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. Wednesday's Insights features a $2.4 million son of War Front.
2.10 Great Yarmouth, Mdn, £7,500, 2yo, 7f 3yT
Cheveley Park Stud's KINSMAN (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is a homebred half-brother to Listed Chester City Plate victress Ladyship (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) produced by G1 Sun Chariot S. and G1 Lockinge S. heroine Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). He faces one dozen debuting for the William Haggas stable.
2.55 Sandown, Cond, £12,000, 2yo, 7fT
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's PALACE PIER (GB) (Kingman%20(GB)#tot">Kingman {GB}), a 600,000gns TATOCT yearling out of a half-sister to GSW G1 Criterium International placegetter Bonfire (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) and MGSW GI Beverly D. S. third Joviality (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), earned 'TDN Rising Star' status over course and distance last month and continues his education with a six-pound penalty for that impressive debut success. Opposition to the John Gosden trainee features Bjorn Nielsen and Eastwind Racing's hitherto unraced Balzac (GB) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who is a 280,000gns son of G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud placegetter Miss You Too (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), representing Ed Walker.
3.20 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 6fT
LOVE LOCKET (IRE) (No Nay Never), whose granddam is a stakes-placed half-sister to MG1SW sire High Chaparral {Ire}), shot up in value after selling for €52,000 as a GOFNOV foal to become a €700,000 GOFORB yearling last year. Susan Magnier's debutante is joined by Aidan O'Brien stablemate Elfin Queen (American Pharoah), who is a $1.2-million KEESEP half-sister to three black-type performers headed by GI Santa Anita Gold Cup-winning sire Cupid (Tapit).
3.52 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT
Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's LIGHT DREAM (FR) (Anodin {Ire}) is kin to three black-type performers headed by G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud heroine Plumania (GB) (Anabaa) and is unveiled by Freddy Head in this debutantes' heat. Her opponents include His Highness The Aga Khan's Vadalda (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who is a homebred daughter of G3 Prix Cleopatre and G3 Prix de Psyche victress Vadapolina (Fr) (Trempolino) and thus a half-sister to G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Veda (Fr) (Dansili {GB}).
4.55 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 7fT
Michael Tabor's FANCY BLUE (IRE) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), one of three nominees for Aidan O'Brien, is a half-sister to two stakes performers out of a winning half-sister to MG1SW sire High Chaparral {Ire}). She lines up with stablemate Elizabethofaragon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is a full-sister to G1 Racing Post Trophy-winning sire Kingsbarns (Ire); and Ger Lyons trainee Brinjal (GB) (Kingman%20(GB)#tot">Kingman {GB}), who is a Juddmonte homebred half to four black-type performers headed by G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud victress Passage of Time (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and G1 Falmouth S. heroine Timepiece (GB) (Zamindar).
5.02 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 8fT
Coolmore's focus is not solely on the juvenile feast occurring at Naas and Susan Magnier's French colours will be represented in this clash of newcomers by OCEAN ATLANTIQUE (American Pharoah), an Andre Fabre trainee. The $275,000 Keeneland September yearling, who lit up Arqana's May Breeze-Up sale when topping the sheets at €1.1 million, is out of a half-sister to MGISW sire Leroidesanimaux (Brz) (Candy Stripes). His task has been made easier by the late scratching of His Highness The Aga Khan's homebred Ridwaan (Fr) (American Pharoah), who is a Mikel Delzangles-conditioned son of G1 Prix de l'Opera heroine Ridasiyna (Fr) (Motivator {GB}).
5.30 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT
On a day of notable introductions by Aidan O'Brien, the trainer sends out Michael Tabor's ST JAMES'S SQUARE (War Front), who topped all sessions at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale when knocked down for a whopping $2.4-million. The March-foaled son of GI Starlet S. heroine Streaming (Smart Strike) is accompanied by Evie Stockwell's hitherto unraced stablemate Battle of Liege (War Front), who is a son of G3 Ballyogan S. victress Liscanna (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and thus a homebred full-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf-winning sire Hit It A Bomb and G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Brave Anna.
6.00 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 5fT
EDEN QUAY (IRE) (No Nay Never), who will carry the Derrick Smith colours in this debut, is a 600,000gns TATOCT full-brother to G1 Middle Park S. and G1 July Cup hero Ten Sovereigns (Ire). The Aidan O'Brien trainee, whose dam ran second in the Listed Prix de la Seine and fourth in the G3 Prix Penelope, confronts 10 opponents in this straight dash.
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