Europe

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE -- "Deep German family" was an oft-uttered phrase during Sunday's session of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage, most notably in the case of top lot Qualixia (lot 464), who is set to continue her racing career with Joseph O'Brien after being bought by Blandford Bloodstock's Stuart Boman for €320,000. Last seen making a black-type breakthrough in the Listed Grand Prix de Fontainebleau, Qualixia was offered by trainer Philippe Decouz as the winner of four of her 11 career starts. Bred by Gestut Fahrhof, the four-year-old daughter of Blue Point...

W Heart Bond became only the second filly or mare to win the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo on Saturday. The daughter of Kizuna denied Wilson Tesoro (Kitasan Black) by a nostril in the 1800-metre affair formerly known as the Japan Cup Dirt. For the second year in a row, Wilson Tesoro was second by a nose in the Champions Cup. He also filled that position in 2023, but the margin in that instance was 1 1/4 lengths. Sent off at 6-1, the four-year-old filly was overeager before the gates...

by Richard G. Hogan It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to my best friend, Mike Doyle. I first met Mike when I came to Canada in 1983, and we became instant friends. Over the 40-plus years that followed, there were very few days we didn't speak. Mike brought so much laughter into my life, often leaving me in tears from his stories and quick wit. When I was dealing with my cancer diagnosis, he called me every day. I always felt better after hanging up...

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE -- From Newmarket bargain buy to Deauville showstopper, Half Sovereign made "a dream come true" on Saturday when selling to Henry Lascelles for €2.6 million to headline the opening session of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage. Offered by Consign Ltd on behalf of trainer Karl Burke and his partner in the daughter of Ten Sovereigns, Adam Spratt, the two-year-old has gone from strength to strength since her low-profile appearance at last year's Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. Purchased by Burke for just 12,000gns at Park Paddocks, Half Sovereign has gone...

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,860,000, 3yo/up, 1800m Field: William Barows (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), W Heart Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro), Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Helios (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior), Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Outrange (Jpn) (Regalo {Jpn}), Tenka Jo (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Narukami (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameham {Jpn}), Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Luxor Café (American Pharoah)....

Margie's Music (Hurricane Run) (lot 211), the dam of two stakes horses including 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard and Group winner Mr Hollywood (Iquitos), sold for €1 million to Ecurie Des Monceaux's Henri Bozo and the Broadhurst Agency at Arqana's Vente d'Elevage. The 11-year-old mare was offered in foal to Night of Thunder. "She really seems to produce well at the top level," said Bozo of the Haras de la Cour Blanche offering. "I loved her physically. She has the class of Montjeu and Hurricane Run. She's in foal...

Lily Hart (lot 207) came into Arqana's Vente d'Elevage a sought-after prospect; a Listed winner and Group-placed four-year-old filly, by Galileo and in foal to Wootton Bassett. She was, said Haras du Cadran's Pierre Talvard, his number one selection of the sale, and when the hammer fell and she was his at €1.05 million, he was temporarily too moved to speak. "She was my selection of the sale," he said, wiping tears from his face. "I would have done anything for her. She is a daughter of Galileo, winner of...

Group winner Half Sovereign took the lead at Arqana's Vente d'Elevage when selling for €2.6 million to Henry Lascelles on Saturday evening. A winner of the G3 Prix Miesque for Karl Burke, lot 195 is a granddaughter of the stakes-placed Wedding Party (Groom Dancer), who foaled a trio of black-type horses. Consign, Ltd., offered the juvenile filly, who was acquired by Burke for just 12,000gns out of the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. Bred by Haras des Trois Chapelles, the Spratt Properties and Elaine Burke-owned bay is a daughter of Baileys...

by the Doyle Family The family of Mike Doyle is deeply saddened to share that he passed away peacefully on December 4, 2025, at the age of 74 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 23, 1951, Mike carried with him a true Irish spirit, warm-hearted, charismatic, and always ready with a story. His passion for horse racing was woven through every chapter of his life. Whether he was at the track, in the barn, or sharing a moment with fellow horse people, Mike found joy and...

   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 Portfolio Duration at Tampa Bay Downs. Night Of Thunder Filly Boasts Top Portfolio Klaravich Stables' Portfolio Duration romped in a Tampa Bay maiden for Chad Brown on December 3 (video). Bred by Michael E. Wates, CBE, the three-year-old filly cost 185,000gns as a Tattersalls December weanling, and was later picked up by Mike Ryan for Seth Klarman's operation for 150,000gns out of Book...

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE -- For the second time in as many years, the young team at Consign Ltd is bidding to close out the sales season in style when high-class filly Half Sovereign is offered as a wildcard during Saturday's session of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage. When the TDN cameras visited Harriet Jones and Chloe Battam in July last year, the newly-founded Consign Ltd was preparing to get the ball rolling with a bumper draft numbering 18 horses at the Tattersalls July Sale. Then, less than five months later, Jones and...

A lifetime breeding right in new Yeomanstown Stud sire Sands Of Mali (lot 135) is one of 14 wildcards added to next weeks Tattersalls Online December Sale on December 10-11. Now a Group 1 sire with the victory of Time For Sandals in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the son of Panis will stand the 2026 season for €22,500. Other lots include a breeding right to Group 1 sire Without Parole (lot 136), whose Zavateri took the G1 National Stakes; while there are stallion shares in group sire...