Wandering Eyes

Dollars & Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

It's been a long time coming for Jacob West. Watching 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Mindframe make it to the famed stallion barn at Claiborne Farm and settle into the stall once home to the likes of Bold Runner, Secretariat, Easy Goer and Unbridled marks a full-circle moment years in the making. One year after West joined Claiborne as their Stallion Seasons and Bloodstock Manager, the farm announced this summer that Mindframe would soon be headed to Claiborne. Weeks later, West was at Churchill Downs celebrating as the son of Constitution secured a third consecutive graded stakes win, defeating champion Sierra Leone in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes. The connection between the two stretches beyond that. As part of the selection team for owners Mike Repole and Vinnie Viola, West had a hand in purchasing Mindframe as a yearling and he has followed the Repole Stable and St. Elias Stables-campaigned colt every step of the way. Over the past few weeks, West has split his time between the breeding stock sales and Claiborne's stallion division, where breeders have been stopping in to get a look at the farm's newest recruit. Adding a second Grade I winner to the roster in Johannes, the first son of Nyquist to stand in Kentucky, has made the stretch even more exciting. In addition to those two newcomers, Claiborne has several other young stallions preparing to enter new phases of their stud careers next year. Prince of Monaco ($30,000) and Bright Future ($10,000) will both see their first foals in 2026 while Annapolis ($12,500) will be represented by his first crop of yearlings. Out of a stakes-winning Street Sense mare, Mindframe was in the Betz Thoroughbreds consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale when West and team first got a look at him. West said it was the colt's striking physical that led to his $600,000 purchase. “He was one of those horses that ranked near the top of our list,” recalled West. “The depth of family was an added bonus to just how good looking he was. Now he's basically a bigger version of what he was back then. He's a big horse, standing at 16.3 hands. He moves like a cat. He's correct, has good bone and a big, strong hip and shoulder. It all translated into having really fluid mechanics on the racetrack. He covered so much ground when he would stride out.” Bred in Maryland by prominent Mid-Atlantic owner Larry Johnson, Mindframe's sophomore season was highlighted by a 13 3/4-length debut win, which earned him Rising Star honors, and runner-up finishes in the GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes. His breeder passed away early this year, just before the colt's breakout performance in the GII Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes. “Larry had been in the business for a long time,” said West. “People had a lot of respect for him and his operation.” Mindframe displayed his versatility while collecting back-to-back Grade I wins. In the seven-furlong GI Churchill Downs Stakes, the Todd Pletcher trainee bested a field that included future Breeders' Cup champion Nysos (Nyquist) and Grade I winners Book'em Danno (Bucchero) and Mullikin (Violence). Next out in the mile-and-an-eighth Stephen Foster, he earned a 105 Beyer Speed Figure in defeating Eclipse Award winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), GI Kentucky Derby victor Mystik Dan (Goldencents) and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}). “He was so versatile and he had such a high cruising speed,” said West. “To win at seven furlongs and at nine furlongs against some of the best horses of his generation just shows how good he was.” Mindframe made two more career starts this year at four. After an ill-fated break in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, where he lost jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. following a chain-reaction incident, he finished fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. He retired with earnings of $2.05 million. West predicted that Mindframe's speed and versatility on the racetrack will translate into his career at stud. “If you go back and analyze the history of Claiborne Farm, horses that were fast and could carry their speed over a route of ground have been successful here,” he explained. “This horse is no different. He's going to fall right in line with getting some incredible mares here on the farm. We have an incredible syndicate group that will back him in the likes of Repole Stable and St. Elias. They're going to be heavily invested in supporting him. The great thing about Mike and Vinnie and their operation is that they support them in the shed, in the sales ring and on the racetrack. They follow through with their stallions.” West added that Mindframe's credentials are further bolstered by the success of his sire. Constitution is currently a top-five general sire in North America. Mindframe is set to become his third son in Kentucky. First-crop sire Independence Hall, who stands at WinStar alongside his sire, has produced several stakes performers from his first crop while Ashford Stud's Tiz the Law ranks third among second-crop sires in North America. Johannes was hard to miss as a stallion prospect last year as he reeled off five graded stakes wins in eight months, dominating the turf division in California. “A son of Nyquist from a very good family and a homebred for his owners, he was a horse that we had kind of kept an eye on,” explained West. “Serious negotiations started this spring and we were lucky that we got him. He was an incredible racehorse.” Bred and raced by Joe and Debby McCloskey and trained by Tim Yakteen, Johannes developed into Nyquist's highest-earning son over the course of his four-year career. After breaking his maiden by nine lengths going six furlongs as a 2-year-old, the following year he collected wins in the Baffle Stakes and Pasadena Stakes. He took his game to the next level at four, securing five graded stakes victories highlighted by the GI Shoemaker Mile Stakes. The only slight blemish on an otherwise perfect season was his second-place finish to More Than Looks (More Than Ready) in the GI Breeders' Cup Mile. “To do what he did that year was truly remarkable,” said West. “[Jockey] Umberto Rispoli said coming into the Breeders' Cup that the horse gave him a certain feel when he was on his back with the way he ran and his style. He didn't care who he was running against. He showed up every time.” Johannes made three starts this year at five, including a second straight win in the GII City of Hope Mile Stakes. “His best race would probably have to be the Shoemaker Mile, winning the way he did,” West noted. “But the City of Hope this year was also impressive with the way he was able to sit off the pace and when they turned for home, if you watch him coming down the lane, it was basically just in a gallop.” A half-brother to two other stakes performers, Johannes heads to stud on the heels of another standout year for his sire. Nyquist, the sire of four Grade I winners in 2025, will stand for $175,000 next season at Darley's Jonabell Farm. “Being the first son of Nyquist to stand in Kentucky is very interesting,” said West. “Nyquist has such a strong following and, quite frankly, is a horse that some people might not be able to get to. So when you can get to his highest-earning son here, we feel like people will love that.” Johannes will be part of Claiborne's new incentive program “Breed Twice, Breed for Life,” in which owners who breed two mares to the stallion in his first two breeding seasons, produce two live foals and pay two stud fees will be eligible for a lifetime breeding right. “As a racehorse he was the real deal,” said West. “$10,000 is value for a horse like him with his race record, sire, family and his looks. We're very excited to have him here and offer him to breeders.” The post Mindframe and Johannes: The Two New Faces at Claiborne Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fans will have their second of six opportunities to bet on the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby (G1) Nov. 27-30 with Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager.View the full article

Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy–Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister), only the third filly in history to win the GI Belmont Stakes, died due to infirmities of old age, Coolmore announced Monday. Owned by Coolmore's Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith, Rags to Riches etched her name into the annals of American racing history when she outbattled Curlin in a dramatic stretch duel to take the final leg of the Triple Crown in 2007, becoming the first filly in 102 years to win the race. Rags to Riches, purchased for $1.9 million at the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, also won the GI Kentucky Oaks, GI Santa Anita Oaks and GI Las Virgenes Stakes and was named champion 3-year-old filly of 2007. “Rags to Riches was a truly talented racehorse, and it's been a privilege to be around a horse of her calibre,” said Coolmore's Dermot Ryan. “Her achievements left a lasting impression on all of us, and she brought great pride to her ownership. I would like to thank Bob Davis and his team, who have cared for her with exceptional dedication for over a decade.” Rags to Riches has a 2-year-old filly by Munnings and a yearling colt by Uncle Mo. The post Belmont Stakes-Winning Filly Rags to Riches Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK–After one last push over the top for the yearlings it is safe to say that the team at Tattersalls can reflect on a successful year for that sector of the market after the December Yearling Sale posted record figures across the board. The final tally included the most expensive colt ever sold at this particular auction, a Frankel half-brother to the G2 Queen Mary and G2 Temple Stakes winner Dramatised (Showcasing) out of the Listed-winning Turtle Bowl mare Katie's Diamond. The mare, who had been bought by Joe Foley for 190,000gns at Tattersalls eight years ago on behalf of Steve Parkin, is set to sell from Parkin's Branton Court Stud next week as lot 1742. Anthony Stroud and Alex Elliott, bidding from either side of the partition in the chute, took each other on for the colt from Hazelwood Bloodstock, with the latter having the final say at 425,000gns. Elliott reported that he had bought lot 85 for a partnership and added, “He looks a fast Frankel, and I am pleased to get him. He obviously should have been in Book 1 but he got a foot abscess and that needed time to grow out. “It's a fast family and I remember the mare racing for Karl Burke. She has already produced a good one in Dramatised. The December Sale has produced some good horses and hopefully he can add his name to the roll of honour.” The big-name stallions largely ruled the top of the leader board, with yearlings by Sea The Stars, Wootton Bassett, Lope De Vega, Night Of Thunder and Blue Point joining Frankel on the list of top ten yearling sires for the day. One notable newcomer to that group was Baaeed, whose first runners will be in action next year and who is the sire of Staffordstown's colt out of the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes winner Aloe Vera (Invincible Spirit). Offered as lot 8, he fetched 170,000gns from trainer Johnny Butler. It took until the final lot through the ring for the previous record turnover to be beaten, but the sale of Shadwell's three-parts-sister to Baaeed, who sold for 100,000gns to Swan Bar & Entertainment, ensured that the aggregate of 7,287,500gns set a new benchmark. The clearance rate of 85% jumped up slightly from 83% in 2024, while the median improved by 33% to 40,000gns and by the average was up by 1% to 52,699gns. Pedigree Picks Sea The Stars was well represented in this opening session of the December Sale, with seven of his yearlings having sold for an average of 129,286gns. They included the most expensive filly of the day from the family of the great Time Charter, who sold for 260,000gns to Anthony Stroud. “The mare's been bred to Sea The Stars a number of times and all the runners she's produced have been highly rated,” he said of My Timing (Street Cry), the dam of Sea On Time, Truthful and Sea Just In Time, rated 100, 88 and 89 respectively. “The stallion's fee has gone up to €300,000 next year, so this represents reasonable value. He's undoubtedly a very good stallion.” Peter Kavanagh of Kildaragh Stud was another to pick up a Sea The Stars filly and went to 200,000gns through Blandford Bloodstock for the half-sister to Group 1 winner Dreamloper (Lope De Vega) and Santorini Star (Golden Horn). Just last week the filly's half-sister by New Bay topped the Goffs November Foal Sale at €650,000. “She's a pretty unique filly, they don't come onto the market that often and she is by Sea The Stars, who we have the utmost respect for as a sire of racehorses and as a broodmare sire,” Kavanagh said. “To get into the family is such an opportunity, it's so vibrant and current, the mare is relatively young, and there are two good runners on the page.” Consignor Luke Lillingston of Mount Coote Stud added, “We were pleased with that. She is not a perfect model, everybody who came to look at her realised that, but I think it was a good result. Olivia Hoare bought her dam here at Tattersalls for 45,000gns, I introduced her to Ed Walker who was just starting to train. She won her final race, a Listed race, as a five-year-old and she went to stud and has been a marvellous broodmare. Today's price was established by those who have come before out of the mare, most especially Dreamloper, who Ed trained to win two Group 1s in France a couple of years ago.” German Links Tempt Rau Tina Rau went back to her roots when signing for a German-bred daughter of Lope De Vega from Rathbarry Stud at 235,000gns. Lot 172, out of the wining Lord Of England mare Strawberry, is a half-sister to Group 3-winning juvenile Sea Bay (New Bay) as well as to Listed winner Samoa (Jukebox Jury), and was bred by Gestut Etzean. She had been an expensive purchase at last year's Breeding Stock Sale at Arqana, where she was bought for €175,000. “She's been bought to race for a partnership in France,” Rau said. “I obviously know the family well. She was born on a very good German stud farm. She was raised on a very good Irish stud farm. The mare is without fault. The three-year-old [Starlight Lips] is staying in training and should be a Group winner next year. The two-year-old [San Marino] is exciting too, so there's a lot to like.” Buying through Mark McStay of Avenue Bloodstock, MV Magnier scooped up the sole remaining Wootton Bassett yearling in the catalogue for 200,000gns. Bred by Kevin Blake's Golden Farm Thoroughbreds and sold through Tinnakill House as lot 53, the daughter of Entrancing (Mayson) is from the Cheveley Park Stud family of champion two-year-old filly Hooray (Invincible Spirit). “She's a strong filly, and what more can we say about Wootton Bassett? He is a dreadful loss to the industry and to Coolmore,” said McStay. Last Call for the Breeze-up Boys The December Sale provides a last chance for the breeze-up pinhookers to sign up a yearling and Mick Murphy of Longways Stables doubled up with Tally-Ho Stud's St Mark's Basilica half-sister to Group 3 winner Glounthaune, who was bought for 140,000gns, and a Too Darn Hot colt out of the Listed winner Frankel Light (Frankel) for 98,000gns. Murphy was responsible for breezing this year's G1 Dewhurst Stakes winner Gewan, by Night Of Thunder, but it is his friend Johnny Hassett who will take charge of a filly by the same stallion sold from the Castlebridge Consignment for 180,000gns. Lot 161, out of the winning Sea The Stars mare Sous Les Etoiles from the Hascombe & Valiant family of Golden Horn, was bought by Ghrghar Stables, whose representative Ramzi Alghul said, “She has been bought to breeze and goes to Johnny Hassett in Ireland. It is a big investment in a breeze-up prospect, Johnny was very keen to have her and she is by the sire of the moment. Hopefully, she will come back to the Craven Sale.” The first of four sessions of foals gets underway at Park Paddocks at 11am on Tuesday. The post December Sale Off The Mark With Record Yearling Session at Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lauren Biddle has been named Director of Marketing and Education at Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Biddle, most recently Executive Director of the Public Media Business Association, will lead TOBA's efforts to amplify its mission, deepen member engagement, and highlight the rich heritage of the Thoroughbred industry. Biddle has also served as Executive Director of the Paris-Bourbon County Chamber of Commerce where she spearheaded the development of the Legends of Bourbon County Thoroughbred Fund–a 501c3 nonprofit organization aimed at promoting the Bourbon County Thoroughbred industry through tourism initiatives such as public art exhibits, festivals, and 5k races on local horse farms. “Growing up in Central Kentucky, I've seen firsthand how the history and passion of this region shape the Thoroughbred industry,” Biddle said. “I am honored to step into this position with TOBA, where I can help tell the stories of the breeders, the owners, and the people behind the horses. My goal is to bridge tradition and innovation–through education, marketing, and community–to strengthen TOBA's impact across the industry.” The post Lauren Biddle Named TOBA Director of Marketing and Education appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) has been made the 6-1 individual morning-line favorite in Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, which opens Thursday at noon and closes Sunday at 6 p.m. “All Others Foaled in 2023” is the pool's overall 9-5 favorite. Brant (Gun Runner), third in the Breeders' Cup juvenile, is 10-1, and Further Ado (Gun Runner), expected to go postward in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes Saturday, is 20-1. Running concurrently with Pool 2 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager is the lone Kentucky Derby Sire Future Wager where fans can wager on sires of Derby prospects. Ted Noffey's sire Into Mischief was made the 4-1 morning-line favorite. Not This Time is 6-1 in the pool and Gun Runner is 8-1. All other sires is also 8-1. To view complete fields for both pools, click here. The post Ted Noffey Individual Favorite for Derby Future Pool 2 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Raíces: The Making of Latino Legacies in Racing, a new bilingual showcase and education initiative that highlights 100 trailblazing Latino men and women whose contributions have shaped Thoroughbred racing and breeding from the late 1800s to today, has opened at the Keeneland Library. The free exhibit is presented in English with an accompanying Spanish audio guide. “Raíces showcases the longstanding roles and achievements of industry professionals across the Americas: jockeys, grooms, exercise riders, owners, breeders, caretakers, veterinarians and beyond,” Keeneland Library Director Roda Ferraro said. “The title reflects both the roots these men and women planted in the sport and the legacies they continue to build. It was essential to us to present stories that have been under-told or never shared–and to do so with the depth, accuracy and cultural context they deserve. The exhibit was made possible thanks to a deeply collaborative, multinational team of writers, translators, photographers and advisers. Their collective perspectives enhanced a thoughtful representation of these histories.” Gabi Kuenzli, who acted as Research and Development Co-Curator of Raíces, said, “The exhibit offers an interpretation of what so many people see every day on the track, but might not fully understand: the prevalence and importance of Latino protagonists at all levels of the sport. Seeing themselves represented has brought immense pride to the many industry workers who have already visited.” Keeneland Library will host an open house Dec. 4 from 6-8 p.m. with welcome remarks at 6:30 p.m. The free event does not require a ticket, but guests are asked to RSVP by Dec. 1 to LibraryPT1@keeneland.com. Raíces can be seen at the Library during its regular hours, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Library will offer customized exhibit tours and education programs designed for school and university groups, general public audiences through collaborations with community partners and industry stakeholders. To schedule an exhibit experience, email rferraro@keeneland.com or call 859-288-4223. The post Keeneland Library Exhibit Celebrates Latino Contributions to Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Matt Cutair We must elevate the discussion surrounding the New York racing calendar beyond the current, unproductive focus on the total number of racing dates. This metric is ultimately irrelevant if not tied to the overall quality and economic viability of our product. Arguing over the number of racing dates is a distraction, especially if a nominal increase in days is achieved by simply reducing the number of races run per day. For example, gaining four extra days by moving from a three-day to a four-day week means little if we write an average of one fewer race per day over that period. The real goal is not simply volume, but value. Instead of negotiating for days, NYRA, Owners, and Trainers must align on the three critical metrics that will define success over the coming years: Handle: Maximizing wagering revenue. Lowering Costs: Improving operational efficiency. Experience: Enhancing the product for owners, fans, and bettors. By running fewer days, but being more strategic about the calendar, we can achieve these goals: Maximize Handle: We should concentrate races on higher-quality days–specifically weekends and established high-handle days. By strategically expanding the number of races on these high-demand days, we can mitigate and potentially offset the impact from canceling low-handle days. Enhanced Owner Experience: Consolidating races onto weekends makes the sport significantly more accessible to owners. A 2 p.m. race on a Thursday in February naturally excludes many working owners. Moving that race to a weekend slot dramatically increases owner attendance and engagement. Improve the Betting Product: Running fewer days with a more concentrated schedule will naturally lead to enhanced field size and competitive racing. This benefits the gambler by offering a superior wagering product at times more conducive to their schedules. Lowering Costs For All: Furthermore, a reduction in racing days would be expected to dramatically lower operational costs across the entire ecosystem. The savings realized from operating the track less frequently must be strategically shared between NYRA and the horsemen (this is an “argument that's worth having”). This is crucial, as trainers will also see reduced expenses (which ultimately benefits owners), amplifying the overall economic efficiency gained from a refined calendar. The current state of winter racing entries and field sizes in New York clearly demonstrates that the status quo is unsustainable. While it may offer a fleeting, short-term benefit for an individual owner/trainer to win in a four-horse field, this practice leads to the long-term erosion of the product's quality. We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity with the impending opening of the new Belmont Park. Our collective effort must be focused on a strategic calendar that raises the level of competition, maximizes revenue, lowers costs to participants and delivers a premium experience. Let us move beyond bottom-of-the-barrel arguments about the number of dates and focus on the quality of racing. Matt Cutair has owned horses on the New York racing circuit for over 20 years, starting out as a partner with Sovereign Stables, eventually running under his own stable–Cutair Racing, and now running the Adelphi Racing Club partnership group. Cutair currently owns and campaigns over 35 horses in New York (with more than half of them being New York- breds). In addition to his racing interests, he also owns New York-based broodmares and has a small group of retired horses (including OTTBs) stabled at the barn at his primary residence in nearby Greenwich, CT. The post Letter to the Editor: New York Dates–Let’s Elevate the Discussion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Retired Racehorse Project has launched its 2025 year-end giving campaign with a total goal of $100,000, including a $41,000 match pledge that will double contributions from donors who support the organization's charitable mission to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. The match pledge has been donated by the combined efforts of Valerie Callcott-Stevens, Copper Beech Stables, Glen Hill Farm, the Happy Dog Fun, Carolyn Rice, and Thor-Bred Stables. “The RRP's programming focuses on supporting the broad tapestry of individuals and entities that are tied to the Thoroughbred, which is the most effective and systemic way to benefit the horses,” said RRP executive director Kirsten Green. “Our small team works tirelessly to serve all of these varied communities, whether it's efforts to help racing connections keep in touch with their horses' new owners, driving demand for Thoroughbreds in riding careers so that they can move through their retirement transition efficiently, or providing educational resources and opportunities for riders. The RRP understands that positive outcomes for the horses are dependent on the collective success of the people associated with them.” To learn more about the Retired Racehorse Project and its year-end giving campaign, visit theRRP.org or contact Megan Garlich, Development Manager, at mgarlich@therrp.org. Direct donations can be made at therrp.org/donate. The post RRP Launches Year-End Giving Campaign appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saudi Arabia has been granted a number of Riyadh season race upgrades, including the country's first top tier race on turf, with the $2 million Neom Turf Cup (G1T) being granted group 1 status ahead of its 2026 running on Saudi Cup (G1) day Feb. 14.View the full article

Ace Stud has announced Ben Shoare as nominations manager ahead of the 2026 breeding season. Shoare will oversee Ace Stud, formerly known as Dullingham Park Stud, which is home to dual Group 1-winning sprinter Shaquille. A statement released by the stud on Monday read, “Ben joins the team having completed the Irish National Stud's Thoroughbred Breeding Management course in 2021, after which he was selected to undertake the Jonathan Fitzpatrick Business Internship. His experience includes positions at Tweenhills Stud, Newgate Stud in Australia, and most recently Whitsbury Manor Stud. Since 2023, Ben has also co-managed Lotus Bloodstock with various partners. For nomination enquiries, Ben Shoare can be contacted at nominations@acestud.co.uk or via the Ace Stud nominations line on +44 (0)1638 599434. The post Ben Shoare Appointed Nominations Manager At Ace Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In honor of veteran rider Perry Ouzts, Turfway Park will officially rename its jockey quarters Perry Wayne Ouzts Jockeys' Quarters during a dedication ceremony Dec. 6. Ouzts, 71, has won 7,531 races in his career, ranking fifth all-time among North American jockeys and he is the all-time leading rider at Turfway Park. “Perry is a terrific human and an unbelievable professional athlete,” Turfway Park general manager Chip Bach said. “He's the ultimate iron man, and it's only fitting that the place where our riders prepare every day now carries his name. His horsemanship, grit and consistency–and the respect he's earned here for decades–make this a proud moment for all of us.” All racing fans are welcome to attend the dedication, which will take place in the paddock prior to the first race that evening, with members of the Ouzts family, fellow jockeys and representatives from Turfway Park in attendance. The post Turfway Park Renames Jockeys’ Room in Honor of Ouzts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Howden Neom Turf Cup, one of the highlights of the Saudi Cup meeting, has been upgraded to Group 1 status ahead of next year's running. Meanwhile, global insurance broker Howden has extended its partnership with the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) for a further three years, taking the race sponsorship to 2028. The addition of the Howden Neom Turf Cup to The Saudi Cup's line up of Group 1 races now takes the tally of top flight contests on the day to three, with a glittering undercard including three Group 2s, one Group 3 and a newly minted Listed contest after an upgrade to the Tuwaiq Cup. In addition, the King Saud Cup, held this year on December 27, has also been raised from domestic Group 1 status to an International Listed Race. The Howden Neom Turf Cup has been quick to rise through the classifications, with the 2100m race achieving Group 3 status ahead of its 2022 renewal before being promoted to Group 2 ahead of the 2024 running. A runaway seven-length success for Shadwell's subsequent Group 1 Royal Ascot Prince Of Wales's Stakes and Group 1 Juddmonte International winner Mostahdaf in 2023, and a strike for the Sir Alex Ferguson-owned Spirit Dancer (GB) the following year, would have helped boost the race's status. The dominant display from the Japanese Shin Emperor over Calif and Irish St Leger winner and Melbourne Cup runner Al Riffa this year sealed the three-year average the Asian Pattern Committee needed to provide Saudi Arabia with the upgrade, which this year will take place on February 14, as the nation hosts the 41st Asian Racing Conference. The Howden Neom Turf Cup now sits alongside the USD$20m Saudi Cup as a Group 1 event, with the world's richest race having received that recognition before just its third running in 2022. The Obaiya Arabian Classic completes the trio of top tier contests held on Saudi Cup day. Announcing the new three-year extended sponsorship, Howden Founder and CEO David Howden said, “I love racing in Riyadh. It's been incredible watching the transformation of the course in the last few years and seeing Prince Bandar realise his vision of turning horse racing in the Kingdom into such an incredible spectacle. What's so special about Saudi is that it's a truly global race meeting. The top trainers and jockeys whether from the UK, Europe, America or, of course, Japan – who have dominated the Howden Neom Cup in recent years – are not just attracted by the fantastic prize money but by the incredible competition. And the upgrade of the Howden Neom Cup to a Group One race is a testament to the incredible success of the meeting.” He added, “Yet our relationship with JCSA is only just hitting its stride. So I couldn't be prouder to extend our partnership for a further three years and see our name attached to such a prestigious race. More broadly, following on from our recent exciting partnership renewals at Ascot, Victoria Racing Club and Bahrain Turf Club, this sponsorship underlines our commitment to global racing itself. So there's a huge amount to look forward to and I can't wait to cheer home the first ever Group 1 winner of the Howden Neom Turf Cup!” The post Boost For Saudi Cup Meeting As Neom Turf Upgraded To Group 1 Status 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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