Toronado (Ire)

A filly by Toronado (Ire) (lot 535) showed the way during the fourth day of the Arqana October Yearling Sale and the first day of Part III. Consigned by Hestia Farm, she was purchased for €50,000 by Nicolas Clement, John Hammond and TS Bloodstock on behalf of new syndicate Racing France. Clement and Hammond have been busy sourcing horses for Racing France this season, and there are now approximately 10 horses involved so far. The idea behind Racing France is to encourage overseas owners to get involved in shared ownership...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at the success of European-based sires in North America, on a semi-weekly basis. This column (Feb. 26-Mar. 5) is highlighted by the victory of Gold Phoenix in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. at Santa Anita on Saturday, Mar. 4. One of several Europeans to cause a stir Stateside on Saturday, Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) became the first top-level winner for his sire with a neck victory in the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile S. (video). Offered by co-breeder/owner...

From a smaller catalogue than 2021, Arqana's November Yearling Sale posted an improved clearance rate of 84% for 115 sold from 137 offered. As a result, the gross was €730,500, while the averaged edged up to €6,352 (+0.3%). The median was unchanged at €5,000. There were over 200 yearlings offered in 2021. Topping proceedings was a filly by Toronado (Ire) (lot 74B) who was knocked down to Equos Racing/Josephine Soudan for €27,000. The bay was offered by Haras d'Ellon, and she was out of the winning Lawman (Fr) mare Valombreuse...

An eight strong roster at Haras de Bouquetot, anchored by MG1SW Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and new recruit and G1SW Wooded (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB})-both at €15,000, was announced by Al Shaqab on Thursday. The former has already sired 16 winners, among them Australian Group 3 winner Shaquero (Aus). In addition, he has a quartet of stakes placed runners worldwide, including G3 Prix Eclipse bridesmaid Legal Attack (GB). Wooded, who won the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines on Arc Day, also won May's G3 Prix Texanita. Toronado...

Her Majesty The Queen's Tactical (GB) (Toronado {Ire}), a Group 2 winner, is a contender for the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket on Sept. 26. The Andrew Balding trainee was third in a Newmarket novice when unveiled on June 4 before breaking his maiden in the Listed Windsor Castle S. at Royal Ascot on June 17. Another win, this time in the G2 Tattersalls July S. on July 9, set him up for the Aug. 23 G1 Darley Prix Morny. Fifth in that affair after disliking the ground, the...

Thursday's G2 Tattersalls July S. took place against a backdrop of unseasonably wet weather on Newmarket's July Course, but The Queen's Tactical (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) shone through with a touch of class to add to his Listed Windsor Castle S. success. Having beaten Yazaman (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) by 1 1/4 lengths in that five-furlong Ascot speed test June 17, the 5-2 second favourite was able to confirm that form by the exact same margin as the duo pulled 2 3/4 lengths clear of Escape Route (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}). Held...

A gamble was landed in the Listed Windor Castle S. as Tactical (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) brought up a 24th Royal Ascot winner for The Queen. Third on debut over this five-furlong trip at Newmarket June 4, the heavily-supported 7-2 favourite tracked the early pace stands' side and after reeling in Muker (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the last half a furlong asserted to score by 1 1/4 lengths from Yazaman (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who denied Muker in a photo. Trainer Andrew Balding, whose stable is in a rich vein of form,...

On Monday, footballer Clément Lenglet sent out his 3-year-old colt Bois D'Argent (Toronado {Ire}) to an impressive debut win at Chantilly. A member of France's national team, he currently plays his club football for Barcelona and has two horses in training with Francis-Henri Graffard. Lenglet, who grew up about 40 minutes from Chantilly, is advised by French bloodstock consultant Ghislain Bozo. TDN's Gary King caught up with the centre-back after the win. TDN: Could you describe how you developed your interest in horses and horse racing. CL: My father went...