Europe

Roger and Tony O'Callaghan talk about Tally-Ho Stud's new addition Maranoa Charlie, buying into Group 1 winner Zavateri and more "We prefer not to say too much, we rather row in behind the horses and let them do the talking," says Tony O'Callaghan from his kitchen table at Tally-Ho Stud.  Both he and his son Roger don't bother to conceal the fact that this is their least favourite part of the job. There is, of course, a silver lining to the fact a journalist with an expectant face and a...

Eight-time Group 1-winning stayer Kyprios will stand for €5,000 under Coolmore's National Hunt banner at The Beeches Stud.  Aidan O'Brien's most prolific winner at the highest level, Kyprios completed a clean sweep in 2022, landing the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, followed by victory in the Goodwood Cup, Irish St Leger and Prix du Cadran.  After an injury-hit season in 2023, he returned to capture all four of those races again in 2024, confirming himself a rare phenomenon.  "Kyprios is an exceptionally good-looking horse with a truly outstanding race record,"...

Many of the world's top stallions are set to be showcased during the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) Irish Stallion Trail, taking place next Friday and Saturday, January 16 and 17. Following another stellar year for Irish sires on the global stage in 2025, the trail offers breeders, racing professionals, and fans a unique chance to see these equine champions in person at over 35 leading stallion farms across 12 counties. The ITM Irish Stallion Trail is a free event, open to all. Visitors can simply register for the studs they...

Rathasker Stud has confirmed the purchase of Classic-producing sire Aclaim. The sire of the 1,000 Guineas winner Cachet, Aclaim is a Group 1 winner himself, with that sole success at the highest level coming in the 2017 running of the Prix de la Foret. His fee for 2026 has been set at €6,500. Maurice Burns said, "We are delighted to announce that Rathasker Stud has purchased 100% of the stallion. Aclaim is a Group 1 winner and more importantly a Group 1 Classic sire.  He will be the perfect fit...

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 sought-after Not This Time filly. 5.05 Dundalk, Mdn, 3yo, f, 8f (AWT) BLANC DE BLANC (Not This Time) makes her keenly-anticipated debut for Amo Racing and Robson De Aguiar, having cost $575,000 at the 2024 Keeneland September Sale. The dam Wonderful (Galileo), who raced for...

The first foal by the high-class sprinter Mill Stream was born at Yeomanstown Stud on Wednesday when the Dark Angel mare Silver Rose delivered a bay filly. Silver Rose, a full-sister to the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 hero Golden Goal, has already produced the Listed winner and Group 3 runner-up Eternal Elixir (Shaman). Stud manager David O'Callaghan said, "Delighted to have Mill Stream's first foal on the ground. She's a belter, a big, strong, bay filly, with good limbs." Mill Stream, a Group 1 winner when landing the...

Breeders' Cup has announced that 14 countries on five continents will host 'Win and You're In' qualifiers in 2026 as the Challenge Series enters its 20th year. A selection of the premier contests in Argentina, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Uruguay feature as part of the 2026 Challenge Series. The 45-race international schedule is available to view here, with the North American portion of the Challenge Series, including races in Canada, set to be...

It feels like just yesterday that the bloodstock world was lauding the record-breaking achievement of Mehmas in 2024, the year that he sired no fewer than 70 individual two-year-old winners in Europe, smashing the previous record tally of 61 which belonged to his neighbour at Tally-Ho Stud, Kodiac. Time waits for no one in this game, however, and so it is that we now head into the 2026 breeding season with three of those 70 having already found themselves a place at stud. They include Ballyhane's new recruit Magnum Force,...

The studs participating in the 2026 edition of La Route des Etalons have been confirmed, with 21 farms set to open their doors on Friday, January 23 and Saturday, January 24. "These two days are both professional and one of the social events of the year," read a press release issued by La Fédération des Eleveurs (French TBA). "We look forward to meeting you there on January 23-24. Thank you in advance to the studs, the visitors and our sponsors and partners." The full list of studs welcoming visitors and...

The Irish Equine Reproduction Symposium takes place at Tinakilly Country House in Co. Wicklow later this month, featuring a dedicated programme for breeders on the morning of Wednesday, January 28. Held in association with ISER (International Symposium on Equine Reproduction) and the IEVA (Irish Equine Veterinary Association), the Breeder Programme will bring together leading international experts to deliver guidance on topics such as maximising first-cycle conception rates; foaling management and getting mares back in foal; using behaviour to support breeding success; innovations in parasite control; inbreeding, pregnancy loss and maternal...

The 2026 sales season at Tattersalls Ireland gets underway with the Winter Flat and National Hunt Sale, with 158 lots set to go under the hammer at the sale where the multiple Grade 1 winner Champ Kiely changed hands for just €5,800 in 2017. The catalogue is made up mostly of National Hunt-bred yearlings, with the sale scheduled to take place on Tuesday, February 3. Among those going through the ring will be the progeny of several leading National Hunt sires, including Walk In The Park, Affinisea, Poet's Word, Blue...

The term 'blue hen' may have emanated from the game birds of the American state of Delaware, but its appropriation by the Thoroughbred breeding industry bears similarities to its origins in that it remains a badge of honour. There are few true blue hens across the world but one who has certainly earned that title is Vimal and Gillian Khosla's Green Room, who died in December at Ballylinch Stud at the age of 23. Bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms, the daughter of Theatrical never made it to the racecourse...