Wandering Eyes

Fast Market (f, 3, Volatile–Betty Draper, by Street Cry {Ire}) came flying late to win the GIII Pebbles Stakes at Aqueduct Sunday. The bay filly took nine tries to break her maiden over the Aqueduct lawn in September, but came right back to just miss in graded company when runner-up in the Oct. 18 GII Sands Points Stakes. Sent off at 3-2 in the Pebbles, Fast Market settled near the back of a tightly bunched pack as Love You Anyway (Tapit) took the field through moderate fractions. Fast Market bullied her way between rivals while four wide at the top of the lane and was forced to pause briefly as the pacesetter drifted out at midstretch, but once she saw daylight, the favorite closed powerfully to win going away by two lengths. The time for the 1 1/16 miles over the lawn was 1:43.22. Lifetime Record: 11-2-3-1. O-Hit the Bid Racing Stable. B-Breed First LLC (Ky). T-John Terranova. Flavien Prat gets his fourth win today as FAST MARKET gets her first stakes win in the Grade 3 Pebbles Stakes for @JohnTerranova1. That concludes turf racing for 2025! pic.twitter.com/t1DLOej1z8 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) November 23, 2025 The post Volatile’s Fast Market Makes the Grade in Pebbles appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Can racing withstand the addition of yet another existential threat to the ever-expanding list of practices deemed harmful to our sport's health? Dennis Drazin, the chairman and chief executive officer of Darby Development LLC, which operates Monmouth Park, warned last week that the rising wave of prediction markets should be met with a greater sense of urgency and should be getting more scrutiny from racetrack operators and regulators. “I'm growing more and more concerned about the prediction market companies, such as Kalshi, Polymarket, and others that are now offering bets on sports and, I believe, their intention is to do it on horse racing in the future,” Drazin said during the Nov. 19 New Jersey Racing Commission meeting. Prediction markets are similar to betting exchanges–even though those who operate them tend go to great lengths to get people to believe that users aren't technically “gambling” when they choose a side, stake money, have their proposition matched by an opposing, anonymous user, and then see their accounts either credited or debited based on the outcome of that event. Users trade contracts like they might on a commodities exchange, winning or losing money on the outcomes of games, races, sports league championships, elections and other yes/no types of propositions that they strike directly with other users instead of wagering against the house (like with sportsbooks) or against other bettors (like in a pari-mutuel market). The appeal for prediction market users is lower takeout or vigorish (instead, a small “trading fee” that might be as low as .5 to 2% gets extracted), and, as part of that equation, the prospect of more generous odds and being able to bet against an entity by backing it to lose. But at the same time, under current models, prediction markets aren't operating with explicit permission or broad licensing deals from any United States racing entities, meaning they aren't regulated at the state level (like racing and sports betting) and don't feed back revenue to the Thoroughbred industry to pay for purses. The Betfair exchange has for years accepted trades on American horse racing, and a quick Google search over the weekend for “horse racing prediction markets” turned up a London-based site called Smarkets that was offering buying and selling on every U.S. track running Nov. 22. Both Betfair and Smarkets prohibit U.S.-based users from opening accounts, but both sites (as well as a number of other offshore exchanges) are seeking ways to legally operate in America. “New Jersey has laws on sports betting and on racing,” said Drazin, an attorney who in 2018 successfully represented co-plaintiff New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association in a longshot legal odyssey to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992, paving the way for legalized sports betting. “And these companies are operating under the [federal] Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). They're not paying any taxes. There's no integrity regulation. And it's invading sports betting revenue that we currently receive.” As CFTC-licensed entities, sites like Kalshi and Polymarket can offer event contracts in all 50 states. Although Kalshi has yet to put up markets for horse racing, Polymarket had a volume of $1.2 million on its market for the 2025 GI Kentucky Derby. “One of these companies had a meeting with me,” Drazin said. “And the first slide they showed me was [the 2026 GI] Haskell [Stakes] coming up. And they want to offer a wager, 'Will the favorite win, yes or no?' And they don't believe they have to pay a host fee. They don't believe they have to compensate the tracks at all. “I believe, to the contrary, that this is controlled by the Interstate Horseracing Act (IHA). And I certainly will be in court if they try and offer a [Haskell] wager,” Drazin said. Earlier this year, the NBA, NFL and MLB (which each have official partnerships with sportsbooks) expressed written concerns to the CFTC about potential integrity issues regarding prediction markets. But not every sports league is intent on fighting the newcomers. On Oct. 22, the NHL announced multi-year licensing deals with Kalshi and Polymarket that will allow the companies to use the league's data and logos, similar to the league's contracts with its partnering sportsbooks. According to ESPN, the American Gaming Association (AGA), a casino trade group, characterized the NHL's actions as “deeply concerning” and described Kalshi and Polymarket as “backdoor gambling schemes masquerading as 'financial products.'” Drazin continued: “Without getting political, I think there are certain individuals, like Donald Trump Jr., that's on salary with Kalshi and an investor in Polymarket. And [President Trump] is making an appointment to the CFTC which will support this agenda… “But most of the action so far has been by the sports betting regulators,” Drazin said. “The New Jersey [Division of Gaming Enforcement] tried to stop them and they were unsuccessful. That's on appeal to the Third Circuit. Nevada tried to stop them. There was an injunction issued, and [on Nov. 16] Nevada's judge, hearing this issue, said he may reverse that injunction… “The California tribes filed an action. The Massachusetts attorney general filed a state court action. Maryland filed an action, [and] although they were successful in getting an injunction, then they made a deal, [that until] the Supreme Court decides it, they're going to let this continue… “The companies are getting very, very aggressive,” Drazin said. “There's been more and more going on as the days unroll. So now FanDuel and DraftKings have entered [the prediction] market. As a result of that, the AGA has asked them to leave, because they won't tolerate someone who's offering these wagers. “Nevada took away [FanDuel's] license. There are some states that are saying, 'If you enter the [prediction] market, you're not suitable to hold a license [for regulated sports betting] in our state,” Drazin said. “Some suggest that you need state laws that prevent [prediction market companies] from operating in your state [and] to give regulators the ability to criminalize it,” Drazin said. “But I'm not going to venture to say what New Jersey should do on that. I'll evaluate the issue. I think our attorney general is front-and-center in handling this. “But on the racing front, no one seems to sense the danger yet, because they say, 'We'll wait until it happens, and then we'll deal with it.'” Drazin said. “I think you have to be proactive with these things. I don't think you can wait until it happens, and then run to court,” Drazin said. “Ultimately, I think this is going to the United States Supreme Court. So it will [likely be decided] three or four years from now,” Drazin said. “But I'm firing a warning to everybody, not only in New Jersey, but in all the other states, that this is an issue that we're going to have to deal with or we're going to lose revenue,” Drazin said. The post The Week in Review: Drazin on Prediction Markets as Threat to Racing: ‘No One Seems to Sense the Danger Yet’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jantar Mantar confirmed his place atop the ranks of Japanese milers with a facile win in the Mile Championship (G1) Nov. 23 at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article

Watch Me Rock led a Grant and Alana Williams-trained exacta with his victory in the Railway Stakes (G1) at Ascot Racecourse Nov. 22.View the full article

Jantar Mantar confirmed his place atop the ranks of Japanese milers with a facile win in the Mile Championship (G1) Nov. 23 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Romantic Warrior and Ka Ying Rising, Hong Kong's international superstars, posted decisive victories Nov. 23 in their preps for the Dec. 14 Hong Kong International Races.View the full article

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) maintained a relentless pursuit of racing history and stretched his unbeaten sequence to 15 races with a devastating display of power and speed to land the HK$5.35 million Gr.2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Unvanquished since January 2024, Ka Ying Rising (128lb) obliterated nine rivals in clocking the second-fastest time in history over 1200m at Sha Tin – 1m 07.33s, marginally outside his own track record of 1m 07.20s – despite being eased down over the last 100m by jockey Zac Purton. Conceding five pounds to the rest of the field, the world’s highest-rated sprinter jumped cleanly to lead from barrier 10 before settling in second place behind Beauty Waves and, such was his superiority, Purton said the tempo was still not fast enough – despite a blistering sectional of 21.93s from the 800m to the 400m. Purton quickly put the issue beyond doubt on straightening as Ka Ying Rising surged clear inside the last 200m before being allowed to saunter to the line. The winning margin of two-and-three-quarter lengths flattered runner-up Fast Network with Helios Express third, a further length-and-three-quarters away. Ka Ying Rising’s 15th consecutive win leaves him third overall for the most wins in a row by a Hong Kong trained horse behind Silent Witness (17) and Golden Sixty (16). With the HK$28 million Gr.1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 14 December seemingly at his mercy, the Shamexpress gelding continues to impress Purton with his maturity, having successfully travelled back to Sha Tin after landing the Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in Sydney on 18 October. “He just looks better all the time. He’s mentally getting better. It’s hard to say that he’s improving or that he’s going to get better, but he’s certainly enjoying what he’s doing and handling it really well,” Purton said. “It was good to see him win like that today without having to go to the bottom of him, so it’s a nice confidence-boosting win as he comes back. I’ve never seen him look so good. We were hoping he was going to do that, and it’s good for him to back up what we were thinking. “Mid-race, Beauty Waves was probably just half a step too slow – I know we’ve run nearly a track record time – but he (Ka Ying Rising) was on his tippy toes behind him wanting to go quicker. That’s the beauty with this horse, the faster they go, the better he is. “I got to the stage where I had to let him roll into it because otherwise it was going to be detrimental to him.” Trainer David Hayes said: “To the eye, I thought it was probably one of his best wins. That was as easy as I’ve seen him do it – maybe in this race last year, but I thought it was probably better than this one last year when he (Purton) did the kiss cam. “Zac agreed with me. He thought he gave him probably the best feel in the last 15 (races), so that’s a great sign. He just showed us that he’s right on song. He raced at the heaviest Hong Kong weight (1,158lb) he’s ever been today, which suggests he’s getting bigger, stronger, better. “It’s just a dream come true to have a horse like this, and I really want to thank my team that travelled him overseas and didn’t miss a beat with him and brought him back in better condition than he left. “He’ll be set for (2026) The Everest now again and, of course, we’ve got the big international race in three weeks which is his short-term grand final, so it’s all very exciting.” View the full article

The Tomokazu Takano-trained Jantar Mantar cemented his status as Japan's outstanding performer over 1,600 metres with victory in the G1 Mile Championship at Kyoto on Sunday, beating old rival Gaia Force (Kitasan Black) by a length and three-quarters in a near carbon copy of the result from June's G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo. Becoming just the ninth horse to win both the Yasuda Kinen and Mile Championship in the same year, Jantar Mantar raced in third behind tearaway leader Toshin Macau (Big Arthur) through the first half of the race. Moving up to challenge early in the straight, the son of Palace Malice was in front with 150 metres to run and from there he quickly stamped his authority on the contest, proving himself much the best as Gaia Force ran on from the chasing pack to edge out longshot Water Licht (Drefong) for the runner-up spot. Off Trail (Farhh), Elton Barows (Deep Brillante) and defending champion Soul Rush (Rulership) also finished close up in a closely-fought battle for the minor placings, while British raider Docklands (Massaat), the winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, ran an honourable race, passing the post five lengths behind the winner in ninth. “I'm glad we were able to prove that the colt is a true champion,” said the successful jockey, Yuga Kawada. “Although we lost our recent race, it was a good prep for today and enabled the colt to run in good rhythm with a good feeling. He responded smoothly and, in the home stretch, with the sun setting behind us, I was able to check by the shadows that no one was sneaking up on us. Owing to his outstanding talent and to the hard work of everyone involved, the colt has won all Group 1 mile events open for colts/horses, which I think is absolutely incredible.” Gaia Force and Jantar Mantar were both returning from over four months on the sidelines when the first-named horse enjoyed his day in the sun in last month's G2 Fuji Stakes at Tokyo. Previously, Jantar Mantar had dished out a comprehensive beating of that rival in the Yasuda Kinen and Sunday's victory was the fourth of his career at the top level. Crowned Japan's champion two-year-old colt in 2023 after winning the G1 Asahi Hai Futurity Stakes, he also won last year's G1 NHK Mile Cup against his own age group. Jantar Mantar (#ジャンタルマンタル​​) asserted his dominance in Grade 1 Mile Championship (#マイルチャンピオンシップ) at Kyoto Racecourse (#京都競馬場)! European challenger Docklands was back in ninth…#競馬 @netkeiba pic.twitter.com/WQpWLdMuss — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 23, 2025 Pedigree Notes India Mantuana, the dam of Jantar Mantar, produced the best effort of her career when winning the GIII Red Carpet Handicap at Del Mar in 2018. She was led out unsold on a bid of $145,000 at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale, before being bought by Shadai for $100,000, pregnant to Accelerate, at Keeneland January in 2020. She unfortunately aborted that foal and was bred to Palace Malice prior to her export to Japan, where she slipped her Kizuna foal in 2022. Her two-year-old by Pyro, Unnatamsa, filled the runner-up spot on her second start at Kyoto last month, while she also has a yearling filly by Isla Bonita. Sunday, Kyoto, Japan MILE CHAMPIONSHIP-G1, ¥347,520,000, Kyoto, 11-23, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:31.30, fm. 1–JANTAR MANTAR (JPN), 128, c, 4, by Palace Malice 1st Dam: India Mantuana (GSW-US, SP-Can, $223,100), by Wilburn 2nd Dam: Speed Wagon, by Tomorrows Cat 3rd Dam: Rajica, by El Baba O-Shadai Race Horse; B-Shadai Farm; T-Tomokazu Takano; J-Yuga Kawada; ¥183,864,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Colt-Jpn, 10-6-2-1, ¥712,498,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Gaia Force (Jpn), 128, h, 6, Kitasan Black (Jpn)–Natale (Jpn), by Kurofune. (¥30,000,000 Wlg '19 JRHJUL). O-KR Japan; B-Oiwake Farm; ¥73,104,000. 3–Water Licht (Jpn), 128, c, 4, Drefong–Water Peony (Jpn), by Victoire Pisa (Jpn). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Masato Yamaoka; B-Fushikida Farm; ¥45,552,000. Margins: 1 3/4, NS, NK. Odds: 0.80, 7.60, 129.20. Also Ran: Off Trail (GB), Elton Barows (Jpn), Soul Rush (Jpn), Ascoli Piceno (Jpn), Magic Sands (Jpn), Docklands (GB), Cervinia (Jpn), Toshin Macau (Jpn), Lebensstil (Jpn), Kangchenjunga (Jpn), Champagne Color (Jpn), Long Run (Jpn), Lavanda (Jpn), Wide Latour (Jpn), Win Marvel (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Jantar Mantar Much the Best in Mile Championship appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following some pretty roasting foal trade at Goffs last week, action returns to Park Paddocks for the Tattersalls December Sale, which, after a Monday yearling session, features four days of weanlings. Four years ago at Tattersalls, Deborah O'Brien brought a neat and strong Tasleet yearling colt to the market through Bearstone Stud, where the breeder boards her mares, and sold him for 12,000gns. The result, after a further appearance at the Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale, was Bradsell, winner of the G1 Flying Five, G1 Nunthorpe, G1 King's Stand and G2 Coventry Stakes. Many people would settle for just one Royal Ascot winner but Bradsell took his owner Victorious Racing to the winner's circle there twice before his deserved retirement to the stallion yard at the National Stud. And for O'Brien, Bradsell's career was a sustained high point after decades of breeding. “To breed a stallion is the absolute ambition any breeder would have,” she says. “And I'm sure, at the highest level, they're used to doing it, but for someone like me, it's absolutely fantastic.” O'Brien admits to “a faint sense of dread” in anticipation of selling three foals at Tattersalls on Tuesday and Wednesday, despite the fact that one of them, lot 609, is the three-quarter-brother to Bradsell, by Soldier's Call. “I've picked three out of the six foals I've got this year. The ones I think are forward and that I think people might like,” she says of her decision to sell as weanlings. “I've got a Ubettabelieveit, that's the first one through, from Bradsell's family. He's out of Sparkling Perry, who is a winning Fountain of Youth mare. He is an absolute belter, and a nice-natured one with it. And I'm selling an El Caballo colt out of a Sir Percy mare. They're both on Tuesday.” O'Brien could well then be responsible for one of the highlights of Wednesday's session. She continues, “The Soldier's Call close relative to Bradsell sells later on Wednesday. They haven't put him in on the Friday and that's probably because he's by Soldier's Call. He's been no trouble at all, just like Bradsell. “I was disappointed to see that he was on the Wednesday at first, but then I thought, well, actually, if you're fighting the Frankels and the whatever on the Friday, maybe he could get lost in that but stand out a bit on the Wednesday.” Having bred and raced Bradsell's first three dams, O'Brien is understandably keen to keep the line going and has retained the yearling half-sister by Oasis Dream, who has been named Ruby Punch and is currently in pre-training with Claire and Chris Bonner. “She's going to Andrew Balding,” O'Brien says of the filly. “We've been friends with the Baldings for almost 40 years and we just thought if we ever had one that had the pedigree to be able to go, we'd send them one.” She will doubtless be hoping that some of Bradsell's talent rubs off on him, though their dam Russian Punch (Archipenko) was no slouch either, as the winner of the Listed Radley Stakes among her three victories for James Given. “The word that always sprung to mind with Bradsell was uncomplicated,” she says. “And the foal is exactly the same. He was one of the nicest foals bred on the stud, physically, in attitude and everything, I don't know about the talent – you don't ever know until they start racing.” We have heard much, from the TBA in Britain in particular, about the plight of small breeders and their reduction in number, along with the drop in foal crop. The Yorkshire-based O'Brien says that she aims to keep going while gradually reducing her numbers. “I'm going to have to recognise that nobody else in the family wants to take it on,” she says. “It's a bit of a financial drain as well, except on occasional moments. So at some point I'm going to have to figure out how to contract it. I'm trying to prove the young mares in order to maybe sell them on with some credentials. “You can feel like you're constantly beating your head against the system, never mind everything else. I can see why the foal crop is dropping, and now the TBA has put this compulsory extra levy on the foal registrations. They have a much better system in Ireland where the contribution is geared to the cost of the stallion nominations you've used, so small breeders don't pay anywhere near as much as somebody registering a foal by an expensive stallion.” She adds of the new £60 compulsory foal levy in Britain, “That's a massive hit on the registration fees. And how they think that that is going to encourage the breeder to cover their mares, I really don't know.” O'Brien is not alone in having aired this concern, but despite this, there will be one foal she will be particularly eager to register next year, and that will be one of the earliest born by Bradsell. She says, “I have Tequila Royale in foal to him, and I sent her first because she always foals around the 20th, 23rd of January. She's always covered 18th or 19th of February, and she gets in foal straightaway. So, obviously, that's the most exciting thing of next year.” O'Brien continues, “I've got two mares to send to him next year as I bought one of the breeding rights. I do think he's got what it might take to be a good stallion. He's got the temperament and he's got the physique. So you've got to just hope that the right mares produce the right foals.” And, in a nutshell, this small breeder who has enjoyed some notable highs while accepting the lows that undoubtedly go hand in hand with the lifestyle, sums up exactly why so many of her ilk keep dreaming the dream. “I don't really wish the years away but there's always something to look forward to,” she says, with just over a month to go until Bradsell's first foals start to appear. “As difficult as it is, I've noticed that breeders live quite a long time. I think it's because they've got something to hang in there for.” Yearlings Provide the Opening Show There are around 170 last chances to buy a yearling at public auction in Britain this year, and Monday's December Yearling Sale at Tattersalls can often provide a back-up option for a horse who has had to miss an earlier sale with a small setback. It has had its fair share of success over the years, and there is no finer example of this than Via Sistina. The daughter of Fastnet Rock had initially been engaged in the October Book 3 sale of 2019 but, having been withdrawn, arrived at Tattersalls instead six weeks later. It is fair to say that her debut appearance at the December Sale was much lower key than her second. Via Sistina was plucked from the yearling sale for just 5,000gns by Stephen Hillen. Four years later she returned a Group 1 winner to be sold to Yulong for 2.7 million gns. That may have seemed steep at the time, but the seven-year-old was rated the top mare in the world last year and has now added a scarcely believable 11 more Group 1 wins to her tally in Australia, including back-to-back victories in the Cox Plate and Champion Stakes. Among this year's offerings are a full-brother to Group 3 and Listed winner Anthelia (Supremacy), who sells as lot 5 from Abbeyleix Stud just five days after his weanling half-brother by Starman sold for €225,000 at Goffs. The Castlebridge Consignment later offers a double-whammy of enticing colts by Sea The Stars in the full-brothers to Group 1 winners Emily Upjohn and Sea Of Class, catalogued as lots 75 and 76. In keeping with the rest of the Tattersalls yearling sales in 2024, the December Yearling session took a major leap forward 12 months ago when turnover exceeded 7 million gns, with an average in excess of 50,000gns for the first time. Admittedly, this boost in trade was aided somewhat by a record top lot, when the Dark Angel half-sister to subsequent Classic winner Camille Pissarro (Wootton Bassett) sold for 900,000gns, but with plenty of decent pedigrees on offer this time around, it will be no surprise to see the December Sale commence in similarly ebullient fashion. The first yearling will be in the ring on Monday at 10am. It is also worth noting that there is now no blank day between the yearlings and foals. The December Foal Sale begins at 11am on Tuesday, and Thursday is now the 'dark day' before weanling trade resumes on Friday and Saturday, at 10am both days. The post ‘There’s Always Something To Look Forward To’: Deborah O’Brien Brings Bradsell’s Brother to December Foal Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The status quo was maintained in the race to become the local rider at next month’s Longines International Jockeys’ Championship after Vincent Ho Chak-yiu and Jerry Chau Chun-lok both struck at Sha Tin on Sunday. Heading into the meeting, Ho was one winner ahead of Chau but he wasted no time in extending the advantage when Mabubu made all the running on debut to win the Class Four BOC Cross-Border Services Handicap (1,200m). Chau managed to wrestle the lead back down to one when the impressive...View the full article

Any doubts about Romantic Warrior not being able to return to his glorious best after injury were firmly brushed aside as he crushed Voyage Bubble to win a third Group Two BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. The 10-time Group One hero had been sidelined with an incomplete fracture in his left front fetlock and was returning from a 232-day absence to take on a race-fit Triple Crown hero in Voyage Bubble. Despite this, the market was firmly in his favour and Danny Shum...View the full article

A sublime rails-hugging ride by James McDonald helped Galaxy Patch claim his first victory in 13 months as red-hot favourite My Wish could only manage fourth in a dramatic Group Two BOCHK Private Wealth Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin on Sunday. Winless since last year’s Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m), Pierre Ng Pang-chi’s stable star avenged his defeat in last year’s Jockey Club Mile as the $1.7 favourite with the breakthrough success. McDonald made an impact on his first race ride on Galaxy...View the full article

A “bigger, stronger, better” Ka Ying Rising toyed with his rivals at Sha Tin on Sunday, romping to his 15th consecutive success with victory in the Group Two BOCHK Private Banking Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m). Sent off $1.05 for his first run since muscling his way to victory in the Group One The Everest (1,200m), Ka Ying Rising stopped the clock in 1:07.33 – the second fastest Sha Tin 1,200m time ever and not far outside his track record of 1:07.20. “To the eye, I thought it was probably one of...View the full article

When local trainer Jo-Anne Dalton put a saddle on Sestina (NZ) (Lonhro) for Sunday’s Gladvale Farms Winton Cup (1400m) at Ascot Park, she expected the $35,000 race to be little more than a pipe-opener ahead of the Cromwell Cup (2030m) next weekend – but the Lonhro mare had other ideas. Sestina swept to victory in Sunday’s open handicap, recording her second 1400m success from only three starts so far in her six-year-old season. “It’s a big surprise, to be fair,” Dalton said. “Even Tina (Comignaghi, jockey) thought she’d be flat-footed today over 1400m. We normally need a wet track for this mare to be competitive over these shorter trips. But the little tart has pulled one out of the box today! “She’s been a handful around the stables all week and really needed to have a run here today ahead of Cromwell next week. “She should be a stayer, but this is her second win over 1400m this time in. We’ll take it!” Comignaghi settled Sestina in fourth place as Balzano and Sir Sterling duelled for the lead and dragged the field around the Ascot Park circuit at a strong pace. Those efforts began to take their toll on that pair as they straightened for home, and Comignaghi had Sestina poised to pounce. She presented her mount on the outside of the leaders at the turn and drove her over the top of them down the straight, going on to win by half a length over Tomasina and Ex Aye. Bred by Cambridge Stud’s Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay, Sestina has now had 31 starts for five wins, 11 placings and $155,555 in stakes. “I thought during the race that she seemed to be travelling well and was in a good spot,” Dalton said. “When she pulled out, I thought, ‘Here we go!’ “She has a few quirks – things have to be done her way and in her own time, when she feels like it. She’s a bit bossy. But she’s got ability. “We’ll head to the Cromwell Cup next Sunday. We’ll go up to 2000m, which we thought would suit her a lot better than today’s race!” The Winton Cup completed a winning double on Sunday’s Ascot Park card for Dalton, who earlier in the afternoon saddled Venetian (Castelvecchio) for a five-length runaway in the Advance Agriculture & Sinclair Transport Maiden (1400m). That lightly raced four-year-old mare is owned by the Harper and Kilkelly families, who also race Sestina as well as Sunday’s Travellers Rest Tavern & Mud & Daggs Rating 65 (1600m) runner-up Ominous. View the full article

Join Guy Heveldt, Emily Murphy and Aidan Rodley has the break down the action from a sunny Pukekohe Park for Counties Cup day. Weigh In, November 23 View the full article

Steven Ramsay and Julia Ritchie trained their 200th winner in the blue and white hooped colours of owner-breeder Sir Peter Vela when talented filly Passiflora (NZ) (Farnan) led all the way in Saturday’s Happy Hire 3YO (1200m) at Wanganui. The Ramsay-Ritchie partnership has now been credited with 200 wins from 1427 runners, with 14 black-type successes including Guiseppina in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m), Rasa Lila and Dolmabache in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m), and Group Three victories by Amaryllis, Pure Elegance, Rasa Lila and Island Life. “It’s a real buzz for us to train 200 winners for Sir Peter Vela,” Ramsay said on Saturday. “He and his late brother Philip have given us incredible support through our careers, and we’re just so happy to be involved in the team.” Passiflora has emerged this spring as one of the more promising young members of Ramsay and Ritchie’s Matamata stable. She was a front-running debut winner over 970m on the Cambridge synthetic track on September 10, then ran third behind War Princess and Lubeck in a strong three-year-old race at Tauranga on November 1. Saturday’s $40,000 age-group sprint was her third start, and she again controlled the race from the front before kicking hard at the home corner. Perfect Habit finished strongly and ate into her margin, but Passiflora refused to let that rival pass. She held on grimly to win by a neck, with two and a half lengths back to the third-placed Our Sniper. “I thought there would be a bit of speed on, but in the end I got an easy lead and stacked them up a little bit,” winning rider Leah Hemi said. “She kicked away nicely at the turn. She’s a tiny little thing, but she’s got a good attitude.” Passiflora’s three-start career has produced two wins, a third and $36,960 in stakes. “She was really good on the synthetic first-up, where she jumped and ran and put them away,” Ramsay said. “I think it was quite a tidy field that she came up against at Tauranga the other day, and she boxed on well that day. “Leah gave her a good ride today and the filly really dug in too. She’s not overly big, but she’s got a bit of class.” Passiflora comes from the first crop by Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Farnan and is his first New Zealand winner. He has sired a total of 23 winners from 70 runners, including North England, King Of Pop and Recuperato at stakes level. The dam of Passiflora is Sir Peter Vela’s homebred Charm Spirit mare Lilikoi, who won three races including the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m). She also placed in the Gr.2 Royal Stakes (2000m). Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Stud will offer a Super Seth half-brother to Passiflora as Lot 522 during Book 1 of Karaka 2026 on January 25 and 26. View the full article

Royal Flower’s (NZ) (Proisir) victory in the G Bristol & Sons 2040 at Wanganui on Saturday has earned her a black-type assignment over the same course and distance next weekend. The seven-year-old Proisir mare produced an impressive performance in the $50,000 open handicap, dragging the field up to the tearaway leader Sagunto and hitting the front before the home turn. Royal Flower gave her rider Mereana Hudson everything she asked for down the straight, and she went on to win by a length and a quarter from runner-up Comedy. Foxton owner-trainer-breeder Gail Temperton was delighted with Saturday’s performance and now plans to take Royal Flower back to Wanganui seven days later for the $80,000 Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m). “It’s a big thrill any time you win a race, but that was a very good win by the horse and an amazingly good ride,” Temperton said. “Mereana was sitting down and pushing her along from quite early in the piece, and she really controlled the race from there. I was delighted with the ride and it was great to get the win. “She’ll go to the Wanganui Cup next week, and then we’ll give her a longer gap between runs after that. It’s not my habit to back horses up as quickly as that, but she can do it. She hadn’t raced for a month until now, which makes it easier, so it’s not like we’re making her do these quick back-ups every time.” A black-type win is the missing piece in Royal Flower’s CV. The Taikorea Thoroughbreds homebred has had 36 starts for eight wins, eight placings and $174,815 in stakes, including third placings in the last two editions of the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m). She was beaten by three and a half lengths by Apostrophe in the 2024 Breeders’ Stakes, then returned in April of this year to be beaten by a neck and a half-head by Val Di Zoldo and Nigella Lane. “She’s had those couple of black-type placings, doubling up and running third in the same race two years in a row,” Temperton said. “We’d really love to see her go a couple of placings better in a stakes race. That’s the aim.” Rich Hill Stud offered Royal Flower during Book 2 of Karaka 2020, where she failed to meet her $15,000 reserve. She has now earned more than 11 times that amount for her owner-trainer-breeder. View the full article

Nevada Beach was an overwhelming favorite against just three foes in the $98,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) Nov. 22 at Del Mar. He got the job done by a half-length, but it wasn't remotely as easy as his 1-10 odds indicated.View the full article

On Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs, Giocoso became a millionaire in rallying to defeat Chapman's Peak by a head in the $299,800 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T). View the full article

While the GI Breeders' Cup Classic may have turned out to be a jump too high for him, Nevada Beach (Omaha Beach) bounced back from that effort with a workman-like victory in the GIII Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar. Despite only starting his career in mid-April this year, the son of Omaha Beach has cobbled together a respectable 2025 campaign with wins in the Los Alamitos Derby in late June and the 'WAYI' GI Goodwood Stakes two back Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. The lattermost effort guaranteed him a spot in the World Championships earlier this month, and he was 18-1 in that contest as Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) made history for Japan. Nevada Beach was never a factor in seventh. On the strength of his running lines, and despite facing older horses once again here, the betting public hammered the Bob Baffert-trainee into favoritism to the tune of 1-9 odds by the time the gates opened. He watched it all unfold from third as Westwood (Authentic) stepped out to set the tempo with British Isles (Justify) never far away from him. That pair rolled through six furlongs in 1:11.25 and got a mile in 1:35.92 as Nevada Beach inched closer to them along the far bend. Challenging for the lead as Westwood threw out a white flag, British Isles was less willing to call it quits and the duo locked horns into the final furlong before the eventual winner finally got the best of his challenger. Nevada Beach came home a measured half-length victor over British Isles and it was 2 1/4 back to longtime leader Westwood. Indispensable (Constitution) trailed for the duration in fourth. “He went easy today, but [compared to] his last race, it's almost like two different horses,” said winning rider Juan Hernandez. “He broke a step slow. I had to help him get into the rhythm. Around the three-eighths pole, I had to start working on him, because he was getting a little lazy on me. But Bob [Baffert] knows that this horse has talent. I trust Bob, so I started working on [Nevada Beach] and it worked out.” “He is a big horse, he is a train. He got the job done though. I want to give my thanks to the owners for giving me the confidence. He may want to run a little more distance, he galloped out of the race well.” It was a battle down the stretch! NEVADA BEACH ($2.20) took home the $100,000 Native Diver Stakes (G3) with @JJHernandezS19 in the irons. Bob Baffert trains the son of @spendthriftfarm Omaha Beach. pic.twitter.com/3hzUS1X1On — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 23, 2025 Pedigree Notes: Nevada Beach is the lone black-type winner, and Grade I horse, for his dam–herself a multiple stakes winner who is a half-sister to an elite level runner. Morrow Cove (Yes It's True) claims a perfect strike rate with her offspring, however, as all five to make it to the races have gotten their picture taken, and four of them on several occasions, including Nevada Beach. Her last registered is a juvenile filly named Queen of Cairo (American Pharoah). The aforementioned half-sibling to the dam is GI American Oaks victress Decked Out (Street Boss), who also ran second in the GI Del Mar Oaks in her time on the track. This is the immediate female family of GSW Katonah (Klimt) and GSW Odysseus (Malibu Moon). Saturday, Del Mar NATIVE DIVER S.-GIII, $98,000, Del Mar, 11-22, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:48.35, ft. 1–NEVADA BEACH, 122, c, 3, by Omaha Beach 1st Dam: Morrow Cove (MSW, $182,610), by Yes It's True 2nd Dam: Once Around, by You and I 3rd Dam: Persimmon Hill, by Conquistador Cielo ($260,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Pegram, Michael E., Watson, Karl & Weitman, Paul; B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust, Phil Tackett Estate & Christy Tackett (KY); T-Bob Baffert; J-Juan J. Hernandez. $60,000. Lifetime Record: GISW, 6-4-1-0, $426,500. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–British Isles, 121, g, 4, Justify–Purely Hot, by Pure Prize. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Slam Dunk Racing, Baltas, Richard & McClanahan, Jerry; B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt (KY); T-Richard Baltas. $20,000. 3–Westwood, 118, g, 3, Authentic–Indian Bay, by Indian Charlie. ($700,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-C R K Stable LLC; B-Hinkle Farms (KY); T-John A. Shirreffs. $12,000. Margins: HF, 2 1/4, 5 3/4. Odds: 0.10, 16.50, 8.60. Also Ran: Indispensable. Scratched: Clouseau. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Nevada Beach Back to Winning Ways with Workman-like Effort in Native Diver appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Uncorking a ferocious rally in the lane, Giocoso (Not This Time) became racing's newest millionaire after claiming the GIII Commonwealth Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs. Coming into the race with a win at the graded level under his belt–three back in the Aug. 9 GII Secretariat Stakes at Colonial Downs–and hovering just beneath the seven-figure mark in earnings, the son of red hot Not This Time had spent his last three races on the board. He was game as they come Sept. 6 at Kentucky Downs when he begrudgingly yielded late in the Gun Runner Stakes to finish second, and last out Oct. 25 employed his wicked kick to get up for third in Keeneland's GIII Bryan Station Stakes behind GISW Troubleshooting (Not This Time). The latter returned here as the 5-2 favorite. Setting up well off the pace in eighth for most of the race, Giocoso went into the four path along the first turn and was able to avoid some of the traffic problems that ultimately eliminated Troubleshooting early on, and King's Plate winner Mansetti (Collected) later, from contention. Still well off the fence after six panels in 1:11.67, Jose Ortiz had a wall of horses in front of him around the final bend and had to come six wide for racing room in the lane. Sights locked on Chapman's Peak (Quality Road) and Outrunner (American Pharoah), as that pair had been at each other's throats since the gates opened, Giocoso relentlessly closed the distance to nail the former in the shadow of the wire by a head. Outrunner was a length back in third. Troubleshooting faded to ninth after being checked repeatedly early on, and tiring in the stretch. “It was a little anxious moment down the stretch but the good horses know how to get the job done,” trainer Keith Desormeaux said. “Jose was able to get him to relax down the backside and I was blessed to have a jockey that used his skills to do that and we got the job done.” “He's a horse that comes to run every time and always gives you his best,” said Ortiz. “I couldn't have gotten the job done today without Keith and his team back at the barn to get him ready to run. He broke well and I got him to settle going into the first turn. I asked him to go little by little and at the quarter pole when I tipped out, I could tell I had a ton of horse left. GIOCOSO ($9.48) soars home in the $300,000 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3) with @jose93_ortiz in the irons. The son of @TMStallions Not This Time is trained by Keith Desormeaux. pic.twitter.com/YJkH2DkQaJ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 22, 2025 Pedigree Notes: Giocoso is the most successful of his dam's offspring and her only black-type runner thus far. He is one of three winners with two of those siblings entering the winner's enclosure in Japan and Argentina while an unplaced half-sister named Ecoro Diana (More Than Ready) also campaigned in the Land of the Rising Sun. Nutcracker Suite (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), herself a half-sister to multiple group producer GSW-Ire Beauty Bright (Ire) (Danehill), had a stillborn 2024 McKinzie foal. She did produce a 2025 Up to the Mark filly since then and was bred to Cogburn for 2026. Another of the dam's half-siblings, MSW-Aus & G1SP-Eng Aloft (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), was a five-time winner in his career but was the only one to be elite-placed for second dam Dietrich (Storm Cat). A second sister named Marquesa (Kingmambo) produced a fleet of stakes performers in Japan. Saturday, Churchill Downs COMMONWEALTH TURF S.-GIII, $299,800, Churchill Downs, 11-22, 3yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:41.47, fm. 1–GIOCOSO, 123, c, 3, by Not This Time 1st Dam: Nutcracker Suite (Ire), by Fastnet Rock (Aus) 2nd Dam: Dietrich, by Storm Cat 3rd Dam: Piquetnol, by Private Account ($75,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Rocker O Ranch LLC; B-Breed First LLC (KY); T-J. Keith Desormeaux; J-Jose L. Ortiz. $177,250. Lifetime Record: 13-4-2-2, $1,119,971. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Chapman's Peak, 118, g, 3, Quality Road–Dickinson, by Medaglia d'Oro. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $57,500. 3–Outrunner, 118, c, 3, American Pharoah–Gale Force, by Giant's Causeway. ($150,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP). O-Colts Neck Stables LLC; B-Dixiana Farms LLC (KY); T-Jorge Duarte, Jr. $28,750. Margins: HD, 1, HF. Odds: 3.74, 4.53, 49.50 Also Ran: Anegada, Montador, California Burrito, Plensa, Mansetti, Troubleshooting, Flying Mohawk. Scratched: Simulate. Click for the Equibase.com chart or the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Not This Time’s Giocoso Runs’em All Down to Claim Commonwealth Turf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-Churchill Downs, $117,975, Msw, 11-22, 2yo, f, 6 1/2f, 1:19.17, sy, 3/4 length. MARJORAM (f, 2, Quality Road–Cardamon, by Pioneerof the Nile), a Juddmonte homebred and full-sibling to this summer's GIII Mahony Stakes winner Spiced Up, debuted Saturday at 3-1 under Louisville's twin spires. The bay juvenile was a joint and distant last through the :22.68 first quarter, rushed up to fourth going into the far turn, continued to advance as the clock stopped in :46.25 for the half, and swung wide to take command down the lane. Frontrunner Kayla's Komet (Mitole) was loathe to surrender, but Marjoram continued to drive to the wire and edged clear late for a three-quarter length triumph. Marjoram's winning dam is a half to MGISW Emollient (Empire Maker), to SW & MGISP Hofburg (Tapit), and to the dam of 2024 G1 Dubai World Cup victor Laurel River (Into Mischief). Her yearling filly is by Into Mischief, her weanling colt is by Flightline, and she returned to the latter for 2026. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $69,300. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Juddmonte (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. Marjoram is a debut winner in R8 at @churchilldowns under @luissaezpty for trainer Michael McCarthy! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/cTji4Jk9wi — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 22, 2025 The post Quality Road’s Marjoram Strikes at First Asking for Juddmonte at Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nope. Just can't figure it out. Why on earth, at the end of another grueling sales cycle, would so many Americans scrape together the last of their resources, in energy and funds, and get on a plane for one final auction in France? Setting aside, that is, the langoustines and truffles; the calvados and cider; the designer boutiques; the Christmas lights that transform an elegant summer resort into a filmset apt for a French remake of It's A Wonderful Life; the medieval villages huddled, in the early dusk of midwinter, under idle plumes of chimney smoke; and a final chance for festivity among professional peers before dispersing for holidays at home, and a well-earned break. Unless, perhaps, it has something to do with the horses. Looking at recent editions of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage, it does seem actually seem quite conceivable that the catalogue itself may be animating the dozens of Americans who have again booked a trip to Deauville for December 6-9. Last year, indeed, four of the top five lots at the principal session were intended to continue their track careers in the United States, ahead of a potential endgame in introducing some genetic diversity to the Bluegrass. Not all those plans appear to have worked out quite as intended, but then these investments can always provide a moving target. Take Excellent Truth (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), purchased at Arqana for €1.6 million as a Group 3 winner. Switched to Chad Brown, she earned just under $500,000 in three starts for Resolute Racing, notably winning the GI Diana Stakes, before being sold to Katsumi Yoshida for $2.5 million at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale. An unconventional pinhook, no doubt. But her career path-bred and sold in Ireland; raced and sold in France; raced and sold in America; and now evidently destined to begin her breeding career in Japan-shows just how flexibly these international “commodities” can nowadays be adapted to different strategies. And, of course, all those ancillary delights do count for something. Chad Schumer, unquestionably one of the hardest working agents on the international circuit, will naturally work this catalogue as diligently as he does any other. But he does acknowledge that business, at Deauville in December, can always be blended with a little pleasure. “Festive,” Schumer says. “That's definitely the word I would use to describe not only the beautifully decorated town, but the atmosphere surrounding the last sale of the season. You'd rarely encounter so many pleasant facial expressions, despite results in the ring! “Personally, we've had good luck at this sale and hope to again. If not, I'll come away as usual with some wonderful nights at any of the many fantastic restaurants-not to mention the lively conversations to be had, among many other stops, at the bar at the Normandy Hotel.” But first and foremost, of course, Schumer views the trip as a professional imperative. “For American buyers, there are so many options both in terms of breeding stock and racing opportunities,” he says. “In our country, grass racing seems to become more and more popular and, perhaps no less importantly, plentiful in options. The French fillies have done very well in the U.S. and usually there are plenty on offer that could go on and race over here. Siyouni-©Zuzanna-Lupa.jpg" alt="The sire Siyouni at Haras de Bonneval" width="1155" height="840" /> Siyouni | Zuzanna Lupa “In terms of breeding stock, the annual reduction by the Aga Khan Studs would have to be the first place to start. So many of those culls have gone on the be the cornerstones of other breeding programs. Americans would be remiss not to have a deep dive into the options, which include mares in foal to Siyouni (Fr) and Zarak (Fr), as well as the Studs' exciting young sires Vadeni (Fr) and Erevann (Fr). Godolphin, too, offers a reduction with many of those ready to carry on racing.” As we noted in recently browsing the upcoming December Sale at Tattersalls, American prospectors generally target such opportunities because they want to introduce something different to their broodmare bands. While few commercial programs in the U.S. are truly walking the walk, when it comes to turf bloodlines, nobody can deny the increasingly lucrative horizons opening on grass (and synthetics). But a sale like this does offer another, residual opportunity: mares with American backgrounds, which would not perplex or frighten off commercial shoppers if “repatriated” to a catalogue page in America. It might seem perverse to go all the way to France to import the kind of horses that saturate the domestic market, especially given the extra costs nowadays. But the fact is that such horses might well fall between the cracks: between, that is, the notoriously insular European shoppers and the Americans in town precisely because they want to diversify. There are, for instance, five daughters of Justify in the catalogue. These include the 3-year-old Just Before[217], who won a couple of small races in Ireland before being retired with a cover by St Mark's Basilica. She's a daughter of Gagnoa (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), the dual Classic-placed sibling to G1 Derby winner Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}). Gagnoa is now advancing in years but has produced a few accomplished types, notably Ancient Rome (War Front), who missed a Group 1 by a head as a juvenile. Ancient Rome's sister Etoile herself won a Group sprint as a youngster and is since the dam of No Nay Mets (Ire) (No Nay Never), triple stakes-winning juvenile sprinter in the US a couple of years ago. Another 3-year-old, Misty Quality [130] (Quality Road) has an internationally resonant page. She is a minor winner in France, having been exported from Book I of the Keeneland September Sale as a yearling, and offers a conduit to an outstanding Coolmore family: she's out of triple Group 1 winner Roly Poly (War Front), herself a sister to the top-class sprinter U S Navy Flag out of the aristocratic Classic winner Misty For Me (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). American Pharoah | Sarah Andrew Perhaps still more resonant is the family behind the unraced 6-year-old Pretty Milanova [163], an American Pharoah half-sister to the four-time Group 1 winner Peeping Fawn (Danehill), who has produced a couple of very talented runners. Their mother Maryinsky (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) was a Group 1-placed half-sister to none other than blue hen Better Than Honour (Deputy Minister). Pretty Milanova arrives with a cover of corresponding glamor in Lope De Vega (Ire), so that puts her next owner €200,000 ahead of the game just in terms of a covering fee. Another tremendous Coolmore family is accessible through the 4-year-old Mo Tambourine, who showed little in a light career but is by Uncle Mo out of a full-sister to a series of elite performers including the Classic winners Minding (Ire) and Tuesday (Ire): they're all by Galileo (Ire) out of the G1 Coronation Stakes winner Lillie Langtry (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Minding is the dam of the classy Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {GB}), so the quality is repeating. Mo Tambourine arrives with a first cover by Metropolitan (Fr). A somewhat older mare who may nonetheless have some extra mileage is the 11-year-old Spooky Woods [237], a daughter of Justify's damsire Ghostzapper with a couple of black-type placings to her credit. That's because her half-sister by Astrology is now the dam of GI Pacific Classic winner and young Hill 'n' Dale stallion Arabian Knight; while her daughter by Speightstown included a couple of stakes wins when going on a streak of four last winter. She's in foal to Big Rock (Fr). Good Business [443} might also warrant consideration, at the age of 10: in foal to Onesto (Ire), she's a Speightstown half-sister to a multiple graded stakes performer in Compelled (War Front)-and their dam was a Dynaformer half-sister to none other than Malibu Moon (A.P. Indy). Other stallions to have come out of this family, either side of the water, include Temple City. This page could well find extra traction in Kentucky. Freddy Powell, director-general at Arqana, acknowledges that the catalogue's emphasis is turf. “But that doesn't just mean performers that can go on and race on the grass circuits in America, but also proper turf bloodlines: the best damsires in Europe, and mares in-foal to the best European stallions,” he says. “We have quite a few high-profile fillies to race on, with 40 rated 90 or more.” By way of example, Powell mentioned the juvenile Half Sovereign (Fr) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) [195], recent winner of the G3 Prix Miesque; the multiple stakes-placed Ginalyah [205] (Chachnak {Fr}); German Classic-placed Nyra (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}) [187]; and the Aga Khan Studs sophomore Ashikidah (Fr) (Belardo {Ire}) [11], lately beaten just a head in a field of 18 for a Listed prize at Longchamp. Powell also noted that the dams of Gewan (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Zavateri (Ire) (Without Parole {GB}) and Balantina (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire})-all 2-year-olds Group 1 winners in 2025-each passed through this auction. (In fact, Gewan's dam is a half-sister to Ginalyah.) “The Deauville Breeding Stock Sale is unique,” Powell declares, in summary. “Sort of, 'Find your next Grade I winner in an atmosphere of compulsory fun!' A combination of great bloodstock and a wonderful lifestyle experience.” The post Deauville ‘De Rigueur’ in December for American Enthusiasts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After winning a maiden route at Keeneland Oct. 10 by 20 lengths, Spendthrift Farm's Further Ado makes a highly anticipated stakes debut Nov. 29 against six juvenile rivals in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Doc Sullivan romps by 5 1/2 lengths in the $121,250 Thunder Rumble division of the New York Stallion Stakes Series Nov. 22 at Aqueduct Racetrack, before Khali Magic surprises in the Staten Island division a few races later.View the full article