Kingman (GB)

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 the return of a multiple group winner. 4.30 Chelmsford, Cond, £75,000, 3yo, 6f (AWT) SKY MAJESTY (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}) was unbeaten as a juvenile through the tests of the G3 Firth of Clyde Stakes and G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte and is back to kickstart her...

Juddmonte's Classic team seemingly grows with each passing day and each trial and Wednesday's G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket followed the same pattern as a new 2,000 Guineas favourite emerged for then operation in Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Labelled a work in progress by John Gosden as he captured the G3 Solario Stakes and finished fourth in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last term, the TDN Rising Star travelled like a dream throughout this established course-and-distance trial with Kieran Shoemark able to pick his path. Unleashed passing the...

One of the choicest-bred horses running on the opening day of Newmarket's Craven meeting, Godolphin's Victory Queen (GB) (Kingman {GB}) made her class tell first time in the fillies' mile maiden. Sent off at 10-3, the Charlie Appleby-trained half-sister to the 2,000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace Stakes hero Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) raced freely towards the front end from the outset. Committed by William Buick running down into the dip, the homebred asserted to score by a fast-diminishing half-length margin from Zgharta (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}). "It's her first...

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. Tuesday's Observations features a half-sister to 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus. 4.45 Newmarket, Mdn, £22,000, 3yo, f, 8fT VICTORY QUEEN (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is another significant runner in the Godolphin blue at the first big European meeting of the year for the operation, being a half-sister to the 2,000 Guineas...

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 full-brother to Coolmore stallion Blackbeard (Ire). 2.20 Curragh, Cond, €22,000, 2yo, 5fT CHARLES DARWIN (IRE) (No Nay Never) is the fourth foal out of the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes fourth Muirin (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), whose son Blackbeard (Ire) carried all before him for...

Juddmonte's 'TDN Rising Star' Cosmic Year (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was rerouted from potential turf engagements in favour of Wednesday's Unibet Novice Stakes at Kempton and could not have been more impressive in retaining his perfect record with a five-length triumph, racing under a seven-pound penalty, in the seven-furlong contest. The Harry Charlton trainee went off as the 2-9 favourite and was swiftly into stride, despite receiving bumps from both neighbours at the break, to track a modest pace in third through halfway. Inching closer once into the home straight, he...

Coming back to the scene of her debut win, Juddmonte's Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}) mastered some significant peers to take Leopardstown's G3 Ballylinch Stud "Priory Belle" Stakes. Off the track since scoring over a mile in July, the daughter of the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Hot Snap (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) was fine-tuned to perfection by Dermot Weld and after swooping a furlong out readily held Ballydoyle's Exactly (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) to score at 6-1 by 1 1/4 lengths, with Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}) half a length away in third....

Francis-Henri Graffard can do no wrong at present and his irresistible run continued into the early Classic trials as Tajlina (GB) (Kingman {GB}) struck in Saturday's G3 Prix Penelope. A seven-length winner at Chantilly in mid-October before flopping in the Listed Prix Isonomy later that month, the Al Asayl homebred was slowly away for Mickael Barzalona after rearing in the stalls ahead of the 10 1/2-furlong Saint-Cloud prep. Staying on strongly in the style of her high-class dam Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), the 9-5 favourite asserted inside the final furlong...

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-sister to a GI Natalma Stakes winner. 14.15 La Teste-Bassin Arcachon, Mdn, €21,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Godolphin's hitherto unraced HONEYFLOWER (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is a homebred daughter of stakes-winning G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest fourth Tulips (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and thus kin to GI Natalma...

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. Sunday's Observations features a full-sister to Palace Pier GB) (Kingman {GB}). 15.10 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT Coolmore and Westerberg's hitherto untested WIN ME OVER (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) is a full-sister to five-time Group 1-winning sire Palace Pier (GB). The Aidan O'Brien trainee, who is set to be...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Kingman's Ocean Mermaid at Tampa Bay Downs. Tampa Win Boosts Ocean Mermaid's Sale Charm Stonestreet Stables' Ocean Mermaid (GB) (Kingman {GB}) ran second in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes on debut in May of 2023 to subsequent G2 Queen Mary Stakes heroine Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), and graduated in her fifth lifetime start at Tampa Bay Downs for Josie Carroll this past week...

"He's been everything to us," was the sign-off from Gay O'Callaghan in this must-read TDN feature from Emma Berry, who had a golden opportunity during the Tattersalls December Sale to sit down with the Yeomanstown Stud patriarch, as well as his sons David, Guy and Robert, to discuss the remarkable story of their homegrown hero, Dark Angel (Ire). If you're one of the few who haven't read the piece already, then I urge you to correct that misdemeanour before we see in the new year, but first stick with me...