Ribchester (Ire)

Al Shaqab Racing's Shaikha (Fr) (Ribchester {Ire}) was one of three supplementary nominations for Thursday's Prix Equidia at Deauville and justified the additional expenditure with a taking performance in the six-furlong debutantes' heat to earn 'TDN Rising Stardom'. She was sharply into stride and tracked the pace in second through the early fractions. Looming large on the bridle soon after passing the halfway mark, the 9-2 chance was not for catching once inching ahead approaching the final quarter mile and kept on powerfully under miminal urging in the latter stages...

DONCASTER, UK--It takes more than mere pandemic-induced travel restrictions to blunt the ardour of the bloodstock industry. A new record for turnover and median set the tone for a robust day of trade in Doncaster and, just as would be expected in normal times, the buyers' list at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale represented many nations, with plenty of help from the Middle East. The familiar duo of Anthony Stroud and David Loder leaned nonchalantly on the parade ring rail to make their play for the Medaglia d'Oro colt who would...

Richard Hannon trainee Gisburn (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) was unable to make all when an Apr. 16 debut fourth tackling five furlongs at Newbury in his only prior start, but the flashy chestnut powered up over six furlongs at the Berkshire venue to earn TDN Rising Stardom in hugely impressive fashion. The well-backed 6-4 favourite was sharpest from the gates and seized an immediate lead. Last off the bridle after halfway, he was given a shake of the reins with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and surged clear in the closing stages...

Ruthin (GB) (f, 2, Ribchester {Ire}--Selinka {GB}, by Selkirk), a 350,000gns TATOCT yearling purchase, kicked off her career with a 'TDN Rising Star' performance sprinting on the Keeneland lawn for Wesley Ward Thursday. The rail-drawn, 3-5 favorite shot out to the front and sped through an opening quarter in :21.91. She let it out a notch approaching the top of the stretch, and, despite racing greenly on her left lead for most of the stretch, was geared down late en route to a flashy, six-length victory over Artos (Ire) (Kodiac...

When it comes to the freshman sires, I should start by saying I have already put my reputation on the line by purchasing a Caravaggio (out of a Galileo {Ire} mare) for $200,000 at Keeneland. With that kind of price tag it goes without saying that I really loved the horse and he was the Caravaggio that I wanted, so I'm confident he will make an impact when he hits the track this season. The Profitable (Ire)s looked racy and they sold very well, particularly for a sire that started...

On the back of the eagerly anticipated stallion fee announcements in Europe, Gary King spoke with a number of leading industry figures about value. Today we hear from Cathy Grassick. GK: Who have you identified as a first-year stallion at an appealing opening fee? CG: Earthlight (Ire) is excellent value retiring to stud at €20,000 for a dual Group 1-winning 2-year-old by Shamardal. First season with runners, for me Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) is really good value considering his sales results and the type of yearling he produced. He is...

The 784-strong Arqana-Osarus October Yearling Sale catalogue is now online. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the sale has been completely restructured combining the Arqana October Yearling Sale and the Osarus September Yearling Sale, running from Oct. 19-Oct. 23. Alumni of the October sale include Group 3 winner and dual Classic bridesmaid The Summit (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), G1 Prix Jean Romanet scorer Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), MGISW Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), G1 French 1000 Guineas runner-up Speak of the Devil (Fr) (Wootton Basset {GB}), and GSWs Policy of...

NEWMARKET, UK-Every cloud has a silver lining, even one as black and pervasive as this accursed pandemic. And the transfer of the Tattersalls Ascot Yearling Sale from its eponymous base to the headquarters of its parent brand, as part of an emergency revamping of the yearling sales calendar, worked so well on Monday that conceivably it might prove tempting to make the relocation permanent. On the other hand, prospectors will go anywhere for the right animal. Mouse O'Ryan put it well. "You can sell a good horse at a crossroads,"...

Rare are the horses that go to stud that actually prove their worth as stallions. Rarer still are those that make an impact in more than one racing jurisdiction. Darley's Iffraaj (GB) (Zafonic), is one such exemplary individual. With time called on his Southern Hemisphere service as his son Ribchester (Ire) takes the reins at Haunui Farm in New Zealand, it's worth taking a look at the elder's record in Australasia as he makes Darley's Dalham Hall Stud in Britain his permanent base. Bred by Darley, and raced in the...

Champion and four-time Group 1 winner Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}-Mujarah {Ire}, by Marju {Ire}) will shuttle to Haunui Farm for the first time in 2020, the New Zealand nursery announced on Monday. The G1 Prix Jacques le Marois hero replaces his 19-year-old sire at the stud, who shuttled to Haunui for 12 seasons. "Who better to replace Iffraaj on the Haunui stallion roster than his best son," said Haunui Farm Managing Director Mark Chitty. "We're very excited to have Ribchester coming to Haunui in 2020, especially given we were very...