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On the Dec. 8 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Brook Smith back on Derby trail with Paladin, BloodHorse's Bob Kieckhefer previews this weekend's Hong Kong International Races.View the full article

Edited Press Release The launch of a comprehensive review aimed at updating the veterinarians' list and stewards' list categories across U.S. Thoroughbred racing, with changes targeted for 2026, was announced Monday by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). Through this initiative, HISA aims to modernize and harmonize these oversight tools, providing additional insights into national safety metrics. Beginning in 2026, HISA will conduct a detailed audit of existing veterinarians' and relevant stewards' list categories across racetracks, state racing commissions and HISA's rules. As part of this process, HISA will distribute a comprehensive survey in early 2026 to regulatory veterinarians and stewards, and will conduct in-person interviews with those groups to gather information on current practices. The collected responses will be used to document the range of vets' list practices and identify areas where differences exist across jurisdictions. Once the information-gathering phase is complete, HISA will conduct an internal analysis of the findings to identify patterns, gaps and areas where updates may be needed. Following this review, the organization will work with its advisory groups to evaluate potential approaches for future veterinarians' and stewards' list categories. The process will include consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, including owners, trainers, racing offices, attending veterinarians and other industry participants. Input from these groups will inform the development of a system that is practical, fair and aligned with the industry's commitment to equine welfare. “The current structure of the veterinarians' list and relevant stewards' lists, which are based on legacy categories created decades ago, varies widely across states and racetracks and, in some cases, is no longer fit for purpose in a modern, national racing environment,” said Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, director of equine safety and welfare at HISA. “We're thrilled to be launching this initiative, which will provide clarity, consistency and fairness in a system that affects horses, veterinarians, trainers and owners alike.” “As with any HISA initiative, our goal is to promote equity among all stakeholders and ensure more transparency into national safety metrics, while providing appropriate protections for horses identified as being at increased risk for injury.” At the conclusion of this project, HISA will release its findings publicly and outline a set of modernized veterinarians' list and stewards' list categories. The post HISA to Conduct Comprehensive Review of Vet and Stewards’ List Categories appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Melbourne Cup (G1)-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien believes Al Riffa can provide him with a first winner at Hong Kong's prestigious International meeting when the entire takes his chance in the Dec. 14 Hong Kong Vase (G1) at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

There you go again with your made up nonsense to back up an argument. I have said before I have never belonged to a club and for the record I do not drink whiskey. This my final post period. You probably need to get out more but meantime feel free to go back to your cupboard and argue with yourself to your hearts content.  

Frankie Dettori's farewell tour moves on to South America this week, although there has been a change of plan for where his glittering career, will finish early next year.View the full article

By Michael Guerin If some of the biggest names heading to Alexandra Park on Friday are going to win they are going to need to do it the hard way. Because plenty of the favourites face either handicaps or tricky draws in the five richest races as things start to hot up in northern harness. Friday hosts two Group 1s, one each for the female trotters and pacers and both 2200m mobiles have seen early favourites cop second line draws. The $100,000 Woodlands Stud Queen of Hearts will see impressive recent winners Esmeralda and Francent drawn alongside each other on the second line and if the second emergency Melody Banner is scratched then the two South Island mares will start from barriers 1 and 2 on the second line. That will see them follow out Group 1-winning fillies Arafura (barrier 1) and Captains Mistress (2), with Ruby Roe alongside them at 3 on the front line. That could prove to be advantageous for one of the mares following through but it is hard to see it being good for them both in what could become a very tactical race. The draws were enough to see the TAB bookies open Arafura the $3.50 favourite even though she was beaten fair and square by Francent after leading last Friday. The $100,000 TAB Queen of Diamonds Trot also sees one of the favourites in Belle Neige draw barrier 1 on the front line with her stablemates American Muscle and Faith In Manchester drawn wider but southerners Walkinonsunshine (1 second line), Hidden Talent and Ya Rite Darl have all drawn the second line. Akuta and Merlin resume their rivalry sharing a 20m backmark in the $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup and while they were on par in the Kaikoura Cup their subsequent NZ Cup week form sees Merlin open the $1.75 favourite over Akuta at $3.80 in a race where Arna Donnelly has three reps, Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan have two with Akuta the only other runner in the six-horse field. Also drawing a small field but with the potential for the favourites to find themselves having to swoop is the Co-Op Taxis Northern Stakes for three-year-olds pacers. Captain Sampson and Greased Lightnin are the two tightest-assessed in the field but are drawn barrier four and five so their tactics early will be interesting. And the main trot both Oscar Bonavena and Mighty Logan will start from 20m behind albeit in a race lacking front line depth and few other open class regulars. To see Auckland’s fields click here  View the full article

Thinking about it we've had three up to speed track managers/experts with lots of experience turn up in NZ to work and they've all been shafted by either Club members or the expert rabble and mob!

Well they seem really concerned about it now with their open letters.   @Freda the management of our tracks and their quality has been every stakeholders job.  That's half they problem the majority of you didn't complain or organise yourselves to address the issues when they started to occur.   Where were the Trainers, Owners and Breeders Associations when they needed to get track maintenance the number one issue on the agenda.  Oh that's right they thought stakes were the issue. You all bought into the myth that it was "too much irrigation",  "not enough farmers involved", "its NZTR's fault" or the real cop out "it wasn't like this in 1980"!

To be accurate well above the average price of the yearlings Te Aku bought.  Have you done the comparision with Maher, Waller or Waterhouse?  Doesn't Waller have over 400 horses in training? You miss the point as always such is your obsession of being Anti-Racing.  No I don't spruik them as underdogs in OZ.  I just put a realistic assessment on the class of horse racing in the areas that the likes of Te Akau and other NZ Trainers are competing.   From all reports they are VERY happy so far considering they haven't had a full season with their Cranbourne stable up and running.