Wandering Eyes

Field of Gold may have inherited his sire Kingman's Newmarket misfortune, but a proclivity to sparkle at the Curragh was also bequeathed as he blasted clear by 3 3/4 lengths in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) May 24 for John and Thady Gosden. View the full article

While Gabriel "Spider" Duignan has bred or purchased countless grade 1 winners in his career, and even raced successful graded stakes winners in partnership, Echo Sound's Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) win celebrated a new and special milestone. View the full article

Sunday, Curragh, post time: 15:40, TATTERSALLS IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS-G1, €290,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}), California Dreamer (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}), City Of Memphis (Ire) (Sioux Nation), Duty First (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), Flight (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), Jaliyah (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), January (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Swelter (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Tamam Desert (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). TDN Verdict: If it rains a lot, last year's champion Lake Victoria could be vulnerable with stamina for a stiff mile on easy ground not assured. That could open things up for the 1,000 Guineas runner-up Flight, but she had a tough race there and has to bounce back in a relatively short space of time against fresh rivals. One of those is the meticulously-prepared Swelter, winner of Leopardstown's 1,000 Guineas Trial in March who has been given time to get over those exploits by Dermot Weld. That could be a smart move given that the dam Hot Snap beat Sky Lantern handsomely in the Nell Gwyn all those years ago before bombing out behind her in the 1,000 Guineas. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Curragh, post time: 15:05, TATTERSALLS GOLD CUP-G1, €300,000, 4yo/up, 10 1/2fT Field: Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), Crypto Force (GB) (Time Test {GB}), Deepone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}), Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}). TDN Verdict: There are at least two strands to this renewal, with one being the G2 Mooresbridge Stakes rematch between Los Angeles and White Birch and the other being how Juddmonte's G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes winner Kalpana and Shadwell's G1 Champion Stakes hero Anmaat impact the race. If the expected rain comes, the latter becomes very interesting but at the same time that makes it more of a stamina test which will suit the humourless galloper Los Angeles. There is no obvious classy Prince of Wales's type in this at first sight and this is a division that is crying out for something to make a mark. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 15:45, PRIX D'ISPAHAN-G1, €250,000, 4yo/up, 9 1/4fT Field: Horizone Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}), Sardinian Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), Carabelito (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Dare To Dream (Fr) (Camelot {GB}). TDN Verdict: Sosie looks to book his ticket to the Eclipse, having taken the G1 Prix Ganay on his seasonal bow, and add a third top-level success to his resume. The Gosdens have spotted an opportunity with the Listed Paradise Stakes winner Sardinian Warrior and he could well be up to this kind of test while last year's 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka really needs to start delivering having underwhelmed each time she has appeared since that Newmarket Classic. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:28, PRIX VICOMTESSE VIGIER-G1, €400,000, 4yo/up, 15 1/2fT Field: Candelari (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Passion And Glory (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), Sevenna's Knight (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Presage Nocturne (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}), Double Major (Ire) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}), Internaute (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Rouge Sellier (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). TDN Verdict: With its proximity to the Gold Cup, the upgrading of this old favourite is one of the season's mysteries but there are some stalwarts here including the dual G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Double Major. Sevenna's Knight won this in its former guise as a Group 2 last year and may not have had to improve to do so again, but Godolphin's Dubai Future is unexposed as a stayer after his G2 Dubai Gold Cup success. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany, post time: 16:38, HORN & COMPANY – 105TH GERMAN 1000 GUINEAS-G2, €125,000, 3yo, f, 8fT Field: Anshoda (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}), D'Ores Et Deja (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), Ellaria Sand (GB) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Flaming Stone (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Lady Ilze (GB) (Territories {Ire}), Pershing (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), Place Fontenoy (Fr) (War Command), Quebec (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), Santagada (GB) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). TDN Verdict: After mixing it with the likes of Mandanaba, Gezora and Audubon Park in her native France, Flaming Stone could find this a picnic but last week's German 2,000 Guineas told us that it is never wise to underestimate the domestic runners. They include Santagada, winner of Cologne's G3 Schwarzgold-Rennen, while another French raider D'Ores Et Deja has proven course-and-distance form having won the Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis. They are drawn one, two and three respectively in a Classic where that matters, with the standard-setting G3 Prestige Stakes winner Anshoda compromised in eight. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Curragh, post time: 14:30, LANWADES STUD STAKES-G2, €72,000, 4yo/up, f/m, 8fT Field: Porta Fortuna (GB) (Caravaggio), Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), Birthe (Ire) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Jancis (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}), Naomi Lapaglia (GB) (Awtaad {Ire}), One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Rubies From Burma (American Pharoah), Vera's Secret (Ire) (Epaulette {Aus}) TDN Verdict: Last year's G1 Coronation Stakes, G1 Falmouth Stakes and G1 Matron Stakes heroine Porta Fortuna is back under a penalty, but it's only three pounds and she has more in hand than that over these peers. Jancis looked smart last term when winning the G3 Brownstown Stakes, while the impressive G3 Al Shira'aa Racing Stakes winner Vera's Secret bids to continue her upward trajectory. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Curragh, post time: 13:55, GAIN MARBLE HILL STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, 6fT Field: Albert Einstein (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Andab (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), First Approach (Ire) (No Nay Never), Power Blue (Ire) (Space Blues {Ire}), Miami Destination (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}, She's Too Kool (Ire) (Far Above {Ire}), Stonezilian (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). TDN Verdict: It's all about Wootton Bassett again this year when it comes to Ballydoyle and one of the sire's quartet of juvenile TDN Rising Stars Albert Einstein puts his reputation on the line here. Is he the stable's best? If so, he should be able to deal with these rivals. If not, there is a lot to like about the course-and-distance winner Andab, who is a full-brother to Victoria Road and entitled to progress with time and experience. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 14:33, PRIX DU PALAIS-ROYAL-G3, €150,000, 3yo/up, 7fT Field: Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), King Gold (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}), Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Topgear (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never), Jasna's Secret (Fr) (Galilway {GB}), Exxtra (Fr) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). TDN Verdict: Sajir is back up in trip after his win in Newmarket's G3 Abernant Stakes, tackling the impressive G2 Challenge Stakes winner Topgear and the Golden Eagle hero Lake Forest. Add in the Group 1 nearly-horse Beauvatier and the vagaries of the draw over this tricky trip and you have a race of more intrigue than is customary for one of these. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Dusseldorf, Germany, post time: 15:05, MERKUR SPIELBANKEN DERBY TRIAL-Listed, €25,000, 3yo, 11fT Field: Al Hamza (Fr) (Al Kazeem {GB}), Delgardo (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}), Dux (Ger) (Best Solution {Ire}), Name Lord (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), Quinto (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Rekabet (Ger) (Ito {Ger}), Serienadler (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Waldnebel (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Sunshine Baby (Fr) (Areion {Ger}). TDN Verdict: Delgardo, Dux, Quinto, Serienadler and Waldnebel are the ones with G1 Deutsches Derby entries, with the former wowing at Cologne last month. Quinto scored at this track last month from a subsequent winner and looks the main danger. [Tom Frary]. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong, post time: 16:10, STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHATER CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, 3yo/up, 2400mT Field: Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), Cap Ferrat (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), Ensued (Lemon Drop Kid), Moments In Time (Chi) (Lookin At Lucky), Rubylot (Aus) (Rubick {Aus}), Five G Patch (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), La City Blanche (Arg) (Cityscape {GB}), Winning Dragon (Chi) (Ivan Denisovich {Ire}), Bundle Award (Aus) (Shamus Award {Aus}). Click here for the preview. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan, post time: 15:40, YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥286,000,000, 3yo, f, 2400mT Field: Arma Veloce (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), Reve de l'Opera (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}), Paradis Reine (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Ai Sansan (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Lynx Tip (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), Vip Daisy (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Lesedrama (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Saturday Sunrise (Jpn) (Declaration of War), Embroidery (Jpn) (Admire Mars {Jpn}), Taisei Princesse (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), Will Survive (Jpn) (Al Ain {Jpn}), Brown Ratchet (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Tagano Abby (Jpn) (Animal Kingdom), Savonlinna (Jpn) (Satono Diamond {Jpn}), Kamunyaki (Jpn) (Black Tide {Jpn}), Go So Far (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), Kelly Fled Ask (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}), Erika Express (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). Click here for the preview. Click here for the complete fields. View the full article

This past week wasn't easy on anyone at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale–consignors, buyers, horses, bloodstock agents, veterinarians, office staff and grounds keepers. And what about all the grooms and riders! Horsemen are a resilient group. But somehow in true Fasig-Tipton fashion, they managed to pull off a successful sale. It was a difficult decision for Boyd Browning and his team to make the call for “Gallop Only” the last day of the show. But it was the right call, and once again Fasig did what was right for the horses first, and worked to make a bad situation the best it could be. The training sales have become so biased to the fastest horses and fast horses are simply fast, that's a fact. But maybe it's a good time to open the conversation to possible options for upcoming sales. I heard everything from taking the sticks away to not having published works–they do fine in Europe without timed breezes and people simply have their own stopwatches and time the horses themselves. One person even suggested taking the poles down! A prominent consignor said horses won't bring as much if they don't breeze. I vetted Sandman, and he sold quite well when he just galloped, but most of the time that is correct. So I don't propose eliminating breezing, but let's keep an open mind on how to best present the horses without the often negative visuals. I digress. This isn't so much about changing the format. That's a conversation for another day. This is to say kudos to Fasig-Tipton for once again being proactive and thinking out of the box. Good team work! View the full article

Ballydoyle has sent out 10 winners of the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1), but none had as stellar a juvenile campaign as Lake Victoria, who lines up against 11 rivals at the Curragh May 25.View the full article

Only Cirrus des Aigles in 2014 has completed the Prix Ganay-Prix d'Ispahan double this century, but Sosie will attempt to buck that trend May 25 having been supplemented to the 1 3/16-mile Prix d'Ispahan (G1) at Longchamp.View the full article

Kentucky Derby hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was out over Saratoga's Oklahoma training track Saturday morning as his preparations for the GI Belmont Stakes continued while a fleet of Grade I hopefuls also put in their works for respective contests. Putting in his second move since winning the nation's top prize for sophomores in early May, the Godolphin homebred went in company with fellow Grade I-winner Arthur's Ride (Tapit)–the pair clocking five panels in 1:02.54 (4/5) and 1:02.94 (5/5), respectively. Sovereignty started two lengths behind the grey and to his outside. NYRA clockers caught sectionals of 12 2/5, 25 1/5, and 37 4/5 before the Derby winner overtook his workmate through the turn and inched ahead at the end of the work. His gallop out was caught in 1:17 flat and 1:33.10. “I thought it was good,” trainer Bill Mott said back at his barn. “He was a little strong in the warm-up. When he [Poznansky] tipped him out, he kind of went right to the other horse. He had him in behind to begin, and he went well.” Since Sovereignty's return to the track, Mott says he's noted a change in his charge's overall demeanor since claiming the roses. He expects the colt to have another breeze before the Belmont. “He's almost a little more aggressive,” Mott said. “It [the Derby] hasn't set him back. He's just getting a little stronger than he was. He wasn't quite that strong [before the Derby].” Regarding Arthur's Ride, who has not started since finishing well back in last November's GI Breeders' Cup Classic, Mott noted it was only his fifth work since that race last year. “I thought he went well the first five-eighths–he probably got a little tired. He hasn't had that many works.” It wasn't just the elite colts on the Oklahoma track Saturday as the Mott barn also sent out MGSW & MGISP Scylla (Tapit) to work four furlongs in company with GSW Resilience (Into Mischief). The pair rolled through the breeze in :48.25, the joint second-fastest of 21 that morning. Scylla is under consideration for the GII Bed o' Roses Stakes June 6 during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Grade I Trio, Two from Brown barn and One for Weaver, Work over Oklahoma Trainer Chad Brown sent out three horses Saturday morning for half-mile works over the Oklahoma training track–MGISW Chancer McPatrick (McKinzie), MGISW Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro), and GSP Praetor (Into Mischief), who worked with the former while the latter went alone. The pair were clocked in :48.65 (4/21) and the solo went in :49.95 (9/21). Geaorge Weaver's GI Matriarch Stakes victress Sacred Wish (Not This Time) also went a half-mile in :51.25 in her first work since finishing seventh in the GII Churchill Distaff Turf Mile May 3. Hill Road (rail) works in company with Lordship (outside) | Susie Raisher Hill Road Leads Breezers on the Belmont Park Training Track Downstate from Saratoga, but seeing their fair share of elite horses in the morning, the Belmont Park training track was also busy Saturday with Chad Brown's GI Belmont Stakes hopeful Hill Road (Quality Road) leading the parade of workers. Out for his first breeze since winning the GIII Peter Pan Stakes in dramatic fashion May 10, the colt went in company with Lordship (Gun Runner)–who was sporting blinkers for the first time–as the pair clocked four furlongs in :48.75 (43/153). The effort was everything Brown wanted to see from his Belmont contender. “[Hill Road] worked super, I'm really pleased with him,” said Brown. “He had a nice gallop-out. He is coming along really well. He came out of his last race really well.” “I put this horse Lordship on the outside of him, they were a good match, they galloped out strong. They are two endurance type horses that are kind of stayers.” Brown continued, “I just wanted a steady work but with a strong gallop-out. These are staying horses that the best part of their works and races will be the late stages, I liked what I saw around the turn galloping out. He is very fit now, Hill Road. He is in a good part of his form cycle. I'm just looking to maintain where I'm at with that horse.” The conditioner also provided some future targets for Juddmonte's homebred Garamond (Uncle Mo), who most notably defeated the well-met Bob Baffert runner Cornucopian (Into Mischief) in an optional claimer Apr. 27. The colt is being pointed to the Listed NYRA Bets Pegasus Stakes June 14 at Monmouth with an eye on an eventual start in the GI NYRA Bets Haskell Stakes July 19. “He's heading over to the Pegasus at Monmouth,” said Brown. “For the time being, I'm hoping he turns into a Haskell horse, I don't want to upend that plan.” Macho Music Prepares for Woody Stephens at Churchill GSW Macho Music (Maclean's Music), winner of the GII Pat Day Mile on the Kentucky Derby undercard, worked Friday with an eye toward a next start in the GI Woody Stephens June 7 during the Belmont Stakes Festival. In his first breeze back since his 3 1/4-length score, he clocked five panels in 1:00.60 over the training track, the best of two on the morning. Trainer Rohan Crichton was happy with what he saw from Macho Music. “It was good. He worked really well,” said Crichton, who is looking to claim his first win at the elite level. “Julien Leparoux worked him and said he galloped out really well. We are happy, and he cooled out well, so we are moving forward.” Crichton continued, “It was really gratifying to see him run that way [in the Pat Day]. That was our biggest win for sure, no doubt.” “I think he is getting ready to put in another good run. He's come out of that race full of energy and focus, and he's doing really well. We are probably going to sit chilly in Louisville due to weather and ship to Saratoga after his next work.” View the full article

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"Bring on Via Sistina and the Cox Plate" was the bold call from trainer Tony Gollan and jockey Blake Shinn after Antino broke a 9-year-old course record with a slashing triumph in May 24 Doomben Cup (G1) in Australia.View the full article

1st-Churchill Downs, $118,575, Msw, 5-24, 3yo/up, f/m, 1m, 1:35.89, ft, nose. SWEET SERAPHINE (f, 3, Quality Road–Venetian Sonata, by Bernardini) debuted as a 2-year-old at Ellis Park last August, finishing a respectable third just 1 1/2 lengths behind a pair of classy fillies in last weekend's GIII Miss Preakness Stakes winner Echo Sound (Echo Town) and Evanescence (Munnings), who ran third in the GII Eight Belles Stakes on Kentucky Oaks day to start the month. Not seen since that effort and now coming off the nine-month layoff, the 2-1 favorite added Lasix Saturday to open the Churchill card. Drawn in the middle of the eight-horse field, Sweet Seraphine was content to lay off the pace and track up the outside out of the chute and onto the backstretch. Angling down to take the shortest route around the far turn, she really picked the bridle up past the quarter pole and bid between horses just off the rail to try and reel in late leader Shewontbudge (Army Mule). That pair came to the line together with Sweet Seraphine just getting her nose on the wire first to graduate second time out. Venetian Sonata, also the dam of Moonlight d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), GSW, $222,670, GII Adirondack Stakes third Olive Branch (Speightstown) and GII Starlet Stakes runner up Flynn's Chance (Medaglia d'Oro), sold to Stonehaven Steadings for $170,000 at KEEJAN back in 2013 and has produced four winners from six to the track. The dam is herself a half to A.P. Sonata (A.P. Indy) who sold for $1.1m to Whisper Hill as a yearling and would produce MGSW Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro) while another half-sister, In the Moonlight (Tapit), is responsible for GSW Ballerina d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro). This is also the family of champion 3-year-old filly and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Abel Tasman (Quality Road). Venetian Sonata's 2-year-old Curlin filly, now named Sonare, brought $425,000 at KEESEP last year and the mare reported an Uncle Mo filly this season. Sales History: $900,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $75,755. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Stonehaven Steadings (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. PHOTO FINISH! Sweet Seraphine gets her nose down at the wire to win Race 1 for @jose93_ortiz and @reredevaux! pic.twitter.com/WbOkNvXaOP — Churchill Downs (@ChurchillDowns) May 24, 2025 The post Sweet Seraphine An Off-The-Layoff Winner For Cherie DeVaux appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Perhaps unlucky in Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas, Juddmonte's Field Of Gold was in a class of his own in Saturday's Tattersalls-sponsored Irish equivalent at The Curragh. More at home on this conventional galloping track, the even-money favourite never looked in any semblance of trouble travelling kindly for Colin Keane despite being trapped wide without cover. Sent forward approaching two out, the son of Kingman opened up to settle the issue quickly and lead home a one-two for the operation and sire as Cosmic Year chased him at a respectable 3 3/4-length distance. Hotazhell was third, 3/4 of a length away. What a race!! Field of Gold @JuddmonteFarms wins the @Tattersalls1766 Irish 2000 Guineas in great style against a tough field at @curraghrace Now with a magnificent ride!! pic.twitter.com/Dk9954dsfT — Manu (@_ElManu) May 24, 2025 The post No Mistake For Kingman’s Brilliant Field Of Gold In The Irish Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Victoria Harbour (Frankel) followed up a breakthrough success at Thirsk for the Karl Burke stable last month and made all to register a career best on black-type debut in Saturday's Listed BetGoodwin Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood. Holding sway at a comfortable rhythm for most of this late-stage G1 Oaks trial, for which she is not yet entered, the 12-1 chance came under pressure as the pack loomed large passing the quarter-mile marker and she called upon abundant reserves in the closing stages to bravely hold the late charges of Music Piece (Camelot) and Never Let Go (No Nay Never) by a neck and a half-length. Victoria Harbour is the latest of nine foals and one of six scorers produced by Listed Sandringham Handicap second Dubai Queen (Kingmambo), herself out of G1 Oaks d'Italia victrix Zomaradah (Deploy). Zomaradah is also the dam of multiple Group 1-winning sire Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) and G2 Lancashire Oaks victrix Emirates Queen (Street's Cry). Emirates Queen, in turn, is the dam of G2 Jockey Club Stakes winner Outbox (Frankel) and G3 Winter Derby victor and GI Canadian International runner-up Royal Champion (Shamardal). The March-foaled bay is a full-sister to G2 May Hill third Zabeel Queen and a half to last term's G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes-winning G1 Champion Stakes and G1 Prix Ganay third Royal Rhyme (Lope De Vega). The post Frankel’s Victoria Harbour Makes All for Game Height Of Fashion Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Backing up successfully a week after his win in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes, Godolphin's Symbol Of Honour showed courage as well as class to earn a narrow verdict in Saturday's G2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock. Anchored in rear early by William Buick, the 2-1 favourite was moved through to challenge Arabian Dusk inside the final half a furlong and mastered that Havana Grey filly close home for a short-head success. There was a 3/4-of-a-length margin back to another filly, Bated Breath's First Instinct in third. The post Havana Grey’s Symbol Of Honour Wins The Sandy Lane appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars ALSONSO - R9 (13) Didn't have a lot of luck when running second again last start but can atone Jay Rooney GOLD MASTER - R10 (8) Only narrowly beaten from a wide draw last start, gets gate two here Trackwork Spy DUBAI HONOUR - R8 (2) Boasts elite form at the trip and looks set to get the better of Voyage Bubble Phillip Woo INVINCIBLE IBIS - R2 (7) Has had a nice preparation at the trials and can strike first up Shannon (Vincent Wong) SHINE BRIGHT - R2 (14) Looks to have some ability and gets a chance to break through here Racing Post Online SHAMUS STORM - R7 (3) Unlucky second three weeks back and can go close again Tom Wood INVINCIBLE IBIS - R2 (7) Looks to have been well prepared, he can win on debutView the full article

Given the recent history of The Curragh's opening 2-year-old maiden of its Guineas weekend, it was no surprise that Aidan O'Brien was to unveil another TDN Rising Star for Wootton Bassett in the deeply promising newcomer Brussels. Sent off at 11-4 for the six-furlong contest won in the past five years by the stable's subsequent luminaries Henri Matisse, Unquestionable and Arizona, the 300,000gns Tattersalls October Book 2 graduate who traces back to a successful Fittocks Stud family cruised along behind his experienced stablemate Kansas with Ryan Moore poised. Cajoled by that fellow son of Wootton Bassett inside the final furlong, he readily asserted for a 3/4-of-a-length success, with the well-supported 13-8 favourite Learntodiscover 1 1/4 lengths away in third in what should prove a maiden to follow. “Ryan was very happy. He said he was very green, he was very babyish when he got on and going down,” O'Brien said of the sire's 14th TDN Rising Star and fourth for the sire among the stable's current crop of juveniles after Italy, Simply Astounding and Albert Einstein. “He said he will come forward a lot from it. All these horses are running with Ascot in mind, but Ryan said that he was so babyish that it might come too quick. We'll see how much he comes on.” “He said that he thought he would have no problem getting seven,” he added. “He's very big, a massive big powerful horse. I mentioned the [G3] Tyros to Ryan and he said he'd also love to ride Italy in that, but the fact that he'll get seven leaves a lot options for him. The second horse ran lovely. Six is far enough for him. It was five in Naas and he might be a fast horse. I think the third horse was well fancied, Ger [Lyons] liked him too, so it might not have been a bad race.” The post Ballydoyle’s Brussels Another TDN Rising Star For Wootton Bassett appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Bjorn Baker-trained Hollywood Hero (NZ) (Sacred Falls) followed the rail home under a perfect Dylan Gibbons ride to claim the Charity Challenge Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday. It was the first leg of a double for the pair, who would later combine with Miss Kim Kar to win the last race on the card. It was the fifth career win for Hollywood Hero, who is a half-brother to Group One winner Never Been Kissed (NZ) (Tivaci). “Hollywood Hero is a strange horse as he just has to be completely switched off early in his races,” Baker said. “I emphasized that to Dylan. He was on the same page and he was very good late. It is a big thrill and it’s always great winning a race at the best track in the world.” The five-year-old son of Sacred Falls is being aimed at the A$750,000 Little Dance (1600m) on Melbourne Cup Day. “He’s not in the Big Dance, but I think he has qualified for the Little Dance from memory though, so we definitely have something to look forward to in the spring. That’s a big race in it’s own right. “He was an expensive Ready To Run horse for Ozzie Kheir and the team, so I am very grateful to train him for them. “I am always hoping to get more horses from him. Hey Ozzie can you look at my stats,” Baker quipped. Baker praised Gibbons ride, with the hoop making a return from a serious shoulder injury. “He’s a good rider Dylan. He’s coming back off an injury and I am happy to have him back. He’s a great, great person and I have had a lot of luck with him.” Bred by Waikato Stud, the well-named Hollywood Hero is out of the Savabeel mare Movie (NZ). A graduate of New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale, Hollywood Hero was purchased for $600,000 from the Ohukia Lodge draft by Bjorn Baker Racing and Group 1 Bloodstock. View the full article

Hot favourite War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel) made light work of his rivals in the Gr.3 BRC Sprint (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday and it is now all systems go as the four-year-old heads towards the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14. Prepared by Ben, Will and JD Hayes, the New Zealand bred galloper is a recent addition to the Lindsay Park team, having transferred from the stable of the late the late Michael Moroney and Glen Thompson. A last-start Caulfield winner from his new quarters, War Machine made it two from two for the Hayes team as he cruised to victory under Blake Shinn defeating Far Too Easy (All Too Hard) and Kiwi raider Pier (NZ) (Proisir). “That was an unbelievable effort by the horse,” JD Hayes said. “We’ve only had him a short time. He came in incredible condition from Ballymore and we’ve been very lucky to inherit him and he’s gone from strength-to-strength. “It looked like we’d get a beautiful fun from the barrier and he’s let down well, which he did. “He had his ears pricked on the line and we’re really looking forward to the Stradbroke. “He’s a lovely calm animal and a real professional. That was only his 12th start and he’s on the way up. We’re extremely excited to see what we can do in the next couple of weeks and in the spring. “He’s got a lovely racing style and in these colours – Rupert Legh – who is a big supporter of the stable and he’s drawing comparisons to a horse that dad trained called Eagle Falls to win an Oakleigh Plate. “We couldn’t be happier with how everything has panned out.” Bred by MDJ Bloodstock Ltd, War Machine was offered for sale at both the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sales and the Ready To Run Sale via the Wallace family’s Ardsley Stud, but failed to reach his $100,000 reserve on both occasions. By Harry Angel out of the winning Hussonet mare Caserta, the gelding subsequently went into training with Jim Wallace and won his only trial at Foxton by six lengths before his private purchase. With five victories and four placings from 12 starts, War Machine has amassed A$680,010 in prizemoney to date and he is $5 favourite for the A$3 million Stradbroke. War Machine’s two-year-old half-brother by Darci Brahma named Vanvitelli (NZ) was also the winner of a recent trial at Waipukurau and has subsequently been sold to clients of the Hayes team. View the full article

The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Roadcone (Almanzor) led his rivals a merry dance when winning the Stow Storage Solutions Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday, bringing up a treble for the stable and jockey Luke Cartwright. The four-year-old son of Almanzor was perfectly ridden by the in-form apprentice who utilised his three-kilo claim when setting a solid tempo and had too much dash for his rivals as Persian Spirit (Cable Bay) and Otago (NZ) (Ocean Park) chased in-vain. With Moody on holiday in Scotland, Coleman cheered home three consecutive winners with Suances (The Autumn Sun) ($15), Saban (Shamus Award) ($4.40) and Roadcone ($4.40) as she celebrated her first metropolitan treble, having joined Moody as co-trainer at the start of the 2023/23 season. “It’s really satisfying getting city wins with these horses that have been a part of the stable for a long time and each of them for a different ownership group that have been big supporters of ours,” Coleman said. “It is really special, and Luke has been doing work for us behind the scenes and it’s good to see him rewarded and again, that was a lovely ride.” Roadcone has now won four of his 12 starts with the four-year-old gelding a winner at Pakenham at his previous start. “Luke looked at me a little bit funny when I said, if he begins as well as he did at Pakenham, you might find yourself in front and I’m not sure what he thought of that pre-race, but when the horse jumped as well as he did, there were no questions as to how it was going to pan out from there,” Coleman said. “Knowing he had that light weight (51kgs) on his back, it was a pretty confident watch. “He is still quite a physically immature horse. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a really big and strong individual, but even still, you’d probably just like to see him furnish that little bit more. “I think it’s still ahead of him. We’ll just keep building him through his rating races and go from there.” By Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor, Roadcone was bred by Bob Emery and is out of the So You Think mare On The Ball, who placed at two for Murray Baker before a career ending injury. Baker went to $120,000 to purchase Roadcone from Woburn Farm on behalf of part-owners John Rattray and Alastair Lawrence. Roadcone is a half-brother to Listed winner and Group One placed Archaic Smile (Saxon Warrior), while his yearling half-sister by Too Darn Hot made $675,000 this year at Karaka. View the full article

Trainer Tony Gollan has earmarked the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) as the long-range target for star galloper Antino (NZ) (Redwood) after a stunning victory in the Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m) on Saturday. Paired with Blake Shinn, the six-year-old son of Redwood has thrived with a pattern of circling the field and dashing for home early and the tactics again paid full dividends as the near-black gelding surged to a four length triumph over Fawkner Park (Zoffany) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park). Campaigned predominantly as a sprinter-miler throughout his career, Antino has successfully made the transition to a middle distance galloper this campaign and is the 12th horse to land the Hollindale Stakes-Doomben Cup double. Antino completed the 2000m in a slick 2:00.88, aided by the usual front-running tactics of Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), with the star mare labouring into tenth. “He is the best horse I have trained,” Gollan said. “I said that a couple of seasons ago before he won a Group One and I was looking like a bit of a fool there and then he finally won the Toorak (Gr.1, 1600m) in dominant fashion. “To run a track record today, gee a lot of good horses have won Doomben Cups, he puts himself in rare air now and I think he can really go on with it in the spring in Melbourne. “He is a genuine weight-for-age horse, genuine at 2000m and there is a lot to look forward to. Everything is now set toward the Cox Plate with him. “What we have seen today is pretty special. He is a very good horse, we’ve got a world-class jockey and I have got a world-class team helping get him ready.” Winning rider Blake Shinn was delighted to be able to showcase the class of the locally-trained Antino on the big stage in Queensland. “He’s some horse. He told me when he wanted to get rolling about the half mile when I just pulled him off Osipenko’s back and it was time to go, and it was a great feeling,” Shinn said. “He went from about seven (lengths) off them to have the race at his mercy about the 400m and I knew he’d keep that gallop up. “It’s great for Queensland racing to witness Antino at his best here today. It’s great for Tony Gollan, and it’s great to showcase a horse of his ilk. It’s special to be on him.” Bred by George Kit Ma’s Blossom Trading & Breeding Company Ltd, Antino is by Westbury Stud stallion Redwood. Out of a full-sister to Group One gallopers Hurrah (NZ) (Bahhare) and Best Gift (NZ) (Bahhare), Antino’s dam Mahamaya was purchased for just $3,000 in foal to Redwood at the 2018 Karaka May Sale by Logan Salvador on behalf of Ma. Antino was purchased for $27,000 by his Hong Kong-based owner Jeetu Ramchandani under his New Balance Racing banner at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale. Antino advanced his record to 13 wins from 26 starts with a further six placings and prizemoney of A$3,108,865 with plenty still to come from the exciting galloper. View the full article

In its second year at the Spa while Belmont Park is rebuilt, the Belmont Stakes (G1) will be contested at the 1 1/4-mile distance, making it more attractive to breeders and stud farms than the mile-and-a-half Belmont Stakes. View the full article

Ten-time Group One hero will not parade in front of fans on Sunday after scans reveal ‘potential changes’ in one of his legs.View the full article

Last year’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous landed her first blow across the Tasman with a gritty victory in the Gr.3 Magic Millions Fillies & Mares Mile (1600m) at Doomben on Saturday for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. The four-year-old daughter of Wrote was having her fourth run since being sold out of Chad Ormsby’s stable and despite sitting three-wide throughout fought doggedly under jockey Tim Clark to defeat Adiella and Exotique Miss. “She a lovely mare,” Bott said. “We’re very fortunate to have her in the yard. “Obviously she was very talented in New Zealand through her three-year-old career but it has taken a bit longer to get her into a bit of form and used to the conditions over here. “We’re thankful that Yulong are more than happy to be patient with her and she has come back in good shape. A nice first-up run there and it opens a few options for her going forward.” Pulchritudinous ran well when fifth to Vibrant Sun in the Gr.1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) when she first transferred to the Waterhouse-Bott stable but disappointed in her two subsequent runs. “We’d like to give her a couple of runs up here and she’ll thrive in the conditions. They suit her well and she’s very lightly raced,” Bott said. “I want to see her getting up in trip and she’ll keep improving. I think today’s performance was going to determine which way she’d go. “Whether this lifts our sights a bit more, we’ll try and think about the residual value for Yulong and see if we can add to that going forward. Importantly she is back in good shape today. “Her trial coming in was the best we’d seen since her arrival, so it’s very encouraging.” Bred by Milan Park’s Tony Rider, Pulchritudinous is by Highview Stud stallion Wrote, a Grade One winning son of High Chaparral. Out of the Pentire mare Showus, who has left three other winners, Pulchritudinous was purchased by Chad Ormsby from the Milan Park draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $32,500 and she was subsequently passed in when reoffered at the Ready to Run Sale. After her New Zealand Oaks victory, Pulchritudinous was sold privately in a deal brokered by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo in conjunction with the Waterhouse-Bott team. View the full article

The $120,000 Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on July 19 is looming on the horizon for course specialist Chajaba (NZ) (Keano), who added another win to his remarkable record at the track on Saturday. Chajaba is now an eight-time winner from 28 career starts, and Saturday’s Seaton Park (1400m) was his sixth win from only 14 appearances at New Plymouth. The eight-year-old son of Keano was assigned a testing topweight of 60kg for Saturday’s feature sprint, but Egan eased that burden with apprentice jockey Elle Sole’s 3kg claim. Sole gave Chajaba a perfect run, settling in third place on the inside as Old Town Road (NZ) (El Roca) led the field up to the home turn. While most of the field fanned away from the rail in search of better footing, Sole saved crucial ground by sticking to the fence around the bend. Chajaba had made the lead by the time he straightened for home, and the chestnut gelding kicked hard at the 300m mark. Unfazed by the sticky Soft7 conditions, Chajaba scooted clear and put a space between himself and the chasers. Chajaba kept up a strong gallop all the way to the finish, holding on to beat the late-closing Make Time (NZ) (Makfi) by three-quarters of a length. Soldier Boy (NZ) (Proisir) crossed the line another three lengths away in third. “That was fantastic,” said Egan, who also co-bred and part-owns the $180,000 earner. “It was a good ride and a very good performance from the horse. “He loves this track at New Plymouth, he’s won six races here now. They’ve been saying the track is quite sticky today, and he likes those sorts of conditions too, so it looked like a really good race for him today and I was quite confident coming into it. The only worry was the weight, but he did a great job. “I haven’t looked much further ahead than this race, but I might have to back off him for a while and then just set him for the Opunake Cup in July. I don’t want him to have to carry too much weight in that race, so it’ll probably make sense not to give him too many runs between now and then.” View the full article

Group One winner Velocious (Written Tycoon) bounced back to her brilliant best in the Jarvis Trading (1100m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, raising the possibility of a trans-Tasman mission. The Stephen Marsh-trained filly was New Zealand’s champion two-year-old last season, when she won four of her six starts, including the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). Her three-year-old season has been an up-and-down journey for her connections. There was a wind operation in the spring, then a smart first-up win at Te Aroha in March, then a luckless run in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) and a disappointing fifth after a costly slow start at Ellerslie last Saturday. Trainer Stephen Marsh and owners Go Racing decided to roll the dice and run Velocious in Saturday’s $40,000 sprint feature on a seven-day turnaround, and the gamble paid off. Velocious jumped much better this time around, and her jockey, Michael McNab took up a handy position in third along the fence as Shoes (NZ) (Derryn) and Illicit Dreams (NZ) (Vancouver) showed the way through the early stages. Shoes rolled off the rail in the home straight and opened up a dream run for Velocious. McNab drove the Written Tycoon filly through that gap, and she showed her true colours, dashing to the front and winning by a length from Shoes and Pokuru Gold (NZ) (Darci Brahma). “That was great to see,” Marsh said. “We had been thinking about taking her to Australia, but we wanted a better result than that last-start run at Ellerslie to give us the confidence to have a crack at Brisbane. “We saw a nice week of weather leading into Te Rapa and a suitable race today, and we saw how well the filly came through her last-start run. We thought, ‘Bugger it, let’s back her up and see how she goes.’ It worked out perfectly. “She was her own worst enemy at Ellerslie. She was the first one loaded into the gates and did a lot wrong and ended up getting too far off them against a good field. I think she might also have resented the crossover nose band, which came off today. “This performance was exactly what we were hoping to see. I briefly thought she might be hesitant to take the gap in the straight, but then she quickened through it. I think that might be a real confidence boost for her.” Marsh is now keen to give Velocious a shot at the Queensland Winter Carnival. “Depending on how she comes through this, there’s a race at Eagle Farm in a couple of weeks that might be worth having a really good look at,” he said. That potential target is the A$200,000 Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m), for three-year-olds at set weights, which will be run on June 7. Velocious was bred by Inglewood Stud and offered in their draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, where Go Racing bought her for $190,000. She has now had 12 starts for six wins, a placing, and $980,550 in stakes. View the full article

Trainer John Sargent has a soft-spot for handy stayer Causal Connection, who once again relished the heavy track conditions at Randwick on Saturday as he notched win number eight of his career when successful in the PF Civil Handicap (2400m). Ridden positively by apprentice Molly Bourke, the six-year-old son of Complacent maintained a strong gallop to the line after being left in front 600m from home and defeated the fast-finishing Wuddzz, also a son of Complacent, by nearly three-lengths. “I own this horse with some friends from New Zealand and he’s been a great horse, especially in this type of ground,” a delighted Sargent said. “He’s got to get rolling and Molly knows him well and rode him a treat today. When he’s up there bowling he can keep staying.” Casual Connection contested last year’s Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) where he finished down the track on an unfavourable surface. “I wouldn’t take him (to Brisbane) again, he’s getting older now, unless it was wet,” Sargent said. “He went last year and it was rock hard and he didn’t like it. We’ll just tick along for a few weeks and see what the Winter does.” The victory was also important for Bourke as she chases an apprentice premiership, which is headed by Braith Nock. “He absolutely thrives in these conditions, and he was really tough today,” Bourke said. “He just needed everything to go his way. He’s a momentum horse so as long as nothing in front of him coming into the straight he’s usually really hard to run down.” By former Mapperley Stud stallion Complacent, Casual Connection is out of the three-win O’Reilly mare Casual Fling and is raced by the Davisons of Mapperley Stud in conjunction with the Sargent family. The stayer has now won A$481,175 in prizemoney with eight wins and 10 placings from 42 starts to date. View the full article