We can now savour the prospect of once more witnessing Graffard's Riverdance-like jig if Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) can prevail in the Juddmonte International at York. Graffard was on the inaugural course back in 2003 and he has set the bar pretty high for those following in his wake. In 2023, only 653 Thoroughbred foals were born in Germany, compared to 9,659 in Ireland, 4,510 in Britain and 5,334 in France. Emma Balding also provided a double that day for the Derby winner Masar (Ire), sire of the Ascot winner Mount Atlas (GB), and Andrew Balding's 2,000th winner Lady Flora (GB). Five days later it was the turn of Arqana Breeze-up Sale topper Ruling Court (Justify) to score a five-and-half-length win at Sandown for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

Source: The Local July 29, 2024 23:30 UTC