Wandering Eyes

Don Alberto homebred Senza Parole (f, 2, Gun Runner–Senza Te, by Street Cry {Ire}) became the 14th 'TDN Rising Star' for her superstar young sire with a tour-de-force victory in the Saratoga opener Friday. The 7-2 chance flashed good early speed between horses right out of the gate, but was content to drop back to third beneath Irad Ortiz, Jr. through an opening quarter in :22.52. She began to make a flashy move rounding the far turn and took over while in hand approaching the quarter pole. She came into the stretch in about the five path, but was well clear. It was only a question of how much she'd win by from there while stopping the timer for six furlongs in a very sharp 1:09.84. It was 7 3/4 lengths back to the Brad Cox-trained firster and 4-5 favorite Stunner (Girvin) in second. Winning trainer Chad Brown also trains Gun Runner's fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone, one of the main contenders in Saturday's GI Travers Stakes. Senza Parole's dam Senza Te — a half-sister to SW & GISP Flor de La Mar (Tiznow) and SW & GSP Catiche (Arrogate) — won one of four starts carrying the Don Alberto orange, green and white silks. She is also responsible for a Good Magic filly of 2023. She was bred to Tacitus for 2025. Don Alberto acquired Senza Parole's second dam GSW Sacristy (Pulpit) in foal to Medaglia d'Oro for $700,000 at the 2013 KEENOV sale. 1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-23, 2yo, f, 6f, 1:09.84, ft, 7 3/4 lengths. SENZA PAROLE, f, 2, by Gun Runner 1st Dam: Senza Te, by Street Cry (Ire) 2nd Dam: Sacristy, by Pulpit 3rd Dam: Christies Treasure, by Belong to Me Sales history: $120,000 RNA Ylg '23 KEESEP; $240,000 RNA 2yo '24 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Don Alberto Stable; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. We're SPEECHLESS! Senza Parole, daughter of @Three_Chimneys stallion Gun Runner, breaks her maiden impressively in Race 1 under @iradortiz for Chad Brown. pic.twitter.com/8bffl7Cs1r — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) August 23, 2024 The post Gun Runner Filly Senza Parole Romps to ‘Rising Stardom’ at the Spa appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The new digital ad platform BidXSell is scheduled to launch its initial sale August 28, when it will offer the winner of last year's Pegasus Stakes, Salute the Stars (Candy Ride {Arg}). We sat down with Saeed Almaddah, the President and CEO of Silk Road LLC, which operates the platform to discuss how it is different from other digital sales companies. TDN: The digital sales arena is becoming increasingly crowded, with bricks-and-mortar sales companies getting into the game and digital-only sales companies joining the fray as well. Why did you decide to launch this now, and how will BidXSell distinguish itself from the others? SA: The idea for BidXSell was conceived when we observed that the rise of digital sales was disrupting the traditional horse industry economy, straining long-held relationships and creating challenges. Development took about a year, during which we gathered input from major industry players to ensure the platform would meet the needs of the market. What sets BidXSell apart is that we place the auction tool directly into the hands of the stakeholders. Unlike traditional bricks-and-mortar sales, which involve facility, staff, advertising, and concierge services at a standard commission rate, BidXSell focuses on providing the digital infrastructure to stakeholders who already have the other of the pieces of the physical sale puzzle in place. We offer the digital auction machinery and contact list, empowering users to manage and complete sales on their own terms. By avoiding monopolization and allowing owners to maximize their investments, we believe BidXSell will enhance the global digital auction economy. Additionally, with our strong industry connections, we will attract buyers from across the continents to one platform. Our main office located in Saudi Arabia further extends our reach, opening up the market and purchasing power on a global scale. TDN: It seems as if a unique feature of yours is that sellers are launching their own mini-sale, so to speak, using your platform. Is that oversimplifying it? SA: No, that description is accurate and aligns perfectly with the platform's design. Given the high cost of digital investment, not everyone can independently create their own digital auctions. Recognizing the growth and evolution of the digital market, we built BidXSell as a tech company with deep industry knowledge to provide a scalable platform for all stakeholders. Our goal is to support the industry's digital expansion by allowing sellers to launch their own mini-sales within a robust and adaptable framework. This platform will adapt to the needs of all industry stakeholders including agents and trainers. TDN: Can traditional consignors also establish their own sale, for several different owner-breeders? An RNA sale, for example? SA: Absolutely. Consignors were central to our development process. We aimed to provide them with the tools necessary to continue serving their clients while adapting to the digital landscape. BidXSell enables consignors to host sales for multiple owner-breeders and manage RNA sales. Our platform supports hybrid events, where digital sales complement live events, allowing consignors to maintain their relationships and expand their services with digital capabilities. TDN: How can you provide all of these services for a $500 flat fee, with no percentage to the platform? SA: The flat-fee structure is designed to be efficient and straightforward. We provide the auction platform and digital services while leveraging the fact that many stakeholders already have the necessary infrastructure for private sales. The flat fee covers access to the auction technology, while the bulk of the operational work remains with the consignors and owners. For those needing additional services, we offer a higher fee option that includes full consignment services from entry to money transfer. TDN: If a horse RNAs, there is no fee? SA: Correct. We charge a listing fee for the horse, but there are no additional fees if the horse RNAs (Reserve Not Attained). Our goal is to support users throughout the auction process with minimal additional costs. TDN: How many horses a year will you need to sell to make this platform work? SA: The success of BidXSell isn't determined by a fixed number of horses sold annually but by the overall effectiveness and user satisfaction of the platform. We designed BidXSell to scale and adapt, focusing on fostering a vibrant and active marketplace where quality and user experience drive growth. TDN: Is there anything I haven't asked you that you'd like to say? SA: One of the greatest features of the platform is the ability to host a private sale. No other digital auction or market has such a feature. BidXSell allows the owner of a particularly high end asset to essentially keep it off the public market, while capitalizing on the auction market structure. Owners of exceptional young racehorses are often bombarded with offers to purchase the horse or a part of the horse after an impressive debut. BidXSell puts the unique and powerful capability of a private auction into the hands of these owners. The same feature is perfect for the highest end seasons and shares as well which are often restricted from public auction sales. I'd like to underscore that BidXSell is dedicated to revolutionizing the online horse auction experience. Our platform was built with the industry's needs in mind, offering innovative features and a user-centric approach. With our connections in the industry, we're positioned to bring buyers from across the globe to one platform. Additionally, our main office in Saudi Arabia allows us to expand market reach and purchasing power worldwide. We're excited about the potential of BidXSell to enhance the digital auction landscape and are committed to evolving alongside the industry's needs. The post Sell Your Horse for $500? Q and A With BidXSell’s Saeed Almaddah appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 3:05 p.m. ET. Repole Stable and Spendthrift went in to purchase for $725,000 CHANTICLEER (Not This Time) during Fasig-Tipton's Saratoga Yearling Sale before sending him to Todd Pletcher. The chestnut is out of Speightstastic (Speightstown), whose own dam MSW Cherokee Jewel (Cherokee Run) foaled her older full-sister MSW Bayerd. TJCIS PPS 9th-ELP, $71K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1m, 4:48 p.m. ET. Jane Lyon's Summer Wind Equine acquired Greer Lynn (Speightstown) for $750,000 during Keeneland November while Greer's Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) was in-utero. Set for his unveiling under Bill Mott, the 3-year-old is a half-sister to GI Humana Distaff Stakes heroine Mia Mischief (Into Mischief). Also ready for his first start is Eddie Milligan trainee Can't Stop Willis (Nyquist), who Willis Horton Racing took home for $550,000 at Keeneland September in 2022. His unraced dam, Indelible (Tiznow), was a $1.6 million buy for Nobutaka Tada at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Fall Sale. She is a half-sister to champion 2-year-old colt Essential Quality (Tapit) and her extended female family includes champion 2-year-old filly Folklore (Tiznow). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Not This Time Colt Makes Turf Debut On Travers Undercard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With his win in the G3 Tattersalls Acomb Stakes this past Wednesday, The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) has broken the fillies' stranglehold on the Timeform 2-year-old rankings, having taken up the mantel as the second-highest juvenile this season. The effort at York earned a 115p, which puts him behind stablemate Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) at 116p but ahead of Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) with a 113p and Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) at 112p. The new rating is the highest by a juvenile colt thus far this season. “The Acomb was about as strong as juvenile Group 3 [races] get and both the visual impression–the first three came a long way clear–and the timefigure support a bullish view of the form,” commented Timeform handicapper Simon Baker. After a top-class performance in the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes, City of Troy (Justify) is the highest-rated horse in training with a 130p. The figure was strong enough to find him atop the heap this season after the previous bar set by White Birch (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) and Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Europe landed on 128. City of Troy's win completed a hat-trick for Ballydoyle after The Lion In Winter (Ire) and Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) took the G3 Tattersalls Acomb and G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, respectively, on the same day. The post The Lion In Winter Moves Up Timeform Juvenile Rankings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland will offer an August Flash Sale featuring the 'Black Forza Collection' which will include Harlee Honey (Harlan's Holiday), the dam of G2 Richmond Stakes winner Black Forza (Complexity) as well as Ocean Honey (West Coast), his 4-year-old half-sister. Online bidding will begin Monday, Aug. 26 at noon ET and will close at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 29. More detail on each of the horses, including pedigree pages, walking videos, conformation photos and repository information is available by clicking here. It is the first Keeneland Flash Sale since 2021. Now 11 years of age, the winning Harlee Honey is being offered in foal to Zandon and is being consigned to the Flash Sale by Legacy Bloodstock, agent. A daughter of the multiple stakes-placed Absolute Nectar (Carson City), Harlee Honey is a half-sister to GII Santa Ynez Stakes winner California Nectar (Stormy Atlantic) and SW Redstart (Blame). Ocean Honey is offered as a broodmare prospect only by Paramount Sales. Both Harlee Honey and Ocean Honey are available for in-person inspection in the Lexington area prior to or during the sale. To view Harlee Honey at Rosemont Farm in Lexington, contact Tommy Eastham. To see Ocean Honey at Dundrum Farm in Versailles, contact Lesley Campion. “Keeneland is pleased to offer these two exciting individuals from the family of Black Forza, one of the most promising juveniles racing in the world today,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “This unique collection and Flash Sale, along with the newly announced Keeneland Championship Sale at Del Mar prior to the Breeders' Cup World Championships, show Keeneland's commitment to providing our customers with tailored and innovative sales offerings while partnering with clients to craft sales experiences to meet emerging trends in our industry.” By the hot freshman sire Complexity (Maclean's Music), Black Forza was bred in Kentucky by Dash Goff and won his maiden at second asking at Fairyhouse in Ireland before scoring by a half-length in the Richmond at Goodwood Aug. 1. Sold for $27,000 as a Keeneland November weanling and for $65,000 as a yearling, Black Forza was hammered down to Michael O'Callaghan for £220,000 ($273,903) at this year's Goffs UK 2YO Breeze-Up Sale. Lacy said that Keeneland had taken an admittedly cautious approach to digital sales, by design. “My background in the digital space is that I helped Arqana set up Arqana Online and I'm a big believer in the digital space, but also there's no action without a repercussion,” said Lacy, who served as Arqana's American representative prior to his joining Keeneland. “What we're doing and the way we're approaching it is that we're supporting the people who support us in every aspect. We're doing this in partnership with Paramount and Legacy Bloodstock.” Keeneland held their first flash sale in 2020, in the midst of the Covid pandemic, but hasn't held one in three years. “We wanted to take a pause,” Lacy explained. “Everyone is in the space. There's a new startup every day. We want to make sure any digital sale has the same feel, holds to the same standards, has the same transparency as what you'd get in a normal brick-and-mortar auction. We're looking to do this in a select manner. You should see no difference between the two activities-digital and brick and mortar. It's all one. It's all one business model. We've been very cautious. Every live sale we do has a digital aspect to it. We're trying to refine how people interact with us remotely to make it as seamless as possible.” Lacy said that the live inspection of stock by professionals was an integral part of the sales process. “You can't do something to undermine the people who support you on a brick-and-mortar sale, the ecosystem that makes it possible,” said Lacy, a former partner in Four Star Sales. “I've been on both sides of this, both as a consignor, an agent, and a sales consultant. What I'm afraid of is that digital sales are removing the most critical area of the process and one of the most valuable skills and that's horsemanship. (Digital) may be a cheaper way to (sell horses) but the conditions of sale have to be rock solid through every aspect and that's not something that's consistent in this space. We have had the ability to do this the last two years, but we were uncomfortable about many aspects of how it was evolving. We were focusing on our core business. We've got to maintain the relationship between the horsemen and the principals, the excitement, the theater. Otherwise, it just becomes a transaction.” The post Keeneland August Flash Sale Includes Dam, Half-Sister to Group 2 Winner Black Forza appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amo Racing's Angelo Buonarroti (Justify–Curlylocks {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) was the second highest-priced lot when selling for €1-million at Arqana's Breeze-Up sale earlier this year and went some way to justifying that lofty price tag with a breakthrough success in Friday's British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes at York. The February-foaled chestnut, who first went through the ring for $135,000 as a Keeneland September yearling, was initially trained by Dominic Ffrench Davis, but was transferred to the Raphael Freire yard before posting a three-length debut ninth when highly tried in Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry Stakes. Placed under the stewardship of Ralph Beckett prior to this second start, he displayed a willing attitude to graduate by 1 1/4 lengths from Shah (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire) in Britain's richest juvenile maiden of the year. The 2-1 favourite was swiftly into stride and stalked the pace in second after the opening exchanges of this seven-furlong heat. Shaken up to launch his challenge passing the quarter-mile pole, he seized control approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the closing stages to hold on in battling fashion. Angelo Buonarrotti is the third of five registered foals and second scorer out of a full-sister to multiple Group 1-winning sire Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G3 Diamond Stakes victor Blenheim Palace (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and the stakes-placed Dower House (Ire) (Galileo Ire}). Clemmie, in turn, is the dam of last term's stakes-winning G3 Royal Whip Stakes runner-up Unless (Justify). The winner is kin to a yearling colt by Gun Runner and a weanling filly by Epicenter. €1million purchase Angelo Buonarroti (Justify) breaks his maiden on his first start for @RalphBeckett under David Egan in the @BritishEBF Convivial Maiden Stakes @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/meVyrG8bvH — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2024 The post Amo Racing’s €1-Million Arqana Breezer Angelo Buonarroti Graduates in York’s Convivial Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's action sees the winding-up of York's Ebor Festival and a trio of exciting juvenile races at The Curragh and Goodwood, with the Knavesmire venue boasting the most valuable prize in the G2 City of York Stakes. Cheveley Park Stud's TDN Rising Star Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) is the star attraction in the seven-furlong feature and it is fair to say that he has turned around his fortunes this term with dynamic successes in the G1 Lockinge Stakes and G2 Lennox Stakes. He may have achieved more when winning under a five-pound penalty in the latter contest at Goodwood last month than when upstaging Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in Newbury's Lockinge in May and currently rates as the best in this niche category as a result. “He has no group 1 penalty to carry, which is obviously an advantage and he ran very well in this race last year when he was second to Kinross,” the Stud's managing director Chris Richardson said. “I think Goodwood showed seven furlongs suits him better than the stiff mile at Ascot, where he ran very well in the Queen Anne but probably didn't quite get home. It's a competitive race, as ever, but if he can produce his last run, hopefully he'll be right there.” The aforementioned Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) attempts a historic treble in this, having won the last two renewals, but Marc Chan's beloved veteran has dipped in form this term. He has a four-year experience edge over Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never), who was successful in the G2 Gimcrack Stakes here 12 months ago and runner-up in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June, but Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy's 3-year-old has the benefit of youth as he moves up in trip. Trainer William Haggas is expecting the distance to suit. “He's in really good form and this is the race we want to have a go at, but he doesn't want any cut in the ground,” he said. “He wants really quick ground and hopefully it will be fast enough on Saturday. We're not sure about the trip, there's enough on the dam's side of his pedigree to say he wants the trip. He's never been better than at the line both times this year over six, so it could be that he is better over seven maybe, but we will see.” Lots To See… It is an action-packed afternoon everywhere and York's card also includes the G3 Strensall Stakes, which hosts Jeff Smith's G1 Nassau Stakes runner-up See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) as she drops in class. While Goodwood offers an uninspiring G2 Celebration Mile, it represents an ideal opportunity for Juddmonte's G3 Thoroughbred Stakes winner Lead Artist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to complete the next stage of his career on paper at least. The Sussex track's G3 Prestige Fillies' Stakes is of far greater interest, being the stage for Cheveley Park Stud's TDN Rising Star Formal (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The Sir Michael Stoute-trained daughter of the G1 Falmouth Stakes winner Veracious (GB) (Frankel {GB}) looked special on her winning debut at Newbury last month and could bring an end to a 30-year drought in this seven-furlong juvenile fillies' prize for Freemason Lodge since the stable's last winner Pure Grain (GB) (Polish Precedent). Juddmonte's Newmarket debut winner Tabiti (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is another fascinating candidate from the Ralph Beckett stable replete with juvenile talent in 2024. At The Curragh, the G2 Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish EBF Futurity Stakes has a quartet engaged and is the epitome of what they term “small but select”, with none easily discounted. Ballydoyle's G2 Railway Stakes winner Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) has the most kudos, but his Galway maiden-winning stablemate and TDN Rising Star Rock Of Cashel (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is an interesting race buddy. They are taken on by the Silverton Hill Partnership's G3 Tyros Stakes winner Hotazhell (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and the Joseph O'Brien-trained Leopardstown maiden scorer Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). If the Futurity is open, the G2 Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes is the exact opposite with Ballydoyle's division leader Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) scaring off all meaningful outside competition. At this stage, she could be joined by the stable's impressive Galway maiden winner and fellow TDN Rising Star Bubbling (Ire) (No Nay Never), but very little else after her ultra-dominant performance in the Listed Chesham Stakes and imposing follow-up in the G3 Silver Flash Stakes. In what should amount to an individual time trial, the clock will tell us more than the formbook as we continue to assess the raw material of the brilliant TDN Rising Star. The post All Gathered for a Big Saturday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The GII Cigar Mile Handicap, one of four graded events on a bumper program to be held Saturday, Dec. 7, highlights the 26-strong stakes schedule for the Aqueduct fall meeting, officials at the New York Racing Association (NYRA) announced Friday. The $500,000 contest going the one-turn configuration is joined on the same card by the GII Remsen Stakes and GII Demoiselle Stakes for 2-year-old males and fillies, respectively, as well as the GIII Go For Wand Handicap, also over a mile. Stakes action kicks off on opening day of the 26-day stand on Friday, Nov. 8 with the running of the GIII Pebbles Stakes for 3-year-old grass fillies. The graded action continues the following afternoon with the GII Red Smith Stakes for older turf males at 11 furlongs and the GIII Hill Prince Stakes for sophomores on the grass. The GIII Long Island Stakes takes place Sunday, Nov. 10. The final graded event comes up Saturday, Nov. 30 with the running of the nine-furlong GIII Comely Stakes for the sophomore filly set. Overall, nine of the 26 added-money events are graded and the entire schedule is worth $5.33 million. The popular New York Stallion Stakes Series (NYSS), open to the progeny of eligible New York sires, offers four divisions: the Thunder Rumble and Staten Island are each worth $125,000 on Saturday, Nov. 23, while the Fifth Avenue and Great White Way offer prize money of $500,000 and are carded for Saturday, Dec. 14. Click here for the entire Aqueduct fall stakes schedule. The post Cigar Mile Day Anchors Aqueduct Fall Stakes Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Breeders' Cup Limited and John Deere have renewed their multi-year partnership, further cementing John Deere as the official supplier of agricultural, turf and construction equipment for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, the organizations said in a joint release. As part of the arrangement, John Deere becomes the title sponsor of the GI John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf to be held on Future Stars Friday at Del Mar Nov. 1. “John Deere is immensely proud to be the official supplier of agricultural, turf and construction equipment for the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry dating to 2002,” said Auston Till, Equine Business Manager, John Deere Ag & Turf. “This year, we are equally excited to expand our partnership with the Breeders' Cup to include title sponsorship of the John Deere Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.” Added Heather Higgins, Senior Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Breeders' Cup Limited: “We are delighted that John Deere has continued to partner with the Breeders' Cup. They remain a trusted resource for horsemen of many disciplines and have shown fantastic support of equestrian sports on a global scale. John Deere has enjoyed a long association with the World Championships, and we look forward to expanding our partnership.” John Deere will also partner with Breeders' Cup in entitling the John Deere Turf Course and the John Deere Dirt Course at the World Championships and will present the John Deere Award to an outstanding Thoroughbred breeder of a Breeders' Cup contender upon completion of the two-day global festival of racing. John Deere has offered exclusive equine discounts through the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's NTRA Advantage program since 2002 and has been the official equipment supplier of the NTRA since 2001. “We are excited for the announcement of this multi-year agreement, which further demonstrates that horse racing and John Deere go hand in hand,” said Tom Rooney, president and chief executive officer of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. The post Breeders’ Cup, John Deere Renew, Extend Partnership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Victorious Racing's 2023 G1 King's Stand Stakes hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}–Russian Punch {GB}, by Archipenko), on an enforced sabbatical for 329 days after registering that career high, added to his comeback win in this month's Listed Prix du Cercle with a dominant performance in Friday's G1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York. The 3-1 second favourite was swiftly into stride on the far wing and chased the trailblazing Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}) in second through the initial stages of this straight five-furlong dash. Easing to the front passing halfway, he was beyond recall entering the final furlong and kept on powerfully under a late Hollie Doyle drive to hold the chasing pack, headed by Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), by 3/4-of-length. Course specialist Starlust (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) was a head adrift in third, a neck in front of the fast-closing antipodean Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}). Bradsell prevails to land the Group 1 @coolmorestud Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes for @Archie_Watson and @HollieDoyle1 @yorkracecourse @ChampionsSeries | @SkyBet pic.twitter.com/5HATvLdvqE — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2024 Pedigree Notes Bradsell's catalogue page is light on black-type with his Listed Radley Stakes-winning dam Russian Punch (GB) (Archipenko) the only individual of note under the first four dams. Half-brother to a weanling filly by Oasis Dream (GB), he is the fourth of six live foals and one of two winners for his dam. The February-foaled bay's fourth dam Champenoise (GB) (Forzando {GB}), who hails from the family of Group 1-winning sires Mister Majestic (Ire) (Tumble Wind) and Homme De Loi (Ire) (Law Society), is out of a half-sister to G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Phoenix Stakes placegetter Run To Jenny (Ire) (Runnett {GB}) and G3 Child Stakes third Linda's Fantasy (Ire) (Raga Navarro {Ity}). The post Tasleet’s TDN Rising Star Bradsell Claims Nunthorpe Glory for Victorious Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fourth in Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry Stakes and third over seven furlongs in the G2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, John Wallinger's Cool Hoof Luke (GB) (Advertise {GB}–Dutch Monument {GB}, by Dutch Art {GB}) showed that speed is his game by taking Friday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes at York. Anchored towards the rear early by Oisin Murphy, the Andrew Balding-trained 8-1 shot was delivered with a potent kick to lead passing the furlong pole and get to the line 3/4 of a length ahead of Shadow Of Light (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), with a head back to Symbol Of Strength (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in third. “He's a big 2-year-old–you look at him and you think he's going to be a better 3-year-old, we weren't sure about the trip as he's bred to be a sprinter and looks like a seven-furlong horse,” Anna Lisa Balding said. “I think we were a bit disappointed at Goodwood, but he came back and won the right one today.” Charlie Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam said of Shadow Of Light, “That was his first step up into group company and it is a big step up. I think he's probably learned a lot, he's run his race, but he just got beaten by one better on the day. I think the trip is fine for him, he'll stick at six for now, but he just got beat by one on the day.” Adrian Keatley was delighted with the effort of the 80-1 shot Symbol Of Strength. “I'd like to think I've been looking at them long enough now to know when we've got a good one, but I was starting to doubt myself when I saw he was the outsider of the field yesterday,” he said. “He's a good horse, he'll have no problems getting seven furlongs and next year maybe even a mile, he's got scope and will grow a bit, we think a lot of him and the sky is the limit. He's in the Mill Reef and we'll go there as long as the ground is not too soft.” Cool Hoof Luke lands the valuable Group 2 @ABE_Dubai Gimcrack Stakes for Andrew Balding and @oismurphy @SkyBet | @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/EMRiyxuk4v — Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 23, 2024 Pedigree Notes The dam, whose son of Tasleet (GB) is catalogued in next week's Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale, is a daughter of the listed-placed Lovina (Ity) (Love The Groom) and full-sister to the G3 Premio Omenoni scorer Lohit (GB) and a half to the G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas) winner Lokaloka (GB) (Pursuit Of Love {GB}). Friday, York, Britain AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI GIMCRACK STAKES-G2, £250,000, York, 8-23, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:10.78, gd. 1–COOL HOOF LUKE (GB), 128, c, 2, by Advertise (GB) 1st Dam: Dutch Monument (GB), by Dutch Art (GB) 2nd Dam: Lovina (Ity), by Love the Groom 3rd Dam: Menem (Ire), by Bold Arrangement (GB) 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (16,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; €20,000 Ylg '23 TATIRY). O-John Wallinger & Partner; B-Tony Nerses (GB); T-Andrew Balding; J-Oisin Murphy. £141,775. Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-1, $222,951. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Shadow Of Light (GB), 128, c, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Winters Moon (Ire), by New Approach (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £53,750. 3–Symbol Of Strength (Ire), 128, c, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Symbol Of Love (GB), by Shamardal. 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£100,000 Ylg '23 GOFFUK). O-Keatley Owners Group, Finneran & Moore; B-Tally Ho Stud (IRE); T-Adrian Keatley. £26,900. Margins: 3/4, HD, 1. Odds: 8.00, 6.00, 80.00. Also Ran: Big Mojo (Ire), Caburn (Ire), Camille Pissarro (Ire), Andesite (GB), King's Call (Ire), The Strikin Viking (Ire), Billboard Star (GB). The post Advertise’s Cool Hoof Luke Wins The Gimcrack 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 Saturday at Sapporo Racecourse: Saturday, August 24, 2024 5th-SAP, ¥13,720,000 ($94k), Newcomers, 2yo, 1700m LUXOR CAFE (c, 2, American Pharoah–Mary's Follies, by More Than Ready) is the full-brother to Cafe Pharoah, back-to-back winner of the G1 February Stakes and third in the 2023 G1 Saudi Cup while earning Japanese champion dirt honors. A half-brother to Eclipse Award-winning turf female and 'TDN Rising Star' Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom), this Feb. 26 foal looks to become the seventh winner for his dam, a two-time graded winner on the turf who sold to the BBA Ireland for $500,000 out of the Paul Pompa Dispersal at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale. Like Cafe Pharoah, Luxor Cafe is campaigned by owner Koichi Nishikawa. B-Orpendale/Chelston/Wynatt & Westerberg Ireland ULC (KY) ▼現地直送 #新馬 情報 24日札幌5R。G1級3勝のカフェファラオの全弟として注目を集める #ルクソールカフェ。500㎏を大きく超える雄大な馬体を誇り、入厩前から動きの良さを高く評価されてきた逸材候補だ。「兄よりメリハリの利いた走りができそう」と堀師。初戦からその血に違わぬ走りを見せられるか。 pic.twitter.com/CAeqRoaTkj — レープロ（トレセン班） (@program_racing) August 23, 2024 The post Cafe Pharoah Full-Brother Set For Sapporo Debut 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, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. Mancuso (f, 2, McKinzie–Medaglia d'Argento, by Medaglia d'Oro) came within a neck of putting an exclamation point on a banner weekend for her high-profile connections at Del Mar last Sunday. Given a 7-1 chance in her unveiling for trainer Phil D'Amato, the Little Red Feather Racing colorbearer broke well from her inside draw and was ridden along by Antonio Fresu to chase in a joint second while caught in some traffic through a very sharp opening quarter in :21.37. The heavily favored Bob Baffert-trained second-time starter Usha (Tiz the Law) continued to motor heading into the far turn and was well clear approaching the quarter pole as Mancuso and the Baffert-trained $850,000 OBS April graduate Tenma (Nyquist) began to rally in tandem. Mancuso raced in between the Baffert pair as they turned for home and threaded the needle beautifully as they straightened. With Usha the first to blink in the stretch, it was down to Mancuso and Tenma with neither giving an inch. Mancuso fought on bravely along the inside, but just couldn't hold off Tenma in a race that didn't deserve a loser. The final time for 5 1/2 furlongs over the fast main track was 1:04.22. Mancuso earned a very solid 77 Beyer Speed Figure. “We've had high hopes from day one and we were patiently waiting for the right spot,” Little Red Feather's Founder and Managing Partner Billy Koch said. “I thought she handled everything really well and I don't think she had the greatest trip of all time always being down on the inside. Turning for home it got exciting, but she was still in between horses and almost had to check a little bit because the other Baffert was tiring. Antonio Fresu said that he never could go to the whip because (Tenma) was so close and he didn't want to hit (Mancuso) left-handed thinking she might react and bump into the other filly. She's still learning and is a little bit inexperienced, but obviously the talent is there.” Koch added with a laugh, “And who knows? If she was on the outside, maybe the roles would've been reversed and we'd be a 'TDN Rising Star' instead of on maiden watch.” Mancuso hails from the first crop of McKinzie, who is responsible for six winners, including 'TDN Rising Star' Chancer McPatrick. Bred in Kentucky by Silesia Farm, Mancuso brought $115,000 as a yearling out of the Warrendale Sales consignment at last year's Keeneland September sale. Mancuso's four-time winning dam Medaglia d'Argento, a daughter of GIII Valley View Stakes winner Meribel (Peaks and Valleys), brought $110,000 from breeder Silesia Farm while in foal to The Factor at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. Billy Koch (center, hat) and the Little Red Feather crew celebrate Iscreamuscream's win in the GI Del Mar Oaks | Benoit Mancuso could make her next start in a 5 1/2-furlong maiden special weight on Del Mar's closing day card Sunday, Sept. 8, Koch said. “She's a big, scopey filly with a lot of talent and we hope that she'll be able to stretch out at some point to longer distances,” Koch said. “So far, she's done everything right. She ran the way we expected her to and it's exciting.” Little Red Feather and D'Amato also teamed up to win last Saturday's GI Del Mar Oaks with the unbeaten Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) and a grassy 2-year-old maiden special weight on the undercard with the promising Thought Process (Collected). Little Red Feather campaigns Iscreamuscream in partnership with Agave Racing Stable, John Hundley, Jr., Marsha Naify and John and Stacey Snyder. Thought Process's ownership group also includes Madaket Stables and the Estate of Brereton C. Jones. “It was a lot of a fun and Mancuso winning would've been the perfect capper to the weekend,” Koch said. “Couldn't be prouder of the way the horses performed and the job that Phil D'Amato and his team have done. And for all the Little Red Feather partners, it was just a special weekend.” The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). First time starter #7 TENMA ($14.40) finds her stride under @kazushi0096 to win Race 4 at Del Mar for trainer @BobBaffert and owner @BaomaCorp. Another winner by @DarleyAmerica's Nyquist. pic.twitter.com/wz6BTLR2Xc — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) August 18, 2024 The post Second Chances: ‘High Hopes from Day One’ for McKinzie Filly Mancuso, a Strong Second on Debut at Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Saturday at Saratoga and Ellis Park: Saturday, August 24, 2024 Saratoga 6, $100k, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 2:05 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Mortal Lock (Audible), OBSMAR, 210,000, :10 1/5 C-S G V Thoroughbreds (S Venosa), agent; B-Daigneault TBs Saratoga 7, $100k, 2yo, 6f, 2:37 p.m. ET Outta Money (Mr. Money), FTMMAY, 115,000, :10 3/5 C-Hidden Brook, agent; B-Sport of Kings Racing Partners Rookie Card (Adios Charlie), OBSJUN, 165,000, :21 C-Ocala Stud; B-Gatsas Stable Ellis 5, $71k, 2yo, 6f, 2:54 p.m. ET Built (Hard Spun), OBSAPR, 260,000, :9 4/5 C-Harris Training Center LLC, agent; B-Eclipse TB Partners Campaign Trail (Global Campaign), OBSJUN, 115,000, :10 C-Navas Equine; B-Eric Foster Gryphon (Connect), OBSJUN, 95,000, :21 2/5 C-Portrero Stables; B-D J Stable LLC Poppa Echo (Echo Town), FTMMAY, 140,000, :10 1/5 C-Thorostock LLC, agent; B-Willis Horton Racing Ravens Dream (Liam's Map), OBSAPR, 320,000, :10 C-Envision Equine, agent; B-F Alosa, agt Red Lane Thoroughbreds Ellis 7, $71k, 2yo, 6f, 3:52 p.m. ET Desert Aire (Thousand Words), FTMMAY, 190,000, :10 1/5 C-Shamrock Stable; B-Christina R Jelm, agent for Mike Puhich Shotgun (Gun Runner), OBSJUN, 95,000, :10 2/5 C-Cortez Racing & Sales, agent; B-D J Stable LLC The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: August 24, 2024 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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Jaidyn Viney, son of Alice Springs trainer Ray Viney, is looking forward to the first race meeting in six weeks at Pioneer Park on Sunday. Just like everyone else in Alice Springs, the Ray Viney stable is looking forward to the races on Sunday. The Alice Springs Turf Club last hosted a meeting on July 14 before remedial work took place on Pioneer Park’s dirt surface. Unfortunately, the track didn’t recover in time with the July 28 and August 10 meetings abandoned. The Vineys have seven horses on deck in five of the six races this weekend, including eight-year-old mare Tango Stepz and eight-year-old gelding Cubic Zirconia in the $40,000 Red Centre Winter Series Final (1200m). To qualify for the Final (BM66), a horse had to appear in at least one of the five heats. Tango Stepz finished fourth over 1100m (0-64) on June 16, while Cubic Zirconia was third over 1100m (0-58) on June 30. Tango Stepz, the daughter of Sidestep, and Cubic Zirconia, the son of Per Incanto, both hail from the Hunter Valley stables of Rod Northam (Scone) and Luke Thomas (Muswellbrook). On July 14, Tango Stepz was victorious over 1200m (BM67) and Cubic Zirconia finished fourth over 1400m (0-58). “I think Tango Stepz will run well, it’s a nice race for her and she gets in well with the weights,” Jaidyn Viney, son of Ray, said. “I think she should be among the main chances if she can replicate her last performance. “She’s been with us for just over a year, she’s won three for the stable. “She’s been a consistent little money spinner for us and is owned by a good group of people. “Cubic Zirconia should run really well, he’s a nice horse with a lot of ability. “If he puts his best forward, he’s a very good chance. “He’s still taking time to adjust running anti-clockwise.” Should either Tango Stepz or Cubic Zirconia salute this weekend, it will be the Viney’s biggest prize. It will surpass Duty’s win in a $30,000 race over 2000m (BM76) for horses that missed a start in the Alice Springs Cup on Cup Day on April 7. “Having six weeks off did the horses the world of good, but it’s good to be back,” Jaidyn said. “We’ve got a good team on the weekend. “Beep Test, Strike Eagle and Square Cut are good chances. “Pretty excited to see Square Cut back at the races, he’s probably one of our pinnacle horses in the stable.” Square Cut, with three wins and seven minor placings from 11 Alice Springs starts, was disqualified after winning over 1000m (0-70) on March 30. That led to a $3000 fine when the six-year-old gelding failed a post-race blood test. The Vineys did consider taking horses to the Darwin Cup Carnival, however, it would have taken them time to acclimatise, and they would have only had a few weeks work. “We had a much better season last year, improved again with 15 wins, so it’s exciting times ahead,” Jaidyn added. “We’ve got 19 in the stable now, soon to be 22, so we’re ever expanding and we’ve got a couple of nice owners joining the stable.” Horse racing news View the full article

There are 13 horse racing meetings set for Australia on Saturday, August 24. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Randwick, Moonee Valley, Doomben, Morphettville & Belmont. Saturday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – August 24, 2024 Randwick Racing Tips Moonee Valley Racing Tips Doomben Racing Tips Morphettville Racing Tips Belmont 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 August 24, 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

What Morphettville Parks Races Where Morphettville Racecourse – 79 Morphett Rd, Morphettville SA 5043 When Saturday, August 24, 2024 First Race 12:17pm ACST Visit Dabble The Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes will headline a massive nine-race program on the Mophettville Parks track this Saturday afternoon. With more rain forecast to fall in the lead-up to the meeting, it is expected that the surface will remain a Soft 7 for the whole day. The rail will be in the +6m position from the 1000m-winning post and the +3m position for the remainder, with racing set to kick off at 12:17pm ACST. Leon Macdonald Stakes Tip: See You In Heaven Following her impressive win in the Group 3 Behemoth Stakes first-up, See You In Heaven will drop in grade and rise in trip to 1400m in the feature race of the day. The Richard & Chantelle Jolly-trained mare settled midfield and quickly rounded up her rivals early in the straight before careering away with a 1.6-length win. After drawing a much better barrier (4) in a weaker grade, this race sets up even better for See You In Heaven to salute again. Leon Macdonald Stakes Race 8 – #9 See You In Heaven (4) 5yo Mare | T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly | J: Jake Toeroek (57kg) +140 with PlayUp Best Bet at Morphettville: Reservoir Dog Reservoir Dog recorded a tough victory at this track over 1600m on August 10 and the Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea-trained gelding looks well placed to bring up back-to-back wins here. The son of Choisir settled midfield and enjoyed a strong tempo before working his way through the pack to run away with a good win. Jacob Opperman has chosen to stick with the five-year-old gelding, and if he gets a similar run from barrier four, Reservoir Dog can win again. Best Bet Race 3 – #5 Reservoir Dog (4) 5yo Gelding | T: Will Clarken & Niki O’Shea | J: Jacob Opperman (57kg) +260 with Picklebet Next Best at Morphettville: The Guava The Guava was made to travel wide throughout the 1200m journey at Murray Bridge second-up and was very good considering the circumstances to finish third, beaten by under a length. Hailing from the Shane & Chelsea Cahill stable, the son of Akeed Mofeed will appreciate another Soft track and a rise to 1400m as he hits peak fitness. If Jason Holder can settle The Guava off the fence in the middle of the pack, his turn of foot will give him every chance to record a second win for the campaign. Next Best Race 7 – #10 The Guava (8) 5yo Gelding | T: Shane & Chelsea Cahill | J: Jason Holder (60kg) +500 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Morphettville Morphettville quadrella selections Saturday, August 24, 2023 4-7-9-10-20 7-8-10-11 1-2-9 3-5-12-14 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — Amid strong winds and squally showers which served as a reminder that after this weekend the baton will be passed back across Newmarket's Devil's Dyke to the Rowley Mile, the 2,000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes winner Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) took advantage of the July Course for one last time this season with an early-morning gallop on Friday. Ridden by Paul Eddery, Godolphin's chestnut colt worked over a mile alongside stable-mate Highland Avenue (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). “I was pleased with how he came out of the Sussex Stakes and the plan is to head to the Prix du Moulin,” confirmed Notable Speech's trainer Charlie Appleby. “This fitted in well to come up here. He has enjoyed himself on an away day without being put to the sword. “Paul knows him inside out and was delighted with him and I was pleased with the way he picked up, so it was job done.” The unbeaten juvenile Ancient Truth (Ire), another son of Dubawi, was also in action on Friday morning with William Buick over the strip of ground where he was last seen in public winning the G2 Superlative Stakes. He will head next to the G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on September 15. “We decided to bring him up here three weeks out from a potential look at the National Stakes,” Appleby said. “There's a long gap from the Superlative Stakes to the National Stakes so it was a matter of getting a bit of gas out of him. “He is a horse that I feel will appreciate a bit of juice in the ground, which he should get over there [in Ireland]. What he has done to date you can't fault. Native Trail, Pinatubo and Quorto were all unbeaten going into the National Stakes and he is ticking the same boxes, as they say.” The post Notable Speech Warms Up for Moulin Tilt on July Course appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 2 DRUMMOND & ETHERIDGE 1400m PURE FICTION (B Murray) – Trainer Ms. J Land reported to Stewards, that on Monday 19 August, PURE FICTION, underwent a veterinary examination including x-rays to the right front fetlock and foot, with no abnormalities being detected and was also examined by the stable farrier on Tuesday 20 August, where the hoof pad was removed and revealed bruising to the left front sole. J Land further advised it is her intention to continue on with the mare’s preparation once the bruising subsides. The post Oamaru Jockey Club @ Oamaru, Friday 16 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 PRYDE’S EASIFEED 2000m HAMMER TIME (O Bossom) – Co-trainer Mr. S Ritchie reported to Stewards, upon return to the stable HAMMER TIME was examined where it was found a nail had punctured the sole of the left hind foot. S Ritchie further advised HAMMER TIME has been confined to a box while receiving a course of antibiotics and will not participate in any form of exercise over the next two to three weeks. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Cambridge Synthetic, Wednesday 14 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 6 CAMBRIDGE STUD NORTHLAND BREEDERS STAKES 1200 (G3) MARACATU (W Kennedy) – Te Akau Racing Manager, Mr. R Trumper advised Stewards, that on Monday 19 August, MARACATU, underwent a veterinary examination which included blood tests which revealed a virus receiving appropriate treatment. R Trumper further advised once treatment has finished, MARACATU, will be sent for a spell. The post Whangarei Racing Club @ Ruakaka, Saturday 17 August 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The New Zealand thoroughbred industry has lost one of its most influential figures of the last two decades with the passing of Kevin Hickman after a long illness. Tributes to the Valachi Downs principal have flowed from around New Zealand and Australia, including from Gareth Downey, who was Valachi’s general manager from 2020 to its closure in 2022. He now has a management role with leading Australian stable Lindsay Park Racing. “It really is a huge loss, and it’s the end of what’s been a very difficult journey in recent years for Kevin and his family,” Downey said. “A few of us who were on the Valachi team have been catching up today, and we’re all forever grateful for the opportunities that he gave us. Even apart from the many varied successes he had in his life, he was such an inspirational, dedicated and passionate man who loved the horses and loved his people. If you were part of his team, he made you feel like part of his family. “What he achieved in racing and breeding in a relatively short space of time was remarkable and indicative of the type of man that he was. Whatever he set his mind to, be it in business or sport or thoroughbreds, he was determined to succeed, and he invariably did. But that success never came at the cost of his ethics or integrity. He still had lifelong friends from his childhood, and all of the success that he had in his life never changed him one bit. “There aren’t many people like Kevin Hickman, and a lot of people who were lucky enough to know him are feeling the pain of his loss today.” A relative latecomer to the racing and breeding world, Hickman was born in Westport and grew up in Darfield and Rakaia before moving to Christchurch to join the New Zealand Police. He progressed through those ranks to become a detective, which was just one of a number of achievements in a varied and distinguished career. He was also a competitive athlete and highly respected athletics coach, and in 1984 he co-founded Ryman Healthcare – a retirement-village business that has grown to encompass 42 villages, which are home to more than 12,500 residents and employs more than 6,000 people. It was only when Hickman retired as Ryman’s managing director in 2006 that he began to dip his toes into the thoroughbred world. What started as a hobby developed into something much more, and his influence as a breeder, owner, sponsor and charitable donor will be felt for decades to come. “Kevin Hickman made a wonderful contribution to the New Zealand breeding and racing industries,” New Zealand Bloodstock’s managing director Andrew Seabrook said. “Kevin introduced some lovely European blood to this country with the importation of several mares every year. “Not scared to think outside the square with some of his breeding theories, not only was Kevin a New Zealand Breeder of the Year, he was also crowned New Zealand Owner of the Year in 2014. There was hardly a race meeting that went by where his well-known colours weren’t seen or where his beloved stud, Valachi Downs, wasn’t a sponsor. The impact he made to the New Zealand thoroughbred industry will be felt for years to come.” Hickman’s pride and joy was his homebred O’Reilly mare Silent Achiever, who was trained by Roger James to win 10 of her 36 starts and more than $3.6 million in stakes. She won the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), Gr.2 Championship Stakes (2100m) and Gr.3 Waikato Guineas (2000m) in a stellar three-year-old season, then proved herself on both sides of the Tasman as an older horse with victories in the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m), Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and New Zealand Stakes (2000m). She also finished third in the 2014 Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m), where she was beaten by a neck and a short head by Adelaide and Fawkner in one of the closest finishes in the race’s storied history. Other notable performers in Hickman’s gold and blue colours included Group One performers Savile Row, Vernanme and Blue Solitaire, along with Gr.2 Doomben Roses (2000m) heroine Bohemian Lily and fellow Group winners Needle And Thread, Communique and Emerald Queen. Hickman and his wife Joanna also developed Valachi Downs into an internationally respected thoroughbred nursery. Located near Matamata and at one stage home to 80 of Hickman’s broodmares on a property spanning 110 acres, Valachi Downs was sold to Lib and Katrina Petagna in 2022 and rebranded as Elsdon Park. Hickman’s long list of breeding successes includes Group One winner and champion two-year-old Vespa and this year’s jaw-dropping Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner Warmonger, plus other big-race performers such as Savile Row, Arrogant and Benaud. Valachi Downs stood stallions Zacinto, Vespa, U S Navy Flag, Ten Sovereigns and Savile Row. Zacinto’s successful stud career was the product of a partnership with his previous home, Inglewood Stud in Canterbury, with which Hickman had a long-standing and close association. “Kevin played an instrumental role in the development of Inglewood Stud over the past 12 years as a major shareholder in both Zacinto and our current stallion War Decree,” Inglewood Stud co-owner Gus Wigley said. “He didn’t hesitate to support Bianca and I when we bought both stallions, which was very typical of the man. He was a great supporter of young people willing to have a go. “He made a massive contribution to our industry – from the farm he developed, to the mares he imported, to the opportunities he offered people within our industry. He was also just a bloody good bloke that I enjoyed the company of, and he’ll be very much missed.” That sentiment is shared widely around Australasia and particularly in Canterbury, where Hickman honoured his roots with sustained sponsorship support. “Kevin had a great passion for racing here at Riccarton Park, stemming from being a very proud Cantabrian,” Canterbury Jockey Club chief executive Tim Mills said. “He was an owner, breeder, sponsor, corporate host and friend of racing. A man who never forgot his roots, he had a particular affinity with the Hororata raceday, coming from that part of Canterbury. “He set out to get both the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) and South Island Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) upgraded to Group Three status, contributing significantly with his Valachi Downs sponsorship to enable stakes above the industry minimum. That goal was achieved, and the success of both races is due to Kevin’s support. “In his perpetual memory, it is fitting that the Kevin Hickman Retirement Village now borders the 1200m chute at Riccarton Park, looking out over where so many horses raced in his colours.” Hickman was also a generous supporter of charities, donating significantly to the likes of the Horse Ambulance Trust, CatWalk Trust, Women’s Refuge, Pet Refuge and the Christchurch Medical Research Centre. He was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2016. View the full article

Fortuna Racing flagbearer Leaderboard has the opportunity to contest showpiece jumps races on both sides of the Tasman over the coming weeks, beginning with a shot at the A$400,000 Ecycle Solutions Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) at Ballarat on Sunday. The American-bred son of Street Cry has been an outstanding performer for Fortuna since his purchase for 70,000 guineas by De Burgh Equine at the 2018 Autumn Horses in Training Sale in Newmarket. Throughout the ensuing six years he has recorded eight wins in the Fortuna colours and banked more than $450,000, headed by victories in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and Listed New Zealand St Leger (2600m). Leaderboard relocated to trainer Mark Walker’s Cranbourne base earlier this year and has seamlessly switched to jumping with a series of impressive performances. The gelding won a maiden hurdle by almost four lengths during the Warrnambool carnival at the end of April, then finished second in the Australian Hurdle (3900) on June 2. He returned to Warrnambool for another runaway victory on June 23, this time in a maiden steeplechase, then recorded highly creditable placings in the Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) on July 7 and the Grand National Hurdle (4200m) on August 4. The 10-year-old will be ridden by expat Kiwi jockey Aaron Kuru in Sunday’s Grand National Steeplechase, for which the TAB rates him a $9.50 third favourite behind Stern Idol ($1.60) and Port Guillaume ($6). “It’s going to be a huge thrill to see him carrying our colours in the Grand National at Ballarat this weekend,” Fortuna director and racing manager John Galvin said. “He’s done a fantastic job since heading over to Australia earlier in the year. His six starts have produced two wins, two seconds and two thirds. He’s done us very proud, especially considering it’s his first season in the jumping game and the quality of opposition he’s been racing against. We could have gone for easier races, but we’ve had a throw at the stumps in big races and he’s shown that he’s up to it. “Mark has been very happy with him since his last start placing. We all know that Mark doesn’t gild the lily, but he’s genuinely excited about what Leaderboard has been showing him in his work, his appetite and his demeanour. “I saw a video clip last Tuesday of him doing interval training, which is a 1200m gallop, then five minutes’ rest and another 1200m gallop, and he was jumping around like a two-year-old. “I think he’ll be suited to switching back to steeplechasing this weekend and stepping up from 4200m to 4500m. Another factor that might be in his favour is a wetter track. He’s been racing well on tracks in the Soft5 to Soft7 range, but is yet to strike one that’s really genuinely wet, and that’s a surface we know he’ll love. Ballarat has been a Heavy8 this week and there are showers in the forecast. “We obviously have a lot of respect for Stern Idol, who’s won 10 of his 19 starts over jumps. But he’s giving us 9kg, which is quite a significant amount of weight.” All going to plan, Leaderboard could be seen back on home soil before he goes out for a summer break. “He’ll come back to New Zealand on Wednesday, and the plan was always that he would spell at Te Akau over the summer,” Galvin said. “But the timing works out quite well for us to have a go at the Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) at Te Rapa on September 15 before he does that.” View the full article

A three-year-old race on the Riccarton Park synthetic track on Saturday will be used as a stepping stone towards spring stakes targets for highly talented local filly Diablo Blanco. The daughter of Super Seth goes into Saturday’s CJC Feature Nominations Close 27 August Three-Year-Old (1200m) as the winner of two of her five starts. After finishing fifth on a heavy track on debut last September, she scored a smart win in her second start at Riccarton on October 28 and then was runner-up on November 15. Those promising performances were enough to prompt trainer Richard Didham to venture north for the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham in early December, where Diablo Blanco finished a highly creditable fourth. The race was won by the subsequent dual Group One placegetter Captured By Love. In her only appearance since then, Diablo Blanco kicked off a new campaign with a comfortable victory at Oamaru on July 21. “She was fantastic first-up after going 228 days between runs,” Didham said. “I thought that was a really good effort. She pulled up great from that and has done everything right in between times. I couldn’t be more pleased with her.” Didham is keen to get back up into feature age-group company with Diablo Blanco, starting with the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton on September 14. “I think this race on Saturday is ideal, because it’ll give us three weeks into the Canterbury Belle,” he said. “She’s drawn well on Saturday (gate four) and I think she’ll be hard to beat. It’s her first race on the synthetic track, but I train locally, so she does a lot of work on it and seems comfortable with it. A lot of mine seem to handle it well, and I think she’ll be fine.” Diablo Blanco will be ridden by Ashvin Goindasamy on Saturday and is the TAB’s $1.50 favourite. Didham also has proven synthetic performers Chairman and Analyst lining up in Saturday’s TAB Rating 80 (1600m). Goindasamy will ride Analyst, with Leah Hemi taking the mount on Chairman. Chairman was previously trained by Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos at Hastings. The Charm Spirit gelding joined Didham’s stable earlier this year and has recorded three wins and a placing from his last four starts, all on the synthetic track. The previously Glenn Old-trained Analyst has also had success since moving south, winning a 1200m race on the Riccarton synthetic track on July 26 and producing an eye-catching finish for fourth on August 7. “Chairman and Analyst both like the synthetic and have been going really well lately,” Didham said. “I’ve been thrilled with both of them since they joined my stable. “Their work has been very good leading into Saturday. It’s a nice chance for them to run for a good stake ($50,000), and I’m expecting them both to run well again.” Didham’s other runner at Riccarton on Saturday is the 11-year-old King Cougar, who will contest the Christchurch Casino 27th South Island Awards 13 September Rating 80 (1200m). The Alamosa gelding has finished ninth in both of his two previous runs in this preparation. “I think he’s improved, which he’d need to,” Didham said. “He has won on the synthetic and placed multiple times on it too, and it’s a six-horse race, so why not have a go?” View the full article