Frankel's Daughter Of Star Catcher To Defend The Gosdens' Honour At Sandown

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 daughter of an G1 Irish Oaks winner.

4.10 Sandown, Novice, £22,000, 3yo, f, 9f 209yT
STAR OF LIGHT (GB) (Frankel {GB}) may not have pulled up any trees despite winning on debut at Wolverhampton in December, but the fact that the Gosdens have opted to put her in this significant race speaks volumes. Anthony Oppenheimer's daughter of his G1 Irish Oaks, G1 Prix Vermeille and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes heroine Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) bids to follow in the steps of Clarehaven's Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) who captured this en route to big things. Also won in the past by User Friendly (GB) (Slip Anchor {GB}), this always-intriguing affair features other big prospects such as Godolphin's Yarmouth debut winner Winter's Song (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the Charlie Appleby-trained daughter of the G1 Fillies' Mile and GI Yellow Ribbon Stakes heroine Hibaayeb (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) and full-sister to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Wuheida (GB).

 

4.15 Doncaster, Novice, £8,000, 3yo/up, 6f 2yT
TASALLA (IRE) (Mehmas {Ire}) proved a prescient 390,000gns purchase by Federico Barberini for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum at the 2023 Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale, merely months before his half-brother Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) captured the G1 July Cup. Owen Burrows has charge of the newcomer, who has it to do taking on six previous winners in what could be classed as an early Commonwealth Cup pointer.