Europe

Last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Croix Du Nord was back to his brilliant best in Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin. The Northern Farm-bred claimed his third lifetime Group 1 in the 2000 metre affair by three-quarters of a length over last year's G1 Takarazuka Kinen victor Meisho Tabaru (Gold Ship). Fellow Japanese Derby winner Danon Decile (Epiphaneia) was another length back in third. Drawn widest of all in 15, the near-black colt sidled closer to the fence, but was still punching the breeze about three deep...

Dual Group 1 winner Delacroix will shuttle to Coolmore Australia later this year. The Eclipse Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes victor's fee will be A$38,500 (inc. GST). He joins the newly acquired Super Seth and Home Affairs, the sire of G1 Golden Slipper hero Guest House, among others on the roster. A 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', the son of Dubawi won the G3 Autumn Stakes and missed taking the G1 Futurity Stakes by a nose at two. Besides his pair of top-level victories and G3 Ballysax Stakes and G3...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a Frankel son of Bateel. 1.58 ParisLongchamp, Debutantes, 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT THE ODYSSEY (FR) (Frankel {GB}) is a son of Al Asayl Bloodstock's Prix Vermeille heroine Bateel (Dubawi), who is already responsible for the G2 Prix d'Harcourt winner and Prix Ganay and Grosser Dallmayr-Preis runner-up...

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 17:00, PRIX D'HARCOURT-G2, €119,000, 4yo/up, 10fT Field: Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Cualificar (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Azimpour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Leffard (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Best Secret (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Bright Picture (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), Oracle (Fr) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). TDN Analysis: Andre Fabre has a record 10 editions of this contest already in the books and saddles a squad of four in this year's renewal. Last term's G1 Prix du Jockey Club...

Al Pacino's Inch By Inch speech in the film Any Given Sunday resonates strongly with jockey Killian Leonard, who has been making waves on the breeze-up circuit in recent years.  With the Miami Sharks down and appearing almost certainly out in the Super Bowl final, Al Pacino, who plays coach Tony D'Amato, tells his team that they can claw themselves back into the game, 'inch by inch, play by play'.  He goes on, "The margin for error is so small. I mean, one half step too late or too early,...

Sunday's G1 Osaka Hai attracted a class field of 15, with at least one major entrant swerving a Dubai target thanks to the ongoing conflict in Iran and surrounding countries. Favoured is G1 Hopeful Stakes hero and 2025 G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) victor Croix Du Nord. The son of Kitasan Black claimed France's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange in September, and, although unplaced in soft going in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, bounced back with a fourth to Calandagan (Gleneagles) in the G1 Japan Cup in November....

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Darya at Santa Anita. Persian King Filly Crowned In Arcadia Darya (Persian King) steamed home a 2 3/4-length winner at Santa Anita in late March (video). Raced by Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, the three-year-old filly was bred Emir Alkas. A 40,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, she failed to meet her reserve when passed in for 20,000 out of...

Trainer Tony Carroll, jockey Billy Loughnane, apprentice Ryan Kavanagh and owner Godolphin each won championships in their respective categories on the all-weather. Carroll's 2025 season was a landmark with over £1 million in prize-money for the first time and he sent out 128 winners. His momentum continued into the all-weather season, with 68 wins total. Carroll said, "I have really enjoyed the season. Winning is what it is all about and it has been lovely for us. The team has been fantastic. There has been a great buzz behind the...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a half-sister to Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett). 2.20 Cork, Mdn, 2yo, f, 5fT NEVERMINDTHERAIN (IRE) (No Nay Never) is Ballydoyle's first juvenile filly to appear in 2026 and bids to become the stable's first winner in this category following Friday's near-miss with Confucius. A half-sister to...

Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 17:00, PRIX D'HARCOURT-G2, €119,000, 4yo/up, 10fT Field: Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Cualificar (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), First Look (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Azimpour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Leffard (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Best Secret (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Bright Picture (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), Oracle (Fr) (Too Darn Hot {GB}). TDN Analysis: Andre Fabre has a record 10 editions of this contest already in the books and saddles a squad of four in this year's renewal. Last term's G1 Prix du Jockey Club...

The Treo Eile Summer Sale, an online sale dedicated to retrained thoroughbreds, was announced by Tattersalls Online in collaboration with Treo Eile on Friday. The sale will take place on July 27-28 in conjunction with the Tattersalls Ireland July Show on July 24-26. The sale will provide a high-quality platform to showcase the versatility of retrained racehorses, while offering a transparent and commercial route for their transition into second careers. This collaboration reflects the shared commitment of Tattersalls and Treo Eile to equine welfare, integrity and innovation. Entries will be...

It has been a highly encouraging start to the year in Britain for the select racing interests of Mary Slack, whose colours have been carried to glory by the G3 Winter Derby winner Sky Safari (Zoustar) and last Saturday by her half-sister, the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes winner Pina Sonata (Pinatubo).  The owner-breeder runs an altogether larger operation in South Africa, where she owns Wilgerbosdrift, one of the country's largest stud farms based in the Western Cape. She and her daughter Jessica Slack-Jell are also credited with stepping in to...