Lope de Vega (Ire)

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Pipsy during the Belmont at the Big A meeting in New York. Pipsy Soars In New York  Pipsy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who races for Woodford Throughbreds, LLC, earned the first graded win of her career in the GIII Soaring Softly S. during Belmont's spring meeting at Aqueduct on Sunday (video). Trained by Will Walden, the filly is now three-for-four. The Noel Finegan-bred was a...

Before the storm, the finish to Sunday's G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches had a true 80s throwback feel to it, with the world-famous Aga Khan and Sangster silks involved at the death of the ParisLongchamp Classic. When the photo was taken, it was the former's distinguished livery that was in front sported by the 31-1 outsider Rouhiya (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Rondonia {Ire}, by Raven's Pass), with the 45-1 shot Kathmandu (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) failing by a head to bring the Sangster colours back into the winner's spot after...

Sunday's five-furlong Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Fillies' Novice S. at Newmarket looked by far the most intriguing 2-year-old race staged in this country so far in 2024 and the outcome did not disappoint as Godolphin's Charlie Appleby-trained Mountain Breeze (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Lava Flow {Ire}, by Dalakhani {Ire}) justified 7-4 favouritism to earn TDN Rising Star status. A half-sister to her stable's juvenile champion Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal), the chestnut who had only turned two at the start of the month broke smartly and had an ideal target ahead in 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. Sunday's Observations features a half to brilliant juvenile Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal). 16.15 Newmarket, Novice, £40,000, 2yo, f, 5fT MOUNTAIN BREEZE (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) debuts for Godolphin in an intriguing affair stacked with bluebloods and is the key member as a half-sister to the operation's brilliant juvenile champion...

'TDN Rising Star' Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), winner of last summer's GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame S. Aug. 11 and GIII Saranac S. Sept. 1, picked up right where he left off despite a wide trip in Thursday's Opening Verse S. at Churchill Downs. The 9-5 favorite was a three-wide fifth around the first turn and set his sights on the top two entering the far turn. He made his move while three deep at the top of the stretch and fought his way...

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 Lope De Vega gelding Silver Knott for Godolphin. Silver Knott Adds Elkhorn Laurel to Resume Godolphin's Silver Knott (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), already a multiple group winner in England, won the GII Elkhorn S. at Keeneland on Saturday (video). He has also been Grade I-placed for trainer Charlie Appleby in the Hollywood Derby last December. Bred by St Albans Bloodstock, LLP, the 4-year-old...

A person whose job it is to promote horse racing was, rather disappointingly, being sniffy about the Craven meeting on social media last week. I understand that some people don't like racing at the Rowley Mile and, yes, last Tuesday in particular was a little challenging on the weather front. But if you're a Flat racing person, and particularly one who is being paid to tell other people that they should come racing, then you really should appreciate all that is wonderful about these weeks of Classic trials across Europe....

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's twice-raced Halfday (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}--Daytime {GB}, by Frankel {GB}), who followed up a debut second at Deauville with a breakthrough score at Chantilly in December, continued on the upgrade with a dominant display in Friday's G3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud. The 27-5 chance broke in fourth, but was relegated to last of the six contenders after extended opening exchanges. Bustled along off the home turn, she made relentless headway in the straight to launch her challenge entering the final furlong and was ridden clear...

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.  17.30 Southwell, Novice, £8,000, 3yo, 11f 23y (AWT) CADOGAN PLACE (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is an intriguing contender in an intriguing affair as a full-brother to the G1 Fillies' Mile winner Quadrilateral (GB). Andrew Balding unleashes Juddmonte's homebred against two other fascinating newcomers in Godolphin's Hidden Law (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}),...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This column is highlighted by the victory of Royalty Interest in Central Florida. Le Havre Fave Gets The Job Done Klaravich Stables' Royalty Interest (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) scored the second win of her career at Tampa Bay this past weekend (video). Bred by China Horse Club International, the bay sold for €50,000 to Seth Klarman's operation during the 2021 Arqana October Yearling Sale. The fourth foal out of stakes winner Dusky...

The Tattersalls March sale catalogue, which takes place on Wednesday, Mar. 27 at Newmarket's Park Paddocks, is now available online. The sale comprises of both Flat and NH prospects with 85 lots total, highlighted by an eight horse draft from Godolphin led by 2021 G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy-placed Brilliant Light (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Also catalogued is Floral Melody (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a 2-year-old half-sister to SW & GSP-Eng Kylian (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) as well as stakes-placed Remarkable Force (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and several winning...

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan has given the lowdown on the top Chad Brown-trained juvenile prospects that were selected at last year's Book 1 session at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Ryan, who has sourced well over 50 Group/Grade 1 winners in his long and distinguished career, including Book 1 graduates Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), admitted to finding trade "a little easier" in 2023 compared to previous visits to Park Paddocks.  Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine...