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W Heart Bond became only the second filly or mare to win the G1 Champions Cup at Chukyo on Saturday. The daughter of Kizuna denied Wilson Tesoro (Kitasan Black) by a nostril in the 1800-metre affair formerly known as the Japan Cup Dirt. For the second year in a row, Wilson Tesoro was second by a nose in the Champions Cup. He also filled that position in 2023, but the margin in that instance was 1 1/4 lengths. Sent off at 6-1, the four-year-old filly was overeager before the gates flew and was in the hunt for the lead, just off William Barows (Mikki Isle). Sixpence (Kizuna) soon took over with the Silk Racing colourbearer in third behind that duo. The leading two covered 1000 metres in 1:00.30 with W Heart Bond still in a dedicated third. Looming up three deep with 400 metres to travel, the filly soon asserted. In front for a few strides, she was soon tackled by the rallying Wilson Tesoro up the inside. That pair could only be separated by the minimum margin at the wire.    Ramjet (Majestic Warrior) rallied from well of the pace to take third, 2 1/2 lengths behind with Meisho Hario (Pyro) in fourth by a head. The 6-5 favourite Narukami (Thunder Snow) ran 13th of 16 after meeting traffic at a critical stage. “She's simply magnificent,” said jockey Ryusei Sakai, who had won the 2023/2024 editions aboard Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid). “Just making it to a Group 1 is tough enough, so winning it is truly amazing. Her final workout didn't look particularly impressive but I guess she knew that the race was what mattered. “We didn't have a specific race plan, so I focused on riding her while keeping an eye on our rivals. She felt good turning the final corners and I trusted that she would give her best run when she geared up as Wilson Tesoro came from the inside. She was really strong today. I'm just happy that she became a Group 1 winner and the first filly/mare in 10 years to win the Champions Cup, rather than my third consecutive title in this race.” A winner of her first five starts, all on dirt over 1800 metres, the eventual winner was second in the 2000-metre Listed Breeders' Gold Cup in August. She put her stamp on the G3 Miyako Stakes in the mud at Kyoto in a record time of 1:47.50 warming up for this on November 9. Pedigree Notes Kizuna has now sired four Group 1 scorers after the victory of W Heart Bond. His Songline claimed two editions of the Yasuda Kinen, while Justin Milano won the Satsuki Sho and Akai Ito landed the Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Overall, W Heart Bond is one of 45 stakes winners, 30 group/graded for her Shadai Stallion Station-based sire. One of five winners out of GI Personal Ensign Stakes heroine Persistently (Smoke Glacken), W Heart Bond is followed by her placed full-brother Enduro and a weanling half-sister by Indy Champ. Second dam Just Reward is a half-sister to multiple Grade I winner and sire Good Reward (Storm Cat) and GII Kentucky Cup Classic Handicap hero and sire Pure Prize (Storm Cat). The great granddam of W Heart Bond is blue hen and American champion Heavenly Prize (Seeking The Gold). Sunday, Chukyo, Japan CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,860,000, Chukyo, 12-7, 3yo/up, 1800m, 1:50.20, ft. 1–W HEART BOND (JPN), 123, f, 4, Kizuna (Jpn)             1st Dam: Persistently (GISW-US, $526,256),                         by Smoke Glacken             2nd Dam: Just Reward, by Deputy Minister             3rd Dam: Heavenly Prize, by Seeking the Gold 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O-Silk Racing; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); T-Ryuji Okubo; J-Ryusei Sakai; ¥123,402,000. Lifetime Record: 8-7-1-0, ¥245,094,000. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the    eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the    free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Wilson Tesoro (Jpn), 128, h, 56, Kitasan Black (Jpn)– Chesutoke Rose, by Uncle Mo. O-Kenji Ryotokuji Holdings; B-Ryoken Farm (Jpn); ¥48,972,000. 3–Ramjet (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Majestic Warrior–Nefertiti (Jpn), by Gold Allure (Jpn). O-Koji Maeda; B-North Hills (Jpn); ¥30,486,000. Margins: NS, 2HF, HD. Odds: 6.30, 6.30, 11.80. Also Ran: Meisho Hario (Jpn), Outrange (Jpn), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn), Tenka Jo (Jpn), Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn), Seraphic Call (Jpn), Perriere (Jpn), Sixpence (Jpn), Peptide Nile (Jpn), Narukami (Jpn), Helios (Jpn), Luxor Cafe, William Barows (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post W Heart Bond Claims The Champions Cup By A Nose appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arthur's Ride was a once-in-a-lifetime horse for Cathi and Karl Glassman. The couple bought their first racehorse in 2015 and nine years later, scored their first Grade I when Arthur's Ride, who was named after Karl's late father, claimed the 2024 Whitney Stakes. The team at Taylor Made farm is now hoping that Arthur's Ride's storytale career continues. The son of Tapit is set to begin his stud career at Taylor Made in 2026. Travis White, who was just named President of Taylor Made Stallions last week, said the new addition has seen plenty of visitors since arriving at the farm last month. “We've had a ton of breeders out here and the response has been overwhelming so far,” said White. “He's let down really nice, filled out and put on good weight. He's a beautiful horse and is also just a very classy horse. Bill Mott spoke very highly of his mind and his quality.”       Arthur's Ride was always a standout on the racetrack with a striking grey coat reminiscent of his sire's. White said that the new recruit's physical stands out among the sons of Tapit at stud. “He looks a lot like Tapit, but I think there's a lot more of him,” he explained. “He's a bigger version of Tapit and I think that should help when you're trying to figure out what kind of mare to breed to him. I think he should allow breeders more opportunities to match up with him physically.” Bred in Florida by Helen and Joseph Barbazon and the Tapit Syndicate, Arthur's Ride was picked out by Donato Lanni at the 2021 Keeneland September Sale and purchased for $250,000. “Donato is obviously one of the best judges in the game, so that speaks volumes for the horse,” said White. “Also in his pedigree, he's out of a champion mare and he's a half brother to a champion 2-year-old filly.” Arthur's Ride's dam Points of Grace (Point Given) was a champion turf mare in Canada and is also the dam of 2016 GI Natalma Stakes winner Victory to Victory (Exchange Rate). As a 2-year-old, Arthur's Ride put in two runner-up performances in Saratoga behind future GSWs Disarm (Gun Runner) and Instant Coffee (Bolt d'Oro). The Bill Mott trainee broke his maiden in February of his sophomore year in a front-running 1 ½-length win going a mile at Gulfstream Park. Arthur's Ride brings home the GI Whitney Stakes | Sarah Andrew “Bill Mott is not one that always has his 2-year-olds geared up early, but this horse obviously showed signs of a lot of ability and precociousness from the get-go,” said White. While Arthur's Ride was sidelined before he could make a run at the Kentucky Derby trail, he returned the next year and collected two wins in his three starts prior to his Whitney score. “In the race before the Whitney, he won by 12 ½ lengths and ran a 111 Beyer Speed Figure,” said White. “He came back right after that and had an amazing performance in the Whitney, running a 110 Beyer and beating some really nice horses. It takes a very good horse to run back-to-back races with those kinds of speed figures.” White noted that the ability Arthur's Ride showed in both those gate-to-wire efforts marked a combination of talents that the Taylor Made team believes will appeal to commercial breeders. The newcomer will stand for $12,500 in 2026. “People want fast and precocious,” said White. “But with him, not only did he have great speed, but he could carry it a distance.” The post Arthur’s Ride: Whitney Winner By Tapit New at Taylor Made appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Richard G. Hogan It is with a heavy heart that I write this tribute to my best friend, Mike Doyle. I first met Mike when I came to Canada in 1983, and we became instant friends. Over the 40-plus years that followed, there were very few days we didn't speak. Mike brought so much laughter into my life, often leaving me in tears from his stories and quick wit. When I was dealing with my cancer diagnosis, he called me every day. I always felt better after hanging up the phone with him—that was the kind of friend he was – kind, steady and always there. We shared countless memories together, especially on our many trips to horse sales. Whenever I said I had no business going to a sale, Mike would remind me, “If you don't go, you definitely won't get anything done.” He was usually right—I'd come home with a horse or two bought, or a new client met. Whenever I had a bit of luck, he was always the first to call, genuinely happy for me. He was like a big brother. He was a truly gifted horseman with an exceptional eye, who bought and trained many outstanding horses. Mike helped so many people in the industry over the years including me. Mike and I shared not only a lifelong friendship but a life long partnership in the business with many horses bought and sold. Also, Josie Carroll spent her early years as an assistant to Mike before going on to a very successful career. Brent Harris, Mike's longtime assistant has been an integral part of Mike's operation and they shared a wonderful working relationship together. When I first went to Florida in the early '80s, I galloped for Mike at Payson Park. He introduced me to Shug McGaughey, Rusty Arnold, and many others. We had so much fun—trips to Gulfstream, dinners at Manero's, or evenings out in New Orleans with Mark Frostad, Andrew McKeever, David Greathouse, and anyone else from the track who Mike invited  along  often starting at the Kerry Pub ending up at Mr. B's in the French Quarter for dinner. I would be remiss if I did not mention Mike's very close friend trainers Brian Lynch and life long friend Roger Attfield. Other really close friends, John Whitson, Bill Duffy, Ciaran Dunne and Jack O'Connell and the late Bill Graham. Mike was also very proud of his family in Ireland. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to Peter and Ann Doyle, his nephew Ross, and his niece Tamso and her husband David Cox. I would like to share one final thought, I can hear Mike now, he would say to me, “lets go to Waxys in Fort Lauderdale for a pint, we will just go for one”……that never happened! My deepest condolences go to his wonderful family: his wife Deirdre; his daughter Melissa and her husband Darren; his son Marshall; and his beloved grandchildren Declan and Harlan. I will never have another friend like you Mike Doyle. Rest in peace, Mike, until we meet again. With sympathy, Richard G. Hogan The post A Tribute To Mike Doyle By A Dear Friend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Been a while between drinks, for the horse and me, go to keep the faith.

Mark Newnham tuned up for the Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) when Notthesillyone continued his fine form on the dirt in the Class Four Austin Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. It was Newnham’s fifth win on the surface this season and his backers never had a moment's worry, with Luke Ferraris controlling things from pillar to post on the Super One galloper. Pinging out of gate 10, Notthesillyone was always travelling well on the front end and showed a good burst of...View the full article

Not sure I fully agree with that. Of the younger people I was around on Saturday, more were watching and betting on the cricket than the racing. That's a 5 day game. Also one of younger people's complaints that I've heard is that racing is boring because it only lasts a few minutes then you have to wait half an hour for the next one. I heard another similar complaint from a group of corporate professionals that had their Xmas function at the races on Friday, even though they were well entertained with food and drink in between races.

Holymanz (NZ) (Almanzor) and Precious Charm (Per Incanto) shared Werribee Cup honours on Sunday after a dramatic dead-heat finish – the first in the race’s history. Ridden by Ben Allen, Holymanz started a $3.90 favourite after a strong Cranbourne Cup placing second-up. But he was badly held up for most of the 1600-metre contest and looked in trouble as the field fanned for home. There were chances everywhere. Craig Weeding’s Indispensable ($71) loomed on the inside after saving ground, while Precious Charm and Harry Coffey charged down the outside. At the same time, Holymanz finally saw daylight and surged late, setting up a thrilling finish. But the judge couldn’t separate the pair. Symon Wilde’s stable representative Ben Casanelia admitted he thought Precious Charm had been beaten and was pleasantly surprised when the dead-heat was confirmed. With her first Stakes win secured and her versatile profile, options abound for the mare. “Watching the vision in the room there, it looked like she’d got rolled,” he said. “Her best was really good, and she was in A1 order today. The feeling was she’d run a race, the barrier was a bit of a curveball. “She’s tough, out to 2000m might be an option. She seems to go good if she’s fresh over the shorter trips, so she’s got a few strings to her bow. “To dead-heat the Werribee Cup, fantastic.” Bred by Olly and Annabel Tuthill’s Beaufort Downs, Precious Charm is by Little Avondale Stud’s high-class stallion Per Incanto out of the High Chaparral mare Highly Valued, herself a daughter of a stakes-placed sister to Showcasing. The well-related filly was purchased from the Rangiora nursery for $80,000 at the 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale by Wilde Racing in conjunction with John White Bloodstock and Dave Mee’s Pinhook Bloodstock. For Holymanz, the shared victory was a reward for consistency. Last in the winner’s circle in January’s Listed Coastal Classic at Geelong, the gelding never fails to put in a shift and now has another feature to his name – even if it’s one to share. Holymanz races in the colours of Brendan and Jo Lindsay, who stand the five-year-old’s sire Almanzor at Cambridge Stus who purchased Holymanz for A$400,000 as a yearling in Sydney in conjunction with Nicolas de Chambure of Haras d’Etreham. He was offered by Lime Country Thoroughbreds on behalf of breeder Jamieson Park. Holymanz will next be aimed at a third consecutive Coastal Classic title, a race of which he is the sole winner so far. View the full article

New Zealand-bred mare Grid Girl (NZ) Time Test) made her first visit to Sydney on Sunday and maintained her rich vein of form, extending her winning sequence to three in the A$160,000 TAB Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill. The five-year-old daughter of Time Test recorded the first leg of her winning treble in a 1454m Benchmark 70 at Kyneton on November 5, then added the A$150,000 Fillies & Mares Pendant (1400m) at Cranbourne on November 22. Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes gave Grid Girl her first taste of right-handed racing at Rosehill on Sunday, and she had to overcome an awkward draw in gate 10 among a 15-horse field. But she began well and jockey Jordan Childs was able to take up a handy position in third. Childs moved Grid Girl through her gears in the straight and she finished strongly down the middle of the track. Grid Girl hit the lead passing the 100m mark and then fought hard to the line to hold out the late-finishing Just Party in a photo finish. The winning margin was a half-head. “It worked out well from the wide gate and the plan was to be positive on her,” Childs said. “A couple of them wanted to go quick, so I was happy to let them go and get a bit of cover. “It was a good, tough win in the end, because she got challenged when she was probably a bit out on her feet, but she held on.” Grid Girl has now had 18 starts for six wins, five placings and A$303,996 in stakes. Grid Girl was bred by Guy Lowry and is out of the five-time-winning Savabeel mare Chic. Lowry initially trained Grid Girl for two starts from his Hastings stable in the spring of 2023, placing on both occasions before being purchased privately by clients of the Lindsay Park stable. View the full article

Hugh Bowman showed he is in top form ahead of Wednesday’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) by slamming home a brilliant double at Sha Tin on Sunday. The top rider picked Luke Ferraris’ pocket to snag the final slot at the coveted competition and he tuned up in the best possible way with a pair of typically cool rides. It was a well-needed change of fortune for Bowman, who had to endure three seconds at the Valley on Wednesday night but was in no mood for that to happen again...View the full article