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Chris So Wai-yin is hoping Top Dragon can get the rub of the green in Thursday’s Class Two Year Of The Horse Cup (1,600m) at Sha Tin after a string of luckless runs in defeat for his smart prospect. The Pierata galloper is a three-time winner in Hong Kong, gaining his most recent victory when running riot in Class Three company over 1,400m at Sha Tin in October. Subsequently, he finished second to Little Paradise over the same trip when not enjoying the smoothest of passages in transit, before...View the full article

Respected Southland horseman Martin Dennis has passed away, aged 82. Photo: Supplied Vale Martin Dennis Joshua Smith, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk 15 February 2026 One of New Zealand racing’s most famous families has lost another member, with the recent passing of Martin Dennis, aged 82. Martin was the youngest member of the Dennis Brothers quartet, with the family facing a particularly tough last six months, with the passing of brother Tony in September. The brothers have been a pillar of South Island thoroughbred racing for more than 60 years, with a plethora of elite equine athletes coming off their Woodlands property. Dennis’ nephew, respected Southland trainer Robert Dennis, the son of the late Tony Dennis, said Martin had a wealth of knowledge on pedigrees and form, with the partnership relying on his expert analysis for their mares’ mating selection. “He was an integral part of their operation,” Robert said. “His strength in the partnership was the breeding and the pedigree side in the later years. Earlier on he was more involved in the training side. “He was extremely knowledgeable about pedigrees and crosses, and he analysed all the stallions and mares, and he had his own rating system. “For me personally, when buying horses, I would call on him to get his opinion on what he thought of pedigrees.” The brothers are well known for their horses carrying the prefix ‘The’, which was made famous by several top-flight performers, spanning more than 60 years. Among their leading flagbearers was the Gr.1 Penfold Chardon Mile (now TAB Classic) winner The Twinkle, while The Dimple and The Fantasy were the stakes winners of a combined 34 races. The breeding side of their operation included the three-time top-flight winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner-up The Phantom, and his brother The Phantom Chance triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), while The Jewel won the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and trained on to claim the Gr.1 Waikato International Stakes (2000m). In more recent times The Oaks Stud resident sire The Chosen One was another elite-level winner who also placed in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m). It was fitting for Martin to go out a winner, with the octogenarian cheering home a winning double at Wingatui last weekend, with the Dennis Brothers’ colours carried to victory by The Ocean Heart and The Princie One. “Last week we had a double for the brothers,” Robert said. “Martin was at home with a lot of his family and a few friends. Apparently, there was quite a big crowd there and he in particular really enjoyed the day. It was a good sendoff for him.” The brothers’ colours also came close to victory at Ascot Park on Saturday when The Radiant One finished second in the Southland Stakes (1200m), and he will now head to Wingatui in a fortnight to tackle the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m). “It was good to see her back to what we know she can do,” Robert said. “Things haven’t worked out lately for her. We ran in the Hazlett (Listed, 1400m) and she was very wide with no cover the whole way. She got a few more favours yesterday and she was only just beaten. “She is getting a bit older now but she has still got plenty of spring in her step and we might look at heading to the White Robe next.” Martin will be farewelled at a Requiem Mass in St Theresa's Catholic Church, Perth Street, Invercargill on Tuesday, February 17 at 2.30pm. According to Martin's wishes, bright colours are to be worn. Messages can be sent to 161 Edendale-Woodlands Highway, RD1 Invercargill 9871, or to Martin's tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where a link to the livestream of the Mass will be available.

David Eustace is looking for Seraph Gabriel to serve up the perfect Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) aperitif when he bids to shed his local maiden in the Class Three Red Packet Handicap (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Thursday. The Saxon Warrior galloper was a one-time winner in the UK pre-import at Lingfield and also posted a huge effort to finish second in the Class Two Golden Gates Handicap (1,993m) at Royal Ascot on his final British start. He has subsequently taken well to racing in Hong Kong, finishing an...View the full article

Impressive Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) winner Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) has had an ownership change ahead of her tilt at the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, with the daughter of Ocean Park to sport the colours of Yulong Investments. The late bloomer has been patiently handled by Roger James and Robert Wellwood and the filly dominated her male rivals at Te Rapa last week to advance her record to two wins from three starts, having broken maiden ranks at Ruakaka in January. Bred and raced by the Smithies family under their Monovale Holdings banner, Autumn Glory’s sale this week enhances the Yulong footprint in New Zealand. The well-known green and white silks are now worn by three of New Zealand’s best fillies, with Oaks favourite Ohope Wins and unbeaten Guineas winner Well Written also in the camp. “It’s a privilege to have international owners of their magnitude in the stable, and it’s great to see them becoming involved in New Zealand in a bigger way,” Roger James said. “I think it’s just a reflection on what we can offer them in New Zealand in the way of stakes and high-class horses. “Our aim is the New Zealand Oaks and what happens after that will be discussed after the race, but it is a Group One and that is what we are focussed on. “We’re really happy with the way she’s bounced through the Waikato Guineas. She’s feeding well and looks great in the coat. “She won a maiden and then we threw her straight into black-type racing, because we thought she was well above average, but unfortunately, we struck a bottomless track at Taranaki at her second start. “To the filly’s credit, she came through that trip and hard run well, and we had the confidence to line her up again in the Waikato Guineas. We went into that race with confidence and her work had gone to a different level, and she raced and won accordingly.” Monovale’s Joe Smithies said the sale of Autumn Glory ensures cashflow for their breeding operation. “Yulong has purchased her outright, and she will stay with Roger and Robert for the Oaks, who have done a terrific job,” Joe Smithies said. “We’ve got to stick to our core business model, which is breeding horses for the yearling sales. “Racing for us is probably a by-product of what we do, but having said that, we really do enjoy racing horses, particularly nice fillies like Autumn Glory.” Smithies said the mating of Autumn Glory’s mother Venus’s Dream with Ocean Park had worked well, with successful siblings to the filly including Loveplanet and Existential Bob. “We were consistently getting a good type and selling well at the sales,” Smithies said. “This particular filly, Autumn Glory, we were just a touch behind the eight ball for where we thought she needed to be for the yearling sales. So we elected to hold on to her and just grow her out. “We always really liked her but felt that the sale probably just came a touch too soon for her.” In recent years Monovale have sold the likes of subsequent stakes winners Scarlet Oak (Kermadec) and Goldman (NZ) (Verdi) from their small racing team, while the Smithies still have stakes-winning three-year-old filly Acer (NZ) (Savabeel), who will line up as an outsider in the Oaks. “It’s a huge buzz to have bred two fillies that will run in the Oaks that are both already stakes winners,” Smithies said. “Ultimately, it’s why we do it and these results are not easy to get, so you certainly have to enjoy them. But we’ve been exceptionally lucky. “It was a great yearling sale for us at Karaka this year and to have Acer win the Oaks Prelude (Listed, 1800m) at Taranaki on Karaka Millions night and cement her place in the Oaks field was immensely rewarding.” View the full article

A $50,000 carrot is dangling in front of the connections of Timaru gelding Smooth Operator (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) following his victory in the Olphert Contracting Ltd Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. It was the second leg of the Southern Cups Bonus Series, where a $50,000 winner-takes-all bonus is up for grabs, and Smooth Operator now sits atop the standings, alongside Gore Cup (2200m) winner In Vegas, on five points. The stakes performer jumped a $2.90 favourite from the ace barrier in Saturday’s contest and was given a rail-hugging ride by jockey Tina Comignaghi for the majority of the journey. He looked blocked in when searching for a run from the 600m, but Comignaghi eventually found a gap at the top of the straight and Smooth Operator quickly took it, bounding up alongside leader Caffeinated before dashing away to a 6-1/4 length victory, much to the delight of his large group of supporters. Smooth Operator ran third in the race last year and trainer Stephanie Faulkner was delighted to go two better in this year’s edition. “I was a little bit worried, there wasn’t a lot of pace on,” Faulkner said. “He was pulling a bit but Tina was patient as ever, gave him a beautiful trip and he was dragged into it at the right time and showed them what he can do.” With the victory, Smooth Operator brought his career tally to seven wins and six placings from 42 starts, with more than $232,000 in earnings. Bred by Go Bloodstock Australia Pty Ltd, Smooth Operator was initially purchased out of KB Bloodstock’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale draft by Shaune Ritchie for $32,000, and he had four starts for the Cambridge trainer before heading south to Stephanie Faulkner, who has enjoyed a fruitful last three years with the gelding, and she is hoping to add to it in the coming months. The Southern Cups Series marches on to Wingatui next week with the Listed Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m), which Smooth Operator finished runner-up in last year, before it heads to Gore a fortnight later for the Wyndham Cup (2000m), and culminates at Riverton on April 4, where double points are up for grabs in the series final – the Riverton Cup (2147m). “We will press onto the final at Riverton,” Faulkner said. “It’s really exciting.” View the full article

Central Districts gelding Enrico (NZ) (El Roca) was rewarded for his consistency when taking home a big winner’s cheque following his victory in Saturday’s $350,000 Comag Wairere Falls (1500m) at Matamata. The Levin galloper trekked north to tackle the lucrative feature following a rich run of form for trainer Ilone Kelly, which included three stakes placings in his previous four starts, including the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m), Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m), and Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m). Despite his recent performances, he was unwanted by punters on his northern venture, drifting out to a 23-1 outsider, but that didn’t deter his regular jockey Madan Singh, who was full of confidence in his charge, and he was intent on making his 53.5kg impost. “I was definitely a little bit confident, but 53.5kg is a bit hard for me,” Singh said. “But I knew he was a good chance and she (Kelly) has always been a big supporter of mine, so that’s why I made 53 to ride this horse.” Singh was positive on Enrico from the jump, entering an early speed duel with Leroy Brown and Vegas Queen, but he elected to ease his charge back to settle in the trail for a softer trip. The pair continued to stalk pacemaker Leroy Brown, and while he kicked clear by two-lengths at the top of the straight, Singh didn’t panic, knowing his charge was capable of making up the deficit. And he did just that, reeling in Leroy Brown in the concluding stages to nab him at the line to win by a head. Singh was rapt to get the result for Kelly and breakthrough for an elusive win following a series of placings. ““It was very good,” Singh said. “He is a nice horse who is always knocking on the door, and he always has wide draws. “We got a nice enough draw (6) and got a nice run and when I asked he gave me a really good response.” Enrico, who was co-bred and is part-owned by respected Horowhenua horsewoman Syliva Kay, has now won seven and placed in nine of his 33 starts to date, with more than $420,000 in earnings. View the full article

One of New Zealand racing’s most famous families has lost another member, with the recent passing of Martin Dennis, aged 82. Martin was the youngest member of the Dennis Brothers quartet, with the family facing a particularly tough last six months, with the passing of brother Tony in September. The brothers have been a pillar of South Island thoroughbred racing for more than 60 years, with a plethora of elite equine athletes coming off their Woodlands property. Dennis’ nephew, respected Southland trainer Robert Dennis, the son of the late Tony Dennis, said Martin had a wealth of knowledge on pedigrees and form, with the partnership relying on his expert analysis for their mares’ mating selection. “He was an integral part of their operation,” Robert said. “His strength in the partnership was the breeding and the pedigree side in the later years. Earlier on he was more involved in the training side. “He was extremely knowledgeable about pedigrees and crosses, and he analysed all the stallions and mares, and he had his own rating system. “For me personally, when buying horses, I would call on him to get his opinion on what he thought of pedigrees.” The brothers are well known for their horses carrying the prefix ‘The’, which was made famous by several top-flight performers, spanning more than 60 years. Among their leading flagbearers was the Gr.1 Penfold Chardon Mile (now TAB Classic) winner The Twinkle, while The Dimple and The Fantasy were the stakes winners of a combined 34 races. The breeding side of their operation included the three-time top-flight winner and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner-up The Phantom, and his brother The Phantom Chance triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), while The Jewel won the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and trained on to claim the Gr.1 Waikato International Stakes (2000m). In more recent times The Oaks Stud resident sire The Chosen One was another elite-level winner who also placed in the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m). It was fitting for Martin to go out a winner, with the octogenarian cheering home a winning double at Wingatui last weekend, with the Dennis Brothers’ colours carried to victory by The Ocean Heart (NZ) (Ocean Park) and The Princie One (NZ) (Savabeel). “Last week we had a double for the brothers,” Robert said. “Martin was at home with a lot of his family and a few friends. Apparently, there was quite a big crowd there and he in particular really enjoyed the day. It was a good sendoff for him.” The brothers’ colours also came close to victory at Ascot Park on Saturday when The Radiant One (NZ) (Darci Brahma) finished second in the Southland Stakes (1200m), and he will now head to Wingatui in a fortnight to tackle the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge WFA (1600m). “It was good to see her back to what we know she can do,” Robert said. “Things haven’t worked out lately for her. We ran in the Hazlett (Listed, 1400m) and she was very wide with no cover the whole way. She got a few more favours yesterday and she was only just beaten. “She is getting a bit older now but she has still got plenty of spring in her step and we might look at heading to the White Robe next.” Martin will be farewelled at a Requiem Mass in St Theresa’s Catholic Church, Perth Street, Invercargill on Tuesday, February 17 at 2.30pm. According to Martin’s wishes, bright colours are to be worn. Messages can be sent to 161 Edendale-Woodlands Highway, RD1 Invercargill 9871, or to Martin’s tribute page at frasersfunerals.co.nz/tributes where a link to the livestream of the Mass will be available. View the full article

i agree with everything you have said brodie. what we have in common with gamma is everything we say is coming from the perspective of what is the best path forward for the sport to remain strong,in both the south island and the north island.thats something i thought we all should be able to agree on,but not everyone recognises that.. we often have posted about hrnz poorly prioritising the spending of the entain windfall and because of that poor prioritisation,it will limit hrnz abilty to invest in future projects for the betterment of the industry. gamma mentions that he agrees with the ideas i put forward for a training establishment in canterbury.And of course both gamma and i have spoken about our ideas for something similar for upper north island participants. but instead for expressing the view that hrnz spending a few million more on races won by rich aussie owners,instead of investing in a training establishment in canterbury,is viewed as being negtive towards the industry.. the aussie horses winning all the big stake nz races,all owned by mega,mega rich people who are in the sport as much for the prestige and the love of the sport as they are for the money.Those very same people are happy seeing their horses running in the victorian races worth 30% of the stake money,as is the likes of republican party happy to travel there for such races. we all know stakes will end up in the bank accounts of the mega rich owners. as ned kelly said,such is life.

Vale Martin Christopher Dennis, passed away Feb 12th, in his 82 year. Speaking as a Photographer. Now when it comes to having your photo taken on any given race day, then none of the "D Brothers' are that keen to have their photos taken! Martin especially so! This photos was taken in 2015 after The Bishop had won the Invercargill Gold Cup. Ever the student of breeding! Always studying 'what was being the breeding of that winner!' Known to be ever supportive of any fellow breeder! Sharing insights into what cross might be a nice match for their mare. A life well lived. Condolences to the Family. (with thanks to Chris in composing this post) How would you like to be able to bred a mare like this?? The regally breed THE PRINCIE ONE by Savabeel out of The Diamond One, seen here returning to scale from winner at @Wingatui on Feb 7th.

Gamma, you ar3 a great contributor on here and positive about harness here in NZ even if it is illfoundered lol The problem is that I do not believe that the funding HRNZ have received has been well spent at all! What I have realised in more recent years is that not enough people are prepared to speak up and express their opinion! This seems rampant with harness racing as they are all worried about losing their jobs if they speak up against the officialdom ! There just is not enough new participants that being owners, trsiner or punters coming thru to ensure the industry to flourish! The bigger owners and trainers are all aging obviously and wont be replaced! There is no way that the Government will bail out harness racing or do we have anyone like Kevin Seymour that has enough money to subsidise racing here!

Paladin runs down free-running leader Chip Honcho to win the $495,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

yes it has been great enjoying the sport with you blokes over a few years since Covid now. Was just hoping your enjoyment of the sport could be refreshed and some bright spots appear. I don't think the CEO saying everything is going down the toilet is Not the solution for anything. lol 😎 any company CEO The many new Changes are still mixed with the old ones , and we all have ideas what works best and what doesn't , but all the ideas are not going to match . you guys still like big fields on the grass for example (and standing starts which I would do away with altogether ) for example. You guys are quite intelligent and say what you would like to happen on occasion, as well as conflicting with what is happening in NZ harness. Brodie always worried for the stakes money drop in 2 years time. I guess he is not accepting that should and will happen with lower participation levels and much smaller betting making it going to happen. But you have to adapt as the trainers all around Australia did. (regular racing over short distances to earn the smaller prize- money to pay your way.) a sure way to help them earn some income. As I mentioned previously even the slowest horses can still win 4 races per year withe the current rating system and pay their way. Which is a good thing) ) Smaller 8 horse fields ARE the answer too (like USA) as it means that a horse should be winning Once every 8 starts. This is SO Important these days .It works all around Australia and USA , and no reason it wouldn't work in NZ. So you Have regular Winning horses, Winning owners and winning Trainers to all stay interested in the sport. The 'Pool of Drivers' does drop off dramatically though. so is certainly one loss. Brodie often mentions the Big Bets too . That the betting agencies should take them . To help the situation out a bit. Sounds like a good idea if that was to work. they take big bets on footy and gallops and that. I loved your idea of with the FORBURY PARK Sale money developing a track facility in Canterbury , complete with Stabling barns for the young horsepeople of today to still get a look in , and top facilities (with swimming etc) to be able to compete with those vastly experienced top quality trainers all around our countries. Young NZer Jack Trainor took advantage of that opportunity provided at Menangle and really went well. (along with his mate Grimson) This is probably what the North Island Needs as well. You mentioned the Struggling Victoria. Yes !!! the stakes was Ludicrously small for our annual feature Hunter CuP last night. Swayzee only got 150k winning I think 🙄, for our feature 'NZ Cup equivalent 'race. So Brodie is right . The prizemoney will drop in NZ as well eventually. Victoria only recently 'Bailed out ' by the state Government . as were $66 mill in debt. They got 100 mill for land and to fund the next 2 years of racing for the whole state. back to losing after that it would seem until the next adjustment is made. Something Auckland trotting tried to do too as are many millions behind ? Sell some land. but no-one bought the land yet ? think the Government should buy it ? that's the best way. they could help participants then. QLD Government were thinking of buying Albion Park too for the Olympics 2032. But its a crap place on a creek and floods now and then, so Very hard to develop. so why buy it? . we've been lucky over the years to continue . Seymour (Leap To Fame owner) saved the day (Albion Park racing) a few times over the years Gold Coast trotting Club went extinct 😭, as the Government did buy their beautiful Gold Coast facility for the Commonwealth Games there a few years ago. developed the site for an athletes village. so Gold Coast trotting died altogether without a track . our 4th major track closure in my time in QLD . just 3 are left now. I'll bet they collapse in QLD before NZ does. we recently had Chris Garrard pass away and when Seymour is gone (he's very old now) there will be huge drop off of Benefactors of the sport. where-as You guys have wonderful people keeping you going , and you don't seem to appreciate it. (Which is why I argue back against you and Brodie bagging the men actually trying things, to try and keep behind the sport ) I don't expect these men to Jump up and say ''things are bad ' as you might like from us fools lol. As long as the sport is running = well things are Good (in some folks opinion) 🙂 just opened curtains , and it's raining here today 😂 Haleluhah !! been dry as a dogs biscuit these parts. good now.

Bella Ballerina wins the Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2), following the path her half sister, Pretty Mischievous, took when victorious in the 2023 edition of this race and the Kentucky Oaks (G1). View the full article

After being limited to minor awards in four consecutive graded stakes, Mondego earned a breakthrough victory for trainer Michael McCarthy Feb. 14 in the $101,500 San Marcos Stakes (G3T) going 1 1/4 miles on the downhill turf at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

i lke your positive post gamma. forever the optimist.i like the humour about the blinds. your probably accurate about people not replying to my posts.Not to worry.Brodies regularly replies and hes known as always being on the money and he mostly agrees with me.And you still reply. One day, if i ever make it to australia, i think i will make a point of looking you up. i reckon you are the type of bloke that i could have good chats with.If that ever happens i can't imagine we would talk about what we talk about on here,lots of wonderful australian things to talk about instead. by the way,the wife opens every curtain first thing in the morning.When i go for my walks it always surprises me just how many people never do. Most people even seem to keep all their windows closed these days.

The thing is and it is the same as most failing businesses is that those that are in charge, try to cover things up and dont take ownership for its failure! For example, Duval, Chance Voight directors under statutory management and they stat3 that everything is rosey and no issues and financially fine lol The same attitude that HRNZ and TAB both have, so we wait and see!

Paladin (Gun Runner) needed the length of the stretch to get there, but surged late to reel in pacesetter Chip Honcho (Connect) by a half-length in the GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. over a speed-favoring course at Fair Grounds Saturday. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Golden Tempo (Curlin), a last-to-first winner of the GIII Lecomte S., was third. Making his sophomore debut after defeating subsequent Sam F. Davis S. winner Renegade (Into Mischief) in the GII Remsen S. at the Big A Dec. 6, the 3-5 chalk raced in fourth through an opening quarter in :23.81. Hung out three-wide in a joint-second through a half mile in :47.49, Paladin set his sights on Chip Honcho on the turn for home. Chip Honcho continued to dig in gamely down the stretch, but Paladin just kept on coming on the outside to secure 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. “I'm very thankful for the entire ownership team and Chad Brown for giving me the opportunity to ride such a nice horse,” winning jockey Tyler Gaffalione said. “He really fought hard today to get the win. The more I asked of him, the more he was able to dig in to get by (Chip Honcho).” The $1.9-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale purchase is campaigned in partnership by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter Brant, Brook Smith and Summer Wind Equine, who also bred the colt. The Coolmore partners, Brant and Smith also campaigned Gun Runner's brilliant Sierra Leone, who also kicked off his sophomore campaign for trainer Chad Brown with a win in this same race in 2024. Paladin was placed first via disqualification after falling a head short of the aforementioned Renegade on debut going a one-turn mile at Aqueduct Oct. 17. Paladin was previously steered in his first two career starts by Flavien Prat, who rode the Saudi Cup card Saturday. “It was an incredible performance today,” Brook Smith said. “He dug in late to get by (Chip Honcho). He's an incredibly talented horse. Hopefully, we'll have him back in Kentucky in April then onto the Derby a month later.” Pedigree Notes: Paladin is one of 35 graded/group winners worldwide for Gun Runner. Broodmare sire Tapit was also represented by GIII Mineshaft S. winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) and unbeaten GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra S. winner and 'Rising Star' Bella Ballerina (Street Sense) on the undercard. The unraced Secret Sigh (Tapit), a daughter of MGSW India (Hennessy), is also represented by a 2-year-old colt named Golden Rebellion (Into Mischief), a $900,000 Keeneland September purchase by Case Clay Thoroughbred Management. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0. Sales history: $1.9-million yrl '24 FTSAUG. O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith & Summer Wind Equine, LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. Paladin runs down Chip Honcho to win the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star worth 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby! pic.twitter.com/EkoQZluK19 — Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) February 14, 2026 Saturday, Fair Grounds FASIG-TIPTON RISEN STAR S.-GII, $495,000, Fair Grounds, 2-14, 3yo, 1 1/8m, 1:49.14, ft. 1–PALADIN, 122, c, 3, by Gun Runner 1st Dam: Secret Sigh, by Tapit 2nd Dam: India, by Hennessy 3rd Dam: Misty Hour, by Miswaki ($1,900,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG). O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith, Peter M. Brant, Brook T. Smith and Summer Wind Equine, LLC; B-Summer Wind Equine LLC (KY); T-Chad C. Brown; J-Tyler Gaffalione. $300,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $484,250. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Chip Honcho, 122, c, 3, Connect–Miss My Rose, by Magician (Ire). 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($210,000 Ylg '24 FTKJUL). O-Leland Ackerley Racing, LLC, James Sherwood, Jode Shupe and John Cilia; B-Venneri Racing Inc. & Tony Fanticola (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. $100,000. 3–Golden Tempo, 122, c, 3, Curlin–Carrumba, by Bernardini. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O/B-Phipps Stable & St. Elias Stables, LLC (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. $50,000. Margins: HF, 5HF, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.70, 7.40, 3.90. Also Ran: Universe, Carson Street, Courting, Quality Mischief, Colt Forty Seven. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Paladin Guns Downs Chip Honcho in Fasig-Tipton Risen Star appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

yeah. as you say ,what will be will be ,no matter what you,me or others say. hrnz have used the entain money to create the impression amongst its stakeholders and investors,that the industry is going much better than of how its actually performing financially and numbers wise..And they have also used it in misdirecting attention from the declining numbers of the likes of horses being bred,those breeding them,licence holder numbers,field size,etc. Reinforced by selective,clever hrnz spin and the complicit media, is a strategy that clearly is fooling many. i'm sure,the strategy was done with good intentions,but good intentions won't help pay the bills in years to come.

Wathnan Racing's Hit Show—prepping for the March 28 Dubai World Cup (G1), a $12 million race he won in 2025—wins the $242,500 Mineshaft Stakes (G3) Feb. 14 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. emerged with a third straight victory in the $150,000 Royal Delta Stakes (G3) as Miller Racing's Claret Beret posted a dominant victory in the 1 1/16-mile main track event Feb. 14 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Gamma, totally on the back of the cash splash from Entain!! That money is going go stop and then what? They have totally mismanaged things but that is going to come out soon unfortunately. Burying their heads in the sand will not work, reality will set in soon unless they can come out and explain how they are going to afford to maintain stakes in the future? i hope things do continue but delusion if you believe that Entain is interested in NZ harness racing!

'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' BELLA BALLERINA (f, 3, Street Sense–Pretty City Dancer, by Tapit) outlasted a gusty Luv Your Neighbor (Constitution) to stay perfect in Saturday's GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds. The half-sister to another 'Rising Star' and 2023's GI Kentucky Oaks winner Pretty Mischievous (Into Mischief), Bella Ballerina had things largely her own way on the front end as the 4-5 favorite, breaking cleanly and leading ahead of Luv Your Neighbor up the backstretch through fractions of :23.40 and :46.98. As the rest of the field began to fade from view, the top two fillies hit the quarter pole together for a stretch-length showdown. Luv Your Neighbor, second in her last three starts, looked poised to finally become the bride as she got the better of the favorite into the final sixteenth. But gutsy as ever while pinned along the rail, Bella Ballerina refused to yield and fought back in the last strides to get up in time under Tyler Gaffalione. The Rachel Alexandra was the first 50-point race on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. Bella Ballerina is also one of 11 fillies nominated to the Triple Crown series. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0. O/B-Godolphin; T-Brendan Walsh. She's a tough one! 'TDN Rising Star' BELLA BALLERINA (Street Sense) extends her perfect record to 3-for-3 as she battles to victory in the GII Fasig-Tipton Rachel Alexandra Stakes at @fairgroundsnola. The @brenpwalsh trainee earns 50 #KyOaks points. pic.twitter.com/IjoHde2lBr — TDN (@theTDN) February 14, 2026 The post Bella Ballerina Outlasts Luv Your Neighbor In Rachel Alexandra appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's G1 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}) sat a little closer to the front than usual and just got up to nail the wandering pacesetter 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Accelerize (Omaha Beach) by a head in Saturday's GIII Mineshaft S. at Fair Grounds. Time to Win (Not This Time) was third. The even-money favorite tracked in a three-wide third through an opening quarter in :23.53. Back a spot into fourth through a half mile :47.04, Hit Show was asked to quicken three furlongs from home. He ranged up three deep at the top of the stretch and came rolling down the lane. Accelerize veered out beneath John Velazquez in deep stretch, but Hit Show just kept on coming to punch his ticket back to Dubai. Hit Show stopped the timer for 1 1/16 miles in a sharp 1:42.49, just off the track record of 1:42.01, set by Olympiad in the 2022 edition of the Mineshaft. “He's a fighter,” jockey Florent Geroux said. “When he's in a fight, he'll give it his all the entire way. He's always been regarded as a nice horse. He was on the Kentucky Derby trail as a 3-year-old. That development has helped him continue to step his game up from his 2-year-old season to now.” “We knew coming into this race Accelerize was the horse to beat,” said Ricky Giannini, assistant trainer to Brad Cox. “He beat a nice one of ours, Just a Touch, in his last start. It was a dog fight the entire way. Hopefully, we can get lucky to get another Dubai World Cup win. We've had him since he was a 2-year-old when he was with Gary and Mary West. Now with Wathnan Racing, we really appreciate them keeping him in our care.” Hit Show made five subsequent starts after his upset in the desert, including wins in the West Virginia Governor's S. at Mountaineer and GIII Hagyard Fayette S. at Keeneland. He concluded his 2025 campaign with a runner-up finish in the GII Clark S. at Churchill Downs Nov. 28. Pedigree Notes: Hit Show is one of 59 graded/group winners worldwide for Candy Ride (Arg). Broodmare sire Tapit is responsible for 68 graded/group winners worldwide. Gary and Mary West homebred Actress, a daughter of Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal, was a two-time graded winner. She was bred to Candy Ride for the 2026 season. MINESHAFT S. PRESENTED BY HAGYARD-GIII, $242,500, Fair Grounds, 2-14, 4yo/up, 1 1/16m, 1:42.49, ft. 1–HIT SHOW, 122, h, 6, by Candy Ride (Arg) 1st Dam: Actress (MGSW, $545,150), by Tapit 2nd Dam: Milwaukee Appeal, by Milwaukee Brew 3rd Dam: Appealing Forum, by Open Forum O-Wathnan Racing; B-Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $150,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-UAE, 24-12-2-1, $9,052,183. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Accelerize, 124, c, 4, Omaha Beach–Motion Emotion, by Take Charge Indy. ($400,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC and Repole Stable; B-Spendthrift Farm, LLC (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $50,000. 3–Time to Win, 118, r, 4, Not This Time–Nagambie, by Flatter. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($650,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Spendthrift Farm LLC, Lawrence, William H., Big Easy Racing LLC, Titletown Racing Stables, Winners Win, Golconda Stable, Goodrich, Ali and Parkinson, Mark; B-Fred W. Hertrich (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. $25,000. Margins: HD, 3/4, 1HF. Odds: 1.10, 2.10, 3.70. Also Ran: Duke of Duval, Stowaway, Moonlight. Scratched: Cadet Corps. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. HIT SHOW ($4.20) kept coming on the outside to get past Accelerize late to win the $250,000 Mineshaft Stakes (G3) at @Fairgroundsnola. The son of Candy Ride (@LanesEndFarms) is now 12 for 24 lifetime and now has over $9M in career earnings. @flothejock was up for @Bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/e4d2yi5M2O — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 14, 2026 The post Hit Show Gets Up in Mineshaft appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Still undefeated in two starts, FRENCH FICTION (f, 3, City of Light–Private Ensign, by A.P. Indy) showed her six-length maiden score was no fluke as she wired the field in Saturday's Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Racing in the midst of a downpour on a sloppy track, jockey Cristian Torres kept his filly's face clean, letting her sit up front all the way even after she was initially outrun at the break. Only longshot Evolution (Brethren) kept pace with her early into the far turn but was ultimately no match as French Friction hit the stretch alone and easily kicked clear of the mud-covered closers for another open-lengths victory. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O-DJ Stable; B-Siena Farms LLC; T-Mark Casse. Sales History: $250,000 ylg' 24 KEESEP. The post City Of Light’s French Friction Stays Perfect In Dixie Belle Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article