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 seven-figure purchases last year from Keeneland and Tattersalls.
1.15 Newbury, Cond, £8,000, 2yo, 7fT
ALFARQAD (War Front">War Front) cost Shadwell $1.3-million at Keeneland September, which is no shock as he is a son of the GI Personal Ensign Invitational H. and GI Zenyatta S. heroine Love and Pride (A.P. Indy), who hails from the family of Bernardini and has already produced the useful Win With Pride (Distorted Humor). Owen Burrows has been given charge of the dark bay, who encounters another newcomer of note in Phoenix Thoroughbred Limiteda's Gronkowski (Lonhro {Aus}), a 300,000gns Tattersalls Craven breezer from the family of Holy Bull who represents the Jeremy Noseda yard.
1.25 Newmarket, Cond, £7,000, 2yo, f, 8fT
HADITH (IRE) (New Approach {Ire}) starts out for the Charlie Appleby stable that has such a formidable strike-rate at its home town, with the Rowley Mile back in action now that the July Course has been wrapped up for the season. A daughter of the talented G3 Sweet Solera S. winner and stakes producer Discourse (Street Cry {Ire}), the Godolphin homebred has a high standard to aim at in Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's 550,000gns TATOCT purchase Sheikha Reika (Fr) (Shamardal), a Roger Varian-trained full-sister to the G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Lumiere (GB) who made an encouraging start to her career when second at Ascot earlier in the month.
1.45 Newbury, Cond, £8,000, 2yo, 7fT
EMARAATY (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) lights up division two of this fascinating maiden and looked a colt with a big future when an eye-catching fourth for the John Gosden stable on debut at Sandown at the start of the month. Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 2.6-million gns TATOCT yearling purchase is headline news until proven otherwise, as a half-brother to Izzi Top (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) out of the 2003 G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Zee Zee Top (GB) (Zafonic).
3.45 Newmarket, Cond, £7,000, 2yo, f, 8fT
MAGIC LILY (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is another Charlie Appleby debutante bred to make an impact as a daughter of the 2011 G1 Epsom Oaks, G1 Preis der Diana and G2 Qipco British Champions Fillies' and Mares' S. winner Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) from the family of the G1 Moyglare Stud S. scorer Maybe (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and her exciting juvenile son Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Among the opponents is Bill Gredley's fellow newcomer India (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}), a half-sister to this year's G1 Gold Cup hero Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) who races for the same Michael Bell stable.
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