Wandering Eyes

With the weather closing in again towards the tail end of a memorable Matamata Breeders’ Stakes day, it was left to durable stayerDiamond Jak (NZ)(Jakkalberry) to add some further sparkle to proceedings as he bolted away with the Listed Matamata Veterinary Services Kaimai Stakes (2000m). The enigmatic seven-year-old has proven a head scratcher at times for trainer Mark Brosnan, often ruining his chances with a tardy getaway from the starting gates. On his day however he is a force to be reckoned with and Saturday was his day as he relished the Heavy9 underfoot conditions to race clear in the home straight after dictating the pace throughout for rider Rory Hutchings. Hutchings had the son of Jakkalberry away swiftly to head the six-horse field after just 200m and once allowed his own way in front it was evident his mount would be hard to peg back. Eventual runner-up He’s A Doozy (NZ) (Zacinto) tried his heart out in the run home but there was no stopping Diamond Jak as he maintained a powerful gallop to collect his ninth career victory and first at stakes level. Brosnan was pleased with his charge leading into the race and when the track came up a Heavy9 it played into his hands even more. “That was very satisfying as once the rain came I knew he was a good chance,” Brosnan said. “He needed the run the other day and although I wasn’t going to come here, once it rained I decided to run him. “I told Rory to be positive out of the gates and although he was a little more positive than I thought he would be, it worked for him.” Brosnan will now have to decide where to head next with his charge as his aim had been the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on 7 March at Ellerslie, but owner Gary Hodel had talked him out of that plan. “I honestly don’t know where to now as I had him nominated for the Auckland Cup, but my owner talked me into pulling him out,” he said. “I don’t know where to go now so we will have to take a look around.” Hutchings, who had employed similar tactics when winning aboard My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) earlier in the day, was keen on his chances when track conditions came up in the Heavy range. “He got the track to suit today and when I was able to hold the top (lead), that was the difference between winning and losing,” he said. “He was a rock-hard fit stayer and I was able to put the pressure on early and maintain a strong gallop. “He built through his gears and was strong through the line.” Bred and owned by Gary and Linda Hodel, Diamond Jak has now won eight of his 40 starts and over $349,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Trainer Sophie Price put aside her regular Clerk of the Course duties at Invercargill on Saturday to watch her promising three-year-old fillyHello Hayley (NZ)(Hello Youmzain) take out the Listed ILT Ascot Park Hotel Southland Guineas (1400m) at Ascot Park on Saturday. Price, who prepares a small team from her Winton stable, has had the daughter of Hello Youmzain in her team since late last year after she had one run for Karaka-based trainer Lance Noble. Successful second up at Ascot Park, Hello Hayley then finished sixth in the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui before producing another game effort for fourth behind race-rival Luna Capella (NZ) (Tivaci) over 1200m a month ago. Rider Donovan Cooper was prepared to play a waiting game with Hello Hayley as he allowed her to find her feet in the early rush and was still last of the 14 runners with a little under 600m to run. Cooper and Hello Hayley stuck hard up against the running rail turning for home and when the gaps opened up she barged through and quickly sprinted clear to defeat her last-start nemesis, Luna Capella by a neat length at the line. Price had a smile a mile wide as she described the juggling act she goes through when she has runners in on a raceday that she is officiating at, especially as she was returning from a painful leg injury. “That was very impressive, even though I did think she was a little underdone,” Price said. “She’s a good wee girl. “I thought we might have won the Gore Guineas and maybe this field might have been a bit too tough for her. “Blinkers on and she has got the job done and they have definitely improved her. “I watched the race from the corner (home bend) as it can be pretty tough and especially today as it is my first day back after rupturing my calf muscle. “The other clerk, Sarah Beck, has been riding her for me so she has done a good job with her. “It’s just wonderful to win as this is for a great group of owners who will be having a lot of fun.” Cooper was also full of praise for the effort of his mount. “It was absolutely massive (the victory) as I thought I would take her back today because I knew there might be a little bit of carnage early on,” he said. “We got to bide our time before I asked the question at the 600m, where I actually dropped my stick (whip), but boy was she tough and what acceleration she has got. “I definitely think the blinkers on played a big part as she was a lot more focussed and she is pretty exciting.” Bred by Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, Hello Hayley is out of the Thorn Park mare Hayley Grace (NZ) and is closely related to multiple Group One winner Te Akau Shark (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle). She has now won two of her six starts and just under $100,000 in prize money. View the full article

A heady front-running ride from Rory Hutchings helped underrated mare My Lips Are Sealed (NZ) (Ace High) bounce back to winning form in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) on her home track at Matamata on Saturday. Heavy rain in the previous 24 hours had a major effect on proceedings as runners on the day were faced with a testing Heavy9 surface that had many struggling to make ground in the final stages of their races. Hutchings took the bull by the horns to put the Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Ace High in front from barrier rise as they dictated affairs ahead of the well-fancied Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor), who sat on their heels throughout. Although unsighted since finishing midfield at Ellerslie in November last year, My Lips Are Sealed was travelling powerfully turning for home and she never looked like stopping as she held out the late challenges of Our Jumala (NZ) (Zed), Mary Shan and Lux Libertas (NZ) (Almanzor) to claim her second victory at stakes level and the fifth of her career to date. Bergerson admitted that while the team had been rueing the rain that had arrived on Friday, making track conditions tough for most of their runners, he was confident that if My Lips Are Sealed was near her best, she would tough to beat. “She was the one of our team in on the day that I felt would really handle the underfoot conditions,” Bergerson said. “She put in a sparkling effort 12 months ago when running third behind Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in this race and I just thought if she was back to somewhere near her best she would be a good chance. “She had been disappointing in the Spring and we were wondering if she was telling us it might be the right time to become a mum, but she freshened up nicely and she showed her true class today.” Bergerson was quick to commend the ride by Hutchings who took the initiative to put the mare in front which hadn’t been the pre-race plan. “We had a good chat with Rory before the race and he said he would probably ride her two or three pairs back and then make a run,” he said. “He (Hutchings) said she jumped so well and was so keen he decided to go forward and put the pressure on and that paid dividends as she never looked like getting caught. “As long as she gets through the race well we might look at the Cuddle Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) at Trentham for her next, but we won’t make those sort of decisions until we have had a chance to see how she pulls up.” Co-bred by Rich Hill Stud, who offered her in Book 1 at Karaka in 2022, the mare was purchased by Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis for $160,000. Raced by the Te Akau Not A Word Racing Partnership she has now had 22 starts for five wins, four placings and earned $264,710 in stakes. View the full article

Te Akau Racing continued their golden run in the Gr.2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday when recording their fifth consecutive victory in the race courtesy ofLara Antipova(Russian Revolution). The daughter of Russian Revolution was impressive when winning on debut at Te Aroha in November for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, and once again in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham a month later, and was well-supported by punters in her fresh-up run on Saturday, backed into a $1.20 favourite. From her outside draw, Lara Antipova had a fair bit of speed inside her, but jockey Opie Bosson let his charge balance up and soon sent her forward to capture the lead from the 900m mark. Te Encuentro (Frankel) and Hawea (Hellbent) loomed up alongside her rounding for home, but Bosson pushed the go button at the top of the straight and Lara Antipova quickly bounded away, improving her advantage with every stride, eventually running out a 3-1/4 length victor over Te Encuentro, with a further three-quarters of a length back to Hawea in third. “She is a very special filly,” Bosson said. “She wasn’t 100 percent in the ground and she had a bit of a stumble turning in but that actually made her pick the bit up a bit more and she got up underneath me, she is pure class. “She was a little bit fresh and a little bit keen early in the running, but with that run under her belt she is only going to improve.” The Matamata Breeders’ Stakes has been a great springboard for previous stable winners, with Maven Belle (NZ) (Burgundy), Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) all going on to win at elite-level, and that’s the goal with Lara Antipova. She will get that opportunity at her next start in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day, which Te Akau won last year with Return To Conquer (Snitzel), who will join Waikato Stud’s stallion roster this coming breeding season. “She is a very good filly,” Walker said. “The next port of call will be the Sistema and then all going well and she was still 100 percent, you would consider going over to Australia. We do think a lot of her. “It is great for John and Jessica (Galvin) and the Fortuna team to have another nice one.” Lara Antipova was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, in conjunction with Fortuna Racing, for A$100,000 out of Vinery Stud’s 2025 Magic Millions Gold Cost Yearling Sale draft. Her prominence extends the great run of success the two entities have shared over the last few years, which includes the likes of 14-time Group One winner Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) and Group One performer Bellatrix Star (Star Witness). Lara Antipova has won all three of her career starts to date and has earned more than $240,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Flemington has been a happy hunting ground for New Zealand-bred mare Tarvue (NZ) (Tarzino), who produced another big performance at the Melbourne track in Saturday’s A$80,000 TAB We’re On (2000m). The Benchmark 78 handicap was Tarvue’s fifth start at Flemington. She has now won twice at the course, having also been successful over 1800m on New Year’s Day, and she was a narrowly beaten second over 2500m on January 17. Little went Tarvue’s way when she finished a last-start sixth at Caulfield on January 31, but the John Sadler-trained mare returned to Flemington on Saturday and got her campaign back on the right track. Tarvue was ridden by apprentice jockey Luke Cartwright and took up a handy position in sixth along the rail behind a strong early speed. Cartwright got the five-year-old off the fence coming down the side of the track, then swooped around the outside to challenge for the lead at the top of the home straight. Tarvue went clear by a couple of lengths with more than 300m still to run, then found a little bit more to turn back the challenge of the late-finishing Fiorenot (Fiorente) by a length. Cartwright was pleased to make amends after riding Tarvue at Caulfield last time out. “Very happy,” Cartwright said. “I know what ability this horse has got. I sat on her at Flemington here and she won, and then her run for second over 2500m, that was another gallant effort. At Caulfield, I just made a mistake on her. I can’t thank the ownership group and John Sadler enough for keeping me on the mare, because I know she goes really good. Today it worked out perfect, she had a nice draw, wasn’t cluttered up and I was able to let her use her big stride from about the 700m. “When she’s able to use her big stride, she can let her really good turn of foot go. Sads has got a good staying mare on his hands.” Sadler is now keen to test Tarvue in black-type company. “I would say we’ll go to the Torney Cup (Listed, 2500m), the Moonee Valley race at Pakenham (on March 6),” he said. “Apart from her very first run this time in, all her runs have been really good. I thought Luke rode her very badly at Caulfield last Saturday week and then he came out and won three afterwards, but he put his hand up and said he shouldn’t have allowed her to get in on the fence, or should have led in what was a mediocre-pace race. That’s gone, we put him back on, and he got the job done.” Tarvue was bred by Rosemont Stud and is by Westbury Stud’s Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) winner Tarzino, who has quickly made his name as a sire of classic horses – such as Derby winners Jungle Magnate (NZ) and Willydoit (NZ) and Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) – but has also been represented by this season’s twice Group One-placed sprinter Tomodachi (NZ). The dam of Tarvue is the Japanese-bred Admire Moon mare Vamoose, a half-sister to the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Admire Rakti (Heart’s Cry). Mapperley Stud offered Tarvue in Book 1 of Karaka 2022, where Vue International Pty Ltd bought her for $25,000. Tarvue has now had 19 starts for five wins, three second placings and A$239,200 in stakes. View the full article

Waikato Stud stallion Banquo recorded his first stakes win as a sire on Saturday and fittingly achieved it with a son carrying the farm’s colours, on their home track for their private trainer Kris Shailer. Bred by the Matamata farm,Justin Case (NZ)is out of Group Two-winning mare Do Ra Mi (NZ) (Savabeel), and is a half-brother to Group Three performer Hanger (NZ) (O’Reilly). The two-year-old gelding was being prepared for last year’s New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale by Ohukia Lodge, but was withdrawn, and Waikato Stud, alongside Ohukia Lodge principal and part-owner Jamie Beatson, have benefited from that decision. Following a runner-up effort on debut at Pukekohe in November, Shailer set a course for Saturday’s Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m), a race he won with Alabama Gold (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) four years ago when training in partnership with Stephen Autridge. Justin Case showcased his progression when winning over 1100m at Matamata last month, and Shailer was confident of another bold showing in his first tilt at stakes-level this weekend. With a deluge of rain overnight, the field reduced to just four runners, with Justin Case jumping a $4.20 second elect behind Group Two winner Kinnaird (Home Affairs). Justin Case launched out of the gates under jockey Samantha Collett and made a beeline to the front from his outside barrier. The Te Akau Racing pair of Kinnaird and Out Of The Blue (NZ) (Tivaci) loomed ominously turning for home, but Justin Case kicked again and quickly opened up on his rivals, going on to score by 5-3/4 lengths over Out Of The Blue, with a further long neck back to King Of The Air (Acrobat) in third. “He was very smart in what ended up a small field,” Collett said. “There was still a fair bit of quality there and he had to take that next step up from clearing maidens here. “I am not convinced that the wet track is really ideal for him. He is still untapped and is an exciting horse. What impressed me the most is that he has come here on his home track and handled the occasion and put them away like he did.” Shailer was rapt with the result, which extended his standout season to four wins from five starts. “That’s awesome,” he said. “I am so stoked for the whole Waikato Stud team – Garry and Mark (Chittick) – and Jamie Beatson who owns half of him. “This was the plan back in November, after he ran second at Counties we said we would put him away for a couple of weeks and give him a bit of a reset and target him for this race. “I wasn’t too sure what he was going to be like on the really heavy ground. I really want to see him on top of the ground because I know he can run a bit of time, but that was dominant. “He is a pretty laidback customer, he does everything on his own, he never works in company and has come to the races on his own, he is a cool horse.” The Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day now looms as an obvious target, but Shailer said he will let the dust settle before making any concrete plans. “It (Sistema Stakes) is on the mind,” he said. “We will see how he comes through this and then make a plan.” Banquo, a son of Written Tycoon, was a stakes winner on the track himself, winning the Listed Springtime Stakes (1400m) for trainer Danny O’Brien, and was also runner-up in the Gr.2 Bobby Lewis Quality (1200m), Gr.2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), and Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m). View the full article

It is an intriguing day of racing at Sha Tin on Saturday, with plenty of Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) contenders on show alongside some smart sprinters in the feature Class Two TVB Cup (1,200m). There are 10 races on the card and Owen Goulding is in the hot seat to provide an extended rundown of his selections. Race 1 – Class Four TVB Lok Sin Tong Charity Corner Handicap (1,200m) Vigor Eye has run well in all three starts this season and should have an easier time out in front from stall five. He...View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk “No stranger to travelling,” accomplished junior driver Emily Johnson heads south this weekend as the annual Revell Douglas Memorial Series heads towards its conclusion. On Sunday she’ll drive at Motukarara for the first time, in Heat 5 of the series (3.14pm) knowing she is second in the series, just seven points behind leader Harrison Orange, who is not driving at the meeting. “I am keen to have a good go at it and it will be good experience to drive there,” says Johnson. And Johnson looks to be a good chance in the race. She will drive impressive last start winner My Wingman ($7FF) for trainer Brent Borcoskie. “His last two runs have been pretty nice,” says Johnson. He has also drawn the ace over 2000m. “I think he’s quick enough off the arm and should hold his own .. hopefully I can get a couple of points.” So far the Waikato-based Johnson has had four wins this year including winning Heat 2 of the Series at Hawera with Melton Mogul. “I’m no stranger to travelling,” she laughs. She has 37 points (with Orange at 46) in the Series , after missing Heat 4 at Methven last weekend. Initially Johnson thought she’d be driving the Greg Payne-trained Nasana in Sunday’s heat. “But it was too low in the points and there were too many nominated,” says Johnson. Instead she link up with that horse up in Race 12, the Seahorse Supplements Mobile Pace (5.44pm). They have drawn one (again) and are rated a $12 chance. The final two Revell Douglas heats will be held at Cromwell on February 20 and 22. First held in 2022, the series is held in memory of the late Revell Douglas who tragically drowned at Karioitahi Beach in 2021. The four winners of the series so far have been Seth Hill (2025), Wilson House (2024), Leah Hibell (2023) and Alicia Harrison (2022). To see Sunday’s Revell Douglas field click here View the full article

After finishing as the leading earner of any North American-trained horse in 2025 when earnings in the Middle East are included, Hit Show will chart a familiar path when he opens his 6-year-old season Feb. 14.View the full article

Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia, post time: 20:40, SAUDI CUP-G1, $20,000,000, NH/SH4yo/up, 1800m Field: Banishing (Ghostzapper), Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo), Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Haqeet (Arrogate), Luxor Cafe (American Pharoah), Mhally (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev), Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach), Nysos (Nyquist), Rattle N Roll (Connect), Star Of Wonder (Uncle Mo), Sunrise Zipangu (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Thundersquall (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance), Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) (Ghaiyyath {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Forever Young will be a prohibitive favourite to become the first to go back-to-back in the world's richest race. The Japanese Horse of the Year and American champion older dirt male makes his first start since taking the GI Breeders' Cup Classic Nov. 1. 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard Nysos was also a winner on Breeders' Cup Saturday in the GI Dirt Mile, but tries a distance as far as 1800 metres for the first time. He will have to do much better than his head defeat of stablemate Nevada Beach in Grade II company at the back end of December. Mhally and Ameerat Alzamaan enter off a 1-2 finish in the G3 King's Cup on Jan. 17. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia, post time: 19:10, NEOM TURF CUP (Presented By HOWDEN)-G1, $3,000,000, NH/SH4yo/up, 2100mT Field: Alohi Alii (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Bolide Porto (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchesters {Ire}), Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Phantom Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Royal Champion (Ire) (Shamardal), Shin Emperor (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Silawi (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Yamanin Bouclier (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Direct Security (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Shin Emperor made every yard in winning this when contested at Group 2 level last year, but has not been close in four starts since and looks vulnerable here. Royal Champion was outclassed in last year's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, but won the G2 York Stakes and defeated Galen in the G2 Bahrain International Trophy either side of a third to Delacroix (Dubawi) in the G1 Irish Champion Stakes. Alohi Alii was midfield in last year's G1 Satsuki Sho, but was impressive in taking out the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville in August and will appreciate these quicker underfoot conditions, having finished well down the field in a soft-ground renewal of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when last seen. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia, post time: 19:50, RED SEA TURF HANDICAP (Presented by Longines)-G2, $2,500,000, NH/SH 4yo/up, 3000mT Field: Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Tabletalk (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Epic Poet (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Struve (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), Tennessee Stud (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Burdett Road (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Espoir Avenir (Fr) (Montmartre {Fr}), Vermicelles (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}), Real Dream (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Tarriance (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Analysis: Tabletalk is all set for Riyadh glory and was not disgraced when runner-up in the Listed Chester Stakes in August. Trainer Tom Clover is bullish on the son of Camelot, who has to contend with a duo of Joseph O'Brien runners, not least Group 1 winner Tennessee Stud. Group winner Sons And Lovers also represents O'Brien. Japan is always a danger when shipping to the Middle East and fields multiple group hero Struve and the multiple group-placed Vermicelles. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia, post time: 18:25, 1351 TURF SPRINT (Presented By Qiddiya City)-G2, $2,000,000, NH/SH 4yo/up, 1351mT Field: Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), Comanche Brave (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Fortune Time (Jpn) (Greater London {Jpn}), Geography (Jpn) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), Love De Vega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Marvelman (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Panja Tower (Jpn) (Tower Of London {Jpn}), Reef Runner (The Big Beast), Shin Forever (Complexity), Zefzaf (Mo Town), Zio Jo (Nyquist), Time To Dazzle (Not This Time). TDN Analysis: Panja Tower is aiming to give Japan back-to-back victories in this race after the 2025 tally of Ascoli Piceno (Daiwa Major). The G1 NHK Mile Cup hero last year is coming off a fifth-place effort Down Under in The Golden Eagle. Annaf, a winner of the 2024 edition of the 1351 Turf Sprint returns to the scene of his greatest triumph. Placed in the G1 King's Stand Stakes of 2023, the seven-year-old entire has to contend with multiple Group 1 winner Lazzat, who was second in the G1 British Champions Sprint Stakes in the autumn. For the U.S., GII Eddie D Stakes winner Reef Runner steps up after a tally in the Listed Jannus Stakes. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia, post time: 17:40, RIYADH DIRT SPRINT (Presented By Saudi National Bank)-G2, $2,000,000, NH/SH 3yo/up, 1200m Field: American Stage (Into Mischief), Colour Up (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Don Amitie (Jpn) (Asia Express), Echo Point (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Imagination (Into Mischief), Just Beat The Odds (Munnings), Lovesick Blues (Grazen), Muqtahem (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}), Royal Zabeel (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Self Improvement (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Transferred (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Yamanin Cerchi (Jpn) (Four Wheel Drive), Gabby's Sister (Jpn) (Apollo Kingdom). TDN Analysis: Straight No Chaser (Speightster) landed this prize in 2025, and the Americans are back for more with Bob Baffert's Imagination (Into Mischief). The son of Into Mischief was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint last autumn. GIII Elite Power Stakes hero Just Beat The Odds makes his first start away from the East Coast in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint. A consistent sort, he's been on the board for all barring one of his 13 starts to date. Yoshito Yahagi saddles American Stage, who was second in last year's G3 Mahab Al Shimaal. UAE regular Colour Up has a brace of stakes victories to his name and carries five group placings. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia, post time: 17:00, SAUDI DERBY (Presented By ZOOD Realty)-G3, $1,500,000, NH/SH 3yo, 1600m Field: Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero), Al Haram (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), Best Green (Jpn) (Smart Falcon {Jpn}), Cielo Di Roma (Fr) (Romanised {Ire}), Keiai Agito (Jpn) (Espoir City {Jpn}), My World (Essential Quality), Obliteration (Violence), Satono Voyage (Jpn) (Into Mischief), Shayem (Ire) (King Of Change {GB}), Tuwajeri (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), Union Security (Maximum Security), Very Connected (Connect), Wonder Dean (Jpn) (Dee Majesty {Jpn}), Tokai Ma Cherie (Jpn) (Drefong). TDN Analysis: All eyes here should be trained upon Satono Voyage, who looks to give Japan a fourth win in the event in its seven-year history. Unblemished in three runs on the dirt, he most recently validated odds-on favouritism in the Cattleya Stakes (conditions) going Tokyo's one-turn mile Nov. 29. If he stays the trip, 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard and last-out listed romper Obliteration can be in the thick of this, as can My World, whose victories in the Nashua Stakes and Jerome Stakes in New York have come over a one-turn mile. Saudi Arabia's Al Haram will try to make it four-from-four lifetime, having whooshed home in the local 2000 Guineas on Jan. 17. Saturday, King Abdulaziz (Riyadh), Saudi Arabia, post time: 16:20, TUWAIQ CUP (Presented By SHG)-Listed, $1,000,000, NH/SH4yo/up, 1800m Field: Akfeek (Macho Uno), Alaham (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief), Carracci (Quality Road), Final Destination (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Havildar (Arrogate), Lionel (Authentic), Michael Scofield (Tiz The Law), Power Of Beauty (Ire) (Slade Power {Ire}), Riyadh El Ezz (Demarchelier {GB}), Sa'aeid (Munnings), Scotland Yard (Quality Road), Wadaatak Allah (Hard Spun), Waqtuk (Not This Time), Webinar (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), Wootton'sun (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ya Dar (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}), Gharamy (Ire) (King Of Change {GB}). Saturday, Al Rayyan (Doha), Qatar, post time: 16:15 p.m., H. H. THE AMIR TROPHY (Presented By Longines)-G2, $2,500,000, NH/SH4yo/up, 2400mT Field: Byzantine Dream (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Deep Monster (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), GIavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Lion's Pride (GB) (Roaring Lion), Satono Glanz (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}). TDN Analysis: Some 51 weeks ago, Byzantine Dream ran out a ready winner of the G3 Red Sea Turf Cup Handicap in Riyadh and is the top-rated galloper here in a field short on numbers but high on quality. Last year's G2 Prix Foy hero makes his first start since a sound fifth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Godolphin took last year's running with the globetrotting Rebel's Romance and Charlie Appleby sends in US Grade I winner El Cordobes, who was last seen finishing third in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf in California Nov. 1. Fourth in the Arc, Giavellotto fell a half-length short of repeating in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, with Goliath a half-length adrift in third. Satono Glanz returns looking to improve on his third-place effort from last year's contest. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: History Beckons In Riyadh For Forever Young appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Multiple group winner Sevenna's Knight (Camelot) topped the inaugural AKTEM February Online Sale when selling for €305,000 to the Sevenna's Knight Syndicate. Consigned by trainer Andre Fabre as lot 3B, the six-year-old entire won the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier as well as two other group stakes. He also placed in the 2024/2025 editions of the Prix Royal-Oak and was runner-up in last year's Vicomtesse Vigier after it was promoted to Group 1 level. Guy Petit struck for Grade 2-winning jumper Amour Du Mathan (Saint Des Saints) (lot 9), shelling out €212,000. Consigned by Haras des Marronniers, the mare is in foal to Walk In The Park. Gabriel Leenders consigned Lyssenko (Cokoriko) (lot 5) to the sale, and he went to Andy Bell for €210,000. A three-time winner over obstacles, the five-year-old is from the family of AQPS Grade 2 winner Vaniteux (Voic Du Nord). Also breaking the six-figure mark was a stallion share in undefeated G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Ace Impact which sold to Barry Lynch for €155,000. Haras de la Croix Sonnet picked up Dolcita Du Berlais (Poliglote) (lot 13B) in foal to Goliath Du Berlais, for €150,000. Overall, 22 horses sold from 35 offered (63%) for a gross of €1,381,000. The average was €69,050 and the median was €29,500. For the full results, please visit the AKTEM website. The post Sevenna’s Knight Tops AKTEM’s February Online Sale At €305k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

According to a post on FanDuel TV's X account, FanDuel has “parted ways” with long-time on-air host Todd Schrupp. “We're grateful for Todd's contributions to the network,” the tweet read. “He played an important role in helping grow our on-air presence and connecting with viewers. We thank him for his work and dedication and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” FanDuel did not provide a reason why Schrupp would no longer be working for the network, Schrupp was there at the beginning, starting with what was then TVG when it was launched in 1999 and, for the next 26 years, was among the most visible talents on the network that would later be renamed FanDuel TV. He was often used to anchor coverage of some of the sport's major events, like the GI Kentucky Derby and the Breeders' Cup. “It's the end of an era. I grew up watching Todd on TVG; it won't be the same without him.,” one X account holder tweeted. Before joining TVG, Schrupp worked in the marketing and customer relations departments at Canterbury Park and served as an in-house handicapper at Calder Race Course. FanDuel TV and Todd Schrupp have parted ways. We're grateful for Todd's contributions to the network. He played an important role in helping grow our on-air presence and connecting with viewers. We thank him for his work and dedication and wish him all the best in his future… — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 13, 2026 The post Todd Schrupp Out at FanDuel TV appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The day after his death at age 80, John Shirreffs is remembered by horsemen and owner Lee Searing. View the full article

Fans turn out during Tampa Bay Downs' Feb. 13 card to get autographs and interact with legendary riders during a Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund event at the track.View the full article

New owners Bradley and Sharon Kleven are hoping to take another big step down the Road to the Kentucky Derby with Express Kid, who they bought for $800,000 in January.View the full article