Seamie Heffernan

Sent off the even-money favourite for Saturday's G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF S. at a wet Curragh, Ballydoyle's Opera Singer (Justify) came home alone to reward that faith. Off the mark over this mile trip at Leopardstown in July and second over seven furlongs at this track earlier this month, the half-sister to War Front's Hit It A Bomb and Brave Anna tracked the pace in second under Seamie Heffernan before taking control approaching two out. Stretching clear from there, the homebred registered an impressive 6 1/2-length success from stablemate...

Against the backdrop of one of the most eagerly anticipated King Georges in recent history on Saturday, bloodstock agent Sean Grassick and trainer Kevin Coleman enjoyed something of a red-letter day of their own when Uluru (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) ran out a taking debut winner at Gowran Park.  Uluru was one of eight yearlings that Grassick purchased on behalf of Atomic Racing at the sales last year and was considered just about the most talented juvenile the commercial syndicate had to go to war with this season.  Despite showing signs...

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 Observations features a full-sister to Classic winner Peaceful. 18.20 Leopardstown, Mdn, €16,000, 2yo, f, 8fT ANDROMEDA (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of two Ballydoyle juveniles engaged, with Seamie Heffernan taking the ride on the debutante full-sister to his 2020 G1 Irish 1000 Guineas-winning mount Peaceful (Ire). Ryan Moore...

There was a strong vibe about Ballydoyle's Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}--Illaunmore, by Shamardal) ahead of Saturday's six-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at Naas and he did not disappoint to show distinct promise and earn TDN Rising Star status. Jumping smartly under Seamie Heffernan to race on the front end, the 5-6 favourite was kept company by the Ger Lyons-trained fellow newcomer Tourist (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and was briefly headed inside the two. Battling against the rail, the 200,000gns Book 1 purchase who races for Coolmore, Westerberg and Brant...

Maintaining the Ballydoyle momentum at The Curragh on Monday, TDN Rising Star Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}--Modern Eagle {Ger}, by Montjeu {Ire}) justified 5-6 favouritism with a degree of comfort in the Listed Coolmore Stud Blackbeard Irish EBF Tetrarch S. to point the way to the upcoming mile Classics. Coming off a win in the Madrid Handicap at Naas, the bay who was bred and raised at Monceaux for the Wildensteins tracked the leading pair up to a mile for the first time before being coaxed to the front by Seamie...

Four withdrawals marred The Curragh's Listed GAIN First Flier S., with the winners and likely favourites Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Noche Magica (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) among them, resulting in the bizarre circumstance of just five runners with two outings between them. In the event, it was the three newcomers who filled the frame with Ballydoyle's His Majesty (Ire) (No Nay Never--Czabo {GB}, by Sixties Icon {GB}) coming out on top to provide the stable with back-to-back renewals. Looking set to play a bit-part at best...

Aidan O'Brien's 3-year-olds were described as a "strong" group by the trainer on Monday and there was further proof of that at Navan 48 hours later as the yard took the two maidens including the closer with Drumroll (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a full-brother to the G1 2000 Guineas and G1 Racing Post Trophy hero Saxon Warrior (Jpn). Slowly away and forced to play catch-up for much of the Vintage Crop Raceday April 22nd Maiden over a mile, the 13-2 shot stuck to his guns late on as the leaders...

While the warmth and light was bestowed on Keeneland on Friday, the cool and dark backdrop of Dundalk played host to a red-hot prospect as Beginnings (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) stormed to TDN Rising Star status. Ballydoyle's daughter of their celebrated 1000 Guineas and Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had stepped forward markedly from her debut when fourth behind the subsequent Listed Star Appeal S. winner and Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf protagonist Spirit Gal (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) over near six furlongs at Naas Sept. 15 and...

Stepping up a furlong having broken her maiden at the third attempt over six at Naas Sept. 15, Charles Fipke's homebred filly Spirit Gal (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) made all to annexe Friday's Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF StarAppeal S. at Dundalk. Sent off the 4-1 joint-second favourite, the bay gave generously for Seamie Heffernan as she had last time and never let Ballydoyle's Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) make a fight of it as she kept that 11-10 market-leader at bay to score by 2 1/4 lengths. "She is in...

There has been no shortage of talking points at Royal Ascot this week but, perhaps the most controversial incident of them all came in the opening race on Thursday, when Paul Hanagan received a 10-day careless riding ban for veering halfway across the track en route to victory in the G2 Norfolk S. aboard The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}). From that controversy to another forgettable afternoon's work for Frankie Dettori, out of luck aboard Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Gold Cup and The Queen's 2-5...

Multiple Classic and Breeders' Cup-winning rider Seamie Heffernan thinks taking prize-money off winning jockeys found guilty of careless riding is the best way to avoid controversial climaxes to races. Heffernan was speaking shortly after Paul Hanagan was handed a 10-day ban for careless riding after winning the G2 Norfolk S. at Royal Ascot aboard 50-1 outsider The Ridler (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}). https://twitter.com/theTDN/status/1537434261824733186 Hanagan, who was recently demoted as Richard Fahey's stable jockey, allowed The Ridler, trained by his former boss, to drift across the track, hampering a number of...

Aidan O'Brien's stable is going great guns at this fledgling stage of the season and there was another TDN Rising Star off the production line at Naas on Saturday as the 2-year-old Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never--Adventure Seeker {Fr}) booked his Royal Ascot ticket. Narrowly denied on debut by the Ger Lyons-trained Tough Talk (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) over six furlongs at The Curragh Apr. 10, the descendant of the legendary All Along (Fr) was backed down to 4-9 to deliver dropping to five for this Irish Stallion Farms...