Europe

The sprinting scene in 2016 has been all the poorer for the absence of last year's standard-setting juvenile Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), but he is finally able to reward the patience of Al Shaqab Racing and John Gosden in the G3 John Guest Bengough S. at Ascot on Saturday. Successful in the G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. last season, the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint is still on the agenda if he can come though this reintroduction and give the right signals. “It's great to see...

While all eyes were focused on the market leaders in the finale of a stellar edition of the G1 Irish Champion S., there was one outsider who caught the eye entering the mix in Godolphin's Moonlight Magic (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and on that form he has a leading chance in Saturday's G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Chantilly. Repeating the earlier form of his win in the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. over 10 furlongs at Leopardstown May 8, the homebred was sixth and beaten just six lengths...

Following an unsuccessful try at reverting to a mile when fourth in the G1 Prix du Moulin here Sept. 11, 'TDN Rising Star' Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) returns to a more suitable 10 furlongs as he attempts to register a first black-type success in Sunday's G2 Qatar Prix Dollar at Chantilly. Runner-up to Almanzor (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in both the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 10 1/2 furlongs here June 5 and Deauville's G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano Aug. 15, His Highness The Aga Khan's son of Zarkava (Ire)...

Arc weekend at Chantilly kicks off with the G2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay, with Al Shaqab Racing's Doha Dream (Fr) (Shamardal) proving an early clue as to the prospects of the Japanese challenger Makahiki (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in Sunday's main event. Just a half length behind that rival when third in the G2 Prix Niel here Sept. 11, the bay who had previously captured the Listed Derby de l'Ouest at Nantes July 4 and Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange at Vichy July 29 is an intriguing stayer in the making....

Successful on eight occasions in the G2 Prix de Royallieu, His Highness The Aga Khan obviously places much importance on this race and Saturday's edition at Chantilly features one of his progressive Irish fillies Almela (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Last seen winning the Listed Oyster S. easily over this trip at Galway Sept. 5, the homebred has the profile of a typical Dermot Weld improver. “The ground might be a bit on the quick side for her, but she has to take her chances at this time of year...

Unbeaten in black-type company over extended trips, His Highness The Aga Khan's Vazirabad (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}) looks to extend his sequence in Saturday's G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran at Chantilly. Successful in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak at Saint-Cloud in October, the homebred returned this year to capture the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Mar. 26, the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier again at Saint-Cloud May 29 and the Sept. 11 G3 Prix Gladiateur at this venue. On the latter occasion, he was defying a penalty and he sets the standard...

After her success in the G1 Matron S., Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) can already lay significant claim to champion miling filly status and Saturday's G1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket will be the acid test as to where she stands in that category. Her 3 1/4-length defeat of Persuasive (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), with the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix Rothschild winner Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) back in third, in that Sept. 10 Leopardstown contest marked her out as a cut above all bar...

Returning home after finishing runner-up in the GI Secretariat S. at Arlington Aug. 13, Long Island Sound was back to winning ways under Seamie Heffernan despite giving favourite-backers a late scare. Two-for-two over a mile here in April, the bay extended his unbeaten record at that distance on turf at Killarney May 17 before running third in the 10-furlong G3 Tercentenary S. at Royal Ascot June 16. Sixth in the July 9 GI Belmont Derby, he was denied by a head by Beach Patrol (Lemon Drop Kid) in the Secretariat...

Paris, FRANCE--eSports and virtual racing, as well as customer loyalty and ePayment in the ever-evolving digital age, were the key topics discussed at the ninth Racing and Betting Forum presented by the EPMA, PMU and IFHA in Paris on Friday and attended by 170 delegates from 24 countries. Global eSports is a rapidly growing entertainment and wagering outlet that generated about $325-million in 2015, a figure that is expected to grow to around $500-million this year with a predicted audience of 150-million. Major brands like Coca Cola and Red Bull...

Attempting to halt a run of five straight Group 1 runner-up finishes this term, Aidan O'Brien trainee Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was served no favours during a televised draw ceremony and drew box 12 for Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly. Although faring better than last term's lottery when just two started wider at Longchamp, this year's kinder venue may assist in avoiding a repeat of her troubled trip in that latest renewal and provide O'Brien with just a second win in the 12-furlong contest. She...

A colt by Ballylinch Stud stallion Beat Hollow (GB) (Sadler's Wells) starred on the final day of yearling sales at Goffs this week as the Sportsman's Sale Part 2 drew to a close. 97 of the 154 offered lots changed hands providing a turnover of €893,400, an average price of €9,210 and a median of €7,500. The aforementioned sale topper was offered by Rossenara Stud as lot 979 and was purchased by Salcey Forest Stud for €62,000. The leading buyer for the day was BBA Ireland who signed for over...

By Mark Cramer Winner of six straight, five of six at the Arc distance of 2400m, including three Group 1 races, Roger Varian's Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a heavy favorite in the race books, now trending below 2/1. He defeated Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 4 ½ lengths at Epson in the G1 Investec Coronation Cup and Found came back to finish a near-up second in the G1 QIPCO Irish Champion S., the best field of Group 1 horses to race this summer. Nevertheless, none of the horses that...