Arqana Headline Maker Steps Out at Leopardstown

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. Sunday's Observations features a full-brother to Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

3.00 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,500, 3yo, 12fT
GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) was the top-priced colt at €2 million at the Arqana Deauville September Yearling Sale, which is no surprise given that he is a full-brother to the globe-trotting sensation Magic Wand (Ire) and a half to the G1 Irish Oaks heroine Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Aidan O'Brien also saddles the much-vaunted Waterville (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the half-brother to Sea of Class (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) who was third on debut at the Curragh last month.

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Agave The Main Attraction On Sunday

Next month's Epsom Oaks looks more exciting than the Derby at present and Juddmonte's unbeaten Agave (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) could join the picture if she can master the colts in Sunday's G2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud. Kept at the same venue at which she has won twice this term and the same 10 1/2-furlong distance as the G3 Prix Penelope Apr. 2, the relative of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) is one of France's most fascinating members of the Classic crop at present. Olivier Peslier retains the ride and jumps off M Horse Racing and Ecurie Vivaldi's talented Maximus (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) as a result, with that Christophe Ferland-trained colt narrowly denied by Agave's stablemate Junko (GB) (Intello {Ger}) in the G3 Prix Noailles over this trip at ParisLongchamp Apr. 17.

A New Stone Age?

Ballydoyle's stranglehold on the Derby could be about to get even tighter at Leopardstown, with the G3 Derby Trial playing host to Peter Brant, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud runner-up Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Still a maiden entering 2022, he put paid to that tag with a nine-length success at Navan Mar. 29 and could be a different proposition at three. He is pitched back against Beauty Stable's unbeaten Atomic Jones (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who had his measure by a head in the track's G2 Champions Juvenile S. in September, while Teme Valley Racing's French Claim (Fr) (French Fifteen {Fr}) joins in, having also won by nine lengths over this 10-furlong trip at Cork Apr. 16. Add Newtown Anner Stud Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Duke de Sessa (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) to the mix and you have a Blue Riband trial of significant note.

 

Agartha On Trial

There are some promising types in the Foxrock venue's G3 Cornelscourt S. for Irish 1000 Guineas prospects over a mile, but first they have to get past Scott Heider's rock-solid Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio). Last year's G2 Debutante S. and G3 Silver Flash S. winner and G1 Moyglare Stud S. runner-up has a penalty, as she had when second to Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the seven-furlong G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial S. here

Apr. 2. Homeless Songs's trainer Dermot Weld is sending out the cream of his Classic crop at present and The Aga Khan's Suwayra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) retains intrigue having been absent since her debut defeat of the smart Cairde Go Deo (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) over this course and distance in July.

Click here for the group fields.

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Observations: How They Fared For Apr. 6

15.05 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,500, 3yo, c/g, 10fT
Coolmore and Westerberg's Newfoundland (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a full-brother to G1 Epsom Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Snowfall (Jpn), was one of the first under pressure after halfway and made some late headway in the straight to finish sixth.

 

16.50 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,000, 3yo, f, 8fT
Only (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Coolmore and Westerberg's first foal out of MG1SW dual Classic winner Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), held every chance at the business end and finished a neck second to her more experienced stablemate Lullaby (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

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Full-Brother To Snowfall On Deck In Ireland

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. Wednesday's Observations features a full-brother to Classic winner Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}).

15.05 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,500, 3yo, c/g, 10fT
Coolmore and Westerberg's NEWFOUNDLAND (IRE) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), a G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Irish Derby entry, is a son of G3 Give Thanks S. victrix Best In The World (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and thus full-brother to G1 Epsom Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Snowfall (Jpn). One of two set to line up for Aidan O'Brien, his eight rivals include Donnacha O'Brien trainee and fellow debutant First Emperor (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), who is out of MG1SW G1 1000 Guineas winner Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}) and thus kin to G1 Falmouth S. victrix Snow Lantern (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

 

16.50 Leopardstown, Mdn, €13,000, 3yo, f, 8fT
The hitherto untested ONLY (JPN) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), another Coolmore and Westerberg newcomer of note, is the first foal out of MG1SW dual Classic winner Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Facing 11 here, she is joined by Aidan O'Brien stablemate Porto Cervo (American Pharoah), whose six black-type siblings include G1 Irish Oaks heroine Bracelet (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and GI Belmont Oaks Invitational victrix Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).

 

HOW THEY FARED:

15:35 Saint-Cloud, Mdn, €27,000, unraced 3yo, f, 8fT
Mascaret (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Godolphin's €620,000 Arqana September yearling out of G3 Hamburger Stuten-Preis victrix Daytona Bay (GB) (Motivator {GB}), exhibited a willing attitude from just off the pace and finished with a rattle to deny another Godolphin runner, Cantilena (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), by 3/4-of-a-length nearing the line for a debut win.

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