Covid-19 Yarn

Patrick Reed presents four takeaways from an action-packed weekend highlighted by three 105-point Kentucky Derby (G1) prep races: the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), the Gotham Stakes (G3), and the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park.View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project has unveiled its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan which is designed to help the 501 (c)3 charitable organization expand support services, strengthen the Thoroughbred Makeover, and deepen collaboration across the racing, equestrian and aftercare sectors. The plan includes three priorities, which represent the RRP's commitment to building a more informed, unified, and sustainable future for the Thoroughbred aftercare community: Strengthen capacity through Thoroughbred Makeover refinement and renewed focus on supportive programming for anyone involved with the breed; Build and amplify the RRP's brand identity as a leading non- profit and aftercare unifier Lead industry-wide accountability and engagement. The plan was adopted by the RRP board in December 2025 after a facilitation process that took place throughout the year, including stakeholder interviews, community surveys, and landscape assessments. “Over the first 15 years of its existence, the RRP has had a huge impact on the Thoroughbred industry, primarily through the success of the Thoroughbred Makeover,” said RRP board chair Neil Agate. “The implementation of our strategic plan will continue this success by extending the support we provide to everyone involved with Thoroughbreds after their racing careers. I am extremely proud of all the hard work that the RRP staff, board and advisory council members have put in over the last year to develop such a focused plan to maintain the RRP's value to the Thoroughbred industry for many years to come.” RRP executive director Kirsten Green added, “In 2025, the RRP celebrated its 15th anniversary and the Thoroughbred Makeover its 10th, and so it was a timely opportunity to complete this facilitation and define our focus over the coming years. As many groups in organized aftercare are reaching a similar stage of organizational maturity, it's energizing to reflect on the progress we've made and think strategically about what's still needed in this sector. Increasing demand for the Thoroughbred remains at the nucleus of everything we do, and there's still a lot of room for innovation on that front. I'm excited for the RRP to make its mark programmatically and continue to elevate the standing of the Thoroughbred breed.” To view a more detailed version of the RRP's strategic plan, visit TheRRP.org/strategic-plan/. The post RRP Looks to Strengthen Aftercare Efforts with 2026-2030 Strategic Plan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aesterius, new to Bearstone Stud for 2026, has had his first mares scanned in foal.  Among them is the Showcasing mare Ladiapur, a half-sister to the stakes performer Rockymountainway and out of the dual stakes-performing sprinter The Wagon Wheel. Further mares booked to visit the classy sprinter by Mehmas include Epping Rose (Kodiac), dam of Group 3-winning sprinter Washington Heights, and Showdanse (Showcasing), dam of the 2025 Stakes winner and Group 2-placed two-year-old Argentine Tango.  A fast and precocious juvenile, Aesterius captured the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes and also finished runner-up in the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood. Aesterius stands at Bearstone Stud at a fee of £6,500 (1st October SLF), with a limited number of breeding rights available. The post Bearstone Stud’s New Stallion Aesterius Has First Mares Scanned In Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Registration is now open for the annual National Horseplayers Championship 'Last Chance/First Chance' Contest at the Horseshoe Las Vegas. The final chance to qualify for the 27th National Horseplayers Championship, the NHC-eve fixture will be held Mar. 12. The top five places at the 'Last Chance/First Chance' Contest are guaranteed to win a qualifying spot to #NHC2026 provided they are a current 2025 NHC Tour member. One additional qualifying spot to the NHC will be awarded for every 20 entries over the first 140 entries. The top 10 finishers will receive cash prizes based on the Prize Money Structure Sheet, which will be provided once the final number of entries has been determined. The 'Last Chance/First Chance' Contest includes races from a list of eligible tracks and the tournament format requires participants to make a total of 11 mythical WIN/PLACE wagers (four mandatory races and seven player's choice). Players may register in person at the Paris Race and Sports Book or online at NTRA.com. Registration closes Mar. 11 at 8 p.m. PT. The post Registration Open for NHC Last Chance/First Chance Contest appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Anticipation is building for The NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie this coming Saturday, with the field now complete following Slot Holder Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing’s selection of To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) as their representative in the $4 million feature. He brings leading New Zealand stable Te Akau Racing’s representation in the race to four horses, with He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel) competing in their own slot, while in form filly Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savebeel) will carry the hopes of Slot Holder The King’s Men, and La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) will have plenty barracking for her as ‘The People’s Horse’. Bred by Greg Tomlinson, under his Nearco Stud banner, To Bravery Born is out of Milunka, a half-sister to Group One winner Kahma Lass (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Group One performer Kuro (NZ) (Denman), and exciting up-and-coming filly Drops Of God (NZ) (Hello Youmzain). He was offered through Curraghmore’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 National Yearling Sale draft, where he was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis (CNZM) for $200,000. He made an instant impact on the track for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, winning his first two races as a juvenile before running fourth in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and third in the Group Three Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m). He began his three-year-old season with a bang when winning by 3-1/4 lengths at Taupo and he backed that up with victory over 1200m at Te Rapa on Waikato Cup Day, beating a handy three-year-old field, including his Group One-winning stablemate and NZB Kiwi contender La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). He subsequently finished eighth in the Group Two Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on TAB Karaka Millions night before running seventh in the Group Three Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) last month, a key form race for the NZB Kiwi, with six runners in the race. It’s been a frustrating road for Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing, with the group missing out on several runners, including Australian raider Asakura (Churchill), but they are delighted to have secured To Bravery Born, who they believe is looking to step up over more ground. “It is a bit of a relief to get a nice horse like that,” Slot Holder representative Shaun Clotworthy said. “We were really targeting Asakura, and we thought we had secured him, but they went with Ozzie Kheir.  “That put us on the back foot a touch, but luckily this horse has become available, and I thought his run in the Uncle Remus was good. “The stable thought he was more of a 1200 to 1400m horse but he is looking like he wants to stretch out to 1500m now. I think Ben Thompson (jockey) got off him and said he is just looking for a little bit of extra ground.  “He is a good horse, he has been to Ellerslie a couple of times and he is from the right stable.  “He has come at the right time for us and the right time for them, so we have managed to broker a deal.” The Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race will take place at Ellerslie on Champions Day, a meeting that holds fond memories for Clotworthy and co-trainer Emma Clotworthy, who trained Willydoit (NZ) (Tarzino) to win last year’s Group 1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). “It was a great day last year, winning the Derby was great,” Clotworthy said. “We will have a couple of runners from our stable as well (this year) and we will enjoy a good day with The NZB Kiwi.”  View the full $4 million 2026 NZB Kiwi Field here. View the full article