Wandering Eyes

Sarah Sharp Farish was deeply devoted to her family and to many causes she held dear, including preserving and enhancing the Gasparilla Island community on Florida's Gulf Coast and her family's Gasparilla Inn located there.View the full article

Ted Noffey, the presumptive champion 2-year-old male of 2024 after a 4-for-4 campaign that culminated with a victory in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, will take things "very easy" this month, trainer Todd Pletcher said.View the full article

PUBLISHER, CD-2nd, 11/20, 6 1/2f (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-84 (2nd) (c, 3, American Pharoah–Indian Pride, by Proud Citizen) O-Gus King and the Estate of Brereton Jones. B-Brereton Jones (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. This spring he was perhaps America's best-known maiden, finishing second in the GI Arkansas Derby to earn a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby starting gate. Nearly seven months later, he's still a maiden. Last week he was an odds-on runner-up in his return to maiden company, and now has been second, third or fourth in eight of his 11 starts–four of them in stakes races. CLAIRITA, CD-8th, 11/21, 1 1/16m (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-85 (f, 3, Gun Runner–Here Music, by Dehere) O-Rigney Racing. B-Lee and Cheryl Mauberret (Ky). T-Phil Bauer. J-Gabriel Saez. A decent enough third in her debut on dirt, she was entered for the turf–but perhaps Mother Nature did her a favor. On a very sloppy track she clearly handled well, she was head-and-head with two rivals at the 1/4 pole before splashing her final quarter in :24.65 and opening up by 12 lengths at the wire. CRISIS MANAGER, CD-2nd, 11/20, 6 1/2f (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-88 (g, 3, Liam's Map–Wilburnmoney, by Wilburn) O-Highlander Training Center. B-The Elkstone Group (Md). T-Tom Amoss. J-Jose Ortiz. Highlander Training Center northeast of Dallas is known for its prowess in preparing young horses for others, but also has won 22 races in its own colors this year. Highlander owner Larry Hirsch signed the $190k yearling ticket for this 3-year-old, who has improved since his return from a seven-month break and took these wire-to-wire in the mud. THOUGHT CONTROL, GP-6th, 11/21, 5 1/2f Beyer Speed Figure-91 (c, 3, Gun Runner–In It for the Gold, by Speightstown) O-e5 Racing Thoroughbreds. B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (Ky). T-Saffie Joseph Jr. J-Micah Husbands. Coming off the bench, both Thought Control and runner-up Viking Sun showed substantial–and improbable–improvement over their debuts. And they didn't look that visually impressive over Gulfstream's Tapeta. But the clock told a different tale: the 1:03.51 final time was nearly a full second faster than a 5 1/2-furlong race also on Tapeta a half-hour earlier for older fillies and mares who consistently run Beyers in the mid-70s. MAXIMUM BOURBON, CD-7th, 11/23, 6f (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-94 (g, 3, Maximum Security–Unbridled Reward, by Warrior's Reward) O-Bourbon Lane Stable and Seidman Stables. B-Nicholas Lotz and Mr. and Mrs. Troy Reed (Ky). T-Brendan Walsh. J-Tyler Gaffalione. The 3-year-old finally made an appearance in late November after 18 published breezes, and made it count with a front-running 7 1/2-length romp. The $90k yearling buy earned $37,868 from the purse and was claimed for $50k, so while the original partnership didn't recoup its investment, at least it got a thrill. You can look for him at Fair Grounds; Joe Sharp trains him now. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made: Nov. 17-23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GISW and nationally ranked fourth-crop sire Collected (City Zip) will highlight Rancho San Miguel's 2025 Open House & Stallion Show to be held Saturday, December 6. The free event will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with all regional Thoroughbred breeders, owners, trainers and enthusiasts invited to attend. Collected recently arrived at the San Luis Obispo County farm from Airdrie Stud in Kentucky, which is partnering with Rancho San Miguel and prominent California breeder/owner Marsha Naify to stand the 12-year-old son of City Zip for a $7,500 fee in 2026. From his first four crops to race, the 2017 GI Pacific Classic Stakes winner has sired 20 stakes winners, including seven graded stakes winners, with cumulative progeny earnings of more than $18 million. He enters the California stallion ranks with 2025 progeny earnings of $6.4 million to date. Also making his Rancho San Miguel debut is GISW and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Eight Rings (Empire Maker), whose first foals will be 2-year-olds in 2026. Promising young stallions Bolden, Brickyard Ride and The Street Fighter and veteran sires Cyclotron, Editorial, Mo Forza, Niagara Falls, Northern Causeway, Sir Prancealot (Ire) and Uptown Rythem also will be paraded. Participants will be treated to a catered lunch, as well as opportunities for giveaways, door prizes and stallion season raffles. The farm also will offer several horses of mixed age for inspection and sale, including broodmares, weanlings and yearlings. “This year, we are especially proud and excited to open our doors to members of the California breeding and racing community,” said Rancho San Miguel owner Tom Clark. “We plan on having some old-fashioned holiday fun while showcasing our diverse group of stallions and sharing our enthusiasm for the future of our state's industry at this crucial point in time.” Reservations for the event are being accepted at (805) 467-3847 and teri.ransanmig@gmail.com. The post Collected Highlights Upcoming Rancho San Miguel Open House And Stallion Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kretz Racing's Cabo Spirit will try to secure the third grade 2 win of his career and his fifth graded stakes score overall when he faces an expected eight other rivals in the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) Nov. 29 at Del Mar.View the full article

News last week about the loss of this year's GIII Bob Hope Stakes after receiving just three entrants–all from the Bob Baffert stable–wasn't exactly a shock. But is it a canary in the coal mine concerning the health of California's horse inventory? Not on its own. It is, however, one among a flock of important indicators. Growing attention has been spent on the implications from the consolidation of top bloodstock between fewer and fewer stables, with many observing how a greater distribution of horses among more stables would help the trainers, the sport's ledgers, and in many ways the horses themselves. Expanding upon this idea, economists would agree how one major indicator of a healthy racing marketplace is a good cross-section of trainers–spanning the large, medium and small barns–all thriving in a way that makes the entire product competitive and appealing to the bettor. As we approach the last month of 2025, enough time has passed since the closure of Pleasanton this March–and with it a racing circuit in the North of the state–to gauge the health of a key section of California's racing product, which is those trainers from the North. How important are they to California? “A horse in the North, and horsemen in the North, [are] as valuable as any horse or horseman in the South, regardless of the price tag,” said president of The Stronach Group's 1/ST business, Aidan Butler, at a California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) meeting a year ago, arguing how a system that didn't involve direct competition would be in the best long-term interests of the state's racing. Using a California Thoroughbred Trainers' (CTT) evaluation of the fate of these former Northern-based stables since the closure of Pleasanton, as well as earnings and starts statistics available on Equibase, however, three main trends materialize indicating these stables have really struggled to find their footing under this system. A significant number of barns have currently left the state (12 in total). Another notable number of trainers have called it quits altogether (22). For the barns that have maintained a footprint in the state, the overall impression has been one of shrinkage–an average 50% decline in both earnings and starts, with only a few weeks left in the year to make up the deficit. Concurrently, this one-time infusion of horses south has proven a plus for the bottom half of the state. Last month, there were 269 more horses in SoCal than the corresponding month last year. Field sizes have understandably ticked up, including at the current Del Mar meet. But it's the state's SoCal barns which appear to have primarily benefited from this consolidation. Racing at Del Mar | Horsephotos Overall Numbers The TDN asked California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) to analyze the impact of the new California single circuit on trainers who were formerly based in Northern California. According to the CTT's analysis, there were 61 Northern California horsemen and women who were stabled at Pleasanton at some point during their final meet up until the facility closed to stabling in March. Of these: 13 trainers immediately retired or disbanded their stable entirely. Of the 27 trainers who relocated their entire string to Southern California, nearly all of them downsized. Four of these trainers subsequently closed down. During Emerald Downs' 2025 meet, three trainers split their stables between Santa Anita and the Washington track (and some of these horses returned to Southern California when the meet ended in September). 17 former NorCal trainers sent their entire string to Emerald Downs. When that meet ended, 11 of these 17 trainers moved their horses to Turf Paradise, while one trainer took their string to San Luis Rey in California. Five of these 17 trainers subsequently disbanded their strings entirely. There was one trainer who initially left 10 horses at Santa Anita and sent 40 horses to Texas. In June, however, that trainer took the 10 Santa Anita horses to Lone Star Park. When asked about the short and long-term implications from these numbers, CTT executive director Alan Balch said it is “especially difficult” to forecast the future. Santa Anita recently announced increased purses in selected categories to $70,000 for MSW and 1X Allowance for the upcoming Classic Meet, 50% of which are for Cal-breds. The Cal-bred maiden bonus will be increased from $10,000 to $12,500. “Santa Anita has just announced purse increases, which is positive. On the other hand, purses remain much higher elsewhere,” said Balch. “Perhaps the biggest and most critical unknown is this coming year's California population of two-year-olds, given the declining national foal crop, and particularly California's.” The Numbers Behind the Numbers Aidan Molinaro is the son of former Northern California-based trainer Kent Molinaro. He wore several hats at last year's Golden State Racing meet at Pleasanton, including paddock host, handicapper and marketing officer. This past summer, Molinaro worked on the Wyoming racing circuit as a clocker and morning-line maker. He has a Master's degree in communications from St. Mary's College of California. Given his long roots in the north of the state, Molinaro was curious how the loss of a Northern racing circuit had impacted those horsemen and women he had grown up around. Using statistics available on Equibase, Molinaro sat down and compared the fates of 41 trainers based at Pleasanton last winter. Using earnings and starts data for these 41 stables, Molinaro found what he describes as a landscape of “massive earning declines, premature retirement, stable closures, and a restructuring of nearly every Northern California operation.” Mirroring Molinaro's approach, the TDN examined all the former NorCal stables that have kept a presence in California (as per the CTT's analysis), 27 trainers in total. This comprises all trainers that relocated their entire barns to Southern California; those trainers that split their stables between SoCal and Emerald Downs; and the one trainer who took his string to Emerald Downs but returned to SoCal when the Washington track closed for the year. Using Equibase, the TDN found the following trends (with the caveat there's still more than a month left of racing in Southern California): The average earnings of these 27 stables have dropped just over 50% this year over last. Last year, the average stable earning among these trainers was $558k. This year it's around $261k. The average number of starts these stables have made has also dropped around 50% this year over last–from an average 165 starts in 2024 to 81 so far this year. Taking into account potential earnings during the last few weeks of the year, 12 of these 27 trainers are on track to see both their annual starts and annual earnings drop over 50% comparing 2025 to 2024 figures. In terms of earnings, trainer Andy Mathis has arguably done the best of the larger barns, earning so far this year $874,896, a slight uptick over his total of $843,998 last year. SoCal-based trainer Bob Baffert | Horsephotos Horse Inventory Though the number of statewide race days this year is expected to be 155 as compared to 298 last year (a 48% decline), California's daytime Thoroughbred handle is down only 3% through October, which included one day of the Breeders' Cup (as per a report at the most recent California Horse Racing Board meeting). Using a comparative cross-section of trainers, however, the rewards of this consolidated system appear to have largely benefited those primarily Southern-based trainers. The TDN used Equibase to look at the top 20 trainers from Del Mar's 2024 summer meet (not including Eric Kruljac in this analysis, as he retired early in 2025, nor Todd Fincher, as he's primarily based elsewhere). Among these top 20 SoCal stables, there was just an 8% decrease in individual stable earnings–from an average of $4.09 million last year, to an average $3.77 million this year (with weeks left to run). We also see an average decrease in the number of starts among these 20 trainers of just 11% (from 319 last year to 282 this year). Looking at overall horse inventory numbers, it strongly appears that some of the horses formerly under the auspices of Northern-based trainers have been recirculated among their Southern-based compatriots. Referring to figures provided via a monthly analysis from Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), Balch said that horse numbers in California have understandably declined this year over last, given the loss of a racing calendar in the North. When looking at horse population totals on a month-by-month basis this year over last, the declines have shown ebbs and flows rather than proving uniform, Balch said, pointing to fluctuations from “younger horses arriving” and “trainers replacing older stock.” The smallest decline was a fall of 13% in January (comparing 2024 to 2025). Pleasanton didn't close its doors to Thoroughbreds until the end of March this year. August constituted the largest population drop of 24%. In the last available monthly totals, there were 2544 horses in Southern California in October, said Balch. This constitutes a drop of 17% in California as a whole from the corresponding month in 2024, when there were 2275 horses in Southern California and 778 in the North. Asked what he'd like to see come from his analysis, Molinaro said in the short term at least, fair racing dates should be granted next year to Ferndale and Fresno, to capture the horses from the Oregon fair circuit and from Emerald Downs respectively. “The California racing industry can return to statewide racing by integrating these two race meets, which have historically been very successful,” Molinaro wrote in an email. “I believe they will continue to be, if given the opportunity to race by the state of California's industry leaders and most important stakeholders,” he added. “Hopefully these raw numbers and facts will serve as a stark call to action.” The post By The Numbers: NorCal Barns Hit Hard From Consolidation 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. Wednesday's Observations features a half-sister to a Group 1 trio. 16.30 Newcastle, £6,300, Nov, 2yo, 8f 5y (AWT) Watership Down Stud's hitherto unraced FANCIULLA DEL WEST (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}) is kin to six black-type performers headed by Group 1 winners Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}), Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}) and Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal). The Ed Walker trainee is opposed by 15 in this low-key debut. The post Half-Sister To Group 1 Trio Set For Newcastle Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sarah Sharp Farish, the wife of Lane's End Farm owner Will Farish, passed away Monday, November 24, 2025 at home in Boca Grande, Florida. She was 83 years old. The following obituary was sent to the TDN Tuesday by the Farish family. “Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Sarah was the daughter of Mary and Bayard Sharp. In 1961, she married the love of her life, Will Farish, owner of Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky and former U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James. She is survived by her husband, her son Bill Farish (Kelley), daughters Mary Farish Johnston (Dennis) and Laura Farish Chadwick (John). Beloved daughter Hillary Farish Stratton preceded her mother in death. Sarah is also survived by 17 grandchildren and their spouses: Hunter Farish Johnston (Emily), Sarah Sharp Malloy (William), Maggie Miller Johnston, Ande Farish Day (Lincoln), Sammy Farish Rosenstein (Ross), Lulu Farish Pohanka (Jason), William S. Farish, III, Daisy Miller Farish, Robert Wood Farish, Coco Sharp Farish, Stormy Stokes Farish, Lilly Chadwick Poulson (Hundley) , Isabella Sharp Chadwick, Stanford Clark Stratton, Bayard Farish Stratton, Wilson Sharp Stratton and Jack Miller Stratton. Sarah was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren. Sarah brought her quiet elegance to every setting, from her family home at Kentucky's Lane's End Farm to the sparkling Court of St. James in London, England to her family's beloved Gasparilla Inn on Florida's Gulf Coast. Her life with Will Farish over their 63 years of marriage was marked by many adventures, from the weekends of quail hunting at the Lazy F Ranch to the thrills of Thoroughbred horse racing to serving their country in the diplomatic corps. In every facet of her life, she embodied strength, dignity and charm. Sarah was deeply devoted to her family and to the many causes that she held dear. She grew up spending time in Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, where her father owned the historic Gasparilla Inn. She shared her father's love of the Inn and the Island community. For the past 22 years, she dedicated herself to preserving and enhancing that wonderful island and Inn property. She was a strong supporter of the Boca Grande Health Clinic, the Island School and the Boca Grande Preschool as well as many other organizations and island businesses. When Sarah took to something, she went all in. Among her many passions were golf (she was a multi-time club champion at the Idle Hour Country Club and the Gulfstream Golf Club), bird shooting, pottery, photography, gardening and flower arranging. She also cherished the companionship of many dogs over the years, including Max, Rosie, Charlie, Cotton, Slipper and Katie. Sarah Sharp Farish leaves an enduring legacy for her children and grandchildren, all of whom revere the extraordinary life that she lived. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Gasparilla Inn Employee Care Fund for the Relief Effort in Jamaica, PO Box 1088 Boca Grande, FL 33921. A special thank you for the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Bret Kueber and the health clinic staff, and to the home care team of Debbie, Logan, Nettie, Nicolette, Francine and Livette.” The post Sarah Sharp Farish, Wife Of Will Farish, Dies At 83 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Nov. 17-23View the full article

Despite a successful career in which he won 1,871 races, jockey Trevor McCarthy announced his retirement in April. He admitted that he was “miserable” and that the many problems that come with being a jockey, especially one who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, had caused him serious mental health problems. In November, it was announced that McCarthy had taken on a new job as HISA's Jockey Wellness Consultant. To talk about his battles, his new job, his current state of mind and why he walked away from the sport when he did, McCarthy joined the team on this week's edition of the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. McCarthy said that he had been searching for answers as to what he should do and how he could conquer his demons. He believes divine intervention led him to retire. “I had some serious red flags for a while,” he said. “For me, it was just a perfect storm so far as the last few years, considering what I was dealing with mentally and physically with my body. I'm not a very religious guy, but I was raised Catholic and I was in a hotel room at Colonial and I prayed to God to show me some really strong signs whether I should continue riding or not.” He said that a number of individuals, including a racetrack chaplain and friends, contacted him and said they were worried about him. McCarthy had not publicly revealed his problems and, to the outside world, seemed to be content with his life and career. McCarthy saw these interactions as a sign that God was speaking to him through the people who were showing concern for him and told him he needed help and that maybe he would be much happier if he stopped riding. He had this to say about his decision: “Once I decided to retire I never felt so calm. I never felt so right about a decision in my entire life.” He admitted that his height was an issue, that making weight was much more difficult for him than it was for shorter jockeys. “There were so many things that added up,” McCarthy said. “Maybe if I was five-foot tall, it might have been a little bit easier. There were also the injuries that I had and the wear and tear on my body and the lack of nutrition that I was giving it. Being 5-9 and having to get down 115 pounds, weight was always a struggle.” McCarthy, whose wife, Katie Davis, is a jockey, is now working for both HISA and a real estate firm. Some seven months after he hung up his tack he said that he has found the peace of mind that he had been missing for so long. He is enthusiastic about his job with HISA and hopes that by doing that and telling his own story he can help other jockeys who may be struggling with mental health issues. “What we have been working on is building resources for jockeys that improves wellness for them,” McCarthy said. “We have teamed up with Onrise (an organization that provides mental health care and support to teams, clubs, leagues and players' associations at the elite youth, college and professional levels). Through Onrise, we have developed therapy and psychiatric programs. We have also tied in with a nutritionist, which we did just a few weeks ago. Starting on Jan. 1, we're going to have a career counselor, as well, for jockeys.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Full Screen (Big Screen), who earned a 100 Beyer figure when winning an allowance race at Aqueduct for trainer Brad Cox. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the stallion Life is Good. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the KTOB, PHBA, 1/ST TV and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman discussed the surprising announcement that James Carville, an institution within the Democratic Party, had endorsed Dale Romans's run for the U.S. Senate and the stories of the sport's two hottest jockeys, Flavien Prat and Paco Lopez. In the final segment, Moss, Cadman and Finley handicapped the major races to be run this weekend at Churchill Downs and at Del Mar, which will host the GI Hollywood Derby. Click to watch the podcast or here to listen. The post Trevor McCarthy Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Parx will begin installing a new turf course in March with the goal of racing on it by late summer 2026. There has been no grass racing at Parx since September 2024. In August of that season the course was closed after a catastrophic equine injury during a stakes resulted in a euthanization, triggering a safety review by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). The track was cleared to reopen by HISA within several weeks, with Parx agreeing to put new protocols and maintenance procedures in place. But another grass-race injury and euthanization on the GI Pennsylvania Derby undercard Sept. 21, 2024, resulted in a second shutdown, and the course was closed for the rest of the '24 season. As TDN's Bill Finley reported at that time, “video showed that there were numerous holes in the turf course and that the grass itself looked like something you might see in a vacant lot.” Attempts to get the course usable for '25 didn't work out, and the Parx turf has not hosted a race for the last 14 months. Joe Wilson, the chief operating officer at Parx, said during Tuesday's Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission (PHRC) meeting that “the goal is to be back on that turf when we come back from our break in the middle of summer.” Parx has yet to publish its '26 calendar, but a similar seasonal break in '25 spanned July 25-Aug. 17. “We're taking [the existing course] away and putting a new one in. This sod will come from Tuckahoe [Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey], which is one of the leading suppliers of sod to both racetracks and sports fields in general.” Wilson was asked by a commissioner about the feasibility of installing a Tapeta track at Parx. “It gets talked about,” Wilson said. “Unfortunately, you're looking, at my racetrack, to put a Tapeta track in, you're looking at pretty close to probably $10 million, which, as we know, is a significant investment. Certainly, we'll continue to look at that, but that cost has to come down.” Wilson's comments came before the PHRC voted unanimously Nov. 25 to grant Thoroughbred racing dates for '26 that mirror the same number of dates the commission awarded in '25. There will be 150 dates at Parx, 105 at Penn National, and 76 at Presque Isle Downs. “We continue to race 150 days a year at pretty much the same purse levels, which is really tough to do these days,” said Wilson. Scott Lishia, the director and racing and sportsbook for Penn National, said that rather than starting racing in early January and having breaks in late January, early April and early October like this year, Penn National in '26 won't start racing until late February, with two-date weeks until mid-March, after which three-date weeks will largely be the norm through Labor Day. “Then we're going to take a five- or six-week break off, come back in October with those three days a week again, finishing up the day before Thanksgiving,” Lishia said. The post Parx To Install New Turf Course; PA Keeps ’26 Racing Dates Level appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Lush Lips returns in the $300,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs Nov. 28 against a talented group of 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles.View the full article

There has been much discussion in the press recently about the ongoing negotiations on the 2026 racing calendar in New York. In truth, we are closer than reports would suggest on reaching an agreement. Currently, there are four days for the Winter meet, four days for the Saratoga meet, and two days at the Spring meet that are in dispute. We are advocating strongly to retain these dates because we believe that a robust year-round racing calendar is vital to the long-term health of New York's Thoroughbred industry. Year-round racing sustains the breeding industry, it supports thousands of jobs at the tracks, the breeding farms, and all the ancillary businesses that depend on our industry to survive. It is essential to our year-round horsemen and women – owners and trainers and backstretch workers alike – who have built their lives in New York State, buying homes, raising families, and becoming valued members of their communities. Racing dates at the NYRA tracks already have been cut by 15% in the last seven years and, as history will show us, once you lose those dates, you do not get them back. But has cutting dates really been a successful strategy? It's just not working. We are still seeing a decline in field size, because we have not done a good job of attracting new owners and trainers to race in New York. Our horses head to Oaklawn and Kentucky, where purses are higher and the cost of doing business is lower. Offering ever fewer racing days is not going to reverse that trend. NYTHA has several proposals on the table that we hope will be given due consideration. One is a Developer Program modeled on the initiative currently enjoying success in Maryland. This program would reward a horse's “Developer” – the owner that makes the investment to breed or buy the horse and then bring it to the races – with a bonus for starting the horse's career in New York and keeping it here. We have ideas for decreasing the cost of doing business in New York. We have suggested finding ways to make our product more attractive to horse players on days when revenue is down, with lowered takeout or other incentives. Maybe these proposals will work, maybe they will not. But you can't keep doing what you have been doing – cutting dates – and expect different results. We are in a transition year in New York. We have not raised purses in five years, because the horsemen and the racetrack agreed that revenue would be challenged during the Belmont redevelopment, and we wanted to be able to sustain our program and our purses during the construction of the new Belmont Park. We are optimistic that the new Belmont will revitalize New York racing, and we have been assured that having a winter meet on the synthetic track will bring new trainers to New York and we will see the results in increased revenue. We need to give these historic changes the best opportunity to work, not by further contraction, but by finding ways to grow our business and support our year-round horsemen and women. Tina Bond is the President of the NYTHA. The post Letter To The Editor: New York Racing Needs A Robust Year-Round Calendar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK–Improved trade punctuated by a steady stream of notable results for the progeny of Dragon Symbol would be a neat summation of Tuesday's opening session of the December Foal Sale at Tattersalls, with Whitsbury Manor Stud's first-crop sire alone accounting for nearly 25% of the 1,684,200gns that changed hands on the day. That total turnover represented a 23% increase compared to 12 months ago, while the average and the median also painted a much prettier picture as opposed to what was a sluggish start to last year's December Foal Sale. The average was up by 22% to 14,774gns and the median by 8% to 9,750gns. Meanwhile, having hovered just above 50% during the first two hours of selling, the clearance rate had increased to 66% by the end of the session, compared to 65% last year. Following that low-key start to proceedings, it was the third hour of trade which saw things really step up a gear, with two of the day's most expensive weanlings being sold in the space of five lots. The pick of that duo was lot 304 from the Norris Bloodstock draft, a Dragon Symbol colt out of the Showcasing mare Perfect Showdance, who went the way of Paul McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud for 75,000gns. Perfect Showdance has already produced last year's dual-winning juvenile and Listed Blenheim Stakes fourth Itsatenfromlen by another Whitsbury Manor inmate in Sergei Prokofiev. Both Itsatenfromlen and the Dragon Symbol colt were bred by Mildmay Bloodstock, with Bridget Drew of Mildmay Farm and Stud at the helm. “At home he was really straightforward and we knew he was a good shape of a horse,” Olly Nash, Mildmay Farm and Stud manager, said of Tuesday's joint-top lot. “I think it was quite hard to gauge how much he'd make. The Dragon Symbols we've seen have been really lovely and people are confident that they're a nice crop of foals.” He added, “The mare is going great guns. She had that fantastic Sergei [Itsatenfromlen] that came out and won those two nice races in France. She's exciting, she's back in foal to Sergei, and it looks like she'll go back to Dragon Symbol! “Whitsbury do such a great job with those fast sires there. We're exactly an hour away and we have a lot of confidence in them – they've always worked really hard for their breeders.” Speaking of hardworking breeders, McCartan himself knows a thing or two about producing fast horses – having bred Battaash, Harry Angel and Fairy Godmother, to name just a few – and the Ballyphilip boss identified this colt's speedy pedigree as the major selling point after signing for him under the name of CBS Bloodstock. Bloodstock agent Matt Coleman filled the role of underbidder. McCartan said, “He was a lovely individual, the sire was a very fast horse, and the young Showcasing mare has bred a horse rated 94 already. It's all two-year-old speed and that'll do anybody.” 'A Stunning Foal And A Great Example Of What The Sire Can Do' On a day when first-crop sires accounted for eight of the top 10 lots – and 16 of the top 20 – the sheer weight of numbers in the Dragon Symbol camp ensured that his was the name on everybody's lips at the end of the session. Of the 18 weanlings by the Whitsbury Manor stallion offered on Tuesday, 15 sold for a total of 409,500gns and at an average of 27,300gns, a fair return for those breeders who supported the consistent sprinter when he embarked on his first season at a fee of £8,000. It follows on from the Goffs November Foal Sale where he had seven out of seven sold at an average of €37,000. Overall, the son of Cable Bay was responsible for seven of the top 20 lots here at Park Paddocks, with the others including a colt out of the Listed Marygate Stakes fourth Beautiful Eyes (Bobby's Kitten), who sold to Apollo Bloodstock for 58,000gns. Lot 329 belonged to Whitsbury Manor's own draft, with head of bloodstock and sales Joe Callan able to reflect on a promising start for Dragon Symbol at the close of play, with another 29 weanlings by the sire catalogued to sell later in the week. “They've gone down brilliantly and we're absolutely delighted,” Callan summed up. “It's great to see who is buying them, the likes of Ballyphilip Stud, Grove Stud and so on. And it's great for the breeders. Bridget Drew is a great client and we were delighted they got such a good result. He was a stunning foal and a great example of what the sire can do. “He covered a good book in year one, and we knew we were in a good position when he covered a bigger book this year, but you don't know for sure until you get to the sales ring. But they're good foals, everybody is pleased, and we're excited about what's to come for the rest of the week.” Shaquille Lands A Slam Dunk With Joint-Top Lot Late in the day, lot 304 was joined at the top of the leaderboard by a filly belonging to the first crop of the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Shaquille, with Luke Barry of Manister House Stud striking the successful 75,000gns bid. Lot 372, from the Petches Farm draft, is out of a winning half-sister to talented two-year-old Baileys Jubilee (Bahamian Bounty), who won the Listed Prix des Reves d'Or, as well as finishing placed in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and G2 Lowther Stakes. Shaquille was responsible for only three weanlings to be offered for sale on Tuesday, but Barry admitted to being impressed by what he's seen of the Ace Stud stallion's progeny so far, not least in the case of this filly. “She was very dear, but she's very nice,” Barry explained. “There are some very nice fillies tomorrow, but she stands up very well against them. It was all about the individual but, also, I like the idea of the sire. We have a nice colt at home and he's stamping his stock. He gets very nice horses and he's a good-looking horse himself.” Confirming the filly would be reoffered for sale next year, he added, “We'll know by this time tomorrow whether we've made the right move or not.” Native Trail Not To Be Outdone Shortly before lot 304 went under the hammer and stole some of the limelight, European champion two-year-old colt and Classic hero Native Trail provided another of the day's most sought after foals when lot 300 was secured by Harry Sweeney's Japan-based Paca Paca Farm for 65,000gns. Sweeney politely declined when asked to confirm plans for the colt, a half-brother to the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes third Model Guest (Showcasing), but consignor Charlie Budgett was only too happy to express his delight in the aftermath of what was a terrific result for his family's Kirtlington Park Stud. “I'm absolutely over the moon,” said Budgett. “What was quite rewarding was all of the good judges were pulling him out and kept coming back, so we knew we had a nice horse. It was then a question of how they fought it out in the ring, really. We were just thrilled with the way he looked and the judges obviously agreed. “We've got a full-sister to Model Guest with Hugo Palmer at the moment. The mare I bought originally just to go to Showcasing. We do a lot with Whitsbury and they support us really well. We got the Showcasing filly we wanted, so we retired the mare and she'll carry on the family for us.” On the decision to send the dam, Looks All Right (Danehill Dancer), to Kildangan Stud resident Native Trail, Budgett added, “I thought he had a pretty strong chance and all of the right credentials. It's a mare that I own with my family, so they didn't argue which is always nice!” Along with Dragon Symbol, Native Trail was another first-crop sire to pull his weight in a big way during this opening session, with three of his four foals to go through the ring finding a place in the top 10. His quartet sold for a total of 147,500gns and at an average of 36,875gns, with lot 385, a colt from Church View Stables, proving another highlight when knocked down to BAC Bloodstock for 42,000gns. Meanwhile, breaking up the monopoly of the newcomers at the top of the market were Native Trail's fellow Darley sires Ghaiyyath and Harry Angel. JC Bloodstock provided one of the day's final flourishes when forking out 68,000gns for lot 382, a Ghaiyyath colt from Altenbach Bloodstock, while the Harry Angel colt offered as lot 310 was bought by Mags O'Toole for 45,000gns. Consigned by Ashbrooke Stud, the colt is out of an unraced Tasleet half-sister to the multiple Group 3 winner Psychedelic Funk (Choisir) and dual Listed scorer Gale Force Maya (Gale Force Ten). The post Dragon Symbol Roars as First-Crop Sires Dominate Tuesday’s Session at Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amplify Horse Racing, the national organization connecting youth to the Thoroughbred industry, closed out its 2025 season of outreach with a busy week in November. Amplify began the week by welcoming over 75 students and 4-H leaders from 11 different states participating in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup to a Thoroughbred Industry Discovery Day at Keeneland. Students heard from industry professionals about racehorse training and equine safety, explored the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, and joined a lunchtime career activity that connected them directly with mentors and employers in the industry. Amplify then presented its signature Mentorship Program at the National Farmers Union Women's Conference, highlighting the importance of mentorship in connecting young people with agricultural education and industry careers. And it hosted five mentees from across the country for an immersive day of learning in Kentucky, made possible through the support of Glen Hill Farm. Their day included touring the Keeneland sales grounds and learning how to evaluate horses alongside industry professionals, visiting Godolphin's Jonabell Farm, and touring the Keeneland Library before concluding with Amplify's annual end-of-year student networking event. Amplify conducted a field trip to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm for 40 students from the Walden School in Louisville, and capped off the week by exhibiting at the Fayette County Public Schools Career Expo at Tates Creek High School. “Our goal has always been to meet youth where they are, in their schools, communities, and online, and show them that there's a place for them in this industry,” said Annise Montplaisir, Amplify's Executive Director and Co-Founder. “This type of transformative programming doesn't happen without the collaboration and generosity of industry partners and donors. The financial support we receive directly fuels our ability to reach youth who might otherwise never discover this incredible industry. As we look toward 2026, we invite everyone who believes in the future of horse racing to join us in this mission.” In 2026, Amplify plans to build on the success of this year's programs with the debut of a new high school curriculum. Aligned with the National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes (NALOs), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Standards, the curriculum will provide teachers with ready-to-use lessons and hands-on activities that bring the world of Thoroughbred racing to the classroom. To make a tax-deductible contribution in support of Amplify's mission, visit amplifyhorseracing.org/donate. The post Busy November Completes Impactful Year for Amplify appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article