U S Navy Flag

Rick Williams, general manager of The Oaks Stud in Cambridge, New Zealand, confirmed to TDN AusNZ that The Oaks Stud has purchased U S Navy Flag (War Front) outright from Coolmore Stud. "The deal was finalised on Friday, so we own him now. The timing has been perfect for us, and I hope it is a coup for the New Zealand industry," said Williams. U S Navy Flag's first Southern Hemisphere crop yielded 98 foals, 21 of which have hit the track resulting in six winners of seven races, four...

   In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Chez Pierre (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}) in the GI Maker's Mark Mile S. at Keeneland earlier this month.   Chez Pierre Right At Home In Maker's Mark The ultra-consistent Chez Pierre (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}) improved his record to six-for-seven with a 3 1/2-length tally in the GI Maker's Mark Mile S. at Keeneland on Apr. 14 (video), defeating hot favourite Modern Games (GB) (Dubawi...

Topping a Wesley Ward-trained exacta, Love Reigns got her 3-year-old campaign off on the right foot with a late-charging win in Friday's FanDuel Limestone S. over her preferred 5 1/2-furlong distance. Named 'TDN Rising Star' off a 9 3/4-length romp at first asking over this same track nearly a year ago, the daughter of U S Navy Flag then tried her hand across the pond at Royal Ascot, checking in fourth beaten three lengths in the G2 Queen Mary S. Back in the States and back in the winner's circle...

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 not returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features the return of 'TDN Rising Star' Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) as well as the daughter of G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 3.45 Naas, Hcp, €45,000, 3yo, 7fT PADDINGTON (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) will be one of the key attractions if Naas's card evades...

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 Observations features a son of Group 1 winner Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 1.25 Curragh, Mdn, €17,000, 2yo, 8fT HIPPODROME (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is one of three Ballydoyle newcomers in this maiden won by TDN Rising Stars High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Duke De Sessa (Ire) (Lope...

Stonestreet Stables' Love Reigns (Ire) (U S Navy Flag) breezed a half-mile in :48.66 seconds Friday over the Oklahoma training turf in preparation for the 5 1/2-furlong Bolton Landing S. Aug. 21 at Saratoga. Trained by Wesley Ward graduated by 9 3/4-lengths in her April debut sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs over the Keeneland turf ahead of a close fourth last out in the G2 Queen Mary S. June 15 at Royal Ascot. Love Reigns lost some time after the Queen Mary due to illness but has now breezed four times over...

Ocean Vision became the first stakes winner for his three-time Group 1-winning sire (by War Front) with a rallying victory in the Listed Prix de la Valley d'Auge at Deauville on Saturday. A winner at first asking at Dundalk in April, the bay was fourth in his next two starts including the May 21 G3 Marble Hill S. at the Curragh to subsequent Group 2 winner Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never). One of the longer shots on the board, the Tim Donworth trainee raced near the tail of the field...

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 Observations features a full-sister to Headman (GB) (Kingman {GB}). 13.20 Newmarket, Nov, £8,000, 2yo, f, 7fT Juddmonte's March-foaled homebred PREPENSE (GB) (Kingman {GB}), scratched from a July 21 engagement at Newbury, is a full-sister to G1 Irish Champion S. fifth and dual Group 2-winning sire Headman (GB) and...

With juvenile racing heating up, three of our featured horses this past week won, all on debut. In addition, Coolmore Ireland's U S Navy Flag became the first freshman sire of the season to record a 'TDN Rising Star' on American soil, although fellow freshman Kessaar (Ire) got one a fortnight previously at Newmarket. TUESDAY'S INSIGHTS: Well-Related Goldencents Firster Right To the Races 3rd-Parx Racing, $47,208, Msw, 4-26, 2yo, 2f, :23.27, ft, 1 length. FERRARI KID (c, 2, Goldencents--Catch the Flag, by A.P. Indy) won this baby sprint at first...

Love Reigns (Ire) (f, 2, U S Navy Flag--Humble And Proud {Ire}, by Pivotal {GB}), backed as the 2-1 favorite on debut for Stonestreet Stables and Wesley Ward going 5 1/2 panels over the Keeneland lawn, romped to 'TDN Rising Star' honors. Hustled to the front from her inside draw by Irad Ortiz, Jr, she raced under pressure while traveling nicely through a sharp opening quarter in :22.04. The bay began to let it out a notch rounding the far turn, kicked for home with a 6 1/2-length advantage and...

Sponsored by Alex Nichols Agency 2nd-KEE, $80K, MSW, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:01 p.m.   Trainer Wesley Ward brings 2-year-old LOVE REIGNS (IRE) to Keeneland on Friday for owners Stonestreet Stables LLC. The daughter of U S Navy Flag is out of the unraced Pivotal (GB) mare Humble And Proud (Ire) making her a half-sister to GISW & near-millionaire Glorious Empire (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). Humble And Proud is herself a half-sister to several graded stakes performers including Delsarte (Theatrical {Ire}) who was second in the G2 King Edward VII...

Coolmore's U S Navy Flag (by War Front) has his first winner after the Kieran Cotter-trained colt Ocean Vision (Ire) scored on debut at Dundalk on Tuesday. Sent off at 12-1, the bay broke awkwardly and played catch-up initially behind the leading quartet in the card's opening five-furlong maiden. Staying on to take command passing two out, he beat Lady Tilbury (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) by 3/4 of a length. "He actually needs six, he was all over the place early on in the race but came home strong." trainer Kieran...