Attraction

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. Today's Observations features a seven-figure grandson of champion Attraction. 5.05 Newmarket, Nov, £9,000, 2yo, f, 6fT Floors Stud's JOKING (GB) (Time Test {GB}) is a Hugo Palmer-trained half-sister to MG1SW Hong Kong Horse of the Year Viva Pataca (GB) (Marju {Ire}) and GI Diana S. and GI Flower Bowl...

In a sense, every breeder is a legatee. And each, in turn, strives to contribute a legacy of his or her own; to develop families that serve not only a contemporary stable, but also the breed as it evolves through the generations. To that extent, then, perhaps the family and many friends grieving the late Guy, Duke of Roxburghe, can find some comfort even in the poignant part-dispersal of a stud that produced one of the most accomplished Thoroughbreds ever bred in Scotland. For wherever his bloodlines are now transfused,...

Anthony Stroud had gone to 1.1-million gns on behalf of Godolphin early in the first session of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for a Frankel (GB) colt out of Attraction (GB) from Floors Stud. The same agent went back to that source when outbidding Coolmore for the sale's second millionaire, a Dubawi (Ire) colt from Floors Stud out of Attraction's Grade III-winning daughter Cushion (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), for a new sale-topping 2.1-million gns. Coolmore co-bred the colt with Floors Stud. Attraction's son and grandson are thus far...

The name Godolphin appeared alongside three lots at Arqana's Select Sale last month and was absent entirely from the Goffs Orby Sale but Sheikh Mohammed returned with intent to Book 1, with agent Anthony Stroud signing for five lots on his behalf within the first two hours of trade, including Floors Stud's son of Frankel (GB) and Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}), who was the first seven-figure lot of the week at 1.1 million gns. Andrew Balding bid 1 million gns inside the ring for lot 41 but Stroud made the clinching bid...

The story of Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) is one that gives all breeders hope. The crooked-legged filly who was too poorly conformed to go to the sales grew up to be a Classic heroine, her untidy gait propelling her through an unbeaten juvenile season and on through Newmarket's famous Dip to win the 1000 Guineas. And she didn't stop there. On the Curragh, Attraction added a second Guineas title to her extraordinary winning stretch, and then a crowning in front of Her Majesty the Queen in the G1 Coronation S....