Wandering Eyes

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

Betfred will sponsor all five British Classics next season, having replaced Qipco as backers of the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) and One Thousand Guineas (G1), and the bookmaker will offer a £2 million bonus for any winner of the British Triple Crown.View the full article

With a $10,000 prize to the winner, the Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award named its semi-finalists, the competition said in a Thursday release. Inaugurated in 2006 by the late philanthropist and global executive Tony Ryan, and sponsored by his family's Castleton Lyons Farm near Lexington, Ky., the award honors the best writing related to the Thoroughbred industry published in 2023. Three finalists will be revealed this summer, with the winner announced during a reception at Castleton Lyons later in the year. The semifinalists are (in alphabetical order, by author name): Dream Derby: The Myth and Legend of Black Gold by Avalyn Hunter The author peels back the veil of long-ago history in telling the unlikely story of centennial Kentucky Derby winner Black Gold. False Riches by John Paul Miller The book is both a mystery and a love story which is largely set at a fictional Texas racetrack. Katherine Mooney | Christopher T. Martin Isaac Murphy: The Rise and Fall of a Black Jockey by Katherine C. Mooney A historian tells the story of a legendary Black jockey born during slavery, who enroute to glory as a rider, dealt with virulent racism and ever-worsening health issues. The Jockey and Her Horse by Sarah Maslin Nir and Raymond White Jr. This young adult work of historical fiction was inspired by the very real life of the late Cheryl White, a jockey who blazed trails on the racetrack in the 1970s on behalf of women and African- Americans. The Turcottes: The Remarkable Story of a Horse Racing Dynasty by Curtis Stock Ron Turcotte, who was not just Secretariat's jockey, led a family of accomplished riders with stories to tell. Lexington: The Extraordinary Life and Turbulent Times of America's Legendary Racehorse by Kim Wickens In portraying the life of mid-19th century champion Lexington, Wickens shows just what racing meant to America during the pre-Civil War era. The three books recognized in the first Honorable Mention category are: Secretariat's Legacy: The Sons, Daughters, and Descendants Who Keep His Legend Alive, by Patricia McQueen; Mare's Nest, by Holly Mitchell; and Unnatural Ability: The History of Performance-Enhancing Drugs in Thoroughbred Racing, by the late Milton C. Toby. The post Semifinalists Named For The 2023 Dr. Tony Ryan Book Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Moqadama (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a full-sister to recent Group 1 winner Khaadem (Ire), headlines a catalogue of 106 lots in the Tattersalls Online July Sale which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday July 3-4. The catalogue is now available to view at www.tattersallsonline.com and includes 90 horses in and out of training, nine broodmares, five stores, one point-to-pointer and a yearling colt by A'Ali. The six-year-old mare, who resides at Castleton Lyons in Kentucky, received a notable pedigree update when her full-brother Khaadem claimed his second G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at this year's Royal Meeting. Moqadama is also a full-sister to Log out Island (Ire), a listed winner and five-time group placed including when runner up in the G2 Norfolk Stakes and G2 Mill Reef Stakes. Offered in foal to American Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, she is out of the winning mare White Daffodil (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}), who is half-sister to listed winner Lady Links (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}), herself the dam of dual listed winner Selinka (GB) (Selkirk). Among the horses in training on offer, Jim Bolger's Glebe House Stables presents 3-year-old Glor Tire (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire})). The filly, who has four victories this season, is the first foal out of Ceistiu (Ire) (Vocalised), a full sister to the dual Group 3 winner and multiple Group 1-Placed Steip Amach (Ire) as well as a half-sister to dual Group 3 Winner Ceisteach (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}). The Tattersalls Online July Sale features consignments from trainers and stud farms from Britain, Ireland and France, including Baroda Stud, Barton Sales, Michael Bell, Blue Diamond Stud, Jim Bolger, Culworth Grounds Farm, Henry De Bromhead, Ed Dunlop, Richard Hannon, Charlie Hills, Adrian Keatley, Natalia Lupini, Brian Meehan, Donnacha O'Brien, Joseph O'Brien, James Owen, Hugo Palmer, The Castlebridge Consignment, Urloxhey Stables, Roger Varian, Lucy Wadham, Ed Walker and Ian Williams. For more information, click here. The post Tattersalls Online July Sale Catalogue Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irish Derby weekend kicks off at the Curragh and Friday and there are no shortage of potential talking points. From highly-regarded juvenile, intriguingly-bred newcomers, stars of the future and potential banana skins, all of the ingredients are there to make the action on the track absorbing and informative. Here are some things to keep an eye out for. Twomey Tipped To Begin Derby Weekend With A Bang The opening two-year-old maiden on Friday has the potential to be a cracker and the Paddy Twomey-trained Admiral Churchill (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) is rumoured to be smart. It's well-documented at this stage that Twomey is a trainer who takes pride in his stats. If a horse isn't capable of winning or showing up well, he doesn't run them, which is backed up by a 31 per cent strike-rate this season. The word on the street is that Admiral Churchill is expected to become winner number 12 for the handler this season when he lines out in that 6f contest. A son of Kodiac, Admiral Churchill was snapped up by bloodstock agent Jason Kelly on behalf of Bond Thoroughbreds for €200,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale from Tally-Ho Stud. He doesn't have any fancy entries at this juncture but that could be about to change. There are a couple of interesting colts in opposition, not least David Marnane's East Hampton (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), who overcame an interrupted passage to catch the eye when flying home for fourth in a C&D maiden last month. Add that to the fact that Railway Stakes winner Beckford (GB) will be represented by his first runner in Ireland through the Ger Lyons-trained Beckman (Ire), who is the choice of stable jockey Colin Keane, there is no shortage of potential talking points right from the outset on Derby weekend at the Curragh. Big-Name Ballydoyle-Trained Runners To Keep An Eye On Who could forget Lady Eli (Divine Park)? Winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf 10 years ago now, she has already produced a winner for the Coolmore partners. Her latest progeny, a Galileo (Ire) colt by the name of Hampshire (Ire), is likely to be a warm order when he makes his debut for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore in the 1m2f maiden on Friday. Hampshire is not the only Ballydoyle-trained newcomer worth keeping a close eye on this weekend. Bernard Shaw (Into Mischief), who regular TDN readers will already be familiar with, given he played a star role at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale last year, makes his eagerly-anticipated debut for the stable on Saturday. Having been bought as a foal for $550,000 by an ownership group that featured Archie and Michelle St George, along with pinhooking partners Tony and Roger O'Callaghan of Tally-Ho Stud, the colt was knocked down to MV Magnier for $1.8m last year. Fittingly, the American-bred will be partnered by Hall Of Fame jockey John Velazquez, which would suggest that Moore's mount Rock Of Cashel (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the better-fancied of the pair in the opening 7f maiden on Saturday. Keithen Kennedy A Name To Note In The Apprentice Derby The Apprentice Derby might not be jam-packed with quality runners but it remains an integral part of the weekend and provides some potential stars of the saddle with an opportunity to shine at a big meeting. Keithen Kennedy is shaping up to be one such star. After banging in a number of winners on the all-weather over the winter, Kennedy has maintained his form on the grass and has partnered a whopping five winners from 18 rides in the past fortnight alone. He is one of the most in-demand young riders and the fact that Sheila Lavery has secured his services for Lady Chista (Ire) (Gustav Klimt {GB}) in the concluding race on Friday speaks volumes for that filly's chance of victory. Of course, Kennedy and Lavery have struck up a good partnership together [two wins from six rides] and the young pilot was aboard Lady Christa when she won last time at Fairyhouse. He's definitely a name to keep on side. Larouche Buys Into Cromwell's Fiery Lucy Gavin Cromwell is the latest Irish trainer who, having started off with a predominantly National Hunt string, has made massive strides on the level. The stable has already sent out two Royal Ascot winners and, interestingly, the owner behind last year's Chesham Stakes heroine Snellen (Ire) (Expert Eye {GB}) has bought into Crowmell's highly-touted Fiery Lucy (GB) (Without Parole {GB}) ahead of Saturday's G2 Airlie Stud Stakes. Along with Snellen, Lindsay Larouche's colours have been carried by the classy Princess Yaiza (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}) for Cromwell, and Fiery Lucy could be the latest smart sort to represent American-based. The daughter of Without Parole built on a hugely promising debut effort at Cork to go one better at Fairyhouse in a style that suggested more was to come. She rates as one of the main players for the Group 2 contest. Golden Opportunity For Shoemark There should be no downplaying how big a weekend this could be for Kieran Shoemark. In Frankie Dettori's absence, Shoemark's role with John and Thady Gosden has been heightened, and they have largely had a good season. A Group 1 would cement that relationship and, in Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Shoemark has a golden opportunity to deliver just that in the Pretty Polly Stakes on Saturday. Ambiente Friendly v Coolmore Speaking of jockeys, we need to talk about Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), and the task facing Robert Havlin in the Irish Derby on Sunday. There may only be a maximum of eight runners set to line out in the showpiece of the weekend but, make no mistake, this is going to be a tactical affair. Ambiente Friendly had over three lengths to spare from Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) when the pair finished second and third respectively behind City Of Troy (Justify) in the Derby. The bookmakers have priced James Fanshawe's runner correctly at odds of 11-10, as he is probably the best horse in the race, but taking on the Ballydoyle runners-who make up half of the field-in their own backyard is not going to be straightforward. Add that to the fact that Havlin has had seven rides at the Curragh and has yet to register a winner, stepping into the lion's den in search of that breakthrough in a race that O'Brien has farmed down through the years is not going to be easy. It should be some spectacle. The post ‘He’s Rumoured To Be Smart’ – Potential Talking Points Ahead Of Irish Derby Weekend appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, we take a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Fukushima and Kokura Racecourses: Saturday, June 29, 2024 6th-KOK, ¥13,720,000 ($85k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1000m OTOMENA SHACHO (f, 2, Speightstown–Mylady Curlin, by Curlin) is the second foal and first to the races for her dam, who validated 5-2 favoritism for Sather Family LLC and trainer Brad Cox in the 2019 GII Falls City Handicap and was also victorious in that year's GIII Allaire duPont Distaff S. A Feb. 26 foal, Otomena Shacho was purchased by trainer Hideyuki Mori for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Mylady Curlin fetched $550,000 from Coteau Grove Farms in foal to Charlatan at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. B-Sather Family LLC (KY) Sunday, June 30, 2024 5th-FKS, ¥13,720,000 ($85k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1800mT DEL AVAR (c, 2, Frankel {GB}–Amour Briller, by Smart Strike) was conceived at Banstead Manor in 2021 but foaled in Kentucky and looks to become the second winner for her dam, a six-times listed winner of better than $2.3 million on the NAR circuit. Amour Briller is a daughter of North Hills' Tenno Sho winner Heavenly Romance (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), the dam of MGSW/G1SP Awardee (Jungle Pocket {Jpn}) and Lani (Tapit), winner of the 2016 G2 UAE Derby and third in that year's GI Belmont Stakes. B-North Hills Co (KY) 6th-KOK, ¥13,720,000 ($85k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1200mT SYLPH'S MISTRESS (f, 2, Into Mischief–Heavenhasmynikki, by Majestic Warriror) is out of a mare who wired the field in the 2019 GIII Vagrancy Handicap at Belmont Park and was hammered down to Katsumi Yoshida for $775,000 at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2021. The mare foaled this filly in Kentucky in late January 2022, was mated to American Pharoah prior to her export and delivered a filly at Northern Farm last March. B-Northern Farm (KY) The post First Foal From Heavenhasmynikki Down To Debut in Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has released the initial catalogue for its July Selected Horses of Racing Age sale, to be held on Monday, July 8 in Lexington, Kentucky, beginning at 3 pm, the auction house said in a release on Thursday. In 2023 and 2024, July Selected Horses of Racing Age grads have notched 32 stakes wins to date, including current graded stakes winners Newgrange (Violence) and Fort Washington (War Front). Purchased at the 2022 sale, Newgrange has won three graded stakes for his new connections, pushing his earnings over $1 million. Fort Washington, a graduate of last year's sale, recently captured the GIII Monmouth Stakes. “Our July Selected Horses of Racing Age sale annually provides an industry-leading marketplace for the trade of quality horses of racing age,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Buyers have the luxury of purchasing horses that can be immediately campaigned at North America's lucrative summer race meetings.” Entries may now be viewed via the sale's enhanced online catalogue, which features pedigrees, race replays, statistical links, Ragozin “sheet” numbers, and continuously updated Daily Racing Form past performances. Prospective buyers may also sign up for email alerts to receive pedigree and race record updates, as well as notifications of new entries as they are accepted up until sale time. The July Selected Horses of Racing Age catalogue will also be available via the Equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues will be available on the sales grounds in the week leading up to the sale. The post Fasig-Tipton July Selected Horses Of Racing Age Catalogue Now Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-CD, 120K, Msw, f, 2yo, 6f, 4:23 p.m. The top-priced filly from GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic's first crop, TRADING SECRETS brought $800,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale last year for BC Stables LLC. Running for D. Wayne Lukas, the filly is a half to GII Woodward Stakes runner up Film Star (Flatter) and out of a half-sister to both MGSW Kid Cruz (Lemon Drop Kid) and MGSW/GISP Three Witches (Into Mischief) along with GSW Spellbound (Bernardini) and her daughter, MGSW Soothsay (Distorted Humor). This is also the family of GISP Magical Illusion and her daughter, Broodmare of the Year Stage Magic, better known as the dam of Triple Crown champion Justify (Scat Daddy). TJCIS PPS The post Friday Insights: Pricey Filly From Authentic’s First Crop Runs For The Coach appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Karl Burke is targeting an autumn campaign with Fallen Angel (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) after injury ruled the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine out of an intended appearance in the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last week. “She's got a small bit of bone bruising, but it's nothing serious,” Burke summed up. “We'll leave her alone now and hopefully she'll be ready for September and an autumn campaign. “She'll be back in steady work in the next week or so, but we won't rush her back. We'll prepare her from September onwards.” Burke enjoyed a Royal Ascot double courtesy of Shareholder (Not This Time) in the G2 Norfolk Stakes and Leovanni (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in the Queen Mary, but Fallen Angel was not his only high-profile absentee. Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was considered a major contender for the G1 Commonwealth Cup but was ruled out of the race at the eleventh hour due to a persistent issue with a joint, while exciting juvenile Andesite (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) had to miss the G2 Coventry Stakes after suffering a freak accident in his box. “With Elite Status, it's exactly the same issue as we've had in the past with a knocked joint, but we've got him home and got on top of it,” Burke continued. “We've changed a couple of little things with how we train him day to day. “I'm sure he'll be back out sooner rather than later and he's in the July Cup. I'm not sure the track will play to his strengths, the undulations there, but he is in it and it's a possibility. “Andesite was very lucky not to be seriously injured–he's literally just back walking now. He must have kicked out with his hind legs and got his leg caught on the Anti Weave Grille on top of the stable door as he dragged it off. His leg was still stuck and he's obviously gone berserk in the box trying to get it off–it was a nasty one.” On future plans for the half-brother to Dramatised (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), Burke added, “We'll take our time with him. I think mentally he'll be fine, but it's just going to take a little bit of time as there's a lot of superficial cuts, luckily no serious damage, but it will be a few weeks before he's back doing any serious work.” The post Autumn Campaign Planned for Royal Ascot Absentee Fallen Angel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was a well-known Thoroughbred trainer who was accused of a medication violation by the governing anti-doping agency at the time. This conditioner had a history of putting the horse first, so the case was shocking and the evidence stacked against him did not quite add up. The owner of the animal in question did everything possible to help him mount a defense by calling in experts to give testimony, but in the end he was found negligent and given a year suspension. The trainer was none other than Tom Smith of Seabiscuit fame, while the owner was Elizabeth Arden. It was 1945. Arden, the matron of beauty from the first half of the 20th century who built a layered empire, was one heck of a horsewoman. Becoming Elizabeth Arden cover | Penguin In a new biography by Iowa State University historian Dr. Stacey A. Cordery entitled Becoming Elizabeth Arden: The Woman Behind the Global Beauty Empire which is due out in early September, we find out how ahead of her time she was with her spa-like approach to racing and breeding Thoroughbreds. The progressively-minded Florence Nightingale Graham–who re-christened herself Elizabeth Arden–was born in Canada and was as self-made as could be. Cordery does an expert job piecing together Arden's rise as a 'beauty culturalist' in New York City. As we discover, her subject steadily built newfangled salons in both America and Europe into the 1930s, expanded into the burgeoning field of cosmetics and in the process her 'red door' turned her into an icon. What you might not know about Mrs. Graham, who never married, but used 'Mrs.' as a means to gain respectability, is she was willing, able and quite successful at 'taking on the boys' of the turf world. As Cordery reminds us, she spent copious amounts of cash in the sales rings at Keeneland and Saratoga, plus in Europe after the war, and built a powerful stable in Kentucky called Maine Chance Farm–named after her destination spa for the rich and powerful. The farm is now utilized for teaching and research by the University of Kentucky. In her salons, Arden became accustomed to meeting the beauty needs of her well-heeled clients, but she also was keen to see her “beauties,” as she called her equine athletes, win at tracks from Saratoga to Hialeah and from Churchill to Santa Anita. She ran her stable as shrewdly as her beauty empire, and she was adamant that a holistic approach to both humans and horses was the only acceptable treatment. Refusing to hire trainers who used harsh methods, Arden believed her horses deserved the most thorough massages and she developed creams for sore muscles that could be applied just like they would at her spas. One of her closest advisors was Spendthrift Farm's Lesley Combs II, who assisted her with bloodstock decisions, but as Cordery points out, it was Mrs. Graham who had the final say about everything from picking yearlings to which of her horses would be entered to race. Elizabeth Arden with Knockdown at Santa Anita | Getty Images Arden's relationship with Tom Smith came about because of the sudden death of Elizabeth Cromwell Bosley, who was a rising star among conditioners in the late 1930s. Women trainers were scarce then, but Arden wanted her at the helm because she had the right touch. Sadly, Bosley died in a car accident and never had the chance to see her career flourish. The matron of Maine Chance weathered all sorts of storms as an owner, which included not only Smith's suspension at the hands of The Jockey Club of America and the New York State Racing Authority for doping a horse, but several stable fires. One destructive blaze in particular at Arlington Park in Chicago just two days before the 1946 Kentucky Derby claimed the lives of 23 Thoroughbreds whose value topped $500,000. Arden had an insurance policy which she took out on all of her runners, but when the ensuing police investigation tried to finger African American backstretch workers, she ordered her own detective to get to the bottom of it. Arden's expansive stable included the likes of Beaugay, Knockdown, They Say and the 1947 Derby winner Jet Pilot, who was trained by the reinstated Smith and ridden by a 23-year-old jockey named Eric Guerin who the beauty empress selected herself. In 1945, Maine Chance earned over $10 million in today's currency, which was when you think about mid-century purse structures the figure was extraordinary. And that is Cordery's chief biographical point here, and what makes this such a seminal work. In an era of conspicuous consumption which gave way to the world wars, Elizabeth Arden dreamed big, eclipsed gender norms, redefined beauty, and as horsewoman defied the power of the turfmen and redefined equine care. To put it another way, she knew how to 'beat the boys' at their own game. Becoming Elizabeth Arden: The Woman Behind the Global Beauty Empire by Viking, 512 pages, Sept. 3, 2024 The post Book Review: Beauty Icon Elizabeth Arden Took On The Boys, Won The Derby And Advanced Thoroughbred Care appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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There is no doubt that one of the feel-good moments in an excellent week of action at Royal Ascot came when Isle Of Jura (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) won the G2 Hardwicke Stakes on the final day of the meeting. Much of the joy that sprung from the result was aimed towards jockey Callum Shepherd after he had missed out on a plum ride in the Derby. But the importance of the win for the horse's trainer, George Scott, who was enjoying a first Royal Ascot success, and his owner Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa of Victorious Racing, should not be underestimated. Isle Of Jura can already be considered the pride of Bahrain for having won three consecutive Cups, two of them carrying Listed status, which form a Triple Crown for the island nation which is swiftly emerging on the international racing scene. Isle Of Jura, a winner at Newbury and Newmarket last summer, arrived in Bahrain in late November and won four of his five starts through the ensuing three months, as well as being beaten just a short-head in the fifth. Following his return to Scott's Newmarket stable he won the Listed Festival Stakes at Goodwood before launching his assault on Ascot. “We were just unsure how the form was going to stack up on the back of Bahrain, and I was a little bit underwhelmed with him at Goodwood, but we saw a huge improvement from him at home after that and he's clearly a horse who wants a nice, even pace on fast ground, so it all came together really,” said Scott. “There was a current of good feeling towards Callum winning a race like that, and obviously the Bahraini contingent, headed by Shaikh Nasser, are just very good people. They love their racing, and he is a very special horse in their eyes. He's won all he can in their country and now he's come to Ascot and won like that. Shaikh Duaij said to me on the day, 'You've made Bahrain proud today', which is a lovely thing to say. “I think [Isle Of Jura] has been the best advertisement for Bahrain racing, and for the Bahrain contingency involved in British racing. They really want to promote racing in Bahrain and to improve the quality there, and I think this horse helps their argument.” The four-year-old gelding, who is a full-brother to Godolphin's four-time Australian Group 1 winner Cascadian (GB), will take a deserved step up into the top echelon himself for his next run, which looks set to be in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes back at Ascot on July 27. “The logical step for him is the King George,” Scott continued. “He's obviously a course-and-distance winner and he'll carry a Group 2 penalty now but it is the obvious race for him. We are under no illusions that he is going to have to step forward again but I think that he will be going into a race like that with plenty of respect. “He has come out of the race really well. He's not a horse that needs much training – we're not hard on him and he doesn't need a lot of fast work so he's just ticking over. He was jumping up and down like a big cat in his pen this morning.” The trainer is also considering a further international campaign for Isle Of Jura later in the season, potentially culminating in a trip to Del Mar. He said, “He's rated 119 now, so I think after the King George we will be working back from the Breeders' Cup. It's just a question of how we get there. He's good at travelling, that's for sure, and he does appreciate fast ground and flat tracks. I like the idea of the Sword Dancer in Saratoga maybe, but we'll see in the King George how he stacks up against those horses and then make a plan.” Scott, who also trains the G3 Palace House Stakes winner Seven Questions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) for Victorious Racing and Fawzi Nass, added, “It's really important to be competing on that stage and it was really special because Shaikh Nasser has obviously been a big part of the story in the last few years. It's been well documented how grateful I am to him, and I had lots of friends and family at Ascot so we all watched it together, which again is a moment you don't really get very often. It all slowed down in that last furlong and we were able to enjoy it. It was the Hardwicke at the end of the day, it wasn't a handicap. The Hardwicke is a race you grow up watching and some of the great horses and great trainers have won that race. It was a dream.” The post Bahrain’s Pride Isle Of Jura Heads to King George With Breeders’ Cup on Wish List appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

David Menuisier is ranking Caius Chorister (Fr) (Golden Horn {GB}) as “the best staying filly in Europe” but the trainer says he is keen to avoid bumping into her Gold Cup conqueror Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) any time soon. Owned by Clive Washbourn, Caius Chorister is likely to head to Goodwood next, but which race she lines out in has yet to be decided. “She's as bright as a button,” the trainer said. “She clearly just didn't stay [in the Gold Cup] but she has come out of the race as bright as anything really and is ready to go again. She's different to any other horse we've ever had–she is made of different stuff. She is just the toughest thing ever. “Glorious Goodwood will be the next stop, either for the Goodwood Cup if Kyprios does not turn up, or the Lillie Langtry if he does, because Kyprios is by far the best stayer in Europe and wherever he goes, we will avoid him.” He added, “I think over two miles, I will be happy enough to take on the rest of the stayers, because she does have speed, especially on quick ground. But we will not be able to crack Kyprios–and if he does turn up, that is why she has two engagements. “She looks like being the best staying filly in Europe at the moment; we don't know how the three-year-olds will do later in the season, but right now she looks the best older staying filly. It's exciting really.” Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) is another talented member of Menuisier's string owned by Washbourn, but the Sussex Stakes entrant is likely to skip a visit to his handler's local track in favour of a summer campaign on the continent. A winner of the German 2,000 Guineas at Cologne on his most recent outing, Devil's Point will drop back in trip for two potential assignments at Deauville-first the seven-furlong Prix Jean Prat before a possible return to the Normandy coast to compete for top-level sprinting honours. “He will go for the Prix Jean Prat at Deauville, which has always been the main target after the Guineas in Germany,” continued Menuisier. “If all goes well after that, then he is likely to swerve the Sussex Stakes to go back to Deauville for the Prix Maurice de Gheest. “That is pretty much the same as the Jean Prat but half a furlong shorter and against the older horses while getting a decent weight allowance. I think that is very much his programme for the summer.” The post Menuisier Maps Out Plan For “Best Staying Filly In Europe” Caius Chorister appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Betfred will be the new sponsor of Newmarket's 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas from 2025 onwards, it was announced on Thursday. The multi-year agreement means the bookmaker will become the first brand to sponsor all five of Britain's Classics–the others being the Betfred Oaks and Betfred Derby at Epsom and Doncaster's Betfred St Leger–at the same time. To mark their sponsorship of the prestigious contests, Betfred have also announced that a £2-million bonus will be on offer to connections of any horse who completes the 'Betfred Triple Crown' by winning the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger. The Triple Crown has been won 15 times, although not since Nijinsky in 1970. Betfred will also sponsor an additional seven races across the three days of the Betfred Guineas Festival, which next year takes place from May 2-4. Betfred owner Fred Done said, “Nobody has ever sponsored all five British Classics and I am so proud to be the first. I am honoured as a bookmaker to be supporting the sport that I love. “I want to put the British Classics back where they belong, at the forefront of global horseracing. As The Bonus King, it only seems right that I should offer a bonus. Therefore, I am offering £2 million to any horse who wins the Betfred Triple Crown, consisting of the Betfred 2000 Guineas, Betfred Derby and Betfred St Leger. “It hasn't been done since Nijinsky back in 1970, and although Camelot came very close in 2012, it seems about time we were celebrating another Triple Crown winner.” Amy Starkey, managing director of The Jockey Club, said, “We love working with Fred and all his team so we are absolutely thrilled that Betfred have become the new sponsors of the two iconic Classics staged on Newmarket's Rowley Mile, the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas. “We have already seen how Betfred's tremendous enthusiasm and dynamism has elevated the Derby and Oaks at Epsom Downs and their passion for racing is fantastic for the sport. The offer of this huge bonus for the Triple Crown is another superb initiative and we're already really excited about how we can promote these iconic British Classic races in 2025.” Aidan O'Brien is the most successful trainer of all-time in the five British Classics with a total of 44 wins, including 10 editions of both the 2,000 Guineas and Derby. He said, “It's a great incentive that Betfred have put up a £2m bonus for any horse that wins the Triple Crown. We all at Ballydoyle and Coolmore greatly appreciate all their sponsorship throughout the season and this bonus will make the Classic races even more exciting. “It takes a very unique horse to go through all the Triple Crown races–they have got to have quality, class, speed, stamina and mental strength.” The post Betfred to Offer £2 Million Triple Crown Bonus as New Sponsor of All Five British Classics appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Tim Preston will be held at Dalham Parish Church near Newmarket on Monday, July 8 at 2.30pm. Preston, the immensely popular former European representative for racing and sales at Keeneland, died earlier this month at the age of 80. In a tribute published recently in TDN, Keeneland's former president, Bill Greely, who was responsible for appointing Preston to the role he held for 23 years, said, “[Tim] was one of the nicest, most personable, capable and horse-savvy people with whom I ever had the pleasure to work. The words 'no' and 'I can't' were not in his vocabulary. He was always there to assist anyone who needed his help or his sage advice.” The post Thanksgiving Service for Tim Preston appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 8 GRAND NATIONAL TICKETS ON SALE 1400m ROYAL WINGS (C Barnes) – Trainer Ms. K Murphy reported Stewards, she was satisfied with the post-race condition of the mare, with no abnormalities to report, however, ROYAL WINGS has been retired from racing. The post Ricarrton Park – Amberley @ Riccarton, Saturday 22 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 1 N MCHUGH CONSTRUCTION MAIDEN 2140m HEADLINE NEWS (L Allpress) – Trainer Mr. J Kiernan advised Stewards, he was satisfied with the post-race condition of the gelding, however, HEADLINE NEWS has now been sent for a spell. The post Marton Jockey Club @ Awapuni Synthetic, Friday 21 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Nathan Purdon’s attack on Queensland’s winter riches has slipped under the radar a bit, but he’s hoping to turn that around at Redcliffe on Saturday night. Purdon has runners in both the Oaks and Derby and is especially keen on his prospects with Major Hot in the $53,000 Group 3 Derby. The Art Major gelding, who opened his Queensland campaign with an Albion Park win on June 15, has been backed from $4.40 into $3.60 despite needing luck from an inside back row draw (gate seven). “He’s the one we built the trip around,” Purdon said. “He’s pretty smart and an all-round package. He’s got gate speed and some zip, so we felt he’d suit the (Queensland) style of racing. “He’s probably about three or four lengths behind our best, say a three-year-old like Chase A Dream, but he’s good enough to be very competitive in these races we think.” Former Kiwi Adam Sanderson will keep the reins on Major Hot after partnering him to his first Albion Park win, which came first-up from a break. “He’ll be better again, but he’ll need to be because the race is a bit harder,” Purdon said. Interestingly, Major Hot’s biggest danger looks to be a filly, Soho Spectre, who obviously could have run in the Redcliffe Oaks instead. Trainer Rickie Alchin has focused on stablemate and favourite Lux Aeterna in the Oaks, paving the way for Soho Spectre to tackle the boys. Luke McCarthy has the drive. In the Oaks, McCarthy will be with Purdon when he drives Treacherous Love from gate two. “It was a late decision to send her because she was up and going at a time there wasn’t much for her at home,” Purdon said. “The owners were happy for her to go on the trip with Major Hot. We don’t have a lot of confidence in her as far as this week goes.” Beyond this week, both three-year-olds have races like the South-East Derby/Oaks and Queensland Derby/Oaks if Purdon is happy with them. View the full article

Capable flat performer Mont Ventoux scored a deserved maiden success over the fences in the Majestic Horse Floats Hurdles (3100m) at Te Aroha on Thursday. Mont Ventoux collected seven victories during his flat-racing career including three at open grade, and since transitioning into the jumps role he had been the perennial bridesmaid with seven placings from nine attempts. His consistent record for trainer Rudy Liefting placed the eight-year-old a seemingly-unbeatable favourite in Thursday’s contest at $1.20, and his experience was evident in the early stages as he out-jumped the remainder of the field to control proceedings. Nick Downs, who scored a double on the card with promising hurdler Helena Baby, allowed Mont Ventoux to slide further in front nearing the 800m from the second favourite in Murphy, and his lead only continued to extend with the eventual margin 15-1/4 lengths. Pukekohe-based Liefting was pleased to see the son of Nom Du Jeu collect his maiden with such dominance at the post. “I was pretty happy, especially because he was still in a full gallop at the line. Sometimes you can win these races and be walking at the finish, but he was full of power,” he said. “He has wilted at times in his races and been run over the last little bit, but he went to the line really strongly. “Although he’s won three open handicaps on the flat, he took a while to win this maiden hurdle but he always ran in the top four up close, so it has been a bit frustrating, but he got there today.” Liefting has utilised jump schooling as a tool in his training for years, a skill that assisted Mont Ventoux when making the switch. “I always get my horses jumping from day one, in case they don’t come up on the flat. He did and won seven races, but we still did regular jumping with him and work on the farm as well,” Liefting said. “When it did come to hurdling, it was just second nature to him. “It teaches the horses to pick themselves up and think a little bit. A lot of them are just going to the track and following a rail around, but it gets them using their minds. “We rotate their work a bit, we’ve got a pool and a walker and hills with some logs around, and they enjoy the change. I still go into the track every morning just to keep my riders going, Sarah Fisher does a lot of my trackwork and gallops and she does a great job. “I’m in my mid-sixties now so I am tapering off a little bit, I’ve been doing it for about 25 years and I don’t really want to ride too many young horses, just to stay in one piece and be careful. “I only do a couple, but I don’t mind schooling the jumpers, we were brought up in my era to do pony club, show jumping, and going to the hunts, so I’ve always just done it.” Liefting has several options to consider for Mont Ventoux as the season progresses, but a shortage of jockeys may halt a journey to Trentham for the Wellington Hurdles (3400m) next month. “I don’t know where we’ll go next because we don’t really know if we have a rider for him if we went down to Wellington,” he said. “We may look for another meeting at Te Aroha closer to home and stick to that and look at something else further down the line.” Riccarton Park holds many fond memories for Liefting, and a trip south for National Week is also a possibility. “We may look at something like the Sydenham Hurdles or a 0-1 at Riccarton for him,” he said. “We used to go down to Riccarton all the time for National Week, we took him down for the Winter Cup (Gr.3, 1600m) a couple of times and he was a shade disappointing, but he couldn’t fly down and had a tough trip with ferry hold-ups,” he said. “Just Got Home ran in the Grand National and Danza Lad ran third in the Winter Cup, and a long time ago I won the 1000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m) with Justa Tad, so it’s been a very good track for me. “The people are so friendly down there as well, and we always have enjoyed ourselves. We’ll definitely consider it.” View the full article

Lofty British jumps jockey Jay Kozaczek made the perfect start to his riding venture in New Zealand at Te Aroha on Thursday when guiding Sound of Silence to victory in the Agrisea NZ Steeplechase (3500m) for Dave Blackie, who also celebrated his first training success. Kozaczek kept a cool head aboard Sound of Silence for the majority of the journey, sitting at the rear of the field before pushing the go button after the third to last fence. Sound Of Silence was able to quickly reel in runaway leader Pontardawe and storm home to a 11-1/4 length victory. “I rode him in a trial and I thought he jumped so well,” Kozaczek said. “I think he will want a bit more distance by the way he keeps finding. He kept going well and the more he found the more I kept on pushing him. “It was my first race day (in New Zealand) today. I am ecstatic, I can’t believe it.” Earlier on the card, Kozaczek also picked up a placing aboard Shocking Penny in The Bottle-O Te Aroha Hurdles (3100m) for trainer Reece Cole. “She went well,” Kozaczek said. “It was her first run back, so she wasn’t that fit. She usually goes out in front, but I just put her in behind because she didn’t feel that fit in the race. She finished well and I was happy with her.” Kozaczek has been involved with horses his entire life and started his riding career in Scandinavia before trying his hand in England. With a lack of riding opportunities in his homeland he decided to come out and try his luck in New Zealand at the behest of his family. “I have ridden horses all of my life,” he said. “I did pony club and went to the Horse of the Year Show with mounted games. Straight out of school I went to the British Racing School in England and worked my way up from there. I worked in yards in England and then got the opportunity to go to Scandinavia and start race riding over there. “I rode four winners on the flat and then I grew. I am six foot two (inches) now, so it was time to go jumping. I rode four or five winners over jumps in Scandinavia and then I went back to England for a year or two, but I couldn’t really get going. There are just that many jockeys that you can’t get going. “I have got family over here (New Zealand) and they said I should come out here and there are great opportunities here and it is an amazing country, so I thought ‘why not?’ “I jumped straight on a plane and came over three weeks ago, and I have already ridden a winner, I can’t believe it.” Kozaczek is basing himself with family just outside of Cambridge, and he said he is enjoying his time downunder and will look to quickly add to his tally at Hastings on Saturday where he will ride Greystone in the Best Forsyth Electrical Maiden Hurdle (2500m) and Imperial Party in the Birchleigh Polo Club Maiden Hurdle (2500m). “I am just out of Cambridge at Matangi. It is beautiful there and quite handy to the Cambridge track,” he said. “I am riding at the Cambridge track for a lot of trainers trying to get my name out there.” View the full article

Proven flat performer Helena Baby continued his flawless transition to jumping with another easy victory in Thursday’s $30,000 The Bottle-O Te Aroha Hurdles (3100m). The grey son of Guillotine boasts seven wins on the flat, headed by the 2019 and 2022 editions of the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m). He was also a multiple placegetter in Hong Kong and finished third behind Melody Belle and Wyndspelle in the 2019 running of the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Trainer and part-owner John Bell gave the nine-year-old his first start over hurdles in a 3100m maiden race at Te Aroha on June 3, where he led all the way and scored a convincing victory by seven lengths. Thursday marked a step up into open company but a very similar result. Rider Nick Downs drove Helena Baby to the lead and dominated the race from there, cruising to the finish line five and a half lengths ahead of Invisible Spirit. “It was another impressive performance today and he’s showing quite a bit of class,” Bell said. “He’s a lovely jumper and does everything right. A big team effort has been put into him over quite a period of time, and what he’s doing now is reward for all of their hard work.” Thursday’s win took Helena Baby’s career earnings to just under $320,000. The next step in his rise among New Zealand’s hurdling ranks is to move into Prestige Jumping Race company – potentially in the $75,000 Wellington Hurdle (3200m) at Trentham on July 13. “Nick Downs seems to think we should head to Wellington now,” Bell said. “I haven’t looked that far ahead yet, so that’s something we’ll work out over the next few days. “I thought my days of travelling much south of Taupo were behind me, but a horse like him might force me to reassess that.” Bell will also be involved in Saturday’s jumping action at Hastings, where Ata Rangi will contest the Birchleigh Polo Club Maiden Hurdle (2500m). Curious George is entered for the Te Whangai Romneys Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) but will be scratched after finishing fourth behind Helena Baby on Thursday. “Ata Rangi is going well and will head to Hawke’s Bay, where he should be competitive,” Bell said. “We’ll take Curious George out of the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle. He doesn’t like wet ground at all. He’s a beautiful jumper and ran well for fourth on an unsuitable heavy track today. We’ll work out a plan for him that hopefully involves some drier ground.” View the full article

Group One performer Chase will be out to make it back-to-back wins when he heads to Hastings on Saturday to tackle the Vintech Pacific Poverty Bay Cup (1600m). The seven-year-old gelding was back in winning form last start at Otaki in the hands of Kate Hercock, who will reunite with the son of Zed this weekend where he has been lumbered with top weight of 60kg on what was rated a Heavy10 track on Thursday morning. “Kate gets on well with him and always has done,” trainer and part-owner Stephen Nickalls said. “It was really good to get the result there (at Otaki), we were thrilled with that. It is always good when they get their nose in front. “He has done really well since then, the biggest concern is the 60 kilos on Saturday. It is a big impost in that wet ground, but we can’t do too much about that.” Nickalls doesn’t have any set plans with Chase but hasn’t ruled out a tilt at the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton in August. “We will just see what he does on Saturday, we have got no set plans,” he said. “We got burnt a little bit last year when we nominated for a whole lot of races which cost us a lot of money, so we are taking it race-by-race at the moment and if he is going well enough we will pay the late nomination for anything that may come up, like a Winter Cup.” Meanwhile, on Friday, Nickalls will head south to Otaki with a couple of contenders, including Stolen Rubies in the Harcourts Otaki Maiden (1600m) and Manolo in the Cavallo Farms & Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (1600m). “Stolen Rubies is a nice mare and hopefully she will get through the Heavy10 down there,” Nickalls said. “She is a big mare and when they sprint off the back she gets left a bit flat-footed. She is a lovely mare and she has trained on well from her effort the other day. “Manolo is in the 65 mile and he will appreciate the wet ground. I know he ran last the other day, but on a (Soft) 5 he probably ran as fast as he has ever run. He has trained on well since then as well.” View the full article