond, £30,000, 3yo, 8fT DEVIL'S POINT (IRE) (New Bay {GB}) is dropped in class by trainer David Menuisier following a lacklustre return when a distant third in the G3 Prix Djebel last month. Entered in the G1 Commonwealth Cup, Clive Washbourn's G1 Futurity Trophy runner-up has only two to beat and should be able to get back on track. 13.50 Newmarket, Mdn, £40,000, 3yo, f, 10fT MAGIC DREAM (IRE) (Shamardal) bids to build on her highly encouraging debut second at Newbury last month in this maiden won 12...

Team Ballydoyle's crack colt City Of Troy (Justify) has 10 peers to overcome in Saturday's G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in his quest to follow the hoofprints of the wonderhorse with which he has drawn early comparison. With the stable removing all of his understudies including the similarly-unbeaten Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) on Thursday morning, the assembled cast will be the smallest for the time-honoured Rowley Mile Classic since 2017 when Ryan Moore enjoyed his last winning ride on Churchill (Ire). Three of the colts dispatched by Coolmore's...

Aidan O'Brien is to be inducted into the QIPCO British Champions Series Hall of Fame during the QIPCO Guineas Festival at Newmarket on Saturday.  The 54-year-old Irishman follows his Ballydoyle predecessor Vincent O'Brien, along with Sir Michael Stoute and Sir Henry Cecil, as the fourth trainer to be nominated for inclusion in the official Hall of Fame for British Flat racing, which was launched in 2021. He said, "It is incredible, and a privilege for us, as it is something we would never have expected. "The people, and horses, that...

Were you at the Rowley Mile on October 17, 2014? Those autumn meetings are always special, and that particular Group 1 race day saw Belardo (Ire) beat Kodi Bear (Ire) in the Dubai Dewhurst S. some 35 minutes after what now looks to have been a rather special running of the Dubai Fillies' Mile.  If you were there that day you can reflect on the fact that you saw the dams of this weekend's favourites for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and Qipco 1,000 Guineas finish first and second in the...

Owner Jeff Smith has his eyes fixed on a breakthrough Classic victory and could have his strongest hand yet with Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) on course for the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas respectively.  First up for his shot at Classic honours is the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter, who was unbeaten during his two-year-old campaign, finishing off by dazzling over the Guineas track and trip when claiming the Royal Lodge S. That kind of profile has Smith excited for when his son...