Frankel

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. Today's Observations features the daughter of a Juddmonte International-winning mare. 2.15 Doncaster, Mdn, £5,800, 2yo, 7f 6yT PRIVATE SIGNAL (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) was a 680,000gns purchase by Godolphin at the Tattersalls October Book 1 Sale, largely due to him being out of a half to the G1...

'TDN Rising Star' Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) will be supplemented to the June 20 G1 Prix de Diane and will be the first Classic starter for trainer Christopher Head. Head is the son of hugely successful jockey and trainer Freddy Head, while other members of the historic racing family include Freddy's sister Criquette and father Alec. Sibila Spain was bred by Coolmore and races for Yeguada Centurion. She suffered her first career defeat when fourth, beaten a length, in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary on May 24, and looks to...

Following a year in the racing world when all has changed, if not utterly, then significantly, a further adjustment to the norm is brought about by the departure of Lord Grimthorpe as Juddmonte's racing manager. Royal Ascot 2021 will mark the end of a 22-year stint in the role which has seen him closely allied to some of the greatest names in the sport's modern history as the public face of the operation which is as admired as much as it is successful. That admiration extends to Grimthorpe himself, better...

It has become custom for some to yearn for the glory days of the Epsom Derby, when the blue riband of the English turf sat proud on its Wednesday slot dominating the consciousness of the London area. While it has fallen some way short of its past standard as a national treasure, one of the factors in its relative demise has been lack of competition but this year's Cazoo-sponsored renewal stands up on that score at least. In fact, with all its converging plots there has not been as exciting...

4.35 Goodwood, Novice, £9,000, 3yo, f, 9f 197yT CHIASMA (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) has been found an easy target, ground-permitting, by John and Thady Gosden as she bids to build on an encouraging debut third over this trip at Sandown last month. The full-sister to Frankel (GB) and Noble Mission (GB) meets just four opponents at the rain-hit Sussex track and if she handles the testing ground, is likely to be a class above.

Ed Dunlop is among an elite group of five current trainers to have saddled two Oaks winners. His first, Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), has already gone on to produce the Derby winner Australia (GB), a son of Galileo (Ire), and the baton could potentially pass now to Snow Fairy (Ire) (Intikhab) to follow suit with John Leeper (Ire), by Galileo's son Frankel (GB). Whether it's at Epsom or a later big-race target, to have a blue-blooded colt in the stable who has shown some early promise is naturally...

Anyone who either dabbles in the business with a mare or two, or operates in the higher echelons with a sizeable broodmare band, would be more than excited in the Classic countdown to have a five-length winner of a Newmarket trial who was catapulted into second favouritism for the Derby. That was the position breeder Philippa Cooper found herself in on Guineas weekend when Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) cantered all over his rivals for a cosy success in the listed Newmarket S. for William Haggas and Shadwell. And she admits...

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. Today's Observations features the return of blueblooded Frankel colt John Leeper. 5.50 Newcastle, Novice, £5,600, 3yo, 10f 42y (AWT) JOHN LEEPER (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) makes his keenly-anticipated reappearance for Anamoine Ltd, having been taken out of his intended return at Newmarket earlier this month due to the quick conditions....

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. Today's Observations features the highly anticipated debut of Frankel's full-sister. 4.10 Sandown, Novice, £8,050, 3yo, f, 9f 209yT CHIASMA (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is the seventh foal out of Kind (Ire) (Danehill), making her a full-sister to the remarkable Frankel (GB) and to his G1 Champion S.-winning sibling Noble Mission...

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. Today's Observations features a daughter of a Classic winner who is herself on that path. 1.00 Newbury, Mdn, £10,000, 3yo, 8fT SNOW LANTERN (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is out to book a potential place in the line-up for the G1 1000 Guineas in three weeks' time that her dam Sky...

It's Craven week, followed by Greenham weekend, both coming on the back of some interesting Classic trials in Ireland and France. It is, as some people prefer to say in midwinter, the most wonderful time of the year.  There's no doubt, however, that the biggest racing story of the year has already happened. However much she wants to play down the gender card, Rachael Blackmore winning the Grand National aboard Minella Times (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) was huge. In fact, Saturday was a big day on both sides for the world...

In addition to its resident sires including lynchpins Siyouni (Fr) and Sea The Stars (Ire), the Aga Khan Studs will lend support to the likes of Lope De Vega (Ire) and Frankel (GB), as well as unproven sires Too Darn Hot (GB) and Ghaiyyath (Ire), with its European broodmare band in 2021. One of the stars of the Aga Khan Studs broodmare band is undoubtedly the unbeaten G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe victress Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar). She is currently in foal to Siyouni and will visit Lope De Vega....