Blue Point (Ire)

2nd-Kempton, £11,000, Novice, 7-9, 2yo, f, 6f (AWT), 1:13.92, st/sl. DANDANA (GB) (f, 2, Blue Point {Ire}--Nafaayes {Aus} {MGSW & MG1SP-SAf}, by Exceed And Excel {Aus}), sent off the 7-2 joint-second favourite, showed a professional attitude from the break to lead. Always in control, the newcomer stayed on to score by half a length from Inside Story (Siyouni). "She's quite a nice filly, but the surface is riding very slow and I probably could have done with a lead until the last furlong," jockey Harry Davies said of the winner,...

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. Saturday's Observations features a half-brother to a recent Group 1-placed filly. 3.32 Deauville, Debutantes, €45,700, 2yo, c/g, 6fT RAYIF (IRE) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) is an intriguing newcomer for The Aga Khan Studs and Francis-Henri Graffard stable, being a half-brother to the recent G1 Commonwealth Cup third Rayevka. Stouter-bred...

There is always a story at Royal Ascot and this year's meeting opener, the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, delivered an immediate slice of drama as Harry Eustace trainee Docklands (Massaat) provided the Newmarket conditioner with a thrilling first Group 1 triumph, by a pixel, despite Australian rider Mark Zahra dropping his whip in the closing stages of the straight one-mile test. The Queen Anne is a "Win and You're In" for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar this coming November. Last year's runner-up, who annexed the Britannia Handicap...

5th-Newbury, £40,000, Novice, 6-12, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:36.62, gd. BLUE BOLT (IRE) (f, 3, Blue Point {Ire}--Mayhem {Ire} {GSW-Fr, $232,796}, by Whipper), penalised for his four-length debut win at Windsor last month, shadowed the early leader under Colin Keane, who was having his first ride for Juddmonte since gaining the retainer on Monday. Sent to the front approaching two out, the 6-4 second favourite was soon beyond recall and only needed to be pushed out to record a 1 1/4-length success from Shadwell's Majaz (Dubawi). "It's the perfect start -...

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 Godolphin homebred Words Of Truth. 3.00 Newbury, Mdn, £12,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT WORDS OF TRUTH (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is one of the key members of a fascinating race which hosts several Royal Ascot hopefuls. Representing the Charlie Appleby stable which has started brightly with...

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 Choisya in the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland. Queen Of Keeneland Rabbah Bloodstock homebred Choisya (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine at Meydan this winter, took her show on the road and ran out a half-length winner of the GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland on April 12 (video). She is trained by Simon...

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. Saturday's Observations features a full-brother to Coolmore stallion Blackbeard (Ire). 2.20 Curragh, Cond, €22,000, 2yo, 5fT CHARLES DARWIN (IRE) (No Nay Never) is the fourth foal out of the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes fourth Muirin (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}), whose son Blackbeard (Ire) carried all before him for...

   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 Ortley Avenue at Gulfstream Park in his career bow. Bungle Inthejungle Colt Takes The High Road One start, one win for Bungle Inthejungle (GB) colt Ortley Avenue (Ire). He steamed home a 2 1/4-length winner at Gulfstream for trainer George Weaver and owner Bona Venture Stables on April 6 (video). Bred by Newlands House Stud, the bay made €100,000 at the Goffs Orby...

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. Saturday's Observations features a half-sister to a GI Natalma Stakes winner. 14.15 La Teste-Bassin Arcachon, Mdn, €21,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Godolphin's hitherto unraced HONEYFLOWER (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is a homebred daughter of stakes-winning G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest fourth Tulips (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and thus kin to GI Natalma...

3rd-GP, $94k, Msw, 3yo, 5fT, 1:50p.m. ET Profiled last year by our colleagues at TDN Europe, Benny The Waiter (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) has been shipped to the states to make his US debut in a turf dash at Gulfstream Park. A 280,000gns Craven Breeze-Up purchase by Repole Stables, this is the half-brother to GSP-Eng Space Legend (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) while his dam, unraced Newton's Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), is herself a half-sister to SW-Ire & GSP-Fr Treasure Isle (Ire) (No Nay Never). The group black type...

   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 Kingman's Ocean Mermaid at Tampa Bay Downs. Tampa Win Boosts Ocean Mermaid's Sale Charm Stonestreet Stables' Ocean Mermaid (GB) (Kingman {GB}) ran second in the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies Stakes on debut in May of 2023 to subsequent G2 Queen Mary Stakes heroine Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), and graduated in her fifth lifetime start at Tampa Bay Downs for Josie Carroll this past week...

"He's been everything to us," was the sign-off from Gay O'Callaghan in this must-read TDN feature from Emma Berry, who had a golden opportunity during the Tattersalls December Sale to sit down with the Yeomanstown Stud patriarch, as well as his sons David, Guy and Robert, to discuss the remarkable story of their homegrown hero, Dark Angel (Ire). If you're one of the few who haven't read the piece already, then I urge you to correct that misdemeanour before we see in the new year, but first stick with me...