Wandering Eyes

Little Paradise overcame traffic and distance questions Feb. 1 at Sha Tin Racecourse to win the Hong Kong Classic Mile, first leg of the Hong Kong Derby series.View the full article

Young trainer Stephen Hanlon saddled his first winner when Diggin Deep won a handicap hurdle at Musselburgh in November 2018, but his name had been absent from racecards in recent years after the Covid-19 pandemic delayed his plans to enter the training ranks in a full-time capacity. That was until January this year when Hanlon sent out his first runners as the licence holder at Sun Hill Farm in Leyburn, with Azucena providing the breakthrough in this second phase of the trainer's career when successful at Newcastle on January 13. Now, Hanlon reveals his big plans for the future as the latest person to face the TDN question master. How did you first become involved in racing? I found my way into racing through my father and my uncle. They were friendly with the late Frank Ennis, who trained around 25 horses on the Curragh. My father got me a job with Frank in 2007 and that's how I started, really. Initially, I had aspirations to be a jockey, but I grew too tall and got heavy. I realised then that it just wasn't going to be possible, so I changed course very quickly and had my sights set on training from then on. You're now training from Sun Hill Farm in Leyburn following the retirement of Ann Duffield. Can you tell us a bit about how that opportunity came about? I was starting to pull together a small team of horses and I based them with Harry Whittington between Lambourn and Wantage while I was trying to find a yard. Harry knew Ann Duffield and that she wanted to retire. Harry suggested that I give Ann a call and I discussed with Ann what I would like to do. Ann invited me to Sun Hill to have a look around and it went forward from there, really. Ann confirmed that it was her plan to retire at the end of last year. We agreed that I should take on the role as assistant trainer, so that I could get an idea of how Sun Hill works and to get to know the facilities. I very much enjoyed the role working with good people. When Ann and I had discussed the idea of taking over the licence, I then felt that any step other than going training at that point would have been a step backwards. Ann has enjoyed a long and successful career in her own right and is an incredibly astute businesswoman. She and her owners have been very supportive with advice and guidance as we transferred the business over into my name. I'd like to think that has prepared me well for what I am trying to achieve now. I worked with Ann as her assistant for six months from June to December last year. It is a fantastic place, a purpose-built yard with wonderful facilities. I'm very grateful to Ann and George for the opportunity that they have afforded me. How many horses do you have in training? We have 32 horses in training at present, with the capacity to train 70 plus, so I will be predominantly focusing on growing the business numerically in 2026. In turn, I wish to attract some more good owners, which is the most important factor for sustainable growth. Throughout my time in the industry, I have built good relationships with some fantastic owners, who really understand racing and without whom it would not have been possible for us to start training. It was great to hit the ground running so early with a winner [Azucena at Newcastle on January 13] on our first day with runners. I have an amazing team ensuring that the horses continue in good form as we prepare for the turf season. What was your defining memory of 2025? While it was always my ambition to train, there comes a point when you have to set the wheels in motion, so I suppose the defining moment was making that decision to set out on my own path in 2025 after four seasons with Ralph Beckett. Ralph was extremely helpful with advice and guidance. He had known for quite a while that I wanted to train, so I had plenty of conversations with Ralph about what my plans were. What motivates you? Success. What keeps you awake at night? I sleep very well, as long as I know I've done my job to the best of my ability and acted in the best interests of my horses, owners and staff at all times. You can rest assured that I won't lose much sleep worrying about matters beyond my control. What is your biggest regret? I don't have any regrets. All life experiences, both good and bad, have led me to where I am now. I am 31 now and the most important lesson that I have learned to date is that time is your most valuable asset in life. Everyone gets the same 24 hours, but how you invest it is the true secret to success. Give us an underrated sire to keep the right side of in 2026… I think Phil Cunningham's Rajasinghe is outstanding value and massively underrated and underutilised as a sire. People forget he broke the track record at Royal Ascot when he won the Coventry, which still stands. We've just recently seen Aisling Oscar do the magnificent seven consecutive wins in handicaps – something that hasn't been done for over 30 years. I would like to see him get some better quality mares to cover, because I'm adamant that he can hold his own in producing black-type performers. And a horse to follow on the racecourse in 2026… Royal Fixation looks the type of filly who will improve from two to three. She was impressive in winning the Lowther last year and followed it up with a solid performance in the Cheveley Park. She has subsequently been moved to Karl Burke in Middleham who excels with fillies of her profile. I would expect to see her being competitive at the top level in 2026. Tell us something that people don't know about Stephen Hanlon… Many people assume because of my surname that I am related to Shark Hanlon. I have no family relations to Shark Hanlon! Who is your inspiration? There is nobody in this world than can truly inspire you. I think that is something that can only come from within – you have to want to do better, to want to succeed, and to want to perform to the very peak of your ability. I think the intense level of drive that is required to be successful is either in a person or it's not. I believe the most influential and successful people in history, in any capacity, were all self inspired. However, I do have admiration for the trainers I have worked for – Willie Mullins, Dessie Hughes and Ralph Beckett – all exceptionally talented people who would have achieved huge success in whatever they channelled their brainpower into. For me, Henry Cecil, Michael Stoute and Vincent O Brien are the three greatest trainers that this sport has ever produced. They had something very, very different – a natural gift from God and a genius touch with horses. What has been the proudest moment of your career to date? I don't have a standout proudest moment. I continually take personal satisfaction from doing anything to the best of my ability, win, lose or draw, whether in a professional or personal capacity. I derive huge satisfaction from achieving the best possible outcome for the team of horses, owners and staff that I am building around me. It's hugely important to be working with the right people and I'm very lucky to have good people around me. The post In The Hot Seat: Stephen Hanlon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Classy galloper Patch Of Theta returned to winning ways with a game performance to defy joint top weight of 135lb in the Class One Mirs Bay Handicap (1,400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Last seen in a winning mood when landing the Group Three Chinese Club Challenge Cup (1,400m) 13 months ago, the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained galloper made good on a gilt-edged opportunity despite the weight burden. Travelling midfield in the six-runner affair under Hugh Bowman, Patch Of Theta travelled up well and was...View the full article

John Size continued his classic midseason march up the trainers’ championship table with a treble at Sha Tin, headlined by Super Express’ brilliant win in the Class Three Yan Chau Tong Handicap (1,400m). By his own admission, it has been a slow campaign thus far for the reigning champion trainer, but he was always going to get his skates on as winter loomed and another three-timer has seen him jump up to fifth in the table. It has left Size just 10 winners off the current leader Mark Newnham and...View the full article

Little Paradise emerged from an almost impossible position to stamp himself as a rising star of Hong Kong racing with a breathtaking victory in Sunday’s Classic Mile at Sha Tin. Held up for clear running from the top of the straight until the 250m, the Jimmy Ting Koon-ho-trained gelding was hooked to the centre of the track by Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and unleashed a blistering turn of foot to soar past his rivals in the blink of an eye. In a testament to his class, Little Paradise romped in by two...View the full article

Father-and-son training duo Kevin and Stephen Gray finished the Wellington Cup meeting with a bang on Saturday when their gelding Anderson Bridge (NZ) (Savabeel) surged to victory in the Douro Cup (1600m). Race favourite Afternoon Siesta jumped well and was sent straight to the front by jockey Kelly Myers, while Bruno Queiroz was content to settle three-back in the running line aboard Anderson Bridge. They loomed three-wide at the turn and quickly ranged up alongside the leader, with the pair going head-to-head in the concluding stages, but it was Anderon Bridge who came out on top to win by a long neck. “He is a really promising horse, he beat a good mare,” Stephen Gray said. “We had the (1kg) weight advantage and I said to Bruno that he had to be forward and just attack her because she is a good mare. “He is a really promising horse, so I am excited to have him back.” Gray purchased Anderson Bridge as a yearling in Australia in 2022 for $200,000 while he was still training in Singapore, and entrusted him to the care of leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller. The son of Savabeel won one start for the expat Kiwi horseman before returning to Gray’s care in New Zealand last year, and the Manawatu trainer has been rapt with his progression. The five-year-old gelding won first-up over 1400m at Trentham in December before returning to the Upper Hutt track a fortnight ago to run fifth over the same distance, and bounced back to winning form when stepping up to a mile on Saturday. “He came back from Sydney, and it is only his third run back, so he is only getting better,” Gray said. Gray was also chuffed to record another victory in the Douro Cup alongside his father, while he said the win was a tonic for his Palmerston North-based team. “To win a Douro Cup, which I think I won a long time ago with Dad, and to still win it with Dad is pretty cool,” Gray said. “We run second enough, so when you win one it is exciting. We have had a tough couple of weeks where the horses have been going well, we just quite haven’t got the wins, so it is good for the staff at home and good for my mates who own him. “Paul Hickman, my best mate, owns most of him. We had 98 winners together in Singapore.” The win also extended jockey Bruno Queiroz’s golden run in New Zealand, with the Brazilian hoop currently fifth on the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership on 42 wins for the season, and Gray said the 24-year-old has a bright future. “Bruno is a hugely intelligent rider who will be a very good rider wherever he goes,” Gray said. “He is only young and he is riding much better, he is learning as he goes and it was a beautiful ride.” View the full article

Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin has plenty to mull over in the coming weeks as he hatches an autumn plan for his quality stayer Crouch (NZ) (Tarzino). The six-year-old gelding put in another strong effort at Trentham on Saturday to post his second successive runner-up result in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m), and Breslin is now hungry to try and go one better in next year’s edition. “He has gone huge again. Running second two years in a row is a good effort,” Breslin said. “Tina (Comignaghi) has ridden him both times and when she got off the scale I said, ‘maybe next year’, so hopefully that is the case. “He is a really sound horse, he hasn’t been overly raced. I can’t see any reason why he can’t come back next year and run in it again.” Breslin is pleased with the way Crouch has come through the run, which has filled him with confidence as he looks to identify his next target. “He went for a pick of grass this (Sunday) morning and has licked his bowl, which is the norm for him,” Breslin said. “He looks bright as anything, he has come through it really well.” While disappointed not to win the Wellington Cup, Crouch’s performance has spurred Breslin to look at targets further afield, with both Auckland and Australia entering the mix. Crouch doesn’t currently hold a nomination for the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next month, and Breslin hasn’t ruled out making a late nomination, while Australia could beckon the son of Tarzino later in the season. “I did have a look at the noms for it (Auckland Cup) this morning and it is not going to be too much different of a field than the Wellington Cup,” Breslin said. “I wouldn’t rule out putting in a late nom for the Auckland Cup, I will give it some thought, but I might just look at what is in Australia for him as well. “He has never raced right-handed so Melbourne is more likely. I will just have a look at the programmes over there and see what is available for him over winter before making a call.” Stablemate Call A Friend (NZ) (Akeed Mofeed) fared differently in the Wellington Cup, beating just the one runner home, and Breslin said she will now head for a break before being set towards Country Cups next season. “It was a throw at the stumps for the big syndicate that are in her and it was always going to be the last run of her preparation,” Breslin said. “She showed us that she is best kept to 2000m or a touch more. I think she is the sort of horse that could win a nice Cup race down a level in the provinces next spring.” Meanwhile, stablemate Donnybrook (NZ) (Zed) is being set for the NZ St Leger (2500m) at Trentham next month off the back of his midfield run in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m), his second-up run after 12 months off the scene. “I thought he went super in the Trentham Stakes for the state of his fitness,” Breslin said. “He had a bit of a failed trip to Australia, that is why he was off the scene for a long time. He never raced over there but things didn’t go well for him and we have just brought him up really quietly. “We decided to run him in the Trentham Stakes because there was give in the track. It served its purpose and brought him up to just about full fitness, I am really happy with him. “He is definitely going to be targeting the St Leger. We will just target a couple of runs between now and then with him.” Breslin is also looking forward to the return of his Group Two-winning filly Intention (NZ) (Bivouac) to the trials at Foxton on Tuesday as he looks to set an autumn plan for the daughter of Bivouac. She finished 10th on a testing track in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November, and Breslin said it has taken some time for his filly to get over the tough trip. “Intention is going to trial on Tuesday. That will be a defining moment for her three-year-old career,” he said. “The trip in the 2000 Guineas on the rain-affected track did knock her around a little bit. It has taken her a while to get over it. “She did gallop super on Thursday morning but it is just a matter of what is left for her as a three-year-old, so we are going to give her a trial on Tuesday and if she trials well we may give her one or two runs before giving her a break and getting her back as a four-year-old.” View the full article

Join a full team this week on Weigh In. Guy Heveldt, Bruce Sherwin & Aidan Rodley break down the action from Wellington Cup day at Trentham, feature racing from Ellerslie and a look ahead to The NZB Kiwi. Weigh In, February 1 View the full article

Exciting stayer The Precursor (St Jean) literally monstered his rivals to claim an impressive victory in the $350,000 Life Direct Remutaka Classic (2100m) at Trentham on Saturday. The statuesque five-year-old towers over most of his race rivals and made good use of that impressive frame to stretch away from fellow Cambridge visitor Roctave over the concluding stages of the contest after enjoying a trouble-free run just behind the pace for rider Masa Hashizume. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-prepared son of the ill-fated stallion St Jean, who took out the 2017 Gr.3 City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) before heading to stud, has always looked a stayer with tremendous potential after entering the stable of Shaun and Hazel Fannin for owner Graham Stewart, who purchased him for A$20,000 in an Inglis Digital online sale in late 2024. The Precursor had won once from five starts for the Ciaron Maher stable in Victoria before heading to New Zealand and was sent north to James and Wellwood after two placings from two starts for the Fannin team, where he started Saturday’s contest as the $4.30 second favourite off the back of two further placings and a win over 1600m at New Plymouth. Hashizume made perfect use of barrier four by heading forward at the start and getting one off behind pacemakers Platinum Goddess and Shaking Stevens before leaving the straight for the first time. Applying the pressure around the home turn, Hashizume had his mount trucking as he shot to the front and despite being hotly challenged in the final stages, The Precursor drew away late to win comfortably by a neat length at the line. Hashizume was quick to point out there was plenty more in the tank of the winner who is still learning the game. “He just does it so easily,” Hashizume said. “He just does what he has to do and when I galloped him on Thursday he was so laid back. “He had a good draw today and got in a good spot. He was just wandering along all the way up the straight but never stopping and he feels like he isn’t trying, but I knew if I asked him for another 600m he would give it to me.” Wellwood was delighted to get the win after stablemate Ariadne (NZ) (Almanzor) had been narrowly beaten in the Gr.2 Lowland Stakes (2100m) one race earlier. “We’ve had him for three runs now and he ran two good races over a mile before a big run at Ellerslie which gave us a lot of confidence,” he said. “I think he is a horse with a future but we won’t make any decisions until we get him home and see how he pulls up. “I do think he will be a Cups horse in the future, although he still has a lot of maturing to do, albeit he is a five-year-old, but he is a nice horse in the making. “He has strengthened since we got him and we know he is going to stay.” The Precursor holds a nomination for the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on 7 March where he sits as the $6 favourite in the TAB Fixed Odds market. He has now won three of his 10 starts and over $252,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Days after an announcement that champion 2-year-old male Ted Noffey was off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with bone bruising, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher showcases Nearly as a Derby contender by winning the $267,500 Holy Bull Stakes (G3).View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard CORNUCOPIAN (c, 4, Into Mischief–Magical World, by Distorted Humor) hit a traffic jam nearing the quarter pole of a 6 1/2-furlong Santa Anita allowance on Saturday, but it proved but a minor inconvenience, as he got his feet back under him, quickly took a gap at the rail inside of a rival and was off and gone in his first start in nearly 10 months. The 1-2 chalk returning off an allowance defeat going a mile at Aqueduct last spring, the $1.1 million Keeneland September purchase hit the ground running, but so did several of his rivals and he was outfooted through an opening quarter mile in :21.65. Advancing inside on the turn with a wall of horses in front of him, the bay colt was stymied and was taken hold of by Juan Hernandez, losing significant momentum for a stride or two. But he was just as quickly back on the attack, as he hit the gap like a blitzing cornerback confronts an opposing quarterback and was in hand in the final 50 yards. The final time was a very slick 1:15.68. Sales history: $1,100,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Bashor, Dianne, Determined Stables, Masterson, Robert E., Ryan, Tom J., Waves Edge Capital LLC and Donovan, Catherine; B-Whisper Hill Farm & Three Chimneys Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert #5 CORNUCOPIAN ($3.00) gets through on the rail and wins his return in the 8th race at @SantaAnitaPark. @JJHernandezS19 rode the four-year-old Into Mischief (@SpendthriftFarm) colt for trainer Bob Baffert. @StarlightRacing @MadaketStables @StonestreetFarm @TomRyanKY pic.twitter.com/Gjkf0GL0C4 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 1, 2026 The post ‘Rising Star’ Cornucopian Crushes Allowance Rivals On Seasonal Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Days after an announcement that champion 2-year-old male Ted Noffey was off the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail with bone bruising, Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher showcases Nearly as a Derby contender by winning the $275,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3).View the full article

Sometimes overshadowed by stablemate Baeza, Westwood comes into his own in the San Pasqual Stakes (G2) Jan. 31 at Santa Anita Park, defeating Getaway Car by 2 3/4 lengths.View the full article

On Time Girl takes the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) for trainer Brad Cox and owner and breeder Albaugh Family Stables.View the full article

The Gulfstream grass very quickly became trainer Brian Lynch's lawn Saturday when the conditioner took home three victories over the course with two being stakes–the Kitten's Joy earlier on the card and here in the Sweetest Chant with Sister Troienne (Munnings). With her conditioner (and rider) claiming both 1 1/16-miles Listed features, and stablemate Thousandsticks (Twirling Candy) garnering high praise from Lynch after the earlier stakes, Sister Troienne went into the gate with even higher expectations. She was riding a four-race win streak here with back-to-back stakes wins to her credit in a string that began last September at Churchill Downs when she broke her maiden by 4 1/2 lengths. From there, she trounced allowance company at Keeneland Oct. 22, claimed the Wait a While Stakes over the local synthetic by three lengths Nov. 27, and was last seen taking home the hardware in the Ginger Brew Stakes Jan. 3. The betting public saw no reason to fix what wasn't broken, and hammered her at the windows to the tune of 1-2 overwhelming favoritism by the time they opened. Stalking well from second after Day to Day (McKinzie) hit the fence going into the first turn and ran off down the backside, Sister Troienne slowly reeled that one back in passing the five sixteenths and assumed command not longer after with six panels clocking in 1:11.67 for that pair. Four wide into the homeward run, but still well in hand, Mario Gutierrez had to keep her mind on business leaving the furlong marker and the pair came home much the best by 2 3/4 lengths in a hand ride. The 61-1 longshot Spicy Princess (Tapit) rolled home late to claim second and 13-1 Brat Pack (Gun Runner) was safely home in third. The final time was 1:40.76, Lynch and Gutierrez have posted impressive numbers during Gulfstream's Championship meet–the combination has struck for five stakes wins with Lynch claiming seven overall. “Very impressive and finished up in a strong time, too,” Lynch said. “When they turned down the backside she looked a winner every jump of the race. Honestly, I think she's just getting better at racing. She's got such a big, efficient stride, and when you ask her for run she just finds more. It will be interesting to see if she ever gets tested.” The victress is the first to the races for her dam, Dyna Passer, who was stakes placed in her racing career. Sister Troienne has a juvenile full-sister named Ultraviolet and their dam is due to Oscar Performance in 2026. Dyna Passer is a half-sister to the ultra consistent GISW Sadler's Joy (Kitten's Joy) as well as to MGSW Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper). The latter was wicked fast in his racing days, and set a new course or track record on four occasions at Gulfstream and Laurel Park for two different distances. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. SISTER TROIENNE ($3.00) was much the best in the $175,000 Sweetest Chant Stakes at @GulfstreamPark. This is the 3YO Munnings (@coolmoreamerica) filly's 5th win in a row. She's trained by @BLynchRacing, @_MGutierrez_ was in the irons. Holy Bull is next: https://t.co/mnxsqMII2X pic.twitter.com/ERzXk0AtQM — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) January 31, 2026 SWEETEST CHANT S. PRESENTED BY DAILY RACING FORM, $150,000, Gulfstream, 1-31, 3yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 1:40.76, fm. 1–SISTER TROIENNE, 122, f, 3, by Munnings 1st Dam: Dyna Passer (SP, $232,330), by Lemon Drop Kid 2nd Dam: Dynaire, by Dynaformer 3rd Dam: Binya (Ger), by Royal Solo (Ire) ($190,000 RNA Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Woodslane Racing LLC; B-Woodslane Farm (KY); T-Brian A. Lynch; J-Mario Gutierrez. $88,350. Lifetime Record: 6-5-0-1, $388,859. 2–Spicy Princess, 118, f, 3, Tapit–Apache Princess, by Unusual Heat. ($175,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-KMN Racing LLC; B-KMN Racing LLC & Tapit Syndicate (KY); T-Patrick L. Biancone. $28,500. 3–Brat Pack, 118, f, 3, Gun Runner–Ultra Brat, by Uncle Mo. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Alex G. Campbell, Jr. Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $14,250. Margins: 2 3/4, 1HF, 3 1/4. Odds: 0.50, 61.70, 13.50. Also Ran: Storm's Wake, Aggressive Lime, Surprise Ending, Bert's Knoty Girl, One Sweet Girl, Day to Day, My Lady Jbella. Scratched: Spirit Doll. The post Second Verse, Same as First: Sister Troienne Gives No Quarter in Sweetest Chant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article