Romanised (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. Sunday's Observations features a granddaughter of the legendary Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). 14.33 Chantilly, Debutantes, €30.000, 2yo, f, 7fT ZARIGANA (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) is an eye-catching newcomer for The Aga Khan and Francis-Henri Graffard, being a daughter of the listed-winning and G1 Prix Vermeille-placed Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). She was...

Haras de Bouquetot resident Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Philippe Sogorb-trained son O Sole Mio (Fr) shed maiden status at the first time of asking over 5 1/2 furlongs in Saturday morning's Prix Jacques Boutier at Tarbes. 1st-Tarbes, €23,000, Mdn, 4-20, unraced 2yo, c/g, 5 1/2fT, 1:07.60, g/s. O SOLE MIO (FR) (c, 2, Romanised {Ire}--Vera Blue {Ire}, by Intello {Ger}) broke sharply from the outside gate and tracked better drawn rivals in third until beyond halfway...

Group 1-winning juvenile Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}--Small Sacrifice {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells) has been retired and will stand at Al Shaqab Racing's Haras de Bouquetot in 2023. The 'TDN Rising Star' will stand for €6,000 on their nine-strong roster next season and will be available for viewing at Bouquetot during the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. Bred by Aidan and Annemarie O'Brien's Whisperview Trading, the colt was named a 'Rising Star' after his debut win at the Curragh and claimed the G1 National S. in his next outing before...

NORMANDY, France--The signs had accumulated two years of dust by the time they were taken out again to point towards the farms taking part in France's Route des Etalons. The many stallions who took up stud duties in the northwestern part of the country last year were deprived the chance to show off their credentials to a large number of breeders. There was, as a result, a palpable feeling of excitement when the gates were swung open for the 2022 renewal of the iconic event. Although Covid restrictions didn't allow...

G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) is still a potential candidate for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile at the Longines Hong Kong International Races in mid-December at Sha Tin. Although third when favoured after a slow beginning at Dundalk on Monday, the 5-year-old won the G2 Minstrel S. earlier this year and was sixth in the G1 Prix du Moulin in September. Also a winner of the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, the Ken Condon trainee's performance has not discouraged his connections. "I think...

Enjoying the perfect warm-up for a repeat bid in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, Robert Ng's Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was at or very near his best to register back-to-back wins in Saturday's G2 Paddy Power Minstrel S. at The Curragh. Tracking the 10-11 market-leader Lancaster House (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in third against the rail, the 9-4 second favourite was angled out of a pocket by Billy Lee to swamp that rival at the furlong pole. Asserting on the run to the line, the 2018 G1 Irish...

Classic winner Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Empeor {Ire}) is set to kick off his 2020 campaign in next month's G2 Paddy Power Minstrel S. at The Curragh. The 5-year-old won the seven-furlong event last year, and trainer Ken Condon has set his sights on the July 18 contest once again. Romanised won the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas in 2018 before adding a second Group 1 win to his record when lifting the Jacques le Marois last year--and a return to Deauville is also on the radar. Condon said, "Romanised will...