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"Virginia Thoroughbred Week" concludes March 14 with a Virginia Derby day edition of HRRN's popular Saturday morning Equine Forum show, which airs weekly from 8-11:00 a.m. ET.View the full article

Photo-finishes at the Cheltenham Festival this week will be clearer than ever before after the British Horseracing Authority announced an upgrade to the camera equipment at all racecourses.View the full article

"Virginia Thoroughbred Week" concludes March 14 with a Virginia Derby day edition of HRRN's popular Saturday morning Equine Forum show, which airs weekly from 8-11:00 a.m. ET.View the full article

After missing the break and finishing sixth in Sunday's GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes at Santa Anita, GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies victress Super Corredora (Gun Runner) seems no worse for the wear, according to John Sadler's assistant trainer Juan Leyva. “It was a very disappointing performance,” said Leyva. “The break just cost us big time. (Jockey) Hector (Barrios) said she stepped back just as they kicked it, so she obviously missed the break, and it was just too much to do from there.” Super Corredora went off the 8-5 favorite, and her race was described as such by the Equibase chart caller: “Super Corredora threw her head and hopped at the start, climbed at the back early, traveled three deep in the middle stages, entered the far turn in the four path, chased three deep past the five-sixteenths pole, tipped out in the lane and had little left for the drive.” She finished 40 lengths behind the winner, Forced Entry (Charlatan). “She ate a lot of dirt going into the first turn,” said Leyva, “and then she had to be wide the whole way around–just a lot of work. We'll keep checking her out really well but so far, she is walking sound. It was just a really bad start. It's really hard to come back from that, especially when they went those kinds of fractions. They didn't even have to go fast–they went [a half mile in] 47–so it's just unfortunate that she missed the break.” Her co-owners, West Point Thoroughbreds, said that they would let the dust settle before making any future plans for her. The post Super Corredora Sound After Santa Ysabel Disappointment appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton will introduce a new format, date, and restored name for the annual fall yearling sale in Timonium, Maryland for 2026, the auction house announced Monday. Previously known as the Timonium Yearling Sale, the auction will once again be known as the Eastern Fall Yearling Sale, reflecting the deep roots and enduring importance to breeders, owners, and trainers in the region. Major regional developments–the new racetrack construction at Pimlico and Belmont Park–marked a beginning to a new era for the Midlantic and Northeast racing circuits, and spurred changes which include a reorganization of the catalogue to focus on state-bred programs with entries in the sale. Said programs include the new Maryland Million starter bonus series throughout the year; a record 48 days of racing at Colonial Downs this year; and purse parity for New York-breds, now matching open company levels on the NYRA circuit. “Fasig-Tipton has a long, storied history of selling horses in Timonium, and this sale has been an important fixture in this racing-rich area for decades,” said Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning. “There is a bright future ahead for the region, and we feel that now is an opportune time to reorganize our yearling sale to promote this regional momentum and bring renewed focus to the strength of Eastern racing and what it offers.” “We are going to reorganize the catalogue to bring increased focus to each of the state-bred programs represented in the sale each year. We are also shifting the sale to late October to tie it to Jim McKay Maryland Million Day, an important race day that is also being enhanced for 2026.” Regional Focus and Catalogue Reorganization The reorganized Eastern Fall Yearlings catalogue will spotlight the region's six state-bred programs: Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. The catalogue will be structured to provide each state-bred program with its own dedicated section, with all yearlings from that state grouped together. Each section will begin with an introductory page outlining that state's breeding and racing incentives. In addition, informational pages will detail the Delaware-certified and Virginia-certified programs, providing buyers with expanded insight into additional regional incentive opportunities. “This revised structure is designed to let every state-bred program shine,” Browning noted. “It should be of particular interest to New York breeders, offering them a smaller but similar feel to our New York-bred yearling sale in the summer, as all the New York-breds are catalogued together.” Date Change Information, Fasig-Tipton Sponsors Both Divisions of Sandy Bottom at Colonial The Eastern Fall Yearlings sale will now take place on Tuesday, Oct. 27, a strategic change scheduled around Maryland Million Day at Laurel Park. The card will be held the preceding Saturday. As part of Fasig-Tipton's continued investment and commitment to Eastern racing, the organization will also sponsor both divisions of the Sandy Bottom Stakes on the Virginia Derby undercard at Colonial Downs, set to run Saturday, Mar. 14. Fasig-Tipton representatives will be on-site that day to answer questions regarding the Eastern Fall Yearlings Sale and the new format. The post Fasig-Tipton Revamps Timonium Yearling Sale for 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The worst part about my debut at the National Horseplayers Championship in Las Vegas 11 years ago wasn't picking 30 straight losers and finishing dead last. The worst part was agreeing to document the trip for the TDN, so the entire Thoroughbred world got to watch my horseplaying nightmare. Undeterred, I returned the following year to both the NHC and the pages of the TDN, redeeming myself with a 36th-place finish and collecting $11,200. Since then, I've posted two more in-the-money finishes in seven starts. As I celebrate my 10th year as an NHC contestant, I'll share share how my approach to the tournament has evolved and why it remains one my favorite event of the year. The Group Dynamic When I first qualified for the National Horseplayers Championship, the routine was pretty simple: My best friend Brent Schraff and I would arrive in Vegas, dive into the past performances and start convincing ourselves that this was the year we had it figured out. However, even with a wingman, the contest itself felt like a pretty solitary, results-obsessed exercise. Me against the past performances. Against the rest of the room. Against my fragile psyche. With prize money the only determinant of success. A few years ago, my attitude toward the NHC started to change. I began to realize I could consider the trip a win before I even fired my first contest bullet, thanks to the group of friends who had become part of the experience. With all due respect to 'The Hangover', I now have my own NHC “wolfpack” to share a table with. The group–pieced together by our outspoken friend Justin Dew–has been fueled by regular meet-ups at NHC Tour events and a group text where opinions fly about horses, politics, sports…even marital advice. Brent is in it, no longer a wingman but a five-time qualifier. We've also got two of the best bettors I know of–last year's fifth-place finisher Dylan Donnelly and 2025 Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge winner Frank Mustari. Throw in NHC Hall of Famer Rich Nilsen and 2019 NHC fifth-place Steve Simonovic, and table talk sounds a lot smarter than what Brent and I were having 10 years ago. The problem with surrounding yourself with great handicappers is that your own form is impossible to ignore. And I'm one of the coldest horseplayers in America right now. Sneaking In At The Wire Qualifying for this year's NHC was an exercise in frustration. I couldn't win a seat anywhere. By Christmas, I still hadn't punched my ticket to Vegas. The only path left was the NHC Tour, where the top 75 non-qualified point earners get an entry. I was in 83rd and needed only one decent finish to move up. Every weekend, I tried and failed until Feb. 22, which was the last day to score points. I finished eighth of 130 entrants, earning enough points to vault me into the top 75. And do you want to know how I found out about my accomplishment? The group text. I was at a charity event that night and not following the results. My phone started blowing up with messages from the crew both celebrating the accomplishment while simultaneously (and rightfully) mocking the struggles I had getting qualified. But that's the beautiful thing about the NHC: no matter how cold you've been leading up to it, once you sit down in that ballroom, the slate feels clean again. The Puzzle and The Payoff When Friday starts, I'm as live to the $800,000 top prize as NHC Tour Champion Dave Nichols, celebrity participants (who earned their way in) Eddie Olczyk and Dave Portnoy, or any of the first-time players experiencing what I wrote about 11 years ago. The NHC reminds me why I fell in love with this game in the first place. For three days, the conversation isn't about the problems with horse racing, it's about the puzzle and the payoff. Handicapping races until you can't see straight despite blackjack and craps tables distracting you at every turn. Deciding whether the low-priced horse you think can't lose is easy money, or a sucker bet. Looking for that “cap horse” the rest of the room overlooked (a horse whose odds exceed the NHC points cap of 20-1 to win and 10-1 to place) and being the only one in the room cheering the longshot in deep stretch. There's a lot of talk about what ails the industry and how to solve it. I hope industry leaders recognize the importance of the degenerate horseplayers who fill that ballroom and love it because of the unique gambling product that it is. Everything that hinders their experience–excessive takeout, short fields, or late odds changes–harms the sport's future. Staying Balanced The final key to a good NHC is finding balance and having a strong itinerary away from the tournament. On Wednesday night, the crew will get together for dinner at Amaya at the Cosmopolitan, where the handicapping conversation will inevitably shift between brilliant insights, wildly overconfident predictions and uncontrollable laughter. On Thursday we head to T-Mobile Arena to watch my hometown Penguins take on the Golden Knights–which means that we'll go from cheering hard checks on the ice to cursing jockeys for checking in traffic in under 24 hours (Edzo, you're invited). But then it's back to the ballroom. Back to the PPs. Back to the mandatories and optionals. Back to the possibility that for one magical weekend everything clicks. And if it doesn't? That's okay, too. Because I've learned that the NHC isn't just about trying to win the whole thing. It's about the friends you see once a year, the stories that get a little better with each retelling and the eternal racing puzzle that keeps drawing us back. And if I somehow manage to pick 30 consecutive losers again, at least this time Brent won't be the only one who has to hear about it. Steve DeCaspers is an executive consultant in the fiber broadband industry and lives in Chicago with his wife Bethany and their dog Popeye. He was an assistant editor at the TDN from 1998 to 2001. The post NHC Or Bust–A Decade Later appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A $350,000 bonus will be awarded to breeders of record for horses competing March 27 at Turfway Park, in conjunction with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.View the full article

Laurel Park has canceled the race card scheduled for Saturday, March 14, due to insufficient entries. View the full article

Live racing has been canceled at Laurel Park for this coming Saturday, Mar. 14 due to insufficient entries, the track announced Monday morning. With the impending meeting at Colonial Downs set to kick off Thursday, Mar. 12, and two Points races for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks scheduled for Saturday, Mar. 14 at that venue, Laurel Park will move all originally scheduled races for Saturday to Sunday, Mar. 15 as overnight extras. There will be live racing Friday, Mar. 13 with an eight-race program with first post at 12:00pm EDT. The post Saturday Live Racing at Laurel Canceled appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Good to see that you took my advice and can now tell which way she veered, though I'm afraid I can't see any unexpected obstacle that she was confronted with myself.

A $350,000 bonus will be awarded to breeders of record for horses competing Friday, Mar. 27 at Turfway Park, in conjunction with the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky HBPA, the track announced Monday morning. Breeders will compete for $35,000 in bonuses across each of the 10 races that night. The winner of each race could earn up to $21,000 if the horse is a registered Kentucky-bred. Payments will be based on a purse-style distribution: 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 5% to fourth and 3% to fifth. Sixth through last will receive 2%. The bonus is in addition to the traditional breeder's awards. Breeders will receive hospitality accommodations that evening at Turfway Park. More details will be available in the coming days. Entries for Friday, Mar. 27 will take place Friday, Mar. 20. The post $350,000 Breeders Bonus to be Awarded at Turfway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cheryl Burton and Julian Lefevre have made it all look so easy. Retire a filly, decide to become breeders, and head to the Cheltenham Festival for a Grade 1 with the mare's very first foal. Whatever happens with future generations, Jax Junior, the seven-year-old son of Jack Hobbs who runs in the Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy, has already given his owner-breeders the thrill of a lifetime. Fourteen runs, six wins, including the G2 Pencil Novices' Chase, and another four placed efforts speak to the level of consistency shown by the gelding who has become the star of his trainer Lucy Wadham's Newmarket stable. Moreover, in an era when the National Hunt norm is for a clutch of wealthy owners to dig deep into pockets at the boutique sales which now take place frequently, this is a tale which harks back to an age when smaller breeders prevailed and the spoils were more evenly scattered. “We're generally ordinary people, so we have to go to work,” says Burton, who works for Clarendon Fine Arts while her husband is busily self-employed. Ordinary people with an extraordinary horse, and in a country where National Hunt owner-breeders especially are becoming an increasingly rare commodity. “We will only actually be turning up at Cheltenham on Tuesday,” she adds. Tuesday was the day last year when a dream came true for the relatively unheralded Jeremy Scott, whose tough little mare Golden Ace (Golden Horn) stormed up the hill to bring the Champion Hurdle trophy home to her owner Ian Gosden. She will be back, and vying with her for “fairytale result” territory is Jax Junior, a David taking on the likes of Kopek Des Bordes, Romeo Coolio and Lulamba from the Goliath stables of Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and Gordon Elliott. “Statistically, I think when you look at what we've done, we don't really have the right to have had our very first horse be of such a good quality really. How many horses don't even make it into training? So to have a horse that actually has got some quality about him, we've gone against the grain,” says Burton. But who in the sport would deny them this success? The amphitheatre of dreams that is the Cheltenham Festival is enriched by stories such as this. To a list which includes the likes of Dawn Run, Norton's Coin, Coneygree, Cool Dawn, Hunt Ball and Golden Ace, the name Jax Junior would be a welcome addition. Burton and Lefevre, after all, have just the one broodmare who lives alongside their 24-year-old retired racehorse, Act Gold (Slip Anchor). “We had a paddock and we had a foal, our first foal, and then we had a further three,” says Burton, who, with Lefevre, became involved in racing through syndicate ownership. “We sadly lost one foal in the process but I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason.” Jax Junior's dam Double Storm (Double Trigger) raced in the same colours as her son and was placed in two bumpers from four starts after being injured as a young horse. She had been given a 50-50 chance of making it to the track but, through the patience and care of her owners, finally made her debut at the age of six. Jax Junior as a foal with Double Storm | Cheryl Burton “We wanted to give her a chance to grow into her body so we turned her away in a field. She never really got to show how good she might have been,” Burton says. “We also had a gelding from a previous syndicate, so we ended up with these two horses in the field. “I hit 50 and decided that life was too short to continue to work like a lunatic. We decided at that point that we were going to breed and give it a go. We had nothing to lose. It was a dream.” In his retirement, Act Gold now has an important role at the couple's home in Buckinghamshire as a 'nanny' to the offspring of Double Storm once they are weaned. “He puts some manners on them, but he's a huge, gentle giant, almost 18 hands” says Lefevre. Some high jinx between Act Gold and Jax Junior boiled over one summer and, as Lefevre puts it, “they decided to have a bit of a kicking competition with each other.” He continues, “Junior ended up with a fat knee and I'm not a vet by any stretch, but I know legs are quite important to horses. Our vet, who has retired since then, Bob Baskerville, came out and looked at him and he was worried that there could be a chip. “He's old school and he's an amazing vet, and I'm not quite sure how he managed it, but he just basically said, leave it for two or three days. He did everything by feel, no x-rays, and we are where we are today because of the advice that he's given us. We followed everything he said because we respect him massively, but it was quite an emotional rollercoaster.” First, do no harm. Advice that is sometimes lost in age of technological advances. And in the case of Jax Junior this wait-and-see approach, from both vet and breeder, has paid off handsomely. “It could have been end of his career, but we were very blessed again,” Lefevre acknowledges. The couple is also full of praise for Wadham, who trains both Jax Junior and his year-younger full-sister Jax Belle. “I think we're very lucky with Tom Cannon as a jockey as well,” says Burton. “Tom is like Lucy and doesn't quite get the opportunities he deserves, really. But he just gets on with it and he's formed such a good relationship with Junior.” Lefevre adds of Cannon, who is also the regular rider of multiple Grade 1 winner Edwardstone, “The positive is he's one from one in the Arkle.” Inevitably, with a horse as promising as Jax Junior, there have been calls from potential buyers. Lefevre once had to interrupt a round of golf on the 18th tee to take a call from Jamie Goss, who looks after their breaking, pre-training and spelling, on behalf of one such interested party. It was a short conversation. “I just said, 'Well, he's not for sale,” he recalls. “It's definitely a labour of love, but of course, the money that comes along with winning is obviously a big benefit because it's a hugely costly business.” Double Storm, who also has a three-year-old filly by another Overbury Stud resident, Frontiersman, is likely to pay a return visit to Jack Hobbs this year. “It would be silly not to, wouldn't it? Although, looking at the Frontiersman filly, we were very undecided and we just didn't know which way to go. But given Junior's performance, we can't not, really,” Lefreve says. “Commercially, it'd be the right thing to do. But me and the wife both look at each other and think, 'Well, we're never going to sell anyway, are we?' I mean, we should do, but we just seem to collect them, and they've always got loving homes with us. We're just big softies.” Jax Junior, right, with Tom Cannon | Racingfotos Burton admits that she is finding it hard to concentrate on anything other than thoughts of the big race looming. “It's one of those situations where we are both, first and foremost, just thinking 'Come home safe'. Anything above and beyond that is a bonus for us,” she says. “He's won some races. He's won some money. That lovely amount of money will cover his training bills, which is a massive help. He's earned his place in the race, and we've just got to see how he turns up on the day and if the other horses in the race can answer the questions that they need to answer. “But as long as he comes home safe and sound and runs his race, we'll be very happy.” She adds, “I'm looking at my winners' wall as we speak. I just still keep pinching myself that I've actually got six pictures on the wall of his six wins. It's still a fairytale for us.” The post First Foal, First Cheltenham Festival for Jax Junior’s Breeders Burton and Lefevre appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It’s shaping as one of the most open editions of the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in recent years, with Stormy Grove’s upset win in the Classic Cup (1,800m) providing more questions than answers. The third stage of entries were taken on Monday, while the selection announcement for the coveted HK$26 million feature will be on Friday. The SCMP has ranked the top 10 contenders for this year’s Derby on March 22. 1. Numbers While he missed a top-three placing in the Classic Cup, Numbers was far from...View the full article

Wow . that was some crazy incident. don't see that sort of stuff everyday. I just watched it now after reading this thread. Why she did it is the quandary. Personally having been in a few races , you do find the odd horse that will look for the 'quick way out'. an exit to the track. Several have veered out towards the exit gate if given the opportunity. You see the odd one do it at the gallops up the home straight , when they're off the bit and getting tired. Also the whip and yelling and noise are a way a jockey/driver scares the horse into 'keeping going' as always. The combo of the Black rail looking a bit like an exit for her , and the fright from the Big whack from Sam look to of combined for this moment of near disaster. Kudos to the Running rail crew / designer with the horse bouncing off and remaining fairly uninjured. 'Egmont Kowhai ' got 'impaled through the chest on the running rail at Alexandra Park one time (when they used to have a fixed running rail ) on Owen Purdon. about 100m out from the line, just like Alabama lass too. Was a very traumatic scene indeed took them a long time to get her off. I think she recovered in the end after surgery. there's an old photo somewhere I should try and find.

She hit rail before taking flight which is what most horses do when confronted with an unexpected obstacle. You have no idea.

Yes and she veered towards the rail, not shied away from it. She also tried to jump it which she hardly would have done if she couldn't see it. In the Railway, she veered in when hit left handed and then out late when CW changed his stick over, didn't she?

tick!

Big wheel restricted punter gets deposit match offers. Give us a spell.

Nothing wrong with the ride. Good on TAB refunding bets with bonus money. Blame the clowns that covered up the rail for what happened

Strong possibility, but isn't hindsight a wonderful thing?

Why?

Did she. How is that any more relevant than I bet on her?

David Hayes is chasing a last-minute Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) berth with China Win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when he looks to triumph for the third consecutive time in the Class Three Lyttelton Handicap (1,800m). China Win was withdrawn on the eve of his last start due to an irregular heart rhythm, which threw Derby plans into doubt for the 67-rated galloper. The son of Super Seth has been working well since the scratching and has trialled eight days out from the upcoming run where he...View the full article

After coming within inches of the upset of the season in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), rising star Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) is set to head to Sydney for the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m). The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly put in a massive effort to go down by a short head to hot favourite Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the marquee race on Champions Day. Now plans are being put in place for her to travel to Sydney and take on the likes of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park), who carries the same green and white Yulong colours as Well Written and has already been transferred to champion trainer Chris Waller. The step up to a middle-distance at the end of the month looks made to order for the Savabeel filly, who won both her lead-up starts over 1200 and 1400m and on Saturday made up lengths on Well Written after still being in the rear on the home turn. “She was so close to what would have been a dream result, but we’re still thrilled with her, so proud of our wonderful filly,” co-owner/breeder David Archer said. “I had a good talk with Mark (Walker) yesterday and he was pleased to tell me she pulled up as if she hadn’t had a race. “That being the case, and subject to everything going to plan in the meantime, she will be flown to Sydney and run in the Vinery, which looks ideal as a fillies’ Group One over 2000 metres. “That will be it for this season, she won’t be going to the (ATC) Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m), and the most likely plan then will be to head down to the Mornington Peninsula for a spell with a view to a spring campaign in Victoria. “As much as we would like to start her in the first Group Ones of the spring back here, the risk of wet tracks at that stage of the season in New Zealand makes Melbourne a more attractive target.” In confirming those plans, Walker reiterated that provided Belle Cheval continues to please, she will be given the chance to add further Group One form to go with her third placing in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “While it would have been fantastic to win on Saturday, you could hardly be disappointed with her, it was a very good effort,” Walker said. “The way she races she should manage the step up in distance in the Vinery, so she’s gone to the water-treadmill this week and then we’ll build towards Sydney.” With plans already in place for star two-year-old Lara Antipova to be transferred to Te Akau’s Cranbourne stable with a view to one further start either in Melbourne or Sydney, Walker reports that his pair of proven maresQuintessa (NZ)(Shamus Award) andDamask Rose (NZ)(Savabeel) have further confirmed targets. “The way it panned out we were happy with Quintessa’s third from well back over 1400m on Saturday and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) at Trentham at the end of the month is an obvious next start. “Damask Rose just missed getting up over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday and she’ll run next in the Sunline Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday week.” View the full article

Group Two Waikato Guineas winner Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) is set to join the training partnership of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr as she prepares for a possible start in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 11. The Ocean Park filly has been one of the leading performers of the New Zealand classic season, finishing runner-up in both the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) behind Ohope Wins and last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), where she chased home stablemate Road To Paris. Autumn Glory, who was purchased by Yulong Investments prior to her Waikato Guineas triumph, will transfer from the stable of Roger James and Robert Wellwood and is expected to head straight to the Price-Kent satellite stable at Rosehill. View the full article