Wandering Eyes

The 2026 turf racing season will kick into gear with the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T), the first top-level domestic grass stakes of the new year. View the full article

The 2025 season didn't go as flawlessly for 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna, but when pushed to her absolute limit in the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1), fans again saw the champion's heart.View the full article

On Thursday in Palm Beach, Bob Duncan was honored with a Special Eclipse Award for Career Excellence acknowledging his contribution to the sport of horse racing through his work at the starting gate. I loudly applaud the NTRA, DRF and National Turf Writers & Broadcasters for recognizing Bob's unique talent and gift to racing with this award. I applaud Bob himself for his approach to his craft and the shining example he has set in handling horses with respect as partners in winning races. Bob and his craft are known to anyone that has worked on a racetrack in the U.S.–myself included. But it was through his efforts with Quality Road as a 4-year-old that I came to better understand just how insightful, dedicated and generous Bob is with horses and people. After being scratched at the starting gate for the 2009 GI Breeders Cup Classic and being reluctant to load on a plane to return from California to New York, Quality Road was branded as a talented but unpredictable rogue. At that time, as General Manager for Ned Evans Spring Hill Farm, the owner/breeder of Quality Road, I knew this label was inaccurate as did his trainer Todd Pletcher, jockey John Velazquez and anyone close to the horse. Going forward, we employed Bob to reeducate Quality Road at the gate in an effort to allow him to reach his full potential. At a point where he could have been retired as a Grade I-winning, multiple track record setting 3-year-old known for bad behavior, instead, through Bob's work and wisdom, as a 4-year-old Quality Road won three more Grade Is, set another track record, redeemed his reputation and retired to stud with the highest stud fee of his intake year. As a result, Quality Road bred high-quality mares making him champion freshman sire. He has gone on to become a leading stallion of multiple champions with 17 Grade I winners and counting, plus he will leave a positive and lasting mark on the breed. None of this would have been possible without Bob Duncan. What he turned around in Quality Road, he has prevented happening in countless other horses. Bob's work ethic, empathy, nonverbal communication skills and innate respect for the horse as a sentient being, led to the development of a philosophy and approach to horse handling at the starting gate that has benefitted horses and horsemen for decades. From my perspective though, Bob's biggest gift is the example he has set–an example of horsemanship, respect, partnership, empathy and understanding. Communicate with the horse in terms he can understand, not ignorantly expecting him to learn our language. Treat the horse with respect; like with people, it must be given to be reciprocated. Develop a partnership with the horse, not a dominant/submissive relationship, if you want him to give you his all. These examples and so many more to follow in our approach to horse handling. In this day and age where the horse can be viewed as an asset to be developed, whose nature, athleticism and will must adapt to our schedule and expectations, Bob's example glaringly reminds us that taking care of the horse, putting the horse's best interests first is not only the ethical, moral and right thing to do, it just so happens to be good business as well. On behalf of the horse, thank you Bob! The post Letter To The Editor: Bob Duncan’s Example appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twelve months on from having completed a Bhupat Seemar one-two finish, Deva Racing's IMPERIAL EMPEROR (IRE) (g, 6, Dubawi {Ire}–Zhukova {Ire}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) put stablemate and 2025 winner Walk of Stars (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to the sword approaching the final furlong of Friday's G1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan and streaked away to punch his ticket to the G1 Dubai World Cup over an extra 100 metres in a couple months' time. Exiting a victory over Commissioner King (Commisioner) and Mendelssohn Bay (Mendelssohn)–second and first, respectively in Friday's G3 Firebreak Stakes–in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile Dec. 19, Imperial Emperor was given a positive ride by the in-form Richie Mullen and sat handy to the pace as longshot Masmak (Vino Rosso) made the running from the rail-skimming Walk of Stars. Asked to win his race on the swing for home, Imperial Emperor went through his gears and finished full of running to account for Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), who also stayed on well for second. Favoured Heart of Honor (GB) (Honor A. P.) found himself at the tail given the strong tempo and was under urging from Saffie Osborne fully 1000 metres from home. Switched out for the drive, the 4-year-old found his best stride late and outfinished 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Artorius (Arrogate) for third. Imperial Emperor is the 64th top-level winner for the legendary Dubawi. Sales history: AED300,000 HRA '24 ERAMAR. Lifetime Record: 13-7-1-1. O-Deva Racing; B-Godolphin; T-Bhupat Seemar IMPERIAL EMPEROR dazzles in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan! pic.twitter.com/TDL6ZufBIp — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 23, 2026 The post Imperial Emperor a New Group 1 Winner For Dubawi In Al Maktoum Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GoffsGo has assembled 42 horses for its Online January Sale, headed by the Jack Davison-trained Oh Cecelia (Starspangledbanner). The sale takes place next Wednesday 28 January at 12 noon with lots closing next Thursday 29 January from 2pm. Commenting on the catalogue, Goffs boss Henry Beeby said, “GoffsGo was launched last year and has a calendar of 17 sale dates for 2026. The January Sale kicks off the year in fine fashion featuring a diverse group of entries to appeal to the broadest buying bench. “GoffsGo provides a real point of difference to the market as it can cater for horses at all levels and offers tailored auctions from all category catalogues to dispersals and pop-up sales, all of which can be held as open to the public, or confidentially, away from public view. Vendors and purchasers benefit from the same terms of business and unique and transparent Goffs service that is evident at all live Goffs sales regardless of location. “GoffsGo offers outstanding value with an entry fee of just £49 and the lowest available vendor commission of 1.5% which is only charged for lots that sell on the platform. That is unmatched by any other European online platform.” Prospective buyers wishing to bid must register to bid online prior to the sale. For more information on the GoffsGo January Sale, or to enter your horse, please contact Ruairi Breen on +353 45 886600. The post GoffsGo Attracts 42 Horses To Its Online January Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Few bloodstock agents manage to rack up the miles that Ed Stapleton puts in on a yearly basis. That's ironic, because if it wasn't for being stopped in his tracks during the Covid-19 pandemic back in 2020, Stapleton may never have made a go of it in both hemispheres. Now, Stapleton spends six months of the year in the southern hemisphere, where he is already up and running for 2026 after striking at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Attention turns to the National Yearling Sale at Karaka, which will be celebrating its 100th year on Sunday, and the Irish native will be bidding to keep the momentum going. He said, “We shopped at Book 2 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. We targeted horses to come back here to New Zealand for the ready-to-run sale and managed to land two. We work closely with a man called Barry Donoghue, who is from Mullingar in Ireland, and came out here originally as a National Hunt jockey. He has now segued into the breeze-up game and has been quite successful from only three drafts. He teamed up with Adam Potts, Sam Haggas and some others on a Hello Youmzain colt, who they sold for NZ$700,000 last year, so that was a massive result for him.” Stapleton added, “Looking ahead to next week, sourcing horses for the ready-to-run syndicate will be high on my agenda while I also buy horses for trainers from New Zealand, Australia and even Hong Kong. So we should have a busy few days ahead of us. The nature of my business primarily revolves around the European market but this would be the busiest 10 days of my year in this part of the world, for sure.” There was a time when sourcing winners seemed nothing more than a pipedream for Stapleton. However, when he moved to the UK with his New Zealander wife Katie in 2014, the seeds were set. “I came out to New Zealand first for the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and a six-week trip turned into three years,” Stapleton explained. “I met my now-wife Katie and we actually moved to Cambridge in the UK for a few years whilst she was doing her PHD. I come from a farming background and, while I rode out for a couple of trainers when I was younger, essentially, I had nothing to do with racing until I moved to Cambridge. We rented a property very close to the National Stud in England and I just thought it was the perfect opportunity to go and learn about what I had always loved. I had come from a business development background but I left that behind and went down and asked the National Stud for a job.” He added, “That was in 2014 and I spent a little over a season there. I met Richard Venn there and I became fascinated by the job that he did because he mixed business, which was my background, and horses, which is my passion. I asked Richard to take me under his wing and he did. I dragged him, as a technophobe, into the 21st century by building him a website and a couple of other things and he taught me about conformation and pedigrees. I still do a lot with Richard and we've actually brought a stallion or two down to New Zealand together.” He added, “In a nutshell, we moved back to New Zealand during Covid and fell in love with the place. So I spend six months of the year down here in the southern hemisphere now. The other six months are spent in the northern hemisphere and we do business in both parts of the world. I am part of the bloodstock agents' federation down here in New Zealand and there is actually quite a good crew of Irish who are operating quite successfully here.” There are dozens of Irish men and women who, like Stapleton, have been afforded the opportunity to flourish in New Zealand. There are distinct differences to how Stapleton runs his bloodstock business in both hemispheres, while the County Carlow native reveals he has extensive skin in the game in New Zealand. He explained, “I run a high-volume business where I concentrate on lower- to medium-value horses in Europe. Therefore, we concentrate a lot on the horses-in-training market up there for a host of international clients. Down here, we do a lower volume of business but the value of the horses would be worth a lot more. You'd definitely have a lot more skin in the game down here, too. I joke that, in the northern hemisphere, I take the drug dealer approach and never touch the product! You just buy and sell it. Whereas down here, we have quite a few pinhooks and we will actually be selling quite a few at Karaka as well. It's very straightforward to do business down here. I suppose there are a lot of similarities between how horses are reared in New Zealand compared to Ireland as the climate and grass is quite similar. One of the big differences is the momentum behind syndication down here as well. Syndicates are quite transparent and that attracts members from the general public. They can see clearly what the offering is and get involved.” He added, “There is a good contingent of people who are doing well out here as well. There is Eathan Leonard, who is the Yearling manager at Haunui Farm, trainer Conor Fahey [son of trainer Pat Fahey], Derek Nolan, who operates under the banner of Lillywhite Lodge, while Colm Murray is a Group 1-winning trainer here in partnership with Shaun Ritchie. You've also got the likes of Tommy Coughlan, who is Farm Manager at the Oaks Stud, while his sister Clodagh Coughlan looks after the marketing at New Zealand Bloodstock. There's also Gordon Cunningham of Curraghmore Stud, who has been here for more than 20 years and can be expected to have a huge sale next week and there is also Nick King, who stands stallions at Brighthill. So there's a huge cohort of Irish people doing well in New Zealand. It's a home away from home, really.” With a view towards business Down Under and in New Zealand, these few weeks are crucial for Stapleton. Coolmore, William Haggas and a number of other familiar faces have made the trip for the 100th anniversary of the sale and Stapleton revealed there is huge anticipation bubbling ahead of the action which kicks off on Sunday. He concluded, “There's a massive feeling in the air for this sale. Karaka is a purpose-built facility on the outskirts of Auckland primarily built to show and sell horses and provide the best hospitality of any sales company on the planet. Anybody who comes here will attest to that. There's always a massive atmosphere here and it will probably attract more of the general public given it is the 100 year anniversary. But for anyone who has never been to Karaka, it could be compared to Saratoga or even Deauville in terms of atmosphere. It all kicks off on Saturday night with the Karaka Millions and then we get into the sale itself on Sunday. So there's huge excitement around the place.” The post Adopted Kiwi Ed Stapleton Excited For ‘Busiest Southern Hemisphere Period’ At Karaka appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) has canceled Saturday's live racing program at Aqueduct Racetrack due to arctic temperatures and sub-zero wind chill values forecast to impact the metropolitan area throughout the day, the association said in a press release on Friday morning. As previously reported, NYRA has also shifted Sunday's live racing program to Wednesday due to a powerful winter storm expected to bring heavy snowfall to the region. Saturday's featured Interborough Stakes will be brought back for Friday, Feb. 6, with entries to be taken on Saturday, Jan. 31. The Big A will remain open for simulcasting on Saturday but closed to the public on Sunday. The post Falling Temps: NYRA Cancels Live Racing At The Big A On Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 15:00, CENTENARY SPRINT CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, 3yo/up, 1200mT Field: Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}), Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}), Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto), Tomodachi Kokoroe (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), Beauty Waves (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Lucky With You (Aus) (Artie Schiller). TDN Analysis: Ka Ying Rising will attempt to make history and equal Hong Kong legend Silent Witness's record of 17 wins in a row by a Hong Kong-trained horse. A surprise here is not impossible, but Helios Express needs to find 12 pounds via international ratings. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 16:05, STEWARDS' CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, 3yo/up, 1600mT Field: Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}), Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Sunlight Power (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}). TDN Analysis: It is difficult to look beyond Hong Kong heavyweights Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble in Sunday's Stewards' Cup. The former holds top-level form in four countries and is running in his first 1600-metre race since claiming Japan's G1 Yasuda Kinen in 2024. The latter has won two editions of the Stewards' Cup in 2024/2025. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Ka Ying Rising Aims To Equal Silent Witness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway. A look at contenders on the Triple Crown trail.View the full article

Racing Welfare has called on the racing industry to get behind two major fundraising events for 2026. The Racing Welfare Brecon Beacons 10 Peaks Challenge and the return of Racing Come Dancing at Epsom Racecourse offer two very different routes to getting involved, but both ask the same question. Could you take on a challenge that pushes you, connects you to others and helps fund vital support across racing? Together, these flagship events play a critical role in enabling Racing Welfare to deliver its services. The charity is not government funded and requires around £3 million each year to support people working in racing through mental health challenges, injury, illness, housing pressures and financial difficulty. Last year, these events combined raised more than £200,000. In 2026, the aim is to raise even more. The first challenge takes place on Sunday 5 July with the Racing Welfare Brecon Beacons 10 Peaks Challenge. Set in the Brecon Beacons, participants will cover 22 miles, summit 10 peaks all in a single day. Racing Come Dancing takes place on Sunday, November 8, and National Hunt trainer Dan Skelton has urged people to get involved after taking part in the first edition of the event. He said, “Grace [wife] and I were absolutely delighted to be on the first edition of Racing Come Dancing. It took a bit of commitment, but it was great fun and completely worth it. To get the chance to learn to dance, performing on the night and helping raise so much money made it an unforgettable experience. We had lots of friends there who had a fantastic night out. I couldn't recommend it highly enough. If you can do it, do it!” The post Racing Welfare Calls On Industry To Support Two Major Fundraising Events appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first foals by Tally-Ho Stud's Group 1-winning sprinter Big Evs have hit the ground. A colt out of the Group-placed Shelton (Mehmas) and a filly out of Tuileries Garden (Champs Elysees) were born at the County Westmeath stud in recent days. Tally-Ho Stud commented, “These foals out of Tuileries Garden and Shelton are just two examples of the kind of quality we're seeing so far from the first crop of Big Evs.” Big Evs was a razor-sharp sprinter for Mick Appleby. He won six of his 11 starts, with his career highlight coming in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. He stands for €15,000. The post First Foals By Group 1-Winning Sprinter Big Evs Touch Down At Tally-Ho Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Hong Kong and Guangzhou’s horse industry cooperation will enter a critical phase when the first of regular race meetings is held at Conghua racecourse in October, with the Jockey Club aiming to showcase “world-class racing and entertainment” to the mainland. A key pillar of China’s five-year National Equine Industry Development Plan, Conghua – which is situated 150km north of the Hong Kong-China border – will host the first of what is believed to be four race meetings for the 2026-27 season on...View the full article

The Karaka Millions twilight meeting is always a key focus for Te Akau Racing, and they are set to have another strong hand in this year’s edition. The country’s leading stable has had a stranglehold on the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) in recent years, winning eight of the last nine editions of the race, and they will be represented in this year’s running by a trio of juveniles. Unbeaten Group Two winner Kinnaird will lead the stable’s charge, with trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson also upbeat about the chances of stakes performer Out Of The Blue and Zaharias. “I am really excited to have three nice chances in a race we find very special,” Bergerson said. “Kinnaird is leading the charge. It is hard to fault his form and he continues to go the right way, he has done really well since Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. “He has got a nice gate (2) with Opie (Bosson, jockey) on, who knows him really well. He ticks a lot of boxes, but it is a two-year-old race and a lot can happen. “The other two have performed really well. Out Of The Blue was a bit stiff at Wellington but he has travelled back well and the more you throw at him the more he thrives. “Zaharias didn’t have a lot of luck on the 11th (of January when third at Ellerslie) he was trapped wide and got a bit keen, so the blinkers come off. His work with Kinnaird on Tuesday here (Matamata) on the course proper was really good. “It is a very competitive field and it’s hard to split all the different form lines, but I am very excited.” The stable will also have a strong representation in the $1.5 million Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), with Group One winner La Dorada and Group Two performer He Who Dares taking on a strong line-up, including the well-fancied Well Written. “Well Written is the benchmark and a deserved short-priced favourite, but it was fantastic to see La Dorada bounce back to form at Wellington (when winning the Gr.2 Levin Classic, 1400m) and she is another one that has gone the right way. She has travelled home and hasn’t missed a beat. “He Who Dares showed he is up to the mark in the Auckland Guineas (Gr.2, 1400m) and pushed Well Written close. The mile at Ellerslie looks ideal and he is another that ticks a lot of boxes. “They have both got nice gates and a good positive racing style.” There will be plenty on the line for the pair, who present as two logical candidates for the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in March, with Te Akau Racing being a slot holder. “We think they are both really nice NZB Kiwi horses. La Dorada is a Karaka Millions winner at Ellerslie and the 1500m looks ideal for her,” Bergerson said. “The same with He Who Dares, he has gone two real cracker races there at Ellerslie and had a bit of a blip in the Sistema (Gr.1, 1200m) but still ran really well. 1500m looks ideal and he just continues to get better and better. “If they were to get slots, I am very confident they would be competitive. Hopefully they can both put their best foot forward on Saturday.” One stable runner who has already been assured of a start in the NZB Kiwi is Group One performer Belle Cheval, who will be one of five runners for Te Akau in the Gr.2 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m). “She is a really exciting filly. She has only had three starts and she has run third in a (NZ) 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m),” Bergerson said. “We think that she is very classy and she is only going to continue to improve. “I am stoked for David (Archer), Diane (Wright) and the team there and very privileged to be training a filly like her for them. “Saturday we think is short of her best, but we think she has the talent and class to be very competitive.” She will be met on Saturday by stablemates King’s English, In Haste, To Bravery Born and Drops Of God. “King’s English continues to get better and better and his win was really good at Ellerslie on Sunday and he has gone the right way,” Bergerson said. “In Haste had a good freshen-up and trialled well in a Group and Listed trial. She just peaked on her run but has taken good improvement. “To Bravery Born had a quiet trial. The fresher the better seems to be his formula and he has drawn a nice gate (1). “It is hard to fault Drops Of God’s form line. She is still quite raw and does a little bit wrong and gets a bit keen, but it should be a high-pressure race and if she is to have luck from that barrier (13), we think she is more than capable.” Bergerson is also excited about the prospects of Coolmore’s Espionage in the Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m), having finished third in his New Zealand debut over 1200m at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. “He has been very straight forward. He hasn’t missed a beat since coming over from Australia,” Bergerson said. “His run on New Year’s Day was good and if he had drawn a gate that day he would have gone very close to winning. “We took him up to Ellerslie in between times for a gallop last Thursday and his work has been good. He has a nice gate (6), which gives us options. “It is a competitive field and he has got to take that step back up to Group One quality here in New Zealand. He goes in in really good order and certainly deserves his chance.” While Ellerslie will be the focal point on Saturday, Te Akau will also be chasing stakes glory at New Plymouth and Riccarton. In Taranaki, the stable will be represented by Stella Ma Bella and She Suits Herself in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m), and last-start Taupo Cup (2000m) winner What You Wish For in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m). “The two fillies at New Plymouth, it is just dependent on the weather with them,” Bergerson said. “She Suits Herself is still a maidener but showed at Te Aroha she can cope with rain-affected going. “Stella Ma Bella just didn’t pull up 100 percent following the Ellerslie disappointment but has bounced back really well, her work has been good leading in. We gave her a trial in-between times just to check everything is okay and she trialled nicely. There is a little bit of a query on track conditions with her, but this is her chance at black-type. “What You Wish For is another one that is a query around the weather, but he bounced back really well into form in the Taupo Cup. 1800m at set weights and penalties really suits. He is a very talented galloper on his day and is more than capable.” The stable’s Riccarton barn is also keen to get in on the stakes racing action, with Trobriand tackling the Listed Speight’s Timaru Stakes (1200m) at the Christchurch track. “It is rain-affected going down there as well but he produced a really good performance during Cup Week on rain-affected going,” Bergerson said. “It was a bit of a headscratcher last time at Trentham (when eighth over 1200m). The visor blinkers go on, he sneaks in with 53kg and he looks a live chance.” Te Akau head into the weekend in winning form, having recorded a double on their home track of Matamata on Friday courtesy of Born To Be Royal and Cease And Desist, with both three-year-olds in line for Classic targets. “It is always nice to have a couple of winners on your home track,” Bergerson said. “We thought Born To Be Royal would have broken maidens before today. She is a very talented filly that has been running in some really good races and it’s good to see her finally break maidens. Hopefully she can get a bit of confidence from that and we can continue to build towards the New Zealand Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m) in the middle of February. “I think Cease And Desist is a nice progressive type. His racing manners let him down a bit early and he disappointed on debut as a colt and we gave him a big break and the team at home have done a really good job with him. “He is slowly learning what it is all about. He was really good today. He still wanted to get a little bit on the bridle and at the top of the straight I thought he was no chance, but he really picked up and kept grinding away. “He should take some good confidence from that and potentially he could end up in a Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) in early March if he continues to settle and continues to progress. We will take it one step at a time and see how he comes through this.” View the full article

Some of the most respected names in the New Zealand thoroughbred industry will be out in force at Karaka over the next few days during the milestone 100th edition of the National Yearling Sale. NZB’s annual showpiece gets underway with the Karaka Millions twilight race meeting at Ellerslie on Saturday, followed by Book 1 on Sunday and Monday, Book 2 on Tuesday and the inaugural Karaka Summer Sale on Thursday. Vendors have embraced the significance of this occasion, including Cambridge Stud, who will offer their yearlings exclusively at Karaka this season. “Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay made that decision a fair way out from the sale, and I think it’s very fitting that Cambridge Stud supports the sale 100percent in its 100th year,” the stud’s sales and nominations manager Scott Calder said. “The history of the National Sale, NZB and Cambridge Stud are very much intertwined, and there have been numerous highlights that Cambridge Stud has been a part of – particularly in the Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan era. We’d love to carry on that great legacy.” This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Cambridge Stud, which was established by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan in 1976. Cambridge Stud will offer 70 yearlings during Karaka 2026, and the team’s excitement has only grown in the lead-up to the sale on the strength of an outstanding run of form by their stallions. First-season sire Sword Of State has emerged as a budding star with the likes of Bjorn Baker’s unbeaten colt Warwoven and the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Torture, who won the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) in October and will contest Saturday’s Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m). Almanzor, meanwhile, has sired four individual Group winners in New Zealand since November 22, including First Five in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m). “The timing has been very good in that respect,” Calder said. “Almanzor has had a fantastic run, and I think Sword Of State is up near the top of the list in terms of stallions that people are coming to the sale to try to buy yearlings by. “Hello Youmzain has had a good summer as well and will be strongly represented on Karaka Millions night on the eve of the sale. All of those things bode well for our draft, because those three stallions make up a large chunk of the 70 yearlings we’re offering. “Yesterday (Wednesday) was a bit of a washout, the rain didn’t help at all, but everyone’s got stuck in once the weather cleared today. There seems to be a lot of buoyancy around the sale grounds. “The sense of occasion certainly adds to it this year, being the 100th anniversary. Hopefully it all combines to create a strong market and the horses will sell well.” An obvious headline act in the Cambridge Stud draft is Lot 513, the colt by Sword Of State out of the Shamardal mare Las Brisas. That makes him a half-brother to the four-time Group One winner and A$10 million earner Ceolwulf. His most recent elite-level triumph came in the Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington after the catalogue went to print. Lot 513 Sword of State – La Birsas. Photo: Angelique Bridson “He’s a real drawcard when you look at his pedigree page on paper, and he’s the same when you see him in the flesh,” Calder said. “We’re really excited about him. He’s by the right stallion and out of the right dam, and he’s a horse we’re very fond of. “The early indications on the sale grounds are that there’s a lot of interest in him, so we’re really looking forward to seeing him go through the ring. “Another one we’re quite excited about is Lot 461, the filly by Spirit Of Boom out of Gracious Grey. She’s another one that we’ve been fortunate enough to have a significant pedigree update for. Her half-sister Kind Words has won twice since the catalogue went to print, including the Gr.3 Belle of the Turf Stakes (1600m). It’s a very current family and she’s one to keep an eye on. “But I think the strength of our draft is that it’s just a very even group of really nice horses that we’re hoping will have a lot of appeal for buyers.” Another vendor that will operate exclusively at Karaka 2026 is Trelawney Stud, whose famous history stretches back almost as far as the National Yearling Sale’s. The nursery was established by Seton Otway in the 1930s. “This is a great celebration for the whole industry, reaching 100 years, and Trelawney has played quite a big part in that,” Brent Taylor said. “They started selling yearlings at the sale in the early 1930s and have sold yearlings pretty much every year since then. That makes us certainly the longest-standing vendor still selling at the National Yearling Sale. “I myself was there for the first sale at Karaka in 1988, working for Cambridge Stud at the time. To see the complex develop, change and become a world-leading centre of excellence for breeding and results on the racetrack is something to be very proud of. “It’s fantastic to be a part of that history. We had our first sale at Trelawney in 1994 and have sold every year since then. “Trelawney has decided to dedicate 100 percent of our yearlings to Karaka this year. It’s a really good, strong line-up of horses. We’ve been inundated with interest in parades and it feels like the market is going to be strong. The vibe is good, so we’re all really pleased and looking forward to the sale.” Trelawney Stud has 17 yearlings catalogued for Book 1 of Karaka 2026, with another five entered for Book 2. “We have a couple of personal favourites, although they may not end up being the ones that make the most money,” Taylor said. “For us, it’s more about presenting horses that you like and you can see a future in. “The first of those favourites is Lot 94, the colt by Proisir out of Ruqqaya. It’s a special family that we’ve been heavily involved with, producing the likes of Ocean Park, Grunt and Zayydani, and he’s just a ripping colt. He’s one of my favourites on type. He’s a good mover and has great balance and temperament. Lot 94 Proisir x Ruqqaya. Photo: Angelique Bridson “And then there’s a Russian Revolution filly, Lot 203, who’s out of one of my favourite racemares in Two Illicit. She was an absolute star on the track for us – a very consistent and high-class performer. She’s given us a beautiful, beautiful filly to offer. Lot 203 Russian Revolution – Two Illicit. Photo: Angelique Bridson “It’s exciting to have a couple of really nice horses like that, but it’s a good-sized draft and I’m sure I’ve missed other horses that people will like more. “We’ve got a good draft, a good bunch of people at Karaka helping us out, and we’re looking forward to a busy few days.” The 2026 edition of the National Yearling Sale is a milestone in more ways than one for the respected vendor Curraghmore. “As well as being the 100th National Yearling Sale, it’s the 30th for NZB and the 30th national sale for Curraghmore as well,” Gordon Cunningham said. “It’s very special to have built up the history that we’ve had with this sale, and we’ve had highlights every year. “I was gifted a beautiful book this week with the top horse to come out of the sale each year for those 100 years. In our 30 years, we’ve had Fairway in 1998, who was a multiple Group One winner and the most successful horse from that year’s sale. Then a few years later we had Efficient, who won a Melbourne Cup and was the most successful graduate from his year’s sale. We’re very proud of that.” Curraghmore’s class of 2026 features 22 yearlings in the catalogue for Book 1, seven in Book 2 and two in the new Karaka Summer Sale. “I think we’ve got our usual sort of draft, with lots of really good prospects to become good racehorses,” Cunningham said. “The first couple of days here were quite testing with the weather, but the horses paraded very well for us and we were very proud of them. “It seems to me that the level of interest is consistent with other years. People always seem to be happy to come back to Karaka and come to see us, which we appreciate. “One of my favourite things about this year’s draft is that many of them are relatives to good horses that we’ve produced in the past. “An example of that is Lot 222, a full brother to Kovalica, who’s been a Group One winner and has earned more than A$4 million for Chris Waller. Lot 222 Ocean Park – Vitesse. Photo: Angelique Bridson “Lot 382 is a colt by Super Seth out of Distinctive Lass. That makes him a half-brother to five stakes winners including the Group One winner Kahma Lass. He’s also a half-brother to Drops Of God, who’s unbeaten in two starts and running in the Gr.3 Almanzor Trophy (1200m) on Saturday evening. Lot 382 Super Seth – Distinctive Lass Photo: Angelique Bridson “That meeting will also feature a horse that we sold last year, Torture, in the Karaka Millions 2YO. She was the first stakes winner for Sword Of State and we’re looking forward to cheering her on at Ellerslie. We had a half-sister by Proisir in our draft, but we unfortunately had to withdraw her because of a minor knock on her leg. “We’re offering a beautifully bred, good-looking colt by The Autumn Sun out of Infinite Wonder (Lot 485), along with a lovely filly by Ghaiyyath from On The Ball (Lot 23), bred by Bob Emery from one of his original families. “We have five yearlings by Satono Aladdin, including a filly out of Avisto (Lot 292). Avisto was one of Tavistock’s three stakes-winning two-year-olds. She was also his first winner, his first stakes winner, and then she produced Annavisto and credited Tavistock with his first stakes winner as a broodmare sire. This is a lovely filly. “Another one worth mentioning is a Too Darn Hot filly from Glory Bound (Lot 455), who placed in the Gr.2 Fillies’ Classic (2000m) and went on to be a Group placegetter in Australia. This is her first foal.” Waikato Stud, the leading vendors at Karaka in 10 of the last 12 years, again have both quantity and quality in a draft of 55 yearlings in Book 1 and 22 in Book 2. “The Karaka complex is second to none and a great place to work,” Mark Chittick said in an interview with NZB. “There have been many highlights in our time coming here and I couldn’t really single any out. “All of our drafts have been born at Waikato Stud and raised at Waikato Stud. We’re happy selling a horse for $150,000 to $200,000, there’s profit in that for us and it all mounts up. Just 12 months later, those horses can be in Australia and racing for $150,000 every Saturday. It’s a no-brainer to me. Lot 267 Super Seth – American Actress. Photo: Angelique Bridson “This year, with it being the 100th National Yearling Sale, that made it a big factor in us wanting to have a really good, strong draft that we’re extremely proud of. We try to do that every year, but certainly this year. “The amount of high-quality Super Seth yearlings that we’ve got in the draft is a real high point for us, and of course there are some lovely Savabeels – we all know about him. “The Ardrossans are another notable feature. People have to remember that he’s done what he’s done so far with very limited opportunities. He has a big crop of foals that are two-year-olds this season. Only two of those have gone to the track so far, and De Armas is a stakes winner and Butler Cabin has been Group Two placed, and they’re both in the Karaka Millions 2YO field. The rest of that crop are all coming through too. “There’s also Noverre, who always leaves lovely types. “It’s a really good draft. We’re hugely excited about Karaka every year, but certainly this year, being 100 years.” View the full article

Yulong Investments have furthered their position among New Zealand’s racing ranks this week with the purchase of eye-catching Gr.2 Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes (2000m) winner Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park). The Australian-based racing and breeding operation, owned by Zhang Yuesheng, has made a play for some of the country’s top three-year-old fillies this season, and they have been rewarded through the success of Group One winner Well Written, who will put her unbeaten record on the line in tomorrow’s $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) at Ellerslie. The Stephen Marsh-trained filly is a dominant favourite for the mile feature, as well as the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) in March, and the purchase of Ohope Wins now gives Yulong a key hand in some looming Classic targets. Bred by Gartshore Bloodstock, Ohope Wins stormed home to capture the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day, which catapulted her into joint favouritism for next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and prominently in the TAB’s futures market for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day. Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have welcomed Yulong onboard as new clients to their Matamata-based operation and are hoping they continue to invest in the New Zealand thoroughbred. “It is good to see them (Yulong) wanting to be a part of the racing down here as well and not just Australia,” O’Sullivan said. “Going forward we are hoping that they take a real interest in us here in New Zealand because it is going to give a lot of people great opportunities and the good thing is that we know our horses are very capable of holding their own at the highest level.” O’Sullivan said Ohope Wins will remain in their care for at least the next six weeks, and he is excited to tackle some Classic assignments with her. “She stamped herself as a staying three-year-old (when winning the Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes), she was very impressive,” he said. “She is progressive and she is only going to keep getting better. “She will stay here in New Zealand until after either the Oaks or Derby, we will just have to wait and see. All going well, she will be running in the New Zealand Oaks, that’s our plan.” Ohope Wins debuted her association with Yulong when carrying their silks in an 1100m Group and Listed trial at Matamata on Friday where she pleased O’Sullivan with her hit-out. “She trialled beautifully, I couldn’t be happier,” he said. Meanwhile, O’Sullivan is looking forward to heading to Ellerslie on Saturday where Wexford Stables will line-up a quintet of runners at the twilight meeting. “The fields are very strong and we have got five horses going there that we are happy with,” he said. “They are sound, they are well and we are going to have a crack.” The stable will have a two-pronged attack in the $1.04 million Gr.3 Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m) courtesy of Smart Love and Checkmate, and O’Sullivan is pleased with both horses heading into the race. Checkmate placed at the track on New Year’s Day when third in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) and his trainers expect a similar performance, while Smart Love will be looking to bounce back to winning form, although O’Sullivan said the wet weather could negate her ace draw. “Checkmate races well at Ellerslie, he likes the track and he certainly hasn’t taken a step backwards (since the Rich Hill Mile),” O’Sullivan said. “We don’t know if it (draw) is an advantage or disadvantage (for Smart Love), we have just got to wait and see how it is riding on the night. She has the addition of blinkers to her gear and we can’t fault her, she looks great. She has come a long way in a very short time, but she is in good condition.” Group Three performer L’Aigle Noir will face a stiff task against a strong line-up in the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m), and O’Sullivan said it will be a good learning experience for the lightly-raced three-year-old. “It is an exceptionally strong field, he is still learning his craft, but he is going to be a nice horse going forward,” he said. The stable will also be represented by debut winner Dashing Dixie in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Tristar in the HKJC World Pool Jo Giles Stakes (1400m). “This is a big step up for Dashing Dixie, she probably lacks the experience of some of the others that she is going to be up against,” O’Sullivan said. “We didn’t want to treat this as her grand final, we have seen in enough years that a lot of horses after this race don’t seem to kick on quite as well as expected. We are just treating it as another race. “That field (Jo Giles Stakes) has come up a lot stronger than we anticipated, but Tristar is well and her work has been very sound. If the track has a bit of give in the ground, which no doubt it will, it will be a good assist to her.” Wexford will also head to New Plymouth on Saturday with a quartet of runners, including Clara Bow and Acer in the Listed Grangewilliam Stud Oaks Prelude (1800m), with the latter to be ridden by former stable employee Erin Leighton. “Erin has been a big part of Wexford for the last few years and it is great to have her onboard,” O’Sullivan said. View the full article