ParisLongchamp

Seven newcomers went to post for ParisLongchamp's opening contest of Sunday afternoon, the 10 1/2-furlong Prix Juigne for unraced 3-year-old colts and geldings, and it was Coolmore and Westerberg's Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Whatami {GB}, by Daylami {Ire}), who returned with a 'TDN Rising Star' after outpointing his rivals in the style of an above-average individual. Patiently ridden off the tempo in seventh for the most part, the 8-5 favourite eased forward off the home turn and lengthened clear in taking fashion once quickening to the fore at the furlong pole...

Sunday sees a swing in the momentum towards the more meaningful Flat action of 2024, with Leopardstown--which has to survive an early-morning inspection--and ParisLongchamp staging a host of Classic trials. Ballydoyle's wheels are really set in motion at the former venue, with several of their promising 3-year-olds ready to be unleashed in the card's trio of preps including the 10-furlong G3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax S. It is in that early Derby pointer that Rosegreen's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud third Illinois (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and impressive course maiden-winning TDN Rising...

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 daughter of Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 13.45 Leopardstown, Mdn, €15,000, 3yo, f, 8fT WINGSPAN (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a notable newcomer from Ballydoyle, as the second foal out of the G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares S. and G1 Matron S. heroine Hydrangea (Ire) (Galileo...

Al Shira'aa Racing have been announced as the new sponsors of the G3 Prix Vanteaux in a two-year partnership with France Galop. The 2024 edition of the Al Shira'aa Racing Prix Vanteaux, run over nine furlongs for three-year-old fillies, will be held at Longchamp's opening fixture of the season on Sunday, April 7. Kieran Lalor, Al Shira'aa Racing's bloodstock and racing manager, said, "We are delighted to come on board as sponsor of the Group 3 Prix Vanteaux. It is a very important prep race for the Classics and one...

There was a chance beforehand that the Wertheimers' 3-year-old Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}--Dancequest {Ire}, by Dansili {GB}) had an edge over his elders in Sunday's G1 Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp, but few would have imagined how great his advantage was as he outclassed them with a vintage display. Always happy at the head of affairs under Maxime Guyon, the Christophe Ferland-trained homebred started to draw clear from the top of the straight and despite wandering around in the clear was so far in front inside the last 100...

With Europe's leading stayers either having taken part in Champions Day or roughed off for the season, Sunday's G1 Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp has a wide-open feel with only the Wertheimers' Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) holding any kind of mystique. Successful in the track's G2 Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend, the Christophe Ferland-trained 3-year-old has considerable upside taking on established  marathon specialists in a race that has seen his age group prevail in five of the last eight renewals and three of the last four. With the likes...

It was harder work than expected, but Bertrand Milliere's leading veteran Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) ultimately made his class tell in Sunday's G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris. Held up with two behind early, the 11-10 favourite looked momentarily in trouble two out as Marie Velon asked him to close on the leaders. Staying on gamely in response, the G1 Prix Royal Oak and G1 Prix Ganay winner got to Marquisat (Ire) (Zarak {Fr}) a furlong later before asserting to score by a length. Trainer Jean Pierre Gauvin revealed that Iresine,...

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 Sea The Stars (Ire) son of Bateel (Ire) in a Debutantes at ParisLongchamp.   14.33 ParisLongchamp, Debutantes, €50,000, 2yo, c/g, 9fT MAP OF STARS (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) debuts for her breeder Al Asayl France and the Francis-Henri Graffard stable who combined with the...

The Arc's missing piece Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) returns to action in that feature's hosting venue on Sunday, with the far-lesser spoils on offer of the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris scant consolation for messrs Milliere, Gauvin and Velon. Denied an entry in his country's finest race due to his gelded status, the reigning G1 Prix Royal Oak and G1 Prix Ganay winner may have had place claims there given his love of this circuit at which he has also won and been second in a G2 Prix Foy...

A successful ParisLongchamp au revoir for Frankie was denied in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret, with his beloved Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) losing out by half a length to the Wertheimers' fellow TDN Rising Star Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}--Incahoots {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) who put the cherry on the cake for her sire who both directly and indirectly dominated the Arc. Unplaced twice since beating the G1 Prix du Moulin heroine Sauterne (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) decisively in the G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly in June, the...

Yeguada Centurion's Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}--Queen Blossom {Ire}, by Jeremy) had failed to fire in two starts after notching a Classic double in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Prix de Diane, but was pitch-perfect in Sunday's G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines at ParisLongchamp to secure for a fourth elite-level triumph in game fashion. Last term's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine was supported down to favouritism in the betting market and broke on the lead from the inside stall before accepting a tow in third in...

   Bringing the house down at ParisLongchamp in the panama hat G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday, Gousserie Racing and Ecuries Serge Stempniak's brilliant Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}--Absolutly Me {Fr}, by Anabaa Blue {GB}) ripped up the rule book in scintillating style to become the first colt to win the revised 10 1/2-furlong G1 Prix du Jockey Club and this prize in the same season. "C'est enorme," uttered an emotional Jean-Claude Rouget after watching his unbeaten star rattle home past most of his rivals under a...