Europe

For once, he could not avoid drawing attention to himself. For the past 20 years, Seamie Heffernan has been the ultimate team player at Ballydoyle: self-effacing, patient, uncomplaining, a shoulder to the wheel. But his maiden Breeders' Cup success, unmistakably, was the result of an inspired and vivid exhibition of individual flair. By suddenly opening up on Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Turf, Heffernan threw down a challenge to his pursuers that was as dramatic as it ultimately proved decisive. Had the manoeuvre been authored by Frankie Dettori,...

Goffs's week-long November Sale series kicks off on Sunday with the Foal Sale, which runs through Thursday. The catalogue is organised on a rising tide basis, and thus the sale will reach a pinnacle on Thursday when the best-bred offerings, including 19 foals that form part of the Wildenstein dispersal, take their turns through the ring. In addition to the Wildenstein dispersal, which includes a filly by Dansili (GB) out of G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches victress Beauty Parlour (GB) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) (lot 1201)--whose Dubawi (Ire) yearling colt topped...

Continuing our look at the stallions with first foals at the sales over the coming weeks. The stud fee listed was the price on retirement in 2015. HEERAAT (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) Mickley Stud - £4,000 A speed-orientated cross of Dark Angel on a Green Desert mare is likely to appeal to pinhookers, as well as the fact that the former Shadwell trainee Heeraat hails from the immediate family of Group 1-winning sprinter Malhub. A first book just shy of 100 mares should ensure that this five-time winner over five...

1.05 Saint-Cloud, Debutantes, €27,000, 2yo, 7 1/2fT DEVAMANI (FR) (Dubawi {Ire}) represents His Highness The Aga Khan and Alain de Royer-Dupre and is, like this year's G1 Prix Ganay-winning stablemate Dariyan (Fr) (Shamardal), a son of the G1 Hong Kong Vase heroine Daryakana (Fr) (Selkirk). Godolphin's Glen Shiel (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is in opposition and that Andre Fabre trainee is a son of the operation's smart GSW Gonfilia (Ger) (Big Shuffle) from the immediate family of Farhh (GB).

Amy Marnane is a new name in the consignor's index at Goffs this week, with a significant draft of 11 foals catalogued over the five days. The 22-year-old has wasted little time in gaining a wealth of practical experience to go with the undoubtedly valuable education bestowed to her by her father Con, one of the most successful breeze-up traders in Ireland. Despite the success of her father, Marnane junior is keen to prove herself in a tough game but there is no doubt she is giving herself the best...

A session of broodmares marked the close of the six-day Tattersalls Ireland November National Hunt Sale on Friday, with Valyssa Monterg (Fr) (Network {Ger}) (lot 1394), a Grade 2-winner in foal to Shantou, claiming top honours when knocked down to Colm Murphy of Tomgar Bloodstock for €160,000. Consigned by trainer Willie Mullins's Closutton Stables, Valyssa Monterg commanded the highest price for a mare at this sale since 2007. It was a large gap down the next highest price of €56,000, paid by Peter Nolan Bloodstock for the mare Prettyasapicture (GB)...

After a five-year run as retained rider to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, jockey Paul Hanagan has not had his contract renewed for 2017. Hanagan took up the role upon the retirement of Richard Hills in February 2012, and he had his last two rides for the owner at Wolverhampton on Friday evening. Among the highlights of Hanagan's stint for Sheikh Hamdan were wins in the G1 Investec Oaks and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. on Taghrooda (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Mukhadram (GB) (Shamardal) in the...

Perhaps more than ever before, there's great interest surrounding first-season sires and a sizeable batch of freshmen will be heavily scrutinised as the major European foal sales get underway tomorrow. With almost a third of the foal catalogues in Ireland and Britain (28% at Goffs and 32% at Tattersalls) being filled by the offspring of those young stallions, we run the rule over the newcomers, from Alhebayeb to Xtension, over the next two days. The stud fee listed was the price on retirement in 2015. ALHEBAYEB (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire})...

A charity stallion nomination auction for Thoroughbred aftercare organisation Au-Del des Pistes will be held on Dec. 2 at the Arqana sales complex in Deauville. Stallions with seasons to be auctioned include Siyouni (Fr), New Approach (Ire), Intello (Ger), Martaline (GB), Olympic Glory (Ire), Scissor Kick (Aus), Rajsaman (Fr) and Dragon Pulse (Ire). The funds will support Au-Dela des Pistes's 2017 objectives, including a series of retrained racehorse days; accreditation of re-training and re-homing facilities; and crisis funding for the most vulnerable horses. "The start made by Au-Dela des Pistes has...

Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Europe's leading first-crop sire with five stakes winners and earnings of over $1.2-million, will remain at a stud fee of £125,000 next year at his breeder Juddmonte Farms' Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket. "Few horses have made such a global impact as Frankel," said Stud Director Simon Mockridge. "His sublime racing career, physique and pedigree provided the catalyst for the outstanding worldwide support he received since retirement. To date he has yielded five group winners and 18 individual winners--a truly explosive start and one that augurs...

As autumn gave way to winter, the farmer within Tara Stud's Derek Iceton was appreciative of the unseasonably balmy weather that allowed him to coordinate the multitude of tasks that are part and parcel of running a 1000-acre beef, tillage and stud farm. However, it wasn't the price of beef or grain yields that were the topic of conversation when the TDN caught up with Iceton recently; rather, it was the resurgence of a stallion and Thoroughbred breeding farm that has been a focal part of County Meath for over...

4.15 Wolverhampton, Mdn, £5,000, 2yo, 7f 32y (AWT) ALTHIB (GB) (Dansili {GB}), a Charles Hills trainee, is the first foal produced by 2012 G1 Irish Oaks victress Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a full-sister to MG1SW sire Nathaniel (Ire) out of blue hen Magnificient Style (Silver Hawk). Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's firster faces a cast of 11, which includes Godolphin's once-raced Never A Word (Lonhro {Aus}), a half-brother to GIII Iroquois S. winner Lucky Player (Lookin At Lucky) out of a half-sister to MGSW GI Ashland S....