Europe

1st-GAL, €18,000, Mdn, 9-5, 2yo, 8f 73yT, 1:54.09, sf. EXEMPLAR (IRE) (c, 2, Galileo {Ire}--Miarixa {Fr}, by Linamix {Fr}), second on debut over seven furlongs at The Curragh Aug. 21, raced in fourth initially. Moving up to take over with a furlong remaining, the 8-13 favourite stayed on strongly to score by five lengths from Itsalonglongroad (GB) (Lawman {Fr}). "He had a very good run at the Curragh, but he is a bit lazy and is still learning," jockey Seamie Heffernan commented. "He won easily and feels like he could...

Khalid Abdullah's Midterm (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), considered among the favourites for the G1 Investec Derby before finishing fifth in the G2 Dante S. and failing to the make the blue riband, could be back in action in Sunday's G2 Prix Niel at Chantilly. The bay has not been seen since the Dante May 12. "Midterm has been going nicely at home and has various options in the coming weeks," said Khalid Abdullah's Racing Manager Teddy Grimthorpe. "As it stands, his primary one at the moment looks like being the Prix...

G2 Great Voltigeur S. winner Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) heads 15 confirmations for Saturday's G1 Ladbrokes St Leger. The full-brother to this term's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Highland Reel (Ire) is the 10/11 antepost favourite with Ladbrokes for the world's oldest Classic. Idaho is one of seven remaining for trainer Aidan O'Brien after Monday's confirmation stage. The Ballydoyle conditioner's arsenal of seven also includes Great Voltigeur second and G3 Bahrain Trophy winner Housesofparliament (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and O'Brien said he is likely to run "three...

The inauguration last year of the Commonwealth Cup as a fully-fledged Group 1 was an exceptional indulgence, but it is hard to argue with the results. True, it is hard to imagine that the field assembled for the second running would have been materially altered by Group 2 status, as not one of the runners would have had to shoulder a Group 1 penalty. But it should be remembered that the race had long been targeted for the dual Group 1 winner Shalaa (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) until derailed by...

4.35 Galway, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 8f 124yT EXEMPLAR (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) bids to build on an encouraging debut effort when second at The Curragh last month for Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Susan Magnier and Aidan O'Brien. The half-brother to the 2011 G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Blue Bunting (Dynaformer) meets one of His Highness The Aga Khan's newcomers in Simafar (Ire) (Makfi {GB}), a Dermot Weld-trained colt whose dam was a listed-winning half to Sinndar (Ire).

Iquitos first emerged on the major domestic scene when runner-up to the G1 Deutsches Derby second Palace Prince (Ger) (Areion {Ger}) in the 10-furlong G3 Grosser Preis der Sparkasse Krefeld last August, but was not seen until fourth in the Listed Preis von Dahlwitz over that trip at Hoppegarten Apr. 24. Moving on to capture the G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft over 11 furlongs here May 29, the bay was no match for Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) when second in Hamburg's G2 Grosser Hansa-Preis at this trip July 3...

Jockey James Doyle has picked up the mount on Ronnie Arculli's Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) in Saturday's G1 Ladbrokes St Leger, with his retainer, Godolphin, without a contender for the Doncaster Classic. Red Verdon was supplemented to the G1 Investec Derby after a pair of handicap score in May, and wound up sixth in the blue riband. The chestnut checked in fourth in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby June 25, and was last seen finishing second in the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris July 14. "I've...

Germany's season reaches its pinnacle on Sunday, when the G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Baden features the G1 Preis der Diana hero Serienholde (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) bidding to take advantage of a sizeable weight-for-age concession from the older horses. Gestut Wittekindshof's homebred beat Sarandia (Ger) (Dansili {GB}) in the 11-furlong Classic at Dusseldorf last time Aug. 7 and she has serious prospects even though that runner-up flopped when only fifth in the G2 T Von Zastrow Stutenpreis here on Saturday. Representing the form of the G1 Deutsches Derby are...

PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE With persistent rain blighting Haydock's big day, Saturday's G1 32Red Sprint Cup was robbed of fast-ground lover Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) but handed a lifeline as the filly Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) registered an impressive second success at the highest level. Third in the G1 July Cup over this trip at Newmarket last time July 9, the June 17 G1 Commonwealth Cup heroine travelled with menace behind the early leaders and when given the command by Dougie Costello took control approaching the furlong pole. Chased by The...

Not seen since winning the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury last September, Hathal was able to brush off the cobwebs and make a winning comeback with the rain arriving just in time. Tried in the G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot last June, the chestnut was 10th in that seven-furlong contest before finishing seventh in Glorious Goodwood's G3 Thoroughbred S. upped to a mile at the end of July. Sent to York for a mile handicap the following month, he was second, beaten 2 1/4 lengths trying to...

Salisbury's G3 Bathwick Tyres Dick Poole Fillies S. winner Madam Dancealot (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) will be offered for sale at Goffs Champions Sale which will be held before racing at Leopardstown next Saturday. The juvenile filly is trained by Joe Tuite for Mrs Olivia Hoare who purchased her for £100,000 through Kern Lillingston Association at this year's Goffs London Sale on the eve of Royal Ascot. Bred by Tally-Ho Stud Madam Dancealot was the first stakes winner for Tally-Ho's stallion Sir Prancealot (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) who currently enjoys a...

Unbeaten juvenile Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) came through a racecourse workout in pleasing style at Newmarket on Saturday. Frankie Dettori partnered the Wesley Ward trained filly in a gallop over the Rowley Mile track and connections were satisfied with her condition ahead of her next planned outing in the G1 Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket Sept. 24. Rachel Rodman is overseeing proceedings on Ward's behalf and reported, "Everything is good. She worked on the Rowley Mile and Frankie was very happy. It was nothing too strenuous, it was just to...