Wandering Eyes

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

Dylan Browne McMonagle will not be worrying about Romantic Warrior and will be riding his own race when Galen looks to upset the odds in the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Irish champion jockey will begin a short-term contract in Hong Kong from January 1 but will get a sighter on Sunday when he rides Galen in the Cup and Al Riffa in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m). McMonagle has already got himself acquainted with his new surroundings and is expecting a...View the full article

James McDonald is still in awe of Romantic Warrior as he prepares to chase a record-extending fourth consecutive Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) on the champion galloper at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 10-time Group One hero and world’s highest-earning racehorse with HK$217.7 million in prize money heads into the city’s richest race off the back of a stunning return from injury, comfortably claiming the Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) last month. “It’s pretty remarkable to think what he’s...View the full article

Trainer Liam Birchley has long earmarked the Listed TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) for highly promising juvenile Dream Roca, and the daughter of El Roca took another step in the direction of the Ellerslie feature with a dominant win at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Dream Roca finished runner-up on debut over 1000m in October and showed the benefit of raceday experience as she closed over the top of favourite Star Of Jamaica to score over the same course and distance by two lengths on Saturday. “The fence was pretty hot that day on debut and the favourite drew inside us,” Birchley reflected. “But with the race experience and being here before, she got the drop on them today, the way the race worked out and she was quite professional. “She’ll head over for the Karaka Millions. She’s fully qualified now, but she’ll probably have another run on the way there and hopefully we can draw a gate and give them some curry.” Birchley said the filly’s relaxed demeanour will hold her in good stead. “She’s actually bred to run a mile and beyond, and let’s hope she does. But it’s good for a two-year-old to have that demeanour and not waste too much energy and save it all for when they need it,” he said. The Sunshine Coast trainer has previously enjoyed successful raids to New Zealand, having prepared Hardline to win the Karaka Millions in 2015 and Sister Havana in 2010, while Sarge In Charge finished second for the stable in 2009. Winning rider Ben Thompson was impressed with the improvement Dream Roca had derived from her debut run. “With a two-year-old, that race experience can count for so much,” he said. “I just thought taking natural benefit, albeit today looked a stronger contest of the unraced horses from the trials, she’s still been here and done it. “It always fills you with a lot of confidence riding a two-year-old for Liam Birchley and he’s got another nice one in his hands.” Thompson was effusive when pressed as to whether he’d like to make the trip to New Zealand to ride the promising youngster. “Absolutely. I’ll be there tomorrow to swim her if he needs.” Dream Roca is now a $3.50 joint favourite for the January 24 contest with the Johno Benner-trained De Armas. By Fastnet Rock’s Randwick Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) runner-up El Roca, Dream Roca was purchased by Birchley for $75,000 from the Westbury Stud draft at this year’s Karaka Yearling Sales. The filly is out of the five-win Redwood mare Petrachor. View the full article

Underrated sprinter First Five produced a barnstorming finish to capture his first stakes victory when he took out the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa Carrying the familiar colours of well-known thoroughbred identity Gerald Shand, the David Greene-prepared five-year-old has been a model of consistency in his career so far although his task on Saturday looked a daunting one with a quality line-up carded for the Group Three feature. Allowed to start at odds of better than $26 in the 16-horse line-up, First Five was spotting pacemaker Kitty Flash more than ten lengths turning for home after being shuffled back beyond midfield approaching the home turn. Jockey Lynsey Satherley didn’t panic as Kitty Flash looked the winner halfway down the straight as she shot three lengths clear, with First Five finally seeing clear air as he weaved his way into a gap between runners. First Five sprouted wings and mowed Kitty Flash down at the 100m, going on to win by more than a length from the late-closing Tuxedo and a brave Kitty Flash who held out race favourite Smart Love for third. Greene has always held a huge opinion of his charge and despite the hefty price on the tote, was confident a win was on the cards. “I can’t say it is unexpected to be honest, as we have had a massive rap on this horse for a long time,” Greene said. “We haven’t seen the best of him yet and he has stamped himself as a real Group One contender. “There are a few conversations to be had now about whether we are wanting to drop back to 1200m for something like the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m), which is a very hard run 1200m. “He is just so good at this distance (1400m), I think back here for the sprint (Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint, 1400m) is the big one, but how we get there is the conversation to be had. “This guy is up with the best horses we have had and it is a pleasure to watch him at trackwork each morning, with the way he goes through his gears.” Satherley was always confident during the running despite being in an awkward position approaching the home turn. “He is just so explosive this horse and he just needs the right things going for him,” she said. “He gives you an amazing feel and the gaps just came for him. “When he gets through them (the gaps) he just finds and I think he is still untapped and a definite Group One horse. “I knew the gaps would come today and when they opened I was lucky I had a horse underneath me to take them.” By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor out of the six-race winner Payette, First Five was bred by Shand who co-owns him along with with Jenna McLeod and Jackie and Philip Rogers. He has now won six of his 18 starts and over $206,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A change of tactics that saw promising mare Hinekaha go straight to the front from barrier rise paved the way for her biggest success when she scored a game win in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa. The lightly-raced four-year-old daughter of Savabeel had never lead in any of her previous eight starts, however trainer Andrew Forsman was keen to see rider Craig Grylls take the initiative from the start in the seven-horse line-up. “I spoke to Craig and we thought the logical thing would be for Electron to lead,” Forsman said. “I thought if we hand up and they find their spots to quickly we don’t want to be caught in a situation where it is a sit and sprint home. “We really wanted to make it a strong run mile which would suit her a lot better than the others.” Grylls followed those instructions to the letter as he had Hinekaha trucking along nicely in front under her own steam with Electron and race favourite Qali Al Farrasha forced to chase him every step of the way. It was evident that Grylls had a lapful of horse turning for home and when he pressed the go button Hinekaha bounded clear to establish a winning three length break with 250m to run. Although tiring as the winning post loomed, Hinekaha held out strong late runs from Queen Zou and Jaarffi to register her second victory in stakes company. “She will get better as she strengthens and matures, but she has come on in leaps and bounds in this prep,” Forsman said. “She really has developed and has a lot of class as she has only had the nine starts and is now a Group Two winner. “We have always rated her highly, but we just had to stop at the right times and back off her as a three -year-old. “Christopher and Susanna (Grace, owners) are just so patient to let us do that and it has worked for her. “We will just enjoy today now and then start looking at where to next.” Grylls made no doubt of the high regard he has for the mare. “She was comfortable and pre-race we weren’t that sure what to do with the small field as it could have got a bit muddly,” he said. “She had been beginning well and Andrew said if she began well to let her roll along. “I have had faith in her right from the first day and while she is still maturing and is only going to get better, she had plenty more in the tank. “I thought she might be coming to the end of it but when I asked her she went again as she is tough and gritty. “I think she is a Group One horse.” Bred by co-owner Christoper Grace, Hinekaha is the first foal out of the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) winner Hinerangi and has now won five of her nine starts and over $232,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Fraser Auret says he will be a proud man when Ka Ying Rising lines up in the HK$28 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 14 December against a strong international field with hopes of adding to his 15 consecutive wins. Auret is a trainer and horse trader from the Central Districts of New Zealand’s North Island in a small country with an outsized tradition of producing champion racehorses. But whatever he achieves in those facets of the game, he will be forever remembered as the breeder of Ka Ying Rising, widely acclaimed as the world’s best sprinter. Auret insists he won’t have mixed feelings on raceday, wishing perhaps he had kept the first foal of broodmare Missy Moo (by Per Incanto) for himself to race and train. “At the end of the day, our business only survives on selling good horses. Nobody could have predicted the heights Ka Ying Rising would scale. Saying that, we pride ourselves in selling untapped young horses. We’ve loved every minute of the entire journey,” he adds. Auret trains 60 horses at the old Marton Racecourse, near Palmerston North. He trained Missy Moo to win five races for one of his clients and then took her on himself as a broodmare. It was his first venture into breeding, and Ka Ying Rising was the first horse he bred. “Missy Moo was very talented but she had issues with one of her legs and was ultimately retired. It was that same leg that later led to her having to be put down after she had just two foals. “We always do the right thing by the horse. The arthritis in the back leg meant that the more pregnant she got, the more sore she was getting. We simply did the right thing by the horse, which was our number one priority.” Auret visited the Sha Tin stables of David Hayes, who also trains Ka Ying Rising’s half-brother Ka Ying Glory, who runs in the Class 4 Fairy King Prawn Handicap (1400m), the opening race at Sunday’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races. “It was wonderful to get the opportunity to go and see them both. Their boxes are next to each other. “When you pass the baton on to another trainer, it’s out of your hands. I guess my feeling is one of immense pride. We are in the Central Districts, and typically we punch above our weight, breeding and developing horses that can compete all around the world.” Auret now owns seven broodmares. He has just received word that three of them are in foal to Shamexpress, the sire of Ka Ying Rising. Three years on from Ka Ying Rising’s Levin Jump Out that caught the attention of David Hayes, his breeder Fraser Auret travels to Hong Kong to see ‘rocket’ shoot for his 16th consecutive victory. View the full article

After achieving back-to-back victories as the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey, James McDonald is hoping to cap off an extraordinary season by creating more history at Sha Tin tomorrow (Sunday, 14 December) on Romantic Warrior. McDonald, who also won the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey award in 2022, will ride Romantic Warrior in search of a historic fourth consecutive HK$40 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup (2000m) victory. McDonald, 33, was presented with a crystal vase trophy on Friday night (12 December) by Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Chair, International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, at the LONGINES Hong Kong International Races Gala Dinner at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. McDonald, who also received a special LONGINES watch from Mr Patrick Aoun, President and Chief Executive Officer of LONGINES, said he was great to again win such a prestigious award. “The first was time in the clouds sort of job and I suppose if anyone gets a good horse, they can win the award once but to do it three times is pretty cool and Ryan (Moore) Frankie (Dettori) have won it four times and we are talking about the greatest jockeys on earth,” McDonald said. McDonald modestly said he would not put himself in that category and believes his success was propelled by being lucky enough to ride three exceptional horses – Romantic Warrior, Voyage Bubble and Via Sistina – in the one year. “Romantic (Warrior) is the best, Via (Sistina) is phenomenal for what she has achieved and so is Voyage Bubble,” he said. McDonald won 12 of the world’s Top 100 Group 1 or Grade 1 races. Three of those were on Voyage Bubble, one on Romantic Warrior, who was sidelined for several months following fetlock surgery, six on Via Sistina and also one each on Joliestar and Sunshine In Paris. He topped the rankings with 184 points, from Mickael Barzalona (132), William Buick (114) and Ryan Moore (102). The LONGINES World’s Best Jockey title is based on performances in the 100 highest-rated Group 1 and Grade 1 races as established for the year by the LONGINES World’s Best Racehorse Rankings Committee. The scoring incorporates races from 1 December of the previous year until 30 November of the current year where jockeys accrue 12 points for a win, 6 points for second, and 4 points for third. McDonald said it had been a wonderful year but it was only through the deeds of the champion race horses he ridden throughout the year that allowed him win the award. “And I mean they are incredible race horses, a (Hong Kong) Triple Crown winner (Voyage Bubble), a Hong Kong champion (Romantic Warrior) and an Australian champion as well (Via Sistina),” McDonald said. “To get them all in one year doesn’t happen often at all and to be partnering them is just an incredible feeling and I feel very humbled to be riding them.” McDonald, who is on short-term contract in Hong Kong and will return to Sydney just before Christmas, said the standout of all the performances was Voyage Bubble’s Triple Crown victory in HK$13 million G1 Stewards’ Cup (1600m), HK$13 million G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m) HK$13 million G1 Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m). A win on Romantic Warrior tomorrow could top what he has achieved this year, and if everything pans out all right, McDonald would love to return for another crack at the G1 Saudi Cup (1800m, dirt) in 2026 and attempt to avenge the narrow loss to Forever Young. View the full article

Progressive staying mare Shockletz proved a class above her rivals when running out a strong winner of the Ray White Pakenham & Officer Handicap (2500m) at the Pakenham standalone meeting on Saturday. The two-kilo claim of apprentice Luke Cartwright aided the daughter of Shocking, who was carded 60.5kg topweight, with Shockletz having two lengths to spare on the line from runner-up Leonchroi. Prepared by Ciaron Maher, Shockletz raced well through the winter months and had a relatively light spring. The four-year-old raced without luck at her previous outing at Cranbourne but there was no such issue on Saturday as Shockletz posted the sixth victory of her career from just 12 starts. “She’s a talented mare with a good record and just needed the distance today and the bigger track,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said. “She’s been running well without winning and if you trusted her, you would have found her today.” “It was a good ride by Luke because he didn’t panic. It was a funky race up front, they were doing everything. We went from a nice spot, to second last and there were moves left, right and centre. “We said pre-race to trust that you were on the best horse, which is easy to say when you’re watching from the sidelines, but he just let her build and pick-up and she was the best stayer today.” The Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Eve now shapes as an option for the mare, who relishes roomy tracks. “We’ve got the Bagot in two-and-a-half weeks,” Turnbull said. “We will have a discussion and just work out where we go. We didn’t want to tax her too much. We’re very focused on the autumn and then the spring of next year.” Bred and raced by Eales Racing, headed by Laurence Eales who raced the filly’s sire Shocking, Shockletz is a full sister to Group Three placed stayer Horrifying, who has won on seven occasions. View the full article

The Brad Widdup-trained Hyperbolic was a comfortable winner of the In Memory Of Sam Kavanagh Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday as the daughter of Proisir made it back to back metropolitan victories. Sent out a well-supported $2.90 favourite, Hyperbolic was given a trouble-free ride by Tommy Berry, who elected to make an early three-wide challenge in a muddling run race as the four-year-old mare cruised to her fifth career success from 13 starts. “She’s going the right way,” Widdup said. “We’ve been patient, just waiting to get to this Saturday level, and it’s starting to reap rewards. She’s won two in a row now (in town), which is not easy to do, and I think she’s got a lot more. “I don’t want to do anything silly just at the moment, I’ll just see if we can place her again in BenchMark company. She was only third-up, so I think we can keep going.” Hyperbolic defeated former New Zealand trained gallopers Bella Montagna and Deal N’ Dash, who both made good ground off the sit and sprint tempo, but winning rider Tommy Berry had already put the race to bed. “It was a bit of a muddling run race,” Berry said. “They ran along for the first furlong and a half and really brought the speed out of the race, mid-race. “That’s why I just put her into the three-wide line from the 600m and let her work through her gears. I knew the horse in front was going to be hard to run down and she stuck to her task. “She’s still just doing enough. She gets a little bit lost when she hits the front, but it just shows she’s probably up to better company than this. Once she does, we’re going to have a little bit of fun with her. “She feels like she’ll get over a little bit further than a mile as well, but she might just need one more at the mile before she does.” Bred by Liz and Alan Galbraith, Celia Galbraith and Mike Lewis, Hyperbolic is by Rich Hill Stud stallion Proisir out of the four-win Sir Percy mare Piazza. Widdup went to $240,000 to purchase Hyperbolic from the draft of Rich Hill Stud at the 2023 Karaka Yearling Sales, with the mare closely related to Group One performer Riodini. The mare has already amassed A$280,400 in prizemoney with more to come. View the full article

Jockey Jareth Loveberry claimed career win 2,000 in Friday's eighth and final race at Fair Grounds after a frontrunning score for trainer Justin Jeansonne. Two wins shy entering the day's action, Loveberry claimed the opener with the odds-on favorite Prince Day (Race Day) and bookended the card aboard Island Cabana (Custom for Carlos) to pass the threshold of the milestone. His career has taken him all over the country, with Loveberry best known for winning multiple titles at Arlington Park and finishing second in the Kentucky Derby aboard Two Phil's (Hard Spun) for trainer Larry Rivelli in 2023. He is currently riding in his fifth season at Fair Grounds and has finished in the top three in local standings for the past three. “Winning my 2,000th career race at a historic racetrack like Fair Grounds, it's pretty special,” Loveberry said. “Just thinking back 20 years ago, being tall like I am, I never thought I could get here.” “After I got the first one I said to myself, I have a couple of other horses with a chance today but I really think I could get the last. It's just good to get this weight off my shoulders. It's been a long road. Thanks to my wife (Stacie) and kids (Kennedy 13 and Colton 9) for supporting me every step of the way.” Loveberry also gave thanks to his agent, Steve Leving, for being an instrumental part of his journey. “Steve has been a big part of my success,” he said. “I was kind of going stale a little bit in 2019 when we got the connection to go to Chicago in the fall and we've been together ever since. I've got nothing but appreciation and gratitude for everything he has done.” The post Jareth Loveberry Notches Career Win 2000 at Fair Grounds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday's G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies brings together a maximum field of 18 over the 1,600-metre trip, with the undefeated pair of Alankar and Margot Love Me featuring among those who will be trying to etch their name alongside the likes of Vodka (2006), Buena Vista (2008) and Liberty Island (2022) on a glittering roll of honour. Trained by Takashi Saito, Alankar followed her debut victory at Fukushima with another dominant performance to win September's Nojigiku Stakes over this course and distance. The Epiphaneia filly is out of the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Sinhalite (Deep Impact), who also filled the runner-up spot in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas). “She was a bit of a handful in her debut race, so in the Nojigiku Stakes we had her in a hood behind the gate,” Saito said of Alankar. “She had some problem taking the bit, which made for a somewhat rough race. But her speed was good after things picked up, and she won easily. She went to the farm after that, returned to the training center on Nov. 20, and worked in tandem over the course on Dec. 3 under Yuichi Kitamura. The focus was on the final stage and things went well. Her footwork and breathing were good. There are some concerns with the big field, how well she'll take the bit, the start, and how in tune she'll be with the rider. But she has a lot of talent and I have my hopes up.” Meanwhile, Margot Love Me will be a first Group 1 runner on the Flat for trainer Shinya Kobayashi. The daughter of Real Steel is also unbeaten in two starts, though the quick turnaround since her most recent success in the Shiragiku Sho at Kyoto in late-November is a concern for her connections. “Even though she doesn't have a strong constitution and she isn't the best eater, she won both her starts and I think the latter one was her better one,” said Kobayashi. “After work on Dec. 4, there appeared to be no problems and, after checking her over, we decided that afternoon to race her here. Her preparation has come along well and I'm hoping she too can do well if she brings out her strength and her early speed. In the days leading in to the race, if I see anything that worries me, we'll withdraw. But for now everything looks fine.” Star Anise (Drefong), last seen occupying the runner-up spot in August's G3 Chukyo Nisai Stakes, steps up in trip as one of the most experienced fillies in the field, along with Taisei Vogue (Indy Champ), who brings solid form to the table after finishing second in the G3 Niigata Nisai Stakes and third in the G3 Artemis Stakes on her last two starts. One place ahead of Taisei Vogue in the Artemis Stakes was Mitsukane Venera (Maurice), who is open to more improvement on just her third career outing, while Arbanne is most definitely a filly who has progressed with her racing. Runner-up on her debut at this venue, the daughter of Admire Mars has won both of her subsequent starts, including the Saffron Sho at Nakayama last time. “After winning the Saffron Sho and returning to the training centre after a bit of time off, we gave her the usual work,” assistant trainer Toshihiko Hokari said of Arbanne. “We were concerned that her pulse wasn't fast enough and so we put the jockey [Ryusei Sakai] up on Dec. 4 and he gave her a good ride. She was well in hand and her movement was good. There is some strong competition in this race, but I think she can hold her own in an all-filly line-up. From her debut, the riders have done a good job of getting the best out of her in a race's final stage. I'm looking forward to seeing how well she can do.” Other notable runners include His Masterpiece (Screen Hero), a dual winner over this distance at Tokyo, and the battle-hardened Shonan Charis (Real Steel), who stepped up again on her fifth start when finishing second in last month's G3 Fantasy Stakes at Kyoto. Stunning Lady (Benbatl), on the other hand, has raced just once, when winning in good style at Tokyo, while Sweet Happiness (Real Impact) is similarly promising going into this third start. She fared best of the rest behind Margot Love Me in the Shiragiku Sho last time. The post Best of Japan’s Juvenile Fillies Go Head-To-Head at Hanshin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Charismatic Kid (lot 28) headlined Friday's Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale when bought by trainer Gordon Elliott for £300,000. Consigned by Colm Ryan Racing, the son of Affinisea was an impressive winner of a Navan bumper last week. “He looks a nice horse,” said Elliott after outbidding Tessa Greatrex for the gelding. “We were at the races when he won and he won well. Colm has done a great job with him, so fair play to him. The horse won't jump a hurdle this season. We will see if he is okay for a bumper in the spring.” Elliott was responsible for buying four of the 23 lots that changed hands, with his other purchases including the impressive point winner Thinkitdontjinxit (Vadamos) (lot 20) from Denis Murphy's Ballyboy Stables at £185,000. Elsewhere, Anthony Bromley of Highflyer Bloodstock also struck a meaningful blow when stretching to £200,000 to secure Order On Time from Sean Doyle's Monbeg Stables. Runner-up on his point debut at Turtulla last month, the son of Order Of St George was bought to embark on a career under Rules with Paul Nicholls. Total turnover for Tattersalls Cheltenham's final sale of 2025 reached £1,936,000, with the clearance rate coming in at 85%. The average was £84,174 and the median was £60,000. The post Charismatic Kid Tops Friday’s Tattersalls Cheltenham December Sale at £300K appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade I winner Sandman (Tapit) posted his first work at Oaklawn Park Friday morning a week after arriving on grounds in advance of his 4-year-old debut in February. The GI Arkansas Derby hero went an easy half-mile in :49 flat, the 19th fastest of 73 at the distance, under exercise rider Autumn Lavertu over a fast track following the first surface renovation break. Clockers had his splits as an opening quarter in :25 and :36.80 for three furlongs. He galloped out five furlongs in 1:02. “Just have an easy half for him,” said assistant trainer Caden Arthur, who oversees Mark Casse's Oaklawn division. “His first breeze here, so I didn't want anything, like, too fast. Looked great on the track. Very comfortable.” Sandman has been unraced since late August, and had previously been based at Casse's Florida training center where he had published works Nov. 26 and Dec. 3 at three furlongs and a half-mile, respectively. “Hopefully, start looking for a race, maybe early February, middle February,” said Arthur. Casse went on record in November when stating that a major spring objective for the grey in 2026 would be the GII Oaklawn Handicap Apr. 18. The post Sandman Works Toward 2026 Return to Racing at Oaklawn Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article