Naas

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. Today's Observations features a recent breeze-up sale topper. 3.10 Naas, Cond, €37,500, 2yo, 5fT CADAMOSTO (IRE) (No Nay Never) has been a non-runner on four occasions either side of his impressive winning debut from the re-opposing Silver Surfer (GB) (Caravaggio) over this trip at Dundalk last month, so it...

Another Caravaggio, another TDN Rising Star as the highly impressive Contarelli Chapel (Ire) made her mark in a smart-looking field gathered for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over near six furlongs at Naas on Monday. A half-sister to last year's G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau S. heroine Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), the January-foaled grey who races for Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor and Smith was marginally in front from the break and completely comfortable setting the pace under a motionless Ryan Moore. It was passing the...

On a day when Ballydoyle showed its strength, the regally-bred 3-year-old filly Empress Josephine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) brought up a treble for the team at Naas in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over a mile. A full-sister to the high-class G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Minding (Ire), the February-foaled bay was sent off the 3-1 joint-second favourite and raced behind the early leaders under cover. Needing racing room in the straight, she was out in good time to carry Seamie Heffernan to the front a...

The first runner for her exciting first-season sire, Tenebrism (Caravaggio) also carried the mantle of Ballydoyle's first juvenile runner of 2021 into Sunday's five-furlong juvenile opener at Naas. Not that she comprehended the gravitas of the moment, but the manner in which the daughter of the high-class Immortal Verse (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) dealt with the task in hand could not have been more pleasing for her high-profile connections. In readily dismissing her peers in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden staged on soft ground, she instantly set a lofty standard...

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 the first Ballydoyle juvenile runner of 2021. 1.15 Naas, Mdn, €14,000, 2yo, 5fT TENEBRISM (Caravaggio) is Ballydoyle's first juvenile runner of 2021 and carries significance as his exciting first-season sire's potential first winner. Representing a partnership between Coolmore, Georg von Opel's Westerberg Limited and John Moores...

GAIN Equine Nutrition will sponsor a new race series, The Advantage Series, for the Irish Flat Season, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Tuesday. Launched with Ado McGuinness Racing, the eight part series of races will be run for points over a variety of conditions to cater to different trainers and horses throughout the season. For each race, there will be a 40% prizemoney boost. A grand prize of €5,000 worth of GAIN Equine Nutrition products will be awarded to the trainer who tops the GAIN The Advantage Series at the...

Compas Stallions will sponsor four of the eight races on the season Flat opener at Naas on Sunday, Mar. 28, Naas Racecourse announced on Monday. Micheal Orlandi, founder and owner of Compas Stallions, will also recognise breeders by rewarding the winning breeder of each of the Compas Stallions-sponsored races with a free nomination to the named stallion of the race. A trio of handicaps and a maiden race will be named after four Compas Stallions-Cappella Sansevero (GB), Smooth Daddy, Kuroshio (Aus) and Far Above (Ire). Orlandi said, "We are delighted...

Following its successful inaugural running in 2020, the valuable Irish EBF Ballyhane S. has attracted an entry of 369 juveniles for its return on Aug. 2. With guaranteed prize-money of at least €200,000, the juvenile contest, which is run over six furlongs at Naas on the August Bank Holiday Monday, has understandably proved popular. It also offers a bonus of €50,000 if the winner is by a Ballyhane Stud stallion. "We are delighted to co-sponsor with the Irish EBF and have been thrilled with the response from a large variety...

'TDN Rising Star' Congratulation (American Pharoah), previously raced in Europe as Monarch of Egypt, will become his sire's first runner in Hong Kong when he steps out in Sunday's Class 1 Chinese New Year Cup H. over 1400 metres at Sha Tin Racecourse. Bred in Kentucky by Ran Jan Racing Inc. and trained by Aidan O'Brien for Peter Brant, Michael Tabor, Sue Magnier and Derrick Smith, the $750,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase won on Naas debut in April 2019 to become American Pharoah's first winner before finishing runner-up to Siskin...

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 Insights features a full-brother to G1SW Serpentine (Ire). 12.30 Naas, Mdn, €15,500, 2yo, 6fT Coolmore's debutant APOLLO THIRTEEN (IRE) (No Nay Never), one of three nominees representing the Aidan O'Brien stable, is out of the dual Grade I placegetter Nasty Storm (Gulch) and thus a half-brother to MGSW...

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 Insights features a pricy half-brother to G1SP Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah). 3.40 Yarmouth, Novice, £6,300, 2yo, 8f 3yT FRANCESCO GUARDI (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is given a confidence boost in this four-runner affair, having finished third in Newbury's Listed Washington Singer S. last month. The Ballylinch Stud-bred and...

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 Insights features this year's G1 Investec Derby third. 5.05 Naas, Mdn, €11,000, 3yo/up, 10fT AMHRAN NA BHFIANN (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is a rarity as a G1 Epsom Derby placegetter needing to go back to maiden company, but this is the most unusual of years and Aidan O'Brien is...