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Yes, very smart horse by light spirits from memory, trained by Jim Melton, witnessed him winning his maiden race, was at Westport though, got well back, and I've never forgotten the turn of foot he showed to pick them up an win very well, knew he went on to top races, a grey horse, then to aussie I think, can't recall how he went over there, but that win, has stuck with me, and Damien Browne did ride, coincidently light spirits sired the last ever winner of the Westport cup, Elad Nova, 1996 from memory was their last hurrah for the throughbred racing there.  

Yeah bit of a shame, can't recall the full story, but knew it was controversial, been to riverton once, 2017 I think, drove to Christchurch, flew to invercargill, plane circling for an hour waiting for break in the fog, just when  we thought we were heading to Dunedin and a bus trip, we landed, grabbed a rental, and headed to riverton, had a share in a cup runner, we didn't win, but enjoyed the  day, an took time out to visit the defunct thoroughbred tracks at Wyndham, Winton, which where nice courses, stopped an checked out gore track, one of our horses favourite tracks, 3 wins there including a gore cup by 10 lengths, no races there at the time, but did talk to a trainer working his horses at the time, Tony Stratford, and an associate was was working a galloper at time time, enjoyed my time there, not quite long enough, and will return one day,

Heck your parents were kind giving you a week off school to to go on holiday and racing, my mum wouldn't give me a day off or a half to go to races, which incidentally the 1200m cute start point right outside my classroom window which made the pain more unbearable, did get over in lunch hour for a race, or after school, those nuns must have been the kind ones, the ones in ours days were harder than Japanese arithmetic, no quater given on any score, and sure knew how to discipline the naughty ones, and the not so naughty, any favourites or good horses you remember from your era, be interested to hear a few.

The Jockey Club has launched the ID My Thoroughbred app, which allows users to access Thoroughbred information using a microchip number, it was announced via press release Thursday. “The ID My Thoroughbred app is just one of the many tools The Jockey Club has provided to support the industry's aftercare and traceability initiatives,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “These initiatives are crucial to ensuring the welfare of Thoroughbreds throughout their lives, and we appreciate the collaboration among other industry organizations to make this a priority.” When a Thoroughbred that has a microchip recorded with The Jockey Club is scanned or a valid microchip number is entered, the app provides the horse's name and detailed markings. “We developed the ID My Thoroughbred app to make identification simple and accessible while also strengthening the industry's ability to track and understand where Thoroughbreds are throughout their lives,” said Kristin Werner, deputy general counsel and director of Industry Initiatives, The Jockey Club. “Knowing the location of Thoroughbreds that are no longer racing or breeding helps the industry strengthen aftercare efforts and promotes accountability and public trust in our sport.” In addition to identifying Thoroughbreds, the app is integrated with Thoroughbred Connect so a user can indicate if a horse is in need of assistance or if they are willing to provide assistance for a horse. The ID My Thoroughbred app is available for free through Google Play or the App Store. The post The Jockey Club Releases ID My Thoroughbred App appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Euro/Middle East Road to the Kentucky Derby and the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby continue Friday and Sunday, respectively, with the $217,760 Listed Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby over 1900 meters and the $245,100 Listed Hyacinth Stakes going a one-turn mile at Meydan Racecourse and Tokyo Racecourse. The seventh race on an eight-race card under the Friday night lights at Meydan, the Dubai Road to the Kentucky Derby lacks the presence of G3 UAE 2000 Guineas hero Six Sense (Not This Time), who is training up to the G2 UAE Derby on Mar. 28, but does include King Abdullah Bin A/Aziz and Sons' promising Salloom (Authentic). Some poor manners at the gate saw the strapping bay scratched from his expected debut in December, but with a winning trial under his belt, the $175,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $600,000 OBS March breezer made light work of a one-mile maiden Jan. 30, making just about every yard to score by just under seven lengths en route to 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard honors. He is well clear of his 12 rivals on ratings, but given his antics at the stalls first time around, nothing can really be taken for granted. “Salloom is doing great and I think he came out of the last race really well,” said trainer Bhupat Seemar. “He's ready to go again and take his chance, but I hope he behaves in the gate–that's the biggest thing.” Omaha Front (Omaha Beach) is one of four others saddled by Seemar and enters off victories over 1400 and 1600 meters at Jebel Ali Jan. 17 and 31, while Brotherly Love (GB) (Zoustar {Aus})–the half-brother to last year's UAE Derby runner-up Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.)– needs to improve off a troubled eighth in the Guineas. The winner earns 20 points towards a Derby appearance. Click here for the form guide.     Koichi Nishikawa's Arcadia Cafe (Into Mischief) could go favored in Sunday's Hyacinth Stakes as he looks to join his commonly owned half-brothers Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) and Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah) as winners of the race, which offers 30 points to the first home. A $550,000 Keeneland September acquisition, Arcadia Cafe graduated by 2 1/2 lengths over the Tokyo one-turn mile Nov. 1 and was last seen finishing third in the first leg of the series, the local Cattleya Stakes, behind Satono Voyage (Jpn) (Into Mischief)–third in last week's G3 Saudi Derby–and 132-1 outsider Don Erectus (Jpn) (Danon Legend), who also lines up here. Rachel King, who was aboard future Kentucky Derby participant Luxor Cafe last year for Noriyuki Hori, has the call on Arcadia Cafe. Four last-start winners are headed by Iterrasshai (Jpn) (Mischievous Alex), a first-out third over course and distance in November and the five-length winner of a Nakayama maiden going 1800 meters on Dec. 13. Leading rider Keita Tosaki has the call. Yu Pharoah (American Pharoah), a son of the turf Grade III-placed Limari (Medaglia d'Oro), is a maiden winner from eight starts on the grass and tries the dirt for the first time in his career. The Hyacinth is the third of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby. The post Derby Points Up For Grabs In Dubai, Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When the Maryland Million program, the brainchild of famed sportscaster Jim McKay, was launched in 1986, it was hailed as one of the most innovative and successful programs of its kind. It has been something that has been copied in racing states across the country. But when TK Kuegler took over as the president of the Maryland Million, he decided it was time to move the event forward, and make it bigger, better, and more lucrative. “It's been kind of sleepy for 40 years,” Kuegler said. “Jim McKay launched it and no one ever did anything to enhance it.” The Maryland Million announced a number of new incentives Thursday, which Kuegler promised are just the start of what he and his team have in mind to grow the event. On Mar. 22, two starter races will give Maryland Million-eligible horses preference and Maryland Million-eligible horses will split bonuses for each race as follows: $5,000 to the highest finisher, $2,000 to the second highest finisher, $1,000 to the third highest finisher, $500 to the next four highest. These bonuses will be paid out by Maryland Million Ltd. and are not part of the purses. The races will be open to all horses, and the largest bonus will be paid to the Maryland Million-eligible horse that comes closest to winning. “Forever, the Maryland Million has been a one-day event,” Kuegler said. “For all intents and purposes, there were no other benefits. If you had an eligible Maryland Million horse, which means you were sired by a Maryland sire, you got to race on the Maryland Million Day. It was and still is a great day. When I took over as president, I thought, 'That's great, but how do we make this even more valuable?' I said, 'Let's have races throughout the year where Maryland Million-eligible horse start earning extra benefits.' The first one of those will be on Mar. 22.” Kuegler is planning to have more races throughout the year where Maryland Million horses will be eligible for bonus money. “If everything goes well on Mar. 22, we fill the races, everything looks good, and the track is happy–we're going have another day like this in May, sometime around the Preakness,” he said. “We will have four more of those races. If that goes well, we will have a whole new Maryland Million Preview Day in September.” Maryland Million Ltd. also announced new 5 percent Maryland Million bonuses for maiden winners. Beginning Mar. 1, 2026, any Maryland Million-eligible horse that wins a maiden race in Maryland will earn a 5 percent bonus on top of the winner's share of the base purse. “I have a 100 percent commitment on that for at least the next three years,” Kuegler said. “It's not one of these things that will disappear on people. If they breed today to a Maryland sire, they're going to get that benefit.” The hope is that the extra benefits will result in higher sales prices for Maryland-sired horses that go through the sales ring. “This is a great move for both Thoroughbred owners and breeders in Maryland,” said Boyd Browning, Jr., the president and chief executive officer of Fasig-Tipton. “The new bonuses enhance the value of Maryland Million-eligible horses, and that should translate into higher prices in the auction ring.” Kuegler is doing everything he can to help make the Maryland Million grow. Last year, he had a kick-off party for the event at the Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and he said that 2025 was the first time that every race on the program was sponsored. “We can make this program massive,” he said. “I really believe that. We're just warming up. If you put some energy behind these things, usually people will follow.” The post New President Has Ambitious Plans for the Maryland Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

You've obviously never tried to catch up with a horse float that got 10 minutes start on you on a longer trip.

Standout New Zealand stallion sold to Australia in shock move www.nzherald.co.nz   https://bitofayarn.com 20 Feb, 2026 06:00 AM3 mins to read Australian Guineas winner Feroce is one of four Group 1 winners already for stallion Super Seth. The New Zealand thoroughbred breeding industry is set to be stunned by news one of our elite stallions, Super Seth, has been sold to Australian breeding giant Coolmore. Majority owner Waikato Stud confirmed the deal on Thursday night which will see Super Seth move to the Hunter Valley in New South Wales to stand at Coolmore’s main farm there. https://bitofayarn.com The sale will come as a major shock to industry insiders as Super Seth is only a nine-year-old and was seen as one of the best young stallions in Australasia and Waikato Stud’s heir apparent to champion stallion Savabeel, who probably has only one more season at stud. Waikato Stud principal Mark Chittick says the decision to sell Super Seth was a business one and he will retain a share in the Caulfield Guineas winner. “It is a business decision and obviously not one taken lightly,” he told the Herald. “He is a wonderful young stallion and we are very proud of what he has achieved in such a short time at stud. “Coolmore approached us looking for a stallion right at the top of the tree after they sadly lost Wootton Bassett last year and they have been on our farm all week looking at Super Seth and some of his stock. https://bitofayarn.com “They made us and the other owners a very generous offer and we have decided to take it to secure the next phase of the future of the farm and our family. “We were the majority owners and will retain a share while some of the other owners will take this opportunity to sell while others will stay in him. “But to have Coolmore recognise his value and want to work with us makes me very proud.” One thing for sure is Super Seth’s price tag must have been enormous to pry him away from Waikato Stud. The son of Dundeel stood at $75,000 at Waikato Stud this breeding season but that fee can expect to double, or more if you take the exchange rate into account, when he crosses the Tasman. Super Seth is already the sire of Australian Group 1 winners Feroce, Linebacker and Maison Louis while his daughter, La Dorada, won the Karaka Millions and Sires’ Produce in New Zealand last season. While losing Super Seth, Waikato Stud announced last week it will be standing unbeaten Group 1 two-year-old winner Return To Conquer from next season, with Coolmore also likely to be buying into him to further strengthen the ties between the two giant breeding operations. “Super Seth has been on our radar for a while now and he strikes us as a stallion that can make a significant impact on the Australian breeding industry,” says Coolmore’s Tom Magnier. “For a young horse, the trajectory that he is on is something that is very rarely seen. He is going to be ideal for so many Australian mares, both physically and on pedigree.” Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990. He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals.

Agentes 305 will serve as the official Spanish channel for Parx Racing with daily commentary and handicapping, Spanish-language race calls and exclusive behind-the-scenes content featuring interviews with jockeys and trainers. View the full article