TDN Rising Star

Up markedly in trip and racing for the first time since October, TDN Rising Star Espionage (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) made it a winning return in Roscommon's Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lenebane S. on Tuesday evening. Tracking the leading duo throughout the early stages with Ryan Moore navigating the track for the first time, Ballydoyle's 11-10 favourite took time to pick up but after gaining the advantage inside the final furlong asserted for a 1 1/2-length success from Young Ireland (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). "He had very good form as...

7.50 Roscommon, Listed, €40,000, 3yo/up, 11f 154yT ESPIONAGE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) makes his keenly-anticipated comeback for Ballydoyle in this Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lenebane S., drawing Ryan Moore to the track for the first time. Earning TDN Rising Star status when beating the stable's subsequent G3 Killavullan S. runner-up Sierra Blanca (Ire) (No Nay Never) over seven furlongs at The Curragh in September, the son of the G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Even Song (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) was second in the G1 Criterium International the following month and rates as...

A $650,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, Edified (c, 2, Tapit--For Royalty, by Not For Love) became his superstar sire's 53rd 'TDN Rising Star' Saturday with a commanding performance to graduate at Ellis Park. Facing a salty field of mostly first-time starters, the dark bay was given only a 9-1 chance but more than outran his odds. Under the hands of jockey Joel Rosario, Edified broke alertly from an inside gate and raced in the top flight inside of race-time favorite Normandy Hero (Omaha Beach). Joined up front by Liberal Arts...

Jean-Claude Rouget trainee Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}--Speculating {Ire}, by Xtension {Ire}) created a favourable impression when notching a two-length debut triumph going six furlongs at Saint-Cloud in May and delivered a performance of raw power to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' badge over the same trip in Saturday's Prix de la Croix des Veneurs at Chantilly. Havana Cigar failed to make best use of his stands' side draw and was steadied at the tail of the six-runner field after missing a beat at the kick. Powering by rivals...

The Curragh's seven-furlong Barronstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden has proved a font of high-class performers down the years and it could be Saturday's race played host to another as Ballydoyle's City Of Troy (Justify--Together Forever {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) justified 6-4 favouritism in style to join the ranks of TDN Rising Stars. Withdrawn from his intended debut here in May, the son of the G1 Fillies' Mile winner was quickly at the fore alongside the experienced Instant Appeal (GB) (Advertise {GB}). Asserting from the two pole, the full-brother to his...

Backing up the impression of her 11-length Haydock novice success last month, Godolphin's TDN Rising Star Star Of Mystery (GB) (Kodiac {GB}--Mistrusting {Ire}, by Shamardal) turned Newmarket's Listed Maureen Brittain Memorial Empress Fillies' S. into another procession on Saturday. Travelling strongly for William Buick throughout the first half of the six-furlong contest, the Charlie Appleby-trained half-sister to Dark Angel's GI Summer S. winner Mysterious Night (Ire) and GI Just a Game S. and GI Diana S. heroine Althiqa (GB) was allowed to stride to the front before two out and...

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. Saturday's Insights features the son of G1SW Together Forever, the Justify colt City of Troy. 13.40 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo c/g, 7fT CITY OF TROY (Justify) looks a significant member of the contingent for this Barronstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden for colts and geldings, being the chosen Ballydoyle representative...

There was an abundance of pre-race hype surrounding the Aidan O'Brien-trained debutante Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}--Shambolic {Ire}, by Shamardal), who was hammered down to 8-13 favouritism for Friday evening's Kildare House Hotel Irish EBF Fillies Maiden at the Curragh, and she rewarded that faith with a 'TDN Rising Star' display in the seven-furlong test. Relaxed under Ryan Moore during the preliminaries, she was professional on the lead throughout and extended her margin of superiority, keeping on powerfully under mild coaxing, inside the final quarter-mile to easily account for Dollerina...

Making his debut in the same seven-furlong Leicester novice contest won 12 months ago by his smart stablemate Naval Power (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), Godolphin's Great Truth (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})--Beyond Reason {Ire}, by Australia {GB}) created a big impression to become the operation's latest TDN Rising Star. Content to track the leading pair throughout the strongly-run early stages, the Charlie Appleby-trained 8-11 favourite loomed on the front end under James Doyle two out as he received a bump from the front-running Paladin (Ire) (Justify). Striding on from there, the first foal...

Trainer Robert "Red" McKenzie doesn't get much ink south of the border here in the States, but he is a living legend on the western Canada racing circuit. With practically zero fanfare or notice, McKenzie added to his impressive list of lifetime accomplishments Friday night when he saddled Entitled Star (Roi Charmant), a 10-year-old mare he owns, to a 25-1 upset victory in a $4,000 claimer in the second race at Century Mile in Edmonton. The win was significant because McKenzie is 96 years old. The feat could very well...

Things hadn't gone smoothly for Westerberg, Magnier, Tabor, Smith and Brant's TDN Rising Star Age Of Kings (Ire) (Kingman {GB}--Turret Rocks {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) since last summer, but it finally clicked into place for the talented Ballydoyle second-string and Wayne Lordan in Saturday's G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot. In the shadow of Ryan Moore's choice The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), the 1.1million gns Book 1 graduate was nevertheless let go at a surprising 22-1 given that Aidan O'Brien had run him first time up this season...

Coming through in a highly tactical renewal of the G1 Coronation S. at Royal Ascot on Friday, The Aga Khan's TDN Rising Star Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}--Tarana {Ire}, by Cape Cross {Ire}) showed her class to widen her portfolio which already included an Irish 1000 Guineas and Moyglare Stud S. Sent off the 8-13 favourite to bridge a 45-year gap for Dermot Weld in this prestige event, the half-sister to Rosewell House's recent superstar Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) was instantly faced with adversity and a conundrum for Chris Hayes as she...