Wandering Eyes

Apprentice Emma Lines returns to scale after partnering the Phil Cole-trained Saccharo to victory at Fannie Bay in February. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) Saccharo missed last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival with an injury, and leading Top End trainer Phil Cole is hopeful the eight-year-old gelding can make an impact in 2024. The son of Magnus wasn’t sighted after finishing third in the 2023 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) – that was after winning the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at Pioneer Park. Cole had every right to be buoyant leading into the Darwin Carnival, especially after Saccharo won three straight at Fannie Bay before heading to the Red Centre, but the gelding then suffered a splint bone injury when he arrived home. He didn’t return until December, when fourth and sixth over 1200m in open company before finishing a narrow third against quality opposition over 1300m on Australia Day after lumping 62kg and jumping from gate 11. Eight days later, Saccharo saluted over 1300m (60kg) before a second (60.5kg) and another win (60kg) in March before having three months off. Returning two weeks ago, the former Victorian galloper was seventh in an open 1200m handicap. Cole has eyed the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 5 for Saccharo and the buildup begins on Saturday when he faces a strong field in the $30,000 ROANT Gold Cup (1300m). The $60,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) on July 13 and the $50,000 Metric Mile (1600m) on July 27 will follow. Talented apprentice Emma Lines will partner Saccharo (60.5kg) on Saturday. “I think he’ll go really good on Saturday, he jumped from the inside gate last start and was cramped for room hitting the rail six or seven times,” Cole said. “He didn’t have any room and got hampered the whole race, it didn’t help his chances and he had a lot of white paint down his side. “Saccharo trialled good leading into that race, he just had no luck, I thought he went super. “He has come through the run really well and I expect him to improve on the weekend with a lot more clear running after drawing seven. “Hopefully, you’ll see a different horse, he’s a quality galloper and he’s definitely going well.” Formerly trained by Archie Alexander in Ballarat, where he had 26 starts, Saccharo won over 1600m at Flemington and Bendigo – he was placed twice at Morphettville. He has had 22 starts for Cole for eight wins and seven minor placings from 1200-1600m at Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine, as well as Birdsville, Longreach, Betoota and Bedourie in Queensland. Cole had a big day last Saturday after He’s Maverick toppled fellow three-year-olds over 1300m (BM66) and debutante Conclave Prince saluted by 7.3 lengths over 1200m (Class 2). “He’s Maverick was sent to me by trainer Kym Healy, who arrived from Strathalbyn last Saturday, and he’s now going to the Guineas next Saturday,” Cole said. “Conclave Prince was a little bit of a surprise – I knew he had really good form and good first up form, but he wasn’t showing much during trackwork. “I contacted one of his old Ballarat trackwork riders and she said that he never worked good at all, but that he’s a good horse on race day.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sentiment should see the magnificent miler recognised for a fifth straight year, while the nominees for the Champion Stayer category are anything butView the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Saturday, June 29, 2024 First Race 1:07pm ACST Visit Dabble For the Darwin Turf Club, it’s “Day Zero”, the final race meeting in the Top End before the start of the 2024 Cup Carnival next weekend and it comes as no surprise that 86 horses have accepted for the eight-race program. The feature is the $30,000 ROANT Gold Cup (1300m), which is a tremendous guide looking ahead to the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 5, and it has attracted a super field with a host of horses eyeing the NT’s biggest race greeting the starter. The Fannie Bay rail will be in its true position, and it will once again be a good dirt surface. BEST BET: Motivated Miss Motivated Miss proved too good for her rivals over 1200m (BM54) on Anzac Day before going down by half a length behind Kieffer as a $3.10 favourite over 1200m (Class 2) on May 25. The daughter of The Mission, the highest-rated horse in the race, won on debut during last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival when she saluted in a 1200m maiden. Motivated Miss was then second over 1300m (0-58) last September and finished unplaced in three other Top End starts last year. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Motivated Miss (9) 4yo Mare | T: Jason Manning | J: Vanessa Arnott (58kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Rising Sphere Returning from a six-month spell, Rising Sphere got his Cup Carnival preparations off to a flying start with a solid victory over 1100m (BM76) as a $3.30 favourite on June 8. In his previous start on December 8, Rising Sphere had a comfortable win over 1100m (0-70). The six-year-old gelding debuted in Darwin during the 2022 Cup Carnival with a seventh over 1100m (0-66), but his record at Fannie Bay now sits at five wins and seven minor placings from 16 starts. Next Best Race 6 – #3 Rising Sphere (1) 6yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60.5kg) Bet with PlayUp BEST VALUE: Lucky Fortuna Lucky FOrtuna must be considered despite stepping up in grade after a last start win over 1200m (0-58) on June 15 in her return appearance to the Top End. The four-year-old mare debuted for the Lehmann stable in Darwin this time last year, and in six starts, she picked up two wins and two minor placings with her best effort occurring against the four and five-year-olds over 1300m (Class 2) on Palmerston Sprint Day. Best Value Race 4 – #11 Lucky Fortuna (6) 4yo Mare | T: Heather Lehmann | J: Emma Lines (a1.5) (54.5kg) Bet with Neds Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – 29/6/2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, June 29, 2024 2-4-5-6-10 3-4-5-9 2-5-6-12 2-3-5-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Rosehill Races Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, June 29, 2024 First Race 10:30am AEST Visit Dabble Rosehill is the destination for metro racing on Saturday afternoon, with a bumper 11-race program set for decision. The Listed W J Mckell Cup (2000m) headlines the action, but with a staggering 202 acceptors across the meeting, there’s sure to be plenty of quality lining up throughout the day. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit, and although the track is rated a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances, sunny skies in the lead-up should have the surface upgraded to the Good range for the first race at 10:30am local time. W J Mckell Cup: Waterford Waterford is putting together a consistent preparation, with a win and another minor placing to his name across three starts. His only misstep came at his most recent effort at Randwick on June 8, where the son of Awtaad was unsuited by the bottomless Heavy track conditions. The Chris Waller-trained gelding looks perfectly placed fourth-up getting to 2000m for the first time, and provided Nash Rawiller can get some luck from barrier 10, Waterford will prove hard to hold out in the $200,000 feature. W J Mckell Cup Race 7 – #2 Waterford (10) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Nash Rawiller (57kg) +250 with PlayUp Best Bet at Rosehill: Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha impressed on her Australian debut, clinging on to a runner-up placing at this track on June 15. The daughter of Dark Angel lacked fitness first-up from a 589-day spell but never shirked the task when asked for the ultimate effort, getting within 1.2 lengths of Amati. Amy McLucas takes the reins again, and although she may need to do work crossing to the rail from barrier nine, Ha Ha Ha should give a bold sight, provided she can pinch a cheap sectional in the middle stages. Best Bet Race 5 – #2 Ha Ha Ha (9) 5yo Mare | T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | J: Amy McLucas (a2) (61.5kg) +340 with Picklebet Next Best at Rosehill: Don Diego De Vega French import Don Diego De Vega will make his debut for the Annabel Neasham barn and appears to be flying heading into this first-up assignment. The four-year-old caught the eye in a recent jump-out at Randwick on June 14, making strong inroads from towards the rear of the field. His European form jumps off the page, with a minor placing behind the eventual 2023 Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomph (2400m) winner Ace Impact, which should hold Don Diego De Vega in good stead for this BM78 contest. Next Best Race 10 – #5 Don Diego De Vega (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Jason Collett (59.5kg) +650 with Bet365 Best Value at Rosehill: Fortune Fortune represents terrific each-way value with online bookmakers in this wide-open BM88 affair. The son of De Treville has trialed exceptionally well heading into this, with his most recent piece of work at Hawkesbury on June 3, suggesting he’s ready to strike at the first time of asking. Chad Schofield should get the gun run from barrier three, and provided he can get clear running when straightening, the $11.00 available will look too big when the whips are cracking. Best Value Race 9 – #16 Fortune (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Chad Schofield (56kg) +1000 with Neds Rosehill Saturday quaddie tips Rosehill Gardens quadrella selections Saturday, June 29, 2024 1-2-3-9-19 3-7-12-16-17 1-5-6 3-4-9-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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There are five horse racing meetings set for Australia on Friday, June 28. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Tamworth. Friday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – June 28, 2024 Tamworth Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on June 28, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Friday, June 28. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for June 28, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Neds Toolbox. Check out your Neds Toolbox and use your daily Price Boosts, Bet Backs, Back Ups and much more. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Ballarat Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed odds only. Check your Vault for eligibility Login to UniBet to Claim Promo 25% Winnings Boost – Ballarat Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus! – Score Up To An Extra 15% Winnings Place a fixed odds bet on your own horse and receive an extra 15% winnings. Must be registered owner. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Ballarat Races 1 & 2 | Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back Up To $50 Back a runner in races 1 & 2 at Ballarat this Friday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for June 28, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

With the New York Racing Association poised to return to Saratoga Race Course in two weeks, the Saratoga Springs region is still basking in the glow of four highly successful days at the upstate New York oasis for racing. View the full article

Four stakes rose by $550,000 in total value, led by the $600,000 Bryan Station Stakes (G3T), which doubled in value; the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T); and the $350,000 Valley View Stakes (G2) and $300,000 Perryville Stakes (G3).View the full article

Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius is scheduled to return to action in the $120,000 Smile Sprint July 6 at Gulfstream Park.View the full article

Billionaire Luke Comer lost an appeal against the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to overturn a three-year-suspension of his training license, the organization confirmed in a statement Thursday. The suspension is scheduled to begin July 15. The three-person appeals body was chaired by Justice Peter Kelly in addition to Laurence McFerran and Dr. Paddy Molony. Suspended last September, the trainer was ordered to pay in excess of €750,000 in fines and legal costs after traces of the prohibited substances methandienone (MD) and methyltestosterone (MT) were found in 12 of his horses. Chief among them was He Knows No Fear, who finished fourth at Leopardstown in October of 2021 before testing positive with 11 other horses during a raid on his barn the following month. He Knows No Fear previously won a Leopardstown maiden at odds of 300-1 in 2020. The conditioner was fined €5,000 in relation to He Knows No Fear's positive test and an additional €5,000 for each of the 11 other horses. Comer, who “maintains he is not guilty of any misconduct,” was also found to have acted in “a manner which is prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good regulation of horseracing,” for which he was fined €20,000 based on the large number of horses which tested positive and the “reputational damage” to the sport. Comer's appeal against prejudicial conduct was subsequently dismissed, however, the finding and the €20,000 fine were lifted. His appeal in respect of supplying misleading information in his witness statement was allowed. The €5,000 penalty was also set aside. The IHRB had lodged its own appeal against what it called the leniency of the original referrals committee penalties. That was also dismissed. Comer had limited success regarding the cost of the appeal, as outlined by the appeals body in its statement. “The areas where he was successful took up only a small part of the time of the appeal. A generous allowance in that regard would be 15 per cent.” “He also defeated the appeal of the IHRB on leniency. But that took up a minuscule amount of time and even if he were awarded his costs in respect of that, it would be a bagatelle in the overall context. “In all the circumstances we are provisionally of the view that the justice of the case is met by directing Mr. Comer to pay 75 per cent of the costs of the appeal to the IHRB.” The post Trainer Luke Comer Fails in Appeal Against Suspension appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This day 28th June in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Flemington racing tips, best odds & quaddie | Saturday, July 1 Flemington Finals Day greets punters on Saturday afternoon with a nine-race program scheduled. Check out HorseBetting’s best bets and quaddie … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago One Dream One Soul looking to end campaign in style A home track opportunity too good to pass up will present the capable mare One Dream One Soul with an … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Top Brass set for Ruakaka return Top Brass is set to make his return to racing at Ruakaka on Saturday afternoon following more than a year … Read More Australia horse racing news 1 year ago Grebeni eyeing Winx Guineas success en route to The Gong Grebeni will look to make it four on the trot and remain undefeated this prep when he lines up in … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Ipswich racing preview, best bets & quaddie tips | June 30, 2023 Ipswich Turf Club will host a very competitive nine-race program his Friday. HorseBetting’s Ciaran Jackman has provided his racing preview … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Geelong races preview & quaddie tips | Friday, June 30 Geelong Racecourse will host a massive 10-race card on Friday afternoon, and HorseBetting’s James Herbert presents his best bets and … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 1 year ago Weatherley’s hopeful Tru Planet can shed bridesmaid tag Trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley are hoping third time’s a charm with Tru Planet when she heads to Cambridge on … Read More Horse Racing Tips 1 year ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 28, 2023 Five horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Annie to take centre stage tomorrow Cambridge horseman Les Collins has ridden work for many leading trainers over a number of years, and generally knows when … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Clash of the titans at Hastings This weekend is brewing to be an exciting one for jumps fans, with top-class hurdlers The Cossack and Dr Hank … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Bendigo racing preview & best bets | Thursday, June 30 Bendigo Jockey Club is scheduled to host an eight-race card on Thursday afternoon where a rain-affected track is set to … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Hawkesbury betting tips & quaddie | June 30, 2022 Eight races will be run and won at Hawkesbury on Thursday afternoon, with the first of those scheduled for 12:15pm … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Eagle Farm racing tips & quaddie | Wednesday, June 29, 2022 HorseBetting’s Queensland racing analyst looks to find you a few winners throughout the afternoon at Eagle Farm, with his best … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Heathcote dresses down for Group 1 winner’s photo | Punt Drunk The Punt Drunk dissects the victory of Startantes in Saturday’s Group 1, as well as some questionable outfit choices by … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Champion stallion Not A Single Doubt passes away Arrowfield Stud on Monday afternoon announced the passing of champion stallion Not A Single Doubt. The 20-year-old son of Redoute’s … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 28, 2022 Three horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Spring players show their hand at Caulfield & Randwick A few horses stamped their claim as spring players at Caulfield, Randwick and Eagle Farm on Saturday, so the team … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Sandown racing tips, top odds & quaddie | Wednesday, June 29 The Lakeside track at Sandown plays host to an eight-race card on Wednesday, commencing at 12:25pm AEST. See our best … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Kensington best bets, value bet & quaddie | 29/6/2022 Eight races have been scheduled for the Randwick-Kensington track on Wednesday, June 29. HorseBetting’s New South Wales horse racing analyst … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Gospodin an exciting prospect for Tauranga trainer Patience is paying off for veteran Tauranga horseman Jim Pender after Gospodin reeled off his second consecutive victory when winning … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Moroney savours Tofane’s special double Despite COVID-19 restrictions creating ongoing logistical headaches and isolating him from his family and friends in New Zealand, trans-Tasman trainer … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Mission accomplished for blueblood mare A long-range plan set in place for royally bred Savabeel mare Zayydani came to fruition at Eagle Farm on Saturday … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Bankers Choice caps top week for Waikato couple A stunning seven length win in the last race on the card at Tauranga on Saturday by the Stephen Marsh-trained … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Hughes reaches special milestone A win in the opening event at Riccarton on Saturday with Russian Fable brought up a special milestone for popular … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Gosford racing preview & best value bets | Tuesday, June 29 HorseBetting’s NSW horse racing expert brings you his best bets, top value picks and quaddie selections for the Gosford meeting … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Ballarat racing tips, top odds & quaddie | Tuesday, June 29 HorseBetting’s Victorian horse racing analyst brings you his best bets, value picks and quaddie numbers for the Ballarat meeting on … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | June 28, 2021 Horse racing around the country sees just the two meetings being held around the country on this Monday afternoon. Our … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Pakenham betting tips, value bets & quadie | Monday, June 28 Horsebetting.com.au brings you the betting preview for the nine race card held at Pakenham on Monday, June 28. See the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Sargent relief as Brandenburg stays put Trainer John Sargent believes the sky is the limit for Brandenburg this spring after his owners rejected international offers to … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Williams in seven-win Melbourne title lead Striving for his ninth Melbourne jockeys’ premiership, Craig Williams heads into the final month of the season with a seven-win … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Stable plots familiar path for Away Game Tough filly Away Game has returned to work with her trainers planning a spring campaign that brought Group One success … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Spring doubt on Australian-owned Curragh winners Two horses owned by Lloyd Williams have won at the Irish Derby meeting but trainer Joseph O’Brien is not sure … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Stake money measure of Newnham’s season Nearing the end of his best season, Mark Newnham is hoping his current crop of yearlings can unearth an heir … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Qld handicapper Lester Grimmett to retire Long-serving Queensland handicapper Lester Grimmett will retire after 50 years of service to the racing industry … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 4 years ago Yiu feels the heat as Lui closes in trainers’ premiership battle The heat is on in the race to be champion trainer with front-runner Ricky Yiu feeling the burn at his … Read More Ireland horse racing news 4 years ago Aidan O’Brien claims 14th Irish Derby win Aidan O’Brien has continued his domination of the Irish Derby with Santiago leading home a first-four result for the champion … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Soxagon to chase stakes races Gelding Soxagon is to tackle the Listed Glasshouse Handicap in a fortnight after his impressive Doomben win on Saturday … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Impecunious a star on the rise for Pitman stable The leading South Island training combination of Michael and Matthew Pitman made the best possible start to their day on … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Veteran shows younger rivals how it’s done Rising ten-year-old Irish Excuse peeled back the years as he gave his rivals weight and a beating to land his … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Wairere Falls scores on big day for New Zealand breds A minor surgery has worked the oracle with Wairere Falls who broke maiden ranks at Geelong on Friday. The three-year-old … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Magical opening to Riccarton meeting A typically patient ride from the evergreen Chris Johnson paved the way for local runner Yannick to take out the … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Racing Code Funding Confirmed for 2020-21 The Racing Industry Transition Agency (RITA) today advised New Zealand racing codes of forecasted funding in 2020/21 of $139.6m which … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Mighty performance from Kiwi newcomer in Korea Globe-trotting jockey Alan Munro partnered two-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding Mighty New to an impressive Class 4 victory in a 1200m … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Hong Kong dream for Brazil’s champion Vagner Borges Brazilian jockeys have made waves in Hong Kong in recent years and Vagner Borges is hoping to make a noticeable … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Aethero can fly high John Moore has Zac Purton’s services for arguably the most exciting of all of Hong Kong’s young guns, the unbeaten … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 5 years ago Moore’s rising stars signal exciting future for Hong Kong’s sprint ranks The exciting future of Hong Kong’s sprinting ranks will be on show at Sha Tin on Monday (1 July) when … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Robbie Dolan edging towards half century Leading Sydney apprentice Robbie Dolan has a strong book of rides at Rosehill as he moves closer to 50 winners … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Chances in two states for Kris Lees Early betting has Big Duke a clear Caloundra Cup favourite but his trainer can’t separate the Brisbane Cup placegetter and … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Kendrick finds key to Tarzan Trainer Stuart Kendrick believes he has finally found the key to Tarzan who races for his ninth win over the … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Bob Frappell resigns over Currie decision Toowoomba Turf Club committeeman Bob Frappell has resigned after members voted to allow Mark Currie to continue to train at … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Williams with strong chances at Caulfield Reigning champion Craig Williams will be out to extend his lead in this season’s Melbourne premiership with a strong book … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Conditions key to Coyle’s Civic chances Trainer Jason Coyle is set to have two runners in the feature race at Rosehill but a promising filly in … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Form right for Platinum Angel Tough mare Platinum Angel has a strong form line leading into the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Weir ruled ineligible for Vic premierships Racing Victoria has announced eligibility criteria for its racing awards, ruling disqualified trainer Darren Weir out of the season’s premierships … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Take two for Hale duo Shelley Hale is hoping her trip north to Ruakaka on Saturday is less eventful than a fortnight ago. The Cambridge … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Local trainers hold strong hand at Hastings The Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) at Hastings on Saturday has attracted a strong line-up and local training … Read More USA horse racing news 5 years ago Breeders’ Cup to stay at Santa Anita The showcase Breeders’ Cup meeting is to remain at Santa Anita despite controversy over horse deaths at the Southern California … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Qld jockey allegedly provides fake sample A female jockey has been stood down pending an inquiry into allegations she provided a fake urine sample to stewards … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Skye after more stakes magic Jockey Skye Bogenhuber gets her chance to win a second stakes race for the winter when she rides Unique Magic … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Destiny’s Kiss heads Pride’s Rosehill team Veteran stayer Destiny’s Kiss has a big weight but will also have his preferred conditions in the Listed Winter Cup … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Caulfield race next step for Al Galayel After a successful introduction to Australian racing at Sandown, import Al Galayel is favourite to continue his winning ways at … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Browne has one reservation on Megablast Jockey Damian Browne has only one reservation as he attempts to win another Caloundra Cup on New Zealander Megablast … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Newitt confident Derasa can overcome draw Tasmanian filly Derasa has the outside barrier in an 1100m-race at Caulfield but jockey Craig Newitt believes the filly can … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Weather the key for Kendrick runners Trainer Stuart Kendrick is in two minds about the weather as he prepares to have up to seven runners at … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Monarch set to Chime back home A bold performance in Saturday’s Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) could see star jumper Monarch Chimes book a … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Fire Jet bids for Ruakaka win Failing to reach reserve in an online auction might yet prove a blessing for connections of South Auckland galloper Fire … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Trainer surprised by lack of rider options Kelvin Tyler’s main worry this week with The Energizer was securing a jockey for the seven-year-old at Wingatui on Friday … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 6 years ago Moriera and Purton locked in jockey champ battle Rider Joao Moreira sparked the jockeys’ championship battle to life with a quickfire early double at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Brenton Avdulla to ride in Japan Leading Sydney jockey Brenton Avdulla will take up a short-term contract to ride in Japan … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Pakenham market movers for Thursday, June 28 MELBOURNE’S racing venue for the day is at Pakenham as the outer Melbourne suburb hosts a stacked nine race card … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Townsville market movers for Thursday, June 28 THE sunshine state’s Thursday meet is hosted by Townsville as the racecourse puts on a solid seven race card. Let’s … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Nozi recommends Guineas for Fighting Teo Giant gelding Fighting Teo will tackle the Sunshine Coast Guineas after his track work rider Nozi Tomizawa recommended he start … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Bobby El-Issa has suspension overturned Jockey Bobby El-Issa has won his appeal against a four-month ban on a handling charge … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago Popular Kiwi jockey jetting off to India Robert Hannam is heading for warmer climes and a return to a racing environment he first plied his trade in … Read More Horse Racing News, New Zealand horse racing news 7 years ago Gray confident Itsallbelt will hit the ground running A SOLID lead-up trial has boosted trainer Kevin Gray’s confidence in Itsallbelt’s first-up prospects at Waverley on Thursday. Gray, who … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Payne faces inquiry over urine sample Michelle Payne has to front a stewards inquiry after giving a urine sample at Swan Hill races which returned a … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Williams takes Melbourne premiership lead Craig Williams has put his nose in front in the race for the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership with a winning double … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Payne facing ban after testing positive to a prohibited substance MELBOURNE Cup winning jockey Michelle Payne has been stood down by racing stewards after returning a positive test for banned … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Sneaky Glance for Grafton Guineas Sneaky Glance is headed to the Grafton Guineas after making it three wins from three starts for trainer Toby Edmonds … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Special Missile fires up for maiden win The John Thompson-trained Special Missile has hit the target with his maiden win at Warwick Farm … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Caulfield one option for Evolutionist Trainer Robbie Griffiths is yet to decide whether two-year-old Evolutionist will have a crack at a city race at Caulfield … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Milestone win for Jean Van Overmeire Apprentice Jean Van Overmeire has celebrated his first metropolitan win, guiding the Bjorn Baker-trained Samadoubt to victory at Warwick Farm … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Punting pain, mourning & an eye on Queensland in the Twitter wrap HEAR that? Nothing but silence? Sounds about right. 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The … Read More View the full article

Four stakes rose by $550,000 in total value, led by the $600,000 Bryan Station Stakes (G3T), which doubled in value; the $750,000 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T); and the $350,000 Valley View Stakes (G2) and $300,000 Perryville Stakes (G3).View the full article

Steve Asmussen and Winchell Thoroughbreds are no strangers to success. It is no surprise their talented 4-year-old colts, Disarm and Extra Anejo, will be among the featured horses on Churchill Downs' closing weekend.View the full article

Should all go according to plan for First Mission in the $1 million Stephen Foster (G1) June 29, the colt will likely emulate the campaign of Brad Cox's Horse of the Year Knicks Go on the way to the Nov. 2 Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).View the full article

Jun Park and Delia Nash's Sibelius (Not This Time), a well-beaten 11th in defense of his title in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at Meydan Mar. 30, is scheduled to return to action in the $120,000 Smile Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park July 6. “He's going to run,” trainer Jeremiah O'Dwyer said at Gulfstream Park Thursday. “He's been training great. We gave him a bit of time in Kentucky for a bit of fresh grass after Dubai. We freshened him up and brought him back here to South Florida. He's been training steadily forward in preparation for the Smile.” The 6-year-old won the GIII Mr. Prospector Stakes for the second consecutive season last December and prepped for his trip to the desert with a neck success in the Feb. 10 Pelican Stakes at Tampa, the same race he used en route to victory at Meydan in 2023. Sibelius has breezed four times since late May and most recently covered five furlongs in 1:02.45 at Palm Meadows June 19. The post Sibelius Returning In Smile Sprint appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A 3-year-old store by Doctor Dino (Fr) rounded out Day 2 of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale when going to Gordon Elliott Racing for €350,000. The gelding is the highest-priced Store horse sold in 2024 and the joint-second highest-priced Store horse ever sold at public auction. Consigned by Sluggara Farm, Lot 283 is out of 17-year-old Matnie (Fr) (Laveron {GB}), who has produced five winners, all of whom are Grade I or Grade 2 scorers to date. “Once again, the Derby Sale has proven why it is held in the highest regard by National Hunt vendors and purchasers,” said Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins. “The previous 49 editions have produced an illustrious roll of honour, and I have no doubt that our class of 2024 will produce horses competing on the biggest stage. The Derby Sale has yet again produced the highest-priced Store sold anywhere in Ireland and the UK, a milestone particularly celebrated in its 50th year. This year's sale also saw 25 lots surpassing €100,000, more than any other Store sale.” Elliott has had great success with the gelding's half-siblings as trainer of the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle winner Caldwell Potter (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), who was sold at February's Tattersalls Ireland as part of the Andy & Gemma Brown Dispersal Sale for a top price of €740,000, the multiple Grade 1 hurdle and chase winner Mighty Potter (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), and the five-year-old mare Brighterdaysahead (Fr) (Kapgarde {Fr}), winner of April's G1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle. Bidding kicked off at €100,000 and raced through to €270,000 with trainer Emmet Mullins on the telephone, while Eddie O'Leary joined the action at €275,000. The two traded blows, Mullins being the one to round up to €300,000, but it was the quick-bidding O'Leary, standing on the balcony and by the bid board with trainer Gordon Elliott and agent Mouse O'Ryan, who claimed the final honours at the year's best Store horse price. “We have had most of the family and we have been very lucky with it, and we are looking forward to him,” said Elliott. “He is a very athletic horse; he is not unlike Mighty Potter and is for an existing client. We will be hoping we could bring him back for the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper, that is the first plan.” Thursday's second-best priced horse, Lot 282 by Harzand (Ire), was bought for €185,000 by Tom Malone and Paul Nicholls. Sold by Oaks Farm Stables, the 3-year-old is a half-brother to Arizona Cardinal (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}), winner of this year's G3 Topham Chase and out of Mathine (Fr) (Malinas {Ger}), a half-sister to the G1 Gold Cup and two-time King George VI winner Long Run (Fr). The gelding was bought last year in France as a 2-year-old by Church Farm for €80,000. “He is a beautiful horse, and his half-sister was the Grade 3 winner at Aintree this spring, it is just a happening pedigree,” said Malone. A total of 203 horses were catalogued on Day 2, with 149 selling for gross receipts of €7,293,000. The median for the final day of trading was €38,000 while the day's average closed out at €48,946. Through two days, a total of 292 head found buyers, for €13,969,500, down 13% from 2023 when 300 realized €16,075,000. “While achieving a €350,000 top price is a notable success, it's crucial to note that the market remains selective,” said Kerins. “With a clearance rate of 79% and average and median prices of €47,841 and €38,000 [for the two-day sale], respectively, we observe a market that, while solid, reflects cautious buyer sentiment compared to previous years.” The post Doctor Dino 3yo Tops Day 2 of Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Blue Heaven Farm had every intention of selling Pyrenees (Into Mischief). As a boutique, family-run breeding program, selling foals is what pays the bills. They had a number in mind for what they thought the colt was worth, but after he RNA'd for $350,000 as a weanling and again for $380,000 as a 2-year-old, they had to make a decision. Should they keep him to race themselves or cut their losses and sell him? Retaining a filly was one thing, but they had raced a few homebred colts in the past and been burned in the process. “It was one of those situations where the sales never came at the right time for him,” explained Adam Corndorf, Blue Heaven Farm's vice president and general manager. “He was either going through growth spurts or an awkward phase and it just never quite worked out. Especially for us because we are primarily commercial breeders, when we're keeping horses to race that usually means that things are going wrong. Our goal is to sell horses, but we liked him a lot and there was obviously some breeder's pride with him. It was a rare situation where we were not willing to budge. We were stubborn on him and it ended up being a blessing in disguise.” This Saturday, Pyrenees will look to add a fifth straight win to his record in the GI Stephen Foster Stakes. It will be a big step up for the rapidly improving 4-year-old as he takes on Grade I company for the first time, but so far this year, the Cherie DeVaux trainee has answered every question presented to him. As a 2-year-old, inconsistent performances kept Pyrenees out of the winner's circle. An injury sidelined him for much of his 3-year-old season, but when he returned off a year-long layoff last December, he showed plenty of professionalism as he cleared the field to win by over four lengths at the Fair Grounds. Since then he has added three more victories, most recently getting his first stakes win in the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes. Corndorf credits the colt's mental maturation for much of the improvement he has shown this year. Pyrenees and Cherie DeVaux after the GIII Pimlico Special Stakes | Horsephotos “As a foal he was a high-energy, happy dude,” he recalled. “We have videos of him even three or four weeks old where he is climbing all over his mom. I think that's really what changed for him going from three to four. He has been able to harness that energy and use it in a good way as opposed to in a mischievous, playful way. You used to watch him breeze and his head was everywhere and he was a little all over the place. Cherie and her assistants and exercise riders have done an incredible job with him and really turned him into a pro.” Corndorf was able to make it to Pimlico for Pyrenees's breakout stakes performance, where he beat the likes of MGSWs Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo) and Red Route One (Gun Runner) as he closed late to get a narrow win. “Kingsbarns was the overwhelming favorite and it looked like everything was set up for him to win that race,” Corndorf admitted. “Obviously you hope your horse can win, but I just didn't know he had that in him. For him to run the way he did and in sort of a dramatic fashion, it was definitely one of the top days in my life in the racing business.” A few years after Blue Heaven Farm was founded by Corndorf's mother Bonnie Baskin, the operation landed its own farm in Central Kentucky in 2010. The next year as they were expanding their broodmare band, they spent $600,000 on Our Khrysty (Newfoundland), a graded stakes winner carrying her first foal by Tiznow. “We fell in love with her physically,” Corndorf recalled. “Her race record was also sneaky good. She broke her maiden first time out and was a stakes winner at two and then had a really good, durable career. She was what we were looking for–versatile, sound, precocious. She was not super regally bred. She was a half to Grade I winner Bullsbay (Tiznow), but she was by Newfoundland who was very well bred himself but not a superstar stallion, so she actually fell into our price range.” In her time at Blue Heaven, Our Khrysty has produced six winners including the graded-placed homebred Virginia Key (Distorted Humor), Grace Adler (Curlin)–who sold as a yearling for $700,000 and went on to win the 2021 GI Del Mar Debutante–and now, Pyrenees. “If we could have a barn full of ones like her, everything would be great,” Corndorf joked. “The family is just extending in ways that we never could have envisioned, so it's almost like we're at the point where we don't want to sell any fillies because they're too valuable to us potentially.” Blue Heaven raced Our Khrysty's daughter Bay Harbor (Speightstown), but she never broke her maiden and they sold her in foal to Mitole in 2020. That foal, Miuccia, recently scored in the Game Face Stakes at Gulfstream. Bay Harbor's 2-year-old Briland (McKinzie) sold for $675,000 at the OBS April Sale. Blue Heaven did retain Virginia Key, whose second foal Tappan Street (Into Mischief) sold for $1 million at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. This year she has a Curlin colt pointing to the Keeneland September Sale. Our Khrysty also has a 3-year-old daughter Prestwick (Uncle Mo) that was retained by her breeder. Currently in training with Cherie DeVaux, the filly was entered to make her debut last week but a minor scratch she incurred the morning of the race pushed back her debut to the upcoming meet at Ellis Park. Corndorf reported that Our Khrysty also has a Gun Runner filly that is pointing for the September Sale. In addition to Our Khrysty, Blue Heaven's other superstar broodmare is 2019 Sovereign Horse of the Year Starship Jubilee (Indy Wind). The champion has a 2-year-old colt by Medaglia d'Oro in training at The Thoroughbred Center, a Quality Road yearling filly going to Keeneland September and a Flightline filly that she produced this year. The mare has since checked back in foal to Gun Runner. Starship Jubilee with her Quality Road filly last year at Blue Heaven Farm | Sara Gordon When Starship Jubilee retired in 2020 after amassing nine graded stakes wins and over $2 million in earnings, the Blue Heaven team doubted that they would ever have the opportunity to campaign a top racehorse like her again. In Pyrenees, they have a shot at getting their farm a second Grade I winner and possibly even earning another trip to the Breeders' Cup. In her only Breeders' Cup appearance in her final career start for the 2020 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf, Starship Jubilee stumbled at the gate and unseated Florent Geroux. “We feel like there was some unfinished business from that year,” admitted Corndorf. “I know it's several steps away, but if we could somehow make our way back to the Breeders' Cup, that would be great. But really we're just enjoying the ride and enjoying him.” With only four horses currently in training, the Blue Heaven operation has a lot to look forward to between Pyrenees, his younger sister Prestwick, a 2-year-old McKinzie filly out of their broodmare Featherbed (Smart Strike), and a promising 3-year-old turf filly named Sy B (English Channel). Named after Corndorf's grandfather Sy Baskin, who was the one that got their family started in the horse business, Sy B broke her maiden at Keeneland this spring before running second in the GII Wonder Again S. “Cherie is really high on her and thinks that she is going to get better with age, like a lot of the English Channels do as they're going further,” said Corndorf. He added that Sy B is slated to run on July 6 in the GI Belmont Oaks, making it back-to-back weekends of Grade I racing for Blue Heaven Farm after Pyrenees runs this Saturday. Facing eight other rivals in the Stephen Foster, Pyrenees will break from the rail with Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard. “If you want to be the best you've got to beat the best,” Corndorf said. “When he won that race at Pimlico, he showed that distance was not really an issue. This race obviously has a lot of really good horses, but he's earned it. I know he's already halfway through his 4-year-old year, but we really think he's scratching the surface. He's improving with every single start.” The post “He’s earned it,” Pyrenees takes on Grade I company in Stephen Foster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tuesday's Jockey Club Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit identified seven “opportunities” for the industry to make to make a wholesale leap forward in equine safety and welfare standards. One of the seven was improved surface maintenance protocols. The better these protocols, the safer the track. Part of the universe of data disseminated throughout the summit was a breakdown of dirt surfaces into four climate groups. Researchers found the safest dirt tracks in hot dry climates (with an average 1.31 fatality rate per 1,000 starts). The dirt surfaces in climates with hot summers and cold, freezing winters had the worst equine fatality rates (1.53 fatalities per 1,000 starts). One of Tuesday's speakers was Michael “Mick” Peterson, executive director of the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory (RSTL) and professor of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering at the University of Kentucky. Since the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) safety regulations went into effect in July of 2022, the RSTL has been responsible for overseeing pre-meet inspections, material testing and daily measurements at all racetracks under HISA's jurisdiction. Indeed, the organization was responsible for more than 70 pre-meet inspections at 53 racetracks last year. It also provides the centralized electronic database through which information is shared with HISA. In the following edited Q & A with Peterson he expands upon his Tuesday presentation, discussing the evolution of the RSTL's work, key lessons learned, and the path forward for the industry. TDN: What has the advent of HISA meant to the work you do? MP: Prior to the start of HISA–and I'm only being partially facetious here–it was the tracks that needed the least help that we worked with the most. HISA has given us an opportunity to work with everyone, removing the economic barrier for the smaller tracks to get the information they need to make decisions. One important aspect of this is, we don't always tell them to spend more money. In fact, in a lot of cases, we can help them identify things that they might be putting money into that may not be benefiting from. For example, replacing extensive cushion every year. You'll need to augment it oftentimes, but replacement is typically not necessary. The other piece is that HISA has also helped us identify some best practices and some amazing performances from tracks that previously you would not even have considered. My example of that is John Banno [track superintendent] at Thistledown. He does an amazing job. He has some needs with equipment. He has some financial and support needs, some workforce issues. But given what he has, he has a fantastic track. And that's through hard work. TDN: Let's talk about something discussed during the summit. Just why are hot dry climates so much better for dirt tracks than climates with hot summers and cold winters? MP: I'm not sure it's necessarily the temperature as it is the role of precipitation, both rain and snow, and in particular ice and freeze-thaw conditions. Those present particular challenges to maintaining a dirt track. There are a number of tracks that have gotten quite good at it. But it requires a lot of care and a lot of experience to take care of that transition between a wet summer or a dry summer and a frozen and a thawing track. The other particular challenge in some areas of the country, you'll have it freezing overnight and thawing during the day. If you want to talk about a challenging situation for maintaining a track, that's probably the most difficult. TDN: [Grading is essentially the slope of the track from the outside inwards towards the rail and the transitions from the straights into the turns]. You said that the question of “variability” is so critical to cushion depth and grading. Why? MP: Most of the loading on the skeleton of the horse is due to the muscle action. The track is not that big a deal if you look at it overall. But what's fundamentally different about muscle action is the horse has trained on a particular surface. It lives with those muscles, has developed those muscles, and the skeletal system has developed to support that muscle loading. The track surface then turns that up to 11. What happens is it's just that little bit that pushes you over the cliff. And the problem with track variability is that it can be just for a few strides. It could be day to day. It could be when the horse ships to a new track. But you've just added that variation on top. And that's what poses the risk to the horse, especially the fracture risk. TDN: How does what you've just explained possibly correlate to the spate of fatalities at Churchill Downs and Saratoga last year? MP: Churchill Downs, Saratoga, Santa Anita–we see weather events associated with a lot of these challenging periods in racetracks. I guess it's probably less true of Churchill because the weather wasn't that unusual. But you still have these decisions to make when it's been wet and it's suddenly drying out. Or when it's been dry and you've got rain coming in. The timing of all those maintenance decisions relative to the moisture content is incredibly difficult and takes a lot of experience. Some superintendents have gotten very good at it. But with climate change, we're seeing these variations in weather that are unprecedented for a lot of these tracks. It makes all that experience even more important. TDN: When you talk about “variability,” you're also talking about your other word du jour, “consistency,” right? MP: If you think about that adaptation to the surface, what you're really concerned about is the proverbial bad step. There's a risk of a bad step when you ship from one track to another or when the weather changes unexpectedly. Consistency spatially and temporally and from track to track is what keeps the loading on the bones consistent with the adaptation of the skeleton for its purpose. TDN: Is it fair to say, then, that sealed tracks themselves aren't necessarily a bad thing, it's how they're managed when they're opened up and they're drying out that's so critical? MP: I agree with you completely. Again, if our focus is on consistency and we can get a consistent track, even though it's sealed or floated, then the key is to make sure we understand what the hoof is doing on that surface and make sure that we can keep that going as the track gets sealed or as the track's opened up. TDN: Do you think the industry will come to a point where dirt surfaces maintained to the highest possible standards in the right kinds of environments will be just as safe as a synthetic surface? MP: We're already there. Santa Anita and Del Mar are two of the safest tracks in North America. Del Mar was the safest major track for like three out of seven years. Here's the challenge: it's not making the ones in the hot dry areas as safe as synthetics. The challenge we've got is to make all of the dirt tracks as safe as synthetics. TDN: Do you think it's possible then to get those tracks that are in those hot summer, cold, freezing winter climates as safe as synthetics? MP: I have no doubt. I think some of them are going to be synthetics. But I think others can meet that standard. TDN: You've been doing this for years now. During that time, what advances in track maintenance do you think have proven the most important? MP: Probably the biggest gains we've seen in the last five, seven years has been on grading and maintaining consistent slopes. [Long-time SoCal-based track superintendent] Dennis Moore has been telling me for years about how critical it is to properly grade a track. TDN: You've talked before about the “laser level” being so critical here. Why so? MP: The three stages of work is for the track to tell the regulator what you are going to do. Second stage is to do the work. Third stage is to check the work. The laser level is to check the work because you don't know you've done a good job until you've measured it at the end of the day. So, they go out, carefully grade it, then they have someone else typically check it with a laser level to make sure they properly graded it, got their transitions consistent. The laser level is an inexpensive piece of equipment. We're talking $1,500. We are not talking a $50,000 piece of equipment. There's just no reason for every track not to be using it. TDN: How many tracks aren't using it? MP: I'm going to check my watch now because many are rapidly transitioning. And this has been one of the outcomes from HISA because the grades are measured every time we do our pre-meet inspections. We talk to them, show them how variable they are compared to other tracks, and then say, 'have you thought about using a laser level'? Then they go buy a laser level, learn how to use it. TDN: What are the key things that separate the good surface maintenance tracks from the tracks that could probably do better? MP: There will be people who will tell you that they've got to have the right equipment. They need a big budget. They need a lot of staffing. They need a stable workforce. Those are all helpful. But I believe they can overcome almost all of those with just extraordinary leadership. Thistledown is a great example of that. That is a fantastic surface. And Dan, I don't know how to say it, the equipment is inadequate. But John Banno, he just works so hard to make it work. I'm not sure anybody else could take over there and make it work like he does. By the same token, Southern California has shown that the best outcome is when there is investment in tracks and equipment combined with leadership and veterinary oversight. TDN: How does the industry foster this kind of leadership more strategically? MP: Have you seen our announcement for our superintendents meeting? These superintendents, a lot of them aren't very young. There are a few good young ones. Chris Bosley, who is now at Ellis Park, is one. But this is a big workforce-related risk. If we don't address that, nothing else matters. Part of that is the industry needs to adapt to new things. The new generation of superintendents is going to make use of technology in a very different way because they're going to be on their phone checking things. They're going to be making use of electronics. They're happy with the joystick to control the grader. They don't have to have big levers. Those sorts of changes are a big deal. Now, there's a certain 72-year-old guy who loves technology–Dennis Moore–I love to use his as an example of someone older who adopts any technology you give him. What needs to happen is for these superintendents to work together to develop the skills between them, and then to bring in some new people. TDN: You mentioned during the summit how you see plenty of room for improvement in the collection of real-time daily measurements. In an ideal world, what real time daily measurements would you like to see at every track and why? MP: There is one real-time measurement that I really, really want to see. For turf, its daily measurements are fine. But on dirt, you really need moisture measurements done every race, and they need to be over the entire surface. That's additional information for the superintendents to make during the course of a race card. TDN: That's going to require the building of new technologies. MP: We've had several good ideas that have failed miserably. So yes, I think that's exactly right. I can tell you a couple of things not to do. How's that? TDN: In broaching these needed advances, on Tuesday you discussed the need to make the information publicly available. Non-patented, in other words. Why is this your approach? MP: To the extent that the methods and the equipment are standard, it allows us to build a larger data set and to have more people contributing to the design and interpretation of the data. The best example of this is with our biomechanical surface tester. It was adopted through the [American Society for Testing and Materials] ASTM and as a standard measure for the [Federation Equestre Internationale] FEI. It's been used at every Olympics since London. It's used at four or five-star events. Out of the adoption of that research and the data that has been fed back into racing, it's allowed us to continue to develop what we're doing. TDN: It's just the right thing to do, in other words. MP: Yes, it is the right thing to do. And I would love to see the same process move forward with some of the wearables because the interpretation of that data is so complex. And by providing the data in a much more open forum, it'll make it much easier to validate the results as they come into more common use. The post Mick Peterson Q & A: Dirt, Synthetics And ‘Extraordinary Leadership’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gabriel Maldonado, currently North America's winningest apprentice jockey with 86 victories, was suspended effective immediately at Delaware Park June 27 after a random drug test by that state's racing commission came back positive and the 25-year-old rookie allegedly admitted to using a prescribed opioid. Maldonado, 25, had ridden in seven races at Delaware on Wednesday, but was removed from six mounts there Thursday in the wake of the indefinite suspension and a $250 fine being issued that morning by the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission (DTRC). The ruling stated that after being requested to submit to a random screening by the DTRC on an unspecified date, Maldonado “complied with the request to be drug tested.” When the test came back positive for an opioid, Maldonado “admitted to using a prescribed opioid,” the ruling stated. The exact type or name of the drug was not disclosed. The ruling continued: “[P]ursuant to DTRC Rules an individual cannot be under the influence of a controlled substance. [Maldonado] is 'suspended.' He shall submit to a professional evaluation by a substance abuse professional approved by the Commission, [and] must properly follow the prescribed rehabilitation program. The individual must produce a negative drug test at the individual's expense before returning to work.” Maldonado's agent, Eddie Joe Zambrana, did not want to get into specifics when asked by TDN if Maldonado, who does not speak English as a first language, wanted the opportunity to tell his side of the story. “I don't really want to talk about it,” Zambrana said. “We'll try to figure out whatever it is. I know my rider is okay. He does things right. Everything is good. For some reason, the stewards decided to take him off the horses, so I don't want to say much.” Asked if Maldonado planned to appeal the ruling, Zambrana said, “We're working with The Jockeys' Guild to resolve the problem, because they're not supposed to take him off his mounts for [Thursday], anyway, for whatever happened.” News of the apprentice's suspension arrived on the heels of a breakout week in which Maldonado won 10 races at four different tracks in the mid-Atlantic region, including a four-victory day at Delaware June 20 and wins aboard three consecutive mounts when riding at Monmouth Park June 21 and 23. Maldonado was just profiled on the front page of TDN's Monday edition as one of two apprentice jockeys topping the Delaware Park standings. A native of Puerto Rico who initially began his career around horses as a farrier, Maldonado has only been riding in races since May 21, 2023. He got his start galloping for trainer Chad Brown at Palm Meadows, then began race-riding at Gulfstream last summer before switching his tack to Tampa Bay Downs. Maldonado won 57 races at the 2023-24 Tampa meet, and has been based at Delaware since that track opened May 15. He currently tops all riders there with 26 victories while routinely traveling to other mid-Atlantic tracks to pick up a steady stream of mounts. The post Top Apprentice Maldonado Suspended In Delaware For Opioid Positive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin An unexpected off-track victory has opened the door to what could ultimately be a new chapter in the career of outstanding junior driver Carter Dalgety. Dalgety is already one of the brightest stars in New Zealand harness racing who is also one of the fastest drivers ever to 100 wins in this country. All that, and two Group 1 wins, by the age of 21. The son of trainers Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, Carter is always striving to improve which is one of the reasons he appplied for the NZ Equine Research Foundation Valachi Downs Young Achiever Scholarship, more for the experience than expecting to win. But win he did and he will take his prize money from the award and use it to further his career firstly in North America in early July and then at the Elitlopp in Sweden next May. “I think most of the other winners of the scholarship have been more thoroughbred based but the organisers were amazing to deal with and I was thrilled to win it,” says Dalgety. “The money will help me travel to learn more and get better at my craft so I head to the States on July 8 and could be there for 6 to 8 weeks.” Dalgety’s trip will be enormously aided his schoolboy hero and now friend Dexter Dunn being one of the biggest names in US driving while Dalgety this week had his licence to drive in races up there approved. “I will be able to stay with Dex and learn from him and it sounds like a few of the ex-Kiwi trainers up there will give me some starter drives at the smaller tracks,” he explains. “I have always loved US harness, I think it is something handed down from my Dad and Granddad, and I can’t wait to get up there and start learning.” Kiwi harness fans don’t have to worry about losing Dalgety, who sits seventh on the open drivers premiership, to the US fulltime. “I still see my future being here for the next five years and maybe I will never live their fulltime. “But one thing Dex told me keeps running through my head, he said just by going up there and learning I will be a better driver when I come back home.” Dalgety is four wins clear of Sam Thornley on the national junior driver’s premiership and believes he has at least two good winning chances at Addington tonight. Ragazzo Major (R10, No.8) is a beautifully-related three-year-old now living up to his breeding and chasing three wins on end tonight in the Gold Band Taxis Mobile Pace. “He is a really big horse so time has helped him but he is getting there and I am sure he can win again, although the Hope horse (Wild Willow, No.6) could be hard to beat. “Franco Sinatra (Race 7 – The Storer Motors Handicap Pace) has his first standing start and will be fitter for his couple of runs back so I think he will go well, but these handicap races can be tricky depending on how they are run.” Dalgety suggests his bolter for the night could be Woodlea Jewel (R9 – the Woodlands Stud Supporting Or Future Mobile Pace) who has been working like an improved performance is in the offing. View the full article

Champion Pretty Mischievous has yet to encounter her preferred racing conditions this year. She returned to the worktab June 27, with her connections hoping that the second half of the year will improve.View the full article

Twenty-to-1 morning line longshot Kentucky-bred County Final scales back in distance with his sights set on the $200,000 Highlander Stakes (G2T) June 29 at Woodbine.View the full article

The Fall stakes schedule at Keeneland Race Course will feature 22 added-money events worth a record $9.6 million over the course of its 17-day meet from Oct. 4-26, officials at the track announced Thursday. The track has added a total of $550,000 to the purses of four stakes. The GIII Bryan Station Stakes for 3-year-olds at a mile on the turf will see its purse doubled from $300,000 to $600,000, while the GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup for sophomore fillies will be run for $750,000, up from $600,000. Two newly upgraded stakes will have their prize money boosted by $50,000 apiece–the GII Bank of America Valley View Stakes will be worth $350,000, while the GIII Perryville Stakes features a purse of $300,000. The Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund (KTDF) is contributing $1.35 million to Keeneland's Fall Meet stakes purses, pending approval from the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. “The Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup Presented by Dixiana and the Bryan Station are receiving purse increases as part of Keeneland's working relationship with Kentucky Downs, with the goal being to bolster the overall purse structure in Kentucky and specifically to strengthen the turf program for 3-year-olds,” Keeneland Vice President of Racing Gatewood Bell said. “Keeneland and Kentucky Downs would like to help facilitate a pattern of races for 3-year-old fillies and 3-year-old colts on the turf in the U.S. by trying to coordinate and work with other tracks throughout the country.” The purses for two age-restricted graded stakes on the grass in the spring–the GIII Appalachian Stakes for the 3-year-old fillies and the GIII Transylvania Stakes for 3-year-old males, will also be increased. “We think these four races will provide a strong starting point in the spring and a nice conclusion to the season in the fall,” Bell added. “Keeneland is very appreciative of the support we receive from Kentucky Downs to help make this happen.” October racing at Keeneland kicks off, as usual, with 'FallStars Weekend', featuring $5.55 million in purses and eight races that serve as Breeders' Cup Challenge contests. Of those, four are run at Grade I level–the $600,0000 Darley Alcibiades Stakes on Oct. 4; the $1-million Coolmore Turf Mile and $600,000 Claiborne Breeders' Futurity on Oct. 5; and the $600,000 Juddmonte Spinster S. on Oct. 6. The meet's other elite-level event is the $750,000 First Lady S. to be run Oct. 5. Other races offering fees-paid berths into corresponding Breeders' Cup races are the GII Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes, the GII Jessamine Stakes, the GII Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes and the GII Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes. Click here for the entire Keeneland Fall Stakes schedule. The post Keeneland Fall Stakes Worth Record $9.6 Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Friday's Observations features a daughter of Group 1 winner Quiet Reflection (GB). 17.30 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT LAKE VICTORIA (IRE) (Frankel {GB}) makes her debut for Ballydoyle in the maiden won 12 months ago by Frankel's future G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Ylang Ylang (GB) and is the pick of Ryan Moore of the stable's duo. The fourth foal out of the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup and G1 Commonwealth Cup winner Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), snapped up by Coolmore for 2.1million gns at 2017 Tattersalls December, she is joined by the yard's fellow newcomer Exactly (Ire). Another daughter of Frankel, her dam Heartache (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) cost the operation 1.3million gns at the same auction a year later having won the G2 Queen Mary Stakes and G2 Flying Childers Stakes and has already produced the listed scorer Salt Lake City (Ire) by Frankel's sire Galileo (Ire). 14.10 Doncaster, Novice, £9,950, 2yo, 7f 6yT FIELD OF GOLD (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) is a notable Juddmonte newcomer on the afternoon, having fetched the second-highest price at the 2022 Goffs November Foal Sale when selling for €530,000. John and Thady Gosden have charge of the March-foaled grey colt, whose family features the talented trio of half-siblings Zabeel Prince (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Puissance De Lune (Ire) (Shamardal) and Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal). 17.00 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, 6fT IDES OF MARCH (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is another Ballydoyle newcomer of significance on the Irish Derby weekend's opening card, being the third foal out of the GI Frizette Stakes heroine Nickname (Scat Daddy). He is passed over by Ryan Moore in favour of the stable's Snapdragon (Ire) (No Nay Never), a 240,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 graduate who has the benefit of experience having finished fourth in a Naas maiden. 18.40 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 3yo/up, 10fT HAMPSHIRE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) is the third Ballydoyle newcomer of note on the card, being the second foal out of Hill 'N' Dale's $4.2million Keeneland November acquisition Lady Eli (Divine Park), the five-times grade I winner. Among his peers is another unraced colt in Philip Antonacci's Il Sovrano (Ire) (No Nay Never), a Joseph O'Brien-trained €235,000 Goffs Orby graduate who is a half-brother to the GIII Marshua's River Stakes winner Zofelle (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and whose dam is kin to the group 1-winning Sadler's Wells full-sisters Listen (Ire) and Sequoyah (Ire). The post Observations: Frankel Daughter of Quiet Reflection Debuts at the Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Deterministic possesses all the key ingredients to be a top performer on turf when he makes his grass debut June 29 in the $250,000 Manila Stakes (G3T) at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article