Wandering Eyes

Laurel Park will run two $100,000 stakes Jan. 17 for runners bred Maryland or Virginia or by sires in these states: the Jennings Stakes and Geisha Stakes. The card also includes two $100,000 open handicaps.View the full article

It has been a wild ride for Jes Sikura, son of Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa owner and president John Sikura, since the 24-year-old graduated from the University of Kentucky in December. Just a few days after receiving his diploma, he and his father were on a plane to California. What began as a trip to celebrate opening weekend at Santa Anita proved serendipitous when the Sikuras secured multiple graded stakes winner Barnes (Into Mischief) for their stallion roster following his scratch from the GI Malibu Stakes. Since stepping into his new role as Hill 'n' Dale's Director of Bloodstock at the start of this year, the younger Sikura has taken on the assignment of putting together Barnes's first book. Sikura describes it as “an easy first job.” “I don't have to beg anybody to come to us,” he explained. “People are calling us because they're excited about him. People are excited to bring their mares to him.” Sikura recalled attending the 2023 Fasig-Tipon Saratoga Sale when Barnes first made headlines, selling to Zedan Racing for $3.2 million. Bred by Jeff Drown and Rachel Don, the son of Into Mischief hails from the family of Grade I winners Majestic Warrior, Dream Supreme and Spinning Round, but Sikura said it was the bay's imposing physical that made him one of the talking horses of the auction. “A huge endorsement is if Bob Baffert and Donato Lanni are going to pay $3.2 million for a yearling,” he said. “The fact that they did means that as a yearling, he possessed what looked to be an athletic physical.” Sikura noted that the same physical presence that made Barnes a standout in the sales ring now serves as a major draw for breeders visiting the new Hill 'n' Dale sire. “He has great size, great bone and a great shoulder,” he explained. “He walks well and has a beautiful face. I would describe him as an impeccable physical. I think anybody who is looking for a nice foal would be pleased to see Barnes and hope he's going to produce something that looks like himself.” A winner on debut at Churchill Downs in November of his juvenile season, Barnes returned to California to claim the GII San Vicente Stakes by over five lengths. He followed that performance with a second-place finish to MGISW Journalism (Curlin) in the GII San Felipe Stakes and was fifth in the GI Santa Anita Derby. After a mid-summer layoff, Barnes made three more starts including a third-place finish behind Patch Adams (Into Mischief) and Captain Cook (Practical Joke) in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes and an 8 1/4-length victory in his final career start in the GIII Perryville Stakes, besting rival Captain Cook and GSW Owen Almighty (Speightstown). “He had a lot of talent, a lot of speed and a lot of ability and courage,” Sikura said of the colt, who was retired due to a tendon injury after hitting the board in five of his seven starts. Sikura noted that at a $15,000 price point, the response has been immediate. He reported that the stallion syndicate filled within an hour of the announcement of his retirement. Sara Gordon photo “Being a first-year stallion at $15,000 who has the endorsement of being a $3.2 million yearling bought by Bob Baffert, Donato Lanni and Amr Zedan, he's got a lot of potential,” Sikura said. “He's going to breed a lot of good mares and have every opportunity. He's standing at a range where breeders are going to have a chance to get to him and we hope that he replicates his success and more through his progeny on the track.” While Sikura is just getting started in his first full-time chapter at Hill 'n' Dale, he grew up in the business learning from his father and other mentors. He worked in the farm's bloodstock division while in college and also found time between classes to spend mornings walking hots for Todd Pletcher and evenings working as a server at Carlo Vaccarezza's Frank & Dino's Restaurant. “It gave me the opportunity to meet people in Lexington and in the horse business while going to school,” explained Sikura. Sikura is looking forward to channeling that same work ethic into his new position. “My new role entails everything bloodstock-related at Hill 'n' Dale, whether that would be the sales, the breeding shed, keeping up with clients' yearlings and mares on the farm or anything organizational in the office,” he said. “It's anything I can do to be a helping hand.” “I love everything about what we do,” he continued. “I love getting to work for the family business. I love promoting the great job that we do. I love getting to reward clients who entrust us with big mares and big yearlings. I love everything I get to do that is Hill 'n' Dale associated–promoting the brand, rewarding clients and giving our stallions an opportunity.” The post Jes Sikura On The Job with New Hill ‘n’ Dale Sire Barnes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-FG, $60k, Msw, 3yo, 6f, 3:30 p.m. ET A pair of Keeneland September acquisitions by Belladonna Racing and C R K Stable, each sold for better than a half-million dollars, debut for the in-form Cherie DeVaux barn in what appears to be a hot maiden on the Lecomte Stakes undercard. MOJACAR (Essential Quality) looks to become the fifth winner from as many to the races for dam Spanish Star (Blame), who is responsible for 2025 GI Test Stakes victress Kilwin (Twirling Candy); the crack Grade II-winning turf sprinter One Timer (Trappe Shot); and Just Basking (Arrogate), the 2024 Iowa Oaks winner who was subsequently third in the GI Alabama Stakes. A $500,000 KEESEP grad, the Apr. 12 foal is a half to 2019 GI Belmont Stakes hero Sir Winston (Awesome Again). Double Entendre (Tapit) cost $625,000 in Lexington and is out of a half-sister to GI Delaware Handicap and GI Beldame Stakes winner Belle Gallantey (After Market). Whisper Hill Farm unveils Guns Allowed (Gun Runner), a homebred half-brother to GISW Volatile (Violence) and SW & GSP Buy Sell Hold (Violence), herself the dam of SW Bourbon Bash (City of Light) and GSW Showcase (Uncle Mo). The colt's second dam is 2003 GI Test heroine Lady Tak (Mutakddim). TJCIS PPs 5th-FG, $60k, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 3:00 p.m. Whisper Hill is represented in this fillies' division by the beautifully bred TAP TO OPEN (Tapit). Mandy Pope acquired the May 27 foal's dam I'll Take Charge (Indian Charlie) for $2.2 million at the 2013 Keeneland September Sale and from her bred this filly's full-brother 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Charge It, twice a winner at the graded level and runner-up in the 2022 GI Florida Derby. I'll Take Charge is one of eight winners produced by treble Grade I victress Take Charge Lady (Dehere), dam of champion Will Take Charge (Unbridled's Song); GISW sire Take Charge Indy (A.P. Indy); and GISW As Time Goes By (American Pharoah); and the granddam of champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway) and dual Grade I-winning stallion Omaha Beach (War Front). Jay Em Ess homebred Thesewallshaveears (Gun Runner) is the first foal out of the operation's two-time graded winner Go Google Yourself (Into Mischief) and the dual GISW third dam I Ain't Bluffing (Pine Bluff) produced GSW & MGISP Acting Happy (Empire Maker). Goodall (Yaupon) needs a defection to draw in from the also-eligible list but could be heard from should that happen. Sold to Tom McCrocklin for just $67,000 at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton July Sale, the bay was knocked down to Spendthrift for $525,000 after breezing in a bullet :20 2/5 at last year's OBS April Sale. TJCIS PPs 5th-GP, $84k, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 2:20 p.m. ET CONGRESSIONAL (Constitution) is a debuting son of 2017 Sunland Park Oaks winner Ghalia (Medaglia d'Oro), a $600,000 Keeneland November weanling whose two winners to date includes Ghalia Princess (American Pharoah), victorious in the 2024 Cicada Stakes. Grandview Equine went to $650,000 for this Feb. 7 foal at KEESEP in 2024 and his now juvenile half-brother Second Strike (Not This Time) was hammered down to Case Clay Thoroughbred Management for $700,000 at last year's September Sale. Gondorff (Charlatan) is bred for this surface, as he is a half-brother to Major Dude (Bolt d'Oro), whose four successes at the graded level includes the GII Fort Lauderdale Stakes at this venue. The $500,000 Keeneland September yearling is out of a half-sister to Unbound (Distorted Humor), the stakes-placed dam of GISW Arabian Lion (Justify). TJCIS PPs The post Uncoupled DeVaux Entry Packs A Powerful Pedigree Punch appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

La Route des Etalons returns next week when, as ever, you can bet your bottom dollar that bloodstock enthusiasts won't be able to resist straying slightly off the beaten track to view the seven-strong roster at Haras d'Etreham. Situated roughly an hour west of Deauville, a fair distance from most of the other farms participating in the two-day extravaganza, Etreham has a long history of standing stallions, with a certain Wootton Bassett featuring among its famous residents of yesteryear. In 2014 and 2015, the privilege of sending a mare to Wootton Bassett at Etreham would have set you back just €4,000, a far cry from the €300,000 fee he commanded in his fifth season at Coolmore in 2025. Though his own day-to-day involvement with the son of Iffraaj had long since passed, Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure came in for plenty of plaudits when the tragic loss of Wootton Bassett was announced in September last year, with a statement from Coolmore hailing the “incredible start” he enjoyed during his time in Normandy. It wasn't the first time de Chambure had provided such a platform, either, and it almost certainly won't be the last. Indeed, therein lies the dream with a young stallion such as Beauvatier, who is new to Etreham for 2026 following a distinguished racing career for trainer Yann Barberot which yielded six wins from 18 starts. Three of those victories, including Beauvatier's most notable triumph when winning October's G2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket, were achieved over seven furlongs, which de Chambure is taking as a positive omen as he prepares to throw open the doors of Etreham for La Route des Etalons. “Siyouni and Wootton Bassett were real seven-furlong horses and they became extraordinary stallions,” he says of comparisons with the much-missed Wootton Bassett. “With Beauvatier, we tried him over a mile and we tried him over a little shorter, but I think his best distance was really seven furlongs. It's a distance where you need speed, a turn of foot and a little bit of stamina. It's all of the attributes that we like to see in a stallion and, hopefully, there will be similarities down the road between Beauvatier and Siyouni and Wootton Bassett. We would love that – nothing is written, but I think he has a very good chance.” The first chapter of the Beauvatier story was written at Ecurie des Monceaux, his place of birth back in February 2021. Bred by a partnership consisting of Monceaux, Qatar Bloodstock and Barbara Keller, the son of Lope De Vega is the first foal out of the Listed Prix de Thiberville runner-up Enchanting Skies (Sea The Stars), a half-sister to three other black-type performers, including the G1 Preis von Europa winner Empoli (Halling). This is also the family of the German champion racemare Elle Danzig (Roi Danzig). Bought by Barberot for €160,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale, Beauvatier earned 'TDN Rising Star' status when winning over five furlongs at Chantilly on his debut in May the following year, drawing right away in the final furlong to win by over five lengths. Five months later, following his fourth consecutive win in the G3 Prix la Rochette, the unbeaten colt arrived at ParisLongchamp as the red-hot favourite for the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Here, however, the similarities with Siyouni and Wootton Bassett end. Whilst that pair both won France's premier race for two-year-olds, Beauvatier had to settle for third, two and a half lengths behind Rosallion (Blue Point). “He was a very precocious, early horse, more than his pedigree would suggest,” de Chambure says of that juvenile campaign. “He was out in May and he beat Ramatuelle on his second start over six furlongs. He carried that precocity all the way to the Jean-Luc Lagardere where he was an unlucky third. “I think when horses have shown a bit of something at two, it's always important. We've seen with champion horses at three and four that didn't run at two, breeders are always cautious that it could it could be a negative. That's what I like about him is that he was a spring two year old, but he was also a three-year-old, and he was also a four-year old, so it makes the whole thing very attractive.” At three, Beauvatier continued to be highly tried, running at the top level six times in seven starts. On three of those occasions he finished third, with de Chambure identifying his performance behind old rival Ramatuelle (Justify) in the Prix de la Foret as arguably the best of his career. “I think his most impressive race was the Prix de la Foret as a three-year-old,” he explains. “He was at the end of a long campaign. When they go through the Classics and all of that, they can sometimes get a little tired at the end of the season, but that was his best race of the year. It was a 16-horse field and he had a wide draw. He had to sit at the very back and he came flying on the outside to be third. That was very eye-catching, against the older horses and a very strong field.” Having confirmed at Newmarket that every inch of his ability remained intact at the age of four, Beauvatier is reported to have retired sound in wind and limb after being beaten less than five lengths on his swansong in December's G1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin. In fact, when it was announced in October that Beauvatier would be standing at Etreham in 2026, Barberot vouched that the colt had “never seen a vet”. “That was a big factor for us,” says de Chambure. “I think it makes a lot of appeal for the breeders, because the racing is meant to allow us to select the stallion for tomorrow. Sometimes, I think the market probably gives too much room to horses that only won one race and were unsound. “In Beauvatier's case, people can see that he was consistent three years in a row, without having any holes in his career. That's important for us and we're going to support him. The three main partners would be the Allaire family, LNJ Foxwoods and ourselves. The interesting part is that the three of us have different views on what broodmares could suit, so that's going to give the horse a different type of support, but three strong partners, very keen on giving him a good start.” Philippe Allaire, LNJ Foxwoods and Etreham have retained 50% ownership of Beauvatier from his racing days, with the remaining 50% in the process of being syndicated. He has been introduced at a fee of €7,000 for 2026. “We feel that he's got quite a bit going for him as a stallion prospect,” de Chambure sums up. “He's quite an outcross and he's going to be easy for breeders to use. He's a Lope De Vega out of a Sea The Stars mare. This is a successful sireline on both sides and Lope De Vega is yet to have a successful son in France. He's done really well as a sire of sires with some of his young sons in England and Ireland, so it's exciting for the French breeders to be accessing that blood without having to travel. “He's a horse that could sit and quicken, and I think that's very important in France where our racing can be a little bit tactical. He has a very good turn of foot and he performed well until he was a four-year-old, which I think is very important as well. And he's a good-looking horse. He's a quality son of Lope De Vega, a good color with a nice head and a good walk. He has a lot of things going for him.” The post Seven-Furlong Specialist Beauvatier Following the Wootton Bassett Path at Etreham appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has added 30 horses as supplemental entries to its Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 9, according to a press release from the auction company on Friday. The latest entries, catalogued as hips 351-380, include: R Morning Brew (hip 352): A SW and earner of nearly $200,000, the current 4-year-old is a half-sister to Dancing N Dixie (Neolithic), who has in excess of $400,000 in earnings herself. Consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent; Pop Idol (hip 361): Daughter of Maclean's Music is a stakes winner at 2 and 3. She's a daughter of Canadian GSW Unspurned (Lemon Drop Kid) from the family of GISW A Z Warrior (Bernardini). Consigned as a broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; Candy Light (hip 364):Track record-setting stakes winner by Candy Ride (Arg), from the family of Grade I winners Cogburn, Commentator and Behrens. She is offered as a broodmare prospect by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent; Disco Diva (hip 366): An Arrogate half-sister to undefeated GSW Disco Time (Not This Time), who is an invitee to GI Pegasus World Cup Stakes. Offered in foal to Taiba, she is consigned by Gainesway, agent; Sweetlou'sgotaces (hip 378): A stakes-winning daughter of Constitution from the family of MGISW Colonel John. In foal to Arabian Knight, she is consigned by Denali Stud, agent; Mares in foal to City of Light, Forte, Hard Spun, Liam's Map, Jackie's Warrior, Tiz the Law, Up to the Mark, and Upstart; Yearlings by Corniche, Taiba and Violence Fasig-Tipton will continue to accept supplemental entries up until sale time. Click here to access the online catalogue and the offerings will also be available in the Equineline app. The post Fasig-Tipton Adds Supplemental Entries To Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion sprinter Bradsell has sired his first reported foal, a filly out of the Iffraaj mare Lady Eleanor. The dam is a daughter of stakes producer Firenze (Efisio). “We are delighted with Lady Eleanor's first foal by Bradsell,” said breeder Jan Hopper. “She is a quality filly with plenty of strength and size, and as good a foal as the mare has produced.” A three-time Group 1-winning sprinter, the son of Tasleet stands for £10,000 at The National Stud (TNS) in Newmarket. Anna Kerr, CEO of TNS, said, “Bradsell's temperament and tenacity are second to none. He had an excellent first book of mares with a high percentage of stakes performers and producers, along with multiple dams of 2yo winners. It is fantastic to see the quality coming through in his foals, the future looks very bright for him.” The post Bradsell Sires First Reported Foal, A Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

AMERICAN SUMMER (f, 3, Constitution–Speaktomeofsummer {GSW, $266,185}, by Summer Front) was bumped by her competition heading out of the gates, and had to settle near the rear of the field as they went into the bend behind an opening quarter in :22.46. On the move after a half in :46.34, she was rallying between runners at the head of affairs but had real estate to make up in the lane. Shifting inside and relentlessly closing the distance, American Summer struck the front with enough time to put 1 1/4 lengths on American Tapit (American Pharoah) by the time they hit the line. The first foal to the races for GII Lake Placid victress Speaktomeofsummer (Summer Front), the victress has two other half-siblings in the wings–a 2024 juvenile filly by Munnings who RNA'd last year at the Keeneland September sale at $235,000 and a 2025 colt by Golden Pal. Their dam, a half-sister to a fleet of black-type performers, is due to Cairo Prince for 2026. A winning half-sister to the mare who did not achieve stakes success on track turned her fortunes around in the breeding shed as Lifetime Memory (Istan)'s claim to fame is through her son, GISW Antiquarian (Preservationist). This is the female family of multiple Group 1-placed Lucayan Prince. 9th-Turfway, $99,825, Msw, 1-15, 3yo, f, 6f (AWT), 1:12.57, ft, 1 1/4 lengths. AMERICAN SUMMER (f, 3, Constitution–Speaktomeofsummer {GSW, $266,185}, by Summer Front) Sales history: $190,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $58,842. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Estate of Brereton C. Jones; B-Brereton C. Jones (KY); T-Kelsey Danner. Promising debut from American Summer for Kelsey Danner! Congrats to the team! 2️⃣ win night for @gabe__saez @TurfwayPark pic.twitter.com/7NAw4KMX9q — Jason Barkley (@jbark131) January 16, 2026 The post Constitution’s American Summer Strikes at First Asking Under the Turfway Lights appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new two-year partnership between Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and the National Trainers Federation (NTF) was agreed upon to support trainers and help further grow the sport of horse racing. The deal sees RMG commit to a range of support and integration with the NTF, from helping produce content for play-out on Racing TV's (RTV) broadcast and digital channels, to an annual contribution to cover the NTF's legal expenses insurance. There is a specific commitment to help raise the profile of smaller yards through increased TV exposure, while NTF members can access footage for use on their own channels. For more information on the deal, please visit the NTF website. Nick Mills, CEO of RMG, said, “It's great to be building a closer working relationship with the NTF. We share several common goals, and this new two-year-deal will be mutually beneficial as well as good for racing as a whole. We look forward to working closely with Paul [Johnson] and would welcome NTF members from across the UK to get in touch with their thoughts and ideas for content to broadcast across our platforms.” Nick Alexander, NTF president, said, “This is brilliant news for the sport and for NTF members. We have seen this year that we can achieve more as a sport when we are able to work collectively and I hope that this will be another example of this. The NTF will be communicating more to members on the specific broadcasting initiatives that will come out of this collaboration in the coming days, and I would encourage trainers to get behind them when we do.” The post Two-Year Deal Inked Between RMG And NTF appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Longines World Racing Awards will be held on Tuesday, January 20, and will be available via live stream. Organised by Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the ceremony will honour the Longines World's Best Racehorse (WBR) and the Longines World's Best Horse Race (WBHR) of the 2025 season. Winners will be announced beginning at 1:40 p.m. GMT at The Savoy in London. The IFHA website will also stream the ceremony. The IFHA will also be releasing the world's top 100 Group/Grade 1 races, as well as the rankings for all horses rated 115 or higher worldwide. The post Longines World Racing Awards To Be Streamed Live appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three Chimneys Farm sire Newgate (by Into Mischief) has his first foal on the ground, a filly born at Jody and Michelle Huckabay's Elm Tree Farm in Paris, Kentucky Jan. 4, the stallion operation said via a Friday release. The brand new chestnut filly is out of GSP Pakhet (Cairo Prince), who is also the dam of recent SW Spirit Doll (Tiz the Law). “Newgate is a tremendous physical and covered a high-quality book of 180 mares in his first year at stud,” said Director of Stallion Nominations Rebecca Nicholson. “He has all of the qualities breeders look for in a young stallion, being by a proven sire of sires and combining an exceptional physical with superior talent and brilliance on the racetrack. We're very excited to have his first foals hit the ground.” A $850,000 2021 Keeneland September yearling, Newgate was sent to trainer Bob Baffert and the bay's debut win at Del Mar yielded a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. The future sire's career highlight came when he captured the GI 'Big Cap' at Santa Anita in 2024. Newgate's dam Majestic Presence was third in her own debut in 2014 behind Baffert-trained 'Rising Star' Luminance (Tale of the Cat) and graduated on the stretch out at second asking. She was fourth in a pair of Grade I events that season and contested the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, but had her best black-type finish when third in the GIII Delta Downs Princess behind champion Take Charge Brandi (Giant's Causeway). Newgate stands at Three Chimneys for a 2026 fee of $17,500 LFSN. The post Three Chimneys Sire Newgate Gets A Filly As First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Jim Goldie was awarded the Timeform Special Recognition Award at the Timeform Flat Awards. He won his first Group 1 with American Affair (Washington DC) in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. Goldie also became the first Scottish-based trainer to break 100 winners in the calendar year. “I think we got lucky with American Affair, because the Sunday Series [in 2024] was the making of him,” Goldie told Timeform's Dan Barger. “Although we didn't do it [win the bonus] we came close and it gave him plenty of time to mature between his races, and then he went on to win the Portland. I always felt after winning the King Charles III at Ascot it was job done.” The likeable gelding is on the recovery trail, according to Goldie. A trip to America was also scuppered after his injury. He said, “He's back on the gallop. Because of what he was and where he was, we took no chances – he came out of winning at Ascot and he wasn't particularly sore, but he was due his annual flu vaccination and after we gave him it, he went lame behind the next day. It might have been his immune system reacting to the vaccine, but we decided to bone scan him and while the results were unremarkable, there was a hotspot in his hind fetlock. So, we MRI-ed him and that told more of a story – there were changes going on in the bone. “We gave him eight weeks and started to train him and then MRI-ed him again, and it was actually going the wrong way. We've got a programme to stress the bone and rebuild it, and hopefully when we MRI him again it's going the right way, and he comes back 100 percent.” Goldie's 100th winner was Krissy (Calyx) at Wolverhampton after Christmas. Overall, the 70-year-old has saddled over 1,000 winners on the Flat and over jumps. “It's a great team effort and a lot of horses have done brilliantly this year. I always spot where there's prize-money and then make a plan.” The post Jim Goldie Recognised With Timeform Special Recognition Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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The first reported foal by Claiborne Farm's GISW Prince of Monaco (by Speightstown)–a healthy filly out of the Justify mare Itgetsgreaterlater–was born at Serendipity Springs in Lexington, Kentucky Jan. 12, according to a press release from the sire's home base on Friday morning. This is the third foal out of Itgetsgreaterlater, whose second foal by Gunite brought $160,000 at last year's Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, topping the session among that day's weanlings. The Kuegler family's Wasabi Ventures Stables bought Itgetsgreaterlater for $80,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November Sale. The extended family includes GISW Cupid (by Tapit) and MGSW Hostess (Chester House). “She's a beast of a filly,” said George Adams, director of stallions and breeding for Wasabi Ventures Stables. “She has tons of substance, and is very correct. The stallion really stamped her. If they all look like her, Prince of Monaco is going to be a star.” Prince of Monaco filly | courtesy of Caliborne Farm A $950,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling, Prince of Monaco won on debut as a 2-year-old by eight lengths at Los Alamitos, which garnered him a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. The Bob Baffert trainee took the GIII Best Pal Stakes at Del Mar where he earned a 103 Beyer. From there, Prince of Monaco earned his first top level score in the GI Del Mar Futurity. As a 3-year-old, Prince of Monaco ran a half-length short of MGISW Book'em Danno (Bucchero) in the GI Woody Stephens Stakes before finishing as the runner-up in the GI H. Allen Jerkens Stakes–both at Saratoga. Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, the young Claiborne stallion is out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Rainier, from the family of Grade I winner Adieu (El Corredor). Covering 176 mares during his inaugural season with 25% who claimed black-type on their sheets, Prince of Monaco will stand for an advertised fee of $30,000 for 2026. The post Claiborne Farm’s Prince Of Monaco Claims First Foal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dane McLeod/TTR Award-winning broadcaster Nick Luck brought new meaning to the term big Down Under by purchasing two fillies alongside trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale on behalf of a newly-formed syndicate. The first filly was Lot 840, a Russian Revolution filly purchased for $240,000. Beautifully bred, she is out of the three-time Group-winning and Group 1-placed mare Spanish Reef (Lope De Vega {Ire}), and was offered by Rosemont Stud. “It's my first involvement with a horse in Australia, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it, and also delighted to be teaming up with Gai and Adrian,” Luck said. “I've known Emma Coleman for a while, and quite often said I wouldn't mind a small share, just to dip my toe in the water here. And this escalated last night over dinner. Nothing was planned until close to midnight, when I said to Emma, 'Come on, have you got a 5% in a filly for me?'” That's when things took a very Australian turn. “Then she said, 'I've got a better idea. Why don't you start a syndicate down here?' So, we didn't waste any time. The grass doesn't grow under anybody's feet here in Australia.” And waste no time they did. “Then this morning we went out, looked at a few fillies with Gai this morning, and it happened really quickly. We thought this filly was the nicest of all the ones we saw. Obviously, a filly with a great pedigree, out of a really good mare. “She comes from a wonderful farm, and it sounds like the mare's 2-year-old shows some promise as well, so hopefully we get a quick update to the pedigree. “There's going to be residual value in there. She's out of a multiple stakes-winning mare who was capable of running in Group Ones. So, yeah, that's really why I wanted a filly. Gai's had a lot of luck with the progeny of Russian Revolution. They're tough and hardy, and take their training well.” Later in the session, Lot 952 – A Toronado (Ire) filly out of Viennoiserie (I Am Invincible) was purchase from the Westbury Stud draft for $230,000. “We were oversubscribed for the Russian Revolution filly and we absolutely adored the Toronado filly. If she'd come in first, you know, we'd have definitely taken her and probably been very happy with our work.” Luck said “But because there was so much interest, all of a sudden we went again, and I'm thrilled. She's got a bit of charisma about her. Luke McDonald was pretty convinced that she was the best filly in their draft, and he's such a good judge that it was pretty difficult to walk away. I mean, why have one when you can have two?” As for the make-up of the Lucky Down Under Syndicate, Luck has been blown away with the interest – from both sides of the world, therefore the decision to double up, and buy two fillies. “I think it's going to be a good blend of Aussies and UK owners. And obviously, to get a couple of fillies and to have them with Gai and Adrian, it's a great thing as well. You tend to watch Australian racing and think, 'Wow.' Having Gai train it is the closest you can get to greatness, isn't it? I'm thrilled.” The post “I’m Thrilled” – Nick Luck Makes A Splash At Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Tom Baddock/TTR AusNZ Chris Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock dominated the spotlight on Day 4 of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, securing some of the most coveted lots of the session, including a A$1.5-million Snitzel colt out of Group 2 winner Vangelic and a A$1.25-million I Am Invincible filly from South Australian Derby winner Qafila. The session also highlighted the air of expectation surrounding first-season sire Anamoe, with a A$1.1 million colt out of stakes winner Secret Trail (Denman) drawing strong interest, while I Am Invincible and Zoustar continued to supply highly sought-after yearlings, keeping bidding at the top end fiercely competitive. At A Glance The day's sale topper was lot 942, a Snitzel colt purchased by Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock for A$1.5 million from Coolmore Stud. Three seven-figure yearlings on the final day, up from two who featured on Day 4 last year. This brings the total number of seven-figure yearlings for Book 1 in 2026 to 15. The average held steady on Day 4 at A$274,508, up on 2025's end of Book 1 average of A$272,507. The median for 2026 stayed static for the sale on Day 4 at A$200,000, the same as 2025's Book 1 median of A$200,000. The current gross at the conclusion of Day 4 sits at A$202,312,500 with 737 yearlings sold, a slight decrease when compared with the end of Book 1 2025 figure of A$205,470,000 for 745 yearlings sold, largely due to a smaller book and an increase in withdrawals. Clearance rate of 86.19% is well up from 81.43% at the corresponding juncture last year, and likely to rise in the coming days. Waller Racing and Mulcaster Bloodstock concluded Book 1 with 14 purchases to sit at the top of the buyers' charts, spending a total gross of A$8.7 million at the conclusion of four days of selling. Yulong lead the buyers by average (two or more sold) buying two yearlings at an average of A$1.23 million each. Arrowfield remains the leading vendor after Day 4 with 47 yearlings sold, and only five passed, for A$15.19 million, while Coolmore's 38 sales have grossed A$13.7 million. The Chase lead by averages with six yearlings sold, at 100% clearance, for an average of A$538,333. Snitzel concluded Book 1 as the leading sire by gross standings with 29 yearlings selling for A$19.9 million at an average of A$688,968. Leading by average is Extreme Choice, whose eight yearlings have averaged A$822,500, with Snitzel in second by average. Lot 942: Snitzel x Vangelic (Vancouver), colt – A$1,500,000 Late in the final session of Book 1, Guy Mulcaster, in partnership with Chris Waller Racing, pulled off one of the standout buys of the sale, securing lot 942 for A$1.5 million by champion sire Snitzel and out of Group 2 winner and Group 1-placed mare Vangelic (Vancouver). Mulcaster was immediately taken by the colt's athleticism and presence and said, “He looked really sharp and did beautifully through the prep. He moves like a dream and looks an early runner.” On the price, Mulcaster didn't flinch, knowing that the returns could be tenfold should the colt reach the breeding barn. “It's a lot of money, but that's what these colts cost. When you get a horse that's going to go on to stud, it looks cheap. He's a sharp, beautiful horse.” The pedigree added extra appeal. “The mare ran in plenty of stakes races and acquitted herself very well. It all crosses over and it's looking very strong,” Mulcaster added. Trained throughout her career by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the Vancouver mare was a precocious 2-year-old, winning on debut and finishing runner-up to Away Game (Snitzel) in the G2 Percy Sykes Stakes. She matured into a consistent Group 1 performer, claiming the G2 Golden Pendant and amassing over A$1.4 million in prize-money. Vangelic was sold off the track by Newgate as agent for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for A$1.5 million to Coolmore's Tom Magnier and was exported to the United States in May 2025. This colt is the sixth Snitzel yearling to smash the seven-figure barrier at this year's sale, underscoring the unsatiable demand for progeny from Arrowfield's former champion sire. Lot 708: I Am Invincible x Qafila (Not A Single Doubt), filly – A$1,250,000 Waller Racing, in partnership with Mulcaster Bloodstock, secured one of the most intriguing fillies of the sale when purchasing lot 708 for A$1.25 million at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Offered by Coolmore Stud, the bay filly is by champion sire I Am Invincible and out of the remarkably versatile G1 South Australian Derby winner Qafila (Not A Single Doubt), a mare whose race record spans elite juvenile speed through to Classic stamina. Mulcaster said it was Qafila's rare versatility that first drew the team to the filly, providing confidence in both her athletic scope and long-term upside. “I think the thing that really got our attention was the fact she was so versatile,” Mulcaster said. “I think she ran in the first 2-year-old race and ended up winning an Oaks, so we've got a few different paths we can take with her. “We always thought she was just an athlete, she's beautiful and has come off a great farm.” Despite strong interest, Mulcaster admitted the team were pleasantly surprised to come away with the filly. “We actually really thought we were going to struggle to buy her but it's ended up all right for us,” he said. “It's a lot of money… but I'm sure he's going to be rapt when he sees her.” In terms of her racing future, patience will be key. “I don't think we'll bustle her too much, we'll let her do the talking and see what transpires,” Mulcaster said. Qafila was a standout race mare, winning three races from 1000 metres to 2500 metres, including the Listed Debutant Stakes on debut as a 2-year-old before stretching out to claim the G1 South Australian Derby at three. She has already made a promising start as a producer, with two winners from two runners, including Angel Eyes (Wootton Bassett), a debut winner over 1000 metres at Ballarat, and Filadeel (Dundeel), a winner over 2200 metres for Ciaron Maher. Qafila has an unraced 2-year-old with Tony and Calvin McEvoy named Full Confidence (I Am Invincible) a colt at foot by Zoustar and has subsequently revisited I Am Invincible. Lot 781: Anamoe x Secret Trail (Denman), colt – A$1,100,000 Ciaron Maher Bloodstock added one of the most anticipated first-season yearlings to their Magic Millions haul when securing lot 781 for A$1.1 million, continuing the strong demand for the progeny of champion racehorse Anamoe. Offered by Widden Stud, the bay or brown colt is out of stakes-winning mare Secret Trail and is a half-brother to multiple stakes performer Spywire (Trapeze Artist), the winner of last Saturday's A$1-million The Syndicate at Magic Millions who is also trained by Maher. Maher's bloodstock manager Will Bourne revealed the colt had made a lasting impression from the very first inspection at the farm. “When Ciaron and I first saw him at the farm at yearling inspections at Widden, he was the last one out there and they usually leave their best for last and he was their prized icon,” Bourne said. While the pedigree stood out on paper, Bourne stressed it was the colt's physical presence that ultimately sealed the decision. “On paper it was obvious, but just on face value, it was the horse in front of you that really took Ciaron's eye and made Ciaron want to buy him,” he said. “Obviously that Spywire factor is there, but it was just a big, imposing, strong colt in front of you that was the main reason. He wasn't missed by anyone.” Bourne also noted the similarities between the colt and his champion sire, following recent inspections of Anamoe himself. “We've seen a lot of Anamoes that we liked and there were a few traits that Ciaron was querying,” he said. “Myself, Ciaron, and Andy Makiv went and checked out Anamoe in the Hunter Valley and, I tell you what, there are a lot of similarities.” Bourne believes the colt has all the hallmarks of elite weight-for-age performer. “He is a heavy horse. If you're being critical, that's the one negative – how big and strong he is,” Bourne said. “But when he moves, his athleticism really makes up for it. He doesn't move sloppy, he doesn't move heavy, he keeps it upright. “Those proper weight-for-age Group 1 horses, they have that strength, they have that imposing muscle, and I'm hoping he's just that.” Lot 781 is among the first yearlings by Anamoe to be offered at auction, with enormous anticipation surrounding his progeny after a racetrack career that yielded nine Group 1 victories across two, three and four-year-old seasons and more than A$11 million in prize-money. Standing at Darley's Kelvinside property at an introductory fee of A$121,000 (inc GST), Anamoe has attracted top-class mares, and early results in the sale ring have reflected that confidence. Secret Trail has already proven herself as a producer, with four foals to race for three winners, including Spywire. He has now won five races from 15 starts, earned close to A$1.4 million in prize-money, and was placed behind Storm Boy in the 2024 R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic, adding further appeal to this high-profile colt. Secret Trail failed to produce a foal last season, but visited Widden's Champion Sire Zoustar. Lot 911: Anamoe x Time Check (Shamardal {USA}), colt – A$950,000 Lot 911, an Anamoe colt out of Time Check (Shamardal) and hailing from one of Godolphin's most celebrated female families, was also secured by Ciaron Maher in partnership with TFI for A$950,000. The family has produced Group 1 stars Alizee (Sepoy) and Astern, as well as promising young sire Tassort, making him a highly coveted prospect. Will Bourne said the colt's minor imperfections were easily forgiven given his overall quality. “He had a few small flaws looking straight on, but side on, the way he moved, he was just a great colt. If you're nitpicking, he wasn't perfect in front, but we see so often how many horses go to the winners' stall on Saturdays and there's no perfect horse front on. That was the only negative, but there were a lot more positives,” Bourne explained. Bourne said paying top dollar was easy to justify with Anamoe as the sire. “If we're going to pay that sort of sum, it might as well be on him. He was a good-looking racehorse, and hopefully he passes that on to his progeny.” Anamoe's progeny have made a strong impression at auction, with 29 yearlings selling so far for a combined A$14.44 million, averaging just under a$500,000 each. Time Check does not have a foal on the ground after missing to Snitzel but visited The Autumn Sun last spring. Lot 887: Zoustar x Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), filly – A$900,000 An elite 2-year-old family once again caught the eye of buyers, with Matt Laurie Racing and Willannah Park Bloodstock securing lot 887 for A$900,000. The filly is by champion sire Zoustar and out of extraordinary broodmare Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), who has already produced G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner and sire Farnan, as well as the speedy young stallion Sandbar. “I just fell in love with her. She's a real athlete,” Laurie said. “A very clean-bodied filly and a very stylish horse. She's got a strong page behind her and we want to add to her on the racetrack, but she's always going to have that pedigree.” Laurie said he had expected the filly to sell somewhere between A$600,000 and A$1 million and was pleased with the outcome. “We'll have probably 25% to fill, and there will be some shares available, but I don't think that will be too much of an issue finding someone to go into her,” he added. Tallow, now 20 years old, has produced 10 foals – five to race for five winners – including Bjorn Baker's promising filly Beside The Ocean (Zoustar) who has already won two races from four starts. Tallow has a Shinzo colt at foot and visited Ole Kirk last spring. The post A$1.5m Snitzel Colt Pushes Seven-Figure Tally To 15 At Magics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article