Wandering Eyes

ASCOT, UK — Back she came. A star on the rise this day last year and now one fully ascended to the highest grade possible. Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) has truly been a lucky charm for her syndicate of American owners, who bought her after she had made just once successful start in the colours of her co-breeder, Annemarie O'Brien. Two starts later she won the G3 Albany Stakes, and now she is a winner at Royal Ascot once more in the G1 Coronation Stakes. For Philip Shelton, who manages Medallion Racing, one of the four different ownership entities in the Donnacha O'Brien-trained filly, this was a culmination of what he set out to do in encouraging partners to hop on board to race the best horses in the best company. “My heart rate is still about 180,” he said. “It is impossible to describe the feeling. I am so happy because we have partners who have never been here. We had a group here last year and some different guys here this year, and they get to see what it's all about.” Shelton was advised in his initial investment in Porta Fortuna by Mark McStay, and his group co-owns her with Dean Reeves, Steve Weston and Barry Fowler. The latter was the only one of the quartet not to have travelled to Ascot, but a group of 16 owners had made the pilgrimage and were royally rewarded, not least in meeting the King, who presented the Coronation Stakes trophies. He continued, “Our goal is to bring people to the highest level and there is no higher level than this. It's just a testament to Donnacha and his team, and Tom [Marquand] gave her a great ride. And this filly: she breaks, she travels, she quickens, she tries. Everything you want in a racehorse, she does it.” Highly tried last year, Porta Fortuna didn't miss a beat, with two Group 1 placings before notching one of her own in the Cheveley Park Stakes and then running a close second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Returning in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, she was only a neck behind the winner Elmalka (GB) at the line, and she reversed that form emphatically back at Ascot. Shelton said, “She had a hardy two-year-old campaign and I wasn't sure she was going to train on. I got to see her in March and physically she looked a different horse, and I thought if you just go by how she looks physically, she is going to be better again this year. And again, testament to Donnacha, because that's come true.” Beaming away in the winner's enclosure along with the happy owners were Annemarie and Ana O'Brien, no doubt proud in equal measures of Donnacha's achievement and that of the filly they bred under their Whisperview banner. And Porta Fortuna is not the only graduate of their farm to have struck in group company at Royal Ascot this week, as the O'Briens also bred Thursday's G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The winning trainer's sister, Ana O'Brien, who manages the family stud, said, “To even have a runner here is unbelievable, so to have two winners as a breeder is something you don't expect.” Porta Fortuna's dam Too Precious (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was bought by Ana for €11,500 at the Goffs November Sale and has subsequently been sold, but she added, “We have some of the family still. Porta Fortuna has been so consistent her whole career, she really is a great filly. “It's brilliant for her owners, and for them to leave her with Donnacha has been great for him. He has done an amazing job with her.” And despite the wider O'Brien family's regular success at the highest level, does it taste even sweeter when that victory comes with a homebred? “A hundred per cent – definitely,” said Ana. “It means such a lot. There's a lot of work goes into it behind the scenes before they even go into training. It's really exciting and I am lucky that they trust me to take charge of a lot of it. We're doing our best.” The post ‘There is no Higher Level’: American Team Celebrates Ascot Repeat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Apprentice Amy Jo Hayes leads the Barney Curley apprentice series, Horse Racing Ireland announced on Friday. Hayes has won the first two races–at Roscommon last month and at Gowran Park on June 3. There are four more races in the series restricted to apprentices who have ridden less than 20 winners. The remaining races are scheduled for Bellewstown on July 4, Naas on July 24, Down Royal on Sept. 6 and Bellewstown on Oct. 2. Points are awarded for each race first through 10th (25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 3, 2, 1). For the winning apprentice, they receive a €2,000 voucher, an additional 10 equuip-funded hours with a jockey coach, a one-on-one tuition at RACE for one day, high performance analysis with jockey strength and conditioning coach Wayne Middleton and physiotherapist Gavin Egan, the RACE mobile unit visits the apprentice's yard to provide onsite training for all staff, a session with Dr Ciara Losty, sports psychologist, and a one-to-one financial literacy session from Gateway consultants. For the second- and third-place finishers, they receive a €250 voucher each. Alan Delany, vice-chair of Bellewstown Racecourse, said, “We believe this apprentice race series is a fitting legacy to the memory of Barney Curley who was globally renowned and respected for his nurturing, mentoring and coaching of young apprentice jockeys over many decades.” The post Amy Jo Hayes Leads Barney Curley Apprentice Series appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following his emphatic success in Friday's G2 King Edward VII Stakes, The Aga Khan's Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Calayana {Fr}, by Sinndar {Ire}) can arguably lay claim to being France's leading middle-distance performer. While the G1 Prix du Jockey Club passed him by due to his gelding operation and the Arc is not for him for the same reason, the future looks bright for the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained homebred after his six-length success in this mile-and-a-half “Ascot Derby”. Rewarding a numerically-strong French Royal Ascot challenge this year by becoming the first from the country to win here since 2019, the 11-2 shot who had won the G3 Prix Noailles and G3 Prix Hocquart was in his element off the strong Ballydoyle-forged pace. Arriving at the front with menace under Stephane Pasquier passing two out, he surged away to win by daylight and record a time over a second faster than the older horses in the card's Duke of Edinburgh Stakes. Continuing a banner year for the breeding operation, he was followed home by Space Legend (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who in turn had 1 3/4 lengths to spare over the third Royal Supremacy (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}). One for France! Calandagan runs away with the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/WkjFvOGJEZ — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2024 The post Gleneagles’s Calandagan Far Too Good In The King Edward VII appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Signaling the beginning of the 2024 Thoroughbred season, Colonial Downs' barn area will open on June 24 welcoming returning conditioners as well as newcomers who are sure to impact the standings.View the full article

Elite-level racing in Japan for the first half of the season comes to a close this weekend with the running of the G1 Takarazuka Kinen, being contested this year at Kyoto Racecourse due to ongoing renovations at its normal home at Hanshin. The 2200-metre contest will earn the winner a fees-paid berth into the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in early November. The Takarazuka Kinen is one of two fan-voted events on the JRA calendar annually, and its leading votegetter Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) will take a fair bit of beating. The mount of Yutaka Take, the 5-year-old–winner of the 2022 G1 Tokyo Yushun–was fourth to Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) in the G1 Japan Cup before powering home in the G1 Arima Kinen the following month. Near-enough favoured in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Mar. 30, he sat an inside trip and was bottled up for a good portion of the run home, finally breaking free to close strongly for fifth. “He returned to Japan without any problems, and has had a break at Northern Farm Shigaraki,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi. “In training at the end of last month, his times were faster than I thought. More recently, he's been moving well in his work with other horses, despite the pace not being that quick.” DO DEUCE busting the clock on the chip circle at Ritto (….again) under Yutaka Take Takarazuka Kinen next ! #HeroIsComing pic.twitter.com/7vGlzb6LUt https://t.co/7vGlzb6LUt — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) June 13, 2024 Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) also made the trip over to Dubai a few months ago, where he finished fourth in an oddly run G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Third to Equinox in this event last season, he was second to the Horse of the Year in the G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) over a 2000-metre trip shy of his best and fourth in the Arima Kinen. “He's having his usual training routine, now that he's recovered from the trip to Dubai,” said trainer Haruki Sugiyama. “He's more mature mentally now, and if he stays calm, we'll be able to increase his workload a bit more from now.” Bellagio Opera (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), second to Pradaria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G2 Kyoto Kinen in February, sat handy to the pace in the G1 Osaka Hai and just prevailed in a three-way go. The two horses behind him had far inferior trips and are in the discussion this weekend. Rousham Park (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) made a sweeping move around horses down the back of the track and sat three deep into the lane while just failing to get home, while Rouge Eveil (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) was forced to pick her way through in the straight and may not have had the cleanest of passages. The X-factor in the Takarazuka Kinen is Struve (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), who capped a three-race winning streak with a last-gasp success in the G2 Meguro Kinen on the Japanese Derby undercard May 26. This is easily his stiffest test to date. The post Do Deuce Faces Tough Task In Takarazuka Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2nd-BAQ, $100k, Alw, 3yo/up, 1 1/8m, 1:04 p.m. ET UNMATCHED WISDOM (Cairo Prince) caught a muddy local strip and the outside post for his one-mile debut May 10, but turned in an eye-catching performance in scoring by better than six lengths while earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure that is 12 points higher than any number posted by any of his five rivals in this first-level allowance. From the deeper female family of Stormy Atlantic, Bandini and three-time G1 Dubai Turf winner Lord North (Ire), the sophomore colt cost just $25,000 as a Keeneland September yearling before blossoming into a $450,000 purchase by the Klaravich braintrust at last year's OBS March Sale. TJCIS PPs 2nd-GP, $65k, Msw, 2yo, f, 5f (AWT), 1:24 p.m. ET IT'S WITCHCRAFT (Tapit) is the first produce for Lady's Island (Greatness), a two-time graded winner on the main track, who was purchased by Gainesway for $300,000 at the Fasig-Tipton February Sale in 2021. Unsurprisingly covered by Tapit a short time after her acquisition, Lady's Island produced this filly in February 2022 and D J Stable signed the winning ticket on her at $1.1 million at last year's Keeneland September Sale. The mare is also represented by a yearling Tapit colt and foaled a colt by the standout stallion this season after she was bought back on a bid of $575,000 at Keeneland November last fall. TJCIS PPs More success for @Gainesway in the ring! Hip 589, a Tapit filly out of G3 winner Lady's Island, commands a final bid of $1.1 million from D.J. Stable. #KeeSept pic.twitter.com/fChRFtS9wt — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) September 13, 2023 7th-LRC, $41k, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 7:04 p.m. A $600,000 Keeneland September purchase, DOTHRAKI (Into Mischief) gets his career started for the SF/Starlight/Madaket et al partnership. The Mar. 30 foal looks to become a sixth winner for his dam Vanquished (Empire Maker), herself responsible for three-time graded winner Takeover Target (Harlan's Holiday) and the stakes-winning Ladies' Privilege (Harlan's Holiday), whose son More Than Looks (More Than Ready) won last year's GIII Manila S. Vanquished is a half-sister to two-time Grade I winner Critical Eye (Dynaformer). The cross of Into Mischief over Empire Maker has accounted for GI Kentucky Derby-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Mandaloun and G1 Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River. TJCIS PPs The post Saturday Insights: Cairo Prince Colt Looks To Back Up Big Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Tax Implications in the Eatontown Stakes last weekend. Mehmas's Tax Implications Lands Eatontown The duo of Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables combined to send out Tax Implications (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) to win the GIII Eatontown Stakes at Monmouth Park last Saturday (video). Bred by Aoife Kent, the chestnut filly was originally a 75,000gns foal when put the Tattersalls December Foal Sale by Mickley Stud, with JC Bloodstock signing the ticket. The daughter of Country Madam (Ire) (Medaglia d'Oro) brought 250,000gns from Mike Ryan when re-offered by Mountain View Stud during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Tax Implications has earned an additional four stakes placings besides her Eatontown win, and Country Madam is a half-sister to a pair of stakes winners, with pride of place given to multiple group winner and young sire Invincible Army (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Mehmas's American record now stands at 14 winners from 23 runners (61%). The Tally-Ho Stud-based son of Acclamation (GB) also has five stakes winners there to his credit (22%), with Going Global (Ire) and Chez Pierre (Fr) both Grade 1 winners. Papilio Takes Churchill Affair GII Appalachian Stakes heroine Papilio (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) won at Churchill Downs on Thursday (video). Trained by Mark Casse, the 4-year-old is owned by D. J. Stable, Medallion Racing and Parkland Thoroughbreds. Bred by SCEA Marmion and Alain Jathiere, the bay was a €60,000 purchase out of the Arqana August Yearling Sale by Shawn Dugan from the draft of Haras de la Louviere. During her five-race Irish campaign for some of the Coolmore partners and trainer Fozzy Stack, she was second in the Listed Churchill Stakes at Tipperary in May of 2022. Out of the unraced Glafyra (Fr) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Papilio is a half-sister to a yearling colt by Twilight Son (GB). Her dam is a half-sister to group winners Balius (Ire) (Mujahid) and Delfos (Ire) (Green Tune), with the former second in the G1 Hong Kong Cup. Coolmore's reverse shuttle stallion Starspangledbanner (Aus) is credited with a baker's dozen of winners in America from 23 runners (56%). His strike rate of stakes winners to runners there stands at 30%. Of his seven black-type winners, both Rhea Moon (Ire) and State Of Rest (Ire) are Grade I winners. #7 Papilio returns to allowance company and takes R7 at Churchill Downs for trainer Mark Casse with @jose93_ortiz in the saddle! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/kI0eZZf2Rl — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 21, 2024 George Vancouver Gelding Wins American Debut Divin Propos (Fr) (George Vancouver) earned the third win of his career at Santa Anita recently for trainer Phil D'Amato (video). Raced by Madaket Stables, Panic Stable and William Strauss, the Listed La Coupe de Marseille third bore the silks of Jim Kelly earlier in his career through seven French starts, winning two of them for trainer Bruno de Montzey. Sold to his current owners–with Mandore International Agency acting on their behalf when a €150,000 Arqana Arc Sale graduate last September–Divin Propos was bred by Haras du Puy Bouillard. His dam visited the winner's circle eight times, and the bay is kin to the listed winner and group-placed Sysmo (Fr) (My Risk {Fr}). George Vancouver, who was last reported to be standing in France, has just two runners Stateside. Besides the winner, La Feve (Fr), third in the GIII Sweetest Chant Stakes, is his other representative. Without Parole's Full-Brother Graduates Beneath Twin Spires Rebel Red (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is raced by his breeder John Gunther with Eurowest Bloodstock Services, got off the mark making his first start beyond a mile at Churchill Downs on Sunday (video).The colt was a 360,000gns buy-back during Book 1 of the Tattersalls October sale in 2021, and made his first two starts in England for Ralph Beckett before being shipped to America. The son of Without You Babe (Lemon Drop Kid) is a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Tamarkuz (Speightstown), stakes winner and GIII Athenia Stakes third She's Got You (GB) (Kingman {GB}), and a full-brother to G1 St James's Palace Stakes winner and Newsells Park Stud sire Without Parole (GB). Without You Babe, in turn, is a half-sister to three stakes winners, with multiple Grade I winner and sire Stay Thirsty (Bernardini) the best of them. Juddmonte's Frankel needs no introduction, and Rebel Red was his 29th winner in the U.S. from 57 runners (51%). An even dozen of his progeny has won stakes (21%), with all three of his Grade I winners scoring in either the Breeders' Cup or ultra competitive New York circuit. #12 Rebel Red with a nice turn of foot to get the job done in R6 at Churchill Downs in his second start with the @reredevaux barn as well as the addition of blinkers. @jose93_ortiz was aboard the 4YO colt. #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/kGiXZ7ASGt — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 16, 2024 Showcasing Gelding Scores In New York Another Klaravich Stables runner, Unit Economics (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), has been knocking on the door of a maiden win, and joined the ranks of winners with a one-length victory during the ongoing Belmont at the Big A meeting for trainer Chad Brown earlier this month (video). Bred by Mickley Stud and D Willis, the chestnut is out of the dual winner Cherubic (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), and is her second foal and one of three winners. Consigned by Mickley Stud to the Tattersalls December Foal Sale, he brought 110,000gns from Peter and Ross Doyle, before being re-offered by Pier House Stud at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1, and catching the eye of Mike Ryan for 200,000gns. This is the extended family of U.S. Champion Juvenile Filly Phone Chatter (Phone Trick). Whitsbury Manor Stud's Showcasing has an admirable record in America, having sired 14 winners from 26 runners for a strike rate of 54%. Among his runners there are six stakes winners, anchored by the Grade II-winning trio of Projected (GB), Prize Exhibit (GB) and Bodhicitta (GB). The latter pair have both placed at the highest level. #2 Unit Economics improves with blinkers added and takes R6 at Aqueduct for trainer Chad Brown with @iradortizaboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/D0FUPhxtpc — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) June 15, 2024 Wootton Bassett Filly Shines In Indiana Augustin Stables' Kahuraru (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) prevailed at first asking at Horseshoe Indianapolis on Monday for trainer Jonathan Thomas. The daughter of Perle Rare (Distorted Humor), picked up for $425,000 by Nicoma Bloodstock from Runnymede Farm, was bred by Haras d'Etreham, Yacatec SARL and Cofinvest. A half-sister to the Listed Prix Aymeri de Mauleon winner Perseverants (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), the winner is a granddaughter of Group 2 winner Peinture Rare (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), herself a half-sister to European champion and sire Peintre Celebre (Nureyev), who won the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and two other stakes winners. Coolmore's Wootton Bassett celebrated his 17th winner in America with Kahuraru's win (51%) from 33 runners. Breeders' Cup winners Audarya (Fr) and Unquestionable (Fr) are two of his seven stakes winners in that jurisdiction (21%). Empress Reigns At Monmouth Denford Stud homebred Eastern Empress (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) found the Monmouth Park turf to her liking with a three-length win on June 15 (video). Christophe Clement has been her trainer of record after five starts in Britain for John and Thady Gosden. The 12th offspring of the stakes-placed Darshaan (GB) mare Intrigued (GB), the 4-year-old filly is a half-sister to stakes winners Michelangelo (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Private Secretary (GB) (Kingman {GB}), with the former third in the G1 St. Leger. Another sibling, the Dansili (GB) mare Curious Mind (GB), is the dam of St. Leger hero Galileo Chrome (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Darley's Dubawi is responsible for 42 winners from 82 runners (51%) in the U.S. His 22 North American stakes winners (27%) include 10 Grade I winners (12%). Among that elite bunch are Breeders' Cup winners In Italian (GB), Master Of The Seas (Ire), Modern Games (Ire), Yibir (GB), Rebel's Romance (Ire), Space Blues (Ire), and Wuheida (GB). Repeat Winners: It has been over a year since Belouni (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) featured in Making Waves when winning the Woodhaven Stakes, but the gelding was back in the winner's circle during the Belmont at the Big A meeting earlier this month for trainer Chad Brown (video). The Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Michael Kisber and William Rucker-owned runner was making his 12th lifetime start. Laurence Goichman's Alluring Angel (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) returns to this column for the first time since taking an Aqueduct allowance last November. Successful at the Belmont at the Big A meeting on Thursday (video), the dual stakes-placed daughter of All Of Me (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) is trained by Chad Brown. The post Making Waves: Mehmas Filly Shines In Oceanport appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Public comment is now being accepted for two proposed industrial solar projects in Lexington-Fayette County, according to the Fayette Alliance. An information session is scheduled on July 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Macdeonia Christian Church at 4551 Winchester Road for people looking to better understand the two proposals. Eatern Kentucky Power Cooperative has submitted a proposal for a 400-acres industrial solar development on Winchester Road. That proposal is currently moving through the Kentucky Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in Kentucky, according to the Alliance. EKPC is a not-for-profit generation and transmission electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, Ky. Silicon Ranch, a solar power company based in Nashville, has proposed a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment to permit industrial-scale solar facilities in the agricultural zones of the county. That proposal is currently moving through the planning commission. Approval would allow industrial solar farms in any agricultural zone with a conditional use permit, to be evaluated by the Board of Adjustment under limited conditions, according to the Fayette Alliance. “We think industrial solar generation facilities are not appropriate in the Rural Service Area or any of our agricultural zones, as the primary intent of these zones is to support agricultural production,” the Alliance said in the email. “Large-scale power generation facilities are both industrial and commercial uses, and pose complex unintended consequences to our productive soils as well as set dangerous precedent for how we regulate uses in our agricultural zones moving forward.” The public may submit comments via this link on the Public Service Commission's website. The Fayette Alliance is a non-profit committed to achieving sustainable growth in the city of Lexington while advocating for the protection of farmland. The post Public Comment Sought on Two Large-Scale Solar Project Proposals in Lexington appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Donnacha O'Brien trainee and G1 1000 Guineas second Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio–Too Precious {Ire}, by Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who won the G3 Albany Stakes on this day last year, doubled her elite-level tally when emerging best in a stellar renewal of Friday's G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Last term's G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine raced in a handy third after an alert getaway and slipstreamed Opera Singer (Justify) from halfway as Juddmonte's Skellet (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) set the tone up front. Shaken up when angled to the outer for her bid approaching the final furlong, she engaged Opera Singer soon after and, inching ahead with 100 yards remaining, was driven out to deny that rival by a length. 1000 Guineas third and 15-8 favourite Ramatuelle (Justify) threatened inside the final quarter-mile and ran on to finish 1 1/2 lengths adrift in third, reversing form with Guineas heroine Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who was 1 1/4 lengths away in fourth. Porta Fortuna does it again at Royal @Ascot and lands the Coronation Stakes! pic.twitter.com/wcCnITvFMY — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2024 The post Donnacha O’Brien On The Board With Porta Fortuna in the Coronation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Signaling the beginning of the 2024 Thoroughbred season, Colonial Downs's barn area will open on Monday, June 24 with training scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 27, the track said in a press release on Friday. Multiple leading trainer Mike Stidham and Hall of Fame conditioner Mark Casse are among the trainers preparing to return to the Tidewater track. The latter put in a successful debut meet where he won 10 races, which included Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}). The Canadian Horse of the Year took home the GI Beverly D. Stakes, a Breeders' Cup Challenge 'Win and You're In' race. “It was our first meet and we loved it,” Casse said. “[Colonial Downs] has got one of the nicest turf courses in North America. When I came in for the Beverly D, I flew in with Tyler Gaffalione, Kendrick Carmouche, and Javier [Castellano], and they all commented that this is one of the nicest turf courses they have ridden.” A mainstay of the summer season, Karen Dennehy Godsey plans to return to Colonial Downs, coming off the most successful meet in terms of earnings of the trainer's 11-year career. “Colonial offers races that no other track has, especially given the Virginia-bred and Virginia-certified program,” Godsey said. “It's quality racing. The money is good, the racing is good, and the track is gorgeous. There is no other turf course like it. Most every horse in my barn is Virginia-bred or Virginia-certified, so those races they offer level the playing field.” Newcomers expected to stable at Colonial in 2024 include Christophe Clement, Cherie DeVaux, Jordan Blair and Keith Desormeaux. “After looking at the condition book, I saw they have a lot of 2-year-old races, they have a lot of 2-year-old route races, and they have plenty of turf racing,” Desormeaux said. “The surface is second to none–turf and dirt. The facility is very nice, the purses are substantial –there were many features that attracted me. Our goal does not change–we're developing horses to run at the highest level. It's going to be a great place to develop these young horses.” Exiting the most successful season in the history of the racetrack, in terms of record number of races, race days, visitors, horses in competition, live bets and off-track bets, Colonial Downs' 2024 stakes program consists of 27 races worth $5.7 million. The season will feature daily average purses of nearly $700,000. The 27-day meet runs from Thursday, July 11 through Saturday, September 7. The post Colonial Downs Barn Area Prepped For 2024 Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Emerging from the 2,000 Guineas to take the crown as Sprint King, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's homebred Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal–Ajman Princess {Ire}, by Teofilo {Ire}) put genuine star quality into the division when dominating Friday's G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Always travelling comfortably near the front under Tom Eaves, the Kevin Ryan-trained 9-4 favourite was allowed to coast to the lead two out and draw clear for a comfortable 2 1/4-length defeat of Lake Forest (No Nay Never), who denied Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) the silver medal by a head. There was another 1 1/2 lengths back to TDN Rising Star Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) in fourth on his black-type debut. “He's a machine,” Eaves said of the winner, one of the last of the Shamardals who had served notice of his prowess in the G2 Sandy Lane Stakes following his sixth in the Guineas. “You saw how long it took to pull him up–he's a unit.” Ryan added, “It was a joy to watch and Tom said they couldn't take him far enough. He's very good and he has such a great temperament. Most of these good horses have an edge to them, but he never gives me a moment's worry. We'll go to the July Cup now and he's in the Maurice de Gheest and there's the Champions Sprint here as well later in the year.” Inisherin is the real deal and lands the Commonwealth Cup at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/K685XUvt4f — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2024 The post ‘He’s a machine’: Shamardal’s Inisherin Dominates the Commonwealth Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Iowa Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 National HBPA Conference set for July 23-26 at Iowa's Prairie Meadows Casino, Racetrack and Hotel, the association said in a release early Friday morning. Lt. Gov. Gregg will make his remarks on Wednesday, July 24, the conference's first of three days of panel discussions and presentations. Coinciding with the conference will be a starter-allowance race carrying a $50,000 purse. The top three finishers receive automatic entry into the 1 1/16-mile Kent Stirling Memorial Iron Horse, part of the eight-race Claiming Crown series that will be held Nov. 16 at Churchill Downs. “This is terrific having a Claiming Crown prep race with a big purse on the evening our conference participants will be enjoying a day at the races at Prairie Meadows,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National HBPA. “We appreciate the enthusiasm the Iowa HBPA and Prairie Meadows have shown for hosting our conference and putting on a Claiming Crown prep. Click here for conference information. The post Iowa Lt. Gov. Gregg To Deliver Keynote At National HBPA Conference July 24 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore's G3 Naas Fillies Sprint victrix Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Scintilating {GB}, by Siyouni {Fr}) looked booked for the also-ran slots in Friday's G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, but unleashed a spectacular burst inside the final furlong to double her pattern-race tally in impressive fashion. The 425,000gns October Book 1 yearling and well-backed 15-8 favourite raced off the pace, nestled in the pack, through halfway in this straight six-furlong dash. Bustled along passing the quarter-mile marker, she made an exaggerated manoeuvre to the stands' side approaching the final furlong and went through an array of gears–with Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in tow–to overhaul pacesetting stablemate Heavens Gate (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the dying embers. Arguably the juvenile performance of the meeting, Fairy Godmother's win was a fifth of the week for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. That is MAGIC from Ryan Moore to get Fairy Godmother to win the Albany Stakes at Royal @Ascot! pic.twitter.com/yFSRxGa8kH — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 21, 2024 Friday, Ascot, Britain ALBANY S.-G3, £125,000, Ascot, 6-21, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:13.48, g/f. 1–FAIRY GODMOTHER (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Night Of Thunder (Ire) 1st Dam: Scintilating (GB), by Siyouni (Fr) 2nd Dam: Photo Flash (Ire), by Bahamian Bounty (GB) 3rd Dam: Zoom Lens (Ire), by Caerleon (425,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Ballyphilip Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £70,888. Lifetime Record: GSW-Ire, 3-2-1-0, $138,310. *1/2 to Sketch (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), SP-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Simmering (GB), 128, f, 2, Too Darn Hot (GB)–Cashla Bay (GB), by Fastnet Rock (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (70,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT). O-Mrs B V Sangster, Justin Casse & Dr J Berk; B-Lofts Hall Stud (GB); T-Ollie Sangster. £26,875. 3–Heavens Gate (Ire), 128, f, 2, Churchill (Ire)–Itqaan, by Danzig. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £13,450. Margins: 3/4, NK, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.88, 9.00, 8.00. Also Ran: Mountain Breeze (Ire), California Dreamer (GB), Royalty Bay (Ire), Twafeeg (Ire), Cradle Of Love (Ire), Jayvee (Ire), Substitute (Ire), Hot Darling (Ire), Convo (Ire), Nad Alshiba Snow (Ire), Kylie Of Lochalsh (Ire), Peregrine Falcon (Ire), Burning Pine. Scratched: Liberalised (GB). The post Night Of Thunder’s Fairy Godmother Powers to Albany Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Race 2 ENTAIN/NZB INSURANCE PEARL SERIES 1550m HANALEI (M McNab) – Trainer Mr. P Richards reported to Stewards HANALEI underwent a veterinary examination on Wednesday 12 June which revealed a rupture to the left foreleg tendon. Mr. Richards further advised the mare is undergoing a recovery plan through veterinarians’ advice and it is his intentions to retire HANALEI from racing and the mare will be sent to stud. The post Waikato Thoroughbred Racing @ Cambridge Synthetic, Wednesday 12 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

A spectacular lead-up performance at Ruakaka has given Shaun and Emma Clotworthy confidence that their stable star Malt Time is primed for a bold showing in Saturday’s Listed Team Wealleans Tauranga Classic (1400m). The daughter of Adelaide went into this month’s Bream Bay Sprint (1400m) on a winless streak that dated back to the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa in November of 2022. But she had proven herself against the very best during that time, placing in this season’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 TAB Classic (1600m) along with the last two editions of the Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). Those credentials made Malt Time a clear standout on paper at Ruakaka on June 8, and she powered home from last to score a commanding victory by five and three-quarter lengths. “That was a pretty pleasing performance,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “She’d had only one other start there and won that too, so she obviously quite likes that surface at Ruakaka. “We haven’t had any issues with her since then and we haven’t had to do a lot with her. She had a gallop on Tuesday morning and went really, really well. Ace Lawson-Carroll, who will ride her again on Saturday, was thrilled with how she felt. So I think she’s heading into Saturday in good shape. It looks like a suitable race for her.” The Tauranga track was rated a Heavy9 on Friday, which is in stark contrast to the Soft5 footing of Malt Time’s last-start Ruakaka romp. But her five starts on heavy tracks have produced a second to Mustang Valley in the Arrowfield Stud Plate, a third behind Darci La Bella and Express Princess in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes, and a fourth and a fifth in open sprints at Te Rapa. “We’re hoping she’ll get through the ground okay this weekend,” Clotworthy said. “We don’t really know how she’d go on a Heavy10, but she’s run some good races on tracks that are on that slightly better side of heavy and it’s good that the Tauranga track has come a bit through the week.” The Clotworthys will consider another Ruakaka assignment for Malt Time after Saturday’s fillies and mares’ feature. “We won’t do a whole lot more with her in this preparation, but she might head back to Ruakaka for the Winter Championship Finals (on July 13),” Clotworthy said. Malt Time headlines a five-strong team at Tauranga for the Clotworthys, who will also saddle first-starters St Vincent and Kerryanna along with Overstate and Mitonic. View the full article

Cornelia made a bright start to her career with a pair of impressive performances during the summer, and the talented filly will add interest to the early part of Saturday’s Tauranga meeting when she resumes in the Gartshore Construction 3YO (1300m). Trained by Simon and Katrina Alexander at Te Awamutu, Cornelia scored a three-length trial win on her home track before heading to Taupo for her raceday debut on December 30. She produced more of the same over 1100m that day, kicking clear for a commanding victory by two and a quarter lengths. Cornelia’s only other start came at Pukekohe on January 21, where she covered plenty of ground from her outside gate but fought hard down the straight for a gallant third. The Alexanders took Cornelia back to the trials at Waipa on May 30, where she finished second in an open 850m heat. Katrina Alexander has been pleased with the Swiss Ace filly’s progress and expects her to cope with Saturday’s heavy track conditions. However, the three-week gap between her trial and her raceday return could leave her vulnerable. “She’s certainly better than average and ran a couple of very nice races in that first preparation,” Alexander said. “She showed some real grit in those performances as well. “The long gap between her trial and this race is a bit of a worry for me, and particularly going into a 1300m race first-up. It may not sound like a big difference, but I’d be more comfortable if it was 1200m. “She’s going to take natural improvement from this run, but we’ve got to get her up and going. She’s just had a few little niggles that we’ve had to get on top of, but I think we’ve got those sorted now and she’s on the right track. “This is a good chance to run her in three-year-old company, rather than having to go up against older horses. “She’s shown us in her work at home that she can handle wet ground. I think the soft range is probably where she’s most comfortable, perhaps out to about a Heavy8, so I’m pleased that it’s improved slightly after being a 10 earlier in the week.” Saturday’s Flying Mullet Sports Bar (1200m) marks the return of Musigny Lass to the Alexander stable. The three-race winner is making her first start since September of 2022. “We had her when she kicked off her career as a two-year-old, and then she went over to Ben Foote, and now she’s back with us,” Alexander said. “She’s a real wet-tracker and has good ability. “She’s been off the scene for a long time. She had quite a severe paddock injury, which has taken a while to heal. “The owners want to give her one more go. I’ve been pleased with her progress so far, but like Cornelia, she’s probably going to take some benefit from a solid conditioning run.” The Alexanders’ other runner at Tauranga on Saturday is last-start second placegetter Midnight Scandal in the Super Liquor Greerton (1400m). “She’s probably a better racehorse than her form line might suggest,” Alexander said. “Her maiden win over this course and distance earlier in the season was very good. “Her front-running style can make her a bit of a sitting duck on occasions. She’s also had to race on a few firm tracks, which aren’t really her go. She’ll have more suitable conditions this week, and with the way the Belardos are going at the moment, I’m confident she’ll run well.” Alexander reported that stable star La Crique has recently begun a month-long spell in Queensland. The high-class daughter of Vadamos was a last-start winner of the A$500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm. “She had a few days in the paddock after that race, and then we put her back in the stable for three or four days, as much for the mental exercise as anything else,” Alexander said. “Then she left the stable on Tuesday to go to the spelling paddock, and she’ll be there for a month. We’ll probably go over in a couple of weeks to see how she’s doing, and then we can make a plan for her next preparation.” View the full article

The 2023-24 season has produced a long line of placings for Waipukurau owner-trainer Lucy de Lautour, who is set to make her presence felt again with two well-credentialled runners at Te Aroha on Sunday. From 14 starters this season, de Lautour has collected four second placings and a third. That sequence began in the late winter and early spring when Donardo was runner-up behind The Cossack in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) at Te Rapa and Ian’s Legacy placed in a maiden steeplechase at Rotorua. Metallo has recently picked up where those two left off, finishing second in both of his first two appearances over hurdles this winter. He was beaten by a neck by Lochwinnoch in a 3000m open hurdle at Wanganui on May 9, then headed to Te Aroha on June 3 and chased home Invisible Spirit. Metallo is set to headline de Lautour’s team at Te Aroha this Sunday, where he will line up in the $30,000 The Bottle-O Te Aroha Hurdles (3100m). The seven-year-old gelding will be ridden by this season’s jumps premiership leader Portia Matthews, whose seven previous rides on de Lautour’s horses have produced a win and four placings. She has been in the saddle for both of Metallo’s recent runner-up finishes. “I’ve been really happy with both of his performances over hurdles in those last few weeks, he’s come back well,” de Lautour said. “He’s continued to go the right way since his last-start run at Te Aroha and I’m hoping he’ll run well again when he heads back there this weekend.” Donardo will contest the Piako Rural Services Steeplechase (3500m). The 11-year-old son of Don Eduardo ran a big race in his first steeplechase start of the winter, finishing second and a head behind Izymydaad at Wanganui on May 9. He then lined up in the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), where he finished seventh and showed signs of soreness when he pulled up. “He was just a little bit sore, it wasn’t anything major and he came right pretty quickly afterwards,” de Lautour said. “He’s going into this race on Sunday in pretty good order. Hopefully he’ll run a good race and then we can make a plan around what we do with him from there.” Venturing north and performing boldly is nothing new for Donardo. Prior to his Pakuranga Hunt Cup placing last August, he also finished second behind Kiddo in the 2022 Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) and ran fourth in that year’s Pakuranga Hunt Cup. View the full article

Southland trainer Robert Dennis is making the long trek north to Riccarton with two contenders for their Saturday meeting, including Lofty’s Gift who is shooting for her fifth straight win in the Taggart Earthmoving Rating 75 (2000m). Lofty’s Gift transferred to Dennis’ Ascot Park barn earlier this year from Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, running fourth in her Southland debut before putting together a picket fence form line. “It is pretty exciting to have a horse going for five wins in a row,” Dennis said. “In a way she drops back in grade but it is probably a more competitive field than what she has been beating. “She has come through her racing really well, I think she is going as good as ever, she can get through those (Heavy 10) track conditions, so I think she has got to be a good chance.” The daughter of Ghibellines has been lumbered with top weight of 60kg but will get the benefit of apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper’s claim from barrier four. “Donovan’s claim gets her down to 57 kilos,” Dennis said. “There is not a big spread in the weights with the minimum being 55kg and the max is 58.5kg. She is about smack bang in the middle, and I am happy enough with her weight for her rating.” Saturday will be her furthest trip away from home since being based in the south, but that poses no concern for Dennis. “She obviously travelled down from the North Island when she came to us. We are on the way up (to Christchurch now) so we will see how she gets on overnight, but with her attitude and nature I don’t think it will be a worry,” he said. Dennis is excited about the future with the mare and is eyeing some big spring targets with her if she continues on her upward trajectory. “We will just see how we go on Saturday. Talking with the owners, maybe we target a New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) in spring,” he said. “It is exciting to be gunning for five wins in a row, so we will concentrate on tomorrow first and work things out from there.” Lofty’s Gift is being joined on the float trip north by stablemate On Song, who is looking to recapture form in the Optimise Fertilisers & Equi-lise Rating 75 (1400m). The four-year-old mare won two consecutive races before finishing seventh and ninth in her last two outings, with Dennis believing the Heavy track conditions will be ideal for her this weekend. “She wasn’t bad last time, she wasn’t too far away, she was stuck out wide, and she missed the kick,” he said. “She is certainly looking for the 1400m. The track at Wingatui played a lot better than the Heavy 8. The wetter track at Riccarton will bring her right into play.” Meanwhile, on Thursday Dennis was happy enough with Magic Ace’s placing in the Harold Pateman 65 (1600m) at Oamaru. “A bad draw (10) was his undoing,” Dennis said. “He jumped out really well and found himself four-wide on the speed the whole way. It was a hard run, but he stuck to his task well and it looks like he will get over a bit of ground and shouldn’t be far off from winning a race.” Further north at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka, Dennis was on the buyers sheet following lot 47 going through the ring. “I bought a lovely Noverre filly out of a Pins mare for $30,000,” he said. “I am really happy with her, she is a lovely moving filly who is going to come down to Woodlands and grow out down here and hopefully she has got a little bit of class about her. There is a bit of hype around Noverre so I am very happy to have one from the first crop by him. “She will be syndicated in time. We are up around the 300 owners with our horses now and we always get a good mix of new and existing owners come into any new horse we get. “The stable is growing, we are taking on another staff member next week and getting a few more boxes and paddocks at Ascot Park racecourse.” Dennis has had plenty of success buying younger stock over the last few years, and he is hoping his strike rate can continue with his recent purchase. “I picked two (weanlings) out before, one was Make Believe who won five, and I paid $7,000 for her. The other was Goldies Chance who I picked out for one of the owners for $21,000 and she is a Listed winner and is still racing,” he said. “Four of the last fillies I have picked out at the yearling sales are stakes performers, they have all won, and all been good value around that $20-25,000 mark. Hopefully we can keep it up.” View the full article

Lofty’s Gift (outside) will be vying for her fifth straight win at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Monica Toretto Southland trainer Robert Dennis is making the long trek north to Riccarton with two contenders for their Saturday meeting, including Lofty’s Gift who is shooting for her fifth straight win. Lofty’s Gift transferred to Dennis’ Ascot Park barn earlier this year from Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, running fourth in her Southland debut before putting together a picket fence form line. “It is pretty exciting to have a horse going for five wins in a row,” Dennis said. “In a way she drops back in grade but it is probably a more competitive field than what she has been beating. “She has come through her racing really well, I think she is going as good as ever, she can get through those (Heavy 10) track conditions, so I think she has got to be a good chance.” The daughter of Ghibellines has been lumbered with top weight of 60kg but will get the benefit of apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper’s claim from barrier four. “Donovan’s claim gets her down to 57 kilos,” Dennis said. “There is not a big spread in the weights with the minimum being 55kg and the max is 58.5kg. She is about smack bang in the middle, and I am happy enough with her weight for her rating.” Saturday will be her furthest trip away from home since being based in the south, but that poses no concern for Dennis. “She obviously travelled down from the North Island when she came to us. We are on the way up (to Christchurch now) so we will see how she gets on overnight, but with her attitude and nature I don’t think it will be a worry,” he said. Dennis is excited about the future with the mare and is eyeing some big spring targets with her if she continues on her upward trajectory. “We will just see how we go on Saturday. Talking with the owners, maybe we target a New Zealand Cup (Group 3, 3200m) in spring,” he said. “It is exciting to be gunning for five wins in a row, so we will concentrate on tomorrow first and work things out from there.” Lofty’s Gift is being joined on the float trip north by stablemate On Song, who is looking to recapture form. The four-year-old mare won two consecutive races before finishing seventh and ninth in her last two outings, with Dennis believing the Heavy track conditions will be ideal for her this weekend. “She wasn’t bad last time, she wasn’t too far away, she was stuck out wide, and she missed the kick,” he said. “She is certainly looking for the 1400m. The track at Wingatui played a lot better than the Heavy 8. The wetter track at Riccarton will bring her right into play.” Meanwhile, on Thursday Dennis was happy enough with Magic Ace’s placing in the Harold Pateman 65 (1600m) at Oamaru. “A bad draw (10) was his undoing,” Dennis said. “He jumped out really well and found himself four-wide on the speed the whole way. It was a hard run, but he stuck to his task well and it looks like he will get over a bit of ground and shouldn’t be far off from winning a race.” Horse racing news View the full article

Waipukurau trainer Lucy de Lautour. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) The 2023-24 season has produced a long line of placings for Waipukurau owner-trainer Lucy de Lautour, who is set to make her presence felt again with two well-credentialed runners at Te Aroha on Sunday. From 14 starters this season, de Lautour has collected four second placings and a third. That sequence began in the late winter and early spring when Donardo was runner-up behind The Cossack in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4800m) at Te Rapa and Ian’s Legacy placed in a maiden steeplechase at Rotorua. Metallo has recently picked up where those two left off, finishing second in both of his first two appearances over hurdles this winter. He was beaten by a neck by Lochwinnoch in a 3000m open hurdle at Wanganui on May 9, then headed to Te Aroha on June 3 and chased home Invisible Spirit. Metallo is set to headline de Lautour’s team at Te Aroha this Sunday. The seven-year-old gelding will be ridden by this season’s jumps premiership leader Portia Matthews, whose seven previous rides on de Lautour’s horses have produced a win and four placings. She has been in the saddle for both of Metallo’s recent runner-up finishes. “I’ve been really happy with both of his performances over hurdles in those last few weeks, he’s come back well,” de Lautour said. “He’s continued to go the right way since his last-start run at Te Aroha and I’m hoping he’ll run well again when he heads back there this weekend.” The 11-year-old son of Don Eduardo, Donardo, ran a big race in his first steeplechase start of the winter, finishing second and a head behind Izymydaad at Wanganui on May 9. He then lined up in the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), where he finished seventh and showed signs of soreness when he pulled up. “He was just a little bit sore, it wasn’t anything major and he came right pretty quickly afterwards,” de Lautour said. “He’s going into this race on Sunday in pretty good order. Hopefully he’ll run a good race and then we can make a plan around what we do with him from there.” Venturing north and performing boldly is nothing new for Donardo. Prior to his Pakuranga Hunt Cup placing last August, he also finished second behind Kiddo in the 2022 Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m) and ran fourth in that year’s Pakuranga Hunt Cup. Horse racing news View the full article

Smart three-year-old does battle with Elmalka and Rouhiya, among others, in Friday’s Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal AscotView the full article

Cornelia will contest the Gartshore Construction 3YO (1300m) at Tauranga on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Cornelia made a bright start to her career with a pair of impressive performances during the summer, and the talented filly will add interest to the early part of Saturday’s Tauranga meeting. Trained by Simon and Katrina Alexander at Te Awamutu, Cornelia scored a three-length trial win on her home track before heading to Taupo for her raceday debut on December 30. She produced more of the same over 1100m that day, kicking clear for a commanding victory by two and a quarter lengths. Cornelia’s only other start came at Pukekohe on January 21, where she covered plenty of ground from her outside gate but fought hard down the straight for a gallant third. The Alexanders took Cornelia back to the trials at Waipa on May 30, where she finished second in an open 850m heat. Katrina Alexander has been pleased with the Swiss Ace filly’s progress and expects her to cope with Saturday’s heavy track conditions. However, the three-week gap between her trial and her raceday return could leave her vulnerable. “She’s certainly better than average and ran a couple of very nice races in that first preparation,” Alexander said. “She showed some real grit in those performances as well. “The long gap between her trial and this race is a bit of a worry for me, and particularly going into a 1300m race first-up. It may not sound like a big difference, but I’d be more comfortable if it was 1200m. “She’s going to take natural improvement from this run, but we’ve got to get her up and going. She’s just had a few little niggles that we’ve had to get on top of, but I think we’ve got those sorted now and she’s on the right track. “This is a good chance to run her in three-year-old company, rather than having to go up against older horses. “She’s shown us in her work at home that she can handle wet ground. I think the soft range is probably where she’s most comfortable, perhaps out to about a Heavy8, so I’m pleased that it’s improved slightly after being a 10 earlier in the week.” Saturday marks the return of Musigny Lass to the Alexander stable. The three-race winner is making her first start since September of 2022. “We had her when she kicked off her career as a two-year-old, and then she went over to Ben Foote, and now she’s back with us,” Alexander said. “She’s a real wet-tracker and has good ability. “She’s been off the scene for a long time. She had quite a severe paddock injury, which has taken a while to heal. “The owners want to give her one more go. I’ve been pleased with her progress so far, but like Cornelia, she’s probably going to take some benefit from a solid conditioning run.” The Alexanders’ other runner at Tauranga on Saturday is last-start second placegetter Midnight Scandal. “She’s probably a better racehorse than her form line might suggest,” Alexander said. “Her maiden win over this course and distance earlier in the season was very good. “Her front-running style can make her a bit of a sitting duck on occasions. She’s also had to race on a few firm tracks, which aren’t really her go. She’ll have more suitable conditions this week, and with the way the Belardos are going at the moment, I’m confident she’ll run well.” Alexander reported that stable star La Crique has recently begun a month-long spell in Queensland. The high-class daughter of Vadamos was a last-start winner of the $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm. “She had a few days in the paddock after that race, and then we put her back in the stable for three or four days, as much for the mental exercise as anything else,” Alexander said. “Then she left the stable on Tuesday to go to the spelling paddock, and she’ll be there for a month. We’ll probably go over in a couple of weeks to see how she’s doing, and then we can make a plan for her next preparation.” Horse racing news View the full article

Darwin trainer Tayarn Halter (left), who has two runners in the feature race for the sprinters at Fannie Bay on Saturday, with Top End jockey Paul Shiers and trainer Chloe Baxter. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (FotoFinish Racepix) There’s five starters in the feature sprint event at Darwin on Saturday, with three making their first Fannie Bay appearance. Tayarn Halter’s Schiller Bay raced in NSW and Queensland, Paul Gardner’s Red Wraith is up from Alice Springs, and Gary Clarke’s Flying Annie arrived via NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Alice Springs. Clarke’s Doc O’Connor (Jarrod Todd), who boasts five wins from eight Darwin starts, and Halter’s City Regal (Jade Hampson), with one win and four minor placings from six Darwin starts, complete the open 1000m handicap field. With the Darwin Cup Carnival imminent, the speedsters are fine-tuning their engines as they eye the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on August 3. Schiller Bay, Artie Schiller’s six-year-old gelding, Red Wraith, Charm Spirit’s four-year-old gelding, and Flying Annie, Flying Artie’s five-year-old mare, fall into that category. After five wins from 19 starts for Port Macquarie trainer Jenny Graham, Schiller Bay had one start for Brisbane trainer Barry Lockwood when seventh over 1200m (BM78) at Doomben last July. “He was bought by Greg Stewart and trainer Garry Lefoe – he was in work and injured his hoof in a trial, that’s why he has been off the scene for a while,” Halter said. “He’s versatile, can sit just behind the speed or he can get back and close. “Those sired by American stallion Artie Schiller can handle the dirt. “Doc O’Connor and Red Wraith, they’ll go very fast, so whatever Schiller Bay does he will only improve. “He’s a very nice horse, trialled impressively leading into this, so you can’t rule him out.” With Lefoe serving a suspension, Halter has cared for the horse and Emma Lines’ 1.5kg claim certainly helps. Gardner, who secured Red Wraith from Murray Bridge trainer Matthew Sayers a year ago, just hopes his horse handles the track. “If he puts his best foot forward, then I think he’s a very good chance,” Gardner said. “It’s a good race for him to start off with, but if he doesn’t match the better ones going forward there’s always races back in his grade. “He hasn’t raced since winning over 1000m on June 1 – I’ve just been poking along with him and spaced out his runs to keep him on the fresh side. “Hopefully, it pays dividends, but there are some nice horses in Saturday’s race – they’ve got form in Darwin.” Gardner, a narrow leader in the Alice Springs and Provincial trainers’ premiership, has celebrated six wins from 14 starts with Red Wraith, who was sixth in Alice Springs’ Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in April. Better Not Fuss, this year’s NT Guineas (1600m) winner in the Red Centre, and Hey Bull accompanied Red Wraith to Darwin, while Gardner hopes to start Lamoree, Befana, Tajaldin and new purchase Zesty Spice during Cup Carnival. Flying Annie, once trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace before winding up with Brisbane trainer Jack Bruce, has had four wins and 10 minor placings from 18 starts. In her one and only NT start, the mare won the Queen Of The Desert (1200m) at 0-76 level during the Alice Springs Cup Carnival. Sonja Logan is booked to ride Red Wraith, while Aaron Sweeney will partner Flying Annie. Horse racing news View the full article

Interpretation ridden by Teo Nugent on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the 2023 Melbourne Cup. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Interpretation will begin his preparation for a third Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) start with a fresh run in a 1620-metre event at Flemington on Saturday. Unlike his 2022 Melbourne Cup effort where he failed to finish, Interpretation delivered an impressive sixth-place finish in last year’s Melbourne Cup, making a strong move from near last on the home turn. Hopes are high that he can surpass that performance this November. “He ran enormous in the Cup last year,” Ciaron Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told Racing.com. “We gelded him last prep and he’s much more honest. “We’ve taken our time with him and let him get over it. “He’s had a long, slow build-up and it’s always been our plan to do this. “The Melbourne Cup is not easy to run in and to get to, so he’s had plenty of time to prep up for the spring. “He’s had three jump-outs and he’s been primarily placed at Ballarat, but he looks fantastic and is ready to kick-off.” Horse racing news View the full article

Lance Robinson has a feature close to home in mind for Burnvue and Archerfield, and both horses will make their first bid towards a Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) on Saturday at Riccarton Park. A rising nine-year-old, Burnvue has been a consistent campaigner for the stable with five wins to his credit, each coming on the rain-affected footing that he faces in the Greenwood Amberley Cup (1600m) this weekend. “We’re expecting him to run really well, he gets his heavy track on Saturday which he’ll really appreciate,” Robinson said. “He’s a year older, and he’s just taken a run or two to get back to his best. We feel that he’s well, and pretty right for this race if everything plays its part. “He’d have to win on Saturday to go ahead to the Winter Cup, but we’ve put him in just to see how his form is between now and then. “I’m fairly confident he’s come back good this time in and he’ll tell us, but if his form warrants it, we’ll be pushing on and that’s the path we’re leading too.” Ashvin Goindasamy will partner the son of Redwood, while visiting hoop Kelly Myers has been booked aboard an in-form Archerfield in the Target Earthmoving Rating 75 (2000m). The Ghibellines five-year-old recorded his fourth career success this preparation on a Soft 5, and the looming heavy surface poses little concern for Robinson. “I’m very happy with the way he’s come up this year, he holds a Winter Cup nomination too,” he said. “He doesn’t mind a bit of wet ground, and I think the 2000m will really suit him so he should run really well.” Robinson will be strongly represented the Bain McCall Memorial Two-Year-Old (1000m) with first-starters Zoo Bear and Alleato joined by Ali Nell, who was a promising second behind Quintefeuille on debut in February. “We’re really happy with her, she’s had a nice prep into this and has more experience than most of the others,” Robinson said. “She hasn’t trialled this time in, but she’s done a lovely piece of work and will be running home really well.” A son of Preferment out of stakes-performing mare Rikki Tikki Tavi, Zoo Bear was a comfortable trial winner at Ashburton in May in the hands of Robinson’s apprentice Kendra Bakker, who takes the ride on Saturday. “I was very happy with his trial run, and I feel that he’s gone ahead since then too,” Robinson said. “We just don’t know how all three will cope with the heavy track, but it’s a good chance to give them a 1000m two-year-old race on the grass before the spring. “We’ll be able to get a good line on them after Saturday on how they are going, but I’ve got a lot of time for all three of them and they are going to make lovely three-year-olds.” Vadamos mare Anneliese has been in consistent form on the polytrack at Riccarton of late, and a switch back to heavy conditions on turf is a positive ahead of the Sam Keenan – Tennis Coach Rating 65 (2000m). “She loves a heavy track, her first attempt at 2000m but I think she’s been looking for that,” Robinson said. “Her form has been excellent, and I think she’ll be very competitive on Saturday.” Of Robinson’s remaining contenders, a formerly Danica Guy-trained runner in Suzuka will make his debut for the stable in the Cup Week Hospitality On Sale 26 June Rating 65 (1000m). Robinson purchased the Satono Aladdin four-year-old on gavelhouse.com, who has placed in his sole attempt on a heavy surface. “We’ve been really happy with him, he’s made lovely progress since being down with us and we’re still learning a bit about him,” he said. “We’ll just run him on Saturday and see how he goes, but his work has been good since he’s arrived and he’s doing well. “He’s a go-forward sort of horse that normally runs on speed, so with the three-kilo claim (Bakker), I expect him to be running on pace and see how that pans out.” View the full article