Wandering Eyes

A colt foal by Authorized changed hands for a sale-topping €170,000 during the third and final day of the Tattersalls Ireland November NH Sale. Sold as lot 622 to Darragh McCarthy of Capital Stud, it is the highest price paid for a foal at this sale since 2007, and the Louis Vambeck-bred is now the joint second-most expensive foal ever sold at the sale. The Ballyreddin Stud-consigned colt is out of the Kayf Tara mare Izzy Du Berlais and is a half-brother to four winners, including Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Six Figures (Harzand). “It is hard to try and buy a stallion, so we decided that we will have to try and make our own,” explained McCarthy, who also stands Authorized. “We figured out that we will have to go and buy them as younger horses; foals, yearlings and two-year-olds. “All the right people were on him, we paid more than we were hoping, but he is a serious individual with an unbelievable pedigree – he comes from the famous Berlais family, and we could not leave without him. We didn't think we would have to give that type of money, or anything near it, and I'm shocked we had to give that. “The physical is hard to fault, he's a beautiful walker, and I thought he was the best stallion prospect I saw all week. He is the whole package.” Second on the buyers' sheet was lot 750, also a son of Authorized, who was snapped up by Yvonne Kiely and her husband Brian. The highest price paid for a broodmare was €50,000 for Harrisburg (Ire) (Authorized), a full-sister to Grade 2 winner Goshen. She caught the eye of Kevin Hassett. She is in foal to Luxembourg. Statistically, both the average of €20,043 (+22%) and the median of €15,000 (+38%) were new records. The gross was €9,199,500 (+17%) for 459 sold (66%). Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said, “Prior to this year's November National Hunt Sale, we were hopeful of a good solid few days what with a small reduction in numbers catalogued compared with last year, however this week's trade was significantly better than we ever imagined. “The joint second highest price ever paid for a foal, combined with record figures for one-day trade on day two, were some of the highlights from an excellent three days' trade at the November National Hunt Sale. “The top price of €170,000, achieved by a Ballyreddin Stud consigned foal represents the highest price paid for a foal at the November National Hunt Sale since 2007. It follows on from Ballyreddin's successful Derby Sale earlier this year, where the consignor sold the top priced store sold in 2025. The total turnover has surpassed recent years, with both the average and the median showing the strong gains. This is a hugely encouraging outcome and fitting to see the year out after a record-breaking Derby Sale. “While we had a more compressed catalogue this year, the focus on quality was rewarded with a notably higher clearance rate, demonstrating the depth of demand for the right horses. “The National Hunt market has undoubtedly become more selective, as we witnessed on occasions this week, however, it was particularly encouraging to see 11 different sires represented among the top 20 lots, giving breeders confidence that buyers are still willing to look beyond the obvious and reward quality across a broad spectrum. “We are extremely grateful to our vendors who entrusted us with such a strong selection of quality foals. The calibre of pedigree and individual on offer was reflected in the higher-priced lots, and it is thanks to their continued support that we can deliver these outstanding results. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the many purchasers who turned out in force once again from the UK and on the domestic front, and we look forward to following the progress of this year's foals, many of whom will no doubt reappear at the Derby Sale which continues to be the destination of choice for National Hunt pinhookers. “A big thank you to our partners in Irish Thoroughbred Marketing who work alongside us in promoting the sale and are a constant support for our visitors prior to and whilst at the sale.” The post Authorized Foals Popular As Records Tumble At November NH Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For 2026, Maryland's racing calendar will look more or less like this year's schedule after the Maryland Racing Commission on Wednesday approved a slate of 120 dates for Laurel Park. That's the same number of racing days that the non-profit Maryland Jockey Club had been awarded for this season, with the only difference being that in 2025, six programs were run at Pimlico Race Course as part of the GI Preakness Stakes meet. Pimlico has since been demolished and is being rebuilt with the goal of all commercial-track Thoroughbred racing in Maryland shifting to the new Baltimore venue by 2027, at which time racing will cease at Laurel. Laurel's management submitted a request of specific racing dates and post times to the commission for only the early portion of '26. After racing concludes this year at Laurel Dec. 31, the track will take a brief break before the '26 season opens Jan. 9 with racing through the end of that month on Fridays and Saturdays with 12:00 (Eastern) post times. In February and March Laurel will add Sundays to make a three-day racing week. Chris Merz, the commission's executive director, told TDN in an email after the meeting that the expected summer break and the exact race dates around it in the spring and fall would likely not be finalized until March or April. The Timonium Fair applied for 10 dates covering Aug. 27-Sept. 13, although Merz said at the meeting that “they will likely run seven of those days,” which is consistent with the fair's applications in previous years. Fair Hill, which conducted its first race meet in six years this past August, was granted eight dates of racing. “Stakeholders are going to work together to get specified dates,” Merz said. Fair Hill's card in '25 consisted of six pari-mutuel flat races on the turf. But according to a Nov. 2 story in The Racing Biz, the event's organizers have discussed re-introducing steeplechase racing, possibly over Memorial Day weekend in '26. The post Laurel to Anchor Maryland Circuit in ’26 with Same Template of 120 Dates appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Friday, Bahrain Turf Club, Kingdom of Bahrain, post time: 19:40, BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL TROPHY-G2, $1,000,000, 3yo/up, 2000mT Field: Bright Picture (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), Calif (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Lion's Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion), Military Order (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal), Pride Of Arras (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). TDN Analysis: With the withdrawal of Group 1 winner Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot), Godolphin only has the G3 Winter Derby scorer Military Order set to start for Charlie Appleby in this lucrative contest. However, he is not a lock, as there are plenty of worthy challengers gunning for this Group 2 prize and Karl Burke's G2 York Stakes scorer and G1 Irish Champion Stakes third Royal Champion is signed on here. Andre Fabre will saddle G2 Prix Eugene Adam hero Bright Picture. That luminary ran third to First Look (Lope De Vega), with subsequent G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern hero Bay City Roller (New Bay) second, in the G2 Prix Dollar on Arc weekend. Group 1 winner Calif is hoping to finally find the winner's circle after a fruitless hunt this term, and the Gosdens have entered multiple listed winner Lion's Pride. The blowout winner of the Listed Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket in September could break his group duck in style on Friday. Representing the three-year-old brigade is G2 Dante Stakes/G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes victor Pride Of Arras for Ralph Beckett. Click here for the complete field. The post Black-Type Analysis: Godolphin’s Military Order Looms In Bahrain International Trophy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Jason Lee is trying to look on the bright side of the one that got away. That was Tuesday’s Renwick Farms Dominion with Jilliby Ballerini after the Australian mare was a good thing beaten in almost a case of friendly fire. Lee drove the perfect race early to secure the trail behind fellow Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix and a lap from home couldn’t believe his luck. It soon changed. Queensland trotter Gus attacked down the back straight and Arcee Phoenix picked a bad day to have a bad day, as he stopped like he was shot at the 600m and carted Jilliby Ballerini back through the field before she regathered herself to run a brave fourth. “I was pretty gutted because it had all gone so well early and you wouldn’t think old Arcee would let you down,” says Lee. “It was just one of those things, he had an off day and it costs us as well.” If there is a silver lining to that cloud is it Jilliby Ballerini never got to be fully extended after Lee’s corners-cutting early has seen her handle her first 3200m start well so she heads to the more suitable 1980m mobile of Friday’s Azap Electrical NZ Trotting Free-For-All a happy horse rather than in recovery mode. “You would think this race will suit her better,” says Lee. “She has come through Tuesday well so she should get her chance on Friday.” Jilliby Ballerini should be able to follow potential early leader Muscle Mountain across to get handy or even lead today and she will take a power of beating but her opening $1.75 quote looks a bit skinny. Bet N Win, who started from the second line on Tuesday, and the other hard luck stories Mighty Logan and Oscar Bonavena can all win but perhaps the most surprising price in the market belongs to Tuesday’s Dominion winner Gus. He was stunning with more left at the end on Tuesday and there is no reason he can’t win again so his $8.50 final field price looks enticing. View the full article

By Michael Guerin New Zealand Cup hero Kingman will skip Friday’s Pacing Free-For-All as trainer Luke McCarthy heads home to New South Wales to drive his stable star. Yes, you read that right, the horse who sat three wide to beat Leap To Fame and the best Kiwis in Tuesday’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington may not be the best in McCarthy’s stable. Not officially anyway. McCarthy also trains Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and Eureka winner Don Hugo, which would at least give him the title of the “Best Performed” pacer in McCarthy’s stable, even if his peak performance wouldn’t match Kingman’s stunner from Tuesday. “It is a very privileged position to be in,” says McCarthy. “They are both wonderful horses but they have very different plans over the summer.” While Kingman will skip the Allied Security NZ Free-For-All on Friday that doesn’t mean his New Zealand campaign is over as he will remain in Canterbury and contest the Group 1 Christian Cullen Pace at Addington on Friday week. It is for four-year-olds only and not only might Kingman scare some rivals away from the new race which was run for the first time last year but he will start incredibly short in the market. McCarthy will come back to drive him next week but heads to Wagga in New South Wales on Friday night as Don Hugo contest the first of five Carnivals of Cups races, named The Bidgee, spread over the summer which carry a A$1m bonus if any horse can win all five of them. Don Hugo faces a second line draw and a hot field over the 2800m mobile. Last season’s New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee won four of the races and a A500,000 bonus but missed the A$1m payout when beaten into second in the other race. While Kingman will miss tomorrow’s Pacing Free-For-All, Leap To Fame, Republican Party, Akuta and Merlin will back up from the Cup into the sprint race which will be run at 8.07pm at the twilight meeting. The Trotting Free-For-All is the other open class race at Addington tomorrow and sees Queenslander Gus returning after Tuesday’s Dominion alongside fellow big guns Oscar Bonavena, Muscle Mountain and Victorian mare Jilliby Ballerini, who should be suited by the mobile conditions. But as iconic as the two free-for-alls are they won’t hold richest race status at tomorrow’s meeting with the second running of the two $500,000 slot races, The Velocity for three-year-old pacers and The Ascent for three-year-old trotters. New Zealand’s best juvenile pacer of last season and the top dog in the three-year-old ranks in the first half of the season Marketplace gets the perfect draw at barrier two in the Velocity as he tries to fend off arch-rival Got The Chocolates, who has beaten him fair and square the last two times they have met. Got The Chocolates has drawn the outside of the front line over the 1980m tomorrow so Marketplace was opened the $1.85 TAB favourite. The Ascent Trot could see the Australian domination of this Cup week continue with Victorian fillies Tracy The Jet and Gatesy’s Gem well up to the locals and having the advantage of inside front line draws as fillies draw inside males in the two slot races. Tracy The Jet is $2.10 favourite ahead of Meant To Be ($3.60). View the full article

The Arqana Autumn Sale catalogue has grown by nine lots with the addition of wildcards under both codes including 1200-metre winner Mataki (Goken) (lot 323). Deauville will host the sale from Monday, November 17 through Thursday, November 20. Besides that 92-rated runner and grandson of group winner and Group 1-placed Mare Nostrum (Caerleon) is Stolen Kiss (Chachnak) (lot 339), a seven-time winner this season. Lot 340 is Amilcare (Wooded) and, rated 98, he is out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Covert Love (Azamour). National Hunt horses abound, with listed-winning jumper Wild Bill Hickok (Walk In The Park) (lot 322) signed on, as is the placed hurdler Philadelphie (Kapgarde) (lot 324), who is out of Cheltenham listed winner Plaisir D'Amour (Linngari). Other lots of note are Lynx De Thaix (lot Tunis) (lot 341), unbeaten in three starts over hurdles; G2 Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy runner-up The Mighty Celt (Walk In The Park) (lot 343); the APQS winner Le Mont St Michel (Jeu St Eloi) (lot 353); Miesko (Cokoriko) (Lot 354), who is from the family of listed winner Rolls De Vindecy (Balleroy); and a foal by Galiway as lot 810. He is a half brother to listed winner Extreme Fast (Le Havre) out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Moonlight Cloud (Invincible Spirit). The post Another Nine Wildcards Added To Arqana Autumn Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dale Romans announced Wednesday morning that he will be running in the Kentucky Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat that has opened up due to the impending retirement of Mitch McConnell. He realizes he is an outsider and a Democrat running in a red state, but he sees a path to victory. Romans sat down with the TDN Wednesday to discuss why he is running for the U.S. Senate, whether or not he thinks he can win and what he would do if elected. TDN: When and why did you decide to run for the U.S. Senate? DR: I've always been political behind the scenes, mostly on horse racing immigration issues. I've spent a lot of time on Capitol Hill and have met with a lot of local politicians. This is something I've always been fascinated with. When Mitch McConnell said he wasn't going to run again, I started to think about it. I know it's a big seat for a first-time politician but I thought there was an opportunity to throw my hat in the ring. I went to Governor Beshear first and asked him if he were running and he said no. I asked him what he thought and he said that I wasn't crazy, that this made sense. If a Democrat can win in Kentucky it's going to be someone with deep roots in the state, no voting record, can connect with the people and has a little name recognition. He said I checked all the boxes. I thought I might as well jump in. At this stage in my life, Kentucky has been very good to me and I'd like to give back by being a senator for Kentucky and all of Kentucky. TDN: In racetrack parlance, it looks like you're 99-1 on the board. Can you overcome those odds? DR: I think so. I don't think the state is as red as people think it is. We did vote a Democratic Governor in and we've done that several times. We haven't had a Democratic Senator in a long time. (The last Democrat to serve in the U.S. Senate from Kentucky was Wendell Ford, who was elected in 1992). But look at the history. We had two Republican institutions in Jim Bunning and Mitch McConnell that nobody was ever going to vote out. Rand Paul came around and won, but there's only been that one opportunity to have a Democrat win. As far as being an outsider, I think that's what the people want right now. We need outsiders in Washington. Let's try something different. What we're doing now isn't working. TDN: You call yourself an “Independent Democrat.” Can you expound on what that means? DR: I”m running as a Democrat but coming from a red state you have to be independent of the party. You don't have to vote along party lines. I talked with this a lot with Joe Manchin because he is from West Virginia. He said he always called himself an independent democrat. He wasn't beholden to the party for everything they did. He said they could never primary you. They can't afford to loose the seat. I plan to vote for what's best for Kentucky and best for the country and be independent in what I do. TDN: A lot of people in this country and in Kentucky are struggling right now. You say you can identify with them. Why is that? DR: I had a single mother who was raising three boys by herself. we lived in Shively, a suburb of Louisville and it was always paycheck-to-paycheck. So I know those struggles because of what I went through. I was sleeping in tack rooms before I started winning races. I also know the struggles of starting a business and what you have to do for payroll and regulations and keeping your workforce available. My life lessons will translate well to Washington. TDN: You have admitted that you have overcome issues with alcohol. If you were not sober now would you be doing this? DR: No, I don't think I would have done it then. There are a lot of people who have helped me get things in my life in order. I got my health back, I got my weight down. I quit drinking two years ago. A lot of people helped me and now it's time for me to help people. TDN: As a U.S. Senator, what can you do to help horse racing? DR: The biggest thing I can do for horse racing is try to get some funding for the unfunded mandate that's been thrust upon us in HISA. The other big thing is to do some immigration reform. We have a labor force back there and I don't think it's that tough a fix. I don't think the two sides are that far apart. I have talked to a lot of people and that's the reason why I have been on Capitol Hill a few times. They all agree but they don't want to give the other side the win. I don't care if Trump is in office. I will give him the win. Let's just get this fixed. TDN: Should you win the Democratic primary your likely opponent in the general election will be Congressman Andy Barr. He will surely be a formidable foe. He is a Republican, he's got the name recognition factor and he has also been known to be a friend to horse racing. DR: I call Andy a friend, but we differ on quite a few issues, one being that he's the one who wrote this unfunded mandate that could bankrupt racing, Andy is a friend. Can I beat him? I'll worry about that if I get through the primary. TDN: The horse racing industry in Kentucky, particularly in the Lexington area, includes a lot of wealthy people. Have any pledged their support to you? Do you think they will? DR: I'm hoping they step up for me. I don't know about Lexington, but I've already been very pleasantly surprised how may of my colleagues have already stepped up and donated to me. They have been very supportive. TDN: You are dyslexic. How did that affect your education and how has it shaped your opinions on our education system? DR: I didn't get through college. I struggled to get through high school. I think that is another life lesson. I understand how difficult school is to some people like it was for me. Both my kids have advanced degrees and have done very well. I barely got out of high school. It wasn't because a lack of effort; it was a struggle for me. I think there's a different way we can educate people like me. TDN: IN the 2025 elections, Democrats were successful running on what they were calling “kitchen table issues,” namely affordability. They recognized that people were struggling to pay their bills and hit on a winning theme. Will that be one of the themes of your campaign? DR: I want to pick up on the themes that are important to the American people and the people of Kentucky. Those issues are important. They are complicated issues and there are a lot of things that tie into it. One of them is immigration reform. If you take away the work force we have from undocumented laborers that we have right now you'll see there'll be bigger problems when it comes to affordability. There are a lot of angles to attack it from. We're going to try to get out there and work on all issues that affect Kentuckians. TDN: The favorite right now in the Democratic primary is Amy McGrath. She has run three times for major offices in Kentucky, for Congress in 2018 and for the Senate in 2020 and 2026. She has lost all three times. Are Democrats experiencing Amy McGrath fatigue? DR: With all due respect to Amy, I think it's time to try something different. It's time to try something different in Washington and get a different kind of politician in there. TDN: I take it that you're not a big fan of Chuck Schumer. DR: I haven't said I'm not a big fan of Chuck Schumer. I said I'm not pledging any support to Chuck Schumer or anyone else until I get there. I won't be beholden to the party and won't always vote for what they want me to vote for. We'll just have to figure that out when I get there…if Schumer lasts that long. I will say that I'm not a fan of the shutdown. I'll tell you that. I never would have voted to shut down the country and never will vote to shut down the country. I don't think there's any issues big enough to keep people from getting their paychecks and the budget of the United States shouldn't be a political pawn. TDN: You've already talked about your admiration for Joe Manchin. Let's get back to that issue. What is it about Manchin that you like? DR: I have talked to Senator Manchin. His advice to me was to be authentic and be myself. He's the one who gave me the title of “Independent Democrat.” He wasn't one beholden to the party because he was from a red state. I talked to him about it before I jumped in because these are very similar situations. He voted for what he thought was best for West Virginia and what he thought was best for the country. He had both sides mad at him half the time. If that happens to me, I'd have no problem with it. The post A Q&A With Trainer Dale Romans, Who Has Launched Longshot Bid For The U.S. Senate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's Dubai-based RRR Racing went to $900,000 to acquire 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard WORLD RECORD (c, 4, Gun Runner–Marwa {GB}, by Exceed and Excel {Aus}) as Wednesday's single-session Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale neared its conclusion in Lexington. Consigned by ELiTE Sales, agent, the bay colt was bred by Runnymede Farm LLC, Falguieres Bloodstock, Gestut Zur Kuste AG, et al and was originally a $410,000 purchase as a weanling out of the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Campaigned in partnership by WinStar Farm and BBN Racing and trained by Rodolphe Brisset, World Record was named a 'Rising Star' when graduating by open lengths at second asking at three and two starts later, ran his rivals off their feet in the GII Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga, scoring by 6 3/4 lengths. An impressive allowance winner at Churchill Downs during Derby week this past May, the bay was second in the GIII Aristides Stakes and third in the GI Bing Crosby Stakes this season. His career record stands at 11-4-1-4 for earnings of $504,540. “I think there was quite a bit of interest in this horse from the Middle East,” said Ed Prosser, who signed the ticket on behalf of RRR Racing. “Bhupat Seemar, who will train him in Dubai, asked me to bid on him. He rang me earlier. He had seen the catalog and was interested in a few and this was one of them. He is always on the lookout for horses in America. There are some people from Saudi Arabia and the (Persian) Gulf region who are interested in this horse and this sale. They did their homework and they liked him. He looks like he will be a good horse for the races in Dubai.” Among RRR Racing's best horses are Isolate (Mark Valeski), winner of the G2 Godolphin Mile; Clapton (Brethren), victorious in the 2023 GIII Lukas Classic Stakes and Group 1-placed in Dubai; G3 UAE Oaks heroine Rayya (Tiz Wonderful); and Mufasa (Chi) (Practical Joke), twice a winner at Grade III level in this country at the back end of 2024 and acquired thereafter by RRR. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ World Record Fetches $900K at Keeneland’s HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Damon Thayer has retired from his job as the Senate Majority Floor Leader in the state of Kentucky, where he was one of horse racing's staunchest and most important allies. Thayer may no longer be walking the halls of the Capitol in Frankfort, but he is still working hard to help the sport he loves. He is now a senior advisor with Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI), a group devoted to stopping decoupling efforts at Gulfstream Park and to see to it that racing in South Florida remains a vital part of the industry. To bring us up to speed on the latest goings-on in Florida, Thayer was this week's guest on the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. “The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, which is a coalition of owners, trainers, breeders, and sales companies from Florida banded together sort of in an emergency situation back in February when the decoupling bill came from nowhere to get dropped on us,” Thayer said. “My board is David O'Farrell, president; Jon Green vice president; and then members, Aron Wellman; dual Hall of Fame trainer, Mark Casse; and Dr. Barry Eisaman. We worked very hard putting together a coalition to kill the bill. But there's another legislative session coming up in January. And while there hasn't been anything pre-filed yet, our sources in Tallahassee tell us that Gulfstream Park is active in Florida's capital, trying to see if there is any support for decoupling. “If we hadn't banded together and formed our coalition and fought the decoupling bill, it probably would have passed,” he said. “But we got in there and scrapped and fought and clawed and testified in front of multiple legislative committees to tell the story of the $3.3 billion economic impact and the 33,000 jobs the horse industry has on the Sunshine State. So that's why we've seen support come from all over the place. We've been gearing up to fight the decoupling bill again. Last year we were sort of caught on the back foot. This year, we're going on offense. We are prepared, better prepared to tell our story. Our coalition is engaged and while we can't match Gulfstream Park dollar for dollar on the political side, we are going to be involved in the political side of things before the opportunity to make contributions shuts down when the legislature goes into session in January.” Randy Moss asked Thayer that even if the decoupling bill were to be defeated what would stop The Stronach Group from closing the track and selling the land, which is immensely valuable? He admitted that is a possibility but if it happened his group would look to find a new venue for South Florida racing. “First of all, I want to note that there are three willing buyers for Gulfstream Park,” he said. “One of them is public. Mike Repole has offered to buy Gulfstream Park and keep it as a racetrack in its current coupled state with the slot machine casino there on the first floor. There are at least two other potential buyers who haven't gone public and I'm not really in a position to reveal that. The Florida HPBA and TRI are co-funding a feasibility study with the Cornerstone Group, which did the Maryland Racing Feasibility Study. “We're looking at a half a dozen different options for the future of racing in Florida,” he said. “I'm a big fan of making sure from a financial point of view that we figure out some way forward in South Florida, either at Gulfstream Park, at Hialeah, or perhaps somewhere else, north of the Miami-Dade-Broward area where perhaps a new racetrack could be built where land is less expensive. I'm not ready to give up yet on racing at Gulfstream Park. I don't know how long-term viability is for racing 200 days a year there, but I do think there's a way forward in keeping racing in South Florida in general and at Gulfstream Park in particular.” Thanks largely to the efforts of Mike Repole, The Stronach Group's bid to decouple faces one major obstacle. At this year's OBS Sales, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came out and said he would likely veto any bill that called for decoupling. How does The Stronach Group get past that roadblock. “One of the big victories that we achieved was getting Ron DeSantis to come to the OBS sale, which is one of our biggest supporters and an important part of our coalition,” Thayer said. “He came there and in front of a large crowd of owners and breeders and trainers and consignors and industry participants all but said, pass this bill and I'll veto it. And the Republican super majorities there probably didn't want to choose a fight with their very popular governor. That was a really big win for us. You are absolutely correct that Mike Repole played a major role in that. But so did one of our board members. Dr. Barry Eisaman worked behind the scenes on that as well. But I would never try to minimize Mike's role in this. If you were there on Kentucky Derby day, who was in the winner's circle when Mindframe won for Repole? Ron DeSantis.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was “Louisiana Lightning,” also known as Touchuponastar (Star Guitar). The Lousiaina-bred earned a 108 Beyer figure when winning the Delta Mile Stakes at Delta Downs. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, who stands the stallion Mullikin (by Violence). Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, the KTOB, 1/ST TV and West Point Thoroughbreds, Moss and partner Bill Finley discussed the controversial scratch of White Abarrio (Race Day) just minutes before post time for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Both agreed that the Breeders' Cup and the CHRB has done a good job keeping the racing safe, but that more transparency is needed. Moss and Finley also came to the defense of social media influencer Griffin Johnson, who was criticized in some quarters after receiving the 2025 “New Owner of the Year Award” from OwnerView. Because his social media postings on the horse he co-owned, Sandman (Tapit), reached so many young people who were not otherwise familiar with racing, Moss went so far as to say maybe Johnson should have gotten a Special Eclipse Award. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To listen to the show as a podcast, click here. The post Damon Thayer Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Elizabeth McCue, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Prince Khozan on 9/30/25. Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Robert Baze, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 8, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Nephele, who won at Emerald Downs on 8/8/25. Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Joel Marr, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Let Her Be, who won at Sunland Park on 2/13/25. Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Joel Marr, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Let Her Be, who won at Sunland Park on 2/13/25. Dates: 11/06/2025 Licensee: Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Don't Listen, who won at Parx Racing on 10/1/25. Dates: 11/06/2025 Licensee: William Blair, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Outrageously, who finished second at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 8/21/25. Dates: 11/05/2025 Licensee: John Garner Vinson, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 6, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Money Trail, who finished third at Gulfstream Park on 7/25/25. Pending ADMC Violations 11/12/2025, James Watkins, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Smart Joker, who won at Fairmount Park on 9/16/25. The post Weekly Rulings: Nov. 6-12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Big Rock will stand his second season at Haras de Grandcamp at an unchanged fee of €12,000, Jour de Galop reported on Wednesday. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes victor is expecting his first foals in 2026. He covered 159 mares in 2025, including the dam of Group 1 winner Woodshauna (Wooded); group winner Gregarina (De Treville); a sister of Different League (Dabirsim); and Frasque (Iffraaj), dam of two group horses; as well as Baine (Country Reel), runner-up in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. His compatriot and fellow top-tier winner Zagrey will also remain at his 2025 fee of €6,000. The son of Zarak, who was also standing his first season this year, covered 70 mares. The post Big Rock And Zagrey Remain At €12k And €6k At Haras De Grandcamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets for the 152nd running of the GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will go on sale to the public Thursday, Nov. 13 at noon ET, Churchill Downs announced Wednesday. Two-day all-inclusive reserved tickets to the 152nd GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, held Friday May 1, and Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, will be available for purchase online, including recent renovations such as the Ford First Turn Reserved seating as well as the Starting Gate Courtyard, both featuring stadium-style seats and easy access for concessions and wagering windows. Limited premium and luxury dining experiences in select areas–including the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club and Club SI by Sports Illustrated, also will be available for purchase by calling the Churchill Downs Premium Sales Department at (502) 636-4447. Several non-all-inclusive ticket options will be available for purchase, including Infield-only general admission tickets and two-day Infield Final Turn general admission tickets. The Infield Final Turn is a private area that offers food and beverage concessions for purchase, along with private restrooms and wagering windows. Fans may secure tickets by clicking here or here or by calling (502) 636-4447. Churchill Downs also provides the only secure, official resale marketplace to purchase Derby and Oaks tickets via the Churchill Downs Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange. The post 2026 Derby/Oaks Tickets Available Thursday At Noon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aimeric (Frankel) (lot 65), who has placed multiple times at listed level, is one of 186 lots catalogued in the Tattersalls Online November Sale on November 18-19. Among the various lots are 102 horses in and out of training, 63 yearlings, 16 broodmares, two breeding rights, one stallion share, one foal and one store. Out of Aris (Danroad), the six-year-old gelding is a half-brother to G1 Prix de la Foret hero and sire Aclaim, as well as the GIII Soaring Softly Stakes heroine Queen Picasso (Kingman). This sale also features the inaugural Online Yearling Session, which includes sires of the likes of Acclamation, Churchill, Cotai Glory, Kodi Bear, Sergei Prokofiev, Showcasing, Starspangledbanner, Too Darn Hot and Zoustar. A breeding right in both Harry Angel (lot 184) and Palace Pier (lot 185) will go under the hammer. In addition, a 1/80th stallion share in Supremacy (lot 186) is also available. Group winner Go Athletico (Goken) (lot 92) will sell, as well. He holds victories in the G3 Renaissance Stakes and the Scurry Handicap. Juvenile filly Naana's Shadow (Havana Grey) (lot 110) will be offered, as will Miss Lady Grace (Space Blues) (lot 108), a daughter of Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Sea Of Grace (Born To Sea {Ire}). Broodmare prospect Enterprising (Dansili) (lot 169), a half-sister to the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), will grace the ring; as will Supreme Park (Walk In The Park) (lot 181), a half-sister to the graded-placed chaser Ballykeel (Presenting) and out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Blackstairmountain (Imperial Ballet) in foal to Gentlewave. The post Aimeric One Of The Highlights Of Tattersalls Online November Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 4:25p.m. LNJ Foxwoods and NK Racing's Paradise (Gun Runner) gets her start for trainer Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz Jr. who combine to win at a 26% clip at Churchill Downs over the past year. The first foal out of MGSW and MGISP Venetian Harbor (Munnings), the filly brought $700,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Tracy Farmer's Tap This Way (Tapit) also makes her career debut, getting the services of Florent Geroux for her unveiling. Trained by Mark Casse, the homebred is out of GSW La Gran Bailadora (Afleet Alex), the dam of GI Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston (Awesome Again). Debuting for Phil D'Amato, Dolladoro (Medaglia d'Oro) is out of Runaway Doll (Majestic Warrior). A $550,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, the dark bay fired a five-furlong bullet work (1:00, 1/24) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 7. On the also eligibles list, Betty's Pearl (Munnings), a $700,000 OBS April purchase, returns after a runner-up effort in a six-furlong Keeneland test Oct. 5. TJCIS PPs The post Thursday’s Racing Insights Led by Gun Runner’s Paradise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a successful Kentucky debut last month against allowance foes, John Gallegos' homebred One Magic Philly aims to make it 2-for-2 in her new home state in the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Nov. 15.View the full article