New Mandate

DEAUVILLE, France--Somebody has to be the trailblazer and the first yearling into the ring for the 2021 European season will be a first-crop daughter of U S Navy Flag. The filly hails from the consignment of Haras de l'Hotellerie which offers its biggest draft this year, nine years on from making its Arqana August debut. The Garcon family's operation made quite a splash back then, selling a Dubawi (Ire) colt to Jehan Malherbe of Form Bloodstock for €450,000, and he was no one-hit wonder. Named Mubtaahij (Ire) and sent into...

LEXINGTON, KY--This year's European contingent at the Breeders' Cup includes a handful of accomplished trainers sending out their first runners at the meeting-the likes of Michael Bell, James Fanshawe, Nigel Tinkler, John Quinn and Ger Lyons. They will, no doubt, all be hoping to follow in the mould of trainer Ralph Beckett, who won with his first ever Breeders' Cup starter, Muhannak (Ire) (Chester House), in the 2008 Breeders' Cup Marathon at Santa Anita Park. The Andover-based Beckett has exhibited a special touch with fillies over his 20-year career as...

LEXINGTON, KY--Tuesday brought about another bright but cool morning in Lexington, and the European Breeders' Cup contingent-all bar the Ballydoyle brigade, which touched down in Lexington late on Monday evening and will be ensconced in quarantine until Thursday-had another opportunity to stretch their legs at Keeneland. The English and Irish Guineas winners Kameko (Kitten's Joy) and Siskin (First Defence) were among those who took to the training track for the second straight day, with Kameko once again catching the eye in a light gallop just as dawn broke. Siskin once...