Europe

There was a time some decades ago when Britain and Ireland routinely looked to America for stallion prospects through the purchase of well-bred yearling colts. The subsequent dominance of Northern Dancer in Europe, primarily through his son Sadler's Wells, has meant that such trans-Atlantic shopping trips are no longer so in vogue. While there's no shortage of Sadler's Wells' sons and grandsons at stud in this part of the world, an intriguing recent addition to the stallion ranks in Newmarket represents a diversification of the line which is thriving in...

Martin Mitchell, former Director of Bloodstock Sales at Tattersalls, has unveiled a new look at the December Sales, but he assures us that it's merely temporary. Currently sporting a snazzy moustache, he's well on his way to raising around £4,000 for men's health charities, but he's longing for next Thursday to arrive so he can return to being clean-shaven. "I was persuaded to get involved in Movember in the pub much against my better judgement," he confessed. "There are four of us in Newmarket trying to raise money together, including...

For the third time in the last four years a daughter of James Wigan's and George Strawbridge's 10-year-old mare High Heeled (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) has topped the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, with this year's offering, a strong daughter of Dansili (GB), selling for 600,000gns to the partnership of Mayfair Speculators, MV Magnier and Peter and Ross Doyle. Wigan and Strawbridge teamed up to buy the Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed High Heeled as a 3-year-old for 600,000gns back in 2009 and she has done nothing but repay them...

2nd-NC, £6,500, Mdn, 11-25, 2yo, 8f 5y (AWT), 1:38.95, stn. +MIDDLE KINGDOM (c, 2, War Front--River Belle {GB} {GSW & GISP-US, GSW-Eng, $289,613}, by Lahib) was caught napping and dwelt at the break, but soon recovered to race in touch at the tail of the field behind a modest pace in this first go. Inching ever closer from halfway once guided into a clear path, the 5-1 chance was scrubbed along to go second approaching the final eighth and quickened impressively under whipless coaxing in the closing stages to win...

The National Stud's first-season sire Toronado (Ire) was in the spotlight at Tattersalls' December Foal Sale as trade warmed up significantly and one of his sons shared the top spot with a colt by Kodiac. With 17 foals bringing six-figure prices during a vibrant second session, the average, median and clearance all received significant boosts. The average was up by 9% to 40,005gns and the median rose by 15% to 30,000gns. The day's turnover dropped by 2% to 8,441,000gns but this was from 43 fewer horses sold than on the...

1.15 Newcastle, Mdn, £6,500, 2yo, 8f 5y (AWT) China Horse Club's MIDDLE KINGDOM (War Front), one of two contenders from the John Gosden stable, is a 775,000gns TAOCT son of MGSW GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup placegetter River Belle (GB) (Lahib), whose three black-type performers are headed by GSW GI Just A Game S. second Strathnaver (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Stablemate and Antony Beck colourbearer Make Memories (Street Cry {Ire}) was produced by GI Garden City S. and GI Diana S. victress Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}). Other notable...

Fresh from being crowned Britain's champion flat jockey of 2016 Jim Crowley has now landed the plum role of first jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum. Sheikh Hamdan and the previous incumbent Paul Hanagan ended their association recently and following a tremendous campaign that saw him ride 148 winners to win his first championship, Crowley was the man sought by the owner to fill the role. "It's very exciting news and we're thrilled to have him on board,” said Angus Gold, racing manager to Sheikh Hamdan. Gold continued, "I spoke...

Kyllachy (GB) has long been a dependable sire, both in the sales ring and on the racecourse, and his popularity was evident on Monday when his colt out of multiple winner Amicable Terms (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}) topped the first day of the Tattersalls December Foal Sale at 48,000gns. Lot 472 was the selection of Kate Barclay, who confirmed that he had been bought as a pinhook. Bred and consigned by Dwayne Woods' Brook Stud, the colt is a half-brother to two prolific full-siblings, Extrasolar (GB) and Golly Miss Molly...

The fraud case of Bill Vlahos, who was charged on Nov. 9 with allegedly defrauding members of a punting syndicate, has been adjourned until March 2017, according to Racing.com. Vlahos faces 374 charges for defrauding members of failed punting scheme The Edge to the tune of A$128-million between 2008 and 2013. More than 1500 people lost money through the scheme. His case will resume Mar. 2.

Nominations to G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who enters stud at Ballylinch Stud next year, and Coolmore's Group 1 sire Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), have been added to the charity auction to benefit aftercare programme Au Dela Des Pistes to take place at Arqana's Deauville sales ring Dec. 2 at 5:30 p.m. All funds raised by the auctioning of stallion nominations will go to Au Dela Des Pistes, the organisation created by the Aga Khan Studs and Godolphin to promote and coordinate Thoroughbred...

4.25 Kempton, Mdn, £4,500, 2yo, 10f (AWT) Godolphin's QUALITY MOMENT (IRE) (Casamento {Ire}), who cost €210,000 as a GOFNOV foal and 200,000gns as a TAOCT yearling, is half to MGSW G1 Middle Park S. and G1 King's Stand S. placegetter Hot Streak (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), and debuts for the Saeed bin Suroor team against a field of 11 here. John Gosden saddles a quartet which includes Style and Grace (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}), who is a once-tried daughter of 2004 GI Matron S. victress Sense of Style (Thunder Gulch);...

Jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot set a new record for number of wins in a year on the flat for a European jockey when a four-timer at Chantilly on Tuesday saw him reach 275 victories. Peter Schiergen previously held the mark with 271, which he set in 1995 to best Sir Gordon Richards's long-held record of 269 set in 1947. "It's a great achievement," said Boudot's agent Herve Naggar. "He will continue riding to the end of the year, so hopefully he can get close to 300 winners or maybe close to...