Forums

Spendthrift Farm's general manager Ned Toffey confirmed Nov. 9 that multiple grade 1 winner Kopion has been retired.View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz  Trainer Fred Mitchell has made the trip to Palmerston North plenty of times before — but today’s Manawatu meeting has a bit of everything with three of his runners set to go around. First up is Cathy Freeman in Race 1, the Te Kawau Mobile Pace. The four-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou steps out for just her second run this campaign after a long break, and while her first-up effort at Cambridge on October 23 didn’t catch the eye, her trainer wasn’t discouraged in the slightest. “She went well in my opinion,” Mitchell said. “She just wasn’t quite ready, I only took her up there for a run and they went a bit quick for her after 11 months off. She should improve and go better today.” That outing was very much a fitness run, and with a softer assignment closer to home, Mitchell is hoping to see a more polished version of the mare this time around. In Race 3, the The Braig Handicap Trot, Mitchell lines up one of the more unpredictable characters in his barn, Manchester In Time.  The five-year-old Peak gelding is the sort of horse who can look a world-beater one week and an also-ran the next, something his trainer knows all too well. “He’s a little prick,” Mitchell said with a laugh. “When he wants to run he’ll run, and when he doesn’t, he doesn’t. I wouldn’t put the house on him, because you never know what version of him we’re going to get on the day.” The gelding does face a tough task off a 50-metre handicap, but there are positives heading into today.  “We did find out he’s been a wee bit sore for his last few starts,” Mitchell explained. “But he seems to have come through the other side of that really well.” Mitchell’s final runner, and the one he’s most hopeful about, is Nelson’s Boy in Race 6, the Congratulations 500 Winners Stephen Doody Mobile Pace. The nine-year-old Washington VC gelding comes south off a gritty last-start win at Alexandra Park, where he zipped home in a sharp 56.6-second last half. “He’s a good wee fella,” Mitchell said fondly. “I thought I might try him again at Palmy, he doesn’t really like going round left-handed, but I’ve adjusted a few things with him and I’ll just be keeping my fingers crossed he’ll get around that way.” All 10 of Nelson’s Boy’s career wins have come at Auckland’s right-handed track, but that hasn’t dampened Mitchell’s enthusiasm. “He’s a funny sort of a horse but he’s done a good job for us, we certainly can’t complain.” Whether it’s Cathy Freeman taking a step forward, Manchester In Time deciding today’s a “go” day, or Nelson’s Boy defying his track preference, there’s every chance one of Mitchell’s trio could give him something to smile about by the end of the afternoon. View the full article

Well they are joining sydicates and punting by why would they join a Racing Club?  What value do they get from doing that?  Most Racing Club membership is akin to an RSA or a WMC - well worse actually as at least with the last two you can get a bet or beer most days of the week!! What value do you get from your membership @Huey?  Other than an entry ticket to the one or two race meetings a year you attend, a badge, an elite car park and a reserved space in the grandstand that you have to swing your handbag around to get the best seat?

Tuesday, Toulouse, France, post time: 15:50, PRIX FILLE DE L'AIR-G3, €73,200, 3yo/up, f/m, 10 1/2fT Field: Salmarak (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), L'Hotellerie (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}), Weltbeste (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Bas Bleu (Ire) (Masar {Ire}), Euboa (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Calamandra (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), Ginalyah (Ire) (Chachnak {Fr}), Darkava (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). TDN Analysis: This went the way of Via Sistina in 2022 and Jerome Andreu trainee Ginalyah might just hold the key in this year's edition. She ran fifth in the G1 Prix Vermeille on Arc Trials weekend and gained momentum to finish second in last month's G3 Prix de Flore. Gestut Rottgen's ultra-consistent Weltbeste is the only stakes winner on display, but she finds one too good more often than not. Bas Bleu, Euboa and Calamandra all have prior stakes placings, with the latter best placed of that trio coming back off a third in the G3 Prix Belle de Nuit two weeks ago. [Sean Cronin]. Tuesday, Toulouse, France, post time: 14:33, CRITERIUM DU LANGUEDOC – PRIX BERNARD DE MARMIESSE-Listed, €54,900, 2yo, 8fT Field: Go Man (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Mefie Toi (Fr) (De Treville {GB}), Canalejas (Fr) (Armor {GB}), Oratorical (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}), Ladja (Fr) (Golden Horde {Ire}), Chill Y Flama (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}), Madame Ly (Fr) (City Light {Fr}). TDN Analysis: Roberto Montenegro trainee Canalejas endured trouble-in-running when a promising third in September's G3 Prix des Chenes and may have the edge on last month's Listed Prix Delahante runner-up Ladja. Jamie Rocke's Oratorical is the lone contender from across the English Channel and heads postward returning off an impressive six-length tally at Nottingham three weeks ago. Madame Ly's four-race winning streak was halted when she finished fourth in last month's Listed Prix Isonomy, while Mefie Toi has run unplaced in four straight black-type outings. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Ginalyah Seeks Group-Race Breakthrough in Toulouse Feature appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Next Saturday's Claiming Crown under the Twin Spires, with $1.1 million in purses spread over eight events, was created to give American racing's everyday workhorses–and their owners and trainers–a day in the spotlight, according to an NHBPA release on Sunday. Churchill Downs is the Claiming Crown's host track for the third time in four years. Registered Kentucky-bred horses will race for an additional $130,000 from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, with the per-race supplement ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. The event was created in 1999 by the NHBPA and TOBA. “It's reality for most people in horse racing,” said trainer Tom Van Berg. “Most people don't deal in the $2.2 million weanlings, the $5.6 million broodmares. It's not feasible for most people.” “Only a small percentage of owners and trainers are blessed with having a horse qualify for the Breeders' Cup or Triple Crown,” said National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback. “But the majority of horsemen have a shot to someday be in the Claiming Crown, providing that big-day experience for their owners. Even trainers with considerable Grade I experience strive to participate in the Claiming Crown.” The post Claiming Crown Spotlights Workhorses At Churchill Downs Next Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Probably appears the case with a hip young disco dancing crooner like yourself @Chief Stipe !  The Grand Tour is doing its thing , be good to see all these young ones joining racing clubs, syndicates, breeding horses and punting until their hearts content in the future , perhaps the sport has a future after all?

Woodbine Entertainment has announced Nov. 9 card of live Thoroughbred racing at Woodbine Racetrack has been cancelled following the first race due to inclement weather.View the full article

Woodbine cancelled its live Sunday Thoroughbred racing card following the first race due to inclement weather, the track said in a press release on Sunday afternoon. The statement went on to say that the decision was made in the best interest of all participants and included consultation with the HBPA. Live racing is scheduled to resume Thursday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. ET. Woodbine Racetrack remained open for simulcasting. The post Woodbine Racetrack Cancels Sunday Card Due To Weather appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual grade 1 winner Raging Sea could make her final start in the $400,000 Falls City Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Nov. 27, according to trainer Chad Brown.View the full article