Lope de Vega (Ire)

French online auction house Auctav will host their January sale starting Tuesday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CET, and among the offerings are two flat runners, namely Qantiem (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) and Sinnerman (Fr) (Territories {Ire}). The former, a half-brother to MSP-Fr Layla (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), is out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Reliable Man (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and multiple Group winner Imposing (GB). Sinnerman claims Peruvian champion grass mare GSP-Arg Sissy Chanel (Tapizar) as a half-sister and hails from the female...

   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 Kalispera at Gulfstream Park.   Ten Sovereigns Filly Delivers In Florida William Werner's Kalispera (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) won her American debut at Gulfstream Park for trainer Brian Lynch earlier this month (video). A product of the storied Annemarie O'Brien breeding programme, the 3-year-old rattled off a trio of group placings at two in her colours when third in both the G2 Debutante...

Frankel (GB) has recaptured the crown he first wore in 2021 and is the champion sire in Britain and Ireland for 2023, as well as being the leading sire in Europe, for the second time. It won't be the last. Whether or not he will be able to emulate the long reigns of his sire Galileo (Ire) and grandsire Sadler's Wells remains to be seen, but it would be unwise to bet against it. Yes, Frankel's launch into his stud career was the stallion equivalent of being born with a...

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. Saturday's Observations features the smartly bred Champagne Prince (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). 16.40 Newcastle, Nov, £20,000, 2yo, 7f 14y (AWT) Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee CHAMPAGNE PRINCE (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), who took the eye with a 4 1/2-length debut success at Chelmsford last month, is out of a...

Applying the core principles of breeding to stallions who were top racehorses while enhancing their own core families, Dietrich and Annabel von Boetticher's Gestut Ammerland has forged a reputation as one of the best owner-breeder operations in Europe.  The results of the Bavarian farm speak for themselves but let us offer a reminder here. At one stage Ammerland was home to around 50 mares, but generally the average number has been closer to 30: not quite boutique but also not behemoth.  Over the last 30 years or so, 60 group...

  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 Unconquerable Keen at Del Mar.   Keen Rides Out The Storm At Del Mar It was another stakes victory for the Phil D'Amato barn with the former European runner Unconquerable Keen (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) in the Stormy Liberal S. at Del Mar on Saturday (video). Bred by Nicholas Hartery, the 4-year-old gelding managed a pair of victories in his native land 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-brother to crack miler Ribchester (Ire).   16.07 Deauville, Debutantes, €30,000, 2yo, c/g, 9 1/2f (AWT) RIBBLE VIBE (IRE) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is a half-brother to the four-times Group 1-winning miler Ribchester (Ire) who debuts on the Polytrack in the Godolphin blue for the...

2nd-AQU, $85k, Msw, 2yo, 7f, 12:20p.m. ET From the family of GISW Acoma (Empire Maker) and her half-brother, the late, great GISW Arch (Kris S.), CONQUEST WARRIOR (City of Light) will be the priciest unveiling on the afternoon in New York, carrying a princely $1 million tag from the 2022 KEESEP sale. Racing for Courtlandt Farms under the tutelage of Shug McGaughey, the colt is a half-sibling to a series of winners out of dam MSW Tea Time (Pulpit) including unraced 3-year-old filly Soul Play (Union Rags), who was also...

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 full-brother to Irish Oaks heroine Savethelastdance. 14.30 Newcastle, £9,950, Mdn, 2yo, 10f 42y (AWT) Amo Racing's hitherto unraced MR HAMPSTEAD (Galileo {Ire}) is a $575,000 Keeneland September full-brother to this term's G1 Irish Oaks heroine Savethelastdance (Ire) and encounters seven in this debut. Opposition to...

Lope De Vega (Ire), whose new top-level winners in 2023 include Program Trading (GB) and Arapaho (Fr), has had his fee held at €125,000 for the fourth year. Four of the Ballylinch Stud stallions will stand in 2024 at the same price as they were advertised this year, while the fee for Waldgeist (GB) has been reduced. Ballylinch Stud's managing director John O'Connor said, "The Ballylinch stallion roster had another flagship year in 2023, with our proven sires Lope de Vega, New Bay and Make Believe being responsible for some...

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 full-sister to a Group 1 winner. 13.58 Deauville, €30,000, Mdn, unraced 2yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT) Gitte Poulsen-Allaire's AQUA AUGUSTA (IRE) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is a Yann Barberot-conditioned daughter of Listed Prix Dahlia victrix Alzubra (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and thus kin to a trio...

   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 victories of Buffoon and Kick A Rhyme for trainer Mike Maker and Pura Vida Investments during the past week.   Lope De Vega Colt Strikes At Keeneland Buffoon (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) put it all together at second asking at Keeneland for Pura Vida Investments and trainer Mike Maker on Saturday (video). Bred by Ecurie des Monceaux and Rifa Mustang Europe, Ltd., the €175,000...