Naas

   It's that time of year where initial promise either fizzles out or becomes the preface to something greater and early on Saturday we get to find out what 'TDN Rising Star' Bright Diamond (Ire) (El Kabeir) is made of in Goodwood's G3 William Hill Prestige Fillies' S. This is not generally one of the big 1000 Guineas pointers, but Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), Nannina (GB) (Medicean {GB}) and Gossamer (GB) (Sadler's Wells) won it this century en route to their respective tilts at the stars and there...

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. Tuesday's Insights features Goffs Dubai World Cup 2yo Sale grad Tango Man (GB). 2.10 Catterick, Mdn, £6,899, 2yo, 7f 6yT TANGO MAN (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was the third-highest lot at €495,846 at the Goffs Dubai World Cup 2yo Sale and debuts for Amo Racing And Omnihorse Racing and the...

2.10 Naas, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 8fT FONISKA (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) was withdrawn from her intended debut at Leopardstown in June due to a respiratory infection, but is ready to go now for Flaxman Stables Ireland and Jessie Harrington. A daughter of the G2 Kilboy Estate S. winner Bocca Baciata (Ire) (Big Bad Bob {Ire}), the May-foaled bay encounters Ballydoyle's Leopardstown third Dame Kiri (Justify), whose dam is a full-sister to Alice Springs (Ire). 2.40 Naas, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, c/g, 8fT DENMARK (GB) (Camelot {GB}) is a notable newcomer from...

There's an old proverb that reads, 'All the flowers of the tomorrows are in the seeds of today,' which came to mind when Apricot Twist (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}) ran out a comfortable winner of the opening six-furlong maiden at Naas on Wednesday.  In the case of Apricot Twist, who earned herself a TDN Rising Star in pulling over seven lengths clear of her rivals on debut, those seeds were set a long time ago by Rory Mathews at Barouche Stud Ireland.  Apricot Twist is named after the notoriously sweet-scented...

With the kind of start that Whitsbury Manor Stud's Havana Grey (GB) has enjoyed, it was only a matter of time before his first crop featured a black-type winner and it duly came at Naas on Wednesday evening. Supplied by the Amo Racing And Omnihorse Racing-owned and Alice Haynes-trained filly Lady Hollywood (GB) in the five-furlong Listed Arqana Irish EBF Marwell S., the landmark is surely only the beginning in this category for one of the most successful first-season sires of recent times (by Havana Gold {Ire}). Always travelling easily...

Sent off the 11-8 favourite for Wednesday's Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Naas, Juddmonte's Apricot Twist (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}) more than justified that SP to join the TDN Rising Star ranks. The first by her first-season sire (by Acclamation {GB}), the Ger Lyons-trained homebred tracked the pace far side under Colin Keane in the near-six-furlong contest before being allowed to stride to the front over two furlongs from home. Clear soon after, the daughter of the Listed Ruby S. scorer Erysimum (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) was eased down late...

Unlucky on debut when second at The Curragh at the start of last month, Ballydoyle's Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}--Rhododendron {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) put that experience behind him to earn TDN Rising Star status at Naas on Saturday. Sent off the 30-100 favourite for the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, the bay was swiftly into stride to race on the front end throughout the early stages. Shaken up by Seamus Heffernan to gain an outright advantage passing the two pole, he ran green in the clear but...

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 a son of Group 1 winner Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 4.18 Naas, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, 7fT AUGUSTE RODIN (IRE) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Ballydoyle's exciting son of the triple Group 1 winner Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was a possibly unlucky runner-up at the Curragh at the...

Stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time, Ballydoyle's Galleria Borghese (Ire) (Caravaggio--On Ice {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) showed the extra stamina requirement held no fears when making all to capture Wednesday's Listed Al Shira'aa Racing Irish EBF Naas Oaks Trial at Naas. Sent straight to the front by Wayne Lordan, the 12-1 shot who had been second at Limerick five days earlier showed resilience to hold Alizarine (GB) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) by half a length, with the strong-finishing Seisai (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) a nose...

There was no catching Michael and Julia Iavarone and Michael O'Callaghan's Twilight Jet (Ire) (Twilight Son {GB}) in Sunday's G3 Goffs Lacken S. at Naas as he led from pillar to post in a dynamic display of speed. Sent off at 9-2, last year's G3 Cornwallis S. winner was quicker than Ballydoyle's 6-5 favourite New York City (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) at every step and gave generously for Leigh Roche to beat that Listed Committed S. scorer by three lengths. The returning G3 Anglesey S. winner Beauty Inspire (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire})...

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-brother to Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). 1.45 Naas, Cond, €40,000, 2yo, 5fT THE ANTARCTIC (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is Ballydoyle's first runner on this Royal Ascot Trials Day card, tackling this Coolmore Stud Calyx Race having scored on debut at Tipperary last month. The...

Six days after the G1 Prix Ganay victory of her half-brother State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Teme Valley Racing's Tranquil Lady (Ire) (Australia {GB}--Repose) kept the family honour well and truly intact with an authoritative success in Naas' G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Blue Wind S. Sent off the 3-1 joint-second favourite in what appeared to be a tight contest, the chestnut who had been fourth in Navan's Listed Salsabil S. on her 3-year-old bow Apr. 23 travelled sweetly in third early under Dylan Browne McMonagle. Cruising to Ballydoyle's 11-4...