Lionel

Ifurhappynuknowit (Bernardini--Mushka, by Empire Maker), an unraced full-sister to Godolphin's late Crowned, dam of last week's GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), topped the Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale, which closed late Tuesday afternoon. Consigned by Knowles Farm as hip 30, Ifurhappynuknowit sold for $280,000 to Denali Stud, agent. She was sold with her Feb. 18-foaled colt by Vino Rosso at her side and is back in foal to two-time champion Elite Power. "It was very exciting to offer a horse like Ifurhappynuknowit fresh off a huge update," said Fasig-Tipton...

With a soft ping that sounds like a digital chef's kiss, another bid is in for Fasig-Tipton's May Sale online. The diverse catalogue might be conducted via fiber, but the horse flesh here is once again bona fide as the platform continues to set a virtual ring standard. One of the more intriguing hips you will find among the lots is no. 122. Holding down that page we find 3-year-old Lionel (Authentic--Sweetgrass, by Street Sense). The colt broke his maiden at first asking by an eye-catching 9 1/2 lengths at...

7th-Laurel, $48,710, Msw, 5-4, 3yo, 1m, 1:39.45, sy, 9 1/2 lengths. LIONEL (c, 3, Authentic--Sweetgrass {MGSP, $330,145}, by Street Sense) stepped forward to keep the leader in his sights as he stalked the pace through :24.40, :47.83, and 1:13.16 splits from three off the rail, eventually taking a commanding advantage. Moving well but floating out a touch greenly as they rolled off the turn, Lionel kicked away from the field to win by 9 1/2 lengths over Kitty's Son (Cupid). The victor is the most recent to the races for...

  David Menuisier is not a man to concentrate on the past. The stable has been in the news over the fact that Phillipa Cooper of Normandie Stud decided to move stable star Lionel (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) to John and Thady Gosden after his poor performance in the G1 Irish Derby.    However, while Menuisier has had his say on the high-profile split in this week's Q&A, he explained that he has closed the chapter on the situation and is keen to move on.    There are few...

Following a quiet few days in the aftermath of Ascot and Chantilly, things get moving again on Saturday with The Curragh staging one of the most interesting renewals of the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby for some time. A race that has from time to time in recent years been under the shadow of the European Pattern Committee's guillotine has pulled a trick out of the hat this year to ensure it keeps its exalted status for the immediate future at least. Aidan O'Brien has come to tick off...

Once again Galileo (Ire) looms large over Saturday's G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, featuring in the first, second or third generations of every runner. The owner/breeders hold sway, but Glory Daze (Ire) and French Claim (Fr) were picked up for €3,000 and €9,000 as yearlings, respectively. Tuesday bids to follow the example of fellow Oaks-winning fillies Salsabil (Ire) and Balanchine, both of whom went on to win the Irish Derby. TUESDAY (IRE), Galileo (Ire)--Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) Owners: Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Westerberg Breeder: Coolmore Trainer: Aidan...

David Menuisier has provided an upbeat bulletin on G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby hope Lionel (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) after the colt delighted the trainer in a recent racecourse gallop at Kempton. A winner of the Listed Cocked Hat S. when last seen, Lionel is a general 10-1 chance for the Curragh Classic and is reported to be in rude health by his trainer. Menuisier said, "All is in place for Saturday-so far so good. He keeps on developing and [is] getting stronger and stronger. He did a...