Saxon Warrior (Jpn)

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...

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 not returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) as well as the daughter of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 3.45 Naas, Hcp, €45,000, 3yo, 7fT PADDINGTON (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) will be one of the key attractions if Naas's card evades...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column covering Mar. 15-21, is highlighted by the victory of new 'TDN Rising Star' Preliminary (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park. Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables already celebrated the victory of Equitize this past week, and the white-and-red-striped colours were back in the limelight with the 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy performance of Preliminary in the ninth race in Hallandale Beach on Thursday for trainer Chad...

A Ghaiyyath (Ire) half-brother to 2022 G1 Deutsches Derby hero Sammarco (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) arrived on Tuesday. Said Gestut Park Wiedingen's Helmut von Finck on Twitter, "[A] very nice Ghaiyyath colt, [who is a] half-brother to Derby winner Sammarco, was born yesterday [Tuesday]." The duo are out of the two-time winner Saloon Sold (Ger) (Spectrum {Ire}), who placed third in the Listed Winterkonigin Trial. Her juvenile filly by Saxon Warrior (Jpn) made €11,000 at the BBAG October Mixed Sale, and her yearling colt, by Areion (Ger), has been named Shootout...

LEXINGTON, KY--Life in general, and life with horses in particular, simply doesn't dispense its favours with such an unstinting hand. Everybody understands that, and even an operation as lavishly resourced as Godolphin has over the years has experienced many moments of demoralization. Charlie Appleby and his team, moreover, will be perfectly aware that others must be expected in future. Before the afternoon was out, indeed, their second runner had been thwarted in a desperate finish by their rivals at Ballydoyle. By barely a nose, then, Appleby was denied a fifth...

LEXINGTON, KY--Coolmore's Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) just got his nose to the wire in front of Silver Knott (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) to give the Irish raiders their second victory of the afternoon and deny Godolphin a double of its own in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf S. Friday at Keeneland. Unhurried early, the colt rated in midpack along the rail, while Silver Knott tracked tucked in just behind him. Ryan Moore tipped Victoria Road out to the four path at the top of the lane,...

It was tight at the end of Sunday's G3 Prix Miesque at Chantilly, but R.T. Racing Stable's Moon Ray (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}--Demeanour, by Giant's Causeway) had her nose in front where it mattered to provide her owners with a landmark pattern success in Europe. Having split Eternal Dance (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Lady Mia (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) when second in the Listed Prix Saraca over this seven-furlong trip and track Oct. 8, the Nicolas Clement-trained chestnut was able to turn that form around with Stephane Pasquier judging the pace...

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. Monday's Observations features a Shamardal half-brother to Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). 1.20 Killarney, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 8f 60yT WATER NYMPH (IRE) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), one of two Ballydoyle representatives in the line-up, is a half-sister to the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau S. heroine Fancy Blue (Ire)...

   Still a maiden entering Saturday's G3 Staffordstown Stud S. at The Curragh, Michael O'Flynn's Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) stepped up to make all and shed that status in style for the Joseph O'Brien stable. Let go at 11-1, the 55,000gns Book 2 graduate was committed by Mikey Sheehy and relished the front-running role, giving plenty when briefly headed 1 1/2 furlongs out by Speirling Beag (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) who had beaten her last time over this mile trip at Gowran Park Sept. 17 and securing a 1...

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. Thursday's Observations features a daughter of Grade I winner Daddys Lil Darling.   2.00 Thurles, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, f, 8fT SAVETHELASTDANCE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is the first foal out of the GI American Oaks heroine Daddys Lil Darling (Scat Daddy), who was purchased by M V Magnier for $3.5...

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 Observations features a 'TDN Rising Star'.   12.20 Chantilly, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, c/g, 9fT PADISHAKH (FR) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) earned TDN Rising Star status on debut when beating the subsequent winner Halfway Line (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) at ParisLongchamp at the start of last month. Jean-Claude Rouget keeps Nurlan...

Westerberg and Coolmore's 2-year-old colt Victoria Road (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}--Tickled Pink {Ire}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) earned his black-type stripes with a game win in last month's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at Deauville and continued his upward momentum with another narrow success, and a first pattern-race victory for his freshman sire (by Deep Impact {Jpn}), in Saturday's G3 Prix de Conde at Chantilly. The 19-10 second choice, who graduated at Gowran Park in his fifth attempt last month, was sharply into stride and settled off the...