In an exhibition of pure sprinting prowess, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) brought all his power to bear on his rivals on Friday to register back-to-back successes in Goodwood's G2 King George Qatar S. Despite the contrasting ground conditions to the easy turf he encountered 12 months ago and the obvious questions posed by defeat in the June 19 G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot, the bay attracted heavy support as the 8-11 favourite and was in front before he had raced two...
The 17th edition of the Claiming Crown, held Saturday at Gulfstream Park, generated total handle of $10,118,000--up 0.57% from 2014 despite rainy conditions which caused four races to be taken off the turf. Gulfstream was hosting the event for the fourth year. "We're extremely pleased with the success of Saturday's Claiming Crown," said P.J. Campo, General Manager of Gulfstream Park and Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group. "We had big fields and tremendous participation from horsemen throughout North America. We're confident the numbers would have been even more...
Chantilly's two newcomers' events on Monday featured some likely types and in the colts' version it was Yeguada Centurion's well-connected Mr Lope Cen who had the bragging rights. Fighting off another son of Lope De Vega in Vegamix, the 27-10 favourite who is entered in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club got his career off to the perfect start for the Henri Devin stable. "He won very well considering how timid early with horses on his outside," Devin said. "He will have learned a lot there...
As usual, the Wertheimers have an exciting Classic crop and the newcomer Harissa (Wootton Bassett) only added fuel to the fire at Chantilly on Monday. "I think a bit of her and so it's nice to see her confirm it," trainer Christophe Ferland said. "She could go for the Prix du Louvre [conditions race at ParisLongchamp Apr. 16] and then directly to the [May 10] Poule d'Essai des Pouliches." Lining up as the 7-5 favourite for the mile fillies' contest on the Polytrack, the daughter of the G3 Prix d'Arenberg...
Monday, Chantilly, France, post time: 15:05, PRIX RONDE DE NUIT-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 5 1/2fT Field: Ulymine (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}), Aurorian Clouds (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Afjan (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Exclamation (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Trinquette (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Street Show (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}), Baker Blue (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Kailani (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Michael The Great (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), Inju (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Birdcall (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Kimi Rey (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Jeudixx (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}). TDN Analysis: Unravelling interweaving black-type form is the task here with...
Sunday, Chantilly, post time: 16:07, PRIX MONTENICA-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 6 1/2f (AWT) Field: Shaatir (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Bourgoin (Fr) (Ardad {Ire}), Dandy Style (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Mr Wonka (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Kailani (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Zuender (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), Rencontre Sportive (Fr) (Seabhac), My Calyx Cen (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), Break Dance (Fr) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Showna (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Thora (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), No Tune (GB) (No Nay Never), Ananke (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}). TDN Verdict: This sees the reintroduction of No Tune, who was unbeaten...
Tuesday's Prix de la Serpentine at Chantilly featured some choice pedigrees among the debutantes and it was the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane entry The Last Dance (Iffraaj) who stole the show in scintillating fashion to become a TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard. "We have the right to dream with a filly like her, we can think about the great races in the spring," co-owner and co-breeder Antoine Gilibert told Paris Turf. "Even her jockey was impressed with the style of her win and the more...
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. Tuesday's Observations features a horse to follow at Chantilly. 3.05 Chantilly, Debutantes, 3yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT) MAINE (FR) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is the 12th foal out of the Wertheimers' G2 Prix de Royallieu winner and outstanding broodmare Balladeuse (Singspiel), who is responsible for the Prix Vermeille heroine...