Dark Angel (Ire)

The Big Con (GB) (c, 2, Dark Angel {Ire}--Nakuti {Ire}, by Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' on the merit of his only previous start and 8 1/2-length win at Presque Isle Downs Sept. 17, showed why he earned the moniker with a bang-up victory in Sunday's GIII Grey Stakes for 2-year-olds at Woodbine. Despite the 4-5 confidence the public placed in him, the gray must have had his connections holding their collective breaths more than once during the running. He broke nicely from the one hole...

Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is nine, but clearly hasn't lost a step. The same can be said for his 54-year-old jockey Frankie Dettori. He, too, is still getting it done. But can the geriatric duo pull off a win in the GI Prevagen Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint? As well as Khaadem has been running this year, it's entirely possible. "That's two old boys together," trainer Charlie Hills said of the horse-jockey combination. Dettori will be the second oldest jockey in this year's Breeders' Cup behind only 60-year-old Mike Smith...

For the third time in four years, Sioux Nation was the busiest Flat stallion at stud in Britain and Ireland in 2025, according to the Return of Mares, which has been published by Weatherbys. The son of Scat Daddy, who stands at Coolmore's Castlehyde Stud in County Cork, was usurped last year by his ill-fated stud-mate, Calyx, but he returned to the top of the charts during the latest breeding season, having covered 282 mares. The busiest stallion of any description was Whytemount Stud's Affinisea on 314, ahead of Boardsmill...

Ed Dunlop joined fellow Newmarket trainer George Scott on the San Siro scoresheet when sending out Just Call Me Angel (Dark Angel) to win Sunday's G2 Premio Dormello in impressive fashion. The Cayton Park Stud homebred raced in a clear second behind the freewheeling Flowe Stone (Sergei Prokofiev) until eating into the leader's advantage early in the straight. Clearly relishing the step up to a mile, she moved to the lead entering the final two furlongs and proceeded to power clear in the hands of Robert Havlin, ultimately winning by...

   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 new 'TDN Rising Star' The Big Con at Presque Isle Downs. 'TDN Rising Star' Nod For Dark Angel Colt Trainer Miguel Clement unveiled The Big Con (Dark Angel) at Presque Isle Downs on September 17, and the juvenile colt galloped his way to 'TDN Rising Stardom' after winning by 8 1/2-lengths (video). Bred by St Albans Bloodstock, the roan colt is owned by...

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 pricy sales grad. 4.10 Sandown, Mdn, 2yo, f, 7fT ACT OF KINDNESS (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) was the third-highest-priced yearling sold at last year's Tattersalls October Book 1 bonanza at 3.7million gns by virtue of the fact that she is a half-sister to the Fillies' Mile...

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. Wednesday's Observations features a seven-figure auction darling. 6.35 Kempton, Novice, 2yo, 7f (AWT) NATIONAL HISTORY (Maxfield) debuts for Godolphin in the race which played host to Silver Knott in 2022 and is the subject of much intrigue having fetched €1 million at the Arqana May Breeze Up. Charlie Appleby...

The Goffs Orby Book 1 catalogue is now available online with 466 lots to be offered across the two-day sale set to commence on Monday, September 29. Beginning a day earlier than its traditional Tuesday start, the change was made following feedback from clients who had commitments later in the week, including the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe meeting in France. All yearlings offered in both Orby Book 1 and Book 2 are eligible for prize-money of €2,000,000 in the 2026 Goffs Two Million Series. Included in that sequence is...

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. Thursday's Observations features a daughter of Venus De Milo. 5.00 Leopardstown, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT AMELIA EARHART (IRE) (Camelot) is an intriguing newcomer for Ballydoyle in the maiden won last year by the stable's Group 1 performer Exactly and in 2021 by the eventual Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine...

Nothing like coming 10-wide on your return to the races, but if you're going to make a comeback, why not do it big? Dynamic Pricing (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) kicked off her 2025 campaign by overcoming drama she likely won't see again, and took home the trophy for the GIII Beaugay Stakes to boot. Given a freshening after back-to-back third-place efforts in the Listed Winter Memories Sept. 13 and GII Lake Placid Stakes at Saratoga Aug. 17, she had not been to the winner's enclosure since her victory this...

English invader Choisya (GB) ( Night Of Thunder {Ire}) survived an objection to claim her first elite victory in Saturday's GI Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland, and according to her trainers, will now point to the GI Just A Game Stakes June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Festival at Saratoga. The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained mare registered a 100 Beyer in that victory, and with the race offering a fees-waived berth into the Just A Game, Ed Crisford reports that they will be taking advantage of their winnings. Until then,...

Coolmore stallion The Antarctic (Ire) sired his first reported foal last weekend. The Sepoy (Aus) mare Ibiza (GB) foaled a bay filly at Alne Park Stud. Ibiza is out of G2 Park Hill Stakes heroine Hi Calypso (Ire) (In The Wings {GB}) from the family of Arc heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}). "We are delighted with our filly by The Antarctic," said Alne Park's stud director Grace Skelton. "She is a fine, strong and athletic foal." The Antarctic, a full-brother to three-time champion sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), won...