Gallops

Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will send out a quintet of fillies and mares in the $175,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3), led by 2025 Gallant Bloom Stakes (G2) winner R Disaster, who is making her seasonal debut.View the full article

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association announces the winners of its 2025 championship awards, highlighted by Touchuponastar, who was voted the state's Horse of the Year by the LTBA board of directors from among the divisional champions.View the full article

The ITBA Next Generation has announced the introduction of the ITBA Next Generation Breeders' Grant, sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and the Irish EBF. The grant will be awarded annually, and with immediate effect in 2026, to young breeders in recognition of the achievements of horses they have bred. In year one, it will be awarded to two young breeders – one in the Flat racing category and one in the National Hunt racing category. The inaugural recipients of the ITBA Next Generation Breeders' Grant are Joann Lyons and Jack Fogarty, with each receiving a €5,000 Irish EBF Stallion Farms Voucher, redeemable against the next covering of one of the recipient's mares. Lyons, who earlier this year also received the ITBA Next Generation Award at the Irish National Breeding and Racing Awards, bred last year's G2 Gimcrack Stakes winner Lifeplan (Kodi Bear). Fogarty, meanwhile, has bred a number of talented National Hunt performers, including Myretown (Dylan Thomas), winner of the 2025 Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as Myretown's half-brother, Dalston Lad (Ocovango), who more recently captured the G2 Prestige Novices' Hurdle at Haydock Park. Ross O'Mahony, chairman of the ITBA Next Generation, said, “The ITBA Next Generation Breeders Grant is an exciting new initiative recognising and encouraging the success of young breeders in Ireland. The grant is yet another mechanism exclusive to ITBA Next Generation Members designed to support young breeders. “The Next Generation Committee congratulates inaugural recipients Joann and Jack and thanks the Irish EBF and Horse Racing Ireland for their support in making the initiative possible.” Irish EBF manager Nessa Joyce added, “The Irish EBF board is proud to collaborate with the ITBA Next Generation and Horse Racing Ireland on this fantastic initiative. By providing these €5,000 Irish EBF Stallion Farm Vouchers, we are offering tangible support to young breeders, like Joann and Jack, at a pivotal stage in their breeding careers, while launching a clear incentive for the next generation to strive towards. “We look forward to seeing the future stars the ITBA Next Generation breeders will produce with the support of this grant.” Eligibility Criteria To be considered for the ITBA Next Generation Breeders Grant, young breeders must meet the following conditions: The recipient must have been under 30 years of age at the time the mare was covered or purchased in foal. The recipient must be a fully paid member of ITBA or ITBA Next Generation. The post Lyons and Fogarty Named Inaugural Recipients of ITBA Next Generation Breeders’ Grant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

CJ Legette, assistant trainer to Robert Falcone Jr., discusses the undefeated stakes-winning filly Gratefully at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

The G1 Prix Jacques le Marois winner Diego Velazquez has had his first mares scanned in foal, including Avolta (Mastercraftsman), a winning half-sister to the G2 Prix Dollar scorer Jayarebe (Zoffany). Another mare confirmed in foal to the son of Frankel is Mystical Air (Kingman), a half-sister to the G3 Zukunfts-Rennen winner Carolina Reaper (Too Darn Hot). “Diego Velazquez ticks all the boxes for breeders and that has been reflected in the support he has received,” said Anna Kerr, CEO of the National Stud. “His top-class first book features numerous stakes performers and producers, and we couldn't be happier with how this next chapter of his career has begun.” Diego Velazquez, who also won three times at Group 2 level in a career spanning 12 starts, stands for a fee of £17,500 at the National Stud in 2026. The post First Mares Confirmed In Foal to Group 1-Winning Miler Diego Velazquez appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article