Hockey

Putting an unplaced seasonal debut effort at Royal Ascot behind him on Sunday, Ballydoyle's Diego Velazquez (Frankel) proved that the seven-furlong trip of The Curragh's G2 Romanised Minstrel Stakes was well within his repertoire. Sent off the 11-8 favourite despite the Queen Anne no-show, last year's G2 Solonaway Stakes and G3 Meld Stakes winner made Ryan Moore work relatively early but gave what was required to score by a neck from the three-year-old East Hampton (Cracksman). “He had a tough comeback run and it didn't work out at Royal Ascot, but he showed a good attitude there and is a lovely horse,” his rider said. “He's an uncomplicated horse and there wasn't much pace, so I let him stride on. He tries hard and I'd like to think he'll come forward again.” The post Diego Velazquez Back On Track In The Minstrel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

MGISW Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief–Violet Wave, by Violence), whose strong resume made him the leading miler on dirt in North America, will be retired from racing after being diagnosed with a suspensory injury to his left foreleg according to his co-owner Craig Dado. The news was first reported by the Daily Racing Form's Steve Andersen on Saturday evening. Dado, whose Great Friends Racing co-owns the 4-year-old colt with Yuesheng Zhang, told DRF that the injury occurred in the weeks after the GI Hill 'n' Dale Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Saratoga June 7 and that discussions with stallion farms are underway for the 2026 breeding season. “With maybe a year off, he could come back,” Dado told Andersen in the DRF article. “We'll pass on that and retire him.” Trained by Chief Stipe O'Neill, Raging Torrent's record included seven wins across 14 starts and his earnings topped $1.1-million. During his 3-year-old campaign the bay won the Maxfield Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs in late June and then captured the GII Pat O'Brien Stakes at Del Mar in late August. Though the colt finished seventh in the GI Cygames Breeders' Cup Sprint at the seaside oval in early November, he earned his first top level score in the GI Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Dec. 26. O'Neill opted to send his charge to the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup Night in early April, and Raging Torrent did not disappoint with a trip to the winner's enclosure at Meydan. The capstone to his racing career came in the Met Mile when Raging Torrent won by 2 1/2 lengths over heavy favorite Fierceness (City of Light). Bred by Rodney J. Winkler & Alfonso Mazzetti, the first foal for Violent Wave was purchased by Mark Davis for $75,000 at the 2023 OBS Spring Sale. Out of an extended female family which includes GSW The Nth Degree (Distorted Humor), Raging Torrent was handed a half-brother by Up to the Mark in mid-March. In a post on his X account O'Neill said, “Raging Torrent matured into a pure competitor. He just wanted to beat you. We look forward to his second career. Antonio Romero, his exercise rider, and Andres Martinez, his groom, accompanied him to every dance. They are the epitome of horsemen.” The post GI Met Mile Hero Raging Torrent Retired With Suspensory Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 7-20, 2yo, 7fT, 1:30.21, g/y. SUGAR ISLAND (IRE) (f, 2, Dubawi {Ire}–Heaven On Earth {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}), sent off at 9-2 with Ryan Moore's original mount Signora (Frankel) withdrawn, raced close to the early leader in this maiden won in 2020 by the stable's Oaks heroine Snowfall. In front passing two out, the granddaughter of Lillie Langtry (Danehill Dancer) stayed on to prevail by half a length from Cayton Park Stud's fellow newcomer Saint Agatha (St Mark's Basilica). “Ryan said she was very green, but found plenty which is usually the sign of a nice filly and had no problem with the ease in the ground,” Aidan O'Brien said. “She'll be a mile-and-a-quarter-plus filly next year with a great pedigree and everything is there. She has a sweet head, a lovely temperament and plenty of scope.” The winner's dam, one of six mares out of the aforementioned Coronation and Matron-winning producer supreme, has already produced Justify's G3 Give Thanks Stakes-placed Mother Nature. A full-sister to the Classic-winning luminaries Minding, Tuesday and Empress Josephine, with the former responsible for Dubawi's G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes hero Henry Longfellow, Heaven On Earth's yearling filly is by Wootton Bassett. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $13,947. O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith; B-Westerberg; T-Aidan O'Brien.   The post Dubawi’s Sugar Island Adds To Ballydoyle’s Juvenile Riches appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Would a free drink for anyone with grey hair be too much?

Any record turnover says the club is doing something right. We all know the racing crowds of the distant past were something to behold.  It's unlikely crowds at a race meeting are going to be like that again.  As many on here have said, even Ellerslie is a sad and sorry sight these days. In this different world some innovative concepts are required to encourage a walk up crowd.  It sounds like South Canterbury are giving it a good go. I look forward to your marketing ideas Billy.