Roger Varian

He's as big as it gets among top-class thoroughbreds, but Amo Racing's King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Eldacar {GB}, by Verglas {Ire}) showed for the second time this month that he has grace in abundance as he stormed to glory in Friday's G2 King Edward VII S. Denied only by Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in a dramatic finale to the Derby, the imposing grey was at risk of coming back too quickly but his odds of 11-10 reflected the confidence in Roger Varian not to make that particular...

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 a full-sister to Grade I winner Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). 14.50 Newbury, Novice, £40,000, 3yo, f, 8fT CLASSIC TIMES (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a full-sister to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GI Just a Game S. heroine Newspaperofrecord (Ire)...

On another big day for Shadwell, the 3-year-old bow of Enfjaar (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Tesoro {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) could easily have gone under the radar were it not for the deep impression the operation's latest TDN Rising Star created on Chelmsford's Polytrack. Having had the current Derby favourite Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) back in fourth when scoring on debut over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October, the Roger Varian-trained bay was the 4-7 favourite for the card's Racing Welfare Novice S. over a mile and broke smartly...

Classic hero Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who races for KHK Racing, Ltd., has exited his second-place effort in the G2 Yorkshire Cup in excellent order, and is pointing toward Royal Ascot's G1 Gold Cup. Trained by Roger Varian, the 4-year-old entire won the G2 Queen's Vase during the iconic meeting last year, and, after a fourth-place run in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris, won the G1 St Leger in September. Unplaced in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup, Eldar Eldarov was conceding anywhere from two to five...

The demand for high-end horses remained strong on Day 1 of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale as a Munnings colt (lot 47) consigned by Longways Stables led proceedings when selling to Oliver St Lawrence for 360,000gns. Bought by Ted Durcan and Mick and Sarah Murphy of Longways Stables for $150,000 at the Keeneland September Sale, the Munnings colt turned a handsome profit and will join trainer Roger Varian. "He's a very taking horse and Roger and I were keen on him," St Lawrence said. "He looks like a horse...

They're off and running at Newmarket, though not all of the runners have been in official races. The first day of the Craven meeting, a date anticipated with longing by those racing folk who dwell by that wind-blasted Heath, was ushered in by a Classic winner on the Rowley Mile.  While we have more than a fortnight to wait for the first Classic victor of 2023 to reveal himself, the 2021 Irish Derby winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) strode out with purpose under William Buick on the easy turf...

A total of 33 lots have been catalogued for the Tattersalls Online April Sale and can be viewed here. Bidding for the sale commences from 12 noon on Tuesday, Apr. 4 and closes from 12 noon on Wednesday, Apr. 5. The catalogue is comprised of 28 horses in and out of training from both Flat and National Hunt disciplines, four broodmares and a yearling filly by Planteur (Ire), sire of dual Group 1 winner Trueshan (Fr). Set to go through the ring from Darren Bunyan's Blackmiller Stables is three-time winner...

Twelve years have passed since Roger Varian became a licensed trainer as the health of his much-loved former boss and mentor, Michael Jarvis, declined. One softly-spoken but calmly assured man took over from another after Varian had served a decade as Jarvis's assistant. By that stage he had clearly proved himself a worthy successor, and the rise of the Varian stable in the intervening years has only served to underline Jarvis's judgement in this regard. Last year was Varian's best to date. There haven't been many seasons during his term...

Emily Scott, who served Highclere as its assistant racing manager from 2014-2017, has been appointed to the position of director of racing. Her new duties will commence Jan. 3, 2023. Since her first stint with the organization, Scott has gained experience as communications manager for trainer Roger Varian and more recently served as racing manager for Amo Racing Limted. Emily Scott said: "I am delighted to be returning to Highclere to lead the racing team. I look forward to working closely with the trainers to get the most out of...

There was an exciting newcomer in action at Kempton on Monday as Yoshiro Kubota's Dragon Icon (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) made light work of the seven-furlong British EBF Novice S. A full-brother to the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and GII Jessamine S. winner and $3million Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November Sale sensation Aunt Pearl (Ire), the Roger Varian-trained bay travelled strongly towards the rear with the anchor down throughout the early stages. Building a head of steam in early straight, the 4-1 shot struck the front passing the furlong pole and stayed...

Classic heroine Toskana Belle (Fr) (Shamalgan {Fr}), who raced most recently for Andreas Wohler and Australian Bloodstock, has been sold to Shadai Farm and will be trained by Roger Varian going forward, Wohler announced on his website. Bred by Ecurie Normandie Pur Sang, the chestnut was an €40,000 RNA at the Arqana October Yearling Sale. Raced initially by trainer Marian Falk Weissmeier and Stall Piccadilly, the filly won at second asking at Evreux in May before adding the Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis on May 14. Purchased by Australian Bloodstock, she was third...

Group 1 winner Bayside Boy (Ire) (New Bay {GB}--Alava {Ire}, by Anabaa) has been retired and will stand at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland in 2023. A fee will be announced in due time for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. hero and a limited number of shares will be available to breeders. Bred by Ballylinch and raced by Teme Valley Racing and Ballylinch in partnership, the Roger Varian-trained bay won the G2 Champagne S. as a juvenile and was also third at Group 1 level in both the Dewhurst S....