Sea the Stars

The birdsong is briefly interrupted as a pair of colts gallop by. Nothing too strong now, for the major work is done. Maltese Cross and Tenability breeze on up Newmarket's Al Bahathri, giving rise to some contented muttering from the father-and-son team watching on. Sam Haggas was only three years old and was "left at home" the day that Shaamit won the Derby for his parents William and Maureen 30 years ago. He plays a different role these days, as the buyer of his father's fifth Derby runner and racing...

Aga Khan Studs' Calandagan (Gleneagles) and Daryz (Sea The Stars) are both on course for British raids, according to trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. Runner-up in the G1 Coronation Cup in 2025, the former has rattled off five Group 1 wins in a row since that defeat and is primed for another attempt at the Epsom contest. Graffard said, "They are both in very good shape and I could not be happier with them. "Calandagan has been trained for Epsom and hopefully the ground will not get too soft. He looks well...

Former G1 Betfred Oaks favourite I'm The One (Sea The Stars) will not compete in the Epsom Classic, according to John and Thady Gosden. The Cayton Park Stud colourbearer won her Newbury debut and was second in the Listed Cheshire Oaks to the Coolmore partners' Amelia Earhart (Camelot) earlier this month. John Gosden said of the 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', "I spoke to the owner this morning. We're a little bit unhappy, just a little bit concerned about her since the race and it just hasn't come right....

3.00 Wetherby, Novice, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT SEA THE STORM (FR) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) makes her debut for the William Haggas stable, having been with David Menuisier when second in the G3 Preis der Winterkonigin in October. A half-sister to Adlerflug's G2 German 2000 Guineas-winning sire Mythico, she is joined by the stable's newcomer Pierian (GB) (Palace Pier {GB}), Lord Rothschild's daughter of the Irish Oaks heroine Great Heavens (Galileo).

3.05 Navan, Listed, 4yo/up, 14fT SCANDINAVIA (Justify) is the day's big news as he returns for Ballydoyle in a race used for several of their leading stayers such as Kyprios, Order Of St George and Yeats. Last year's St Leger and Goodwood Cup hero meets the Leger fifth Carmers (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Fiona Carmichael's Queen's Vase winner who remains unexposed over these staying trips.   1.55 Navan, Mdn, 2yo, 5f 180yT WEST OF EDEN (IRE) (No Nay Never) is the chosen representative from Ballydoyle in a maiden that has...

2.50 Doncaster, Nov, 3yo/up, 7f 6yT Roger Varian trainee MOREEDD (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is out of G1 Prix de l'Opera and GI Flower Bowl Invitational victrix Nahrain (GB) (Selkirk) and thus kin to G1 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and multiple Group 1-winning sire Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned newcomer is opposed by five on debut.   1.57 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, 3yo, c/g, 12fT LNJ Foxwoods' DEFINING (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a full-brother to G1 Futurity Trophy hero Ancient Wisdom (Fr), comes back off...

3.42 Newbury, Novice, 3yo, 10fT SHABAB AL AHLI (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is front and centre in Charlie Appleby's Derby plans at present, having won by 8 1/2 lengths on debut at Southwell in December and he has the chance to enhance his reputation in this important staging post used in the past by the Classic winners Hurricane Lane, Enable, Star Of Seville and Light Shift. Out of the Group 3 winner Koora (Pivotal), who has already produced two winners at that level in Klondike (Galileo) and Kemari (Dubawi), he encounters...

3.12 Yarmouth, Novice, 3yo/up, f/m, 10f 23yT MALDIVES (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) debuts for Amo Racing in an intriguing affair and is an important one for the operation, being their 2.9-million gns purchase at the Tattersalls October Book 1. Kevin Philippart De Foy introduces the first foal out of the Group-placed Sense Of Style (Zoffany), a half-sister to Camelot's high-class multiple Group 1 winner Luxembourg, and she is in deep against some promising types. They include Cayton Park Stud's similarly-unraced I'm The One (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the first foal...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred 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 Frankel son of Bateel. 1.58 ParisLongchamp, Debutantes, 3yo, c/g, 10 1/2fT THE ODYSSEY (FR) (Frankel {GB}) is a son of Al Asayl Bloodstock's Prix Vermeille heroine Bateel (Dubawi), who is already responsible for the G2 Prix d'Harcourt winner and Prix Ganay and Grosser Dallmayr-Preis runner-up...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a likely Derby prospect. 4.50 The Curragh, Mdn, 3yo, 10fT GEORGE STUBBS (IRE) (Camelot {GB}) is the pick of Ryan Moore of the duo from Ballydoyle and as a half-brother to Galileo's Criterium International hero and Melbourne Cup runner-up Johannes Vermeer and dual Group 1-placed Wembley...

Mating plans for some of the illustrious names at the Aga Khan Studs have been revealed, with Zarigana, the winner of last year's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, set to visit Justify for her maiden cover in 2026, while the four-time Group 1 scorer Tahiyra goes to Frankel. Tahiyra and Zarigana are both Classic-winning daughters of Siyouni, who will reportedly receive an increased number of around 30 mares from the Aga Khan Studs due to the injury to Zarak which has temporarily sidelined him from covering duties. Among them is another...

Aidan O'Brien has talked up the credentials of ante-post Derby favourite Pierre Bonnard (Camelot) but put forward 20-1 chance Montreal (Sea The Stars) as being a potential sleeper in the market for the Epsom Classic.  O'Brien has won the past three editions of the Derby - with Lambourn, City Of Troy and Auguste Rodin - and will be bidding to land a record-extending 12th success in the race this year.  Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Pierre Bonnard was reported to be on track to run in the key Derby...