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 half-brother to the multiple Grade I-winning sire Up To The Mark.
16.55 Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 3yo/up, c/g, 8fT
Aidan O'Brien entry SHAFTESBURY AVENUE (Maxfield) is a $1-million Keeneland September acquisition and half-brother to multiple Grade I-winning sire Up To The Mark (Not This Time). His two dozen rivals include stablemate and fellow newcomer Scientific (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who is kin to four black-type performers out of the dual Group 2-placed Listed Galtres Stakes winner Tanoura (Ire) (Dalakahani {Ire}).
15.45 Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT
Coolmore debutante FEEL THE LOVE (IRE) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) is a half-sister to three black-type performers headed by G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau Stakes heroine Fancy Blue (GB) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). The Donnacha O'Brien trainee encounters Ballydoyle's twice-raced G3 Naas Fillies Sprint third Signora (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who is a full-sister to the multiple Group 1-placed G3 Killavullan Stakes victrix Exactly (Ire).
15.50 Saint-Cloud, €24,700, Mdn, 3yo, 10fT
White Birch Farm's homebred MUTANT KING (IRE) (Kingman {GB}), fifth going one mile at Chantilly last September, is out of the multiple Grade I-placed My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}), herself kin to elite-level performers Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) and Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The Francis Graffard nominee's rivals include Godolphin's once-raced Libeccio Wind (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), who is an Andre Fabre-trained half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Wuheida (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) out of G1 Fillies' Mile and GI Yellow Ribbon Stakes victrix Hibaayeb (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}).
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