Series continues for juveniles bought for €72,000 or less

Irish EBF and Foran Equine have launched the 2018 Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction Series for two-year-olds bought at auction for €72,000 or less and by an EBF registered sire.

Total prize-money for the series has increased to €617,000 with two additional qualifying races bringing the total number of qualifiers to 22. Now in its fourth year the auction series has established itself as a principle target for two-year-olds.

Each of the 22 qualifying races will have a minimum prize-fund of €20,000 as well as the added benefit of being Plus 10 registered, whereby qualified winners will be eligible for a bonus of €12,500 under the Plus 10 Scheme giving a winning owner a potential payout of just under €25,000.

The first race will take place at the Curragh Racecourse on Friday, May 11 with the €120,000 final to be held at Naas Racecourse on October 21.

Perfect start for €500,000 BBAG sale-topper

Enchanting Skies, who is entered is next month's Prix Saint-Alary and the following month's Prix de Diane, made a winning debut at Longchamp on Tuesday when the Andre Fabre-trained filly landed a three-year-old fillies' maiden over 1m2½f.

Ridden by Amelie Foulon, claiming 4lb, Enchanting Skies beat Acclamation daughter My Sister Nat by three quarters of a length.

Bred by Gestut Ebbesloh, she is a half-sister to three black-type performers including the 2014 Preis von Europa winner Empoli and out of the Listed-placed Acatenango mare Estefania.

She also shares her granddam with the 2016 Italian Derby winner Saent.

She topped the BBAG Yearling Sale in 2016 when purchased by Mayfair Speculators, in whose colours she ran, and Peter and Ross Doyle for €500,000.