Wandering Eyes

The Turfway Park Synthetic Championships consist of four $250,000 races, two 6-furlong events and two at a mile, all on Turfway's Tapeta surface Dec. 21.View the full article

In the eighth and final race Dec. 12 at Fair Grounds, veteran jockey Jareth Loveberry scored the 2,000th win of his career, guiding the front-running Island Cabana to victory for trainer Justin Jeansonne.View the full article

Tappan Street, last seen in action while upsetting Sovereignty in the $1.02 million Florida Derby (G1) March 29, has been entered to return in a mile allowance optional claimer Dec. 19 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Nobody wants to be late to the party. That statement applies to just about every aspect in business and is especially pertinent with a view towards breeding. Everyone would love to send mares to Mehmas and Starman but, the reality of the situation is that many breeders' mating plans are dictated just as much by their pockets as it is by their head. The trick is cottoning on to the next Mehmas and the next Starman before they go north – and that can be easier said than done. Luckily for you, we've canvassed the opinions of some of the sharpest minds in the bloodstock game to glean which young and underappreciated stallions are worth keeping onside for 2026 and beyond. Eddie Linehan, breeze-up handler and pinhooker at Lackendarra Stables We bought a few foals by first-season sires and a few proven ones as well this year. Of the proven, we bought a nice Awtaad colt foal – he's definitely a sire to keep on the right side of and the best is to yet come I'd imagine. I was impressed with the Minzaals and bought one and liked a few Blackbeards as well. We gave a good throw for one of them to breeze and he's been going nicely so far so I'll go with him to follow for next year as a sire. We bought a good few first-season foals and I liked the Dragon Symbols as a type – they look precocious and strong. Shaquille was really stamping his stock as well and we bought one of those. We liked a good few by him so we'll see how that goes. Martin Buick, bloodstock agent Modern Games did very well for the amount of foals by him that hit the market. The lads at Ballinacurra Stud sold a very nice Modern Games colt for €225,000 at Goffs. I saw that they said the stallion could be the next Night Of Thunder and, if they are right, he's got a very bright future! Chaldean is the obvious one and I think Triple Time made a good impression also. The way the Minzaals sold, there will be high expectations behind him. His profile would suggest that they will be up and running early. Naval Crown has a chance. He's by Dubawi and, every son of Dubawi who goes to stud, you've got to take note. Persian Force could exceed expectations. Robson Aguiar was very strong on the horse; whether the ones that he bought go breezing or go into training with him, they could be very interesting. I always end up with Churchills and Awtaads on my list. Okay, I guess Awtaad is more commercial after what happened in California [Ethical Diamond winning the Breeders' Cup Turf] but they were two very good racehorses who I don't think get the credit they deserve. And what about Golden Horn? It's old fashioned, but I absolutely love Trawlerman (Golden Horn) and I love the Gold Cup horses. What's wrong with breeding a stayer? Maybe breeding stayers won't pay the bills but, if you want a racehorse, they are pretty damn cool. So, at £10,000, Golden Horn has to be value. Dermot Cantillon, breeder at Tinnakill House Stud I sold a lot of foals this year so, from my own point of view, I thought the Chaldeans sold unbelievably well. We had an absolute cracker by him and he did the business in the ring so I'd have to describe myself as a fan. Look it, he's a Frankel with speed and all of the judges are very hot on them so I am not going to go against the grain. We had a very nice and racy Ace Impact who we sold at Goffs and he's a stallion that, if he clicks, he could be anything. He's an undefeated champion and is one to watch out for. It's amazing how well the Minzaals sold and it will be interesting to see how they get on. I mean, they nearly sold better than the Baaeeds, but Baaeed was some racehorse. If we see Baaeed come along with some nice backend two-year-olds next year, he could be the next coming. I'd be a big fan. I used to love sending mares to Shamardal and Invincible Spirit. Now, I think Derrinstown Stud are offering great value at €8,500 for Awtaad. Ghaiyyath at €20,000 also looks value to me. It's the pinhookers who dictate what happens for the rest of us and they were very hot on Ghaiyyath so I think he has a great chance. I actually went to Tattersalls in the hope of buying a mare in foal to Vandeek but I failed. He was a very good racehorse and it will be interesting to see what his foals are like. He's one for further down the line. Adam Potts, BBA Ireland bloodstock agent Adam Potts: “King Of Change continues to fly under the radar and upgrades his mares.” | Tattersalls Unoriginal but the Minzaals delivered on physique and he's got the profile to work. I also kept landing on the State Of Rests. They're nice. I'll be fascinated to see who puts their head above the parapet in the USA – it looks one of the strongest classes of first-season sires on record. Shaquille threw a type. They look fast and they've plenty of depth. Mostahdaf also got some really nice foals. King Of Change continues to fly under the radar and upgrades his mares. He's had four stakes winners from less than 40 lifetime runners and is deserving of more support. I think he's just a very good stallion and he was a genuine top-class racehorse after all. Ghislain Bozo, Meridian International bloodstock agent A lot of people are talking about Chaldean and Shaquille and they have made a very strong start with their first foals. In France, Ace Impact is an important stallion. Besides the fact that he is important, I think his foals were well-received. I buy more yearlings than I do foals and I have to say I liked the Baaeed yearlings a lot. He was an exceptional racehorse and hopefully his progeny can represent him well on the racetrack. I think that they will. Eddie O'Leary, breeder, pinhooker and breeze-up handler at Lynn Lodge Stud Chaldean, Good Guess and probably Dragon Symbol were the three most consistent of the first-crop foal sires. I was very lucky that I bought a nice Dragon Symbol colt at Goffs because I was thinking we'd all be fighting over the new Whitsbury stallion at Tattersalls, which is exactly what happened. On the yearlings, Minzaal is the easy answer but they sold so well, he will need to have a very big year on the track, otherwise he could be in trouble. The last horse who sold as well as he did in his first season was Muhaarar. I hope Minzaal works – because we've plenty by him – but we've seen it time and time again with stallions struggling to keep up with the hype. They sold extremely well so he needs to deliver. It wouldn't surprise me if Naval Crown worked. He was a very good racehorse and his stock is Dubawish, which I like. Naval Crown might not be as sexy as Minzaal but I think he could work. I also have a horse at home and he'd go through a brick wall for you. He's by Blackbeard so, purely on the basis of him, I'm going to say Blackbeard has a chance. Now, I only have one by him, but this fella is a legend. He's the type of lad you'd want to go for a pint with! And then, the secret is out about the under-the-radar stallion; his name is Starman. For me, there are five breakout stallions; Wootton Bassett, Sands Of Mali, Starman, Havana Grey and Mehmas. When you think of all the champion racehorses that have retired to stud, it's funny that those five stallions are the ones the industry seems to be latching onto. Where are all the champions? We need to try and find the next Starman now. Where he will come from, I couldn't tell you. Having said that, there are three stallions, Saxon Warrior, Kodi Bear and Calyx, who have their best crops still to run for them and I am expecting them to go boom. Okay, poor Calyx is dead now, but any one of those three stallions could come up with a very good racehorse given their best crops are coming down the line. Luke Barry, breeder and pinhooker at Manister House Stud Luke Barry: says breeders should keep the faith with Pinatubo | Tattersalls We bought a Good Guess, we bought a Shaquille and we bought a Modern Games, but we underbid a Little Big Bear, so I am going to say Little Big Bear! It would be sod's law, wouldn't it? With the yearlings, I'm going to have to go with Minzaal. I believe in the hype. We sold three beautiful fillies by him and I expect him to do well next year. Okay, he is overbet but his stock had hip, movement and depth. When you have those three things, you have a chance. At the end of the day, he only stood for €15,000 in his debut season so he's not that obvious. He's only overbet because he's doing it himself. Another thing about Minzaal, he trained on. He got hurt but came back to win a Group 1 and I think that matters for a lot. Under-the-radar stallion? I'm going to go with Pinatubo. I sold a beaut-if-ul yearling by him and, when it came down to it, everyone wanted to buy him. I'm not the only person who believes in Pinatubo. His stock has great strength to them and there is no reason why they won't keep training on. He got so many two-year-old winners – fillies and colts – at the back end of the year, I just think it's going to start to come good for him. James Horton, trainer and pinhooker James Horton: the trainer was involved in the pinhooking of Group 1 winner Power Blue | Tattersalls I'd be a big fan of Palace Pier. He's probably the first stallion who springs to mind as being value. We did well with him last year and I have a nice yearling coming through the ranks by him for next year. Now, they were harder to buy this year than they were last year. I think he is a stallion who is going places and it's funny because he wasn't given an obvious chance around this time 12 months ago. I think Space Blues is a stallion who is deserving of more respect for what he has achieved as well. If you take Starman away, who's next best? Probably Space Blues. He's had a Group 1 winner and plenty of other nice winners – I actually had a nice first-time out winner by him the other day, too. I also have a nice yearling by him that seems to go well as well. If you were betting on the second-season sires' championship, you might have a strong bet on Space Blues without Starman. He definitely deserves more credit. Of the first-season sires with runners next year, I like the idea of Persian Force. I tried to buy a couple of yearlings by him but couldn't. I think he has a chance. He's going to be very well-supported and is standing at the right stud in Tally-Ho. He's also got the right man in Kia Joorabchian behind him so he's got to have every chance. I'm not going to enjoy saying this, but the Dragon Symbols were quite nice! I saw some very nice foals by him and they made plenty of money. The Shaquilles were lovely and, if I was going to buy a first-season sire this year, he would have been the one. However, I couldn't afford any of them. But in general, the foals were very hard to buy this year. Especially at the end we pinhook at, we were having to look at more established sires who had perhaps gone a little cold in the hope that they came back into fashion because what people were paying for first-season or even second-season foals was extraordinary. I mean, the Persian Force and Minzaal foals made fortunes. I ended up buying an A'Ali filly who is exactly the type you'd love to bring back to Donny. If she goes the way I think she'll go, she will look like a fast filly that the breeze-up boys – and even trainers – will want. A'Ali has had his winners and is solid – he produces horses that run. We also bought a Kameko colt for pinhooking. Whether we're right or wrong, only time will tell. Roderic Kavanagh, breeder and breeze-up consignor at Kildaragh Stud and Glending Stables Roderic Kavanagh: says he was impressed by the Shaquille foals | Tattersalls It's hard not to be taken by the physical specimens that Shaquille is getting and they obviously sold accordingly. But sometimes in this game you have to believe your eyes and we'll be using him. In terms of first-season sires, Blackbeard has a leading chance with numbers and quality of mares that he has covered. A little bit off centre, but a couple of the breeze-up horses that I have been impressed with so far are by Naval Crown. I've liked their attitude and they seem to grow a hand under tack. I've used him every year here on our doorstep [at Kildangan Stud] and I hope he can be something of a surprise package. To describe Without Parole as an under-the-radar stallion is probably under-selling him a little given he came up with a high-class colt like Zavateri but he's a sire that continues to look a good influence without quite capturing the imagination of many. Edmond Ryan, breeder, pinhooker and consignor at Weir View Stud We bought a few by first-season sires this year; a Dragon Symbol, an Erevann and a Chaldean. The Dragon Symbols were very good individuals with plenty of hip and were all great movers. The Chaldeans had loads of quality and were all athletic types. Erevann seems to be stamping his stock and they're all impressive individuals. Of the other first-season sires, I thought the few Paddingtons I saw were striking individuals and it looks like he'll be an exciting prospect. First-crop yearlings, I thought the Blackbeards were impressive types and were great movers, so hopefully he will be able to hit the same heights in the shed as he did on the racecourse. Nancy Sexton, bloodstock journalist and breeding advisor Nancy Sexton: “It has made for really boring dinners because you can't slag off any stallions!” | Tattersalls Where do you begin? They were all good. It has made for really boring dinners because you can't slag off any stallions! The foal sales were very top heavy with first-season sires. The Shaquille foals were consistently nice. The Chaldeans are lovely – easy moving and well balanced with depth and quality. From what I hear a lot of people are going to use him next year off the back of these foals. The Good Guess foals have all got lovely tops, the Native Trail and Triple Time foals are also nice. Stradivarius may surprise a few people as his yearlings were very athletic and well balanced. Derek Veitch had one out of a Kodiac mare who looked quite forward. The Minzaals looked smart and straightforward, and quite forward, and a lot of them are going breezing so we will know his fate quite early on. The Mostahdaf foals have a bit of quality – they're like him, he's stamped them. Charlie Vigors, pinhooker and consignor at Hillwood Stud Charlie Vigors: says that smaller breeders have a lack of solid options | Tattersalls We are lucky to have a Chaldean, a couple by Modern Games and a Shaquille in the fields at home that we like a lot so it was pleasing to see their stock being so well received. Harry and Oliver [sons] bought a smart filly by Naval Crown and we bought a Native Trail colt in Goffs so any of them will do. There will be a high level of expectation surrounding the progeny of Blackbeard and Minzaal so it will be interesting to see if they deliver. We had two lovely Perfect Power colts and had a fairytale result with the one that Harry and Oliver pinhooked with Hannah Wall. If they were representative of his crop then he would have a very good chance of succeeding. Sergei Prokofiev would have been my pick of value sires but, the export of the likes of him, Cotai Glory, Ten Sovereigns, Territories and more is a worrying trend as it leaves the smaller breeders limited options of proven but capable stallions. Tom Brickley, pinhooker, breeder and breeze-up consignor at Ard Erin Stud Shaquille rose to the top of the list of first-season sires of foals. We liked them a lot and we were delighted to get one by him. The three sons of Frankel – Mostahdaf, Triple Time and Chaldean – were also very nice and we managed to get a Chaldean and a Mostahdaf. We actually tried hard to buy a Triple Time as well so we nearly got the treble up! But definitely, Shaquille was the main one. There's one more there that not many people will mention but we bred a very nice filly by El Caballo this year and, while he's going to have to do it the hard way, he could be an interesting prospect. Of the stallions with their first runners next year, Minzaal was very good to us this year as we sold two very nice yearlings by him. We loved the stock by them as foals and they seemed to develop into very nice yearlings – straightforward, good-bodied and good-moving horses with very good temperaments. You'd have to give him a very big chance. Under the radar, I am a big fan of Ghaiyyath. I'm actually a very big believer in him. I bought a foal by him and hope to send him a mare in the new year as well. Awtaad is proven but we feel he still represents very good value. He got very good numbers last year so he may even be a stallion who takes off again and he has a very good chance. The post Who Are The Young And Underappreciated Sires To Watch Out For In 2026? Bloodstock Judges Have Their Say appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a Winter Storm Warning and extreme cold and snow in the forecast, officials at Turfway Park have canceled racing for the evening of Dec. 13. View the full article

Tappan Street (Into Mischief) will make his highly anticipated return in an allowance optional claimer going a mile at Gulfstream Park Friday. He is being aimed at the $3-million GI Pegasus World Cup Jan. 24. Last seen defeating leading Horse of the Year candidate and GI Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 29, the $1-million Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was forced to miss the Derby after suffering a condylar fracture in his right front leg. Dr. Larry Bramlage performed surgery on the WinStar Farm, CHC, Inc. and Cold Press Racing colorbearer a day after his five-furlong breeze for Brad Cox at Churchill Downs Apr. 26. “Ever since we had the mishap a week before the Derby, everything's gone according to plan,” WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden said. “He rehabbed well, healed well and got back in training on the right timeframe. It doesn't always happen that way. He trained at the farm July, August and September. Went to Brad first week of October at Keeneland, worked a few times there, then was the first horse at Payson Park when Brad opened his string. It's gone well.” #9 TAPPAN STREET ($6.80) secures a spot in the Kentucky Derby with an impressive victory in the $1,000,000 Florida Derby (G1) at @GulfstreamPark! The colt by @SpendthriftFarm's Into Mischief was piloted by @luissaezpty for @bradcoxracing. @WinStarFarm @Chinahorseclub pic.twitter.com/b2YQqVrsd0 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 29, 2025 Tappan Street defeated the subsequent Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers Stakes winner Sovereignty by 1 1/4 lengths while making his third career start in the Florida Derby. He won his debut going seven furlongs Dec. 28, then was second after leading in the stretch in the GIII Holy Bull S. Feb. 1, his first start around two turns. All three of Tappan Street's career starts have come at Gulfstream Park. Tappan Street has breezed six times at Payson Park since early November, most recently working five furlongs in 1:02.20 (2/7) Dec. 7. He'll face six rivals in his comebacker at Gulfstream. Irad Ortiz, Jr. has the mount. “We've been looking forward to this ever since he got hurt,” Walden said. “We felt like we had a big chance in the Kentucky Derby. Obviously, the horse that he beat won the Kentucky Derby in Sovereignty. That makes you think about what could've been, but we don't ever look back, we look forward. I think it was more a feather in his cap. We were very pleased to see the form hold up as well as it did all year long.” The post Sidelined Since Defeating Sovereignty in Florida Derby, Tappan Street Returns at Gulfstream Friday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 4:40 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG CUP-G1, HK$40,000,000, 3yo/up, 2000mT Field: Romantic Warrior (Jpn) (Acclamation {GB}), Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), Galen (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit), Quisisana (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 4:00 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG MILE-G1, HK$36,000,000, 3yo/up, 1600mT Field: Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}), Beauty Joy (Aus) (Sebring {Aus}), Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}), Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Pray For Mir (Aus) (Justify), Red Lion (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), Sunlight Power (Aus) (Capitalist {Aus}), My Wish (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}), Copartner Prance (Aus) (Epaulette {Aus}), Patch Of Theta (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 2:50 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG SPRINT-G1, HK$28,000,000, 3yo/up, 1200mT Field: Ka Ying Ring (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}), Helios Express (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}), Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), Fast Network (NZ) (Wrote {Ire}), Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Lucky With You (Aus) (Artie Schiller, Beauty Waves (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto), Tomodachi Kokoroe (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}), Wunderbar (Aus) (Rich Enuff {Aus}), Divano (Aus) (Brave Smash {Jpn}). Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 2:10 p.m., LONGINES HONG KONG VASE-G1, HK$26,000,000, 3yo/up, 2400mT Field: Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Urban Chic (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}), Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid), Eydon (Ire) (Olden Times {GB}), Moments In Time (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky), Bundle Award (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}), Ka Ying Generation (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}). Click here for the full preview of Sunday's Hong Kong International Races. Sunday, Hanshin, Japan, post time: 3:40 p.m., Hanshin Juvenile Fillies-G1, ¥123,300,000, 2yo, f, 1600mT Field: Angelitas (Jpn) (New Year's Day), Lady Goal (Jpn) (Rey de Oro {Jpn}), Mitsukane Venera (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Alankar (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), Garavogue (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), Arbanne (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Margot Love Me (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), His Masterpiece (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), Star Anise (Jpn) (Drefong), Inubono Utagoe (Jpn) (Siskin), Sweet Happiness (Jpn) (Real Impact {Jpn}), Maple Happy (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), From Raven (Jpn) (Tower of London {Jpn}), Stunning Lady (Jpn) (Benbatl {GB}), Lasting Snow (Jpn) (Mozu Ascot), Rose Charis (Jpn) (California Chrome), Taisei Vogue (Jpn) (Indy Champ {Jpn}), Shonan Charis (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}). Click here for the full TDN preview of the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: 2025 Longines HKIR On Deck, As Romantic Warrior Goes For History 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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4th-OP, $100k, Msw, 2yo, 6f, post time: 2:55 p.m. ET Mactak (Maclean's Music), produced by a stakes-winning daughter of MGISW Lady Tak (Mutakddim), has been working bullets ahead of his debut for L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt, Jackpot Farm, Whispering Oaks Farm and Coteau Grove Farms and trainer Steve Asmussen. The $625,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase is the 3-1 program favorite. The field of 12 also includes $775,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic graduate D'code (Speightstown), who debuts for Tom R. Durant and trainer H. Ray Ashford, Jr. TJCIS PPs The post Sunday’s Insights: Well-Related Mactak Working Bullets for Oaklawn Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

HONG KONG, CHINA – Two days before one of Hong Kong's biggest days of racing, Hong Kong Jockey Club chief executive officer Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges sat down with the press in a member's room overlooking Sha Tin Racecourse for a wide-ranging discussion of everything from the quality of Sunday's Longines Hong Kong International Races to the state of racing and wagering globally. Warning of a “massive generation issue” for the sport, Engelbrecht-Bresges's focus returned several times to the need for racing to incorporate emerging technology, both from a wagering standpoint and as a means to attract younger racing fans. The Hong Kong Jockey Club opened Conghua Racecourse in Guangzhou in 2018 and expects to hold its first race meet at the Mainland China track in October. “Conghua has been a game changer for our development,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “If you look long term, I believe there will be development of the breeding industry in China. Maybe it will take 10 years, but it will. So then, the two racecourses [Happy Valley and Sha Tin], plus Conghua, with the greater Bay Area, will be the triangle of world-class racing in China. Having the training center in China, expanding the horse population, is a must.” The first race meet at Conghua had originally been planned for April, but its delay until October will allow officials to offer patrons a higher quality experience, according to Engelbrecht-Bresges. “We have invested even more in technology,” he said. “Because we benchmarked the kind of experience you have to provide in China. The digital experience we have in Hong Kong is good. In China, it's three to five years ahead of Hong Kong. And the customer expectation is not a Hong Kong expectation, it's a mainland expectation. In terms of navigation, payment, solutions regarding wayfinding, from interaction information, if you don't have an integrated solution, you would be seen as a dinosaur. So, we invested now another, around HK$100 million, or 10 million euro, to create a customer experience which was on par with the customer experience you have now in a major sports stadium. We built this first on the mainland, and then we have the opportunity to probably transmit this and bring it into Hong Kong.” While wagering on racing is not allowed on mainland China, the idea of wagering on races from Conghua in Hong Kong remains a tantalizing possibility, but Engelbrecht-Bresges said even without gambling, racing in Conghua will give the HKJC an opportunity to grow the sport. “The fan base in not necessarily based on wagering capability,” he said. “If you would widen the fan base, you have to have different experiences. And we experimented with immersive experiences, to demystify horse racing because for many younger people who are not caught up in the sport, it is very difficult to understand. So that is what helps us with the business model in China, which is not built on wagering. It's a business model which is fan based, to have other income streams. Especially, we think there is a huge income stream which we have seen in merchandising. We have partnerships now with a China travel group. We could bring any merchandise we have into China. So how you build now, new value propositions would give you different incomes.” While developing technology for new fan engagement, the HKJC is not neglecting advancement in wagering technology. With legislation passed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council in September, HKJC could begin offering betting on basketball–focused mainly on the United States' National Basketball Association–beginning next fall, pending licensing. In advance of basketball wagering–and with the possibility of other sports to follow–Engelbrecht-Bresges said the HKJC has moved to modernize its wagering system. “We have already invested heavily to modernize our tech stack,” he said. “We have decided we want to build a new system and work on an external base of a system which is available, but which we will have to modify significantly. But this will be the system of the future because we will invest now in the next five years probably around HK$8 to HK$10 billion in technology. And this is a completely new technology step. Our parimutuel system is probably the system that can handle the most transactions, we can handle seven or eight thousand transactions per second, but we want to build a new system which will go up to 20,000 a second and will be built on completely different platforms. So that is the next significant investment we have.” When asked what he sees as racing's current challenges, Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “I think we have a massive generation issue. If we are not able to widen our customer base and become more attractive to a wider customer segment, we will become a sport whose relevance in five or 10 years is really a challenge.” Looking ahead, he added, “Going forward, I would like to see that we create much more global international events and that the sport globally unites more to be advocates of the sport and not get dragged down into the battles of–I call them ankle biters. We have to stop this. We have to step back and say what is our strategy, what's our vision and overcome certain personal dislikes. Because it's bad for the sport.” Back to the more immediate topic of Sunday's four international races, featuring a pair of Hong Kong champions in Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) and Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Engelbrecht-Bresges admitted he was rooting for the home team to do well. Just not too well. “I hope that we see world-class competitions and we see exciting finishes,” he said. “Safety is extremely important. And I am maybe a little bit biased, but I would like to see that there is a little spread and it's not only a Hong Kong domination. It's an international week. And even though you are proud when your home team wins, if your home team is too dominant, then nobody wants to come. I have a certain preference that two of the Hong Kong horses show how good they are, naturally. But I would like to see a spread really of results and not just Hong Kong domination.” The post ‘Massive Generation Issue’: HKJC CEO Sees Technology as Key to Bridging Generational Gap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a Winter Storm Warning and extreme cold and snow in the forecast, officials at Turfway Park have canceled racing for the evening of Dec. 13. View the full article

A blast of cold coupled with a winter storm warning has forced Turfway Park in northern Kentucky to cancel Saturday evening's $1-million Synthetic Championships, according to Churchill Downs's Kevin Kerstein in an early morning Saturday post on X. The message said, “Mother Nature wins this round. With a winter storm warning and extreme cold and snow in the forecast, tonight's card at TurfwayPark has been canceled. We'll share more information regarding makeup plans as it becomes available.” This story will be updated. Mother Nature wins this round. With a Winter Storm Warning and extreme cold and snow in the forecast, tonight's card at @TurfwayPark has been canceled. We'll share more information regarding makeup plans as it becomes available. — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) December 13, 2025 The post Winter Storm Forces Cancellation Of Saturday’s Synthetic Championships At Turfway appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars HELENE SUPAFEELING - R2 (4) Trials suggest he could overcome a tricky draw Jay Rooney STAR RISE - R9 (3) Terribly unlucky last start and looks well placed to atone here Owen Goulding VOYAGE BOSS - R3 (4) Has finally drawn a barrier and recent trial winner remains unexposed Phillip Woo EVERYONE'S STAR - R9 (2) Comes off two eye-catching runs at Sha Tin this season and should win Shannon (Vincent Wong) MAJESTIC VALOUR - R3 (1) Scored well in his debut last start and can repeat...View the full article

Former Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart returned to the scene of that 2023 triumph to take out the Gr.3 SKYCITY Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) in a thrilling three-way finish to the Te Rapa staying feature. A triple Group One winner as a three-year-old, the Team Rogerson-prepared son of Redwood hadn’t been seen in the winners’ enclosure since his Derby triumph as the now six-year-old took on the best Australasia had to offer on both sides of the Tasman while also suffering through some injury and illness issues. A return to form in his current campaign was evident with placings in two of his three most recent starts including finishing third in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) before being less than a length from winner Final Return when finishing fourth in the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m). While punters respected his chances on Saturday the 59kg topweight did put a few people off, but it didn’t bother Sharp ‘N’ Smart who settled one off the fence behind pacemaker Sagunto and travelled easily throughout for rider George Rooke. Rooke began to get busy approaching the home bend as The Odyssey swept into contention and the pair went to war shortly after turning for home. Just as it looked to be a two-horse war, race favourite Gigi joined in at the 150m and the trio slugged it out to the finish with Sharp ‘N’ Smart putting his head down to edge Gigi with The Odyssey just a head away in third. Co-trainer Debbie Rogerson cut an emotional figure as she waited for her charge to return to the birdcage. “I’m so proud of this horse and the team behind this horse as it has been a great journey,” Rogerson said. “I set him for this race in my home town as we just wanted to win it. “It was a good run and he was tough, a credit to the horse. “Everyone has been knocking the horse but they don’t know what has been wrong with him. He had an horrific bacterial virus and it took him twelve months to get over it. “We gave him a good spell and we knew this time in he was getting back to his best, so it might be back to the Melbourne Cup next year. “We might look at the Queen Eliabeth (Gr.3, 2400m) next and then the Auckland Cup (Gr.2, 3200m).” Rooke was also thrilled with how well his mount fought right to the line. “I knew we had to be more positive today and it has taken me three or four times to get it right with him,” he said. “He just hit that flat spot about half a mile out and I thought I’d rather commit too soon than not soon enough and he has just out-battled them to be honest. “When The Odyssey came alongside I was a bit worried but when I fought him off I thought it was going to take a good one to get past him. “Then I saw Gigi and thought oh no, but he stuck his head down and got it done.” Bred by Gerry Harvey, Sharp ‘N’ Smart is out of a half-sister to Absalon, who won five races including two Listed victories in Brisbane. He was a $55,000 purchase from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 2 at Karaka 2021, then was passed in for $90,000 at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. He has now won in excess of $3.44 million in prizemoney from his seven career victories. View the full article

Zac Purton doubts Ka Ying Rising will lower his track record at Sha Tin on Sunday, but he still expects the world’s best sprinter to produce an electrifying display when he defends his Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) crown. The David Hayes-trained superstar chases a 16th consecutive victory and comes into the HK$28 million feature off the back of what Purton believes was “probably his career-best performance last start”. On his first start since his Group One The Everest (1,200m) success in...View the full article