Wandering Eyes

Sunday’s Sha Tin race meeting will be held behind closed doors as a mark of respect for the victims of this week’s tragic Tai Po fire. All gross income from the meeting, which the Jockey Club estimates to be around HK$70 million, will be donated to support those affected by the tragedy, while Saturday’s Mark Six draw has been postponed to next Tuesday. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club is deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives during the tragic fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, as well as the...View the full article

St Jean (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), sire of G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, died in a paddock accident at Brackley Park on Nov. 25. Stud manager Grant Dwyer said the 15-year-old had covered the mare Memory Lane on Nov. 24 and was returned to his usual paddock. “For reasons unknown, St Jean ran into a fence post overnight, breaking it off at ground level and shattering his near-side front leg,” Dwyer said. “His death was very untimely, just as breeders were beginning to appreciate his pedigree.” A Group 3 winner by Teofilo (Ire), St Jean sired 35 named foals, 22 runners and 12 winners, with Half Yours his lone stakes winner. The post St Jean, Sire of Melbourne Cup Hero Half Yours, Dies at 15 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Watching big-name Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) runners fall away is nothing new, however the speed at which Calandagan went from in the fields to not coming was quite something. In a turn of events that sparked memories of the time Aidan O’Brien’s Magical was in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) field for little more than 12 hours – but never actually coming to Hong Kong – Calandagan was listed in the Cup field by the Jockey Club on Wednesday afternoon before being ruled out...View the full article

TOKYO, Japan — Under the vast, silent stand of Tokyo racecourse the best horse in the world enjoys a saunter around the turf track which will become his stage for the final act of a tremendous season. Calandagan (Gleneagles) will encounter an altogether different atmosphere on Sunday when that same grandstand will sing with the anticipation of around 100,000 racegoers come to bear witness to one of the world's great horse races. The passion with which the Japanese fans approach racing means that the Japan Cup is more pilgrimage than sports event and an 18-strong field which boasts the last three winners of the Japanese Derby means that the home team will have plenty to absorb them beyond this sole international visitor. But it is a compliment to the race and of vital importance to its global standing to have attracted the Aga Khan Studs' representative, who will bid for a fourth consecutive Group/Grade 1 victory after winning the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and then emulating Brigadier Gerard by taking both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Champion Stakes in the same season. Just think, this time last year Calandagan was branded a bridesmaid horse. Now, after a racing year which began in Dubai and has continued through three trips to England as well as one performance on home turf in Paris, here he is in Japan, looking perky of mind and a bit more substantial of body. It would be a stretch to call Calandagan physically imposing, but in his talent he has imposed himself on the racing scene to a degree which makes it now impossible not to barrack for him. That his trainer Francis Graffard is similarly talented is beyond dispute to even casual racing observers these days. There's barely been a major meeting this year where he hasn't popped up and made his presence felt. Such is the strength in depth of Graffard's Chantilly yard that Calandagan has to battle internally to be labelled as stable star. But even in a season in which Zarigana and Gezora handed him French Classic victories before the latter delivered Graffard a longed-for first Breeders' Cup success, and Daryz capped the domestic season with his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe win, it is Calandagan who stands out, and the very nature of his gelded status means that his trainer can take a different approach to his racing season. “My only focus for him is winning races,” Graffard says after watching Calandagan and his travelling companion Le Nomade complete half a lap of the Tokyo turf in a swinging canter. “I don't have to plan what will happen after racing, and what distance he should be racing over to be commercially interesting for a stallion career, or things like that. You only do it for the horse and for the sport, and I think that's why I like these geldings – I think they are great for the sport.” He's been here before of course, just last year, with Goliath (Adlerflug), who will be heading instead for Hong Kong next month. Goliath finished a creditable sixth last year behind Do Deuce (Heart's Cry), but the fact that he too is a gelded King George winner is where the comparison ends with Calandangan, according to their trainer. “The two horses are very different, so I have had to prepare them completely differently,” he says of the challenge of keeping a horse at his peak this late in the year. “I do it according to the horse, not to the race, and I know how to get Calandagan to his best. So that's what we are focused on, and the preparation has been right for Calandagan but different to last year.” Having settled upon the Japan Cup as a target with Princess Zahra Aga Khan after Calandagan's King George victory, Graffard said that the pressure was off when using the Champion Stakes – a revered Group 1 in its own right – almost as a prep race for Tokyo. “We said that this was where we wanted to go over the autumn and I was looking for a race to get him ready for the Japan Cup. The only suitable race for that was at Ascot in the Champion Stakes. It sounds a little bit silly because it was a very, very strong race, and the horse would need to be a champion that day. And obviously, winning the Champion Stakes, he proved to be the best horse in Europe anyway. It was a risk to prep for the Japan Cup in the Champion Stakes in England but I didn't have much pressure, because if he was beaten, it's okay. You take a risk, and I think it's very good for the sport, and I'm lucky because my owners have complete trust in me.” Nemone Routh and Francis Graffard at the Japan Cup press conference | Emma Berry Graffard is clearly relishing the luxury of knowing that, soundness and willingness permitting, Calandagan will be in his stable for some seasons to come. “We have got to know him well,” he says of the four-year-old. “But horses change, they mature, and we have to adapt all the time, but that's why this job is so interesting, because they're all different, and you have to go with their way. And with a colt, as they get more mature, they get heavier, and there is a line where they start to think more with their body, thinking about another job. So with a horse like Calandagan, it's much easier, and you can really train him as an athlete.” An athlete is exactly what Calandagan looks this unusually warm autumnal morning in the Tokyo sunshine, pointing his toe under his regular rider Jeremy Lobel. The only trace of the well reported former antics of his days as an enfant terrible is in the wearing of a hood – more familiarity perhaps than necessity these days. Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, is in Tokyo already along with her colleague Pierre Gasnier ahead of the arrival of Princess Zahra Aga Khan for the big race. Success breeds success has long been the simple catchphrase of the operation's marketing division, and in a year in which it lost its figurehead with the death of His Highness Aga Khan IV in February, it can also now be said that the succession is breeding success. Princess Zahra Aga Khan, who has long played a key role in the development of the Aga Khan Studs, doubtless wishes that no such official changing of the guard had been necessary, but in the inevitable passing of familial duties from one generation to the next the horses – and those charged with their care – have not let her down. “Really, we couldn't dream of a year like this,” Routh says. “For the year to finish with us having the world's best horse, trained by Francis – and also a quick shout out to Daryz, who is the third-best-rated horse in the world and who won the Arc – and for it to fall in this difficult year at the beginning, and for the horses to perform at the top level throughout, it's indescribable, really. “We're very proud of the year that we've had. And it's wonderful to come here with such a good horse who's at the top of his game and who seems to have travelled very well. We're under no illusions that it will be difficult. It's a hard trip for a horse to take at the end of the year but he seems very well and we're very confident in his abilities.” During the press conference, Graffard referred to the things over which he had no control – the post position draw and a race start which takes place right in front of what will by Sunday be a grandstand humming with excitement. “I'll be happy with any number less than 10,” he said of a starting position, and by the afternoon another bounce of the ball had gone his way with a draw in stall eight. The rest now is up to Calandagan, to keep calm and carry on winning. The post ‘We Couldn’t Dream of a Year Like This’: Calandagan Team on One Last Push for the Japan Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kingsclere Stables will have representation in all three three-year-old stakes races this weekend, and trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hopeful they can get their hands on some of the spoils. Circus Maximus gelding Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus) has made quite the impression on the Cambridge horsemen, which was enhanced by his last start victory over 1400m at Avondale. They have taken a patient approach with the gelding to date, and they are looking forward to testing him over a mile for the first time when they head to Otaki on Sunday in the Gr.3 Jennian Homes Wellington Stakes (1600m), with his performance dictating future plans. “He is guy with a real future,” James said. “We have taken the slow road a little bit. He is a later maturing three-year-old and we are going to find out a little more about him on Sunday. “We don’t really know what his best distance is. At the end of his two-year-old year we thought he was our Derby horse for next year. He has got a bit of sharpness about him, and does he need to go a mile-and-a-half? We are going to learn that the deeper we go into his preparation. “With three-year-olds that can hopefully run a sharp mile, which we will find out on Sunday, there are a lot of options open to them. He is a very interesting runner.” James is also excited about the prospects of unbeaten filly Fairy Dream (NZ) (Proisir) in the Listed The O’Learys Fillies Stakes (1340m) at Wanganui on Saturday. The daughter of Proisir won on debut on the synthetic at Cambridge in September, and while she is untested on the grass on raceday, James believes she will be better suited on that surface. “I don’t think the turf will be of any concern as long as it is in good order,” James said. “I think she will be better on the turf than on the poly. “She is a light-framed filly who we have purposefully given good time to given that we hope there are a lot of options ahead of her this season. “She had a quiet trial the other day and I thought for a one-win horse the trial was very good. “It is not the easiest field, there are three or four there with good credentials and she is going to have to live up to what we think of her to win it. She is back to three-year-old fillies company and we do like her.” The stable will also be chasing age group success at Ellerslie on Saturday with three-year-old Per Incanto gelding To The Max (NZ) (Per Incanto) in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial 3YO (1500m). To The Max is another last-start winner, having been victorious over 1230m at Arawa Park earlier this month, and James believes he will lap up the extra distance this weekend. “He was very impressive last start, albeit he covered no ground,” James said. “He did sprint quickly when he was asked. “This race has come up quick enough, but we are happy to be there. I think the 1500m will really suit him. He was a bit outpaced early the other day and I think the greater distance will really play into his hands.” View the full article

Massive Sovereign will skip Sunday’s Class Two Chevalier Cup (1,600m) and head straight to next month’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) with Hugh Bowman in the frame to take the ride. Trainer David Eustace’s preference to space Massive Sovereign’s runs prompted the move to bypass Sunday’s feature at Sha Tin, with the 2024 Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) winner set for a huge challenge against Romantic Warrior on December 14. The Irish import has produced three solid runs since transferring from Dennis...View the full article

Hit Show, Rattle N Roll, and Gosger face a rematch Nov. 28 in the $600,000 Clark Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' after a sparkling second-out performance during the summer of Amoss at the Spa Sept. 1 when the colt scored by 5 3/4 lengths, Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) rolled into Delta Downs on low-takeout day for the Jean Lafitte Stakes Wednesday. The 2-year-old was bet down to 30 cents on the dollar here after finishing as the runner-up to fellow 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Outfielder (Speightstown) in an allowance race at Keeneland Oct. 4 and as a last-out winner facing optional claimers at Churchill Downs Nov. 1. The chalk took the lead from the inside as the field followed him into the first turn. Under control and continuing to carve out the fractions on the engine, the juvenile held the advantage up the backstretch and through the far turn. The favorite was asked for more down the lane and responded in-kind to net his first stakes trophy for the cargo hold. Randemonium (Cloud Computing) was the runner-up. The first foal for his dam, Oscar's Hope has a half-brother named Major Ray (Nyquist), who was purchased for $725,000 by B-4 Farms at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale. The 'Rising Star' also has a weanling half-sister by Curlin. Hopeful Princess visited Twirling Candy for next spring. Of note, under the winner's third dam we find GSW Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}), and Oscar's Hope is bred on a similar cross to Twirling Candy's Grade I winners Pinehurst, Fionn and Rombauer. JEAN LAFITTE S., $100,000, Delta Downs, 11-26, 2yo, 7 1/2f, 1:32.83, ft. 1–OSCAR'S HOPE, 120, c, 2, by Twirling Candy 1st Dam: Hopeful Princess (GSP), by Not This Time 2nd Dam: More Than Magic, by More Than Ready 3rd Dam: Magical Meadow, by Meadowlake ($150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Michael McLoughlin; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss; J-Vicente Del-Cid. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0, $231,684. 2–Randemonium, 122, c, 2, Cloud Computing–Galileos Ballerina, by Magician (Ire). ($20,000 Ylg '24 TTAYRL). O-Rand Metoyer; B-J. E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville (LA); T-Benard Chatters. $20,000. 3–Wayne's Law, 122, c, 2, Tiz the Law–Mollie Merisa, by Harlan's Holiday. ($22,000 RNA Ylg '24 OBSWIN; $25,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Baalbek Corp.; B-Margaret McFarland (FL); T-Amador Merei Sanchez. $10,000. Margins: 2 3/4, 1 1/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 26.70, 5.20. Also Ran: Way Beyond, Casa Cielo, Duke de Vere, Missing Brian. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #2 OSCAR'S HOPE ($2.60) was much the best going gate-to-wire to win the $100,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs. The son of Twirling Candy (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by Vincente Del-Cid and is trained by @TomAmossRacing. pic.twitter.com/uPXqEihmE9 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 26, 2025 The post Swashbuckling ‘Rising Star’ Oscar’s Hope Nets Jean Lafitte Stakes At Delta Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sailor Jack could have a busy few weeks ahead of him if he performs up to expectations in Saturday’s Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m). The Shaun and Hazel Fannin-trained eight-year-old heads into the race in good form, having placed in his last two outings, including splitting subsequent Group winners Agera and Bozo in the Feilding Cup (2050m) earlier this month. “He is in good form at the moment, he ran a really good race behind Agera in the Feilding Cup,” Shaun Fannin said. “Agera went on and won a Group Two after that and Bozo won the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), so the form has stacked up there.” Fannin was also pleased with his third placed run in the Waipukurau Cup (2100m) where he carried 61kg. “He stuck on pretty well at Waipuk, he didn’t have a great run in transit and was under a bit of weight,” he said. “He seems to have gone the right way since then, so dropping back to 53 kilos on Saturday, he is a strong chance again.” All going to plan after Saturday, Sailor Jack is set to head north for Group targets at Te Rapa and Ellerslie. “A mile-and-a-half is his ideal distance,” Fannin said. “If he runs well on Saturday, we will probably look at the Waikato Cup (Gr.3, 2400m) and the Queen Elizabeth (Gr.3, 2400m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day.” Fannin will also head to Wanganui on Saturday with Poppy’s Girl, who will be first-up in the Gas & Heating 1200. The five-year-old daughter of Harry Angel has pleased her trainers with her two trials this preparation, including winning her 850m heat at Foxton earlier this month, and they are hopeful she can get the lion’s share of Saturday’s $40,000 purse. “She has had a few little issues, which is probably why we haven’t seen the best of her,” Fannin said. “I think we have got her pretty right at the moment. She has drawn four, so she should get a nice sit, fifth or sixth, and she should get her chance on Saturday.” View the full article

Kelvin Tyler will be well represented over two days at Cromwell with a particularly strong hands in the main staying events. The Riverton trainer’s team at the Central Otago meeting on Friday will be headed by White Robe Lodge & Auripo Enterprises Memorial Cup (2030m) contenders King Of The Castle and Vamos. The latter is also likely to run at the Otago Racing Club’s fixture on Sunday in the Happy Hire Cromwell Cup (2030m) along with stablemate Master Marko. Tyler will also be keeping an eye on Otaki where Freddie Time steps out in the Kapiti Valuations Handicap (2100m) after performing with credit in recent sprint outings. “He had a nice gallop on Wednesday morning, so the camp up there is pretty happy, he’s been screaming out for more ground, so he’ll get his chance,” he said. On the opening day at Cromwell, Tyler had a slight leaning toward King Of The Castle, who will move back in trip off the back of a fifth in the Winton Cup (1400m). “He comes in pretty well at the weights, he’s the class horse of the field and I think he’ll take a bit of beating,” Tyler said. “He obviously had that fall at Riccarton two runs back and before that his three races prior were all good. “He got stuck on the fence last time when fifth, he couldn’t get out with some lower grade horses coming back on him and couldn’t get out.” However, he is also expecting Vamos to be competitive off the back of an impressive runs of form. The six-year-old won two on the bounce at Riccarton and Gore before runner-up finishes at Ascot Park and his home track at Riverton. “He’s got a bit of weight to lug around, but I can’t fault him really,” Tyler said. “He’s certainly been going well, he’s flying and there’s not much between the two of them.” Of his other runners on Friday, Tyler tipped the Ardrossan mare Indie Ardie to go close to an overdue breakthrough in the Peter Lyon Shearing & Breen Construction Maiden (2030m). “I’m still surprised she hasn’t won a race yet and she’ll really like going up in trip, so she’ll take some beating if she gets her fair share of luck,” he said. All going well, Tyler plans to send Vamos back into action on Sunday and believes he’s the ideal type to handle the back-up. “That’s the plan, he’s a big, strong fellow now. He’s a pretty tough horse so I can’t see so I can’t see why he won’t as long as he pulls up well and there’s a bit of juice in the track,” he said. Barnmate Master Marko finished a solid fifth in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) before he was successful at Riverton and last time out ran fourth in an open handicap back at Riccarton. “He will take some beating as well, he’s the perfect horse to be honest,” Tyler said. “Every day is the same with him, he eats, sleeps and works well and comes in the at the weights nicely.” View the full article

After an extended stand-down from riding due to concussion, leading jockey Opie Bosson has been cleared to resume duties in time for an important Group One date. Bosson was sidelined at the Avondale race meeting on November 6 after being unseated while pulling up on one of his mounts. He was subsequently diagnosed with concussion and had to comply with standard protocols before being able to get back in the saddle. He was cleared to begin trackwork duties on Monday and on Wednesday gained a full clearance, which while too late for him to ride this weekend, will allow several days to prepare fully for an important date at Trentham next Saturday. On the same day 12 months ago Bosson took his tally of Group One wins to 99 when successful on Ladies Man in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). Completing a century of Group One wins has been anything but straightforward for the hugely talented jockey, whose career has had multiple interruptions due mainly to his battle with weight. That all came home to roost last Christmas when Bosson announced that he had decided to cease riding, but after nearly eight months the urge again became too great and he resumed his career at the start of the season. His newfound enthusiasm resulted in a rare lead on the jockeys’ table, but he has since been passed by fellow Matamata rider Craig Grylls, who is making no race of a second consecutive premiership with 46 wins. Bosson still holds equal second place with Joe Doyle on 28 wins, but the momentum built by Grylls is formidable, especially with the added advantage of being able to ride at a much lighter weight than Bosson and other rivals. “Opie’s just happy to be cleared to ride again and get back into it, so he’ll take a couple of rides at Rotorua next Wednesday and that should set him up nicely for Trentham on Saturday,” said Bosson’s agent, former leading jockey Michael Coleman, who also manages Grylls’ rides. The mount Bosson is most looking forward to at Trentham is Captured By Love, who was confirmed for the TAB Classic after finishing second to big-race rival Legarto in a trial ahead of racing at Te Aroha on Wednesday. After her return to form in the Gr. 3 Windsor Park Stud Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton three weeks ago, Captured By Love is rated a $9 chance on the TAB Classic futures market. “Legarto won well but our mare did all we wanted; it was a tidy gallop and will have cleaned her up nicely for Trentham,” co-trainer Sam Bergerson said. “It’s shaping to be a very good field, but we’re looking forward to having Opie back on top. He doesn’t need any incentive, just having him back in action is enough, but it would be quite something to see him get his 100th Group One.” View the full article

Just a Minute (Not This Time–Breaking Beauty, by Into Mischief), who debuted as a 9-2 shot here, set up shop midpack as the field was led by a longshot up the backstretch. The filly made steady progress by sticking to the fence around the far turn. With the rail lane wide open entering the straightaway, the 2-year-old fired her best shot, closed with alacrity when she shifted to the two path inside the final sixteenth and held off a late charge from Cynical Humor (Gun Runner) to leave the kids' table behind and eat with the grown-ups. The winner is a half-sister to Tiz Dashing (Tiz the Law), GSW, $292,207. A $300,000 Keeneland November buy in 2019 for Summerhill while Event Detail (City of Light) was in utero, Breaking Beauty is also responsible for a yearling colt by Charlatan and a weanling colt by Gunite. She was entered in Prince of Monaco's book for 2026. Just a Minute's second dam, German multiple group stakes winner Que Belle (Seattle Dancer), also produced GSW Osidy (Storm Cat) and French group stakes heroine Quetsche (Gone West). 8th-Churchill Downs, $122,883, Msw, 11-26, 2yo, f, 5fT, :58.28, fm, 3/4 length. JUST A MINUTE (f, 2, Not This Time–Breaking Beauty, by Into Mischief) Sales History: $240,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTSAUG; $325,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,300. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-G. Watts Humphrey, Jr.; B-Camas Park Stud (KY); T-Victoria H. Oliver. A nice top pick winner from @JoeyDaKRacing! Just a Minute scores at 9/2 in R8 at @churchilldowns under @luissaezpty for trainer Vickie Oliver! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/ACzq3UA5YP — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 26, 2025 The post Not This Time’s Just A Minute Leaves Kids’ Table On Debut At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 live Thoroughbred racing season at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack came to an end Nov. 26.View the full article

HISA has issued a show-cause notice and is considering a provisional suspension for New York-based trainer Rudy Rodriguez, alleging he failed to provide required veterinary care and diagnostic follow-up for horses placed on the veterinarians' list.View the full article

The state of Kansas approved 1,000 HHR machines, which is a precursor to the return of Thoroughbred racing in the state. While Kansas has not had live Thoroughbred racing since 2008, the goal is for the sport to return in the fall of 2026.View the full article