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The Munnings gelding makes his graded stakes debut in the Elite Power Stakes (G3) Dec. 6 at Aqueduct Racetrack. Leading his five rivals is Tom Fool (G3) winner Full Moon Madness, the lone graded stakes winner in the field for the 6-furlong race. View the full article

Oh yes God forbid there is any good news for @Huey and Colin Wightman to digest.

WTF....? I've been on the wrong end of Leo's acerbic criticism, many a time. But this, if not a piss-take, is disgraceful.

Jaber Abdullah's Million Gold (Earthlight), a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero Big Evs (Blue Point), made a winning debut in Wednesday's Unibet British Stallion Studs EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at Kempton. Swiftly into stride and positioned in a prominent second from flagfall, the 10-3 second choice ran green throughout the final quarter-mile and outmuscled Alasrae (Havana Grey) in the closing stages to register a 1 1/2-length verdict. Million Gold, the eighth of nine foals, becomes the seventh scorer from as many runners out of a half-sister to the multiple Group 1-placed dual Group 2 winner Lady Of The Desert (Rahy), herself the dam of G2 Lowther Stakes victrix Queen Kindly (Frankel). Queen Kindly, in turn, produced G2 Lowther and G3 Firth Of Clyde Stakes placegetter Queen Me (Dubawi). Million Gold's second dam is Group 1-winning European champion Queen's Logic (Grand Lodge). The April-foaled bay is a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint hero Big Evs (Blue Point) and a weanling filly by Havana Grey. The post Big Evs’s Half Brother Million Gold Too Good For Kempton Rivals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

One of the most significant collections of American Thoroughbred racing trophies in the sport's history–the Whitney family collection–has been bequeathed to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame by the late John Hendrickson, the institution's former chairman who unexpectedly passed away in August 2024, according to a press release from the repository on Wednesday. The collection is comprised of more than 400 trophies– including eight Triple Crown race trophies won by Whitney family-owned runners–as well as numerous prizes commemorating important victories by Hall of Fame inductees Equipoise, Regret, Silver Spoon, Top Flight, and Whisk Broom II. The collection includes trophies won by horses owned by William Collins Whitney, Harry Payne Whitney, Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney, and Marylou Whitney, who was Hendrickson's late wife. “The Whitney family's legacy in American racing spans more than 125 years and is nothing short of exceptional,” said Charlotte Weber, the museum's chair. “The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is honored to receive such an important collection that represents the grand history of a wonderful family's unwavering multi-generational commitment to Thoroughbred racing and their remarkable achievements in the game. We look forward to being a steward of this wonderful gift and sharing these historic treasures with the public.” The oldest item in the collection is the 1899 Belmont Stakes trophy, which was won by Jean Bereaud in track-record time at Morris Park for William Collins Whitney, the patriarch of the Whitney racing dynasty. Four additional Belmont Stakes trophies won by Burgomaster (1906), Phalanx (1947), Counterpoint (1951), and Birdstone (Grindstone) (2004) are also part of the donation. The Whitney gift features the Kentucky Derby trophies won by Regret (1915) and Whiskery (1927). Hall of Famer Regret became the first of three fillies to win the Run for the Roses, prompting the Louisville Courier-Journal to report: ” … never shall we forget her gorgeous appearance on that memorable afternoon in May at Churchill Downs as she was led around the paddock before the race and later, when, with colors up, she stepped out on the course looking every inch a queen … receiving an ovation of which even royalty might well have been proud. Peerless Regret she was hailed and peerless she undoubtedly was, and from this day, she must be thought of with this descriptive adjective affixed.” The Harry Payne Whitney-owned Broomspun (1921), Bostonian (1927), and Victorian (1928) each won the Preakness during the 1920s, and those victories are recognized in a singular Woodlawn Vase trophy honoring the three horses. Regret's 1914 Saratoga Special trophy | courtesy of the NMRHOF Other highlights include Ashland Stakes trophies won by You All (1971) and Sun and Snow (1975); Blue Grass Stakes trophies won by Mr. Trouble (1950) and Tompion (1960); Futurity Stakes trophies won by Top Flight (1931) and First Flight (1946); Jockey Club Gold Cup trophies won by Phalanx (1947) and Counterpoint (1951); Kentucky Oaks trophies won by Bug Brush (1958), Bag of Tunes (1973), Sun and Snow (1975), and Bird Town (2003); Santa Anita Derby trophies won by Silver Spoon (1959) and Tompion (1960); Santa Margarita Stakes trophies won by Monsoon (1947), Bug Brush (1959), and Silver Spoon (1960); Saratoga Special trophies won by Regret (1914), Goshawk (1922), Whichone (1929), Red Rain (1935), and Banquet Table (1976); Travers Stakes trophies won by Fisherman (1954), Tompion (1960), Chompion (1968), and Birdstone (2004). The donation also includes the Metropolitan, Brooklyn, and Suburban handicap trophies won by Whisk Broom II in 1913, when he became the first horse to sweep the New York Handicap Triple Crown. After completing the sweep of the series under 139 pounds in the Suburban, the Thoroughbred Record said of Whisk Broom II: “It was a test of speed, courage, and stamina, and he answered each of the questions. … He was a master of his company.” Selections from the Whitney trophy collection will be on display in the Museum's McBean Gallery through Dec. 28. A formal exhibition of the collection will be presented in 2027, coinciding with the 100th running of the GI Whitney Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Whitney family trophy collection selected highlights: Kentucky Derby–1915, 1927 Preakness Stakes–1921, 1927, 1928 (single trophy) Belmont Stakes–1899, 1906, 1947, 1951, 2004 Ashland Stakes–1971, 1975 Blue Grass Stakes–1950, 1960 Futurity Stakes–1931, 1946 Jockey Club Gold Cup–1947, 1951 Kentucky Oaks–1958, 1973, 1975, 2003 Santa Anita Derby–1959, 1960 Santa Margarita Stakes–1947, 1959, 1960 Saratoga Special Stakes–1914, 1922, 1929, 1935, 1976 Travers Stakes–1954, 1960, 1968, 2004 The post Whitney Trophies Gifted To National Museum Of Racing And Hall of Fame appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A share in Siyouni headlines the catalogue for the Tattersalls Online December Sale, which takes place on December 10-11. A total of 126 lots will be offered, including 55 horses in and out of training, 20 foals, 19 broodmares, 18 yearlings, six breeding rights, four stores, two point-to-pointers and two stallion shares. Aga Khan Studs homebred Siyouni is the sire of 46 Group winners to date, including the multiple top-level scorers Laurens, Paddington, Sottsass and St Mark's Basilica. The Haras de Bonneval resident will stand at a fee of €150,000 in 2026. The shareholder will receive one nomination to the stallion in 2026, two nominations in 2027 and in every other year thereafter. Also on offer is a breeding right to Darley's exciting young stallion Palace Pier, the sire of this year's G2 Lowther Stakes heroine Royal Fixation from his first crop of two-year-olds. Other stallion investment opportunities include breeding rights to A'Ali, El Caballo, Lope Y Fernandez, Sergei Prokofiev and Space Blues, as well as a share in Yeomanstown Stud's Supremacy. Elsewhere, the unraced Arctic Circle, a two-year-old son of Frankel and the G1 Coronation Stakes winner Alpine Star, will be offered by Ecurie Sogorb as a horse in training, while a highlight of the broodmare section will be the Silfield Bloodstock-consigned Pivotal mare Upstanding, who is being offered in foal to Shaquille. The dam of three winners to date, she is also a full-sister to the G1 Lockinge Stakes scorer Virtual. The 18 yearlings in the sale include youngsters by Invincible Spirit, No Nay Never and Palace Pier, while the 20 foals catalogued include progeny by the likes of Caturra, Mostahdaf and Sergei Prokofiev. The online auction will get underway at 11am on Wednesday, December 10, with bidding on the first lot scheduled to close from 11am the following day. The full catalogue is available to view here. The post Share in Siyouni Available in Tattersalls Online December Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) had added one day of live racing on Wednesday, Dec. 10 as part of the fall meet at Aqueduct Racetrack, the organization said via a Wednesday release. Following the cancellation of live racing after the completion of the first race on Sunday, Nov. 30, NYRA, the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) and New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) requested and have received formal approval from the New York State Gaming Commission to conduct live racing Dec. 10. Entries for the card will be taken on Thursday, Dec. 4. The post NYRA Adds Dec. 10 Card To Aqueduct Fall Meet Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NYRA announced Dec. 3 the addition of one day of live racing Dec. 10 as part of the fall meet at Aqueduct. Following the cancellation of live racing after Race 1 Nov. 30, approval from the NYSGM to conduct live racing on Dec. 10 was granted.View the full article

Veterinary Council puts an ex-vet on a short leash | Free Speech Union New Zealand www.fsu.nz Why has the Veterinary Council put an ex-vet on a short leash? Someone who hasn’t even practised as a vet for over a decade? The Veterinary Council has censured Leo Molloy, ordering him to pay $23,000 in costs more than four years after his conviction for breaching a suppression order.https://bitofayarn.com But the courts have already dealt with this, so why is a professional regulator coming after him? Did Leo disclose the home address of a sick Labrador? Selective breeding details? Client records? The vaccination status of a tomcat? No. Did a member of the public, a past client, or a practising vet complain about Leo’s conduct as a vet? No. His offence had nothing to do with treating animals, maintaining veterinary confidence, or professional ethics. This was personal speech, not a professional act. https://bitofayarn.com Yet the Veterinary Council has taken it upon itself to, well, neuter, speech that falls far beyond the pens of 'permitted' opinion. (Yep, the story is as ridiculous as my puns. 😸 ) The Veterinary Council is following the dangerous trend that we continue to see New Zealand regulatory bodies follow. If regulators can punish, and fine, professionals for off-duty speech, even decades after they last practised, then we have a much bigger problem than one outspoken ex-vet.https://bitofayarn.com Six years ago, Leo Molloy posted on a racing community forum naming Grace Millane’s murderer, Jesse Kempson, while his name was suppressed. Leo was convicted and sentenced to 350 hours of community service and a $15,000 fine. https://bitofayarn.com This isn’t even to mention the futility of Leo’s conviction in the first place. International outlets published Jesse Kempson’s name with zero consequence. Google emailed it directly to New Zealand inboxes and got a polite warning. Multiple New Zealanders were cautioned but not prosecuted.https://bitofayarn.com Leo remains the only person convicted and now the only person professionally sanctioned. It’s hard not to conclude that the Veterinary Council’s issue isn’t the conduct, but the dog that did the barking. The inconsistency of enforcement reeks more of overreach than principle. Name suppression has become a joke, dished out liberally, limiting the public’s ability to know the details of a case, and the media’s ability to tell them. Why are criminals, pedophiles, even murderers, being favoured over public safety and our crucial democratic values? https://bitofayarn.com Now, six years after Leo’s breach, and more than a decade after he has even practiced as a vet, the Veterinary Council’s disciplinary lawyer argued that “professional obligations don’t end when we close the office door.” But which part of Leo’s conviction had anything to do with his profession? Professional bodies should focus on their role as skill-based watchdogs, not policing "un-vet'-like behaviour that happens to personally offend them.https://bitofayarn.com According to our sources, the Veterinary Council has spent an excess of $45,000 to pursue this complaint. $45,000! They need a wake up call. Let’s send the message that we actually think more favourably of the veterinary profession if they aren't afraid to speak their minds. But that the Veterinary Council should stick to their remit: the skills and professional conduct of its members. In 30 seconds, tell the Veterinary Council to stay in its lane. We’ve made it super easy. Let’s make sure they know that Kiwis won’t stand by while they’re on their high horse. Regulatory overreach has become a consistent problem, whether against nurses, lawyers, academics, architects, or teachers, to name a handful. So now it’s vets? Who’s next? Professional bodies seem less concerned about the skills and abilities of professionals, and more with what they say in private capacities. That’s why we set up seven professional memberships, along with our standard membership, for: Academics, lawyers, public servants, teachers, healthcare professionals, media, and religious leaders. We ensure professionals have someone in their corner. We will not stand by while the would-be-censors decide they know best. Chip in here to support us to push back on regulatory body overreach; standards should ensure competence, not control speech or belief. Jillaine Heather | Chief Executive

Wait and see what it is first !

Even @Chief Stipe idol thinks Levin should stay : "The weather conditions still are playing havoc with some tracks - which makes me reflect on the fact that there is a lot of discussion, both in public and behind closed doors, at present in New Zealand racing about closing tracks. Personally, I am not in favour of closing any more tracks at all. We have already shut down a good number over the years, and I firmly believe we need every track that remains to sustain the future well-being of racing in this country."

Serendipity is priceless in this business. Though they number no more than 20, for instance, this is the second time that one of the Dromingrove Farm mares has been steeply elevated by events. And you may recall an equally startling outcome, in Dubai a couple of years ago, after Delia Nash had found herself reluctantly obliged to retain and race an unsold horse. But then Nash has been around horses all her life, back to her County Limerick girlhood, and understands that no matter what you get right, the most important thing is to be lucky. “Oh, don't worry, I don't think I've cracked it!” Nash says wryly. “I've been around long enough to know there's a hell of a lot more bad days than good. So you need to take every little bit of energy and enjoyment from the good ones, when they happen. And then, those bad days, you need to just suck it up and try for the good days again–because they do come.” On this occasion, mind, it was literally a case of Lady Luck entering her life. For that was the name of an unraced Medaglia d'Oro mare she found herself inspecting at the Keeneland January Sale in 2022. “She wasn't on my list because on the face of it, the pedigree wasn't super-exciting,” Nash admits. “But when I went to the Gainesway barn, Sean Tugel asked could he add one to the three or four I wanted to see. And he pulled out this very attractive mare. Big, strong, plenty of scope, a very kind eye. Just a lot of class about her. The type of mare you like looking at, out in the field.” Tugel mentioned how Lady Luck's half-brother by Uncle Mo had made $450,000 the previous September. The word was that he was shaping well for his powerful owners, and on his way to Brad Cox. And meanwhile their dam, after both Lady Luck and then a Tapit colt had failed to make the gate, had lately got off the mark with a son of Into Mischief–Strava, later placed in a couple of stakes–at the Keeneland fall meet. “So all the kind of things you want to hear,” Nash says. “Of course you do also kind of go, 'Yeah, yeah, whatever.' But a potential upside is always something I'm looking for. Because if they're already proven, I can't afford them. So she stuck in my mind.” After all, Nash had just seen for herself the kind of thing that can happen, rolling the dice on a young mare. Back at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale, Nash had bought another 5-year-old after she had fallen short of her reserve at $19,000. At the time, Lemon Liqueur (Exchange Rate) only had a yearling by Honor Code and a weanling filly by Quality Road, and was now empty. But then her filly was bought by Peter Brant at Saratoga the following summer, named Bleecker Street, and had just extended her unbeaten start to three in a Tampa Bay allowance. By the time Nash took her half-sister by Flatter to Keeneland, that September, Bleecker Street had added four graded stakes, including the GI New York Stakes. Brant duly gave $475,000 for the Flatter filly, and this September returned with the same sum for a brother to Bleecker Street. In between, Nash had retained a stake in Lemon Liqueur's Not This Time 2022 colt when hammered for $535,000 to CJ Thoroughbreds. As Mesero, he ran second in the GIII Old Dominion Derby in September. “So that mare has been an absolute blessing,” Nash said. “And actually I ended up buying the Flatter filly back as a broodmare prospect at Keeneland last November.” (She's now in foal to Good Magic). Could something similar happen here? Nash went back next day for another look at Lady Luck and decided that she might stretch to $100,000. In the event, she has her friend Emma Quinn to thank for venturing one last bid at $135,000. “I was like, 'No, I'm done,'” Nash recalls. “But Emma was beside me and said, 'Go on, hit her one more time!' So I did. And I never regretted it. When I turned her out in the paddock that evening, I looked at her and thought: 'I overpaid for you, but I'm glad to have you.' And it turned out that I didn't overpay at all!” In fact, she cleared the whole investment in one hit, when the Maclean's Music filly she was then carrying brought $300,000 as a yearling. By that stage, Lady Luck's half-brother by Uncle Mo was up and running, winner of his first two before missing the GIII Peter Pan Stakes by a head. Bishops Bay was held up in 2024, but has bounced back with a five-for-seven campaign this year, including three graded stakes–most recently the GIII Forty Niner Stakes. In the meantime, moreover, Catch My Drift's next foal had proved still more exciting: Catching Freedom (Constitution) won the GII Louisiana Derby before running fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby itself. Bishops Bay | Hodges Photography “I knew there was a Constitution who'd just turned a yearling when I bought her,” Nash recalled. “And I saw that the Albaugh family bought him that September, and that he ended up in the same barn as Bishops Bay. So I was kind of following him along, watching his works, but then next thing I knew he was on the Triple Crown trail.” With those updates on the page, Lady Luck's first foal for Nash–a Yaupon colt–made $350,000 from Centennial Farms at the 2024 September Sale. “I couldn't go to Uncle Mo with her at that stage,” Nash reasons. “Bishops Bay hadn't done anything yet, and I'd only had her a few months. Then she went to Good Magic, but spent the afternoon out there and he wouldn't cover her. It was getting late in the year, so I tried sending her to Uncle Mo on the way home. But she didn't take, so she had no yearling for this year. But now she has an Uncle Mo filly on the ground, who's very nice.” And that's the great thing about this story: both Bleecker Street's dam and Catching Freedom's half-sister were young enough to exploit their upgrades. Smaller programs often find that things like this happen too late: the mare has been retired, maybe, or even sold on. “I've been very lucky,” Nash acknowledges. “Both my best mares had success very young, so touch wood they'll keep producing for me. I'm also fortunate that it's not my primary business. I don't want to lose money, raising or racing horses. I'm very competitive by nature, and just want to be successful no matter what I do. But it does mean I have a little bit of leeway, in terms of the stress of when those bills fall.” Nash joined the Kentucky Performance Products in 2000, four years after first sampling the expatriate Irish community around Lexington on an Equine Science placement from the University of Limerick. Hers was under Pat Costello at Crescent Hill. “I think there were 13 or 14 of us that came over to different farms,” she recalls. “We worked hard, and partied equally hard. But we showed up for work every day and made some great connections. I knew, leaving, that this was where the future was.” She took a stake in the nutrition supplements business in 2016 before buying out her partner in 2024. “It's grown dramatically, especially the last seven or eight years, so that's been a lot of fun as well,” Nash says appreciatively. “Business–whether in racing, nutrition or whatever–is the same, always volatile. Doesn't matter how good your decisions are, at the time, there are lots of external factors that you've no control over. So it can be stressful, but it's also very rewarding when you see something evolve and grow. Again, you have to enjoy the successes and learn from the mistakes.” Clients range from local to international, from Thoroughbreds to show jumpers and eventers. But Nash discourages people from treating supplements as rocket fuel. “Not every horse needs to supplement,” she emphasizes. “You identify a need, and find a product that has some efficacy for that need. We do a lot of work with universities, so that we have peer-reviewed, independent research behind our products. I have no control over the outcome of that research. Either something works or it doesn't. And if it doesn't, I don't want to put my name to it. So I focus on that, rather than the shiny label that tells you that it cures everything. I have to believe in something to be able to sell it. As opposed to telling people, 'Oh, I feed two scoops of this and half a scoop of that and my horse runs brilliant.' If only it was that easy.” Sibelius | Ryan Thompson The true vagaries of the racetrack were measured by a short yearling from the first crop of Not This Time, bought as a pinhook with Jun Park at the 2019 Keeneland January Sale ($62,000 RNA). “When we brought him back, in September, he had turned into a very nice yearling,” Nash recalls. “He had a few little things in the X-ray, but nothing that we thought might stop people buying him. But it turned out he failed every vet. Neither of us owned racehorses, but we said we'd break him and send him to Jerry O'Dwyer, and hopefully sell him as a racehorse.” Sibelius broke his maiden at Keeneland second time out, but it was with maturity as a 4-year-old that he got on a real roll, with a couple of stakes wins and the GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes earning him a crack at the G1 Golden Shaheen. “Did we feel we had a very nice horse?” Nash asks. “We did. We felt he deserved to be there and was going to be competitive. But we also knew we were up against the best sprinters in the world. I still watch that race and say, 'I know I was there. I know I witnessed that. But did that really happen?' He was a horse that we felt always needed to run towards the front. And that day he broke late from the one hole and got cut off. Ryan Moore gave him a dream ride. He never panicked and, when he got a gap, he gave that horse so much confidence to go through.” As recently explored by colleague Sara Gordon, Sibelius has continued to thrill his owners with a second career in dressage under O'Dwyer's wife Alison. “That horse gave us the adventure of a lifetime,” Nash says. “And, as so often, it wasn't something that we set out to achieve, either. He brought a really good group of people together, and we just had a great time. I still get stuck for words, thinking about it. “But look, I pinch myself daily. I've been very fortunate to have been given so many opportunities, to have been surrounded by such good people. There's a fantastic community here. We all go out and compete against each other, very aggressively, but it's very close-knit as well.” The inadvertent expansion of her program has required Nash to lease some overspill. “I bought a little farm, and built a barn before a house–as all good horse people do–but I have outgrown that,” she admits. “I suppose it's the worst thing that can happen, to have a little bit of success. You think, 'Oh, this is great, let's just build on that.' Because it's addictive. I mean, I swore I would never have a racehorse–and then I had Sibelius, and now I've bits and pieces all over, and another addiction. But it's so exciting, to be watching horses run and families getting updates on a Saturday afternoon. If it is an addiction, it's a very enjoyable one.” The post Luck Being a Lady to Nash appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — There was still plenty of business to be done as the December Sale drew to a close – in the ring, at the bar, and around the local stallion studs still busily showing to breeders in welcome sunshine. For many, money earned at the sales over the last few weeks is quickly reinvested. Wendy Miller, whose Jarosa Stud was responsible for the first lot in Tuesday's Sceptre Session, was back on Wednesday to buy a new mare. Miller bred Fair Angellica (Harry Angel) herself and when she failed to find a buyer for her as a yearling at £2,000, she put her in training with Richard Hughes who coached her to seven wins from her 16 starts, including Listed victories in England and France and a last-start triumph in the G3 Sceptre Fillies' Stakes before she was handed over to Jenny Norris to be prepared for sale. This time around Miller received 260,000gns in the ring for her, and on Wednesday she restocked with the purchase of three-time winner Ashky (Caravaggio) for 78,000gns, also through Norris Bloodstock. The six-year-old mare (lot 1899) already has a colt foal by Modern Games and she was sold carrying to Triple Time, whose first foals have been well received in recent weeks. “Wendy has the farm next to Jenny and she loved this mare when she saw her there,” said Conor Norris, who conducted the bidding on Miller's behalf. “The Triple Time foals have been lovely so far and she was keen to buy a mare in foal to the sire having seen the foals. He's an exciting young stallion.” Ashky was one of the bestsellers of the day but the leading lady proved to be Denford Stud's 91-rated Desert Spring (lot 1086), who will leave the Gosdens' stable to continue her training in France with Mario Barrati. Alex Elliott was the agent in the hotseat, and bought her on behalf of a partnership for 220,000gns “She ran in a stakes race last time, she is a winner, and bits have happened since she was catalogued,” he said. “We will try to make her a stakes winner and bring her back to the market then.” Desert Spring's third dam Last Second (Alzao) was a multiple group winner for Denford Stud and was bred by Kirsten Rausing and Sonia Rogers from their influential mare Alruccaba. She is thus a half-sister to Alouette (Darshaan), whose Alzao daughters Alborada and Albanova were both multiple Group 1 winners for Rausing. The Denford-developed branch of this high-achieving family includes Last Second's son Aussie Rules (Danehill), the Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner who later become a Lanwades stallion, and Approach (Darshaan), the dam of dual Group 1 winner Coronet (Dubawi) and St Leger runner-up Midas Touch (Galileo). Approach also features as the granddam of Desert Spring, who was sold on her breeder's behalf by The Castlebridge Consignment. Also en route to France will be the beautifully bred Star Spirit (lot 1836), a daughter of Deep Impact and the Prix de Diane winner Star Of Seville (Duke of Marmalade), who was bought by Paul Fretwell of Melchior Bloodstock for 82,000gns. The eight-year-old mare enjoyed an update after the catalogue was published when her juvenile half-sister Star Of Life (Starspangledbanner) won Rome's Listed Premio Femminile. “Under the first dam there is a Dubawi two-year-old who has just gone to the Gosdens, and I like her Ghaiyyath cover,” Fretwell said. “He is a progressive sire, and in France he has a good profile with [Andre] Fabre's My Highness. There is a Havana Grey to run for her and another Starspangledbanner to come. “Her sire Deep Impact – there are not loads of them and he was one of the most important sires in the modern era.” After Tuesday's blockbuster session, this was a lower-key ending to the December Mares Sale, which this year has been abbreviated to three days. Presumably the rise of the online sales has accounted for some of the mares who would previously have been catalogued for what used to be the final session on Thursday. With or without online sales, numbers will almost certainly, for now at least, continue to contract – for mares in production and inevitably the number of foals born across Europe. The diehards and deep-pockets will sit it out, hoping for an upturn, and anyone who has been in the business for long enough will be all too aware of its cyclical nature. That said, even some of those people are beginning to opine that the decline in numbers is alarming. This will inevitably affect the pool of available racehorses for a British fixture list in dire need of pruning. As we have continued to see – quite remarkably at times – the demand for yearlings and young stock at the top end of the market appears to be undiminished, but the horse with a weaker pedigree, by a less fashionable stallion, or an imperfect individual will struggle. Twas ever thus, up to a point, but now it is even more so, and the knock-on effect is that smaller breeders who would once have been at the parade ring rail hoping to sniff out a potential bargain are going home without an extra mouth to feed while considering carefully the futures of the mares they already have at home. To many, it is a time for retrenchment in the hope of survival. With the mares, as for the yearlings, the elite sector remains buoyant, with a premium on top-class fillies who remain racing prospects, as the 4.8m gns given for three-year-old Prix de l'Opera winner Barnavara shows. The list of top ten buyers featured major names from Ireland, China, America, Japan, and India. Bloodstock from these shores continues to have major international pulling power, but Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony sounded more than a note of caution regarding Britain's current political climate in his closing address. He said, “In recent weeks at Tattersalls we have enjoyed record-breaking yearling sales, sustained demand for horses in training and December Foal and Breeding Stock sales which have produced figures second only to the extraordinary 2024 renewals which broke all records. On the face of it, we have a strong market with British and Irish breeders being well rewarded for consistently bringing some of the finest bloodstock to be found anywhere in the world to Park Paddocks, but this hard-earned success comes in spite of rather than because of government support of a genuine British success story.” Those figures, which must be considered against last year's record-breaking trade, led to a 47% decline on the final day to 2,437,100gns in turnover. The clearance rate dropped to 78% from 89% last year, and the 10,000gns median and 15,622gns average represented reductions of 38% and 37% respectively. For the mares overall, however, the average for the three days was up by 13% to 140,661gns and the median rose by 7% to 40,500gns, while the aggregate of 82,337,515gns was down by 2%. The eight days which constituted the December Sale as a whole – from yearlings through to foals then breeding stock – saw turnover of 128,183,700gns (-5%), with 1,364 horses sold at a fractionally improved average of 92,925gns and a median of 35,000gns (+9%). Mahony continued, “Overseas buyers have always been drawn to Tattersalls by the cream of British and Irish bloodstock and we work tirelessly to promote our sales internationally, but domestically the industry continues to be buffeted by external political forces which make it uncomfortably reliant on overseas investment and participation. Just as we court overseas buyers, domestic involvement needs to be nurtured and encouraged in order for the industry to thrive in the long term and the current direction of political travel in this country is a cause for concern. The rural economy is clearly not a priority at present and the two budgets under the current Labour government have increased taxation and business costs in every sector of society. “While government has accepted the racing industry's case with respect to betting duty, the wider industry dynamics remain perilously uncertain. We are fortunate that the lure of Newmarket as the Headquarters of European racing continues to resonate globally, but we must also work to ensure that government does not allow the status of a globally admired industry to be eroded through neglect.” Thought for the day It's disconcerting to know that when we reconvene at Tattersalls for the February Sale, the soundtrack of the day will not include the voices of Edmond Mahony and John O'Kelly presiding over the sale ring from the rostrum. Like a favourite presenter on your favourite radio channel (it used to be Radio 1 but advancing years have seen the dial moved to 2 and now 4), certain voices become a part of daily life, and for those of us who spend plenty of time on the sales beat, hearing Mahony and O'Kelly during stints throughout the day has become a familiar anthem. It is not an overstatement to say that auctioneering is an art form in its own right, one which done right must skilfully blend the commanding delivery of key facts with a touch of theatrical performance. These two men are masters of this art, and though we will undoubtedly continue to see them at Tattersalls, days at Park Paddocks will be poorer for their absence from the main stage. The post Mahony Sounds Note of Caution Despite Strong December Returns at Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 12/02/2025 Licensee: Kelsie Calvo, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 3, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Tramadol–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Chica Chula, who finished sixth at Mahoning Valley on 10/22/25. Dates: 12/02/2025 Licensee: William Blair, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on December 3, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horses' Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. The following two cases were treated as one. Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in samples taken from Ce La Vi Charli, who finished second at Churchill Downs on 9/19/25; and from Lunar Module, who finished third at Churchill Downs on 9/21/25. Dates: 12/02/2025 Licensee: Carrie Jo Robertson, owner Penalty: 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, or until the purse for the Covered Horse is repaid in full (whichever is shorter), beginning on December 3, 2025; a fine of $5,000 ($4,500 fine will be waived if all purses are repaid). Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Violation of Rule 3510(b), “Refusal/failure to cooperate promptly and completely with HISA/HIWU under the ADMC Program Rules.” The horse in question is Witsec. More specifically, Robertson is accused of not paying back the purse for a case concerning her horse Witsec, who had previously tested positive for Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–after finishing second at Will Rogers on April 14. Witsec was disqualified from the race, and connections were required to forfeit all purses and other compensation, prizes and trophies. Robertson's 60-day suspension begins December 3. The suspension would end upon repayment of the purse, at which point, $4,500 of the $5,000 fine would also be waived. Pending ADMC Violations 12/02/2025, Elisha May Perez, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Malibu Knight on 11/3/25. 12/02/2025, Tareq Moubarak, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Ranitidine–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Neural Network on 11/2/25. 12/01/2025, Brian Cook, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Flunixin–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Mia Vita on 10/31/25. 12/01/2025, Anna Decker, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Sargeant Gump, who won at Belterra Park on 8/28/25. 12/01/2025, Dr. Donald J. McCrosky, veterinarian: Pending alleged violation of rule 3214(b)–“Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in any Banned Substance or Banned Method” for an event dated 8/19/25. The banned substances in question are Testosterone and Glaucine. Violations of Crop Rule Churchill Downs Amir Mendoza – violation date November 28; $500 fine, one-day suspension Tyler Wayne Bacon – violation date November 27; $1000 fine, two-day suspension The post National Rulings Nov. 27-Dec. 3 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $300,000 Mouttet Mile Invitational at Caymanas Park in Jamaica will air on America's Day at the Races for the third consecutive year this Saturday, the New York Racing Association announced Wednesday. Hall of Fame jockey Javier Castellano is scheduled to compete in the race for the first time, having secured the mount on Rideallday (Vekoma). In addition to on-site analysis from Andy Serling and Maggie Wolfendale of the Mouttet Mile, Chairman's Plate Invitational and Bruceontheloose Sprint Trophy, America's Day at the Races, a national telecast produced by NYRA in partnership with FOX Sports, will highlight the impact of Hurricane Melissa and the on-going storm recovery and rebuilding efforts throughout the island. The post Mouttet Mile Coverage on America’s Day at the Races Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's Serenetta (Kingman), a half-sister to Arc heroine Bluestocking (Camelot) and this term's Sussex Stakes hero Qirat (Showcasing), backed up a debut third at Newmarket last month with a decisive victory in Wednesday's Racing TV Fillies' Novice Stakes at Kempton. The Ralph Beckett trainee justified odds-on favouritism and made most of the running to defeat Godolphin's Al Qaysiyya (Dubawi) by 1 1/2 lengths in the seven-furlong contest. “She had a lovely run with Hector [Crouch] the first day and she seems like a smart filly,” said winning rider Colin Keane of the G1 Oaks entry. “I thought she won nicely, she's got the box ticked now and she'll be a lovely filly for next year.” Serenetta is the eighth of nine foals and fifth scorer produced by G1 Matron Stakes victrix Emulous (Dansili). The March-foaled homebred is a half-sister to multiple Group 1-winning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Bluestocking (Camelot), this term's G1 Sussex Stakes victor Qirat (Showcasing) and a yearling filly by Frankel. Emulous is also the second dam of stakes-winning G3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes runner-up Sand Gazelle (Frankel), G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes and G3 Prix Chloe second Cathedral (Too Darn Hot) and G3 Ballyogan Stakes runner-up Firebird (Lope De Vega). The post Bluestocking’s Half Sister Serenetta Graduates at Kempton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irad Ortiz Jr. is Jockey of the Week for Nov. 24-30. In addition to winning six stakes races and 16 races overall, the five-time Eclipse Award winner earned his first leading rider title at Churchill Downs. View the full article

A rare chance to be tested around two turns at a 1 1/8-mile distance awaits a large field of a dozen 2-year-olds in the Dec. 6 Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack. View the full article

In a recent conversation with TDN's very own Sue Finley, I realized that we were facing the same, and admittedly awful, conundrum: where will we eat out in Deauville this December? It is an understatement to say that the eating and drinking scene in the Normandy resort has undergone quite a changeover in the last few years. In fact, most of the venues where racing and bloodstock folks used to gather at the end of a long day on the Arqana sales grounds have either closed or changed hands – and in the latter case are likely to be owned by the same Parisian conglomerate that took over a number of local institutions after Covid. Le Drakkar, Le Central, Santa Lucia, Fanfaron, Le Comptoir et la Table, Barbara, Le Brok, 21, Marinette and many more are either gone or just a faded memory of their old selves. To make things worse, they all seem to have followed the same trend: upward prices, downward authenticity, fewer local products, more globalized dishes, and this ubiquitous neutral, pretendedly chic décor. I am told it is called “premiumization” – I call it “AirBnBzation”. As if the whole point of travelling was about making sure that you can find the exact same latte and burger thousands of miles away from home, and still flood your Instagram feed with 'quaint' photos of the remote country you are visiting. Yet I have some good news for those who might be sharing my disappointment (and Sue's). There are still some family-owned, locally provided restaurants – included newly-opened ones – to be found if you delve just a little bit deeper into the narrow streets of Deauville – and more importantly, just across the river in Trouville. Oldies but goodies While most of the old favorites may seem to have been turned upside down, a handful are still holding strong. It is thankfully the case of Les 4 Chats, which after 33 years in business remains one of the liveliest and tastiest eateries in town. Nested in a tiny little street just off Trouville's popular Rue des Bains and bathed in its signature red light, Serge Salmon's pride and joy is as coveted for its quirky interior (think of a three-story house crammed with tables of all shapes and sizes) as for its rôti de coeur d'alloyeau (a roasted piece of beef, sourced from local breeders). And it you fancy pushing it late into the night with some singing and dancing, this is definitely the place to go. Reservations are recommended. In a much quieter style, La Régence never disappoints those looking for traditional fishy dishes at their finest. White tablecloths, red velvet chairs and silverware are in order in this historical décor which dates back to 1853, when Trouville first became a fashionable seaside resort and earned her nickname 'La reine des plages'. Nathalie Fremond and her husband Jean-François serve the best lobster in town and speak fluent English, which never hurts. As at Les 4 Chats, reserve in advance. A traditional brasserie…with matching prices Facing the Deauville townhall and the charming carillon that plays the melody of Claude Lelouch's A Man and a Woman every hour now sits a cosy brasserie by the name of Les Petits Princes. Behind the wooden almond green shutters, Thomas Sivadier, whose family has bred and raced horses for several decades, operates from breakfast until late. French staples such as croque monsieur, steak tartare and entrecôte are of top quality and at sensible prices (dinners range from 14-28 euros per), something which seems to have become a rarity in this part of town. Sivadier races his Flat-bred horses with trainer Nicolas Perret in Marseille, including the restaurant's equine namesake who won his first two starts this year and just fell short in Group company, as well as jumpers with Yannick Fouin and David Cottin. His restaurant is a refreshing addition to a neighbourhood where 'simple' sometimes sound like an insult. A taste of Portugal in Normandy Launching a Portuguese restaurant in Trouville may sound like a bold challenge, but one that Alex Mary has taken up with rousing success. Aptly located in the narrow, uphill Rue de Verdun, which easily brings views of Lisbon to mind, his Lisboa Café is a place to warm your heart and soul after a long day of inspections in the wintery wind. Every piece of furniture was carefully picked in brocantes and flea markets by Trouville-born Alex and his wife Elodie of Portuguese descent, while the menu is a delightful mix of French and Portuguese influences. From starters to the delicious pasteis de nata, everything is homemade, and the fireplace adds the finishing touch to the homely feeling. Gastronomy with a modern twist Thirty-year-old Jarvis Scott learned his trade along some of France's most famous chefs before taking part in the TV show Top Chef in 2021. Three years later, he opened his first restaurant, Turbulent, in Trouville. As it says on the tin, this bistronomic venue adds a creative twist to local products and French traditional recipes, with the menu changing on a weekly basis. At the moment, oysters with a shot of ginger water and the revisited tête de veau are well worth a try. Small is beautiful for Scott as his boutique restaurant can only sit 35 guests, yet it includes a long table which can accommodate large parties. Chez Ginette: grandma's kitchen As Romane Hardy puts it: “Ginette is my grandmother's first name and our goal was for our guests to feel like they're eating at their grandmother's house“. Together with partner Arthur Laisney, the native from Normandy opened her first restaurant a year ago in Trouville's busy Rue des Bains. Chez Ginette has quickly become known for its generous portions of old-fashioned, unpretentious dishes such as langue de boeuf, cordon bleu and roasted camembert. The atmosphere is cosy and lively, and families are made to feel welcome by the vast array of table games and books on display. Sunday brunch is a must! As the December sales approach, finding an authentic Normandy dining experience may take a little more digging than in years past, but our support of individually-owned restos can only help to preserve that experience for the future. The post Deauville: Mais Où Sont les Restos d’Antan? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Widely regarded as one of the most gifted and entertaining auctioneers in the business, John O'Kelly brought the curtain down on his time on the rostrum at Tattersalls during the Sceptre Sessions on Tuesday evening. And what a way to do it. O'Kelly brought the hammer down at 4.5 million gns to MV Magnier on Donnacha O'Brien's multiple Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna. It was a moment in time for the throngs of people packed into the auditorium as, for many in attendance, they had grown up listening to O'Kelly's dulcet tones – often spoken in many different languages. If the standing that he was held in was ever in doubt, the warm round of applause followed by a standing ovation shortly after Porta Fortuna left the building speaks volumes as to what the loyal cohort of buyers and general bloodstock nuts felt about O'Kelly's departure. Speaking ahead of that momentous night, O'Kelly commented, “I am stepping down from the rostrum at Tattersalls, I am not retiring as an auctioneer. There will hopefully be opportunities that present themselves and we will go forward from there. “I have always told my kids to find out what they want to do in life and then find someone who is prepared to pay you to do it. I have had a job that is not a job, it's a way of life. You get up every morning with a smile on your face. You are selling horses and you're selling dreams. It really is dream stuff. The sales ring here at Tattersalls is magnificent.” He added, “I started here in December 1993. I worked at Goffs from 1980 until 1990 and then between 1990 and 1993 I was freelance. It was in 1993 when Tattersalls asked me to come on board. I have been associated with the company so long that it's very easy to say, 'oh, poor me, I'm not selling here anymore, I'll go elsewhere.' But really, it's a good firm. But it's a tough one having to stop auctioneering. They've asked me to stay on to inspect yearlings and be an ambassador.” It is Tattersalls policy that auctioneers do not continue beyond their 65th year. By that metric, the company's chairman Edmond Mahony, will also bid adieu to the rostrum this week. However, while O'Kelly will officially be retired from the auctioneering at Tattersalls from Wednesday, he revealed that he will continue to be an auctioneer at BBAG, in South Africa and perhaps elsewhere. “I'm maturing like an old wine! People become presidents of countries much older than 65 but I can understand why theispolicy is in place at Tattersalls. But listen, it was discussed. I put my argument forward but ultimately it was the board's call. I'd love to carry on, as I'm doing with a heavy heart, but I fully appreciate their policy and I wish them the best in the world. I'll still miss it. “All good things come to an end. Edmond and I work tremendously well together. What the guy has done for this company is just incredible. He's a great man to encourage people to just get out there and do it. Edmond has always placed trust in his people. I tip my hat to him, what a great job he has done. I wish him well in his retirement also. But look, I have had a wonderful time here and I have no regrets. Yes, I am sorry that it's coming to an end. Would I like to continue? Absolutely. But hey, that's life. “I live in Belgium and I'll still be an auctioneer at BBAG and I'll do South Africa as well. The rest is sort of up in the air. But, do you know what,” O'Kelly says before clearing his throat, “quite honestly, I have just been trying to get through this week. I want to give it my all, finish on a high, and then I can sit back and think. I have a decent filly to sell tonight – I hope I don't mess it up as it's a nice parting gift.” O'Kelly handled the selling of four-time Group 1 winner Porta Fortuna as only someone as professional and assured as he could. Shortly after the applause had died down, he thanked those in attendance at Park Paddocks by saying, “I have enjoyed every minute of it. But can I just say that your support and participation has made this all such fun and a pleasure. The memories we have are phenomenal. Thank you all so much indeed. Have a very good Christmas Day. O'Kelly, out.” The post “All Good Things Come To An End” – O’Kelly Retires From The Rostrum At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

James McDonald has won the Longines World's Best Jockey title for the second consecutive year and third time overall. The New Zealand-born, Australian-based jockey also won the Longines World's Best Jockey Award in 2022. The awarding of the Longines World's Best Jockey title is based upon performances in the 100 highest-rated Group and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from December 1 of the previous year until November 30 of the current year. Jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for placing second and 4 points for placing third. McDonald held a sizeable lead throughout much of the 2025 competition, partnering the winner of no fewer than 12 of the 100 qualifying races, including the Longines Hong Kong Cup (Romantic Warrior), the Longines Hong Kong Mile (Voyage Bubble) and the Ladbrokes Cox Plate (Via Sistina). He finished with a total of 184 points, ahead of Mickael Barzalona with 132 points and William Buick with 114 points. Ryan Moore was the inaugural recipient of the Longines World's Best Jockey Award in 2014. He also claimed the title in 2016, 2021 and 2023, with his four triumphs being matched by Frankie Dettori, who was successful in 2015, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Completing the list of winners is Hugh Bowman, who topped the table in 2017. A ceremony will be held during the gala dinner of the Longines Hong Kong International Races on Friday, December 12 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre to honour McDonald. The full and final standings for the 2025 Longines World's Best Jockey competition can be found at www.ifhaonline.org. The post James McDonald Named Longines World’s Best Jockey for Third Time in Four Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brett Crawford continued his strong start to life in Hong Kong with his first Happy Valley double, while Caspar Fownes shot up to second in the trainers’ championship with a brace of his own on Wednesday evening. Ninja Derby was Crawford’s first winner in Hong Kong on a day where he secured a double at Sha Tin in September and he struck again for the South African trainer in the Class Five Tai Lam Chung Handicap (1,800m). There was never a moment's worry for his backers, with Lyle Hewitson...View the full article

James McDonald has won the Longines World's Best Jockey title for the second consecutive year and third time in the last four years.View the full article

Sports betting is flying, I presume most of the new customers are sports bettors Look forward to this In addition to transforming live race coverage, the new GPS-RTK system will deliver comprehensive post-race sectional and timing data, offering racing lovers unprecedented insight into race performance. This will soon be available through trackside.co.nz and other platforms as a powerful tool for form analysis and to enhance the overall racing experience. Stay tuned over the summer months for the debut of Upon The Land We Stand, hosted by Kylie Bax. Kylie is travelling the length of New Zealand to uncover the stories, spirit, and people that make our racing community so special Someone was complaining elsewhere about Michael Guerin interviewing Zac Purton and its relevance to NZ racing, and that they should be grassroot NZ racing people. Well, there is your answer

Interesting man seems like quite a few on this channel. A shame we lost TAB4Ever. This place is getting a good reputation CS