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    • 'TDN Rising Star' Damon's Mound (Girvin) leads 64 offerings in the catalog for the 2025 Inglis Digital USA October (Early) Sale which went online Friday morning. Bidding is now open for the online auction with the first lot set to close Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. Eastern, with subsequent listings hammering in three-minute increments thereafter. Among the standouts in the catalog is the aforementioned Damon's Mound, a Grade II winner offered as a racing or stallion prospect. This 'Rising Star' was a quick-starting 2-year-old, breaking his maiden on debut by an imposing 12 1/2 lengths in a Churchill Downs maiden special weight, then adding distance in the stretch to win the GII Saratoga Special Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths in his second career start. He has remained incredibly consistent through his later seasons, finishing in the money in nine of 16 starts–13 of which have been in stakes or graded stakes company–and earning over $780,000. Damon's Mound has continued to perform at a high level in 2025, kicking off his season with a victory in the Sunshine Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and earning a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure in this year's GII Alfred G. Vanderbilt Stakes. Looking to the future, Damon's Mound offers one of the first opportunities to stand a son of the young sire Girvin at stud. Girvin, the sire of Grade I winners Dorth Vader and fellow 'Rising Star' Faiza, has had yearlings command up to $700,000 at this summer's sales. Damon's Mound is offered by owner/breeder Cliff Love, and he is available for inspection at the Saratoga barn of trainer Bill Mott. Also for offer, Presha (Omaha Beach) is a 3-year-old stakes-placed filly who, after selling for $390,000 as a juvenile, showed precociousness on the racetrack, with a 3 1/4-length maiden special weight score at Horseshoe Indianapolis and a third-place effort in the Tepin Stakes on the turf at Aqueduct, where she finished three-quarters of a length behind winner Laurelin (Zarak {Fr}). Offered as a broodmare prospect, Presha offers an international pedigree, with names under the second dam including Bubble Rock, a Grade II winner in the U.S. who became Group 1-placed in Australia; and Blue Chipper, the winner of the G1 Korea Sprint who then shipped overseas to run third in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Presha is consigned by Evergreen Equine. Breeders looking to add to their broodmare bands will also take notice of Chasing Cara (Broken Vow), a multiple stakes-placed mare who is offered in-foal as part of the debut book of champion National Treasure, winner of the both the GI Preakness Stakes and GI Metropolitan Handicap. Consigned by Brookdale, Chasing Cara earned over $326,000 during her racing career, making her contribution to one of the stud book's most influential families, with names including Hall of Famer Sky Beauty, European champion Dayjur, and Grade I winner Violence, among many others. Other mares in the catalogue are offered in-foal to stallions including Grazen, Leinster, Maximus Mischief, Rombauer, Storm the Court, Tacitus, Tizamagician, and Winchill. The slate of yearling offerings is led by a half-sister to Grade I-winning millionaire Carson's Run, by the popular young sire Maxfield. Maxfield currently ranks third on North America's freshman sire list by earnings, including 12 winners and three 'TDN Rising Stars'. Among them are Englishman, who earned an eye-popping 97 Beyer Speed Figure on debut at Churchill Downs. The filly is consigned by Frankfort Park Farm. Weanlings in the catalogue include a colt by Vekoma, the leading freshman sire of 2024. Vekoma has remained white-hot in 2025, with recent graded stakes successes like GII Gallant Bob Stakes winner Mad House and GIII Prioress Stakes winner Praying. Paramount Sales consigns the filly, as agent. “We're coming to the end of the yearling season and everyone is looking towards the breeding shed and 2026,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “I think we've got some really exciting prospects for breeders and pinhookers who have a little extra cash in their pockets. Racehorses are always in season and we've got some very nice ones on offer. Our team is here to help, so please reach out to any of us for anything.” Interested parties must register for an account on the Inglis Digital USA website and request a bidding limit in order to place bids. Click here to view the catalog and register to bid. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ Damon’s Mound Leads Inglis Digital USA’s 2025 October (Early) Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • Lucky Sweynesse looks to become the third Hong Kong-based horse to win the Sprinters Stakes (G1), one of only two grade 1 sprints on the Japanese racing schedule.View the full article
    • 1st-BAQ, 85k, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 12:35 p.m. ET Courting (Curlin), the 2024 $5-million Keeneland September topper and full-brother to MGISW Clairiere, debuts for Whisper Hill Farm, breeder Stonestreet Stables and Windancer Farm and trainer Todd Pletcher going a one-turn mile. Produced by MGISW Cavorting (Bernardini), Courting is also a half-brother to SW La Crete (Medaglia d'Oro) and a full-brother to MGSP Judge Miller. Rebel Instinct (Into Mischief), a son of GI Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic heroine Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song) and a half-brother to two-time champion Unique Bella (Tapit), debuts for Chad Brown. The $700,000 FTSAUG yearling is campaigned in partnership by Resolute Racing and breeder Whisper Hill Farm. Dionysus (Nyquist) drew widest of all in post eight for this first career start. The $1.2-million KEESEP yearling is owned by Resolute Racing and is trained by Brown. Three Chimneys Farm homebred Igniter (Volatile), featured in 'Second Chances' following a wide-trip third first out in a live maiden special weight at the Spa Aug. 9, is the 2-1 morning-line favorite. He is trained by Rick Dutrow, Jr. TJCIS PPS The post Saturday’s Racing Insights: $5-Million KEESEP Topper Courting Debuts at Belmont at the Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • Although he was the only guest from the Thoroughbred industry to be invited to speak on a panel largely comprised of and aimed at mental health professionals, Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith spoke eloquently and poignantly Friday while offering perspectives tinged with gratefulness and optimism regarding how the racing industry has recently stepped up its suicide prevention and wellness initiatives. Smith appeared via videoconference from his home in California during a Sept. 26 session titled “Stigma and Suicide: Breaking the Silence to Save Lives” that was hosted in-person and streamed online by Eastern Kentucky University during the final week of Suicide Prevention Month. Smith began with comments about the unique rigors of being a jockey, a profession in which mental and physical stressors can be intertwined and the workplace is intensely competitive. In racing, as in most sports, Smith said, athletes have long been conditioned to keep quiet about going through trouble in their lives. “A lot of times it's a sign of weakness. There's a lot of money spent on these racehorses. There's a lot of pressure. The purses are in the millions, at times,” Smith said. “And if you show any signs of mental health issues or depression, well, it could cost you your job. “[Owners and trainers] are going to move on to somebody that they feel is more mentally stable,” Smith said. “Although we all go through some sort of mental health issues and depression, no one's able to admit it, especially in sports and especially in a high-pressure situation like riding a racehorse where every half of a second matters and you can make all these decisions that can either win or lose you the race.” “You have to be there, 100% mentally, they believe. So if you show any signs of depression or mental health issues, it'll cost you your job,” Smith said. Smith was asked by a conference participant about what types of reactions he has observed when jockeys in the past have sought out help. “Those that seek out help basically weren't riding much anymore,” Smith said. “You know, we're self-employed. We're independent contractors. So if you're not riding, you're not making a living. It just cost them their job. There are so many jockeys in this industry, [owners and trainers] can just move on to the next guy just like that, and they do. “In our sport, when you win at 20% of the time, you're in the Hall of Fame. So you're losing 80% of the time,” Smith said with a laugh to underscore how prevalent being an also-ran is, even for the best in the business. “A lot of times there's no success, you're struggling to make both ends meet. One moment you're on top of the world and the next you're at the bottom, all depending on how the last race went,” Smith said. “And in our sport, as well, as far as jockeys are concerned, we have to keep our weight at a certain level. So we're constantly pulling weight,” Smith said. “A lot of us will pull anywhere from four to five to six pounds a day. So that takes wear and tear on your body. Not only physically, but mentally as well. So you've got to be able to pull that kind of weight and yet still perform at the highest level, which gets difficult at times,” Smith said. “There's [also] a stigma that just because you're successful, you don't have mental health issues or depression,” Smith said. “Sometimes, some of the most successful people that I've met in life, you would think, 'Why are you depressed? You've got a big house, you've done well,'” Smith said. “I think there's a stigma [that] we only think that people that aren't doing well or aren't successful are having these problems. But even very, very successful people on the highest end, sometimes they're having it just as bad, if not more than others.” Sarah Andrew Smith was asked what forms of professional assistance have been helpful for jockeys and if he, himself, is being counseled or is in recovery for mental health issues. “I'm not in any kind of recovery,” Smith said. “Although like I said earlier, I don't think there's a human being [who] hasn't suffered some sort of mental issue or breakdown or depression, whatever you'd like to call it. We've all gone through it. I'm a man of faith. I believe [in spirituality] very well. I've got a great family. Great friends. I reach out to people. But there's been times when I've even thought, you know…” Smith let that line of thought trail off into silence for a moment. “Sometimes it's just a matter of just holding on for five more minutes and all of a sudden everything changes,” Smith said. “And you like to tell people that, [whether] it's five minutes, thirty, an hour; maybe a day or two, a week. Things will change–for the better, always. At least I believe that.” And the racing industry itself has changed, Smith said. “We've got a lot going now with the Jockeys' Guild, HISA [the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority], and the Race Track Chaplaincy of America, which are on most racetracks, and the Winners Foundation here in California. We've recently partnered with Onrise. We have a lot of places to go, a lot of people to speak to,” Smith said. “Just recently, in the last two years, we've lost two young, young riders, [23-year-old] Avery Whisman and [29-year-old] Alex Canchari,” Smith said. “And they came from great families and good people, and what pushed them to die by suicide, I wish we really knew. Some of it was health issues as far as having to pull a lot of weight, and the other young man was a lot of financial issues that he was going through that caused him to die by suicide.” Smith said the industry has responded. “Our industry has really stepped up recently and taken mental health to a whole level that I never thought it would go to,” Smith said. “I have to say that I'm kind of proud of our industry and our sport that we have done that. We're learning more, and everything is just learning as we go. “Sports in general, I think sports has really done a great job of [addressing] mental health. You see it in the NBA and the NFL and all sports. It's been pretty amazing, and I'm proud of that,” Smith said. “This is something we never would have talked about a couple of years ago,” Smith said. “It's just good to be able to talk to people and to have these organizations that we have now [and] people actually talk about it now a lot more in the jocks' room.” Smith reminisced: “Man, we would never talk about [mental health] in the jocks' room [in the past]. If I was talking to the guy next to me a few years back and he was telling me he had mental issues, I'd be the first one to say that I don't want to be next to that guy, riding next to him. I mean, he's got to make a split-second decision. My life's on the line. “But we all go through it. And once we all start talking about it, I think you feel better about it. And those [who are open about discussing issues] are actually the people that once you talk about it, it's more normal. If I meet a guy that's never gone through it or never said anything, I'm not too sure about him. I think we all need to talk about it. Let it be more open,” Smith said. Smith wrapped up his part in the discussion by pointing out that while the focus of his talk has been about jockeys, there are others within the industry who need help. “Grooms, hotwalkers, the people who work on farms–I hope we can reach out to them. We all struggle, so we're hoping that it reaches everyone.” The post Mike Smith At Suicide Prevention Conference: ‘Sometimes It’s Just A Matter Of Holding On For Five More Minutes’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article
    • Legendary trainer and breeder Jim Bolger has confirmed he has put his famous Redmonstown Stud on the market as part of a consolidating of his assets. Bolger sourced the County Wexford farm back in 1990 and, under his expert management, seven Classic winners and 18 Group 1 winners have been reared there in that time.  Some of the more famous graduates include Teofilo, Dawn Approach, Trading Leather and Poetic Flare and Bolger says anyone that is serious about breeding a top-class racehorse should consider the 84-acre farm that has a guide price of €975,000.  “I am consolidating,” Bolger confirmed. “I have a farm in Rathvilly [in County Carlow] so I will be reducing the number of mares that I keep. They will all be looked after in Rathvilly so I won't be needing the land in Wexford [Redmonstown] anymore.” Asked to sum up how special a farm Redmonstown has been down through the years, Bolger replied, “All you need to do is look at the list of winners that have come out of there. All of the big Group 1 and Classic winners that we have bred came from that land. “We bought it in the early nineties. I don't think there is a farm anywhere in the world of that size that can claim the same amount of success. Obviously it works so anyone who is serious about breeding champions, that's the place to go.” Jackie and Jim Bolger at Goffs | ITM Along with Redmonstown being put on the market, Bolger will offer over 40 yearlings under his granddaughter Clare Manning's Boherguy Stud at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale. That move will result in the master of Coolcullen training “fewer horses” next year.  “I will leave all of that to Clare,” Bolger explained of the selling off of his young stock. “I am going to train fewer horses next year. I don't know how many because, for one reason or another, there will be some horses who didn't get to run this year because they might have needed time or whatever. So there will be a few three-year-olds that I will keep on. But the majority of the young horses will go through a ring. I will be just keeping enough horses to keep my hand in [as a trainer] for a while.” The post ‘I Am Consolidating’ – Jim Bolger Puts Famous Redmonstown Stud Up For Sale 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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