Europe

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. Friday's Observations features the return of Man Of Vision (Dubawi). 13.10 Newmarket, £10,000, Nov, 2yo, c/g, 7fT Godolphin homebred MAN OF VISION (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of dual Group-winning GI Diana Stakes and GI Just A Game Stakes runner-up Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), ran second in his...

The beauty of modern technology allowed agent Jamie Piggott to get in on the action on the penultimate day of the Autumn Horses-In-Training at Tattersalls, with the jet-setting bloodstock agent going to 150,000gns to secure recent Redcar winner Skiathos (Wootton Bassett) whilst on board a flight to America for the Breeders' Cup. Piggott has been quite active this week and signed for seven horses to the tune of 464,000gns on behalf of various different clients - but Skiathos was by far the most expensive and the Thursday sale-topper will join...

A total of 33 UK and Irish raiders--including 2024 G1 Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman), and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe second Minnie Hauk (Frankel)--are among the entries for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) at Sha Tin on Sunday, December 14. Offering record prize-money of HK130 million (£12.7 million), the race day has drawn 185 horses--70 of them top-level winners for the four Group 1 races. Can Europe Secure The Cup? In the HK$40-million (£3.9 million) Longines Hong Kong Cup over 2000 meters, Aidan O'Brien has...

Apprentice jockey Tommie Jakes has died at the age of 19, the Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) and Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) have announced. Jakes had his first ride under Rules in January 2023 and ended that year with 11 winners in Britain, before adding another 29 winners to his tally in 2024. George Boughey's Fouroneohfever provided him with his most recent win when scoring at Catterick on October 18, taking his total for the current season to 19. Having ridden at Nottingham on Wednesday, Jakes was due to have two...

The group-placed Dioptase leads a trio of wildcards for the upcoming Arqana Autumn Sale from November 17-20 in Deauville. Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, the son of New Bay (lot 376) was runner-up in the G3 Prix Greffulhe and was also third in the Listed Prix Pelleas. Rated 100, the three-year-old is from the family of group winner and Classic-placed Survie (Churchill), as well as Group 1 winners and sires Contributer and King Of Steel. Another Flat entry is Listed Grand Prix du Nord fourth Love Me Tender (lot 356). Consigned...

Frankie Dettori has joined Amo Racing as a global brand ambassador to usher in the next phase of his career, following the news that the legendary jockey will retire from American racing after the Breeders' Cup meeting. Dettori will be in action at Del Mar aboard the likes of Wimbledon Hawkeye and Aspect Island for James Owen and the Gredley Family, before the 54-year-old takes a "few rides" in South America to bring the curtain down on a career in the saddle spanning more than three decades. Describing the opportunity...

Powerhouse jumps trainers Willie Mullins, Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson clashed on potential Triumph Hurdle candidate Fantasy World (Make Believe) on day three of the Autumn Horses-In-Training at Tattersalls, with the 103-rated gelding destined for Seven Barrows after agent Jerry McGrath struck the 600,000gns winning bid. McGrath had to see off a determined challenge from Harold Kirk on behalf of Mullins - who has drawn a blank this week - while Ryan Mahon, bidding on behalf of Skelton, filled the role as underbidder.  Fantasy World was sourced by Luke Lillingston...

Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 14:12, IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BOSRA SHAM FILLIES' STAKES-Listed, £40,000, 2yo, f, 6f 0y Field: Anaisa (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Azleet (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Birdcall (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Brisk Symphony (Ire) (Sergei Prokofiev), Chicory (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Coconut Cove (Ire) (No Nay Never), Elara May (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Eternal Solace (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Fairy Oak (GB) (A'Ali {Ire}), Golden Palace (GB) (Palace Pier {GB}), Inside Story (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Palmeira (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Rogue Attraction (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), SOlana Rose (Ire)...

Frankie Dettori left the Del Mar backstretch on Wednesday morning after riding his Breeders' Cup Mile mount Argine and refused all interviews as he departed the stable area. "There will be plenty of news tomorrow," he said.  But tomorrow appears to have come a day early as by lunchtime the legendary jockey had posted a statement on social media to announce his retirement from American racing after the Breeders' Cup meeting. He will also be in action across the two days aboard Wimbledon Hawkeye and Aspect Island for James Owen...

Group 2 winner Zarakem will stand at Haras d'Etreham's jumps division, Haras de la Tuilerie, in 2026. His fee will be €4,000. By Zarak and out of the Mastercraftsman mare Harem Mistress, the five-year-old was bred by Jean-Paul Cayrouze. Racing for Nicolas de Chambure and Sofiane Benaroussi, he won twice at listed level at three and would go on to star in the 2024 G2 Prix d'Harcourt at four. He was also second in the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Ascot and is currently rated 122. The €85,000 Arqana...

Jockey David Egan and Amo Racing have extended their partnership through 2028, Kia Joorabchian's operation announced on X. One of the best horses to carry the purple and white Amo colours is Arizona Blaze, who will be ridden by Egan at the upcoming Breeders' Cup meeting. The duo have won several group races and were second in the G1 Commonwealth Cup in 2025. The son of Sergei Prokofiev captured the G1 Flying Five Stakes earlier this year with Egan at the controls. Egan said, "I'm incredibly proud to extend my...

DEL MAR, USA -- From the shock win of Arcangues in the 1993 Classic through the great Goldikova and Six Perfections to Talismanic, French-trained horses have left their mark on the Breeders' Cup roll of honour and it will be no surprise to see that list extended this year. Only one French trainer is here in Del Mar but he is the one who is making his own indelible mark on his country's racing scene. Francis Graffard will be champion trainer in his home country this year for the first...