Newmarket

There were days when we were drumming our fingers on our at-home desks or dining tables wondering what on earth to write about for tomorrow. But now that the shock of racing's shutdown has been completely erased by the return, finally, of racing in Ireland to complete a European full set, the panic is not what to write but how on earth to keep up with it all. No complaints here. The last few weeks since the French return in mid-May and Britain just over a week ago have provided...

European champion Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) is doing well following his third-place finish in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas and will point to the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot. Trainer Charlie Appleby  reported the Godolphin runner to be none the worse following his effort on the Rowley Mile on Saturday. The Shamardal colt suffered the first reverse of his career in the wake of Kameko (Kitten's Joy) and Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never). Prior to the Guienas, Pinatubo won each of his six juvenile outings and boasted a...

With a pedigree like his, Khalid Abdullah's Sunray Major (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) already had enough in hand on his rivals assembled for division two of Newmarket's Betfair Exchange More Ways To Win EBF Stallions Novice S. on Sunday's 1,000 Guineas undercard. Word spreads fast around these parts and it was certainly out for the John Gosden-trained half-brother to the amazing miler Kingman (GB) as he traded at 8-11 for the mile contest. Following the lead of his yard's already-established TDN Rising Star King Leonidas (GB) by Kingman himself in the...

From a $6,000 yearling to millionaires' row, the line-up for the first British Classic of the season features some smart homebreds along with sales graduates for almost every pocket. Al Suhail (GB) Dubawi (Ire) - Shirocco Star (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) Last seen finishing runner-up over course and distance to fellow Guineas contender Military March in the G3 Autumn S. last October, this Meon Valley Stud-bred colt was a 1.1 million gns purchase at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. His dam was runner-up in both the Oaks 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. Friday's Insights features a daughter of dual Eclipse champion Royal Delta (Empire Maker). 1.15 Newmarket, Mdn, £6,400, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT LAWAHED (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is a daughter of the G1 Jebel Hatta and G1 Dubai Duty Free winner Sajjhaa (GB) (King's Best) who debuts for Sheikh Ahmed bin...

A field of 15 fillies will go to post for Sunday's G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, with Khalid Abdullah's unbeaten TDN Rising Star Quadrilateral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) drawn in six as Jason Watson looks for a first Classic victory in the saddle. Chief opposition to the G1 Fillies' Mile winner comes in the form of Stonethorn Stud Farms' G1 Cheveley Park S. scorer Millisle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), the sole representative of the Jessie Harrington stable who will break from stall 11, and Coolmore's G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Love...

Italian reinsman Frankie Dettori has picked up a Classic ride and will be aboard one of four possible Coolmore G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas contenders on June 6th for Aidan O'Brien at Newmarket, Racing Post reported on Monday. G2 Coventry S. winner Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never) is second favourite among the 15 entries as of Monday, while O'Brien also has GSW & G1SP Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never), New World Tapestry (War Front), and G2 Royal Lodge S. victor Royal Dornoch (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) entered at this stage. The Rosegreen...

The date of June 1 has for several weeks been dangling tantalisingly over British racing as the earliest possible day of resumption for a sport which has been under wraps since Mar. 18, five days before country went into full lockdown. With restrictions having been eased in recent weeks, hopes continued to grow that racing could be one of the first professional sports to burst back into action from the coronavirus-enforced hiatus, but it took until 4pm on Saturday, May 30 for the government to grant its consent publicly. There...

The G1 2000 Guineas card at Newmarket on June 6 and Japan's G1 Yasuda Kinen on June 7 will be simulcast for betting beginning in the late evening of Saturday, June 6, the Hong Kong Jockey Club announced on Sunday. Newmarket's seven races are headed by the 2000 Guineas, where European Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) is expected to take part. Meanwhile in Japan the next day, the 1600-metre G1 Yasuda Kinen features Japanese Horse of the Year Almond Eye (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) and the race will be...

Recent GIII Fantasy S. winner Swiss Skydiver (Daredevil), previously considered for a run in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in England June 6, will instead stay Stateside and point to the GI Santa Anita Oaks the same day, trainer Ken McPeek said on Twitter Sunday. McPeek cited logistical concerns and a purse reduction among the reasons he's choosing to keep his pupil in America for her next start. The Peter Callahan colorbearer worked a half-mile over the Keeneland turf in :51 flat (8/9) Saturday. "She handled her turf workout...

This weekend marks four years since Galileo Gold (Ire) handed trainer Hugo Palmer a first British Classic win in the G1 Qipco 2000 Guineas, and while it will be some weeks yet before we see another name added to that historic contest's honour roll, with the race postponed to likely early June due to COVID-19, trainer Hugo Palmer is passing the time with memories of Al Shaqab's chestnut. Palmer recalled on Wednesday how Galileo Gold, winner of the G2 Vintage S. at two and third in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc...

Albert House Stables, owned by Rebel Racing, is now on the market, as their training operation, led by Richard Spencer, has expanded and moved to Sefton Lodge. Offered by Windsor Clive International, the 23-box yard is located at the foot of Warren Hill. The property, which also features a four-reception room house, two flats and a horsewalker, has been completely renovated in the last few years. Offers north of £1.35 million will be entertained. "Albert House has been a fantastic base for Rebel Racing," said Rebel's Phil CUnningham. "We have...