All Activity

If recent history is anything to go by, Thursday's crowd at Cagnes-sur-Mer could have been looking at a future Group 1 winner as Frankish prevailed in what is becoming a storied maiden. Three years after the Prix Ace Impact was won its former guise by the illustrious colt after which it is now named, the 10-furlong test on the sand which has seen two other subsequent top-level winners come to the fore produced another highly promising newcomer. Unsurprisingly, the Wertheimers' son of Lope De Vega and their 1,000 Guineas heroine Miss France (Dansili) was sent off the 3-1 second favourite behind the Rouget colt Armano (Waldgeist), who as a half-brother to Ace Impact himself and the 2024 winner of this race in Arrow Eagle (Gleneagles) was always going to be popular. In the event, the more stoutly-bred Waltraut Spanner homebred was never able to get into the race in any meaningful sense while the Yann Barberot-trained Frankish travelled with menace restrained under cover in third under Hugo Journiac. While the 19-10 market-leader Armano could only stay on into fifth, the winner overhauled Jean-Claude Seroul's Cosmic Boy (De Treville) approaching the furlong pole and on to a convincing two-length success. Frankish has big boots to fill now, with last year's Grand Prix de Paris hero Leffard (Le Havre) having become the third straight Prix Ace Impact to register a victory at the highest level. A horse to follow? The well-bred Frankish (Lope De Vega x Miss France) lands the Ace Impact Stakes on debut… pic.twitter.com/7UhCsgoSKg — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 15, 2026 The post Wertheimer Blueblood Frankish Wins Key Cagnes Pointer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Troubled but talented mare Tarvue (NZ) (Tarzino) will chase successive Flemington victories when she lines up in the staying event on the card this Saturday. The John Sadler-trained daughter of Tarzino is on the quick back-up after she saluted at headquarters last weekend. “She’s had lots of feet problems which have really interrupted her career so far,” Sadler said. “I don’t think we’ve ever seen the best of her until possibly last Saturday where we saw a glimpse of what we’ve been hoping for.” Sadler gave credit to renowned farrier John Bunting for the work that he’s done in assisting Tarvue with her feet issues. Saturday’s 2520m contest will prove to be a decisive race for Tarvue’s preparation, as a tilt at the Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March could be on the cards for her, depending on how she handles the rise in distance this weekend. “Of course, the query is the 1800m to the 2500m, but she would have been better at 2000m last week,” Sadler said. “I don’t think the 2500m is going to be a worry.” Luke Cartwright will retain the ride on Tarvue on Saturday. Tarvue was bred by Rosemont Stud and is by Westbury Stud’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Tarzino, who has quickly made his name as a sire of classic horses – such as Derby winners Jungle Magnate and Willydoit and Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess. The dam of Tarvue is the Japanese-bred Admire Moon mare Vamoose, a half-sister to the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Admire Rakti. Mapperley Stud offered Tarvue in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, where Vue International Pty Ltd bought her for $25,000. Tarvue’s 16-start career has produced four wins, two placings and A$168,800 in stakes. View the full article

An expanded Hong Kong 10s tournament and midweek racing at Happy Valley are among the changes being made to this year’s sevens week in the city, as the landmark tournament celebrates its 50th birthday in April. For the first time, a partnership between Hong Kong China Rugby, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Hong Kong Football Club will bring an element of cohesion to what is traditionally the biggest week in the city’s sporting calendar. Rugby and racing will work in tandem through the week, with...View the full article

5) The out the gate boys were allowed on for whatever amount they want and are now in profit land.

I spose you're right , but companies All look to try and grab as many self interest bucks they can, and Exactly as you say , that's how the world Works. I find the last 3 years harness racing quite entertaining (Nz harness) I guess because of the New races and the Aussie involvement which has been outstanding. You got to see Swayzee and Just Believe and Keayang Zahara. some of the best ever. has been fabulous to say the least. but I was happy for the locals too, and to see the Golden Gait series at Auckland past 2 years, and those $60k races the other day for under $5,000 fee stallions , Run and Won by your 'Battlers' too at Ashburton !! but you guys Still weren't happy with HRNZ doing that?. So I guess that prioritized Self Interest somehow as well. Oh well . At least they tried to look after the Battler. was a good days racing and many not Rich and Famous got a quid. so it worked fine. kiwi Ingenuity strikes again.

i bag hrnz's current financial management team. i was once in a co-op and it used to be well run.Then people in charge changed,others retired and things started going off the rails.So i spoke up at meetings and pointed out some obvious truths about finacial matters. e.g. i wanted them to put systems in place to ensure every $ was accounted for,in particular around honesty.. management said,what are you on about . I said,why can't you do the maths at meetings . in the end i got tired of it,,so just made sure the office credited my account with every last $ i was due. .Well ,guess what,turned out i was right and the company eventually admitted $100,000 of shareholders money went into the ether.i was the only one not effected .That is differetn to anything hrnz is doing,no dishonesty at hrnz i assume,,but the same in that sometimes things are pretty obvious. But people always choose to see only what benefits themselves short term and ignore the self harm they are doing by refusing to listen to common sense voices. What i learnt was,well all you can do is put your opinion forward ,but it doesn't change that people always prioritise self interest. its just the way the world works. harness racings no different. everyone is just trying to do whats best for themselves. But hrnz leadership should be there to do whats best for everyone,not whats best for their mates and the people or clubs who have the influence.

Gamma, to be fair I do not believe that there would be too many harness enthusiasts that would be happy with the decisions that have been made by the four parties you mentioned? Brodie is just pointing out fact, that you could not defend! ATC, absolute incompetency Entain, self interest only and will pull the plug in 2 years, racing profit not what they require and poor decisions being made. HRNZ, no comment needed North Island harness - cot case! Gamma, all very sad but just the reality, snd things need to change for the sake of the long term racing. Hopefully I am totally wrong but I havent spoken to a single person who thinks things are going in the right direction.

I know what you're saying. But really with the money they pour in (buying yearlings and that ) I can only support the rich and famous , as much as the battler. I hope they all get a win in the end. not many of them actually return a profit in the end , but have fun racing a few . afterall it is a sport and is about enjoyment as well as money. The quality of the horsepeople in the Nrth Island is off the scale high. Only a small band left and people like Tony Herlihy are the most humble wonderful people I have ever met. I am glad they put races on for him still in his twilight years . sure they're not battlers (any of those trainers left) but HOW good For the Sport have they been Over the years. Just amazing really. I love watching the NZ trotting still, and those bloes. Probably the saddest silly thing I do is seeing how you have given up on em' (after being really supportive up to a couple of years ago ) but Brodster has weakened you into his Bag everyone (ATC, Entain, HRNZ, North Island ) narrative , when really the product being produced is > STILL WORLD CLASS , and you can't see it . Bring on the next Cambridge night of Champions I say !! who doesn't love seeing the best go round ? everyone except me it seems lol 😅😂🤣 never mind. we all have faults lol.

The one small chink in Ka Ying Rising’s armour seems to be a thing of the past as the world’s best sprinter once again impressed his trainer David Hayes in a barrier trial on Thursday ahead of the Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m). The apple of Hayes’ eye is going for a 17th straight win at Sha Tin on January 25, and he rocketed out of the gates under Zac Purton on Sha Tin’s dirt surface, easing away from his rivals to win by three and three-quarter lengths. He clocked a time of 1:10.36,...View the full article

i don't mind a bit of sarcasm. . only thing is,you have said many times that you belive the first pararaph. you are consistent.Always,focusing on the desparate plight of harness racings rich and famous,worried about where they may get their next meal from if the north island stakes were to be cut, or hrnz was to say,no more 5 horse fields. You've got me feeling sorry for them as well. I will put in a kind word if is see them at the foodbank next week and will drop and email to brad steele and voice my support for more 3 horse fields and 50,000 series,whatever they call them. theres my bit of sarcasm. i'll be honest like you gamma. i don't give a second thought to just how tough it could be for harness racings rich and famous. Why. Because they are rich and famous. i care far more about the battlers and the small timers who have also spent their lifetimes dedicated to the same industry and haven't the wealth or had success to any great level,but kept plugging away because of their love for the sport and the horse. yeah,great stuff ATC. eroding their asset base by half a million a month for the last couple of years is something to really applaud. Well done ATC. Oh and well done cambridge.they know how to dig themselves into a huge financial hole as well. Well done to them. And well done hrnz. You know how to pick the best run clubs to throw the industries financial resources at. Come in atc and cambridge.

Lol, i have never mentioned that the champions of North Island racing should piss off! Of course they should get accolades for what they have done for harness racing in the last 40 years or so! Its not Hrnz’s fault that the ATC has stuffed the racing in Auckland who was trying to make millions for racing up North! Problem is that they made decisions that have now ensured that it is not financially viable to continue to race in Auckland unless there is a massive bail out, and not sure whether that is ever possible? HRNZ certainly have no ability to be able to bsil them out as their finances are going to be in dire straights in 2 years time! Would be great for someone from HRNZ, probably the CEO to actually come on BOAY and advise us what is going on with racing in the North island? The thing is they wont because they havent got an answer and yet they continue to make decisions that anyone with business acumen would not be making! To be running races at Invercargill today for $40k and having 6 horses and being a group 3 is just hard to justify? Once again Gamma, never put down the champions of harness in either the North and South, just pointing out that what is happening can not continue.

You would haven ridden quite a few winners in your time Bill, from memory you did a few stints in the lucky country as well.

Hopefully the forecast improves, they've got quite a few wrong lately, mate over the coast said they were on a rain watch, hardly got a drop.

I recon that one mid week winter meeting that not more that 20 people would have been in the public outside area, drifting in and out as the day went on.. personally, I don't actually mind! small fields! way easier to find a winner! small crowds! ya! for the photographer! Wingatui is one of the worse on a bright sunny day! as the sun is shining straight into the camera lens! so with a modern camera! a gray day is acceptable!

Bidding to equal Silent Witness’ long-standing record for the most consecutive wins by a Hong Kong, China-trained horse, Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) swept to an imperious barrier trial victory at Sha Tin this morning (Thursday, 15 January) ahead of his tilt at history on 25 January. Preparing to chase a 17th straight victory when he contests the HK$13 million G1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin next week, Ka Ying Rising cruised over 1200m on Sha Tin’s dirt course under Zac Purton, clocking 1m 10.36s, and beating stablemate Romantic Son by three-and-three-quarter lengths with Galax Patch third, while Helios Express was a sedate sixth. The six-time Group 1 winner pleased trainer David Hayes as he vies to match the towering winning streak of Silent Witness, who was unbeaten in 17 starts from December, 2002 to April, 2005, when he was toppled by Tony Cruz stablemate Bullish Luck in the Champions Mile (1600m) by a short head. “Ka Ying Rising was very good. That was probably the fastest I’ve seen him jump out of the gates,” Hayes said. “His gate speed was incredible and then he was happy to just cruise along and won as you would expect. “Zac said he had a healthy blow afterwards and that’s why he trials because he needs a tune-up before his race. He’ll have a bit of striding work next week and next Wednesday (21 January) he’ll do a bit of work and then he’ll be ready to go. “He’s giving the impression he’s not going backwards. It’s hard to say he’s better than the performances he’s been giving recently but he looks like he’s right on song for the 25th (of January).” Since losing twice by narrow margins to Wunderbar as a three-year-old, Ka Ying Rising has soared to dizzying heights in 16 subsequent starts since February, 2024 – annexing six Group 1s, including the world’s richest sprint race, the G1 The Everest (1200m), twice breaking Sha Tin’s 1200m record and rising from 69 in the ratings to 138 as Hong Kong’s highest-rated horse. Acclaimed as Hong Kong’s Horse of the Year for his unbeaten eight-win 2024/25 season, Ka Ying Rising returns to competition next week for the first time since surging to victory in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) on 14 December. If successful in the three-race Hong Kong Speed Series’ opening leg, the Centenary Sprint Cup, Ka Ying Rising would then have the chance to take outright ownership of the record for the most successive wins by a Hong Kong, China-trained horse in the HK$13 million G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (1400m). View the full article

Stakes targets are in the offing for in-form gelding Brave Spirit (NZ) (Swiss Ace) if he continues his purple patch of form in Saturday’s Hope & Sons/Adam’s Plumbing Open 1400 at Wingatui. The consistent six-year-old was runner-up first-up in his stable debut for trainer Jospeh Waldron at Riccarton in October before going one better at the Christchurch track a month later. He then stepped up to Open company for the first time at Wingatui on Boxing Day where he was victorious in his 1200m contest. Waldron has been pleased with the gelding’s progression since that run and is confident of a similar showing at his home track this weekend where he will jump from barrier three with apprentice jockey Triston Moodley in the saddle. “He should get a perfect run from that draw,” Waldron said. “Triston knows him well after his last run, so there won’t be many instructions, he knows how to get the job done. “He has been in great form since his last start, so there is no reason why he can’t win again. “It was great to see him take that step up and win in Open company, it shows he is well and truly up to that level. “He has got a better record at 1400m than he does at 1200m, so I am really looking forward to seeing him at that trip.” While contemplating sending Brave Spirit to the paddock for a spell, Waldron said he may be tempted to contest next month’s Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Hazlett Stakes (1400m) if he performs up to expectations this weekend. “He is up in the ratings now so if he did happen to win, or be competitive, and comes through the run well, he could possibly go to the Hazlett,” he said. “At the same time, he has done a good job for us this time around so we could put him away and wait again. We will take it one run at a time and be grateful that he has already done what he has done.” Waldron is also looking forward to stablemate Mawkeb making her New Zealand debut in the Cargill Contracting And Wae 65 1200. The daughter of Deep Field came into his care while he was in Australia and following a good spell she will make her first appearance for the stable this weekend. “She is a long time between runs,” Waldron said. “We got her just before we left Australia. She has a fair bit of wear and tear, so she needed a good break, which we gave her, and she has had a slow, easy build-up and is doing everything right. “She is a very good wet-tracker, so any kind of rain that we get between now and the weekend will be of real benefit for her. “She is more of a 1400m to a miler type horse, so as long as she is hitting the line it will be a pass mark. She is going in without a jump-out and almost 12 months between runs, so she will well and truly improve from the run. “She is classy and she looks well placed back in 65 grade, but there are certainly no expectations.” Waldron will also be represented by Group Three performer Let Fly (NZ) (Raise The Flag) in the Skevingtons Waikouaiti Cup (2200m). “She was okay in a very oddly run race last time,” Waldron said. “It looks like we should get a better run from the good draw (2). “Up in open company is not really ideal and Mayor Of Norwood (NZ) (Ghibellines) is a good horse, so he will be hard to beat, even with the weight (61kg). It is a pretty even bunch around him so we are looking forward to hopefully seeing a bit more from her this time.” View the full article

Stephen Marsh will be chasing a third victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and is confident he has the firepower on reasonable ground to go close. The Cambridge trainer’s hopes of retaining the Harcourts-sponsored crown rest with Queen Zou (Zoustar) after reclaiming the title last year with Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) following the stable’s 2017 win with Thee Auld Floozie (NZ) (Mastercraftsman). Queen Zou earned top honours on New Year’s Day in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) at Ellerslie with 53kg and the Zoustar mare will carry the same weight again with Matt Cartwright retaining the mount. However, a continuation of her form will likely rest with a factor outside of Marsh’s control. “It’s a very even sort of field and if she got the right track conditions then I think she will race extremely well,” Marsh said. “I just hope the weather bomb doesn’t hit, she’s got a little bit of form on rain-affected ground. “She goes into the race very well off the back of a Group Two win and has gone forward since then. She’s had a good solid prep and might deserve a light let-up after this.” Stablemate In Your Dreams (NZ) (Per Incanto) was an encouraging debut third at Rotorua and will face a steep rise in class in the Gr.3 NZB Desert Gold Stakes (1600m). “I really rate her and think she’s a filly going places, she’s in against some nice horses but she’s well above average and the big mile at Trentham, if it’s a good track, will suit her,” Marsh said. Miss Fladgate (Russian Revolution) will take on a small line-up in the Gee & Hickton Funeral Directors Sprint (1100m) and is expected to give another strong account of herself. “She’s a mare in good form and I reckon the straight will suit her,” he said. The Russian Revolution mare has made progress this preparation with a brace of wins and a last-start third at Ellerslie on Boxing Day from her last four appearances to back her claims. At Pukekohe Park on Sunday, Marsh has tipped a turnaround from Roctave (NZ) (Roc de Cambes) in the trackside,co.nz (2200m). He was an impressive winner at Te Rapa two runs back before an unplaced effort at Ellerslie. “I think Roctave can bounce back to form, he went a bit hard last time out and nothing went right for him,” he said. Meanwhile, smart debut winner Lunaman’s (NZ) performance in the Myracehorse 3YO (1600m) will give the stable a pointer toward his immediate future. “He’s eligible for The (NZB) Kiwi ($4 million, 1500m) and he’s in the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) so this race will tell a bit of a story as to where we head with him,” Marsh said. He returned home earlier this week from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale where on Monday he purchased a Stay Inside filly, signing the ticket at A$200,000 with Dylan Johnson Bloodstock. “She’s by a Golden Slipper winner out of a stakes-winning More Than Ready mare so she’s got very good credentials, we only looked at fillies and those with a bit of pedigree and speed,” Marsh said. The youngster also boasts the presence of Gr.1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner True Jewels on her pedigree page. View the full article

A nail may have scuppered her early summer targets, but Taranaki mare Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) is back on track and thriving ahead of her resuming run in Saturday’s Gr.2 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. The seven-year-old daughter of Complacent was in red-hot form over spring, winning the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) in October. Trainer and part-owner Kim Reid then set her sights towards elite-level targets, eyeing the Gr.1 Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham last month, but a stray nail thwarted those plans. “She had a nail go into her foot the week prior to the Mufhasa, so that put us on the backburner for a little bit,” Reid said. “She had a couple of weeks out with that, so it was a bit of a rollercoaster ride.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb has made pleasing progress and impressed in an exhibition gallop at her home track of New Plymouth a couple of weeks ago, giving Reid the confidence to press on towards the Thorndon Mile. “We had a gallop between races at New Plymouth a few weeks ago. Chris (Dell) rode her there and was really happy with how she went,” she said. Reid gave her mare a strong hit-out at home on Sunday and feared she may have overtaxed her less than a week out from her resuming run, but she said Hi Yo Sass Bomb has bounced through the run and is thriving ahead of Saturday. “We travelled down to Wanganui to gallop between races on Saturday, but we thought the track was a bit firm and we didn’t want to risk it,” Reid said. “We galloped at New Plymouth on Sunday and I thought I might have flattened her, it was a pretty hard gallop, but she has been bouncing around this week, so I think she is right there.” Reid is aware of the task ahead of her this weekend, but she has faith her mare is up to the challenge, and TAB bookmakers agree, installing her a $7 third favourite behind Group One winner Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) ($3) and last-start Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) winner Queen Zou (Zoustar) ($5.50). “I feel like she is flying,” Reid said. “I know it is a big ask heading straight back into a big one after such a big spell out, but she is pretty tough. I am expecting a nice run on Saturday.” Reid has circled next month’s Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa as Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s next major target and felt the Thorndon Mile was the perfect lead-in race, with her mare set to carry just 53kg. “We are heading to the Herbie Dyke (Gr.1, 2000m) as our next target, so we were looking for a race to get there,” she said. “We could go out in an open handicap carrying top weight, but 53kg is quite nice.” View the full article

Well at least there will one patron there.😁

At least there was/is the delusion that you have the next Derby winner!! I'm sure most of them are tied up in vanity projects, aided by generous tax options, for some..

Sat on plenty of overpriced slow bastards, that was enough. As for buying bullion, purchased 1 kg of rare gold bullion six months ago for $180k. Can sell it to you now for $290k !

MGA won't be licensed for NZ once the new licences are in place. Entain could and probably will get one I'd say, but not as part of their relationship with TABNZ.

Probably be larger as they wont be walking the dogs?

It will be interesting to see how many turn up on course? not the best lead in weather for a summers meeting! not the best looking weather forecasted for sat, a max of 14c with southerlies... A few interesting fields to be had! "we" will be on course, happy to take any photos if any boay'ers have anything running! I be looking forward to seeing young Jack Taplin riding for the first time! Hoping I can get a winning photo of him!

Ok. Never bothered to look at it before. Just started get ads for some reason. So what would stop the TAB getting a MGA license? Is the Government not going to allow ENTAIN to bid for a license?