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Oh damm. Here's me thinking that's what they were trying to achieve.

Social media hasn't helped matters in the last few years, with mostly wild speculation and innuendo about what NZTR is supposedly doing. Wightman being the classic example of spreading, what can only be called gossip, without anything to back the claims. And it is not just occasionally; it is full on every day. The guy would have you believe that the issues at Hastings and Awapuni were purposely orchestrated to allow NZTR to centralise racing in Auckland/Waikato. Trouble is that people start believing it after a while

looking at the horses orange has drawn,it would be a surprise to see any of the 5 horses he's drawn at kaikoura run in the top 3. so you would think his chances have already taken a real dive. I guess all he can hope is he draws some of the better chances thereafter. G hall jnr has drawn what you would expect to be the 3 hot favorites in all 3 heats on the sunday and another likely favorite in one of the 2 heats on the monday. he clearly has been the luckiest from the draw of horses,by a long way. thats why the tab now have him a clear favorite.They have him at $2.50 ,which actually seems rather good given he should end up a clear leader after the kaikoura meetings,it just a matter of how far he is in front if his horses run up to their recent form.

NZTR is after all the clubs' association and all those with race days have a vote or votes. That still begs the question though @Chief Stipe, how do you suggest it be fixed?

As Breeders' Cup tries to support efforts to gather information on exercise-associated sudden deaths, all horses in this year's World Championships and undercard races will be auscultated—examined with a stethoscope or ECG—in their stalls at rest.View the full article

Trainer Gary Contessa believes Nutella Fella's gate issues are far behind him and that the colt should be a live contender in the $175,000 Bold Ruler Stakes (G3) Nov. 2 at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

So 90% of the Clubs don't trust NZTR and so dont want to fix their own problems that they themselves created? Why keep looking for scapegoats?

Heather and Peter Crofskey are pinching themselves as they prepare to hop on a flight to Melbourne to watch their pride and joy Leica Lucy contest Saturday’s Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. “It is a dream come true,” Heather Crofskey said. “It (dreaming of racing a horse at Flemington) started many years ago, just before we started breeding, and it has happened.” The Taranaki couple bred the daughter of Derryn and initially raced her with New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson, for whom she was a standout three-year-old last season. Patterson had a high opinion of Leica Lucy early on, and a plan was hatched to head towards the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) following her debut win at New Plymouth last November. “Robbie said very early on that she is the best horse he has trained,” Crofskey said. “Joe Doyle was the first jockey to ride her and he said ‘this one is a keeper’. “After the first win, Robbie said she was an Oaks horse and that’s what we headed towards.” Following a runner-up effort at Trentham in her next start, she went on to win the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) before prominent Australian owner Ozzie Kheir bought into the filly. She carried Kheir’s familiar silks to victory in the Gr.2 David and Karyn Ellis Fillies Classic (2000m), Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) and fulfilled their initial goal when taking out the New Zealand Oaks in March. Leica Lucy subsequently crossed the Tasman and joined leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller’s barn and ran fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) before heading for a spell. She returned to fill the same placing first-up in the Gr.2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last month before finishing third in the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap (1600m), much to the Crofskeys delight. “She has done well,” Crofskey said. “We were thrilled with her run in the Toorak.” Lecia Lucy had a jump-out at Flemington last week to ready for the Empire Rose, where she will jump from barrier three with the addition of some gear. “They have put blinkers on her, that will straighten her up a wee bit,” Crofskey said. “It was proven at a run along on Wednesday morning and she was a whole lot better. She has been tending to lug.” The Crofskeys are heading over to Melbourne and they are excited to be trackside to watch their mare compete on one of the biggest days on Australia’s racing calendar. “We are over the moon that she is racing on Derby Day and we are going over to see her,” Crofskey said. “It is a bit unbelievable that we are there, but she is good enough to be there. “She has got a good draw this time. She didn’t have one in her last start (10), she was out in no man’s land, but she has drawn barrier three and has got Mark Zahra on her, so she is going to get the best opportunity.” While they can’t wait to reunite with their mare this weekend, they are also hoping to meet co-owner Kheir. “We are in touch a great deal, but we haven’t met him yet,” Crofskey said. “Hopefully we get to meet him over there because he is a good guy.” While excited to be trackside this weekend, the Crofskeys are trying to contain their expectations, but are hopeful of another Group One result. “It’s a Group One with an awesome field. We are not expecting anything on Saturday, but just to be there is going to be out of this world,” Crofskey said. “She is good and if we even get a place on Saturday, we will be absolutely thrilled. I know she will do her best.” View the full article

I'm a day ahead of myself, noms, tomorrow lol.

Schwarzenegger will be Frankfort Park Farm's ninth Breeders' Cup starter in the last 11 years when he lines up for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1T) Oct. 31 at Del Mar.View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey leads a pair into the Nov. 2 $250,000 Red Smith Stakes (G2T), part of closing day of the Belmont at the Big A fall meet. View the full article

A two-time stakes winner, Deep Satin will look to add her first graded stakes victory to her resume Nov. 1 in the $300,000 Goldikova Stakes (G3T) at Del Mar. The daughter of American Pharoah leads a field of 13 fillies and mares.View the full article

Gamma, I do love your optimism.

At the Breeders' Cup World Championship, fractions of a second and tiny strokes of luck define legacies. Flipping through the past performances, it's easy to see only the numbers: the morning-line odds, post positions and speed figures that quantify each race. But for the people who know these athletes best—the grooms who understand their quirks and habits, the riders who have their stride memorized, the assistants who have thought through every nuance of their daily routine–these horses represent something else entirely. “Horses are like your family,” said Tony Gutierrez, who has been breezing Classic contender Journalism (Curlin) since he was just a 2-year-old. “Every horse has a different attitude, a different sense of things.” “With horses, you get to learn new things every day,” said Morgane Kervarrec, the exercise rider of Juvenile Fillies hopeful Bottle of Rouge (Vino Rosso) and Classic contender Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach). “The connection that you have with them is real. That's what I love about my job. You get up every morning without feeling like you're going to work.” The TDN's Breeders' Cup Connections series shines a light on the people behind the athletes. It's about the horsemen and women who are at the track long before dawn every morning and are oftentimes still there well after the last race has concluded. But these stories reveal more than just the experiences of those being interviewed. In every conversation, the focus inevitably returns to the horses. Each connection has a story to tell about their Breeders' Cup contender, and through their eyes, the horses shine. Enrique Miranda started out learning from his father, a trainer in Northern California, before he went to work for John Sadler and later Cherie DeVaux as an exercise rider and assistant trainer. Last year, he rode Breeders' Cup Mile victor More Than Looks (More Than Ready). This year he is aboard She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}), who figures to be the top American challenger against the Europeans in the Filly and Mare Turf. A five-time Grade I winner, She Feels Pretty has built a social media following thanks to her friendship with her emotional support goat, Mickey. Miranda said that what fans see online is only a small fraction of this talent filly's personality. “She's an effective communicator, I would say,” he explained with a knowing grin. “If she doesn't like something, she'll let you know. She's really sweet in the barn, but in her training you don't really have to do too much with her because she knows her jobs and she doesn't need your help.” Getting to know each horse as an individual is one of Miranda's favorite aspects of his job. “Some of them kind of grow on you over time, or in She Feels Pretty's case, you might like one right away,” he said. “They become your friends when you see them every day and building those connections with them has been something special.” One of She Feels Pretty's top rivals in the Filly and Mare Turf will be Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal), a Godolphin homebred who was second in this race last year. Jamie Linwood has served as the filly's groom and exercise rider at Appleby's base in Newmarket and for some of her travels abroad last year. Originally from North London, Linwood had never ridden a horse when he enrolled in the British Racing School at age 16. After graduating he worked for Sir Mark Prescott and then spent 10 years riding in Australia. Jamie Linwood and El Cordobes this summer in Saratoga | Sara Gordon After joining Charlie Appleby's team three years ago, Linwood started working with Cinderella's Dream when she was a yearling. The filly quickly became one of his all-time favorites. “She's very–should we say–spicy,” he said with a laugh. “Everyone loves her in the yard, but no one else wants to deal with her. I know her like the back of my hand. I know when she wants to be brushed or when she doesn't. She's quite a character.” Linwood came back to America this year with El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won the GI Sword Dancer Stakes in Saratoga and is now with Linwood in Del Mar preparing for the Breeders' Cup Turf. While Cinderella's Dream keeps him on his toes, Linwood said El Cordobes makes his job easy. “He's sweet natured and very easy to handle,” Linwood noted. “He does everything you want in a nice horse.” Like Linwood, Katey Caddel did not grow up in the Thoroughbred world. A lifelong horse lover, she was drawn to the racing community while in college in Kentucky. After working for Juddmonte Farm and Hall of Fame trainers Shug McGaughey and Bill Mott, she joined Robbie Medina as his assistant when he launched his public stable in 2023. This year, the team will send out its first Breeders' Cup contender. Praying (Vekoma) gave Medina his first Grade II win in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes and will represent the barn in the Filly and Mare Sprint. “Our whole team is so excited,” said Caddel, who has been overseeing the filly's training this week at Del Mar. “It's every barn's dream to compete for a title in a Breeders' Cup race. It's what we work for. I have a wonderful team of people behind me and it just makes all the hard work, the early mornings and the traveling all worth it.” Caddel said Praying has required patient handling to help her develop into the talented filly that she is today. “She's kind of a naturally nervous, on-the-muscle filly who tends to want to do maybe a little more than we would like her to do,” said Caddel. “But she has really developed this summer and shown a new dynamic to her running style.” Jose Hernandez shares a unique connection with Breeders' Cup Sprint contender Nakatomi (Firing Line). He was the first person to ride the future Grade I winner when he was just a yearling at Wesley Ward's farm. Hernandez thought Nakatomi showed promise from day one and he has been the gelding's regular rider in the five years since. Nakatomi and Jose Hernandez preparing for this year's Breeders Cup | Sara Gordon From Mexico, Hernandez has been breaking babies for several decades and has worked for Ward for the past 13 years. One of his all-time favorite horses is two-time Breeders' Cup champion Golden Pal (Uncle Mo), but Nakatomi claims the top spot. This year marks Nakatomi's third consecutive trip to the Breeders' Cup, and Hernandez believes it may be his best shot yet. “He's getting better and better,” said Hernandez. “He's really quiet when we go to the track, but then when he steps onto the track he's jumping around and ready to go. I feel good for him and I hope we can bring the victory to the barn.” Also from Mexico, Tony Gutierrez grew up surrounded by horses. His father was killed in a riding accident when Gutierrez was just three years old, but his uncle, a trainer, introduced him to the sport. After riding his first race at age 14, Gutierrez moved to the U.S. a few years later and worked his way to becoming one of the most respected work riders at Santa Anita. “From the beginning, I've loved horses,” Gutierrez said. “This is my passion. I've never done anything else. “I come in the morning and enjoy it. Usually I never take a day off because if I do, it feels like something is missing throughout my day.” Gutierrez said there has always been something special about multiple Grade I winner Journalism, whom he breezes regularly for trainer Michael McCarthy. “He wants to do what he wants. You just have to be the pilot. He's got this big body, but when you work him, you feel like he's not even touching the ground.” Gutierrez is also an exercise rider in Phil d'Amato's barn. He has been riding Turf Sprint contender Motorious (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) for the past four years. “We have a connection together,” he said. “I know when he's happy. I know when he's down. I love the way he's training right now.” Morgane Kerverrac has also been riding from a young age. Born in Brittany, France, she said her love for horses began before she could even talk. Despite her parents' efforts to steer her away from the sport, she eventually earned her jockey's license. Her career has taken her across Europe and Australia before she settled at Santa Anita, where she now rides for Bob Baffert. Among her current mounts, GI Del Mar Debutante Stakes victress Bottle of Rouge holds a special place in her heart. Morgane Kervarrec and Bottle of Rouge | Katie Petrunyak “She has a big personality,” Kervarrec said. “When she first came, it wasn't easy to get along with her. You had to ask her what you want her to do. When you work with fillies, you don't make them do what you want. You ask them. Now, she's the easiest one to get on. She's figured out what we're asking of her.” Another favorite is Breeders' Cup Classic-bound Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach). “I remember the first time I got on him,” she recalled. “I told the foreman, 'I want to keep this one.' Something funny about him is that he's a lefty. When you saw him switch leads during the stretch [in the GI Goodwood Stakes], it's because he's a lefty. He's such a sweet boy. He's huge, but he's a gentle giant. There's nothing more rewarding for Kervarrec than seeing her horses compete at the Breeders' Cup. “You're proud because they're your babies,” she said. “You train them all year long for this. The Breeders' Cup is the target. It's our championship.” But for everyone on the backside, including Kervarrec, it's not a horse's talent that defines how much they mean to the people who work with them every day. “It doesn't matter if they're going to be a stakes horse or just win an allowance,” Kervarrec said. “I love them all the same. I think we have to remember that we do this job because we love horses first.” It's that simple truth that binds everyone on the backstretch together. No matter their background, current role, or where their journey takes them in the future, these horsemen and women are united by their love for the horses they work with. Cheers to the connections of this year's class of Breeders' Cup performers—the grooms, hot walkers, exercise riders and assistants whose dedication, patience, and expertise has turned potential into performance and whose devotion reminds us that behind every name and number in the program is a horse with a story and a team that has been there through every chapter. Click here to view the Breeders' Cup Connections series collection. The post Cheers To The Connections appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frankie Dettori announced Oct. 29 that the Oct. 31-Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup at Del Mar will be his stateside swansong, with the legendary jockey to retire from race riding in the United States and conclude his career in South America.View the full article

It'll be ok Mikey. They run the races as ratings Penalty free , and hopefully for as much as Kaikoura ($17,000 per race) to attract the locals to start their horses. The Handicapper should do a ring around to the many fine trotter trainers in the area like Balle, Hackett, Teaz, Chilcott Rogerson, stables and that , and make sure you have some great trotting action. Certainly wish them well to achieve that. afterall , BlairO must be the favourite for the series for New Zealand . and you deserve your 3rd NZ driving Champion Winner on NZ soil ( to go with TonyH MNZM and MauriceM MNZM ) and Blair might even get some NZ Order of Merit letters after his name , if he can win it !!! big local knowledge should see him home. (like young Angus Garrard had winning here in Brisbane beating Carter and Dexter among others) Best of Luck Blair Orange. 🏆 the sport (and your country) are behind you old matey 🏆 .bring home the bacon.

Powerhouse jumps trainers Willie Mullins, Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson clashed on potential Triumph Hurdle candidate Fantasy World (Make Believe) on day three of the Autumn Horses-In-Training at Tattersalls, with the 103-rated gelding destined for Seven Barrows after agent Jerry McGrath struck the 600,000gns winning bid. McGrath had to see off a determined challenge from Harold Kirk on behalf of Mullins – who has drawn a blank this week – while Ryan Mahon, bidding on behalf of Skelton, filled the role as underbidder. Fantasy World was sourced by Luke Lillingston for €70,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale on behalf of the Kennet Valley Syndicate and, trained by Andrew Balding, he has gone from strength to strength this season. A neck victory over Nightwalker in the Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot earlier this month helped to bolster the price tag. “He has been bought to go jumping, but also with a dual-purpose career in mind,” McGrath confirmed. “He has been a horse on the radar for some time and he is progressing. He goes to Seven Barrows and is for an existing owner. Hopefully he is lucky.” He added, “This lad is very progressive – he has won over 1m2f, 1m4f and 1m6f, goes on the slower ground and is a real hurdling type. He looked beaten at Ascot last time and battled back well. He is an exciting horse going forward. He is gelded, but he will have a break now as he has been busy this summer.” Kennet Valley's racing manager Sam Hoskins was visibly delighted after the sale. Hoskins said, “He was always going to be the kind of horse who was going to appeal to the National Hunt or Australian market and we were not going to do either of those things. We are a Flat syndicate and historically we offer our horses at the end of their three-year-old season. He fitted that bill and he will make some hurdler. The timing is perfect having won the Listed race. I would love to see him coming down that hill at Cheltenham – he looks like a real jumper – and that is what he should be doing.” Fantasy World headlined what was a pretty solid day of trade. The turnover climbed by 13% to 11,211,500gns while the median was up by 9% to 24,000gns and the average by 18% to 44,314gns. The clearance rate nestled at a respectable 89% [down by 3% on last year]. Skelton Finds Quick Consolation With 580k Push The Limit Skelton didn't spend long licking his wounds on Fantasy World as, just a few lots later, the leading British-based jumps trainer added Push The Limit (Le Havre) to his team of juvenile hurdle prospects at 580,000gns through Mahon. Push The Limit was the most expensive horse sold through Alex Elliott's Imperium draft. He had been sourced by Elliott for just €48,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale on behalf of Valmont. He came into Wednesday's sale with a rating of 103 and two wins under his belt over 1m3f and 1m4f respectively. Mahon commented, “They were the two horses that we very much wanted tonight. We missed the other horse so we were not going to miss this one. We loved him as a model and he is for a new owner with Dan. Hopefully he will make up into a really nice hurdler.” He added, “The ones you really want are very difficult to get and you have to go all out to get them. Myself and Dan have spoken about him a lot over the last couple of days. Potentially, he could have a dual-purpose career, but that is for Dan to work out!” No Fear For Najd Stud With 500k Purchase Clive Cox's Fearnot (Invincible Spirit), who boasts a rating of 103, was one of the first horses to raise the temperature on what was a chilly afternoon at Park Paddocks when selling to Nico Archdale on behalf of Najd Stud for 500,000gns. “He goes to Saudi Arabia and will be one for the King's Cup,” Archdale commented on the three-year-old colt. “He is a lovely horse, came highly recommended by Clive Cox, and has been highly progressive this season. He was our top pick of the sale.” That sale represented a massive upswing in price for Fearnot, who was sourced by Cox himself for 90,000gns at Book 1. The trainer said, “I am thrilled that he commanded a lot of respect and appreciation – he is a lovely horse and has done everything right. He is a real athlete and I am thrilled he has had such an increase in price. “This is the way the journey goes. I am pleased we have invested quite heavily in yearlings and this allows us to keep taking that approach. Like any marketplace, quality is key and that it is very clear to see.” He added, “It is hard to say goodbye to these horses but I am also very proud to have these horses through our hands. It keeps the enthusiasm and momentum to try and do it again. [Owner] Jason Goddard has been a very loyal supporter so I am really pleased for him.” Cunningham and Spencer Bolster Dubai Squad Owner Phil Cunningham and trainer Richard Spencer invested heavily at the yearling sales this year and continued their recruitment drive on Wednesday, this time with a focus on adding proven horses for a stint in Dubai, where the latter will operate a satellite yard this winter. Through bloodstock agent Sam Haggas, Cunningham and Spencer added the 101-rated Nightwalker (Frankel) from the Juddmonte draft to the team at 320,000gns. Haggas said, “Richard has a team going out to Dubai this winter and that is the main aim for this horse. We bought Sisyphean (Dubawi) for that job [for 65,000gns] yesterday. There is a good programme over 1m6f out there but I will leave that up to Richard.” He added, “This is a lovely staying horse and I think he should have plenty more in him going forward. He looks a really promising horse – he is a big galloping type and he has been highly tried. He was thought good enough to run in the Derby – he was quite well-fancied at Epsom. “He remains a bit unexposed over staying trips – the only time he has run over as far as 1m6f was last time in the Noel Murless and he ran a super race. He has a lot to offer over those distances.” BBA Ireland Bags Classy Prospect Gran Descans Less than 24 hours after landing Geography for 570,000gns on behalf of a Middle Eastern client, BBA Ireland's Mick Donohoe went to 425,000gns to secure Gran Descans (Frankel) on behalf of the same owner. One of the highest-rated horses offered on Wednesday, the Juddmonte-owned and Harry Charlton-trained Gran Descans was a cosy winner at Newcastle when last seen and was bought to continue his career in the Middle East. Donohoe said, “He came highly recommended by Juddmonte. It is a fantastic breeding operation and nursery to buy from. He is a very progressive horse. We certainly think there is more to come – he stays well and has been bought for the same client in the Middle East. Interestingly, pedigree-wise, he is out of a Dansili mare and Dansili is going well in the Middle East. There is more Dansili about this horse than Frankel.” The agent added, “He vetted very well and is another straightforward horse. He will go from here to George Peckham. All the horses we buy for the Middle East go to him. He does a great job, keeps them in full training and they ship from him. Hopefully the horses will be ready to run soon off the plane.” Buys of the day It's fair to say the market this week has been hard to predict. The high-class Deepone selling for only 30,000 gns on Tuesday was a notable example of that and a good few horses appeared to slip through the cracks on Wednesday as well, notably the 97-rated stayer Shadow Dance (Almanzor), who was picked up by Matt Coleman on behalf of Rebecca Menzies for 60,000gns. This is a horse who ran respectably in the Ebor in August and, given the prize money on offer for staying handicaps, he looks well bought. Fair enough, Shadow Dance is a five-year-old and he did miss a year, but his form this year has been very solid and he should provide his new connections with loads of fun. The case could be made that City House (Night Of Thunder), who boasts a Timeform rating of 109, was extremely well bought at just 20,000gns. That rating was the seventh-highest of all the horses sold on Wednesday and he looks even better value when you factor in the fact that he was bought for 180,000gns at the July Sale last year. City House was bought by BBA Ireland to go to Ado McGuinness and he has the rating to take connections to some big meetings. A trip to Bahrain, where he was successful this year for George Scott, could also be in the pipeline. Thought for the day Some of the top lots sold on Wednesday represented a significant upswing on what they cost as yearlings which illustrates, when things go right in this game, the financial gain can be massive. It was great to see. The post ‘He’ll Make Some Hurdler’ – Triumph Candidate Off To Nicky Henderson At 600k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I would still like to see this track getting some decent TLC. Would take it out of commission for a couple of seasons but you would then have a premier track with a decent stand in CD. In its better days it was described as well banked and drained. An interesting fact, the Otaki Maori Racing Club voted to join RACE in 2007 and very wisely withdrew from that partnership in 2018.

Friday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 14:12, IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BOSRA SHAM FILLIES' STAKES-Listed, £40,000, 2yo, f, 6f 0y Field: Anaisa (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Azleet (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Birdcall (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Brisk Symphony (Ire) (Sergei Prokofiev), Chicory (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Coconut Cove (Ire) (No Nay Never), Elara May (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Eternal Solace (GB) (Tasleet {GB}), Fairy Oak (GB) (A'Ali {Ire}), Golden Palace (GB) (Palace Pier {GB}), Inside Story (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Palmeira (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Rogue Attraction (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), SOlana Rose (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Spicy Marg (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Splish Splash (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Strait And Narrow (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), Thaluna (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}), Treasured Royal (Ire) (Nando Parrado {GB}), Vishaka (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Emma Banks's Spicy Marg has already contested four pattern-race contests and lines up for an open edition of this 20-runner charge returning off a close-up fourth here in this month's G3 Cornwallis Stakes. Her opponents include the dual winner Golden Palace, who comes back off unplaced efforts in last month's G3 Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes and G1 Cheveley Park Stakes. Michael O'Callaghan supplies two of the three Irish contenders, namely Listed Star Appeal Stakes sixth Fairy Oak and Listed Legacy Stakes seventh Strait And Narrow. Others worthy of consideration are Listed St Hugh's Stakes second Palmeira, Haydock maiden winner Splish Splash, impressive Nottingham novice scorer Birdcall and Elara May. The latter represents Charlie McBride, who won this heat in 2016 with Spiritual Lady. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Spicy Marg Aims For Bosra Sham Glory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The connections of White Abarrio have a secret weapon as they hope the winner of the 2023 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) can add another score at the World Championships when he starts in the Dirt Mile (G1) Nov. 1 at Del Mar.View the full article

If things go according to plan, Maryland-based Matt Dorman will get his first Breeders' Cup runner at Del Mar when Seismic Beauty gets the start in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1).View the full article

Do the sums. The operating cost of every track is the same. Assuming ZERO volunteer labour - most Clubs of any sport struggle to have anyone turn up regularly for a working bee. Hell we even had the President of one club washing the bird shit on the seats of their granstand every year on his own! Eh @Reefton ? So what is the cost of the following just to maintain the track and horse related facilities: Employees x 2 (minimum - no roses to prune) - track work monitoring (honesty boxes don't work); Machinery - tractors x 2, mowers, corer, sprayers etc; Irrigation - equipment maintenance, water use charges etc.; Fertiliser; Running rails; Stables and tie up areas; Training track maintenance; Photo finish and electronic timing equipment; Stewards viewing and TV stand maintenance; and so on. Oh and don't forget putting spare capital away for when the renovations are required. Multiply that by 52 and there isn't much left for stakes is there? Now go back and have a look at the annual accounts for the Clubs and see where any spare cash was spent. Yeah na it wasn't on track maintenance nor the rainy day renovation because the track pasture and soil would go on forever.

Frankie Dettori left the Del Mar backstretch on Wednesday morning after riding his Breeders' Cup Mile mount Argine and refused all interviews as he departed the stable area. “There will be plenty of news tomorrow,” he said. But tomorrow appears to have come a day early as by lunchtime the legendary jockey had posted a statement on social media to announce his retirement from American racing after the Breeders' Cup meeting. He will also be in action across the two days aboard Wimbledon Hawkeye and Aspect Island for James Owen and the Gredley Family. Following Saturday's Californian farewell, Dettori will however take a “few rides” in South America. His statement read, “Following the Breeders' Cup on Saturday, I will be retiring from race riding in the United States and concluding my career with a few rides in South America, something I've always wanted to do. “It has been an honour to compete at the highest level of this sport for over four decades. I'm deeply grateful to my family, the owners, trainers, stable staff, and of course the supporters who have made my career possible. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this incredible journey. Ciao, Frankie.” The Italian-born Dettori, 54, enjoyed his best days in the saddle through a long and successful career based in Britain. He left home to work for his compatriot Luca Cumani in Newmarket at the age of 14 and rode his first winner, Lizzy Hare, at Goodwood on June 9, 1987. Through a longstanding retainer with Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation, he went on to become recognised as one of the best jockeys in the world, with his long list of major victories including 44 European Classics, six Arcs and 15 Breeders' Cup wins. Dettori initially announced his intention to retire in December 2022 and rode for the final time in the UK on British Champions Day in October 2023. In the week leading up to his swansong he revealed a change of heart and stated his plan to continue riding in California, where he has largely been based for the past two years. The post Frankie Dettori to Retire at the Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Northern junior driver Monika Ranger has been in sparkling form of late, and this evening at Cambridge Raceway she’ll be looking to continue her winning roll when she partners last-start winner Rewiri Hill in the Race Ready With Betavet Handicap Trot (7:06 p.m.). It’s been a standout season for the talented reinswoman, who is enjoying her most winningest season to date in the sulky. From just 98 drives, Ranger has recorded 19 wins, 12 seconds and 14 thirds, returning an impressive UDR of .3095. In the last month alone, she’s driven four winners. “I’ve been really lucky to have the same trainers who have supported me throughout – Jeremy Young, Owen Gillies, and Matty White. David and Ben (Butcher)too.” Monika said “Matty letting me drive Lord Popinjay when he doesn’t have a drive himself, and he’s one of the best horses in his barn, it’s pretty surreal. I’m extremely grateful.” That partnership with Lord Popinjay has been one of the season’s highlights, with the pair notching their 10th win together at Alexandra Park last Friday night. For Ranger, who balances her racing commitments with a full-time role at Lincoln Farms, it’s been a year of steady progress. “I’m working out at Lincoln Farms fulltime, and Shane and I have got our two out there as well, so we potter around with them,” she said. Tonight, the focus turns to Rewiri Hill, a six-year-old Muscle Hill gelding trained by Jason Teaz, who will look to back up his last-start win at Cambridge earlier this month. On that occasion, the pair sat off the speed before producing a strong finishing burst to score by 1¼ lengths. “He felt like he was still full of running at the line,” Monika said of that victory. “He’s progressing really well.” The gelding steps up in both grade and distance tonight, starting from the front line over the 2700m trip, but Ranger believes he’s capable of handling the rise. “It’s a little bit of a step up for him, there’s some nice enough horses in the field, but there’s no reason why he couldn’t run a drum if he’s handy,” she said. “It’s really going to depend on where we land, but I wouldn’t write him off as he’s still on the up!” To see the field click here https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs/fields/103009fd.htm#field-69385-race-5-dl View the full article

The point is @Freda even when they did have the money none of the Clubs spent it on their tracks or core horse focussed racing assets.