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By Wandering Eyes · Posted
The latest stallion addition at Wai Eyre Farm in North Canterbury has arrived – and already he’s making his presence felt around the place. With world champions on both sides of his pedigree, US Captain was a 22-race winner in North America, pacing 16 sub-1:50 miles. He is by Captaintreacherous out of American Jewel. Captaintreacherous is Somebeachsomewhere’s greatest performing son on the track and as a stallion while American Jewel is the highest earning mare sired by American Ideal. She was a world champion at 2 and 3, winning four Group 1s including the Breeders Crown and amassing nearly $US2m in stakes. Now nine, US Captain only arrived at the farm this week. “He’s a big horse (16hh) and he’s arrived in good condition, a shiny coat and he’s very well-natured, he’s been a pleasure to deal with so far,” says Wai Eyre Farm principal Darryl Brown. He was purchased outright by Wai Eyre Farm and the Southland-based Macca Lodge. “Both studs are excited about introducing a 100% New Zealand-owned stallion who boosts impeccable breeding at an affordable choice who will cross extremely well with Bettor’s Delight mares,” says Brown. “We went on a mission to find the best bred son of Captaintreacherous that we could afford. Others like Rockyroad Hanover, Captain Albano and Ken Hanover were in the millions.” He comes down under after two years as a stallion in Canada. He bred 62 foals in his first crop and this year he has bred just over 50. US Captain also bred a small number of mares while he was still racing, and so he also has three 2YOs. From these he has had his first winner, the two-year-old Send Me Ten in Maryland. The rest of his progeny are only yearlings or younger. He’ll stand for $3000 which includes Working Fee if bred at Wai Eyre Farm or Macca Lodge. Semen will be available in New Zealand and Australia. He is both Next Gen and Harness 5000 eligible. He joins a stallion roster at Wai Eyre that includes On A Streak, Lazarus, Carlton and All Cashed Up. “We have already had quite a few bookings for him so we think the demand will be there,” says Brown. “He could potentially serve 80 to 100 mares a year.” All enquiries should be directed to : admin@waieyrefarm.co.nz View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
There is less than a month to go before owners, trainers and syndicators have to meet key eligibility criteria for the Next Gen bonus scheme. By October 1, 2025 Harness Racing New Zealand must be notified of the trainer details and the ownership group for any horse bought at the 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales. They will be 2YOs as of January 1, 2026. “The deadline is fast approaching, and we’re urging all owners, trainers, and syndicators to act now. Next Gen is about creating new opportunities and strengthening the future of harness racing, so it’s important we see as many eligible participants as possible take part,” says Harness Racing New Zealand’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. The Next Gen scheme, run in partnership with HRNZ, TAB NZ and NZB Standardbred, aims to support new ownership, emerging trainers, and investment in young sires. To be eligible, a horse had to be purchased at the 2025 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales at Auckland or Christchurch in February and meet at least one of the following: Be by a Next Gen sire (stallion in their first, second, or third NZ crop) Be trained by a Next Gen trainer (no Group 1 win before 1 Jan 2025) Be owned by a Next Gen ownership group (at least four people, with at least 30% new or under-40 owners) Bonuses include $50,000 for the first Next Gen horse home in each of the Harness Million 2YO races (colts & geldings, fillies, trotters), and a $5,000 second start bonus for eligible 2YOs (capped at 90 horses). Any questions can be directed to cameron@hrnz.co.nz View the full article -
By Wandering Eyes · Posted
Owners Middleham Park Racing will have to play the waiting game before firming up riding arrangements for St Leger contender Lazy Griff, with Christophe Soumillon now heading to Leopardstown to deputise for the injured Ryan Moore aboard some of Ballydoyle's leading lights. Soumillon, who was in the saddle when the son of Protectionist filled the runner-up spot in the Derby at Epsom, had been lined up for the ride, but connections have been forced into a rethink as a result of the Belgian-born jockey's recent change in circumstances. William Buick is in pole position for the mount after partnering Lazy Griff to a third-place finish in the Irish Derby at the Curragh last time, though he too could be required elsewhere by Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. “Obviously, Christophe was going to ride, but he's now going over to Ireland to ride for Aidan,” said Middleham Park's Mike Prince. “It's Irish Champions Weekend, there's racing in Canada as well with Woodbine, so we are just waiting on some clarity on which jockeys are where. “William, who rode him in the Irish Derby, will obviously have to see where Charlie Appleby is going and what he wants him to ride, so we aren't going to know until Monday or Tuesday of next week. “So, we have to sit on our hands a little bit and see who is where, really. It's a shame because there is top-quality racing all around the world on the same weekend. It's a bit tricky. Come Monday or Tuesday, we will have a plan in place.” The Charlie Johnston-trained Lazy Griff is currently trading at 4/1 for the Betfred-sponsored Classic which takes place at Doncaster on Saturday, September 13, behind only Goodwood Cup winner Scandinavia (Justify) at 6/4 and dual Derby hero Lambourn (Australia) at 3/1. Having also finished behind Lambourn in the G3 Chester Vase back in May, Lazy Griff currently trails that rival 3-0 in their meetings so far this season, but Prince is hopeful of an improved showing when faced with what should be ideal conditions on Town Moor. “He's had an excellent season so far and it is by no means over yet,” he added. “He's by Protectionist – a Melbourne Cup winner – and the way he finished off in the Irish Derby, he was doing his best work in those last couple of furlongs. “This is the race that Charlie has had in mind for him since Chester, really, so I think a step up in trip will suit him nicely, as well as this spell of wet weather. “The more rain the merrier, not that he wants it heavy. He's got a good turn of foot and a bit of juice in the ground will suit him to a tee.” The post Jockey Plans Going to the Wire for St Leger Hopeful Lazy Griff 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
I was pleased to see the increased dialogue regarding Thoroughbred aftercare and the additional steps needed to reduce the number of horses needing homes in two recent TDN articles, “Open Letter to the Industry: When Does a Thoroughbred Earn a Safe Retirement?” and “Aftercare Not Meeting the Need.” Unfortunately, they are two ships passing in the night when all horse industry boats should be rowing in the same direction. Regardless of the front-end attention from owners and industry, Thoroughbreds will always fall prey to abuse until the export of horses for slaughter is finally banned. When I started the national campaign to end horse slaughter back in 2001, I was fortunate to gain the support of one of the greatest Thoroughbred owners of all time, the late John Hettinger of New York. John pushed for aftercare and industry improvements before they were considered normal. Most of all, he advocated for a federal ban to end equine slaughter and hurled his considerable resources at that target. We came so close before his untimely passing. Many years ago, I helped co-found the Homes for Horses Coalition, a national organization dedicated to supporting rescues and promoting sound standards of operation. At the time, there were few rescues across the United States and even fewer dedicated to caring for Thoroughbreds. With John's leadership, that began to change. Owners stepped up to make a difference, and quality rescues for all breeds expanded greatly. Now, Thoroughbred industry leaders need to embrace the spirit of John Hettinger and come forward in a final, successful push to end the specter of horse slaughter once and for all. Thoroughbred racing is not the most significant contributor to the slaughter pipeline, but it is the most high-profile of all the breeds impacted, and it represents the most profitable segment of the horse industry. That prominence enables the Thoroughbred community to play a leadership role in ensuring that horses are responsibly managed, humanely cared for, and receive a dignified end to their lives. But no matter how many worthwhile rehabilitation, rehoming, and retraining programs are generously supported, you cannot honestly claim to place Thoroughbreds on a pedestal with slaughter still lurking in the dark. Progress has been made. Foreign-driven market forces have significantly reduced the demand for American horsemeat. Greater public and industry awareness about horse welfare, responsible breeding, and the growth of quality aftercare programs are also a part of the reason for a dramatic decrease in slaughter numbers. Still, slaughter remains a convenient dumping ground for all the lousy behavior in the horse industry, regardless of breed, and Thoroughbreds will still get caught up in it. No matter the size of the foal crop, there will always be those shunted off to underfunded rescues or doomed to the international slaughter trade. Unregulated killer buyers not only make money on truckloads of slaughter-bound horses, but they also are finding a second income by exploiting the public's empathy for horses in need, virtually holding them for ransom. An annual Congressional measure, known as defund language, blocking required federal funds from inspecting horse slaughter plants has kept domestic slaughterhouses closed for almost 20 years now, but the workaround must be renewed with each annual Congressional appropriations cycle, and is never a sure thing. In the meantime, slaughter-bound horses are cruelly trailered across state lines and through international borders, with nothing to stop the despicable commerce. Thoroughbred racing organizations have been and continue to be invaluable in the effort to pass the Save America's Forgotten Equines Act (SAFE Act) before Congress, which would place a lasting ban on the slaughter trade within the United States and stop the export of horses to foreign slaughterhouses. For that, I am grateful. The passage of the SAFE Act, as sensible as it seems, is still in need of vital support. And, quite frankly, that support would come at a price far less than what is spent by people who are fortunate enough to be able to spend millions of dollars on a single horse. John Hettinger always reminded me that he did not get into the sport to make money, but for the love of the horse. I believe there are many who would echo his sentiments – men and women willing to shake things up and build support from across the horse world that could not be ignored in the halls of Congress. So, let's put our efforts into ending horse slaughter once and for all, and removing that dark cloud looming for so long over the vital work of what happens to our treasured Thoroughbreds once their careers on the track and in the breeding shed have ended. Chris Heyde is the founder and CEO of Blue Marble Strategy, a national animal protection lobbying firm in Washington, DC. Heyde has been a leader on equine policy issues, from ending slaughter, protecting wild horses, and stopping horse soring for the last 25 years. The post Op/Ed: Want a Quick Way to End Slaughter? Pass the SAFE Act 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
Autumn plans for leading older horse Ombudsman are beginning to take shape, with a third clash with Delacroix (Dubawi) in the G1 Irish Champions Stakes all ruled out in favour of an appearance on QIPCO British Champions Day. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Night Of Thunder has been one of the star performers of the summer, having registered Group 1 victories in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and Juddmonte International either side of a narrow defeat to Delacroix in the Coral-Eclipse. After gaining revenge on that rival on the Knavesmire, the stage was set for a deciding contest between the pair at Leopardstown, but connections of Ombudsman confirmed on Wednesday that they are looking elsewhere. The G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, October 18 is now the primary target, with the GI Breeders' Cup Turf and G1 Japan Cup also set to enter calculations later in the year. “I'm not sure if we will be able to get all three of those races in, but those races are certainly what John has in mind,” said Godolphin's managing director, Hugh Anderson. “It's a classic example of where a trainer will need to watch the weather, watch his horse and work out the best options. But what I will say about Ombudsman is the way he has been trained over his career is very much to John and Thady's credit, with the watchword being patience and that has delivered fantastic results. “He didn't race at two and then was very lightly raced at three and he's hit these huge highs at four. So, whatever John thinks is best for him is going to prove to be good for Godolphin.” He added, “There is no man better able at setting out a challenging campaign for a fabulous racehorse than John and we look forward to hopefully some good results in the autumn. “He's been a star this year and Ombudsman and [Kentucky Derby winner] Sovereignty are out of the real top drawer. Godolphin have had some good horses down the years but to have these two in the same year is really excellent.” The post Ascot Next for Ombudsman with Irish Champion Bid Off the Cards 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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