Europe

Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh looks set to be a top class event with the prospect of another clash between Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Found (Ire) Galileo {Ire}). British challengers The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could adder further intrigue to the ten furlong contest. Should they all stand their ground it will be round three in the clash between Newtown Anner Stud's homebred Fascinating Rock and the Coolmore filly Found with the score currently one apiece. Found...

Despite the presence of Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) among 16 other horses left in the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on Sunday, Aidan O'Brien looks more likely to rely on Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) as his main contender for the race. "We have left Minding in the race but she is not a definite runner and it is possible that Ballydoyle might run instead of her," O'Brien said. "Ballydoyle seems to be in good form and ran a blinder at Newmarket. Coolmore (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could run...

Thirteen horses remain in the mix for Saturday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh including Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), who will bid for a Classic double following his win in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Hugo Palmer is happy with Al Shaqab Racing's colt but is under no illusions as to the stiff task ahead, "The Irish 2000 Guineas is a hugely prestigious race and we are very excited to be going there with, what I hope, is a favourites chance. The Curragh has...

  In this series, the TDN catches up with European expatriats working in the Thoroughbred industry around the world. Today's installment features Geoffrey Russell of Keeneland. Hometown? Sutton, Dublin, not a hot bed for Thoroughbreds in Ireland. How did you end up where you are now? Being in the right place at the right time! After college, I worked a season at Coolmore and bid spotted at Goffs. I came to Kentucky in July 1982 as a 3 month summer intern at Fasig-Tipton, not knowing a soul in Lexington. I...

Former Epsom Derby favourite Midterm (GB) (Galileo {GB}) hasn't been completely ruled out of the event after it transpired a hamstring injury may have prevented him showing his true colours when fifth, beaten seven lengths in last Thursday's G2 Dante S. at York. Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager for Prince Khalid Abdullah revealed, "The current situation, after speaking to Sir Michael [Stoute] is that we have found Midterm was sore in a hamstring behind. It has been isolated to that and obviously that has to come right for him to run...

John Gosden plans to give Wings Of Desire (GB) (Pivotal [GB}) a taste of Epsom Racecourse before a planned bid for the G1 Investec Epsom Derby June 4. A racecourse gallop around the unique contours of the course at next Tuesday's Breakfast With the Stars morning will hopefully convince Gosden that Lady Bamford's homebred will be worth supplementing for the Classic at a cost of £75,000. Gosden originally took the colt out of the Derby in early March as the he had not even made his racecourse debut at that...

4.20 Nottingham, Hcp, £10,000, 3yo, f, 10f 50yT FADILLAH (GB) (Monsun {Ger}) puts TDN Rising Star status on the line, with trainer William Haggas treading steadily with Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar's €1.2million ARQAUG half-sister to the G1SW and GI Canadian International third Seismos (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}) from the family of Samum (Ger) et al. This is no soft touch, however, as this smart little race also features Godolphin's Bombilate (Kitten's Joy), a Charlie Appleby trainee whose dam is a half to Untapable (Tapit) and Paddy O'Prado (El...

2nd-WDS, £6,600, Cond, 5-16, 2yo, f, 5f 10yT, 1:00.26, gd. JULE IN THE CROWN (GB) (f, 2, Harbour Watch {Ire}--Jules {Ire}, by Danehill), sixth on debut over this trip at Ascot 10 days previously, was soon in front racing enthusiastically. Asserting in the last furlong, the 4-5 favourite was pushed out to score by two lengths from Barroche (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). "She's a nice filly who has learnt a lot since Ascot and eventually she'll go over six," jockey Silvestre de Sousa commented. "She gives a nice feel, but mentally...

So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), among the favourites for the G1 Investec Oaks after winning York's G3 Musidora S. by four lengths May 11, has been ruled out of that June 3 Epsom contest after pulling out lame on Monday. "It was one of those mornings you get," said trainer John Gosden. "She came out of the race great, but this morning she was lame on her left hind. I told [owners] Andrew and Madeleine [Lloyd-Webber] and got the vet in, and she is not right. We would call...

Stormy Antarctic (GB) (Stormy Atlantic), winner of the G3 Craven S. in April before disappointing when 11th in the G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas, is recuperating from a pulled muscle in his shoulder, with trainer Ed Walker eyeing the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot for his return. "Stormy is building back up," Walker confirmed. "He pulled a muscle in his shoulder and in the end it was a relief that was all it was, because a few days after the race he was in a bit of a...

    French or German Guineas, it all comes alike when you have the innate riding skill of Ryan Moore and, 24 hours after his stirring success on The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Deauville, he was delivering a masterclass from the front on Knife Edge here. Impressing on his winning debut over seven furlongs at Ascot in September, the chestnut was only fourth in Newmarket's Houghton Conditions S. at that trip in October before returning to be third in the mile conditions race...

In this series, the TDN catches up with European expatriats working in the Thoroughbred industry around the world. Today's installment features Darren Fox of Darley America. Hometown? Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon (Up the Ros!) In the west of Ireland. How did you end up where you are now? Growing up on a cattle farm, horses were always a fascination and breeding a few mares was a welcome hobby in addition to the normal routine. Early friendships with the Cullen family in the same village (the eldest being Joey Cullen of Goffs) nurtured...