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Interesting all the talk of events in Auckland this weekend, The Warriers, The Blues, Champions Day, Auckland FC, Alexandra Park gets no mention, kind of sums up Harness racing in the city, but Auckland need to sort out when's the time to run its main race, The Cup, as it's Dec 31 cup day is history now which might best describe Alexandra Park but thats a seperate issue and , on another separate issue, what gives the Auckland Racing Club the right to call the Derby the NZ Derby, shouldn't it be The Great Northern Derby especially how they've downgraded it by racing the 3yo slot race on the same day

Friday, Meydan, UAE, post time: 20:35, RAS AL KHOR SPONSORED BY EMAAR-G3, AED850,000, 3yo/up, 1400mT Field: Elnajmm (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Witness Stand (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}), Chicago Critic (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Mysterious Night (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), New Century (GB) (Kameko), Andreas Vesalius (Ire) (Caravaggio), Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), Vafortino (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Khanjar (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Two Tribes (GB) (Rajasinghe {Ire}), English Oak (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Fort Payne (Fr) (Rio De La Plata), Hawksbill (GB) (Kameko), Dubai Treasure (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). TDN Analysis: Despite the ongoing conflict, racing remains on for now at Meydan, and the runner-up from last year's edition has returned. That luminary, Grade I winner Mysterious Night, is reportedly in “good order” per trainer Charlie Appleby. Mysterious Night is booked in lucky stall 13. G2 Al Fahidi Fort hero Elnajmm is the leader of the field on ratings and is “spot on” per trainer Michael Costa. He will start from gate three and held Mysterious Night to fifth in the Al Fahidi Fort. Successful in a later edition of the Summer Stakes than Mysterious Night, New Century has drawn in stall six. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Summer Stakes Winners Clash In Ras Al Khor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Louis Romanet, former president of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities, has died. Also a past director of France Galop, he was 78. Romanet's family has a long association with French racing, leading the French racing institution from 1907-2007. First the Société d'Encouragement, responsible for Flat racing, where his great-uncle Maurice, his grandfather René and his father Jean succeeded one another. In 1995, Louis helmed France Galop, which integrated Flat and jumps racing under a single umbrella until he retired from his post in 2007. He joined the Société d'Encouragement in 1968 to bring in computer technology, and rose through the ranks to become its managing director in 1986 following the retirement of his father, Jean. Romanet served as president of the IFHA from its creation in 1994 until 2021. One of the foremost authorities in international racing, Romanet contributed to the work of numerous racing organisations and promoted the French model on the global stage. Those who knew him remember him as a consummate expert in all areas of the industry, with a deep knowledge of its sporting, economic, social and political dimensions. Guillaume de Saint-Seine, president de France Galop, said, “With the passing of Louis Romanet, the French racing industry loses one of its great figures. Through his commitment, his unparalleled knowledge of our industry and his family's century-long dedication to the governance of racing, he has left a lasting imprint on the history of France Galop.  His vision extended to the international stage through his work with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), which played a key role in showcasing French excellence beyond our borders. Personally, and on behalf of the entire institution and everyone at France Galop, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.” The post Louis Romanet Dies At 78 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite several cold and snowy weather-related cancellations, more race days and higher available and paid purses were amongst the positive economic trends year over year for the month of February. 230 race days (+5.02%) led to over $79,562,309 (+8.57%) of paid out purses last month spread over 2,001 races (+4.76%). Field size remained largely the same, dropping just slightly from 7.98 in 2025 to 7.78 this year while wagering was also down a bit from $771,126,687 to $756,813,375 (-1.86%). Average wagering per race day was the most noticeable decrease, with the amount wagered per day falling to $3,290,493 (-6.55%). Year to date, wagering on U.S. races was down 4% with the only positive increase shown appearing in average available purses per day race which rose just 0.94%. The post More Race Days, Strong Purses Highlight Positive February Trends appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bars and taverns never seem to be lacking in high stool prophets willing to tell anyone who'll listen how they could have or even should have been something they're not.  The well-trodden path is a tempting one. There is security to the predictability and comfort in knowing there will be a cheque in the post at the end of the week. But what if there was something more out there? A greater reward that required a bigger risk perhaps.  The prospect of dying wondering about what magic lies outside of the comfort zone has proved enough for Dan O'Meara to take such a proverbial leap of faith. The 32-year-old will consign under his own Shortcastle Bloodstock, which is a nod to his home address in County Cork, at the upcoming breeze-up sales in the spring. Operating from his new base in Newmarket, England, O'Meara can hardly be described as a new face on the sales circuit. He has spent the past five years working alongside leading breeze-up consignor Eddie Linehan of Lackendarra Stables, with whom he has nurtured the talents of many top-notchers, including Group 1 scorer Hotazhell.  The pair have worked in tandem ever since O'Meara first offered to lend a hand breaking in the yearlings with his fellow Cork native when Covid first hit. The operation, and indeed the friendship, has grown organically ever since. In many ways, that made branching out by himself all the harder.  But O'Meara makes no bones about the fact the change of landscape to the breeze-up game, in terms of rising costs and a bottom line, coupled with his own burning desire to make a go of the business in his own right, was enough to take the plunge.  And make no mistake, O'Meara is not just dipping his toe into the market, he's gone full blown cannonball with two Havana Greys [a colt and a filly], a Hello Youmzain filly and a Perfect Power colt featuring among his debut Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale draft that cost the young consignor over €300,000 on hammer price alone. Talk about making a splash. “It's an exciting new chapter for myself,” O'Meara explained. “Now, it wasn't an easy decision to make, but I thought it was the right time to give it a go and it was something I have always wanted to do. I am glad I have done it. It's been a big change and everything is very different. But different is good sometimes. You have new gallops, new horses, new riders, new everything. It takes a bit of getting used to and we'll have to wait and see does it pay off or not. But, as I said, I'm happy and I think I've a nice bunch of horses, which is the most important thing. Hopefully they can prove me right.” He added, “I didn't want to die wondering. The last thing I wanted to do was to turn around in five or 10 years' time and say, 'Jesus, I should have given it a go'. So, I am giving it a go. And being here in Newmarket, it's incredible what's on offer. You have the best facilities within five minutes of your yard, not to mention access to top-class vets and farriers. It's a real luxury to have everything on your doorstep and it's just an amazing place to be based.” It wasn't always horses that focessed the mind. O'Meara has had a taste of what life outside of the bloodstock bubble is like and it didn't take long to realise it wasn't for him. He explained, “When I finished school, I went to University and did a commerce degree. I moved to London and worked in investment banking for a year but realised that I didn't fancy doing that for the next 40 years of my life. I always had a passion for horses and racing and, if I am being completely honest, I had planned to do the Godolphin Flying Start, but I didn't get on the course. When I wasn't accepted, I decided to make up my own Flying Start. I spent a season breaking in yearlings at Kildangan Stud and from there I went to Newsells Park Stud, where I did a couple of seasons before going down to Australia, where I worked the sales. I came back to Ireland when Covid hit and that's when I hooked up with Eddie.” He added, “We had been friends for years and I just said to him that, if he needed a hand breaking in yearlings, I would be delighted to help. I spent five years with Eddie and we had a great time of it together. We had a lot of good horses through our hands and Eddie was extremely good to me. He gave me a chance to really get involved in the industry and gave me the confidence to go for it. He also provided me with the opportunity to invest with him and showed me how the whole breeze-up game worked because, before I joined Eddie, I had a very limited knowledge of that game. So I owe him a massive thanks.” O'Meara hasn't been going around with his eyes closed, that's for sure. Even his draft for the upcoming breeze-up sales is a careful reflection of what he feels the market wants. There is no doubt that he is being brave given his outlay but he argues that operating at that level of the market, especially in the current climate, is possibly the safest bet of all.  He said, “I said I'd start with a smaller number but I don't ever see myself having more than 10 or 12. If you want to do things right, it's hard to get into bigger numbers without having lots of extra staff. Going forward, I'd rather keep the numbers tight and concentrate on quality. Don't get me wrong, we have one or two cheaper yearlings, but, with the way the market has gone lately, you are nearly better off concentrating on quality. “Last year, I tried to buy the horses I really wanted as opposed to stocking up on numbers. You have to take risks in this business and I think you need a couple of big stallions or very good-looking horses on your squad. That way, if you go to the sales and they can gallop, they have the potential to pay for all of the other ones that don't work out. Not every horse will make a profit so, when you have one that goes well, they have to have the potential to make decent money.” On expectations for his debut season, he concluded, “I'm quietly confident that I have a strong bunch of horses, especially the four going to the Craven. I'd like to think they will stack up well there. We have the sires and, physically, they are all good-looking horses. When you take a step back and look at the breeze-ups objectively, it's the hardest game in town. I am aware that I am taking a huge risk going out on my own but I was never going to do this half-heartedly. There would have been absolutely no point in that. So I have made a conscious effort to give this absolutely everything and that's the approach I took at the yearling sales last year. The aim is to sell a few nice horses this year and hopefully that will propel me in the business.”  Fortune favours the brave. The post ‘I Didn’t Want To Die Wondering’ – O’Meara To Go It Alone At The Breeze-Ups appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Del Mar's 'Ship and Win' program will return for its 16th year when racing returns to the seaside oval July 17 and will help boost purses for 2-year-old maiden special weight races to record levels. The 'Ship and Win' program provides $5,000 for any qualified dirt runner in their first local outing. The 50% purse bonus is applied to the first through fifth finishers in their initial start and all subsequent outings at the meet. For turf runners, there is a $4,000 payment for that first start, as well as a 40% bonus attached to the purses of the first through fifth runners. The juvenile maiden special weight races for dirt runners offered this year will reach new heights when they include 'Ship and Win' runners who will compete for record purses of $150,000 thanks to the 50% purse bonus. “'Ship and Win' has been an extremely successful program for Del Mar and California racing overall,” said Del Mar senior vice president and racing secretary David Jerkens. “Our owners and trainers continue to take advantage of this powerful economic boost. And this year we're proud to offer $100,000 straight maiden purses for dirt 2-year-olds that can rise to $150,000 with the 'Ship and Win' bonus.” For more information on the 'Ship and Win' program, visit: www.dmtc.com/horsemen/ship-and-win. The post Ship and Win, Record MSW Purses, on Tap for Del Mar Summer Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former jockey Frankie Dettori has had his bankruptcy extended until March 16, 2027, after a judge at a specialist insolvency court ruled his bankruptcy should not be automatically discharged. The Italian formally retired from the saddle last month. At a hearing in London on Thursday, lawyers for the two trustees of Dettori's bankruptcy asked for the order to remain in place for a further year. Stefan Ramel, representing the trustees, told the court that the former jockey “has not complied and is still not complying” with requests for information about his assets, including whether he owns properties abroad. Dettori and his representatives were not present at the hearing. Chief insolvency and companies court judge Nicholas Briggs ruled that the bankruptcy order could continue until March 16 2027, which he said was “not an unrealistic period” given the “blatant failure” by Dettori to provide information when asked. He said, “There is much to uncover in this bankruptcy, and it may well be that criminal sanctions will be a useful tool for the trustees.” The judge said that the trustees interviewed Dettori in December last year about his assets, and when asked if he had ever owned properties abroad, he “said he did not”. But he said it was later discovered that there were “a number of properties that had not been disclosed to the trustees, in particular in France and Italy”. Judge Briggs continued that there were “other concerns”, including a Piaget watch, a wine collection worth around £70,000 and investments worth around £365,000. He also said that Dettori could have attended court to make representations as to why an order should have been made, or instructed lawyers, but has “failed to do so”. The Italian filed for bankruptcy in March last year due to unpaid tax resulting from his involvement in a “tax avoidance scheme”. At the time, Dettori had said he was “saddened and embarrassed” to have to take the measure after being left to “unravel the mess” in which a previous financial adviser left him. Dettori brought the curtain down on his U.S. riding stint after the Breeders' Cup last autumn, but continued riding in South America before riding his final races last month. In late October, Dettori was named Amo Racing's global brand ambassador. The post Frankie Dettori’s Bankruptcy Extended For Another Year By Judge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Everett Dobson, chairman of The Jockey Club, pledged to collaborate with horsemen to find solutions to racing's many challenges and ways to grow the sport while delivering the keynote address at the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association Conference at Oaklawn Park Wednesday. Dobson acknowledged some of the divisions between The Jockey Club and the National HBPA, including The Jockey Club's support of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the constitutionality of which the National HBPA is challenging in court. But Dobson stressed the common goals shared by the two organizations. “Our first allegiance is to the horse,” Dobson said. “As I look around this room and look at the mission statement and position statements of the National HBPA, it's apparent that when it comes to the horse, we are as closely aligned as two organizations could possibly be. The improvement this sport has made in the health and safety of the Thoroughbred racehorse is, I believe, the single-most important thing I've seen in my now 30 years of involvement. “I am also of the belief that credit for that should be spread far and wide, and especially to the great horsemen and women that make up the National HBPA. You are the ones putting your hands on the horse, providing for the care and nutrition needs for every single horse, every single day.” In 2021, The Jockey Club proposed capping the number of mares that a stallion could breed to in a year at 140, but the proposal prompted a lawsuit from three of Kentucky's largest stud farms and The Jockey Club dropped the controversial rule change. During his address Wednesday, Dobson said he is prepared to take another run at the rule, but with a different approach. “As we think about the health of the Thoroughbred breed, we must not ignore the alarming increase of the coefficient of inbreeding,” he said. “Years ago, The Jockey Club attempted to impose a cap on the number of mares a stallion could breed. Under my leadership, we're going to revisit that question. This time, we will involve stallion farms and other breed registries around the world to help us find the solution. Our discussions must be science-based with an understanding of the economic realities of the world we live in.” Dobson said that when he was tabbed to replace retiring chairman Stuart Janney, he met individually with all The Jockey Club board members and stewards. “I'm going to tell you what I told them,” he said. “I think big; I guess I always have. I founded this cellular telephone business when I was in my 20s that became one of the largest in the country. When I started out, I wasn't thinking, 'Oh gee, let's make this a nice little Oklahoma business.' Quite the contrary. When I joined the seven others to purchase what is now the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2006, we didn't sit around and discuss the keys to being the operators. No, we discussed what a pathway would look like to a world championship–and it didn't hurt that we had two Arkansas Razorbacks on the team to do it.” Listing some of his goals for The Jockey Club, Dobson said the organization would back a national marketing campaign that builds on The Jockey Club's America's Best Racing initiative; continue to push for legislation that would permanently ban horse slaughter and the export for slaughter of horses abroad; substantially increase its funding for the aftercare of retired racehorses; and continue to support the traceability initiative to track horses throughout their post-track lives. Dobson said the industry needs a permanent endowment or endowments “of significant size that will provide a level of certainty for every horse that showcases their talent for our entertainment.” He noted that The Jockey Club already has the Grayson-Jockey Club Foundation, which for decades has funded research to improve the health of the horse, as well as The Jockey Club Safety Net Foundation, which helps those in need who work in the industry. Beyond the traditional metrics of foal crop, race days, field size, attendance on racing's big days, Dobson said, “I want this industry to also be one of job growth. We need young people to consider this sport as a viable career.” Dobson said a positive trend is that major capital projects aren't restricted to high-profile tracks such as Churchill Downs, Keeneland and Belmont Park, but underway at smaller tracks in Nebraska, Wyoming, Arizona and Kansas. “Thinking big means we don't ignore the smaller markets,” he said. “Without a doubt, this influx of capital will produce some level of growth.” Dobson said one of the most challenging metrics is the foal crop in regional markets. He said he is convinced that “states are going to have to broaden their breeding and racing programs in partnership with surrounding states. Fortunately, I'm hearing that there are meaningful conversations underway.” But, he continued, “Nothing big in the sport will happen if we can't improve fan engagement…. We can reach new fans. I've seen it in the NBA.” While there is incredible fan engagement in pockets around the country such as Oaklawn, Keeneland, Saratoga and Del Mar, Dobson said “our mission is to expand that reach by looking at what is successful and develop that relationship with new and younger fans on a continuous basis. “… I have become a big advocate for a national marketing campaign, one that will focus on messaging that elevates this sport in the eyes of the general public. A few years ago, The Jockey Club launched America's Best Racing, through which we had an influencer program last year that was a huge success. That program will be expanded this year and play a key role in a more comprehensive national marketing campaign. Broadly speaking, we are in an entertainment business. We compete with other sports and other forms of gaming, but we have an amazing story to tell. It's time to start talking.” At the heart of progress is working together, he said. “Sports and sports leagues function best when there is collaboration toward the common goal,” Dobson said. “My belief is that horse racing can raise to a far higher level of participation and fan engagement. For that to happen, we need collaboration and unification…. For this sport to move forward, it will take a team: the horsemen and women that rise before dawn, the track operators that are reinvesting in their infrastructure, the breeders who take long-term risk, the bettors who support us every day, those that buy our yearlings and 2-year-olds at the sales. It will take all of the industry organizations working together, and it will take those organizations working with HISA, and HISA working with us. If we are serious about thinking big–truly big–our future…will be built at the big table. Tables where we check our egos at the door, where we debate vigorously, disagree honestly, but being aligned around the common purpose. “Can we elevate this sport to a level that hasn't been seen in a generation? I believe we can, with commitment, collaboration, integrity, unification and a big dose of big ambition. I am standing before you because I believe the best days of Thoroughbred racing are not behind us. They are in front of us.” To view the complete address, click here. The post Dobson Calls for Collaboration in HBPA Conference Address appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Whistlejacket has had his first mares scanned in foal. The son of No Nay Never, who stands at Haras de Grandcamp, commands €14,000 this year. The Prix Morny hero has multiple stakes-placed Epson Blu Cen (Blue Point) in foal, as well as Flame Of Fame (Shakespearean), the dam of stakes winner Feel Your Power (Captain Marvelous). Another mare in foal to the chestnut is U.S. stakes winner Barleysugar (Kyllachy), the dam of stakes performer Lord Wootton Cen (Wootton Bassett). Eric Lhermite said, “We are very pleased with the book of mares that Whistlejacket will cover in his first season. Around thirty black-type mares or mares that have already produced black-type performers have been entrusted to him. The horse has adapted very well to his new role as a stallion and quickly settled into life at the stud.” Whistlejacket was also placed in the G1 Phoenix Stakes and G1 Middle Park Stakes and won the G2 July Stakes. The post First Mares In Foal To Whistlejacket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article