Whirl (Ire)

As if Saturday's action at The Curragh hadn't already championed Cooomore's stratospheric Wootton Bassett, along came Whirl to hammer home the point in a thrilling renewal of the feature G1 Pretty Polly Stakes. Outgunning Juddmonte's accomplished Kalpana (Study Of Man) following a prolonged tussle between the elite mastercraftsmen Ryan Moore and Colin Keane, Ballydoyle's Oaks runner-up followed on where the stable's Dorset and Beautify had led earlier in the afternoon. Reminding the world that he remains a racing fan, Aidan O'Brien was quick to pay tribute to the actors involved...

There was a Guineas-Oaks double on the line in Friday's Betfred-sponsored Classic, but in truth Desert Flower never really featured as Ballydoyle's Epsom stranglehold tightened further. From the start, the stable's number one Minnie Hauk followed stablemate Whirl around and from over two out it was that pair who dominated, coming home in isolation to complete another successful assault by Rosegreen on the fillies' monument. An astonishing 11th in this particular race. Frankel's Minnie Hauk, who was a headline act from the first sight of her in public at the...

Relishing the step up to an extended 10 furlongs on Wednesday, Ballydoyle's Whirl dominated York's G3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes to continue Aidan O'Brien's remarkable run in the Classic Trials. Sixth on her seasonal bow in what could prove her final run at a mile in The Curragh's G3 Park Express Stakes, the daughter of Wootton Bassett from the family of Galileo's Hydrangea, Hermosa and The United States raced prominently from the outset off the strong tempo before being committed with three furlongs to race. Giving generously for Ryan Moore, last...

All eyes were on Ballydoyle's 10-11 favourite Giselle (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) ahead of Tuesday's G3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes, but it was the stablemate Whirl (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Salsa {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) who came up with the goods to edge The Curragh's mile feature. Sent straight to the front by Wayne Lordan from the outset, the relative of Galileo's star mares Hydrangea (Ire) and Hermosa (Ire) kept digging in as And So To Bed (Ire) (Kodiac {GB} threatened and briefly headed her in the final furlong to re-assert close home...

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. Friday's Observations features Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up graduate Bambalam (Persian King).   16.45 York, Mdn, £100,000, 2yo, 7fT BAMBALAM (FR) (Persian King {Ire}), who was his sire's most expensive progeny sold at auction when becoming the fourth-highest-priced lot at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale in April, makes his...