In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Group 1 hero Facteur Cheveal at Keeneland.Valor Veteran Succeeds In LexingtonTeam Valor International and Gary Barber's Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) closed to win a Keeneland contest for Mark Casse on October 8 (video). The 2024 G1 Dubai Turf hero was making his second American start.Bred by McCracken Farms, the seven-year-old gelding also won the G3 Prix Perth in France back in 2022, and holds Group 1 placings in England (4), Saudi Arabia (1), UAE (1) and France (2) as well as group placings in Italy (2). A 145,000gns Tattersalls December foal, the bay was a €120,000 Arqana September yearling when picked up by ASAP Bloodstock. The half-brother to stakes winner and GIII Monrovia Stakes second Queen Of The Mud (Kodiac) is out of Jawlaat (Shamardal), whose Mehmas yearling filly brought 400,000gns from Stroud Coleman Bloodstock out of Book 1 at this sale last week.Ribchester's best progeny by some margin, Facteur Cheval is one of 12 stakes winners worldwide for the son of Iffraaj. In the U.S., 10 of the stallion's 12 runners (83%) have won. His best in that locale is Listed Limestone Stakes heroine Ruthin.German Flavour To California SuccessHronis Racing's Namaron (Amaron) prevailed at Santa Anita for John Sadler on October 11 (video). The Christian Henze-bred gelding is a German Group 3 winner for his breeder prior to changing hands and moving Stateside.Out of Nacci (Soldier Hollow), the four-year-old sold for £200,000 at the 2025 Goffs London Sale, and has collected two graded and one listed stakes placing since he relocated. Kin to sire and multiple group winner Nordico, Namaron is out of a half-sister to two stakes winners, including Gleneagles's Novemba.Gestut Etzean's Amaron counts Group 3 winners Aggenstein, Ultima, Namaron and Sommersby among his 10 stakes winners. From just two U.S. runners, he has a 100% strikerate, as both are winners.Taraj Prevails At The MeadowlandsAmo Racing's Taraj earned his second career win at the Meadowlands on October 10 (video). Trained by Jorge Delgado, the five-year-old entire was placed in the G3 Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown earlier in his career.Bred by Springbank Way Stud, the son of Churchill was a 68,000gns buy-back during the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, before selling at the Goffs London Sale for £480,000 in 2024. The third foal and second winner for his dam Catchment (Oasis Dream), Taraj is a grandson of multiple stakes winner Mirror Lake (Dubai Destination), who was second in the G3 Select Stakes; before foaling a trio of stakes winners led by G2 Ajax Stakes and G3 Gladness Stakes hero Imaging (Oasis Dream), second in the G1 Orr Stakes.Coolmore's Churchill is the sire of 43 stakes winners worldwide, among them Group 1 scorers Blue Rose Cen, Vadeni, Survie and Attrition. In the U.S., 17 of his 27 runners have won (63%), among them five stakes winners.Minzaal Colt Sings Winning TuneSongbird Prince (Minzaal) trotted out a winner at Belmont Park for trainer Tom Morley on October 14 (video). Carrying the silks of LJSS Thoroughbreds, Adelphi Racing Club and Titletown Racing Stables, the juvenile colt was bred by the Singsong Lady Partnership.A 37,000gns Tattersalls December foal turned £47,000 Goffs UK Premier yearling, the bay sold for 150,000gns out of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale to CGW Bloodstock. The first foal out of his winning dam, Singsong Lady (Cotai Glory), Songbird Prince is followed by a yearling Blackbeard colt who changed hands for €26,000 out of the Goffs February Sale and a weanling filly by Henry Longfellow who has been entered in the Tattersalls December Foal Sale.One of 24 winners for his freshman sire (by Mehmas), Songbird Prince is the first runner and winner in America. The Shadwell stallion already has stakes winners Minzova, G2 Flying Childers Stakes second Crownbreaker, and Satellite Of Love, with Damsel In Distress placed in both the G3 Newtownanner Stud Stakes and the G3 Park Stakes to date.White Birch Homebred Delivers At LaurelBlackfin (Kingman) made it two wins in a row after taking a Laurel contest on October 10 (video). Trained by Chad Brown for owner/breeder Peter Brant's White Birch Farm, the filly is out of U.S. Champion Turf Female Uni (More Than Ready).Uni's latest offspring are fillies by Justify born in 2025 and 2026. She was covered by that 2018 Triple Crown hero this spring. This is the family of G1 Prix de Diane heroine and influential mare Rafha (Kris).Juddmonte's Kingman is credited with 111 stakes winners on an international level, anchored by 14 winners at the highest level. His American haul features 57 winners from 105 runners (54%), counting Blackfin.Repeat WinnersRaiding Party (Sioux Nation) earned her first black-type win in Woodbine's Ontario Damsel Stakes for trainer Brendan Walsh on October 10 (video). The three-year-old filly races for Larry Rodgers, Coast Racing and Fick Farms.Shug McGaughey runner Lisa Joy (Too Darn Hot) earned her second win at Belmont on October 11 (video). She is an Andrew Rosen homebred.The post Making Waves: Ribchester Gelding A Major ‘Facteur appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.