Europe

George Scott and Victorious Forever enjoyed another successful international raid on Sunday when plundering the G3 Premio Gran Criterium at San Siro Racecourse with Gaga Mate (Mehmas). Last seen finishing fifth in Doncaster's Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes, Gaga Mate was settled in mid-division in the early stages of this seven-and-a-half-furlong contest, before responding generously to jockey Billy Loughnane's urgings when ridden two furlongs out. Assuming command from the long-time leader and favourite Zuender (Amaron) inside the final 100 yards, he stuck to his task well from there to land...

Karl Burke trainee Convergent (Fascinating Rock), who had hit the board in a stellar edition of May's G3 Chester Vase and July's G1 Deutsches Derby, gained his black-type breakthrough in the G3 Kilternan five weeks ago and climbed another rung up the ladder with a career best in Sunday's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris at Longchamp. "The race panned out exactly how I wanted it to," said winning rider Clifford Lee. "It was a strong gallop, but he's one of those that doesn't want being in front too soon....

Qipco British Champions Day should be one of those occasions when some of the stallions of next year go out in a blaze of glory on the track. Richard Fahey's Powerful Glory did indeed enhance his future stallion credentials when delivering a 200/1 shock success in the British Champions Sprint, but the other major winners of the day were geldings, bar of course the dual Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes winner Kalpana (Study Of Man). The upside of that scenario is that we can look forward to some returning heroes...

Gestut Rottgen homebred and four-race maiden Alsterperle (Reliable Man), who was last seen running second in the Listed Winterkonigin Trial at Cologne three weeks ago, made the breakthrough with a first win of any kind in Sunday's G3 Carla Kellner Zukunftsrennen Preis der Winterkonigin at Baden-Baden. Last year's renewal was annexed by subsequent G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Nicoreni (Brametot). "Winning the Winterkonigin is something very special indeed," commented winning trainer Maxim Pecheur after registering a first victory in Germany's premier event for juvenile distaffers. "Alsterperle will now...

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 newcomer from the red-hot Francis Graffard stable. 1.23 ParisLongchamp, Debutantes, 2yo, c/g, 9fT EBIYAR (Siyouni) is a notable newcomer for the Aga Khan Studs as a son of the promoted 2013 Prix de Royallieu winner Ebiyza (Rock Of Gibraltar), who has produced the Jockey Club...

Sunday, Kyoto, Japan, post time: 15:40, SHUKA SHO-G1, ¥215,400,000, 3yo, f, 2000mT Field: Danon Fair Lady (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Rouge Solitaire (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Jocelyn (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Lesedrama (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Kelly Fled Ask (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Kurino Mei (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Theresa (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Ma Puce (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits), Erika Express (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Voulezvous (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), Sena style (Jpn) (Sottsass {Fr}), Vip Daisy (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), In Vogue (Jpn) (Lord...

The BBAG October Sale concluded in Germany on Saturday, with lot 294, a Japan colt already named Pace, topping the session when going the way of owner Ahmad Al Shaikh for €43,000. Consigned by Gestut Etzean, Pace is out of the Maxios mare Pray, who is the dam of two winners from as many runners to date. Pray, in turn, is out of the Listed winner and multiple Group-placed Paraisa (Red Ransom), a half-sister to the G1 Premio Roma scorer Potemkin (New Approach) and G2 Oettingen Rennen hero Penalty (Frankel)....

Oisin Murphy, Joe Leavy and Godolphin were crowned champions at Ascot as the British Flat season concluded with QIPCO British Champions Day. Murphy secured the champion jockey title for a fifth time, having previously taken the accolade in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024. The Irishman ended the championship with 143 winners, with Billy Loughnane next best on 108. Highlights for Murphy included a Group 1 double at York's Ebor Festival courtesy of Asfoora in the Nunthorpe Stakes and Never So Brave in the City Of York Stakes. Murphy said, "You...

High-class fillies Nyra, Egina and Daylight headline the catalogue for the 2025 edition of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage, which takes place from December 6-9. The first part of the catalogue features 248 mares, fillies and foals, with Nyra set to be one of the early highlights when she is offered as lot 187. Trained by Waldemar Hickst, the daughter of Isfahan gained her biggest success to date in July's G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis, before also finishing a close-up third in the G1 Preis der Diana. She is out of a half-sister...

Speed star Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) broke ground as the first international horse to win the G1 The Everest Saturday at Royal Randwick, and the connections have already gone on record in saying that they'd like to bring him back for a defense of his crown next year. Now with 15 wins from 17 starts, and unbeaten in his last 14 jumps, Ka Ying Rising put doubts on his ability to rest when comfortably cruising home in the world's richest turf race despite not being at his personal best. Immediately...

Superstar sprinter Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) wasn't the only one to break new ground at Royal Randwick Saturday as The Everest itself set a new record for World Pool turnover on a single race and eclipsed the previous all-time high by over HK$16-million, the organization announced via press release. The Everest attracted HK$83,024,693 (£8-million/AU$16.4-million) in wagering, shattering the prior mark of HK$66,197,958 set in 2023 for the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Ka Ying Rising became the first international winner of the G1 The Everest on...

While Team Ballydoyle missed out on the Group 1s at Ascot, Saturday's two-year-old card at Leopardstown well and truly belonged to it with Dorset (Wootton Bassett) making all in the G3 Killavullan Stakes to make it five wins from the first five races. Last seen winning the Goffs Million, the TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard was also completing a treble on the day for Jack Cleary as he registered a half-length success from stablemate Daytona (Wootton Bassett) as the 13-8 second favourite. O'Brien failed to complete the clean sweep...