Half to State of Rest Debuts at Gowran

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 half-sister to GI Saratoga Derby hero State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}).

6.05 Gowran Park, Mdn, €25,000, 2yo, 7fT
TRANQUIL LADY (IRE) (Australia {GB}) makes her debut for Teme Valley Racing and Joseph O'Brien, who combined to win Saturday's GI Saratoga Derby with her half-brother State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). She will need to be smart to deal with some experienced rivals including Juddmonte's Galway third Golden Beach (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a Dermot Weld-trained full-brother to the Group 1 performer Imaging (GB).

 

6.25 Kempton, Novice, £7,000, 2yo, f, 7f (AWT)
SILK ROMANCE (IRE) (Shamardal) is the fifth foal out of the G1 Fillies' Mile and G2 May Hills S. winner Lyric of Light (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}), whose sole black-type performer so far is the useful Bright Melody (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Like that 4-year-old trained by Charlie Appleby, Godolphin's May-foaled bay faces 11 on debut including Saif Ali and Saeed Al Tayer's fellow newcomer Amzaan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a William Knight-trained daughter of the G2 Park Hill S. winner Meeznah (Dynaformer) who was disqualified having finished second in the 2010 G1 Epsom Oaks.

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Balding Juvenile Stars Target Group 1s

Trainer Andrew Balding outlined some long term Group 1 goals for his juvenile stable stars, with Sandrine (GB) (Bobby's Kitten), Berkshire Shadow (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), and Majestic Glory (GB) (Frankel {GB}) all bound for Group 1 targets in the fall.

The G2 Sky Bet Lowther S. at York on Aug. 19 is the next racecourse appearance for Kirsten Rausing's homebred G3 Albany S. and G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. heroine. All being well, the dark bay will then take part in the six-furlong G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park S. at Newmarket on Sept. 25.

Balding said of the three-for-three filly, “Sandrine looks very good and I've been thrilled with her last two runs. She will probably run in the Lowther next then all eyes will be on the Cheveley Park. She will carry a penalty [at York] but we didn't want to wait until Newmarket to run her again. She seems to be very versatile ground wise. She is a very smart filly and is an absolute pleasure to train.”

Victorious at Newbury when unveiled in April, Berkshire Shadow saluted at Royal Ascot in the G2 Coventry S. He was last seen running second over soft ground in the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood on July 27. The Sept. 25 G1 Muddmonte Middle Park S. going six furlongs or the G1 Darley Dewhurst S. over seven furlongs on Oct. 9 are both likely targets for the progressive colt.

“We might drop him back to six and look at the Gimcrack at York before looking at options like the Middle Park or Dewhurst in the autumn. He is a very talented horse and if he encountered soft ground again I imagine he would perform better on it now having raced on it. Like Sandrine, it is a pleasure to have him in the yard.”

Rounding out the Balding trio is Saturday's G3 Sweet Solera S. heroine Majestic Glory. Sixth at Windsor making her first start on July 5, the bay improved to second at Newbury on July 16 and donned cap and gown transferred to Newmarket on July 30, her final appearance before her Sweet Solera score. The Oct. 8 G1 bet365 Fillies' Mile is in the cards for Majestic Glory.

He added, “It was a very good performance that Majestic Glory put up in the Sweet Solera S. at Newmarket on Saturday and her breeding suggests she should stay further than seven furlongs.

“She hadn't had a massively hard race the time before and this looked a fairly good opportunity at this level so we took and I thought she looked very smart.”

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Entries Close For Irish EBF Barrier Trials on Wednesday

Entries for the Aug. 18 Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Dundalk close at 5 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, Aug. 11, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing announced on Tuesday. Backed by the Irish European Breeders' Fund and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board and operated by ITM, the trials-which begin at 12 p.m.–are open to unraced 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds over five, six and seven furlongs. Recent graduates of the programme include G3 Gordon S. hero Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) and Listed Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF S. winner Wren's Breath (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}). A live stream of the trials will be available to view on the ITM YouTube channel, while the trials are recorded, timed, and made available to view online shortly after running on the ITM website and social media. For more information, please visit www.itm.ie/Buying/Barrier-Trials.

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COVID-19 Health Protocols Released For Arqana August

The upcoming Arqana August Yearling Sale begins on Saturday, Aug. 14, and COVID-19 health protocols were announced by the sales company on Tuesday.

To gain access to the sales grounds, all interested parties must register here. All registered individuals must also present a health pass at the entrance of Arqana's sale complex, with only the main entrance and one near the loading ramps for stud personnel open at this time. The right-handed lane at the main entrance will be reserved for people with a valid health pass. Non-European visitors will be required to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. The left-hand lane at the main entrance will allow others to carry out an antigen test from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a dedicated tent, without contact with the rest of the public.

The following documents are considered a valid health pass in France:

  • Proof that you are fully vaccinated
  • A negative PCR or antigen test taken with the last 72 hours
  • A COVID-19 recovery certificate attested by a positive PCR or antigen test result, at least 15 days and no more than 6 months old

Wristbands will then be provided, with each day a different colour. These wrist bands will allow movement around the establishment and admittance to the racecourse without having to show a health pass. In addition, mask wearing is mandatory indoors, but not outside. It will also be possible to book a PCR or antigen test on site from Thursday, Aug. 12 through Tuesday, Aug. 17. Any interested parties that are unable to travel to Deauville may bid online at www.arqanaonline.com. To register to bid online during the sale, you must register prior to the start of the sale. Please click here to register to bid.

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