Roger Varian

As statements of intent go, the results for Charlie Appleby's stable over recent weeks speak loudly as to his determination to retain the trainers' championship in 2022. Twenty-three runners have emerged from Moulton Paddocks in the last fortnight, and 13 of them have returned home as winners, most importantly Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the champion 2-year-old in Europe last year whose triumph return in the G3 Craven S. got the season off on a proper footing. Of that baker's dozen, four were by the trainer's reliable old friend...

Denied a clear passage on debut when tackling a mile on Newcastle's Tapeta in December, Eydon was an eye-catching third but arguably may well have won had fortune smiled on him before going back over the same course and distance Feb. 19. Sent off the 4-9 favourite, the homebred was denied late by Oceania Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}) on that occasion and had not offered a compelling reason why he should turn over the likes of the Listed Washington Singer S. winner and G2 Superlative S. runner-up Masekela and the...

Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who upset Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Prix Vermeille in September but bypassed the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on account of the ground, will be cross-entered in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the GI Turf at Del Mar, said trainer Roger Varian. "It's always been the plan to take Teona to the Breeders' Cup since we defected from the Arc," the trainer said. "She'll be entered in the Fillies and Mares, but she'll also have...

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. Tuesday's Observations features a daughter of the Group 3-placed Sivoliere (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). 1.23 Yarmouth, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, f, 8f 3yT A CAPPELLA (GB) (Frankel {GB}) debuts in an intriguing contest for Lord Lloyd-Webber and John and Thady Gosden and is a daughter of the G3 Prix...

Saturday's G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. was all about Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) beforehand, but in the end it proved as a showcase for Shadwell's Muhaarar (GB) whose daughters Eshaada (GB) and Albaflora (GB) fought out a thriller. Moving forward dramatically from a poor effort in the Aug. 19 G1 Yorkshire Oaks, Eshaada was 16-1 to provide the upset for the Roger Varian stable returning to Ascot where she had finished second in the June 17 G2 Ribblesdale S. Settled in a clear third early by...

KHK Racing's 2.7-million guineas October Book 1 purchase Akhu Najla (GB) (Kingman {GB}) ran second for Roger Varian in his Leicester unveiling Tuesday and the partnership was back in action with £480,000 Arqana@Doncaster Breeze-Up graduate Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who powered to 'TDN Rising Stardom' in the second division of Wednesday's British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden S. at Nottingham. The 13-8 favourite tanked forward from a slot in rear to track the leaders in fourth after the initial exchanges of this debut and crept closer once into the home...

Fujaira Prince (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), the winner of last year's Ebor H. and Copper Horse H. and prominent in the betting for Saturday's G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup, was euthanized on Wednesday morning after suffering an injury on the gallops. The 7-year-old Fujaira Prince, campaigned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid with trainer Roger Varian, was third in last year's Long Distance Cup and was set to have his third run of the season on Saturday. "It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of stable...

Group winner Bayside Boy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), who won the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster on Sept. 11, is being pointed to the Oct. 9 G1 Dewhurst S. A winner at first asking at Newbury in July, the Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud-owned colt was second by only a head to Masekela (Ire) (El Kabeir) in the Listed Denford S. at there on Aug. 14. The Roger Varian trainee defeated The Queen's G3 Betway Solario S. winner Reach For The Moon (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by a head...

Ali Saeed's G1 Prix Vermeille victress Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is possible for the Oct. 3 G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. She also carries an entry in the G1 QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares S. at Ascot later that month. However, trainer Roger Varian is in no rush to decide where his star pupil races next. "She got back last night and seems fine after the race, so we're very happy with that," said Varian of the daughter of Group 1 winner Ambivalent (Ire) (Authorized...

One of the also rans when Coolmore's Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) posted her 16-length rout in the G1 Epsom Oaks, Ali Saeed's 3-year-old filly Teona (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) enjoyed a confidence-boosting score in last month's Listed August S. at Windsor and the 18-1 chance caused a major upset to down the reopposoing 1-5 favourite in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp. The 280,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling raced in third for most of this 12-furlong contest as Snowfall's stablemate La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) set...

With the Gosdens and Frankie in such hot form and given the silks he carries, there was understandably a keen focus on The Queen's G3 Solario S. winner Reach For the Moon (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in Saturday's G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster. Patriots and Frankie followers were in for a late shock, however, as Teme Valley and Ballylinch Stud's highly-regarded Bayside Boy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) ripped up the script to subdue the royal runner in the final strides and prevail by a head. Last seen finishing runner-up...

Classic winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris already this summer, will line up for Godolphin in the G1 Cazoo St Leger on Sept. 11, one of 18 colts and fillies left in the fall Classic. G1 Cazoo Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who also races for Godolphin, will not take part, and instead target the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Richard Hannon's Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), one better than...