Europe

Henry Beeby has opened the door to Goffs embracing the publication of official times and other data at its newly slated breeze-up sale at Naas racecourse next year but admitted that such a move was unlikely to be met with universal approval from the breeze-up fraternity.  No consignor would be more staunchly against the re-introduction of official times at the breeze-up sales in Europe than Brendan Holland. The Grove Stud operator says official times would create an increased reliance on the clock and would ultimately drive down clearance rates at...

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 a Group 1 winner. 13.45 Navan, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 5f 180yT CAMILLE PISSARRO (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) makes his racecourse bow for Ballydoyle, having caused a stir when selling for 1.25million gns at the Tattersalls Book 1 Sale. A half-brother to the G1...

City Of Troy, the odds-on favourite for the G1 Qipco 2,000 Guineas, pleased his connections in a gallop on Friday morning ahead of his Classic date at Newmarket on Saturday, May 4. Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, culminating with a dominant three-and-a-half-length victory in the G1 Dewhurst S. on the Rowley Mile in October, City Of Troy will be having his first run of the season in the 2,000 Guineas having skipped the trials. It's a tried-and-tested route for Aidan O'Brien--the most successful trainer in the race's history...

Dual Australian Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Aus) (Danehill) has been pensioned from stallion duty, Coolmore Australia announced. Bred by Linley Investments, the son of Piccadilly Circus (Aus) (Royal Academy) would go on to race for an ownership group and trainer Paul Perry. His best days on the racecourse were in 2005, where he won the G1 Lightning S. and G1 Oakleigh Plate in succession. Named both Australian Champion Sprinter and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt that year, Fastnet Rock retired to stud with a mark of 19-6-7-2 and $1,312,623 in earnings. As...

Nominations are now open for stable staff to ride in one of four charity races as part of Betfair Racing Staff Week (June 22-28), Racing Welfare announced on Friday. The four race dates are: Ayr Racecourse - Saturday 22nd June - Distance: Six furlongs Chepstow Racecourse - Monday 24th June - Distance: One mile two furlongs Newbury Racecourse - Tuesday 25th June - Distance: One mile Nottingham Racecourse - Thursday 27th June - Distance: Six furlongs Racing Welfare's corporate fundraising and events manager Clare Kingston said, "If you've ever dreamt...

Last seen winning the G3 Zetland S. in commanding fashion at Newmarket in October, Godolphin's Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Dubai Rose {GB}, by Dubai Destination) furthered his Derby claims with a return win in Friday's G3 Sandown Classic Trial. Sent off the 5-6 favourite for the 10-furlong blue riband prep, the €600,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate was quickly to the fore under William Buick and already held a clear advantage at the top of the straight. Never seriously troubled from there, one of the key Derby hopefuls for Charlie Appleby...

A bumper field has been declared for Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), with 18 runners set to do battle over the 3,200-metre distance at Kyoto Racecourse. The race is run over a longer trip than any other Group 1 in the JRA calendar and staying was typically the name of the game last year when Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) ground his rivals into submission with a dominant performance under Christophe Lemaire. Justin Palace is a notable absentee from this year's line-up, but the likes of Deep Bond (Jpn)...

Kenny Alexander, the owner of Honeysuckle (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}), has donated a specific set of racing colours which will be offered as part of the Goffs Punchestown Sale next week, the sales company announced on Friday. Signed by Rachael Blackmore, Henry De Bromhead and Alexander, the silks were worn by Blackmore in all of Honeysuckle's major races, including her four Cheltenham Festival victories. The silks are offered to support the ChildVision indoor equine therapeutic centre named in memory of Jack De Bromhead, which will be built this year. The catalogue...

Classic prospect Making Dreams (Ire) (Make Believe {Ire}) headlines a pop-up sale conducted by Arqana Online from 3-5 p.m. on May 3. Already a winner of the G3 Prix Penelope by six lengths on Apr. 1, the three-time 2-year-old winner carries an entry for the G2 Prix Saint Alary on May 12, as well as for the G1 Oaks at Epsom on May 31. Trained by Karl Burke, the filly is currently rated 100. Bred by Morera Partnership, Making Dreams cost 33,000gns at the 2022 Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale.  Her...

Peter O'Reilly has been appointed as the new chief executive of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, the ITBA announced on Friday. He takes over from interim CEO Pat Keogh. Currently on the board of the AIRO, O'Reilly is a small breeder and a longtime member of the ITBA. O'Reilly enjoyed a long career in the financial services industry, before starting his own business. He will be supported in his new role by the ITBA team of Danielle Deveney and Hannah Marks. "I am really looking forward to working with Irish...

HONG KONG, CHINA -- Follow this, if you will. A filly bred in America and purchased for a very reasonable sum as a yearling is exported to Ireland, punches above her weight at the races and is sold to Australia for her second career. A few years after her arrival, she is covered there by a notable successful Northern Hemisphere shuttle stallion, the resulting foal makes trips through the sales ring in Australia and New Zealand and goes on to become arguably the best animal to ever look through a...

Group 1 winner Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and 12 other Yeguada Centurion horses have transferred to the stable of Maurizio Guarnieri as of Thursday evening, Jour de Galop reported. The baker's dozen were formerly listed in training with Christopher Head. Speaking to the French publication, Head said, "I was notified Thursday morning of the departure of the horses for Maurizio Guarnieri's stable, with transport planned for the evening. I savored every minute spent with the Yeguada Centurion horses. I [will] only have good memories of this valuable...