Dermot Weld

Jockey Colin Keane will ride for Dermot Weld this season when not required by Ger Lyons, the Irish Field reports. Keane and Weld teamed up in November to win the GI Breeders' Cup Turf with Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), with Keane picking up the mount the day before the race when Christophe Soumillon was ruled out by a positive COVID test. Weld said that jockey Oisin Orr, who rode Search For A Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for the trainer to win last year's G1 Irish St Leger, will remain part of...

In Moment of 2020, the staff of TDN Europe reflect on their favourite moments in racing for the year. The Breeders' Cup is always a meeting that I particularly enjoy; it is a time when my keen interests in both European and American racing come together. The Breeders' Cup always involves some incredible clashes of the continents, and it is the most international meeting when you consider participation and the gravity that both sides place on it. The 2020 Breeders' Cup at Keeneland included a remarkably strong European presence, with...

The winning Ebendi (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), offered through the first ever timed Goffs online platform, brought €165,000 from trainer Joseph O'Brien on Tuesday. A 3-year-old gelding out of Ebalista (Ire) (Selkirk), Ebendi is out of a winning daughter of G1 Irish Oaks heroine Ebadiyla (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) and is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Ebiyza (Ire) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}), among others. Originally catalogued for the Goffs Autumn Horses in Training Sale, the Dermot Weld trainee was withdrawn after being cast in his box. "Following the success of...

Trainer Dermot Weld, widely regarded as the pioneer of traveling horses, has accomplished most everything there is to accomplish in this business, winning the 1990 GI Belmont S. with Go and Go (Ire) (Be My Guest) and the G1 Melbourne Cup twice with Vintage Crop (Ire) (Rousillon, 1993) and Media Puzzle in 2002, to name just a few of his considerable achievements. The latter was a son of Theatrical (Ire), trained by Weld for Bert and Diana Firestone to a runner-up effort in the 1985 G1 Irish Derby before finishing...

French-based jockey Christophe Soumillon has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been stood down from his rides on Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) and Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Turf and GI Breeders' Cup Mile, respectively. Colin Keane will take the ride on Tarnawa, and Pierre-Charles Boudot has been named on Order Of Australia. Soumillon was tested for coronavirus on Wednesday at Keeneland and upon receipt of the positive result on Thursday, another test was performed which also came back positive. Soumillon is now in isolation...

MG1SW Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) is in good form heading toward a start in the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland on Nov. 7. The 4-year-old filly who races in the colours of His Highness The Aga Khan is cross entered in both the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf and the GI Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf. Christophe Soumillon has the ride. The chestnut has won all three starts this year beginning in the G3 Give Thanks S. at Cork on Aug. 8. She later added the Sept. 13 G1 Qatar Prix...

Having won the G1 Prix Vermeille on a quick surface over ParisLongchamp's 12 furlongs last time Sept. 13, The Aga Khan's Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) had to deal with the other extreme and a drop back to 10 furlongs on Sunday but proved up to the task in the G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines. Held up towards the rear early by a confident Christophe Soumillon, the 3-1 shot was brought with her customary withering run down the outer to deny Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) in the final strides...

At a time when the planet seems more divided than ever, there came a moment on Tuesday night within the notoriously conflicted world of horseracing that gave us all pause for thought. Thought and utter sadness. The news of the death of Pat Smullen at the age of just 43 was followed by a flood of heartfelt tributes. They came both from within the racing world, united for once in sentiment, and from those outside its sphere, including the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. As befits a man of...

His Highness The Aga Khan's Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), who annexed the G2 Blandford S. on this weekend last year, defeated this semester's Blandford victress Cayenne Pepper (Ire) (Australia {GB}) when successful in last month's G3 Give Thanks S. at Cork. At the top of her game for Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille over 12 furlongs at ParisLongchamp, she displayed an impressive turn of foot to down a stellar cast in taking fashion. Settled in rear for most of this stamina test, the 28-5 chance made eyecatching headway out wide in...

Introduced in Gowran Park's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden over a mile on Wednesday, Shadwell's Wuqood (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) overcame a wide draw and some smart rivals to earn TDN Rising Star status on debut. Sent off at 12-1, the homebred son of the G2 Blandford S. winner and G1 Epsom Oaks runner-up Tarfasha (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) was denied cover the whole way but raced like a true professional in fifth under Oisin Orr. Delivered to gain a narrow lead with a furlong remaining, the chestnut toughed it out to...

Brushing aside some talented 3-year-olds for a repeat success in Saturday's G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks S. at Cork, The Aga Khan's Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) served notice that she will be a force to be reckoned with in any company in 2020. Settled in mid-division on the rail by Oisin Orr, the 8-1 shot travelled easily and when switched delivered a strong effort down the outer to swamp the smooth-going 11-10 favourite Cayenne Pepper (Ire) (Australia {GB}) at the two pole. Quickly settling the issue, the homebred who...

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. Monday's Insights features this year's G1 Investec Derby third. 5.05 Naas, Mdn, €11,000, 3yo/up, 10fT AMHRAN NA BHFIANN (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is a rarity as a G1 Epsom Derby placegetter needing to go back to maiden company, but this is the most unusual of years and Aidan O'Brien is...