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Yeah an old friend told me once you past 50 times seems to speed up, and have to agree with that.

Awesome action shots, was lucky to see him win at omoto some years back, said to my wife who doesn't follow the horses like me, how fortunate we were to witness a win in by one of our top horses of the era, not many racing around present day that say they've won 20 races, Our Gene's won many for the pitman to.

Well i read it before i posted it. It was definitly there a couple of days ago.The article was written after roger that had won a couple of weeks ago.

Another great photo, can't say mine anywhere that professional, must give you great pleasure to be able to look back at your classy shots, a job that must have seemed like a hobby, I attend funeral of a friend at addington before xmas, he was an avid dog owner, actually had dog races on, an as a tribute the Hurst done a lap of track with him on board,, seen Mr Robbie on his walker taking the finish shots, very dedicated, someone said he travels up from invercargill.

The 41-day Thoroughbred meet at Lone Star Park will begin Thursday, April 16, and conclude July 12.View the full article

Brotherly Love, a half brother to 2025 Preakness Stakes (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner Heart of Honor, surfaced as a potential Kentucky Derby (G1) contender in Dubai in a busy weekend of Derby doings.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse's two projected starters for the March 1 Rebel Stakes (G2), Silent Tactic and Strategic Risk, had their final pre-Rebel workouts Feb. 20 at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

I know that sort of thing... convince that time does speed up when one reaches a certain age!

Beast mode

one of hers that I took that got the front cover of that years Racing Annual

With nominations for the $500,000 Virginia Derby closing Wednesday, Feb. 25, GSW Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro) and Ocelli (Connect) have emerged as likely starters, Colonial Downs said in a press release on Friday. The 1 1/8-mile Virginia Derby will be run Saturday, Mar. 14, highlighting Colonial Downs's three-day meet held Mar. 12-14. Nominations for all seven opening week stakes also close Feb. 25. Held just under two months from the GI Kentucky Derby, the Virginia Derby awards 50-25-15-10-5 qualifying points to the top five finishers toward a berth in the “Run for the Roses.” Trained by Riley Mott, Incredibolt earned 10 Derby qualifying points with his victory in October's GIII Street Sense at Churchill Downs. Owned by Pin Oak Stud, the colt was sixth in the GIII Holy Bull at Gulfstream Park in his lone start this year. Another potential starter in the Virginia Derby is Whit Beckman trainee Ocelli, who has generated buzz with three in-the-money finishes. “I've always seen the talent that this colt has,” Beckman said. “We're excited to point him toward the Virginia Derby.” Owned by Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate and Front Page Equestrian, the colt finished sixth behind Renegade (Into Mischief) in the Sam F. Davis Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs earlier this month. Ocelli has faced 3-year-olds in all four of his starts, including a third-place finish to Reagan's Honor (Honor A.P.) on the Lecomte undercard in New Orleans. This week, Reagan's Honor earned a 96 Beyer in an allowance win at Fair Grounds. “He's had some excuses, some tough trips, faced some very good horses,” Beckman added. “I think it will be a really good spot for him. Looking over the condition book, there are some good races for us and we'll have a few more entries for the week.” Gates will open at 10 a.m. ET for Virginia Derby Day and post time is Noon ET. All reserved tickets are sold out, but a limited number of general admission tickets remain available. The post Incredibolt, Ocelli Willing To Take Aim At Virginia Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A classy sprinter since he burst on the racing scene as a juvenile, 6-year-old Damon's Mound pursues a seventh stakes victory in his 19th career race in the Feb. 21 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes.View the full article

12th-GP, $84k, Msw, 3yo, f, 7 1/2fT, post time: 5:50 p.m. ET Dreaming of Joy (Into Mischief), a half-sister to brilliant two-time champion, GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and GI Kentucky Oaks heroine Malathaat (Curlin), debuts on the lawn for trainer Brad Cox. Owned by Whisper Hill Farm and bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the daughter of Broodmare of the Year and GISW Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy) RNA'd for $875,000 as a Keeneland September yearling. TJCIS PPs 5th-AQU, $80k, Msw, 3yo, 1m, post time: 3:12 p.m. ET Pauillac (Gun Runner), a $750,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase for Robert LaPenta, William Lawrence and CHP Racing, gets his career started going a one-turn mile for trainer Chad Brown. He is a half-brother to MGSW & GISP Family Tree (Smart Strike) and GSW & GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Liora (Candy Ride {Arg}). Brown also trains fellow first-time starter and 2-1 morning-line favorite Tariff Mindset (Tiz the Law), a $250,000 Keeneland September graduate. TJCIS PPs The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: Half-Sister to the Mighty Malathaat Debuts at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Can't find that on their website - has it been removed?

Since you asked readers for input at the end of Carrie Brogden's letter, I'll offer what I've observed over the 38 years that I've been a racing fan. First: look at how U.S. racing regards races for fillies and mares. The distances are shorter and purses are smaller. Getting a filly to the Kentucky Derby has become much harder ever since a points system was implemented. Plus, there's no Triple Crown equivalent for fillies. Every other top level racing country has Grade I classics for each gender… the U.S. has a faint memory of NYRA's now-defunct Triple Tiara. Then when racing is done, stallions are lauded for having 50 stakes winners from 1200 foals, but mares who produce a single stakes winner from seven foals are anonymous. Second: media coverage is insufferable any time a filly races against colts, a female jockey rides in a major race or when a female trainer has a top contender. Instead of presenting human and equine females as competent, worthy competitors, publicity amounts to “oh wow, it's a woman!” or “this frail filly is trying to overcome all obstacles by running here, remember Ruffian?” Third: this is the most complicated piece–social norms. Women are busy. They have horses, careers, families, laundry, bills, etc. I don't blame anyone for not wanting added responsibility of having to kiss someone's a@# and navigate male hierarchy. Having said that, I don't know how most board members are selected… are they chosen? Do they have to campaign for a spot? No one will give you anything if they don't know that you want it. Hopefully we women can organize and speak up. –Anna Montanucci The post Letter To The Editor: Women Need To Organize And Speak Up appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Industry stakeholders within the European bloodstock business will have cause for relief after Donald Trump's controversial tariffs were struck down by the US Supreme Court on Friday. A cloud of uncertainty had been hovering over the movement of horses to the US since Trump's tariffs were first mooted last year. However, with a 6-3 majority, the Supreme Court ruled that Trump exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs via a law reserved for national emergencies. They also said that he needs congressional approval to impose taxes on imports. It has been reported that over 1,600 horses have been permanently imported into America from Britain and Ireland alone over the past four years alone. Under Trump's tariffs, imports arriving from Britain were due to incur a 10 per cent tariff, while those coming from the EU were to be charged 20 per cent. Not only does Friday's announcement have a major impact on sales companies such as Goffs, Arqana and Tattersalls, but the quashing of any tariffs is also good news to the private horses-in-training market, which has been so strong historically. Trump told reporters the Supreme Court's ruling was “deeply disappointing” and that he's ashamed of “certain members of the court for not having the courage to do what's right for our country”. The post Donald Trump’s Controversial Tariffs Struck Out By US Supreme Court appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ocelli and grade 3 winner Incredibolt have emerged as anticipated starters for the $500,000 Virginia Derby at Colonial Downs March 14.View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Salloom (Authentic) was expected to take all the beating in Friday's Listed Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby, but as he did prior to his would-be debut back in December, he was badly behaved at the gates and busted through before being apprehended and not permitted to take part. A field of 11 was ultimately loaded and Jim and Clare Ltd's BROTHERLY LOVE (GB) (c, 3, Zoustar {Aus}–Ruby Love {Chi}, by Scat Daddy)–the half-brother to last year's runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.)–saved his best for last, as he hit top gear four off the inside with time ticking away to be along in the shades of the post. Slowly into stride as has become his custom, the 40,000gns Tattersalls October yearling purchase raced behind midfield down the back and was under a busy Saffie Osborne ride, appearing to be spinning his wheels. But just like Heart of Honor needs to be kept after, so, too, does Brotherly Love and he finally began to get interested with the Meydan straight looming. He still had it all to do as longtime leader Duke of Immatin (Gun Runner) was not laying down up front, Brotherly Love kept on plugging away to find the line in the nick of time. The victory is worth 20 points on the Euro/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby. Sales history: 40,000gns Ylg '24 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 6-2-0-0. O-Jim and Clare Ltd; B-David Redvers Bloodstock; T-Jamie Osborne BROTHERLY LOVE بقيادة الفارسة صافي أوزبورن وبإشراف المدرب جيمي أوزبورن يفوز بشوط “DUBAI ROAD TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY” في الأمسية 13 من #كرنفال_سباقات_دبي على مضمار ميدان#دبي_ريسينج pic.twitter.com/zToddlVUDB — Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) February 20, 2026 The post With Salloom Dramatically Scratched, Zoustar Colt Brotherly Love Strikes At Meydan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Labwah gifted her sire Charlatan the first graded/group winner of his young stallion career when running off with the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan on Friday. Thanks to her 7 1/2-length victory, the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned filly earned 50 points toward a start in the GI Kentucky Oaks in May. One of the quickest away, the bay set out under pressure from Pretty And Famous (Known Agenda) to her outside. Able to walk the dog through the early stages, Labwah was still under fire with less than 800 metres to travel. Extending on the final turn, she coasted away to win easily. Yuno (Rock Your World) kept at it doggedly, but was outclassed. Dozalla (Upstart) completed the top three finishers. Fourth to Friday's runner-up Yuno in a maiden locally back in November, Labwah rattled off victories in conditions races over 1400 metres (December 19) and 1600 meters (January 16) prior to her UAE Oaks heroics. Pedigree Notes: Labwah is the first graded/group winner for her second-crop sire Charlatan, who stands at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa for $25,000 this term. The sire of three stakes winners overall, Charlatan is also responsible for listed winners Little Miss Curlin and Hammond. His Princess Moko was second at listed level in Japan. The ninth foal out of Caressing Handicap heroine War Tigress (War Chant), Labwah is also related to half-sister War Heroine (Lonhro {Aus}), who claimed the GII San Clemente Stakes. Labwah wins the UAE Oaks worth 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks! pic.twitter.com/ASSZjBcve5 — Kentucky Derby (@KentuckyDerby) February 20, 2026 The post Charlatan’s Labwah Stuns UAE Oaks Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horse Racing Ireland-backed first aid training and RACE Junior Academy workshop are reported to have been a big hit as both events reached full capacity recently. The HRI first aid training took place at the Curragh and Fairyhouse racecourses and attracted 60 participants on February 10 and 17 while over 50 people gained hands-on experience and took their first steps towards a career in racing at RACE, which opened its doors to 50 teenagers between February 16 and 20. The courses at the Curragh and Fairyhouse were fully funded by HRI Health and Safety and were delivered by IHRB Chief Medical Officer Dr Jennifer Pugh and the Order of Malta. Topics covered included concussion, CPR, defibrillator use, injury management, and how to respond to incidents such as falls, kicks, and other injuries relevant to racing. Pugh commented, “This course has evolved to be one the most enjoyable aspects of my role. Equestrian workplace environments lend themselves to accidents, so knowing the basic skills to administer first aid gives confidence to our workforce and will improve outcomes for those who are injured. This course is tailored to deal with some of the most common scenarios we may face in our workplace and the enthusiasm of participants on the courses has made this a really valuable initiative.” Meanwhile, the Next Generation Academies at RACE are funded by Equuip and provide young people with hands-on experience in riding, horse care, and stable management, giving them a valuable introduction to the skills and professionalism required in the Irish racing industry. The programme offers an important foundation for those interested in pursuing future careers as jockeys, stable staff, or other roles within racing. Training was delivered by Aine O'Connor, Maxine O'Sullivan, and the RACE team of Niall Byrne, Paul Keating and Stephanie McGlynn. Interim RACE CEO Shane O'Dwyer commented, “The Junior Academies play a vital role in introducing young people to the opportunities available in Irish racing. The students showed excellent enthusiasm, respect for the horses, and a genuine willingness to learn. It's very encouraging to see such strong potential coming through.” The post Strong Attendance Reported For HRI-Backed Training Workshops appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In response to allegations from HISA that Churchill Downs owes the organization $2.4 million in fees, Churchill Downs responded with a statement Thursday in which it said it does not “accept HISA's mischaracterization of our actions” and rebuffed any suggestions that Churchill Downs and its affiliate tracks are not fully committed to safety and integrity. The statement read: “Churchill Downs Incorporated remains fully committed to the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing. Any suggestion that the company is not supporting safety efforts is inaccurate. Churchill Downs has invested significantly in safety initiatives, enhanced protocols and regulatory compliance across our racetracks and will continue to do so. “While we do not comment on pending legal proceedings, we will not accept HISA's mischaracterization of our actions. The Authority's recent escalation reflects a troubling pattern of overreach that is harmful to the industry and inconsistent with the collaborative approach necessary to strengthen the sport. “We had no prior notice and received HISA's letter minutes before the Joe Drape article was published, which is another clear example of their poor judgment and questionable intentions in interacting with industry participants who do not blindly submit to their demands.” The dispute between Churchill and HISA went public when a story written by Joe Drape appeared Wednesday in the New York Times. The Times wrote that HISA is threatening to shut down out-of-state betting on races at Churchill Downs and three other tracks it owns unless the company pays $2.4 million in fees it owes HISA. HISA released a notice of violation to Churchill for “failure to remit fees” under federal law. HISA charges racetrack operators fees that pay for such things as drug testing, data on veterinarian reviews and safety inspections of the tracks. In a complaint filed to its board on Wednesday, HISA went so far as to accuse Churchill of “freeloading” because it had not been paying the fees while using the many services that HISA provides to all tracks under its jurisdiction. “I've tried for over a year to just get them to pay us that 2025 amount,” HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus told the Louisville Courier-Journal. “For reasons I don't understand–because they always paid in the past, and now they just refuse to–so we had no choice but to take this action because we can't operate without the assessment fees. They are responsible for paying on four racetracks and haven't paid on any. That starts to add up over the year.” HISA has scheduled a Mar. 11 hearing. At stake may be Churchill's ability to offer wagering on its products, including the Kentucky Derby. HISA has the right to pull simulcasting signals when it feels tracks are not in compliance with its regulations. The post Churchill Downs Issues Statement Regarding Beef With HISA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Currently the reigning Hong Kong Horse of the Year, Ka Ying Rising sits on the cusp of history. Tied with Hong Kong wunderkind Silent Witness on 17 consecutive wins by a Hong Kong-trained horse, the son of Shamexpress could set his own record in the 1400-metre G1 Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday. A last out winner of the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup in January, he faces nine rivals. Trainer David Hayes said, “I'm very excited about the opportunity to try and break Silent Witness's record. His gallop was good – it was just his usual Ka Ying Rising gallop, and he's very much in his routine, and it seems to suit him. “He's only run at 1400 metres (7f) once and that was in this race last year. I know he'll run it and I know he's better this year than he was last year. If they go too fast in the race he'll sit second or third and if they go too slow, he'll lead. “Zac [Purton] is very uncomplicated on him. I'm excited and I'm really looking forward to it – I'll be a bit nervous on the day as I always am, but it's a very surreal feeling in a Group 1 saddling a horse who is a one-dollar favourite. Not many trainers get to do that, and I can tell you it's not as easy as it looks.” Reflecting on the opposition, Hayes said, “Helios Express is better suited at this distance against Ka Ying Rising. It's a good distance for him; Lucky Sweynesse is back in form, but if it was a handicap, Ka Ying Rising would be giving some of them 20 pounds – he will be short in the market and, well, he probably should be.” Among his challengers is John Size trainee Helios Express (Toronado), who was second to the heavy favourite in the Centenary Sprint Cup in January, while Size stablemate Raging Blizzard (Per Incanto) was fourth. Cutting back from 1600 metres where he was second to Hong Kong legend Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) in the G1 Stewards' Cup is Lucky Sweynesse. Booked against the fence, two to the inside of Ka Ying Rising, the son of Sweynesse is joined by G2 Jockey Club Mile hero Galaxy Patch (Wandjina), who was seventh behind Romantic Warrior last month. Group 1 Racing Returns To Japan A GI Breeders' Cup Classic berth is on the line in the G1 February Stakes, as racing at the highest tier returns to Japan after a January break. Returning to defend his title is Costa Rising (Lord Kanaloa), who carried jockey Rachel King into the history books as the first female rider to win a JRA Group 1 contest. Since his triumph last year, he enjoyed an up-and-down campaign, but did finish second in the G3 Musashino Stakes at Tokyo in November. Christophe Lemaire replaces King, who instead is booked on multiple group winner Sakura Toujours (Neo Universe). Assistant trainer Yu Ota said of the defending champion, “Prior to his last race, his balance was a bit off, and his weak point is his right hindquarters. It's taken some time to get things right with him. We'll start to up his training from now, but he's a tough character who doesn't give up easily.” Carrying the lightest impost in the 16-strong field is W Heart Bond at 123 pounds. The five-year-old mare, a daughter of Kizuna, won the G1 Champions Cup by the narrowest of margins from Wilson Tesoro (Kitasan Black). However, she does have dual G1 Saudi Cup-winning jockey Ryusei Sakai aboard, fresh off his Saudi Arabian success with Forever Young (Real Steel). She would be the second mare to win in the 42-year history of the race and the first since Hokuto Vega (Nagurski) in 1996. “After the Champions Cup, we considered the options for her, including overseas, but have set our sights on the February Stakes,” said trainer Ryuji Okubo. “She didn't pull in her last race, and with the speed she has, she was able to take up a good position, before battling it out at the finish. She should be fine over the 1,600 meters at Tokyo.” Sixpence (Kizuna), a three-time Group 2 scorer in Japan, will give retiring trainer Sakae Kunieda his final Group 1 starter when he lines up on Sunday. Associated with Apapane (King Kamehameha) and Almond Eye (Lord Kanaloa) among others, Kunieda is retiring this spring. The post Ka Ying Rising Goes For History In Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There's still time for this flashy maiden winner to earn her way to the big dance. One of three upcoming GI Kentucky Oaks preps–the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks Mar. 28, GII Fair Grounds Oaks Mar. 21 or GI Central Bank Ashland S. at Keeneland Apr. 3–could be in play for Prom Queen (Quality Road), an eight-length winner at second asking for trainer Brad Cox at Gulfstream Park Feb. 12. “Just a little early to say which one makes the most sense right now,” Cox said. “I sure like her. Longer the better, I believe.” The Gary and Mary West homebred raced in tight quarters from the get-go and was shuffled back beneath Hall of Famer Javier Castellano to trail the compact field of five following a half-mile in :47.72. Undeterred, she split horses beautifully at the five-sixteenths, continued on powerfully while racing three deep on the far turn and showed no mercy from there to earn 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' honors. Prom Queen stopped the timer for 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.77, good for an 83 Beyer Speed Figure. PROM QUEEN ($3.60) gets our vote after breaking her maiden second time out at @GulfstreamPark. @jjcjockey was aboard the filly by Quality Road (@LanesEndFarms). Congratulations to the @bradcoxracing team and owners Gary and Mary West. Bet Gulfstream https://t.co/n8J7Nf7Wyh pic.twitter.com/NAVFPO7MgR — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 12, 2026 “Well, I learned a long time ago not to get too excited over a maiden special win. But it was impressive,” said Ben Glass, longtime racing manager for the Wests. “Javier did the only thing he could do. If that horse backs up in front, he's gonna be trapped and he's gonna get nothing.” Glass added with a laugh, “When he took her back, I thought, 'You're going the wrong way brother.'” Glass continued, “He did the right thing. I didn't know if she'd respond that well and I was tickled pink.” Prom Queen previously tired late to finish second after setting the pace going a one-turn mile on debut at Gulfstream Jan. 23. She was favored in both of her career starts. “She's a big filly,” Glass said. “Brad thought she may need that first out, too. I didn't judge her from that one. I was watching her train–I've been in Florida quite a bit this winter–and I figured she might need that race. She ran pretty quick from when she went to him from the training farm in Ocala. But Brad did the right thing and did a good job getting her ready to run because it's gonna be March in a couple of weeks.” Glass added, “I hope that we can garner–somewhere along the road–some stakes with her because she'll be worth it in the breeding shed quite a bit with the family that she has.” Ben Glass | Keeneland Prom Queen's page is highlighted by the Gary and Mary West-bred and Cox-trained 2025 G1 Dubai World Cup winner and recent GIII Mineshaft S. winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}). Her sire Quality Road is responsible for 17 winners at the top level, including 2017 Kentucky Oaks heroine Abel Tasman. Prom Queen was produced by the Tapit mare Miss Bling Bling, who finished second in her lone career start at Monmouth Park in 2019. Her first foal is the unbeaten 4-year-old colt Money Game (Candy Ride {Arg}), who won his first two career starts last spring and is currently on the comeback trail for Cox. Miss Bling Bling is also responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Candy Ride (Arg) and a “knock-out, beautiful Maximum Security yearling filly on the farm.” Barren for 2026, Miss Bling Bling will be sent to either Gun Runner or Into Mischief for 2027, per Glass. Miss Bling Bling is a daughter of C. E. C. Farms homebred Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew), the Canadian champion 3-year-old filly of 2009 and runner-up in that term's GI Alabama S. at Saratoga and the following year's GI Juddmonte Spinster S. at Keeneland. Milwaukee Appeal was acquired privately by the Wests following the conclusion of her racing career. Her first foal Actress (Tapit) carried the couple's hot pink-and-black silks to a maiden-breaking upset win in the 2017 GII Black-Eyed Susan S. at Pimlico. Actress has also made a name for herself as a broodmare. She is the dam of the aforementioned 6-year-old Hit Show, who was sold privately by the Wests to Wathnan Racing in 2024. “She wasn't by, per se, the greatest stallion/broodmare sire that ever came down the pike, but she was a 3-year-old Canadian champion and she ran second in two Grade Ones in the States,” Glass said. “And she was a dirt filly. We didn't know what to expect, but boy, she came through great. You never know. It's like Johnny Sikura told me one time, 'These mares, they're just like yearlings, Benny. Buy as many as best you can. Hope one of them is a good producer.'” The post Prom Queen a 3-Year-Old Filly With Plenty of ‘Appeal’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Not content with conquering some of the biggest prizes on offer over jumps and on the level, Jessica Harrington is taking aim at the feature race on the snow at St Moritz this weekend with stable stalwart Dark Viper. The four-year-old gelding has built up a bit of a reputation for filling the runner-up spot on 10 occasions throughout his career but Harrington has revealed that the mercurial talent has taken well to the snow and that she is expecting a bold show in the 1m2f contest on Sunday. Harrington said, “I'm not in St Moritz – I swapped the snow for a bit of sunshine! But they tell me that he is training very well on the surface and I got a video of him this morning where he appeared to be loving it over there. One thing I can tell you is that it is a very difficult place to get to but – he travelled by boat, road and train – so fingers crossed it can be worthwhile.” Harrington added, “God knows if he is good enough but he is a funny horse who runs well fresh. We hatched this plan a while back with his owner [Dan Kiely] who likes to go to St Moritz and always wanted to have a runner there.” With stable jockey Shane Foley in Australia, Harrington's apprentice Keithen Kennedy will come in for the ride aboard Dark Viper, who has won two of his 27 starts. Harrington's daughter and assistant trainer Kate is on deck at St Moritz where she confirmed the stable's sole runner at the meeting to be in rude health ahead of the feature event. She said, “It's been a very cool experience and Dark Viper has travelled over very well and has taken everything in his stride. We've had a lot of snow here since we arrived and the track would be riding closer to yielding back home. If it freezes tonight, it will tighten up and get quicker. He is a very ground-versatile horse who has won on the all-weather so we're not really worried about the surface. He seems to run best when fresh so let's see. It's exciting to have a runner here and hopefully he can run well.” Dark Viper will line out against 12 other rivals, including last year's winner, the Andreas Schärer-trained Saadi. Meanwhile, British-based trainers Ian Williams and Ralph Beckett will also be represented in the contest with Parlando and Lord Melbourne respectively. The post Harrington Team Bidding To Crown ‘Very Cool St Moritz Experience’ With Victory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road presented by Gainesway and WinStar FarmView the full article