Wandering Eyes

Father-and-son training duo Kevin and Stephen Gray finished the Wellington Cup meeting with a bang on Saturday when their gelding Anderson Bridge (NZ) (Savabeel) surged to victory in the Douro Cup (1600m). Race favourite Afternoon Siesta jumped well and was sent straight to the front by jockey Kelly Myers, while Bruno Queiroz was content to settle three-back in the running line aboard Anderson Bridge. They loomed three-wide at the turn and quickly ranged up alongside the leader, with the pair going head-to-head in the concluding stages, but it was Anderon Bridge who came out on top to win by a long neck. “He is a really promising horse, he beat a good mare,” Stephen Gray said. “We had the (1kg) weight advantage and I said to Bruno that he had to be forward and just attack her because she is a good mare. “He is a really promising horse, so I am excited to have him back.” Gray purchased Anderson Bridge as a yearling in Australia in 2022 for $200,000 while he was still training in Singapore, and entrusted him to the care of leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller. The son of Savabeel won one start for the expat Kiwi horseman before returning to Gray’s care in New Zealand last year, and the Manawatu trainer has been rapt with his progression. The five-year-old gelding won first-up over 1400m at Trentham in December before returning to the Upper Hutt track a fortnight ago to run fifth over the same distance, and bounced back to winning form when stepping up to a mile on Saturday. “He came back from Sydney, and it is only his third run back, so he is only getting better,” Gray said. Gray was also chuffed to record another victory in the Douro Cup alongside his father, while he said the win was a tonic for his Palmerston North-based team. “To win a Douro Cup, which I think I won a long time ago with Dad, and to still win it with Dad is pretty cool,” Gray said. “We run second enough, so when you win one it is exciting. We have had a tough couple of weeks where the horses have been going well, we just quite haven’t got the wins, so it is good for the staff at home and good for my mates who own him. “Paul Hickman, my best mate, owns most of him. We had 98 winners together in Singapore.” The win also extended jockey Bruno Queiroz’s golden run in New Zealand, with the Brazilian hoop currently fifth on the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership on 42 wins for the season, and Gray said the 24-year-old has a bright future. “Bruno is a hugely intelligent rider who will be a very good rider wherever he goes,” Gray said. “He is only young and he is riding much better, he is learning as he goes and it was a beautiful ride.” View the full article

Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin has plenty to mull over in the coming weeks as he hatches an autumn plan for his quality stayer Crouch (NZ) (Tarzino). The six-year-old gelding put in another strong effort at Trentham on Saturday to post his second successive runner-up result in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), and Breslin is now hungry to try and go one better in next year’s edition. “He has gone huge again. Running second two years in a row is a good effort,” Breslin said. “Tina (Comignaghi) has ridden him both times and when she got off the scale I said, ‘maybe next year’, so hopefully that is the case. “He is a really sound horse, he hasn’t been overly raced. I can’t see any reason why he can’t come back next year and run in it again.” Breslin is pleased with the way Crouch has come through the run, which has filled him with confidence as he looks to identify his next target. “He went for a pick of grass this (Sunday) morning and has licked his bowl, which is the norm for him,” Breslin said. “He looks bright as anything, he has come through it really well.” While disappointed not to win the Wellington Cup, Crouch’s performance has spurred Breslin to look at targets further afield, with both Auckland and Australia entering the mix. Crouch doesn’t currently hold a nomination for the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next month, and Breslin hasn’t ruled out making a late nomination, while Australia could beckon the son of Tarzino later in the season. “I did have a look at the noms for it (Auckland Cup) this morning and it is not going to be too much different of a field than the Wellington Cup,” Breslin said. “I wouldn’t rule out putting in a late nom for the Auckland Cup, I will give it some thought, but I might just look at what is in Australia for him as well. “He has never raced right-handed so Melbourne is more likely. I will just have a look at the programmes over there and see what is available for him over winter before making a call.” Stablemate Call A Friend (NZ) (Akeed Mofeed) fared differently in the Wellington Cup, beating just the one runner home, and Breslin said she will now head for a break before being set towards Country Cups next season. “It was a throw at the stumps for the big syndicate that are in her and it was always going to be the last run of her preparation,” Breslin said. “She showed us that she is best kept to 2000m or a touch more. I think she is the sort of horse that could win a nice Cup race down a level in the provinces next spring.” Meanwhile, stablemate Donnybrook (NZ) (Zed) is being set for the NZ St Leger (2500m) at Trentham next month off the back of his midfield run in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m), his second-up run after 12 months off the scene. “I thought he went super in the Trentham Stakes for the state of his fitness,” Breslin said. “He had a bit of a failed trip to Australia, that is why he was off the scene for a long time. He never raced over there but things didn’t go well for him and we have just brought him up really quietly. “We decided to run him in the Trentham Stakes because there was give in the track. It served its purpose and brought him up to just about full fitness, I am really happy with him. “He is definitely going to be targeting the St Leger. We will just target a couple of runs between now and then with him.” Breslin is also looking forward to the return of his Group Two-winning filly Intention (NZ) (Bivouac) to the trials at Foxton on Tuesday as he looks to set an autumn plan for the daughter of Bivouac. She finished 10th on a testing track in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, and Breslin said it has taken some time for his filly to get over the tough trip. “Intention is going to trial on Tuesday. That will be a defining moment for her three-year-old career,” he said. “The trip in the 2000 Guineas on the rain-affected track did knock her around a little bit. It has taken her a while to get over it. “She did gallop super on Thursday morning but it is just a matter of what is left for her as a three-year-old, so we are going to give her a trial on Tuesday and if she trials well we may give her one or two runs before giving her a break and getting her back as a four-year-old.” View the full article

Join a full team this week on Weigh In. Guy Heveldt, Bruce Sherwin & Aidan Rodley break down the action from Wellington Cup day at Trentham, feature racing from Ellerslie and a look ahead to The NZB Kiwi. Weigh In, February 1 View the full article

Exciting stayer The Precursor (St Jean) literally monstered his rivals to claim an impressive victory in the $350,000 Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The statuesque five-year-old towers over most of his race rivals and made good use of that impressive frame to stretch away from fellow Cambridge visitor Roctave over the concluding stages of the contest after enjoying a trouble-free run just behind the pace for rider Masa Hashizume. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-prepared son of the ill-fated stallion St Jean, who took out the 2017 Gr.3 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) before heading to stud, has always looked a stayer with tremendous potential after entering the stable of Shaun and Hazel Fannin for owner Graham Stewart, who purchased him for A$20,000 in an Inglis Digital online sale in late 2024. The Precursor had won once from five starts for the Ciaron Maher stable in Victoria before heading to New Zealand and was sent north to James and Wellwood after two placings from two starts for the Fannin team, where he started Saturday’s contest as the $4.30 second favourite off the back of two further placings and a win over 1600m at New Plymouth. Hashizume made perfect use of barrier four by heading forward at the start and getting one off behind pacemakers Platinum Goddess and Shaking Stevens before leaving the straight for the first time. Applying the pressure around the home turn, Hashizume had his mount trucking as he shot to the front and despite being hotly challenged in the final stages, The Precursor drew away late to win comfortably by a neat length at the line. Hashizume was quick to point out there was plenty more in the tank of the winner who is still learning the game. “He just does it so easily,” Hashizume said. “He just does what he has to do and when I galloped him on Thursday he was so laid back. “He had a good draw today and got in a good spot. He was just wandering along all the way up the straight but never stopping and he feels like he isn’t trying, but I knew if I asked him for another 600m he would give it to me.” Wellwood was delighted to get the win after stablemate Ariadne (NZ) (Almanzor) had been narrowly beaten in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) one race earlier. “We’ve had him for three runs now and he ran two good races over a mile before a big run at Ellerslie which gave us a lot of confidence,” he said. “I think he is a horse with a future but we won’t make any decisions until we get him home and see how he pulls up. “I do think he will be a Cups horse in the future, although he still has a lot of maturing to do, albeit he is a five-year-old, but he is a nice horse in the making. “He has strengthened since we got him and we know he is going to stay.” The Precursor holds a nomination for the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on 7 March where he sits as the $6 favourite in the TAB Fixed Odds market. He has now won three of his 10 starts and over $252,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Days after an announcement that champion 2-year-old male Ted Noffey was off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with bone bruising, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher showcases Nearly as a Derby contender by winning the $267,500 Holy Bull Stakes (G3).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard CORNUCOPIAN (c, 4, Into Mischief–Magical World, by Distorted Humor) hit a traffic jam nearing the quarter pole of a 6 1/2-furlong Santa Anita allowance on Saturday, but it proved but a minor inconvenience, as he got his feet back under him, quickly took a gap at the rail inside of a rival and was off and gone in his first start in nearly 10 months. The 1-2 chalk returning off an allowance defeat going a mile at Aqueduct last spring, the $1.1 million Keeneland September purchase hit the ground running, but so did several of his rivals and he was outfooted through an opening quarter mile in :21.65. Advancing inside on the turn with a wall of horses in front of him, the bay colt was stymied and was taken hold of by Juan Hernandez, losing significant momentum for a stride or two. But he was just as quickly back on the attack, as he hit the gap like a blitzing cornerback confronts an opposing quarterback and was in hand in the final 50 yards. The final time was a very slick 1:15.68. Sales history: $1,100,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Whisper Hill Farm & Three Chimneys Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert #5 CORNUCOPIAN ($3.00) gets through on the rail and wins his return in the 8th race at @SantaAnitaPark. @JJHernandezS19 rode the four-year-old Into Mischief (@SpendthriftFarm) colt for trainer Bob Baffert. @StarlightRacing @MadaketStables @StonestreetFarm @TomRyanKY pic.twitter.com/Gjkf0GL0C4 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2026 The post ‘Rising Star’ Cornucopian Crushes Allowance Rivals On Seasonal Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Days after an announcement that champion 2-year-old male Ted Noffey was off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with bone bruising, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher showcases Nearly as a Derby contender by winning the $275,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3).View the full article

Sometimes overshadowed by stablemate Baeza, Westwood comes into his own in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) Jan. 31 at Santa Anita Park, defeating Getaway Car by 2 3/4 lengths.View the full article

On Time Girl takes the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) for trainer Brad Cox and owner and breeder Albaugh Family Stables.View the full article

The Gulfstream grass very quickly became trainer Brian Lynch's lawn Saturday when the conditioner took home three victories over the course with two being stakes–the Kitten's Joy earlier on the card and here in the Sweetest Chant with Sister Troienne (Munnings). With her conditioner (and rider) claiming both 1 1/16-miles Listed features, and stablemate Thousandsticks (Twirling Candy) garnering high praise from Lynch after the earlier stakes, Sister Troienne went into the gate with even higher expectations. She was riding a four-race win streak here with back-to-back stakes wins to her credit in a string that began last September at Churchill Downs when she broke her maiden by 4 1/2 lengths. From there, she trounced allowance company at Keeneland Oct. 22, claimed the Wait a While Stakes over the local synthetic by three lengths Nov. 27, and was last seen taking home the hardware in the Ginger Brew Stakes Jan. 3. The betting public saw no reason to fix what wasn't broken, and hammered her at the windows to the tune of 1-2 overwhelming favoritism by the time they opened. Stalking well from second after Day to Day (McKinzie) hit the fence going into the first turn and ran off down the backside, Sister Troienne slowly reeled that one back in passing the five sixteenths and assumed command not longer after with six panels clocking in 1:11.67 for that pair. Four wide into the homeward run, but still well in hand, Mario Gutierrez had to keep her mind on business leaving the furlong marker and the pair came home much the best by 2 3/4 lengths in a hand ride. The 61-1 longshot Spicy Princess (Tapit) rolled home late to claim second and 13-1 Brat Pack (Gun Runner) was safely home in third. The final time was 1:40.76, Lynch and Gutierrez have posted impressive numbers during Gulfstream's Championship meet–the combination has struck for five stakes wins with Lynch claiming seven overall. “Very impressive and finished up in a strong time, too,” Lynch said. “When they turned down the backside she looked a winner every jump of the race. Honestly, I think she's just getting better at racing. She's got such a big, efficient stride, and when you ask her for run she just finds more. It will be interesting to see if she ever gets tested.” The victress is the first to the races for her dam, Dyna Passer, who was stakes placed in her racing career. Sister Troienne has a juvenile full-sister named Ultraviolet and their dam is due to Oscar Performance in 2026. Dyna Passer is a half-sister to the ultra consistent GISW Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy) as well as to MGSW Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper). The latter was wicked fast in his racing days, and set a new course or track record on four occasions at Gulfstream and Laurel Park for two different distances. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. SISTER TROIENNE ($3.00) was much the best in the $175,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. This is the 3YO Munnings (@coolmoreamerica) filly's 5th win in a row. She's trained by @BLynchRacing, @_MGutierrez_ was in the irons. Holy Bull is next: https://t.co/mnxsqMII2X pic.twitter.com/ERzXk0AtQM — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 31, 2026 SWEETEST CHANT S. PRESENTED BY DAILY RACING FORM, $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-31, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.76, fm. 1–SISTER TROIENNE, 122, f, 3, by Munnings 1st Dam: Dyna Passer (SP, $232,330), by Lemon Drop Kid 2nd Dam: Dynaire, by Dynaformer 3rd Dam: Binya (Ger), by Royal Solo (Ire) ($190,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Woodslane Racing LLC; B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch; J-Mario Gutierrez. $88,350. Lifetime Record: 6-5-0-1, $388,859. 2–Spicy Princess, 118, f, 3, Tapit–Apache Princess, by Unusual Heat. ($175,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-KMN Racing LLC; B-KMN Racing LLC & Tapit Syndicate (KY); T-Patrick L. Biancone. $28,500. 3–Brat Pack, 118, f, 3, Gun Runner–Ultra Brat, by Uncle Mo. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Alex G. Campbell, Jr. Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $14,250. Margins: 2 3/4, 1HF, 3 1/4. Odds: 0.50, 61.70, 13.50. Also Ran: Storm's Wake, Aggressive Lime, Surprise Ending, Bert's Knoty Girl, One Sweet Girl, Day to Day, My Lady Jbella. Scratched: Spirit Doll. The post Second Verse, Same as First: Sister Troienne Gives No Quarter in Sweetest Chant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Hayes is aiming to bridge a 25-year gap when Akashavani and Public Attention line up in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin. Fresh off watching Ka Ying Rising equalling Silent Witness’ record of 17 consecutive victories at Sha Tin last weekend, Hayes will now look for his first Classic Mile winner since Charming City’s victory in 2001. Both his runners look to have strong chances of hitting the board, but Akashvani looks set to fly the flag from a kind draw in barrier four under Luke...View the full article

Trainer Bob Baffert came into Saturday's hot-looking maiden at Santa Anita with a trio of high-profile chances on paper, but that number was reduced to a single runner with the program scratches of the rail-drawn Duntov, a $575,000 son of Maxfield, and Crude Velocity (Beau Liam), himself a $250,000 breeze-up purchase. But the one that remained, Speedway Stables' POTENTE (c, 3, Into Mischief–Sweet Sting, by Awesome Again), shouldered the load, outgaming the more experienced Captain Shreve (Runhappy) by a length. Away very smartly from an outside draw, the $2.4-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga graduate carved out the early fractions, with his chief market rival Captain Shreve–a strong-figure second on debut–close in tow. Clinging to a narrow advantage as they raced by the quarter pole in :45.62, Potente was never truly able to dispose of the race-long challenge from Captain Shreve, but came home nicely to take it by about a length. Sales history: $2,400,000 Ylg '24 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. O-Speedway Stable LLC; B-Pam & Marty Wygod; T-Bob Baffert The $2.4 million yearling purchase #7 POTENTE ($3.20) broke his maiden in R6 at @SantaAnitaPark. @kazushi0096 rode the three-year-old Into Mischief (@SpendthriftFarm) colt for trainer Bob Baffert. pic.twitter.com/8gBEZwZfNK — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 31, 2026 The post Pricy Into Mischief Colt Potente Guts It Out on Santa Anita Bow appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After being undone by unfavorable pace dynamics in three graded stakes starts to close out 2025, Quatrocento delivers in the Jan. 31 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) after racing unchallenged on the early lead.View the full article

Safe to say that two turns are no problem. NEARLY (c, 3, Not This Time – Ib Prospecting, by Mineshaft) passed the stretch-out test with flying colors Saturday, cruising to the line to capture the GIII Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park and earn himself 20 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. Wearing the colors of Centennial Farm, the 8-5 shot dueled most of the opening mile with race favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Cannoneer (Into Mischief) who had the rail position but couldn't counter when Nearly began to gain an upper hand on the run around the far turn. Only New York-bred Bravaro (Upstart) was left to challenge but was never a danger as Nearly rolled to the line under a hands and heels ride by Joh Velazquez. 40-1 longshot Project Ace (War of Will) filled out the trifecta. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0. O- Centennial Farms; B-Wind Hill Farm (FL); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales History: $350,000 ylg '24 KEESEP. Nearly and @ljlmvel take the Holy Bull G3. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/mqoPAyoQrB — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) January 31, 2026 The post Nearly More Than Enough In Holy Bull appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Vasy in Florida. Space Blues Colt Thrives In Florida JDT Racing's Vasy turned in a narrow win at Gulfstream for trainer Brendan Walsh on January 25 (video). Bred by Gary Mullins, the Space Blues colt is out of Beautiful Ending (Exceed And Excel). A €75,000 Goffs November weanling, the chestnut brought 75,000gns as a Tattersalls October Book 2 yearling and changed hands for €115,000 out of the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale where he caught the eye of Osborne Lodge Racing. The half-brother to G2 Al Fahidi Fort second Story Of Light (Dark Angel) counts half-brothers by St Mark's Basilica and Phoenix Of Spain born in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Granddam Pearl Kite (Silver Hawk) was third in the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes and foaled a quartet of stakes winners anchored by multiple group winner Nayyir (Indian Ridge), second in the G1 Sussex Stakes. Darley's Group 1 sire Space Blues has one winner from one runner in the U.S. thanks to Vasy. Worldwide, he is the sire of G1 Phoenix Stakes hero Power Blue and the Italian stakes scorer Drago Blues. He stands for €15,000 this year. Lion Claws Her Way To Victory Emcee Stable's Lion Lake (Dark Angel) broke through in her fourth start at Gulfstream on January 30 (video). Trained by Brendan Walsh, the grey was bred by Camas Park, Lynch Bages and Summerhill. The daughter of Urjuwaan (Cape Cross) is a full-sister to dual G1 Jebel Hatta winner Al Fareeq (Dark Angel) and a half-sister to a two-year-old No Nay Never and a yearling Camelot filly. Agent Corbin Blumberg picked up Lion Lake for €150,000 out of the Goffs Orby Sale in 2024. Yeomanstown stallion Dark Angel is credited with 34 winners from 53 runners (64%). His eight stakes winners in that jurisdiction include Grade I winners Raging Bull, Althiqa and Hunt. He commands a fee of €45,000. Repeat Winner Dirand (Sottsass), a flagbearer for breeder Peter Brant and Tony Shafrazian, was back in the winner's circle at Gulfstream Park on Saturday (video). the Chad Brown trainee was winning for the second time in six starts. Later on that same day, Aussie Girl (Starspangledbanner) ran out a winner of the GIII Endeavour Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs (video). The six-year-old mare is raced by Woodford Thoroughbreds and is trained by Will Walden. The post Making Waves: Vasy On Song At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article