Bated Breath (GB)

Of the first three from last year's Middle Park to line up in Friday's G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial, David Armstrong's Coppull (Bated Breath) was the least-expected in the market but came back strongest to turn that form around. Smartly away under Rossa Ryan in the course-and-distance prep for Royal Ascot's three-year-old sprint feature, the 7-2 shot who had won the Richmond at Goodwood and been third in the Coventry here as well as the Middle Park surged away from the main pack passing two out and was in front soon...

With a hefty storm brewing overhead Goodwood, Highfield Farm's Coppull (Bated Breath) showed his rivals a clean pair of heels in Thursday's G2 Markel Richmond Stakes. Third in the Coventry last month, David Armstrong's homebred was 5-1 to provide Clive Cox with a third renewal of this six-furlong contest in seven years and was always happy in front of the group racing towards the stands under David Probert. Finding the fence late on, the colt named like most of the owner-breeder's horses after a Lancashire village kept up the momentum...

Just six runners will line up for Sunday's €600,000 G1 Cygames Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp after final declarations for the 12-furlong test were confirmed Friday morning. Aidan O'Brien has five prior renewals in the books, some way shy of Andre Fabre's record 14, and relies on G1 Prix du Jockey Club fourth Trinity College (Dubawi), who was last seen annexing Royal Ascot's G3 Hampton Court Stakes. He will depart from stall five. Jockey Club seventh Frankly Good Cen (Frankel) and 17th Leffard (Le Havre) reoppose from stalls six...

Via Sienna (GB), a Bated Breath (GB) half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), has been added to the Arqana Vente d'Elevage.  An unraced 2-year-old, lot 120 will be consigned by Baroda Stud and will sell in Deauville on Saturday, Dec. 7. The sale runs from Dec. 7-10. Via Sistina won the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes in the Northern Hemisphere before selling for 2,700,000gns at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale where she was bought by Yulong. In Australia, she has triumphed five times at...

"It feels like a holiday!" joked Ed Player when discussing the task of showing Whatton Manor Stud's three-strong consignment to potential buyers ahead of Book 1 of the Goffs Orby Sale, a historic offering as the first at this particular sale from an operation with over 40 years of experience in the industry. Player has been the one responsible for overseeing this latest chapter in Whatton Manor's history since taking over at the helm from father Peter, but don't mistake him for a man taking his responsibilities lightly because of...

Dunchurch Lodge Stud's homebred filly First Instinct (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), a 2-year-old daughter of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Proportional (GB) (Beat Hollow {GB}), made a winning debut over six furlongs in Tuesday's Weatherbys Global Stallions App EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes at Nottingham. 2nd-Nottingham, £6,899, Mdn, 8-13, 2yo, f, 6f 18yT, 1:14.44, g/f. FIRST INSTINCT (GB) (f, 2, Bated Breath {GB}--Proportional {GB} {G1SW-Fr, $357,727}, by Beat Hollow {GB}) dwelt at the break and raced towards the rear through halfway in this unveiling. Coming under pressure to reduce arrears approaching...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victories of Halfway Line and City Exile, both trained by Phil D'Amato, at Del Mar.   Zoffany Gelding Strikes At Del Mar James Downey's stakes-placed Halfway Line (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) took three tries, but came away with his first American win at Del Mar for trainer Phil D'Amato in late July (video). Bred by Juddmonte Farms, the 4-year-old gelding won thrice and placed in the...

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 Observations features the full-brother to Elite Status and the son of dual Group 1 heroine Silasol. 18.45 Lingfield, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 6f (AWT) SOLDIER'S HEART (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), a full-brother to the G3 Prix de Cabourg winner Elite Status (GB) who was the joint-highest-priced colt at Tattersalls...

Fasig-Tipton has added two late entries to its December Digital Sale. Bidding for the December Digital Sale opened this past Thursday and runs through this coming Tuesday, Dec. 12. The pair of additional entries are: Por Que No (Wicked Strong) (Hip 309): Five-year-old mare won the Boiling Springs S. at three on her way to career earnings of nearly $150,000. Her dam Cryptic Message (Cryptograph) was a multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed earner of $533,677. Offered pregnant to Constitution carrying her first foal, she is consigned by Burleson...

Aspray (Quality Road) remained perfect after stepping up into stakes company for the first time as she collected the victory from off-the-pace in the Hilltop S. A debut maiden breaker in an off-the-turf affair by 2 1/2 lengths as the favorite at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 14, she was able to try the grass there Mar. 22, serving as the chalk once again and defeating optional claimers by the same margin. The bay filly, off at 4-1 here, was content to settle towards the rear of the field as 9-1...

Juddmonte filly Juliet Sierra (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) will not proceed to Sunday's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas over Newmarket's Rowley Mile, according to trainer Ralph Beckett. The winner of the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. at Salisbury last autumn, the homebred ran fifth in the G1 Cheveley Park S. at the end of September. "We have decided not to run Juliet Sierra in the Guineas, as we feel she needs a little more time," said Beckett, who will still field Cheveley Park heroine Lezoo (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Remarquee (GB)...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Chez Pierre (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the GI Maker's Mark Mile S. at Keeneland earlier this month.   Chez Pierre Right At Home In Maker's Mark The ultra-consistent Chez Pierre (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}) improved his record to six-for-seven with a 3 1/2-length tally in the GI Maker's Mark Mile S. at Keeneland on Apr. 14 (video), defeating hot favourite Modern Games (GB) (Dubawi...