Wandering Eyes

Last-start winners are few and far between at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, however Douglas Whyte is confident Celestial Hero can lay down a marker for bigger and better things to come in the Class Three Plover Cove Handicap (1,000m). Not seen on the racetrack since a breakthrough Hong Kong victory at start three in July, Celestial Hero underwent knee surgery to remove a bone fragment soon after that success and has been building back to fitness since. Solid enough when running sixth in a...View the full article

While Maxime Guyon would quite obviously love to taste success as early as possible during his short-term Hong Kong stint, the star French jockey understandably already has one eye on next weekend’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m). In a race he has already won twice thanks to victories aboard Flintshire (2014) and Junko (2023), Guyon partners the impressive Sosie for Andre Fabre in the longest of the four Hong Kong International Races features. “I think I have a chance. Sosie has run...View the full article

Jockeys' Guild President & CEO Terry Meyocks issued a statement Monday saying that NYRA and the Guild had made progress regarding the dispute that led to the jockeys walking out after the first race Sunday at Aqueduct. “NYRA and the Jockeys' Guild had a lengthy and productive meeting (Monday) to address the issues that led to the cancellation of live racing at Aqueduct Racetrack on Sunday,” Meyocks said in a statement. “This was an unfortunate event that impacted the owners, trainers and bettors who support NYRA throughout the year. Today's meeting was an opportunity to turn the page, and we thank (NYRA Chief Executive Officer & President) David O'Rourke and his management team for their willingness to listen to the concerns of our membership and their commitment to a renewed level of communication with the riders. We look forward to the resumption of racing at Aqueduct on Thursday.” Thursday marks the next day of scheduled racing at the Big A. “NYRA was pleased to participate in today's meeting, and we look forward to a strong weekend of racing at Aqueduct,” NYRA spokesman Pat McKenna said in a text. Citing a number of differences the New York riding colony had had with NYRA management over the last year, the jockeys refused to ride after Sunday's first race. One of the issues was NYRA's decision to ban the riders' wives, girlfriends and children from the jockeys' room. The families were still allowed to congregate in a kitchen area just off the jockeys' quarters. “I have never seen such disrespect to a jockey colony and the people who work in the jocks' room,” Carmouche told the TDN after Sunday's walkout. But what apparently was a “final straw” occurred Sunday when NYRA Assistant Clerk of Scales Brian Pochman was asked to go home for the day after he declined to take on additional duties. NYRA had asked him to manually record the weights as a backup plan in the case that a computer system used to do that task malfunctioned, and Pochman balked when told he needed to take on those additional duties. Pochman was not fired. Carmouche, who is the New York representative for the Guild at this time of year, defended Pochman, said he had been doing a good job and that he believed NYRA had piled so many responsibilities on him that it was hindering his ability to properly do his job. The post Jockeys’ Guild’s Meyocks Expresses Optimism About Racing Resuming Thursday at Aqueduct appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association and the Jockeys' Guild have reached an agreement that will allow racing to resume as scheduled Dec. 4 at Aqueduct Racetrack, following a dispute that led to jockeys refusing to ride in the final eight races Nov. 30View the full article

Ace Stud put in a dominant performance, spending over 2.5 million gns, with that spend headed by the daughter of Le Havre By Brian Sheerin and Adam Houghton Less than 48 hours on from Calandagan's record-breaking victory in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo, it was his year-older half-sister, Caliyza, who enjoyed her turn in the spotlight when knocked down to Ace Stud for 850,000gns during the first of the two Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. At the close of play on Monday, Ace Stud had signed for three of the day's five top lots, with the dual winner Caliyza being joined by the four-year-old filly Amazonian (Sea The Stars) at 650,000gns and this year's Listed Scurry Stakes scorer Town And Country (Earthlight) at 600,000gns. Town And Country has already been pencilled in for a visit to Ace Stud's promising young sire Shaquille in the new year, but plans remain fluid for Caliyza. This year, the daughter of Le Havre was covered by Gleneagles, the sire of the horse who underlined his status as the world's best on Sunday when becoming the first European-trained winner of the Japan Cup for 20 years. “What can you say? There's a three-part [sibling to Calandagan] in the belly and it makes a lot of sense after the weekend,” said Ace Stud's Paul Curran. “It's a phenomenal, phenomenal pedigree and, commercially, you've got a very good horse to come out of the belly, no matter what it is. We were delighted to get her.” He added, “There are no immediate plans. We'll sit down with everyone, especially the boss, and have a talk through them all.” The five-year-old Caliyza was consigned by Overbury Stud, having been bought by Blandford Bloodstock on behalf of the operation for 155,000gns at this sale 12 months ago. “That was terrifying!” said Overbury's Simon Sweeting. “I am very lucky that I am on a wonderful farm, that was laid down to grass a long time ago – everything is as it should be. I have a fabulous team and they will do anything for the horses. I'm hugely fortunate. “We have got the right horses coming in and we have had some luck this summer. She came here a year ago as a wildcard and we bought her then. There are few of us involved with her and it is a good team effort.” He continued, “When we were talking about her cover, we had no intention of selling her originally. Richard just said, 'Let's try and breed a racehorse.' Still, until the King George, we were not going to sell her, but things then stepped up and changed. And, of course, Sunday morning brought in a different group of people.” The most determined members of that group proved to be the team at Ace Stud, sitting high in the seats to the left of the auctioneer's rostrum. From there, Castledillon Stud's Town And Country and Amazonian, a member of the Highclere Stud draft, were also added to the Ace Stud fold for a total of 1,250,000gns, having gone through the ring as successive lots. “It's a family we know very well,” Curran said of the once-raced winner Amazonian, a full-sister to River Of Stars whose efforts included a runner-up finish in the G1 Caulfield Cup after being bought for 1,650,000gns at this sale last year. “She [River Of Stars] has done well this year and ran very well in the Melbourne Cup [when finishing fourth]. We like to buy into these families again and we're looking for immediate relations. We think a lot of her [River Of Stars] in Australia and she could be something for next year's campaign again.” He added, “Town And Country was bought for Shaquille and the Fastnet Rock mare [32,000gns purchase Cockeyed Optimist] earlier on was the same. We want to buy some nice broodmare sires for him and we've picked up a few nice mares to row into him with.” Among the more surprising Ace Stud acquisitions on Monday was the Grade 2 bumper winner Seo Linn, a daughter of Order Of St George who was last seen winning a Killarney maiden on the Flat by eight and a half lengths. Consigned by trainer Paddy Twomey's Athassel House Stud, Seo Linn was one of the most expensive lots outside of the Sceptre Session when changing hands for 260,000gns. She could now follow in the footsteps of the champion racemare Via Sistina, among others, by continuing her racing career in Australia after being picked up at this sale. “We've seen what the likes of [GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner] Ethical Diamond have done this year,” Curran said of the thinking behind the purchase. “She's a very versatile filly in the sense that she stayed and won a Grade 2 over two-miles-and-one [furlong] and, then, she came back and won over a-mile-and-three [furlongs] this year. “We're going to explore the option of sending her to Australia. She looks a very nice filly to target some of the staying races down there. She's a really, really nice-looking filly and I think she'd fit the bill for Australia very well. We've bought well out of here before to go down there and it makes a whole lot of sense.” Despite Ace Stud's dominant display, the stats took a slight dip on the whole on Monday. Compared to this day 12 months ago, the 21,451,000gns turnover was down by 7%. The median fell by 6% to 47,000gns and the average by 7% to 96,193gns. The clearance rate was the exact same at 85%. Kavanagh Hits The High Notes With Rage Of Bamby To Northern Farm At 750k Shingo Hashimoto: purchased Rage Of Bamby on behalf of Northern Farm | Tattersalls Kildaragh Stud's Peter Kavanagh was responsible for one of the most expensive lots sold on the day when selling Rage Of Bamby, a filly he raced in partnership with Hot To Trot Racing, to Katsumi Yoshida of Northern Farm for 750,000gns. Rage Of Bamby landed the G3 Hackwood Stakes at Newbury for Eve Johnson Houghton earlier in the year. She also landed a Listed contest at York and, having reached a career-high rating of 109, is one of the highest-rated daughters of Saxon Warrior. However, Monday's bounty wouldn't have been possible for Kildaragh without Kavanagh's intuition, given he sourced the filly remotely from a yearling sale in Italy on the strength of just a video. Kavanagh said, “We bought her as a yearling in Italy. I bought her off a video – I just loved her head and outlook. You can even see how well she showed there today – she's a bit of a queen and has always shown great heart. I liked her a lot when we broke her in at home and I said to Eve she could be a stakes filly. We leased her to Hot To Trot Racing and they have been great partners. I went and bought the dam, and then I bought the half-sister to Rage Of Bamby the following year in Italy as well, so we have an allegiance to the family and it has been very lucky to us.” He added, “It is difficult to trade her on but, on the other hand, you need to take advantage of these good days when they come along. It will allow us to do a little more on the farm and maybe replenish our broodmare band. The dam is in foal to Auguste Rodin, so we are doing the same thing again with that Deep Impact cross. It's amazing how much respect the Japanese buyers have for that sire line and it is great that they were there. Alex Elliott underbid her I think. Wonderful when it comes together.” Wonderful indeed. And, perhaps even more special given Kavanagh was resigned to keeping Rage Of Bamby as a broodmare prospect of his own due to the lack of vet action in the build-up to the sale. “All day we were just wondering what was going on because we didn't have a lot of vets,” he explained. “We were choosing stallions for her at one point! We were thinking, 'Sure, isn't that what the game is about, having a mare like her at home?' We just had no action. In the cold light of day, we knew she was too valuable to keep on the farm because we know what can happen with these good girls. They're like sand through your fingers. Very happy it all came together. We're going to enjoy it.” It was Shingo Hashimoto, a regular visitor to the December Mares Sale at Tattersalls, who signed the docket on behalf of Northern Farm. He commented, “She looked very athletic and she's a very nice mover. Her pedigree is also very strong. The mare line comes from the Miesque line, which is doing pretty well in Japan. We're very excited to take her home. We don't decide [mating plans] until the mare is in season and we know which stallion is available. She'll obviously go to one of the better ones at our stud, so we're pretty excited about that.” He added, “She could match with a top-class stallion that has very good speed or she might match with a 10-furlong, 12-furlong stallion. She was one of the main ones [for them to try and buy on Monday]. We also tried on some other ones that we didn't end up buying, but that's part of the game. It's not always that you can buy any horse you want. “I would say it [the market] is pretty fair. The good ones are trading at a very high value. You never know how it goes and tomorrow is always another day. It's very important to try and diversify the bloodlines that we have, so that's the reason why I come each year to Tattersalls. It's a very important time of the year for me.” Statement Of Intent From Sangster With 1.2 Million Gns Spend Talk about a statement of intent. Sam Sangster continued his recruitment drive for high-quality mares to support the National Stud's new stallion Diego Velazquez, with a 1.2 million gns spend on day one of the Sceptre Sessions headed by 750,000gns purchase Miss Justice from Barton Sales. A Listed-winning daughter of Justify, Miss Justice was last seen finishing a narrow second behind Karmology in a Group 3 at Newmarket for John and Thady Gosden. She will now join trainer Brian Meehan, before visiting Diego Velazquez in the new year. Sangster explained, “She is for Diego Velazquez. She was bought by the partners and the plan is for her to stay in training, so she will go Brian Meehan. We are going to carry on with her and probably cover her in training. She's a gorgeous filly and is lightly-raced. It's a lovely pedigree so there is a lot to look forward to. We wanted to show the kind of quality we want to buy for Diego.” Asked if he had any targets in mind for his new acquisition, Sangster added, “Not really. We'll regroup with Brian but I know there are a couple of Listed races in December that she could be aimed at. We could look a little further than that and see if there is anything in Dubai for her. But, as I said, when Diego gets going, hopefully he'll fancy her!” Sangster's attack on the Sceptre Sessions was completed by 450,000gns purchase Galilei (Lemon Drop Kid), who was sold by the Castlebridge Consignment in foal to Too Darn Hot. Subplots Town And Country was one of the first fillies to raise the temperature to the Sceptre Sessions when selling online to Ace Stud for 600,000gns. One of the fastest fillies either side of the Irish Sea, the daughter of Earthlight won the Listed Scurry Stakes at Sandown earlier this season for trainer Henry de Bromhead. Rated 99, Town And Country is a half-sister to Group 3 scorer Romantic Style (Night Of Thunder) and Listed winner Are We Dreaming (Kendargent). She was sold by Castledillon Stud on behalf of her owners Mark Roden and Ray Nolan, who have enjoyed the thrill of a lifetime following her career. “We are delighted,” said Roden. “We are thrilled – we had mixed feelings whether to let her go or not and Henry has done a marvellous job bringing her on over the last couple of years. I suppose winning the Scurry was a huge highlight, but we just felt now was the right time to let someone else have a bit of luck and breed from her.” He added, “It has been great excitement. Ray is well used to a lot of excitement in business but this is a different buzz. We really would have been happy to take her back, but she has gone for fair value. We have only a couple in training and she was the only Flat runner, but we have 10 mares at home at Windgates Stud.” Speaking on the eve of the sale, Brian Slattery of Meadowview Stables said a good price for Listed winner Easy would put the cherry on top of what has been a memorable season for everyone connected with his brother and trainer, Andy. The Country Tipperary handler has knocked it out of the park this year and, selling the daughter of Kodiac – who was offered in foal to Mehmas – to Lake Villa Farm for 450,000gns surely quantifies as a good result. Before rushing off for his flight home, Slattery said, “Delighted with that. We thought she'd make around that figure but it's great to see her bought by Lake Villa Farm. I hope she's as lucky for them as she was for us. She won her maiden for Rachel Halley and then sold privately to Team Valor. She left us for a while and came back to win a Listed race at Cork for us. Some great stories have come out of the mares' sales and it's important to show you can add value to your horses and reward the owners. She was good to us, and hopefully she does the same for her new owners.” Highland Fling (Galileo), a full-sister to the dam of genuine 1,000 Guineas contender Precise (Starspangledbanner), sold to French agent Laurent Benoit, on behalf of Haras du Mont dit Mont, for 350,000gns. She was sold in foal to Little Big Bear and was offered by Baroda Stud. When you start off the season off a mark of 58, the prospects of ending the season with Listed success before selling for 240,000gns would seem fanciful at best, but that's exactly what the Johnny Murtagh-trained Onemoredance (King Of Change) managed to achieve. Part-owned by the Irish Gaelic football star Ciaran Kilkenny, Onemoredance carried the Dublin colours to five wins, culminating with that Listed victory at Naas in October. She was sold to David Redvers, who was bidding online. Joe Murphy has enjoyed a brilliant year with his fillies, highlighted by a breakthrough Group 1 success enjoyed with Cercene. The good run continued on Monday when Group 3-placed Alpheratz (Phoenix Of Spain) and Shiota (Tamayuz) – who cost 15,000gns and €40,000 as yearlings – sold for a combined 280,000gns. That was another piece of good business to take place outside of the Sceptre Sessions. Thought for the day A few notable buyers have been absent from the breeding stock sales thus far. Amo Racing, for example, spent 4,675,000gns on four foals – including 2.5 million gns on a brother to Chaldean – last year, while the operation's 8,375,000gns spend on mares was highlighted by the 4.8 million gns Irish Oaks winner You Got To Me. That equates to over 13 million gns from a buyer that has so far yet to play the market at Tattersalls this week. It's also worth noting that John Stewart, whose Resolute Racing bought five mares for 6,265,000gns here 12 months ago, also drew a blank on Monday. Buy of the day It feels like Tally-Ho Stud have received this accolade more times than Roger Federer has won Wimbledon but, when you buy a Classic-placed filly for just 250,000gns, it's hard not to hand over the prize once again to the Westmeath men. Few would have balked had Purple Lily made twice, three times, or even more than the quarter-of-a-million that Tally-Ho paid for the Paddy Twomey-trained daughter of Calyx. The dual winner has placed in Group 2 and 3 company as well as finishing third behind You Got To Me in last year's Irish Oaks. A maiden mare, she looks a perfect fit for Maranoa Charlie, who is new to Tally-Ho Stud for 2026. Extremely well-bought. The post Sister To Japan Cup Hero Calandagan Stars On Opening Night Of The Sceptre Sessions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After winning the Tempted Stakes at Aqueduct Racetrack at a mile last month, Shilling takes the step up in distance to 1 1/8 miles in the $250,000 Demoiselle Stakes (G2) Dec. 6.View the full article

In this monthly BH interview, Karen M. Johnson profiles young racing personalities. View the full article

There's a certain buzz that comes with welcoming a Kentucky Derby winner to a stallion roster. Bret Jones knows the feeling from when Mage retired to Airdrie Stud in 2024. This year, they're repeating the milestone with Mystik Dan (Goldencents), who arrived at the Midway, Kentucky farm three weeks ago. “We've been totally busy since we announced that we were showing him,” said Jones. “Everybody wants to see a Kentucy Derby winner. Breeders are coming away impressed with not only how well he handles everything, but with what a beautifully balanced colt he is. He's made like a sire. He's that medium-sized, well-balanced horse with plenty of strength.” Also joining Airdrie Stud's roster in 2026 is 'TDN Rising Star presented by Hagyard' Jonathan's Way, the first son of Vekoma to go to stud. Among the farm's other young stallions, Mage ($15,000) will send his first yearlings to auction next year while Happy Saver ($7,500) and Highly Motivated ($7,500) will see their first juveniles hit the track. Meanwhile Girvin ($30,000) will be represented by his first Kentucky-bred crop at the races. MYSTIK DAN (Goldencents – Ma'am, by Colonel John). Standing for $15,000 The GI Kentucky Derby may have been Mystik Dan's crowning achievement, but Jones said that the star colt's performances leading up to the first leg of the Triple Crown is what first captured the Airdrie team's attention. The son of Goldencents broke his maiden in his second career start as a 2-year-old for Kenny McPeek, winning by nearly eight lengths going five and a half furlongs at Churchill Downs. “Kenny would be the first one to tell you they knew early on that this was a very special horse,” said Jones. “He ran a 96 Beyer Speed Figure and could not have been more impressive.” On the road to the Kentucky Derby, Mystik Dan won the GIII Southwest Stakes and was third in the GI Arkansas Derby. His dramatic victory on the first Saturday in May—where he shot through a narrow opening along the rail to win by a nose for owners Lance Gasaway, 4 G Racing, Daniel Hamby III, and Valley View Farm—was made more impressive by the continued success of his rivals. Future Breeders' Cup Classic winners Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) rounded out the Derby trifecta. Mystik Dan defeats Sierra Leone and Forever Young in the 2024 GI Kentucky Derby | Coady Media “I kind of have a chip on my shoulder about the horse,” admitted Jones. “You hear people say, 'Well, he won his biggest races at Churchill Downs' or, 'He won because he came up the rail.' He was able to come up the rail because he's an exceptionally quick-footed horse and he could hit that hole when a lot of other horses couldn't. After that he goes to Pimlico for the Preakness two weeks after that really gutting Derby and runs a great second in an American Classic. This horse took his track with him.” As a 4-year-old this year, Mystik Dan's six starts were highlighted by wins in the GIII Blame Stakes and GII Lukas Classic Stakes. He had been pointing for a bid in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, but was scratched ahead of the race by regulatory veterinarians as a precaution. Mystik Dan retired with lifetime earnings exceeding $4.8 million. “His win in the Lukas Classic was extremely impressive,” said Jones. “He had the turn of foot to get between some nice horses and out-finish a good Steve Asmussen colt [MGISP Disarm (Gun Runner)]. Obviously we wished that his last race was going to be in the Breeders' Cup. I think the two-turn dirt mile would have fit him perfectly, just as his sire won two Breeders' Cup Dirt Miles.” Jones reported that since Mystik Dan has arrived at Airdrie Stud, the blaze-faced bay has quickly settled into his new surroundings. “He's such a good-minded horse,” he said. “Watching the way he has handled the crowds, you can tell why he was able to do his best running in front of 150,000 people. He has settled in here better than any stallion I can ever remember.” JONATHAN'S WAY (Vekoma – Female Drama, by Indian Charlie). Standing for $8,500. Jonathan's Way takes in the scenery at Airdrie Stud | Sara Gordon After Jonathan's Way delivered a standout juvenile campaign, trainer Phil Bauer and owner Rigney Racing had high hopes for his 3-year-old season. But the day before this year's GII Risen Star Stakes, the colt was diagnosed with an infection that developed into a life-threatening case of colitis. Jonathan's Way recovered after several months, and although he was never able to race again, his connections remained confident in his ability. The Airdrie team agreed. “Both our camp and the Rigney team want to give him the opportunity to show that he will be a special sire,” said Jones. Bred by Susan L. Anderson Racing, Jonathan's Way became the most expensive weanling in Vekoma's first crop when he sold for $290,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale. Last year as a 2-year-old, he was one of the talking horses of the Saratoga meet after his debut, where he overcame a troubled start and blew by rivals to win by 4 1/4 lengths going six furlongs and earn Rising Star honors. In his next start in the GIII Iroquois Stakes at Churchill Downs, he took the lead early and never looked back, winning by 2 3/4 lengths. After a bid in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, Jonathan's Way ran second to First Resort (Uncle Mo) in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes to conclude his juvenile campaign. Vekoma, who was the leading first-crop sire in North America last year, is once again at the top in nearly every category among second-crop sires. The Spendthrift stallion will stand for a fee of $100,000 in 2026. “When you have a horse of Jonathan's Way's physical and the first horse to market by a really exciting stallion in Vekoma, those are major feathers in his cap and it will guarantee interest,” Jones said. The post Kentucky Derby Winner Settling In At Airdrie Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As first reported by the Daily Racing Form, Grade I-placed Five Bars (Maxfield) suffered fatal injuries during training Saturday morning at Belmont Park. The incident occurred Nov. 29 after a four-furlong breeze when she fell while galloping out. According to the report provided by the New York State Gaming Commission for the Equine Deaths and Breakdowns database, the filly went down near the seven-eighths pole. “Horse breezed 1/2 mile at the [training track] when [she] suffered a 'Left Front Catastrophic injury'; falling near the 7/8 pole, injuring her neck.” The report continued by stating that exercise rider Daphne Valentina was attended to by NYRA EMTs and was transported to the hospital. The daughter of Maxfield was being pointed toward the GII Demoiselle Stakes by trainer Shug McGaughey. She broke her maiden at Saratoga to help extend her conditioner's winning streak at the historic venue, and left a strong impression on her connections with the effort while also claiming her 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' rosette. Five Bars was last seen rallying from last to claim third in the GI Frizette Stakes during the Belmont Big A meeting in October. The post Grade I Placed Five Bars Suffers Fatal Training Injuries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 44 lots have been catalogued for the GoffsGo Online Foal, Yearling & Breeding Stock Sale. Bidding will open at noon on Thursday, December 4 and close beginning at 2:20 p.m. local time on Friday, December 5. Comprising both Flat and NH stock, the sale features six foals, 25 yearlings and 13 fillies and mares. The foal and yearling entries feature progeny of leading sires including Ardad, Dandy Man, Footstepsinthesand, Gleneagles, Golden Horn, Iffraaj, Massaat, New Bay, Phoenix of Spain, Postponed, Sands of Mali, Without Parole Some highlights include Reel Her In (Highland Reel) (lot 33) out of dual Grade 1 winner Jer's Girl (Jeremy); lot 35, Veronica Falls (Medicean), the dam of three winners and the stakes-placed Chicas Amigas (Dragon Pulse); and lot 40, a Teofilo juvenile half-sister to the stakes-placed Springbank (Galileo) and Expressionism (Galileo), out of the Group 3-winning mare Lady Springbank (Choisir). Goffs Group chief executive, Henry Beeby said, “This first GoffsGo scheduled sale has attracted a strong line up and we will build on its popularity alongside continuing to provide instant sales opportunities as and when required. GoffsGo is the complete online service with the lowest entry fee and vendor commission of any platform combined with a hands on service from Ruari and the Goffs team.” The post Over 40 Entries For The First Edition Of The GoffsGo Online Foal, Yearling And Breeding Stock Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nicky Henderson has been awarded the Willie Stephenson Memorial Trophy, which commemorates the person or person whom the Goffs UK Board feel have made the biggest contribution to the success of the company during that year. The award was presented at Newbury this past Saturday. Training out of Seven Barrows Stables, the multiple champion trainer has had many talented horses pass through his care, not least Goffs UK alumni Constitution Hill (Blue Bresil) and Jonbon (Walk In The Park), who have won 18 Grade 1 races between them. Said Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby, “Nicky has been a huge supporter and friend of DBS and Goffs for many years and we are eternally grateful for all he has done to support our sales at Doncaster. Nicky was first awarded the Willie Stephenson Memorial Trophy in 2013 following Spring Sale graduate Bob's Worth winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup and we all felt it was fitting he received it again following the exploits of two amazing horses: Constitution Hill and Jonbon. “Jonbon has been a very special horse for all involved. Realising a record price for a pointer when bought by Nicky and J.P. McManus from us, he has been a household name in NH racing and last year saw him claim his 10th Grade 1 victory, a huge milestone. Constitution Hill has also been a pin up horse for NH racing, and our Spring Sale, with eight Grade 1 victories since his explosion onto the scene in 2022. “These are just two horses who have done so much for the prowess of our Goffs UK National Hunt sales and in recognition, we are delighted to see Nicky's name return to the list of very worthy and diverse recipients of this award. We hope to see both horses and many other graduates of our sales add more success to their amazing records in the coming months and wish Nicky all the very best for the season.” The post Henderson Awarded The Willie Stephenson Memorial Trophy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A helping hand. A kind smile. A word of encouragement. A piece of advice. When in the company of Harry Rice III, an instrumental member of the jockeys' room on the New York Racing Association (NYRA) circuit for 49 years, you're guaranteed to receive either one or all of the above. And it's that warmth and color Rice carries with him that has been notably absent from New York race days since the veteran valet officially retired this past spring after working his final day, April 19, at Aqueduct. The momentous occasion was celebrated with a retirement ceremony this summer at Saratoga Race Course. Surrounded by his family, those blood-related and the friends-turned-family members, Rice bid a final farewell to a career that may have begun simply as a job but quickly became his life's purpose. “I had family, friends, co-workers, jockeys, trainers, the press people there and it was overwhelming. I really appreciated them all showing up,” said Rice. “I try to tell people that the racetrack is not only our livelihood, it's our lives. The horses, they're in the DNA. These guys work in the morning, either walking hots or galloping horses, then they come and work in the jocks' room in the afternoon. They love the horses, and the sport, and I've had a lot of great times with them.” A native of Queens, Ny., Rice developed his own love for the sport as a teenager while taking trips to Saratoga where his father, Harry Rice II, worked as a security guard. After spending a handful of weekends and summers working as a 'white cap,' also known as an usher, the younger Rice stood at a crossroads after high school graduation. “I was stuck between going to [work at] the newspaper, because my father had worked as a pressman for the New York Times, or going to the track. I ended up at the track,” said Rice. “Horses are in my blood. My great grandfather, on my father's side, was one of the last guys to drive the fire trucks with the horses in New York City. My mother's father was a blacksmith for the police department. “I just fell in love with the sport and the people. I've enjoyed every day of it.” January 6, 1976 marked his first official day working in the jockeys' room. Rice began as the assistant to Louie Olah, known fondly as the legendary 'Colors Man,' before moving on to a position that involved taking care of equipment in the paddock. In 1998, he stepped up to the role of valet, a position he remained in for the next 35 years. “When I decided that I wanted to become a valet, I went out and walked horses in the mornings. A fella, Joe Murphy, took me out and showed me how to saddle horses. All of the other valets helped me, too. Everybody helps everybody in the [jockeys'] room,” said Rice. “I was never afraid of the horses. I always loved being around them. I'd go out in the mornings in Saratoga and watch them work, just to hang around the barn a little bit.” Rice has been the right-hand man for some of the sport's best riders, including the likes of Jean Cruguet, who guided Seattle Slew to Triple Crown glory in 1977; Hall of Famers Chris McCarron, Corey Nakatani and Mike Smith; champion Frankie Dettori; Eclipse Award winner Mike Luzzi; and Breeders' Cup-winning jockey Rajiv Maragh…just to name a few. Rice family including Joan, Harry III, Harry IV and Meghan | Courtesy of Harry Rice IV “Mike Smith and I were together for 35 years. We had a lot of great memories. [I remember] in 1998, when he won the [GI] Travers Stakes with Coronado's Quest, he dedicated the win to my father who died days before,” recalled Rice. Along with the notable jockeys, Rice also had the privilege of saddling some of the best racehorses to grace the New York circuit, including Hall of Famer and two-time Eclipse Award-winning champion Go For Wand (Deputy Minister). “I saddled Go For Wand in all of her races. I was very close with [jockey] Randy Romero. We were very good friends. Herb McCauley, when he won the [1992] Travers [aboard Thunder Rumble], that was a great time. I also remember when Chris McCarron won the [1997] Travers on Deputy Commander, just days after his mother died,” said Rice. However, amongst all of the greats he's spent time in the presence of, nothing has been more fulfilling for Rice than getting to share the racing world with his family. Though his wife, Joan, and his daughter, Meghan, never worked in the industry, his son, Harry Rice IV, followed in his father's footsteps while simultaneously paving his own path into the industry. “I tried to chase him away. He worked at ESPN a while, and actually won an Emmy for being on the SportsCenter team, but like I said, horse racing is in the blood. Somebody gave him a call and he was right back in. He's done a lot. He worked for Tom Morley for a while, along with the NYRA [broadcast team] and MyRacehorse. Now, he's working for Sallee Horse Vans and living in Kentucky,” said Rice. “The best memory is Justify. We were on the finish line, Harry and I, when he won the Triple Crown [in 2018]. The best part about that was when Maggie [Morley] interviewed me after the race, I welled up, and she did too. That made me feel a little better.” Harry Rice retirement ceremony | Coglianese Like any sport, the nature of horse racing ebbs and flows along the waves of reward and risk. One day, a jockey is celebrating an elite-level victory in the winner's circle, and by the next, he could be fighting for his life after suffering serious injuries from a horrific fall on the track. For Rice, whose jockeys have become extended members of his family, the worry that comes with that risk was always at the top of his mind. “You take the good with the bad. I know six or seven riders that I was very friendly with that were killed over the years. It's just a shame, you know? That's why they say it's the only sport where they follow you in an ambulance. You get these jockeys that get hurt and they retire, because it's not if you fall again, it's when you fall again. You're guaranteed to fall,” said Rice. “I was around too long. I worked for Lane Luzzi, Mike Luzzi's son. I worked for Romero Maragh, that's Rajiv's cousin. I worked for his other brother, Shamir, and I was almost going to work for his younger brother, Christian. It just goes generation to generation.” Though the passion for his work never dimmed, Rice admitted the job had taken a toll on his body. At the age of 67, he chose to bow out gracefully, taking advantage of a choice that many of the riders he'd worked with hadn't had the chance to. “Once you get to the track, it's nonstop until after the last race. You probably saddle seven or eight horses a day. Especially at Saratoga, it's a lot of walking. Just last year, my daughter looked on my phone and said I was walking around 22,000 steps a day,” said Rice. “I was originally thinking about [retiring at] the end of the [2025] Saratoga meet. I was the shop steward for 35 years, maybe a little more, and I decided it was time to go [in the spring]. “In a stall with a horse, I could handle it. No problem. I've had some big-time injuries I guess and being outside running around with a bad horse, it was getting to the point that it was time.” Life is a little quieter for Rice these days. Instead of making that familiar trek from the jockeys' room to the paddock and onto the track itself, Rice watches the race day coverage on tv at his home in Staten Island. Two days a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays, he tends the bar at the famed Lee's Tavern. With a surplus of free time ahead, Rice is taking full advantage as he makes up for lost time with his wife, family and friends. “The one person who deserves all the credit is my wife. Back when I started, it was six days a week, and she took care of the family. I missed a lot of games and school functions and all of that. Joan did a tremendous job raising our two kids and I owe her the world for that,” said Rice. “I'm going to start traveling a little bit. I want to go see different racetracks, different places, and just enjoy myself. My wife and I are going to take a couple of trips that I owe her. We're going to enjoy it.” Even through the phone, the emotion is palpable as Rice reflects on his time spent working in the jockeys' room for 49 years. For nearly half a century, he laid out silks and saddle cloths, shined boots, cleaned goggles, inspected tack, saddled and unsaddled countless horses, moved and inserted weights, all the while doing everything in his power to make the life of his jockeys easier. Like a hard-knocking racehorse whose tenacity shines through in every start, from the first to the last, the longtime valet has left an unforgettable impression on every man, woman and horse he's lent a hand to. “You know what the most rewarding thing is? The friendships you make throughout the years. You get to meet so many people that really love horse racing and you just appreciate it. I've had such wonderful relationships with people. I still keep in touch with the riders and the old-time valets,” said Rice. “We might retire, but we never go away. We always show up somewhere.” The jockeys' rooms in New York may be a little quieter these days, but the legacy Rice built fills the void left in his absence. “It didn't matter if you were a Hall of Fame jockey or trainer, or just a guy trying to make a living, I treated them all the same. That's what you have to do. There's that old saying, 'If you enjoy what you do, you never work a day in your life.' I've always said that what people do on their days off, I did for a living. I went to racetracks. So, I guess I never really had a job.” The post ‘It’s Our Lives’: Harry Rice III, A Stalwart Member of the New York Jocks’ Room, Reflects on his Half a Century at the Track appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guy Petit has been appointed as bloodstock director at AKTEM, the new auction house in France which is scheduled to hold its first sales in February next year. A bloodstock agent for more than 30 years, Petit has sourced top-class National Hunt performers such as Min, Royale Pagaille and Thousand Stars, as well as the Grand National winner Mon Mome. On the Flat, his high-profile purchases include the Group 1 winners Rougir and Tribhuvan. “I am delighted by this new challenge, which allows me to move to the other side of the fence,” said Petit. “Supporting a young and ambitious person like Sofiane Benaroussi – who is determined to implement new initiatives for the benefit of the industry – really appealed to me, and I am thrilled to invest myself alongside him.” He added, “My extensive address book of both buyers and vendors allows me to confidently embrace this new adventure and bring my expertise, particularly in the National Hunt sphere, by offering new opportunities to breeders and owners with a service that complements the existing market.” Mégane Martins has also joined the AKTEM team as head of communication and development. After a full-year internship with Arqana Racing Club, Martins gained hands-on experience at Écurie des Monceaux, before returning to the Deauville sales company within the communication and marketing department. In recent years, she has applied her expertise to the charity Au-Delà Des Pistes, among other roles. “I am honoured to join the AKTEM team and lead the communication department,” said Martins. “I return to an environment I know well and appreciate, and I am delighted to put my skills to work once again in this sector. We are committed to offering a new, high-quality service with a truly convivial, modern and professional atmosphere to conduct sales in the best possible conditions.” AKTEM president Sofiane Benaroussi added, “It is a real pleasure to welcome Guy Petit to the AKTEM team. His expertise and network, both in France and internationally, represent a major asset for a young auction house like ours. “Highly active in the National Hunt sector, he brings strong skills to this segment of the market and will provide clients with the best possible support in enhancing the value of their horses. “We are also delighted to welcome Mégane Martins to lead the agency's communication and support its growth. She brings extensive experience in this field, a broad range of skills acquired within the industry, and a young, innovative, dynamic profile.” The post Guy Petit Named Bloodstock Director at AKTEM appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The G2 Richmond Stakes winner and G1 Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Royal Scotsman will take up stallion duties at Michael Swinburn's Genesis Green Stud in 2026. He will stand for a fee of £6,000, in partnership with owners Jim and Fitri Hay. Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Royal Scotsman is out of the 100-rated Cheveley Park Stud-bred mare Enrol (Pivotal) and was consigned by Genesis Green Stud when fetching 125,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. He won the Richmond after finishing a close-up third behind Bradsell in the G2 Coventry Stakes. Having been beaten a head by Chaldean in the Dewhurst, the pair met again in the 2,000 Guineas, in which Royal Scotsman finished third. He also won last year's G3 Diomed Stakes at Epsom. Co-trainer Paul Cole said of the son of Gleneagles, “He was incredibly talented and it is very unfortunate that we did not always get to see him at his best with a variety of factors not going his way.” It had previously been reported that Royal Scotsman would stand at Haras du Taillis in France for the 2026 breeding season. Alex Cole, on behalf of the Hay family, said “Royal Scotsman has given us enormous pride on the racecourse and it was important to them [the Hay family] that his stallion career was here in Britain. Supporting British racing and the British breeding industry has always mattered to them, and we are delighted to partner with Genesis Green Stud and the Swinburns for his next chapter.” Michael Swinburn added, “Royal Scotsman was as good-looking and athletic a colt as I have ever sold. Naturally, we followed him closely on the track and had many conversations about how much we would love to breed to him when the time came. “We had never considered venturing into standing a stallion, but when this opportunity presented itself, we simply couldn't let it pass by. To welcome him back now as a stallion is enormously exciting and we believe, when breeders come to see him, they will be every bit as impressed by him as we are.” The post Multiple Group Winner Royal Scotsman to Stand at Genesis Green Stud in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Prize-money at Ascot Racecourse will be a record £19.4 million in 2026, an increase of £1.65 million on this year. Figures exclude the industry-owned QIPCO British Champions Day. Across 25 racedays, 88 of Ascot's 169 races (52%) will have a higher total prize fund than in 2025, with all races on the Flat worth £25,000 or more. Royal Ascot will be worth £10.65 million, from £10.05 million. Increases have been made across the Royal Ascot programme, with all eight Group 1 races now worth a minimum of £700,000 (including two at £1 million), while all races at the royal meeting will be run for £120,000 or more, up from £110,000. In all, 26 of the 35 races across the week will be run for more than they were in 2025. In July, it was announced that the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will become Britain's first £2 million race next year, up from £1.5 million. This year's running of the race saw the world's current top-rated horse, Calandagan, triumph in another top-class renewal of Europe's midsummer all-aged highlight. Total prize-money on the day will now be in excess of £2.5 million. Amongst other uplifts on the Flat, the G2 Summer Mile will be worth £165,000 (up from £140,000), while all Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup races will be run for at least £85,000 (up from £80,000), taking the total on the day to £525,000. Investment in Class 3 and 4 races on the Flat takes all races to a minimum of £25,000, with total prize-money increasing by £287,000 at those levels. Overall, Ascot's executive contribution to prize-money will go up from £9.97 million in 2025 to a budgeted £10.7 million next year. Felicity Barnard, chief executive officer at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are delighted to be making these increases in prize-money for 2026, demonstrating our commitment to the sport and focus on rewarding participants. “We are of course conscious of the macro-economic factors currently at play which make taking a long-term view on prize-money investment even more important. We hope that these uplifts will play a part in encouraging investment in British racing. “In announcing this record figure, an increase of £1.65 million, whilst making an international statement with the King George, we have also focused on improvements across the programme. “Over half of our races across both codes have seen increases and through £25,000 minimum Flat values and a focus on the novice hurdle programme, we are aligning many of our increases with an agreed industry focus on developmental races.” Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot, added, “Prize-money is the most important investment tool that we have in attracting horses to run from home and abroad, at all levels of racing that we stage. “We've seen some world-class racing at Ascot in 2025, with runners travelling here from four continents. It is vital in an increasingly competitive international market that we keep Ascot at the forefront and the flagship £2 million King George is key to this alongside the royal meeting. “We will be promoting the King George alongside our large independent racecourses and Jockey Club colleagues, under the Midsummer Elite Races banner. The July Cup, Sussex Stakes, International and King George are Britain's historical, defining, all-aged summer races over their respective trips and we hope that promoting them together, with increased prize-money all round, will gain traction.” The post Prize-Money at Ascot to Reach Record £19.4m in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article