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 Insights features a half-brother to G1SW Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}).
2.25 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €25,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 8fT
His Highness The Aga Khan's ZARKALLANI (FR) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), representing Alain de Royer-Dupre in this firsters' test, is a son of undefeated MG1SW European Horse of the Year Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) and thus kin to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud victor Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) and stakes-winning G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). His opposition includes Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd's homebred Tiki (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is a Pascal Bary-conditioned half-brother to last term's G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}); Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Mustabeq (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who is a half-brother to GI Gulfstream Park Turf H. victor Almanaar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) out of GSW G1 Falmouth S. third Baqah (Ire) (Bahhare), from the Freddy Head stable; and Haras d'Ecouves and Henri de Pracomtal's Bliss For Ever (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}), who may find this trip on the sharp side being a half-brother to leading staying hurdler and G1 Prix du Cadran winner Kasbah Bliss (Fr) (Kahyasi {Ire}).
3.35 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €25,000, unraced 3yo, f, 8fT
Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's CELTIC (IRE) (Speightstown) is a homebred daughter of GI American Oaks and GI Del Mar Oaks heroine Lady of Shamrock (Scat Daddy), and faces 10 opponents in this debutantes' contest. Rivals to the Andre Fabre trainee feature Juddmonte representative Wild Rye (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), who is a Pascal Bary-trained half-sister to five black-type performers headed by G1 Grand Prix de Paris-winning sire Zambezi Sun (GB) (Dansili {GB}).
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