Returning stars Observer, Tempted & Tom Kitten sparkle in Australia

Outstanding three-year-olds Observer and Tempted made impressive returns to action in Australia on Saturday, with multiple G1 winner Tom Kitten also setting himself up for lofty autumn targets following his comeback win.

Observer had rounded off a hugely exciting spring with victory in Flemington’s G1 Victoria Derby and the Ghaiyyath colt easily won the G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. He looks set to return to the scene of his Derby success for the G1 Australian Guineas at the end of February before potentially taking on top older opposition in the G1 Australian Cup.

Tempted has already acquitted herself against the world’s best sprinter, chasing home Ka Ying Rising in October’s G1 The Everest, and she racked up a fourth Group-race win with a scintillating display in the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick. An initial top-level success is high on the Street Boss filly’s agenda, with the G1 Surround Stakes over seven furlongs back at Randwick later this month a logical next step.

Tom Kitten added a fifth Stakes-race success to his decorated CV as he flashed home from the rear to take Caulfield’s G3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes. The son of Harry Angel has scored twice at G1 level and will be hoping to add another top-level success in next month’s All-Star Mile, a race in which he bravely defeated Mr Brightside last year.

Two more of Godolphin’s leading performers look set to run this weekend, with G1-winning sprinters Tentyris and Beiwacht due to clash in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes. A strong autumn campaign could see either horse head to Dubai or Royal Ascot.

Royal Power became the first Godolphin winner at Abu Dhabi for nearly 26 years with a decisive victory in the Abu Dhabi Championship on Saturday. A lightly raced five-year-old, Royal Power beat El Cordobes at Meydan last season and looks set to make his mark at Group level over the coming months.

Godolphin dominated the annual Flat statistical-based awards for 2025, taking three of the four prizes announced by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association in late January.

Another excellent season saw Godolphin receive the Queen’s Silver Cup, presented to the leading British-based Flat breeder, for a 12th time.

Dubawi was crowned the leading British-based stallion by earnings over a calendar year, with the world’s most successful active stallion receiving the BBA Silver Cigar Box for a record- extending 11th time.

Fellow Dalham Hall Stud resident Palace Pier claimed the Tattersalls Silver Salver for leading freshman sire, with his 12 first-season crop winners including three Group scorers and Morris Dancer, who dominated in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes.