Ten Sovereigns (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. Thursday's Observations features a relative of Grade I sire Gio Ponti (Tale Of The Cat). 14.15 Thurles, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, f, 8f 11yT Aidan O'Brien trainee GUSHING (American Pharoah), a $435,000 Keeneland September graduate, is a daughter of GIII Cardinal H. third Antonia Autumn (Bernstein), herself a half-sister to...

Providing her first-crop sire Ten Sovereigns (Ire) with his breakthrough first black-type winner on Sunday, Anne Marie O'Brien's filly Asean (Ire) was too strong for her peers in the five-furlong Listed Qatar Racing And Equestrian Club Irish EBF Curragh S. Off the mark at the fifth attempt at Cork last month, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained 17-2 shot was anchored in rear early. Asked to sprint by Gavin Ryan a furlong out, the homebred swamped the field to gain the advantage 50 yards out before asserting to beat Alabama (Ire) (No Nay...

A 2-year-old filly by Havana Grey (GB) and two other wildcards have been added to the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up and Horses-in-Training Sale which will be held on May 4. From Yeomanstown Stud, lot 356 is out of Prezzie (GB) and is from the extended family of G1 Gran Criterium winner Hearts Of Fire (GB) (Firebreak {GB}). Joining her is a colt by first-season sire Ten Sovereigns (Ire) from Diego Dias Bloodstock. Offered as lot 357, the son Leala (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) is a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint...

Coolmore's first-season sire Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (by No Nay Never) was the latest freshman off the blocks on Tuesday as the Ballydoyle newcomer Brighter (Fr) duelled to success in Dundalk's five-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. Sent off the 13-8 second favourite behind the 11-8 choice Vanity Pays (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), the €110,000 Arqana Deauville October purchase who is a half to the Listed Prix Volterra scorer Charm Appeal (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) was swiftly away under Ryan Moore and on the flanks of the leader Love Ya (Ire)...

Shadwell and Derrinstown Stud report that both Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the highest-rated turf racehorse in the world for a decade, and Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), the highest-rated sprinter in Europe in 2022, have over 30 mares scanning in-foal as the stallions commence covering their first books. Baaeed's in-foal mares include G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. winner Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}); Seeking Solace (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), dam of 2019 champion 3-year-old sprinter in Europe and joint champion 3-year-old colt in England & Ireland...

First job in the Thoroughbred industry? Pupil Assistant to Ian Williams. Biggest influence on your career? I've been lucky to get guidance and advice from many great people, Ian gave me a great chance at the start. More recently Joe Osborne and David Redvers have been great influences in different ways and I have to mention my colleague Nick Craven at Weatherbys. My family has also been very supportive of me working in racing. Favourite racehorse of all time, and why? Sea The Stars really was a huge favourite of...

Arqana's inaugural September Yearling Sale, a replacement for the v.2 Yearling Sale, started its two-day run on Thursday, and a smart colt by the former French-based stallion Toronado (Ire) brought a session-topping bid of €120,000 from Mathieu Alex on behalf of Pauline Chehboub's SAS Yellow Agency. Part of the Fairway Consignment draft and already named Tomokay (Fr), lot 34 is the fifth foal from his dam, the winning Hold That Tiger mare Loumaxaye (Fr). His half-brother Hayejohn (Fr), by first-season sire Johnny Barnes (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), carried all before him...