Europe

While she may not be heading to any Triple Crown races, Amo Racing's progressive filly Blanc De Blanc (Not This Time) was taking all the qualifying points available with a command performance in Friday's Patton Race at Dundalk. Shaping with more professionalism than on her winning debut over this mile and course last month, the Robson De Aguiar-trained 7-2 favourite was able to track stablemate Flanker Jet (Oasis Dream) before striking a furlong out. Pushed out to the line by Donagh O'Connor, she registered a three-length verdict over Whatchadoin (Starman). "She's...

Bloodstock agent Nico Archdale has shared news of his brain cancer diagnosis and revealed that the outpouring of well-wishes from the racing and bloodstock communities have provided him with the necessary strength to meet what has been a frightful start to the new year with steely determination.  Archdale is perhaps best known for his role working for Saudi Arabian-based Najd Stud. He was diagnosed with brain cancer in late January and has already undergone surgery to remove a tumor from his brain.  The 32-year-old faces a gruelling stretch of Radiotherapy...

Capital Stud's Topgear had his first mares scanned in foal, the stud announced on Friday. The multiple group winner, who scored in the G2 Challenge Stakes, stands for €7,500 this year. "We are delighted to announce that Topgear has had his first mares scanned in foal," the stud said in a statement. "It's an exciting milestone for this exceptional young stallion and a hugely encouraging start to his stud career at Capital Stud. Early scans have been very positive, and we are grateful to the breeders who have shown such...

Point-to-pointer Amber Dancer (Dragon Dancer) was one of the choicest lots during Friday's ThoroughBid February Sale at £12,000, selling to Matt Coleman and will now be trained by Neil King. Consigned by Willie Mullins, she holds a second-place effort when debuting in a point-to-point Flat race at Duncombe Park earlier this month. Dan Astbury paid £20,000 for Dan's Allstar from the consignment of Tom Keating. The son of Malinas has placed once in three runs in point-to-points and is from the family of G2 Martell Cup Chase winner Scotton Banks...

Saturday's GIII Honey Fox Stakes at Gulfstream Park brings with it the next chapter in the feel-good story of Lush Lips (Ten Sovereigns), the first four-year-old start for the Keeneland pin-up girl who remains a Somerset lass at heart. Trained by Brendan Walsh, Lush Lips lines up at Gulfstream as the winner of four of her 11 starts to date. In October, she enjoyed her career highlight when making the breakthrough at the top level in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Stakes at Keeneland. Then, just a few weeks...

   Thelastmanfrompenr (Passing Glance) (lot 1), a winner of his debut bumper at Kelso earlier this month, is one of three lots catalogued for the GoffsGo Early March Sale. A half-brother to the Grade 1-placed Notlongtillmay (Malinas), he is joined by lot 2, War Officer (Westerner), who has placed twice in his first two point-to-point efforts. He is a full-brother to the graded-placed Anything Will Do and a half-brother to the graded -placed Stand Up And Fight (Flemensfirth). The catalogue is rounded out by Mr Diafoirus (Sir Percy) (lot 3),...

The 25th running of the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup will break new ground when run as a World Pool fixture. The meeting, which will be staged at Ascot on Saturday, August 8, will also for the first time feature a team from the Hong Kong Jockey Club. Led by Vincent Ho, the rider of the legendary Golden Sixty, the team will consist of three riders licensed to ride in Hong Kong and will replace the Asia team. Australian jockey Jamie Melham, who made history in 2025 when becoming the...

Genesis Green Stud's new recruit Royal Scotsman has had his first mare scanned in foal. The mare in question, Compassionate, is owned by Classic-winning jockey and breeder Willie Carson of Minster Stud, who is said to be "thrilled with the result". Compassionate is a Minster Stud-bred Charm Spirit half-sister to G1 Dubai Duty Free winner Al Shemali (Medicean) and G2 Henry II Stakes winner Tungsten Strike (Smart Strike). "The team at Genesis Green are equally delighted, as Royal Scotsman continues to attract an increasingly strong first book of mares," said...

Tattersalls has announced the appointment of trainer and stallion master Knut Arnesen as its Scandinavian representative. "Knut Arnesen is a great addition to the Tattersalls team of overseas representatives, we place huge emphasis on promoting all Tattersalls sales to as wide an international audience as possible and we are delighted that he has joined us. Well-known and hugely respected in the Scandinavian racing and bloodstock industry, Knut brings a wealth of experience to the role and his knowledge and extensive contacts in Scandinavia will be invaluable," said Tattersalls managing director...

Charlie Appleby's Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath) will skip an intended start in the G1 Dubai Turf at the end of March and instead will be pointed to a summer campaign. The Racing Post first reported the news. The winner of the G1 Jebel Hatta earlier this year, the son of Ghaiyyath was set to face fellow Godolphin runner and Group 1 winner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) in the contest. Appleby told the publication, "Opera Ballo is in good shape but I don't think a full field of 14 runners going around...

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. Friday's Observations features a pricy auction purchase. 6.00 Dundalk, Cond, 3yo, 8f (AWT) BLANC DE BLANC (Not This Time) comes back to the course and distance of her debut win last month in this "Dundalk Stadium Patton Race" won in the past by the likes of Mendelssohn and Washington...

Saturday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 20:35, AL MAKTOUM CLASSIC-G2, AED1,700,000, 4yo/up & SH 3yo, 2000m Field: Heart Of Honor (GB) (Honor A.P.), Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Walk Of Stars (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Generous Tipper (Street Sense), Tap Leader (Tapiture), Killer Collect (Collected), Masmak (Vino Rosso), Flying Honours (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Antrim (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) TDN Analysis: This course-and-distance lead-up to the G1 Dubai World Cup shapes pretty quick on paper and that should suit Heart of Honor right down to the ground. Winner of the...