Wandering Eyes

Woodbine Cares Horsepower Fund, a new grant program designed to support charities and not-for-profit organizations that champion horse welfare and strengthen the bond between horses and people, has been launched by Woodbine Entertainment. Through the Horsepower Fund, local registered charities and not-for-profits across Ontario can apply for micro-grants of up to $5,000. These grants are intended to fuel initiatives that help people connect with horses through education, hands-on care, or innovative programs that highlight the role horses play in the racing community. Applicants to the Horsepower Fund must be: a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a registered not-for-profit; be located within the local communities surrounding Woodbine Racetrack or Woodbine Mohawk Park; demonstrate a clear focus on equine welfare; provide evidence of strong fiscal management and governance practices; and have submitted final reports from previous years if a prior recipient. Eligible charities can apply online here: https://form.jotform.com/251273988732266. The post Woodbine Launches Horsepower Fund to Support Horse Welfare, Community Programs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat won a total of 14 races last week, including a five-win day Nov. 23 and a sweep of the day's stakes races. He was voted Jockey of the Week Nov.17-23.View the full article

Spendthrift Farms' Further Ado (Gun Runner), who will make his next start in Saturday's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs, ran sensationally in his last start, winning a Keeneland maiden by 20 lengths, earning a 98 Beyer figure. The Beyer number is tied for the second fastest race by a 2-year-old in 2025. But he's also somewhat of a mystery. Why did he run so poorly in his first two races and can he once again turn in a sizzling effort in what will be his stakes debut? The Kentucky Jockey Club should provide a lot of answers. “We liked him a good bit, especially first time out,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I thought he was a horse that could win first time based on how he trained at Keeneland, Churchill and even Saratoga leading up to that debut. He's always been a really good training horse. We did lose a little bit of confidence along the way when we didn't get the performances we were expecting in the first two runs.” Further Ado debuted July 26 at Saratoga and finished fifth in a six-furlong maiden. He returned Aug. 30 at Saratoga in a seven-furlong maiden and ran a distant third. The most obvious difference between his first and second races and his third was the distance. Cox stretched him out to a 1 1/16 miles and got one of the best performances by any 2-year-old this year. “I think he just didn't handle the distance in those first two starts,” Cox said. “Getting him out around two turns seemed to make the difference. We liked him a good bit in all three starts. He was able to put it all together going long that day at Keeneland. No, I never thought he'd win by 20 lengths. Watching the race that day at Keeneland, I thought, 'Wow he's really moving well and they were going quick enough up front.' It didn't seem like anyone was closing in on him going into the far turn. It looked like he had the horse in front of him measured and he just kept extending the margin. It was a very impressive win, to say the least.” Still, Cox knows that Saturday's stakes will be a challenge. As usual, the Kentucky Jockey Club has attracted some talented juveniles. “He will need to step up and improve,” he said. “As long as he can get away well, get into the race and get into his rhythm, I think he will run well. He's been training at Churchill ever since that win at Keeneland and he trained this morning [on Nov. 23] and it was very impressive. Breaking well, getting involved early and getting into that rhythm are the things he'll need to do to be successful Saturday.” Should Further Ado win the Kentucky Jockey Club, he will no doubt be considered, at the very least, a Top 10 prospect for next year's GI Kentucky Derby. Cox said he will wait until after Saturday before starting to put together a schedule for him for his 3-year-old campaign. Further Ado will winter at Payson Park in Florida, but that doesn't mean he will be taking the Gulfstream route to the Derby. Spendthrift will be in Florida with the horse now considered the Derby favorite, Ted Noffey (Into Mischief). Cox is rather sure that Spendthrift will want to keep the two apart, which means Further Ado might do his racing in the preps at Fair Grounds. “The Florida preps will at least be on our list, but you have to remember that they'll have another very nice colt down there in Ted Noffey,” Cox said. “That's going to play a role in what we do, and it should. We'll see how we do on Saturday and then start thinking more about our plans.” The main competition may come from the Saffie Joseph-trained Dr. Kapur (McKinzie), who will be stretching out after an impressive win in a seven-furlong maiden at Keeneland. Bob Baffert will be represented by the $1.15-million Keeneland September purchase Cherokee Nation (Not This Time), who is still a maiden. Steve Asmussen, who has won this race three times, will send out GIII Iroquois S. winner Spice Runner (Gun Runner). Saturday's card at Churchill will also feature the GII Golden Rod S. for 2-year-old fillies. The heavy favorite will be Baffert's Explora (Blame), who is coming off a second-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Cox will try to post the upset with Rags to Riches S. winner Life of Joy (Gun Runner). “We really like her,” Cox said. “She broke her maiden in Indiana and it was a really big step up going from that race to the stakes at Churchill. That race [the Rags to Riches] came up with somewhat of a short field and she got a really good trip. There are a few more fillies in this race and it's a deeper group . She has to step up again. She's another one that had a really good breeze this morning [Nov. 24] over this track. She is training well and is training forward since that last run. We've seen positive things from her since that last run.” The post Further Ado is Good, But How Good? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. What an effort from Boss Dylan (c, 2, Liam's Map–Sweet, by Blame)! Those were the words of track announcer Travis Stone as Boss Dylan rallied from last to finish a fantastic second in the nightcap at Churchill Downs Sunday evening. Off at odds of 9-1 in his 6 1/2-furlong unveiling for trainer Brendan Walsh in a very deep maiden special weight, Boss Dylan made a mess of the break from his outside draw and was 11th as the Brian Lynch-trained firster Mob (Gun Runner) sped through an opening quarter in :22.16. The $40,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $460,000 OBS April breezer began to launch beneath Tyler Gaffalione with a flashy move on the far turn and split horses leaving the quarter pole. He kept on rolling down the stretch and came home in a field-best :31.24 while finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind the aforementioned Mob, a $560,000 Keeneland September graduate. Boss Dylan earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure, four points less than the front-running winner. Mob is a debut winner is in the @churchilldowns finale for trainer @blynchracing with @luissaezpty aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/rdrXDHuaSm — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 23, 2025 Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock Agency purchased Boss Dylan on behalf of G and O Racing, High Step Racing, JR Ranch and KAS Ultimate Racing after breezing in :10 1/5 earlier this spring in Ocala. “It's almost a blessing in a way,” said Restrepo, who co-owned 2023 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage. “Out of a loss, there's a win. He learned so much. Kudos to Tyler, just let the horse get into rhythm. They were moving up top and they got away from him. Lynchie's horse is a fast, well-meant horse.” He continued, “It was so nice to see a young baby eat that kind of dirt and zig zag between horses and not be afraid to attack a pack. Normally you see the babies spit it on the turn after making a move like that. The gallop out was savage. That probably was the most impressive thing.” Boss Dylan's leading young sire Liam's Map is responsible for seven top-level winners worldwide. Bred in Kentucky by Twin Oaks Bloodstock LLC, Boss Dylan was produced by Claiborne Farm homebred Sweet (Blame), a two-time winner on grass and full-sister to GI Santa Margarita S. heroine Fault and half-sister to the dam of GI Darley Alcibiades S. winner Juju's Map (Liam's Map). Sweet is also responsible for the 4-year-old filly No Mo Candy (Uncle Mo), winner of last fall's GIII Pebbles S. over the Aqueduct lawn. Boss Dylan in the paddock prior to his debut at Churchill Downs Sunday | courtesy Ramiro Restrepo “It was great for the group and all the partners to have a root home,” Restrepo said. “He showed that he wanted it and came running fast for the wire. That kind of stuff makes it all worth it. My main supporter and the person who has really given me a gigantic boost is Jose Aguirre of JR Ranch. He has been a godsend as an owner. I am Jose's racing manager and bloodstock manager and put the group together with High Step Racing, G and O Racing and KAS Ultimate Racing. It's a bunch of new guys and they come from all walks. Some of them are in the sport-fisherman world. Getting them in the game is pretty fun.” Restrepo concluded, “He came out of the race great and will ship to Florida to Palm Meadows after Thanksgiving. We'll look at a maiden there going seven-eighths to a mile at the beginning of the year. If he answers that bell, you're definitely in line for some dreams.” Since launching 'Second Chances' in 2017, 64 maidens have been featured in these pages (through 2024), producing 25% graded stakes winners, 34% stakes winners and 48% stakes horses. The series has introduced eight future winners at the top level, led by this year's GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers S. winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo). The post Second Chances: ‘Out of a Loss, There’s a Win’ – Boss Dylan Florida-Bound Following Eye-Catching Debut Second appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over 300 horses from 19 countries have applied for the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival (DRC) at Meydan this season. The 16-week stand kicked off on November 7 and ends on March 28 with the G1 Dubai World Cup card. The multiple group-placed Heart Of Honor (Honor A. P.) was one of the first to arrive for trainer Jamie Osborne. Trainer Niels Petersen has an 11-strong team from Norway, including Norsk Derby winner War Socks (Kameko). Consistent sprinter Ponntos (Power) has returned for trainer Miroslav Nieslanik, and Denmark's Veronika Jandova brought seven horses. Newmarket's Phil Spencer, backed by Phil Cunnhingham, have sent a team of 10 under the Rebel Racing banner, among them is Goodwood Stewards' Cup winner Two Tribes (Rajasinghe) and Ayr Gold Cup hero Run Boy Run (Rajasinghe). Later in the season, Karl Burke's G1 Jebel Hatta third Holloway Boy (Ulysses) is set to compete, as is G2 Dubai Gold Cup third Epic Poet (Lope De Vega) for David O'Meara. G2 Lennox Stakes hero Witness Stand (Expert Eye) will appear for Jamie Insole, while Charlie Hills's Mitbaahy (Profitable) is signed on. John and Thady Gosden will send G1 Lockinge Stakes victor Audience (Iffraaj). Meydan races three times in December, on Friday, 5, 12 and 19, culminating in Festive Friday which hosts the G2 Al Maktoum Mile and the G2 Al Rashidiya. “We are delighted to have acceptors for the Carnival from so many different countries,” commented Erwan Charpy, head of department, Racing Operations & International Relations for Dubai Racing Club. “This further underlines the position of Dubai as the centre of the racing world and is a compliment to both our facilities and our racing programme, both of which continue to evolve. “We are excited about welcoming so many Group 1 winners and high-class horses to Dubai over the next few weeks and wish everyone the best of luck with their planning and travel.” The post Dubai Racing Carnival Attracts Over 300 Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year’s winner Giavellotto will lead a European assault on the Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) and bid to become the first horse since 2008 to win the HK$26 million prize back to back. Just two horses, Doctor Dino (2007-2008) and Luso (1996-1997), have won the race in consecutive years since the race was given Group One status in 1994, while Highland Reel (2015 and 2017) and Glory Vase (2019 and 2021) are the only other horses to have repeat wins. That shows the mountain that...View the full article

Grahame Begg’s She’s A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High) has received the ideal draw of three in Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic, after a field of 14 accepted for the Caulfield race. The daughter of Ace High, who was narrowly defeated in the G2 Matriarch Stakes in her most recent start, is yet to miss the top two in 10 career runs but is racing at Caulfield for the first time, making the good draw even better. Alalcance, who ran well into third behind She’s A Hustler in the Matriarch, will jump from next to her in gate four, with that pair the only mares in the race. Of the boys, Etna Rosso (Decorated Knight) (eight) brings good form having been third on varying surfaces in his past two starts, while Berkshire Breeze (Mastercraftsman) (seven) was most recently a solid fourth in the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. The latter is joined by four stablemates from the Ciaron Maher yard – Light Infantry Man (Fast Company) (nine), Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) (14), Interpretation (Galileo) (1) and Strawberry Rock (Rock of Gibraltar) (10). View the full article

Twelve sprinters face the daunting task of taking on world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising when he chases a 16th consecutive victory in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m). Fresh from another dominant success in last Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m), the David Hayes-trained superstar will bid to join Mr Stunning, Lord Kanaloa, Silent Witness and Falvelon as back-to-back winners of the HK$28 million feature. Ka Ying Rising bagged his first Group One success in the race last year,...View the full article

Two of the world’s very best could do battle in a showdown for the ages in next month’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), with the mighty Calandagan still a chance to face local hero Romantic Warrior. The catch, however, is that recently crowned European Horse of the Year Calandagan must first get through this Sunday’s Group One Japan Cup (2,400m) and is considered a slim chance of actually making it to Sha Tin. Whatever happens with Calandagan, Romantic Warrior – who returned from...View the full article

Voyage Bubble will defend his Group One Hong Kong Mile crown in a capacity field that also features Japan’s Soul Rush and Embroidery, Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter and French colt Beauvatier. Trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai and Voyage Bubble’s owners opted to drop the Triple Crown hero back to a mile rather than tackle the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) after he ran second to Romantic Warrior in last Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m). Zac Purton is expected to again take the ride...View the full article

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are excited about the future with regally-bred colt King’s English after he broke through for his maiden win in impressive fashion at Te Aroha on Wednesday. A son of Snitzel, King’s English is out of dual Group One winner English, who also placed on four occasions at elite-level, including a runner-up performance in the Golden Slipper (1200m). He was purchased at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Te Akau principal David Ellis for A$700,000 and made a good impression at the trials as a juvenile, winning and finishing runner-up in his two heats. He placed in two this season before making his debut at Taupo in September where he finished third over 1200m before returning to the same track a month later to post the same result over 1100m. Punters took note and backed him into $1.60 favouritism for Wednesday’s Diprose Miller Maiden 1150, and he duly delivered. Jockey Craig Grylls was positive out of the gates, sending King’s English forward from his wide alley in search of the lead, but I’ll Be Home Soon punched up on the inside to maintain his advantage on the rail. The pair went head-to-head and opened up several lengths on the rest of the field. They held that advantage heading into the home straight, and while I’ll Be Home Soon began to tire, King’s English continued his forward momentum and kicked clear to win by 5-3/4 lengths. Co-trainer Sam Bergerson was pleased with the dominant performance. “He was electric,” he said. “We thought they had gone pretty hard early, and obviously the other leader weakened off, but he kept going right through the line and he is just going from strength-to-strength this horse. “A bit of time between runs he was feeling very well and it was good to see him put in a performance like that. “He is putting on a bit of weight and he is certainly going the right way as we head into some nice races potentially for him. “It’s an exciting time for the ownership group and hopefully he can go on with it.” Grylls was just as impressed with the colt’s performance, and he believes King’s English has a bright future in-store. “He was impressive,” Grylls said. “It was pretty easy. He travelled really nice and had a very nice kick on him today. He definitely franked that form today (of his first two runs) and he is going to be one that goes on with it too. “He’s a really well-bred colt, is a good mover and a nice horse in general.” View the full article

Twelve months since the start of a frustrating run of Group One seconds in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Te Awamutu mare La Crique is ready to go one better in next week’s Trentham feature. That close second was the first in a frustrating and almost unbelievable sequence of runner-up placings at Group One level. All five starts since last December have been at racing’s highest level and every one of them has produced the same result. The most recent was her half-length second to Waitak in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa in late September, and on Wednesday at Te Aroha the benefit of the time she has been allowed since was clear to see. In a solo gallop between races, La Crique was timed to run 1000m in 1:00.91s and the last 600m in 35.14s. Minutes earlier fellow top-class mare Legarto had recorded 1:03.44s in an 1100m black-type trial, with the final 600m in 32.55s. “That was just right, not too much pressure and it should bring her on nicely,” said Katrina Alexander, who trains La Crique with her husband Simon. “The time she’s had to herself was good for her, she’s carrying good condition and I would go so far as to say that she’s finally matured.” Even with all those placings, which can be added to by another two Group One seconds in the 2022 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the 2023 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m), the now seven-year-old has still won nine of her 23 starts, headed by the 2022 Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and 2024 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) for stakes of more than $2 million. La Crique was ridden at Te Aroha by Masa Hashizume, who will be in the saddle for the first time on raceday at Trentham next week. “Masa has been coming down regularly to ride trackwork for us, which is something we really appreciate,” Alexander said.. “He’s been very obliging and we’re pleased to see how well he’s getting on with the mare, so we’re looking forward to getting them together on raceday.” View the full article

Shaune Ritchie caught up with Gareth to discuss what winning the Jericho means to him as he looks to do it again this Sunday with Tempest Moon. LISTEN HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/shaune-ritchie-on-giddy-up-26-11-25/id1542139858?i=1000738433825 View the full article

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable is hoping for some significant rain ahead of the Zipping Classic at Caulfield. The rain that fell at acceptance time on Wednesday for the Caulfield meeting was music to the ears of the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable. The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on Saturday is the contest the Price and Kent Jnr stable have picked out for Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking). The problem is the stayer has a terrible record on dry ground and is far better performed when there is some give. The track was posted in the good category when acceptances were declared on Wednesday morning, just as a heavy rain band descended on Melbourne. There is some rain forecast for the remainder of the week, but how much effect that will have on the Caulfield track remains to be seen. “He hasn’t won for a while and he’s had something like 20 starts on good ground, for no result,” Price said. “He needs to get his toe in. It’s a $750,000 race and he did run in a $1 million race three starts ago, so I’ll probably send him around because he’s in good order.” Hezashocka collected $45,000 when he finished last in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield last month before finding the firm track against him in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 29. At his most recent outing on his preferred soft ground, Hezashocka found the trip too far when a fading sixth in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week. Hezashocka’s last victory came on a soft track in Brisbane in June last year. A field of 14 stayers is set to contest the Zipping Classic on Saturday, named after the horse that won the race on four consecutive occasions at Sandown from 2007 through to 2010. Among Hezashocka’s rivals on Saturday include Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park), Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines), Alenquer (Adlerflug), Brayden Star (Twilight Son), Star Vega (Lope de Vega) and She’s A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High). Price said if Hezashocka runs well on Saturday then the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 13 could come under consideration. The trainer has noted the Pakenham surface had been retaining moisture in recent meetings. “It has been a wet track and racing like a heavy track, so that would suit him,” Price said. “But by the time he gets to it, it might firm up a bit.” View the full article

Ken and Bev Kelsos’ millionaire duo of Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) are well on target for further major assignments as the feature summer racing period looms. An easy trial win at Te Aroha on Wednesday has confirmed that Legarto is ready to resume her career in the Gr. 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday week. The six-year-old, already credited with stake-earnings of more than $2 million, has been off the scene since finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa in late September. That race was to be followed by the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on October 18, however, Legarto was withdrawn due to a niggling hoof problem resulting from constant wet spring ground. It has since been a game of patience for connections, however, she has turned the corner with an exhibition gallop at Tauranga last week, further good trackwork and a trial hit-out to now be ready to race again. In Wednesday’s 1100m black-type trial ahead of the Te Aroha race meeting, Legarto set a leisurely pace from fellow Group One winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and was under no pressure from rider Vinnie Colgan to score by 3-1/2 lengths. “That was good to see, more like her old self, and she was in no hurry to pull up,” Ken Kelso said. “She had a hood on for the first time today and I’m pretty sure it will stay on when she races. “We have the option of the TAB Mile at Trentham or the Cal Isuzu (Gr.2, 1600m) a week later at Te Rapa, but at this stage she’ll be heading to Trentham. “The obvious attraction is it’s a Group One and the trip away on top will be a better platform ahead of the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m), which is her Christmas target.” Legarto’s bold trial forced a rejig of the futures market for the TAB Mile, from $4.50 equal favourite with La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) and Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) to now be the outright favourite at $4. Legarto will be bidding for her first win since a fresh-up victory last February in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Matamata. The Kelso stable’s other millionaire earner, Alabama Lass, has also received the green light for summer features after making good progress since her return from a two-race Melbourne spring campaign. Having won at Flemington on a hit-and-run mission in her final three-year-old appearance last autumn, Alabama Lass returned to Melbourne in September for a fresh-up second in the Gr. 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), followed by a sub-par performance in the Gr. 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m). “That really had us scratching our heads, so once we got her home and back in work we decided to run a battery of tests to see if we could identify any sort of a problem,” Kelso said. “The vet report has come back all clear, her scopes and everything are good, so we can start making plans. “It looks as though she’ll go into the Railway first-up, so now it’s a matter of working back from the Karaka Millions meeting in late January, probably with trial earlier in the month and maybe an exhibition gallop somewhere. “She’s up to three-quarter-pace at home and has really furnished and bulked up.” Alabama Lass is the $4 equal favourite for the Gr. 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) alongside star three-year-old filly Well Written (Written Tycoon). Under the race’s set weight and penalty conditions, she will carry 54 kilos, and Kelso has already had tentative discussions with Melbourne lightweight jockey Craig Williams. “Craig knows her well from her Melbourne races and he’s keen to stick with her, so we’ll keep in touch,” he said. View the full article