International Round-Up - 22/07/2019

It was classic weekend in Ireland over the last couple of days, headlined by the Kerrygold Irish Oaks on Saturday.

The British contingent were represented by two of Ralph Beckett's fillies along with the supplemented Star Catcher for John Gosden, and they continued their recent domination when the Anthony Opponheimer owned three-year-old held onto a narrow victory.

It was that man Frankie Dettori in charge of the steering once again - his eighth victory in a Group One in the last 51 days.

Fleeting ran on well to finish second - confirming the form from the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, with Epsom second Pink Dogwood no better than third this time.

Earlier in the day Romanised return to winning ways for the first time since last year's 2,000 Guineas when taking the Minstrel Stakes earlier in the card, ending James Tate's Hey Gaman's unbeaten start to the season.

On Sunday, the big Group Two sprint was taken by the filly Soffia, who surged to the front clear of El Astronaute and Garrus.

The Group Two Killboy Estate Stakes over nine furlongs was taken by Joseph O'Brien's Red Tea.

Deauville represented the best of the action from France on Sunday, with four Class One contests to divide up.

Firstly, the Listed Prix de Bagatelle was taken easily by Twist 'N' Shake, who last finished fourth in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

That kicked off another memorable day for Frankie Dettori, who was once again aboard Simon Crisford's A'Ali, who romped clear when taking the Norfolk Stakes last month in Berkshire.

This time around, he was sent off a very short price to take the Group Two Darley Prix Robert Papin and was always on top at the finish under the Italian.

Connections may even target a bash against the older crew in the Nunthorpe Stakes next at York, and that would be a massive climb up the boards.

Spirit of Nelson took the Prix de la Pepiniere before Andre Fabre's Impulsif saw off both stablemate Trais Fluors and former French Derby winner Study Of Man in the Prix Messidor.

The Brits once again cast a shadow over any European raiders on the international stage - this time in Germany, when Harry Dunlop's Robin Of Navan led home Ed Walker's Indian Blessing in the Group Two Meilen Trophy.

Held at Dusseldorf over the mile trip, the six-year-old was seeking a return to form after a number of poor shows this season, including last time out in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.

It was the chestnut's first victory in fact since striking at Chantilly in June 2017 in a Group Three.

The victory was also a timely one for the trainer Dunlop - his first winner in the last fortnight.