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Former Santa Anita Park executive John Perrotta explores racing in Sicily.View the full article

IGNITER (c, 3, Volatile–Malibu Prayer {GISW, $618,026}, by Malibu Moon), after being featured in TDN's Second Chances series, broke his maiden by a length during the Belmont At The Big A meet in late September. The homebred was off for two months, then was entered in the GII Remsen Stakes at the Big A Dec. 6 where he posted a sixth-place finish behind GII Risen Star Stakes entrant Paladin (Gun Runner) and recent Sam F. Davis Stake hero Renegade (Into Mischief). Well-backed at a shade over even-money here, the colt tracked longshot Hong Kong Phooey (Complexity) from third up the backstretch and started to move on the leader from the outside before the far turn. Gunning his engine, Igniter fired his best shot, took control by the top of the lane and sailed home a no-doubt winner to clear the condition by 4 1/4 lengths. Blue Forty Two (Audible) came from well off the pace to secure second. A half-sister to MGSW Valid (Medaglia d'Oro) and the dam of GSW Delahaye (Medaglia d'Oro), the winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by Early Voting and a yearling colt by Gun Runner. She was entered in Gun Pilot's book for this term. Igniter's extended female family includes GI Carter Handicap victor Swagger Jack (Smart Strike). 3rd-Aqueduct, $83,000, Alw (NW1$X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 2-11, 3yo, 7f, 1:25.71, ft, 4 1/4 lengths. IGNITER, c, 3, Volatile–Malibu Prayer {GISW, $618,026}, by Malibu Moon Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $105,650. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. The post Like A Zippo, Igniter Reliable In Allowance Win At The Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a half-brother to multiple top-level winner Wuheida (Dubawi). 11.48 Chantilly, Debutantes, 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT) LIBECCIO WIND (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) starts for Godolphin and Andre Fabre in this intriguing affair and is the latest progeny of the Fillies' Mile and Yellow Ribbon heroine Hibaayeb (Singspiel) whose previous best was the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Marcel Boussac winner Wuheida (Dubawi). Among his peers is Ballylinch Stud's Lord Clover (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), a Francis Graffard-trained son of the Prix de l'Opera third Lady Frankel (Frankel). The post Debut For Wuheida’s Half-Brother Libeccio Wind appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A panel of Kentucky legislators dive into its contributions to the general fund of the horse racing industry and sports wagering.View the full article

The New York Racing Association announces its stakes schedule for the 2026 Belmont at the Big A spring/summer meet at Aqueduct Racetrack and the June 3-7 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

HEROS, the UK-based charity dedicated to the retraining and rehoming former racehorses, has announced a new collaboration with Saudi Arabia's recently established Retraining and Riding Academy. The programme has been set up by The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA), under the guidance of Dr Francesca Compostella in her role as Executive Director of Veterinary and Welfare within the JCSA and Saudi Equestrian Authority. The partnership is designed to help establish global standards of equine welfare, with a focus on the responsible transition of racehorses into new careers and environments. As Saudi Arabia progresses in building its aftercare infrastructure and sharing their own context specific insight, HEROS will offer lessons drawn from two decades of practical experience in equine rehabilitation, education and rehoming. Areas of bilateral shared learning will include: Effective, practical methods for retraining retired racehorses. Horse-centred rehabilitation practices. Robust welfare assessment protocols. Education and community engagement programmes. Management structures that support sustainable aftercare systems. Staff training to enable the best outcomes for the horses. Grace Muir MBE, CEO of HEROS, said, “HEROS has always believed that the aftercare community must work together to raise global welfare standards. Our partnership with the new Retraining and Riding Academy of Saudi Arabia is rooted purely in the supply and exchange of knowledge and experience. There is no monetary benefit to HEROS – only the shared goal of improving outcomes for these incredible horses who give us, as human beings, so much.” Compostella added, “Equine welfare in Saudi Arabia relies on best standards, coordination, capability building and long-term stewardship. Collectively, we make sure that aftercare isn't left to goodwill alone, but supported by a coherent, durable system that safeguards our athletes and earns public trust.” The post HEROS Announces Collaboration with New Retraining and Riding Academy of the JCSA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

G3 Prix Antoine de Vazelhes heroine Lovran (No Risk At All) (AQPS) is one of three wildcards added to the Arqana February Mixed Sale, set for February 17-18. Consigned as lot 130, she is a half-sister to the Group 1-placed Kahula (Authorized) (AQPS). Joining her is second out winner Recollect (Recoletos) (lot 365), who hails from the family of Group 1 winners Harzand, Emily Upjohn (Sea The Stars), Seal Of Approval (Authorized) and Hurricane Lane. Rounding out the trio is Mystere Du Repas (Choeur Du Nord). Lot 365A is a four-year-old, who finished runner-up on his most recent start over 2900 metres. For the full catalogue, please visit the Arqana website. The post Wildcard Trio Complete February Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The high-class chaser Galia Des Liteaux (Saddler Maker) features among 97 lots catalogued for the Tattersalls Online February Sale, which is scheduled to take place on February 17-18. It also features the Southern Hemisphere Session, in collaboration with Inglis Digital Australia, details of which were announced on Monday. Offered by trainer Dan Skelton's Lodge Hill Stables as lot 65, Galia Des Liteaux was last seen finishing fourth in December's Becher Handicap Chase at Aintree. The now-10-year-old achieved a BHA rating of 146 at her peak, notably having won the G2 Hampton Novices' Chase at Warwick by 13 lengths in January 2023. Another talented National Hunt performer on offer is the seven-year-old mare Arclight (Champs Elysees) (lot 55), consigned by Nicky Henderson's Seven Barrows. A winner under both codes, Arclight possesses a current BHA rating of 136 over fences, with her career highlights in that sphere including a pair of victories in Listed races. Other potential highlights among the horses in training include the three-year-old Horwich (Mayson) (lot 10), a dual winner on the all-weather this winter for Clive Cox's Beechdown Farm Stables, and the four-year-old Northwest Passage (Ulysses) (lot 29), who won a Salisbury handicap by 15 lengths in September last year. He will be consigned by Crimbourne Bloodstock. David Armstrong, the owner of Horwich, also offers a trio of broodmares under the banner of his Highfield Farm, including the 11-year-old Lever Park (Camacho) (lot 88), a half-sister to the classy sprinters Tax Free (Tagula) and Inxile (Fayruz). Elsewhere, the five two-year-olds catalogued include the progeny of Blue Point, Space Blues and Territories, while the six yearlings on offer are by Dink, Kameko (x2), Order Of St George, Stradivarius and Subjectivist. Breeders will also have the opportunity to purchase breeding rights to stallions such as A'Ali, Ardad and Far Above, as well as a 1/50th share in the Irish National Stud resident Nando Parrado. The full catalogue is available to view here, as well as consignor contact information. Prospective bidders are encouraged to join the sale ahead of the commencement of bidding at 11am on Tuesday, February 17, with bidding on the first lot scheduled to close from 11am on Wednesday, February 18. The post Grade 2-Winning Chaser Galia Des Liteaux Headlines Tattersalls Online February Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A horse has never won two editions of the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup, and Japanese Horse of the Year Forever Young (Real Steel) will try to break into that rarefied air after drawing post position six on Wednesday, ahead of Saturday's race. Also voted a champion in the U.S. after taking the GI Breeders' Cup Classic last autumn, the likeable bay will face 13 rivals at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in a few days' time. Opposing the Yoshito Yahagi runner is GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile hero Nysos (Nyquist). the Bob Baffert trainee is booked in gate 12. Another from the barn of the American Hall of Famer is Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), who won the GI Goodwood Stakes last year. He will leave from gate seven and enters on the back of a second in the GII Laffit Pincay, Jr. Stakes to Nysos. Outside of the American contingent, the one-two finishers of the G3 King's Cup are also trying their hands here in Mhally (Sergei Prokofiev) and Ameerat Alzamaan (Ghaiyyath). They leave from stalls 13 and four, respectively. The Saudi Cup is a “Win and You're In” for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Keeneland this autumn. The following is the Saudi Cup field in post position order: 1-Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) 2-Haqeet (Arrogate) 3-Banishing (Ghostzapper) 4-Ameerat Azamaan (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) 5-Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo) 6-Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) 7-Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) 8-Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) 9-Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo) 10-Luxor Café (American Pharoah) 11-Rattle N Roll (Connect) 12-Nysos (Nyquist) 13-Mhally (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) 14-Thundersquall (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) The post Forever Young Booked In Stall Six For Saudi Cup Title Defence appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article