Wandering Eyes

It’s shaping as one of the most open editions of the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) in recent years, with Stormy Grove’s upset win in the Classic Cup (1,800m) providing more questions than answers. The third stage of entries were taken on Monday, while the selection announcement for the coveted HK$26 million feature will be on Friday. The SCMP has ranked the top 10 contenders for this year’s Derby on March 22. 1. Numbers While he missed a top-three placing in the Classic Cup, Numbers was far from...View the full article

David Hayes is chasing a last-minute Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) berth with China Win at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when he looks to triumph for the third consecutive time in the Class Three Lyttelton Handicap (1,800m). China Win was withdrawn on the eve of his last start due to an irregular heart rhythm, which threw Derby plans into doubt for the 67-rated galloper. The son of Super Seth has been working well since the scratching and has trialled eight days out from the upcoming run where he...View the full article

After coming within inches of the upset of the season in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), rising star Belle Cheval (NZ) (Savabeel) is set to head to Sydney for the Gr.1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m). The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained filly put in a massive effort to go down by a short head to hot favourite Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the marquee race on Champions Day. Now plans are being put in place for her to travel to Sydney and take on the likes of Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Ohope Wins (NZ) (Ocean Park), who carries the same green and white Yulong colours as Well Written and has already been transferred to champion trainer Chris Waller. The step up to a middle-distance at the end of the month looks made to order for the Savabeel filly, who won both her lead-up starts over 1200 and 1400m and on Saturday made up lengths on Well Written after still being in the rear on the home turn. “She was so close to what would have been a dream result, but we’re still thrilled with her, so proud of our wonderful filly,” co-owner/breeder David Archer said. “I had a good talk with Mark (Walker) yesterday and he was pleased to tell me she pulled up as if she hadn’t had a race. “That being the case, and subject to everything going to plan in the meantime, she will be flown to Sydney and run in the Vinery, which looks ideal as a fillies’ Group One over 2000 metres. “That will be it for this season, she won’t be going to the (ATC) Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m), and the most likely plan then will be to head down to the Mornington Peninsula for a spell with a view to a spring campaign in Victoria. “As much as we would like to start her in the first Group Ones of the spring back here, the risk of wet tracks at that stage of the season in New Zealand makes Melbourne a more attractive target.” In confirming those plans, Walker reiterated that provided Belle Cheval continues to please, she will be given the chance to add further Group One form to go with her third placing in the New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). “While it would have been fantastic to win on Saturday, you could hardly be disappointed with her, it was a very good effort,” Walker said. “The way she races she should manage the step up in distance in the Vinery, so she’s gone to the water-treadmill this week and then we’ll build towards Sydney.” With plans already in place for star two-year-old Lara Antipova to be transferred to Te Akau’s Cranbourne stable with a view to one further start either in Melbourne or Sydney, Walker reports that his pair of proven maresQuintessa (NZ)(Shamus Award) andDamask Rose (NZ)(Savabeel) have further confirmed targets. “The way it panned out we were happy with Quintessa’s third from well back over 1400m on Saturday and the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) at Trentham at the end of the month is an obvious next start. “Damask Rose just missed getting up over 1600m at Flemington on Saturday and she’ll run next in the Sunline Stakes (Gr.2, 1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday week.” View the full article

Group Two Waikato Guineas winner Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) is set to join the training partnership of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr as she prepares for a possible start in the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick on April 11. The Ocean Park filly has been one of the leading performers of the New Zealand classic season, finishing runner-up in both the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) behind Ohope Wins and last Saturday’s Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), where she chased home stablemate Road To Paris. Autumn Glory, who was purchased by Yulong Investments prior to her Waikato Guineas triumph, will transfer from the stable of Roger James and Robert Wellwood and is expected to head straight to the Price-Kent satellite stable at Rosehill. View the full article

Fast Network (NZ)(Wrote) reaffirmed his standing among Hong Kong’s top sprinters with a determined victory in the HK$3.72 million Class 1 Essex Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, providing trainer Dennis Yip with a timely reward for the gelding’s consistent campaign. The five-year-old had already shown his quality earlier in the season when finishing third behind champion sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) in both the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and the Gr.1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m). With the superstar absent this time, Fast Network capitalised to secure a well-deserved success. Carrying top weight of 61kg, Fast Network settled comfortably along the rail before finding a clear passage in the straight and quickening to defeat Sky Trust (So You Think) and Invincible Shield (I Am Invincible). He stopped the clock in 1:08.28, highlighting both his speed and resilience against a field that included several emerging sprinters. The victory rewarded a season of high-level performances for the Dennis Yip-trained runner, who has repeatedly competed with the best short-course horses in Hong Kong. “Everybody knows that Ka Ying Rising is too strong everywhere in the world but my horse is really consistent,” Yip said. “I think this race my horse was only about 80 percent, with the idea to have him ready for Dubai.” In normal times, the win would have been a timely launchpad for Dubai, but the situation off the track has become far more serious than any ordinary travel question. Hong Kong Jockey Club officials are weighing whether it is viable for Fast Network to head to the UAE for the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) on March 28 after missile and drone attacks, airport disruption and airspace uncertainty threw travel plans across the region into chaos. The issue is far from theoretical for Hong Kong racing connections. Following last weekend’s Super Saturday meeting in Dubai, jockey Karis Teetan, trainer Chris So, several family members, the owners of the sprinter Sing Dragon (Written Tycoon) and support staff were temporarily stranded before finally returning home last week. Fast Network would need to leave Hong Kong on March 16 to take his place in the Dubai race programme, but Yip indicated the final decision will rest with the Jockey Club, with safety considerations taking priority. “If I can’t go to Dubai we will stay here and contest the Gr.2 Sprint Cup (1200m) here on April 6, so I guess we will race Ka Ying Rising again,” Yip said. “There have been many flights cancelled, then there is insurance. If there is war, maybe we can’t get insurance.” Bred by Highview Stud’s Kurtis Gillovic, Fast Network was purchased by Wexford Stables for $30,000 at the 2022 Karaka Book 2 Yearling Sales. Originally named Donnie Malone, Fast Network won a trial at Te Rapa for Wexford trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott before his sale to Hong Kong. Fast Network is one of eight individual winners from 11 runners in Hong Kong by Highview Stud stallion Wrote, a Group One winning son of High Chaparral. View the full article

Road To Paris (NZ) (Circus Maximus) crowned a momentous week for Windsor Park Stud when he provided the farm’s resident sire Circus Maximus with his first elite level success on Champions’ Day at Ellerslie. The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained representative triumphed in the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in the hands of Geroge Rooke for Queensland breeder-owners Ron and Judi Wanless. His victory came hard on the heels of Windsor Park, with Mapperley Stud and Lion Rock Racing, signing Savabeel’s Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Savaglee (NZ) to the stud’s stallion roster. There was also a further celebration at Ellerslie for the farm when Road To Paris’ stablemate Sweynesday (NZ) (Sweynesse), bred by Windsor Park Marketing Manager Mike Moran and wife Helen, won the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m). The lightly raced Road To Paris was making his seventh appearance, with his Derby success coming off a runner-up finish in the Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m). “It was a wonderful day for us and pretty special to get a Blue Riband winner sired from the first crop of one of our stallions,” Windsor Park General Manager Steve Till said. “Back in the spring when Robert Wellwood was here at the farm, he said they had a horse they were setting on a Derby path and Roger’s now won it seven times and Robert has got his second in partnership. “This is by design and a massive compliment to them and their abilities as trainers.” A son of Galileo, Circus Maximus has delivered on lofty expectations following a glittering racing career that netted three Group One victories. “It’s pretty rare to have a New Zealand-based stallion win a New Zealand Derby from their first crop,” Till said. “We were lucky enough to have Thorn Park win it with Jimmy Choux (NZ) (Thorn Park). Group One races are hard enough to win, let alone a Derby. “We also had High Chaparral, who trifectaed an AJC Derby (Shoot Out, Descarado, Monaco Consul) from his first crop and to now to get one in your back yard is tremendous.” Road To Paris is Circus Maximus’ third individual Southern Hemisphere stakes winner, joining Towering Vision (NZ) (Listed Waikato Equine Veterinary Stakes, 1400m) and Circus Dancer (NZ) (Listed O’Leary’s Fillies’ Stakes, 1340m). “There’s any amount of top stables who are complimentary about the horses they have by Circus Maximus in their stables,” Till said. Among them domestically are Te Akau, Andrew Forsman and Stephen Marsh while Mick Price and Ciaron Maher are also Australian-based members of the fan club. “Circus Maximus is beautifully bred, being by one of the greatest sire stallions, if not the greatest of the modern era and out of a champion mare (Duntle),” Till said. “He’s a magnificent individual and it was interesting in the TV coverage to hear Jayne Ivil spruiking Road To Paris from the paddock and he certainly gets that from his Dad. “He has been so well supported in his first three seasons, averaging over 100 mares, so there’s very exciting times to come.” Adding to that, is Savaglee who will join Circus Maximus, Auguste Rodin, Paddington, Profondo, Shamexpress, Vanbrugh and Turn Me Loose at Windsor Park, while Armory stands in association at Mapperley. “It was wonderful to secure Savaglee, he was obviously a very good looking yearling because (The Oaks Stud owner) Dick Karreman and Rick Williams (General Manager) paid a lot of money ($400,000) for him,” Till said. “When we inspected him, it was easy to see why. He’s got race performance, type and pedigree and that’s very hard to get. “The Oaks were very easy to deal with and we managed to nail it down, so we’ve got another beautiful horse to offer breeders later this season.” View the full article

Most trainers dream of competing in the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Palmerston North horsewoman Lisa Latta may have found her horse to get her to Flemington on the first Tuesday in November. Talented stayer Manzor Blue (NZ) (Almanzor) once again proved her staying qualities at Ellerslie on Saturday when finishing runner-up behind Australian raider Paradise Storm (Masked Marvel) in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). It comes just over a month after her victory in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham, and Latta was delighted to see the daughter of Almanzor vindicate her connections’ decision to pay the late nomination fee for the Auckland Cup. “I am really rapt with her,” Latta said. “Winning the Wellington Cup and then to carry on with it. She was the first New Zealand horse home, which is always good. We are really proud of what she has done.” The spelling paddock is now beckoning the five-year-old mare and Latta said she will sit down and devise a plan with Go Racing, who race the mare, about getting Manzor Blue to Melbourne in the spring. “She will go to the paddock now for six to eight weeks and then we may well look at something in Australia in the spring,” Latta said. “We will give her the chance (to get to the Melbourne Cup), but she has gone out for a well-deserved break now.” Latta also picked up another pleasing result on Champions Day with stablemate Platinum Attack (Santos), who placed in the Gr.3 King’s Plate (1200m), and the five-year-old gelding will now be set for a stakes race closer to home. “I was happy enough with the run,” Latta said. “The lack of speed in the race probably didn’t help him, they didn’t run a really fast time. He is better when the pace is on. “He will probably back up in the Lightning (Listed, 1200m) at Trentham in two weeks.” View the full article

You could be forgiven for thinking you were watching winter racing at Riverton on Sunday, with horses competing on a Heavy9 surface, but that played right into the hands of local wet track specialist Sight To See (NZ) (Time Test) in the AB Lime & Caldwell Contracting Wyndham Cup (2000m). The Kelvin Tyler-trained mare’s previous two victories had come on rain-affected going, and punters flocked to her when the wet weather arrived, backing her into a $3.40 favourite. From her wide draw, she settled towards the rear of the field before apprentice jockey Amber Riddell sent her around the pack from the 800m. She found the front within 200m and Riddell elected to continue her run out wide in the better footing. Several runners elected to take the short cut along the rail when turning for home, but Riddell kept to her strategy and it paid off, with Sight To See running out a length victor over Sefton (NZ) (Iffraaj). “She loves the mud and I was pretty confident she would go a good race,” Tyler said. “She is a really genuine horse so it was good to get it done. “The inside was the place to be early on and it started to get a bit chopped up. Sometimes it (going to the outside) doesn’t work and sometimes it does, but yesterday it worked well.” The daughter of Time Test had campaigned in the north in her previous two starts, finishing unplaced in both outings, including the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (1600m) at Trentham. As a result she missed out on tackling some of the earlier races in the Southern Cups Bonus Series, and while she will head to the series final, the Riverton Cup (2147m), next month, she won’t be eligible for the $50,000 winner-takes-all bonus. “Going to the Remutaka was the flipside of the coin to running in that series, so she won’t be eligible because you have got to run in three heats and that is her first one,” Tyler said. Sight To See’s victory sealed a treble at the meeting for Tyler, who was also victorious earlier on the card with Better Shared (NZ) (Overshare) in the Herbert Transport & Roughan Equine Dentist (1200m) and Ripa Time (NZ) (Time Test) in the Donald Eng & BWF Engineering (1400m). “It is always good to get it on your home track,” Tyler said. “It was a bit of a relief, I wasn’t quite sure where we were at with some of them because some of them were having their first start for a while. “Ripa Time has been screaming out for a bit of give in the track. She is a lovely wee filly, I really like her. Her ultimate target will be the Warstep (Listed, 2000m), I think she will be ideal over 2000m and hopefully the rain hangs around. “It was good to get a win with her because she has been going good races but has just been feeling the firmer tracks over the summer months. I backed off her a bit and the Time Tests really love the Heavy tracks. “Better Shared had a bit of time off and came back really good. She is a real speed horse. She will probably go straight into the Gore Guineas (Listed, 1200m) now.” Meanwhile, stablemate Freddie Time (NZ) (Time Test) is continuing to enjoy his time in the North Island, having won three races in the Central Districts this season and placed in three others, including the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and Listed Marton Cup (2200m). He has continued to thrive since his last start victory over a mile at Otaki and is set to return to Trentham later this month to tackle the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m). “Every is going well there, so hopefully he can do it again,” Tyler said. View the full article

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and jockey Juan Hernandez put the cap on a phenomenal weekend at Santa Anita Park March 8 as Forced Entry successfully graduated out of the maiden ranks with a win in the $101,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3).View the full article

She rolled into the lane with all the momentum and Forced Entry (Charlatan) carried it right to her first black-type win in the GIII Santa Ysabel Stakes. Debuted Jan. 11 at this venue in a six-furlong turf maiden, she faded to last after having to fight every step of the way, but it was a much different result when she resurfaced Feb. 1 on this main track. Out to set the pace again, they were never able to reel her back in, and Forced Entry cantered home to win easily by 7 1/4 lengths. Stepping up into black-type, and graded, company for the first time here, the betting public gave the Bob Baffert filly a 5-2 chance to extend the conditioner's dominant streak in the race and she didn't disappoint. Content to watch the action unfold from fourth after GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Super Corredora (Gun Runner) tossed her head and missed the break, Forced Entry held her own from the two path behind :23.34 and a half-mile in :47.57. Inching closer to French Blue (Gun Runner) to keep her honest heading into the turn, the fillies had locked horns by the five-sixteenths. Pushing ahead of that longtime leader, Forced Entry was well in command by midstretch and had more than enough left to comfortably hold 22-1 longshot Bank Shot (Game Winner) to a 1 3/4-length margin. French Blue faded to third. The 8-5 favorite, Super Corredora, finished a distant sixth while My Love Caroline (Stay Thirsty) was eased and walked off. Baffert now claims six consecutive victories in the Santa Ysabel, and 11 overall in the race. Forced Entry earns 50 Kentucky Oaks points here, and currently sits in fifth on the leaderboard. Bank Shot (31) moved into 10th with her runner-up effort while French Blue (15) sits in 24th. “I broke better than everyone,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “But Bob was working this filly from kind of off the pace to see if she could handle it, and she was going pretty good in the morning. I saw the horse inside [French Blue] wanted to go, so I just said, “OK, go ahead and go. I'm just going to try like they have been teaching her in the morning, working from off the pace.” “The heavy favorite [Super Corredora] she didn't break, she missed the break completely and that just changed the whole race in general,” Baffert said. “After that happened, French Blue, she was just out there cruising. She is still a really nice filly. But Forced Entry, she has been training really well. She had been training with Crude Velocity, who won yesterday. It's nice when you have other nice horses to work with and keep them fit. I'm proud of the way they ran.” “It's nice this time of year when you have nice fillies and you are thinking Kentucky Oaks. It's [also] good for Charlatan. He was a good horse and [his offspring] are finally coming around now. We have a bunch of Charlatans that look good, so it's a big day for Charlatan.” FORCED ENTRY ($7.60) earns 5⃣0⃣ points toward the #KentuckyOaks and @BobBaffert's 6th consecutive win in the $100,000 Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) with @JJHernandezS19 up at @SantaAnitaPark. Congratulations to owners Pegram, Watson or Weitman on your victory with this filly by… pic.twitter.com/p9UUH3lEwB — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) March 8, 2026 Pedigree Notes: Forced Entry is the first black-type winner for her dam, a multiple stakes placed mare on the Florida circuit named Violent Times (Violence). She is the mare's second to the races, but her first winner, and she does have a yearling half-brother by American Pharoah in the wings. Violent Times is due to Constitution for 2026. This is the female line of Brazilian Group 1 victress Verruma (Brz) (Emmson {Ire}), who was also Grade I-placed in the States as well as a graded winner of the GII Dahlia Handicap. Forced Entry is Charlatan's first North American graded winner, while Labwah was the stallion's first group winner when she took home top honors in the G3 UAE Oaks at the end of February in Meydan. Counting this victress, the stallion has four black-type winners and a stakes-placed runner in Japan named Princess Moko. Sunday, Santa Anita Park SANTA YSABEL S.-GIII, $101,000, Santa Anita, 3-8, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:44.79, ft. 1–FORCED ENTRY, 120, f, 3, by Charlatan 1st Dam: Violent Times (SW, $228,701), by Violence 2nd Dam: Make Time, by Empire Maker 3rd Dam: Time Reveals All, by Pulpit 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. ($375,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). O-Michael E. Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman; B-Stoneriggs Farm (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $102,500. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Bank Shot, 120, f, 3, Game Winner–Puskita, by Indian Charlie. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($47,000 RNA Ylg '24 FTKJUL; $50,000 Ylg '24 FTKOCT; $160,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-WSS Racing; B-Buck Pond Farm & John Wilmot (KY); T-Ryan Hanson. $20,000. 3–French Blue, 120, f, 3, Gun Runner–Twenty Carat, by Into Mischief. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Three Chimneys Farm, LLC (KY); T-Bob Baffert. $12,000. Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, 2 3/4. Odds: 2.80, 22.90, 2.50. Also Ran: Piney Woods, Cee Drew, Super Corredora, My Love Caroline. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Charlatan’s Forced Entry Too Strong in Santa Ysabel, Earns Oaks Points appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

So Happy and Secured Freedom, the respective third- and fourth-place finishers in the March 7 San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park, will likely continue on to the April 4 Santa Anita Derby (G1), their respective trainers said March 8.View the full article

With an elite-level victory under his belt, jockey Diego Herrera will move his tack east to set up at Gulfstream Park in South Florida, the track announced Sunday afternoon. The 21-year-old Herrera was the pilot aboard British Isles (Justify) last Saturday when the gelding pulled the upset to take home the Big Cap. An Inglewood, CA native, he's also won the 2025 GIII Cecil B. DeMille on Unrivaled Time (Not This Time) and the 2024 GIII Autumn Miss Stakes with Watchtower (Demarchelier {GB}). His move comes after Herrera traveled to Gulfstream for the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes, and so much enjoyed the atmosphere, decided to make the move more permanent. He will be represented by agent Kevin Meyocks. “I'm trying to seek more opportunities to ride and get more experience,” said Herrera, who has won 257 races [since 2021] through Saturday. “Things can get light out here sometimes, a lot of smaller fields. I went to Gulfstream to ride British Isles in the Pegasus, and I liked the atmosphere, I liked Gulfstream, and I spoke to Kevin and it seemed like something I'd like to try.” “I was riding ponies at probably 6-years-old, quarter horses around 12 and I got licensed at 15 [?] to ride. I love the sport. I'm due to get in around March 19 and we'll see what happens. I'm really looking forward to it.” The post Post ‘Big Cap’ Spoils, Jockey Diego Herrera Heads to Florida appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Puma (Essential Quality) returned to his base at Gulfstream Park early Sunday morning after his win a day earlier in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby, and his connections reported that he came out of the race in good order. Though no firm plans have been made regarding his future schedule, Gustavo Delgado Jr., who is the assistant trainer to and son of trainer Gustavo Delgado Sr., said the GI April 4 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland is one option the team is definitely considering. “We're still undecided,” the younger Delgado said. “Let's see how he comes back when he hits the track again. Right now, eight weeks is a long time between races from here to the Derby, so we might go to the Blue Grass. That's what would make sense right now. It's a good feeling that we don't need the points anymore. We have secured a spot in the big race. That's a big relief. Basically, we have more room to do whatever we feel is the best, always having the Kentucky Derby in mind. Eight weeks is a lot, so we will definitely be aiming for another race between now and the Kentucky Derby.” The Puma earned 50 points for his win at Tampa. The Puma came into the race as a maiden and off a third-place finish in the Sam F. Davis Stakes, the major prep for the Tampa Bay Derby. He ran a much-improved race Saturday, winning by three-quarters of a length over GII Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes winner, Further Ado (Gun Runner). “These horses continue to learn,” Delgado said. “They are so young. The last race was a learning experience.” He also gave credit to jockey Javier Castellano. Castellano rode The Puma in his first start, a second-place finish behind the highly regarded Chief Wallabee (Constitution) in a Gulfstream maiden, but Edwin Gonzalez had the mount for the Sam F. Davis. “Javier made a huge difference,” Delgado said. “He has been coming to the barn and breezing him and getting to know more about the horse and his running style and how to make him more effective. My dad and I told him to just let him get his rhythm, make one move whenever you feel like it is the right thing to do. Basically, that's what he did. He was last in the beginning of the race, but that turned out to be a good thing. He was a good last because you could see that he was in a good rhythm and grabbing the bit properly and making a steady move little by little.” Should The Puma make it to the Derby, he will be the second horse the Delgados have sent to the race since 2023. The first was Derby winner Mage (Good Magic). The Puma was purchased for $150,000 at last year's OBS April sale. Mage was bought for $250,000 in 2022 at Fasig-Tipton's 2-Year-Old Midlantic Sale. “The main thing for us is that we want to go to the Kentucky Derby,” Delgado said. “It is not easy. It's a very difficult thing to do, especially with the kind of operation that we have. We don't get good horses sent to us. We have to go to the sales and scout the horses and sometimes invest in the horses ourselves with our own money. To be in this position again is gratifying. We were in the paddock yesterday and we saw the Coolmore guys, the Spendthrift guys, Mike Repole. I was thinking, 'Look at how much money these guys spend on their operations.' Going back to the Derby with a horse we developed and selected at the sales is a good feeling.” Delgado said that the horse was named after his father, whose nickname is “The Puma.” “We call my dad The Puma all the time,” Delgado said. “When we saw that the horse was talented and showing progress and we couldn't find a name that we all liked we decided to name him The Puma. It's a good thing that when we named a horse after my dad that he turned out to be a graded stakes winner going to the Derby. We could have named a horse after him and the horse could have turned out to be a $5,000 claimer.” The post The Blue Grass Could Be Next for The Puma appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The latest edition of the Boundless Podcast, hosted by jockey and veterinarian Dr. Ferrin Peterson, features an interview with Judy Hicks. Hicks is the breeder of 2024 Horse of the Year Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna). “Before Thorpedo Anna won 10 graded stakes races and became one of the most talked-about horses in Thoroughbred racing, Judy Hicks bred her and believed in her potential from the very beginning,” Peterson writes in an introduction to her podcast. “In this episode of The Boundless Podcast, Dr. Ferrin Peterson sits down with Judy at Brookstown Farm to discuss the journey that led to breeding a champion. From purchasing a $10 horse that became her foundation broodmare, to building a breeding program that has produced graded stakes winners, Judy's story is one of resilience, patience, and unwavering belief. Judy also shares the philosophy behind her farm and her deep respect for animals–where retired mares live out their lives peacefully in a place she calls 'the jungle.' It's a conversation about the long road behind success in the Thoroughbred industry–and the people who dedicate their lives to it.” The Boundless Podcast is available on the following sites: Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. The post The Boundless Podcast with Ferrin Peterson Features Judy Hicks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alongside the Godolphin duo of Nations Hope (Ghaiyyath) and Palladas (Lope De Vega), The Last Dance (Iffraaj) recently made an impressive debut at Chantilly to become the third European-trained three-year-old to be named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' since our Winter Watch run began back in November. It looked a strong race in which The Last Dance debuted on March 3, facing eight other newcomers over 9.5f on the Chantilly all-weather. They included the Wertheimer homebred Maine (Night Of Thunder), a sibling to two winners of the G1 Prix Vermeille in Aventure (Sea The Stars) and Left Hand (Dubawi), as well as the Andre Fabre-trained Mennula (Wootton Bassett), a daughter of the dual American Grade III scorer Aigue Marine (Galileo). In the event, however, it was all about one horse as The Last Dance dominated from start to finish to win by 4 1/2 lengths, always travelling well within herself before quickly sprinting clear of Mennula when shaken up entering the final furlong. The right horses completed the frame as well, with Maine staying on well to pass the post a short neck behind Mennula in third. Bought for €105,000 at the Arqana August Yearling Sale, The Last Dance is a half-sister to another talented performer from the Carlos and Yann Lerner yard in Godspeed (Hello Youmzain), who was a six-length winner on her Chantilly debut last February and later won the G2 Prix de Sandringham, as well as finishing fourth in the G1 Prix Rothschild. Don't be surprised if the Lerners plot a similar path through 2026 with The Last Dance, with her Classic entries in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches – in which Godspeed finished eighth last year – and Prix de Diane suggesting that she's a filly thought capable of mixing it at a much higher level. Francis Graffard Starts To Flex His Muscles Staying in France, champion trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has fired a couple of early warning shots across the bows of his rivals, with the newcomers Grande Baigneuse (Kingman) and Lord Clover (Siyouni) featuring among the others to have the caught the eye at Chantilly. The performance of Lord Clover was particularly striking as he ran away with the 1m maiden staged on February 25, ultimately proving in a different league to his nine rivals as he forged clear in the closing stages to win by 6 1/2 lengths. He has entries in both the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club, as well as a pedigree which suggests he's one to follow. A €200,000 purchase at the August Yearling Sale, the Siyouni colt is out of the G3 Prix de Lieurey heroine and G1 Prix de l'Opera third Lady Frankel (Frankel), a half-sister to the dual Classic-winning sire Lope De Vega, among others. Lord Clover is the first winner from two runners out of Lady Frankel who, incidentally, is now in the ownership of Bobby Flay after changing hands for €900,000 when offered at the 2023 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale as part of the Gestut Ammerland dispersal. As for Grande Baigneuse, she wasn't quite so emphatic when winning over 9.5f on February 19, but it was a pleasing start to her career nonetheless as she ran on well under a hands-and-heels ride to take the measure of Aurora Beau Real (Siyouni) close home, with just a length separating the two market principals at the line as they pulled another 4 1/2 lengths clear of the rest. The first two both hold entries in the Prix de Diane and Aurora Beau Real, who was an expensive purchase at the August Yearling Sale when bought for €500,000, should be a banker for a similar event next time, while Grande Baigneuse, whose dam is a half-sister to the Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach (Galileo), appeals as a smart prospect for middle-distances. She most recently sold for €140,000 at the Arqana May Breeze-up Sale, having previously fetched 52,000gns as a foal and 78,000gns as a yearling when going through the ring at Park Paddocks. Last but not least for our summary of the recent action across the Channel, Turbulente (Australia) is another filly who could well prove up to taking up her Prix de Diane entry if the manner of her debut success at Chantilly is anything to go by. Another Wertheimer homebred, Turbulente ran out authoritative two-length winner of that 9.5f heat having travelled strongly throughout, with the runner-up, Persian Grace (Persian King), giving the form a solid look given that she'd filled the same position when making her debut at Deauville last August. Turbulente is out of the Listed-winning Kendargent mare Armoricaine and black-type races will surely be on her agenda before too long. A Familiar Story With Hidden Force In addition to the aforementioned Nations Hope and Palladas, Hidden Force (Frankel) looked yet another exciting prospect for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin when providing those connections with a third consecutive victory in last month's “European Road To The Kentucky Derby” Conditions Stakes at Kempton. Following a promising debut success at the same venue back in December, Hidden Force proved well suited by the step up to 1m when following up in comfortable fashion on February 25, justifying short odds with the minimum of fuss as he asserted in the final furlong to land the spoils by 1 3/4 lengths. Much like the stable's two previous winners of that contest, Notable Speech (Dubawi) and Opera Ballo (Ghaiyyath), stiffer tasks now lie ahead for Hidden Force, who is a general 25/1 shot for the 2,000 Guineas and has a winner of that Classic fairly close up in his pedigree. His dam, the Listed scorer and dual Group 3-placed Winter Lightning (Shamardal), is not only a half-sister to the dual Dubai Wold Cup winner Thunder Snow, but also to the G3 Oh So Sharp Stakes heroine First Victory (Teofilo), who is perhaps best known as the dam of Coroebus (Dubawi). A Classic trial looks the obvious next step for Hidden Force, while his stablemate, Pursuit Of Love (Sea The Stars), also deserves a positive mention following his debut victory in the 11f novice run at Southwell on February 28. A half-brother to the G2 Hardwicke Stakes winner Fanny Logan, he looked better the further he went, ultimately winning by 2 3/4 lengths from the Karl Burke-trained High Storm (Nathaniel). He's a thorough stayer in the making and has scope for plenty of improvement with that in mind. Spigot Lodge Firing On All Cylinders Burke might have been out of luck with High Storm, but it's been a good couple of weeks for his team at Spigot Lodge otherwise, with five winners from 18 winners (28% strike-rate) in Britain during that period. Most recently, Soul Love (Starman), a half-sister to last year's G3 Superior Mile Stakes second Excellent Believe (Make Believe), looked a potentially smart sprinter when making it two from two with a determined win in the 6f novice at Newcastle on Friday, keeping going well after taking a keen hold to beat favourite Silent Strike (Mehmas) by half a length. Owner-breeder David Ward has a number of bright prospects by his July Cup hero Starman to look forward to in 2026 – including last year's G2 Rockfel Stakes runner-up The Prettiest Star – and this filly is most definitely another one. Similarly, Burke is blessed with plenty of strength in depth among his three-year-old contingent, as advertised in the past fortnight when two of his four entries in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket were among the winners. The first of them was Wolverhampton scorer Crown Relic (Kingman), a rare Southern Hemisphere-bred colt to go into training on these shores. Facing seven rivals in the 7f maiden run on February 23, he made a most promising start to his career in pulling clear with the now-78-rated runner-up, Waterford Castle (Sea The Stars), with Sam James able to ease him down late on to register a decisive success by 2 3/4 lengths. Crown Relic, whose granddam is the G2 Cherry Hinton Stakes and G2 Lowther Stakes winner Lucky Kristale (Lucky Story), now heads back to Wolverhampton on Monday evening for a 7f novice and the next step in his education. Billecart (Night Of Thunder), meanwhile, could be another for Burke with Classic aspirations after his five-length stroll in the 1m novice run at Newcastle on Thursday, drawing right away in the final furlong to win exactly as you'd like to see from a 1/6 favourite. One of four winners from five runners out of the Listed October Stakes scorer and G3 Chartwell Fillies' Stakes third Intense Pink (Pivotal), Billecart could line up next in the Listed Burradon Stakes over the same course and distance, according to Burke, and he remains with significant potential after just two starts, having finished fourth behind the subsequent Group winners Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder) and Constitution River (Wootton Bassett) on his debut at Newmarket's July Festival. Amo Spending Starts To Bear Fruit Billecart featured among a whole host of big-money purchases made by Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing in 2024, in his case when selling for 380,000gns at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Admittedly, that spending spree didn't immediately bear fruit on the racecourse in 2025, but it's fair to say that there have been more encouraging signs in the first few months of this year, with Billecart being joined by at least two other three-year-old winners with black-type potential. Blanc De Blanc (Not This Time), who cost her connections $575,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, is the obvious one after her victory in the 1m Patton Race at Dundalk on February 27. She proved a much more professional model there than when making a winning debut over the same course and distance seven weeks earlier, hitting the front over a furlong out and gradually moving clear from there to land the spoils by three lengths from the now-89-rated Whatchadoin (Starman). One of five winners out of the winning Galileo mare Wonderful, a full-sister to the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Breeders' Cup Turf hero Magician, Blanc De Blanc holds a bunch of Classic entries, and it will be interesting to see where she lines up next to try and book her place in one of them. Back in Britain with Kevin Philippart de Foy, another Amo runner with Classic engagements is Sin City (Too Darn Hot), who justified odds-on favouritism when kicking off his career in style with a smooth success at Lingfield on February 21. Admittedly, he very much enjoyed the run of the race on that occasion, always prominent in a steadily-run affair over the 1m trip, but there was plenty to like about the manner in which he quickened up when asked for his effort, overcoming signs of greenness to get the verdict by 3/4-of-a-length. Bought for 200,000gns at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale, Sin City's pedigree is nothing out of the ordinary, but he's certainly shown that he can run, much like stablemate Domenico Contarini (St Mark's Basilica), despite that colt meeting with defeat on his debut in the 1m novice run at Newcastle on February 24. Domenico Contarini, who most recently sold for 750,000gns at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale, pulled five lengths clear of the remainder at Gosforth Park with favourite Exmoor (Farhh), with the latter just doing best in the closing stages for a one-length verdict. Both horses should progress from this and win plenty of races, even if Exmoor doesn't have share the fancy entries held by Domenico Contarini. Trained by Andrew Balding for Al Shaqab Racing, Exmoor himself was a 380,000gns purchase at Book 2 of the October Yearling Sale. 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