In an exhibition of pure sprinting prowess, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) brought all his power to bear on his rivals on Friday to register back-to-back successes in Goodwood's G2 King George Qatar S. Despite the contrasting ground conditions to the easy turf he encountered 12 months ago and the obvious questions posed by defeat in the June 19 G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot, the bay attracted heavy support as the 8-11 favourite and was in front before he had raced two...
The 17th edition of the Claiming Crown, held Saturday at Gulfstream Park, generated total handle of $10,118,000--up 0.57% from 2014 despite rainy conditions which caused four races to be taken off the turf. Gulfstream was hosting the event for the fourth year. "We're extremely pleased with the success of Saturday's Claiming Crown," said P.J. Campo, General Manager of Gulfstream Park and Vice President of Racing for The Stronach Group. "We had big fields and tremendous participation from horsemen throughout North America. We're confident the numbers would have been even more...
If history is anything to go by, Drop Dead Gorgeous (Dubawi) is going places having won a key Naas maiden for Ballydoyle on Sunday. She becomes Dubawi's 48th TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard. Debuting in the mile contest which the stable's subsequent Classic heroines Empress Josephine and Tuesday won in 2021 and 2022, the even-money favourite was notably smooth for Ryan Moore and after taking command 1 1/2 furlongs out eased to a comfortable success. "We're delighted with her, she's a lovely big filly. She's still a baby and...
Following on from Ballydoyle's earlier winner Accredited (Siyouni), Causeway (Wootton Bassett) made it a double for the yard on Naas's Sunday card as he emulated Paddington in winning the Madrid Handicap under top weight. Whether he goes on to hit the heights of his predecessor remains to be seen, but the Curragh maiden winner who hails from the family of Magical and Rhododendron showed grit to deny former stablemate Controlled (No Nay Never) in a photo for the seven-furlong contest. "Seven furlongs is on the tight side for him and...
Aidan O'Brien was getting serious for the first time at Naas on Sunday and the early tempo was set by the €1million Arqana May Breeze-Up buy Accredited (Siyouni). Fourth at Dundalk in October, the full-brother to last year's Greenham Stakes third Saracen stayed on to deny the well-backed Sindagan (Mehmas) in the seven-furlong maiden for colts and geldings. From the family of Mohaather (Showcasing), the 2 1/2-length winner is the stable's first turf winner of the current campaign. "He'd done very well throughout the winter and is very straightforward 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 daughter of You'resothrilling (Storm Cat). 4.57 Naas, Mdn, 3yo, f, 8fT DROP DEAD GORGEOUS (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is the day's biggest news as she makes her keenly-anticipated debut for Ballydoyle in the maiden the stable has won in recent times with their subsequent Classic heroines...
The Irish Flat season is a matter of weeks away, with the opening day of the season kicking off at the Curragh on March 15, where the €100,000 Irish Lincoln takes centre stage. There will be Classic clues aplenty on April 12, when the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas Trials, along with the Ballysax Stakes, a key Derby trial, takes place at Leopardstown. TDN Europe's Brian Sheerin has had a look at some of the under-the-radar three-year-olds who could have a big role to play that weekend and indeed for the...