Wandering Eyes

You have to root for the people who strive so hard to make a go of racing in Northern California after Golden Gate Fields shut its doors for good June 9. Racing has a rich history in Northern California and there are hundreds of people, from hotwalkers to grooms to trainers to breeders, and everybody in between, who depend on the sport to put food on the table. They deserve better than the uncertainty that has left most everyone worrying about their futures after The Stronach Group announced it was closing Golden Gate Fields, which had been operating since 1941. But if the first weekend of the post-Golden Gate Fields era is any indication, this is going to be a tough battle to win. The first of the five fair tracks that make up the California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) circuit, opened Friday and the numbers were not good. Pleasanton ran six races on Friday, opening day, and attracted only 33 runners. On Saturday, they ran seven races and there were just 38 starters. That works out to an average of 5.46 starters per race. They fared a little bit better on Sunday, when they were able to cobble together an eight-race card with 51 horses entered. That makes for a bad betting product, but the handle numbers were actually up from last year. The total handle over the first two days was $1,840,674. Last year, the combined handle on the first two days at Pleasanton was $1,501,424. The gain was 22.5 percent. But that was hardly a cause for celebration. The betting public sent a message loud and clear, that wagering on small fields at racetracks people aren't that familiar with is a very tough sell. Averaging $920,337 a day might work for a short fair meet, but the goal in Northern California is to turn Pleasanton into the hub for a circuit that runs for at least six months. The biggest problems the CARF tracks face are horse population and field size. Golden Gate had to cancel racing five times over the last two months because it didn't have enough horses to fill cards. The only way to get bigger fields is to increase purses, but it doesn't look like the public is going to bet enough on these tracks to make it happen. It only figures to get worse since California breeders are likely to cut back with so much uncertainty facing racing not just in the North but in the South as well. California-breds are vital to filling cards in Northern California and their numbers continue to decline. As recently as 2015, 1,855 horses were foaled in the state. In 2022, the number was 1,310. And that's likely to drop even further. A turf course would help. But Pleasanton doesn't have one. The only CARF track that does is Santa Rosa, but its entire 2024 racing season comes down to just nine days. Golden Gate Fields | Shane Micheli/Vassar Photography In past years, the fairs would host racing from mid-June to late October and then Golden Gate would re-open and begin its long meet, which stretched out over nearly nine months. This year racing will return to Pleasanton on Oct. 19 and the meet will be run by a group calling itself Golden State Racing. That meet will run through late December. Then what? Who will hold racing in Northern California during the first five months of 2025? That doesn't mean that someone won't try. Racing officials in the northern portion of the state seem determined to formulate a plan that will save racing in the region. When the California Horse Racing Board met in March and approved the Golden State Racing meet at Pleasanton, CARF CEO Larry Swartzlander issued a statement that was brimming with optimism. “We brought together the best and the brightest of our sport,” Swartzlander said. “Our commitment was to develop a horse racing plan that is modern, enhances the economic and social health of the community, is safe for the horses and jockeys, fun for our fans and generates excitement in Northern California. “[Pleasanton] provides a financially sound location. We anticipate more dynamic racing fields, higher purses, and betting opportunities that enhance the fun. At the same time, we have adhered closely to ideas offered by experts as we continue focusing on the health of our horses and jockeys.” That's all well and good and Swartzlander and his team deserve the chance of what amounts to pulling a rabbit out of their hat. But the bottom line is sobering: not enough horses, only limited opportunities on the grass, handles too small to generate even medium-sized purses, no plans in place yet for next year, plus no chance of receiving money from casinos or slot machines. Northern California racing was having a tough enough time as it was when Golden Gate was still around. With what is left over, how can racing in that part of the state survive? One can only hope. Fierceness's Little Brother Wins The news on last year's 2-year-old champion Fierceness (City of Light) has not been good of late. After a poor showing in the GI Kentucky Derby he was supposed to reappear in the GI Belmont S. but did not run because trainer Todd Pletcher felt he needed more time and is now pointing the colt to the GI Haskell S. In the meantime, Pletcher could have a new star on his hands and it's Fierceness's full-brother, Mentee (City of Light). He turned his debut Saturday at Aqueduct into a winning one when beating six others in a maiden special weight race. He won by only a nose, but it looked like rider John Velazquez was overconfident in the stretch and wasn't aware that Colloquial (Vekoma) was making a strong late run down the middle of the track. Over time it will be interesting to compare Fierceness and Mentee to see if Mentee has any of the same quirks that have hurt Fierceness and turned him into the sport's most erratic horse. More Good News on Break Down Rates According to a metrics report, HISA announced last week that over the first quarter of 2024 there was a 38 percent decrease in racing-related fatalities year-over-year. The numbers were derived only from tracks that HISA has control over. But if the data holds up throughout the year, the number of racing-related fatalities per one thousand starts will have dipped all the way to 0.89. In 2009, the first year that the Jockey Club started recording fatalities, the number was 2.0 per 1,000 starters. Fifteen years later, the number has never dipped below 1.0. The sport has come together and done an excellent job when it comes to addressing breakdowns. But the goal must remain to reduce the overall number to as few as possible. The post Week In Review: Northern California Racing Begins Its Uphill Battle For Survival appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Working for Bob Baffert were Arabian Knight, who worked a bullet five furlongs in :59 1/5, and Reincarnate who went four furlongs in :49 1/5. Arabian Knight has been sidelined since a fourth-place finish in the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Classic. View the full article

Favored to defend his title in Sunday's GIII San Juan Capistrano S., Planetario (Brz) didn't disappoint, breaking his own track record over the 1 3/4-mile distance at Santa Anita in the process. Installed the 3-5 choice to repeat, the 6-year-old settled at the back as longshots Bee Catcher (English Channel) and Rimprotector (Point of Entry) led through moderate opening fractions. Turning for home, 5-2 second choice Rockemperor closed from the outside, while Planetario launched his bid down the center of course. While the former appeared to be en route to victory, the Brazilian bred had the most momentum, sweeping to the front late to post his first victory of the season. A dual Group 1 winner in his native Brazil, Planetario made his initial six starts in the US, topped by wins in this race last June and the 12-furlong GII Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar in November. This season, he finished runner-up behind Missed the Cut in both the 10-furlong GIII San Marcos S. Feb. 10 and the GIII San Luis Rey S. over 1 1/2 miles Mar. 23. Favored in his latest, he came home a close-up third in the May 4 GII Charles Whittingham S. Pedigree Notes: Il Doge, Brazil's champion 2-year-old colt in 2014, is a son of Overbrook Farm homebred and 1998 GI Florida Derby winner Cape Town. Despite extremely small reported crops, he is the sire of two Brazilian Group 1 winners. Planetario's female family traces directly back to the Calumet Farm homebred Nellie Flag, who was sired by Man O' War's son American Flag and was Calumet's initial champion. The champion 2-year-old filly of 1934, Nellie Flag became a foundation mare for Calumet. In addition to producing champion Mar-Kell and Kentucky Oaks winner Nellie L., her descendants include three-time Horse of the Year Forego and Kentucky Derby winner Bold Forbes. Watch as Hector Berrios and #6 Planetario (Brz) run down #2 Rockemperor (Ire) to win Santa Anita's $100,000 San Juan Capistrano (G3)! pic.twitter.com/xOvRvuIBRD — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) June 16, 2024 The post Planetario Breaks His Own Track Record To Win Another GIII San Juan Capistrano S. At Santa Anita appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three Chimneys Farm's grade 1 winning stallion Volatile was represented by his first winner June 16 as Aguas de Cristal won the fifth race, a five-furlong maiden special weight, at Monmouth Park.View the full article

Sparkling Plenty showed a superb burst of speed from the back of the pack to run down co-favored Tamfana in a scrambled finish in the Prix de Diane (G1) at Chantilly June 16.View the full article

The Goffs London Sale scaled new heights in 2022 when G1 Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal (GB) (Territories {Ire}) sold to Gai Waterhouse, Adrian Bott and Johnny McKeever for £1.2 million, while last year that sum was very nearly matched when the G3 Marble Hill S. winner Givemethebeatboys was bought by Bronson Racing for £1.1 million, less than 24 hours before his commendable fourth-place finish in the G2 Coventry S. at Royal Ascot. Those results leave the 2024 edition of the London Sale with quite the act to follow, but the strength of the catalogue suggests it could well prove equal to the task, with 23 lots–including a number of Royal Ascot contenders–set to be offered when the great and good of the racing and breeding communities descend on Kensington Palace Gardens on Monday for the sale's tenth anniversary. The catalogue received the ultimate update on Sunday when Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) (lot 11) won the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly. It would be quite the coup for the London Sale should her connections proceed with their plans to offer the Classic-winning full-sister to the G3 Jersey S. scorer Noble Truth (Fr), out of a half-sister to the six-time top-level winner Stacelita (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}). Classic runner-up Queues Likely (GB) (lot 9) is another potential highlight of the sale, last seen chasing home Darnation (Ire) in the G2 German 1,000 Guineas. Bred by Mickley Stud–who stand Queues Likely's sire, Massaat (Ire)–she is the winner of five of her 13 starts for Stan Moore and holds a special place in the heart of Mickley's Richard Kent because of the circumstances in which he bought the dam, Bakoura (GB). “There was a lovely man who used to milk cows and was an apprentice when he was a young fella,” Kent began. “Anyway, he got out of horses and always wanted to get back into them, but his circumstances didn't allow it. He begged me for years to take him to a sale, so I took him to the Foal Sale in Goffs a few years ago. He had the most fantastic week and helped us out. “He asked me if he could stay on for the Mares Sale [at Goffs] and I begrudgingly said 'yes'. I was going to Newmarket and I suddenly remembered he didn't have a passport. He'd never been on a plane in his life and he'd never been on a boat, only when he went over with the foals. So, I told my sister Nicola to buy the dam of Queues Likely so that he could get a lift back to Mickley on the lorry and we could get him home safely to his wife–he was in his 70s. “Nicola bought the mare for €3,500 for me and the first foal was a Rajasinghe who made 50,000gns and won three times. Then she had this Massaat filly and just to breed a filly like that, by your own stallion and out of a mare who you bought to do a fella a good turn, it was kind of an emotional result [when Queues Likely finished second in the German 1,000 Guineas].” Looking ahead to Monday's London Sale, Kent added, “The vet told Stan Moore that she'd never seen such a fantastic specimen. She said it normally takes her two and a half hours to write a veterinary report and this one would take her two and a half minutes. She's a high-quality horse and very genuine. She doesn't seem ground dependent–she's won on all grounds and on the all-weather surfaces as well. I think she'll be attractive to people from all over the world.” Incidently, Kent was celebrating success on the world stage again on Saturday when Tax Implications (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), bred by his daughter, Aoife, won the GIII Eatontown S. at Monmouth Park for Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables, while the same connections were represented by Unit Economics (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), co-bred by Mickley Stud and successful in a maiden special weight at Belmont At The Big A. “We bought her mother for £2,500,” Kent said of Tax Implications. “I sold a foal to Roger O'Callaghan a few years ago and part of the deal was that I was to send a mare back to his stallion. He rang me up to remind me and tell me off in April, so I sent the mare out that night. I think the stallion he'd wanted to cover her with was too busy, so I said cover her with whatever you want. “I didn't actually know she was in foal to Mehmas until she foaled the following year. It was a nice surprise–Mehmas is flying–and she was a lovely filly. We covered the mare last year with Supremacy and she had a nice filly last week who is very similar to her [Tax Implications].” The influence of Mickley Stud is likely to be felt strongly at Royal Ascot this week, with stallion sensation Havana Grey (GB)–co-bred by Mickley and the late Lady Lonsdale–set to be represented by the likes of Vandeek (GB) and Elite Status (GB). Before then, Havana Grey has the potential to make headlines at the London Sale when lot 3, a breeding right in the stallion, goes under the hammer. Other standout lots include an unraced Kingman (GB) two-year-old filly out of the six-time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) (lot 6) and Adrian Keatley's Listed-winning juvenile Francisco's Piece (GB) (Mayson {GB}) (lot 10). Attendance is strictly by invitation only, with the auction scheduled to begin at 5pm. The post Classic Form To The Fore At Goffs London Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Driver Penalties D Grundmann | Auckland 13 June; out of position at start; fined $100. E Johnson | Auckland 13 June; out of position at start; fined $100. B Hackett | Auckland 13 June; use of whip; fined $300. S Hill | NZ Metropolitan 14 June; use of whip; suspended 15-23 June inclusive. L Dobbs | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; use of whip; suspended 24 June – 14 July inclusive. A Clark | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; breach of push out rule; fined $200. Trainer Penalties G Smith | NZ Metropolitan 14 June; late to present runner on course; fined $100. T Bagrie | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; incorrect gear; fined $100. P & M Robertson | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; failed to report horse treatment; fined $200. C & J De Filippi | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; colour fee; fined $25. Horse Penalties THE MOONSTONE | Auckland 13 June; broke in running; must complete trial. WAIKARI BARB | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; broke at start; must complete mobile start trial. CRUISE LINER | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; atrial fibrillation; veterinary clearance including ECG required and must complete trial. Protests BOSS KENNY | Auckland 13 June; excessive galloping in home straight; disqualified from 4th. CLOVELLY HILL | NZ Metropolitan 14 June; excessive galloping during race; disqualified from 4th. BLACK MACH | NZ Metropolitan 14 June; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. AMALFI | NZ Metropolitan 16 June; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 10-16 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

On a sunny Sunday afternoon at Monmouth Park, it was Aguas de Cristal (Volatile–Cedar Hall, by Bayern) who accelerated down the lane to break her maiden at first asking and hand her freshman sire his first winner. Her dam's first foal and as a 7-2 shot here, the juvenile pursued favorite Me Governor (The Factor) up the backstretch. As the pair separated themselves from the rest of the field, they began to trade blows into the lane. With a sixteenth left, it was clear Aguas de Cristal had more in the tank and she blazed home a winner by four lengths. The final running time was :58.82. First-crop sire Volatile, who stands at Three Chimneys, has 124 foals of racing age to his credit. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0. Sales History: $75,000 '23 KEESEP. O-Strike Stable; B-Woodford Thoroughbreds LLC (Ky); T-Jorge Delgado. The post Aguas de Cristal Hands Sire Volatile His First Winner At Monmouth Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was a slew of notable workers on a sunny Father's Day Sunday at Santa Anita. Working for Bob Baffert were Grade I winner Arabian Knight (5f, :59.20) and Reincarnate (4f, :49.20). Arabian Knight has been sidelined since a fourth-place finish in the Nov. 4 GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita. Reincarnate most recently was second in the GII Hollywood Gold Cup May 27. Trainer John Sadler worked Tapalo (Tapiture), who a seven-length winner of the May 12 Lazaro Barrera S. at seven furlongs. The ridgling drilled six furlongs in 1:12.80. Tapalo is targeting the 1 1/8-mile Los Alamitos Derby June 29. Johannes (Nyquist) had his first work for trainer Tim Yakteen since taking the May 27 GI Shoemaker Mile. The 4-year-old colt worked four furlongs in :48.60. Trainer Peter Eurton worked his stakes-winning triumvirate of Exaulted (Twirling Candy), Medoro (Honor Code) and Stay Hot (Summer Front). Exaulted, winner of last year's GI Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita, earned a bullet when working five furlongs in :59.60. The 7-year-old hasn't started since last September when second in the GII Del Mar Mile. Medoro, who is a perfect 4-for-4 with three stakes wins, worked four furlongs on the main track in :47.60. The 3-year-old filly most recently won the Apr. 20 GIII Providencia S. at Santa Anita. Stay Hot, a three-time stakes winner including last December's GIII Cecil B. DeMille at Del Mar, drilled three furlongs in :37.60. It was the 3-year-old's first work since shipping to Churchill Downs and finishing last in the GII American Turf on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4. Trainer Chief Stipe O'Neill worked stakes winners Happy Jack (Oxbow), E J Won the Cup (Omaha Beach, Anarchist (Distorted Humor) and Miss Lizzy (Classic Empire). Happy Jack, winner of the GII Triple Bend S. June 1, returned to the tab with a four furlong move in :49.20. E J Won the Cup, who collected his second stakes win in the May 27 Texas Derby at Lone Star Park, drilled four furlongs in :48.80. GSW Anarchist, who is on the comeback trail, worked five furlongs in 1:02.00. Miss Lizzy earned a bullet when working four furlongs on the training track in :46.80. Also working on the comeback trail was Masteroffoxhounds (War Front) for trainer Phil D'Amato. Off since finishing 13th in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Mile, Masteroffoxhounds worked five furlongs in 1:01.20. D'Amato also worked multiple graded stakes winners Balnikhov (Ire) (Adaay {Ire}) and Desert Dawn (Cupid). Balnikhov, recent winner of the GIII Dinner Party S. on the Preakness undercard at Plimlico May 18, went three furlongs on the training track in :36.60. Desert Dawn went three furlongs in :36.60. She has been off since a third-place finish in the Apr. 21 GII Santa Maria S. at Santa Anita. There were a combined 184 timed workouts on the main track and training track. The post Santa Anita’s Sunday Worktab Stacked With Stakes Winners appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Danny Gargan's stable is humming along at a nice clip in the wake of celebrating a little over a week ago his first Grade I win with Dornoch (Good Magic) in the Belmont S. and with Society Man (Good Magic) taking the GIII Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs a day later. Gargan stopped by the TDN Writers' Room podcast for a conversation. Finally, to cap his stellar week, Complexion (Complexity) broke her maiden at first asking during the Belmont at the Big A meet on Friday, which earned the 2-year-old filly 'TDN Rising Star' honors. Now, the trainer is making summer plans. A half-sister to MGISW and current sire Jack Christopher (Munnings), Complexion cleared the field by 6 1/2 lengths under Hall of Fame rider John Velazquez. “Johnny came back and said she's so impressive,” said Gargan. “She stumbled at the start really bad and she just picked herself up and cleared the field pretty easily. That's hard to do. If she didn't stumble, she would've been five or six lengths ahead in a minute. She's really talented.” Gargan said he will point the juvenile to the Schuylerville S. on Thursday, July 11, which is Opening Day of Saratoga Race Course. The GI Spinaway S. Aug. 31 will be the larger target. Complexion | Coglianese “The stake is coming up at Saratoga, we will train her like we are going there,” Gargan said. “Hopefully everything goes well, and we make it there. She's a talented filly, we will see how she's doing and then the Spinaway would be the ultimate goal.” The conditioner said Complexion, a chestnut with a distinct white blaze, boasts physical similarities to Jack Christopher and was pleased to see Friday's performance resemble his ability well. “Their faces are so much alike, said Gargan. “Their legs even. She definitely resembles him a ton and she's got talent like him. Knock on wood, I'm blessed, I trained a full-brother to a Derby-winner [Mage] and won the Belmont, and now I have Jack Christopher's half-sister and she looks talented. A lot of people say you can't get siblings that can run, but we've been blessed lately.” Speaking of Dornoch, the plan is still to point him towards the GII Jim Dandy S. July 27 at Saratoga or the GI Haskell S. July 20 at Monmouth Park, with the long-term goal being the GI Travers S. Aug. 24 at the Spa. Gargan said that Society Man will aim for the GIII West Virginia Derby Aug. 4 at Mountaineer Racetrack, but will also nominate him for the Jim Dandy. “I'll nominate him to it [the Jim Dandy] and see what it is coming up like, but I'm leaning towards the West Virginia Derby with him. I'll keep Dornoch probably in New York, who could run in the Haskell or Jim Dandy,” Gargan said. The post Gargan Makes Summer Plans for ‘TDN Rising Star’ Complexion appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jaber Abdullah's Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}–Danega {GB}, by Galileo {Ire}) took five attempts to add to last term's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains heroics, doing so in March's Listed Prix Altipan at Saint-Cloud, and suffered another three reversals before regaining the winning thread in Sunday's G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines at Chantilly. Marhaba Ya Sanafi, whose only prior visit to this right-handed venue yielded a third in last term's G1 Prix du Jockey Club, went postward for this coming back off a sixth in ParisLongchamp's May 26 G1 Prix d'Ispahan and shadowed the pace–set by Left Sea (GB) (Frankel {GB})–in a close-up second after exiting the outside stall. Bustled along to tackle Left Sea passing the two pole, the 11-10 favourite forged ahead approaching the final furlong and was driven out to hold the late lunge of Andromede (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) by a head. Bullace (GB) (Toronado {Ire}) was best of the remainder and finished 2 1/2 lengths back in third. “One mile most certainly is his best trip,” said trainer Andreas Schutz. “He won the French 2000 Guineas last year and, even though he had run well over further, his best runs are over a mile. Therefore, it was not a surprise to see him win again today. His owner is keen to see him run again this season in the [Aug. 11 G1] Prix Jacques Le Marois [at Deauville], so that will be his next target.” Pedigree Notes Marhaba Ya Sanafi, half to a yearling colt by Hello Youmzain (Fr), is the fourth of six foals and one of two scorers out of an unraced half-sister to G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and G3 Ballysax S. runner-up Fergus McIver (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). The March-foaled bay's G3 Noblesse S.-winning second dam Danelissima (Ire) (Danehill) is out of the dual stakes-winning Zavaleta (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}), herself a daughter of stakes-winning matriarch La Meilleure (Ire) (Lord Gayle). Descendants of Zavaleta include G1 Dewhurst S.-winning sire Intense Focus (Giant's Causeway), G1 Moyglare Stud S. heroine Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy) and last year's G1 Belmont Oaks Invitational victrix Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify). Sunday, Chantilly, France PRIX BERTRAND DU BREUIL LONGINES-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 6-16, 3yo/up, 8fT, 1:38.84, g/s. 1–MARHABA YA SANAFI (IRE), 130, c, 4, by Muhaarar (GB) 1st Dam: Danega (GB), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Danelissima (Ire), by Danehill 3rd Dam: Zavaleta (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire) O-Jaber Abdullah; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Andreas Schutz; J-Mickael Barzalona. €40,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 14-5-3-1, €708,760. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Andromede (Fr), 127, m, 5, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Honor Bound (GB), by Authorized (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Thani; B-Al Shahania Stud (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €16,000. 3–Bullace (GB), 130, g, 6, Toronado (Ire)–Redstart (GB), by Cockney Rebel (Ire). (45,000gns 4yo '22 TATAUT; €10,000 RNA 5yo '23 ARQNOV). O-Sheikh Khalifa Hashir Khalifa Saeed Al Maktoum; B-A D G Oldrey & G C Hartigan (GB); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €12,000. Margins: HD, 2HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.10, 2.70, 8.10. Also Ran: Fast Raaj (Fr), Left Sea (GB), Fort Payne (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Poulains Hero Marhaba Ya Sabafi Regains the Winning Thread at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As much as trainer Chad Brown exited the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival with a couple of grade 1 victories, there was also a case of classic disappointment.View the full article

I have enormous respect for TDN writer Chris McGrath and Wayne Lyster. One's an outstanding journalist and eloquent writer who works for an essential trade publication; and, the other's built a highly-successful breeding operation. I, nevertheless, must respectfully disagree with their characterization of calls for replacing dirt tracks with synthetic surfaces as “hysterical.” While I cherish racing's dirt traditions (my goodness, Man o' War is my favorite horse of all-time), I'm also mindful of existing data that explicitly show that synthetic racing is the safest surface in the U.S. Numbers aren't emotional; and that raw data has not been disproven. Just because people speak out in moments of grave concern and sorrow does not negate the validity of such data, nor does it make the call for such change grounded in “uncontrolled, extreme emotion” as the term hysterical is defined. When calls for change are based on raw numbers, it's hardly hysterical or uncontrolled. Do I think it's fantastic that this year's televised Triple Crown's races (and their undercards) were all successful in the sense that all horses and riders returned safely? Absolutely. Am I thrilled that since HISA's assumed oversight over safety that the rate of catastrophic breakdowns has significantly decreased? You better believe it. Do I think dirt tracks should continue to study the issue and implement all existing measures that make dirt racing safer? Undoubtedly–and they are–which really gives me hope. On the flip side of that question, though, is how long will racing “study” the issue of what surface is safer? This is an industry that constantly suffers from analysis paralysis simply because many of its “leaders” and major investors are averse to any kind of change, to the detriment of the sport. This is a sport constantly behind the eight ball. Let's also consider that other televised equestrian sports (i.e., Grand Prix show jumping) have already converted their dirt arenas to synthetic because it's safer. And racing is a much more dangerous sport than show jumping, even when the horses are jumping 1.6m (and everyone who insures a racehorse for mortality has experienced the high cost of premiums as compared to other sport-horses). Does racing want to be an outlier when we face similar outside pressure campaigns from animal rights extremists who don't believe horses should be used for any sport, particularly when this is a sport always at risk for another horrific breakdown on national television? These are legitimate questions that U.S. racing must consider. These are not hysterical questions. These are existential. Heightened awareness of these issues is one of the reasons the industry is making such big moves forward in this very moment. The industry seems to finally be awakened to the fact that making massive changes is desperately needed to ensure racing's social license doesn't evaporate. If the research that HISA is currently conducting regarding surface safety can show that we can consistently make dirt racing on a national level as safe as, or safer than, synthetic (or even turf) racing, I will gladly change my mind. Racing's traditions are important; and the dirt racehorse brings a level of power and strength to the breed that has impacted the sport on an international level. Until then, however, the call for synthetic isn't hysterical, it's necessary as we strive to protect not only the life of the horse, but the life of the sport. –Amanda Luby, Welbourne Stud The post Letter To The Editor: Why Calls For Synthetic Racing Surfaces Aren’t Hysterical appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gestut Ittlingen's 3-year-old colt Narrativo (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}–Nicella {Ger}, by Lando {Ger}), who hit the board in last month's G3 Prix Hocquart at ParisLongchamp, was too good for eight domestic rivals on home soil and booked his ticket to next month's G1 Deutsches Derby with a decisive victory in Sunday's G2 Sparkasse KolnBonn 189th Union-Rennen at Cologne. Trainer Peter Schiergen's four prior winners of the 11-furlong contest include 2022's subsequent Deutsches Derby hero Sammarco (Ger) (Camelot {GB}). Last term's G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten runner-up employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled into a smooth rhythm off the tempo in seventh through halfway. Niggled along to reduce arrears in early straight, the 18-5 chance thundered forward to launch his challenge out wide entering the final furlong and kept on strongly under mild coaxing thereafter to easily account for G3 Bavarian Classic second and fellow Ittlingen homebred Alleno (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) by 1 3/4 lengths. Maxim Pecheur trainee Anspruch (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) was next best in a bunch finish for the minor placing and finished a neck adrift in third. Pedigree Notes Narrativo, who becomes the 22nd pattern-race winner for his sire, is the eighth of nine registered foals and one of five scorers out of an unraced half-sister to G1 Bayerisches Zuchtrennen-winning sire Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}) and GII Las Palmas H. victrix Beautyandthebeast (GB) (Machiavellian). His dam Nicella (Ger) (Lando {Ger}) is also kin the dam of G3 Prix des Chenes and G3 Prix de Guiche scorer Calvados Blues (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) and dual Group 1-placed G2 Prix de Sandringham victrix Volta (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The March-foaled homebred bay is a half-brother to G3 Sibernes Pferd victor Nikkei (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}), G2 Grand Premio di Milano third Novano (Ger) (Samum {Ger}) and a weanling filly by Sottsass (Fr). Sunday, Cologne, Germany SPARKASSE KOLNBONN – 189TH UNION-RENNEN-G2, €72,000, Cologne, 6-16, 3yo, 11fT, 2:16.26, g/s. 1–NARRATIVO (GER), 128, c, 3, by Adlerflug (Ger) 1st Dam: Nicella (Ger), by Lando (Ger) 2nd Dam: Nicola Bella (Ire), by Sadler's Wells 3rd Dam: Valley Of Hope, by Riverman 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen (GER); T-Peter Schiergen; J-Adrie de Vries. €40,000. Lifetime Record: GSP-Fr, 4-2-1-1, €89,000. *1/2 to Nikkei (Ger) (Pivotal {GB}), GSW-Ger & SP-Fr; and Novano (Ger) (Samum {Ger}), GSP-Ity & SP-Ger. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Alleno (Ire), 128, c, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Alandia (Ire), by Adlerflug (Ger). O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen (IRE); T-Marcel Weiss. €15,500. 3–Anspruch (Ire), 128, c, 3, New Bay (GB)–Anna Katharina (Ger), by Kallisto (Ger). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€80,000 RNA Ylg '22 BBAGS). O/B-Gestut Rottgen (IRE); T-Maxim Pecheur. €8,000. Margins: 1 3/4, NK, NK. Odds: 3.60, 3.60, 15.70. Also Ran: Palladium (Ger), Stingray (Fr), Wonderful Boy (GB), Any Moon (Ger), Sign Of Stars (Ger), Koelle (Ire). The post Adlerflug’s Narrativo Too Good in Cologne’s Union-Rennen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When you think of trainer Eric McNamara, winners at some of Ireland's major jumps meetings spring to mind. However, there has been a notable diversification at the County Limerick yard in recent times, largely driven by the input of his children Conor and Kate. Recent Flat maiden winner Raw Ability (Ire) is a perfect example of that change. The cleverly-named daughter of Belardo (Ire) made an impressive start to her career when winning at Gowran Park at odds of 40-1 and she features among some of the choice lots at the Goffs London Sale on Monday. More importantly for the McNamara family, Raw Ability signifies a promising first step in a new direction for a stable eager to become more of a force over both codes. McNamara said, “We're having a good run. My son Conor and daughter Kate are back with me full-time. It's very much a family-run business now. Things have been going really well. We had 17 winners over jumps and five Flat winners as well last year. We're hoping to get more involved in the Flat. “We got two three-year-olds at the start of the year. Raw Ability was the first one that we ran and she did it nicely at Gowran Park. The other is a Buratino (Ire) called Future Cutlet (Ire) who finished fifth first-time out at Limerick. They are the two Flat horses that we have and they have both done us proud so onwards and upwards hopefully.” Asked if the diversification has stemmed from Conor and Kate's increased involvement in the stable, McNamara replied, “Absolutely. And it's actually something I've regretted not doing for many years now. I have always regretted not getting involved in the Flat sooner. We are going to try and have a few more Flat horses for next summer and plan on buying maybe a half a dozen yearlings this autumn. We haven't done that in the past but, instead of buying a half dozen store horses, we might try and buy a few for the Flat instead.” But McNamara is not keen on taking any of the credit for Raw Ability, instead pointing to Conor as being worthy of all the praise. A talented rider in his own right, Conor has partnered many big winners and enjoyed productive spells based with Willie Mullins and more recently Gavin Cromwell. Victory aboard ex-Mullins inmate Real Steel (Fr) (Loup Breton {Ire}) for his Dad in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown will go down as one of his career highlights and he has been based back at home for the best part of a year now. The 24-year-old said, “I was based in County Meath for five years and, between one thing and another, things dried up a bit. I remember when I started off with Gavin, there was only myself, Ger Fox and Breen Kane riding out there. I know that Gavin has blossomed as a trainer but he could have four or five conditionals now as well as professionals like Keith Donoghoe and Sean Flanagan so it's gone very competitive. “I suppose I am concentrating a bit more on helping Dad with the training these days. Dad has plenty of horses of his own and I brought plenty of clients of my own here when I came back. We've one or two clients involved in Raw Ability and they are interested in getting involved in a few more Flat horses so we'll see how Monday goes.” Shane Foley was the man for the job and, following that debut win, McNamara says he is hopeful that Raw Ability can go some way to advertising the dual-purpose nature of the stable and provide her investors with some funds to reinvest in the autumn yearling sale markets. He explained, “It didn't come out of the blue on debut and, to be fair, a few lads have been a big help to me in getting her ready. Leigh Roche, David Egan and Chris Hayes have ridden work for me when I take them away and have been a huge help. As it transpired, none of those lads were available for her debut but we were keen to get a good lad up and were delighted that Shane Foley was able to ride. “With the lads involved in this filly, if she was to sell well on Monday it would give everyone the opportunity to go back and reinvest. I've sold one or two horses on the Flat myself down through the years and there is a great market out there. If we could get involved in a few more of those types and keep building and attracting a higher calibre of horse, it would be lovely.” The post McNamara Family Hope Raw Ability Can Advertise Dual-Purpose Nature To Stable appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Royal Ascot is a week for stepping up, but there's a lot of stepping down going on in British racing. A power vacuum is heading the industry's way as leaders depart – voluntarily, or with a shove from within. Some are making delayed withdrawals (look out for a hell of a joint-leaving do this winter). The situations vacant columns however already feature the following appointments. British Horseracing Authority – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jockey Club – CEO Great British Racing – CEO Racehorse Owners' Association – CEO Joe Saumarez Smith, Julie Harrington (both BHA), Nevin Truesdale (Jockey Club), Rod Street (GBR) and Charlie Liverton (ROA) are all gone or going. It's boom time for head-hunters as the carousel of executive jobs picks up and drops off administrators. Movement is normal, but the scale of the exodus in racing begs questions. Royal Ascot almost runs itself, along a gilded rail. But who runs racing now, and how, and to what end? Where should the replacements come from, and with what skills? Simply, what does racing want from its bosses? There is a clue in the advert for Saumarez Smith's role. The next BHA chair “will need to be able to think commercially,” which Saumarez Smith, who has been unwell, already did (who could not, in such a job). Here we observe the conundrum and contradiction for sport's governing bodies. They are 1. Deal chasers, money makers, finance hunters, balance sheet jockeys, and 2. Regulators, custodians, grass-roots gardeners and image projectors. Trust me when I say those two briefs are often incompatible. Execs are judged by their balance sheets. They're incentivised to prioritise income over institutional coherence. And many have bonuses built into how many sponsorship and revenue tie-ups they can amass. At the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) three years ago, executives shared a £2.1m bonus pot in part for conceiving The Hundred, a new competition that rode a coach and horses through the rest of the sport and is now being sold to private equity. The messiah has not been born who can lead tribes who refuse to be led In racing, execs are similarly expected to “drive revenue” while also dealing with internecine strife, a flawed business model that produces low prize-money, animal welfare, the whip, a lack of diversity, affordability checks and so on. They also have a glorious sport at their disposal – as Royal Ascot will demonstrate – but it comes as no surprise that many buckle under the weight. If racing needs friends in high places, there is comforting news with the probable next Prime Minister's wife's love for the sport. According to the Daily Telegraph, Lady Victoria's “passions are said to be horse racing, music and food.” What a comfort to racing it would be if the dinner table conversation at No 10 suddenly stretched to the Levy, Premier Racing and rescuing the Cheltenham Festival and Derby from falling attendances. For now, we'll need to accept that saving the NHS will concern Keir Starmer more. A familiar tussle is whether racing's leaders should hail from without or within. To chase big money you need business nous but an eye for the deal won't necessarily be accompanied by an understanding of what audiences want, how to communicate or how to update tradition. So, what is the modern racing leader? Commercial warrior, throwback patrician, accomplished diplomat, Westminster smoothie, media sharpshooter? All of the above, the head-hunters cry! Appoint a hot shot from the City with sketchy knowledge of the sport and you can expect a thousand-yard stare when it comes to racing politics. Hire a recruit with 19th century roots in the sport from within the racing bubble and you may not acquire the sharpest moderniser. Good luck to whoever fills all the vacancies listed above. Each will grapple with the 60-year reality that the revenue racing generates – betting turnover – goes straight to an external bookmaking industry, with only crumbs coming back. This sets it apart from the countries making inroads into British racing's dominance. Racing is an archipelago of 'stakeholders': owners, breeders, racecourses, bookmakers, trainers, etc. Until they all accept they share a task to generate a form of entertainment and preserve their audience the turf war will continue. Great leadership in racing is vital. Critical, in fact. But the messiah has not been born who can lead tribes who refuse to be led. Those leaving high office between now and the end of the year all made their mark in the face of relentless pressure, some of it uncontrollable (societal change, for instance). The next wave of recruitment is comfortably the most important the sport has had to make. It sounds old-fashioned, but the first hope for leaders in any sport is that they have integrity, passion, knowledge, experience, an open mind, the courage to make decisions and a willingness to explain and communicate. If that sounds like Superman or woman, the pay is good, and the job satisfaction could be immense. The post All Change: Can British Racing Pull Itself Together to be Led? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Up in trip for Sunday's G1 Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly, Jean-Pierre-Joseph Dubois's Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}–Speralita {Fr}, by Frankel {GB}) edged another close-run affair in a French Classic in 2024. Held up at the back early by Tony Piccone, the 15-1 shot had to pass runners all quickening off a moderate tempo but had miling speed which set her apart from her middle-distance rivals having won the G2 Prix de Sandringham here last month. With virtaully every rival still to get by two out, the Patrice-Cottier-trained filly at least had clear daylight to do so and responded with a surge to get to the front 100 metres from the finish. In a desperate finale between four fillies, she had a head margin to spare over the Nicolas Clement-trained outsider Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) as Tamfana (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) ended up half a length behind, separated by a head for third and fourth. Sparkling Plenty is catalogued to be sold as lot 11 in the Goffs London Sale on Monday. Gutsy performance! Sparkling Plenty shows a decisive turn of foot to get up down the outside and score in the G1 Prix de Diane at @fgchantilly for @piccone_tony! pic.twitter.com/Mljof2A22U — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2024 The post Diane Glory For Kingman’s Sparkling Plenty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore and Westerberg's hitherto undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}–Whatami {GB}, by Daylami {Ire}), who added to his win column going 12 furlongs at Chantilly last month, continued on a roll over the same course and distance in Sunday's G3 Prix du Lys Longines to lay down a marker for next month's G1 Grand Prix de Paris. The 8-5 favourite was steadied off the pace through the initial fractions and improved position to track the leaders in fourth approaching halfway. Taking closer order in the straight, he was nudged along with 350 metres remaining and stayed on strongly under mild urging once hitting the front at the furlong marker to secure a career high in ultimately comfortable fashion. At the line, he held a two-length advantage from Saganti (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) with Internaute (Ire}) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) a neck away in third. “I am very emotional, it is a very difficult moment for us at the stable, and I am sincerely delighted for the owners and everyone involved back at home,” said Jean-Claude Rouget's assistant trainer Jean-Bernard Roth. “The horse had been working incredibly well before this race and looked awesome the whole week. He has improved with every run and I guarantee he still has a lot of room for improvement. The [G1] Grand Prix de Paris could be next, but we would not want to run him on firm ground on a hot day, so we will play it by ear. There are some important races coming up in the autumn and we want to have him ready for that. He is a very, very good one and we are blessed to have him.” Three out of three for Delius! The Frankel colt picks up the G3 Prix du Lys, advancing to the front approaching the final furlong to defeat Saganti nicely… pic.twitter.com/kn3a9oQJlT — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2024 Pedigree Notes Delius, who becomes the 97th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the ninth of 11 foals and one of five scorers out of a full-sister to Listed Chesham S. victrix Whazzat (GB) (Daylami {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest runner-up and dual Group-winning sire James Garfield (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}). Descendants of his second dam Wosaita (GB) (Generous {Ire}), herself a half-sister to G1 Prix de Diane-winning matriarch Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}), also include multiple Grade I-winning US champion and GI Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Uni (GB) (More Than Ready). The February-foaled bay is a full-brother to multiple Group-placed Listed Wolferton S. winner Juan Elcano (GB) and a half to G3 Hoppings S. victrix Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}). He is also kin to the unraced 2-year-old filly Whatamoon (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB). Sunday, Chantilly, France PRIX DU LYS LONGINES-G3, €80,000, Chantilly, 6-16, 3yo, 12fT, 2:30.32, g/s. 1–DELIUS (GB), 128, c, 3, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Whatami (GB), by Daylami (Ire) 2nd Dam: Wosaita (GB), by Generous (Ire) 3rd Dam: Eljazzi (Ire), by Artaius 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (675,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA). O-Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor & Westerberg; B-Mr & Mrs David Brown (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, €67,500. *Full to Juan Elcano (GB), SW & MGSP-Eng, $175,305; and 1/2 to Nkosikazi (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Saganti (Fr), 128, c, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Saghaniya (Fr), by Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles. €16,000. 3–Internaute (Ire), 128, c, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Solemia (Ire), by Poliglote (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €12,000. Margins: 2, NK, NK. Odds: 1.60, 9.00, 9.00. Also Ran: Global Health (Fr), Daring Prince (GB), Coetzee, Trafalgar Square (Fr), Waldora (Fr), Polanzor (Fr), Kind Of Kiss (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Frankel’s TDN Rising Star Delius Makes Black-Type Breakthrough at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Bouncing back to form at Cologne on Sunday, last year's G1 Deutsches Derby hero Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) registered a first success since the G2 Prix Niel in September in the re-scheduled G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft. Keen early under restraint from Rene Piechulek racing in mid-division, the Sarah Steinberg-trained 4-year-old was delivered in the centre of the track and had a slight edge with a furlong remaining. Asserting from there, the 3-1 second favourite had a neck to spare over the 11-5 market-leader Lordano (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). G2 Großer Preis von @wettstar_de over 2200m at Cologne FANTASTIC MOON (Sea The Moon) LORDANO (Adlerflug) ASSISTENT (Sea The Moon) FANTASTIC MOON is bred by @StauffenbergBS, owned by Liberty Racing, trained by Sarah Steinberg and was ridden by @RenePiechulek pic.twitter.com/CfMLJBXmmD — Deutscher Galopp (@DeutscherGalopp) June 16, 2024 The post Fantastic Moon Back To Winning Ways appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Handed a tough task on debut last month in the G3 Marble Hill S., Ballydoyle's The Parthenon (Ire) (Kingman {GB}–Wonder Of Wonders, by Kingmambo) had finished close enough to Arizona Blaze (GB) (Sergei Prokofiev) and Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) when fifth in that Curragh contest to justify the audacity of that decision. In calmer waters on Sunday at Gowran Park, the descendant of Urban Sea (Miswaki) showed tenacity as well as class to master the seven-furlong Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Keen for Wayne Lordan early, the 4-11 favourite had to work to fend off the challenge of the newcomer Loch Tay (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) but was up to the task to prevail by 3/4 of a length. The Parthenon hits the line hard @GowranPark1 pic.twitter.com/JM0v4BvgDJ — Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 16, 2024 The post Ballydoyle’s Kingman Blueblood Off The Mark appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chantilly's G1 Prix de Diane programme opened with a bang when Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's homebred 2-year-old filly Polyvega (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Polydream {Ire}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) unleashed a debut performance of note to attain 'TDN Rising Star' status in Sunday's Prix de la Reine Blanche Longines Polyvega was a shade slow from the stands' side stall and raced in fourth after the initial strides of this debutantes' heat. Cruising forward on the bridle once past halfway, the 3-1 second choice was shaken up to seize control approaching the final furlong and kept on powerfully under minimal coaxing in the latter stages to easily account for Apollo Fountain (GB) (No Nay Never) by an impressive 2 1/2 lengths. “I like this filly and I think she is quite good,” reflected trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. “The second looked smart too, so that is a good sign and she ought to have a future.” Polyvega is the second of four foals and first scorer produced by G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest heroine Polydream (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}). herself a daughter of stakes-winning GIII Monrovia H. runner-up Polygreen (Fr) (Green Tune). Polygreen's quartet of black-type performers include G3 Prix Sigy victrix Big Brothers Pride (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and multiple Group-placed Listed Prix Amandine and Listed Prix Isola Bella winner Evaporation (Fr) (Red Ransom). She is also the second dam of Listed Prix Lyphard victor Yoozuna (Ire) (Kizuna {Jpn}), G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up Gamestop (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Listed Prix Isonomy third Parafection (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Polyvega is kin to the unraced 2-year-old filly Kythira (Ire) (No Nay Never) and a weanling filly by No Nay Never. 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝘃𝗲𝗴𝗮 (@maximeguyon_off/ C. Laffon-Parias/@WertheimerSales) réussit ses débuts en compétition dans le Prix de la Reine Blanche @Longines. Cette fille de la championne Polydream ( de LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest en 2018 Gr.1) fait honneur à ses origines. pic.twitter.com/vuFbXq40qm — Equidia (@equidia) June 16, 2024 1st-Chantilly, €50,000, Mdn, 6-16, unraced 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 1:04.94, g/s. POLYVEGA (IRE), f, 2, by Lope De Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: Polydream (Ire) (G1SW-Fr, $500,220), by Oasis Dream (GB) 2nd Dam: Polygreen (Fr), by Green Tune 3rd Dam: Yxenery (Ire), by Sillery Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €25,000. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias; J-Maxime Guyon. The post Lope De Vega’s Polyvega Delivers TDN Rising Star Performance at Chantilly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was a familiar story at Chantilly on Sunday as Karl Burke plundered another French prestige prize courtesy of the colt Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) who proved toughest in a pure speed shakedown in the G3 Prix du Bois Longines. Up with the pace set by the favourite Daylight (Fr) (Earthlight {Ire}), Mohammed Al Shahi's York novice winner was under the pump by halfway with Jim Crowley digging in to reserves but where the filly cried enough a furlong out the boy from the North of England held out. Tiring in the closing stages to allow the closer Secret Wood (Fr) (Birchwood {Ire}) to within 1 1/4 lengths at the line, the 11-2 shot had two lengths in total to spare over the burnt-out 11-10 favourite Daylight in third. 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗲 (JV. Crowley/@karl_burke) s'impose en patron dans le Prix du Bois @Longines (Gr.3) à Chantilly. Secret Wood (@BachelotT/ G. Bietolini) Daylight (@mickaelbarzalon/ P. Cottier) pic.twitter.com/qB39YZDM7d — Equidia (@equidia) June 16, 2024 The post Dandy Man Colt Takes The Prix Du Bois appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Having become his sire's first group 1 winner in the Southern Hemisphere, and second globally, when landing Randwick's Champagne Stakes (G1) in April, the Godolphin homebred Broadsiding took his form to even further heights June 15.View the full article

Dog Penalties GOLDSTAR FLORRIE | Southland 12 June; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. ZIPPING BASILICK | Waikato 13 June; failing to pursue the lure; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. ADOBE PEACH | Christchurch 14 June; marring; stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. GO HOPPY | Christchurch 14 June; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. GOLDSTAR FRIDAY | Christchurch 14 June; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. General Race 10 at Waikato GRC of 13 June was declared a no race due to the boxes opening prematurely. The post 10-16 June 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Sunday saw the confirmations for 2024 Royal Ascot's opening day fixture, where the G1 St James's Palace S. is the rightful stage for the coming together of the 2,000 Guineas, Irish 2,000 Guineas and Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroes Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}). The latter has been supplemented for the mile contest and is joined by fellow French raider Darlinghurst (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), while Ballydoyle rely on last year's G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. hero Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's impressive Listed Heron S. scorer Almaqam (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Shadwell's Alyanaabi (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) round out the eight contestants for a surefire thriller. In the meeting's curtain-raising G1 Queen Anne S., 14 will line up headed by other leading French runners in Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire). Cheveley Park Stud's surprise G1 Lockinge S. winner Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), that Newbury contest's runner-up Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Fitri Hay's impressive G3 Diomed S. winner Royal Scotsman (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) are other notables for the championship mile contest. A total of 17 sprinters will take part in the G1 King Charles III S., with the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint-winning 3-year-old Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) leading the chase for an open-looking renewal of the five-furlong charge. The fillies and mares have a strong representation headed by the Australian challenger Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) and the 2023 G2 Queen Mary S. scorer Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), who is one of Wathnan Racing's team of representatives during the week. Also on the card is the week's juvenile feature, the G2 Coventry S., in which Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the key runner for the stable successful 10 times. He heads a field of 23, with the Joseph O'Brien-trained impressive Curragh maiden winner Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in attendance. The post Notable Speech Heads Classic Clash On Royal Ascot Opening Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article