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A March 16 board panel decision of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority requests Churchill Downs Inc. pay millions of dollars in unpaid assessment fees or face the prospect of losing race dates.View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

Bella Ballerina is making her final start before the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in the March 21 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.View the full article

In the ongoing battle between HISA and Churchill Downs Inc., HISA fired the latest shot Tuesday, ordering Churchill to pay it $5,024,848.56, plus interest in the amount of $250,631.77. In documents released Tuesday by HISA, the authority charged that if CDI does not comply with the order it will no longer be able to simulcast races from any of its tracks to out-of-state locations starting Mar. 27. The legislation that created HISA allows it to revoke a tracks simulcasting privileges if HISA believes a track is in violation of its rules. The first track to be affected would be the Churchill-owned Turfway Park, which is currently racing, but closes Mar. 28. But the most severe impact of HISA's decision could be felt Kentucky Derby Day. If Churchill is not allowed to simulcast the sport's most important race and the entire Derby Day card, the results would be devastating. A total of $234.4 million was bet on the GI Kentucky Derby last year and $349 million was bet on the entire card, with much of that money wagered outside the state of Kentucky through ADW outlets and off-track betting locations. Shutting down out-of-state betting would also no doubt alienate horseplayers and Derby lovers across the country. The ruling was issued by a three-member panel of board members of HISA. The ruling can be appealed by Churchill Downs Inc. to the full HISA board. At deadline for this story the TDN had not received a response to an email sent to CDI requesting comment. The issue first arose on Feb. 18, when HISA summoned Churchill Downs Racetrack and its corporate parent, CDI, to a hearing before a panel of HISA board members in an attempt to secure payment of 2025 assessment fees that CDI has allegedly failed to submit on behalf of the four racetracks, Turfway, Ellis Park, Presque Isle Downs and Churchill itself, that the company owns in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Going so far as to accuse CDI of “freeloading,” HISA alleged that it had not received “one cent” of the money it was due in easements fees for 2025. According to HISA, Churchill Downs Inc. was the only racetrack company or racetrack covered by HISA that paid the authority nothing in 2025. The dispute between CDI and HISA has been complicated by the fact that HISA changed the methodology for how it assesses how much it is owed by a track. CDI is seeking to pay lower fees based on methodologies that were not so cost prohibitive for the company and its tracks. CDI has challenged these changes through what is a still unresolved lawsuit. Churchill has never claimed that it does not owe HISA money, but has said it is waiting on a court to decide on a lawsuit it filed against HISA before paying whatever it may owe after the court has ruled. The HISA panel acknowledged CDI's position, and with the dispute still yet unresolved in the courts, that it is possible that Churchill will owe a lesser amount. HISA is currently seeking to collect $2.4 million based on what Churchill alone owes rather than the $6.3 million it could owe depending on what methods were used to assess the fees it would be required to pay. “As for the balance, the Authority states that it plans to 'seek in a later action the remainder of the assessment fees owed for Churchill Downs Racetrack if the Authority prevails in CDI's pending lawsuit,'” the document reads. “According to the Authority, this “two-phase approach [is] meant to give CDI every benefit of the doubt.” The post HISA Tells Churchill To Pay Up, Threatens To Pull Simulcast Signals Mar. 26 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With Ballydoyle's press day having produced a rush of excitement for Flat enthusiasts, there is no better time to revisit some key members of the current Classic crop. With Cheltenham barely in the rearview mirror, the Guineas are already on the horizon with the key trials only just around the corner. Things are going to move very quickly between now and the first weekend in May and it is worth recalling some of the best of the 2025 TDN Rising Stars, Presented by Hagyard. As always, Aidan O'Brien is responsible for the lion's share but then history tells us that is the norm considering how many top-class prospects he unleashes year upon year. Twelve months ago, Wootton Bassett's Twain was the talk of Rosegreen until misfortune intervened and this time it is another son of the recently-departed phenomenon who is the headline act in Albert Einstein. He heads the first selection of TDN Rising Stars, Presented by Hagyard which consists of those who are already high-profile. ALBERT EINSTEIN (IRE) (c, Wootton Bassett – Yet, by War Front) Owner: Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; Breeder: Coolmore; Trainer: Aidan O'Brien Interestingly, Albert Einstein, who will surely be the first favourite for the 2,000 Guineas to come straight from the Marble Hill(!), is the first foal out of another TDN Rising Star in the barely-seen mare Yet. The last of her three runs resulted in a second in the G2 Airlie Stud Stakes, so the granddaughter of Mariah's Storm (Rahy) remains an enigma from an ability standpoint, but apparently there is no ambiguity regarding her son's prowess. Whether Albert Einstein is more George Washington than Ten Sovereigns, we'll collectively find out only at Newmarket, but the data points to him being in the sprinter camp until proven otherwise. If he fails in his Classic mission, there is always the Commonwealth Cup and all the major sprints that are open to him. As far as buzz is concerned, he's already way ahead of the curve. DIAMOND NECKLACE (IRE) (f, St Mark's Basilica – Prudenzia, by Dansili) Owner: Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier & Westerberg; Breeder: Ecurie des Monceaux & Skymarc Farm Inc; Trainer: Aidan O'Brien This is more than likely going to be a big year for St Mark's Basilica and he could hardly have had a better first-crop representative than Diamond Necklace, who looked a cut above throughout a brief but impactful juvenile campaign. Her Marcel Boussac win is strong form and it looks as if she will be France-bound at least twice more before British crowds get the chance to see her in the flesh. From one of the best families in the book, she is far more precocious than her half-sisters Magic Wand and Chicquita with just as much promise of what extra maturity will bring. She is as exciting as it gets from a pedigree point of view and has to be top, top-class whatever direction she goes in. WISE APPROACH (IRE) (c, Mehmas – Sagely, by Frozen Power) Owner: Godolphin; Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud; Trainer: Charlie Appleby While his Norfolk Stakes conqueror Charles Darwin was laid up, Wise Approach took full advantage by winning the Middle Park, just as his half-brother Perfect Power had before him. As that sibling went on to Commonwealth Cup glory at three, there is no reason to expect Wise Approach to fade out any time soon and, if anything, he could still be improving. It is hard to believe that such fast horses can emerge from the late Jean-Luc Lagardere's family of Sagamix which has produced Japan, Mogul and Secret Gesture, but speed is what Sagely's progeny do and they do it well. CHARLES DARWIN (IRE) (c, No Nay Never – Muirin, by Born To Sea) Owner: Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; Breeder: Newstead Breeding; Trainer: Aidan O'Brien A full-brother to Blackbeard, Charles Darwin let nobody down with his monstrous performance at Royal Ascot before injury halted all momentum. Like Albert Einstein, he has a lot of time to make up but will be one of the more exciting three-year-olds to follow in 2026 when a sprinting campaign will be his sole focus. The fact that he only just missed his sire's track record at Royal Ascot tells us everything that we need to know about this powerhouse and, with the sprinting division lacking depth, he could be one to take on his elders in the King's Stand. BOW ECHO (IRE) (c, Night Of Thunder – Aristocratic Lady, by Invincible Spirit) Owner: Exors Of The Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid; Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; Trainer: George Boughey At present Britain's leading 2,000 Guineas hope, Bow Echo made winning his thing last term with a course-and-distance prep in the Royal Lodge in which the 2022 Newmarket Classic hero Coroebus was second. With doubts about Albert Einstein's ability to see out the mile very real, the fact that Bow Echo is more of a 10-furlong type already proven on the track could mean that he takes the race by the scruff of the neck on the first Saturday in May. From the family of his sire's sire Dubawi, he has all the credentials to be one of the season's leading lights. ZANTHOS (FR) (f, Sioux Nation – Brioniya, by Pivotal) Owner: Victorious Forever; Breeder: Viktor Timoshenko & Andriy Milovanov; Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford Undone by another TDN Rising Star in Touleen on her second start, Zanthos readily reversed that form in the Rockfel despite overdoing it in the early stages. Entered in the 1,000 Guineas, the €1-million Arqana May Breeze-up sensation may find the mile beyond her, but her outstanding sire has already produced two fillies in Shes Perfect and Matilda Picotte who placed in Classics at the trip. If lack of stamina is an issue, there are multiple avenues for her to go down and abundant opportunities overseas for an obvious class act. The post TDN Rising Stars to Follow: Part 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charmein Phelan has signed a deal to acquire ANZ Bloodstock News (ANZ News), marking an exciting new chapter in its history.View the full article

Rome was not built in a day. So at a time when Derby dreams can only be maintained by one horse dashing those of several others, let's celebrate a revival that should give hope to any now finding themselves obliged to retreat and regroup. This time last year Built (Hard Spun) was slithering down the sophomore pyramid. He had started out thrashing a smart horse in the Gun Runner Stakes, but each of the three subsequent Fair Grounds trials went worse. He did make Churchill on the first Saturday in May, but only to finished tailed off in the GII Pat Day Mile. Built then disappeared until nearly Christmas, when he landed running in an allowance back in New Orleans. Resuming in a sprint might just have been a nice, old-school move, but it has turned out to be rather more than that. After a failed experiment on turf, last weekend he broke 1:08 and a 24-year-old track record. Built presumably had other issues last year, too. With hindsight, however, being able to control a :49.23 half-mile in the Gun Runner, his first excursion through a second turn, perhaps made him the latest of many to be seduced from his true vocation by Derby fever. On Saturday, he covered the same distance in :43.97! To be fair, pedigree gave Built every right to be a Classic horse: he's by one of the bravest of all Derby seconds out of a mare by Curlin (third, of course, in the same Derby). But we know that Hard Spun can get you anything and, albeit from somewhat limited evidence, you could argue the forte of Built's maternal family to be speed. His dam Sea Garden (Curlin) actually started her own career duelling over six, but dropped out to finish last and showed only a little more in just two subsequent starts around a mile. And there's even less evidence about the aptitudes of her dam Navy Gardens (Storm Cat): she never made the starting gate and evidently passed on some fragility to six of her seven named foals, who mustered 14 starts between them. Hats off, then, to Street Cry (Ire) for giving her a remarkable exception in Glenville Gardens. His 15 wins across 36 included the GII Play the King Stakes, over 7f on turf, and three other stakes round Woodbine. The only other black type under Navy Gardens is pretty specious: her daughter by Congrats is dam of a horse once promoted to third in a thin GII Best Pal Stakes, but meanwhile toiling under a $4,000 tag. It is only Built's third dam, then, that gives us a real hook on which to hang his hat. Funnily enough, GI Test Stakes winner Marley Vale (Forty Niner) was herself tempted into stretching out for the GI Kentucky Oaks, having held on for a remote second after trying to open up on Silverbulletday (Silver Deputy) in the GI Ashland. After again blazing the trail at Churchill, she faded into fifth of seven. Marley Vale's best foal, Indian Vale, inherited enough stamina from A.P. Indy to win four graded stakes round a second turn, including a romp against her elders in the GII Falls City Handicap. But it's worth noting that Marley Vale herself was out of a Listed winner over six furlongs, making her one of the more accomplished foals by Hagley–remembered (if at all) as sire of Committed, a classy European sprinter in the 1980s. In short, then, Built's maternal genes certainly entitle him to–well, go short. After all, his damsire has lately confirmed his own range with Elite Power and Cody's Wish. And if Hard Spun's 15 elite scorers have come in many disciplines, they do include a GI Breeders' Cup Sprint winner; while Built belongs to the same crop as Pondering (Street Sense), a stakes scorer at 5.5f. Remember Hard Spun won the GI King's Bishop the same summer he burned off all bar Street Sense in the Derby. He is, of course, our last precious short cut (bar War Front, now private) to the breed-shaping Danzig. At 22, true, he will suffer from the self-fulfilling prejudice against ageing stallions yet remains four years younger than was Danzig when himself conceived. With age, of course, Hard Spun has made an increasing impression as a broodmare sire, not least having combined with Built's damsire to come up with Good Magic. Hard Spun is hardly going to become a market swan at this stage, but $20,000 for a stallion with four sons at stud in Kentucky must be the best value in the land to prove a mare. For a stallion to have achieved so much, while only once standing for as much as he did in his debut season, is a withering comment on our times. And they say that commercial breeders want nothing more than speed! A Bolt From The Bluebloods Of course, some horses manage to reassemble a broken dream in time for the Derby–like Incredibolt (Bolt d'Oro), who bounced back from his sophomore debut to bank the 50 gate points for Churchill generously bestowed by the owners of both tracks in the Virginia Derby. Click here to visit pedigrees360.com We explored Incredibolt's remarkable pedigree after the GIII Street Sense Stakes last fall. To recap, his second dam Sapphiresndiamonds (Mineshaft) condenses one of the modern breed's most potent brands: Mineshaft's sire A.P. Indy was of course by Seattle Slew out of Weekend Surprise, herself by Secretariat out of Lassie Dear (Buckpasser); while the granddam of Sapphiresndiamonds was Lassie Dear's daughter by Seattle Slew. The choice of Bolt d'Oro to cover a daughter of Sapphiresdiamonds, Sapphire Spitfire (Awesome Again), reinforced the medicine as he's out of an A.P. Indy mare. (An inadequate description, clearly, for the tragic Globe Trot–who produced another millionaire, Global Campaign, and a dual stakes winner from just three named foals.) Back-to-back weekend headlines for Bolt d'Oro, then, following the GII Hillsborough Stakes success of Destino d'Oro. Incredibolt belongs to the bubble crop of Bolt d'Oro, sired at $20,000 as his first runners approached the gate; whereas the upcoming yearlings were conceived at $60,000. Pending the dividends of that upgrade, however, Bolt d'Oro reverted to $25,000 this spring. Fluctuations of this kind go with the territory, with these high-volume commercial start-ups. If the model works, ideally you end up like Bolt d'Oro in 2022: with a freshman title. But it must be said he belongs to a strong intake overall. His 21 stakes winners come from 371 starters, and represent 4.1 percent of named foals. Among his rivals with an adequate sample, Justify, Oscar Performance, Collected, Army Mule, Girvin, Good Magic and City of Light (in that order) can all beat that percentage. Obviously some have majored in different disciplines; but several, equally, started with small fees and books. These will only now be cycling through their rewards for a good start, but at least that's also a category in which we can include Bolt d'Oro. Joke Has A Serious Pipeline We're all loving Tejano Twist's Whitmore tribute act, with his record in the Grade III sprint named for that other indefatigable dasher now standing at 1231. The 7-year-old has meanwhile become a real flagship for Practical Joke, as a graduate of his very first crop. Tejano Twist's dam had some modest black type to her credit, and her half-sister Maddalena (Good and Tough) was runner-up in the GI Prioress Stakes. But the granddam was by an unraced son of Storm Bird who stood in Maryland and Ohio, while the fourth dam Winged T. apparently ended up siring hunters. (He means zilch to me, but I'd gladly learn more.) Practical Joke must have covered a lot of ordinary mares on his way to five domestic Grade I winners, but he's now entering a fascinating stage of his career. He covered 255 mares in 2023, to produce his imminent juveniles; 283 at $50,000 in 2024; and 263 at $100,000 last year. So the pipeline is absolutely rammed. But he has also been prolific in Chile and is going to become an instructive test case for those who believe that sheer output will eventually catch up with stallions. Obviously his own sire just plows on regardless. That's an attribute Practical Joke very much needs to have inherited. If he has, however, he may well have the last laugh. The post Breeding Digest: Built For Speed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Why, when NZ racing decided to give up what they were earning from those of us betting with overseas providers?

The Hong Kong Jockey Club formalised a partnership with the Guangzhou government on Tuesday to develop horse-themed tourism in the Greater Bay Area, covering policy support, publicity, tourism products and industry development. A memorandum of understanding was signed at the Hong Kong Science Park by the club and the Guangzhou Municipal Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau. Under the agreement, the Guangzhou government will support incorporating racing tourism into cross-border...View the full article

Stormy Atlantic (Storm Cat–Hail Atlantis, by Seattle Slew) has passed away from the infirmities of old age at 32. Retired from the track with 15 starts, six wins and earnings of over $148,000, Stormy Atlantic initially stood stud in Florida at Bridlewood Farm in 1999 where he would become Florida's champion freshman sire. His success in Florida ultimately gave him a chance in Kentucky and Stormy Atlantic joined the roster at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale in 2003 where he stood until pensioned at the age of 27 in 2021. All told, he sired 112 stakes winners and 48 individual graded stakes winners led by the likes of MGISW Get Stormy and 2018 Eclipse Champion Turf Male Stormy Liberal, one of seven champions Stormy Atlantic sired across the globe. “It is with sadness that we report that Stormy Atlantic passed away peacefully ironically on a stormy afternoon Monday due to the infirmities of the old age of 32,” said Bridlewood Farm's George Isaacs. “When I became General Manager of Bridlewood in 1996, Stormy Atlantic was a 2-year-old and I remember looking at his pedigree and telling myself if we can get lucky, this guy will leave his mark on the breed. With him being champion freshmen sire, over 100 stakes winners, and a successful broodmare sire, suffice to say he did. I set a goal that he would hopefully be leading freshmen sire here in Florida, and that would give me the momentum to hopefully move him to Kentucky to give him the opportunity that he deserved. Thankfully, John Sikura shared my vision and through his super management, Stormy elevated both of our operations and solidified an enduring friendship and respect for one another. I will be forever grateful to Stormy Atlantic for the important impact he made on the success of our operation for many years. As horsemen we all know, it's these special horses that take us to the heights we are shooting for! Stormy Atlantic has already been laid to rest in the Bridlewood Farm cemetery.” The post Pensioned Hill ‘n’ Dale Stallion Stormy Atlantic Dies At 32 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group winner Luxor Café (American Pharoah) and two compatriots landed at Japan's Kansai International Airport on St Patrick's Day, Tospo Keiba reported on Tuesday. Originally slated to run in the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 28, the full-brother to dual G1 February Stakes hero Café Pharoah will instead look to targets closer to home, as the Iranian conflict continues. One of three horses to return to the Land of the Rising Sun on Tuesday morning, he was joined by Shin Forever (Complexity) and G2 UAE Derby hope Keiai Agito (Espoir City) on the Japan-bound flight. The multiple group-placed Shin Forever had been due to contest the G2 Godolphin Mile. The trio have entered re-entry quarantine just after midday at Miki Horseland Park. A fourth horse, G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen starter T O Elvis (Volatile) will not travel to Dubai trainer Daisuke Takayanagi told Net Keiba. He has re-routed to the Listed Tokyo Sprint (NAR-G3) at Oi on April 15. Japanese Foursome Leave For Dubai On Wednesday Dual G1 Saudi Cup hero Forever Young (Real Steel) will not be defending Japan's honour solo in less than two weeks. Despite the travel risk level set at Level 3 earlier this month by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, four horses will lift off for Dubai on Wednesday morning. G1 Dubai Turf entrant Gaia Force (Kitasan Black) worked uphill at the Ritto Training Centre covering four furlongs in :55.40 as of Tuesday. A dual Group 2 winner, he has placed in a trio of Group 1s in Japan, the most recent the Mile Championship behind Jantar Mantar (Palace Malice). G1 Sprinters Stakes hero Lugal (Duramente), preparing for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, covered the same distance. The latter's trainer Harushi Sugiyama told Tospo Keiba, “In :55-:56 seconds. The clock will come out as usual.” Another horse set for Japan is listed winner Pyromancer (Pyro), who ran his four furlongs in :54.30 ahead of a start in the G2 UAE Derby. James Doyle will ride. Said trainer Keiji Yoshimura, “As planned. Even after entering the quarantine stable, he does not change and he responds to changes in the environment.” Blitzing four furlongs in :51.0 was Nettaiya Rai (Contrail). He is also due to run in the UAE Derby and was ridden by Ryusei Sakai for Yoshito Yahagi. Yahagi won the UAE Derby with Forever Young back in 2024. The post Japan’s Dubai Team Evolving, As Luxor Cafe Withdrawn From Dubai World Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jay Rooney PARENTS' LOVE - R3 (1) Will relish a return to Class Four company and prove very hard to catch Owen Goulding MAX QUE - R9 (1) Unlucky not to get up last start and improving sort can prove too classy Olivia O'Sullivan ACE WAR - R6 (3) Won first up for new stable last start and can repeat the feat down in distance Phillip Woo RAINBOW SEVEN - R5 (5) Has come good over this Happy Valley trip and can win another Shannon (Vincent Wong) COLOURFUL KING - R7 (1) Exciting sprinter looks...View the full article

5. LOVE'M OR LIAM, GP, 3/13-5th, 1 1/16 miles (Tapeta) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-81 (c, 4, by Liam's Map–Fly Me to Dubai, by Into Mischief) O-Cheyenne Stable. B-Catherine Hudson, Kildare Stud and Aaron Mulholland (Ky). T-Bill Mott. J-Junior Alvarado. He finally broke his maiden in his seventh start and first on Tapeta (off the turf), but in his defense he hasn't seen easy spots against Grande (later second in Wood Memorial), Life and Times (104 Beyer) and Time to Win (103 Beyer). Pedigree-wise, he's a full-brother to Flying Liam, recently a distant third behind Knightsbridge in the GIII Gulfstream Park Mile. 4. UNSEARCHABLE, GP, 3/14-7th, 7 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-82 (c, 3, by Not This Time–Grandaria, by Curlin) O-Jeff Kerber. B-Jeff and Robin Kerber. T-Rusty Arnold. J-Jorge Ruiz. Unsearchable looked lost when suddenly dropping six lengths off the lead down the backstretch, but the fractions told the story: the quarter in :22.05 and half in :44.14 were solidly faster than stakes fillies ran on dirt earlier on the Gulfstream card. He was still four lengths back and surely beaten at the 1/8 pole, but gobbled up firster Final Story at the wire. Based on both ends of his pedigree, extra distance seems a no-brainer when available. His stakes-placed Curlin dam Grandaria is out of an A.P. Indy mare–stamina on stamina–and her 10 starts were all at a mile or longer. 3. RADAUTI, CNL, 3/12-4th, 1 mile (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-82 (c, 4, by Tonalist–Raucous, by Speightstown) O-Bruce S. Snipes. B-Robert S. Evans (Ky). T-Steve Epley Jr. J-Martin Chuan. Making his first start for new connections, his previous New York form made him a deserving 9/5 favorite, and he held serve at Colonial with a Beyer that ticked up a couple points to a new career top. He's a full-brother to standout New York-bred Drake's Passage, a two-time stakes winner who knocked out nearly a half-million for owner/breeder Evans and trainers Christophe and Miguel Clement. Evans kept Radauti, too, but after seven defeats at Aqueduct, put him in the Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale, where Snipes got him for $90k. 2. SUNSHINE DAYDREAM, FG, 3/13-6th, 1 mile (turf) (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-83 (f, 4, by Medaglia d'Oro–Stoweshoe, by Flatter) O-LNJ Foxwoods and Church Street Stable. B-Chief Stipe and Felicia Branham (Ky). T-Joe Sharp. J-Ben Curtis. She showed little as a 3-year-old, but is coming to hand over Fair Grounds turf–and this was her best yet from a fig standpoint. The $270k Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall yearling is out of a stakes-winning full-sister to millionaire sprinter Taris, and while Stoweshoe's five foals to race show no black type, they could all run some. For example, Sunshine Daydream's full-sister Cantata broke her maiden on debut as a 2-year-old at Saratoga by 10 1/4 lengths for Stonestreet, and half-brother Mission Beach (Curlin) has run six Beyers between 80 and 88. 1. EZUM, CNL, 3/14-4th, 1 mile (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-87 (c, 3, by Essential Quality–Bashful Bertie, by Quiet American) O-Shadwell Stable. B-Nancy Shuford (Ky). T-Brad Cox. J-Flavien Prat. Any 19-length maiden special weight winner at a major track can be expected to show up on “Five Fastest Maidens,” and Ezum occupies the top spot. Debut-to-second-start turnarounds don't get much more dramatic: he flashed speed and was trounced by 24 1/2 lengths at Gulfstream at 14/1 odds, then pummeled a much weaker field Saturday in Virginia for downsized Shadwell's second U.S. win this year. The $485k yearling is from a solid “Bertie” female family: he's a half-brother to Beach Patrol, who took the Grade I Secretariat and Arlington Million back when they were actually run at Arlington Park. The post Five Fastest Maidens: March 9-15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Orlaith Nangle joined Tattersalls as a marketing executive last month. She started her new role on February 16 after holding a bloodstock assistant role at McEvoy Mitchell Racing in Australia. Previously, Nangle completed breeding seasons at Coolmore America and Ballyphilip Stud, the National Stud Diploma and also Godolphin Flying Start. Tattersalls marketing director Jason Singh said, “We are delighted to welcome Orlaith to the Tattersalls marketing team. She brings fresh perspective and creativity, as well as a clear enthusiasm for both marketing and the bloodstock sector.” Added Nangle, “I am thrilled to be joining Tattersalls, a company with a rich heritage and a passionate, world-class team. It's an exciting opportunity to contribute to such a renowned institution and help showcase the very best of the industry.” The post Orlaith Nangle Appointed New Tattersalls Marketing Executive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last week, I wrote about the joy of having a “wolfpack” at the National Horseplayers Championship. A group of friends you see once a year, swap stories with, and share the roller coaster of trying to beat 700 of the best horseplayers in the world. This year, our wolfpack became an “Entourage” when Dylan Donnelly achieved fame and fortune by winning the whole thing in what everyone agrees was the most dramatic finish in NHC history. I wasn't part of the final table. Not even close. Instead of taking you through my own sob story, I thought I'd do something more interesting: tell you what it was like to sit next to the champ during the final table. Because for a few unforgettable hours inside that ballroom, the rest of us stopped worrying about our own picks and became something else entirely: friends, advisors, snack runners, amateur mathematicians and a very loud cheering section. Dylan's path to NHC glory didn't exactly start with fireworks. But, as they often do, things started to click for Dylan on day two. He began finding horses–longshots and short prices–and steadily climbing the standings. Both he and our tablemate Rich Nilsen made the cut, and by the end of day three, Dylan was sitting in fourth place. For those unfamiliar with the format, the final table contestants carry their bankroll totals with them and then play the exact same seven mandatory races. Thanks to the innovative “Silver Sunday” contest the NHC launched a few years ago, the ballroom remains packed because eliminated players–including myself–are playing the same races in a separate contest for $100,000, with $25,000 to the winner. A Roller Coaster of Emotions As we waited for the first final-table race, Dylan sat quietly at Table 147–our home away from home since the First Chance/Last Chance qualifier on Thursday. In front of him were printed past performances, meticulously marked up the night before with speed figures by his wife Meghan, who also provided both emotional and physical sustenance. At one point she pulled an energy bar out of her purse, which Dylan promptly devoured. AirPods in. Hat turned backwards. Perrier in hand. Seven races from history. I marveled at his calm and personable demeanor. Dozens of people stopped by to wish him luck. He's simultaneously one of the most-feared and most-liked competitors on the tour. As tablemates, the rest of us simply tried not to disturb the delicate equilibrium he had created between races. If Dylan was relaxed, we joked and verbally sparred like always. If he went silent and stared at the screen, everyone around him instinctively did the same. At one point I desperately wanted to ask what he was listening to in those AirPods, but I couldn't quite find the right moment. Success came early with a winner in the first race and a move into third on a historically tight leaderboard. A few more races passed without success, but no one was pulling away. With three races to go, Dylan was in fourth, only $20 behind the leader. That's when the mood at the table got tense. Dylan selected Carentan in Gulfstream's 10th. The horse worked out what looked like a dream trip along the rail and seemed ready to burst through at the top of the lane. Instead–like so many horses that get that trip over the Tapeta–the punch never came and Carentan finished out of the money. For just a moment, I thought I saw Dylan crack. A couple of expletives. An irritated look as he shuffled through his printed PPs while tournament emcee Brian Skirka announced leaderboard changes that were definitely not in Dylan's financial interest. For a fleeting second, I considered sharing the philosophical outlook from my preview column–that we should all just be happy to be here together. But it didn't seem like the right time. So before the penultimate race, I resorted to the traditional horseplayer conversation starter. “Who do you like in Oaklawn's 10th?” He shared his pick–the #9–and I mentioned I had landed on the same horse in the Silver Sunday tournament. He stared at me for a moment. “Good God… I should change my pick!” Then came the signature Dylan Donnelly smile. The irritation was gone. He was back–and despite playing for $825,000, he wasn't about to pass up the chance to jab me about my weekend of bad selections. That's what friends are for. The nine finished out of the money–carrying Dylan's hopes, and apparently the curse of my handicapping, with him. That left Dylan in fourth heading into the final race, the fifth at Santa Anita, with a gap of $29.91 between him and the leader. Dylan knew exactly what he needed: a horse whose win and place payoff would exceed that. Roughly 10-1. But the pari-mutuel gods weren't making things easy. Late odds fluctuations meant that even if he picked the right horse, the price might not hold. The NHC Goes Right Down To The Wire Frank Mustari, serving as Dylan's unofficial consigliere for the final minutes, explained the situation. “The favorite is probably going to the lead and win,” Frank said. “But that does him no good in the standings. So it's the two or the four. The question is which one–and whether the price holds.” Dylan ultimately landed on his preferred horse, #4 Crazy Cavalier. But there were still two problems. First, if one of the players ahead of him picked the same horse, Dylan would be blocked. Second… well, that part would become clear shortly. The gates opened. Soon after, the players' selections were posted. None of the competitors ahead of Dylan had selected Crazy Cavalier. He was live. As the race unfolded, Crazy Cavalier settled well off the pace down the backstretch. We kept glancing at the odds board. Still 10-1. No late CAW-driven odds changes. Around the far turn the horse began to move, and by the top of the stretch he swung wide–and suddenly our entire group was losing our minds. Crazy Cavalier ground down the leaders and just held off None Above the Law (video). We exploded. For about two seconds.I sprinted over to Dylan, searching for something remarkable to say. “Incredible (expletive) pick,” was as poetic as I could get. He looked me directly in the eyes. “I don't know if it's enough.” And that's when the room realized something. Frank Polk, sitting in second place, had selected the runner-up–and it was also a price. Suddenly the celebration stopped. Brent Schraff did some quick math in his head. “Oh my God,” he said. “He's going to lose.” Across the ballroom, announcer Brian Skirka summed it up perfectly: “It's a math equation from here.” We all stared at the television screen waiting for the payouts. I texted Sue Finley and Alan Carasso: “You're about to get one hell of a story. But it might be heartbreaking.” Finally, the payouts flashed onto the screen. For a moment nobody moved as everyone tried to do the math in their heads. Then the leaderboard updated. Dylan Donnelly. First place. The margin of victory was a mere 84 cents. He raised his arms and the ballroom erupted. People swarmed around him, but parted a moment later as Meghan stepped in and kissed him. “I'm so proud of him,” she told me later. “He works so hard and deserves this.” Most years we show up in Las Vegas chasing the same dream: Trying to be the one who solves the puzzle, finds the right horses, and survives the chaos of three long days of handicapping. Most years, it doesn't happen. But every once in a while, one of your own gets there. And when that happens, for a few unforgettable hours inside that ballroom, the wolfpack becomes an entourage. I'm still the coldest handicapper in America, but I'm leaving Las Vegas feeling like a champion. If that's how I'm feeling, I can only imagine how Dylan Donnelly is feeling. “Hell yeah!” Dylan Donnelly talked to @Icecoldexacta right after winning the 2026 #NHC! It was only a $.84 margin between first and second! pic.twitter.com/S5xXH6DdQg — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 15, 2026 The post A NHC Nailbiter–The ‘Wolfpack’ Becomes an Entourage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

I know you and your buddies at Entain wish price elasticity wasn't a thing but it is. Remember from Econ 101 as the price of having a punt increases demand decreases. Just the way it is. You gotta work out a different and better way of funding than ludicrous takeout rates.

Dollars & Sense with Frank Angst takes a look at some ideas out there on how artificial intelligence can benefit the racing and breeding industry.View the full article

Hugo Palmer has been appointed as the new president of the National Trainers Federation (NTF), succeeding Nick Alexander, whose two-year term concluded at the Federation's Annual General Meeting in London on Monday. “I am honoured and delighted to take on this important role at a time when our industry continues to face a period of significant change and am encouraged by the discussions today on a positive way forward for the sport,” said Palmer. It was also confirmed that Rebecca Menzies and Harry Eustace will serve as the NTF's next two presidents, with the latter joining the presidential triumvirate which leads its governing body. Paul Johnson, chief executive of the NTF, said, “On behalf of the NTF team and the Federation's members, I would like to congratulate Hugo on his appointment and thank Nick for his leadership, hard work and commitment over the past two years.” The AGM, which was attended by more than 60 trainers and 10 senior leaders from across British racing, was followed by a panel discussion on the future direction of British racing and how the sport can continue to strengthen its appeal to racegoers and audiences. The discussion was chaired by broadcaster Nick Luck, with trainers in attendance having the opportunity to pose questions to a panel that, along with Johnson, featured Fliss Barnard, chief executive of Ascot Racecourse; Seb Butterworth, strategic racing director for Flutter UK & Ireland; Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA); Dido Harding, senior steward of The Jockey Club; and Nick Mills, chief executive of Racing Media Group. During the session, Dunshea outlined his key priorities for the sport as he said, “It is no secret that the sport has experienced a challenging period, but I believe there is much to be positive about. The past year has seen a growth in racecourse attendances, new initiatives to ensure more horses are raced and retained on our shores and continued improvements in horse and human welfare. “I am in no doubt that everyone in racing shares the same commitment to do what is in the best interest of the sport albeit there will be different perspectives.” He continued, “We are already seeing the benefits of the industry strategy agreed across the sport. We've just launched the second year of the national marketing campaign funded by the Levy Board, we've got the largest piece of consumer insight from Project Beacon, prize-money is rising. And as we showed last year with the campaign against the Government's proposed tax rises on betting, when the sport comes together as one it can be hugely effective.” “If we continue to demonstrate that unity of purpose then I'm confident we can tackle issues like the rise of black market betting, the declining foal crop and the long-term funding of the sport.” Johnson also discussed the NTF's developing strategy around the fixture list and race programme, highlighting a long-term approach aimed at strengthening the sport's competitive structure and maintaining strong interest among racing audiences. He said, “The strong attendance at today's AGM, from both trainers and senior figures across the sport, reflects the shared determination across racing to tackle the challenges we face and build a positive future for the sport. “Bringing together leaders from across the industry for this discussion was hugely valuable as British racing continues to evolve while protecting the qualities that make it such a distinctive and successful sport.” The post Hugo Palmer Appointed as New President of the National Trainers Federation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The exclusion of Betfair has probably killed off many large, serious punters, they offered a different form of betting that should have been kept on, I think I can still access my Betfair account, last time I tried I could but there was nothing you could wager on, there are some noveltys you can still bet on.

No winning punters are getting any decent sized bets on. Put as much on as you like if you are considered no threat to their bottom line.

If you want to dig out my and others' social media posts from the beginning of this century warning of the impending disaster the detailed financial figures are there.

Sorry, I don't have time to do that in any great detail. If you want it, you'll have to do it yourself but here's a quick AI summary of the timeline and deterioration with centralisation and bulk funding. Summary ✔️ Pre‑1951: Clubs ran racing and funded themselves from on‑course wagering. ✔️ 1951–2003 (TAB era): Nationalised wagering grew, funding increasingly centralised. ✔️ 2003: NZ Racing Board created — full centralised funding and governance model began.

I gather you and @curious don't understand track funding Both of you are so wrong it is laughable. @curious show us all in financial numbers when Racing paid its way.

You miss the point as always. If you win backing winners on NZ races (a remote possibility) with overseas book makers then your conscious will force you to put some of your winnings back into NZ Racing.

Karis Teetan has a quality book of rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, spearheaded by Young Champion in the feature Class Two Daisy Handicap (1,200m). A drop back in trip to 1,200m for his last two starts has seen a return to form for John Size’s Zoustar galloper, recording seconds both times – most recently by a nose to Group performer Beauty Waves with Teetan on board. “It’s pretty good to see him doing what he’s been doing lately because he was a bit disappointing, but it’s nice that...View the full article