Europe

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. Friday's Observations features Manhattan Dreamer, a full-sister to GISW Klimt. 17.30 Dundalk, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, f, 6f (AWT) MANHATTAN DREAMER (Quality Road) debuts belatedly for Amo Racing and the Adrian Murray stable, with her $420,000 Keeneland September tag making her one to note as well as the fact that...

Hanshen Tham has become one of the most recognisable faces on the bloodstock circuit in Britain and Ireland but that's not to say that many people know a lot about the owner-breeder and pinhooker. Instead, Tham prefers to go about his business quietly.  This year was a big one for the 34-year-old. His family enjoyed its greatest success on a racecourse when homebred Thornbrook landed a listed contest in France for Joseph O'Brien. Not long afterwards, the Tham family enjoyed its biggest day in the ring when a Night Of...

Irish Racing Yearbook 2024, an annual chronicle of horse racing in Ireland, the achievements of Irish people on foreign soil while covering the entire spectrum of the sport of racing and thoroughbred industry in the form of interviews, profiles, analysis and more, is now available for purchase. The collection is a collaboration of the best writers and photographers with the leading protagonists in all spheres from breeding to sales, from point-to-point tracks to the racecourse. The cover story is written by Donn McClean, providing insight from three-time Gold Cup winner...

As part of the formation of the new France Galop Committee, the 25 Presidents of the Premium Racing Organisations met at the France Galop headquarters Nov. 30 to elect a pair of representatives that will sit on the France Galop Committee. On the same day, the 10 Presidents of the Regional Flat Racing Councils were also at the France Galop headquarters to elect six representatives to sit on the France Galop Committee. The newly formed France Galop Committee will be convened for the first time Tuesday, Dec. 12 to elect...

The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Association held its series of Autumn Meetings at the John Lambton Rooms, National Horse Racing Museum in Newmarket Nov. 23. A number of matters were discussed at the Autumn Meeting, including the need for an emergency import license for the Equine Viral Arteritis vaccine, known as ARVAC to be granted for Europe's breeding nations. Agreeing to show its support for applications by our country members, the objective is to ensure ARVAC is made available for the start of the 2024 thoroughbred breeding season. EFTBA...

The three-day 2023 IEVA Conference kicked off Nov. 23 at the Cavan Equestrian Centre in Co Cavan, Ireland. The opening day's workshop dealt with the imaging of the equine head, featuring the latest in equine diagnostic imaging equipment displayed by Molloy Veterinary and Celtic SMR. The day rounded out with a quiz and supper at the Slieve Russell Hotel, home to IEVA23. The next two days, the IEVA Conference--staged at the IEVA Exhibition Hall--delivered a series of lectures, talks and presentations by experts in the field of equine veterinary as...

For the fourth time, Ryan Moore has claimed the Longines World's Best Jockey title. He first won the award in its inaugural year of 2014, then again in 2016 and 2021. Moore has now equalled Frankie Dettori's record for the most victories. Ballydoyle's retained rider won eight of the world's Top 100 Group or Grade 1 races, with his qualifying victories coming in the Longines Hong Kong Sprint (Wellington), Tattersalls Gold Cup (Luxembourg), Betfred Derby (Auguste Rodin), St James's Palace Stakes (Paddington), Coral-Eclipse (Paddington), Qatar Sussex Stakes (Paddington), Royal Bahrain...

The group winners See Hector (Ger) (Counterattack {Aus}) and Aff Un Zo (Ger) (Kallisto {Ger}) are among a bumper 136-lot catalogue for the BBAG Christmas Sale. The online auction takes place this Sunday, December 3, with the bidding process opening from Friday at noon. The four-year-old See Hector won the G3 Fritz Henkel Preis in August for Henk Grewe having also won last year's G3 Premio Paroli (Italian 2,000 Guineas). He features as Lot 131, just ahead of the juvenile colt Wikinger (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns), winner of the valuable BBAG...

Listed winner Kimi Orenda (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}), the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Iznik (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) and Patrice Cottier's Source (GB) (Kingman {GB}) have been added as wildcards to the ARQANA December Vente d'Élevage Sale. All three fillies will be offered under the hammer on Saturday, December 9. A listed winner in Germany, Kimi Orenda won four times for Christoph Ferland, including as a two-year-old. She will be offered by Haras d'Ombreville as lot 140. She hails from the close family of Group 1 winners Emaraaty and Antheus.  Jean-Claude Rouget will...

A significant addition to the Tattersalls December Mares Catalogue is the wild-card entry of Kensea (Fr), the 13-year-old daughter of Kendargent (Fr) who has the rare distinction of being the dam of two Group 1 winners. That notable duo consists of the full-brothers Sealiway (Fr) and Sunway (Fr). One of the sons of Galiway (GB) was the busiest stallion in France this year during his first season at Haras de Beaumont, while the latter is a serious Classic prospect for 2024 on either side of the Channel. Guy Pariente, who...

The world's top-rated racehorse Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) has been retired to Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido after winning last weekend's Japan Cup in spectacular fashion. Last Sunday's Group 1 success was the Japanese superstar's sixth consecutive victory at the highest level. In 10 lifetime starts he was beaten twice when second to Geoglyph (Jpn) in the GI Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) and also second in the G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) to Do Deuce (Jpn). Bred by Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm from the Group 3-winning King Halo...

There was a familiar theme to develop at Park Paddocks on Wednesday as, for the second time in the space of 24 hours, the progeny of Havana Grey (GB) dominated at the December Foal Sale with a colt by the Whitsbury Manor Stud-based stallion fetching 250,000gns to unknown entity Rumstar Bloodstock.  A brother to G3 Cornwallis S. winner Rumstar (GB), lot 638 was one of two foals by the sire to clear six figures on the day, with five more foals by Havana Grey selling for at least 80,000gns. Whitsbury's...