Wolverhampton

Golden Sands (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) became the first winner co-trained by Charlie and Mark Johnston over the all-weather at Wolverhampton on Monday. It was their second day under their new dual licence. The elder Johnston had 4,874 winners on his own-the highest in UK racing history. Winless with a pair of runners at Newcastle on Sunday, the Johnstons had to settle for second with their first runner on Monday, Achnamara (GB) (Kodiac {GB}). Golden Sands, who was the 9-4 favourite in the 1700-metre Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free H., made...

4.30 Wolverhampton, Novice, £7,000, 2yo, 9f 104y (AWT) WILD CRUSADE (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the sixth foal to be produced by Godolphin's prized broodmare Rumh (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}), introduced a month after his year-older full-brother Yibir (GB) enjoyed the limelight when winning the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Also a full-sibling to the triple group 1 heroine Wild Illusion (GB), the April-foaled bay is pitched by Charlie Appleby into action alongside a Cheveley Park Stud notable in the John and Thady Gosden-trained Homeric (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), an unraced half-brother to the...

16.05 Wolverhampton, Nov, £6,500, 2yo, 7f 36y (AWT) William Muir and Chris Grassick trainee STOCKPYLE (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) is an unraced half-brother to last term's G1 St Leger third and this year's G1 Coronation Cup-winning stablemate Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}). He encounters nine rivals including Godolphin's once-raced Silent Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a homebred half to three black-type performers headed by G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-winning sire Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}), from the Charlie Appleby stable.

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 Observations features a son of Oaks winner Talent (GB) (New Approach {GB}). 14.25 Deauville, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Juddmonte's unraced FRACTION (GB) (War Front), a Francis-Henri Graffard trainee, is a half-brother to Listed Finale S. victrix Variable (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) out of...

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. Today's Observations features a sibling to a talented stayer. 17.35 Wolverhampton, Nov, £10,050, 2yo, 7f 36y (AWT) Godolphin's AL JADDAF (GB) (Shamardal), representing the Charlie Appleby team, is a half-brother to G3 Sagaro S. and G3 Henry II S. victor Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}), who placed six...

IRON MEN OF METZ (Added Edge) won on this side of the Atlantic at Mahoning Valley, and ARNOUL OF METZ (Kyllachy {GB}) won at "caput mundi" Wolverhampton in England. The "Iron Men of Metz" is the nickname given to the 95th Infantry Division of the US Army, who battled the Germans in WW2 to liberate and defend the French town in November 1944, through heavy and costly fighting, sometimes in house-to-house fashion--while Arnoul (582-645) was the mythical bishop of Metz in the dark middle ages of Merovingian times--and also an...

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 Insights features the 2019 BBAG yearling topper. 6.15 Wolverhampton, Novice, £5,300, 2yo, 8f 142y (AWT) WIRKO (GER) (Kingman {GB}) is an intriguing newcomer for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby, being the top-priced colt sold at last year's BBAG September Sale at €700,000. Out of a listed-winning half to the...

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 Insights features a half-brother to G1 Irish Guineas winner Siskin (First Defence). 3.00 Bellewstown, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo, f, 7f 196yT TALACRE (Flintshire {GB}) is a piece of equine royalty set to visit the small Co. Meath circuit, being a half-sister to the G1 Phoenix S.  and G1 Irish...