Doncaster

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. Friday's Observations features a pricy auction purchase. 16.00 Cork, Mdn, €12,000, 3yo, 12f 25yT Aidan O'Brien trainee HIGHBURY (FR) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full-brother to the stakes-placed Friendly Face (Ire) out of G3 Prix d'Arenberg victrix and G1 Cheveley Park S. third High Celebrity (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Opposition...

DONCASTER, UK--Royal Ascot dreams abound for the connections of Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who not only have that unbeaten star to look forward to, but a host of high-class two-year-old prospects as well after Anthony Stroud snapped up speedy fillies by Havana Grey (GB) and Sioux Nation (lot 119) to the tune of £720,000 on behalf of the ownership group at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale. But Doncaster was dominated by the Derryconnor Stud-drafted diamond by Havana Grey, who led the way at £420,000 to provide top consignor Katie McGivern...

DONCASTER, UK--What a difference a year can make. It was at this sale 12 months ago when Gary de Souza left us poor scribes befuddled. Consigning under the imaginatively-named Gary Bloodstock [!], his Sioux Nation filly, who would later go on to be the Group-placed Gunzburg (Ire), rocked the clock before being knocked down to trainer Paddy Twomey and bloodstock agent Mark McStay for £160,000.  But where was de Souza when it came to getting a quote on Gunzburg, who could conceivably be described as a life-changing filly in the...

Whether it was Roderic Kavanagh working his magic once again, Katie Walsh clearing seven figures on the only two horses she brought to Park Paddocks or Charlie Poste enjoying a dream debut at the first major breeze-up sale of the year, there were no shortage of feel-good stories to emerge from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale.  However, agent Richard Brown, consignor Mark Grant and trainer Jamie Osborne agreed that, while the top end of the market was arguably stronger than ever, the middle market remained tricky at Tattersalls this week. ...

It's a case of all eyes on Doncaster on Saturday with the wheel set to turn once again as the Town Moor track stages the opening act of the British Flat Turf season. Alongside the traditional curtain-raiser of the Lincoln H. for the hardened older milers is the Brocklesby S. for juveniles, the annual show of precocity where the focus will inevitably be on Royal Ascot. First-season sires represented include Mohaather (GB) and Without Parole (GB), with the former's son Dukes Of Haather (GB) from the Adrian Keatley stable looking...

What do Bradsell (GB), Perfect Power (Ire), Ardad (Ire) and Prince Of Lir (Ire) have in common? Not only did they all taste success at Royal Ascot but they were also sold at the Goffs Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale, one of the go-to sources of top-notch talent. The first glimpse of the potential star graduates of the future were made available on Tuesday with the publication of the eagerly-anticipated 2024 edition of the sale catalogue. Doncaster has proven to be a tried and trusted source of talent with Carla's Way (Ire)...

Top breeze-up handlers Antonio Da Silva and Nikki Scallan of A&N Bloodstock had a lucky escape on Friday evening when, the horse box that they were driving on the way home from Dundalk races caught fire with the Jenny Lynch-trained Late Night Talking (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) inside it.  But for their quick thinking, the couple's Late Night Talking, who had finished third in the mile maiden just a few hours earlier, could have met a horrific end when the vehicle burst into flames on the M50 motorway in Dublin.  Sharing...

Twelve sires will be on show in Doncaster during the Goffs UK January Sale on Tuesday, January 23 for the TBA National Hunt Stallion Showcase. The stallions will be available for viewing between 9am and 3pm. Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist (GB) is new to Alne Park Stud this year and he will be joined at Doncaster by his stud-mates Dink (Fr), Ocovango (GB) and Midnights Legacy (GB). Also in attendance will be Ito (Ger), who is about to undertake his second season at Yorton Farm, and his fellow recent recruit Postponed...

A total of 149 lots, including dispersals from Irish point-to-point trainer Ellmarie Holden and from Whitewall Stables, were catalogued for the Goffs January Sale at Doncaster on Jan. 23. Featuring 81 NH weanlings, 20 NH mares and 48 horses-in-training, yearlings and 2-year-olds, the sale will begin at 10 a.m. Some of the lots on offer are lot 84, a Nathaniel (Ire) half-brother to Grade 1 winner Athena Du Berlais (Fr) (Martaline {GB}); a son of that Newsells Park Stud-based sire and the Grade 1 winner Black Tears (GB) (Jeremy) (lot...

After a 15-minute delay caused by Ballydoyle's Battle Cry (Ire) (No Nay Never) turning over in the stalls, Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}--Golden Valentine {Fr}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) proved the most effective on Doncaster's deep ground to justify 5-4 favouritism in Saturday's G1 Kameko Futurity Trophy. Back in action a fortnight after winning Newmarket's G3 Autumn S., the Charlie Appleby trainee was left in front initially and looked beaten for a few strides as the pack closed in two out. Regaining momentum to ultimately outstay his rivals, the TDN...

If it goes ahead, it's going to be tough at Doncaster on Saturday with the G1 Kameko Futurity Trophy being staged on ground that failed to survive an inspection for the Friday card. If there was a horse physically designed for such conditions, it is surely Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) who went through Newmarket's testing surface with relish when winning the G3 Autumn S. over this mile trip a fortnight earlier. Supplemented for this prize given how strongly he emerged from that experience, he bids...

Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who cost €2 million as a juvenile at Arqana, will be supplemented for the G1 Kameko Futurity Trophy on Saturday, Oct. 28. A winner of the G3 Autumn S. last out, the colt is reportedly doing well. His record stands at three wins from four starts for trainer Charlie Appleby, and he pleased connections in a Saturday morning workout. "Ancient Wisdom, brilliant winner of the G3 Autumn S. on Future Champions Day at Newmarket, worked well this morning and the intention is to supplement...