Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features the first juvenile runners from Ballydoyle.
1.22 Curragh, Mdn, 2yo, 5fT
NEW YORKER (No Nay Never) is one of two by the sire from Ballydoyle in the line-up as Aidan O'Brien sends out his first juveniles in 2026. Interestingly, both him and the 1.7million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase Confucius are sons of Cheveley Park Stakes heroines in Fairyland (Kodiac) and Millisle (Starspangledbanner) respectively, with Ryan Moore giving the nod to New Yorker.
4.52 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT
DEFINING (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a significant runner for LNJ Foxwoods as the final foal out of their sadly-deceased Group 3 winner Golden Valentine (Dalakhani) whose four previous progeny include Dubawi's Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom. Entered in the Prix du Jockey Club and Grand Prix de Paris, the Francis Graffard-trained newcomer encounters the Wertheimers' Rumoriste (GB) (Frankel {GB}), an Andre Fabre-trained colt from the family of Arcangues who was second on his sole start at Deauville in October.
4.52 Curragh, Mdn, 3yo, 9fT
CANARY ISLAND (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of a trio of colts engaged by Aidan O'Brien with the expected high-profile pedigrees attached, with extra sauce on top as the second foal out of the high-class Rhododendron (Galileo). In a move that would be preposterous involving any other stable, Ryan Moore passes over the half-brother to Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact) in favour of the similarly-unraced Dubawi colt Pendulum (Ire), but then the second foal out of the Irish 1,000 Guineas third So Wonderful (War Front) does descend from Urban Sea (Miswaki).
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