Dark Angel (Ire)

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. Thursday's Insights features a half-brother to G1 Irish Guineas winner Siskin (First Defence). 3.00 Bellewstown, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo, f, 7f 196yT TALACRE (Flintshire {GB}) is a piece of equine royalty set to visit the small Co. Meath circuit, being a half-sister to the G1 Phoenix S.  and G1 Irish...

Back in April, when major sporting events across the world were being cancelled left, right and centre, the management team at the Queen's racecourse took the decision that, if racing had resumed in time, Royal Ascot would go ahead behind closed doors. The announcement was met with incredulity in some quarters, particularly by those keen to blame the spread of coronavirus on the Cheltenham Festival, but thank goodness Ascot stuck to its resolve to go ahead, even in extraordinary circumstances. Of course the meeting lost some of its lustre, just...

Twice cruelly denied by his nemesis Blue Point (Ire) (Shamardal) in the last two runnings of the G1 King's Stand S., Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was on Tuesday the undisputed ruler of Royal Ascot's five-furlong strip of verdant racing ground to provide the opener's undisputed highlight. Out of the first four for only the second time in his career when last seen trailing in the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp, Shadwell's 6-year-old may have had a slight question mark over his head as he exited the stalls but...

Charlie Hills-trained Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a MGSW for Sheikh Hamdan, has returned to Hills's Faringdon Place in preparation for contesting Royal Ascot in June, Shadwell. "He's come back very well," Hills said. "He was a little more wintry than last year, but the last couple weeks, his coat has really been coming through. He's physically done well and I'm happy with him. He's had one swinging canter and we're just trying to keep him ticking over. He's not a big horse, so he doesn't take as much training...

Bahrain isn't the most notable nation on the international horse racing circuit, but it took a significant step in growing its profile on Saudi Cup day when winning the first two races on the card, with Dark Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) bringing up the double when running down Godolphin's Mubtasim (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) in the $1-million stc 1351 Cup. Mubtasim's stablemate Glorious Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) ran on late to be third, making it a clean sweep for horses trained in the Gulf region. Bred by Guy O'Callaghan and...

The collective noun for O'Callaghans is unknown, but at bloodstock sales around the world they can often be found travelling as a pack. An intimidating force perhaps, the Yeomanstown O'Callaghans--not to be confused with their cousins, the equally successful Tally-Ho ones--are a close-knit clan who have made a prosperous business of breeding and trading horses with a little help from sire sensation Dark Angel (Ire). Away from the sales, though, the brothers are scattered around Ireland and, at Grangemore Stud, Guy O'Callaghan is quite clearly doing his own thing. "It's...

Three-year-old filly Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) got Saeed bin Suroor's Dubai World Cup Carnival off to a winning start on Thursday when taking Meydan's card-opening UAE 1000 Guineas Trial, a conditions race over seven furlongs on the dirt, by an eye-catching 1 3/4 lengths. Final Song was the highest-rated filly in the race on a mark of 103 and ran to her form, quickening late to deny a pair of recent impressive Meydan maiden winners in Down On Da Bayou (Super Saver) and 'TDN Rising Star' Rio Angie...