Frankel (GB)

Run under lights for the first time, the $1-million G2 Bahrain International Trophy featured some familiar faces in the winner's circle once the dust settled, as co-breeder Sir Alex Ferguson, and co-owners Ged Mason and Peter Done's Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Queen's Dream {Ger}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) became the first dual winner of the 2000-metre affair at the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club in Bahrain on Friday. Just like the 2023 edition, the gelded son of Frankel defeated a runner sent out by John and Thady Gosden, with Juddmonte...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the second victory of Rebel's Romance in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. Another Turf Title For Rebel's Romance Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) delivered his second GI Breeders' Cup Turf in three years at Del Mar for trainer Charlie Appleby on Nov. 2 (video). He also took out the 2022 renewal at Keeneland. A Group/Grade 1 winner in Hong Kong, the UAE, and Germany besides his...

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 son of Pride (Fr) (Peintre Celebre). 15.20 Newcastle, Nov, £6,300, 2yo, 8f 5y (AWT) Charlie Johnston-trained newcomer PRIDE OF DONEGAL (IRE) (Saxon Warrior {Ire}) is a son of G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up and three-time Group 1 winner Pride (Fr) (Peintre Celebre) and...

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. Sunday's Observations features a son of Wootton Bassett (GB) and So Wonderful (War Front). 12.25 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 8fT Coolmore homebred DOUBLE VISION (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the first foal produced by G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes third So Wonderful (War Front) and...

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. Friday's Observations features a son of Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}).   12.35 Newmarket, Mdn, €8,500, 2yo, c/g, 7fT Wathnan Racing's hitherto unraced MAGNETITE (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a 575,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate, is a son of five-time Group 1 winner Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) and thus a full-brother...

Another record was broken at Tattersalls on Tuesday when Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe eighth Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) became the most expensive horse ever sold at the Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale when knocked down from Coolmore to Hubie De Burgh and a range of other buyers to join Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.  A delighted De Burgh explained that Delius, who has won three of his six starts and was beaten a little under nine lengths by Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) in the Arc, had been on his radar for...

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. Wednesday's Observations features Dramatic (Medaglia d'Oro). 15.44 Dundalk, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT) Aidan O'Brien trainee DRAMATIC (Medaglia D'Oro), who topped the weanling section of Keeneland's 2022 November sale when knocked down for €1.5 million, is kin to three black-type winners headed by dual Grade I-winning sire Honor...

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. Friday's Observations features a sister to Group 1 winner and sire Cracksman (GB). 2.08 Doncaster, Mdn, £40,000, 2yo, f, 8fT QUEEN OF THIEVES (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is a big-deal runner for Anthony Oppenheimer and the Gosdens in a maiden the stable won two years ago with Frankel's eventual Oaks...

John and Thady Gosden will be the new trainers of Nightwalker (GB) when he returns to the track in 2025, following a third-place finish in the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on his final start for Sir Michael Stoute, who is due to retire at the end of the year. The son of Frankel (GB) opened his account at the second attempt at Yarmouth in September, before running an encouraging race when thrown into deeper waters at Newmarket, staying on gradually to pass the post around four lengths behind Saturday's...

This year has seen a 6% decrease in the number of live foals registered to date in the General Stud Book, according to the Return of Mares, which has been published by Weatherbys. The returns to September 30, 2024 show that a total of 12,578 foals have been born in Britain and Ireland, 840 fewer than the 2023 figure of 13,438. It marks the first time in the last decade that the overall foal crop has fallen by more than 4% from one year to the next. The 6% drop...

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 the first foal out of a Breeders' Cup winner. 13.30 Curragh, Group 3, €55,000, 2yo, f, 8fT GISELLE (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) returns to the scene of her maiden win earlier in the month, having finished second to stablemate Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) at Leopardstown in...

Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a three-time Group 1 winner for John and Thady Gosden and owner Imad Al Sagar, has likely danced her last dance on a racetrack.  A winner of over £1.6m in prize-money, Nashwa has been partnered in all 18 of her career starts by Hollie Doyle, with the pair storming to Prix de Diane glory at Chantilly in 2022. However, the sporting decision to keep Nashwa in training as a five-year-old has not paid off and, after trailing home last of the 11 finishers in the Qipco...