Golf

Millionaire Arzak (Not This Time–Delightful Melody, by Tapit) had his first two mares scanned in foal on Feb. 27. Arzak stands for $6,000 LFSN at Amsterdam Two Farm in Middleburgh, NY. The mares confirmed pregnant are Notmysteppingstone (Bustin Stones), a winning daughter of SW and GSP A True Pussycat and half-sister to MSW and GSP Daring Duchess. The other is Whisper to Mama (Medaglia d'Oro) out of stakes winner Whisper to Me and half-sister to MGSW Overheard. Notmysteppingstone is owned by Franklin Ave. Equine & Bridle Path Racing, while Whisper to Mama is owned by Amsterdam Two. “We're over the moon about the reception Arzak has gotten from New York breeders thus far,” said Amsterdam Two's manager Ken Williams. “Of course, it certainly helps that Not This Time's hot streak continues–leading all North American sires by graded stakes winners and Triple Crown nominees in 2026.” Arzak, a $575,000 OBS Spring 2-year-old purchase, won the GII Woodford Stakes and GII Shakertown Stakes in addition to Woodbine's GIII Jacques Cartier and Thorncliffe Stakes (setting a new track record). Arzak was also second in Saratoga's GI Jaipur Stakes. The post First Mares Checked In Foal for Millionaire Arzak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Irish Flat season is a matter of weeks away, with the opening day of the season kicking off at the Curragh on March 15, where the €100,000 Irish Lincoln takes centre stage. There will be Classic clues aplenty on April 12, when the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas Trials, along with the Ballysax Stakes, a key Derby trial, takes place at Leopardstown. TDN Europe's Brian Sheerin has had a look at some of the under-the-radar three-year-olds who could have a big role to play that weekend and indeed for the rest of the season below. Bamako Beach  Bamako Beach: was sold by Eoin McDonagh at the Guineas Breeze-Up Sale | Tattersalls Sands Of Mali colt out of Joyous (Assertive) Form: 2 Trainer: Michael O'Callaghan There can be few colts housed outside of the powerhouse Irish stables that boast such an exciting profile. Picked up for 72,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale, he is a fine advertisement of the calibre of animal that his trainer Michael O'Callaghan seems to unearth from that sphere year in, year out. There was a huge amount of encouragement to be taken from Bamako Beach's debut second over 7f at Naas last September, where he was only just mowed down in the dying strides by a stronger stayer. On that evidence, Bamako Beach could develop into a classy prospect over a mile this season, and it is interesting that connections have handed him an entry in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. He can be expected to start in a Guineas trial and is potentially very smart.  Alphecca  Joe Murphy snr and jnr have a lot to look forward to with Alphecca | Tattersalls Sioux Nation filly out of Nepali (Ire) (The Gurkha) 5311 Joe Murphy Joe Murphy provided us with one of the feel-good stories of the entire Flat season in 2025 when Cercene supplied the veteran trainer with a breakthrough success at the highest level and Alphecca could well be capable of carrying on the mantle and keeping the stable in lights this term. An impressive maiden scorer over a mile at Killarney on her third start, she put away a decent field for the valuable Irish EBF Auction Series Final at Naas in the style of a filly capable of taking a step up in grade this year. A Guineas trial would be a natural starting point and, even if she wasn't Guineas class, her current mark of 89 would be good enough to get her into the Sandringham at Royal Ascot. There could be some big targets to aim at with her. The Publican's Son  Beau Liam colt out of Annie Walker 28 Joseph O'Brien The Publican's Son came from an impossible position to post an unbelievably taking debut second in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes before blotting his copy book when bombing out in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket. There are reasons to suggest it could be wise to put a line through that Middle Park effort, not least for the fact the horse was sourced at an American Breeze-Up Sale at Ocala last March and was asked to cram a lot into a short space of time between being prepared for the breeze-ups, acclimatising into a new stable in Ireland and ultimately taking in Group 1 races. The impression he created on debut was a big one. Starting from a completely clean slate this season, one can expect him to have a big year over sprint distances. Long-term, he could even be a Commonwealth Cup candidate.  Black Caviar Gold  Black Caviar Gold: a smart prospect for Paddy Twomey | Racingfotos.com Havana Grey filly out of Perfect Outing (Outstrip) 3411 Paddy Twomey Bond Thoroughbreds rode the crest of a wave last year with Maranoa Charlie among others and few horses in the black and yellow will excite quite like Black Caviar Gold. Trained by Paddy Twomey, the daughter of Havana Grey went from strength to strength last term, culminating with victory in the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh on the fourth and final start of her juvenile campaign. The manner in which she saw out the seven furlongs would give her every chance of getting the mile this season. Montreal Sea The Stars colt out of Muwakaba (Elusive Quality) 31 Aidan O'Brien It wouldn't be difficult to comprise a list of 10 horses to follow from Ballydoyle alone but, if there is one horse who is underestimated with a view towards some of the big races this season, perhaps it is Montreal, who can be backed at odds as big as 20-1 for the Derby. Well-supported to win a 1m maiden on debut at Leopardstown, Montreal was slowly away and never managed to land a blow. However, he went some way to illustrating why the market spoke so favourably about him on debut when bolting up by eight lengths over the same course and distance a fortnight later. A last minute withdrawal from a Group 2 contest at the Irish Champions Festival, Montreal remains untested beyond maiden company. However, he made a lasting impression at Leopardstown and it will be very interesting to see where he fits in this year. He looks a lively Derby outsider at this juncture at least.  Whatchadoin  Starman colt out of American Spirit (Rock Of Gibraltar) 7335513-22 Josh Halley An extremely likeable horse, he has opened up more options to connections by filling the runner-up spot over a mile the last twice at Dundalk. That latest effort came on Friday behind a highly-touted filly in Blanc De Blanc and, while he was ultimately no threat to that Classic entrant, there was reason to believe Whatchadoin has a lot more to offer. For starters, he is a fine, big colt with great depth and scope for improvement. Secondly, he has only one eye, which could go some way to explaining why he has taken nine runs to start fulfilling his potential. For that reason, he can also be forgiven what at times appears to be a gawky head carriage. The handicapper is likely to have a say for his Patton Race second but Whatchadoin strikes as a horse who can be competitive in premier handicaps this season. With fitness from an all-weather campaign on his side, he could run well in something like the Madrid Handicap at Naas in just a few weeks' time.  Thundering On Frankel filly out of Thundering Nights (Night Of Thunder) 42  Joseph O'Brien Sharpoor Mistry does not have many horses in training but few people will have trouble remembering his Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes heroine Thundering Nights, who is the dam of Thundering On. Unfortunately, Thundering Nights is listed as having passed away, which would place added emphasis on what Thundering On might be able to achieve for the owner-breeder. Judging on the Frankel filly's staying-on second behind Sugar Island in a Group 3 contest at the Curragh towards the back-end last season, Thundering On has a very bright future. She should be a formality to win her maiden and could even develop into an Oaks filly.  Minella Rockett John Nallen [left] and Matt Hall | Tattersalls New Bay colt out of Ebalista (Selkirk) 0432- John Nallen Minella Rockett might not be a black-type horse but he is well capable of winning plenty of prize-money for John Nallen, who is better associated with nurturing Gold Cup and Grand National winners. The son of New Bay has shown maiden-winning potential for Nallen and it should only be a matter of time before he opens his account. He could develop into a nice handicapper and may even end up in something like the lucrative Gowran Classic later this season. Loch Gamhna  Australia colt out of Cascella (Iffraaj) 03- Martin Hassett On that note, there is a distinct lack of those middle-distance types scattered around the smaller stables, presumably because they are highly tradable to abroad when they achieve form over seven furlongs or more. Undoubtedly, Martin Hassett would have tabled offers for Loch Gamhna, who looked a potentially interesting type when third over seven furlongs at the Curragh last October. Connections are understood to have decided to roll the dice with the Australia colt and, at a minimum, he should be up to increasing his value this season. There are lots of options available to him. Kilashee Warrior Saxon Warrior filly out of Ascended (Dark Angel) 441 Eddie and Patrick Harty Kilashee Warrior's form stacks up well and she rates an interesting filly for a father-and-son team who continue to make waves on the Irish Flat scene. The daughter of Saxon Warrior out-ran her 50-1 price tag when not a million miles off getting black-type when fourth in the Listed Ingabelle Stakes at Leopardstown at the Irish Champions Festival and followed up on that effort with a pretty straightforward maiden success at Thurles. She is lightly-raced and is another filly who can be expected to line out in a Guineas trial in the early parts of the season. The post Under The Radar: 10 Irish-Trained Three-Year-Olds To Follow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dozens of jockeys and trainers are among thousands of people stranded across the Gulf region as the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has closed large swathes of airspace.View the full article

The Frankie Lor-trained Stormy Grove (Toronado) came from a long way back to cause an upset in Sunday's HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup at Sha Tin, showing a serious turn of foot to stamp his authority on the contest and register a one-length verdict. Invincible Ibis (Hellbent) was second, with another half a length back to Patch Of Cosmo (Super Seth) in third. Favourite Little Paradise (Toronado), who had kicked off the Four-Year-Old Classic Series with an impressive success in the HK$13-million Hong Kong Classic Mile, could finish only eighth having suffered a troubled passage. The winner was ridden by the British-born Harry Bentley, who said, “This feels extremely special. I've liked this horse throughout and I've struck up a good partnership with him. I was extremely impressed with the way he won last time. I had to come into this race with a certain level of expectation and hope. But to do it the way he did was pretty breathtaking.” He continued, “This ranks very highly on my wins in Hong Kong and it's very special. He's stepped up again and he can do it. Same again, now, to the Derby.” The Hong Kong Classic Cup is the middle leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series, with the final leg, the HK$26-million BMW Hong Kong Derby, scheduled to take place over 2,000 metres at Sha Tin on Sunday, March 22. Lor said, “I thought if the pace was suitable for him, he could do the same thing as last time at 1,600 [metres]. Next is 2,000 [metres] and I think, if the pace is suitable for him, then he can do the same thing.” Bred by Adam Sangster, Rebecca and Simon Lurati's Ealing Park, John Dickson's Sandown Lodge and Tim Jones, Stormy Grove was bought by Nardoo Valley Stud's Philip George for A$135,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Starting his racing career in Australia for Patrick and Michelle Payne, he won impressively on debut at Geelong in December 2024, before finishing an eye-catching second at Flemington. He was then exported to Hong Kong, having been purchased by Jamie McCalmont on behalf of owners Marc Chan and Lily Chan Li Lei. Stormy Grove is one of five winners from six runners out of the Exceed And Excel mare Seagrove, with the others including the Listed Hilton Nicholas Straight Six runner-up Deekay (Hellbent). Seagrove herself is out of a winning full-sister to the G1 Ansett Australia Stakes scorer Hill Of Grace (Zabeel) and G2 Caulfield Autumn Classic winner Renewable (Zabeel). The post Stormy Grove Sparkles with Hong Kong Classic Cup Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) barely came out of second gear as he repeated his 2024 success in the HK$13-million Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup at Sha Tin on Sunday, emulating the likes of Viva Pataca (2008 and 2009), Designs On Rome (2015 and 2016) and Golden Sixty (2021 and 2023) as a dual winner of the Group 1 prize. Trained by Danny Shum, Romantic Warrior is also now just leg away from becoming only the third horse in history to complete the Hong Kong Triple Crown after this effortless win. Racing in third for much of the contest as Beauty Joy (Sebring) took the field along at a solid gallop, he moved up to challenge early in the straight and quickly left his five rivals trailing in his wake under a hands-and-heels ride from James McDonald. The official winning margin was four lengths, with another 1 1/4 lengths separating Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid) and Winning Wing (Preferment) in second and third, respectively. The final leg of the Triple Crown is the HK$13-million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup, which takes place at Sha Tin on Sunday, May 24. In the meantime, Romantic Warrior will chase the 14th top-level victory of his career in the HK$30-million G1 FWD QEII Cup on Sunday, April 26, a race he has already won on three occasions. “I think he will now go to the QEII Cup and then to the Champions & Chater before he finishes the season,” said Shum. “Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup – we will keep everything open for now. “His condition is getting better and better. The 2,000 metres is his best trip. I think he can handle it [2,400 metres in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup], but I don't know if any overseas horses will come.” The only Triple Crown winners in Hong Kong racing history are River Verdon (Be My Native) in 1993/94 and Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) last season. On Sunday, Voyage Bubble could manage only fifth when trying to defend his Hong Kong Gold Cup crown. Whilst McDonald partnered Voyage Bubble to each of his Triple Crown wins in 2025, the New Zealand-born jockey has chosen to continue his remarkable association with the record-breaking Romantic Warrior this time round. McDonald said, “He's just beautifully prepared. Danny's just done a marvellous job and, each and every time I hop on him, I just cherish the moment. I feel so special every time and you look between his ears and he's just so alert.” Pedigree Notes Romantic Warrior is the best runner from the much-missed sire Acclamation. The son of Royal Applause sired 68 stakes winners, including 32 in Group/Graded company and seven at Group/Grade 1 level. The winner's dam won once at two in England and has five winners from five to race, including the stakes-placed End Of Romance (Showcasing). Her latest foals are Le Samourai (New Bay), an unraced three-year-old, and a yearling filly by Havana Grey. Second dam Folk Opera claimed the GI E. P. Taylor Stakes at Woodbine, as well as the G2 Prix Jean Romanet.   The post Romantic Warrior Strolls to Victory in Second Leg of Hong Kong Triple Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article