Ghaiyyath (Ire)

"An eagle-eyed former Timeform employee, Adam guarantees that if the next Notable Speech is out there, about to make his debut on the all-weather this winter before marching on to Classic glory, then he will spot him. No pressure, then." Those were the words of TDN colleague Emma Berry when she penned her final Seven Days column of 2024, teeing up what was to come in the column introduced in its stead for the winter. Now, in this 12th edition of Winter Watch, we've reached the stage where it's time...

Those thinking that lightning can't strike twice may have to think again after Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}--Dubai Opera {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) trod a familiar path for Charlie Appleby at Kempton on Wednesday evening. Introduced in the same course-and-distance maiden last month won in 2024 by the yard's subsequent 2,000 Guineas hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the €600,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate had not let the side down with an emphatic 8 1/2-length success on that occasion and was duly sent off the...

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 the return of a 'TDN Rising Star'. 7.30 Kempton, Cond, £60,000, 3yo, 8f (AWT) OPERA BALLO (IRE) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) takes in this "European Road To The Kentucky Derby" Conditions Stakes which tends to have little or no bearing on that monument but which 12 months ago...

The WhatsApp group titled TDN Europe was abuzz on Wednesday evening of last week, after the Charlie Appleby-trained Opera Ballo (Ire) had announced himself as potentially something out of the ordinary with a jet-propelled performance in the first division of the one-mile maiden at Kempton. "Big day for Ghaiyyath!!" pinged the first message from Brian Sheerin, barely seconds after Opera Ballo had powered past the line in a different postcode to his eight rivals, becoming the second first-time-out winner for his Kildangan Stud-based sire in the space of a few...

The Godolphin/Charlie Appleby axis has dominated recent renewals of Kempton's Unibet Supports Safer Gambling Maiden Stakes, winning last year's edition with subsequent G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Sussex Stakes hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The operation struck gold once again as Opera Ballo (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}--Dubai Opera {GB}, by Invincible Spirit {Ire}) emulated that stablemate in division one of Wednesday's one-mile contest and collected a 'TDN Rising Star' of his own with an impressive wide-margin success. He joins Chantilly maiden scorer Mandanaba (Fr) on Ghaiyyath's list of Rising Stars....

Princess Zahra Aga Khan's triple group 1 winner Mandesha (Fr) (Desert Style {Ire}) has so far failed to produce anything of major note as a broodmare, but the performance of her debutante daughter Mandanaba (Fr) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) at Chantilly on Tuesday suggests there could be a long-overdue change in the conversation. Introduced in the 9 1/2-furlong Prix de la Voie du Garde on the Polytrack by Francis-Henri Graffard, the homebred who is the first TDN Rising Star of her sire's first crop was allowed to coast to the front from...

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 a half-brother to a leading member of this year's Classic generation. 12.00 Chantilly, Mdn, €30,000, unraced 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's unraced UTHER (GB) (Camelot {GB}) is a homebred half-brother to this term's G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero, G1 Prix du...

Darley has released its stud fees for the upcoming breeding season, with Dubawi (Ire), who remains at £350,000 for the third consecutive year, retaining his position as the joint most expensive stallion standing in Europe alongside Frankel (GB). This year Dubawi was responsible for a pair of British Classic winners in 2,000 Guineas scorer Notable Speech (GB) and Oaks heroine Ezeliya (Fr), plus Group-winning juveniles such as Ancient Truth (Ire) and Delacroix (Ire). Now 22, Dubawi covered 106 mares this season and is set to receive a reduced number again...

Ralph Beckett trainee Stanhope Gardens (Ire) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}--Pure Art {GB}, by Dutch Art {GB}) shaped with a great deal of promise when third behind the 'TDN Rising Star' performance of Ruling Court (Justify) at Sandown last month and became his freshman sire's first winner by dominating Wednesday's New 911 EBF Maiden Stakes at Beverley. Positioned second for most of this extended seven-furlong test, the 4-7 favourite seized control in the home straight and was beyond recall once hitting the front to prevail by 2 1/4 lengths from High Season (GB)...

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 Observations features a daughter of American Pharoah and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 17.20 Goodwood, Mdn, £60,000, 2yo, f, 7fT DREAMY (IRE) (American Pharoah) is an eye-catching newcomer for Ballydoyle, being a daughter of the G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Tapestry (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). From the...

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 freshman sire Ghaiyyath (Ire). 16.10 Newmarket, Mdn, £21,000, 2yo, c/g, 7fT MOTHECOMBE (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) debuts in a maiden that resonates with Charlie Appleby, having taken three of the last eight renewals which is no surprise given that he targets this with colts...

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 Observations features 'TDN Rising Star' Ocean of Dreams on his bid to get his season back on track as well as the debuting full-brother to four-time Group 1-winning Ghaiyyath. 15.35 Gowran, Cond, €200,000, 3yo, 9f 100yT OCEAN OF DREAMS (IRE) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) bids to get back on...