Zoffany

Bahraini-based by globally successful trainer Fawzi Nass has cemented a reputation as a shrewd buyer of European horses in training both at public auction and privately, and his latest project Simsir (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) came good on his first start for his new yard on Friday, winning the £500,000 Bahrain International Trophy at Sakhir from John Gosden's Global Giant (GB) (Shamardal) and Aidan O'Brien's G1 Irish Derby winner Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). The 4-year-old gelding Simsir was plucked privately from the yard of Mick Halford just this fall, having previously...

The two-day virtual online Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale came to a close on Wednesday, with global participation pushing the average and median above last year's figures. A heavily scratched down catalogue due to the many challenges of 2020 meant that 273 of the 475 catalogued yearlings went up for sale, with 170 (62.6%) finding new homes for an aggregate of €1,094, 200. Last year 288 were sold (74%) for €1,691,600. This year's average and median were each up 10% (€6,436 and €4,400). Taking top billing on Wednesday was a Zoffany...

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 trio of siblings to Grade/Group 1 winners. 12.55 Leopardstown, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo f, 7f 20yT EARTH STRIKE (IRE) (Zoffany {Ire}) is an interesting debutante in this Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden, being a half-sister to the G1 Gold Cup and dual G1 Irish...

Let's not forget, however great the lure of the sales ring or a wafting cheque book may be, thoroughbreds are bred to race. In the case of Prince Khalid Abdullah, Coolmore and Peter Brant, it could be said that we have three owner-breeders who are somewhat immune to commercially-based decisions when it comes to keeping a horse in training. Nevertheless, they are to be commended for racing on mares of the calibre of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}). At 'only' five, Magical...

In the latest of the series targeting "dark horses" to follow in 2020, TDN's Tom Frary speaks to Ralph Beckett about a potentially smart colt in his yard. MASCAT (GB), c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)--Critical Acclaim (GB), by Peintre Celebre. Bred by Coln Valley Stud and an 80,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 purchase, the stoutly-bred chestnut from the Juddmonte family of Observatory bettered a promising debut second behind 'TDN Rising Star' Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) over seven furlongs at Sandown in August with a breakthrough score upped to a mile...

Zoffany (Ire) will shuttle from his base at Coolmore in Ireland to Haras Firmamento in Argentina later this year, Racing Post reports. The 12-year-old Zoffany has sired 32 stakes winners, including Group 1 winners Ventura Storm (Ire) and Albigna (Ire). The latter won last year's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Among the stallions Zoffany will stand alongside at Firmamento are Hit It A Bomb (War Front), who was also trained by Aidan O'Brien and who won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. He is based at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky.