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Breeders’ Cup World Championships hopefuls Mufasa, Gold Phoenix, Kilwin, and Pandora’s Gift are part of the 12 offerings by Keeneland for their Championship Sale Oct. 30.View the full article

Andrew Forsman already has a Caulfield Cup (G1) victory on his CV from his joint venture with Murray Baker, and the Kiwi horseman is plotting another raid on the Oct. 19 race with his stakes-winning mare Positivity.View the full article

Repole Stable's Breeders' Cup-bound homebred full-brothers champion and 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) and Mentee (City of Light) turned in workouts on a brisk autumn morning over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Thursday. Fierceness, who was last seen winning a thrilling renewal of the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24, breezed five furlongs to the outside of the stakes-placed Classic Catch (Classic Empire) in 1:01.69 (1/3). The GI Breeders' Cup Classic will be next for Fierceness. “It was another excellent breeze, pretty much what we've become accustomed to seeing from him,” Pletcher said. “Very relaxed throughout, finished up nicely, galloped out well. He's always been a really exceptional work horse, pretty push-button. It seems like he does it so easily.” “We wanted a good, solid work today, and I thought we got that,” Pletcher added. “I think physically, he's done really well. He's gotten bigger, stronger, and put on weight. You can see him maturing into a fall 3-year-old. I'm very pleased with his overall condition.” Shortly after Fierceness wrapped up his work, GIII Futurity Stakes winner Mentee breezed a half-mile in company with Breeders' Cup possible and maiden of three starts Noble Confessor (Quality Road) in :49.39 (3/14). “I thought it was a good work from him,” Pletcher said. “It looked like he was moving well. He's got a great personality and is very laid back and easy to train.” The victory in the Futurity awarded Mentee a berth into the five-furlong GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, but Pletcher said that his preference is the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at one mile. “I think right now the plan would be to enter the Juvenile Turf first preference and the Juvenile Turf Sprint second preference, just to keep our options open,” Pletcher said. LSU Stables' three-time GISW and 'TDN Rising Star' Far Bridge (English Channel) posted a five-furlong breeze Thursday over the Oklahoma turf training track, covering the distance solo in 1:01.47 (1/1). He is a leading contender for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. “I'm very happy. It was a typical work from him,” said Miguel Clement, son of and assistant to trainer Christophe Clement. “He had his ears up, playing and looking happy. His next work will be in company next Friday. He does it so naturally and he enjoys it out there. Every furlong he was picking it up–he's enjoying it, he's thriving, and that's what we like to see.” Bregman Family Racing and Swinbank Stables' three-time stakes-winner Governor Sam (Improbable) returned to the worktab Thursday at Saratoga for the first time since winning the Listed Indian Summer Oct. 6 at Keeneland. He breezed four furlongs in :50.66 (1/1) over the Oklahoma turf. “We're 15 days out and he just ran 11 days ago–turf sprinters need to be on their toes, so we'll leave it at that,” trainer George Weaver said. “He's an easy horse to be around, he has a lot of class and handles shipping well.” The post Breeders’ Cup Brothers: Fierceness, Mentee Work at Saratoga for Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockeys and Jeans, an all-volunteer group that has raised $3.4 million for the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund, has named Mike Joyce its 2024 Person of Year. He will accept the award and speak about the need to aid disabled former jockeys during Jockeys and Jeans 10th annual event, at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, Jan. 11. “I was reluctant to accept the award because as a board member of the PDJF, I feel like the work we do is our responsibility to the riders that risk their life every day for our entertainment,” said Joyce, a popular FanDuel Racing Analyst. “It's incumbent upon all of us to give back where we can. I look forward to being at the event and I am really honored to be the Jockeys and Jeans Person of the Year.” Joyce added, “I think jockeys are the only group of people risking their lives to bring racing fans enjoyment. I think everyone loves to show emotion toward the horse, but not the jockeys. When there is an accident on the track, people ask about the horse. I understand that, but it still bothers me a bit because the jockeys are human.” The post Mike Joyce Named Jockeys and Jeans Person of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thirty-nine Thoroughbred aftercare organizations have been awarded accreditation for 2024, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance announced Thursday. The 39 organizations include 38 organizations who are continuing their accreditation and one that earned accreditation this year. Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance now has a network of 84 organizations with approximately 172 facilities in North America. The new organization earning accreditation this year is Champions Retreat. “We are excited to announce the accreditation of 84 organizations this year,” said Janice Towles, Director of Accreditation and Grants, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “Their unwavering dedication to meeting the highest standards in Thoroughbred aftercare underscores their commitment to the retraining, retirement, and rehoming of these horses. This achievement reflects a collective effort to ensure a brighter future for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.” Stacie Clark Rogers, Operations Consultant, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, added, “We commend all the organizations that applied for accreditation this year. It is a rigorous process in which applicants undergo a series of reviews and inspections covering all aspects of their organization to demonstrate their adherence to the Code of Standards. All accredited applicants have shown adherence to non-profit operational standards and a remarkable commitment to excellence in Thoroughbred aftercare, reflecting their dedication to these horses and their futures.” The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Accredits 39 Organizations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s Friday night and that means some quality racing at both Addington (first race 4.34pm) and at Alexandra Park (first race 5.46pm). Addington will see the fifth and final heat of the McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Junior Drivers Championships (6.29pm) with Zev Meredith leading the field on 37 points, one ahead of 2020 champion Kerryn Tomlinson, and Crystal Hackett and Seth Hill right in contention on 33. Other features of the night include the appearance of star northern filly Duchess Megxit in the $25,000 Macca Lodge Hilarious Guest 3YO Fillies Classic (7.32pm) and the $25,000 Fahey Fence Hire Handicap Pace (8.57). Included in that field are gun four-year-olds Sooner The Bettor, Wag Star and Pinseeker against the likes of Franco  Marek, Tact McLeod and Mach Shard. Auckland’s nine race programme is highlighted by the $30,000 Woodlands Stud – Silk Road Northern Series Final at 8.07pm while there will be Heats 1 and 2 of the latest Northern Metro Series for both the pacers and the trotters. The first five in each heat will be guaranteed a place in the two $35,000 finals next Friday. What A Minx rated chance in $30,000 Final at Alexandra Park By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Canterbury trainer Stephen Boyd reckons he’s a bit “lucky” that What A Minx has made tonight’s $30,000 Woodlands Stud Silk Road Northern Spring Series Final for the fillies and mares at Alexandra Park. And with a bit more luck he says his four-year-old mare is a decent chance in what is looking like an open race. “She’s as bright as button in the paddock,” says Boyd, “and being second on the second row could be ok, it’s better than drawing eight or nine.” The daughter of Art Major is currently a $6 third favourite along with Mhai Surfer Girl, with Courtney Rose ($2.70) and Akatea ($5.50) rated ahead of them. “It looks like a good competitive race.” The final comes after the series’ five heats between September 13 and October 11. Heat winners You Little Beauty, Courtney Rose and Seaside Rose have all made the final while Wicked Wanda, the only dual heat winner, was scratched earlier this week. What A Minx makes the final despite having only one start in the series, a sixth behind Wicked Wanda on October 11. In that race she was taken back to last with driver Maurice McKendry denied a run in the vital stages. “Maurice said he just couldn’t find a gap.” Boyd decided to send the mare north from his Canterbury base for a number of reasons. “She’d had a gutsful of Addington, she wasn’t trying, and there weren’t any country meetings that suited so I talked to Spud (owner, Craig Crosse) and decided we’d go there.” What A Minx will stay in the north and will try and qualify for the $1m Golden Gait series at the Park on December 20. To be eligible horses need to have raced six times during the qualifying period (January 1 – December 6). So far What A Minx has won six from 52 and $93,118 and earlier in her career was good enough to finish fourth in the 2023 Magness Benrow Sires’ Stakes 3YO Fillies Championship, three lengths between the invincible Millwood Nike. She was also third in the Group 2 2023 Macca Lodge-Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks Final. Boyd says a series of injuries and niggles stopped her from being as good as she could have been. “As a two-year-old she did have a joint issue and it probably did take some of the speed away.” What A Minx’s immediate future after tonight is to get in foal “in the next few weeks” before tackling the Golden Gait series, before retirement. “If we get a good mile time and get up to $100,000 that would be good on her broodmare page.” View the full article

comedy lad?

Rolls will contest the New World Otaki Handicap (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday. Photo: Reg Ryan (Racing Photos) Australian visitor Rolls is aiming to finish a frustrating trans-Tasman mission on a high note at Otaki on Saturday. Rolls travelled over from Maddie Raymond’s Warrnambool base in late September for a shot at the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), but the eight-year-old failed to make the final field at Matamata, instead having to start in the undercard 2000m race where he finished a meritorious second to Wolfgang. “I thought he was really good, we’d obviously trained him to be running at a mile, so he was a bit on the fresher side rather than the 2000m, particularly being five-and-a-half weeks between runs,” Raymond said. “He had to carry near-topweight up there, so I thought it was a nice run.” Following the race, Raymond shifted her focus to last Saturday’s Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa, but another stroke of bad luck on the morning of the $550,000 feature continued his Kiwi woes. “He travelled up to Te Rapa on the Friday, and unfortunately on Saturday morning, he was just brewing up a foot abscess overnight,” Raymond said. “We obviously couldn’t run him in the Livamol, but we were able to get a farrier to him in the afternoon to fix that up and he’s 100 percent now. “We missed out on getting a run in the Arrowfield and then after missing the Livamol as well, so it’s been an expensive trip over for the owners. “He’s in such terrific order and has been the whole time he’s been in New Zealand, other than last Saturday, so he’s definitely ready to go to the races and do something while he’s still over there. “He’s stabled at Otaki, so it made sense to have a look at this race.” Raymond travelled back to Melbourne on Wednesday evening where she soon will be joined by her charge, who has been right at home at his temporary base. “He’ll come home on a flight next Wednesday, he’s been in work for quite some time, so we’ll let him have a break then prep him for our winter over here,” she said. “He’s thrived, I don’t think he’s left a scrap of feed since he’s been over there and he’s thoroughly enjoyed the environment. “He’s been training down at the Peka Peka Beach every day, it’s a beautiful beach and surface to work him on.” The Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) winner will carry the 60kg topweight in Saturday’s race, where he will be ridden by regular hoop Harry Grace. Horse racing news
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