Saxon Warrior (Jpn)

Aidan O'Brien trainee Surpass (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}--Blending {GB}, by Medicean {GB}) shaped with promise when getting up late to snag his May 29 debut at Tipperary by a neck and returned to the Limerick Junction venue to attain 'TDN Rising Star' status with a powerful display in Wednesday's Glenvale Stud Race over an extended seven furlongs. The G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes entry, racing under a three-pound penalty, jumped out in second and was the nearest pursuer of the clear leader through halfway. Looming large going ominously well passing...

German raider Borna (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) ran out a comfortable winner of Sunday's G2 Premio 141 Derby Italiano at Capannelle Racecourse in Rome, his third win from five career starts for Markus Klug. Stepping up to the 2,200-metre trip for the first time, Borna proved well suited by the extra emphasis on stamina in a race run on soft ground. He was soon in a prominent position on the outer in the hands of Andreas Starke, with Amonet (Ity) (Faydhan) leading the 15-strong field until he was passed with...

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 daughter of Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 13.45 Leopardstown, Mdn, €15,000, 3yo, f, 8fT WINGSPAN (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a notable newcomer from Ballydoyle, as the second foal out of the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G1 Matron S. heroine Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo...

Group 2 winner Rogue Millennium (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a winner of the Duke of Cambridge S. and second in the G1 Matron S. last term for Tom Clover, is an "exciting prospect" for 2024, according to new trainer Joseph O'Brien. Formerly owned by the Rogues Gallery, who picked her up for 35,000gns at the Tattersalls Mare December Sale as an unraced 2-year-old in 2021, the now-5-year-old mare was fifth in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on QIPCO Champions Day last out in October. She was knocked down for 1.65...

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 Insights features TDN Rising Star Elbaz (Fr) (Siyouni {Ire}) making his stakes debut. 14.07 Bordeaux-Le Bouscat, Listed, €60,000, 2yo, 8fT Jean-Claude Rouget trainee ELBAZ (FR) (Siyouni {Ire}) attained 'TDN Rising Star' status at Deauville in July and lines up for this Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux coming back...

Last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) will contest the A$5-million G1 Cox Plate in the colours of Ozzie Kheir next month, Racing.com reported on Friday. Bred by Trevor Stewart and trained by Aidan O'Brien for Westerberg, Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, the colt is currently traveling to Australia where he will spend his two-week quarantine in Melbourne. O'Brien will continue training the son of G3 Abernant S. and G3 Charge Sprint S. victress Tickled Pink (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire})...

Agent Marco Bozzi snapped up a daughter of Sea The Stars (Ire) for €160,000 to top trade during the one-day SGA Yearling Sale in Milan, Italy on Saturday. He was the leading buyer by gross with seven purchased for €316,000. From Razza del Velino, lot 14 is out of the G3 Italian 1000 Guineas runner-up Cronsa (Ger) (Martino Alonso {Ire}). The filly is a half-sister to G3 Premio Dormello victress Sweet Gentle Kiss (Ire) (Henrythenavigator) and the stakes winner Sunset Key (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). Botti France picked up lot 7,...

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of the Classic-placed Lindy at Kentucky Downs, formerly the "Dueling Grounds", in Southern Kentucky.   Le Havre Filly Wins in Kentucky The French Classic-placed Lindy (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) won a Kentucky Downs affair for Everest Racing and trainer Brendan Walsh on Thursday (video). Part of the Ecurie La Vallee Martigny Earl breeding programme, Lindy was knocked down to Ghislain Bozo's Meridian International for €90,000...

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. Wednesday's Insights features a half-sister to the well-regarded Going Global (Ire) at Cork. 16.29 Cork, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 8fT FOXTROT ZULU (IRE) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), a 450,000gns Tatts Book 1 purchase by Al Shira'aa Farms, gets going for the Ger Lyons stable and is an intriguing proposition as...

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 a full-sister to three-time Group 1 winner Persian King (Ire). 14.15 Saint-Cloud, Debutantes, €27,000, 3yo, f, 8fT PROPHETIE (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is a key runner for Ballymore Thoroughbred Racing and the Andre Fabre stable, being a full-sister to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, G1 Prix...

Aidan O'Brien trainee Greenland (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}--Aktoria {Fr}, by Canford Cliffs {Ire}) lined up for Monday's G3 Prix Greffulhe coming back off a third in last month's G3 Prix La Force at ParisLongchamp and dipped into deep reserves to prevail in a thrilling finish to the 10 1/2-furlong test. He had concluded a five-race juvenile campaign with a fourth in Newmarket's Sept. 24 G2 Royal Lodge S. in his penultimate start and stalked the pace in second for the most part. Readied for his challenge passing the quarter-mile marker,...

Providing it survives a morning inspection, with the ground currently heavy and more rain forecast, Leopardstown's intriguing Sunday fixture will see a trio of Classic trials flooded with a big Ballydoyle presence including the exciting 'TDN Rising Star' Alexandroupolis (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Due to make his eagerly-awaited second career start in the G3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax S., the centre of much attention at Rosegreen oozed class when beating his talented stablemate and eventual G1 Criterium International runner-up Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the extended mile maiden at Galway...