Arqana May Breeze-Up

Appearing six months after connections went to €300,000 for her at the Arqana May Breeze-Up, Amo Racing's Domina Ignis (Pinatubo) looked well worth the wait as she sparkled on debut at Southwell on Friday. Sent off the 7-2 second favourite for the six-furlong novice, the Kevin Philippart De Foy-trained bay from the family of Johnny Barnes travelled smoothly and once committed by David Egan two out quickly had the race in safe keeping. At the line, there was a five-length margin back to the Doncaster maiden runner-up Angel Gabriel (Mehmas)....

In this series, we will have a look predominantly at American-bred first-time juvenile starters (through the end of 2025) and debuting 3-year-olds in maiden races at Meydan Racecourse, with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring. The flagship venue for racing in the United Arab Emirates is Meydan Racecourse, which will host racing on Fridays through the end of March, with the exception of Super Saturday on Feb. 28 and Dubai World Cup night Mar. 28, 2026. Here are the horses of note for this Friday's...

Enjoying the stand-out profile ahead of Thursday's Arqana Series Des Poulains at Deauville, TBT Racing's €820,000 Arqana Breezer Northern Champion (Wootton Bassett) didn't disappoint en route to his big debut payday. Always comfortable tracking the leaders under Kieran Shoemark, the 17-5 favourite stayed on strongly to hit the front inside the final furlong and beat compatriot River Card (Hello Youmzain) by a length. "He was very brave and has plenty of speed," Shoemark said of the Ed Walker-trained son of the G3 Bow Mistress winner Zargos (Shamardal). "He knew his...

Amo Racing's Cathedral (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}--War And Peace {GB}, by Frankel {GB}) was a talking horse making her debut at Lingfield on Wednesday and the Ralph Beckett trainee duly delivered with an impressive success in the six-furlong maiden. Sent off the 1-2 favourite under David Egan, the €800,000 joint-top-priced filly at the Arqana May Breeze-Up tracked the strong early pace before being launched from the top of the straight. Brushing aside Godolphin's Warm Summer (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) passing the furlong pole, the granddaughter of the G1 Matron...

2nd-Presque Isle Downs, $30,500, Msw, 6-17, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f (AWT), :52.72, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. WILLOW OAK (f, 2, War of Will--Joyful Cat, by Kitten's Joy) was bet nearly in half from her 8-1 morning line off a promising worktab over the Turfway Tapeta and came away late to become the first winner for her Classic-winning freshman sire (by War Front). Under a hustling ride from Adam Beschizza from gate five, the Dede McGehee homebred was a midpack fifth into the turn, was roused right-handed while progressing leaving the...

In this series, we will have a look at American-bred first-time juvenile starters (through the end of 2023) and debuting 3-year-olds in maiden races at the tracks of the Emirates Racing Authority--predominantly Meydan and occasionally Jebel Ali--with a specific focus on pedigree and/or performance in a sales ring in the meetings leading up to the Dubai World Cup program Saturday, Mar. 30, 2024. Meydan will host racing mainly on Fridays, with the exception of Super Saturday Mar. 2 and Dubai World Cup night. Here are the horses of interest for...