Almanzor (Fr)

Francis-Henri Graffard looked set to have the one-two-three in Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane Longines heading to the closing stages, but while that didn't transpire France's pre-eminent trainer of 2025 was ultimately in the right place as Gezora (Almanzor) brought it home. Continuing the timeless love affair between American interests and French racing, the daughter of the 2006 Diane runner-up Germance proved strongest in the Chantilly Classic to complete the Saint-Alary-Diane double for Peter Brant's White Birch Farm. Sent off at 11-2 having upped her game last month at ParisLongchamp...

Rennstall Gestut Hachtsee's Zuckerhut (Almanzor) was too good for his rivals in a strong renewal of Monday's G2 Sparkasse KolnBonn 190th Union-Rennen at Cologne and the G3 Bavarian Classic fourth punched his ticket to July's G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg with a one-length triumph in Germany's premier trial for the main event. The 5-2 favourite, who had previously snagged his Apr. 6 debut at Mulheim, employed patient tactics and was positioned off the pace in sixth for most of this 11-furlong contest. Rowed along to reduce arrears at the top...

Bringing yet more success to the Francis-Henri Graffard stable in 2025, White Birch Farm's Gezora emulated the 2006 Prix Saint-Alary success of her dam Germance at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. Sent off at 6-1 for the former Group 1 contest, now a level below carrying the sponsors' "Auguste Rodin Coolmore" title, last year's G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner was anchored behind the leading pair early by Mickael Barzalona. Showing the sharpest acceleration of the quartet in the straight, the daughter of Almanzor who had been third behind Mandanaba and Flaming Stone...

Group winner Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}) has been acquired privately by Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, Jour de Galop reported on Friday. The G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner holds Classic aspirations and she will now be trained by Francis-Henri Graffard. Bred by SARL de Chambure/Haras d'Etreham, the bay made four starts for Etreham and trainer Nicolas le Roch. Fourth when unveiled at Dieppe in July, she graduated by a length there a month later. A narrow second in the G3 Prix de Conde at Chantilly in September, the daughter of...

Haras d'Etreham's homebred Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}--Germance, by Silver Hawk), who bagged one of two midsummer outings at Dieppe, fell a neck shy of victory in last month's G3 Prix de Conde and remained upwardly mobile with a dominant performance in Monday's G3 Darley Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville. The 53-10 chance broke swiftly to race third through the initial stages and improved one spot before reaching halfway in this one-mile distaffers' heat. Inching ahead in early straight, she scooted clear under urging approaching the furlong pole and was ridden...

Sir Michael Stoute trainee Anna Swan (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}--Vivionn {GB}, by Dubawi {Ire}), a G1 Fillies' Mile entry who notched an impressive 5 1/2-length win at Great Yarmouth last month, remained on an upward trajectory and made all to post a two-length tally in Friday's Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes at Newbury.   🇬🇧 British EBF Fillies' Conditions Stakes @NewburyRacing @BritishEBF Newbury - Classe 2 - 2 ans - 1408m - 4 Pts 🏆Anna Swan 🏇William Buick @WilliamBuickX 📖(Almanzor (Fr) @Haras_d_Etreham - Vivionn (Gb)...

Mujtaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) (lot 150A) and Mina Rashid (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}) (lot 150B) have both been added to the Tattersalls September Sale as wildcards, the sales company announced on Friday. The sale, which takes place on Tuesday, Sept. 10, features 242 lots comprised of horses and fillies in/out of training and broodmares. Rated 109 by Timeform, Mujtaba will be consigned by William Haggas's Somerville Lodge on behalf of Shadwell Estate Company. Second in the Listed Festival Stakes at Goodwood to G2 Hardwicke Stakes hero Isle Of Jura (GB) (New...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed 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 full-brother to Group 1-winning juvenile Little Big Bear (Ire). 14.25 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT WHISTLEJACKET (IRE) (No Nay Never) debuts in the maiden that his brilliant full-brother Little Big Bear (Ire) was narrowly beaten in two years ago. A 500,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 purchase...

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.  17.30 Southwell, Novice, £8,000, 3yo, 11f 23y (AWT) CADOGAN PLACE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is an intriguing contender in an intriguing affair as a full-brother to the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Quadrilateral (GB). Andrew Balding unleashes Juddmonte's homebred against two other fascinating newcomers in Godolphin's Hidden Law (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}),...

A total of 83 juveniles have been entered in the Osarus La Teste Breeze-Up Sale catalogue which was released on Tuesday. Past graduates of the sale include G2 Prix de Malleret winner Rue Boissonade (Fr) (Seabhac). Set for Apr. 10 with the breezes the day prior, the sale contains 2-year-olds by 60 sires like Almanzor (Fr), Charm Spirit (Ire), Galileo Gold (GB), Galiway (GB), Havana Gold (Ire), Kodi Bear (Ire), Le Havre (Ire), Make Believe (GB), Mehmas (Ire), Profitable (Ire), Ten Sovereigns (Ire), Territories (Ire), and Zarak (Fr). There is...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Insights features the half-brother to five-time Group 1 winner Palace Pier. 17.30 Newcastle, Mdn, £11,400, 3yo, 7f 14y (AWT) MY CLOUD (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}) is a notable newcomer for the Roger Varian stable as a half-brother to Kingman's five-times group 1 winner Palace Pier (GB) and last...

Mandore International Agency only purchased one yearling at the Arqana November Yearling Sale on Saturday, but they made it count, selecting the day's top lot, a colt by Group 1 sire Almanzor (Fr) for €85,000. Sold as lot 186 and already named Override (Fr) to Mandore International's Nicolas de Watrigant, the Haras des Capucines-consigned bay is out of Zarza (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}), herself a half-sister to His Highness The Aga Khan's undefeated Arc heroine and top-level producer Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). "He's a lovely colt," said the agent. "He walks...