Frankel

Craig Bennett of Merry Fox Stud, joint-breeder of arguably the most exciting juvenile filly in training Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), recalls how a visit to Coolmore Stud a number of years back made a lasting impression.  Not for the sheer expanse of the operation, or the might of the stallions the world-renowned County Tipperary stud could offer potential breeders, but for how Coolmore marks its successes. "When I went to Coolmore a couple of years ago, I can remember looking out at one of the paddocks where the stallions...

Beaten but unbowed. That is the mood in the Gosden camp after dual Group 1 winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) suffered a surprise defeat on the all-weather at Newcastle on Friday. The four-year-old is reported to have come out of the race in good shape, however, and Gosden is hoping the real Nashwa can show up as the season progresses.  "I wasn't too unhappy with her. She will be fine. She is taking her time to come to herself. A lot of fillies can take time," John Gosden said. He...

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. Wednesday's insights features the debut of Book 1 star Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in a salty maiden at The Curragh. 17.00 Curragh, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, 7fT DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) is the 11th foal out of the renowned Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who has provided Ballydoyle with...

So begins the campaign for Auguste Rodin (Ire) to meet Desert Crown (GB) and Adayar (Ire) in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. This column has precisely zero influence over anything at all, but as a racing fan increasingly concerned at the sidestepping of the greatest prize of high summer then it would be remiss of me not to bang the drum and rattle the tambourine a little.  How often have the last three winners of the Derby all still been in training? (We can make that four,...

There is something wonderfully refreshing about John Hayes. He stands at least 6'6'' tall with size 15 'lucky boots' and a towering personality to match. Prior to watching Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), the filly he bred from his beloved mare Sophie Germain (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}), win the G1 Coolmore St Mark's Basilica Prix Saint-Alary, he serenaded guests of her owner Al Shira'aa Farms with a ditty about a cross-dressing gold-digger. It's the kind of theme that could so easily see people cancelled these days, but there could be...

Swordlestown Little's Mariann Klay, who along with her husband Des Leadon bred the impressive G3 Chester Vase winner and new Derby favourite Arrest (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), says that soft ground will be key to the Juddmonte colt's Epsom challenge.  Arrest, trained by John and Thady Gosden, shot to the head of the Derby market after sluicing up in his favoured testing ground at Chester on Wednesday.  That prompted bookmakers to propel Arrest to Derby favouritism at odds of 6-1, usurping 2,000 Guineas disappointment Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Klay...

It's a heady time of year to be on Newmarket Heath of a Saturday morning. You can tell by the convoy of smart cars when one of the big strings is about to arrive at the Al Bahathri, with Guineas weekend providing the perfect opportunity for owners to watch their horses work.  This past Saturday, either 2,000 Guineas day, Kentucky Derby day, or Coronation day, depending on your persuasion, was no exception. With the car park double-stacked and trainers and jockeys all about, Joe Foley, waiting for the off with...

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. Sunday's Observations features a recap of the day's races, including a strong performance from Theoryofeverything (GB) (Frankel {GB}). HOW THEY FARED 2.00 Leopardstown, Mdn, €12,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Tender Kiss (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), the first foal out of Marsha (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), never looked likely to get involved and...

Ireland's Flat action may have already started and France's has been rumbling on for several days, but for many the real beginning to the season on the level is Doncaster's Lincoln H. on a Saturday which wrests the attention from the national hunt in no uncertain terms. Whether there is a horse of the calibre of Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) lurking in the prestigious mile handicap remains to be seen, but there is a strong vibe surrounding another member of the William Haggas tribe in 'TDN Rising Star' Al Mubhir...

Following news that last season's Irish 1000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs (Ire) is working up to an early seasonal debut, her owner-breeder Moyglare Stud has released the farm's mating plans for 2023, with her dam Joailliere (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) set for a return visit to Frankel (GB), the sire of her illustrious daughter. The 10-year-mare, herself a listed winner, produced a filly foal from the first crop of St Mark's Basilica (Fr) on Feb. 17. She is not the only one of the Moyglare matriarchs to be heading to Juddmonte's...

Baroda Stud finished as strong as it started at the Goffs February Sale by sending out the top three lots on Thursday, headed by Galileo (Ire) mare Red Azalea (Ire) (lot 482A), knocked down to Mick Donohoe of BBA Ireland for €340,000. Red Azalea was a supplementary entry to the sale. A winner in her own right when trained by Donnacha O'Brien, she is a daughter of the classy Music Box (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who scored at Group 3 level. Donohoe also signed for the unraced Frankel (GB) filly,...

With the doors to the breeding sheds set to open any day, the TDN has been talking to owners and breeders about what matings they have planned for their top mares in 2023. Up today: Peter Brant, whose mares in America are profiled in today's TDN American edition, and his European mares below. Click here to read about his American mares. ROSA BONHEUR (15, Mr. Greeley-Rolly Polly {Ire}, by Mukaddamah) to be bred to Churchill (Ire) Rosa Bonheur is the dam of Raging Bull and the dam of a nice...