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Back in my corporate days, this time of year was great as it was the season for company Xmas functions.  We always had one companies do the evening before the Bayer, so it was shut eye about midnight, then up at 4am to drive down to Levin (from Auckland), as we always got an invite from Bayer to the Classic day.  Couldn't do it these days but such a great time, especially to be able to see some of the greatest horses to race in NZ compete in the Bayer Classic

Last Sunday's GII Rebel Stakes third-place finisher Litmus Test (Nyquist) will stay in Hot Springs to contest the GI Arkansas Derby March 28 for trainer Bob Baffert. Speaking of his Arkansas runners from last weekend, Baffert said that while his GIII Honeybee Stakes winner Explora (Blame) had shipped back to California, Litmus Test would remain at Oaklawn through the end of the month. “I didn't want to bring him all the way back here and ship him back,” Baffert said. “He's there. I want to give him another chance. I didn't want to run here (Santa Anita). I've got other horses for here. Just splitting them up.” Litmus Test, who went off favored in the Rebel, weakened from the lead to finish third 5 1/4 lengths behind Class President (Uncle Mo) in his first start since winning the GII Los Alamitos Futurity Dec. 13. He currently sits eighth on Kentucky Derby leaderboard with 34 points. Of Explora, Baffert mentioned a potential next start in the GII Fantasy Stakes at Oaklawn March 27. “I'm just going to see how she responds out of that race,” Baffert said. “She'll definitely be nominated to the Fantasy. I'll have something in the Fantasy.” The post Litmus Test To Stay Oaklawn, Contest Arkansas Derby For Baffert appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reappearing for the first time since debuting in a hot Newmarket July Festival maiden, Amo Racing and Valmont's Billecart (Night Of Thunder) made light work of his Thursday assignment at Newcastle to keep Classic dreams alive. Far too strong for his three peers in the mile novice on the Tapeta, the 380,000gns Tattersalls Book 2 purchase will be campaigned with the 2,000 Guineas and Irish equivalent in mind according to Karl Burke. “He had a little injury last year, but sometimes they can be a blessing and he's one of the ones I've been looking forward to seeing this season,” the trainer said. “He could come back here for the [Listed] Burradon, or we could look at a [Guineas] trial on turf.” Fourth behind the bright prospects Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder) and Constitution River (Wootton Bassett) in that key maiden which has spurned several winners, the 1-6 shot was cajoled to the front by Rowan Scott at halfway and saw off Shadwell's newcomer Wuood (Night Of Thunder) by five lengths. The post ‘He’s One I’ve Been Looking Forward To’: Burke Keen On Guineas Entry Billecart appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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