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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
For decades now, Japanese buyers have frequented American bloodstock sales, eagerly snapping up racing and breeding stock of the highest quality to help grow the domestic Thoroughbred industry. By any metric, the undertaking has been a smashing success, given not only the performance of Japanese-based runners on foreign soil, particularly over the last six to eight years, but also the strength of the Japanese bloodstock markets. The Japanese Racing Horse Association (JRHA)'s annual Select Sale is a mostly insular affair, but American owner Mike Repole is always ready to think a bit outside the box, and with a bit of a 'what's good for the goose, is good for the gander' mindset, the successful businessman and owner/breeder shipped out a team to the island of Hokkaido to shop last year's sale. They did not leave there empty-handed, signing for five yearlings and a pair of foals, some with recognizable pedigrees and others less so. The most forward of their grab, Bento Express (Jpn)–a son of the expatriated Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Drefong–becomes the first to face the starter when he goes postward in the Saturday opener at Saratoga. Bento Express is set to become the sixth starter out of Tammy the Torpedo (More Than Ready), a dual Grade III winner on the turf for trainer Chad Brown, who was knocked down to Dr. Masatake Iida for $1.65 million in foal to War Front at the 2017 Keeneland November Sale. Repole dispatched Alex Solis II and Pat Cummings to Hokkaido last summer, and the experience left a real impression on Solis, who was making his first visit to the JRHA auction and embraced the challenge of finding Japanese-breds that might excel in this country. All totaled, Solis signed for five yearlings on the first day of the sale–a second colt by Drefong out of a half-sister to MG1SW Ushba Tesoro (Jpn) (¥41m/$255k); a colt by Triple Crown winner Contrail (Jpn) and half-brother to MGSW & G1SP Sound Chiara (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) (¥50m/$311k); a Kizuna (Jpn) filly out of champion Ginger Punch (¥68m/$423k); and a filly by leading freshman sire Nadal (¥78m/$485k) whose dam Lelievre (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is a half-sister to champion Lucky Lilac (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and is the pick of the lot, if you ask Solis. The majority of the yearlings arrived in the States early last September, just two months after the sale, flying to Chicago via Alaska and spending a little time in Kentucky before being sent on to be broken. The Ginger Punch filly was broken in Japan and arrived in mid-February. “When you start looking at the horses over there, you have some crossovers that look like American horses, dirt horses, turf horses, firm ground stuff,” he explained. “And then you also have the crossover of all the European mares that have very European attributes. So I just knew those probably wouldn't work in this country. “So I really had to be careful, thinking, 'Okay, does this look like a horse that would fit the U.S.?' And so yeah, I think we bought things that looked more American-like, so that definitely pulled us towards probably a Nadal, the Drefongs. Bento Express, purchased for ¥50 million ($310,962) from the draft of Dr. Iida's Chiyoda Farm Shizunai, has drawn the widest gate in a field of six for Saturday's debut, with Irad Ortiz, Jr. at the controls aboard the 5-2 second favorite. Solis and the Repole braintrust have been impressed with what they've seen thus far. “He's a very good-looking colt, he looks very quick,” said Solis. “I was just trying to buy a nice physical, and he kind of fit the bill. He's an Apr. 13th foal. I wondered how early he would be. The Japanese, they really don't focus on 2-year-old racing. So I guess that's probably where this is coming from, just that it's truly an American type, and I think that's why he's probably jumping on the bit so early.” Bento Express back at the barn | Sarah Andrew Bento Express's worktab is highlighted by a bullet half-mile from the gate in :47 flat (1/114) over the Belmont training track June 22 and went the same distance in :47 3/5 (3/144) on June 28, also from the machine. “He's trained well,” Solis said. “My question always has been is he a grass or a dirt horse? Just for the fact that Tammy the Torpedo and a lot of that family is grass. And Drefong still is Gio Ponti, he's out of a Trempolino mare at the bottom. Ghostzapper and then Trempolino. So I always wondered, Drefong's had a lot of grass in Japan, so I always wondered that. But he's trained well enough on the dirt that give it a shot. It's a positive sign.” For the record, among the five group and 11 black-type winners sired by Drefong is G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) hero Geoglyph (Jpn)–also a close fourth in the 2023 G1 Saudi Cup–and this year's G2 UAE Derby victor and GI Kentucky Derby participant Admire Daytona (Jpn). Bento Express would not be the first high-profile graduate of the JRHA Select Sales to post a victory at Saratoga. Yoshida (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) fetched just over $765,000 at the 2015 yearling sale and the 'TDN Rising Star' annexed the 2018 GI Woodward Stakes in his first try on the dirt, having won the GI Turf Classic some four months prior. Solis indicated that they have a return visit to Hokkaido penciled in somewhere down the road in the back of their minds once assessing the success of their first raid on the Select Sale. This year's renewal of the auction begins with the yearling section on Monday, July 14, followed by the foal section on Tuesday, July 15. That session will feature 25 foals from the first crop by two-time Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn). The post From Hokkaido To the Spa: Repole Set To Unveil Drefong Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
The 2025 Bloodstock South Africa KZN Yearling Sale broke all previous benchmarks for the auction including an aggregate that surged past the prior year's standard by over R5.6-million, the group announced Friday. A total of 195 yearlings changed hands from the 209 catalogued (seven lots did not sell in the ring or privately later). The aggregate was R44.725-million, over R5.6-million higher than the figure for 2024, while the average rose to a sale record of R229,359; the median improved to R180,000; and the top price came in at R1.3-million late in the day. The aforementioned sales topper was Lot 202–named V Squared, a Vercingetorix (SAf) filly out of Victoriana (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}). The dam is a half-sister to multiple Listed winners Hammie's Hooker (SAf) (Trippi) and Gem King (SAf) (Master Of My Fate {SAf}). V Squared is a full-sister to Quickstepgal (SAf), who is considered one of South Africa's leading 2-year-old performers. Lot 202 went the way of Jonathan Snaith, who was also the top buyer at the auction. Snaith was quoted as saying that the filly was a standout in pedigree and conformation. “One of our core objectives is to create auction platforms that reach the broadest possible base of buyers and to ensure that all vendors get their fair share of opportunities,” said Bloodstock SA CEO Michael Holmes. “We're pleased to have played our part in delivering that again this year, and we wish all our clients the best with their purchases.” The post 2025 Bloodstock South Africa KZN Yearling Sale Shatters Own Records appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Sam Agars SZERYNG - R7 (2) Broke through in fine style last start and looks far from finished Jay Rooney MAGNIFIQUE - R9 (6) Trialled brilliantly ahead of his return and is drawn to get a dream run Trackwork Spy MAGNIFIQUE - R9 (6) Looks ready to make an impact on his return from a freshen up Phillip Woo SZERYNG - R7 (2) Eye-catching winner last start and can repeat from a good draw Shannon (Vincent Wong) TOURBILLON GOLFER - R7 (3) Ran well for second on debut and can win Racing Post...View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Forced to miss the Triple Crown series after exiting his sensational GII Fasig-Tipton Risen Star S. victory with an ankle chip, Magnitude (Not This Time) makes his highly anticipated return in Saturday evening's $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows. He is the 9-5 morning-line favorite. The Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer was a 9 3/4-length, front-running winner of the Risen Star at odds of 43-1 Feb. 15, good for a 108 Beyer Speed Figure. His final time of 1:48.85 was the fastest Risen Star in seven runnings (including one year with split divisions) since it was elongated to nine furlongs in 2020. Future GI Preakness S. winner Journalism (Curlin) matched Magnitude's gaudy figure two weeks later in the GII DK Horse San Felipe S. at Santa Anita Mar. 1. The only sophomore to earn a higher rating this season has been GI Kentucky Derby and GI Belmont Stakes winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who received a 109 Beyer Speed Figure in the Belmont. Magnitude has posted seven breezes for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen at Churchill Downs, including a five-furlong move in 1:00 (2/19) June 22, since having that aforementioned chip removed by Dr. Larry Bramlage four days after the Risen Star. “With a horse that has run as fast as him in the past, we're dreaming big,” Asmussen said. “His Risen Star was brilliant in time, as well as who he beat that day. Obviously, the ankle chip was not ideal, especially the timing of it. But the rehab at Becky Maker's went well. He's done exceptionally well since he came back into training and has put in some very good recent works. I feel that the Iowa Derby is the right spot to get him back started.” Magnitude got his picture taken twice last year and capped his five-race, 2-year-old campaign with a well-beaten second-place finish in the Gun Runner S. Dec. 21. He finished sixth-beaten 2 3/4 lengths-in the slop in the GIII Lecomte S. Jan. 18 before his breakout performance in the Risen Star. Magnitude will join Asmussen's string in Saratoga following his trip to Altoona this weekend. The stakes schedule at the Spa is topped by the GI DraftKings Travers S. Aug. 23. “The circumstances are what we're looking for as far as the way the racetrack is playing, the (1 1/16 miles) distance, and it being a little cooler in the evening,” Asmussen said of the Iowa Derby. “Hopefully, we can get back in the mix with horses that his numbers indicate he belongs with.” One of 24 graded winners for Taylor Made's leading young sire Not This Time, Magnitude was produced by the Bernardini mare Rockadelic, a daughter of MGISW and GI Kentucky Oaks runner-up Octave (Unbridled's Song). The $310,000 Keeneland November weanling turned $450,000 Keeneland September yearling was bred in Kentucky by Ron Stolich. Asmussen has trained two of Not This Time's top performers thus far–2022 Travers winner and champion 3-year-old colt Epicenter, and Cogburn, who set a North American record for 5 1/2 furlongs while capturing the grassy GI Jaipur S. in :59.80 at Saratoga last year. “Not This Time has been unbelievable to me,” Asmussen said. “Epicenter being champion 3-year-old, then Cogburn running 5 1/2 in under a minute last year, still one of the craziest races I've ever been a part of. We did acquire Magnitude because of his physical similarities to Epicenter and also being by Not This Time gave us a level of confidence. Magnitude has proven to be worthy.” The post Asmussen ‘Dreaming Big’ Ahead of Magnitude’s Return in Iowa Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Charlie Appleby was expected to take Friday's seven-furlong novice at Sandown, but it was the stable's second-string Pacifica Pier who came out on top in one for the notebooks. Unleashed by James Doyle to take control a furlong out, the 13-2 shot stayed on strongly to record a half-length success from the eyecatcher of all eyecatchers, Juddmonte's Publish (Kingman). There was another 3/4-of-a-length margin back to Godolphin's favourite Key Of Magic (Justify) in third. “He's a big boy to sit on and I had to nurse him along and wait to get organised, but when I went for him he got really lost,” Doyle explained. “He's a raw horse who will benefit from time. We were hoping going racing would spark him up a bit and he feels like a horse for the backend of the season and beyond–I see him as a three-year-old and he feels like he'll certainly go a mile in time. This ground might have been as quick as he wants.” The post Palace Pier’s Pacifica Pier Prevails In Fascinating Affair At Sandown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
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