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. Thursday's Observations features a returning winner by American freshman sire Maximum Security.
13.40 Clairefontaine, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, 8fT
ROSA SALVAJE (IRE) (Maximum Security) is one of very few by her sire running in Europe and got off to the ideal start when winning at Saint-Cloud last month. Ecurie Francky Defosse and Frederic Sauque's granddaughter of the GI La Brea Stakes winner Downthedustyroad (Storm And A Half) is pitched by Christopher Head against Haras Voltaire's Gun Of Brixton (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), an Andre Fabre-trained colt whose dam is a half to the dual Derby hero Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Second on debut to the subsequent Listed Prix Roland de Chambure-winning TDN Rising Star Tiego The First (Fr) (Blue Point {Ire}) over six furlongs at Saint-Cloud in May, he has since broken his maiden over seven furlongs at that track.
15.45 Doncaster, Mdn, £6,800, 2yo, 6f 2yT
CHANCELLOR (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is the second foal out of Cheveley Park Stud's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), obviously deemed speedy by John and Thady Gosden to be starting over this trip. From a middle-distance family including the talented half-siblings Warrsan (Ire) (Caerleon), Luso (GB) (Salse) and Needle Gun (Ire) (Sure Blade), a bold show would be significant.
17.10 Leopardstown, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, f, 7f 35yT
PROXIMA CENTAURI (IRE) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) is the third foal out of the Niarchos Family's four-times Group 1-winning Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and, like that luminary, is in the hands of Jessica Harrington. Other newcomers of note in this fascinating affair include Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Chantez (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a Ger Lyons-trained half-sister to the G2 King Edward VII Stakes and G3 Chester Vase winner Changingoftheguard (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Ballydoyle's Bubbling (Ire) (No Nay Never), a full-sister to the G2 Park Stakes winner and 2,000 Guineas runner-up Wichita (Ire).
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