Lope de Vega (Ire)

A person whose job it is to promote horse racing was, rather disappointingly, being sniffy about the Craven meeting on social media last week. I understand that some people don't like racing at the Rowley Mile and, yes, last Tuesday in particular was a little challenging on the weather front. But if you're a Flat racing person, and particularly one who is being paid to tell other people that they should come racing, then you really should appreciate all that is wonderful about these weeks of Classic trials across Europe....

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's twice-raced Halfday (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Daytime {GB}, by Frankel {GB}), who followed up a debut second at Deauville with a breakthrough score at Chantilly in December, continued on the upgrade with a dominant display in Friday's G3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud. The 27-5 chance broke in fourth, but was relegated to last of the six contenders after extended opening exchanges. Bustled along off the home turn, she made relentless headway in the straight to launch her challenge entering the final furlong and was ridden clear...

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.  17.30 Southwell, Novice, £8,000, 3yo, 11f 23y (AWT) CADOGAN PLACE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is an intriguing contender in an intriguing affair as a full-brother to the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Quadrilateral (GB). Andrew Balding unleashes Juddmonte's homebred against two other fascinating newcomers in Godolphin's Hidden Law (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}),...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Royalty Interest in Central Florida. Le Havre Fave Gets The Job Done Klaravich Stables' Royalty Interest (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) scored the second win of her career at Tampa Bay this past weekend (video). Bred by China Horse Club International, the bay sold for €50,000 to Seth Klarman's operation during the 2021 Arqana October Yearling Sale. The fourth foal out of stakes winner Dusky...

The Tattersalls March sale catalogue, which takes place on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at Newmarket's Park Paddocks, is now available online. The sale comprises of both Flat and NH prospects with 85 lots total, highlighted by an eight horse draft from Godolphin led by 2021 G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy-placed Brilliant Light (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Also catalogued is Floral Melody (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a 2-year-old half-sister to SW & GSP-Eng Kylian (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) as well as stakes-placed Remarkable Force (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and several winning...

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan has given the lowdown on the top Chad Brown-trained juvenile prospects that were selected at last year's Book 1 session at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Ryan, who has sourced well over 50 Group/Grade 1 winners in his long and distinguished career, including Book 1 graduates Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), admitted to finding trade "a little easier" in 2023 compared to previous visits to Park Paddocks.  Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine...

French online auction house Auctav will host their January sale starting Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CET, and among the offerings are two flat runners, namely Qantiem (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) and Sinnerman (Fr) (Territories {Ire}). The former, a half-brother to MSP-Fr Layla (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), is out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Reliable Man (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and multiple Group winner Imposing (GB). Sinnerman claims Peruvian champion grass mare GSP-Arg Sissy Chanel (Tapizar) as a half-sister and hails from the female...

   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 Kalispera at Gulfstream Park.   Ten Sovereigns Filly Delivers In Florida William Werner's Kalispera (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) won her American debut at Gulfstream Park for trainer Brian Lynch earlier this month (video). A product of the storied Annemarie O'Brien breeding programme, the 3-year-old rattled off a trio of group placings at two in her colours when third in both the G2 Debutante...

Frankel (GB) has recaptured the crown he first wore in 2021 and is the champion sire in Britain and Ireland for 2023, as well as being the leading sire in Europe, for the second time. It won't be the last. Whether or not he will be able to emulate the long reigns of his sire Galileo (Ire) and grandsire Sadler's Wells remains to be seen, but it would be unwise to bet against it. Yes, Frankel's launch into his stud career was the stallion equivalent of being born with a...

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. Saturday's Observations features the smartly bred Champagne Prince (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). 16.40 Newcastle, Nov, £20,000, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee CHAMPAGNE PRINCE (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who took the eye with a 4 1/2-length debut success at Chelmsford last month, is out of a...

Applying the core principles of breeding to stallions who were top racehorses while enhancing their own core families, Dietrich and Annabel von Boetticher's Gestut Ammerland has forged a reputation as one of the best owner-breeder operations in Europe.  The results of the Bavarian farm speak for themselves but let us offer a reminder here. At one stage Ammerland was home to around 50 mares, but generally the average number has been closer to 30: not quite boutique but also not behemoth.  Over the last 30 years or so, 60 group...

  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 Unconquerable Keen at Del Mar.   Keen Rides Out The Storm At Del Mar It was another stakes victory for the Phil D'Amato barn with the former European runner Unconquerable Keen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) in the Stormy Liberal S. at Del Mar on Saturday (video). Bred by Nicholas Hartery, the 4-year-old gelding managed a pair of victories in his native land in the...