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MGISW Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief–Violet Wave, by Violence), whose strong resume made him the leading miler on dirt in North America, will be retired from racing after being diagnosed with a suspensory injury to his left foreleg according to his co-owner Craig Dado. The news was first reported by the Daily Racing Form's Steve Andersen on Saturday evening. Dado, whose Great Friends Racing co-owns the 4-year-old colt with Yuesheng Zhang, told DRF that the injury occurred in the weeks after the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Saratoga June 7 and that discussions with stallion farms are underway for the 2026 breeding season. “With maybe a year off, he could come back,” Dado told Andersen in the DRF article. “We'll pass on that and retire him.” Trained by Chief Stipe O'Neill, Raging Torrent's record included seven wins across 14 starts and his earnings topped $1.1-million. During his 3-year-old campaign the bay won the Maxfield Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs in late June and then captured the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar in late August. Though the colt finished seventh in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint at the seaside oval in early November, he earned his first top level score in the GI Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Dec. 26. O'Neill opted to send his charge to the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup Night in early April, and Raging Torrent did not disappoint with a trip to the winner's enclosure at Meydan. The capstone to his racing career came in the Met Mile when Raging Torrent won by 2 1/2 lengths over heavy favorite Fierceness (City of Light). Bred by Rodney J. Winkler & Alfonso Mazzetti, the first foal for Violent Wave was purchased by Mark Davis for $75,000 at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale. Out of an extended female family which includes GSW The Nth Degree (Distorted Humor), Raging Torrent was handed a half-brother by Up to the Mark in mid-March. In a post on his X account O'Neill said, “Raging Torrent matured into a pure competitor. He just wanted to beat you. We look forward to his second career. Antonio Romero, his exercise rider, and Andres Martinez, his groom, accompanied him to every dance. They are the epitome of horsemen.” The post GI Met Mile Hero Raging Torrent Retired With Suspensory Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 7-20, 2yo, 7fT, 1:30.21, g/y. SUGAR ISLAND (IRE) (f, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Heaven On Earth {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), sent off at 9-2 with Ryan Moore's original mount Signora (Frankel) withdrawn, raced close to the early leader in this maiden won in 2020 by the stable's Oaks heroine Snowfall. In front passing two out, the granddaughter of Lillie Langtry (Danehill Dancer) stayed on to prevail by half a length from Cayton Park Stud's fellow newcomer Saint Agatha (St Mark's Basilica). “Ryan said she was very green, but found plenty which is usually the sign of a nice filly and had no problem with the ease in the ground,” Aidan O'Brien said. “She'll be a mile-and-a-quarter-plus filly next year with a great pedigree and everything is there. She has a sweet head, a lovely temperament and plenty of scope.” The winner's dam, one of six mares out of the aforementioned Coronation and Matron-winning producer supreme, has already produced Justify's G3 Give Thanks Stakes-placed Mother Nature. A full-sister to the Classic-winning luminaries Minding, Tuesday and Empress Josephine, with the former responsible for Dubawi's G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes hero Henry Longfellow, Heaven On Earth's yearling filly is by Wootton Bassett. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $13,947. O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith; B-Westerberg; T-Aidan O'Brien.   The post Dubawi’s Sugar Island Adds To Ballydoyle’s Juvenile Riches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Would a free drink for anyone with grey hair be too much?

Any record turnover says the club is doing something right. We all know the racing crowds of the distant past were something to behold.  It's unlikely crowds at a race meeting are going to be like that again.  As many on here have said, even Ellerslie is a sad and sorry sight these days. In this different world some innovative concepts are required to encourage a walk up crowd.  It sounds like South Canterbury are giving it a good go. I look forward to your marketing ideas Billy.

Driver Penalties  J Stormont | Waikato Bay of Plenty 10 July (heard Waikato Bay of Plenty 17 July); use of whip; suspended 18-31 July inclusive.  M Hill | Winton 17 July; breach of push out rule; fined $200.  T Duley | NZ Metropolitan 18 July; careless driving; fined $250.  K Cameron | NZ Metropolitan 18 July; breach of push out rule; fined $200.  H Douglas | NZ Metropolitan 20 July; failed to drive to finish of race; suspended 21 July – 1 August inclusive.  C DeFilippi | NZ Metropolitan 20 July; use of whip; suspended 26 July – 1 August inclusive.  M Holbrough | NZ Metropolitan 20 July; came to start in incorrect position; fined $300.  Trainer Penalty  S & A Telfer | Auckland 18 July; incorrect gear; fined $150.  Horse Penalties  KAWARAU LIL | Waikato Bay of Plenty 17 July; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required.  GIFT CARD | Winton 17 July; lame; veterinary clearance required.  GINA’S MAJESTY | NZ Metropolitan 20 July; broke in running; must complete trial.  Protests  HIGHVIEW ROCKN ROLL | Waikato Bay of Plenty 17 July; excessive galloping during race; disqualified from 4th.  TICKTOCK MCGLAUGHLIN | Winton 17 July; excessive galloping in home straight; disqualified from 2nd.  The post 14-20 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

It’s almost like they need to bring a former starter out of retirement to remedy the issue!

Rider Penalties  L Kauri | Egmont 15 July; careless riding; suspended 18-25 July inclusive.  E Nicholas | Avondale 16 July; use of whip; fined $250.  Y Okubo | Avondale 16 July; use of whip; fined $500.  H Hassman | Avondale 16 July; medical clearance required.  B Jacobson | Oamaru 20 July; use of whip; suspended 21-30 July inclusive.  B Jacobson | Oamaru 20 July; careless riding; suspended 31 July – 10 August inclusive.  A Goindasamy | Oamaru 20 July; careless riding; suspended 25 July – 2 August inclusive.  Trainer Penalties  S Rees | Avondale 16 July; neglect in saddling; fined $100.  D Hollinshead | Non-raceday dated 16 July; failed to present runner free of prohibited substance; fined $4,500.  Horse Penalties  CLASSY BRAHMA | Taranaki 19 July; lost chance at start; must complete trial.  CAPTAIN OUMUAMUA | Oamaru 20 July; lame; veterinary clearance required.  The post 14-20 July 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Galah, you are right the start was a lot better standing starts unfortunately 2000m than a lot that they have! Thing is that it is just an absolute mystery envelope as to what you get from the 2000m stands at Addington especially. We can complain as much as we want to but at the end-of the day they are always going to be very average unless the starter wants to change his attitude towards what he considers a standing start!

No thanks, apart from having to pay to get out of the place, what are the main attractions other than second-rate horses, third-rate jockeys and fourth-rate facilities? Is it too big a job for you or your fellow members to water blast and seal that great bronze replica of Phar Lap at the front entrance? Note you've now even closed the front (Highway 1) entrance to all bar horse floats FFS.   Regularly attended Timaru meetings in halcyon days, in fact made the Crown Hotel (which never closed) a base over Christmas New Year and when not attending race meetings frequented the side shows of Caroline Bay in the company of Sir Basil Arthur and scantly clad women... winning chocolates galore !   Don't know how turnover figures correlate to those of yesteryear but you're dreaming comparing crowds of today to those of the past.