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The dual Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year from 2022 and 2024, Free Like a Girl (El Deal–Flashy Prize, by Flashy Bull), was euthanized after a recent trailer accident. The story was first reported on Tuesday, Jan. 13 by the Daily Racing Form. The all-time highest earner in the Pelican state's history with over $2.5-million, Free Like a Girl made 55 starts and got her picture taken on 21 occasions. The $5,500 Equine Sales of Louisiana Yearling Sale grad was owned by Gerald Bruno, Carl Deville, Jerry Caroom and Chasey Deville Pomier, who also trained her. Free Like a Girl ran third in the GIII Iowa Oaks then served as the runner-up in the GIII Charles Town Oaks and GIII Remington Park Oaks during her 3-year-old campaign. Almost exclusively a stakes competitor moving forward, the race mare was incredibly consistent versus state breds as she recorded 18 black-type wins, but she also took on graded company where she was second in the GI Fasig-Tipton La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs in 2024 and the runner-up to Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) in the GI Apple Blossom Handicap at Oaklawn Park in 2025. After a runner-up finish in the Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs Oct. 11, the 7-year-old was retired and according to the DRF article was set to visit Into Mischief for the 2026 breeding season. By El Deal, Free Like a Girl has an unraced full-brother named Flashy Rich Deal, who was made the $150,000 topper by Landon Jordan of Mansfield Racing during the 2024 Texas Yearling Sale at Lone Star Park. The post Dual Louisiana-Bred Horse Of The Year Free like A Girl Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bob Duncan, whose career spans better than 50 years at the tracks of the New York Racing Association (NYRA), will be honored with a Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence during the Resolute Racing Eclipse Award ceremonies at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, on Thursday, Jan. 22. The award recognizes Duncan's horsemanship and his work to foster the human-equine relationship at the starting gate. Duncan, who grew up in Elmont, NY, began working at the NYRA tracks in 1967-1968 and returned from a stint in the U.S. Army in Korea to become an assistant starter under Frank Calvarese. He succeeded Calvarese as head starter in 1993 and remained in that role until his retirement in 2004. He remained a consultant to NYRA and continues to provide his service on a private basis to racing stables. Addressing the issues starting gate crews had with loading horses into the gate, Duncan came to the realization that common practices of using fear and intimidation were counterproductive and counterintuitive. Horses, by and large, were being loaded into the gate, but the process was often a recipe for disaster. “Horses respond to good leadership,” said Duncan. “Once we started communicating in a language that the horses understood, they responded calmly, and their performance improved. By watching horses, you learn how to connect with them; the key is to set aside your ego and any urge to dominate the horse. “They are prey animals, and dominance just doesn't work. We used to think we were heroes just to get the horses into the starting gate, but we didn't realize the price that the horses were paying and, in turn, how it hurt their connections and the sport.” “Bob revolutionized the starting gate process over his 50-year tenure,” said Hall of Fame trainer and eight-time Eclipse Award winner Todd Pletcher. “He was the first to introduce more humane, behaviorally informed practices in his running of the gate-schooling and starting-gate program, establishing a model now emulated internationally. He led the charge in urging the industry to use natural horsemanship not only at the gate but throughout all elements of the training, racing, and breeding process.” Duncan's practices began receiving attention both at home and overseas, as his services were solicited by the likes of trainers Aidan O'Brien and Gai Waterhouse in Ireland, Australia. Barbados and other countries. Duncan's methods were well institutionalized in New York. In 2004, there were 6,000 horse visits to the gates at NYRA tracks without a serious occurrence at the starting gate. In later years, Duncan worked with the starting gate crew at Churchill Downs and started the 2006 Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby. In 2009, Duncan worked with the Pletcher-trained Quality Road, who was fractious and unruly while being loaded for the start of the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Park, and had to be scratched. Following that incident, Duncan got a call from Pletcher. “I came down from Saratoga and schooled him at Belmont Park,” Duncan remembers. “I just took him in the stall with my rope halter and spent 15 minutes with him, moving him back and forth, and connecting with him. He was almost instantly responsive.” In 2010, a calmer Quality Road won four graded stakes races, including Grade I fixtures in the Donn Handicap, Metropolitan Handicap and the Woodward Stakes. Moved upon hearing the news of receiving a Special Eclipse Award, Duncan reflected, “This is not something that normally happens in our discipline. There is so much joy and satisfaction to this process–handling the horses in this way–that it's like winning a little Eclipse Award every morning.” “What began with smaller changes like limiting the use of buggy whips and blindfolds,” continued Pletcher, “turned into a complete overhaul of the current system focusing on bringing in the practices of Monty Roberts, Pat and Linda Parelli, Ray Hunt, and the like, to create calm horses at the gate and build a safer environment for all involved.” The post Legendary Starter Duncan To Receive Special Eclipse For Career Excellence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple Group 3 heroine Lastotchka anchors the Tattersalls Online January Sale catalogue, which was released on Wednesday. Set for Tuesday, January 20-Wednesday, January 21, the sale features 102 lots comprised of 70 horses in and out of training, 18 broodmares, four yearlings, three breeding rights, three two-year-olds, three stores and a share in young sire and champion sprinter Bradsell (lot 99). Lastotchka, by Myboycharlie and sold as lot 59 by Ronald Rauscher, won the G3 Prix Belle de Nuit and G3 Prix Gladiateur. The seven-year-old mare also won the Listed Prix de Thiberville and is from the family of Arc winner Rail Link. Other lots of note are Willie Mullins's 132 IHRB-rated hurdler and listed-placed Charlus (Churchill) (lot 42); as well as listed-placed hurdler Olympic Man (Martaline) (lot 16), who is a winner over fences and rated 132 over hurdles and 136 by IHRB as a chaser. Listed Tipperary Stakes-placed Fresh Fade (Cotai Glory) (lot 2) will be offered, as will prolific all-weather winner Maris Angel (Harry Angel) (lot 14). Broodmare Hotaugustnight (Camelot) (lot 83) will be put through the ring in foal to Pinatubo. She is a relative of G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Gleneagles). Among the stallion offerings are: a breeding right to Group 1 stallion Space Blues (lot 102), as well as breeding rights in A'Ali (lot 100) and El Caballo (lot 101). The post Lastotchka Headlines Tattersalls Online January Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jimmy Hyland, the new CEO of Godolphin Ireland, speaks about champion sire Night Of Thunder, new addition Shadow Of Light and more Sweeping statements about the future are usually best left to Nostradamus and the like but Jimmy Hyland, the new man at the helm at Kildangan Stud, has more than one good reason to look out over the horizon and smile. We say new, but Hyland put down 38 good years working for the Maktoum family before taking over as CEO from the outgoing Joe Osborne back in October. Hyland has taken over at a time when Kildangan Stud is abuzz; Night Of Thunder was just crowned the champion sire in Britain and Ireland, Blue Point is threatening to break into that upper echelon – and might just do so in 2026 – while many shrewd judges believe that Ghaiyyath could be on the cusp of something big. When you add that to the fact that dual Group 1-winning juvenile Shadow Of Light has joined the roster for the upcoming breeding season, it's easy to see why Hyland speaks with infectious optimism about what might be in store. “I am heading into my 39th year with the Maktoum family,” he says from his base at Kildangan Stud. “I say the Maktoum family because I worked for the late Sheikh Maktoum at Gainsborough Stud in Kentucky. I also spent some time in Japan – I went there in 1992 with Dancing Brave, so I was probably one of the first Darley employees to have worked in Japan back then. After that, I had the opportunity to manage Thornton Stud (pls add in North Yorkshire, which was leased by Sheikh Mohammed in 1995 and 1996. I came back to Kildangan Stud in 1996 to take over the management of Kildangan Stud and, working closely with Joe Osborne, my role grew from there. With Joe's departure, it's definitely a change as we met every day to discuss and plan things. It worked very well down through the years but I have to embrace change now and I think the future is very bright here at Kildangan Stud.” He added, “With stallions like Night Of Thunder, the champion sire in Britain and Ireland, and Blue Point, who could be in for a huge year, along with Ghaiyyath, a stallion we feel is only going to go from strength to strength, we're in a very good position. On top of that, you have Space Blues, very much the forgotten stallion, first-season sire Naval Crown, who is a fast, sharp horse by Dubawi and Native Trail, whose first foals sold very well last year. “Then we have the older horses, like Teofilo and Raven's Pass, who are doing well in the background and, of course, Shadow Of Light, who is new to the roster here this year. So it's a very strong stallion roster. There's lots to look forward to on the track with potential stallions in Ombudsman, Notable Speech, Opera Ballo and Wise Approach so I think we could be in for a big year.” It is a lazy assumption that an outfit as big as Darley is guaranteed any amount of success by virtue of the fact it plays home to some of the best bloodlines in the business. There is no reliable guide as to what way the pendulum can swing in this great game. Therefore, there is a genuine appreciation when the extensive work that goes on behind the scenes pays off. “The Godolphin operation in Ireland comprises eight farms and 4,700 acres,” Hyland explains. “We've 200 staff members depending on the time of year and we've about 500 horses under our care at any given time. So there's plenty going on here all year round and there's no downtime. It's challenging, but I love the challenge and this is a really exciting time of year because, in January, you have the newborn foals and every newborn foal is a blank canvas. When they are born, you are thinking, 'this could be the next big one.' That's the exciting part of this job; watching those young foals develop on the farms here, then going through the yearling prep and on to their trainers before, one day, possibly returning here to either stand as a stallion or join the broodmare band. We get great satisfaction out of that. Like, that big weekend in May, when we had the four Group 1 winners – Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby winners Good Cheer and Sovereignty along with 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas winners Desert Flower and Ruling Court – was just amazing. Desert Flower was born and raised here on the Irish studs so that was particularly special. Godolphin is a global team, but the Irish operation plays a huge role in that success and it's amazing to be a part of that winning team with Desert Flower along with Trawlerman and Rebel's Romance as well. We set the bar very high for ourselves every year and if we don't get four or five Group 1-winning graduates, we're disappointed.” Jimmy Hyland | Tattersalls He added, “As you walk through the entrance of the office here, you will see on either side of the walls that we have 102 brass name plates dedicated to all of the Group 1-winning graduates that the Irish farms have produced. I have been here so long at Kildangan Stud, that I can remember practically all of them, including Dubawi's mother, Zomaradah (Deploy), along with Dubawi himself and his own sire, Dubai Millennium. So we've had generations of the Dubai Millennium sire line), along with Dubawi, Night Of Thunder and all of the sons coming through. Obviously you have the influence of Shamardal as well. To have Dubawi and Shamardal racing in the same year as three-year-olds and then to have both of them join our European roster, it's a bit like buses; you wait for one to come along and then two arrive. To get two of that standard, we were just very fortunate because they have been breed-shapers. Even Cape Cross, who is also on that wall, left a massive legacy through Sea The Stars and Golden Horn and he is proving influential as a broodmare sire as well. So I have been very fortunate to have worked and been associated with some amazing horses. It's been a fantastic journey so far.” There are, of course, headaches and teething problems when anyone assumes a new role. For Hyland, his biggest headache has been bittersweet in that the popularity of champion sire Night Of Thunder, who will stand for €200,000 in 2026, means that Darley have been forced to turn a lot of good breeders away. Hyland explained, “Night Of Thunder is obviously hugely popular. Unfortunately, with the demise of Wootton Bassett, it added to our headache here with more people wanting to use Night Of Thunder. We are using him quite extensively ourselves, which meant there were less slots available to the public market, so it has been a balancing act trying to look after the people who have been good to the horse and trying to secure the best mares for the stallion. Some people normally got two but then two became one and, in some cases, one didn't become any and a lot of people are on a waiting list. It has been a huge challenge and, if, say, Notable Speech had retired, it would have been a huge help to have another option with that Dubawi bloodline. Obviously, we have Shadow Of Light, which has been helpful, but the decision was made to keep Notable Speech and Ombudsman in training this year, and it was probably the right decision because both of them probably have unfinished business. That's what His Highness Sheikh Mohammed enjoys, watching those high-class horses competing. We can look forward to them retiring at the end of this year. But as I said earlier, the Night Of Thunders of this world don't come along very often. He's an extraordinary stallion.” What's most exciting for Hyland, who very evidently treats his role here as much more than just a job, is that the best is yet to come. He admits that, while his day-to-day role hasn't changed drastically since he stepped in as CEO, he shared that has had to learn to delegate more. He still spends his mornings inspecting stock on any one of the eight different farms. The philosophy there, according to Hyland, is that he would rather spot a problem – be that making changes to body condition, feed, farriery or exercise – before it arises. He quantifies that hands-on approach by stating the team has “one shot” at producing potential champions. He is also big on land management and speaks passionately about adopting a sustainable approach to how Godolphin runs its farms. Be that the introduction of solar panels, their extensive composting system, rainwater harvesting and even the creation of their own beehives as well as extensive rewilding projects, it's an admirable and responsible approach. Hyland grew up within walking distance of Kildangan Stud. A nephew of the late Pat and Hugh Hyland of Oghill House Stud, he spent many summers and weekends cutting his teeth at that famous nursery. This is a passion project as much as anything else for a man who says “it was in the blood” when asked about how he first got into the industry. “It's a way of life,” he elaborates about his career path. “The days are long and there are plenty of disappointments but, when you produce that big horse, the likes of Desert Flower last year, that's the reward. In actual fact, the past three 1,000 Guineas winners – Desert Flower, Elmalka and Mawj – were all raised here. That gives us a great boost. Winning a Group 1 is great but, winning a Classic, that's the icing on the cake. Our goals haven't really changed down through the years. Our main goal is to produce high-class racehorses for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and his family, but with regards to our stallion operation, the aim is to stand top-class stallions. That's our business. All of our young stock here are so well-bred, they all have the potential to be champions.” He added, “The game has been good to me. I grew up locally and Oghill House Stud would have been the home place. My late uncles Pat and Hugh Hyland, I learned a lot from them and spent a lot of my weekends and summers there when I was growing up. My cousin, Royston Murphy, spent a lot of time there as well and, along with his wife Catriona, they own and run Sledmere Stud in Australia. My brother Ray works for Godolphin Ireland and he manages three of the farms in Kildare while our other cousin Johnny [Hyland] has taken over the reins at Oghill and is doing a great job. So it's in the blood. I have two sons working in the industry. Conor is working for the Irish National Stud and he is very happy there – he loves his job and they have been very good to him. Then we have Eoin, who works with Richard Pugh and the race planning team at Horse Racing Ireland and he is really enjoying his role there as well. Thankfully, my youngest son Lorcan is in his last year in college where he is studying computer science. Otherwise, the conversation at the dinner table would have been very equine-focused! My poor wife, Esther, who is a qualified nurse, already puts up with enough equine talk as it is! But on a serious note, I am very proud of them all and it's great to see them enjoying what they are doing.” Kildangan Stud is something of an extended family of Hyland's and he speaks passionately about opening its doors to the public during the ITM Stallion Trail, an initiative that this outfit has backed from the get-go, on Friday and Saturday. Shadow Of Light: new for 2026 | Racingfotos.com He said, “I think the Stallion Trail has multiple functions. A lot of clients come through our doors during the Stallion Trail because they are able to make a weekend of it and that's when some people are making their final decisions with regards to breeding plans. We also get some foreign visitors, the majority of which comes from the UK and France, as well as general racing fans, so it's something we have always put a huge emphasis into and we like to get behind it. We always do a good bit of business over the course of the two days and we find it is an excellent way to showcase multiple stallions in a short space of time.” Champion juvenile Shadow Of Light, who has been introduced to the roster at €17,500, is sure to command plenty of attention over the course of the two days. He is understood to have a solid booking of mares to date and Hyland is confident that he will receive a strong opening book this year. He concluded, “The Night Of Thunders and the Blue Points of this world are the easiest to fill. They are the most popular, the most successful and the most expensive. They fill on their own. The stallion that you are trying to make, from the middle to lower end of the market, is very competitive. Fortunately for us, Shadow Of Light was a great racehorse. To win the Middle Park and the Dewhurst, he's only the third horse in over a century to do that. The pedigree that he has, it's what the Irish breeder loves as it's full of precocity. He's a very good-looking horse to go with his race record and he is probably a little bit more leg for that family. He is very well made and very athletic. Anyone who has seen him, likes him and his bookings have been very positive over the last number of weeks. Our nominations team – Eamon Moloney, Anthony O'Donnell and Tom Fogarty – are doing a great job and we have had a good flow of people coming to see him.” The new dawn is an exciting one. The post Jimmy Hyland: ‘The Future Is Very Bright At Kildangan Stud’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Frankie Dettori has been unable to pay his £765,000 tax debt after his various companies were liquidated, according to a report on msn.com. The legendary jockey declared bankruptcy last March. Companies House published an update to the liquidation of Frankie Dettori Limited and Newmarket Activities Limited, which showed there were no funds to repay the debt. Dettori owes £765,000 to HMRC as of last October and an additional £6,391 to a car leasing company. Once the costs to liquidate his businesses are added in, the debt total is £888,799. The latest report read, “Assuming that realisations and expenses are as anticipated, it is not expected that there will be a return to unsecured creditors due to insufficient funds. This is subject to change based on the final outcome of our investigations.” Dettori will be released from his bankruptcy on March 17, 2026. His name first came up in a legal battle with HMRC over his anonymity after using a “tax avoidance scheme” in December of 2024. His career voluntarily ended in Britain in October of 2023 and, instead of retiring, he moved to California to continue riding. Dettori, who is currently riding in South America after retiring from U.S. racing after the Breeders' Cup, will become the new Amo Racing global brand ambassador in the coming days. The post Dettori Unable To Pay £765k In Taxes After Asset Liquidation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first reported foal for four-time Group 1 winner Luxembourg is a colt born at Cleaboy Stud and Coppice Farm. Out of Raffles Monte (Martaline), the bay was bred by Sean Gorman. The dam is a half-sister to Grade 3-winning hurdler Raffles Sainte (Saint Des Saint), out of listed-winning chaser Loxlade (Sholokhov) and from the family of French Champion Hurdle winner Vaporetto (Lear Fan). “Right colour, right physical, we couldn't be happier with him,” said Gorman. Luxembourg, by Camelot, was a Group 1 winner every year from two through five, taking the Futurity Trophy Stakes, the Irish Champion Stakes, the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Coronation Cup. He stands at The Beeches Stud for €6,000 this season under the Coolmore National Hunt banner. The post Luxembourg Sires First Reported Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juan Hernandez earns Jockey of the Week after winning three stakes at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

With Horse of the Year candidate Sovereignty (Into Mischief) recently returned to Bill Mott's winter base at Payson Park in preparation for a 4-year-old campaign, breeders eager to support the three-time Grade I winner will have to wait at least another year. In the meantime, the Darley America stallion team is still plenty occupied with two other millionaire homebreds new to Jonabell Farm for 2026. Sales Manager Darren Fox said that the farm has carved out a competitive position in the market with 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' First Mission (Street Sense) and Grade I winner Highland Falls (Curlin). “Both horses represent tremendous value,” he said. “We priced them both at $10,000 to make them a no-brainer for breeders. Really top horsemen who have been out to see them have really loved them. They're both very strong physicals with a lot of sire power to boot.” HIGHLAND FALLS (Curlin — Round Pond, by Awesome Again). Standing for $10,000 Highland Falls joins the roster with the distinction of being the only Grade I-winning son of Curlin at stud out of a multiple Grade I-winning mare. Godolphin secured Round Pond (Awesome Again), winner of the GI Acorn Stakes and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff, for $5.75 million in 2007 and the champion mare has proven to be a foundation producer for the operation. Her first foal Long River (A.P. Indy) was a Grade I winner and her daughter Tyburn Brook (Bernardini) has extended the line as the dam of Grade I winner and Darley sire Speaker's Corner (Street Sense) as well as recent GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes winner Knightsbridge (Nyquist). “Knightsbridge has oodles of talent and we're very excited about his campaign this year,” said Fox. “It's an immensely deep female family and you couldn't really ask for better in a young stallion.” Sara Gordon Trained by Brad Cox, Highland Falls was a winner on debut at three and developed into top form the following season. His 4-year-old campaign was highlighted by top-level scores in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes and GIII Blame Stakes, as well as runner-up finishes in the GII Oaklawn Handicap and GIII Monmouth Cup Stakes. In the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Highland Falls defeated three Grade I winners including GI Whitney Stakes victor Arthur's Ride (Tapit). “He got bumped from both sides pretty hard at the start and it didn't faze him a bit,” recalled Fox. “He's a two-turn horse, but he had speed and he put the race to Arthur's Ride. Turning for home, he pulled away and drew off impressively to win by four.” Highland Falls placed third in the same Saratoga race in 2025 and also finished second to champion Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) in the GI Whitney Stakes, earning a 107 Beyer Speed Figure. “That race was absolutely loaded with the likes of Sierra Leone, White Abarrio (Race Day) and Fierceness (City of Light),” recalled Fox. “For about three strides I thought he was going to win, but was ultimately collared late by Sierra Leone and was only beaten by a length by a very good racehorse. That race really showed what he could do over nine furlongs.” Due to an ill-timed minor injury, Highland Falls was not able to make the Breeders' Cup Classic for his final career start. He retired with six wins and finished out of the money only twice in 13 career starts. Fox noted that the chestnut has taken well to his new surroundings at Jonabell, adding that breeder interest has been high since the new stallion's arrival. “Highland Falls is an absolutely gorgeous horse physically,” he noted. “He's got a lovely shape to him, very racey with an attractive profile. What I love about him is the length of his hip. When he walks away from you he has that lovely, square hip. For a two-turn horse to have that shape of hip, I think it's going to prove very commercial. Pedigree-wise, he's an easy horse to breed to and physically he will fit most mares.” FIRST MISSION (Street Sense — Elude, by Medaglia d'Oro). Standing for $10,000. Sara Gordon First Mission becomes the third son of Street Sense to join the Darley America roster, following in the footsteps of Maxfield, whose fee has climbed to $50,000 following a breakout season with his first 2-year-olds in 2025, and Speaker's Corner, whose first juveniles will hit the track in 2026. Street Sense's fourth son at stud in Kentucky is Gainesway's McKinzie. “When I look at First Mission, he is all class and that is something that is synonymous with the Streets Sense sireline,” said Fox. “They love to eat and train. They're so easy to be around and this horse exudes that class.” Another standout for the Cox stable, First Mission finished a narrow second to future MGSW Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) on debut in February of his 3-year-old season. He returned a month later to break his maiden by over six lengths going a mile and a sixteenth, earning the 'Rising Star' nod. Also during his 3-year-old campaign, he claimed the GIII Lexington Stakes, defeating future Grade I winner Arabian Lion (Justify), and was second in the GII Clark Stakes. Returning to the racetrack at four and five, career highlights included wins in the GII Essex Handicap, GII Alysheba Stakes and GII Oaklawn Handicap. “He earned a 109 Beyer Speed Figure in the Oaklawn Handicap, which makes him the fastest sire to retire in Kentucky at $10,000 and under in the last five years,” noted Fox. “He followed that win with an excellent third in the GI Stephen Foster behind top horses Mindframe (Constitution) and Sierra Leone.” First Mission retired to stud with over $2.2 million in career earnings. “Like Maxfield, he was a typical two-turn Street Sense, but he had front-end speed and could carry it,” said Fox. “He is his own brand of Street Sense physically. He's got great movement and just walks like a cat.” First Mission's dam Elude is a daughter of Forty Marchanta (Arg) (Roar), a champion 3-year-old in Argentina. “He's out of a Medaglia d'Oro mare who is bred on the same cross as Rachel Alexandra, which I love,” Fox noted. “He has that lovely blend of Medaglia d'Oro coming through and that's probably one of the areas that he has an edge over his paternal barnmates Maxfield and Speaker's Corner in that First Mission is free of A.P. Indy, which is Street Sense's best cross. So bring on all the A.P. Indy and Bernardini you like, because he's going to love it.” The post Darren Fox: New Darley Sires “A No-Brainer for Breeders” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The £1-million Randox Grand National will become a 72-hour declaration race beginning in 2026, Aintree Racecourse announced on Wednesday. This year's edition is the 178th at Aintree and will be run on Saturday, April 11. The final declaration stage will be Wednesday, April 8. Previously, the final declarations were held on Thursday. The number of reserves for the race, which were reintroduced in 2025, will increase from four to six. Reserves can be brought into the Randox Grand National up to 1 p.m. the day before the race. This year, that date is Friday, April 10. Racing will also begin earlier on the Grand National card at 12:45 p.m. The Grade 2 bumper will be the card's finale after the 4 p.m. Grand National. Sulekha Varma, clerk of the course at Aintree Racecourse, said, “We're really pleased to be able to make the Randox Grand National a 72-hour declaration race from 2026, providing greater clarity for not only participants and racing stakeholders but also fans. “The Jockey Club successfully introduced 72-hour declarations for the Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs last year and, while the Randox Grand National is now the only UK jumps race to implement this, it also brings us in line with other global races such as the Melbourne Cup and Kentucky Derby. “We're extremely grateful to the British Horseracing Authority for their support in helping us make this change.” The post Grand National Declarations Changed To 72 Hours Out appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Francis Lui Kin-wai joined an elite group of trainers to reach 1,000 wins in Hong Kong when Speed Dragon stormed home from last for a stunning victory in Wednesday night’s Group Three January Cup (1,800m) at Happy Valley. Champion trainer in 2023-24 and the handler of champion galloper Golden Sixty, Lui joined John Moore (1,735 wins), John Size (1,629), Tony Cruz (1,583), Caspar Fownes (1,196) and Ricky Yiu (1,082) in reaching the major milestone when Winning Money and Speed Dragon won at the...View the full article

by George Adams Wasabi Ventures Stables & Stallions continues to upgrade the quality of their breeding stock and the commerciality of the foals that they're producing on their Serendipity Springs Farm. There is a very interesting group of stallions retiring for 2026, and Wasabi has shares in several which we'll be supporting. TICKLE THE IVORIES, 5, Justify-Gagnoa (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. Will be bred to Mindframe. The highest profile of the new stallions with whom Wasabi is involved is the multiple GI winner Mindframe, who retired to Claiborne. He's a horse that I was personally invested in early on, having claimed his half-sister as a broodmare prospect before Mindframe was named, and he comes from a deep Mid-Atlantic female family. Mindframe is a gorgeous physical, and it's quite a snub that he didn't make the list of Eclipse finalists even though he was the only older male to win two G1s in '25, beating Sierra Leone in one and Nysos in the other. But still, he's got every right to be a fantastic stallion and Wasabi purchased a young Justify mare from Coolmore in November specifically to send to him. Her name is Tickle the Ivories, she's due early to Munnings with her first foal, and we were able to steal her a couple months ago because she was literally the first mare through the ring in November. Like Mindframe, she's a leggy, strapping individual, and she should suit him very well. WHY NOT TONIGHT, 8, Tapiture-Pay the Lady, by Not For Love, and PAW PRINTS, 6, Kitten's Joy-Hachita, by Gone West. Will be bred to Johannes. Wasabi is also supporting Claiborne's other new stallion, Johannes. He was a heck of a racehorse, and Nyquist is one of the best young stallions out there, so Johannes has a lot going for him. Wasabi has never shied away from producing a turf horse, and will be sending two young mares to Johannes. The first is their first ever black-type winner Why Not Tonight, a daughter of Tapiture. Like Johannes, she is bred for dirt but did her best running on turf, and Nyquist has had success with Tapit-line mares, having sired the likes of Tenma and Gosger on that cross. The second mare that Wasabi is sending to Johannes is Paw Prints, a Juddmonte-bred daughter of Kitten's Joy from the immediate family of Final Gambit. We're leaning into Johannes's turf success again here, and the Uncle Mo/El Prado cross has produced the likes of Seismic Beauty, Showcase and Scalding. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Locked joins the sire ranks at Gainesway | Sara Gordon ITGETSGREATERLATER,6, Justify-Sotto Voce, by Tapit, and SAUCILY, 6, Curlin-Leslie May, by Tapit. Will be bred to Locked. Wasabi was very lucky to get involved early with Locked, who is another first-year stallion that we're very excited about. He was an absolutely top-class two-year-old, beat older horses in the Cigar Mile at three, and scored by a record margin in the Santa Anita Handicap this past season at four. As a son of Gun Runner, he has everything going for him, and we're sending two mares to him at Gainesway. The first will be the Justify mare Itgetsgreaterlater, whose 2025 colt by Gunite topped the weanlings in his session at Keeneland November when selling to Wesley Ward for $160,000, so it made plenty of sense to go back to another son of Gun Runner with the mare. And Locked's leg and length will suit her very well, as she's a touch more compact herself. The second mare Wasabi will send to Locked is Saucily, a Stonestreet-bred daughter of Curlin. This is a very commercial family, and we've been giving Saucily plenty of chances. She's another whose own physical is a bit more compact, so Locked should suit her well, too. WILD FOR LOVE, 6, Not For Love, Sticky, by Concern and EBB TIDE, 7, Medaglia d'Oro-Magdalena Bay, by Distorted Humor. Will be bred to Arthur's Ride. We took a share in Arthur's Ride after seeing him in person at Taylor Made during the November sale, as he just blew us away physically. Obviously he was brilliant on his best day, and is a very well-bred horse, so he's got plenty going for him. Wasabi will send him Wild For Love, who has already produced a multiple black-type winner by a son of Tapit, as well as the Godolphin-bred mare Ebb Tide, whose female family has had lots of success with A.P. Indy-line stallions, including a full-sister to the dam of Ebb Tide having produced Tapit's leading son Constitution. GIVING SPIRIT, 6, Ghostzapper-Hallie Belle, by Medaglia d'Oro and QUEEN MUM, 11, Paynter-For Royalty, by Not for Love. Will be bred to Straight No Chaser. Eclipse Champion Sprinter Straight No Chaser at WinStar is another horse with a really awesome physical. He has a lot more leg and scope to him than I was expecting for a fast son of Speightster out of a Johannesburg mare. Wasabi will be sending him the Godolphin-bred Giving Spirit, who is a half-sister to a talented horse called Maycocks Bay by Speightster's sire Speightstown. And they'll also send the Black-Type two-year-old Queen Mum, who is half-sister to the dam of a nice Munnings filly named Cougar Cocktail who looks like a stakes horse, so this sire-line has worked with her female family. AQUATIC APPROACH, 5, Omaha Beach-Secret Mission, by Smart Strike and PIVOTAL WOMAN (Fr), 9, Siyouni (Fr)-Candinie, by Bernadini. Will be bred to Arzak. Although Wasabi is focused on Kentucky these days, we were sufficiently intrigued and impressed by Arzak to take a share in him, also. He's a Grade II-winning millionaire by Not This Time that will stand at Amsterdam Two Farm in New York, and we'll be sending him the young mare Aquatic Approach, whose female family has produced several good horses by Giant's Causeway (sire of Not This Time), and also a really neat mare called Pivotal Woman (FR), who is by Siyouni and from the productive Overbrook Farm family that produced Grand Slam and Leestown. Tiz the Law | Coolmore FLORAL HALL, 7, Bodemeister-Painted Lady, by Broad Brush. Will be bred to Tiz The Law. Some of the other matings that we're particularly excited about this spring are the Godolphin-bred Bodemeister mare Floral Hall, who we got into Tiz the Law at Ashford before they increased his fee following that graded stakes double he had at Aqueduct during the November sale. MAD GRACE, 11, English Channel-Floating Island, by A.P. Indy. Will be bred to Karakontie. We'll be sending a really hard-knocking, well-bred turf mare named Mad Grace to Karakontie at Gainesway. He gets runners, and they're classy, too, and – as mentioned earlier, Wasabi doesn't hesitate to breed for turf. WAND WORK, 6, Uncle Mo-Mrs. Norris, by Bernardini. Will be bred to Jimmy Creed. I've been a big fan of Jimmy Creed at Spendthrift for a long time now, and we'll be sending a young Uncle Mo mare to him. Her name is Wand Work, and she's a half to a nice Black-Type horse named Hedwig from the Distorted Humor sire-line, so hopefully Jimmy Creed can help her get a nice runner. C'EST MARDI, 10, Tiznow-Surging Storm, by Storm Creek. Will be bred to Thousand Words. We're also sending our Tiznow mare C'est Mardi, who won a couple of races in Wasabi's silks during her racing days, to Thousand Words at Spendthrift. He's had some really impressive results with his first two crops now, despite a Comp Index of less than 1.00, and he already has two black-type winners out of mares by Tiznow and a son of Tiznow, from just five runners. So we'll take a shot with him and a cross that looks very promising. He's a beautiful horse and had plenty of talent, and the mare could run a little bit, too. The post Mating Plans For 2026, Presented By Spendthrift: Wasabi Ventures appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

yes , sadder times are approaching. The sport is on borrowed time now as you say. We had a couple of miracles in Aus that has saved the day in some States when it would of collapsed . so wishing NZ some luck that the Sport can re-vitalise. My favourite of the Interdominion got re-vamped and is on again so things are possible. Alas NZ has run it only once the past 15 years so the sport lost all publicity. Victoria gone broke , and already running with the slashed stakemoney. yes I guess NZ will follow suit with the same amount of participants and interest I guess. ( QLD has even less generally but has Millionaire owners and Entain Ladbrokes propping it up for cohort of 500 horses racing weekly.) A lot of the NZ participants are retiring soon when the game closes there in North Island. They're ALL very old now. Mike Berger already did. But Ray Green, Maurice McKendry, Barry Purdon, Mark Purdon, AGH, old man Hughes, old Ferguson, Old Mango, Old David Butcher, even Bernie H don't really need to go round with them anymore after all these decades of success. No one has been good enough to challenge them generally? which has left very few even trying. for as long as I can remember. Perhaps the younger ones who might continue in the sport like Matty White and Arna Donnelly could shift to the South Island ? or Queensland would be better for them as get a lot more winners like Graeme Harris and Tim Butt did. some like Delaney and Phelan and Zac Butcher and Tony Cameron should tackle Menangle and really make a name for themselves . ? like Jack Trainor did for NZ.

The Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale carried on its momentum from opening day, with another five yearlings fetching seven-figure prices. A $2 million Extreme Choice topped the leaderboard when selling to Yulong Investments, while strong clearance rates continued to rise from yesterday's figures. Five horses sold for seven figures on Day 2, bringing the sale total so far to eight, one less than this time last year. At a glance Yulong splashed out $2 million for the day's top lot, Lot 345, a full brother to G3 Vanity Stakes winner Wollombi (Extreme Choice). The average lifted sightly to $288,266 on Day 2, slightly above the $277,145 average at the same point last year. The median remained at $200,000, and level with the $200,000 median at this stage in 2025. With 326 lots sold over the first two days, the gross sits at $93,975,000, down from 2025's record gross of $97,555,000 for the same stage, with 26 less lots sold so far. By the close of Day 2 the clearance rate had risen five points to 83%, up from 81% at the same stage last year. Segenhoe Stud sits clear on top of the vendor table with 16 yearlings sold over the first two days for $8.16 million, at an average of $510,000. Newgate Farm is in second with 20 yearlings sold for $6.5 million. Milburn Creek leads the averages with five sold at an average of $570,000. Snitzel leads sires, with 13 lots grossing $9.58 million at an average of $736,923. I Am Invincible sits in second with 13 lots selling for $8.19 million at an average of $630,000. Extreme Choice leads the table by average (2 or more sold) with seven yearlings averaging $840,000. Anamoe is the leading first season sire by both gross ($5.82 million) and average ($415,714). Tom Magnier of Coolmore Stud leads the buyer's table by both average and gross, having bought four yearlings for $4.7 million at an average of $1.175 million. Ciaron Maher and David Redvers have spent $3.8 million on seven yearlings to be second by gross expenditure. Lot 345 – Extreme Choice (Aus) x Hazlebrook (Aus), colt – $2,000,000 Money was no object for Yulong Investments, who were determined not to stop until they secured Lot 345, with the gavel eventually falling at $2 million, making him the second lot of the sale to reach that milestone. The chestnut colt by Extreme Choice was offered by Kingstar Farm and is a full brother to G3 Vanity Stakes winner Wollombi (Extreme Choice). “He's a very special colt, he was our only target that we definitely needed to buy,” Jun Zhang, General Manager of Yulong Australia, said. “We can see some stallion potential with him and also we own the sister as well, she has a foal by Diatonic, so we try and create our own families, so that is another reason why we had to get him. Extreme Choice is a very successful stallion and could be a history-making stallion in the future, so this is why Mr Zhang is trying to get every Extreme Choice he can.” The powerful colt is out of Hazlebrook (Hinchinbrook), who is a half-sister to stakes winner Everage (Zizou) and has produced three winners from three runners. The family traces back to G3 Debutante Stakes winner Alshandegha (Vain). Hazlebrook's first foal, an unraced 2-year-old by Tiger of Malay, was sold at the Magic Millions last year for $75,000 to Shane McGrath Bloodstock. Hazlebrook missed in 2025 but returned to Extreme Choice this spring. Lot 252 – Snitzel (Aus) x Embrace Me (NZ), colt – $1,500,000 The first seven-figure lot of Day 2 at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale set a high standard for the session when China Horse Club, Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) and Newgate & Partners combined to secure Lot 252 for $1.5 million. The athletic chestnut colt, by champion sire Snitzel, was offered by Milburn Creek and is the second foal of Group 3-winning mare Embrace Me (Shamexpress {NZ}). “We're delighted to get the colt. Beautiful horse from a fast mare and from a great farm,” Henry Field said. “We loved the horse. We've had so much success with the likes of Invader, Russian Revolution, In The Congo. We've had five Group 1 winners just by Snitzel himself. “I think it is one of those things where you have to buy what you love and hopefully he's a good horse for us. He is very much in the mould of some of those horses. He's neat and he's sharp, strong. He's got attitude.” Lot 373 – Snitzel (Aus) x Iffranesia (FR), colt – $1,500,000 With buyers snapping up the final progeny of champion sire Snitzel following his death in June 2025, Lot 372 immediately drew strong interest before Coolmore's Tom Magnier stepped in and secured the colt for $1.5 million. Offered by Arrowfield Stud, the chestnut is a full brother to Group 3 winner Beadman (Snitzel) and the fifth foal of French stakes winner Iffranesia (Iffraaj). “He's a lovely colt. Arrowfield, we've had a little bit of luck there before, obviously the Messaras know how to breed a good horse by Snitzel and we've had a bit of luck with Snitzel, obviously with Shinzo and Switzerland,” Magnier said. “There's a great group of people in our colts fund. Chris Waller will train him. They all loved the horse, he's one of the best colts on the ground. We couldn't be happier with the type, we think he's a mature type and everybody on the team really liked him, so fingers crossed.” Lot 420 – I Am Invincible (Aus) x Key (Aus), filly – $1,200,000 Rising Sun Syndicate Director Kosi Kawakami made it clear they were determined to secure the best filly in the sale, and that resolve saw them team with Knine Inc to land Lot 420 for $1.2 million. The chestnut filly, offered by Kia Ora Stud, is out of stakes-placed mare Key (Exceed and Excel), a full sister to Oz Empress (Exceed and Excel) and dam of Breeders' Plate runner-up I'm Ya Huckleberry (Home Affairs), who sold at last year's Magic Millions for $400,000 to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and the pair will now get the chance to train his half-brother. “We're obviously looking for the best filly we can get from this whole catalogue for our owner from Japan,” Kawakami said. “We looked at this horse and we fell in love with her. She's the best. Obviously, knowing her brother being trained by Gai and Adrian, they would be the best trainers to go for. We were both in love, so we just went harder and I'm happy to secure her. It's a real honour to be able to buy a million-dollar filly from this catalogue. I'm really excited.” Adrian Bott further explained why the filly was so compelling. “It's a very current family, a family of so much black-type depth, a family I know very well,” Bott said. “We've got the half-brother in training who we've got a very high opinion of. Physically and the way she presented at this sale really made her a must-have for us. We were really fortunate we were able to partner up here on this filly and I must say we're delighted we've been able to secure her.” Lot 429 – Snitzel (Aus) x Krone (Aus), colt – $1,200,000 Snitzel stamped his authority late in the session, with his third yearling for the day breaking the seven-figure barrier when James Harron Bloodstock in partnership with Tony Fung Colts secured Lot 429 for $1.2 million. Offered by Rosemont Stud, the colt is the second foal of G1 Coolmore Classic winner Krone (Eurozone), combining elite racetrack performance with a pedigree littered from top to bottom with black type. “Lovely colt, he was one of our picks across the board with all the team – ourselves and TFI – everyone just loved him,” Harron said. “He's an athletic horse and Krone was obviously very successful on the track, a very sound, consistent mare, so he was a great package. We're very happy to get him.” Harron expects the colt to get up and running early. “I think he'll be early. He's very light on his feet, he doesn't carry a lot of excess and he's very easy on himself – a real quality colt,” he said. “He's really elastic in how he moves and how he gets about the ground. I get the impression he'll just skip across the ground and be one of those really athletic types. He caught the eye from the very beginning.” The post Yulong Goes To A$2 million To Secure Extreme Choice Colt At Magic Millions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unbeaten Sword Of State colt Warwoven (NZ) (Sword Of State) remains the horse to beat in Saturday’s A$3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) after the race favourite drew barrier six. The juvenile has been dominant in his two starts to date, winning at Randwick in December before a commanding 3.3-length victory at Eagle Farm on January 3. Trainer Bjorn Baker is chasing his third win in the feature after scoring with O’ Ole (Ole Kirk) last year and Unencumbered (Testa Rossa) in 2014. “I think it is an ideal gate for him, we were hoping to get something like that (gate 6) and with the emergency out we come into 5,” Baker said. “It’s a race where you definitely want to draw well if the track remains good. But even from that gate we have got the option to get out if we want to as well. “I didn’t want to be too close to the inside, and you don’t want to be covering ground out deep. “I think he’s got good tactical speed and he’s very laid back. He should be able to jump and hopefully put himself in the first six or seven comfortably enough.” With the potential for rain later in the week, Baker is confident Warwoven could handle a softened track should it present. “He is a big athletic horse and he is coming in with great fitness. So from that point of view, we’re happy,” Baker said. “He’s out of a Makfi mare that could handle the wet a little bit, so he is probably as well set up as any. “You don’t really know until they go on it, and I can’t recall him being on too wet a track. You never quite know, but my gut feeling is he will get through it pretty well.” Warwoven is the first foal of the Makfi mare Needle And Thread, who was the winner of the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m) and placed at Group Two level in the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic and Eight Carat Classic. First season sire Sword Of State has enjoyed a terrific start to his stud career, with just the two runners in Australia to this point, the other being stakes winner Torture (NZ) (Sword of State). That Lindsay Park-trained juvenile won the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield in October and is among the favourites for Saturday week’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State already heads the Australian first season sires’ table and has the potential to skip clear should Warwoven nab the A$1,739,100 winner’s prize. A Group One winning son of Snitzel, Sword Of State is well represented at this month’s Karaka Yearling Sales, with a total of 50 yearlings by the emerging young sire catalogued across Book 1 (21), Book 2 (25) and the Summer Sale (4). View the full article

Fair enough Gamma. Lets have 8 or 9 horses races on every programme so that owners have more chance of getting some stake money! What I would be betting on is that harness racing in NZ will be gone in 10 years if not sooner through lack of participants, lack of punting and lack of horses! It is going to be bad enough in 2 years when the stakes are going to be slashed and there will be owners and breeders running fir the hills.

So you say all of America, Canada and Australia are wrong. with 8 horse mile racing. Ashburton looked great running a heap of just 9 and 10 horses 1700m races. very easy for horse and driver to find a spot and time their run. As Wilson House did from last and the outside barrier with average horse. in race 2 sorry mate. you're living in the past if you think and extra lap of the track makes a difference to punters. Might just put them to sleep waiting for the action to start lol 😎. Very Tiring ? lol😉 Swayzee would outstay you anyway. seriously though, I will mention having trained my first horses in NZ (nearly always over mile and half ) it has been WAY WAY Easier in Australia just Sprint training them over a mile . Rolling along 30 second quarters and zipping them home for a furlong or 2. Race driving a Piiece of Cake compared to NZ as well. you actually have to be a pretty handy driver to win in 14 horse races Brodster. with 13 others trying to mug ya. far far easier to win in Aus. I have mates going around Redcliffe at this very moment still training winners there. But NO CHANCE in the speed racing at Albion Park , and their horses would be dead of heart attack if they went 2400m at Redcliffe. 😅😂 they all say thank the Racing Gods for the 1700m . He's My Reson should be winning Race 7 shortly. as only 1700m . just get tired if had to go 2400m for no reason lol 😉

Gamma, not used to gallopers finishing down the track at all, as I do not invest on them! Too hard to follow form, so I dont touch them! You mention when they had 11 or 12 horses over the mile at Albion park, if you were out the back you had no chance! Rest my case, mile racing is not what harness should be running over! Horrible boring racing on all tracks in NZ.

yes that is definitely a problem then. Mile racing is for just 9-10 horses. We lobbyed QLD racing to cut the maximum field size for mile racing to 10. they obliged and bought in that maximum limit of starters thankfully. that's 2 down from the 12 they were racing at a mile sometimes, up to about 5 years ago as the horse's running 11th and 12th at the quarter mile were NO Chance whatsoever , and so there was drivers not even 'having a go' whatsoever if caught in that position. A very bad look. and Something you see in NZ racing a lot still, but not in Australia as we have 'proper' field sizes where everyone gets a chance thankfully. Doesn't have to be. Gallopers are still attracting good betting , and the stayers are getting more rare. And the vast majority of runners , race at 1200m to 1400m . there is still a few good mile runners, but once you get 2000m and beyond the Horses get VERY Tired. the Margins Blow right out , and it's quite '0ff-putting to the punter to see the horse they invested on finish sometimes 1/2 furlong from the winner 😅😂😁 Brodie probably used to it over the years finishing way back, but smart Punters are CLOSER to the Winner in shorter races. and enjoy that feeling. Gallops and trots. Who wants to see their wager way down the track in a stayers race ? no one really.

But the optimum field number for the wagering sweet spot is 11 -14 so mile racing goes totally against their desire to increase field size for max betting revenue.

Reality is that those that support the banning of greyhound racing must also support the extinction of the greyhound breed from NZ forever! I understand that the dogs are being desexed now, and despite the fact that greyhounds make good pets, we are going to eventually see no greyhounds in our streets being walked! shame really.

then again the opposite also applies. if people say greyhound racing should continue here,then they should also be supporting greyhound racing and gambling on it, continuing in australia,not suggesting our government should ban betting on it. i'm sure the people who supported banning it here are consistent and want betting on it banned here and in australia as well.

Totally agree. I can’t quite understand why no one in the media has picked up on this or cares. It makes absolutely no sense to me.

i think gammalites correct. The focus has shifted to short distances because they have less horse numbers, so they want them to run more often. so sprint racing is a symptom of a declining sport. its seen as a soluition but in reality that solution is also part of the problem. the irony is,sprint racing is part of the reason why the sport is declining, as we all know that what you get from horses running more often and over short distances,is those who draw poorly or lack gate speed simply go back and just follow them around and wait for next week.That then leads to a lack of punter confidence in the product and results in declining interest from the punter. for me,i still like to watch harness racing,but the gallops is a far superior betting product because you always get the impression everyone is there to win. You can't say that these days about a lot of the harness racing in places like auckland and cambridge. thats why those blokes from out the gate on thursdays,started off betting at the cambridge trots but lost interest and much preferred the betting on the nz greyhounds.Anyone who went in their syndicate would have got the same impression as they did,stay away from the trots.

If welfare is the genuine concern why isn't there either a total prohibition on greyhound wagering, or a transparent explanation of why Australian racing meets a standard that New Zealand racing supposedly cannot. Has anyone directly responsible for the banning been cornered and questioned about this? I imagine it would lead to some awkward umming and aahing.

If that happens in NZ thrn you might as well turn out the lights! Mile racing is just so boring and doesnt attract wagering from serious punters! To attract new punters and enthusiasts to harness racing they need racing to be over longer distances than a mile. Just isnt a fair contest and there is no doubt ownership will drop, but then again the ones making the decisions arent owners or punters and with little business success.