Observations on the European Racing Scene for Friday, Aug. 18

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 Insights features a son of Dubawi (Ire) who was the joint-second highest priced yearling at Tattersalls October Book 1 in 2016 and was knocked down for 2.1 million guineas.

1.30 Nottingham, Mdn, £5,000, 2yo, 6f 18yT
EQTIDAAR (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) debuts for owner-breeder Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Sir Michael Stoute stable in the race in which the ill-fated sire Society Rock (Ire) broke his maiden in 2009. The May-foaled bay is a half-brother to the operation's 2015 G1 Dewhurst S. and 2016 G1 2000 Guineas runner-up Massaat (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) from the family of this year's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Precieuse (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}).

6.20 Newmarket, Cond, £7,000, 2yo, 8fT
Godolphin newcomer GHOSTWATCH (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), who was the joint-second highest priced yearling at Tattersalls October Book 1 when knocked down for 2.1-million guineas last year, is a son of the 2011 Listed Derby de l'Ouest victress Nature Spirits (Fr) (Beat Hollow {GB}). He is one of two representatives from Charlie Appleby's local nursery and is joined by stablemate and fellow firster Kind Act (Distorted Humor), who is out of a full-sister to MGISW sire Bernardini (A.P. Indy). Other untested contenders include Dr Johnny Hon's Global Style (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), who is out of the 2002 G1 Cheveley Park S. second Danaskaya (Ire) (Danehill) and is thus kin to three black-type performers headed by 2014 G1 Dewhurst S. and 2016 G1 Lockinge S.-winning sire Belardo (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), from the Ed Dunlop yard; and Qatar Racing Ltd's Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy), who is a John Gosden-trained $160,000 KEESEP son of the 2013 GI Rodeo Drive S. third Vionnet (Street Sense).