Observations on the European Racing Scene for Wednesday, Dec. 12

[Wandering Eyes]

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 Insights features a full-brother to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Awtaad (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}).

4.45 Kempton, Cond, £6,000, 2yo, 8f (AWT)
Phoenix Thoroughbred Ltd’s AL BATTAR (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}), who topped the sheets when sold for €1.55 million at last year’s Arqana August sale, is a son of G1 Falmouth S. victress Giofra (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and debuts for the Ed Vaughan yard. His rivals include Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s once-raced Alhaazm (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), a full-brother to G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Awtaad (Ire), representing Sir Michael Stoute; Cheveley Park Stud’s Astrologer (GB) (Intello {Ger}), a homebred daughter of G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S. second Starscope (GB) (Selkirk), from the John Gosden barn; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Elamirr (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}), who is a Roger Varian-trained son of G1 1000 Guineas victress Ameerat (GB) (Mark of Esteem {Ire}).

5.15 Kempton, Cond, £6,000, 2yo, 8f (AWT)
Jaber Abdullah’s FIGHTWITHME (IRE) (Shamardal), a homebred son of G1 Falmouth S. victress Music Show (Ire) (Noverre), gets a third opportunity to shed maiden status after hitting the board in starts at Newmarket and Newcastle last month. His opponents feature Lord Lloyd-Webber-owned stablemate Trapani (GB) (Shamardal), who is kin to six black-type performers headed by MG1SW sire Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}), G1 Derby Italiano hero Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}) and G1SW G2 Derby Italiano victor Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal).

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