Wandering Eyes

6th-Keeneland, $110,000, Alw, 4-26, (NW1X), 4yo/up, 6f, 1:09.68, ft, 5 3/4 lengths. MULLIKIN (c, 4, Violence–Tulira's Star {GSP}, by Congrats) broke his maiden at third asking by 10 1/4 lengths at Churchill Downs last May, was the runner-up to GSW Ryvit (Competitive Edge) in the Maxfield S. at Ellis Park in July and capped his year with a fourth-place finish over the same surface at the end of that month. Laid off since, the dark bay returned as the 2-1 second choice here. Mullikin was the speed of the speed up the backstretch and continued to pour it on around the far turn. Kicking for home, the 4-year-old opened up past the eighth pole and took the money by 5 3/4 lengths over Chance (Lookin At Lucky). A half-sister to SW Tulira Castle (War Pass), the winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by McKinzie, a yearling colt by Maxfield and she foaled a colt by Liam's Map Mar. 25. Sales History: $500,000 Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: SP, 6-2-3-0, $211,692. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Siena Farm LLC and WinStar Farm LLC; B-Fred W. Hertrich lll & John D. Fielding (KY); T-Rodolphe Brisset. #2 MULLIKIN ($6.68) wins R6 at Keeneland with ease. The four-year-old Violence colt gets his second career victory for trainer @BrissetRodolphe with Flavien Prat in the irons. pic.twitter.com/DgU5ZyaAH5 — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) April 26, 2024 The post Violence Colt Mullikin Off The Break Cruises Home At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

An administrative judge ruling April 22 affirmed a two-year suspension and $25,000 fine. Trainer Jonathan Wong intends to make a due process challenge of his case in federal court.View the full article

She's back, and back with a vengeance. Barbara T (f, 3, Army Mule–Alternative Energy, by Kantharos) disappeared from her foes and made her seasonal debut at Keeneland one worthy of a 'TDN Rising Star' nod. Last seen in her lone juvenile start July 30 at Del Mar, she finished a begrudging second to fellow debuter Chatalas (Gun Runner), who would eventually go on to win the GII Chandelier S. and place in the GII Starlet S. as well as the Blue Norther S. that season. That race would also yield GISP Gate to Paradise (Arrogate). The even-money favorite and on first-time Lasix here, Barbara T pushed the pace along from a stalking position before taking to vie for that lead entering the bend. Taking command after :22.81 and :45.95 splits, it was a matter of how much she'd like to win by and the margin was an eye-catching 11 3/4 lengths on the wire. Satin Blue (The Factor) was a well-beaten second. The second to the races but first to get her picture taken for Alternative Energy, Barbara T has a 2-year-old full-sister as the last registered offspring for their dam. Said mare is herself a half-sister to SW Carphonic (Lion Heart) as well as to MSP Ocarson (Olmodavor), both of whom have gone on to produce winners. Barbara T is Army Mule's first 'TDN Rising Star'. #5 BARBARA T ($4.22) breaks her maiden in just her second career start pulling away from the field in impressive fashion in race 4 at Keeneland. The daughter of Army Mule was ridden by Flavien Prat and is trained by @mwmracing. The start of the pick 6 is up next! pic.twitter.com/z6WpNwRWf7 — FanDuel Racing (Formerly TVG) (@FanDuel_Racing) April 26, 2024 4th-Keeneland, $99,175, Msw, 4-26, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:10.36, ft, 11 3/4 lengths. BARBARA T, f, 3, by Army Mule 1st Dam: Alternative Energy, by Kantharos 2nd Dam: Carsomatic, by Carson City 3rd Dam: Secretly, by Secretariat Sales history: $25,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV; $40,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $120,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $74,525. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-The Warnick Stable and Joseph A. Hinkhouse; B-Elevage II, LLC & St. Elias Stables LLC (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy. The post Barbara T Makes ‘TDN Rising Star’ Bow on Keeneland’s Closer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-LRL, $47K, Msw, 3-5yo, 6f, 12:25 p.m. ET. Three-year-old WRIGHTSVILLE (Candy Ride {Arg}) was initially purchased by Brady Bloodstock for $300,000 at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Then, the dark bay was taken home by SF, Starlight and Madaket at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $610,000, which was the top price for his sire's offspring that year. Out of an unraced dam, the Brittany Russell trainee counts as a half-brother GSW Durante (Distorted Humor). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insight Race: Candy Ride Colt Makes The Races At Laurel Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Selections for Wairio today Head to www.tab.co.nz to place your bet! Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 12.35pm 6 Scott 10 Artmore 5 Wehavtime 7 Big Boyz Toyz Race 2 1.00pm 1 Jonjondagoosehasgone 6 On The Beach 7 Foxing Easton 10 Asta Race 3 1.25pm 2 Bob Barrelit 4 Stella bay 8 Hennessy 10 Action Packed Race 4 1.52pm 3 Superfast 8 Raknruin 6 Robyns Hustler 5 Montage Race 5 2.19pm 11 Blithe 12 Bring On The Muscle 6 Johns Boy 13 Our Pinocchio Race 6 2.43pm 3 Captainshavtime 6 Matau Maria 12 Northview Ocean 9 It’s A Pleasure Race 7 3.10pm 9 On The Wing 11 Bobbies Rock 10 Sky Rocket 7 Outback Man Race 8 3.40pm 8 South Seas Rock 7 Joe’s Rock 5 Itoje 1 Brookies Player Race 9 4.05pm 4 Snap Shot 5 Stickifingers 3 Bismarck Du Plessis 9 Stillyourshot View the full article

Aging veterans and promising younger rivals await Japan's longest grade 1, the April 28 Tenno Sho (Spring) (G1) at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article

Henry Beeby has opened the door to Goffs embracing the publication of official times and other data at its newly slated breeze-up sale at Naas racecourse next year but admitted that such a move was unlikely to be met with universal approval from the breeze-up fraternity. No consignor would be more staunchly against the re-introduction of official times at the breeze-up sales in Europe than Brendan Holland. The Grove Stud operator says official times would create an increased reliance on the clock and would ultimately drive down clearance rates at the breeze-up sales. “I am and always have been against the publication of official times,” Holland explained. “There is a large cohort of people who buy breeze-up horses based on their intuition, experience from buying off certain vendors and ability to interpret a horse's breeze, action and pedigree without the benefit of times or regardless of a horse's time. If times were made public, a lot of those guys' hands would become tied. “A lot of the people that these guys are buying for don't attend the sales in person. If they are looking on and see that their agent has bought them something that has come 101st on the sheet, what's the chance they turn around and ask, 'any chance you can buy me one of the top 50 instead?'” He added, “It would make things very difficult for those people. The publication of official times is one of the main reasons why the clearance rate is significantly lower in America compared to Europe. Everyone acknowledges that you need to breeze well to sell well. But breezing well and breezing fast is not necessarily the same thing. “If you look at the top 20 times from Donny, there was a significant variation between how each horse sold. The whole thing is much more nuanced than just breezing fast and, if we make the times public, that then becomes the winning post and it will be to the detriment of this industry.” Of the horses who clocked in the top 20 on the unofficial times sheet at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale, 17 made six figures, with nine of those selling for £200,000 or more. Only three of the top 20 horses on times failed to break the six-figure mark. For context, there were 28 horses who cleared six figures at Doncaster. Unlike Holland, experienced breeze-up practitioners Mickey Cleere and Joanna Morgan-whose daughter Katie McGivern sold the £420,000 top lot filly by Havana Grey (GB) at Doncaster-say that they would welcome the publication of times. But one man who doesn't rely on a stopwatch is Highflyer's Anthony Bromley. Along with Alan King, it was Bromley who signed for the brilliant stayer Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) for just 31,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale in 2018 after the horse posted one of the slowest times. Derby runner-up Libertarian (GB) is just another example of a high-class horse to have graduated from the breeze-up sales after posting an inauspicious time. While Bromley conceded that the crux of a breeze-up sale is how fast a horse breezes, he defied anyone to determine the best horse from each sale on the clock alone, pointing to the unseasonal weather at the Craven and Donny sales as just another example of a different piece to be added to the jigsaw puzzle that is selecting horses. Tessa Greatrex and Anthony Bromley on the hunt at Doncaster | Sarah Farnsworth Bromley said, “What fun we all had at the Craven when we had biblical weather conditions and some of the lasers that were tasked with timing the breeze fell over. I found it immensely amusing. The buyers must be some sort of geniuses to have worked out what the fastest horses at the Craven were because, for four hours, we had a headwind, a tailwind, a furious crosswind about halfway through the breeze where the cameraman couldn't even hold the camera and, to top it all off, there were hailstones. If you are telling me that the fastest time clocked at the Craven is actually the fastest horse, I'd think it's very hard to work that out. There could have been 20 others that, if the conditions had been different, would have clocked fastest on any given day.” He added, “I look at the times-literally to cross off the ones who have clocked. There is no point in me wasting time, effort and vettings on those horses because they do make six figures. If I haven't got six figures to spend, which I don't, I don't waste my time looking at them. I am not decrying times because they are relevant but there are so many other factors involved when buying from the breeze-up sales. But outside of that top 25 per cent, I thought there was a lot of value to be had at the Craven and at Doncaster. My overview of the sales the past two weeks has been feast or famine. We've had the post-Covid honeymoon period-over jumps and on the Flat-but we are now entering a period of correction. The top 25 per cent is absolutely flying. It has never been healthier, but the rest of it, it's a tough gig. There were a lot of horses who didn't make 10 grand at Donny and we know it costs more than that to get a yearling prepared for the breeze-ups. It's worrying.” Despite the shakiness to the middle market at the Craven and at Doncaster, Beeby says he is convinced that there is a strong demand for another breeze-up sale in Ireland [to go with Tattersalls Ireland] and that the response to his Naas project from many of the top consignors has been positive. That sale will take place in June 2025 and is likely to be a select offering of back-end types. One thing that is not set in stone, however, is whether or not official times and data will be published but Beeby says he is open to such an idea. He explained, “It could work. At this stage, I certainly wouldn't dismiss the use of technology in some form or another but we would bow to what the consignors want. If we don't have the key consignors on board and they think it's a bad idea, then it's a waste of time. Various knowledgeable, experienced and respected breeze-up people wouldn't disagree with technology being readily available but, quite how that manifests, it remains to be seen. But I wouldn't dismiss it. Doing something slightly different could be something worth looking at.” Doing something different is exactly what Cleere plans for next year. Despite selling an Ardad (Ire) filly at Doncaster for £100,000, Cleere pointed to the rising costs and lack of a middle market as increasingly difficult hurdles to navigate. He explained, “To be honest, the fun has gone out of the whole breeze-up game for me. It's less enjoyable, for sure. The costs are so high and you can be left fairly wounded after a sale. I was talking to another breeze-up consignor this morning and he agreed that a lot of good horses are going to get missed with the way it's gone. I'd be all for the publication of times. The more information out there, the more ways you can sell a horse. “But it's gone very hard. Costs have gone up and there doesn't seem to be a middle market there. I'm going to have to reevaluate things strongly for next year. It's okay if you get into the top bracket but, for some stupid reason that you don't, you miss out. The falls are becoming increasingly hard to avoid. It takes very little for a horse not to breeze like you thought he might but the buyers are becoming less forgiving. I'll definitely have fewer horses to breeze next year.” Morgan agrees. While her daughter recorded her best day in a sale ring by netting £420,000 for her Havana Grey filly to Anthony Stroud, Morgan acknowledged that the lack of a middle market is becoming increasingly worrying. She said, “I was disappointed by the lack of northern trainers at Donny. Years ago at Donny, you'd have all the northern trainers there. There was none of that sort of activity this year. It was very cut throat. Even go back to the Craven, alright there were big figures there, but a lot of lads lost money there as well. It's become very hard to sell horses at the middle market.” Holland surmised that the breeze-up sphere, which has produced top-notchers like Vandeek (GB), Native Trail (GB) and Eldar Eldarov (GB) in the past couple of years alone, is becoming a victim of its own success with the high concentration of valuable yearlings bought to go down that route. He said, “The breeze-up game is in many ways becoming a victim of its own success. The consignors who have been successful in the past number of years are having to spend more money on yearlings, so they are becoming more exposed to risk. As a consequence of more money being spent on yearlings to go breezing, it is only natural that there is going to be more success in the sector. “The one thing I took away from the Craven and from Doncaster was that it was as competitive as ever at the top end. People have seen what quality horses you can buy at the breeze-ups–it is a realistic ambition to go and buy a Royal Ascot or Classic winner from these sales.” Holland added, “However, when you get into the middle and the bottom, that reflects the economic state of the country. The domestic market–for National Hunt and Flat–has been healthier in the past. I don't see a collapse in the market but I'd have a certain realism. “We'd an 80% clearance rate at Doncaster which, at one stage during the sale, looked as though it would be a miracle to achieve [due to the amount of horses being bought back by the vendors]. But the fact that 50 of the sales at Doncaster were private sales reflected the lack of competition in the sales ring.” Bromley shared that, oftentimes, the stiffest competition he faced for a horse at the Craven or at Doncaster was from the vendor rather than a fellow agent. Beeby concluded that 50 private sales at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale tells its own story about the middle market but insisted that no stone was left unturned in attracting buyers. He said, “When you look back on any sale, the first thing you think about is, 'who did we miss?' Of course we'd have liked more people there. We were pleased with the sale. By the same token, we recognise that 50 private sales tells a bit of a story. It was hard work at certain levels of the market. Yes, the top was very strong but we had as broad a buying bench than we have seen at any breeze-up so far. We worked very hard in the Middle East, Scandinavia and Italy with direct market visits there and they paid dividends.” Beeby added, “All sales rely on the vendors but the professionalism of the consignors at the breeze-up sales is a joy to behold. They are an amazing bunch of people who do it. The commitment and the nerve that they have to flip those horses is extraordinary. The good ones make a lot of money but there are plenty who slip through the cracks and the consignors dust themselves off and go again. I am always in awe of them. They have made the breeze-up market what it is.” The post Goffs Open To Official Times But Mixed Response From Breeze-Up Fraternity appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a half-brother to a Group 1 winner. 13.45 Navan, Mdn, €18,000, 2yo, 5f 180yT CAMILLE PISSARRO (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) makes his racecourse bow for Ballydoyle, having caused a stir when selling for 1.25million gns at the Tattersalls Book 1 Sale. A half-brother to the G1 Commonwealth Cup hero Golden Horde (Ire) (Lethal Force {Ire}), he encounters a well-regarded Donnacha O'Brien-trained filly in Sorella Carina (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), a 400,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 graduate who is a half to last year's G1 Cheveley Park S. heroine Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) racing for Reeves, Weston, Medallion and Coolmore. The post Half To Golden Horde Debuts For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

City Of Troy, the odds-on favourite for the G1 Qipco 2,000 Guineas, pleased his connections in a gallop on Friday morning ahead of his Classic date at Newmarket on Saturday, May 4. Unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, culminating with a dominant three-and-a-half-length victory in the G1 Dewhurst S. on the Rowley Mile in October, City Of Troy will be having his first run of the season in the 2,000 Guineas having skipped the trials. It's a tried-and-tested route for Aidan O'Brien–the most successful trainer in the race's history with 10 wins–and City Of Troy is said to be in peak condition ahead of his return to Newmarket, having impressed in one of his final pieces of work at Ballydoyle. Speaking to ITV Racing, Paul Smith, son of part-owner Derrick Smith, said, “He's in great form. He worked today and we're very happy with him. Dean [Gallagher, work rider] was delighted with him and Aidan was delighted with him. Fingers crossed he gets there in one piece, but it is all systems go. “He's grown a little bit, you'll see that at Newmarket next week. He's got a beautiful temperament, he had that as a two-year-old and still has it now. He takes his work very well–he's just a joy to be around. They are very happy with him.” Smith was in no rush to commit to any plans beyond City Of Troy's run in the 2,000 Guineas, though he didn't rule out the possibility of tackling races on dirt with the son of US Triple Crown winner Justify. “It [dirt racing] is a possibility,” Smith added. “It's the old cliché of taking it a race at a time. We'll see how he does next week and go from there, perhaps to the Derby. We're looking forward to it.” Champion 2YO City Of Troy (JUSTIFY) completes his morning workout at @Ballydoyle ahead of the Gr.1 2,000 Guineas at @NewmarketRace #Coolmore #Ballydoyle #HomeOfChampions pic.twitter.com/24XNM9VFQE — Coolmore (@coolmorestud) April 26, 2024 The post City Of Troy Firing On All Cylinders Ahead Of Classic Bid appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With just one week to go until the May 3 Kentucky Oaks (G1), several contenders logged their final recorded workouts on a Churchill Downs surface that several trainers referenced was playing toward faster times.View the full article

The likely favorite for next Saturday's GI Kentucky Derby, 'TDN Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) completed his final preparation with a half-mile work Friday in :48.80 (43/68) according to Churchill Downs release Friday afternoon. Working under jockey John Velzazquez and in company with fellow 'Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road), the Repole Stables-owned runner worked through fractions of :12.80, :24.80, :36.80 and :48.80 before galloping out five furlongs in 1:00.60, six furlongs in 1:12.60 and seven-eights in 1:26. “I'm very, very happy with the work,” indicated trainer Todd Pletcher. FIERCENESS worked a half-mile in company with AGATE ROAD for HOF trainer Todd Pletcher. #KyDerby150 :48.80@JoeyDaKRacing & @RosieNapravnik take you through his work. pic.twitter.com/c5d2Oix8bj — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 26, 2024 Also potentially working towards the Derby, Endlessly (Oscar Performance) breezed his half-mile in :47.80 (19/68) for Amerman Racing with Umberto Rispoli aboard. “All options are now open,” said trainer Michael McCarthy. “I liked his move this morning, very pleased with it. Now we'll see what's next. I'm going to have a conversation with Mr. Amerman now and see what we're going to do.” Several Derby contenders had routine gallops Friday morning ahead of scheduled works Saturday. The list of gallopers included: Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser), Catching Freedom (Constitution), Encino (Nyquist), Just a Touch (Justify), Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), Domestic Product (Practical Joke), Dornoch (Good Magic), Society Man (Good Magic), Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}), Mystik Dan (Goldencents), Resilience (Into Mischief), Track Phantom (Quality Road) and Stronghold (Ghostzapper). Ahead of next Friday's GI Kentucky Oaks, trainer Brad Cox sent out both Gin Gin (Hightail) and 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) for their final works. The pair breezed together, finishing in :59.60 (5/25) and :59.20 (2/25) respectively. “I thought the move was very strong,” said Cox. “Tarifa started just behind Gin Gin and they both finished up well together and galloped out strong. A good, solid move. We're looking forward to getting them ready for next Friday.” Tarifa (5F :59.20) and Gin Gin (5F :59.60) competing their final works before the #KyOaks. pic.twitter.com/mHk2kERJ0N — Kevin Kerstein (@HorseRacingKK) April 26, 2024 Also working was Into Champagne (Into Mischief) who completed five furlongs in 1:00 (11/25) for Ian Wilkes, Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna) (five furlongs in :59.40 {3/25}), Where's My Ring (Twirling Candy) (four furlongs in :46.60 {5/68}) and Manama Gold (Star Guitar), who was withdrawn from Oaks consideration by trainer Todd Pletcher following her work. “She worked OK this morning (half mile in :48.60), but she got real tired at the end of it,” Pletcher said. “She looks like she has the makings of a good filly, but we're going to need some more time to work with her before she's ready to go. We won't be putting her in the Oaks.” Gallopers on the morning included: Just FYI (Justify), Lemon Muffin (Collected), Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach) and Ways and Means (Practical Joke). The post Fierceness, Other Contenders Get Final Derby Preps In The Books appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aging veterans and promising younger rivals await Japan's longest grade 1, the April 28 Tenno Sho (Spring) at Kyoto Racecourse.View the full article

Repole Stable's Fierceness works four furlongs in :48 4/5 under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez April 26 at Churchill Downs in preparation for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

The 2023 Kentucky Derby (G1) was a frenetic experience for Jason Loutsch and the rest of the Albaugh Family Stables team.View the full article

Golden Sixty, Romantic Warrior, and California Spangle carry the local banner as Hong Kong celebrates the second big international day of the 2023-24 season.View the full article

1st-Keeneland, $79,675, Msw, 4-26, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.35, fm, 1 1/4 lengths. SATURDAY FLIRT (f, 2, Mendelssohn–Dragic {MSP, $104,350}, by Broken Vow) raced near the rear of the field on this unveiling, biding her time in cover as the frontrunners put up :21.89 and :45.18 early splits. Swung seven wide to the grandstand side as they rolled into the stretch, Saturday Flirt closed relentlessly but managed to overhaul 28-1 longshot Bois Blanc (First Samurai) in the late stages to win by 1 1/4 lengths. Out of a half-sister to the late champion MGISW Echo Zulu (Gun Runner) and to GISW Echo Town (Speightstown), the victress is the second winner to the races for Dragic. That mare, who also claims GSW J Boys Echo (Mineshaft) as a half-brother as well as GSP Unbridled Outlaw (Unbridled's Song), delivered a 2024 Gun Runner colt this spring. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $45,880. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B/T-Wesley A. Ward (KY). (7) Saturday Flirt storms down the center of the track to win the closing day opener, adding another victory for current leading jockey @iradortiz and trainer Wesley Ward. pic.twitter.com/Iz8ENNAOEe — Keeneland Racing (@keenelandracing) April 26, 2024 The post Mendelssohn’s Saturday Flirt Strikes at First Asking on Keeneland’s Closing Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the calm before the storm that will be next weekend's GI Kentucky Derby, a lone pair of graded turf races offer opportunities for older horses on the West Coast Saturday. Golden Gate Fields, whose closure was announced last year, cards their final GIII San Francisco Mile S. A full field of 12 lines up for the one-mile contest and while the race is open for those 3-years-old and up, the youngest runner is Blaine Wright's 4-year-old Clovisconnection (Vronsky). The class appears to be deepest amongst the 5-year-olds with Phil D'Amato's Balnikhov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}) making his 13th straight graded-stakes start dating back to Sept. 2022. Last year's winner, Banikhov will have to again hold off the longshot third-place finisher from 2023 in Il Bellator (Shackleford), another 5-year-old for Edward and Theresa DeNike and Jose Bautista. Also of note will be the speedy Astronomer (Air Force Blue) making his first start of the year for Simon Callaghan. Further south at Santa Anita, older fillies and mares also go one mile in the GIII Royal Heroine S. Reddam Racing homebred Stay and Scam (Square Eddie) will look to play “catch me if you can” with the rest of the field. The 4-year-old has hit the board in nine of 11 starts, including wining two of her last three. Second after relinquishing the lead late in her first try over course and distance in the GIII Wilshire S. last out Apr. 4, the Chief Stipe O'Neill trainee will look to last this go round. Breaking just to her inside is the 5-year-old mare Uncorked (Aus) (Pierro {Aus}), an Australian invader making her first start for Phil D'Amato after a consistent career on the East Coast with Brittany Russell. Also entered for D'Amato is GII Megahertz S. winner Bellabel (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}). Continuing to try her hand on the turf for John Shirreffs is 'TDN Rising Star' Justique (Justify) who will be happy to hear that Richard's Mandella's Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) is not an entry here after running behind that filly in four of her last five starts. The post All Eyes On The California Grass For Saturday’s Graded Action appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Australian Champion Sire Fastnet Rock (Aus) (Danehill) has been pensioned from stallion duty, Coolmore Australia announced. Bred by Linley Investments, the son of Piccadilly Circus (Aus) (Royal Academy) would go on to race for an ownership group and trainer Paul Perry. His best days on the racecourse were in 2005, where he won the G1 Lightning S. and G1 Oakleigh Plate in succession. Named both Australian Champion Sprinter and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt that year, Fastnet Rock retired to stud with a mark of 19-6-7-2 and $1,312,623 in earnings. As a stallion, he was even better, earning Australian titles in 2012 and 2015. Internationally, he has sired 193 stakes winners (122 group). Of those, 43 have been at the highest level, as he spent many seasons shuttling from his Coolmore Australia base to Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Some of his best progeny have been fillies Avantage (Aus), an nine-time Group 1 winner in New Zealand, and four-time Group 1 winners Mosheen (Aus) and Atlantic Jewel (Aus). In the Northern Hemisphere, Fastnet Rock has sired the likes of three-time G1 Prix de la Foret heroine One Master (GB), dual hemisphere Group 1 winner Via Sistina (Ire), and G1 Champion S. and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup victor Fascinating Rock (Ire). As a broodmare sire, the 22-year-old has left 113 stakes winners (71 group). An even dozen of his daughters' foals are Group 1 winners anchored by decorated sprinter/miler Santa Ana Lane (Aus) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), and fellow top-level winners Zougotcha (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}), G1 Yorkshire Oaks victress Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), and current Hong Kong star Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). “Fastnet Rock has been a once-in-a-lifetime horse, and we are immensely grateful for the incredible journey he has taken us on. I hope he will enjoy a long and happy retirement here at Jerrys Plains,” said Coolmore's Tom Magnier. “His legacy will endure for generations to come, and we look forward to seeing his influence continue to shape the future of the sport. His son Acrobat (Aus) was the fastest 2-year-old ever at Randwick over 1000m and if his first foals are anything to go by, we'll be hearing a lot more about him in the future.” The post Champion Sire Fastnet Rock Pensioned At Coolmore Australia appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

HONG KONG, CHINA — According to the Hong Kong Observatory, the city's weather forecast agency, about 230 millilitres of rain had fallen between the first of the year and Apr. 25. Of that amount, fully 200 mls have been recorded since the first of this month and the vast majority of that has occurred this week, as rain–at times heavy enough to completely obscure the top of the Sha Tin straight course–thunder and lightning have been just this side of relentless. The considerable precipitation has the connections of Hong Kong's three leading lights for Sunday's FWD Champions Day meeting a little concerned, maybe even more than a little. Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) is Hong Kong's three-time defending Horse of the Year and will try to win the G1 FWD Champions Mile for a record-extending fourth straight time in what many believe will be the final start of a truly remarkable career. After overcoming the 14 hole and belying a 224-day absence to win the G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile for a third time last December, his lead-up to Sunday's race has been sub-optimal, including an injury scare that cast a fair amount of doubt on his very participation. He's been away for 139 days this time and has the underfoot conditions to deal with from gate seven, with Vincent Ho at the controls for the 31st time in his 31 starts. “The barrier draw isn't a worry, only the weather will be,” said trainer Francis Lui. “Now, he's very professional and he looks after himself. I think his condition has come up just in time.” Golden Sixty shows one race on rain-affected ground, a third to the at-home Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the 2000-metre G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup in 2022 when he was routinely ridden further back in the field. It's an effort that is best taken with a grain of salt. Middleham Park Racing LX's Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation) is one who would appear to enjoy easier conditions, as he is a perfect four-from-four on tracks listed as soft or heavy. The four-length winner of the G2 Vittoria di Capua in bottomless ground in Milan last November, the bay gelding showed he handles a sounder surface when holding out Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) in the $500,000 Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cup in Qatar Feb. 17. Trainer Archie Watson said in the immediate aftermath of that performance that the Champions Mile was the plan, and Arc-winning rider Luke Morris is looking forward to the challenge. “He's had a nice break since Qatar and once we knew he could perform on a fast surface, the Champions Mile was always on the radar, so he's been prepared perfectly. We've got him exactly where we want him,” Morris said. Other logical challengers are Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), runner-up in the Hong Kong Mile and next-out winner of the G1 Stewards Cup, and Galaxy Patch (Aus) (Wandjina {Aus}), who is down in trip after just missing in the BMW Hong Kong Derby over 10 furlongs. California Spangle In The Same Boat…or Ark There are a few similarities between Golden Sixty and California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who looks to add Sunday's G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize to previous elite-level conquests in the Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup and the Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai. Each has drawn barrier seven in a field of 11 and like the champ, the underfoot conditions give connections some cause for pause. “We will have to see, but I am not very confident and I prefer a good track,” trainer Tony Cruz said. “You have got to know where you are because (on) a good track, we all know he can perform and we don't want a wet track to gamble on.” Despite heavy rains earlier in the week at Happy Valley, the Wednesday evening meeting was held over 'good' ground and depending on the timing of rain over the weekend, the quick-drying Sha Tin could ride quicker than anticipated. “This track really is amazing compared to any track in the world,” Cruz said. “No matter how much rain there is, it can turn out to be a very good track, still.” California Spangle | HKJC Though California Spangle is well clear on ratings, the two horses closest to him have form over easier ground. Moyglare Stud-bred Mad Cool (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), eighth to the sidelined Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse {Aus}) in the G1 Longones Hong Kong Sprint in December, makes the short ship after narrowly saluting in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen in yielding ground last month. Victor the Winner (Aus) (Toronado {Ire}) was a pacesetting third in that contest, three lengths adrift, and will be put into play early from gate two by Derek Leung. Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) jets in for the ambitious George Boughey, with something to find with the race favourites. Winner of the G3 Prix Texanita at Chantilly last May, the 4-year-old was a close third in the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock in September. She was last seen finishing in the last third of the field and well beaten in the G1 British Champions Sprint S. Oct. 21. “She's got some form on softer going but, ideally, we'd have wanted it on the quicker side,” her jockey Harry Bentley commented. “Ideally, we'd jump and sit close to the pace, if we can sit in a box-seat position we'd be very happy.” 'Honour' Takes Different Path Into QE II When Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride of Dubai {Aus}) arrived into Hong Kong for last year's G1 FWD QE II Cup, it was on his way back home after a pair of cracking victories in Group 1 company in Australia. While he covered himself in glory when third to Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and Prognosis (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), he comes into this event off a visually impressive three-length success in the Listed Magnolia S. over the Kempton all-weather Apr. 1. Dubai Honour's win in Australia's version of the Queen Elizabeth came over easy ground, and connections wouldn't mind the current weather pattern to hold on through the weekend. “The rain keeps coming down, so that's kind of the thing we're most excited about,” said exercise rider Issy Paul. “He's coming here a lot fresher, which is a big benefit. He feels great.” Dubai Honour | HKJC Romantic Warrior looks for his third straight QE II after once again winning the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup. James McDonald is on another hit-and-run mission this weekend for owner Peter Lau. “We have never raced on yielding or soft before, so we don't know if it will be good or bad,” Lau told South China Morning Post. “We are concerned but fingers crossed.” Prognosis has a bad habit of breaking slowly, and he'll want to be as close to perfect on Sunday, as there is little margin for error. That said, when things go his way, he is a top-class individual and his five-length romp in the G2 Kinko Sho at Chukyo six weeks ago makes him a proper threat. Three of the last 10 runnings of the QE II have been taken by 4-year-olds exiting a win in the BMW Hong Kong Derby–including Romantic Warrior in 2022–as they try to prove their mettle against unrestricted and world-class competition. Massive Sovereign (Ire) (Sioux Nation) has a chance to join a list that also features Vengeance of Rain (NZ), Designs on Rome (Ire) and Werther (NZ), and while leading jockey Zac Purton knows it won't be easy, he's also not willing to trade places with anyone. “Obviously a massive job when he comes out of a Derby, so it's a good test for him to see where he is at and that's the exciting part about this stage of the season,” the Australian said. “Coming through the Derby he has gone against racing against 4-year-olds here in Hong Kong to going against some of the world's best.” The post Golden Sixty’s Reign At The Mercy Of The Rain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eclipse and Sovereign Award winner Channel Maker (English Channel), who now resides at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, is among the Thoroughbred inductees to the Class of 2024, the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame said in a release late Wednesday. Across six categories–Male and Female Horse, Builder, Jockey, Trainer and Veteran–a 20-person election committee voted on the list of finalists. Channel Maker was a stalwart multiple grade I stakes winner who amassed almost $4 million in earnings over 56 career races–46 of which were graded North American ones. The gelding was retired to Old Friends late last year by owners Adam Wachtel of Wachtel Stable, Gary Barber, R. A. Hill Stable and Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. Joining the 9-year-old in the Hall of Fame will be Canadian Horse of the Year and MGISW Starship Jubilee (Indy Wind), racehorse owner and breeder Glen Todd, jockey Patrick Husbands, Channel Maker's original trainer Danny Vella and senior steward Richard Grubb. The induction ceremony will take place Wednesday, Aug. 7. Details concerning ticket information will be released in early May. The post Channel Maker Among Class Of ’24 Canadian Hall Of Fame Inductees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Nominations are now open for stable staff to ride in one of four charity races as part of Betfair Racing Staff Week (June 22-28), Racing Welfare announced on Friday. The four race dates are: Ayr Racecourse – Saturday 22nd June – Distance: Six furlongs Chepstow Racecourse – Monday 24th June – Distance: One mile two furlongs Newbury Racecourse – Tuesday 25th June – Distance: One mile Nottingham Racecourse – Thursday 27th June – Distance: Six furlongs Racing Welfare's corporate fundraising and events manager Clare Kingston said, “If you've ever dreamt of riding in a race, now is your chance. We have the opportunity for up to 48 members of stable staff to experience the ultimate thrill of riding in a race and I'd encourage any trainers to consider whether they have members of staff they'd like to put forward–it's not limited to one member of staff per trainer. These races always prove extremely popular and I'm sure this year will be no different so please get your entries in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.” Last year's renewals during Racing Staff Week collectively raised more than £70,000. To nominate, please visit the Racing Welfare website. The post Nominations Open For Quartet Of Stable Staff Races During Racing Staff Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last seen winning the G3 Zetland S. in commanding fashion at Newmarket in October, Godolphin's Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}–Dubai Rose {GB}, by Dubai Destination) furthered his Derby claims with a return win in Friday's G3 Sandown Classic Trial. Sent off the 5-6 favourite for the 10-furlong blue riband prep, the €600,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate was quickly to the fore under William Buick and already held a clear advantage at the top of the straight. Never seriously troubled from there, one of the key Derby hopefuls for Charlie Appleby maintained the gallop to score by 3 1/4 lengths from Macduff (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam said, “He has got to be in the Derby mix now and obviously there are a few other irons in the fire, but I suppose he has to be the main one at the minute. We'll see how he comes out of the race and if he goes anywhere, it will probably be Chester–the Dante is a bit close to Epsom. I think experience-wise, as you can see there, he's quite professional already. We've not had a Dubawi win the Derby yet, but fingers crossed we will get there eventually.” William Buick was impressed. “He is very straightforward and he showed that last year. He just kept on improving last year, so let's hope he can keep doing the same. Charlie was very keen to go forward today but we were also very happy to sit off the pace if there was a strong pace. As it turns out, he has a big stride and he likes to use it and he changed gear two and a half out and attacked the hill, so it was a very nice performance.” Ralph Beckett said of Macduff, “He's a very straightforward horse and Rossa [Ryan] felt he had enough in the tank to tackle the winner, but the ground just counted against him. He does have a sort of fast-ground pedigree, so that ties in. We'll see how he trains in the next few weeks and Barry [Mahon] is not keen to rule out Epsom and neither am I. We'll see how he trains in the coming weeks and how the trials go and then see how we feel about it.” Pedigree Notes Dubai Rose, who captured the Listed Kolner Stuten-Trophy as well as the Swiss Derby over a mile and a half, is also responsible for the dual G2 Prix de Royallieu winner and G1 Prix Vermeille third The Juliet Rose (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), Dubawi's listed-winning Everest Rose (GB) and the dual listed-placed Pocketfullofdreams (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). She is kin to the G2 Pretty Polly S. winner Hanami (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), whose progeny include the G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and G3 Ballysax S.-placed Regent Street (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Among Dubai Rose's other half-siblings is another German listed scorer in Hernando's Soho Rose (Ire), who produced the G1 Prix de Royallieu heroine Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and her G2 Great Voltigeur S. and G3 Bahrain Trophy-winning full-brother Deauville Legend (Ire), as well as the group 3-placed Dean Street Doll (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Her 2-year-old colt Orageux (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) was sold to Blandford Bloodstock for €660,000 at last year's Deauville August Sale. Some seriously smart horses have taken the @bet365 Classic Trial over the years – might we have just seen another Premier League performer in @godolphin's Arabian Crown? He looks a right prospect… pic.twitter.com/IzEoNOA7Ns — Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) April 26, 2024 Friday, Sandown, Britain BET365 CLASSIC TRIAL-G3, £85,000, Sandown, 4-26, 3yo, 9f 209yT, 2:12.61, g/s. 1–ARABIAN CROWN (FR), 129, c, 3, by Dubawi (Ire) 1st Dam: Dubai Rose (GB) (SW-Ger), by Dubai Destination 2nd Dam: Russian Rose (Ire), by Soviet Lad 3rd Dam: Thornbeam, by Beldale Flutter (€600,000 Ylg '22 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-GB Partnership (FR); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £48,204. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1, $139,761. *1/2 to The Juliet Rose (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}), MGSW & G1SP-Fr, $554,634. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Macduff (GB), 129, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Present Tense (GB), by Bated Breath (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £18,275. 3–Remaadd (Ire), 129, c, 3, Gleneagles (Ire)–Oojooba (GB), by Monsun (Ger). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum; B-Godolphin (IRE); T-William Haggas. £9,146. Margins: 3 1/4, HF, HD. Odds: 0.83, 5.50, 8.00. Also Ran: Portland (Ire), Under The Sun (GB), War Rooms (Ire), Dunstan (Ire), Prince Rasam (GB). Scratched: Matsuri (GB). The post Dubawi’s Arabian Crown In Command In The Classic Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A bumper field has been declared for Sunday's G1 Tenno Sho (Spring), with 18 runners set to do battle over the 3,200-metre distance at Kyoto Racecourse. The race is run over a longer trip than any other Group 1 in the JRA calendar and staying was typically the name of the game last year when Justin Palace (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) ground his rivals into submission with a dominant performance under Christophe Lemaire. Justin Palace is a notable absentee from this year's line-up, but the likes of Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and Silver Sonic (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) are back for more having finished second and third, respectively, 12 months ago. Stamina certainly won't be an issue for either horse, though both need to bounce back from below-par efforts in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten last time. T O Royal (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}), on the other hand, looked better than ever when winning that race by five lengths, identifying himself as a leading contender as he tries to improve on his third-place finish in the 2022 edition of the Tenno Sho (Spring) when it was run at Hanshin. “He was raring to run in the Hanshin Daishoten and the jockey had a lot of horse under him the whole way,” said Atsushi Obayashi, assistant trainer to Inao Okada. “When he urged him on T O Royal responded with some very solid running. “Everything about his prep has gone smoothly. The competition will take a step up but there's nowhere this horse comes up short. He has come into his own now. He has ample stamina and with the condition he's in presently I think he has ample chance. I'm really looking forward to the race.” The placed horses from the Hanshin Daishoten, Warp Speed (Jpn) (Drefong) and Blow The Horn (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), are in opposition again, but it's a couple of four-year-olds who appeal as potentially the biggest dangers to T O Royal on Sunday, namely the Classic winners Durezza (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) and Tastiera (Jpn) (Satono Crown {Jpn}), both horses owned by Carrot Farm Co Ltd. Tastiera enjoyed his day in the sun when winning last year's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) at Tokyo, but he was later no match for Durezza when the pair met in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St Leger) at this track. Durezza ran on willingly in the closing stages to win by three and a half lengths and Tomohito Ozeki is cautiously optimistic of an improved showing on Sunday following his runner-up finish in the G2 Kinko Sho at Chukyo last time. “The Kikuka Sho really took a lot out of him, so his second place in the Kinko Sho was in part due to the time needed to get him back to his best,” said Ozeki. “He's still immature physically, too soft in places, too tight in others, so we had to prepare him for the race while being careful he doesn't tense up. “On April 17 he worked under Keita Tosaki and alongside another horse. That horse could move so it was a good hard workout. He should have improved after that–he is definitely improving as he heads toward the Group 1. I can't say the distance is welcome, but with the way he's looking now, I think he'll be able to handle it.” On Tastiera, who finished down the field on his return to action in the G1 Osaka Hai at Hanshin, trainer Noriyuki Hori said, “Looking at his condition and his body, I still can't find a reason for him losing his last race. Looking at his last result, I can't really say how he'll do. I'll just keep my thinking cap on as we head in to this race.” Of the rest, the consistent Chuck Nate (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) isn't one to underestimate following his last-time-out victory in the G2 American Jockey Club Cup at Nakayama, while Savona (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) was only sixth in the Hanshin Daishoten but has some good efforts at Kyoto to his name, including when pushing Blow The Horn all the way in the G2 Nikkei Shinshun Hei H. here in January. The post T O Royal Bids For First Top-Level Success In Tenno Sho appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kenny Alexander, the owner of Honeysuckle (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}), has donated a specific set of racing colours which will be offered as part of the Goffs Punchestown Sale next week, the sales company announced on Friday. Signed by Rachael Blackmore, Henry De Bromhead and Alexander, the silks were worn by Blackmore in all of Honeysuckle's major races, including her four Cheltenham Festival victories and nine Irish Grade 1 wins. The silks are offered to support the ChildVision indoor equine therapeutic centre named in memory of Jack De Bromhead, which will be built this year. The catalogue for the Punchestown Sale, which takes place immediately after racing on May 2, will be limited to 24 lots and released on Monday. For more information, please visit the Goffs website. The post Honeysuckle Silks To Be Offered At Goffs Punchestown Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keeneland has supplemented the 2-year-old Cheval de Guerre (Caravaggio) to Friday evening's April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, which will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET., the auction house said in a release early Friday morning. Consigned by Kenneally Racing, agent, the colt will sell as Hip 135 from Barn 18. The first foal out of Champagne Diet, a winning daughter of Declaration of War, the gray is from the family of multiple Grade I winners Winter Memories (El Prado {Ire}) and Memories of Silver (Silver Hawk). On the turf at Keeneland in race 2 on Thursday, Cheval de Guerre was the runner-up in his debut to Into Diamonds (Into Mischief). Click here for the online catalog and here for full-sale form figures for the 135 horses in the catalog. #12 Into Diamonds wins on debut in R2 at Keeneland under @iradortiz for trainer Mark Casse! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/JT48XkkBMK — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) April 25, 2024 The post Juvenile Cheval De Guerre Supplemented To Keeneland April Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article