NZRB Turnover and News

TAB has To Bravery Born and Convinced as the last 2 runners

St. Elias Stable, William H. Lawrence and Glassman Racing's Iron Honor (Nyquist) earned 50 points to the Kentucky Derby when winning Saturday's GIII Gotham at Aqueduct. According to Michele Dollase, assistant to trainer Chad Brown, the colt came out of the race in good order. “He came out of the race great. He ate up and looks good this morning,” said Dollase. “We're on to the next race. As of right now, he is good. He came out of the race really good.” Brown said post-race he will keep the colt at Belmont to prepare for Aqueduct's GII Wood Memorial on Apr. 4. The nine-furlong test is also a Kentucky Derby qualifier. “He came out of the race great. I think he does want to go farther. He only just got here on Wednesday from Florida,” Dollase said. “He really only trained one day here, but still went and did his thing Saturday, which was really impressive.” Iron Honor, who came into Saturday's race off a six-furlong win at the Big A on Dec. 13, exited that effort a little body sore and was given some time at Brown's Payson Park Training Center base. “This horse missed a little training when he shipped down to Florida,” explained Brown. “If you look there was a gap of about a month for the works. He didn't ship in completely healthy and then he came back good. I appreciate the owners for being patient. My team did a great job.” On Saturday over the Belmont dirt training track, the Brown-trained duo of Ottinho (Quality Road) and Schoolyardsuperman (Practical Joke) worked a half-mile together in :49.90. Ottinho was a distant third with his stablemate back in fourth last time out in the nine-furlong Withers on Feb. 6. Ottinho is under consideration for the Wood Memorial. Also on the Gotham card, Klaravich Stables' Current Yield (Nyquist), a debut winner at Tampa in January, picked up 7.5 points towards the Kentucky Oaks after finishing fourth in the Busher Stakes. “She came back fine,” Dollase said. “She's good. She ate up.”   The post Undefeated Iron Honor Exits Gotham Win in Fine Form appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LEINANI (f, 3, Omaha Beach–Romy, by Karakontie {Jpn}) debuted Jan. 24 over this main track in a six-furlong maiden dash, closing from the back of the field to run fourth. Well supported to the tune of even-money favoritism for this second jump, she was away alertly this time and moving well behind fractions of :23.93 and four panels in :47.30. In hand from four off the rail and clearing those early pacesetters coming off the bend, Leinani drew away from Slow Kara (Medaglia d'Oro) to win by 8 1/4 lengths. The final time was 1:38.45 for the mile. The victress is out of a half-sister to GSW Wells Bayou (Lookin at Lucky), and is the first to the races for the mare. Romy's juvenile colt Waddy Sinjar (War of Will) was exported to the UAE last year and she has a yearling Highly Motivated filly to her credit. The dam is due to Loggins for 2026. This is the female family of champion 3-year-old Big Brown and his half-siblings GSW Archaggelos (Temple City) and MGSP Afonso de Sousa (Henrythenavigator). 2nd-Gulfstream, $68,000, Msw, 3-1, 3yo, f, 1m, 1:38.45, ft, 8 1/4 lengths. LEINANI (f, 3, Omaha Beach–Romy, by Karakontie {Jpn}) Sales history: $160,000 2yo '25 OBSOPN. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-0, $43,520. O-Walmac Farm; B-Circle N Thoroughbred & Mill Ridge Farm et al (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.   The post Omaha Beach’s Leinani Straight and Strong in Second-Out Graduation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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