Wandering Eyes

York's Knavesmire is the battleground for Europe's elite over the next four days, with the Ebor Festival playing out on the flat expanse as renowned for its uncomplicated nature as the folk who emanate from the county. Fair and upfront in true Yorkshire spirit, the track which sealed the reputation of City Of Troy 12 months ago will make or break the leading protagonists of the four Group 1 races staged over the piece, including the newly-upgraded City Of York on Saturday, Britain's first seven-furlong event in this category. That a total of just 10 runners will go to post across the opening day's Juddmonte International and Thursday's Yorkshire Oaks is not a major surprise. It is perhaps the latest signal that European racing is heading inexorably backwards to the ancient days of matches on Heathland between the landed gentry. While we may not have yet reversed into the 19th century realm of The Flying Dutchman vs Voltigeur, we may not be far from such scenarios becoming more common as competition dwindles further. Undeniably modern-day racing's most recurrent stand-off is that between Godolphin and Ballydoyle and the opening feature sees Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) look to wrest back his middle-distance crown from Delacroix (Dubawi), having been dispossessed of it when caught unawares at Sandown. With a pacemaker in this time, the Gosdens will find out whether the Rosegreen runner picked his pocket in a tactical Eclipse or is just the better animal full-stop. There shouldn't really be any doubt that Delacroix will thrive for an end-to-end gallop and it may be more a case of how the pair deal with Danon Decile (Epiphaneia), a welcome leftfield entry into the argument. Until they can prove that they can hit a 10.51 sectional and close out a race in 32.5 seconds, like the Japanese colt did in Dubai in March, they can only bow to his superiority. At the moment, they both have something to prove. See The Fire (Sea The Stars) loves this terrain and is two-for-two here, but Jeff Smith's filly has it to do to get to this standard. While she was a 12-length winner of the Middleton in May, her winning time was over five seconds slower than last year's Juddmonte International, which tells its own story. Fellow Sea The Stars representative Daryz has a right to be here, but he's no Calandagan and will have to travel way faster than he did in the Eugene Adam. Thursday's Yorkshire Oaks looks more of a true match, with Cheveley Park's own White Rose Estrange (Night Of Thunder) putting it up to Ballydoyle's Oaks and Irish Oaks winner Minnie Hauk (Frankel). In a way, both share the same profile in that they have yet to be seriously tested by lesser opposition, so here's hoping that they bring out the best in each other. The Lancashire Oaks winner had what appeared to be a tussle at Haydock but, like the three-year-old at the Curragh, she was probably only doing enough to get the job done. On Friday, the Nunthorpe sees the O'Callaghans' Lady Iman (Starman) and Emma Banks's Spicy Marg (Starspangledbanner) become the latest juveniles to take on this unique challenge against the older sprinters in a division that badly needs a shake-up. Saturday's City of York is ideal territory for Rosallion (Blue Point) to get back to winning ways, with the drop to seven certain to play to his strengths. Saeed Suhail's Summer Mile winner Never So Brave (No Nay Never) and Bond Thoroughbred Limited's Prix Jean Prat runner-up Maranoa Charlie (Wootton Bassett) are in the mix, along with Juddmonte's shock Sussex hero Qirat (Showcasing), but with a fair wind this is all about Richard Hannon's flagbearer. Lambourn Best Supporting Actor Wednesday's opener sees Lambourn (Australia) become the first Derby winner to run in the Great Voltigeur since Reference Point in 1988. However, while that past luminary went on to the St Leger, it is not a given that the 2025 Blue Riband hero will follow suit. Up against a more guaranteed Doncaster candidate in Fiona Carmichael's Carmers (Wootton Bassett), he provides a boost to one of the meeting's finer races away from the top-flight action. Friday's G2 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup could see the Gold Cup hero Trawlerman (Golden Horn) met again by the vanquished Illinois (Galileo) as the latter bids to be third-time lucky in Cup races, while another of the Gosdens' staying stars, French Master (Frankel), currently heads the weights for the feature Sky Bet Ebor Handicap on Saturday. A Storm Brewing? York's two-year-old action gets underway on Wednesday with the G3 Acomb Stakes, which is becoming a serious Guineas pointer and is part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Yes, it's Godolphin v Ballydoyle again, with the Newmarket July maiden winner Distant Storm (Night Of Thunder) taking on the Superlative runner-up Italy (Wootton Bassett). Charlie Appleby ran his eventual Newmarket Classic winner Ruling Court in this last year and the €1.9million Arqana Breeze Up topper's stablemate Saba Desert has already beaten Italy, so make of that what you will. Thursday's G2 Lowther Stakes sees the 12-length Haydock winner America Queen (Havana Grey) bid to provide Jaber Abdullah with a sixth renewal and enhance Richard Hughes's landmark summer. Ed Walker's hasn't been too shabby either and his filly Royal Fixation looks to add to the growing reputation of her first-season sire, Palace Pier, in the six-furlong contest. Twenty four hours later, Walker will be hoping that TBT Racing's triple Group-placed Do Or Do Not (Space Blues) finally does as the colts and geldings get their turn in the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes. If he does not (again), it will probably be because Godolphin are running their impressive Listed Rose Bowl Stakes winner Wise Approach (Mehmas). Also on Friday is the £100,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes, won in the past by Stravinsky, Rivet and Naval Crown and always prone to conjuring up something smart largely due to the prize-money. At this stage before declarations, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's newcomer Inishbeg (Ghaiyyath) is one of those eye-catchers. A 500,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate from the family of the past Juddmonte International hero Postponed, he represents the locally-based Kevin Ryan stable always to be respected here. A true Yorkshire operation at the heart of a true Yorkshire occasion. The post Familiar Foes and Match-Ups Shape the Ebor Festival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

For the latest instalment of the TDN Conversations podcast we took a trip to Oghill House Stud in County Kildare. There, Johnny Hyland represents the fifth generation of his family to be running what has become a notably successful nursery for Thoroughbreds. In recent years the likes of Group 1 winner Marcel, Royal Ascot winners Washington DC and Quick Suzy, and French group winners Romantic Style and Caius Chorister are among some of the top horses to have been bred or raised at Oghill House. The stud will offer a Mehmas half-sister to Romantic Style at the forthcoming Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. The first three foals of their dam Sweety Dream (Dream Ahead) are all stakes winners. Hyland took over the running of the farm from his later father Hugh and uncle Pat, and he talks us through the ethos of this family-run business in the heart of Ireland's racing and breeding community. “A great work ethic,” is what Hyland says he has inherited from the those two much-missed role models. “And as regards horses, just take your time and trust yourself.” The TDN Conversation podcast is sponsored by Saracen Horse Feeds. Watch the latest episode here: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Johnny-Hyland-Mix_mixdown-v2-1.mp3 The post TDN Conversations: Johnny Hyland of Oghill House Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Skippylongstocking bids to become the first three-peat winner of the Charles Town Classic (G2) when the 6-year-old competes in the $1 million race the evening of Aug. 25.View the full article

Following her victory over Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner Good Cheer in the Aug. 16 Alabama Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, Nitrogen has cracked the leading 10 horses in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, FRANCE – It is the morning after the night before and Arqana president Olivier Delloye is still floating after records were broken at one of the most memorable August Yearling Sales that Deauville has seen. Doubtless there was a party, but Delloye is back on deck as there is more business to be done here in Deauville, with the one-day V2 session due to kick off on Wednesday. And judging by the numbers who have stuck around for V2, it's safe to assume that buyers have stood up and taken note of some of the winners that have emerged from this sale. Among the first two people through the gates on Tuesday morning was Cormac O'Flynn and Serena Stack who, along with Roderic Kavanagh of Glending Stables, produced one of the pinhooking results of the season with a horse who was sourced at this sale. Zanthos (Sioux Nation), who the pinhookers bought through bloodstock agent Ross Doyle for €48,000, sold for an eye-watering €1 million to Anthony Stroud on behalf of KHK Racing at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale in May. The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly hardened her reputation as being a good advertisement for this sale when bolting up in a Newmarket maiden on debut, earning herself a TDN Rising Star in the process. More good horses will come out of this sale, that's for sure, and Delloye says he is hopeful that the record-breaking trade that we saw here at Arqana over the past few days can be reciprocated into the middle and lower tiers of the market on Wednesday. He said, “Overall, we had a very good August Sale, but Monday was an amazing day. We got off to a fairly slow start on day one but it really took off on Sunday and again on Monday. There were more very good individuals on Sunday and Monday. That was a pretty random thing, given the sale is organised alphabetically, but the quality was probably better on day two and day three. The average [€266,576] and the median [€170,000] was astonishing and the clearance rate was very strong so it was quite unbelievable. There was a good diversity of buyers at the top end and the good horses were well spread out among different consignors as well.” He added, “It's good that, behind the top three vendors that do so well year after year, there are many more consignors who participated in what was a big party. When you have a good mare, you have to be bold to keep her. And when you have a good mare, you have to also be bold to send her to a good commercial stallion who costs a lot of money. Then you just need all of the stars to align, and that's why we are so happy that the August Sale went so well for all of our vendors who are so loyal to us here in Arqana.” Attention now turns to V2, which cannot be described as just a one-trick pony because, outside of Zanthos, recent Curragh maiden scorer Mushaffar is also a graduate. It was Matthew White of Bushypark Stables who sourced the horse for just €28,000 here, before re-offering the son of Van Beethoven at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale where he was sold to Blandford Bloodstock for €125,000. Group races are now on the cards for the Joseph O'Brien-trained Mushaffar and White has returned to Arqana in search of his next flagbearer. He said, “A good horse can come out of any sale. The minute I saw Mushaffar, I liked him. That's being completely straight up now. The initial impression was good because he was just a lovely light horse on his feet. He was still a little bit immature as a yearling and was raw. I thought the Motivator dam wasn't a bad thing either and it just worked out. There was plenty of luck involved. “I sold Jewelier (Wootton Bassett) at the breeze-up sale here last year and he was second in the Saratoga Derby the other day. The filly that I brought to the Goffs London Sale, Fairy Oak (A'Ali) [who sold for £225,000], won her maiden there at Leopardstown the other day for Michael O'Callaghan so we've been having a good time of it. I still have three in training, mind you.” White added, “You have to go to every sale and you have to give every horse a chance. At a sale like this, there is no point in looking at the catalogue. You just have to look at every horse and draw up your shortlist. I've been coming to this sale for a few years now and it's a great place to get the yearling sale season up and running. I was the only one on the plane this morning that was coming here. The August Yearling Sale was a bit strong for me but I'm looking forward to getting the eye in here during V2 and hopefully we can find something.” Delloye is quietly optimistic that there are enough good horses on offer during the V2 session to put the cherry on top of what has been an outstanding week for the sales company. He concluded, “There were some shrewd and lucky pinhooks that came out of this sale last year, including the Sioux Nation who made €1 million, which is a great story. I am sure that trainers will find some decent horses who will go to the track quite early on, which is the aim of this sale.” The post ‘Good Horses Can Come From Any Sale’ – Search For More Hidden Gems At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of El Cordobes at Saratoga. El Cordobes Breaks Through At The Spa Godolphin's El Cordobes (Frankel) broke through at the highest level in the August 9 GI Sword Dancer Stakes at Saratoga for Charlie Appleby (video). He is a winner of the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes in England. Bred by Bjorn Nielsen, he was originally picked up for 2 million gns out of the Tattersalls October Book 1 Yearling Sale by Richard Knight for Saleh Al Homaizi, but was later acquired privately by Godolphin after that sale did not materialise. The son of the winner Bold Lass (Sea The Stars) is a half-brother to Listed Snowdrop Fillies Stakes third Amniarix (Speightstown). They are grandchildren of multiple stakes winner My Branch (Distant Relative), who was placed in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas. This is also the family of G1 Sprint Cup heroine Tante Rose (Barathea). Juddmonte's Frankel now has five Grade I winners in the U.S. with El Cordobes's victory, and 16 stakes winners overall. A total of 71 runners have participated in that jurisdiction with 38 of them prevailing (53%). Heredia Wreathed In Yellow Ribbons Wathnan Racing's Heredia (Dark Angel) led at every call to collect the GII Yellow Ribbon Handicap at Del Mar on August 9 (video). Now trained by Graham Motion, the six-year-old mare won the G3 Atalanta Stakes and was third in the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes during her European tenure for breeder St Albans Bloodstock and Richard Hannon, which ended in 2023. Purchased privately earlier this year, Heredia is the first foal out of fellow Atalanta Stakes heroine Nakuti (Mastercraftsman), whose latest is the juvenile colt The Big Con (Dark Angel) and a yearling colt by New Bay who is entered as lot 1040 in the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 2. Heredia is also related to GII Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes winner Amade (Casamento). Yeomanstown Stud's Dark Angel is credited with 31 winners from 51 runners in America (61%). His seven stakes winners are anchored by Grade I winners Raging Bull, Althiqa and Hunt. Cable Bay Filly Explosive In Victory Yours Sincerely (Cable Bay) closed like a rocket to win her American debut at Del Mar on August 16 (video). Trained by Phil D'Amato for the Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Jerry McClanahan and Michael Nentwig, the filly was making her third lifetime start. Bred by Alwarith Ibrahim Al Hadhrami in Ireland, the dark bay was purchased by BBA Ireland for €6,500 out of the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale in 2024. Sent into training with Adrian McGuinness, she placed once in two Irish starts in the silks of Adam Potts this June before being sold. Out of the German stakes-winning Tamayuz mare Best Regards, who was placed at Group 3 level there, Yours Sincerely is the sixth of seven foals and one of three winners for her dam, who foaled a colt by Saxon Warrior in 2024. This is a lesser known branch tracing to sprinting star Cassandra Go (Indian Ridge), who is the third dam of Yours Sincerely. The late Cable Bay has had few offspring race Stateside, but Yours Sincerely brings his record to 50% winners there, as she is his fourth winner of eight runners. The White Lady Another For D'Amato At Del Mar Two races after his success with Yours Sincerely at Del Mar, trainer Phil D'Amato saddled another winner in the form of The Grey Gatsby's The White Lady (video). Owned by Little Red Feather Racing, Madaket Stables, Old Bones Racing Stable and William Strauss, the four-year-old filly was making her third U.S. start. Part of the Haras de Saint Julien breeding programme, the grey is a daughter of the Listed heroine Three French Hens (Elnadim), herself a half-sister to G2 Prix Chaudenay hero Vendangeur (Galileo). The mare's latest foals are a two-year-old colt by Highland Reel and a yearling full-sister to the winner already named Toutsuite. There are multiple top-flight winners tracing to great granddam Virunga (Sodium), herself a Group winner who was placed at the top table three times. Ultimately, The White Lady would make 10 starts last year, signing off with a second in the Listed Prix Petite Etoile at Deauville in December for her breeder and trainer Fabrice Chappet. Haras du Petite Tellier's The Grey Gatsby has sired six winners from eight to race (75%) in the U.S. His best is the GIII The Very One Stakes heroine Mylady, while he also has the stakes winner Atomic Blonde – herself placed three times at graded level – and Child Of The Moon, who struck in the Listed Athenia Stakes on the tough, New York circuit. Better Late Than Never Later Than Planned ran out a handy winner at second asking at Del Mar on August 17 (video). Trained by Phil D'Amato, the son of Cotai Glory races for Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify. Bred by John P. and John S. Mangan, the juvenile colt was an €8,000 buy-back at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale and ran second on his debut behind subsequent stakes winner Ipanema Queen (Sands Of Mali) at the Curragh in May for John S. Mangan and trainer Adrian McGuinness. Snapped up by his new connections in the interim, he is a grandson of GI Matriarch Stakes heroine Price Tag (Dansili) through her daughter Asking Price (Dansili). Tally-Ho Stud's Cotai Glory has sired 10 winners from 18 runners (56%) in the U.S. His trio of stakes winners are highlighted by GI Diana Stakes heroine Excellent Truth. Teleport & Wit Represent Lope De Vega Repole Stable and Newtown Anner Stud Farm's Teleport (Lope De Vega) was put up in Saratoga's sixth race on August 17 (video). Bred by Newtown Anner, the colt sold for 300,000gns at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 to Mike Repole's racing operation. Already a full-brother to multiple stakes winner Curvature and a half-brother to G3 Derby Trial winner and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes second Juwelier (Wootton Bassett), the colt is out of a full-sister to Galileo sire and G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner Intello. Second dam is the G2 Prix de Sandringham winner Impressionnante (Danehill), who was second in a brace of Group 1s – the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and the Prix d'Astarte. D. J. Stable's Phoenix Of Wit (Lope De Vega) found the turf to her liking in start number four at Gulfstream Park on August 17 (video). Trained by Joseph Orseno, the Ballylinch Stud-bred €130,000 Goffs Orby graduate is a daughter of the GIII My Charmer Handicap third Janicellaine (Beat Hollow). Kin to six winning full- or half-siblings, Phoenix Of Wit's juvenile half-sister Ethereal Charm (Make Believe) has yet to race. Janicellaine's 2025 foal is a filly by Bayside Boy. Janicellaine herself is a half-sister to the multiple Group winner and G1 Falmouth Stakes runner-up Very Special (Lope De Vega), as well as the star-crossed GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and G1 Fillies Mile heroine Chriselliam (Iffraaj). One of the most successful Making Waves sires, Ballylinch's Lope De Vega has now sired 52 winners from 94 runners (55%) in North America. Carl Spackler, Program Trading, Newspaperofrecord and Aunt Pearl are his four Grade I winners in that locale. Miss Bodacious a Winner for Zoustar Zoustar's Miss Bodacious got the job done at Woodbine on Sunday for Sally Houldsworth and trainer Michael Doyle (video). Owned and trained by Brian Lynch in her previous three North American starts, the filly was bred by Seymour Bloodstock. The 325,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling scored three wins for Karl Burke and owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum during her European tenure. Sent back through the ring at Park Paddocks during last October's Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale, she brought 85,000gns from Howson & Houldsworth Bloodstock. The half-sister to G3 Molecomb Stakes third Boonie (Brazen Beau) is out of the unraced Dice Game (Shamardal), who has fillies by Frankel and Brazen Beau foaled in 2022 and 2023. Her latest produce is a 2024 colt by Dundeel. The fourth dam is the champion and Breeders' Cup heroine Outstandingly (Exclusive Native). Former reverse shuttler Zoustar is credited with 10 winners from 15 runners in North America (67%). Despite a smaller sample size, three of them have won at stakes level, and both King Of Gosford and Starlust earned top-tier victories. Repeat Winners Laurelin (Zarak) added a tally in the GII Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes to her resume at Saratoga on August 9 (video). The undefeated filly, trained by Graham Motion, is raced by Newstead Stables. One day prior, the GII Ballston Spa Stakes went to Cheyenne Stable's Ozara (Lope De Vega) (video). The consistent filly is trained by Miguel Clement. Recent Making Waves addition So Sophia (Showcasing) was back in the winner's circle at Colonial Downs on August 14 (video). She runs in the colours of Next Level Stables for trainer Abraham Gardea. The post Making Waves: Frankel Gelding Makes The Cut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer partnerships aren't the "thing" in American racing but the father-son team of John and Thady Gosden is showing how it's done in Europe and around the globe.View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Wednesday at Saratoga. Wednesday, August 20, 2025 Saratoga 3, $80k, Moc, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 2:20 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Lexington Pike (Lexitonian), OBSMAR, 55,000, :10 2/5 C-Potrero Stables; B-Calumet Farm Saratoga 6, $90k, 2yo, f, (S), 5 1/2fT, 4:00 p.m. ET Hot Currency (Central Banker)-MTO, OBSAPR, 200,000, :10 C-Best A Luck Farm, agent; B-Sallusto/Kimmel for Winning Move Unified Identity (Unified), OBSMAR, 20,000, :10 1/5 C-Five Star Equestrian Sales; B-Mike Ferraro The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nothing ages us like old silk–certainly, at any rate, those of us who began on the Turf long before there was an internet. Finding footage today of the races that got us hooked will invariably restore from oblivion the colors of tycoons and aristocrats, once part of our daily lives, that have largely or even totally vanished since. Sic transit gloria mundi. (So passes the glory of the world…) Our memories, moreover, position us in place as well as time. In my own youth, for instance, black jacket and scarlet cap did not spell Phipps. They meant H. J. Joel. By that stage, true, Jim Joel was primarily associated with popular steeplechasers like Maori Venture (GB) and Door Latch (GB). In 1986, as a nonagenarian with fading sight, he had reluctantly dispersed his breeding stock at Tattersalls–though, as we'll see, there would be one final flourish on the Flat. As is typical of young people, I then had little sense of the extraordinary dynastic saga underpinning his Turf investment. But while Joel's longevity permitted him unusual gratification, from the pedigrees he cultivated, it remains our privilege still to benefit from his legacy. GI Alabama Stakes winner Nitrogen (Medaglia d'Oro) is a case in point, tracing as she does to a mare whose 1964 transfer to Kentucky broke six consecutive generations of Joel family breeding. D.J. Stable bred Nitrogen from Tiffany Case (Uncle Mo), a $320,000 purchase at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale, in foal to Violence, after she'd won five of 13 starts. (Never quite bridged the gap in stakes company, owing her black type to a distant third of four.) The foal she was carrying proved to be Love to Shop, who recovered $200,000 as a yearling before setting to work for the page round Woodbine, as a stakes winner placed four times at graded level. So here's a young mare who has produced a Grade I winner and Grade II runner-up from two foals. Moreover her debut cover was obviously based on the emergence of her half-sister by Violence, Talk Veuve to Me, winner the previous year of the GIII Indiana Oaks and runner-up in the GI Acorn Stakes. A $20,000 yearling who eventually joined the Stonestreet broodmare band for $1.3 million, Talk Veuve to Me was too late to revive the value of her dam Biblical Point (Point Given), a sister to triple Grade II runner-up Winning Point. Biblical Point had needed 10 attempts to break her maiden before measuring how dismally we turn these wonderful creatures into commodities, making five in-foal visits to the November Sale between 2008 and 2015, her value ultimately declining to $1,500 when finally exported to Korea. What a contrast to the way mares were developed by the great breed-to-race programs! And the commercial nadir of her granddam does not alter the fact that Nitrogen is only the latest bloom on the remarkable family tree rooted in Absurdity (GB), a 1904 yearling purchase who became foundation mare for Joel's father Jack at Childwickbury Stud. Absurdity's daughter Jest (GB) won two Classics in 1913 before herself producing the 1921 Derby winner Humorist (GB). After that sensational start, the line stagnated somewhat until Joel inherited the stud in 1940. At that point, Absurdity's randdaughter Amuse (Ire) was carrying a foal by Donatello (Fr). The resulting filly, Picture Play (GB), won the 1944 1,000 Guineas and her own daughter Queen of Light (GB) (Borealis {GB}) has since tied together the pedigrees of many elite performers. For Joel himself, for instance, she became granddam of both the 2,000 Guineas/Derby winner Royal Palace (GB) and the brilliant miler Welsh Pageant (Fr); and also third dam of 1,000 Guineas winner Fairy Footsteps (GB). But it was the emigration of Queen of Light's daughter Chandelier (GB) to Kentucky, after her first foal became champion British juvenile Crocket (GB), that served to proliferate her impact–albeit often through the repatriation of her blood to Europe. Her key daughter, Lighted Lamp (Sir Gaylord), had no fewer than 18 named foals. On the racetrack, they tended not to do things too quickly and three of her stakes performers operated at 14, 15 and even 22 (!) furlongs. But her daughters recur in all manner of pedigrees. Just as a sample, they include the granddams of animals as diverse as Greinton (GB), who broke two track records on dirt at Hollywood Park; and Paris House (GB), second as a juvenile in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes 34 years ago this week. Lighted Lamp's foals were by 16 different sires, but she started with the best in Northern Dancer. The result was Star in the North, Group-placed in Europe before producing two smart turf runners: Mountain Kingdom (Exceller) tapped into that staying seam in the G2 Yorkshire Cup, while Cool (Bold Bidder) won the GI Manhattan Handicap. And though her daughter by Blushing Groom (Fr) never made the track, it would ultimately be her that produced Biblical Point, granddam of Nitrogen. And so the Joel legacy lives on. As always, it does so via highways and byways, valued and interpreted in different ways. One of the top mares at the dispersal, at 600,000gns, rewarded Sheikh Mohammed as granddam of those early Godolphin stars, the Sadler's Wells siblings Moonshell (Ire) and Doyen (Ire). At just 5,200gns, much the cheapest lot was Regal Beauty (Princely Native)–whose left-field acquisition as a yearling, at Keeneland four years previously, had shown her veteran purchaser still looking forward. And, in fact, her weanling colt by Shirley Heights (GB) was retained to race after the dispersal. Under the name High Estate (GB), he gave Joel that last hurrah as 1988 champion juvenile. For her purchaser, Regal Beauty then came up with King's Theatre (Ire), whose juvenile emergence prompted Sheikh Mohammed to catch up with what he'd missed. Fortunately for him, King's Theatre trained on at three–unlike High Estate, winter favorite for the Derby but overtaken at Warren Place the following spring by another glorious son of Sadler's Wells, Old Vic (GB). Oh dear, I'm sorry. It's not just pedigrees that proliferate, but memories. Not This Time | Jon Siegel New Horizons For Big Guns Before proceeding, we must additionally acknowledge the Alabama Stakes as another chapter in the incredible Indian summer of Medaglia d'Oro, sire of both the winner and runner-up. Having only recently celebrated the 26-year-old, here we'll just note that he has joined Into Mischief and Twirling Candy on three Grade I winners for the year, from 152 starters compared with 383 and 258 respectively for the other pair. Moreover, Nitrogen's switch of surface reiterates her sire's long service as a crossover influence, much of his career having coincided with a period of benighted prescription of given influences as inflexibly either turf or dirt. We should also bookmark Nitrogen's contribution to the growing distaff impact of a sire who, sadly, was not blessed with similar longevity. With Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) and Journalism (Curlin) among those also advertising Uncle Mo's prowess as a broodmare sire, there may be particular interest in fillies among his penultimate yearlings. Prolific as he was, no fewer than 49 of those are catalogued in the September Sale. Among the big guns, incidentally, Not This Time has yet to come up with a real headliner this year but things are unmistakably astir for a stallion whose latest juveniles were still conceived at only $45,000. His next crop, including three seven-figure sales at Saratoga, resulted from a trebled fee and it will be quite a ride if his upgraded mares can move up even his outstanding performance with lesser materials. Not This Time is the year's most prolific juvenile sire, with 14 winners already, and has had six 'TDN Rising Stars' inside six weeks including the 18-length blowout It's Our Time on the Alabama card. Priceless Twists Of Fate His sire's progress as a distaff influence is not the only reason why Chiefswood Stables might have preferred GIII Bold Venture Stakes winner Simcoe (Uncle Mo) to have been born a filly. For one thing, he has been gelded anyway. But he's also out of a mare with an incorrigible record, with one of the great maternal lines in play, of producing males. For this is a sequel to a tale told last week, when we traced the pedigree of Fort Washington (War Front) via his fifth dam, the great Allez France (Sea-Bird {Fr}), to her mother Priceless Gem (Hail to Reason). Simcoe foreshortens the line to Priceless Gem, his third dam being another of her daughters, Lady Winborne (Secretariat). Herself dam of two Grade I winners, Al Mamoon (Believe It) and La Gueriere (Lord At War {Arg}), the stakes production spreading beneath Lady Winborne makes your head swim, with Munnings and Circus Maximus (Ire) among the names quickest into focus. La Gueriere's example saw Lady Winborne returned to Lord At War for her last five foals. First of these was Lady Lochinvar, who only won a maiden in a light career but did at least do so by seven lengths at Saratoga. Little wonder, then, that Chiefswood were forced to $800,000 for her daughter Aurora Lights (Pulpit) at the 2007 September Sale–especially when the ongoing functionality of her genes had been reiterated, earlier that year, by three consecutive graded stakes for her half-brother Master Command (A.P. Indy). Unfortunately Aurora Lights, besides missing out on five years through various misfortunes, has delivered nine boys out of nine. The sixth was Simcoe. Let's hope that everybody managed a nice, welcoming smile for the American Pharoah colt who slithered into the straw this spring! The post Breeding Digest: Joel Legacy The Key Element In Nitrogen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jamie Linwood was cheering as the horses rounded the final turn in the GI Sword Dancer Stakes, but it wasn't for the mount he had come to America to ride. It was the other Charlie Appleby trainee, Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who looked like the stronger pick at the top of the stretch, but then El Cordobes (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) weaved through one gap and slipped through another, surging past his more-accomplished stablemate to snatch a dramatic victory. “I saw Nations Pride was going well and obviously we're the same team so I was happy for him to take it up,” Linwood recalled. “William [Buick] kicked and I was like, 'Oh we've got this in the bag.' As long as my lad got out and ran home, I was going to be happy. Then all of a sudden I see my lad get through all the spots and as soon as he lengthened out in the straight, I knew he'd find the line. It was just if he was going to get there in time. Flavien Prat gave him an amazing ride and yeah, he got there in time.” The victory made a long trip more than worth it for Linwood, who has been part of the Appleby team for the past two and a half years. Although he is not El Cordobes's regular rider, Linwood has formed a connection with the gelding in a short time. El Cordobes's usual handler is based at Appleby's Newmarket yard year-round, which opened the door for Linwood to travel to Saratoga and oversee the horse's morning training and daily care during his two-week stay in the States. Linwood, along with traveling assistant Chris Connett and several other members of the Appleby team, flew into JFK Airport with El Cordobes and Nations Pride a little over a week before the Sword Dancer. After quarantining for a few days, the crew moved in to Greentree Stable, Godolphin's private facility that sits adjacent to the backside of Saratoga's main track. Linwood said that while the experience of training on the busy main track of Saratoga was new to El Cordobes, who was making his U.S. debut, the 4-year-old took it all in stride, hinting that big things were to come. Linwood and El Cordobes take to the main track at Saratoga ahead of the Sword Dancer | Sarah Andrew “He took to it like a fish to water, really,” said Linwood. “He was happy and covering ground well. He's been to Dubai, so he's had a small experience getting away, but American racing is a completely different ball game with the way the track works [in the morning]. Horses are going left and right, fast and slow, but he took to it well. Nothing bothered him.” Bred by Bjorn Nielsen, El Cordobes was a 2 million guineas purchase for Richard Knight Bloodstock on behalf of Godolphin back at Book 1 of the 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. A maiden winner at three, the son of Frankel has gradually upped his game this year. He earned two stakes placings and won the G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket on July 10, setting the stage for the Sword Dancer victory that secured an automatic entry in the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar this fall. The day after El Cordobes's big win in Saratoga, Linwood and his charge spent a quiet morning at Greentree, with the team set to head home in a few days. El Cordobes enjoyed a pick of grass, but lifted his head every so often to gaze toward the far side of the training track. Linwood explained that early in their stay, they'd spotted a few deer in that direction. Ever since then, El Cordobes had been watching for their return. That quiet intelligence, Linwood believes, has been a key ingredient in El Cordobes's success. Linwood and El Cordobes celebrate the Sword Dancer win | Sara Gordon “He's just a lovely animal,” Linwood described. “He's sweet-natured. There's no malice in him and he's very easy to handle. He's a great ride. He covers the ground beautifully and does everything you want in a nice horse. He wears a hood because he can have a few moments. He's still got that in his locker, but on the whole he's just a very good ride. I had a few sits on him when he was a 2-year-old and he's had a few different riders in between. Roy Carter rides him and he's done an amazing job with him. I've just been fortunate to pick up the ride now.” Though Linwood is now a key member of the Appleby team with over two decades of racing experience, his journey in racing started with a simple decision to give the sport a try. Linwood's father had once been an amateur jockey in England, so horse racing was always on the television during his childhood. But growing up in Enfield, a North London suburb, Linwood had little exposure to live horses. When his family later moved to Royston, about 30 minutes from Newmarket, his interest in racing started to grow. At 16, he decided to apply to the British Racing School despite having never ridden a horse. “I didn't have many plans after school and when I heard about the racing school, I decided to give it a go,” he said. “I loved every minute of it. I've been very sporty my whole life, played football and all different sports at school. This was just another aspect of sports.” What drew him most, though, was the connections he formed with the horses he rode. “You've had dogs and cats, but horses are a different nature,” he noted. “They're amazing creatures and if you get to click with a horse, there's nothing better.” His first job after graduating from the program was with renowned trainer Sir Mark Prescott. “I literally started on my seventeenth birthday,” Linwood recalled. “I was away from home, living on my own and it was all new for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. [Prescott] is one of the oldest-serving trainers in Newmarket now and it was a very hard job, but I learned a lot.” After four years with Prescott, Linwood moved on to work for Michael Jarvis. When Jarvis passed away, he stayed with the stable under Jarvis's assistant Roger Varian. As his experience in the industry grew, Linwood felt ready for a change. He moved to Australia and worked there for 10 years before returning to Varian's as head lad. Two and a half years ago, an opportunity arose for him to join Appleby's team. He jumped at the chance. During his time with Appleby, Linwood has had the opportunity to work with several big-name horses. He has only ridden Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) a handful of times, but describes the two-time Breeders' Cup Turf winner as “an icon.” Linwood with Cinderella's Dream after her win in the 2024 GI Belmont Oaks Invitational | Walter Wlodarczyk One of his all-time favorite mounts is Cinderella's Dream (GB) (Shamardal). He has worked with the star filly since she was a yearling and while he was not on hand for her runner-up performance in last year's Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, he accompanied the Godolphin homebred to New York for her wins in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational Stakes and GII Saratoga Oaks Invitational Stakes. This year, the 4-year-old has claimed two wins including the G1 Falmouth Stakes in her most recent start and is pointing for a return to the Breeders' Cup. “She is, shall we say, spicy,” Linwood said with a laugh. “Everyone loves her in the yard, but no one wants to deal with her. I know her like the back of my hand. I know when she wants to be brushed and when she doesn't. When she wants to be handled and when she doesn't. She's quite a character.” Back home in Newmarket, Linwood is focused on helping prepare a strong roster of Godolphin horses for a trip to the Breeders' Cup. The group includes Cinderella's Dream, El Cordobes and Rebel's Romance, who is seeking a three-peat in the Turf after securing his eighth career Group 1 on Aug. 10. Appleby has recorded 11 victories at the Breeders' Cup, adding extra significance to the challenge. Whether or not he travels to Del Mar, Linwood knows he'll be cheering every step of the way. Watching the horses he's helped prepare compete at the highest level is the reward he cherishes most. “It's my life,” he said. “I've done it for 20-odd years now. It's given me a career and I've gotten to see the world. I've been to Australia, Hong Kong, all over Europe, and now America. It's an amazing job and it's amazing to deal with these animals day in and day out.” The post Breeders’ Cup Connections: With Linwood, El Cordobes at the Top of His Game appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-Deauville, €27,400, Mdn, 8-19, unraced 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:44.46, g/s. ZALINA (FR) (f, 2, Pinatubo {Ire}–Lady Baker, by Pioneerof The Nile) broke well and asserted for control after the initial strides of this unveiling. Holding sway thereafter, the 37-5 chance was bustled along turning for home and kept on powerfully under continued urging inside the final quarter-mile to easily account for Persian Grace (Persian King) by three lengths. Zalina is the third of four foals and first scorer produced by a winning half-sister to Group 3-winning G2 German 1000 Guineas runner-up Peace In Motion (Hat Trick) and Listed Kronimus-Rennen and Listed Baden-Baden Cup victrix Peace Society (Iffraaj). The January-foaled bay, whose second dam is dual Group 3 winner Peace Royale (Sholokhov), is half to a yearling filly by Siyouni. Sales history: €160,000 Ylg '24 ARQOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €13,700. O-Nurlan Bizakov; B-Haras Voltaire; T-Mario Baratti. Pinatubo filly Zalina bounds clear impressively on debut at @fgdeauville to win for Cristian Demuro and Mario Baratti… pic.twitter.com/lvFFlOJVEt — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 19, 2025 The post Pinatubo Filly Zalina Impresses in Deauville Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saffie Joseph Jr. is easy to pick out. It's got to be the hair. He talks about the long locks he has on his head and what it would take for him to cut it off. He talks about Skippylongstocking going for his third straight win in the Charles Town Classic. He compares the weather of Saratoga to Florida. And, it might surprise you what actor he picks to play himself if ever there was a movie made about his life. He sat down with the TDN's Tim Wilkin to talk about all of this and more. Here is the Saratoga Q&A. TDN: I'm going to start with your meet so far (five wins, nine seconds and eight thirds in 34 starts). Are you happy with how it's going? SJ: Yes. The horses are running, You would always like a few more wins. Once they are running and finishing second and third, you can't complain. We have had a couple of tough beats in some stakes. We have a few more weeks; hopefully we can get a couple more wins. TDN: You are the king at Gulfstream lately. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you have a dozen straight training titles and four straight at the championship meet. What is the secret down there? SJ: You have the horses, and you have the numbers, That's the secret for any trainer. You need good owners, and you need numbers to win championships. We have both. We have quality, we have numbers, and we have a good staff. TDN: Florida is your home base. Is that your favorite track? SJ: It's home, but you can take it for granted… how beautiful it is. I ask a lot of owners when they come in what their favorite track is–they don't live there–and they say Gulfstream. I take it a little for granted. I love Saratoga, too. I think next year we are going to move a big string up here. TDN: How many horses do you have here? SJ: Fifty. TDN: How many do you have in Florida? SJ: One hundred-plus. TDN: So, you have just south of 200 horses. How do you keep track of them all? SJ: I have good help, and we have an organized system. We know every horse's location. True technology today as far as video on the horses. That's all I do, all day. I would say every night, from 9 to 11:30, I go through all my horses. TDN: What time are you getting up in the morning? SJ: It depends on the day. Some mornings I get up at 5, some days I am up at 4:30. TDN: Doing the math, that's not a lot of sleep every night. SJ: No, but once you are doing good, it's enough sleep. You have the adrenaline, and you are working off the adrenaline. Mondays are kind of a rest day–not in Saratoga–but in Florida. You get your rest then. TDN: When you're winning, it probably doesn't matter how much sleep you get. SJ (smiles): When you're winning, everything comes easy. When you lose, everything goes harder. TDN: The first time I met you was your breakthrough race in the United States when Math Wizard won the Pennsylvania Derby in 2019 at odds of 31-1. I remember how emotional you were after that. Are you an emotional guy or was it just that race? SJ: I think I'm an emotional guy… no, I am definitely emotional. There are no two ways about it. I am high or low, there is no in between. I try not to get too high or too low because in this game you can get very low very quickly. Math Wizard | Sarah Andrew TDN: You grew up in Barbados. Your dad was a trainer. Does he still train? SJ: Not anymore. He's at the barn all the time. TDN: How often do you go to him for advice? SJ: All the time. We butt heads every day. We argue a lot because he has a different opinion than me. Sometimes I see things that he doesn't see. We argue a lot, but we are always arguing over the horse. We are trying to come up with the right decision for the horse. A lot of times I might not have the answer, and I rely on him to give me a little push to find the answer. TDN: You grew up watching him. You must have figured you wanted to do this from a young age. How old were you when you said this is what you wanted to do? SJ: When I was young, six or seven, I wanted to be a jockey. When I was 10, 11, I wanted to be a trainer. When you get older, 15 or 16, you are kind of searching, trying to find out what you want to do in life. I knew it wasn't school for me. I knew it had to be something in either the gambling side of the industry or the training side. I did the gambling side in Barbados but it didn't give me the highs of training a horse. I got more excited about training; I didn't want to be in an office all day. I like being outside. I like understanding a horse. When you can read a horse, that's the best part of training. That is what intrigues me the most. When you are in a large operation, you depend on people. That's the hardest part for me, to depend on other people to make a decision for me. I like to have the ball in my hands and be the one to make or miss a shot. TDN: Next week, you are making your annual trip to West Virginia. Skippylongstocking is going for his third straight win in the $1 million Charles Town Classic. You drove the last two years. You driving again this year? SJ: I am going to drive again. TDN: How long does it take? SJ: I don't know… seven and a half, eight hours. TDN: And then you turn around and come back right after the race. Night race. SJ: The drive has been easy because he has won the last two years. If he loses, I don't know how the drive would be (laughs). Hopefully he keeps winning. TDN: The race is Friday night. When do you leave here? SJ: We leave Thursday after training and get there mid-day. TDN: Does someone go with you? SJ: Someone goes with me. Last year, I drove. TDN: What time did you get home? SJ: Two years ago, we got back at like 5 in the morning. Last year, we slept for a couple hours and got back at 10 or 11 in the morning. Travers Day. TDN: That sounds crazy. SJ: You are working off adrenaline because we won. If we don't win, it's going to be a long, long drive. TDN: Do you like your chances this year? SJ: We've got some good shots. We are running in all three stakes. The 3-year-old boys ($500,000 Robert Hilton Memorial), the ($750,000) Oaks and the Classic. Skippylongstocking schools | Sarah Andrew TDN: Who is in the Oaks? SJ: We are trying to run three. Luvumorgan, Andrea and Indy Bay. Skippy and Alexander Helios in the Classic and Neoequos in the boys 3-year-old race. TDN: In baseball, if you bat .300, you are going to end up in the Hall of Fame. SJ: If you are .300 in horse racing, they'll say you cheated. You try to bat above .200 in horse racing. TDN: You lose a lot more than you win in this game. How do you deal with that? SJ: That is why balance is important. You can't celebrate a win too much and you can't get too low. You have to be able to turn the page. What happened yesterday doesn't really matter, whether it was good or bad. Sometimes my dad wants to review, review. I don't want to review. If you don't turn the page, you are going to drive yourself crazy. TDN: I have to ask you about the hair, the cabbage you have on your head. Some people would probably kill for it. Have you always had the long hair? SJ: I have. Every time I cut it, I regret it. I have cut it three or four times; I give the hair to Locks of Love, either 12 or 14 inches. And then I basically have a buzz cut. TDN: Why do you regret cutting it? SJ: Maybe because I am used to looking in the mirror with long hair and then you see a sudden change. Every time I have cut it, I am like, 'why did I do that?' I guess it becomes my trademark in a way. TDN: Do people comment about your hair? SJ: Nobody has ever told me they didn't like it. Whatever people want to think, that is their own opinion. For now, it's staying (smiles). TDN: As we are speaking, outside your barn, it is about 90 degrees. Florida weather. You are used to this weather. Do you like it hot? SJ: This is not hot. For me, this is cool. When you are accustomed to Florida hot, this is like, actually cool. For me, this is really, really nice. I like cool mornings, warm days. I've never seen it snow. TDN: Wait a second. You have never seen snow? SJ: Never. I've seen it on TV, never in real life. We are thinking of expanding our operation up here and if we buy a house up here, we might come and see snow. I've never walked in snow. I want to. Timing hasn't been right. TDN: You want to go out and build a snowman some day? SJ: I do, I really do. I picture it looking pretty. Everybody says it's not what you think, but I would love to see it. TDN: I ask this question to everybody. If there was a movie made about your life and you could pick the actor to play you, who are you picking? SJ: I know this. Steven Seagal. I've been told that a couple times. Maybe because of the hair. Back in the day, I used to put a lot of gel in it, and it would get darker, so I used to look like him. TDN: Are you a martial arts guy, like him? SJ: No, it would be nice if I was (laughs). TDN: If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be? SJ: My granddad Attie Joseph because he started the racing generation, probably in the 1940s. My dad's dad. This is a tough one. A guy named Ricky Griffith from Barbados; he was a friend of mine. He trained horses in Canada and when we came to America we were in his barn in Ocala. He helped us and I got along with him. And Jesus. Jesus Christ. TDN: What would you say to Jesus? SJ: I would thank him. TDN: You are still a young guy (37 years old) and maybe your biggest win is still ahead of you. So far, what has been your biggest win? SJ: Math Wizard was big, but I think White Abarrio's Pegasus (World Cup this year) because of everything I went through with the horse. I had White Abarrio, then he went with someone else and won the Whitney and the (Breeders' Cup) Classic, two of the biggest races you can win. He lost his form, and I got him back and he won the Pegasus and I had never won a race like that. Knowing that whole story was big, big, big, big. I was crushed with everything I went through. (in May 2023, Joseph was temporarily suspended by Churchill Dons after two of his horses died suddenly during Kentucky Derby week. The owners of White Abarrio–Clint and Mark Cornett–not sure of what Joseph's status would be–owners Clint and Mark Cornett wanted to run him in that year's Met Mile. They turned the horse over to trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. For Dutrow, he ran third in the Met before winning the Whitney and the Breeders' Cup Classic. He then found his way back to Joseph's barn). White Abarrio | Sarah Andrew TDN: How much did that eat at you? SJ: It destroyed me. Just talking about it now, I am getting emotional because it crushed me mentally. You are made out to look like the worst person ever and you know it's not true. To get that horse back, that helped me heal. You never fully recover emotionally from something like that. It takes a toll. That's when my faith became so strong. Every night I would pray for the truth to be revealed and for any skullduggery to be revealed. When the results came back and everything was cleared, well, God is good. I became stronger. TDN: If you were not a horse trainer, what do you think you would be doing? SJ: I would not want to do anything else. It would probably be something in gambling, which would not be good (laughs). TDN: Are you a good gambler? SJ: I am not. That's why I don't gamble. I never bet on my horses. If I was having fun on a day with some friends, would I gamble? Yes. Never on my horses. It's hard enough. TDN: Walking through the crowd at Saratoga; anyone ever ask you for a horse? SJ: People always ask. You put more pressure on yourself if you give them a loser. I tell them how a horse is doing and then they have to decide for themselves. You have ideas, but you never know if a horse is going to win for sure. TDN: Did you play any other sports growing up? SJ: In school I played a little basketball. TDN: Any good? SJ: I thought up until a certain age–13 or 14–I was pretty good, and then probably not good after that. I could shoot, I could shoot 3's. Horses have been my interest my whole life. Even today, if it doesn't involve horses, I don't want to do it. Most things bore me unless it's the horses. TDN: You don't watch baseball, football, basketball? SJ: A little basketball if it's a big game. TDN: Favorite horse racing movie. SJ: Growing up, it was “The Black Stallion”. Not really a horse racing movie, but it was about a horse. I used to watch that over and over again as a kid. TDN: I thought you would be a “Let It Ride Guy.” SJ: Never saw that one. TDN: How long did you train in Barbados? SJ: About three years. I started at 18 and a half and came here at 22. I had a dream that I wanted to be the best and you could not do that in Barbados. I was kind of naive at the time. My dad did not want me to go. I had a really good horse over there–Areutalkintome–and he won the (Barbados) Triple Crown (in 2009) and I wanted to bring him here because I thought he would launch me, but he got hurt. That made me brave enough to come here. Everything happens for a reason. I truly believe that. TDN: What is the one race you have not won that you really want? SJ: It's the (Kentucky) Derby. I feel I have to win it now. After the way I was treated in Kentucky, I don't have the dream of it anymore. But I feel I have to win it. TDN: If you have five empty stalls and you can fill them with any five horses from history, who are they? SJ: Zenyatta. Flightline is probably the greatest in recent times. American Pharoah. Secretariat, just to see what made him so good. And Man o' War. TDN: Last question. When are you going to cut the hair? SJ: When I win the Derby. The post Saratoga Q&A: Saffie Joseph Jr. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The winners of the Harness Racing New Zealand Owner and Breeder of the Month awards have been decided for June and July. Every month the winners are selected at random, with the only proviso being that their horses must have won during the specified month. For June Cheree Wigg (pictured above, right) was breeder of the month after Helius won on debut at Addington while Irene Jessett was the winning owner after Iron Brigade’s success at Alexandra Park on June 13. “It was very rewarding,” says Wigg, “and we were also relieved, we knew he was good but to have it all come together was a huge achievement.” Helius is Crackared’s second foal and first colt. “Crackared was purchased from an All Age sale in Auckland by Bruce Negus. I put her into training and we won five races in the only season we raced her (2019), but she became too high in the ratings so the decision was made to breed from her.” “I have bred three all from the same mare, Crackared’s first foal was an Always B Miki filly, Audacious,” says Wigg, “she’s been off the place twice and hasn’t been beaten, she showed a lot of ability from a young horse but unfortunately due to an on going issue she will go to stud this season.” As for Helius, following his debut win, he is being lined up for the Diamond Creek Juvenile Stakes on Hannon Memorial day at Oamaru on September 14. Iron Brigade is raced by Stonewall Stud and the Iron Brigade Syndicate. “My interest in harness racing began when my husband bought me a share in Jeanneau for my 77th birthday present,” says Irene Jessett. “She had a bit of success before she developed a breathing problem that an operation failed to cure. She was retired to the breeding paddock where she is doing very well.” She has since had two foals. “We decided to give it another shot and went through a long list that were available for syndication. We narrowed the list down to four and finally selected Iron Brigade. He seemed to be what we were looking for,” says Jessett. Iron Brigade has a record of six wins from 32 starts. “We look forward to a lot more. We love being part of such a lovely and talented horse and look forward to his next campaign.” For July Ross Wilson was breeder of the month following Robyns Hustler’s win at Winton on July 17 while John Borcovsky was the owner of the month after What The Dragon’s win at Addington. “It was great thrill, especially being able to share the moment with friends,” says Borcovsky. The What The Hill four-year-old has had four wins from 12 starts. “We had shares in one other horse some years ago but What the Dragon is far superior … we just plan to keep him going and give him every opportunity.” Congratulations to all the winners and you plaques are on their way. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk With the Harness 5000 still four months away, northern trainer Roydon Downey is committed to having one starter there but a question mark remains about his second runner. Both Santapazienza and Saninarmbro have already meet the qualifying criteria for the new series at Ashburton on December 21. “They are different types of horses – Saninarmbro has a lot of quick speed whereas the other fella likes to keep rolling,” says Downey, who’s based at Kumeu. The Harness 5000 will feature 12 $60,000 finals for trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception. This year the qualifying period is from July 3 to December 9, 2025 and to be eligible horses must compete in at least five race day starts within this period. “Santapazienza will definitely be going down,” says Downey. But there is a big “if” about the stablemate. “The mare (Saninarmbro) will go to the Winter Rewards in two weeks time at Cambridge left handed and we can go from there,” says Downey. Downey has two concerns about Saninarmbro’s suitability for a trip south. “Her record left-handed is not good and she’s not the best traveller,” says Downey, “there is a risk taking her all the way down there and then going no good.” In contrast Santapazienza, named after a world famous golf course in Brazil, is a four-year-old going places, with three wins and seven placings from 17 starts . “He just keeps improving,” says Downey, “he doesn’t know how to race yet and just keeps stepping up – he just loves work.” Santapazienza is the only horse so far to have met the qualifying criteria in the 4YO Trotting Entire/Gelding category while Saninarmbro’s division, the 5YO and Older Trotting Mares is getting busier by the week with seven horses already qualified. Through all the categories more than 330 horses are in the mix so far, with 37 having already qualified by having at least five starts. That’s more than double the 17 who had become eligible a week ago. Of them the “busiest” category so far is the 10 who have qualified in the 5YO and older Pacing Geldings and Entires. It’s a concept Downey is a fan of. “It gives the owner-trainer, the underdogs if you like, a chance to be on the bigger stage.” To see the Harness 5000 leaderboard click here View the full article

HRNZ is pleased to announce a revised schedule for Mares’ racing in the North Island next autumn. From March 6 to May 22,2026 there will be a suite of seven races for the mares at Alexandra Park and Cambridge, with stakes worth more than $210,000. The biggest change is the $50,000 Magness Benrow Northern Mares Classic (Listed) which moves from New Year’s Eve to March 20, 2026. “After seasons of the Classic shifting dates and even being cancelled we are delighted to have a long-term solution locked in,” says New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Board Executive Martin Pierson. “This is another important step in creating a sustainable racing pathway for mares in both islands. The new North Island program, alongside the South Island schedule, ensures mares get the recognition and opportunities they deserve, while aiding to keep those horses racing in New Zealand,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering Matthew Peden. The seven races in the North are : Mares, Auckland, March 6, 2026, $17,000 (1700m) Up to R80 and R81+ with Junior Driver Concession Magness Benrow Northern Mares Classic, Auckland, March 20, $50,000 (2200m) Conditioned Waikato Breeders Stakes, Cambridge, April 2, $25,000 (1700), FFA Mares, Cambridge, April 10, $30,000 (2200m), FFA Autumn Mares Sprint, Auckland, April 24, $30,000 (1700m), FFA Charles Roberts North Island Standardbred Breeders Association Stakes, Auckland, May 8, $30,000 (2200m), FFA Breeders Stakes, Auckland, May 22, $30,000 (2700m), FFA – Discretionary Handicap – Maximum Backmark of 20m The Mares’ 2025 Spring Schedule in the South Island was released last month. The six races in the South are: August 29, Addington: $17,000 R80. Sept 12, Addington: $25,000 Woodlands First Mares Spring Sprint, $25,000, R80, with conditions for higher assessed mares. Sept 26, Addington: $30,000 Woodlands Second Mares Spring Sprint, $30,000, open. Oct 10, Addington: Woodlands Mares Spring Sprint (G2), $60,000, open. Oct 27, Ashburton: Ladies Sprint (G2), $60,000, open. Nov 14, Addington: Bob McArdle Southern Mares Classic (Listed), $60,000, restricted “This revamp gives mares the stage they deserve — more races, more opportunity, and more reason to keep them racing,” says Pierson. Today’s release follows new data that shows that the Silk Road Fillies and Mares initiative is gaining some serious traction. It was introduced as part of The Future Starts Now strategy last year to provide better racing opportunities for Fillies and Mares. In the 2024-25 season there were 44 races with an average field size of 9.5 for the pacing Fillies and Mares, and 9.8 for the trotters, with turnover at 50 per cent of all their races being either first or second at their respective meetings. The average turnover for Fillies and Mares’ races was over $80,000. For more information contact matthew.peden@hrnz.co.nz View the full article

Dollars & Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

Shogo Yasuda is hoping his star Danon Decile can climb the mountain to beat British, Irish and French challengers and win the Group One International Stakes (2,051m) race at York on Wednesday. Living up to its name, the International Stakes has attracted top-class horses from across the globe and Danon Decile, who will be ridden by Keita Tosaki, looks to have a brilliant chance. The four-year-old has been absent since a brilliant performance to down multiple Group One winner Calandagan and win...View the full article

What Sandown Lakeside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, August 20, 2025 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble The Lakeside circuit at Sandown is the destination for metropolitan racing in Victoria on Wednesday afternoon. The eight-race card is set to be run on an improving Soft 6 track with clear skies forecast, while the rail comes out 9m for the entire circuit. The Sandown Lakeside races are scheduled to start at 1pm AEST. Best Bet at Sandown: Butternut Princess Butternut Princess clearly finds winning difficult, but she will not get a better chance to add a second career triumph than she does in this 1600m BM64. The four-year-old mare finished second in three of her last five, including her last two goes at the track and trip. Luke Cartwright sticks on board, and with his 3kg claim from barrier two, the Capitalist mare will get the perfect run in transit throughout. Best Bet Race 2 – #7 Butternut Princess (2) 4yo Mare | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Luke Cartwright (a3) (57.5kg) Next Best at Sandown: Kiwi Harmony Kiwi Harmony caught the eye on debut when savaging the line over 1200m at Cranbourne on August 1. The Ardrossan filly produced some great late splits from a rearward position, and despite finishing second, she looks poised to go one better. With the rail out 9m, the three-year-old should find fresh ground, and if she is within striking distance on the home turn, Kiwi Harmony should prove too hard to hold out. Next Best Race 1 – #10 Kiwi Harmony (11) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Zac Spain (56kg) Best Value at Sandown: Porter Porter brings arguably the best form into the final event on the Sandown card, yet horse racing bookmakers are happy to take a risk on a runner who is yet to place in four first-up runs. He chased home the smart duo of Is It Me and Rhinoceros last campaign and boasted wins over the likes of Rubamos and Liberami. If Ryan Houston can use barrier three and his 2kg claim to his advantage and take up the running from the outset, Porter can pinch this at a nice price. Best Value Race 8 – #1 Porter (3) 5yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Ryan Houston (a2) (59.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Sandown Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, August 20, 2025 1-3-4-5-7 3-4-5-9-12 9-11-13-14 1-2-8-13 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Warwick Farm Races Where Warwick Farm Racecourse – 2 Hume Hwy, Warwick Farm NSW 2170 When Wednesday, August 20, 2025 First Race 1:25pm AEST Visit Dabble Warwick Farm is the destination for metro racing in NSW this Wednesday afternoon, with a quickfire seven-part program set for decision. The rail moves out +3m for the entire circuit, and with consistent rainfall forecast in the lead-up, punters can expect the surface to be rated in the Heavy range to the opening event at 1:25pm local time. Check out HorseBetting.com.au’s best bets and quaddie selections for the Warwick Farm races on August 20, 2025. Best Bet at Warwick Farm: Formal Display The Annabel & Rob Archibald-trained Formal Display appears primed to strike on his Australian debut and looks a big price at $13 with horse racing bookmakers. The Irish import was a two-time winner before arriving down under and doesn’t seem to have missed a step, hitting the line well in back-to-back barrier trials. Expect Anna Roper to roll forward and lead from gate nine, and with the progressive four-year-old set to show them a clean pair of heels in yielding conditions, Formal Display should get every chance to make a statement first-up. Best Bet Race 6 – #1 Formal Display (9) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel & Rob Archibald | J: Anna Roper (a2kg) (61kg) Next Best at Warwick Farm: Cambar Cambar returns after a 184-day spell and looks to be in supreme order for this first-up assignment. The son of Pierata went off the boil at the end of last preparation when finishing ninth of nine at Wagga on February 17, but he appears to be rejuvenated on the back of two impressive barrier trials. He has an unblemished record of two starts for two wins on yielding ground, and with both of those victories produced first-up, expect Cambar to keep that undefeated record intact. Next Best Race 4 – #7 Cambar (8) 4yo Horse | T: Gary Colvin | J: Blaike McDougall (57.5kg) Best Value at Warwick Farm: Sessions Road Sessions Road returns to Sydney and appears set to peak third-up. The All Too Hard gelding has been sensational in his two runs back, hitting the line well to secure minor placings despite drawing the widest barriers at Flemington and Sandown. Dylan Gibbons gets the opportunity to lob into the one-one from stall two, and with Sessions Road set to relish the conditions, the $15 quote with Dabble is too big to ignore. Best Value Race 7 – #4 Sessions Road (2) 9yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Dylan Gibbons (60.5kg) Wednesday quaddie tips for Warwick Farm Warwick Farm quadrella selections Wednesday, August 20, 2025 2-4-5-6-7 2-3-4-5 1-4-6-8-10 3-4-14-15 Horse racing tips View the full article

Tony Gollan joined Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate to discuss how Antino is tracking ahead of another spring campaign. Antino all set for the biggest preparation of his career – Racing Pulse with Michael Felgate – Omny.fm View the full article

Canterbury jockey Brett Murray will be out to continue his winning run at Riccarton on Thursday after riding home his 100th winner at Oamaru last Friday. The 30-year-old hoop went into the North Otago meeting on 98 wins and came within one of the coveted milestone when riding home Quartz Queen (NZ) (Belardo) to victory in the Oamaru Scaffolding (1200m). “I was very confident about Quartz Queen of Kelly Shearing’s because she went well over National Week in a much stronger race,” Murray said. “She is a front-runner and Oamaru suits the ones that get on speed.” While he was confident of that result heading into the meeting, he was more hopeful when hopping aboard Uraskyfullastars (NZ) (Tarzino) in the Happy 40th Ryan “The Champ” Gardiner (1600m). After sitting three back on the fence, Murray took the shortest way home down the straight, hitting the front with 200m to go and the Sarah Dring-trained mare was able to hold out Morus to win by half a length, giving Murray his century of wins in the process. “Uraskyfullastars was a bit of a surprise because her form was on really heavy footing and it dried up a bit,” Murray said. “She went well.” Murray was duly rapt to achieve the 100-win milestone, but said he could have reached it sooner had he been more disciplined in his youth. “I probably should have got it a long time ago, but I was a bit of a clown as an apprentice,” he said. Racing has always been in Murray’s blood, and he was set on a career in the saddle from an early age, commencing his career in the Central Districts before moving to the South Island a decade ago, a decision he hasn’t regretted. “I was brought up up north,” he said. “My father was a jumps jockey years ago and I always wanted to be a jockey since I was a little kid. I started my apprenticeship with Mike Breslin. “I made the move down south in 2017 or 2018. There were more opportunities and I enjoy the lifestyle down here. I went to a two-day meeting at Blenheim and loved it, so I decided to move down.” Of Murray’s century of wins, two victories stand out above the rest. “Winning the Hazlett Stakes (Listed, 1200m) on The Precious One was my first stakes victory, and that’s been one of my favourite moments,” Murray said. “She was a good horse. “William Wallace won the Timaru Cup (Listed, 1600m) and he was another good horse back in his time.” Murray is hoping he can continue his winning momentum into Riccarton’s synthetic meeting on Thursday where he has a quartet of rides for local trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman, and rates in-form gelding Proserve (NZ) (Proisir) as his best chance in the Cup Week Tickets On Sale – 1 September Rating 75 (2200m). “I have been doing a little bit of work for the Pitmans on gallop days and they have given me a few nice rides on Thursday,” he said. “I am really looking forward to riding Proserve, he is going super and will be my best chance.” Buoyed by his purple patch of form, Murray said he is enjoying riding and is hopeful of a solid season. “I want to be in the top five South Island riders this season if I can keep my weight under control and stay dedicated,” he said. “I feel like I am really in the zone at the moment.” View the full article

Trainer Joe Pride is content with the preparation Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) has had leading into his return outing at Randwick. While the prospects of a wet track are not ideal, Pride said ‘it is what is’ and would not be swayed from running the gelding first-up in the Gr.1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday. The forecast for rain during the week is unlikely to see any improvement on a track that was rated a Heavy 10 on Tuesday afternoon. Randwick lost a meeting on August 9 when heavy rain on race eve forced its cancellation. Pride said in Ceolwulf’s favour was the gelding holding a win and a second on heavy ground. “It won’t be a problem for him,” Pride said. “He ran a place in the (Australian) Derby, and he won a race on the wet last prep. “It’s not ideal to be first-up on heavy, but you can’t wait forever, especially with the weather in Sydney as you would never get a run into a horse if you were waiting for a dry track. “He’s had his two trials, which is good. He’s had a nice, even preparation into it and seems to be coming up well.” Ceolwulf won the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap and Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes, both over 1600m at Randwick, last spring and while not locking in a program, is likely to remain in Sydney for the majority of the spring. Pride said another shot at the King Charles III Stakes was likely to be on the cards before a potential transfer to Melbourne. “I haven’t finalised his program yet, but we’ll more than likely keep him in Sydney,” Pride said. “I would love to have him in Melbourne for at least a run or two, but that may not be until Flemington.” Ceolwulf has yet to race in Melbourne and Pride is unsure how the gelding would adapt to racing left-handed as all the gelding’s work is done on his Sydney leg. “I’ve never been a fan of working reverse as our tracks aren’t set up for that and I feel like it’s a bit of a compromise to the preparation,” Pride said. “Once a horse gets to his age and he can’t run fast left and right, he might be in a bit of trouble. “One thing he is, he’s an athlete.” View the full article

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker is bidding to win his second Gr.1 Moir Stakes in the space of three years this spring with his three-year-old filly La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth). The Karaka Millions winner will attempt to join Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) on the honour roll of the 1000-metre dash at Moonee Valley on September 6 and while Walker suggested that it may be premature to draw comparisons between the pair, he did note that La Dorada is already ahead of Imperatriz in one area. “You’re always hopeful but she’s still got a fair way to climb the ladder to reach Imperatriz, but she is a Group One winner as a two-year-old and obviously Imperatriz wasn’t,” Walker said. “She’s heading in the right direction but it’s not every day of the week that an Imperatriz comes along.” Walker explained that the Moir appealed to him from a weights-and-measures point of view when it came to placing La Dorada, who’s won four of her five starts. “We just feel the Moir, 50kg, obviously three-year-old fillies have a good record in that,” the internationally experienced trainer said. “She’ll be better suited over 1200m but it’s just a starting point.” La Dorada finished second in a strong heat at the Cranbourne jumpouts on Monday morning, while her stablemate Damask Rose (NZ) (Savabeel) caught the eye with the way that she closed off to finish hot on the heels of the placegetters in the same heat. Walker revealed that Damask Rose will start off her spring campaign in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes on August 30, before progressing on to the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on September 20, the Gr.1 Toorak Handicap on October 11 and the Golden Eagle on November 1. View the full article

Could Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) begin his spring campaign a week earlier than expected in this Saturday’s Gr.1 Winx Stakes in Sydney? While Mr Brightside was expected to kick off his upcoming preparation in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on August 30, Lindsay Park’s flagbearer does feature in the nominations for the 1400m Group One contest coming up this weekend. Randwick has been a happy hunting ground for Mr Brightside, as it’s where he’s won two Doncaster Miles and been placed in the 2023 King Charles Stakes and 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes from his four trips there. “We’ve had a nomination in, but it’s probably going to be unlikely with the amount of rain that they have, and we think that the Memsie’s going to be soft to heavy,” explained JD Hayes, who trains the horse in partnership with his brothers Ben and Will. “It’s probably unlikely at this stage but we thought we’d keep the heartbeat afloat and see what transpires in the next 24 to 36 hours to make a firm decision. “The main thing is that the horse is really well.” Should Mr Brightside contest the Gr.1 Winx Stakes this weekend, the Hayes brothers would have to book a new jockey for him, given that his regular rider Craig Williams will be representing Australia in the World All-Star Jockeys championship event in Japan held at Sapporo on Saturday and Sunday. Sportsbet has Mr Brightside at $6 in their market for the Winx Stakes and at $5 for the Memsie Stakes the following Saturday. View the full article

Group One performer Hi Yo Sass Bomb (NZ) (Complacent) showcased that she’s on target for an exciting spring campaign when winning her 1000m heat at the Foxton trials on Tuesday. The seven-year-old daughter of Complacent was having her second trial this preparation, having run third over the same track and distance a fortnight ago, and trainer Kim Reid has been pleased with her progression. “We were looking for a nice forward run to see where she is at and we are really happy with her,” Reid said. “It was a nice run. She was doing it on her own and Kelly (Myers, jockey) was really happy with the trial. “She is a competitive mare and her attitude is what makes her what she is.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb hasn’t raced since her unplaced run in January’s Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham, and she has enjoyed a lengthy spell ahead of her spring preparation. “She just had a few little niggles that I didn’t want to push through, so I chose to put her out because I believed she would come back bigger and better this season,” Reid said. “She has had a good spell, and the will is still there by the looks, so we are looking forward to a nice season.” Hi Yo Sass Bomb came close to snaring Group One glory last spring when runner-up in the Livamol Classic (2040m) at Matamata, and she is set to follow a similar preparation this spring. “That’s our plan and hopefully we luck in with the draws. With a bit of luck, she will be a lot better,” Reid said. The New Plymouth horsewoman had initially eyed the Gr.1 Prosir Plate (1400m) as Hi Yo Sass Bomb’s first major target but has elected to bypass the feature after its transfer to Ellerslie. She has had two starts at the Auckland venue, beating just one runner home in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m). “Initially, we were going for the 1400 Group One (Proisir Plate), but then it changed to Ellerslie, so we have opted out of that one,” Reid said. Reid has shifted her attention to the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa next month and will give her charge a chance to go one better in the Livamol Classic despite it being run at Ellerslie. “On paper, it doesn’t look like she does (run well at Ellerslie), but I don’t think the track tripped her up,” Reid said. Reid bred and races Hi Yo Sass Bomb in partnership with her parents, Josephine and Graeme, and the trio have enjoyed the ride of a lifetime with their mare, who has won five of her 23 starts to date, including the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m), and has accrued more than $330,000 in prizemoney. View the full article