G1 Commonwealth Cup

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. Saturday's Observations features a half-brother to a recent Group 1-placed filly. 3.32 Deauville, Debutantes, €45,700, 2yo, c/g, 6fT RAYIF (IRE) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) is an intriguing newcomer for The Aga Khan Studs and Francis-Henri Graffard stable, being a half-brother to the recent G1 Commonwealth Cup third Rayevka. Stouter-bred...

From four runners at this year's Royal Ascot, Harry Eustace now boasts a pair of Group 1 winners as the filly Time For Sandals (Sands Of Mali) followed on from stablemate Docklands in Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup. Drawn widest in one, the 25-1 shot who had been edged out by Woodshauna (Wooded) in Chantilly's G3 Prix Texanita last month was forced to stay in the group up the centre racing away from the main pack. Driven clear of her neighbours inside the final furlong by Richard Kingscote, the bargain €35,000...

Friday's Royal Ascot confirmations have been made and the clash between the Aga Khan Studs star Zarigana (Siyouni) and Shadwell's exciting Falakeyah (New Bay) in the G1 Coronation Stakes is the highlight of the card. The former, who was awarded the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches last month, will attempt to establish herself at the top of the fillies' pecking order in this mile category with fellow TDN Rising Star Falakeyah dangerously unexposed coming back in trip after her scintillating win in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes. Others of note...

Emerging from the 2,000 Guineas to take the crown as Sprint King, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) put genuine star quality into a division that badly needed it when dominating Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Doubts as to whether the long-striding homebred could adapt to this speed test on fast summer ground were instantly dispelled as he moved so comfortably near the front under Tom Eaves. Allowed to coast to the lead two out, the 9-4 favourite, who could be the best that Kevin Ryan...

Wednesday saw the draw made for Friday's two group 1 contests at Royal Ascot, with the 10 fillies set to contest the Coronation S. headed by Ballydoyle's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Opera Singer (Justify) and Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Opera Singer, who was returning from a setback when third in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, has drawn an outside stall in nine for the mile feature while the Roger Varian-trained Newmarket Classic heroine is in seven. James Doyle takes over from Silvestre De...

As expected, G2 Sandy Lane S. hero Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) was supplemented to Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, as fields for the fourth day of the meeting were revealed on Saturday. G3 Horris Hill S. hero Orne (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) has also been supplemented at a cost of £46,000 to bring the current field to 22. The two late entries face dual Group 1 winner and co-favourite Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the six-furlong race. Other notables signed on include G3 Prix de Cabourg scorer and May...

To do everything wrong and still win the G1 Commonwealth Cup comfortably, Shaquille (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}--Magic {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) must be among an elite brigade of sprinters to have come to Royal Ascot down the years. Although the pride of the Julie Camacho and Steve Brown stable had obvious credentials entering Friday's six-furlong feature, after blowing the start and losing several lengths all appeared lost. That was factoring against the abundance of talent Martin Hughes's homebred possesses and the calm of Oisin Murphy after he had asked for...

Confirming his position as the chief three-year-old sprinting colt, Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) produced his customary generous effort to emerge on top in a highly-competitive and tight G1 Commonwealth Cup on Friday. First establishing himself in the top tier when storming up the stand's side to win the G2 Norfolk S. here 12 months ago, the relentlessly-professional star of the Richard Fahey set-up had since garnered the G1 Prix Morny, G1 Middle Park S. and G3 Greenham S. before being stretched beyond his capabilities...

Trainer David Loughnane has pencilled in some big-race engagements for his stable stars Hello You (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in the coming months. The former, an Amo Racing colourbearer, won the G2 Rockfel S. at Newmarket in September and was not disgraced when fifth in a close finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on Nov. 5. Also placed in both the G3 Albany S. and G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. earlier last year, she is being...

Al Shaqab Racing's Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}), who won the G1 Keeneland Phoenix S. at The Curragh in August, is likely to step out in the G1 Middle Park S. over six furlongs at Newmarket on Sept. 25. Third in Sunday's G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. behind Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) on Sunday, the colt is also possible for the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 3 or the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar...

While most American breeders are just now getting their first look at multiple Group 1 winner Caravaggio, who stood his first three years at Coolmore's headquarters in Ireland and now takes on the U.S. market for 2021, the son of Scat Daddy is not new to Ashford Stud. The speedy grey was born and raised at Ashford, having been bred by the farm's Director of Sales Charlie O'Connor and his in-laws' Windmill Manor Farms. "Caravaggio is a horse that's obviously very close to our hearts," Coolmore's Adrian Wallace said. "He...

G1 Middle Park S. third Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who won the G2 Gimcrack S. in late August for Shadwell and trainer Owen Burrows, will not be seen the rest of the year and instead will be pointed at the G1 Commonwealth Cup S. at Royal Ascot next June. A winner at second asking at Salisbury on Aug. 9, the bay quickly added the Gimcrack 12 days later and was not disgraced when third in the Middle Park on Sept. 26. "Minzaal ran well in the Middle Park and he...