Haydock

Backing up successfully a week after his win in Newbury's Listed Carnarvon Stakes, Godolphin's Symbol Of Honour showed courage as well as class to earn a narrow verdict in Saturday's G2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. Anchored in rear early by William Buick, the 2-1 favourite was moved through to challenge Arabian Dusk inside the final half a furlong and mastered that Havana Grey filly close home for a short-head success. Gelded already, Symbol Of Honour cannot go to the G1 Commonwealth Cup as is customary for the winner of...

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. Friday's Observations features a son of Too Darn Hot. 3.35 Haydock, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 6f 212yT WILD DESERT (IRE) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is the latest in a glut of significant Godolphin newcomers to step out of the Charlie Appleby stable this week, being the sixth foal out of...

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 the second highest priced juvenile from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale earlier this spring. 3.55 Yarmouth, Novice, £40,000, 2yo, 6f 3yT SILENT APPLAUSE (IRE) (Acclamation {GB}) was the second-highest-priced lot at last month's Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when falling to Godolphin at 1.4million gns. Charlie...

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 bevy of bluebloods at Leicester. 2.35 Leicester, Mdn, £8,000, 3yo/up, 10fT SKIMMER (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is one of a pair of Juddmonte newcomers in this line-up, with Harry Charlton in charge of the half-brother to the G1 St Leger hero Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Joining...

Carrying a seven-pound penalty for his taking debut win at Newmarket last month, Wathnan Racing's Defence Minister (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}--Tears Of The Sun {GB}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}) shrugged off the extra burden to win decisively in his six-furlong novice at Haydock on Thursday. Settled behind the leaders early by James Doyle, the 11-8 favourite surged to the front inside the final furlong for a 1 1/2-length defeat of Arabian Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). The Hamad Al Jehani trainee, who was a €210,000 Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze Up...

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) heads a field of 16 sprinters confirmed for Saturday's G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. Rested since his fifth as favourite for the G1 July Cup, the Kevin Ryan-trained homebred returns to the scene of his success in the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes in May with regular rider Tom Eaves retaining the ride. "Inisherin is in great form," his trainer said this week. "We've had an uninterrupted preparation and all his work has gone to plan when we...

Group 1-winning sprinter Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) faces 21 rivals in Saturday's G1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock at the latest entry stage. Trained by Kevin Ryan, the 3-year-old colt won the G3 Sandy Lane Stakes in the spring, before prevailing in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Favoured for the G1 July Cup, he could only manage fifth, and has been benched since. Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), successful in that July Cup, was followed home by Swingalong (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), who is trained by Karl Burke for Sheikh...

Shadwell's Group 1 winner Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) is aiming to make his long-awaited return to the races in the G3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock on Aug. 10, according to trainer Owen Burrows. The 6-year-old gelding has been out of action with a foot issue since winning the G1 Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp in May of 2023. A multiple group winner, Anmaat was successful in the 2022 edition of the Rose of Lancaster. "All being well, he's going to run, we've had this in mind for him for...

Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal), an impressive winner of last month's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, and last year's unbeaten two-year-old Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) head the sponsor's ante-post betting for the G1 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes at Haydock on Saturday, September 7, with both horses featuring in a list of 35 as the first entries were released on Tuesday. Barry Orr, head of racing PR at Betfair, said, "This is a top list of entries, although there is a lot of water to pass under the sprinting bridge between...

Returning to the course and distance of her G3 Lester Piggott Stakes win, Qatar Racing's prized homebred Queen Of The Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion--Simple Verse {Ire), by Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) mastered Saturday's G2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock to continue her upward trajectory. Held up by Oisin Murphy throughout the early stages, the John and Thady Gosden-trained 100-30 second favourite moved powerfully to Tiffany (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining and drew away from that 85-40 favourite to win by three lengths, with the Lester Piggott Stakes runner-up...

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. Thursday's Observations features close relatives of two Darley sires. 15.00 Great Yarmouth, Mdn, £9,950, 2yo, 6f 3yT Godolphin homebred SHADOW OF LIGHT (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a three-parts brother to dual Group 1-winning first-crop sire Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal) and has William Buick in the plate for this...

Group 2 winner Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) will be supplemented at a cost of £46,000 to the G1 Commonwealth Cup on Saturday, trainer Kevin Ryan has confirmed. The G2 Sandy Lane S. hero, who races for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, has won half of his four starts. He was a solid sixth in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas in May, prior to his Sandy Lane victory. "He is in good form," said Ryan. "He runs in the Commonwealth Cup." The colt will square off with dual Group 1 winner and...