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So how do trainers from South Canterbury, Otago and Southland get to have input on programming? In fact how do any? I understand that the next SI programming meeting to confirm the programme for April through July is next week. Yet, although a licensed trainer, I have had no communication from the TA or NZTR about it and certainly haven't been sent the draft programme for feedback.

Centennial Farms' Donald V. Little, Jr. has been named president of the Belmont Child Care Association, Inc. (BCCA) Board of Directors, a position long held by Libby Imperio, who is stepping down, according to a release from the organization. Imperio's new role will be as immediate past president and advisor to the executive committee. Imperio has been a part of the BCCA board since 2009 and was named president in 2014. A vital part of BCCA and a champion of the backstretch community, she was responsible for several innovative means of supporting backstretch workers, including a college scholarship program which is awarded annually at the Anna House graduation. Under her tenure, the BCCA added a Women's Literacy Program and went from providing annual Christmas gifts for 50 families to 300 families. “My 12 years as president have brought with it so much success and growth to BCCA, and I will be forever grateful for all the support I received from the BCCA board, BCCA staff, and most importantly, the donors for what we have accomplished together,” said Imperio. Little has served on the BCCA board since 2016 and as vice president since 2019. President and co-owner of Centennial Farms since 1990, Little is also Chairman of the United States Polo Association (USPA) Club and holds a number of other equine-related positions. “When I was asked to become president of such an outstanding and important organization for the children and families of the New York Thoroughbred racing backstretch community, it was an easy yes! I am honored to serve and will do my best to help BCCA thrive,” said Little. Learn more about the BCCA at belmontchildcare.org. The post Little to Succeed Imperio at Belmont Child Care Association appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scratchings don't close till tomorrow mate!

if we thought hrnz could afford to sustain the level of stakes funding ,then you would only have discussion about where that funding is best directed. in other words we can debate whether hrnz directing funding to x or y is approprate,but at least its going to people within the industry,either way. however,most don't belive hrnz can sustain the level of stakes and are significantly overspending,therefore that will result in both the x and y sectors of the industry being impacted for the worse. gamma,when you comment on who should get funding,your commenting on the first part and of course that ultimately comes down to opinions and the difference in opinions is fair enough,but you never seem to place much focus on the second part of what 've said. the second part will always be the most significvant for everyone long term. because funding priorities can change if you have the money to fund them,but funding priorities won't exist if the funds are no longer there and things will revert back to bare minimum and survival mode.If that happens then there will be a far greater outcry against everyone involved in thecurrent decision making.

Friday, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, post time: 21:00, CAPE VERDI SPONSORED BY AZIZI DEVELOPMENTS-G2, AED850,000, 4yo/up, SH 3yo, f/m, 1600mT Field: Quid Pro Quo (SAF) (Lance {SAF}), Dubai Treasure (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Miss Of Change (Fr) (King Of Change {GB}), Capitana Bling (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), Dubai Beach (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Riyabovka (Fr) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). TDN Analysis: Saeed bin Suroor is always dangerous with a Godolphin runner, and in Listed Boadicea Stakes heroine Dubai Treasure, he could be heard from in Friday's Cape Verdi. Fellow Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby sends out Meydan handicap runner-up Dubai Beach. Team Valor's dual South African Grade 1 heroine Quid Pro Quo makes her desert bow, as does Swedish listed victress Capitana Bling. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Godolphin Duo Versus Quid Pro Quo In Cape Verdi appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

New York's Rockridge Stud has welcomed the first foal by Chewing Gum, a hard-knocking son of Candy Ride (Arg) with 35 starts under his belt and wins including the GII Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita. His additional four black-type placings include a runner-up performance in the GI Jaipur Stakes to Casa Creed. Chewing Gum's first foal is a filly born Jan. 14 out of Hatta's Appeal (Miracle Man), a winning mare who hails from the extended family of Dayjur and Maplejinsky. Chewing Gum will stand for a private fee at Rockridge in 2026. The post Chewing Gum’s First Foal is a Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Senza Parole (Gun Runner) made light work of six overmatched rivals in what was most assuredly a prep for a return to stakes competition over the coming weeks. The 4-5 favorite was off alertly from the two hole and was allowed to find her footing before creeping closer midway up the backstretch. Kept well out into the track while clocking the pacesetters, Senza Parole went from the fence into the three path in the blink of an eye at the five-sixteenths and the race was all but parceled up. Edging towards the front under a hold turning into the lane, the chestnut went farther clear with each stride to crush. Named a 'Rising Star' when thumping Saratoga maidens in the summer of 2024, Senza Parole was a comebacking second off a 366-day absence at the Spa Aug. 24, was fifth in the GII Gallant Bloom Stakes and gutted out a narrow allowance victory sprinting at Aqueduct Nov. 13. The form of that event was flattered when runner-up Grammy Girl (Mastery) returned to take the Willa On the Move Stakes at Laurel. Senza Parole is the lone starter out of a daughter of three-time graded winner Sacristy (Pulpit), herself the dam of SW & GSP Catiche (Arrogate) and SW & GISP Flor de la Mar (Tiznow). Sacristy's half-sister Mozu Superflare (Speightstown) earned better than $3.7 million in Japan, including a victory–via DQ–in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Senza Parole has a 3-year-old half-sister named Senza Piu (Good Magic) and a yearling half-sister by Tacitus. Her dam is due to produce a full-sibling to Senza Parole this season. 7th-Gulfstream, $71,360, Alw (C), Opt. Clm ($62,500), 1-15, 4yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:38.01, gd, 7 1/4 lengths. SENZA PAROLE (f, 4, Gun Runner–Senza Te, by Street Cry {Ire}) Sales history: $120,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $240,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 5-3-1-0, $178,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Don Alberto Stable; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Chad C Brown. Senza Parole and @iradortiz in front in race 7 for trainer Chad Brown. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/OE2N3GFWhx — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 15, 2026 The post Gun Runner ‘Rising Star’ ‘Senz’-ational On Seasonal Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Velazquez, who served as chairman of the Jockeys' Guild for more than 20 years and as co-chair with Mike Smith since 2018, will be stepping down from that role. However, Velazquez will remain actively involved with the Guild as a board member. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk What a story it will be if Typhoon Tere could pull off a victory at Blenheim today. Incredibly, the nine-year-old son of Washington VC is having just his second race day start, over five years after his debut at Addington. Then (July 24, 2020) he was trained by Ken Barron. Now he is under the care of Jason and Ian Thomas. Recent years have had their challenges. “At one stage he cracked a pastern and had to be boxed for a while,” says Jason Thomas. That was well before he arrived at their Charing Cross stables in Canterbury. “We have had him about eight or nine months.” Not that he wasn’t exactly in tip top shape when he arrived. “He was a big boy!” laughs Thomas, “we had him on rations for a bit with plenty of dry hay.” Over the months they have gradually worked him into shape. “We’ve got him to the point where he is as good as we can get him and we just hope to keep him sound.” Initially the plan was for Typhoon Tere to resume at Motukarara on December 29. “But he got a virus so we pulled him out,” says Thomas. They then looked around for a suitable grass track meeting and decided on Blenheim. “We thought that after a five year break we couldn’t take him to Addington where they’d run a (1)57-58 mile,” says Thomas, “we need to take our time.” In December Typhoon Tere definitely showed he still has some ability, winning at the Ashburton trials when he came off the back of subsequent Nelson winner Shanky’s Shot. “He went really nice that day” says Thomas. Today he’ll line up in Race 3, the Event Rent Marlborough Mobile Pace (3.17pm). On the back of his trials form he opened a $2.70 favourite. The gelding’s owner Lance Proffit and his “new” trainers will have everything crossed that their patience and hard work will get its reward. View the full article

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance's annual Off to the Races online benefit auction opens Thursday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. ET and closes Friday, Jan. 30 at 10 p.m. ET, it was announced Thursday. The online auction provides a chance to bid on 20 VIP racing experience packages, granting access to major race days at renowned racetracks across North America in 2026. “We are thrilled to open the fifth annual edition of the Off to the Races VIP auction,” said Emily Dresen, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, Director of Fundraising & Events. “We can't wait to share these opportunities with race fans and industry participants-there is something for everyone! Thanks to our generous donors, we have the unique opportunity to celebrate the sport of horse racing and provide critical funding to support Thoroughbred aftercare.” Visit thoroughbredaftercare.org/offtotheraces to view and bid on all VIP experiences. The post Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance’s Off to the Races Auction Begins January 22 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Since the death of Ian Balding, we have been reflecting on treasured memories not only of the highly respected trainer but also of one of Kingsclere's greatest patrons, Paul Mellon. It was fitting, therefore, that Andrew Balding should have won at Newcastle last Friday with Level Look, who was bred by Emma Balding at Kingsclere Stud and is raced by the Kingsclere Racing Club, whose horses keep the famous black and gold Mellon silks alive. On a much grander scale, another fitting recent result was that of the General Sires' Championship of Great Britain and Ireland for 2025, in which both the new champion sire (Night Of Thunder) and the runner-up (Wootton Bassett) hail from families developed by Mellon. Continuity was a keystone of Paul Mellon's racing enterprise. The decades passed and he continued to enjoy success with the same families, equine and human. That too is the theme at Kingsclere Stud and Level Look is a classic example. His sixth dam Anippe (Aggressor) was among the two-year-olds trained at Kingsclere by Ian Balding in his second season as the licence-holder, 1965, during which year she won at Salisbury and Newbury. In 1968 she visited the first top-class horse whom Balding trained, Paul Mellon's home-bred 1964 Coventry and Dewhurst Stakes winner Silly Season. The result of that mating was Level Look's fifth dam Siliciana, who was trained by Balding to win the Lincoln Handicap in 1973. All the mares along the line from there to Little Look were trained at Kingsclere, as were all their sires except Little Look's maternal grandsire Intello. (The other stallions who contributed were Mill Reef, Selkirk, Dashing Blade and, most recently, Little Look's sire Passing Glance). Paul Mellon's connection with Kingsclere's human family dates back even farther. He began owning horses in England early in 1936 when sending Drinmore Lad, winner of the Camden Steeplechase Cup in Virginia, to the Wroughton stable owned by the widow of the Hon. Aubrey Hastings, on the suggestion of his compatriot and friend Ambrose Clark. The trainer there was Ivor Anthony, who had taken over the licence after Hastings had died in 1929 and who had subsequently sent out Mrs Clark's Kellsboro' Jack to win the Grand National in 1933. Mellon was welcomed at Wroughton by Mrs Hastings and her family, which included her teenaged son Peter, who was still at school at the time. The plan had been that Drinmore Lad would contest the Grand National. Early betting markets had him disputing favouritism with the mighty Golden Miller, who by this time was trained by Ivor Anthony's brother Owen at Letcombe Bassett, having left Basil Briscoe's Exning stable at the end of the 1934/'35 season. However, Drinmore Lad ran poorly in his lead-up race and didn't contest the great race (in which Golden Miller, who had just won his fifth Cheltenham Gold Cup, fell at the first fence). Drinmore Lad ended up never running in a Grand National but Mellon's love of England and its racing, both National Hunt and Flat, meant that plenty of other big races in Britain would feature his famous silks. There was, incidentally, a nice post-script to Drinmore Lad's tale when, 30 years later, Mellon owned a young National Hunt horse who looked so like him that he named him Drinny's Double. Trained by Bob Turnell, Drinny's Double carried Mellon's colours to victory in the Two-Mile Champion Chase at two consecutive Cheltenham Festivals, in 1967 and '68. Peter (whose surname became Hastings-Bass in 1954 to comply with a stipulation in the will of his maternal uncle, Sir William Bass) reached adulthood in time to serve in the Welsh Guards during the war, after which he acted as assistant to Ivor Anthony for six years before taking over the Wroughton stable. Mellon was a staunchly supportive patron from the outset. In 1953 Peter moved to Kingsclere, which he had bought from Evan Williams. The latter had ridden the Ivor Anthony-trained Royal Mail to victory in the Grand National in 1937 before starting to train at Kingsclere, whence he sent out Supreme Court to win the inaugural King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, whose value of £25,000 made it the most valuable race ever run in Britain at that time. Peter Hastings-Bass quickly became one of Britain's leading trainers. One notable result came when he provided Mellon with his first major victory in England courtesy of his home-bred American colt Midsummer Night in the Cambridgeshire Handicap in 1960. Three years later, the trainer enjoyed further success with another of Mellon's American home-breds when Secret Step, a four-year-old daughter of Native Dancer, won the July Cup at Newmarket and the King George Stakes at Goodwood. Tragically, Peter Hastings-Bass died of cancer in June 1964, aged only 44. Jockey Club rules did not permit his widow Priscilla to take over, so the license at Kingsclere passed to his 25-year-old assistant Ian Balding. Five years later, Balding married Peter and Priscilla's daughter Emma; two years after that, owner/breeder and trainer secured the biggest prize of them all when Mill Reef won the Derby. And now in 2026, 55 years after Mill Reef's superb three-year-old campaign and 90 years after Mellon made the acquaintance of Peter Hastings and his mother, we have just seen Mellon's colours carried to victory by a horse who has both Silly Season and Mill Reef in his pedigree, who was bred by Emma's Kingsclere Stud and is trained by Andrew. Long-running sagas of friendship don't come much better than that. Level Look's victory at Newcastle, of course, was not at a high level, unlike many of the triumphs during 2025 of the sons and daughters of Night Of Thunder and Wootton Bassett. Fittingly, one of the best contributors to Night Of Thunder's championship season was the Balding-trained Dewhurst winner Gewan. Mellon would have enjoyed that but, in truth, he would have appreciated all of the success enjoyed by both Night Of Thunder and Wootton Bassett. Both stallions have Mellon's Rokeby Farm in Virginia etched firmly in their pedigrees, each descending from one of his best mares. Night Of Thunder's family came to Europe in the autumn of 1979 when his fifth dam Leap Lively (Nijinsky) was one of the yearlings who left Rokeby Farm and headed across the Atlantic to Kingsclere. Ten years previously Mill Reef had made the same journey. She proved to be a very good filly, winning the G2 Fillies' Mile at Ascot as a juvenile in record time and finishing third in the following year's Oaks. She returned to Rokeby and in 1983 was one of the first mares to visit the Star Kingdom-line stallion Green Forest (Shecky Greene) who had been a champion miler in France the previous year. The resultant filly was tiny but had the heart of a lion. Trained by Ian Balding, Forest Flower gave Mellon two of his happiest days in the game. She won three major races as a two-year-old including, most appropriately, the G2 Mill Reef Stakes. The following year she galloped to even greater glory in the Irish 1,000 Guineas. Forest Flower bred nothing as special as she herself had been, despite visiting leading stallions on both sides of the Atlantic including Mr. Prospector and Shirley Heights. She also visited (in 1991) Mill Reef's Derby- and St Leger-winning son Reference Point, a magnificent racehorse who was disappointing at stud. The filly which that mating produced, Hertford Castle, turned out to be one of the most modest horses ever to carry Mellon's silks, cutting no ice at all in three maiden races in 1994. Consequently, she did not gain a place in Mellon's broodmare band. However, at stud she produced two listed-placed winners including Night Of Thunder's granddam Quiet Storm (Desert Prince). Sent to Galileo in 2005, Quiet Storm produced Forest Storm who, trained by Jim Bolger for Miss A. H. Marshall, emulated her dam by winning a maiden race and finishing second in listed company. Those were good achievements by Forest Storm but have been totally eclipsed by her greatest feat, producing a Dubawi colt in 2011 who stands proud as a 2,000 Guineas winner and now the Champion Sire of Britain and Ireland. Wootton Bassett comes from a family which garnered even greater honours for Rokeby. Mellon bought his fifth dam Blue Banner (War Admiral) as a yearling in 1953, on the advice of his original jumps trainer Jack Skinner, and she became a multiple stakes winner and then a terrific broodmare. In the short term she bred several stakes winners, but long term it was her unraced daughter Key Bridge who proved most significant. A daughter of Princequillo (who was also responsible for Mill Reef's dam Milan Mill), Key Bridge is notable not just as the fourth dam of Wootton Bassett but also as dam of two of the best horses ever raced by Rokeby Stable. Key Bridge's first star was Fort Marcy (Amerigo), an outstanding turf horse who won 21 races including the Washington DC International (which in the pre-Breeders' Cup days was easily the most significant turf race in North America) in both 1967 and 1970. In the latter year he was the Daily Racing Form's Horse of the Year. Nearly as great was Key To The Mint (Graustark). Despite not contesting the Kentucky Derby and then finishing only third in the Preakness and fourth in the Belmont, Key To The Mint ended 1972 voted American's Champion Three-Year-Old Colt thanks to a slew of stakes victories including Grade I triumphs in the Whitney, Travers and Woodward Stakes and the Suburban Handicap. Mellon subsequently bred several good horses by him including Java Gold (a three-time US Grade I winner) and Gold And Ivory, winner of three Group 1 races in Europe. Key Bridge's foals also included maiden winner Gliding By (Tom Rolfe), who produced two stakes winners trained by Ian Balding: Clare Bridge (Little Current), who won the Masaka Stakes at Kempton and the Gilltown Stud Stakes at the Curragh, and Song Of Sixpence (The Minstrel), the winner of 10 races including the Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor. Another daughter, Susquehanna Days (Chief's Crown), was less talented but scored at Warwick and Nottingham before being sold by Mellon at Tattersalls' December Sale in 1993 for 16,500gns. She now holds the considerably greater distinction of being the granddam of Wootton Bassett. One of the great gentlemen of the turf, Paul Mellon died in 1999 at the age of 91, but it seems as if his legacy will live forever. The post Mellon’s Great Legacy Encompasses Kingsclere And The Sires’ Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing boss Charles O'Neill has reported that the five new stallion sons of the late Wootton Bassett – Coolmore's Classic winners Henri Matisse and Camille Pisarro, Tally-Ho Stud's Maranoa Charlie, Rathbarry Stud newbie Unquestionable and Capital Stud's Topgear – are proving to be “a huge draw” for breeders and racing fans embarking on the two-day Stallion Trail, which kicks on Friday morning. Interest in the initiative, which began back in 2015, was also described by O'Neill to be “stronger than ever” with a number of foreign visitors expected to join the loyal cohort of racing fans on the Trail over the next two days. O'Neill said, “We're thrilled by the uptake and, more importantly, how the stud farms have really got behind the initiative. The stud farms have embraced the idea and, only for them, it wouldn't be possible. The first running of the Stallion Trail was back in 2015 and, in year three or four, interest did start to dwindle a little. However, the interest and the enthusiasm for the Stallion Trail from breeders and general racing fans is unbelievable, really. I would go as far as saying it is stronger than ever.” He added, “I think a big factor in that has to be down to the amount of new stallions that are retiring to Irish studs in recent years. And do you know what? The Wootton Bassett factor is proving to be a massive draw for this year's renewal. We have five new stallions by Wootton Bassett and, every second person I talk to, they tell me that they can't wait to get around to see them all. Racing fans love to see good horses, be that on the racecourse or when they retire to stud, so fingers crossed everyone has an enjoyable weekend.” The ITM Stallion Trail is not a parochial event, either. O'Neill reports that, along with the strong cohort of Irish breeders and racing fans, a good number of international visitors will be in attendance over the weekend. He concluded, “We have people from England, France and even Hungary who have come over for the tour. There will be plenty of international visitors on the Trail and I have actually been surprised just how busy the stud farms have been even before the Stallion Trail has kicked off. I'm kicking off the tour myself at nine o'clock in Tally-Ho Stud and I can't wait. There is actually a television crew coming over from France and they start filming at Tally-Ho and we will finish off at Ballyhane Stud before the ITM Mark O'Hanlon Memorial Quiz at The Lord Bagenal Inn in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow. Mark was with us for the first year of the Trail so it's going to be a big thing for us tomorrow night. It's 10 years since his passing and he was a great guy so we will be remembering him this weekend.” The post ‘The Wootton Bassett Factor Is Proving To Be A Huge Draw To The Stallion Trail’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Dec. 20 Gun Runner Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots proved closely matched. A month later on Jan. 17, the next leg of the stakes series for current 3-year-olds there, the $250,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3), appears equally competitive.View the full article

Ocean Bear stretches out to a route for the first time in kicking off his 3-year-old season in the $175,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby.View the full article

Johnny Velazquez, who has served as Chairman of the Jockeys' Guild for more than 20 years and as Co-Chair with Mike Smith since 2018, will be stepping down from that role, the organization announced Thursday. The members have elected Smith and Javier Castellano as Co-Chairs; Joe Bravo, James Flores, and Julien Leparoux as Co-Vice Chairs; Tyler Gaffalione as Secretary; and Julien Leparoux as Treasurer. In addition, Alex Birzer, James Graham, Rodney Prescott, and Velazquez will serve on the Board of Directors. Velazquez will also remain actively involved with the Guild as a Board member. “There are absolutely no words to adequately recognize Johnny Velazquez and all that he has done,” said Hall of Fame jockey and longtime Guild Co-Chair Smith. “On behalf of the Guild and our members, we cannot thank him enough for his unwavering commitment, endless time, and relentless effort, not only on behalf of the jockeys and the Guild, but the industry as a whole. Although Johnny is stepping down as Co-Chair, he will remain on the Board and be active in the organization.” “I am proud of the strides that have been made in the areas of respect for the riders and the benefits that have been achieved over the years I presided as Chairman and as Co-Chairman of the Guild,” said Velazquez. “I look forward to being a part of the Guild and helping any way I can as a new generation takes the helm.” “I am so honored and appreciate Johnny, along with our Board, for having the confidence in me to join Mike as Co-Chair,” said Castellano. “Every single jockey is forever indebted to Johnny for where we are today. I am committed to representing the jockeys and the Guild in the best way possible.” “It has been my privilege to know Johnny personally for more than 30 years and worked with him closely for almost two decades as Chairman of the Guild,” said Terry Meyocks, President and CEO. “Through his leadership, the Guild was able to overcome many challenges and regain the respect of the industry leaders. I admire him and hold him in the highest regard and greatly appreciate all he has done for the jockeys and the industry. He has been, and will continue to be, an integral member of the Guild.” The post Velazquez Stepping Down as Chairman of the Jockeys’ Guild appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Mawkeb still in r 3 and 5 fav in r3, 2nd fav in r5 Two starts at one meeting? I wonder who was the last horse to start twice on one day?

Oaklawn Park is raising the stakes for the weekend of the Jan. 31 Southwest Stakes (G3), announcing major enhancements to its high-profile horseplayer contests that will bring top players together for a premier national competition.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Among this week's rulings, trainer Angel Sanchez Pinero has been banned a combined eight years and fined a total $90,000 (as well as arbitration costs) for a series of medication violations stemming from 2024 onwards. These penalties come in the wake of a two-year suspension and $10,000 fine Sanchez-Pinero received last November after his trainee Gone Boy tested positive for the bronchodilator Albuterol (Salbutamol) after winning at Aqueduct on April 19. Albuterol is a banned substance. These latest suite of rulings are for officially working a horse while it was provisionally suspended; for out-of-competition and post-race positives for bronchodilator Formoterol (Aformoterol), a banned substance; for a vets' list medication violation for the presence of Boldenone, a banned substance; and for the possession of and attempted use of Prasterone, a banned anabolic substance. Sanchez Pinero argued his side before an arbitrator in each of these cases. According to Equibase, Sanchez-Pinero has been training on and off since 2003. He has 37 wins to his name and over $1.1 million in earnings. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 01/14/2026 Licensee: Mathew Philip Sims, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Le Bien Le Mal, who finished fifth at Turfway Park on 12/4/25. Dates: 01/14/2026 Licensee: Marcus Vitali, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on January 15, 2026; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from Yankee Dollar, who finished second in the Illini Princess Handicap at Hawthorne on 6/15/25. Dates: 01/14/2026 Licensee: Angel Sanchez Pinero, trainer Penalty: 1-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 25, 2034; Disqualification of results of Covered Horse's Timed and Reported Workout on 05/01/25 and 05/17/25; a fine of $5,000; payment of 50% of arbitration costs. Explainer: For the breach of rule 3230(b)(2), “Causing a Covered Horse to Violate its Provisional Suspension.” The horse in question is four-year-old filly, Laguardia. HIWU provisionally suspended the then Sanchez-Pinero trained Laguardia after the filly had tested positive for bronchodilator Formoterol (Aformoterol)—a banned substance—after finishing second at Parx Racing on March 26. HIWU officially posted this notice on June 11. Laguardia has since then started six times at Mountaineer, a track that being in West Virginia falls outside of HISA's jurisdiction. When asked last July about the nature of Sanchez-Pinero's alleged breach of rule 3230(b)(2) with Laguardia, a HIWU spokesperson wrote that “Sanchez-Pinero oversaw a breeze by Laguardia while she was Provisionally Suspended. A Covered Horse cannot complete a Timed and Reported Workout (i.e., breeze) while Provisionally Suspended.” Dates: 01/14/2026 Licensee: Angel Sanchez Pinero, trainer Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 25, 2032; 60-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Horse, beginning on March 26, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $25,000; payment of 50% of arbitration costs. Explainer: Medication violations for the presence of bronchodilator Formoterol (Aformoterol)—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Laguardia, who finished second at Parx Racing on 3/26/25. Dates: 01/12/2026 Licensee: Maria Pinzon, trainer Penalty: 2-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on January 13, 2026; a fine of $25,000. Explainer: Medication violation for the possession of Isoxuprine—a banned substance—for an event dated 4/4/25. Dates: 01/12/2026 Licensee: Angel Sanchez Pinero, trainer Penalty: Combined 5-year period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 25, 2027; Period of Ineligibility for Covered Horses; a combined fine of $60,000; payment of arbitration costs, for the combined violations. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Boldenone—a banned substance—in a sample taken from Magical Jaime on 8/5/24; For possession of Prasterone—a banned anabolic substance—for an event dated 12/5/24; And for the use or attempted use of a banned substance (Prasterone) on Magical Jaime during the race period, dated 12/5/24. Pending ADMC Violations 01/13/2026, Michael Lerman, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol—a class C controlled substance—in a sample taken from Vibing on 12/10/25. 01/09/2026, Ryan Kenney, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from Smooching, who won at Turf Paradise on 12/8/25. 01/08/2026, Austin Gustafson, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine—a class B controlled substance—in a sample taken from Faustin on 12/9/25. Violations of Crop Rule Aqueduct Trevor Wayne Simpson – violation date January 11; $250 fine, one-day suspension Gulfstream Park Renzo Rojas – violation date January 8; $250 fine, one-day suspension Mahoning Valley Jason Simpson – violation date January 13; No details Ricardo Bailey – violation date January 12; No details Santa Anita Park Umberto Rispoli – violation date January 12; $500 fine, two-day suspension Sunland Park Ricardo Jaime – violation date January 11; $500 fine, two-day suspension Tampa Bay Downs Siegmar Golibrzuch – violation date January 15; $250 fine, no other details Wesley Gene Ho – violation date January 14; $250 fine, one-day suspension Turf Paradise Glenn Corbett – violation date January 12; $500 fine, two-day suspension The post National Rulings January 8-15; Trainer Sanchez-Pinero Banned Additional 8 Years appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Patrons arriving for Thursday's races at Santa Anita were met by something new, gaming terminals called Racing On Demand. Racing On Demand terminals, like HHR machines, are a form of pari-mutuel wagering on previously run races. The Paulick Report was first with the story. The publication reported that 26 machines were operating on Thursday and they were on the ground floor of the grandstand in an area formerly known as the Horse Wizard Lounge. At the deadline for this story, the TDN had reached out to two members of The Stronach Group team seeking more information, but had not heard back from either. The story will be updated as more details come in. If the Racing On Demand machines prove to be a hit, they could help solve what has been a huge problem for the California racing industry and Santa Anita in particular. California is the last major racing state that does not receive alternative revenue from casinos, slot machines, HHR machines, or government subsidies to prop up purses. The result has been that purses at the California tracks have fallen well short of those offered in places like Kentucky, Arkansas, and New York. This has affected field sizes at the Southern California tracks and has led some top trainers to set up divisions in Kentucky, where the purses have soared thanks to HHR machines. There may still be questions that need to be answered regarding their legality. Under the state's current laws, Native American tribes hold a legal monopoly on casino-style gaming, specifically slot machines. The TDN reached out via email to the Indian Gaming Association for a comment, and, at the deadline for this story, was awaiting a reply. Paulick wrote that the machines will offer a “specific bet type approved by the California Horse Racing Board in 2024.” The publication also wrote that California racing officials are of the belief that the Racing On Demand machines are legal under existing regulations. Sources told the Paulick Report that the Racing on Demand terminals are more advanced than a typical self-betting device but have fewer “bells and whistles” than the Historical Horse Racing machines in use in Kentucky and other states. According to the Paulick Report, Racing On Demand wagering has been in development for nearly 18 months, and the Stronach Group, the owners of Santa Anita, have received legal analysis from the gaming and regulatory division of the O'Melveny & Myers law firm and have had discussions with regulatory officials that gave Santa Anita management the confidence to unveil the machines at this time. California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office was furnished the legal opinion well in advance, and the CHRB has been notified that Racing On Demand has been launched. The post Machines Similar to HHR Terminals Debuted Thursday at Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After the Finish Line's eighth charity auction of Breeders' Cup caps begins this Sunday, Jan. 18 and runs for one week. The auction's sponsor, the Georgia B. Ridder Foundation, honors Mrs. Ridder, who owned and raced Alphabet Soup, the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic winner. Proceeds will help care for, rehabilitate, retrain, rehome and/or retire off-track Thoroughbreds. A total of 114 caps representing runners from the 2025 World Championships are included in the auction, including Forever Young (Jpn), Ted Noffey and Shisospicy. “This auction brings aftercare, and horse racing fans together in a unique way,” said Dawn Mellen, President and Founder of After the Finish Line. “Fans can bid on the official hats of their favorite racehorses to benefit Thoroughbreds no longer racing. This helps raise awareness about the importance of aftercare for racing fans. We are excited to help build the bridge between racing and aftercare with this auction.” The post After the Finish Line’s Charity Auction of Breeders’ Cup Caps Begins Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Canadian champion Dresden Row (Lord Nelson) is among the 248 entries for Fasig-Tipton's January Digital Sale with bidding now running through Tuesday, Jan. 20, beginning at 2 p.m. ET., the auction company said via a press release on Thursday. “The January Digital Sale catalogue features a diverse range of offerings, including nearly 130 broodmares or broodmare prospects available just ahead of the breeding season,” said Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales Leif Aaron. “Also catalogued are nearly 80 horses of racing age, including a graded stakes winning champion and several recently stakes placed three-year-old fillies. Following a tremendously successful 2025–highlighted by more than $50 million in gross sales–we're excited to build on that momentum with another productive year serving buyers and sellers on Fasig Digital.” Featured offerings include: Dresden Row (hip 1): Champion 3-year-old colt in Canada in 2024, Dresden Row is a multiple graded stakes winner, including a victory in the GIII Autumn Cup Stakes at Woodbine last time out. Consigned as a horse of racing age by Jeffrey Bloom, agent; Folk Song (Mor Spirit) (hip 3): 3-year-old filly was a 3 3/4-length winner on debut at two and most recently became stakes placed in the Gowell Stakes at Turfway Park Jan. 1. She is consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by White Pine Thoroughbreds; Jacksmybrother (Mo Town) (hip 9): A half-sister to current sire Jack Christopher, this young broodmare is carrying her second foal by Vekoma, the leading first- and second-crop sire of his generation. Consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent; Alisal (Uncle Mo) (hip 22): A multiple winning 3-year-old, she was stakes placed in her most recent start at Remington Dec. 20. Offered as a racing/broodmare prospect by Warrendale Sales, agent; B Thedonald (Girvin) (hip 25): 3-year-old colt just missed second in maiden special weight company on his debut Jan. 3. Consigned as a horse of racing age by Derby Bloodstock, agent; Blazing Brat (Beau Liam) (hip 26): Stakes placed daughter of one of the hottest sires from last year. Consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; No guarantee stallion season to sire of sires Street Sense (hip 36). A portion of the season's sale proceeds will be donated to Stable Recovery; Mares in foal to Arcangelo, Blame, City of Light, Drain the Clock, Elite Power, Kingsbarns, Mage, Prince of Monaco, Seize the Grey, Taiba and Tiz the Law; 2-year-olds in-training and yearlings. Click here, to access the catalogue, create an account or register to bid for the January Digital Sale. The post Canadian Champion Dresden Row Among 248 Catalogued For Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Dance Till Dawn gets the last chance to add the icing to her career cake at Blenheim this weekend. The seven-year-old mare is preparing for her final weekend of racing before being retired to stud, in foal to Downbytheseaside. She is the third mum-to-be from the Dunns’ Diamond Racing team to finish racing this month, following on from Follow Your Dream and I Dream Of Jeannie. Dance Till Dawn has had a superb career for Team Dunn, having won 12 of her 88 starts and earned over $300,000 in stakes. “She has done a wonderful job and held her form for a really long time,” says driver John Dunn. “But this is her last weekend and she will get two cracks at winning.” Dance Till Dawn is a newcomer to the circuit and trying to continue the Dunn’s domination of the feature pacing races after It’s Tough won them both days at Nelson last weekend. “He has gone into the paddock so our next decision with him is whether we give him a long spell now or a shorter one and set him for the Country Cups Final.” With Its Tough out of the way it does make it easier for Dance Till Dawn to overcome her 20m handicap today but Dunn says it can still be a big ask. “When they are off that sort of handicap it often depends how the race is run. “Clearly she is good enough to win coming off a good second a Motukarara last start in a stronger field but if they step and run off the front the one I am driving Bryce’s Meddle will also be hard to catch.” “He went two good races at Westport and has three wins on the grass.” As tends to be the case with our grass track Cups, or in today’s case the Cup Prelude (6.20pm), the field is even and with the grass tracks being so flat it can make coming wide difficult. Earlier in the meeting John Dunn says two trotters from the stable can win, although one of them can be extremely hard to predict. “We have Rock Lobster (R5, No.15) off 10m and she has been going good races so she has to be a good each way chance. “And we have Tyron’s Strapping Lad in Race 8 and he would win on his best form but he is a really hard horse to follow. “He won so well last start and has a lot of ability but some times his concentration wanders. “He might grow out of that and string a few wins together but at the moment he still has that mental immaturity.” To see today’s Marlborough fields click here View the full article

Robert Clark, a 66-year-old equine artist from Paris, Ky., was named the Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Sweepstakes winner by The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), according to an organization release on Thursday. Clark's name was randomly selected from the pool of entries. Clark, whose work includes the book “A Brush with Greatness”, and his wife, Susan, will be guests of the NTRA and Resolute Racing at the 55th Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards on Jan. 22 at The Breakers Palm Beach, Florida. The pair also will be guests of Resolute at the Pegasus World Cup on January 24 at Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino. As part of the promotion, Resolute Racing and the NTRA encouraged fans to enter either themselves or someone they feel would enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime weekend experience. The post Equine Artist Robert Clark Wins Resolute Racing Eclipse Awards Sweepstakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Tom Baddock/TTR AusNZ Bidders came thick and fast for the offspring of Snitzel, I Am Invincible, Frankel, and Wootton Bassett on Day 3 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where the sale's total tally of million dollar yearlings rose to 12. A Snitzel three-quarter-sister to Anders set the tone for a high-octane day, which saw another four yearlings reach seven figures heading into the final day of Book 1 selling. At A Glance Four yearlings made seven figures on Day 3, led by lot 504 who sold for A$1.6 million to Hermitage from the Arrowfield Stud draft. The Snitzel filly is a full-sister to this season's Listed Gosford Guineas winner Caffe Florian, and a half-sister to Anders and Listed winner Ostraka. Four yearlings at this benchmark figure was up from two on Day 3 in 2025, bringing the total for the sale in 2026 to 12, one less than at the same time in 2025. The average price of A$281,043 is above the 2025 average at the same point, which was A$277,351. The median at A$200,000 is the same as last year at the corresponding stage. The current gross is A$146,142,500 at the close of play on Day 3 with 520 lots sold so far. The clearance rate is currently at a healthy 85.39%, which is well above last year's 79.66% at the end of Day 3. James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership with Tony Fung Colts leads the buying bench by gross expenditure, having signed for seven yearlings outright for a total gross of A$5,475,000 thus far. Tom Magnier remains the leading buyer by average with four purchased for an average of A$1,175,000. Arrowfield Stud leads the leading vendor standings with 35 lots so far sold for A$11.57 million at an average of A$330,571, while in second is Segenhoe Stud, who have sold 22 lots for A$10.3 million at an average of A$468,182. Milburn Creek remains on top by average (two or more sold) with six yearlings sold for an average of A$616,667. With four lots in the top 10 for Day 3, Arrowfield Stud's deceased four-time Champion Sire Snitzel sits at the top of the sire standings by gross with A$15.97 million for his 21 yearlings at an impressive average of A$760,476, while in second is I Am Invincible with 24 sold for an average of A$608,750 and a gross of A$14.61 million. Extreme Choice leads the sire tables by average (two or more sold) with his eight lots sold averaging A$822,500. Anamoe is the leading first season sire with 20 yearlings sold at an average of A$425,000 and a gross of A$8.51 million. Lot 504 – Snitzel x Madame Andree (War Emblem), filly – A$1,600,000 Hermitage Thoroughbreds went to their absolute limit to secure lot 504 for A$1.6 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, emerging successful after intense competition for their standout filly of the catalogue. Offered by Arrowfield Stud, the chestnut filly is by Champion Sire Snitzel and out of the outstanding producer Madame Andree (War Emblem), one of the most proven broodmares represented at the sale. The purchase was heavily influenced by Hermitage's success with star Snitzel filly Lady Shenandoah, with manager Shannon Clarke making no secret of the similarities that drew them back to the same sire-line and physical type. “There was a lot of competition. She was our top pick for the sale,” Clarke said. “Obviously we've had a lot of luck with a Snitzel filly recently and that's probably guided us into this filly today.” Clarke admitted the bidding pushed them right to their ceiling. “That was our limit. That was where we were going to sit and my heart was pounding at that point and I'm happy that we were able to secure her,” he said. “We have a lot of luck with Arrowfield-bred horses, sold horses. It's a great partnership that we have and long may it continue.” Physically, Clarke believes the parallels with Lady Shenandoah are hard to ignore. “They're both very athletic fillies. They just have an athletic physique, they showed that early on at their parades,” he said. “Nice leg on them, good movers and we're just chuffed to get her.” Madame Andree has built an exceptional record as a producer, already responsible for Group 3-winning sire Anders, stakes winner Ostraka (Pariah), and recent Listed Gosford Guineas winner Caffe Florian (Snitzel). She has also produced the dam of Group 3 winner Skyhook (Written Tycoon). The mare has a filly at foot by Snitzel and was served by The Autumn Sun last spring. Lot 680 – Snitzel x Play That Song (Showcasing), colt – A$1,200,000 James Harron Bloodstock, in partnership with Tony Fung's Colt Partnership, continued a strong Magic Millions campaign by securing lot 680 for A$1.2 million, marking Harron's 10th purchase of the sale across various partnerships. Offered by Newgate Farm, the bay or brown colt is by Snitzel and out of sharp Group 2-winning filly Play That Song (Showcasing), a mare renowned for her speed and precocity. The purchase also added further weight to Snitzel's impact on the sale, with the colt becoming the sire's fifth seven-figure lot sold during the week. “They're not making any more Snitzels,” Harron said. “He's a really good, strong, purposeful colt, lovely medium size, his mother was a good, sharp 2-year-old, so he profiled up really nicely.” Harron was full of praise for the quality of Snitzels on offer and the confidence drawn from buying from Newgate Farm. “I thought it was just an incredible line-up of Snitzels, to be honest. I was really pleasantly surprised that there were so many nice ones here,” he said. “We've been able to pick up three now, so we're really happy with how they've averaged out for us across the three days so far. “Every weekend he's in the headlines as a stallion, so it's a great loss to the industry that he's not with us anymore, but it's brilliant that we've still got the opportunity to pick up these beautiful colts.” Play That Song was a standout juvenile in New Zealand, capturing Group 2 honours and was named the country's leading 2-year-old filly in the 2019-20 season. She is a half-sister to Group 2 winner It's A Wild Night (Vanbrugh), and the family continues to deliver at stakes level, including recent Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes winner Grinzinger Belle (Shamexpress). Reflecting on the week, Harron said the depth of quality and consistency across the catalogue had underpinned their buying confidence. “It's been great. Once we got through inspections and went through the shortlist, we were really pleasantly surprised with how many we had on the list and how deep that catalogue was,” he said. “The horses vetted out really well and handled the sale super, so that gave us the confidence to go in and invest in them alongside our partners. We're very happy with how it's gone so far, with one day to go.” Lot 545 – Frankel x Miss Alacrity (Munnings), colt – A$1,100,000 James Harron Bloodstock, in partnership with Tony Fung, added a colt bred on an intriguing blend of elite international class and American speed when securing lot 545 for A$1.1 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Offered by Newgate Farm, the bay colt is by Juddmonte's super sire Frankel and out of Miss Alacrity (Munnings), a stakes-winning juvenile over 1000 metres in the United States. Harron highlighted the influence of the dam's precocity and speed, noting the colt's athleticism and the depth of quality on the page. “He is from a fast American mare who made her name as a 2-year-old. He was very impressive,” Harron said. “From a family that includes one of the top leading stallions in America and we were really pleased to see that speed come through the dam side. It is going to be interesting to see what sort of horse he shapes into, but he's a beautiful athlete.” Miss Alacrity hails from a deep and accomplished American female family that includes exciting stallion Nyquist. Her dam Just Jenda (Menifee) was an eight-time winner, including victories at Group 2 and Group 3 level, and proved her versatility by scoring from 1200 metres to 1700 metres. The pedigree is rich in black type and speed. Further strengthening the page, damsire Munnings has established himself as a highly effective broodmare sire, responsible for eight stakes winners from just over 200 runners, complementing his record as the sire of 88 individual stakes winners, including six at Group 1 level. This is the first foal of Miss Alacrity, with her second foal a colt at foot by Shinzo. Lot 455 – I Am Invincible x Lankan Star (Nicconi), filly – A$1,000,000 A filly bred to be fast and forward was the clear focus for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, in partnership with Kestrel Thoroughbreds, when they secured lot 455 for A$1 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Offered by Segenhoe Stud, the bay filly is by champion sire I Am Invincible and out of G1 Blue Diamond Stakes runner-up Lankan Star (Nicconi), a mare renowned for her precocity and speed. Few buyers are better credentialled to target elite 2-year-old prospects than Waterhouse and Bott, with Waterhouse being the trainer of a record eight G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winners. The filly's physical presence and early profile made her a natural fit for the stable's proven juvenile program. “She's a beauty. A lovely way to start the day and has put a pep in our step,” Bott said. “We're delighted to secure her where we wanted to be and where we wanted to land. We probably didn't have too much more after that. “A real quality filly. She's one to get excited for the way she handled the sale and she profiles up really well with her breeding and pedigree.” Lankan Star was a sharp and precocious performer herself, and Bott was quick to highlight the parallels between mare and filly. “The mare was fast and precocious in her own right so hopefully her daughter can do the same,” he said. “That's what we came to target and she well and truly stood out physically. The farm did an immaculate job presenting her.” The filly is the second foal of Lankan Star and hails from a strong international female family that has interestingly consistently produced performers capable of getting over ground, adding further depth to the pedigree. Lankan Star was purchased for A$600,000 by Allam Racing and Kestrel Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Inglis Chairman's Sale while in foal to Russian Revolution, with that resulting filly now an unnamed 2-year-old. The mare also has a filly at foot by I Am Invincible and was served by G1 Cox Plate champion Anamoe last spring. Lot 593 – I Am Invincible x Mumbai Rock (Fastnet Rock), filly – A$950,000 Ciaron Maher Bloodstock continued a dominant Magic Millions campaign by securing lot 593 for A$950,000, marking the stable's 30th purchase of the sale and drawing them level with their top-priced buy alongside lot 35. Offered by Coolmore Stud on behalf of Morning Rise Stud, the bay filly is by Yarraman Park's I Am Invincible and out of Mumbai Rock (Fastnet Rock), from one of the deepest and most proven female families in the catalogue. Maher's bloodstock manager Will Bourne was quick to point to both the filly's physical presence and the proven nature of the pedigree. “She's an imposing type, a big strong Vinnie filly, who Ciaron's had a lot of luck with, like Loving Gaby,” Bourne said. “She's a horse who's got plenty of residual, so you're not completely gambling your money per se. Hopefully she can justify the price tag but at the end of the day she's still worth a fair bit of money if she's unraced, so a little bit of protection there.” Bourne also highlighted the commercial confidence behind the purchase. “She's (Mumbai Rock) been a very proven broodmare and (this filly is by) a proven sire, so I'm hoping it's a proven purchase,” he said. The filly is bred on a cross that has already delivered at stakes level, being a full-sister to Japanese stakes-winning filly Jazz Etude (I Am Invincible) and a half-sister to Group 3 winner Mumbai Muse (Zoustar), formerly trained by Michael Freedman. She is also a full-sister to stakes-placed Mumbai Jewel (I Am Invincible), further underlining the success of the mating. Adding further depth and residual appeal, the second dam Mani Bhavan (Storm Boot) was a Group 1 winner of the Saratoga Spinaway Stakes, anchoring the pedigree with elite international black type. Mumbai Rock was not served in 2024, but visited Widden's champion sire Zoustar last spring. The post Hermitage Goes To The Limit To Secure A$1.6m Snitzel Filly At Magics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nominations for the 10th edition of the Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ITIEA) opened at Kildangan Stud on Wednesday. Sponsored by Godolphin and supported by the Irish Stable Staff Association, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (ITBA) and the Racing Post, the awards recognise and reward the exceptional skills, experience and dedication of the women and men in the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry and offer €60,000 in prize money across 10 award categories for the winners and their workplace colleagues. Anyone can nominate a friend or colleague for an award. Nominations are open until 5 p.m. on Friday, February 13 and must be completed online at the ITIEA website. In addition to a Newcomer Award, there are five ITIEAs, an Administration Award and an Ancillary Services Award. All winners are then eligible for the Irish Racing Excellence Award, which will be announced at the awards ceremony. The Racecourse Award winner, chosen by the Irish Stable Staff Association, will also be revealed on the awards night. The Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards ceremony will take place in the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, County Kildare on Tuesday, June 2. Jimmy Hyland, CEO, Godolphin Ireland, said, “On behalf of the Godolphin team it is a pleasure to say how proud we are to sponsor these awards for the 10th year. Through our involvement in breeding and racing internationally, we fully appreciate the value and quality of our industry's employees. We are glad to support an initiative which showcases the high level of talent in the sector in Ireland.” The post Irish TIEA Nominations Launched At Kildangan Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article