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. Saturday's Observations features a half-brother to Snowfall (Jpn) in a deep field of maidens at the Curragh.
13.15 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT
ROCK OF CASHEL (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the pick of Ryan Moore from a Ballydoyle trio in this maiden used by Aidan O'Brien for the introduction of City Of Troy (Justify) 12 months ago and which has played host to Rip Van Winkle (Ire), Gleneagles (Ire), Roderic O'Connor (Ire), Duke Of Marmalade (Ire), Horatio Nelson (Ire) and Australia (GB). A half-brother to the brilliant Oaks heroine Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) out of a group-winning full-sister to Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), he is joined by the stable's fellow newcomers Trinity College (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of the 1,000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) carrying the colours of his part-owner Masaaki Matsushima and Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief). A $1.8-million Keeneland September sensation out of the GII Canadian S. winner and GI E. P. Taylor Stakes-placed Princess Haya (Street Cry {Ire}), he is partnered by John Velazquez.
13.40 Newmarket, Mdn, £20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT
PARADISE SPRINGS (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) is a Godolphin homebred of note in this maiden won in the past three years by the Oaks runner-up Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Cheveley Park's superstar Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Kin to the G1 Platinum Jubilee S. hero Naval Crown (GB) by Ghaiyyath's sire Dubawi (Ire), she meets three experienced peers on this July Course bow.
17.15 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 3yo, c/g, 7fT
JOHN STEINBECK (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the third foal out of the G3 C L & M F Weld Park Stakes winner and GI Belmont Oaks Invitational third Coolmore (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is a full-sister to the Classic winners Gleneagles (Ire), Marvellous (Ire) and Joan Of Arc (Ire). Belated making his debut for Ballydoyle, he meets only four rivals in a substandard maiden for the track.
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