Chicquita

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred 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 son of Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita. 5.20 Leopardstown, Mdn, 2yo, c/g, 8fT CLARET (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is one of two Ballydoyle runners in this and the second-string, but as the sixth foal out of the Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita has much to commend him....

At €65,000, St Mark's Basilica (Fr) was the most expensive horse to retire to stud in 2022, with a racetrack performance and pedigree that justified the fee. After all, he was the world-champion three-year-old, European champion two-year-old and Cartier Horse of the Year, with a race record that included five straight Group 1 wins, from the Dewhurst at two straight through to the Irish Champion Stakes the following autumn. By Siyouni (Fr) out of the Galileo (Ire) Group-winning mare Cabaret (Ire), he is a half-brother to the Classic winner Magna...