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A paramedic at Turf Paradise has been suspended 90 days for refusing to take a breathalyzer test after the track's stewards found “reason to believe the licensee had consumed alcohol and/or was intoxicated” on Feb. 14. In addition to the suspension, which runs two weeks beyond the May 2 closing date of the current Turf Paradise meet, the paramedic, Robert Winters, “is ruled off for the duration of the term of his suspension and barred from all grounds under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Department of Gaming Racing Division,” according to the Feb. 21 ruling. In that ruling, the track's three stewards-Jason Hart, Claudia Alvarez and John Adams–had cited “substantial evidence” to find that Winters had violated parts of the Arizona Administrative Code related to horse racing. But the stewards did not detail any specifics of those findings in their ruling against Winters, nor did the stewards write about any paramedic-related irregularities in their daily stewards' report for Feb. 14. TDN attempted to get some context on the safety ramifications of what happened, like whether or not the paramedic's alleged intoxication occurred while he was part of an on-track ambulance crew during morning training or for the afternoon races. But regulators, track officials, and a representative for The Jockeys' Guild did not respond to Monday's queries prior to deadline for this story. Emails sent Feb. 23 to both the deputy director of the Arizona Department of Gaming (Shannon Nelson) and to that agency's deputy director of operations (John Mazza), did not yield replies. Nor did a phone message that a Turf Paradise receptionist on Monday said would be hand-delivered to the three stewards. The same non-responses also followed voicemails left on the cell phones of Tom Ludt, the general manager at Turf Paradise, and for Darrell Haire, the western regional manager for The Jockeys' Guild. The allegations outlined in the ruling represent only one side of the story. TDN could not reach Winters, and it was unknown if he has appealed or plans to appeal the ruling against him. The post Paramedic at Turf Paradise Ruled Off for Alleged Intoxication appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On Feb. 23 episode of BloodHorse Monday: Trainer and co-owner John Ennis talks about Great White's victory in the John Battaglia Memorial Stakes, Byron King gives insight to his Derby Dozen rankings, Tod Wojciechowski on new safety measures at OBS.View the full article

This year's Pennsylvania-Bred Stakes Schedule will offer $1,700,000 in purses across 20 stakes races. All three of Pennsylvania's racetracks will host stakes.View the full article

The only way to stop the sell off is to change the constitution of the Club or it will just continue and we will be stuck in a time warp. So here ya go, let us know how the vote goes? [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email] 24 February 2026 Tim Mills Chief Executive Canterbury Jockey Club Inc. PO Box 11137, Sockburn Christchurch 8443 RE: Notice of Remit to Amend the Constitution of the Canterbury Jockey Club Inc. Dear Mr. Mills, I am writing to formally submit a remit for consideration at the next General Meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club Inc. As a member of the Club, I wish to propose an amendment to the Club’s Constitution to ensure greater transparency and member oversight regarding the disposal of Club assets. Specifically, this remit proposes that any sale or long-term lease of Club land with a market value of $1,000,000 (one million dollars) or more must be subject to the approval of a majority of the Club's members.https://bitofayarn.com Proposed Remit: "That the Constitution of the Canterbury Jockey Club Inc. be amended to include a clause stating that no parcel of land owned or held by the Club shall be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of for a consideration exceeding $1,000,000 without first obtaining the support of a majority of members via a vote at an Annual or Special General Meeting." Rationale: The land held by the Canterbury Jockey Club is its most significant long-term asset. Decisions regarding the divestment of such substantial assets have a lasting impact on the Club’s future and its ability to support racing at Riccarton Park. Requiring majority member support for transactions of this scale ensures that the governance of the Club remains aligned with the collective interests of its membership.https://bitofayarn.com Ngāi Tahu Property I request that this remit be included in the notice of business for the upcoming meeting in accordance with the Club’s rules and the Incorporated Societies Act 2022, which requires all societies to update or maintain their constitutions by 5 April 2026. Incorporated Societies Incorporated Societies I look forward to your confirmation of receipt and details regarding when this remit will be put to the members.https://bitofayarn.com Yours sincerely, [Your Signature] [Your Printed Name] Member, Canterbury Jockey Club Inc.

The 2026 Thoroughbred meet at Hawthorne is supposed to start in just over a month. The ominous wall of silence and uncertainty hanging over the track's future, however, is leaving the horsemen and women relying on the meet's go-ahead “extremely worried and concerned,” said Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (ITHA) president Chris Block on Monday. “We've implored the [Illinois Racing Board] executive director and the chairman [Daniel Beiser] that they get Hawthorne to the table. I'm hopeful that'll happen,” said Block, who estimated that there are currently around 175 Thoroughbreds stabled at the track, under the watch of about ten different trainers. Both Block and ITHA executive director Dave McCaffrey, however, voiced frustration they've been unable to elicit any concrete details about whether the financing will be in place for the Thoroughbred meet to go ahead, and whether track operators have managed to nail down an agreement with investors to operate a casino. “I don't know the details of where things stand on that, their pursuit to get their financing in place and the mess that they're in cleaned up,” he added. In 2019, the state granted Hawthorne the go-ahead to convert its old grandstand into a casino. Since then, nothing concrete has materialized on that possibility despite repeated promises to the contrary by track operators. At last month's racing board meeting, John Walsh, Hawthorne's assistant general manager, suggested once more that a deal was imminent. “We're working with a new partner, someone nearby, someone interested in Illinois and Illinois racing, who really wants all of this to succeed and move quickly,” said Walsh, who stood in last minute for absent Hawthorne president and general manager, Tim Carey. “Whatever's going to happen is going to happen in the next two or three weeks,” Walas added, at the time. Nearly a month later, “no one has ever called Dave McCaffrey or Chris Block over here and said, 'Hey, here's where things stand,' which is really infuriating and frustrating to say the least,” said Block. “Unfortunately as of today we have no additional information we can share, however, perhaps later in the week you are welcome to call for possible updates,” wrote Illinois Racing Board executive director Domenic CiCera in an email Monday, responding to a request for a status update. The racing board did not respond to follow-up questions. Over the weekend and into Monday, the TDN also made repeated attempts to contact Tim Carey, the track's CEO of Gaming Kevin Kline, director of racing Jim Miller, as well as Walsh. None of them responded. If it goes ahead, Hawthorne's Thoroughbred meet is set to begin March 29. That's a big if, however. At last month's racing board meeting, the extent of Hawthorne's financial troubles, and with it the enormous ramifications for industry stakeholders in the state, were made glaringly clear. The track's standardbred stakeholders have been the hardest hit. The meeting followed the action of the state racing board to suspend the operating license of Suburban Downs, Inc., which manages Hawthorne's harness meet, for “failure to provide documentation demonstrating its financial integrity, and proof that they can meet the minimum standards” as outlined in state law. Hawthorne is responsible for more than $580,000 in bounced checks between some 66 individuals in recent months, according to an Illinois Harness Horsemen's Association representative. The ITHA is apparently owned around $600,000 from Hawthorne for payments dating back seven months. Some horsemen and women have also been unable to access monies in their horseman's bookkeeper accounts at the track. This includes earnings as well as funds put into the account in advance of the meet. According to McCaffrey, the organization has retained an attorney to help free up those funds. “There are a bunch of Thoroughbred people whose accounts are inaccessible,” said McCaffrey. “We've retained an attorney to protect the rights of our owners and trainers and jockeys and whoever has money over there.” As for preparations to prepare the track for Thoroughbreds with the end of the Standardbred meet, Block explained that while the rail has been switched, the annual reconditioning of the track surface is moving along in slow-motion fashion. “They normally contract that out to a company that brings in some heavy equipment-semi-trucks and tractor trailers-that they can use to expedite the process of putting the surface down,” said Block. That hasn't happened. Instead, the usual track maintenance crew are using existing equipment, which is wholly inadequate for doing a quick job, said Block. “That'll take forever to put that down with the little bit of equipment they have there,” said Block. Last week, the ITHA issued an email to its constituents with the headline: “Past Time for Tim Carey to Address ITHA Members About Hawthorne's Financial Condition and Plans; Commit to Racing at Hawthorne at Your Own Risk.” When asked what will happen to the horsemen and women and the horses currently stabled at Hawthorne if the meet doesn't go ahead, Block predicted some will likely move their shingle to Fairmount Park, in Southwest Illinois. However, “there'll be some that will probably just step away. I don't think they're equipped to go anywhere else on the financial side of it,” said Block. “I feel extremely sorry for these people. I mean, they're hardworking horsemen that have been in Chicago for their whole lives. Their homes are here. Their families are here. I think there's quite a bit of anxiety and concern,” said Block. “I hear it daily. They want an update and I feel really bad that I can't give them any positive news right now. It's getting old to be honest with you, to tell them the same story week after week,” said Block, who suggested that some concrete answers about the upcoming meet need to be delivered by the end of February. “That's why I implored the racing board that we need some more clarity than just what we're hearing here, and by the end of this week, so these horsemen can make some hard decisions,” he said. The post Hawthorne Update: Illinois Stakeholders ‘Extremely Worried and Concerned’ Over Status Silence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

They extended the cut off time until Feb 20 for the trotters slot race, any news?

Constitution Hill's owner says he has Melbourne on his mind—and Melbourne says it would love to have him.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features an expensive recruit from last year's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. 5.12 Newcastle, Novice, 3yo/up, 8f 5y (AWT) DOMENICO CONTARINI (IRE) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) makes his keenly-anticipated debut for Amo Racing 10 months on from causing a stir at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale. A 750,000gns purchase by Kia Joorabchian there, the Kevin Philippart de Foy-trained relative of the A-lister Lope De Vega and Group 1 winner Danceteria (Redoute's Choice) encounters another high-profile newcomer in Wathnan Racing's €550,000 Arqana May Breeze-up purchase Midsummer Storm (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a Karl Burke-trained son of the Group-placed Last Waltz (Danehill Dancer) from the family of the Lockinge hero Keltos. The post Amo’s Tattersalls Craven Sensation Domenico Contarini Debuts at Newcastle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eric Percy used to commentate the Rugby from Blenhiem I think. Ian Chambers good caller.

The first and best commentator I heard on the circuit was Jack O'Donell from Greymouth. I memorised some of his race calls of my Dad's horses winning. I remember big fields in those days 18 or more horses going round. Real tactical events and an impressive sight. Especially a staying event where they turned for home up that uphill straight at Richmond. "...they're a great sight in sunshine as they make there way around the showground bend. Jack Smolenski immediately gives the dust sheet a tap or two and his charge is out by a couple of lengths, Canny Glen is the big danger, Tilford starting to make a run from the back...they straighten up and set sail for home Canny Glen is put under pressure, Tilford still making his run.....and here's High Chaparall making a big run down the outside, High Chaparall, there's a furlong to go and High Chaparral has swooped to the lead...High Chaparral bolts in - this will be a boilover!" Dad and Joe Hill once again pocketed great wads of $20 notes!

Kieran Kourdache was named the 2026 Employee of the Year at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, which were held at Ascot Racecourse on Monday. The event, now in its 22nd year, was hosted by ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin and featured special guest appearances from dual champion Flat jockey William Buick and Harry Skelton, who was crowned champion jump jockey in 2020/21. Together Buick and Skelton presented the top prize to Kourdache, who also received a total of £15,000 in prize-money – £10,000 for being named Employee of the Year and another £5,000 for winning the Rider/Racing Groom Award earlier in the ceremony. In addition, £15,000 will be shared among his colleagues at Karl Burke's Spigot Lodge, where Kourdache is employed as travelling head lad. Nick Luck, chair of the Judging Panel, said, “Once again, the standard in each category has been extremely high. Right from the beginning of this process, the quality of the nominations we received was extraordinary and I would like to thank everybody who put such care and attention into putting forward their friends and colleagues for consideration. “All of our winners this evening could not be more deserving. That the standard was so high this year serves only to demonstrate the outstanding qualities of our Employee of the Year, Kieran. It was clear throughout the judging process that Kieran was held in the highest regard, and it is not hard to understand why. “Kieran is a remarkably charismatic person and one with so many strings to his bow. The fact that he has chosen to make his career in our sport is not only something for which we should be extremely grateful but demonstrates that racing has so much to offer. I very much hope that his example inspires others to explore the many career opportunities that racing has to offer.” Organised by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards offered a total of £128,500 in prize-money across six categories, in addition to the main award. The finalists for each category (with winners in bold) were as follows: Newcomer Award Emma Skerritt – Richenda Ford Freddie Wilks – Charlie Johnston Poppy Hatton – Folland-Bowen Bloodstock Leadership Award Carrie Sanderson – Karl Burke Claire Freeman – Dan Skelton Louisa Allen – Jim Boyle Rider/Groom Ellie Jefferson – Christian Williams Kieran Kourdache – Karl Burke Michelle Kramer – Paul Nicholls Stud Award Dayna Walsh – Tweenhills James Goddard – Chasemore Farm Oleh Ihnatenko – Whitsbury Manor Stud Dedication Award Christopher Pattenden – Diana Grissell Derek Snaith – Charlie Fellowes Helen Halliwell – James Fanshawe Community Award Anna Collins – Chester Racecourse Geraldine Jones – Godolphin Hayley Clements – Micky Hammond Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, added, “I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Kieran on being named the Employee of the Year for 2026. Even among such a high-quality field Kieran really stood out. He is clearly somebody who leaves a positive impression on all who meet him and I am delighted that British racing can count him among our number. “My congratulations also go to all this evening's winners and finalists, as well as all those nominated throughout this year's process. To be nominated alone is a tremendous achievement and something of which you should all rightly be very proud. “I would like to thank Godolphin for their generous ongoing sponsorship of these awards, to the judges who give so much of their time to decide upon our winners, and to my colleagues at the BHA who work incredibly hard to make this special event happen.” The post Kieran Kourdache Named 2026 Employee of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Why would I go "hunting" for those posts when there is @Newmarket , @JJ Flash , @Huey and @Comic Dog doing it for me?

Reality is that HRNZ is not in any financial position to be bailing anyone out from what I have heard? Reserves they had have been spent and they are surviving off the Entain cash splash? If Brodie is wrong on this, I challenge anyone to come on BOAY and deny this! HRNZ really do need to come out and state what the plan is for harness racing now and in the future!

By Jordyn Bublitz With two runners in the same race, Levin trainer Murray Gibbs is hopeful about his chances at Manawatu tonight. Stablemates Bet On Polly and Genuine Imitation both bring strong form-lines into Race 3, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Supports NI Breeders Mobile Pace (5.49pm). Bet On Polly, a five-year-old daughter of Betting Line, was outstanding at her most recent start at Palmerston North. Sent straight to the lead, she ran her rivals into the ground and dug deep late to score by half a neck in tough fashion. “I was very pleased with her. She’s a typical mare who has a lot of seasonal issues over the spring and summer, I think she’s on the other side of it now and she really showed us what she can do when she’s right the other night,” Gibbs says. Drawn perfectly in barrier one again, Gibbs is hoping history can repeat. “It is a step up in grade, but to her credit, when she has put it all together she runs reasonable times. So the step up shouldn’t be too bad hopefully.” While Bet On Polly brings experience and recent winning form, it is three-year-old filly Genuine Imitation who might just hold the key to the race. The daughter of Downbytheseaside has had just four career starts, but continues to impress. Last time out at the track she finished a strong second against more seasoned opposition. “She’s my little star, I’m over the moon with her. She was up against 7-win horses and was second-to rank outsider, and managed to run a 28 quarter into second place. I was very pleased with her. “I think she’s taken improvement from that run. She’s got gate speed like her stablemate, and in an ideal world I’d like to see her take the lead with Polly in the trail.” Tactically, Gibbs is not locked into one plan. “She’s a genuine and versatile filly. I think she’d be happy whether she sits parked or has a sit sprint.” So who does he think will come out on top today? “It’s very hard to pick, but just on upside and genuine ability I’d have to go for my wee filly.” “In 30 years of training I’ve never had a quinella, so that would be very nice if we could get that.” Both are at double figure odds, with the Nathan Purdon-trained Crippa Max a commanding favourite. To see the field click here View the full article

That's a bit rich coming from someone who starts a Topic with the intention of bagging a horse that has just picked up a couple of Group 3 placings in OZ. I'm not arrogant enough to tell Mark Walker one of NZ's most successful trainers that he should race his horse for $46k at Kangaroo Island. Instead the Grp 3 OZ placing has added more residual value. I then stick my neck out giving an opinion on what I think that residual value currently is knowing full well that I will be on the end of trolling and derision. I then post a brief rationale of how I determined that figure. No one else as done that one way or another just like I provided an opinion backed by analysis on her performances. One troll from another site @Comic Dog read my residual value comment and supposedly rang a couple of bloodstock valuers to try and score points. Probably because they are not as knowledgeable as they make out to be or too lazy to do some research. Mind you the same types think Jamie Richards is doing really well in Hong Kong when the statistics show otherwise. 4 seasons to get 100 winners and has always been in the bottom half of the trainers premiership. If you want to be in a misogynist echo chamber where only those that agree with each other are allowed to comment or where the site owner bans you for posting the very type of post you just did then go for it.

I think gammas got it wrong with regards to some sporting organisations running on debt, many football clubs overseas are owned by tycoons and having a football club is just a plaything for them, most sporting organisation's have to profit or their gone, Rugby and league clubs in UK often fold and remember NZ is only a small place, Australia got rid of the Melbourne Rebels, Otago Rugby faced insolvency once, hard to believe, got bailed out but I honestly can't see how Auckland Harness can keep going, it's only a matter of time, Cambridge, don't know anything about them but if their was or is to be a bailout where is it coming from?...no good running to Winston, the galloping guys conned him with their AWT money, he gave money in good faith but all we seem to get is negativity, 30 mill, lot of money, Sure Auckland were unfortunate that their great scheme came undone, happens just like many of the rogues in the property business, but shit happens.

May have been but was a long time ago, interesting place to gave a track, but must have gone to considerable lengths to get it made, can you recall Eric Percy's commentaries back in Nelson Blenheim circuit, or did they have someone else, Ian Chambers may have done it up there to, at some stage

When have you ever posted…. Sorry all, i was wrong with my comments i posted previously… You will be hunting a long time, as for me, i admit when wrong because i am not an arrogant arsehole.

Gamma, ask Andrew Neal what he thinks of David Branch blowing hundreds of thousands on “The Race” and putting the Cambridge harness racing in jeopardy? Going to be very interesting to see if HRNZ gets the approval to buy the land off Cambridge, they probably will though! The thing is it will only be putting a bandage over a festering wound unfortunately! It is good to have positivity Gamma about the future of harness racing in NZ, however the realism of the plight that the North Island is in, will play out in the future unfortunately.

The last opportunity to nominate foals born in 2025 to the Breeders' Cup program for a one-time late nomination fee of $1,500 is Saturday, Feb. 28 at 11:59 p.m. ET. This $1,500 nomination entitles each foal with lifetime eligibility to the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Breeders' Cup racing programs. All foals sired by a fully nominated North American Breeders' Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders' Cup program in their year of birth and up to Feb. 28 of their yearling year. Nomination fees for 2025 foals not nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by Feb. 28 will be increased to $12,000 for horses sired by a Breeders' Cup-nominated stallion and to $18,000 for horses sired by a non-nominated stallion before July 15 of the horse's 2-year-old year. After July 15 of their 2-year-old year, racehorse nomination fees increase substantially. Breeders' Cup foal nominators will earn $10,000 for every victory in the worldwide Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, and every horse that starts in a Breeders' Cup World Championship race will earn a nominator award. The individual nominating the foal receives these nominator awards even though the horse may change hands throughout its racing career. Anyone that purchased a 2025 eligible foal that wasn't nominated prior to the Oct. 15 deadline can become the foal nominator of record for the horse's racing career. Over $1 million is paid out annually in foal nominator awards. The post Breeders’ Cup Late Foal Nomination Deadline Closes Feb. 28 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Another foaling year has begun and I truly have learned to go into each season with a “brace yourself” mentality as any long-term breeder realizes it is the only way you can keep your sanity year after year. This season, we continue to tackle the flock to the big-book first years and proven sires while breaking out the crystal ball to try to guess which of the bubble horses will succeed when their progeny hits the track. If any of you have ever participated in Geoffrey Russell's freshman sire contest, you will quickly learn that what you think you know you do not know and it becomes a humbling experience every year with my husband always strutting around thinking he is going to win in October before fading in the stretch! I begin my thoughts with a Frank Taylor story to which I am sure many of you all can attest. I see Frank's name flash on my screen knowing well that I am going to get the full-court press on whatever wild idea he is needing supported that all of his siblings have already shot down in the Taylor Made family tree board meetings. “Carrie, I am calling you because I want your opinion on a horse that we are looking to potentially stand at stud” My eyes instantly roll thinking of the parade of yokes that I normally have to drive out to see when this question is poised by a stallion farm. I arrive to the barn with skepticism and ask to see the stallion prospect I have been called about. Out walks this snow white 16.2hand Adonis with the presence of his super sire, Tapit, and I instantly am transported to that first day at Gainesway Farm when his father retired to stud. That year was 2005 and he was standing for $15,000LF. Literally deja vu. I called Frank before the front gates could even close behind me with a resounding yes! yes! yes! with When Harry Met Sally enthusiasm to Arthur's Ride! Beauty, brains, speed, sire power, family, Champion dam. Machmer Hall mares: A Nite in Cairo (Cairo Prince), Wild Story (Exaggerator), Campaigning (Nyquist), Field of Flowers (City Zip), Hava Nagila Hava (Malibu Moon), and Little Miss Macho (Mucho Macho Man) all slated to be bred to him. Hopefully Arthur's Ride will redeem me from telling Frank “absolutely not considering Giant's Causeway has never had a successful son at stud in America,” when he called me to buy a share in..yes, you guessed it. Not this Time. Arthur's Ride | Sarah Andrew Speaking of Not This Time, I had an agent call me and to hear the words, graded stakes winner, great pedigree, big, beautiful and reasonably priced in the same sentence is Kentucky broodmare gold. I try to always act coy when I hear of these types and respond “sounds interesting.” Meanwhile, I am literally doing cartwheels in my living room with my phone on speaker. Circle Of Trust (Union Rags) shipped in as advertised, actually even more stunning than I imagined! She is booked to Not This Time on a $250,000 live foal season instead of a comp season on the share that I could have had, but turned down. Every year since he retired to stud, we have bred multiple mares to Into Mischief (one year I booked 20!) In August last year as is the norm, I confirmed five mares from Machmer Hall in texts to one of my best friends and super agent, Mark Toothaker. Come the week after the November sale and I get an unusually sheepish call from Mark telling me he “forgot to submit my seasons and now it is too late; he is full.” I literally went through the five stages of grief at this point: denial (is this a joke?); anger (hung up on him); bargaining (here are all the text messages of me confirming); depression (you sure Ned won't bend?); acceptance (well we better find a NG season). Mark was like, “Carrie, have I EVER forgotten to book a mare for you in the decade-plus we have been doing this? I just don't know what's came over me?” “No.. No Mark you have not.” Sigh.. Not a month later, I get a text that Mark is in the hospital with a brain tumor and going to surgery that day! He literally calls me from his hospital room being wheeled into pre-op and the first thing he says to me is `well, now we know why I forgot your damn mares!' Successful surgery later and lots of relief, I reach out to Devon Bradley who miraculously had a NG season and maiden mare and stakes winner Blind Trust (Artie Schiller), who we bought privately with James Keogh, is booked to him. He will always be my favorite stallion and I will always be his number one fan even with only one mare booked to him. WARM SUNSHINE (2014, Unbridled's Song–Carolina Sunrise, by Awesome Again), will be bred to Constitution Warm Sunshine and her sister, Simply Sunny, have been anchor Unbridled's Song mares for our farm. Warm Sunshine is a little itty bitty mare that we bought as a yearling in my never-ending quest for them. We raced her and she had a heart the size of Texas. Her first foal is Grade II-winning colt by the best value six-figure stallion in Kentucky, Constitution. Warm Sunshine is now a multiple stakes producer and hopefully her Midnight Lute filly (Lute Warm) can get a piece of black-type at Turfway this month. Currently in foal to Nyquist, Warm Sunshine is booked back to the sire of her GSW Steal Sunshine (Constitution), along with her full sister, Simply Sunny, in addition to Layreebelle (Tale of the Cat), Miss Southern Miss (More Than Ready) and Corposo (Vino Rosso) (I bought the no-guarantee TCA season for her). STRAWBERRY SENSE (2007, A.P. Indy–Strawberry Reason, by Strawberry Road {Aus}), will be bred to Twirling Candy Strawberry Sense is an oldie but goodie..my Mom just LOVES these grand older mares. I was going through the Keeneland November catalogue and the moment I laid eyes on this quadruple stakes producer, I had a big smile come over me. I knew that I was going to get brownie points for this one. We purchased her for $85,000 in foal to Seize the Grey as a 19-year-old and candidly, that has been good luck for our farm as it is the same age we bought Voodoo Lily in foal to Tale of the Cat. Other great older mares such as Saudia, Life Well Lived, Lady Melesi, Miss Shop have all been purchased as older girls that have retired to the farm after their broodmare careers. Miss Shop and Saudia are both current pensioned babysitters at Machmer Hall and Strawberry Sense will join that band upon her retirement here as her final home. She is the dam of a Grade I Candy Ride filly, Kathy's Song, so we figured breeding her to superstar stallion, Twirling Candy, who I also turned buying a share down in and then realized I F'd up royally when I saw his first crop of 2-year-olds breeze…made great sense! She joins fellow Machmer Hall mares, Mojave Desert (Munnings), Becca's Rocket (Idoitmyway), Life Well Lived (Tiznow) and Shade (Street Sense) all going to this over-achieving son of Twirling Candy by whom we have raised Three Grade I winners! Side note: three of these mares are former Machmer Hall homebreds we bought back as broodmare prospects. EGYPTIAN BRIDE (2008, Pioneerof the Nile–Stopshoppingdebbie, by Curlin), will be bred to Chancer McPatrick Egyptian Bride currently in foal to Arabian Knight and Laid Back Lady, currently in foal to Tiz The Law, are slated to go to Chancer McPatrick and the reason we only have TWO mares going to him is because at 9:01 a.m., get the text from Mark… “Chancer coming to stud at Spendthrift!!!!!” I am like, `great, let me take a shower and then respond.' Get out of shower at 9:30 a.m., look at my phone… Chancer is full!!!! I am like, `what on earth? I was in the damn bathroom and the horse is already booked full!' Luckily, Mark's brain was cooperating with me this time and he held me two seasons even though I had not had time to respond. STUDY HARD (2015, Malibu Moon–Silent Academy, by Royal Academy), will be bred to Nyquist Study Hard, the dam of Grade II winner and current Kentucky Derby hopeful Litmus Test (Nyquist), is currently in foal to McKinzie. We bought her as a yearling for $100,000. With my horse addiction in full swing wanting to buy at every sale, I went and looked at yearling fillies for future broodmare potential and I came upon this incredible physical by Malibu Moon, a full sister to a Grade II winner. I was thinking, `Dang it! I will never be able to afford this filly.' I mean she was a 10. Oh, wait! Ask the consignor for her vet report! Ohhh, I see. She does not vet. Excellent news for a broodmare person. Follow her up to the ring and buy her. I distinctly remember the consignor coming up to me to congratulate me saying, “I cannot believe with 12 vets she did not bring more!” We named her after my mother's mantra in life and what I heard 24/7 as a child even though I really did not practice what was always preached. Study Hard's 2023 Nyquist foal was born and at 146 pounds all Craig sent was “Wowza.” Study Hard is booked back to Nyquist for 2026 and she has a 2025 filly by Twirling Candy that we are retaining for the future Machmer Hall broodmare band and she has already been named Keep Studying. ALANA B. (2015, Animal Kingdom–Surf Club, by Ocean Crest), will be bred back to Patch Adams Alana B. is currently in foal to Candy Ride and is a young stakes producer we purchased from Darley carrying her first foal. I was at Churchill Downs the day Patch Adams (Into Mischief) broke his maiden by over 10 lengths and it was a `wow' moment for me especially considering that we own his granddam, Life Well Lived, currently in foal to Practical Joke. A multiple Grade I winner with speed, looks, pedigree and a super sire for a father: what more could you possibly want for $30,000 LF? Total no brainer for us to send Alana B. along with Heidi Maria (Rockport Harbor), Synchronized (Omaha Beach), Wolfbane (Union Rags) and Queen Macha (Keen Ice) to him. He is the most like his sire that I have ever seen in an Into Mischief son going to stud. At the Saratoga 2022 sale, there was a Gun Runner colt that was literally the talk of the sale and ended up a $2.3 million yearling who later became Sierra Leone. I was lucky enough to see him again when he was on a freshening at Ashford and he was even more stunning as an older horse, in impeccable condition and exuding class. I have always felt very connected to his family. We bought his dam's three-quarter sister as a yearling for $8,000 from Legacy Bloostock. Even though I named her Forever Darling since we were going to keep her “forever”… sigh….and even though Albert Davis told me “this filly can really run,” we sold her through as a 2-year-old because the horse trader in me prevailed. Forever Darling went onto win a Grade II and become the dam of Breeders' Cup Classic and Eclipse Award winner and Japan's Horse of the Year Forever Young. Just imagine what kind of broodmare she could have been for Machmer Hall! Well the would-have could-have should-haves is part of any breeder's life, so I have always cheered and admired the family the Oxleys developed. The day of his retirement, I texted Robyn Murray that I would like to submit five Machmer Hall stakes mares to this amazing son of superstar Gun Runner: Asawer (Nyquist), Be My Sunshine (Frosted), Orquidias Biz (Fed Biz), Truth Hurts (Tonalist) and Fortuna Mia (Vekoma). As of me typing this, we currently have 85 foaling mares, 10 barren/aborted mares and 15 maiden mares booked to 47 different stallions at 10 different stallion farms with 19 not having been officially booked yet. We always like to try to see who emerges as the up-and-coming have-to-have 2-year-old sires like Yaupon was last year and Tiz the Law the year before him. This year, when I was down in Ocala in January, the buzz stallion from many 2-year-old consignors was Drain the Clock, so we shall see what happens! Hope you have enjoyed reading about our farm as much as I have enjoyed writing these mating articles featured in the TDN every year. The post 2026 Mating Plans: Machmer Hall appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Plenty – maybe too much – has been said already on the subject of Constitution Hill and whether or not he will run in the Champion Hurdle in a fortnight's time. While we all have our opinions, it is most important now to respect the decision either way of the horse's owner Michael Buckley and trainer Nicky Henderson. What has become patently clear from their interviews on Friday and over the weekend is how much they feel the weight of responsibility when it comes to doing what is right for Constitution Hill and for racing. Whatever happens this year, he has already provided racing fans with a proper feelgood moment just by appearing at Southwell last Friday evening, never mind the jaw-dropping manner in which he won. The prospect of his future participation in middle-distance and staying races on the Flat is something to relish and will add a real spark to the turf season ahead, at home in Britain and internationally. It has been a little disheartening lately to hear of the plans for disco tents [the very use of that phrase will tell you the vintage of this writer], speed dating and the like in a bid to attract young racegoers. There is no doubt that we want young people to come to the races, but wouldn't it be preferable for them to come to watch, enjoy and learn about the sport that takes place at racecourses, rather than being distracted by noisy sideshows? At what stage does the Invades movement become an invasion? If Friday night proved anything – apart from the fact that Constitution Hill can easily reinvent himself as a star of the Flat – then it is that this game is only ever really about the horse. What incredible scenes those were at Southwell, and, with respect, it wasn't for the opportunity to go on a blind date with Oisin Murphy. The people came, in numbers way beyond those usually seen at Southwell, to pay homage to a great horse, and Constitution Hill gave them a night they will not forget in a hurry. So, Epsom, let's hear a little less of the unappealing plan to have an 'Ibiza beach vibe' throughout the racing on Derby Day. Instead, how about focusing on your efforts on persuading Messrs Buckley and Henderson to run their great horse in the £1m Coolmore Coronation Cup? That's the way to encourage the masses to return to Epsom Downs on the first Saturday in June. Farewell to Reliable Man Last week came the news that the 2011 Prix du Jockey Club winner Reliable Man (Dalakhani) had been euthanised in New Zealand owing to complications following surgery to remove some melanomas. The 18-year-old stallion was understandably a source of great pride to his Swedish owner-breeders Sven and Carina Hanson. He initially won four of his 12 starts in Europe and Canada when trained in France by Alain de Royer Dupre, who had also masterminded the career of the Hansons' great homebred mare Pride (Peintre Celebre). To those victories, which included the the Jockey Club and the G2 Prix Niel, he later added a Group 1 strike down under in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick after being transferred to Chris Waller and racing for a partnership with included the Hansons under their Fair Salinia Ltd banner. That moniker drops a large clue as to Reliable Man's lineage. His granddam was Sven Hanson's dual Classic winner Fair Salinia (Petingo), who, in 1978, gave Sir Michael Stoute his first victory in the Oaks before also claiming the Irish Oaks in the stewards' room on the disqualification of first-past-the-post Sorbus. She later beat that same filly in the Yorkshire Oaks. The mare's seven winners at stud included the Group 3 winners Perfect Circle (Caerleon) and Perfect Vintage (Shirley Heights) as well as On Fair Stage (Sadler's Wells), a Listed winner over a mile who later became the dam of Reliable Man. Reliable Man at Gestut Rottgen | Emma Berry In fact, On Fair Stage was unintentionally an accomplished dual-purpose broodmare, with her son French Opera (Bering) enjoying a lengthy career with Nicky Henderson, for whom his 46 National Hunt starts included victory in the G2 Celebration Chase and G2 Game Spirit Chase. Another half-brother, I'm Imposing (Danehill Dancer), won Group 2 and 3 races in Sydney for Waller while Gale Force (Sinndar) was a Listed winner in France. There's no doubt that Reliable Man was the star of the brood, however, and he went on to stand in both Germany and France, as well as at Westbury Stud in New Zealand, where he died. One of 10 Group 1 winners for Dalakhani, Reliable Man remained a useful conduit for the dwindling Mill Reef-line, which has now slowed to a mere trickle following the death of Lord Of England in 2021 and the retirement of Sir Percy two years later. Lord Of England's Deutsches Derby-winning son Isfahan remains at Gestut Ohlerweiherhof and there is some hope that Prince Faisal will eventually stand his Group 2 winner Eydon, a son of his homebred Olden Times (Darshaan). It is fair to say that Reliable Man enjoyed greater success as a stallion in the southern hemisphere. Three of his four Group 1 winners came in Australia and New Zealand, but to his VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound and New Zealand Oaks winner Miss Sentimental, we can add the German Oaks winner Erle, who, appropriately raced in the colours of her breeder Gestut Rottgen, which was home to Reliable Man for six years. Heating up Amo Racing will be hoping for a big season for its burgeoning team and it was hard not to be impressed by the winning debut on Saturday for Sin City (Too Darn Hot) in the mile maiden at Lingfield. The Kevin Philippart de Foy-trained colt, who has an Irish 2,000 Guineas entry, was a 200,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase from his breeder Rabbah Bloodstock, held off fellow debutant and Shadwell homebred El Nay (Palace Pier), the pair having pulled more than seven lengths clear of third-placed Ghaiyyath Deer (Ghaiyyath). It was a decent day for Too Darn Hot, who had earlier notched a fifth Group 1 winner when Tropicus won the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield. Even better news is that the stallion's leading daughter, the five-time Group 1 winner Fallen Angel, remains in training at the age of five for Wathnan Racing. Benbatl poised to make his name With Dubawi a past champion sire in Britain and Ireland and his son Night Of Thunder the reigning champion, it will be interesting to keep an eye on the progress of another of Dubawi's sons, Benbatl, in Japan. Early signs are encouraging. Benbatl, who is out of the dual Group 1 winner Nahrain (Selkirk) and thus a half-brother to the 2024 1,000 Guineas winner Elmalka (Kingman), was no slouch himself. Fifth in the Derby won by Wings Of Eagles, he later won Group 1 contests in Dubai, Germany and Australia. By the time of his retirement at the age of seven, his ten stakes victories included five at Group 2 level. That hardiness combined with a top-drawer pedigree was doubtless a major part of his appeal to the Japanese market and off he went to Big Red Farm to start his stud career in 2022. Benbatl has not been overrun with mares to cover. His first crop of foals numbered 74, and he had 82 in 2023 and 67 the following year. His 13 individual winners from that first crop last season put him in fifth position in Japan's first-season sires' table, and this year has seen him pick up where he left off. On Saturday, his son Large Ensemble won the Listed Sumire Stakes at Hanshin, beating Aurum Ares (Harbinger), who had finished fourth in the G1 Hopeful Stakes in December. On the same card, the Benbatl filly Femme Courageuse built on a promising maiden win on the Japan Cup undercard in November by winning the Freesia Sho over 2,000m. Along with the Erica Sho winner Coronado Bridge, who is bred on the same Benbatl-Deep Impact cross as Femme Courageuse, the stallion is steadily compiling a a team of Classic hopefuls from his first crop. Watch this space. Gousserie Racing doubles up by the sea The yellow and green silks of the Chehboub family's Gousserie Racing dominated the two Listed contests at Cagnes-sur-Mer on Sunday. Old favourite Horizon Dore (Dabirsim), now six, followed up the victory of his three-year-old full-brother Safran Dore just 24 hours earlier at the same track, holding off his owners' other runner Tipinso (Pinatubo) for a one-two in the not-very-snappily titled Westminster – DP du Departement 06 – Defi du Galop 2026 – Georges Camprubi. Now, if you nodded off during the reading of that race name, let's have you back to tell you that the Chehboubs' stallion Stunning Spirit sired his first stakes winner in the three-year-old filly Baklawa, who sprang something of a surprise in the Prix de la Californie. Stunning Spirit's first stakes winner Baklawa | Scoop Dyga Her victory was doubtless a proud moment on a memorable day for Kamel and Pauline Chehboub as not only was Baklawa bred in the first wave of horses at Haras de Beaumont after they purchased the stud back in 2022 but her sire, dam Aksil, and broodmare sire Spirit One have all raced in those same family colours. The latter beat Archipenko to win the GI Arlington Million back in 2008, while Stunning Spirit, who has now moved to Haras du Mazet after three years at Beaumont, won the G3 Prix de Quincey. The post Seven Days: It’s All About The Horse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Awaiting Napoleon Solo in the the $425,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) Feb. 28 at Gulfstream Park will be three colts trained by Saffie Joseph Jr. in Bravaro, Bull by the Horns, and Solitude Dude; as well as some first-time graded stakes runners.View the full article

5 – BLACKSMITH, SA, 2/20-3rd, 1 mile (video) Beyer Speed Figure-82 (c, 3, by Liam's Map–Sweet Achiever, by Curlin) O-Wathnan Racing. B-Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings & St Elias Stables (Ky). T-Bob Baffert. J-Florent Geroux. Distance has always been important for Blacksmith given his pedigree, and he was striding out nicely in this decisive 3 3/4-length score to make amends for a puzzling flop at odds-on six weeks ago. His unraced Curlin dam is a full-sister to former Baffert speed demon Cezanne, but her granddam happens to be Better Than Honour, the No. 1 female stamina influence of the past quarter-century. This is his second appearance on Five Fastest Maidens and should be his third: his runnerup 94 Beyer on Dec. 13 went undocumented since it was achieved in the GII Los Alamitos Futurity and not a maiden race (apologies to Blacksmith for the oversight). 4 – RIVER WIND, OP, 2/16-1st, 6 furlongs (video) Beyer Speed Figure-83 (f, 3, by Lexitonian–Rachae Leigh, by Stormin Fever) O-Turman Racing Stable, Resilient Six Stables and TJR Thoroughbreds. B-Javie Woodstock & Javier Hernandez (Ky), T-Norm Casse, J-Ramon Vazquez. Getting support at 4-1 in her debut, she sped to the front and left a modest field 8 1/4 lengths in her wake. This first crop of Calumet stallion Lexitonian has produced a SoCal stakes winner in Revera, a Woodbine stakes winner in Fire and Wine, and She Be Smooth, a Todd Pletcher-trained contender in Saturday's Davona Dale at Gulfstream. And River Wind's 83 Beyer is the second-highest among Lexitonian's 113 starters to date. River Wind | Coady Media 3 – GREAT MOMENT, FG, 2/21-7th, 6 furlongs (video) Beyer Speed Figure-85 (2nd) (c, 4, by Flatter–Josaka, by Smart Strike) O/B-Tamaroak Partners (Ky). T-Greg Foley. J-Mitchell Murrill. Sent away at 13-1, his best Beyer in five previous races had been 58. But Beyer Speed Figures are based on the teletimer, not handicapping, and he stopped the clock at 1:09.74 in his runner-up finish Saturday over a Fair Grounds surface that wasn't lightning-fast. And this addendum: owned and bred by Fred and Debbie Schwartz, Great Moment is a half-brother to Bango, the popular sprinter retired last fall with a record lifetime 12 wins at Churchill Downs alone. 2 – BRING THE SMOKE, LRL, 2/21-2nd, 6 furlongs (video) Beyer Speed Figure- 91 (g, 4, by Preservationist–Covey Trace, by Stevie Wonderboy) O-Team Gaudet. B-Brereton C Jones (Ky). T-Lacey Gaudet. J-Forest Boyce. Making his second start, he didn't have much to beat: his three rivals were a combined 0-for-39. But he didn't just beat them – he pounded them by a widening 18 1/4 lengths as the 3-5 favorite. Preservationist stood for $5k at his conception (and died last summer in Korea), his dam sold in November 2024 for $9k, and he brought only $37k as a yearling. But the latest number – his 91 Beyer – is legit. 1 – SARGENT SULLY, FG, 2/21-7th, 6 furlongs (video) Beyer Speed Figure-93 (c, 4, by Instagrand–Indian Miss, by Indian Charlie) O/B-OXO Equine (Ky). T-Will Walden. J-Ben Curtis. A Beyer progression from 48 to 74 to 93 is illogical, you say? Well, aside from the small detail that Sargent Sully scorched six furlongs in 1:09.11, he also is a half-brother to Hot Rod Charlie ($5.9 million) and champion sprinter Mitole ($3.1 million). Indian Miss had already produced an Eclipse Award winner, and OXO's Larry Best added her to his broodmare band for $1.9 million three days after Hot Rod Charlie gave a peek into his future with his second to Essential Quality at 94-1 in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Juvenile. The post Five Fastest Maidens for the Week of Feb. 16 – 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article