The European racing scene takes the spotlight as promising young horses make their debut or return to the track. Among Tuesday’s highlights is the debut of a well-regarded colt with American connections, alongside a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}).
14:58 Deauville, Mdn, €30,000, 2yo, colts/geldings, 6fT
Repole Stable’s €280,000 Craven Breeze-Up purchase, Benny The Waiter (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}), steps out for the first time. Originally bought as a €72,000 Goffs Orby yearling, this April-born bay is a half-brother to this season’s G2 King Edward VII Stakes runner-up Space Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Named in honour of Mike Repole’s father, the colt benefits from a two-kilogram allowance as the sole debutant in a field of nine, and breaks from stall one. Repole shared the touching backstory behind the name, tweeting in May: "My Dad was born in Nice, France, and came to the US in his early 20s with no money and without speaking any English. He worked as a waiter in New York City for over 45 years, putting in long hours and working hard. He turned 84 [in May] and, after all these years, still 'barely' speaks English. His story inspired me to take risks and work hard. I knew I had to name one of my colts after him—Benny the Waiter."
Benny The Waiter’s competition includes Imad Al Sagar’s Prix de Crevecouer fourth-place finisher Burhan (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who was unsold after stalling at 120,000gns at the Craven sale. The Andre Fabre-trained homebred descends from the line of G1 Irish 1000 Guineas winner Classic Park (GB) (Robellino). Also in the race is Ironico (Gift Box), who finished a close third over this course and distance on debut and looks to give his Lane’s End-based freshman sire (by Twirling Candy) a first European victory.
18:30 Wolverhampton, Mdn, £6,300, 2yo, 7f 36y (AWT)
Cheveley Park Stud homebred Enclosure (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) makes her first start, carrying a strong pedigree as a daughter of G1 Matron Stakes winner Echelon (GB) (Danehill). This filly is a half-sister to G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Sun Chariot Stakes heroine Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and stakes-placed Provenance (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Trained by Sir Michael Stoute like her siblings, Enclosure faces nine rivals on debut, including the Ollie Sangster-trained newcomer Rock Diva (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), who hails from the family of dual Group 1-placed Nugget (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}).