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Wet weather is forecast ahead of racing at Tauranga on Saturday but Donna Logan is hoping the worst of it stays away. The South Auckland trainer is set to take half a dozen runners to the Bay of Plenty meeting, including her exciting Group Three performer Yokozuna (Fierce Impact), who will resume in the J Swap Contractors 3YO 1200. “I am looking forward to seeing him back,” Logan said. “I am hoping there is not too much rain because I am uncertain about how much rain he can handle.” The son of Fierce Impact has had just the two starts to date, winning on debut as a late juvenile at Ruakaka last July before finishing runner-up to the well-performed filly Tajana (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at the Northland venue a month later. He has subsequently been given time to mature and Logan is pleased with the way he is coming up, having won his lead in trial over 1000m at Tauranga last month. “He has been off the scene for quite some time,” Logan said. “He has strengthened up a lot, is growing physically and I look forward to seeing what he can produce for us. “He probably wasn’t a two-year-old when you see how he has matured now, so that was pretty encouraging that he did what he did as a young horse. “Our apprentice, Tom Wigram, rode him (in his trial last month) and I thought it was a nice effort. He was probably a bit further forward than I had anticipated in his prep, so I was quite happy with him.” Logan said she has no set plans for Yokozuna and said his performance this weekend will dictate his next steps. “We are going to have to be guided by how he performs and how the weather treats us,” she said. Of her remaining runners, Logan is particularly looking forward to lining up Unwritten (NZ) (Telperion) and Syracuse (NZ) (Swiss Ace) in the Craigs Investment Partners 1400. The pair were unplaced over a mile at Te Aroha last week and Logan has elected to drop them back in distance this weekend. “I thought Unwritten would have won another one by now, but Opie (Bosson, jockey) said she didn’t get the mile,” Logan said. She and Syracuse are having a quick backup. They raced at Te Aroha and they really didn’t let down on the track conditions that day. “I am hoping back to 1400m we see a bit more. Syracuse has won at Tauranga so let’s see what she can perform like back there over 1400m.” Meanwhile, Logan’s Group Two performed two-year-old Parfait Dimanche (Anders) has returned to breeder and part-owner Tony Rider’s Milan Park for a spell following her unplaced run in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) last Saturday. That run concluded a pleasing juvenile season that netted placings in the Gr.2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m) and Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m), and Logan is looking forward to her returning to the barn ahead of her three-year-old campaign. “She pulled up a treat (after the Sistema),” Logan said. “We have sent her home for a well-deserved spell. She will strengthen up and I am sure she will come back better and stronger as a three-year-old.” View the full article

Stephen Ralph is more than happy to stick with a winning combination in his pursuit of a maiden stakes victory on Saturday for the in-form Leroy Brown (NZ) (Ace High). The Te Awamutu trainer has rewarded apprentice Jack Taplin for his performance aboard the five-year-old last time out with the ride on the freegoer in the Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga. They combined to run their rivals ragged in an open handicap over a mile and Ralph will be hoping for more of the same from the duo at the weekend. “I said to Jack at Matamata that you should be able to lead and it was a 10 out of 10 ride, it was absolutely perfect,” Ralph said. “We like to form a relationship between the horse and the jockey and try and stick with it.” Leroy Brown also has an impressive record at Tauranga where the son of Ace High has three wins and two placings to his credit with his only failure a midfield finish in the Japan Trophy 12 months ago. “Last year, he just took off and hopefully this time he doesn’t grab the bit and charge off,” Ralph said. “In the past, he has done too much in the run, but mentally he is getting a lot better.” While Leroy Brown’s outside gate (15) is a concern, he does possess enough gate speed to cross the field to land his favoured frontrunning role. “We’ve got a bit of a problem with the barrier draw, but if it does get a bit wetter then he may not have to spend as much petrol to get to the lead,” Ralph said. “Anything from a Good4 to a Soft7 is in his range, but when it gets up to a 10 his racing manners aren’t conducive to a result. “You can’t go flat out in Red Band gumboots and think you’re going to win.” Should the gelding run up to expectations at Tauranga, a trip south for the Listed Bramco Granite & Marble Flying Handicap (1400m) is on the radar. “He might go down to Trentham, we think it’s a track that suits him and he was only 1.3 lengths off the winner (Quintessa (NZ) (Shamus Award)) there in the Group One (Levin Classic, 1600m) as a three-year-old,” Ralph said. Ralph will also be represented in the Snow Williams Bayleys Country Handicap (2100m) at Tauranga by Perfectmanz (NZ) (Almanzor), a past course and distance winner who didn’t find the Ellerslie track to his liking last time out. “I really like him, he’s got the ability but doesn’t really know it,” Ralph said. “He’s got a high cruising speed and hopefully he doesn’t get boxed in on a slow pace. That will be up to Jack to work out and with a bit of luck, I think he’s a strong chance.” View the full article

Most Kiwis are dreading seeing the mercury levels drop in their thermometers as the country heads into the cooler months, but Wanganui trainer Gerard Cvitanovich is rubbing his hands together with glee. His stable star Knock Off (NZ) (Fabulous) thrives during winter racing, highlighted by his deeds last year where he posted three wins and two placings from five starts, including a runner-up effort in the Gr.3 Metric Mile (1600m). “He is happy over winter, he had a good winter last year,” Cvitanovich said. Cvitanovich is hoping his homebred son of Fabulous is in for a similar preparation this year, which will kick off at his home track on Saturday in the Shane Stone Builders Open 1340, where he will be ridden for the first time by Merena Hudson. Cvitanovich has been pleased with his progression ahead of his first-up assignment and said he will make further plans with his gelding after Saturday’s run. “He seems well. He went to the jumpouts on Tuesday where he just went nice and quietly,” Cvitanovich said. “It’s nice having a race like that right here, so we thought it would be a good time to have a go. “We haven’t got too excited yet. We are just waiting for winter to come really and are just getting him ready, but he seems a happy horse.” Bred by Cvitanovich’s son, Nick, Knock Off is out of winning Rusty Spur mare Princess Nicole (NZ). Cvitanovich has bred just one other sibling out of the mare, a two-year-old full-sister who he is hoping can follow a similar path. Knock Off has become a sentimental favourite for Cvitanovich after becoming his first winner in over two decades when winning his maiden race two years ago. He has now won four and placed in four of his 12 starts to date and has earned more than $107,000 in prizemoney. Knock Off will carry 59kg from barrier seven on Saturday and has been installed a $13 outsider with TAB bookmakers in a market headed by last start winner Ma Te Wa (NZ) (Time Test) ($1.90). View the full article

Where did Freda do that? Assuming you mean indiscretions, not discretions?

So that equates to him being a "piece of shit"? Strong words. I assume you think you are in a position to judge. Obviously you haven't looked at the timeline. That said it appears you haven't read what I posted. In my opinion the reason I wouldn't have employed him is because he didn't put processes and procedures in place as per the Law Society requirements. But you overlooked that. Now there is an old saying that those without sin shall caste the first stone. Do you think that posting online about your employees discretions is without sin? I don't think what Botherway has done deserves him being called a "piece of shit" online. But obviously you have lower standards than most.

I agree. She must have had couple of rums between races

Oh dear. Those voices in your head again.

Very well put Freda. That's it in a nutshell.

As is often the case, the point has floated past you. The porn matter is a by-the-by. If he wants to watch on his own computer and in his own time, that's his business. It is the context of the event(s) and the lack of integrity inherent in his behavior and the attempts to both dodge consequences and maintain employment in a situation where integrity is not just a like-to-have, it is imperative. If he can't monitor his own, he has no right to sit in judgement on others.

Really? Since when did you join the convent? Or is it something in that Racecourse Hotel rum?

We are assuming they didn't know. I find it hard to believe, even though the Law Society would be one of the better agencies to maintain privacy, that someone in the RIB didn't know. BTW the main issue that undid him with the Law Society wasn't the misconduct itself which was minor but the fact that he didn't have the policy, processes and procedures in place to handle workplace misconduct as required by the Law Society. This point seems to fly past most online commentators. In my opinion that is the reason he probably shouldn't be employed at the RIB. I can't work out why the Office Manager(s) didn't have this covered after 7 years. Everything was all good until the employer/employee relationship broke down then the complaint was made. I've seen that happen in employement cases many many times.

RIB need to front foot this and terminate his employment and admit they were not in possession of all the data to make a correct decision on his employment. Botherway knew dam well he would not get the job if he disclosed this 'incident'. He has been deceptive and that disqualifies him from a role concerning other people's integrity. As I said before the porn is not the issue, as distasteful as it might be to some, who probably watch porn anyway

Listen Chiefy. This guy with his position and supposed intelligence doesn't deserve compassion. He knew exactly what he was doing and is as Freda described him is a "piece of shit" Castration springs to mind as a remedy.

Which gets back to my "gun shy" suggestion. The problems you refer to have been building for decades - hard to fix things quickly when the crisis point is reached. Yes I see the visuals but the RIB probably wouldn't have known as the Law Society are pretty rock solid at keeping someones privacy. Even so I have doubts about the RIB employment vetting policies. We all know about the ex-Police staff that have been employed and their records! As for Botherway he is now entitled to practice as a Lawyer. Let's face it the price he is paying for a minor indiscretion (in the overall scheme of things it IS MINOR) and the vitriol he is getting is way over what he deserves. Calling him a piece of shit @Freda goes beyond the pale. I have some compassion for the situation he is in because I have had personal experience not because I actually did anything wrong but because of a false accusation that bought out all the same type of vitriol and hypocrisy. Thankfully social media wasn't a big thing then and I had some staunch close friends that stood by me and managed the media hawks. Later in life I met people who were destroyed because of minor indiscretions or sometimes just unfounded allegations. If not destroyed completely broken. Yes mostly men Yes there are certain things that in my mind you can't come fully back from nor should you be allowed to. I'm not defending the RIB - I doubt they knew. If I'm defending anyone it is Botherway or at least showing some compassion. Does the indiscretion match the crap he is getting? Hell who would want to hold any licensed position in the racing industry or rather who are the individuals that haven't done something that the sanctimonious moral vultures wouldn't tear you apart for if they knew? Why the hell does racing have to hold some moral high ground? It isn't like that in Australia. Some of their license holders have made major indiscretions and haven't faced the vitriol that they would in NZ. We hang people out to dry based on a rumour talked about in a bar!

Peter and Shaun McKay were contemplating the racing future of seven-year-old gelding Giacomo, but he proved he is still up to the task when defending his crown in the Holster Engineering Lally & Symes South Waikato Cup (2000m) at Matamata on Wednesday. The son of Puccini took up his typical front-running role, but he wasn’t given it all his own way, with My Maebelline Girl serving it up to him down the back straight and wrestling away the lead. That placed Giacomo in the uncustomary position of having something to chase, but chase he did and he recaptured the lead from the 400m and saw off the late challenge of Te Akau pair Crown Princess and Altari to win by three-quarters of a length. “It was really good,” Peter McKay said. “He likes to dictate in front and he didn’t get it all his own way. Yesterday he did do it a little bit differently where he has led for a bit and then taken a sit when My Maebelline Girl went around him and then he has got going again before the corner, which he likes to do. “We were thinking it might be his last season of racing but he has now put his hand up again. “He always seems to come right at this time of the year so hopefully he can pick off another one before he goes out at the end of the season.” Looking ahead to the weekend, the McKay’s will cross the Kaimai Range with just the one runner on Saturday, with Just Call Me Johnny to contest the Snow Williams Bayleys Country 2100 at Tauranga. “He has come through his last start win well and he went home to Milan Park for a week and piled on good condition, which was good,” McKay said. “We decided we would go straight into a 2100m rather than last time where we sent him home for a 10-day spell and he went a mile and then 2100m. I just think he is more of a stayer now. “Things are looking good for Saturday, I just hope the rain stays away.” While the stable is light on numbers this weekend, they will have more representation a week later when they trek south to Trentham. “Both of my stayers, Wolfgang and Santa Catalina, are going to the same race, the St Leger,” McKay said. “I would like to split them but it is a 2500m race, which seems to suit them both. It will be nice to see them competing against each other and hopefully they are fighting out the finish.” Meanwhile, McKay has welcomed Group Three winner Spencer back to the barn. The six-year-old son of Derryn has been spelling since his unplaced runs in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) and Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham in January, and McKay is looking forward to racing him over winter. “He has come back and has put a lot of weight on in the time he was out,” McKay said. “He can pick away over winter, he seems to go alright on a wetter track. “We will look at some of those set weights and penalties or weight-for-age races at the end of the season and start of next season. He is capable of plenty more yet.” View the full article

An elite-level test looms for promising juvenile Seize The Day following his comfortable maiden victory in the AKW Farrier LTD 2YO (1200m) at Matamata on Wednesday. Trained locally by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, the Te Akau two-year-old was a beaten favourite on debut at Ellerslie last month, placing behind Summer Schemer and subsequent Group One performer State Of Valour. His conditioners were confident of an improved result on Wednesday and the son of I Am Invincible didn’t disappoint, sitting parked throughout and bounding away in the concluding stages under jockey Opie Bosson to win by 2-3/4 lengths. “He felt good,” Bosson said. “He took a while to come back to me and wanted to over-race a fraction, but he travelled beautifully from the 600m. “He’s a lovely big horse, with a massive stride on him, and gives you a nice feeling when he lets go. “He had run through the line well at Ellerslie after getting a bit lost when balancing up, but once he did, he found the line and it was an encouraging run. “He’s gone forward in his work since then and everything pointed to a good run today. I think he’s going to be pretty competitive over 1400m.” Co-trainer Sam Bergerson was pleased with the win and he is now looking forward to heading south with the colt later this month to tackle the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. “He’s a lovely colt and put it all together and showed it out there today,” Bergerson said. “He was probably a little bit keen, which is hopefully not a chink in his armour as we look to step up to 1400m in the Group One at Trentham, but he was really dominant up the straight and it was exciting to see. “He’s always shown us plenty at home, and obviously he went down as a short-priced favourite at Ellerslie, but we were still very happy with the performance and how he went through the line. “It was good to see what he did on the home track and we’re excited to get him down to Trentham in a couple of weeks.” A full-brother to Group Three winner California Zimbol and a half-brother to stakes winners From Within and Cruden Bay, Seize The Day was purchased out of Yarraman Park Stud’s 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, in partnership with Kia Ora Stud, for A$600,000. View the full article

Not at all. But then I don't know any adult who hasn't seen some. LOL actually it brings to mind some instances in my working career I had to deal with as IT Manager. One case was where the company I worked for was about to have their systems integrated into the Global Parent. I received via DHL several boxes of policy, procedure and systems manuals (an American Company). Being ever the inquisitive student I started working through them - the systems were fascinating as was the phone list of every executive in the company worldwide. I rang a couple of Vice Presidents at the Global Information Systems Headquarters in an effort to get some traction on our NZ integration. Worked a treat as they were genuinely interested in NZ as a country and were often amused when I told them that I looked out of my office in the Head Office at paddocks of sheep! Anyway while getting through these folders I came across the Global policy on internet use. In NZ we had very few policies in place and the internet was still quite novel and only the management had access to it. I was the only one who had access to the logs of who was viewing what. Anyway the Global policies were very strict and the consequences quite high so I thought I better do a check. LOL lo and behold two senior managers were exploring quite a few things they shouldn't have been. My boss was number 2 in the company and was looking at some stuff that was well let's say to the right of soft. I thought I better have a discreet chat with him. Basically I met with him and talked about the policies (no one had read much of these folders - yes all Senior Managers had got a shipment of folders - some were common to all but many were specialist to their roles. I was the only one who had the IT related ones. So I had a meeting, explained the policies and what they meant, then explained the detailed logs that were kept on internet access including all the links to all the websites visited. I sensed a subtle realisation dawning upon my boss. I then said would it be prudent before the integration that I filtered and flushed some of these logs for the purposes of simplying the integration. Yes he said that would be a good idea. I also suggested he might wish to raise the topic at the next executive meeting or would he rather I sent out a memo. He chose the former. LOL I received a formal written warning that year - I averaged about one a year normally for going ahead and doing things that wasn't approved - I worked on the principle of fix it now and ask for forgiveness later. The next annual salary and bonus review was an interesting one and needless to say I argued well my case for an increase.

One day after the latest hearing in a federal Bankruptcy Court in Chicago over Hawthorne's insolvency dealings, a slight equipment delay puts a question mark over the start of training in preparation for a Spring Thoroughbred meet, but there appears to be movement over important simulcast signals going back online. According to Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) President Chris Block, the trucks to haul the dirt surface to the track have been rented, but the loaders needed to move the dirt into the trucks have yet to arrive. “The conversion of [the track] is on hold until all the equipment arrives and then the project can start,” said Block, Wednesday. “We don't know which day that'll happen, but we're hopeful that will happen the next couple days.” If the necessary equipment can be hired and in action by Friday, then the track could be ready for training by next Wednesday, Block speculated. A tentative start date for the meet has been pegged at Sunday, Apr. 19. “That's just a very uncertain timeline, for sure,” said Block. It's also the latest twist in a story that has unfurled since Hawthorne, and its related companies, filed for a Chapter 11 business reorganization at the end of last month. The filing is built around a “debtor in possession” financing mechanism, which is when a debtor “keeps possession and control of its assets while undergoing a reorganization under Chapter 11.” Hawthorne has secured temporary funding of around $16 million from JDI Loans, with a 120-day term limit on these funds. During Tuesday's bankruptcy hearing, Judge Timothy Barnes agreed that Thoroughbred owners and trainers will soon have access to monies in their track bookkeeper accounts (previously frozen), which includes earnings as well as funds submitted in advance of the meet. Block said he was unsure exactly when those accounts will be unfrozen. “We're going to stay on top of it daily,” he said. According to Hawthorne's initial bankruptcy filing, the company's estimated assets are between $50 million and $100 million, while the estimated liabilities are between $100 million and $500 million. The list of creditors who have the 20 largest unsecured claims are led by Fanatics LLC, a digital sports platform licensed in Florida, which has an unsecured claim of $8.75 million, according to the filing. There are several entities that had stopped sending its simulcast signal to Hawthorne because of unpaid bills. This includes The Stronach Group (TSG) owned Monarch Content Management with an unsecured claim of $7.13 million, Casears with a claim of roughly $750k, and Penn National with a claim of slightly more than $491k. During Tuesday's bankruptcy hearing, said Block, it was discussed that these companies could turn their signals back on pending a written agreement with the track that would see a portion of these monies paid back. Indeed, Block added that track management had told him Wednesday that on Thursday and Friday, the simulcast signals for Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita and Hoosier Park were scheduled to go back online. Hawthorne is also responsible for a significant amount in bounced checks between dozens of individuals from the Harness racing world. More than $1.6 million exists between the bounced checks and existing Thoroughbred accounts, said Block. But coming out of Tuesday's hearing, the funds owed to harness owners and trainers will remain withheld for now. “The ITHA's attorney argued in court today that owners and trainers on both the Thoroughbred and harness sides should be made whole. But the judge accepted an argument, made by creditors, that the court should prioritize Thoroughbred racing with the limited funds available, given the impending start of our meet,” the ITHA wrote in a Tuesday press release. If the necessary track renovations are conducted and a Thoroughbred meet is approved, there remain questions over what that meet might look like. According to Block, there are about 200 Thoroughbreds currently stabled at the track. Other trainers are waiting to potentially ship in. During last year's meet, there were roughly 640 horses stabled at Hawthorne. “And it was tough to maintain it at that,” said Block, about the meet. Does he expect that same number of horses this year, if indeed the meet goes ahead? “To be honest with you, I don't think so,” he said. Since last year's meet, Illinois horsemen and women haven't reinvested in young stock like they used to, he said. “Not to mention all the negative talk around this. It's probably pushed some horsemen the other way. “I'm sure there's some new ones here and there,” he added. “But I can't imagine that number's going to go up anywhere over 650. And from my thinking, it's probably going to be under that.” The next hearing in Hawthorne's bankruptcy proceedings is scheduled for Mar. 17. The post Hawthorne Latest: Slight Track Renovation Equipment Delay, Possible Movement On Simulcast Signals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Are you the President of Porn-Watchers United?

To be honest CS, racing administration has bought on a lot of the opprobrium it gets through the mismanagement of the projects it takes on. Delay in addressing Hastings, problems with the Awapuni track, the development at Alexandra Park that went belly up, even Ellerslie's new track in the early stages, and other issues to do with the allocation of spending and programming You could be well excused for coming to the conclusion that the people in charge are not very competent. I don't know the reasons why these things go wrong, social media is not reliable in giving you an accurate picture Anyway back to Mr Botherway. It's not like the running of racing in NZ has a whole heap of runs on the board, so they need to stop digging holes for themselves. Issuing this guy a trainers license for example may have not been to the liking of some, but he was offered a job as an adjudicator on integrity, which as I have said before is not appropriate because his own integrity is in question Racing admin needs to stop shooting itself in the foot if it wants to be respected by the industry it administers. You can't keep defending a regime that does not help itself, and that is what you are doing

Sorry why is this guy a "piece of shit"? The Law Society don't consider his crime to be as serious as you infer. He was watching porn on his computer in his office of the company he was the sole proprietor of. His staff caught sight of snippets for six years and then complained to the Law Society. Obviously when they had finally decided to leave. He copped the punishment and has served the penalty.

Alleged drug positives. Sorry I'm not privy to the full rum medicated discussions at the Racecourse Hotel. As for employing those with a record of sexual abuse? It can't be this person who is the subject of this Topic as they haven't committed any sexual abuse let alone been convicted of it. I note that the RIB employee referred to in this Topic is now free to practice law with his suspension having been completed. The penalty was very low in severity which is commensurate with the indiscretion. But no let the sanctimonious preach holier than thou... I see the journalist has scored yet another headline with the person in quesion being suspended from rugby referring. I guess there was a real risk that he would look at his laptop during an injury break. No wonder the All Blacks are stuffed!

I wouldnt put money in the pool so that their people can bet irresponsibly in contrast to the TAB’s slogan, Bet Responsibly! If it was their personal money they were spending then they would not be gambling like they do on the show! And yet, others get limited to net what I consider a miserley amount? The hypocrisy is appalling!

The head post isn't my post. In answer to your question - no. I'm surprised you haven't picked up the nuance - well not surprised as you seem to get a bee in your bonnet and gnaw at the bone of trashing racing.

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL – Brisk trade continued from start to finish of the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training Wednesday in Central Florida and the day concluded with figures well ahead of the auction's 2025 renewal. The session was topped by a filly by Nyquist who sold for $2 million to Boyd Racing from the Wavertree Stables consignment. Through two sessions of the three-day sale, 295 horses have sold for $51,336,500. After two sessions in 2025, 269 horses had grossed $39,588,000. The two-day average stands at $174,022 and the median is $90,000. At the conclusion of the sale a year ago, the average was $152,351 and the median was $70,000. With 94 horses reported not sold at the close of business Wednesday, the two-day buy-back rate is 24.2%. It was 21.8% at the same point in 2025. The session-topping daughter of Nyquist was one of three to sell for seven figures during the session, bringing the total so far at the sale to six–one off the total number to hit that mark a year ago. Two consignors celebrated their first seven-figure sales Wednesday. Jesse Hoppel sold a $1.05-million son of Mo Town and Susan Montanye's SBM Training and Sales sold a $1.85-million son of Into Mischief, while, with the session topper, Wavertree Stables had its second of the auction, both by Nyquist. “The market is very strong. It's a blessing to see all of these people here,” said Tami Bobo, who sold the Into Mischief colt through the SBM consignment. Bobo credited the strong results with the tax bill passed last year which provided buyers with a 100% depreciation bonus and helped lead to record results at the yearling sales last fall. “The Big Beautiful Bill has done nothing but help all of us,” Bobo said. “So that is why the marketplace is where it is and I think it will continue to sustain itself.” The OBS March sale continues through Thursday with sessions beginning each day at 11 a.m. “She Was a Queen”: Nyquist Filly Steals the Show on Day 2 Maintaining the same spirited clip that was on display on day one, Wednesday's second session's action hit full tilt by the time hip 372, a filly by Nyquist, exited the ring. Highlighting what turned out to be another banner day for consignor Wavertree Stables, the Mar. 26 foal jumped over the seven-figure mark in a flash, and when the dust had settled, Killora/Linton, acting as agent for Boyd Racing, had garnered the filly for $2 million. The filly posted a brisk :9 3/5 eighth of a mile breeze at OBS last week. “She was just an absolute queen the whole week,” said Hannah Jennings, who signed on behalf of Randy and Jenny Boyd. “She was super professional. Obviously, her stride was fantastic on the track and physically she's everything we could want.” Bred by Cannon Thoroughbreds, the Kentucky-bred was a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Forest Bloodstock. The bay is the third foal out of Smooth and Savvy (Lucky Pulpit), a half-sister to Grade I winner Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute). “Plans are to be determined on the trainer, but I think a lot of them will be happy to open a stall for her,” she added. Darley stallion Nyquist is also responsible for another pair of Wavertree grads at OBS–Grade I winners Cavalieri, a $900,000 2023 OBS Spring Sale purchase, in addition to Tenma, an $850,000 Spring Sale buy in 2024. “Nyquist is one of our favorites,” said Jennings of the Kentucky Derby winner. “He can get you a really elite horse and Ciaran Dunne sold two Grade I-winning Nyquist fillies out of OBS sales. So hopefully she can be the third.” The highest-priced juvenile through two days of selling at OBS, the filly was the sole purchase for the Boyds. “It's been so tough,” commented Jennings on the day's activity. “We knew we'd need to stretch for her, but we never thought we'd have to stretch that far. But when the horse is the right one, everyone's on them.”–@CBossTDN 'The Gift That Keeps on Giving': Another Nyquist Home Run for Wavertree Ciaran and Amy Dunne's Wavertree Stables was an early believer in Nyquist, thanks to its frequent partnership with Paul Reddam, who campaigned the 2016 GI Kentucky Derby winner. The consignment continued to reap the benefits of that faith this week at OBS, warming up with a colt by the Derby winner (hip 88) who sold for $1.2-million during Tuesday's first session of the March sale and followed by a $2-million filly (hip 372) sold to Boyd Racing Wednesday. The colt had been purchased for $170,000 and the filly for $300,000 at Keeneland last September. “He's put a lot of meals on the table,” Ciaran Dunne said of Nyquist. “We were very lucky in that we were associated with Mr. Reddam and he raced him. So, obviously from the outset we were exposed to a lot of them. And from day one, they were just good horses. So we kind of got a little bit of a leg up on everybody else. For us, he's the gift that keeps on giving.” Ciaran Dunne | OBS/Photos By Z In recent years, Wavertree has sold subsequent Grade I winners Cavalieri ($900,000 at the 2023 OBS April sale) and Tenma ($850,000 at the 2024 OBS April sale), both by Nyquist. Of the filly who brought $2 million Wednesday, Dunne said, “She is by one of the top stallions in the country. She is a beautiful physical. She had an unbelievable work. She vetted clean. If you can't sell her, you need to quit selling.” For Dunne, the moment lacked one thing with daughter Caitlin home in Kentucky where she is due to deliver her first baby in the coming days. “It's a double-edged sword that Caitlin wasn't here to share it with us because she's been here for pretty much all of our big ones in the past,” Dunne said. “But she is at home doing something way more important.” @JessMartiniTDN $1.85-Million Into Mischief Colt to Fletcher Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni capped a busy day at OBS Wednesday when he bid $1.85 million to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (hip 416) on behalf of Frank Fletcher. The juvenile, who worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5, was consigned by S B M Training and Sales and became the first seven-figure sale for Susan Montanye's consignment. “He is by one of the leading sires in our generation,” Lanni said of the colt. “He's a fast horse. [Trainer] Bill Mott is going to get him and Bill really liked him. So he got a pretty good endorsement.” The colt is out of graded-placed Sweet Diane (Will Take Charge) and is a half-brother to stakes winner Miss Martini (Curlin). Tami Bobo purchased the colt for $75,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Hip 416 | OBSVidHorse “He had compressed hocks,” Bobo said when asked how she had acquired a colt by Into Mischief at that price point last fall. “You've heard me say it before. I am a firm believer in how God makes a horse. For me, it wasn't an injury from day one. I've had graded stakes winners in the past and I've never had a problem with it. Once they fused, you are always good to go.” The colt sold out of Book 5 at Keeneland and Bobo said it was thanks to Denali Stud's Conrad Bandoroff that she became aware of him. “Conrad Bandoroff is a great consignor, he keeps up with his buyers,” Bobo said. “He called me. I was actually in Florida when he told me about the horse. I am never at Keeneland in Book 5, so I was already home. So it was a true blessing. Susan Montanye signed the ticket for me and Susan and [Montanye's husband] Andy, I want to give them props, because they came into the business the hard way. So for her to sell her first million-dollar horse and for us to be able to do that together collectively, it means the world to me.” Of the colt's seven-figure price tag, Bobo said, “I truly thought the horse would bring over $1 million. I really did. The horse has trained like the big horse all year. Susan nicknamed him King Kong early on in the training season. She is diligent in sending us videos, so we really know where we are with our horses. And this horse just continued to show up.” @JessMartiniTDN 'Charlie Wanted Him': $1.05-Million Mo Town Colt to Baoma A colt by Mo Town (hip 299) became the fourth million-dollar juvenile of the OBS March sale when selling to Charlie and Susan Chu's Baoma Corp. for $1.05 million Wednesday in Ocala. Bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, doing his bidding from the press box alongside the Chus and trainer Bob Baffert, signed the ticket on the colt who was consigned by Hoppel LLC. The juvenile worked a quarter-mile in :20 2/5 during last week's under-tack preview. “He is just a big, beautiful, scopey horse,” Lanni said. “He looks like he will go two turns. He is very sound looking. He worked really good. It was a great time, a great gallop out. And he came back sound and good. The good ones are bringing good money. I thought that was plenty for him. But I am happy to get him.” Baoma Corp's Susan Chu with hip 299 | Jessica Martini The Chus were quickly back at the Hoppel barn to great their newest acquisition. Susan Chu, asked what she liked about the 2-year-old, pointed to her husband. “Charlie wanted this horse,” she said with a laugh. “He is the gentleman in charge. But we totally trust Donato, and of course Bob, and they make the best decision for us.” Among the horses the Chus have purchased out of the OBS sales ring are last year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos (Nyquist), who was most recently a game second behind Forever Young (Jpn) in the Feb. 14 G1 Saudi Cup. “We are really so proud of him,” Susan said of Nysos. “He came home last week and he looks excellent.” @JessMartiniTDN 'It Was Unreal': Mo Town Colt a First Million-Dollar Result for Hoppel The usually stoic Jesse Hoppel, from a family which has been selling horses in Ocala for generations, appeared misty eyed after selling his first million-dollar horse Wednesday at OBS. Minutes after Donato Lanni made a $1.05-million bid to acquire a colt by Mo Town on behalf of Baoma Corp., Hoppel said the result, “Exceeded expectations. Period. That was unreal.” The dark bay colt is out of the unraced Reckon (Into Mischief). He was purchased by the Hoppels for $40,000 as a weanling at the 2024 Keeneland November sale. The colt was signed for in the name 'Antigo,' an homage to the birthplace of Don Rice, Hoppel's grandfather, who along with his brother Clyde, were pioneers of the Ocala pinhooking scene. “It would be easier if I just told you what I didn't like about him,” Hoppel said when asked what he had liked about the colt as a weanling. “But it wouldn't be much conversation.” Hoppel recalled discussing the colt with his father, longtime pinhooker Pat, prior to sending him through the ring Wednesday. “I grew up on the sales grounds,” he said. “I have a lot of horses I thought were really good. But me and my dad sat there yesterday and we looked at the horse and he said, 'I don't think I've brought a horse to sale this good before.' And I said, 'I know I haven't, dad.' From my dad, that's a huge compliment.” The seven-figure result capped a profitable few minutes for Hoppel, who also sold a filly by Drain the Clock (hip 284) for $500,000. @JessMartiniTDN Upstart Filly Leads McCrocklin's Bounty on Wednesday Earlier in Wednesday's session, a filly by Upstart realized an $800,000 final bid from agent Marette Farrell bidding on behalf of Mo Speed Racing. Offered as hip 343 by Tom McCrocklin, the Florida-bred filly rounded out the session as the second-highest priced filly of the afternoon. During last Thursday's breeze session, the filly posted a :20 4/5 move for a quarter mile. “That was a great result,” said McCrocklin. “It was not a total surprise once the action started at the barn. She was extremely popular and was vetted a lot. She showed and showed and showed.” Out of Shananies Song (Eltish), the Florida-bred filly was bred by the partnership of McCrocklin and Dr. Carolin Von Rosenberg. Offered at Keeneland November in 2024, McCrocklin bought out Von Rosenberg, securing the filly for $60,000. Tom McCrocklin | OBS/Photos By Z “Carolin wanted to sell her as a weanling, so I bought her half and brought the filly back home,” he said. “She was kind of a superior all the way along. She was one of those types, just a nice filly all along.” The 22-year-old mare is already responsible for seven winners and two graded stakes winners, including GII Swale Stakes winner Favorable Outcome (Flatter) and G3 Al Shindagha Sprint victor Mouheeb (Flatter). Stakes winners and graded placed Beguine (Gun Runner) and Bellamentary (Bellamy Road) are also listed among the mare's produce. “There's so much satisfaction in breeding the mare, raising the the baby, preparing and selling them,” said McCrocklin. “It was very gratifying and I am very grateful for Marette Farrell [buying the filly].” McCrocklin, who still retains the mare, indicated she is booked back to Taiba, who stands at Spendthrift Farm. Did McCrocklin know this filly might be a star right from the beginning? “As a foal, she was just a horse, with a plain brown wrapper. But that's typical of the mare,” he explained. “They are not big, imposing horses, but you can see from her produce record that she produces racehorses.” On day two, McCrocklin also sold hip 453, a filly by Twirling Candy. Out of Tizway's stakes-placed Tizanillusion, the March foal recorded a :20 2/5 quarter-mile breeze last week. The Kentucky-bred was purchased for $600,000 by Alistair Roden Bloodstock, acting agent for Mark Breen. Bred by Steve and Denise Smith's Mesingw Farm, the filly RNA'd for $75,000 at Keeneland last September. “She was a homebred of [the Smiths],” said McCrocklin, “She didn't meet her reserve at Keeneland and they were kind enough to send her to me to get her ready.” Offering his thoughts on the filly after her return from the sales last season, McCrocklin explained, “She was a very fast filly. She just got better and better with time. She started out just a horse and just got better and better the whole time. When she got over here, she prepped like a good horse.”–@CBossTDN NOTHING BUT NET Roadster Colt Gives Scott Geiner a Career High Pinhook Score Scott Geiner, who said he generally pinhooks just a small number of horses a year, had his best success to date when he sold a colt from the first crop of Roadster (hip 320) to Lee Ackerley for $425,000 in Ocala Wednesday. The Louisiana trainer had purchased the colt for $62,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “He was just a nice colt as a yearling,” Geiner said. “He had a pretty walk. I thought maybe this was one I could make a little money with and I wound up making a bunch of money.” The dark bay colt is out of multiple stakes-placed San Antonio Stroll (Stroll) and is a half-brother to multiple graded winner Damon's Mound (Girvin). From Keeneland, Geiner sent the colt to consignor Omar Ramirez for the winter. “Omar liked him the whole time,” Geiner said. Scott Geiner | Jessica Martini The colt worked a quarter-mile at last week's under-tack preview in :21 flat. “After he worked last week and yesterday and today, he had the right people come look at him,” Geiner said of expectations for the sale Wednesday. “So we thought, $199,000, and I think we put $149,000 in the box.” While the colt exceeded expectations, Geiner had a back-up plan, just in case. “If I didn't get what I wanted for him, I would have raced him, but he worked good and I knew I'd get more money selling than keeping him,” Geiner said. Geiner continued, “I do a couple pinhooks a year. And I've done pretty good, but this is the highest. I pinhooked one a couple of years ago in Texas for $72,000 and got $265,000. Last year in Texas, I bought one for $30,000 and got $135,000.” Asked if this result might convince him to do more pinhooking, Geiner said, “I am kind of picky with what I want to get and I don't want to spend too much in case I've got to keep them.” @JessMartiniTDN The post $2-Million Nyquist Filly Leads Vibrant Trade at OBS March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article