Wandering Eyes

By Mike Love Woodend Beach trainer Bob Butt takes a strong team of four to the Geraldine meeting at Orari racecourse today, looking to keep his successful weekend going after Donna’s Boy produced an impressive effort to win at Addington last night. Leading the charge at Orari today is The Lazarus Effect ($1.60FF) who lines up in the Placemakers Timaru/Twizel/Oamaru Geraldine Cup for $25,000 over the 2850m stand. The four-year-old Lazarus gelding has won seven from just 11 starts plus three placings including his last start when he took lengths off New Zealand Cup winner Kingman in the Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington. “He keeps stepping up each time. He’s come through his last start really good,” said trainer/driver Bob Butt. “Hopefully he can make a good beginning. It’s a good wee field.” “Obviously his first start on the grass is always a bit of a query.” “He’s there for a bit more standing start practice before we go to the Invercargill Cup (December 19th).” Other chances in the event include the Robert and Jenna Dunn trained It’s Tough ($3.10FF), while the remainder has a case to fill minor placings. Butt also has a great chance in the trotters version of the Geraldine Cup in Race 10, the Fresh Choice Geraldine Trotters Cup over 2500m with Tactical Bid ($4.60FF). “I Dream Of Jeanie and Maui have been going super against the big guns. They get into the race good. Tactical Bid has the motor and a big future. He’s still learning and needs to get his head around things.” Butt’s chances for the day do not end there. One Eye Bandit ($5.00FF) lines up in Race 9, the Hobbs and Banks Transport Pace. The aptly named three-year-old Always B Miki gelding has shown enough to Butt to suggest his time will come, however for now still goes around with the ‘L’ plates on. “He just got a bit lost last week. I just thought now we’d go into some grass track races with bigger fields so he can learn how to race. He’s got his share of ability, and he’ll make a nice horse one day.” In the final race of the day, Race 11 the Ecolab Mobile Pace Butt lines up Crystal ($14.00FF). Despite being drawn in the car park, Butt still believes she is racing well enough to feature depending on the tempo of the race. “She’s been going good every week, but she can’t do work in the run. It’ll make it hard from that draw so hopefully if there’s speed on she might be able to track into it.” Butt will also put on the Paul Nairn colours earlier on in the card behind Wilma’s Boy ($3.00FF) in Race 6, the McMillan Equine Feeds Trot over 2500m. Fresh up today with a 10 metre handicap Butt believes the four-year-old gelding should be prepped for a bold return. “He should be pretty hard to beat.” Race one gets underway at 12:05pm. View the full article

Jockey Rajiv Maragh rides his 2,000th winner Dec. 5 in piloting Lazio to win the third race at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

2nd-AQU, $85k, Msw, 2yo, 1m, 11:48 a.m. ET MIRACLE (Curlin) gets his career started for a high-powered partnership that includes Jeff Drown, Gary Broad's Walmac Farm and Gainesway Farm. A son of one-time 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Cherry Lodge (Bernardini), a listed winner and Grade I-placed at the races, the Mar. 28 foal fetched $700,000 at Keeneland September last fall from bloodstock agent Mike Ryan, who bought the colt's yearling full-brother for $1.4 million this past September. Cherry Lodge is a full-sister to GSW Gala Award and a half-sister to GI Hollywood Futurity hero Stormello (Stormy Atlantic), Grade II winner My Best Brother (Stormy Atlantic) and Atlantic Voyage (Stormy Atlantic), the dam of two-time Sovereign Award winner Curlin's Voyage (Curlin). Flavien Prat has the call for trainer Chad Brown. TJCIS PPs 1st-GP, $70k, Msw, 2yo, 1mT, 12:20 p.m. ET RanJan Racing debuts its homebred FORTUNY (City of Light) from the rail, with Tyler Gaffalione riding for Brendan Walsh. The March foal is set to become the third starter out of Patou (Ghostzapper), a daughter of the wonderful MGSW Cambiocorsa (Avenue of Flags), whose notable produced include Patou's GSW full-sister Schiaparelli as well as GSW Moulin de Mougin (Curlin), SW & GSP Bronson (Medaglia d'Oro), MSW Alexis Tangier (Tiznow) and GISP Vionnet (Street Sense), the dam of four-time Group 1 winner Roaring Lion (Kitten's Joy). Third dam Ultrafleet (Afleet) also produced the MGSW and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint hero California Flag (Avenue of Flags) and Cashmere (Cowboy Cal), the dam of GI Preakness Stakes hero Rombauer (Twirling Candy) and GSW Alexander Helios (Cairo Prince). The competition includes Mo Ladies (Uncle Mo), a half-sister to SW Unchained Elaine (American Pharoah) who sold for $300,000 as a Keeneland November weanling before realizing $425,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. TJCIS PPs The post A ‘Miracle’ Debut On the Belt Parkway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Rajiv Maragh rode his 2000th career winner Friday at Gulfstream Park, piloting Lazio (Bucchero) to victory in Race 3. “This feels pretty surreal when you think about the whole journey since 2000,” Maragh told Gulfstream media. “I've come a real long way. I've come from humble beginnings and to be able to achieve this milestone is pretty incredible. I've got to be really thankful for all the support I've had. You don't win 2000 by yourself. There are a lot of people behind the scenes.” After a two-year break from riding competitively in 2022, Maragh resumed riding at Gulfstream just over one year ago in Oct. 2024 with a goal to reach the 2000-win milestone. “This is a career milestone that I've really looked forward to as a short-term goal of mine,” he said. “To accomplish it, it's actually motivating. It creates the possibility that anything's possible, doing this at the highest level–Gulfstream's Championship Meet.” The post Jockey Rajiv Maragh Rides 2000th Career Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Due to an ongoing interruption of water service, the Dec. 5 racing card at Fair Grounds is canceled. The water main break in the neighborhood of the track is being addressed.View the full article

Between Del Mar and Santa Anita Park’s meets, jockey Antonio Fresu is riding in the United Arab Emirates, giving him the chance to ride Dec. 6 in the 33rd UAE President Cup for Arabians and the HH The President Cup for Thoroughbreds.View the full article

Wagering on U.S. races during the month of November experienced nearly an eight percent decrease and purses also saw a similar decline compared to a year ago, according to information released by Equibase on Friday. Total wagering of $848,116,672 on races during the month represented a 7.93% decrease over the same period from 2024, while available purses of over $118 million were lower by 7.76%. The figure of over $111 million for paid purses in November was also down by 7.49%. As for the total number of race days, they also decreased from 275 to 248 (-9.82%) and the number of U.S. races was lower from 2,316 in November 2024 to last month's tally of 2,123 (-8.33%). Average field size in November was up a tick from over a year ago when it was 7.77, and checked in at an average of 7.81 runners–an increase of 0.49%. As for average daily wagering, it increased by 2.10% to $3,419,825, and the average available purse number per race day was up 2.28% to $476,030 from the figure of $465,423 in 2024. When it comes to the year-to-date figures, through November of 2024 wagering on U.S. races came in at $10.583-billion, while this year the amount is $10.395-billion (-1.78%). Those numbers include worldwide commingled wagering on U.S. races. The post November Year-Over Wagering On Races And Purses Available Decrease appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A deep field of runners, including group 1 winner Danyah, contests the Thoroughbred edition of the HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi Turf Club Dec. 6.View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE — For the second time in as many years, the young team at Consign Ltd is bidding to close out the sales season in style when high-class filly Half Sovereign is offered as a wildcard during Saturday's session of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage. When the TDN cameras visited Harriet Jones and Chloe Battam in July last year, the newly-founded Consign Ltd was preparing to get the ball rolling with a bumper draft numbering 18 horses at the Tattersalls July Sale. Then, less than five months later, Jones and Battam were able to celebrate the burgeoning operation's most significant result yet when the three-year-old Dawn Charger (Soldier's Call) sold to Katsumi Yoshida's Northern Farm for €300,000, having won three races, including the G3 Prix Eclipse, in an 11-race career for Karl Burke. Now, with another year under their belts, Jones is keeping her fingers firmly crossed that lightning can strike twice in Deauville when Half Sovereign goes through the ring as lot 195. Last seen winning the G3 Prix Miesque at Chantilly, her fifth success from seven career starts to date, the daughter of Ten Sovereigns was bought by Burke for just 12,000gns at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale. “She's another Karl Burke special!” joked Jones, whose association with the Middleham trainer goes back over a decade. “I worked for Karl for 14 years and did many trips over here whilst I was with him. I've built up a good relationship with him and we're very thankful to him and the owners who have decided to support us as we're just starting out. It's great to have these kinds of trainers backing you and it shows that people can trust you.” The tough two-year-old Kaadi (Soldier's Call) was another to reward Burke's trust in Consign Ltd when changing hands last year for €100,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale. She's since won a Listed contest at La Teste de Buch for Gousserie Racing, but, in Half Sovereign, there's clearly a feeling in the camp that Consign Ltd is dealing with its most exciting proposition yet. Describing Dawn Charger's sale last year as “massive”, Jones continued, “Arqana has been very good to us. To bring a black-type filly from my old boss and to get the result of €300,000 in our first year as a consignor was great. “I think Half Sovereign perhaps has a bigger profile than Dawn Charger had, with winning the five times this year and being very unlucky in the sales race at Newmarket where she was just touched off. She's a highly progressive individual. “She's very versatile – she goes on quick ground and on soft ground – and she's proven that she's a very tough and consistent filly. She's actually quite a big two-year-old and she definitely looks like a filly that would improve again as a three-year-old. She'll be a great racing prospect and also a breeding prospect for somebody.” She added, “We've had all of the right people coming to the door. I'd be absolutely over the moon if we could produce what we did last year and there is no reason why she can't – she's a great horse for us to be able to offer.” If Consign Ltd is a relatively new name in the catalogue for the Vente d'Elevage, then the Aga Khan Studs draft is arguably the cornerstone of a sale that draws such a large variety of international breeders to Deauville year after year. In this year of all years for the operation, which brought an unprecedented first on Sunday when brilliant homebred Calandagan (Gleneagles) won the Japan Cup, attention now turns to the consignment of 29 fillies and mares that was also attracting all of the right people during inspections on Friday morning. Pedigrees simply don't come much better than some of those on offer this weekend, certainly not in the case of Darousha (lot 171), a Redoute's Choice half-sister to another star turn for the Aga Khan Studs this year in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Daryz (Sea The Stars). “We are presenting to breeders the opportunity to enter some wonderful families,” said Pierre Gasnier, manager of the French studs. “You can name the sister of our Arc winner, Daryz, Darousha, who is in foal to Zarak. She is a mare from a wonderful Aga Khan family and in foal to one of our best stallions, himself from a very good family, being a son of Zarkava. “We also have Siyouni's sister in foal to Vadeni and plenty of young fillies, both in and out of training. Hopefully, they will go to good homes and they will please their next operation, I'm sure.” Certainly, the list of operations that have reaped the rewards from investing in a filly or mare from the Aga Khan Studs in recent years is a substantial one. Just this year alone, Balantina (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf), Dynamic Pricing (Just A Game Stakes), Royal Patronage (Canterbury Stakes) and Zavateri (National Stakes) have all won top-level races, having been born to mares previously sold by the Aga Khan Studs. Similarly, Caliyza (Le Havre) – a half-sister to Calandagan, no less – first sold for €100,000 when featuring in the Aga Khan Studs draft at this sale two years ago, then for 155,000gns at last year's Tattersalls December Mares Sale. On Monday, she returned to Park Paddocks where she was bought by Ace Stud for 850,000gns. “It is difficult and to organise this takes a lot of thinking,” Gasnier said of the compilation of the consignment each year, no doubt particularly challenging when virtually every filly and mare on the list of potentials is blessed with a blue-blooded pedigree, cultivated over many decades. “But the goal is to keep the broodmare band to a set number and we also have very good fillies each year coming to stud. That's the reason why we have to sell some. To present them at public auction is never easy but, at the same time, it gives the opportunity for a family to expand and to show its true ability to breed champions everywhere in the world. “When you think about it, one of the best two-year-olds in England [Zavateri] is coming from the Zarkava family and we sold his dam [Zeroua, a daughter of Siyouni who made €90,000 at this sale in 2021] as a maiden mare. That's what it's all about and that's what you want to see. “It is the goal of the Aga Khan operation to keep improving the stud book and the thoroughbred. We race to breed and always to improve families. Regardless of whom it [success on the racecourse] happens for, it's magnificent. That's what we wish for everybody and for the sport to live as long as possible.” As for what the future might hold for the Aga Khan Studs, clues will be in the offing this weekend when young sires Erevann (14 foals) and Vadeni (7) are represented by their first foals. If you happened to miss it, be sure to read Thursday's TDN feature in which Fanny Cypres, from the nominations and client relations department at the Aga Khan Studs, provided the lowdown on their first representatives, likewise the connections of the five other stallions in the same boat – Ace Impact (11), Angel Bleu (3), Belbek (4), Mishriff (7) and Onesto (9). Among Mishriff's septet of foals is lot 473, who will be led through the ring on Sunday by Henry Powell, the 16-year-old son of Haras du Lieu des Champs owner Richard Powell, nephew of Arqana's Freddy Powell, and grandson of David Powell. The offering will see Henry become the third generation of the Powell family to sell a horse at Arqana, with the Mishriff colt being the first horse the teenager has owned by himself. He is the second foal out of Roziyna (Sea The Stars), who was purchased by the Powells at Tattersalls for 27,000gns in foal to Victor Ludorum. That colt, Rozarion, broke his maiden last Saturday at Limoges. “That's a nice update for him,” said Richard Powell. “It's quite exciting for Henry. The pedigree has really moved forward since we bought the mare. This dam is the sister of Rayif and Rayevka; Rayif ran third in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Rayevka ran third in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June, so the family is really on the rise.” Powell said that the foal's box is Henry's first stop each day when he comes home from school. “He has been very involved in the prep,” he said. “When he does the evening tour when he's back from school every day, he spends 15 minutes with the foal, talking to him and spending time with him. He's in love with his mare and his foal.” The first mare will be in the ring at 10am local time on Saturday. The catalogue for the opening session comprises 248 lots and features a mix of mares, fillies and foals. The post Consign Ltd Hoping Lightning Can Strike Twice at Arqana with Half Sovereign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has cancelled its Friday program because of an interruption in water service, according to a press release on Friday from the track. The water main break in the neighborhood around Fair Grounds is being addressed. Live racing is scheduled on Saturday and Sunday with a first post of 12:45 p.m. CT. The post Water Main Break Causes Fair Grounds Cancellation Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A lifetime breeding right in new Yeomanstown Stud sire Sands Of Mali (lot 135) is one of 14 wildcards added to next weeks Tattersalls Online December Sale on December 10-11. Now a Group 1 sire with the victory of Time For Sandals in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, the son of Panis will stand the 2026 season for €22,500. Other lots include a breeding right to Group 1 sire Without Parole (lot 136), whose Zavateri took the G1 National Stakes; while there are stallion shares in group sire Hello Youmzain (lot 133) and Group 1 sire Phoenix Of Spain (lot 134). Suzette Defoye (Sea The Moon) (lot 127), a half-sister to G1 Grosser Preis von Berline winner Simca Mille (Tamayuz) will be offered; as will the juvenile filly Kiss Don't Tell (Havana Grey) (lot 139), from the family of Glass Slippers (Dream Ahead). She was runner-up at Dundalk this week. For the complete catalogue, please visit the Tattersalls Online website. The post Breeding Right In Sands Of Mali Leads 14 Tattersalls Online Wildcards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Chukyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, CHAMPIONS CUP-G1, ¥232,860,000, 3yo/up, 1800m Field: William Barows (Jpn) (Mikki Isle {Jpn}), W Heart Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Meisho Hario (Jpn) (Pyro), Seraphic Call (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Helios (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), Hagino Alegrias (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ramjet (Jpn) (Majestic Warrior), Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Outrange (Jpn) (Regalo {Jpn}), Tenka Jo (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Narukami (Jpn) (Thunder Snow {Ire}), Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameham {Jpn}), Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes), Luxor Café (American Pharoah). TDN Analysis: Despite carrying the deserved mantle of favouritism in the advanced wagering markets, Narukami has his work cut out for him. Wilson Tesoro is aiming to go one better after two years of runner-up finishes. From the younger brigade, the six-for-seven filly W Heart Bond looms a champion-in-waiting. Luxor Cafe, the little brother of dual G1 February Stakes hero and Japanese Champion Dirt Horse Cafe Pharoah is another who could put his brand on proceedings. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: W Heart Bond Takes On Males In The Champions Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

HISA releases its Third Quarter Metrics Report for 2025. The figures show a high level of equine safety: 99.9% of Thoroughbred racehorse starts did not result in a fatality within 72 hours of racing due to race-related injuries. View the full article

Taylor Made Stallions's Travis White will succeed as president longtime leader Ben Taylor, who is retiring from day-to-day operations and will assume the role of chairman of the board, the farm said in a Friday morning press release. White began at Taylor Made in 2007 and has worked alongside Taylor in the stallion department for 18 years. The Louisville-native graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in sports management, and began his career in the industry at Buck Pond Farm before moving into the role of stallion nominations and sales for Taylor Made. White will continue to work closely with breeders, shareholders and stallion owners, while focusing on the future success of Taylor Made Stallions. Ben Taylor's decades of dedication have shaped Taylor Made Stallions into one of the premier stations in Kentucky. He successfully managed leading sires Saint Ballado, Unbridled's Song, and now Not This Time, who has emerged to the top of the stallion rankings this year. Under his direction, Taylor Made Stallions also co-managed the likes of Kris S., Speightstown and Tiznow. Taylor transitioned into his new position as chairman on Dec. 1. In this role, he will continue to provide guidance, strategic oversight and support to the leadership team while stepping back from daily management. The current Taylor Made board includes President & CEO Mark Taylor, Director of New Business Development Frank Taylor, Founder Duncan Taylor and CFO Jerry Felix. “It has always been our mission to stand stallions that are of high quality and attractive to commercial breeders at all price levels. We will continue to invest in stallions that we believe have limited financial exposure yet provide home run potential should they go on and become successful.” said Ben Taylor. “Travis has earned the trust of our team, our clients, and our partners. I am confident that under his leadership, Taylor Made will continue to uphold the values and excellence that define our brand.” “It's an honor to step into this role as president and work directly with all four brothers to continue building upon the foundation they have established,” said Travis White. “I look forward to leading Taylor Made Stallions into its next chapter while preserving the traditions and standards that have made this operation successful. “We have a very experienced team in place with our Stallion Manager Gilberto Terrazas, Booking Coordinator Wendy Upton, and Stallion Executive Tina Miller to go along with our newer team members, Brock Martin and Clay Taylor, who provide a strong work ethic and fresh ideas to the operation,” he added. “Our team is very grateful for our existing owners and shareholders and as we have in other aspects of our operation, we also want to build on providing opportunities for new people that might be interested in the stallion part of the business.” The post Travis White Named Taylor Made Stallions President Replacing Ben Taylor appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Champions Cup on dirt has attracted a field of 16, and Narukami (Thunder Snow) holds pride of place in the advance markets on the back of his Listed Japan Dirt Classic victory in October. Chukyo's 1800-metre affair, a rare Japanese top-level event on dirt, is also the site of the favourite's only loss in six starts. Assistant trainer Hiroyuki Yamazaki said of the Godolphin homebred who is booked in post 12 with Keita Tosaki aboard, “Since the Kozukata Sho, he's been a bit tense when taking the bit and racing well forward, and we want him to be more balanced, but he's been running well in recent training.” Second in the Champions Cup and G1 Tokyo Daishoten in both 2023 and 2024, Wilson Tesoro claimed the Listed Mile Championship Nambu Hai at Morioka two starts back in October. Also a participant in the G1 Dubai World Cup in 2024/2025 and this year's G1 Saudi Cup, the son of Kitasan Black ran fifth in the Listed JBC Classic last out in early November. Trainer Noboru Takagi said, “His fifth-place finish in the JBC Classic was a bit unexpected, and even though he didn't seem tired after winning the Nambu Hai, he might just have been so. That and the deep dirt track at Funabashi probably went against him. He'll be back for the Champions Cup, where he's finished second two years in a row to Lemon Pop.” Never worse than second in seven starts, the six-for-seven W Heart Bond (Kizuna) set a new track record in the 1800-metre G3 Miyako Stakes in November. Covering that trip in a snappy 1:47.50, the four-year-old filly breaks from gate two with Ryusei Sakai in the irons. Sakai won the race in 2023/2024 with Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid). Trainer Ryuji Okubo, who would be only the second trainer to saddle a filly to win the race, said, “She quickly got a forward position last time, and managed to fend off the second horse and win in record time, so it was an impressive performance. She's been at the stable since, and as she seemed a bit tired after that race, we've taken good care of her.” Second to Wilson Tesoro in the Nambu Hai in October when making his dirt debut was Sixpence (Kizuna). Out of GI Madison Stakes heroine Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy), the four-year-old colt is a three-time Group 2 winner on turf in Japan. Paired with Christophe Lemaire who is hunting for his third win in the race, the Carrot Farm runner is slotted in the 11 stall, next to Narukami. Lemaire was aboard the winners Kane Hekili (Fuji Kiseki) in 2008 and Belshazzar (King Kamehameha) in 2013. Trainer Sakae Kunieda said, “It was his first race on dirt in the Nambu Hai last time and he drew a wide gate, but ran well all the same. He became a target for the winning horse to run down in the end, but he looks to have prospects in dirt races. After that run, he had a break at Northern Farm Tenei, and came back to the stable on November 19.” If there was ever a horse made for Japanese dirt racing, it is Luxor Cafe. A winner of five of his nine starts, the full-brother to champion and dual G1 February Stakes hero Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah) claimed the G3 Musashino Stakes for a career high last out over 1600 metres at Tokyo last month. Also a half-brother to the American champion and multiple Group 1 winner Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) and to dual graded winner Night Prowler (Giant's Causeway), the three-year-old will be ridden by Florent Geroux from the widest gate in stall 16. The post Narukami The One To Beat In Champions Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article