Wandering Eyes

Canadian Sovereign Award-winning 3-year-old male Dresden Row (Lord Nelson) (hip 1), sold for $575,000, topped the 2026 Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale which closed Tuesday evening. The sale, which opened Thursday, Jan. 15 and included horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, racing/stallion prospects, short yearlings, and a stallion season, totaled gross sales of $4,514,500 for 160 horses sold. Dresden Row, Canada's leading 3-year-old colt in 2024, sold for $575,000 to MWG LLC from the consignment of Jeffrey Bloom, agent. In his most recent start, the 5-year-old captured the GIII Autumn Stakes at Woodbine Nov. 8. He has finished in the money in all of his 15 starts to date, which include three graded stakes victories, and has earned $448,803 to date. “The digital sales market that Fasig-Tipton has designed perfectly for our industry is second to none,” said Jeffrey Bloom, consignor of the sale topper. “It's pretty special to have the sales topper for my first time out of the gate as a consignor with a big assist to the crew at Fasig for their professionalism and skill at guiding me through every step in the process. Boyd Browning and his entire team are such a pleasure to work with. Dresden Row took us on a wonderful ride; I would like to thank his new connections and best of luck!” Other top hips included: Alisal (hip 22), a 3-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo, sold for $260,000 to Rafter C Ranch. Alisal was a two-time winner as a juvenile and finished second in her stakes debut in her most recent start. She is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Secret Message. Alisal was consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Warrendale Sales, agent. Sugar Rocket (hip 18), a 4-year-old daughter of Twirling Candy, sold for $250,000 to MKW Racing & Breeding. A full sister to Grade I winner and millionaire Pinehurst, Sugar Rocket was consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by ELiTE, agent. Jacksmybrother (hip 9), in foal to Vekoma, sold for $220,000 to BF Sams, agent. A Mo Town half-sister to multiple Grade I-winning millionaire Jack Christopher, Jacksmybrother was consigned by Legacy Bloodstock, agent. “We started the year off with a bang,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Digital Sales Director. “Gross is up 45% from last January and demand for racehorses continues to exceed expectations. We had more than 1,000 registered bidders and offerings sold from Alberta, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. That kind of reach is truly impressive and a real credit to both our customers and our team.” Overall, 160 horses sold for $4,514,500. Twenty-two offerings sold for $50,000 or more. Full results are available online. The post Canadian Champion Dresden Row Tops Fasig-Tipton January Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong sensation Ka Ying Rising has been recognised as the world’s best sprinter, becoming the highest-rated Hong Kong horse in history (128) as he ranked joint-second in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings (WBRR), while Romantic Warrior, ranked joint-seventh, has been listed among the world’s top 10 horses for a second year in a row. David Hayes-trained Ka Ying Rising capped an extraordinary 2025, which saw him go the whole calendar year unbeaten on his way to victory in the AU$20 million (approx. HK$101 million) G1 The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick in Sydney, Australia before defending his HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) crown at Sha Tin, two of five Group 1 victories during the rating period – from January, 2025 until the end of December, 2025. Partnered by Hong Kong Champion Jockey Zac Purton for all but one of his eight 2025 victories, he was awarded a higher end-of-year rating than a host of Hong Kong racing legends, including Able Friend (127), Beauty Generation (127) and Golden Sixty (126). Racing for the Ka Ying Syndicate, the New Zealand-bred speedster shared second place in the 2025 LONGINES WBRR rankings with Japanese duo Forever Young and Masquerade Ball, Britain’s Ombudsman and the United States of America’s Sovereignty, trailing only France’s Calandagan (130) at the top of the ratings. Trained out of Francis-Henri Graffard’s Chantilly base, five-year-old gelding Calandagan enjoyed a phenomenal 2025 with Group 1 victories in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m), King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m), Champion Stakes (1993m) and the Japan Cup (2400m), seeing the Irish-bred gelding rise from joint-fifth in the 2024 standings. Romantic Warrior, the world’s highest-earning racehorse in history with record prize money of HK$240.11 million, won three times during an injury-hampered year, extending his HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m)-winning record with a fourth victory, as well as landing the G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m) at Meydan, UAE. His mark of 127, level with France’s Daryz and USA’s Sierra Leone, was the highest the eight-year-old has ever been assigned by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) panel. The rating makes Romantic Warrior the equal second highest-rated Hong Kong-trained horse in history, after Ka Ying Rising. Career-high year-end ratings for Ka Ying Rising, Romantic Warrior and Hong Kong Triple Crown champion Voyage Bubble (121) are emblematic of a banner year for Hong Kong racing. Those three are among 10 Hong Kong-trained horses to achieve an international rating of 115 or higher on this year’s list, a performance that underscores the quality and depth of Hong Kong’s racing industry, which has only 1,350 thoroughbreds yet consistently produces elite performers recognised on the global stage. Lucky Sweynesse (117), Beauty Joy, Red Lion and Helios Express (116), Galaxy Patch, Howdeepisyourlove and Straight Arron (115) round out the 10 Hong Kong-trained gallopers to achieve marks of 115 or higher in 2025. Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, said: “Hong Kong horses have once again performed at an extraordinary level on the international stage and the 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings reflect the strength, depth and quality of our elite horses. To have two Hong Kong-trained horses among the world’s top 10 is a remarkable achievement, particularly when it is considered that Hong Kong has approximately only 1,350 horses, representing well under one per cent of the world’s active thoroughbred population. “Ka Ying Rising’s elevation to a career-high rating of 128 is a historic milestone for Hong Kong racing and establishes him as the highest-rated Hong Kong-trained horse in the history of the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings. His performances this season have been outstanding, and his recognition as the world’s best sprinter underlines the global strength of Hong Kong’s sprint programme. “Romantic Warrior continues to be a tremendous standard-bearer for Hong Kong racing. His career-high mark of 127 further enhances his status as one of the world’s premier middle-distance horses, and his consistency at the highest level across multiple seasons is a testament to the dedication of his owner Peter Lau, trainer Danny Shum and all those involved in his care.” World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races Eleven of Hong Kong’s premier races have been included in the 2025 LONGINES World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races, up from eight in 2024, and six of Hong Kong’s elite races were rated among the top ten in their respective distance categories. All four Group 1 contests at December’s showpiece LONGINES Hong Kong International Races are ranked inside the World’s Top 100 Group 1 races for 2025. The 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup, won by Romantic Warrior, returned a figure of 120.5 to rank 20th globally. Hong Kong secured three races in the top 40 with the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (26th, 120.0) and the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (35th, 119.0). The 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint was rated the world’s seventh-best turf sprint contest. Each accredited Group 1 race is ranked based on the average rating of the first four finishers from that year’s race, as determined by a panel of international handicappers. The ratings reflect the extraordinary quality of Hong Kong’s top races, which attract international competitors and consistently deliver world-class contests. Hong Kong’s tally of 11 Group 1 races in the top 100 places it among the world’s leading racing jurisdictions alongside Australia, Great Britain, Japan, the USA and France. In addition to their overall Top 100 rankings, a number of Hong Kong’s flagship races were also rated among the very best in their respective divisions for older horses on turf, further underlining Hong Kong’s standing across all major distance categories. In the sprint division, the Chairman’s Sprint Prize was rated the second-highest turf sprint in the world, behind only Australia’s The Everest, while the Centenary Sprint Cup ranked third globally among turf sprint races for older horses. The LONGINES Hong Kong Mile was rated seventh in the turf mile category, confirming its status as one of the world’s premier mile contests. Over the intermediate distances, the LONGINES Hong Kong Cup ranked eight in the turf intermediate category for older horses, while the LONGINES Hong Kong Vase was rated the seventh-highest turf long-distance race in the world for older horses. These rankings reinforce Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s leading racing jurisdictions across all major divisions, from sprinting through to staying events. Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Andrew Harding, said: “The 2025 LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings and World’s Top 100 Group 1 Races again highlight the outstanding quality of Hong Kong racing and its ability to compete with the very best in the world. The inclusion of 11 Hong Kong races in the Top 100 Group 1 ranking is a powerful endorsement of the international standard of our elite programme and the competitiveness of our major race meetings. “Hong Kong’s premier races continue to attract world-class horses and deliver exceptional contests. These races showcase the depth of our racing and the strength of our domestic performers against elite international opposition. “International competition remains a core priority for the Club and, alongside our world-class domestic racing, we are proud of what Hong Kong continues to deliver for racing fans both locally and globally.” View the full article

This week's list features a pair of Minnesota-breds and one 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' who is now on a two-race win streak. 4 (tie). THUNDERS ROCKNROLL, WRD, 1/12-5th, 6 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure-87 (m, 6, by Maclean's Music–Thunder and Honey, by Thunder Gulch) O/B-Bob Lindgren (Minn). T-Patrick Swan. J-David Cabrera. The Minnesota-bred dominated the Wilma Mankiller Stakes by 8 1/2 lengths at Will Rogers Downs for her fifth added-money win. This female line has been kind to prominent Minnesota owner Lindgren, who raced the six-times-stakes-placed dam and well as the dam's half-sister Honey's Sox Appeal, a member of Canterbury Park's Hall of Fame. 4 (tie). SENZA PAROLE, GP, 1/15-7th, 1 mile Beyer Speed Figure-87 (f, 4, by Gun Runner–Senza Te, by Street Cry) O-Don Alberto Stable. B-Don Alberto Corporation (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. Circumstances have kept her from fulfilling the potential she showed in her impressive 'TDN Rising Star'-worthy Saratoga debut as a 2-year-old. After that sparkling 94 Beyer, a chipped knee sidelined her for a year, then she lost her two comeback starts. But she now has won two straight, and this seven-length romp was especially encouraging. Don Alberto paid $700,000 in 2013 at Keeneland November to acquire her Grade III-winning granddam Sacristy, and the book isn't closed yet on Senza Parole's career. 3. LUCKY SPEECH, FG, 1/17-9th, 1 1/16th (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-88 (3rd) (m, 5, by Audible–Luckyallmylife, by Lookin At Lucky O-Millennium Stable. B-Delia Nash & Jun Park (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-James Graham. A rail trip helped her finish a well-beaten third in the Marie Krantz Stakes at 72-1 odds, but the race was fast enough that she still earned a career-best Beyer. Out of a Turfway Park stakes winner, owner Ro Parra took her for $105,000 in 2022 at Keeneland September. 2. CUPID'S CRUSH, FG, 1/17-9th, 1 1/16th (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-96 (2nd) (m, 6, by Cupid–Dazzlingsweetheart, by Dazzling Falls) O-Xtreme Racing Stables. B-Mary & Eric Von Seggern and Barry & Joni Butzow (Minn). T-Hugh Robertson. J-Martin Pedroza Jr. The second Minnesota-bred on this week's list, she's now been second in the Marie Krantz Stakes in back-to-back runnings. She controlled the pace at 27-1 odds, kicked home in :23.27 and would've won by 4 1/4 lengths had Medoro not been in the field. Owners Mike and Vicki McGowan paid just $40,000 for her at a 2021 Minnesota yearling sale even though her dam was a Canterbury Park stakes winner. Cupid's Crush has won five stakes at Canterbury. 1. MEDORO, FG, 1/17-9th, 1 1/16th (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-97 (m, 5, by Honor Code–Achira, by English Channel) O-C R K Stable. B-Parks Investment Group (Ky). T-Peter Eurton. J-Jose Ortiz. Off the board for the first time in her career thanks to a disastrous trip in the GI Matriarch Stakes, she made amends with a fast number at Fair Grounds in the ungraded Marie Krantz Memorial. Her owner-breeder Lee Searing spent $140,000 in 2019 to buy into one of the late Jerry Moss's best female families with the acquisition of dam Achira, out of a full sister to Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo. The post Five Fleet Fillies: January 12-18 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) worked five furlongs in 1:00 (1/62) Saturday morning for dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse, who is pointing the millionaire Grade I winner for the $1.25 million GI Apple Blossom Handicap for older fillies and mares April 11 at Oaklawn. “The track's pretty deep right now,” assistant trainer Caden Arthur, who oversees Casse's Oaklawn division, said Sunday afternoon. “I mean, not a lot of water, trying not to let it freeze. She moved over it phenomenally. Went a minute flat and did it cruising. Glad she caught some company in front. Gave her something to chase a little bit. 'Quick' worked good. She's just not on Nitrogen's level. Not a lot of fillies in the country are, so it was a little hard to stay with her. She did good. She worked her own work. I was happy. Nitrogen is Nitrogen. She got the name for a reason. She breathes different air.” A homebred for D. J. Stables, Nitrogen is among three finalists for an Eclipse Award as North America's champion 3-year-old filly of 2025 after winning six of nine starts, most recently finished second in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar in November. Nitrogen recorded workouts Dec. 31 and Jan. 7 at Casse's Florida training center before shipping to Oaklawn. She arrived Jan. 11. Casse said Nitrogen could make her 4-year-old debut in the $400,000 GII Azeri Stakes March 7 at Oaklawn. “Very happy she's here,” Arthur said. “She looks great today, the day after her work, and we're excited for her 4-year-old campaign.” Also working towards his 2026 debut for Casse was millionaire Grade I winner Sandman (Tapit). Unraced since late August, Sandman covered five furlongs in 1:02 (3/11) under two-time Oaklawn riding champion Cristian Torres. Sandman traveled his first three furlongs in :37 and galloped out six furlongs in 1:15.20. Arthur said Sandman could make his 4-year-old debut in a Feb. 6 allowance race which, if all goes well, would serve as a bridge to the $500,000 GIII Razorback Handicap for older horses at 1 1/16 miles Feb. 28. “He had a good breeze,” Arthur said. “The track's real deep. We'll have one more breeze next week, hopefully, around Wednesday, depending on the weather. That allowance race is kind of what we're shooting for as a prep for the Razorback.” Sandman ran four times last season at Oaklawn, winning an allowance race in his final start at 2 and the $1.5 million GI Arkansas Derby. The post Nitrogen, Sandman Work Towards ’26 Debuts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Arkansas Derby winner Angel of Empire (Classic Empire–Armony's Angel, by To Honor And Serve) sired his first reported foal Saturday, Jan. 17, when a filly bred by Brooks Taylor was born at Taylor Made, the farm announced Tuesday. She is out of Love Ava Love, a daughter of the stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Hidden Cat–her second dam is multiple Canadian champion and Horse of the Year Alywow–and she is a half-sister to stakes winners Global Power and Pegasusbystorm. Angel of Empire, racing for Albaugh Family Stables and trained by Brad Cox, competed exclusively in stakes at three, winning the 2023 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park by 4 1/4 lengths. He entered the Arkansas Derby following a decisive win in that year's GII Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds in his graded stakes debut, defeating subsequent GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil's. Sent off as the race favorite in the 149th Kentucky Derby, Angel of Empire finished a fast-closing third, earning a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure. Angel of Empire retired with a record of 9-4-1-2 and banked more than $1.4 million. His dam, Armony Angel, sold for $1.8 million at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale in 2023. Angel of Empire stands at Taylor Made Stallions for $5,000 S&N. First foal for Angel of Empire! G1 Arkansas Derby winner ANGEL OF EMPIRE was represented by his first foal, a filly out of Love Ava Love (Mr. Greeley) born Saturday at @TaylorMadeSales! Look at the leg!@TaylorMadeMark @Albaughstables @cyfanatic pic.twitter.com/0Vl9eIMNoA — Taylor Made Stallions (@TMStallions) January 19, 2026 The post Angel Of Empire’s First Foal A Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

From winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) with Super Corredora to losing her business just days later, Debbie Self has leaned on her horses to help her heal. View the full article

Cameletta Vega (Camelot) has been supplemented to the Goffs February Sale, which is set for February 11-12. A National Hunt breeding prospect, she is a daughter of six-time Mares' Hurdle winner Quevega (Robin Des Champs). Also a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Facile Vega (Walk In The Park) and Aurora Vega (Walk In The Park), Cameletta Vega has wins in a bumper and a maiden hurdle on her resume. She was also fourth in the G3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle. Goffs Group chief executive, Henry Beeby said, “Cameletta Vega only enhances a strong line-up for the Goffs February Sale and we are grateful to her connections for entrusting another outstanding NH broodmare prospect to us. She will crown a strong two days at Kildare Paddocks and be sold before the commencement of our new February Point-To-Point Sale.” The post Quevega Daughter Added To Goffs February appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

WinStar Farm's 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Timberlake (Into Mischief–Pin Up {Ire}, by Lookin At Lucky), winner of the GI Champagne Stakes at two and a millionaire son of perennial leading sire Into Mischief, sired his first reported foal Tuesday morning, WinStar announced. The first foal, a colt, was born at Monticule in Lexington, Ky. Farm d'Allie Racing Stable (Allison Banks) bred the colt out of the Verrazano mare Flume, a half-sister to Grade I-placed Identity Politics. “He is a big, strong colt, and I think if they all look like him then everyone will be happy,” said Breena Kaplan, farm manager at Monticule, of the Timberlake colt. Allison Banks added, “I am so blessed to have a healthy, strong colt, and a wonderful mare who produces good individuals. To be Timberlake's first foal is just icing on the cake. Our operation may be small, but I feel strongly about quality breeding and attention to detail. Thank you to my farm manager, Monticule, and WinStar for making this possible.” Campaigned by Siena Farm and WinStar Farm, Timberlake won the Champagne by 4 1/4 lengths, defeating subsequent 2-year-old champion Fierceness (City of Light) and registering a 93 Beyer Speed Figure. He also captured the GII Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in his 3-year-old debut and was tabbed a 'Rising Star' following a 9 1/4-length maiden special weight at Ellis Park at two. All told, Timberlake, who was trained by Brad Cox, banked more than $1.3 million, winning or placing in 5-of-9 career starts, including three Grade I's. A $350,000 Keeneland September yearling, Timberlake hails from the family of Group 1 winners Quarter Moon (Ire), an Irish Champion, Yesterday (Ire), and Diamondsandrubies (Ire). Timberlake, who bred 161 mares in his initial book, stands for $15,000 S&N. The post Timberlake Represented By First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has scheduled 19 stakes worth a total of $9.55 million during the Spring Meet April 3-24. It offers two marquee events for 3-year-olds: the $1.25 million Blue Grass Stakes (G1) for males and the $750,000 Ashland Stakes (G1) for fillies.View the full article

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races has released its 2026 stakes schedule following approval by the West Virginia Racing Commission.View the full article

Dual grade 1 winner La Cara is set to be back in action Jan. 24, favored in a field of eight contesting the $300,000 Houston Ladies Classic (G3) at Sam Houston Race Park.View the full article

As a trainer, Luca Cumani's name has long been etched in the history books among an elite group to have trained two Derby winners. Along with Kahyasi and High-Rise, other equine stars to have graced his stable over more than four decades include Barathea, One So Wonderful, Gossamer, Alkaased, Falbrav and Zomaradah, who is now better known as the dam of Dubawi. Perhaps one of the most special was the Fillies' Mile winner Shamshir, who carried the colours of Sheikh Mohammed but had been bred by Luca and his wife Sara at their Fittocks Stud. Keen students of pedigrees, the Cumanis have long run this successful breeding establishment in tandem with the training operation, but since his retirement from the training ranks in 2018, Luca has joined Sara in making this his main focus. Fittocks Stud recently hit was can be described as a bloodstock home run – not once but three times – when selling a trio of seven-figure yearlings at Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Sale. Ahead of the start of another lively foaling season, Luca took the time to speak us about his long-held interest in breeding. As ever, we are indebted to Polly Bonnor and the team at Saracen Horse Feeds for their generous sponsorship of TDN Conversations. Listen here: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Conversations-Luca_v1.mp3 The post TDN Conversations with Emma Berry: Luca Cumani appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

We continue to spotlight a few of the extraordinary mares–and some of the people behind them–who produced the Grade I winners of 2025. The two mares we highlight today are responsible for the last two GI Kentucky Oaks winners, with the 2024 Oaks victress adding to her laurels in 2025 and the 2025 Oaks winner returning to the track for 2026 in hopes of doing the same. Both are also finalists for this week's Eclipse Awards. Sataves, dam of Thorpedo Anna By any measure, Judy Hicks is a smart woman. She even has the papers to prove it: two bachelor's degrees, two master's degrees, and one Ph.D. But perhaps the smartest thing she's ever done came from the heart instead of the head. On a late January night in 2015, a client's mare at her Brookstown Farm near Versailles, Ky. surprised everyone by foaling six weeks early. Because the mare, a daughter of Stormy Atlantic named Pacific Sky, was so early, the foaling was unattended. The foal was alive but tiny and weak, just 40 inches tall and 60 pounds, and she had a crushed hock. Outside advice given to the client recommend the filly be put down, but Hicks found herself asking if she could have the filly instead. Hicks has always had a tremendous heart for animals–all five of her degrees are in animal-related fields–and she wanted to give this one a chance. “I wanted to save this little filly,” said Hicks. “I could feel there was something there. She didn't breathe very well, but boy was she full of energy. She found the bag on that mare on her own. They told me it would be a disservice to the horse to keep her, but I wanted to try to save her life.” Luckily for the sport, the answer Hicks received was yes. If it hadn't been, there would be no Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) today. Judy Hicks with Sataves and her dogs Smoke, Dozer, and Nova | Sarah Andrew Hicks did save the filly, a daughter of the late Uncle Mo who was born the same year his first crop propelled him to leading freshman sire honors. She let her mother name the filly Sataves–“it has something to do with a Buddist god, I think”–and the filly thrived under her care, despite suffering from stunted growth. She never raced and today she's only 14.2 hands. “She's very little,” said Hicks, “She's so small, she has to reach up on her tiptoes to put her head over the fence. She's temperamental. She's crooked in front. Her left foot toes in so bad it almost touches her right. That hock is big and she's not very attractive, but I love her and she knows I saved her.” Sataves has since produced four foals for Hicks, including 2024 Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old filly Thorpedo Anna, whose long list of accomplishments includes 2024's GI Breeders' Cup Distaff and Kentucky Oaks and 2025's GI Apple Blossom Handicap and GI Personal Ensign Stakes. Everyone knows the tale: Hicks sold her at Fasig-Tipton October as a yearling for $40,000 to trainer Kenny McPeek and ended up keeping a piece of her. But what made her breed Sataves to the late Fast Anna to begin with? Grade I-placed himself, he sired 14 black-type winners in his five crops, but Thorpedo Anna is his only graded winner. “It was his body, I always pick bodies,” remembered Hicks. “He was by Medaglia d'Oro and he was a perfect score on conformation. Everything about him was absolutely gorgeous. Anna got his huge hind end and great shoulder. If anything, Fast Anna would have given Thorpedo Anna a length of neck because Sataves has a short neck, although I don't know if that was from her immaturity. “Sataves looks just like Uncle Mo but with short legs,” continued Hicks. “Her cannon bones never grew–that's why she's short–but her babies all get their sire's attributes. Kathryn Nikkel deserves some credit, as she was the adviser who picked Uncle Mo to breed to Pacific Sky.” Hicks has been around a number of good horses, including in an unusual circumstance where she purchased a mare from a sheriff's sale on the courthouse steps, developed her descendants for a few generations, and eventually saw a yearling she sold out of the family produce Grade I winner and young sire Newgate (Into Mischief). However, she said nothing can prepare a person for the wide ride of an incredibly popular Horse of the Year. “It gives me goosebumps,” said Hicks. “A lot of times I don't know that it really sank in. No one can prepare you for what she did, but I grasped it, I took charge of it, and I got everything out of it I could plus more. “There's so many variables. You have to have a Kenny McPeek, who is willing to take chances. You have to have ability, but I don't know if anybody else had her, if they would have done the same things. You just don't know.” The Northern California native and self-proclaimed George Strait fanatic has had “ups and downs and goods and bads. It has all formed me into the person I am, but I've basically been just a working farm manager. I love my farm and I love saving animals.” Hicks still cared for Pacific Sky until recently, when she put down the long-retired mare, who was suffering from laminitis, and buried her on the farm. Hicks leads Thorpedo Anna into the Personal Ensign winner's circle at Saratoga | Sarah Andrew Hicks and her husband, R.W., run a boarding operation on their approximately 460 acres at Brookstown Farm. They've recently sold part of their land and have toyed with the idea of retiring, but with well over 100 horses to care for, it won't be anytime soon. “I have 10 of my own, 10 in partnerships with other people, and I board probably 80 or 90,” said Hicks. “I've got 40 to foal this spring, I've got about 30 barren mares and maidens to breed, plus 23 yearlings, and some old retired girls. R.W. grows corn and soybeans and we bale our pastures to use for bedding.” In 2007, they suffered the worst tragedy parents can face when their 17-year-old son, Dusty, broke his neck in a diving accident in a pond on their farm. Hicks, her daughter Kristi, and Dusty were on a horseback ride on the 4th of July when it happened. Hicks said Dusty was a top swimmer in the state of Kentucky and had just gotten a full-ride swimming scholarship to Stanford University. “While nothing prepares you for Thorpedo Anna,” said Hicks, “I've had some really bad things in my life that have probably prepared me by helping my strength. My son died when he was 17 and to endure that was beyond anything. I'm still extremely strong and I try and stay as positive as I can.” Hicks is now a grandmother, as her daughter, who lives in Texas, has two little girls, Charlee and Mallory. Thorpedo Anna's older half-sister, Charlee O (Tourist), is named for Kristi's daughter. “She's five and spoiled and Kristi is going to have her hands full with that one,” said Hicks with a laugh. “When I look back at my life, I do have to smile. The memories I have.” Thorpedo Anna's dam at Brookstown Farm | Sarah Andrew Hicks has kept Charlee O, who has a Bolt d'Oro yearling filly and is in foal to Good Magic. She'll go back to Good Magic in 2026. Hicks also retained 25% of Sataves's 4-year-old McAfee (Cloud Computing), a multiple graded-placed colt, and owns her 2-year-old filly, After the Storm (Known Agenda), outright. After the Storm is in training with McPeek and Hicks said the trainer claims she has Anna's hip and leg. Sataves lost her last two pregnancies, a Gun Runner at around eight months and a Curlin before 30 days. “We're thinking maybe we should just take her to Oklahoma and breed her to a cheap stallion because that's when she tends to stay in foal,” joked Hicks, who said the mare is heading to Not This Time this year. “It's unfortunate she lost those two. I sent her over to Dr. Bramlage at Rood and Riddle and the reproductive group over there went over her with a fine-tooth comb. “I'm having to upgrade. I can't go to cheap stallions anymore with her. She's the Broodmare of the Year. Besides me having really, really good sales luck with Not This Time, he is just a magnificent-looking stallion. Hopefully the foal can get his attributes.” The diminutive Sataves in October | Sarah Andrew Sataves, now just 11, was named the 2024 Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association Broodmare of the Year in September at TOBA's 40th anniversary awards dinner. Somewhat remarkably, Hicks has never received any inquires about selling her. That's fine with Hicks. “Because she's so unattractive, I don't think anybody would want to buy a 14.2 mare,” mused Hicks. “Maybe they know what she looks like, but I've never had even a phone call. I have never been asked to sell her. Or maybe they know that I wouldn't sell her, so they don't even bother to offer.” Thorpedo Anna suffered mild bone bruising in the fall and was retired in October. John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa acquired a half-interest in the star mare in August, then purchased another 20% for $1 million at Keeneland's Championship sale in late October. The finalist for Eclipse champion older mare now resides at Hill 'n' Dale and is scheduled to visit Gun Runner for her first foal and Curlin for her second. Hicks said she still owns her portion and doesn't plan to part with it. “I have not yet been out to see her,” said Hicks, who said she hated the way Thorpedo Anna's career ended with a tough loss in the GI Juddmonte Spinster Stakes and just returned from two weeks alone in Cabo San Lucas to help process it. “That horrible loss hit me hard. I had to get away and it was the best therapy for me as I was very, very heavy hearted and it was very emotional for me. Part of it is just sadness. Your daughters grow up and leave home and that's what she's done and I have to be happy for her, but it's bittersweet.” Wedding Toast, dam of Good Cheer While Thorpedo Anna was bred by one woman from a discarded filly and an inexpensive stallion yet still turned into an icon, the 2025 Kentucky Oaks winner represents the other end of the spectrum. Godolphin homebred Good Cheer (Medaglia d'Oro) was bred to be a headliner. Wedding Toast in June | Sarah Andrew In 2008, Godolphin's Darley arm purchased Stonerside Farm, near Paris, Ky., from Robert and Janice McNair. Included in the purchase was approximately 170 carefully cultivated broodmares. One of them was Golden Sheba (Coronado's Quest), an unraced half-sister to Stonerside's five-time Grade I-winning luminary Congaree. The first mating arranged by Darley for Golden Sheba was a visit to brilliant home stallion Street Sense. Wedding Toast, a member of his second crop, was the happy result. Racing as a homebred, Wedding Toast captured the 2015 GI Ogden Phipps Stakes and GI Beldame Stakes among her five black-type victories. Good Cheer, who like her dam has five black-type wins, is her fourth foal. “[Wedding Toast is] special, but they're all treated the same here so you can't [let yourself] get too overwhelmed with one superstar mare,” said Ben Lynch, the broodmare manager at Stonerside, last summer. “They're all treated at such a high level, which I think makes a big difference across the board. It's a pretty star-studded barn here itself and it's kind of like that across the farm, so we're very spoiled.” Good Cheer's dam at Godolphin's Stonerside Farm | Sarah Andrew Godolphin has one of the most high-powered broodmare bands in the industry, evidenced by an unprecedented weekend last May when a Kentucky Derby-Oaks double in America turned into a Classic quadruple on both sides of the pond for the global operation, which became the first ownership group to sweep all four Classics in the same year. Three of Godolphin's four winners were homebreds. It was Good Cheer who kicked off the heady weekend with her Oaks score. Lynch distinctly remembers the Oaks winner. “She was, I think, maybe the second crop of foals I was around here. Similar to the mare, she's just all class. Never made a fuss, just very straightforward. Everyone loved her from the beginning.” Like her own dam, Good Cheer is by a revered home stallion in Medaglia d'Oro. Pensioned last fall at the age of 26, he sired a long list of superstars, with Good Cheer marking his third Kentucky Oaks winner. “[Director of Bloodstock] Michael Banahan told me the Mr. Prospector line to Medaglia d'Oro is very successful,” said Lynch, “so that was kind of a big draw to try with [Wedding Toast] and give it a go and it worked out pretty well.” Lynch, who grew up in Maryland, went to the University of Kentucky, and interned with Godolphin during college before joining the organization full-time, said Wedding Toast passes on her class. “The biggest thing would be her mind,” he said. “That's the thing we all notice here working with her every day. She's just a class act and her foals are always the same. They're always very flashy, so everyone is excited to see whenever we're foaling her what they're going to come out looking like.” Wedding Toast wins the 2015 Ogden Phipps | Sarah Andrew Wedding Toast has a freshly minted 2-year-old full-sister to Good Cheer named Best Wishes, who is currently in early training with Niall Brennan. The mare was bred to Nyquist–yet another stellar home stallion–for 2026 and is due in May. Wedding Toast has one other daughter, a placed 5-year-old by Tapit named Queen of Paris, whom Godolphin has retained and is also in foal to Nyquist for this spring. Good Cheer, who got much of the fall off to recover from bone bruising, recently shipped back to Brad Cox at Payson Park to target a 2026 campaign. She's a finalist for Eclipse champion 3-year-old filly. Lynch said it's extra special to see the foals he's helped raise succeed on the racetrack. “It's always nice to see your babies run,” he said. “You're up with them all night foaling them and raising them and if there's any problems, you're always there with them, so you spend probably more time with them than with most of your friends or family. They become your friends and family, too.” The post The Producers: Sataves and Wedding Toast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) concluded its Board elections to fill six vacant seats, with members voting for candidates to serve four-year terms beginning January 2026 through December 31, 2029. Elected to the Board were H. James Bond, Rick Burke, Lois Engel, Michael Lischin, Lere Visagie and Richard Zwirn. Current Board members who have two years remaining in their four-year terms include Scott Ahlschwede, Thomas J. Gallo III, Jane McMahon, Vivien G. Malloy and Mallory Mort. The post Bond, Engel Amongst Six New NYTB Board Members appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland's 15-day Spring Meet, which will run from Friday, April 3 through Friday, April 24, has scheduled 19 stakes worth a total of $9.55 million to set a season record for total stakes purses, the track announced Tuesday. In addition to offering two marquee events for 3-year-olds–the $1.25 million GI Toyota Blue Grass for males and the $750,000 GI Central Bank Ashland for fillies–the meet includes three races that have been upgraded for 2026 and also have increased purses. Contributing to stakes purses for the season is $2.25 million from the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF), pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. “Keeneland's Spring Meet is a celebration of the very best of Thoroughbred racing,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “This is a credit to the outstanding horses from leading owners; the competition among successful trainers and jockeys; and the knowledge and enthusiasm of our fans and horseplayers. They all contribute to Keeneland's success, which generates a lot of pride throughout Central Kentucky.” Spring Meet stakes that were upgraded and received $50,000 purse hikes were the $400,000 GII Giant's Causeway on April 12; the $400,000 GII Baird Doubledogdare on April 17; and the $350,000 GIII FanDuel Limestone on April 10. For this season, Keeneland has adjusted the stakes schedule to accommodate the two stakes that would have been run opening Sunday, April 5, which this year is Easter when Keeneland is closed for racing. The GII MiddleGround Capital Beaumont moved to opening day, and the Palisades Stakes will be run Sunday, April 19. Opening day, April 3, now presents four stakes–all for 3-year-olds–led by the year's first Grade I event for sophomore fillies: the 88th running of the $750,000 Central Bank Ashland at 1 1/16 miles. The other stakes that day are the $400,000 GII MiddleGround Capital Beaumont, at seven furlongs on the dirt for fillies; the $600,000 GIII UK HealthCare Transylvania at 1 1/16 miles on the turf; and the $400,000 Lafayette Stakes, a seven-furlong dirt race. Entries for opening day will be taken Monday, March 30. On the meet's first Saturday, April 4, the 102nd Toyota Blue Grass highlights five stakes on the card, annually Keeneland's biggest race day of the spring season. Joining the Toyota Blue Grass are the $650,000 GI Resolute Racing Madison, for fillies and mares at seven furlongs on the dirt; the $500,000 GII Appalachian Presented by Japan Racing Association, for 3-year-old fillies at one mile on the grass; the $400,000 GII Valvoline Global Shakertown, for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf; and the $350,000 GIII Commonwealth, for older horses at seven furlongs on the dirt. The Toyota Blue Grass and the Central Bank Ashland both are worth 200 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks, respectively. The winners of each stakes will earn 100 qualifying points to the respective classic. The early nomination deadline for the two races is Feb. 18. Late nominations are due March 18. Once again, Spring Meet stakes are scheduled for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Friday, April 10, Keeneland will run two turf stakes: the $650,000 GI Maker's Mark Mile, for 4-year-olds and up at one mile, and the $350,000 GIII FanDuel Limestone, for 3-year-old fillies going 5 1/2 furlongs. Two stakes the next day are the $650,000 GI Jenny Wiley, a 1 1/16-mile turf race for fillies and mares, and the $400,000 GIII Stonestreet Lexington, for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles. The final prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, the Stonestreet Lexington will award a total of 42 Derby qualifying points. Of those, 20 points will go to the winner. Sunday, April 12 will feature the $400,000 GIII Giant's Causeway, a 5 1/2-furlong turf race for fillies and mares. Friday, April 24 is closing day of the Spring Meet when Keeneland will showcase racing and its world-famous auctions. Highlighting the race card is the $350,000 GIII Bewitch Presented by Keeneland Sales, for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles on the turf. After the races, Keeneland will hold the April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale. The post Keeneland To Offer A Record $9.55 Million In Purses For Spring Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article