Roger Varian

Is the Derby picture clearer or murkier after the last week? We probably can't say for sure until after Thursday's Dante S., which may or may not feature Ballydoyle's erstwhile favoured one High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). At the moment, of those currently at 20/1 or shorter in the betting, there's certainly the potential for there to be a good story attached to the winner and, let's face it, the great old race in its first year of Cazoo sponsorship, certainly could do with that. Who wouldn't love to see...

There were shades of High-Rise (Ire) (High Estate {Ire}) at Lingfield on Saturday as Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's silks were carried to success by Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial. Winning the second blue riband prep within the week for his owner-breeder and the Roger Varian stable, the 14-1 shot who broke his maiden over an extended 10 furlongs at Nottingham Apr. 17 was held up early by David Egan before making his move downhill to the home straight. Getting first run...

The Dubai World Cup Carnival continues at Meydan on Thursday, and the seven-race card is loaded with six stakes races-five at group level-a little over two weeks in advance of the Mar. 6 Super Saturday card. The G2 Zabeel Mile has been won the past two years by Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby. Per usual, the royal blue is well represented, and the 110-rated D'Bai (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) leads the foursome. The 2019 G2 Al Fahidi Fort victor was only three-quarters of a length back in second when defending his title...

Racehorse Lotto, which aims to introduce more owners into racing while giving back to charity, is raffling the ownership of a Postponed (Ire) filly in training with Roger Varian for the year. The prize includes naming rights, registering the winner's own racing colours, and all racing, training and vet fees. Prizemoney-100% of the first £100,000, then 50% of any winnings above that--goes straight to the raffle winner. Twenty percent of ticket sales will go to Racing Welfare; Racehorse Lotto raised over £25,000 for Racing Welfare in 2020 through a variety...

Meydan's G2 Cape Verdi is the highlight on the Dubai Wold Cup Carnival card on Jan. 28. Of the eight fillies and mares signed on to the one-mile feature, a quintet carry the Godolphin blue and the highest rated at 108 is the Group 3 winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). A listed winner at Newmarket as a juvenile, the Charlie Appleby charge won the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom on July 4 and was last of six in the G1 Prix Rothschild after making...

The Roger Varian-trained fillies Angel Power (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Queen Daenerys (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) have been disqualified from listed wins at ParisLongchamp in September as a result of the well-documented Gain feed contamination saga that also saw Aidan O'Brien scratch his four runners from the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. France Galop has revealed that 12 horses tested positive for the prohibited substance Zilpaterol as a result of the feed contamination, but all the trainers involved-including Varian, who was the only overseas trainer affected-have been cleared...

John Gosden, alongside fellow Newmarket trainers Sir Mark Prescott, Robert Cowell and David Simcock, will make up one of the dozen teams of the Racing League tournament which begins next summer. Another Newmarket team is comprised of Michael Bell, Ed Dunlop, James Fanshawe and Roger Varian. Clive Cox, Nicky Henderson, Charlie Hills and Jamie Osborne are representing Lambourn. Another team is Mick Appleby, Michael Dods, David O'Meara and Paul Midgley. Mick Channon has joined Paul and Oliver Cole, Eve Johnson Houghton and Hughie Morrison. France will also send a team...

Defoe (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), winner of last year's G1 Coronation Cup for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, suffered a fatal injury on the Newmarket gallops on Wednesday morning. The 6-year-old's trainer Roger Varian announced his death via a statement on his website which read, "It is probably not a safe assumption that only those who were closely connected with the horse will be heartbroken that he has left this life. Although not large in stature Defoe had the heart of a lion and his adoring fans from around the world...

Juddmonte's undefeated G1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas hero Siskin (First Defence) and G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas Kameko (Kitten's Joy), who represents Qatar Racing, lead the nine-strong G1 Qatar Sussex S. field at the latest entry stage on Thursday morning. The duo are joined by fellow sophomores: MG1SP G2 Coventry S. winner Arizona (Ire) (No Nay Never), Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and G3 Tattersalls S. hero and MG1Sp Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never), all from Ballydoyle. Aidan O'Brien also sends 4-year-olds MG1SW Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo...

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 Dark Angel colt out of a Royal Ascot-winning 2-year-old. 12.00 Haydock, Mdn, £6,400, 2yo, 6fT MAYAAS (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is a son of the G2 Queen Mary S. and G2 Lowther S. winner Best Terms (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who has already produced...

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 half-brother to one of last week's Royal Ascot Group 1 winners. 1.15 Haydock, Novice, £6,400, 2yo, 6fT LINE OF DEPARTURE (IRE) (Mehmas {Ire}) debuts in first-time blinkers in the Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa silks for the Roger Varian stable, having cost £260,000 at the Goffs...

Continuing a spellbinding week at Royal Ascot for Shadwell, last year's high-class prospect Molatham (GB) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) came good when it mattered as he emerged on top in a rain-hit G3 Jersey S. on Wednesday. Always travelling strongly halfway down the field despite having no cover, the Listed Flying Scotsman S. winner cruised to the front passing two out and after a battle royal with Monarch of Egypt (American Pharoah) asserted for a half-length success, with daylight back to Symbolize (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in third. Jockey Jim Crowley,...