Sandown

Sandown played host to the TDN Rising Star Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) on Friday and Clarehaven's heir apparent did not disappoint on his return in the G2 bet365 Mile. Still an unknown quantity despite wins in the G1 St James's Palace S. and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois last term, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's 4-11 favourite who signed off 2020 with a third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. at Ascot shadowed Shadwell's well-regarded Khuzaam (Kitten's Joy) throughout the early stages. Left in front passing three...

It has taken longer than initially expected, but Waldkonig (GB) (Kingman {GB}) finally got his Pattern-race win at the right end of his 4-year-old campaign in Friday's G3 Gordon Richards S. at Sandown. Labelled a TDN Rising Star at two, Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park Stud's half-brother to Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was winning for the first time subsequently in a handicap over this 10-furlong trip at Pontefract Apr. 6 and it was significant that he attracted support into 6-4 favouritism despite this looking competitive. Ridden up with the pace...

   Arguably the most exciting older horse in training in Europe sets out on his keenly-anticipated 4-year-old campaign on Friday, as 'TDN Rising Star' Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) takes in the G2 Sandown Mile. Escaping a penalty with his brace of Group 1 wins in the St James's Palace S. and Prix Jacques le Marois coming before the end of August, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's still-unexposed bay had excuses when bogged down in Ascot's testing conditions but still managed a respectable third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth...

Champion stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will make his 2021 racecourse bow in the G3 Sagaro S. on Apr. 28, the Racing Post reported on Tuesday. The accomplished stayer captured the G1 Gold Cup on June 18 and July 28 G1 Goodwood Cup and ran second in the G2 Prix Foy in September. Cutting back to 1 ½ miles for the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the chestnut entire reported home seventh and was an uncharacteristic 12th in the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup on Oct....

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. Wednesday's Insights features a son of GISW Nereid (Rock Hard Ten). 2.50 Sandown, Novice, £8,000, 2yo, 8fT CASTLEBAR (IRE) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) at €460,000 was one of last year's leading lights at the Goffs Orby and he has joined Charlie Appleby's Godolphin ranks. From the family of the G1...

Julie Wood's Etonian (Ire) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) caused a 28-1 shock when prevailing by 3 1/4 lengths at Sandown in his only prior start and the form of that seven-furlong maiden contest received a hefty boost when runner-up One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) took the opening heat on the Esher track's Sunday card. He was sent postward at considerably shorter odds for the day's feature G3 Betway Solario S., over the same seven-furlong strip, and pounced late to ensure his perfect record remained intact. Etonian sought and found cover in...

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 well-bred son of Galileo (Ire). 1.25 Sandown, Mdn, £5,400, 2yo, 7fT MAXIMAL (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) was taken out of Friday's Convivial Maiden at York when the ground went against him and it is interesting to see him entered here by Sir Michael Stoute with the...

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 2.3 million guineas son of Kingman (GB). 2.20 Sandown, Mdn, £6,400, 2yo, 8fT SYMBOLIC POWER (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was the third highest-priced colt to sell at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, with Godolphin paying 2.3million gns for the bay, whose dam is a...

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 daughter of G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). 1.00 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,500, 2yo, f, 8fT NICEST (IRE) (American Pharoah) is a daughter of the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) who debuts for the Tabor/Smith/Magnier axis and Donnacha O'Brien. A half-sister...

Charlie Appleby had relayed loud and clear that Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was now the horse he had been waiting for and Godolphin's dynamic performer proved the point in style in Sunday's G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. Casual this time getting to the front after the first half a furlong, the 9-4 second favourite was stalked by Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) with Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) taken back early racing four lengths off his tempo. Tackling the headwind up the straight as Japan chased hard, the G1 Coronation Cup hero had...

Racing's star mare Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) will make her keenly-anticipated 6-year-old debut against six rivals in Sunday's G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. Her G1 Prince of Wales's S.-winning stablemate Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was not declared by John Gosden, but the field is still strong with Godolphin's impressive G1 Coronation Cup hero Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Ballydoyle's G1 Juddmonte International winner Japan (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) engaged, with the latter set to carry the colours of his part-owner Masaaki Matsushima. Restricted this year as a 4-year-olds and up race,...

Juddmonte's Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is set for a stern test on her eagerly-awaited return to the track on Sunday, with Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) one of her key rivals in an eight-strong entry for the G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown. The dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner is set to reappear for the first time since she lost her 12-race unbeaten sequence when runner-up to Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in pursuit of her hat-trick in Paris last October. John Gosden's brilliant mare will be defending her Sandown crown, having...