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It is only as good as the information it is scraping. We all know that the internet is bogged with fake news and crap data. The weakest part of AI is it relies on algorithms that test for "truthfulness" prinarily based on the number of times something is repeated.

To some extent it probably depends which AI you use though they all seem to manage to get things wrong or misunderstood. I wouldn't use any that didn't cite sources. Who won the 1997 NZ Derby Copilot said: Copilot The winner of the 1997 New Zealand Derby was Zonda, a bay gelding sired by Zabeel. He delivered a commanding performance, winning the Derby by an impressive margin of over four lengths.wikipedia+1 Would you like me to also share Zonda’s career highlights and major wins?

The most votes from NZ Breeders.... Duh! What do you think? THE MOST WINS and MOST WINS by RUNNER! We await with joyful anticipation your negative spin.

A 1/50th share (lot 125) in multiple French champion sire Siyouni sold for 175,000gns to TCT Bloodstock on Thursday to top the Tattersalls Online December Sale. The Aga Khan Studs' stallion has sired 13 stakes winners in the Northern Hemisphere this term anchored by Aga Khan homebred Zarigana, the winner of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, multiple graded winner Bellezza, third in the GI New York Stakes and G2 Neom Turf Cup hero Shin Emperor. The sire of 46 group winners in his career, he will stand for €150,000 next year. Alex Elliott purchased a breeding right in Palace Pier (lot 122) for 80,000gns. The son of Kingman has eight black-type horses from his first crop of runners. Standing under the Darley banner at Dalham Hall Stud, Palace Pier is credited with G2 Lowther Stakes heroine Royal Fixation and G3 Solario Stakes winner A Bit Of Spirit. Also during the sale, a breeding right in Sands Of Mali (lot 135) brought 74,000gns after originally falling shy of its reserve. Roalso was on that ticket. The Group 1-winning sprinter sired his first Group 1 winner in 2025–Time For Sandals. Recently purchased by Yeomanstown Stud, he will stand for €22,500 next year. Fourth on the buyers' sheet was Suzette Defoye (Sea The Moon), who was consigned by Gainsborough Thoroughbreds. Lot 127 was purchased by the Suzette Defoye Partnership. The half-sister to Group 1 scorer Simca Mille (Tamayuz) won once last year and was sold as a horse-in-training. Overall, 55 lots sold from 127 (43%) offered for a gross of 732,100gns. The average was 13,311gns and the median came in at 5,500gns. Online manager Katherine Sheridan said, “We are delighted that the Tattersalls Online December Sale, which closes out the year for the platform, has continued the strong momentum witnessed throughout 2025. The confidence of our vendors and purchasers is evident in the success we have enjoyed across the monthly sales as well as through our innovative bespoke sales and international collaborations with BBAG, the Emirates Racing Authority and Inglis. We thank all our participants for their trust and support and we look forward to building on this success with further development of the Tattersalls Online sales in the year ahead.” The post Siyouni Share Tops Tattersalls Online At 175kGns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Back at the site of a couple of his most important victories, White Abarrio (Race Day) breezed five furlongs in 1:00.35 at Gulfstream Park in preparation for a planned start in the Dec. 27 GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes which he will use as a steppingstone to the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 24. It was the second workout for the multiple Grade I stakes-winner since being a veterinarian scratch from the Nov. 1 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar. “Today was his work for the vet's list. He had to work five-eighths. He worked five-eighths. He came back well. He jogged off sound,” explained trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. “They pulled his blood and we have to wait for the blood to come back to be cleared. So that was a big hurdle that he had to get through.” The 6-year-old was sent to the racetrack shortly after 9 a.m. following the renovation break to work in company. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., the grey worked outside an unraced 2-year-old Munnings colt before finishing a few lengths clear at the finish line and galloping out six furlongs. His workmate was credited with a half-mile in :47.66, the fastest of 11 recorded at the distance. “Ideally, we didn't want to go five-eighths today, but California requires you to go five-eighths. If I wasn't training him to get off the vets list, he wouldn't have gone five-eighths. He probably would have worked three-eighths,” said Joseph, who worked White Abarrio an easy three furlongs Nov. 23. “We didn't want to take the chance to wait until next week to work him five-eighths, because we have to wait for information on the blood to come back. With the holidays, the blood might not come back [in time]. So, our schedule was kind of forced to work five eighths, because that's the requirement. We got through that hurdle, so we're trying to go forward from here now.” Campaigned by C2 Racing Stable LLC, Gary Barber and La Milagrosa Stable LLC, White Abarrio finished a late-closing second in last season's seven-furlong Mr. Prospector prior to his 6 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/8-mile Pegasus World Cup Invitational. White Abarrio most recently raced in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga Aug. 31, when he finished fifth after being bumped by a rival, nearly unseating Ortiz, and was placed fourth. In addition to winning the Pegasus World Cup, White Abarrio also won the GI Curlin Florida Derby in 2022 at Gulfstream, the 2023 GI Whitney at Saratoga and the 2023 GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. The post White Abarrio Breezes Ahead of Mr. Prospector appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Local horses, led by Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, look like solid bets in at least three of the four races comprising the Longines Hong Kong International Races Dec. 14 at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 4:40 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG CUP-G1, HK$40,000,000, 3yo/up, 2000mT Field: Romantic Warrior (Jpn) (Acclamation {GB}), Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit), Quisisana (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 4:00 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG MILE-G1, HK$36,000,000, 3yo/up, 1600mT Field: Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}), Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Happy Together (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}), Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), Sunlight Power (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}), My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Copartner Prance (Aus) (Epaulette {Aus}), Patch Of Theta (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Pray For Mir (Aus) (Justify). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 2:50 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT-G1, HK$28,000,000, 3yo/up, 1200mT Field: Ka Ying Ring (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}), Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}), Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Lucky With You (Aus) (Artie Schiller, Beauty Waves (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto), Tomodachi Kokoroe (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), Wunderbar (Aus) (Rich Enuff {Aus}), Divano (Aus) (Brave Smash {Jpn}). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 2:10 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG VASE-G1, HK$26,000,000, 3yo/up, 2400mT Field: Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Urban Chic (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid), Eydon (Ire) (Olden Times {GB}), Moments In Time (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky), Bundle Award (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}), Ka Ying Generation (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Ka Ying Rising And Romantic Warrior Anchor Longines HKIR appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Anyone else having issues accessing race form from Harness Racing New Zealand. Has been down for me the last few days. Not good enough from our only source of data. No wonder the race by race turnover is in the toilet.

By Michael Guerin A private workout at Addington on Monday convinced trainer Cran Dalgety of two things heading into tonight’s East West Fencing Summer Cup. The first is that Republican Party is ready to win even from the toughest draw and the second is Franco Sinatra will be better off without hopples in the same race. Dalgety and wife Chrissie will try something which is very much a rarity in open class racing in New Zealand these days when the start Franco Sinatra without hopples in tonight’s feature. Mach Shard is a major race winner who at times raced without hopples in recent years but it is not common yet Dalgety says he has tried it with lower grade horses on a few occasions. “I just think he will be better without them on,” he says. “He always paces around free-legged and I have been thinking about trying it for a while. “We took them into Addington on Monday and he worked better than usual without hopples so that is how he will race on Friday.” But while Franco Sinatra was good enough to win the Junior Free-For-All on New Zealand Cup day he will be big odds tonight as many of the best pacers in the South Island contest the 1980m mobile. For horses like Republican Party and We Walk By Faith it could be a lead up to next Friday’s $100,000 Invercargill Cup while if the flights work out then Republican Party could then head to Alexandra Park to defend his Auckland Cup title. With those two Group 1s ahead and drawn barrier 9 tonight you could easily envisage a situation where Republican Party is allowed to relax early and that wouldn’t be quite so relaxing for those punters taking his $1.55 price. But Dalgety says that doesn’t have to be the case. “The way he worked on Monday he is fit and ready to go,” he says. “I know it is a lead-up race to bigger races the next two weeks but it is still $40,000 and we are still there to win. “I don’t know what those horses inside him will do and we won’t give Carter instructions, he can go out and drive his own race. “But I think he is ready to be put in the race if it pans out that way.” There is great depth to the field though and if Republican Party has to sit parked then We Walk By Faith will take a power of beating while the real enigma of the race could be Chase A Dream, now trained by the Dunns. Add in Alta Meteor and Mo’unga and it is a cracking little Group 3. Earlier in the night the Dalgetys go into Race 1 understandably confident with Eun Sogno. The two-year-old beat Sonofamistery last start and the latter bolted in last week so while he steps up in grade tonight Eun Sogno should have a class edge on his older rivals as he prepares to head to Invercargill next Friday for a $30,000 juvenile pace. View the full article

By Michael Guerin The trainer who could dominate tonight’s Group 1 Trot at Alexandra Park has a surprise for punters. Because Michelle Wallis says the pecking order for the four reps she and husband Bernie Hackett take to the $100,000 TAB Queen of Diamonds may have changed in the last week, even if the bookies don’t think so. The couple are nearing the end of a hugely successful season and could put an exclamation mark on it tonight with Belle Neige, American Muscle, Faith In Manchester and Courmayeur in the 2200m mobile, all with realistic winning chances. Belle Neige has been set for tonight’s race for months and not only looked spot on with a big last-start third but has secured barrier 1 and has the gate speed to use it. “She is going well and we know she has gate speed because she has led from barrier 8 before,” says Wallis. “I wouldn’t like to see her burn really hard but Crystal knows how to drive her and she should be really hard to beat.” So with all those ticks in the right boxes how come Wallis isn’t oozing confidence with Belle Neige? “I actually think there isn’t much between the four of ours. And after the way she won last Friday maybe American Muscle is actually our best chance. “She has kept getting better and was very good last week. She has a good record in these type of races and she is likely to be on the speed. “Faith In Manchester is proven in these races too, even though I was a bit disappointed by her third last Friday while Courmayeur might actually be the most talented of the four but also the one who needs the most favours. “So I know Belle Neige is the most logical one of ours but I am not sure American Muscle might end up being the best hope.” Belle Neige does have that inside draw advantage though and three of the stablemates being on the front line could lend itself to Belle Neige leading and then handing that role to either American Muscle or Faith In Manchester. Not only would that give her the trail and passing lane but also potentially put second favourite Walkinonsunshine three back on the markers. What should punters make of all that? If you’re going to back Belle Neige maybe cover on American Muscle at $6.50. Tonight’s $100,000 Woodlands Queen Of Hearts for the pacers has a similar tactical feel as Arafura (No.1) and Captains Mistress (No.2) are high class fillies but likely to be followed out at the start by really good mares in Esmeralda and Francent. Any of the four could win with tempo and the early speed map crucial but like with Belle Neige in the trot, Arafura may end up being the one who needs luck the least. “She was still pretty good last week and the extra distance will suit her but Francent was very impressive and it goes to show how hard those older mares can be to beat,” says Arafura’s driver Tony Herlihy. Two of tonight’s other features will see the favourites undoubtedly having to come from off the speed as Oscar Bonavena and Mighty Logan faces 20m handicap in the main trot and Merlin and Akuta the same starting point in the $60,000 Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup. Mighty Logan’s opening price of $3.50 was too long compared with Oscar’s $1.80, especially if Mighty Logan can step well and get in front of his key rival. But Merlin deserves his $1.75 quote in the Pacing Cup as he is the best horse on spring form, with tempo his biggest concerns in a small field. View the full article

By what metric?

You continue to be unable to back up your claims. Bargains why?

What were the most popular stories in the TDN in 2025? What resonated most with our readers? Here again is our annual review of the stories you liked the most and the ones that received the most views: 1) Alvarado Faces Penalties for Overuse of Whip in the Derby, by Bill Finley. 258,371 Views. Winning the GI Kentucky Derby aboard Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was the highlight of jockey Junior Alvarado's career. But the story included a bad footnote as Alvarado faced penalties from HISA for overuse of the whip. Under HISA rules, jockeys can use the crop no more than six times. It was alleged that Alvarado used his whip eight times, including once after Sovereignty took a clear lead at the sixteenth pole. The eventual penalty issued by HISA to Alvarado for overuse of the whip was a $62,000 fine and a two-day suspension. 2) Two Runners Collide, Both Die After Training Incident at Belmont Park, Staff Report. 174,930 Views. It was a tragic day at Belmont Park on Oct. 25 when a freak accident on the training track led to the deaths of two horses. Fortunately, neither exercise rider was injured. 3) Jorge Navarro Released From Prison, by Bill Finley. 106,944 Views. The notorious “Juice Man,” Jorge Navarro, was released from the federal prison FCI Miami in June. He served three years and three months of a five-year sentence. Within days, Navarro was sent to an ICE Facility in Colorado. He is a felon and is not a U.S. citizen, reasons why he was taken into custody by ICE. His lawyer had long ago predicted that the Panamanian-born disgraced trainer would be deported to his native country. 4) Taylor Made's Josh Bryan Dies From Surgical Complications, by Sue Finley. 86,007 Views. In one of the sadder stories the TDN had to report during the year, Josh Bryan, the former program coordinator for the Taylor Made School of Horsemanship who had been serving as assistant to Frank Taylor, the Director of New Business Development at Taylor Made Farm, died in April from complications from jaw surgery. He was 33 years old. Bryan was born with Goldenhar syndrome, a rare congenital defect that affects the development of the ear, nose, soft palate, lip and mandible usually on one side of the body. He had his first corrective surgery when he was just seven weeks old and went on to endure at least 15 more procedures. Thanks to his enrolling in Stable Recovery, Bryan had successfully battled back against substance abuse problems and had turned his life around. 5) Horse Goes From Kill Pen to Winner's Circle at Churchill Downs: The Story of Awesome Hawaiian, by Bill Finley. 53,486 Views. This was the type of feel-good story that gives you hope about the problem of horse slaughter. Awesome Hawaiian (Awesome Bet) was saved out of a kill pen by owner John Stewart and his family. Usually for a horse that has wound up in such a dire situation, their future is as a pleasure horse or a “pasture ornament.” Not Awesome Hawaiian. Originally purchased for just $1,000 at a yearling sale in Louisiana, he was given every chance to be a race horse by the Stewarts, and he broke his maiden in his debut in a $30,000 maiden claimer at Churchill Downs. 6) Enough Already: It's Time to Fix the Triple Crown, by Bill Finley. 51,341 Views. Alarmed that Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty passed the GI Preakness S., this TDN contributor had had enough. Coming to the obvious conclusion that more and more trainers are unwilling to bring their Derby horses back in the Preakness after just two weeks' rest, the column called for major changes and advocated that future Triple Crown races be run on the first Saturday in May, the first Saturday in June and the first Saturday in July. 7) 'He Loved Horses and Horses Loved Him'-Tributes Paid to Hugh Mulryan, by Adam Houghton. 49,839 Views. In a story that appeared in the European edition of the TDN, Associate Editor Adam Houghton collected the thoughts of prominent European breeders and horseman on the passing of Hugh Mulryan at age 25. The son of owner-breeder Liam Mulryan, Hugh had carved out a promising career of his own in racing and bloodstock, having spent time under the wing of trainers such as Denis Hogan and Sir Mark Prescott, as well as working on the farm and at the sales for Baroda Stud. The County Galway native had recently relocated to Britain to take up a new role with Adrian Keatley in Ryedale, North Yorkshire. 8) Dr. Robert Hunt Passes, by Bill Finley. 40,986 Views. In another sad story about a beloved racing figure that died too soon, the TDN reported on the death of Dr. Robert Hunt, who passed away in October after a bout with cancer. Hunt was a respected veterinarian at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. “Dr. Hunt's character, integrity and perseverance have been so impactful on not only my career but the lives and careers of so many people and horses,” said veterinarian and jockey Dr. Ferrin Peterson, who worked alongside Hunt. “He always placed the needs of the horse first, even if it cost him personally and financially. But he remained steadfast, standing strong in his convictions. Mentoring people in his line of work was one of his greatest passions. I can think of no greater legacy than for these mentees, myself included, to carry on the principles he exemplified. I am forever grateful for my time with this great man.” 9) Trainer Christophe Clement Passes at 59, by Bill Finley. 37,398 Views. Among the most respected trainers in the sport and one who may be headed to the Hall of Fame, Christophe Clement passed away in May after battling Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. He was 59. According to Equibase, Clement saddled 2,576 winners from 13,269 starters. His stable had compiled total earnings of $184,119,069. His son, Miguel, has taken over the stable and has followed in his father's footsteps, quickly establishing himself as one of the top trainers on the NYRA circuit. 10) Out of the Bargain Basement, the $2,500 Yearling Who is on His Way to the Kentucky Derby, by Bill Finley. 34,982 Views. Chunk of Gold (Preservationist) was impossible not to like. The 3-year-old was purchased for $2,500 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings sale and earned his way into the Kentucky Derby with second-place finishes in the GII Risen Star Stakes and the GII Louisiana Derby. Following publication of the story, Chunk of Gold finished ninth in the Derby, but later went on to win the GIII West Virginia Derby. The post The TDN’s Most Widely Read Stories of 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Al and Bill Ulwelling's Mansetti (Collected), upset winner of this year's C$1-million King's Plate at Woodbine, is one of 42 horses that have been added to the upcoming Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale in Lexington Jan. 12 and 13, 2026, the auction house said in a release Thursday. Consigned by Four Star Sales, agent, as a racing or stallion prospect, the Ontario-bred colt–a $40,000 OBS April grad–also took out this year's GIII Marine Stakes and showed his versatility when just run down in the Sept. 9 Prince of Wales Stakes at Fort Erie, just his second start on a conventional dirt track. Runner-up in the GIII Ontario Derby back on the Woodbine synthetic, Mansetti has posted a record of 5-2-0 from 11 starts with earnings to date of $776,003. Also supplemented to the January Sale and selling with Taylor Made is In a Jif (Saintly Look), the dam of the record-setting turf sprinter Cogburn (Not This Time) and offered in foal to Yaupon. Taylor Made also consigns the mare's foal of 2025, a colt by Into Mischief. Being offered as broodmares or racing/broodmare prospects are Life's an Audible (Audible), winner of the GIII Sweetest Chant Stakes at three; SW & GSP St. Benedicts Prep (Flatter); and Grade III winner True Royalty (Yes It's True), selling in foal to Practical Joke. Additional supplements include mares in foal to Maxfield, Taiba, Tiz the Law and Twirling Candy; racing or broodmare prospects including stakes winner Brocknardini (Bernardini); and soon-to-be yearlings by such stallions as Elite Power, Jackie's Warrior, McKinzie, Street Sense, Vekoma, Yaupon and Zandon. With the supplements announced today, the total number of horses cataloged to the January Sale is 1,088. Click here for the Keeneland January catalog. The post King’s Plate Winner Among 42 Supplemented To Keeneland January appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ffs....what a waste of time.

Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Kentucky Derby Museum during its 'Derby in December' celebration held Thursday, Dec. 11. Following the ceremonies, the many guests that were on hand enjoyed a meet-and-greet with the 1992 Kentucky Derby-winning rider and explored a new exhibit in Day's honor. The exhibit at the museum features decades of his accomplishments. The collection ranges from his high school photo to awards celebrating milestone victories as a jockey, including the silks he wore during his final race before retiring after the 2005 Delaware Handicap. The new exhibit was unveiled following the presentation of Day's Lifetime Achievement Award. “I'm deeply humbled by this award,” said Day. “The Kentucky Derby has given me so much throughout my life–from the incredible horses I've had the privilege to ride, to the fans and community who make this sport so special. To be recognized here at the Kentucky Derby Museum, in the place that keeps Derby history alive, means more to me than words can say.” The post Hall of Famer Day Honored By Derby Museum appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cathal Beale reflects on a momentous run of sales results for the Irish National Stud as well offering his thoughts on new addition to the stallion roster Arizona Blaze Credit where credit is due, the Irish National Stud knocked it out of the park at this year's breeding stock sales. The stud netted just shy of €2 million at the Goffs November Foal Sale. That haul placed the Irish National Stud second only to the Castlebridge Consignment by €46,500, despite selling 33 fewer foals than that outfit. What was most impressive about the performance the Irish National Stud put in at Goffs this year was that the majority of the foals sold by the stud were out of mares that CEO Cathal Beale and his team went out and sourced at sensible digits. The team's Night Of Thunder filly, who sold to Ed Sackville on behalf of TBT Racing For €500,000, is out of Oceanie (Dansili), a mare that was sourced for just €75,000 at Arqana in 2023. Then there was the €340,000 Wootton Bassett filly out of €80,000 mare Loyale (Turtle Bowl), also sourced at Arqana, as well as the €220,000 Palace Pier filly out of Big Break (Dansili), who looks exceedingly good value now at only 30,000gns. The Irish National Stud's performance at Goffs provided one of the fascinating subplots to what was a memorable sale and, despite labelling that achievement as one of his finest moments in the business at the time, Beale is keen to deflect any praise now that the dust has settled. “I've been selling foals in various different guises for the past 25 years so I know how hard it is,” he explained. “Many things can go wrong and I have walked out of the sales ring with my tail between my legs before. It wasn't lost on us how hard it is to enjoy a day like that. “I said it at the time, but I had never been at a sale like this year's Goffs November Foal Sale before. The footfall and the raw enthusiasm for foals was unbelievable. The Sunday and the Monday at Goffs is unique. The amount of enthusiastic young pinhookers who come through the gates is brilliant. Goffs and Irish Thoroughbred Marketing do a brilliant job getting so many people through the door and that's why we go to that sale. It's because we know we're going to have hundreds and hundreds of shows. Like, we had foals that had upwards of 250 shows, which is unheard of for any sale. So huge credit must go to Goffs.” Explaining the years of investment in the broodmare band that led to that “moment in time” performance at Goffs, Beale continued, “It started with John Osborne [former CEO], really,” he says. Off the back of Invincible Spirit, we had a little bit of money to invest in broodmares. If you can remember, it was a different world back in 2010 with the whole country coming out of the recession. It was very much touch and go with regards to what the stud could do. But, as Invincible Spirit started to get better and better, there was a little bit of money to invest in broodmares. John invested in a few broodmares that left a lot of money behind – Propaganda, Lethal Quality and more. We also had a couple of mares who were left over, the likes of Nebrass, whose daughter Aimhirgin Lass is still in the broodmare band. “So there have always been a couple of nice mares there but, definitely, we needed to be a bit more strategic and start investing properly in broodmares. I suppose, through investing in mare syndicates and the board allowing us some capital, we have been able to buy some nicer mares. It doesn't just happen overnight. It can take five, six or even seven years to find out if a mare is good, bad or indifferent. The foal sales at Goffs was just like a moment in time where three or four happened to bounce into the back of the net on the same day. At the same time, there has been a steady stream of investment over the past number of years that allowed us to get to a day like that.” With more money comes more choice, and there has definitely been a change in philosophy as to how the stud recruits its mares. That is not the only shift in modus operandi, though, with the support of the foal sales a relatively new phenomenon. Beale said, “Obviously, if you've got more money you can do more. You can't do it without money. But we definitely made a conscious decision to focus more on the foal sales because, when you see end-users turning up to Goffs, you just can't ignore how strong that market has become over the past few years. On top of that, it shortens our window in being able to turn a profit on the stock that we are raising. We had dipped our toe into the foal market in the past four or five years but, in the last couple of years in particular, we have sent out best foals to Goffs. If it doesn't happen on the day, you always have a second chance at the yearling sales.” Elaborating on the recruitment policy for mares, he added, “I suppose people are kind enough not to mention the mares who didn't work out but you're going in there and you're really trying to find value. I could have 100 mares I'd like to take home from a sale but it's just a matter of taking them home at a price that will give you a chance of having a commercial turnaround in the next three to four years. That's really all we try to do. It just so happened that, over the past couple of years, some of those mares have bounced but, over the past five or six years, there are some who haven't worked out the same way at all.” The big-ticket sales were not confined to the foal section at Goffs, either, as the Irish National Stud enjoyed a quicker-than-expected commercial lift with La Gloire (Churchill), who sold in foal to Sioux Nation to Michael O'Leary's Plantation Stud for €250,000. Out of Date With Destiny (George Washington), La Gloire's sky-rocketing value from a 40,000gns purchase at last year's December Mares Sale at Tattersalls is in no small part down to the emergence on the page of her half-brother Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder), who finished third in the Dewhurst and holds genuine 2,000 Guineas claims next year. Arizona Blaze: new to the Irish National Stud for 2026 | Racingfotos.com Beale commented, “We put her in the sale as an insurance policy as much as anything. We had a pretty average yearling sale season this year so we knew the foals had to go well. And then, if the foals didn't go well, we had a few mares in the sale there just to try and make ends meet as an insurance policy. Thankfully, the foals did sell well but, when we were there, we said we'd put a sensible price on her and if she sells, she sells. I would have been more than delighted to bring her home but she made a fair price and I'm delighted she went to a big farm so she'll have a chance.” You will be hard pressed to find a man more allergic to self praise than Beale. Instead, he prefers to shine a light on the countless people behind the scenes – the likes of Gary Swift, Helen Boyce and Conor Hyland – who have played an important role in the changing fortunes for the stud. “I always say the place is a teaching hospital,” he says. “We're used to people coming through the place and hopefully they're adding a little bit of value by spending five or six months by doing the breeding course or by coming back and working with us after the course is finished. The vast majority of the people working at the stud, myself included, are graduates from the Irish National Stud course that went away and did something else before coming back. So, they understand it, they get it and they have an awful lot of pride in it. Above all else, they are very capable. I pride myself on the fact that, when a person comes down to view our stock, the horses are presented well number one but, also, the people are met with a warm welcome. From top to bottom and everyone in between, they are met with a smile. For the Irish National Stud, I think that is extremely important.” Warm welcomes at the ready then for breeders and general racing fans who will be hoping to catch a glimpse of the Irish National Stud's newest addition to the stallion roster, Arizona Blaze, whose opening fee has been set at €12,500. Campaigned by Amo Racing , Arizona Blaze proved himself one of the toughest horses in training over five and six furlongs, culminating with a brilliant top-level triumph in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh at the Irish Champions Festival. Beale is confident that he will complement Phoenix Of Spain, Lucky Vega, Nando Parrado and Shouldvebeenaring on the roster. The post Cathal Beale: ‘It Was A Moment In Time For Us At The Irish National Stud’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zelzal has been deemed fully fit to cover mares in 2026 following an examination. The Haras de Bouquetot resident's 2025 season was disrupted due to health reasons. Amelie Lemercier, sales manager at Haras de Bouquetot, said, “Leader among sires of two-year-olds in France and responsible for 10 black-type performers in 2025, Zelzal confirms his position as one of the most dependable stallions in France thanks to the quality and consistency of his progeny, both on the track and in the sales ring. There are very few proven stallions, in France or in Europe, offered at such an accessible fee.” The son of Sea The Stars will stand for roster-topping €10,000 next year. The post Zelzal Fully Fit To Cover Mares In 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bob Baffert, who has won 14 renditions of the Los Alamitos Futurity, has entered Litmus Test, Provenance, and Blacksmith this year.View the full article

Local Horses, led by Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, look like solid bets in at least three of the four races comprising the Longines Hong Kong Internatiional Races Dec. 14 at Sha Tin Racecourse.View the full article

HONG KONG, CHINA — There is likely never a bad time for a horse racing fan to visit Hong Kong, which conducts racing twice a week alternating between a pair of breathtakingly beautiful racetracks, but the action is extra special this week. It kicked off Wednesday night with the Longines International Jockeys' Championship at Happy Valley–a racetrack which fairly glitters against a backdrop of skyscrapers–and will conclude Sunday with four Group 1 races comprising the Longines Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin. Even before the jockey championship–which pitted 12 world-class jockeys against each other in a four-race series–got started in Wednesday's fourth race, the track was buzzing with Jockey Club members dressed to the nines juxtaposed with a less formal 'Happy Wednesday' crowd in the trackside beer garden. In the end it was Ryan Moore dramatically coming back from injury to register his third victory in the championship and his first since 2010. Moore won the second of the four races on the front-running Corleone (Aus) (Dundeel {NZ}) and was part of a four-way tie heading into the final race of the championship where he got the appropriately named longshot Triumphant More (Aus) (Star Turn {Aus}) up in time to earn the title. Moore received a rousing welcome back to the winner's circle by the crowd–including one patron loudly (and repeatedly) professing his love for the veteran jockey from above. “Hong Kong, we've said it for many years, they have the most competitive racing,” Moore told the assembled press later in the night. “And when you have the most competitive racing and you have a strong product and good prize money, that's going to bring the best people here. I've always been very much aware of Hong Kong from a young age and I am very thankful that I got to come back.” Moore took the time to sign autographs and pose for photos with fans as he walked through the crowd following the night's final race. Ryan Moore following his IJC victory | Jessica Martini One well-known rider flying under the radar at Happy Valley was Florent Geroux, who traded racing silks for a suit and tie as a spectator Wednesday. Geroux started riding in Japan under a short-term license just last week and greeted a friend by the walking ring with “Konnichiway,” and a chuckle before switching to his native French. “Ca va?” With the IJC concluded, racing fans began looking ahead to Sunday's so-called 'turf world championships' at Sha Tin, Happy Valley's sprawling big brother. After a day of gray skies Wednesday, the sun was out in full force and temperatures were well up into the 70s for the post position draw in the track's paddock Thursday. Much of the attention Sunday will be on a pair of local superstars, with Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), the world's highest-rated sprinter, going postward in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint, and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) seeking a record fourth straight win in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup following a strong victory in his return to action after a lengthy layoff in the Nov. 23 in the G2 Jockey Club Cup. Ka Ying Rising became the first overseas horse to win Australia's G1 The Everest Stakes–the world's richest turf race–in October and returned to Hong Kong to win the G2 Jockey Club Sprint just three weeks ago. The 5-year-old is only looking better as he aims for a 16th straight win–and second straight Hong Kong Sprint–Sunday, according to jockey Zac Purton. “He's come back even better,” Purton said. “He looks stronger, he's put on more muscle. Everything we've seen from him, we've been happy with. I'm really looking forward to this weekend.” Ka Ying Rising will break from post one in the 13-horse field Sunday. “The horse jumps fast and he puts him in a spot, and then hopefully he gets a trouble-free run,” trainer David Hayes said after the draw. “You can get blocked in from barrier one. I don't think he will. If he jumps fast, he can have a nice easy run to the home turn.” James McDonald, who will officially be recognized as the Longines World's Best Jockey during Friday's gala dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be aboard Romantic Warrior, who breaks from post two Sunday. “It's pretty remarkable to think about what he's trying to achieve,” McDonald said of the 7-year-old's quest for a four-peat. “He has been such a good horse for such a long time. It's a competitive race and he'll have to bring his A-game, but he always brings his best.” McDonald continued, “He's a funny horse. I've had nothing like it in my life in terms of that I never feel like he's ever going to lose, no matter what. He's just a superb racehorse; he always gives his best, which is most important, he's got a great racing style. It's just a privilege to ride him.” Ten-time Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior, a courageous second to Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) in the G1 Saudi Cup in Riyadh in February, was a nose short of Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) when second again in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan in April before being sidelined by injury. He was flawless when returning to action three weeks ago. “I was so sad when he had the surgery,” said trainer Danny Shum. “It was one screw, it wasn't too bad for him, but for me, it was very bad. I'm very proud of him. In Hong Kong, not just racing people, everyone knows him.” While the international contingent rolling through preparations for Sunday's championship races over Sha Tin's turf and all-weather surfaces Thursday didn't include any American challengers this year, the country was represented by several notable faces trackside, including Breeders' Cup's Drew Fleming and Keeneland's Chip McGaughey. Little Red Feather Racing's Gary Fenton was in attendance, as was bloodstock agent Ramiro Restrepo, making a Hong Kong stop on an extended work tour of the Far East and Oceania. Bill Nader, who served the Hong Kong Jockey Club for eight years before leaving in 2022 to become president and chief executive officer of Thoroughbred Owners of California, was back on his old stomping grounds and reconnecting with former co-workers. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has made an obvious priority of enhancing the fan experience at its racetrack, particularly looking to appeal to a younger clientele. 'Happy Wednesday' at Happy Valley has become entrenched in the local social scene with fans often staying well after racing concludes. Following Thursday's draw, officials were pleased to show off their latest attraction at Sha Tin. A transformed betting hall opened in September, offering patrons a whimsical, interactive experience–think Roald Dahl goes racing. The four-story enclosure offers fans the chance to interact with AI simulations of Hong Kong legends like Golden Sixty, and pet an eerily lifelike horse who responds to their movements, even an escape room with clues to the name of the Hong Kong star who will provide release. The enclosure also includes several food options, from local favorites to popcorn and chocolate. No expense is too much for the fan, one official summarized the club's philosophy. And it shows. With high-class racing and attention to every detail, horse racing in Hong Kong is one pilgrimage every racing fan should make. Jessica Martini photo The post Hong Kong Racing: A Trip Worth Making appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) has been thrust into unknown territory after drawing barrier one for the first time in his career as he attempts to defend his HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) title at Sha Tin on Sunday (14 December). Conceding it was not ideal to draw the inside barrier in the 13-horse field, trainer David Hayes said the world’s highest-rated sprinter simply had to jump fast and either take a sit or lead if Zac Purton is unhappy with the pace. “So, I think Zac will be very happy,” Hayes said. “It’s more important what Zac thinks this time from the barrier because he has to do the job. I will leave it to him. “The horse jumps fast and he puts him in a spot, and then hopefully he gets a trouble-free run. You can get blocked in from barrier one. I don’t think he will. If he jumps fast, he can have a nice easy run to the home turn.” Hayes said the only complication that could arise is if Ka Ying Rising jumps slowly, which he has rarely done. “That would be the only concern but lately he is so fast out of the gates in his first 100 metres he gets himself in a very comfortable position,” Hayes said. Satono Reve, who will jump from barrier four under Ryan Moore, and Helios Express, who has Hugh Bowman aboard from barrier six, are likely to present the biggest challenges to Ka Ying Rising, who is chasing a 16th consecutive win. James McDonald’s mount, Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote), has drawn barrier three, while Wunderbar (Rich Enuff), the only horse to have twice finished in front of Ka Ying Rising, is in barrier two for Craig Williams. Ka Ying Rising has drawn barrier two twice for a nose second and a victory. But Hayes, whose other runner, Tomodachi Kokoroe (Written Tycoon), drew barrier seven, expects only a couple of horses to push forward from the jump. After already lowering the Sha Tin 1200m record twice, Zac Purton has warned not to expect Ka Ying Rising to again better his record of 1m 07.20s on Sunday. Purton believes it will be a typical Hong Kong sprint run at a fast tempo, and said the faster, the better; but he doesn’t expect records to tumble. “I’m not thinking it is going to be a slowly-run race, but do I think they are going to break the track records as well? No, I don’t,” Purton said. “The winter grass has come through, it’s a bit softer and the track is a bit thicker, and no doubt they’ll put a little bit more water on the track as well. They usually do for this meeting, so I don’t think a track record is going to be seen, but as long we win the race and tick it off and move on to the next one …” After winning the world’s richest race on turf – the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) in Sydney, Australia in October – Ka Ying Rising returned to Hong Kong to win the G2 BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 23 November. “He went to the races and probably put up his career-best performance last start and got in a lovely rhythm in a fast-run race. He loves fast-run races and he put them away. It was great to see and he has trained on well since, and I’m really looking forward to Sunday,” Purton said. Purton said Ka Ying Rising’s asset was his great speed from the gate, which allowed him to put him up on the pace, and once in stride, he felt like a Rolls-Royce. “He loves high-pressure races,” Purton said. “He doesn’t like it when they go slow. And when they do go slow, it allows a lot of those other horses to be in touch with and sprint with him. Whereas, when he is out there running along, it breaks their hearts. “He is a unique horse in the way he can absorb pressure in such an easy way. A lot of other horses are just struggling to keep up with just that pace in the mid-stages and they can’t find anything off that and are gassed trying to keep up.” Sunday’s (14 December) 10-race fixture at Sha Tin starts at 12.25pm with the Class 4 Fairy King Prawn Handicap (1400m). View the full article

Thank you Spatchcock. Appreciate that. Tis my right to point out the error of their ways! Treat all punters equally and I will not need to point it out. When some punters are restricted to pathetically low amounts and the TAB employees are treated with total favouritism and are allowed to wager and win unlimited amounts, it needs to be discussed. Why is it right to be treating punters differently? Spatchcock do you really believe that they are operating ethically, and would other businesses get away with it?

A couple of Japan’s Longines Hong Kong International Races contenders have been given glowing report cards from Thursday’s trackwork ahead of their intended targets on Sunday’s blockbuster card at Sha Tin. This year’s Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) looks a particularly wide open affair and Urban Chic, who is one of the leading contenders for trainer Ryo Takei, was given a strong word by his handler. Winner of the Group One Kikuka Sho (3,000m) at Kyoto earlier this year, he was last seen...View the full article

He might have to adopt 10 greyhounds come the end of July next year.