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. Tuesday's Insights features TDN Rising StarAlcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) in a Deauville Conditions test.
14.33 Deauville, Cond, €34,000, 2yo, c/g, 7 1/2fT
Baron Edouard de Rothschild's ALCANTOR (FR) (New Bay {GB}), a half-brother to G2 Union-Rennen winner Boscaccio (Ger) (Mount Nelson {GB}), looked a class act when elevated to 'TDN Rising Star' status going seven furlongs at Saint-Cloud in June, but lacked a finishing kick behind subsequent G3 Prix de Cabourg third Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) over six at Chantilly in early July. The March-foaled bay, who hails from the family of dual G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), was withdrawn from a one-mile contest at Clairefontaine earlier in the month and sidesteps Thursday's Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage at this venue. He faces a stiff task in his quest for redemption and is the only one of six contenders to have not won last time out.
15.00 Nottingham, Mdn, £6,850, 2yo, f, 6f 18yT
Godolphin homebred CRYSTAL OF TIME (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is out of the stakes-winning Important Time (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and thus a half-sister to, and Charlie Appleby stablemate of, last term's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational hero and recent G1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen victor Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Her four rivals include George Boughey trainee Rose Branch (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who is out of a full-sister to G1 Oaks heroine Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}).
15.10 Dundalk, Mdn, €15,000, 2yo, 8f (AWT)
Aidan O'Brien trainee CAPULET (Justify) is a son of G2 Kilboy Estate S. victrix and G1 Nassau S. runner-up Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a full-sister to G1 Derby hero Serpentine (Ire). He opens up in a contest won last year by the stable with subsequent G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud third and G1 Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris second Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Opposition includes the twice-raced Huxley (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a half-brother to G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Cloth Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who ran fourth behind the 'TDN Rising Star' display of subsequent G2 Superlative S. winner City Of Troy (Justify) at the Curragh last month.
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 Elusive Princess, who won the GIII Saratoga Oaks Invitational S. on Friday.
Princess Reigns In Saratoga Oaks
LNJ Foxwoods, Ecurie Victoria Dreams, and NK Racing's Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) made her Stateside debut a winning one at Saratoga for trainer Jean-Philippe Dubois on Friday (video).
Bred by her trainer, she won three of her first four French starts for Ecurie Victoria Dreams, and was runner-up in the G3 Prix Cleopatre. LNJ Foxwoods and Dubois signed on as owners prior to the daughter of Elusive Action (Fr) (Elusive City) running a close second in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary in May. Elusive Princess was making her first start since an unplaced run in the G1 Prix de Diane. A full-sister to a yearling filly, Elusive Princess is kin to the Group 3-winning sire Diamond Green (Fr) (Green Desert), who was placed thrice at the highest level.
Elusive Princess is the first runner in the U.S. for her dual Japanese Group 3-winning sire, who stands at Haras de la Baie in France.
Klaravich Stables' Technical Analysis (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) won the Listed De La Rose S. at Saratoga for Chad Brown on Wednesday. (video). The quadruple graded winner has been placed in both the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup S. and the GI Diana S.
Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock Limited, the first foal out of her dam was a 200,000gns buy at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1. Sealife (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire})'s latest foals are a yearling colt by Too Darn Hot (GB) and a weanling full-sister to the winner. G1 Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) is under the third dam.
Juddmonte's Kingman has 30 winners from 54 runners (56%) in the U.S. His eight American stakes winners (15%) are anchored by three-time Grade I winner Domestic Spending (GB) with Technical Analysis a close second.
Filly Continues Klaravich and Brown's Spa Success
GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. heroine McKulick (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was the second Saratoga stakes winner in two days for Klaravich Stables and Chad Brown with a victory in the GII Glens Falls S. on Thursday (video).
A 180,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 yearling, the bay was bred by Essafinaat UK, Ltd. The third foal and group/graded winner for G3 Oh So Sharp S. second Astrelle (Ire) (Makfi {GB}), the 4-year-old is a half-sister to Fearless King (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Just Beautiful (GB) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}). A half-sister to G2 Premio Ribot victor Porsenna (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}), Astrelle has the winning 3-year-old colt Lieber Power (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), as well as fillies by Calyx (GB) and Pinatubo (Ire), born in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Frankel's 44 U.S. runners have 25 winners (56%) among them. McKulick is his first Grade I winner in that locale among his 10 American stakes winners (23%), although the Juddmonte stallion does have Canadian Grade I winner Wild Beauty (GB).
Bravo, Mon Amy!
Graded winner Amy C (GB) (Charming Thought {GB}) collected her third career stakes victory in the Listed Daisycutter H. at Del Mar at the end of July (video). Representing Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, and Robert LaPenta, the 5-year-old mare took the GIII Las Cienegas S. in January for trainer Phil D'Amato and was placed in the GIII Intercontinental S. at Belmont in June.
A winner in two French starts for Franconson Partners, the D. Curran-bred was trained by Henry Spiller. The fourth foal and third winner for Alzahra (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Amy C has a 2-year-old half-brother named Rebel Empire (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) and a yearling half-sister by Wooded (Ire). Dual Guineas heroine Attraction (GB) (Efisio {GB}) is under the third dam.
Charming Thought's leading runner, Amy C is one of two winners from two to race in the U.S. The 11-year-old son of Oasis Dream (GB) stands at March Hare Stud for LM Stallions.
Great Friends Stable, LLC, James Cahill, Mark Davis and Ty Leatherman's Irish import Angiolleta (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) became the first U.S. winner for her Coolmore Stud-based sire with a win at Del Mar for trainer Doug O'Neill recently (video).
Bred by Wardley Bloodstock, the daughter of Angelic Guest (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) changed hands for 20,000gns as a Tattersalls December yearling in 2022. Runner-up in her second start in France for Mrs. R Hillen and trainer Christopher Head, the chestnut was purchased privately by her current connections shortly thereafter. A half-sister to a pair of fillies by New Bay (GB) and Ardad (Ire) born in 2022 and 2023, respectively, Angiolleta's extended family features multiple group winner Sovereign Debt (Ire), a full-brother to the winner's dam, as well as G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 scorer Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).
Freshman sire Calyx sports an 33% strike rate of 10 winners from 30 runners worldwide anchored by G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. heroine Persian Dreamer. Angiolleta is one of two runners in the U.S.
Dark Angel Colt Is The Vintage Of Choice
Three Chimneys Farm and Stonestreet Stables, LLC's Dark Vintage (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) graduated in his Del Mar bow for trainer Wesley Ward on Thursday (video). The KCS Bloodstock Ltd.-bred was third at first asking at Belmont in June.
Knocked down for €170,000 as a Goffs November foal, the grey was resold for 320,000gns as a Book 1 yearling at Tattersalls last October. The second foal and winner for The Mums (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who is a half-sister to a pair of black-type horses, the colt has a yearling full-brother. G2 Temple S. winner Priceless (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) is under the third dam.
Of Yeomanstown resident Dark Angel's 43 runners in the U.S., 25 (58%) have passed the post in front and six (14%) have landed at least one stakes victory. His trio of top-level winners are three-time Grade I winner-turned Gainesway sire Raging Bull (Fr), dual Grade I winner Althiqa (GB), and GI Shoemaker Mile S. winner Hunt (Ire).
Turn On The Jets (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) is now a three-time winner in the U.S. after scoring at Del Mar on Friday evening for trainer Phil D'Amato (video). The gelding is owned by the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano.
Bred by Mr. D. Byrne, the chestnut won once on the Dundalk all-weather for Martin and D Moylan and trainer Jack Davison before traveling Stateside. The 2022 Stormy Liberal S. winner is the first foal out of the winning Dandy Man (Ire) mare Chiclet (Ire), who foaled a full-sister to Turn On The Jets in 2022. G1 Coronation Cup winner Pether's Moon (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) is under the third dam.
Tally-Ho Stud's Mehmas has sired 13 winners from 21 runners (62%) in the U.S. His other three stakes winners besides Turn On The Jets (19%) have all won at the graded level–Grade I winners Going Global (Ire) and Chez Pierre (Fr)–while Quattroelle (Ire) has been placed in the GI Gamely S. besides her graded scores.
Honourable Mentions:
Grade I winner Gold Phoenix (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), who races for Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables, LLC, and Marsha Naify, padded his graded resume with a win in the GII Eddie Read S. at Del Mar on Sunday for trainer Phil D'Amato (video).
Bredman Family Racing LLC and WEBD, LLC's No Nay Mets (Ire) (No Nay Never) bounced back to take Monmouth Park's Tyro S. after a fruitless Royal Ascot that same day for trainer George Weaver (video). The colt was ninth in the G2 Norfolk S. after taking the Royal Palm Juvenile S. at Gulfstream Park earlier this year.
The catalogue for the 2023 Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, which is set to take place on Sept. 19-21, is now available to view online. The auction will have 506 lots on offer for Part I on Sept. 19-20, with 256 more lots selling during Part II on the final day.
The September Yearling Sale has produced 53 individual 2-year-old winners to date throughout Ireland, UK, France, Italy and Hungary, as well Group 3 and listed success at home and abroad. Last year, trainer Stefano Botti purchased G3 Premio Primi Passi winner Folgaria (Ire) (Due Diligence), who remains unbeaten in three career starts, for €10,000. Other graduates from a year ago–all purchased for under €27,000–include listed winners Myconian (Ire) (Magna Grecia {Ire}), Man With The Plan (Ire) (James Garfield {Ire}) and Tiger Belle (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}).
Some of the many highlights of the 2023 catalogue include a Dandy Man (Ire) full-brother to Group 2 winner Dandalla (Ire) (lot 68); a Churchill (Ire) half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) and Group 3 winner Venice Beach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) (lot 95); a River Boyne (Ire) half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) (lot 222); a Profitable (Ire) half-brother to Group 2 winner Sir Busker (Ire) (Sir Prancealot {Ire}) (lot 459); an Earthlight (Ire) filly out of G2 Queen Mary S. winner Gilded (Ire) (Redback {GB}) (lot 174); and a Kingman (GB) filly out of G2 Lowther S. winner Lucky Kristale (GB) (Lucky Story) (lot 272).
Sires with yearlings catalogued includes proven Group 1 sires Acclamation (GB), Bungle Inthejungle (GB), Churchill (Ire), Dark Angel (Ire), Fastnet Rock (Aus), Galiway (GB), Havana Gold (Ire), Iffraaj (GB), Mastercraftsman (Ire), Sea The Stars (Ire), Wootton Bassett (GB) and Zoustar (Aus).
All yearlings catalogued will be eligible for the €250,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales S. held at the Curragh during the 2024 Irish Champions Festival. The seller of the winning horse will also drive away in an Overlander R240 2-stall horsebox. Over 85% of the yearlings catalogued are IRE-qualified and eligible to win a sales voucher of €10,000 per qualifying race in Ireland and Britain. The sale will get underway every day at 10:00 a.m.
Shadwell's ultra-consistent Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Adhwaa {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) had not been sighted since annexing October's G3 Darley S. at Newmarket, but was ready, willing and able to deliver a decisive burst for a career best in Saturday's G2 Sky Bet York S. on the Knavesmire.
The Owen Burrows trainee, who also saluted in last term's G3 Strensall S. at this venue, employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled into a smooth rhythm with just one rival behind until turning for home. Taking closer order in the straight, the 5-1 chance quickened stylishly to challenge inside the final furlong en route to a half-length verdict from the dual Group 1-placed G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).
“It was a very good training performance and, obviously, Owen Burrows' horses are running very well at the moment,” said rider Andrea Atzeni. “Now that I'm a freelance, I was able to commit to the ride. I have sat on him twice at home as Owen was very keen for me to get to know the horse. He hasn't run for a while, but his work was good. With the likes of My Prospero and Royal Champion running, it was a competitive race for such a small field and it was a very good race.”
Pedigree Notes
Alflaila, one of his sire's 56 pattern-race winners, is one of two winners from as many runners out of Listed Montrose Fillies' S. runner-up Adhwaa (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Adhwaa's dam, Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Hammiya (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), also produced Listed Nereide-Rennen victrix Shaqira (GB) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and is the leading performer for Listed Prix Herod winner Albacora (Ire) (Fairy King), herself a half-sister to G3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Pont-Aven (Ire) (Try My Best). Pont-Aven produced a quartet of black-type winners headed by dual G2 Prix du Gros-Chene victrix Sainte Marine (Ire) (Kenmare {Fr}), G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Josr Algarhoud (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and the stakes-producing Listed winners Traou Mad (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and Cap Coz (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). Adhwaa has also produced the hitherto unraced 3-year-old filly Kick A Rhyme (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).
