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. Wednesday's Observations features a spn of Halfway To Heaven.
3.52 Navan, Mdn, 2yo, 8f 40yT
PROPOSITION (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) is one of two newcomers from Ballydoyle and not the pick of Wayne Lordan, but as the eighth foal of the outstanding producer Halfway To Heaven (Pivotal) a highly significant runner for Coolmore. The dam, who captured the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Nassau and Sun Chariot, is so far responsible for the brilliant Galileo mares Magical and Rhododendron with the latter of course gifting the operation Auguste Rodin. The yard's first-string in a race they have won for the last three years appears to be Ex Animo (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a son of the Group 3 winner Peach Tree (Galileo) whose daughter Serenity Prayer (Dubawi) was runner-up in this year's Musidora.
1.28 Nottingham, Novice, 2yo, f 5f 8yT
WINTER'S BLOOM (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) debuts for Godolophin and Charlie Appleby over the minimum trip, two furlongs shorter than her full-brother Naval Crown began over prior to his metamorphosis into a leading sprinter. Fourth in the 2,000 Guineas, he eventually ended up over six and captured the Platinum Jubilee Stakes before retiring to stand at Kildangan Stud.
4.03 Kempton, Novice, 2yo, 6f (AWT)
RAPID FORCE (IRE) (Mehmas {Ire}) is another significant newcomer to represent Godolophin and Charlie Appleby on the afternoon, being the colt who at £1million topped this year's Goffs UK Breeze-Up. Out of the Sapphire Stakes third Rapid Reaction (Shamardal) from the family of Wootton Bassett, he meets only two peers here with one being another debutante in Chasemore Farm's homebred Zooella (Ire) (Zoustar {Aus}), a Ralph Beckett-trained half-sister to the dual Stakes winner and Quick Call-placed Fandom (Showcasing) from the immediate family of the sire's Cheveley Park heroine Lezoo.
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