Wandering Eyes

George Krikorian's War Like Goddess has dominated Keeneland's Bewitch Stakes (G3T) like no horse before her. A winner at ages 4, 5, and 6, the super mare is back at it again at age 7, chasing an unprecedented fourth win in the race April 26. View the full article

Churchill Downs and Fasig-Tipton have announced a new three-year partnership in which the sales company will be the official sponsor of the La Troienne Stakes (G1), Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), and Locust Grove Stakes (G2).View the full article

Desert Dawn, Turnerloose, and Super Shine will try to take the Santa Maria for D'Amato against five other rivals.View the full article

Churchill Downs and Fasig-Tipton have formed a new three-year partnership where the sales company will be the official sponsor of the GI La Troienne S., the GII Fleur de Lis S. and the GII Locust Grove S., the track said in a release Friday. The $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne will kick off the series on Kentucky Oaks Day. The Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis is scheduled for Saturday, June 29 during Stephen Foster Day. That race is part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, which awards the top three finishers a partial travel credit should they compete in the GI Breeders' Cup Longines Distaff. The Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove will run during the September Meet. “We're thrilled to team with Fasig-Tipton for this three-race series,” said Gary Palmisano, Vice President of Racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “Fasig-Tipton brings unmatched prestige to these iconic filly and mare stakes races at Churchill Downs and we couldn't be more honored to have them onboard.” “We are pleased to partner with Churchill Downs to sponsor three important filly and mare stakes races,” said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton President. “Fasig-Tipton is synonymous with selling the sport's top females, so this is a perfect partnership for us.” The post Churchill Downs And Fasig-Tipton Partner For Three-Race Series, Includes La Troienne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming off a record-breaking victory in the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Fierceness breezes April 19 at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida in preparation for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.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 son of the dual 1000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 13.35 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 3yo, 7fT IGOR STRAVINSKY (IRE) (No Nay Never), who was scratched from his intended debut at Dundalk last week, is set to start on turf for the Ballydoyle stable which has started 2024 with a flourish. The first foal out of the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), he looks to emulate his relative Wingspan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was a first-time winner earlier this month. The post Son Of Hermosa Debuts At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Further Guineas clues abound at Newbury on Saturday, with the pair of seven-furlong trials offering a springboard to next month's Newmarket and ParisLongchamp features. In time-honoured fashion, the G3 Fred Darling S. sees a high-profile sprinting filly being asked to stretch out for the first time and at this point all are in the dark as to whether Yuesheng Zhang's acquisition Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) can go the extra furlong having signed off her highly profitable juvenile campaign with a win in the G2 Lowther S. In contrasting style, Cheveley Park Stud's homebred Regal Jubilee (GB) (Frankel {GB}) drops back from a mile having taken the Listed Montrose Fillies' S. on heavy ground at Newmarket in November. Representing the Gosdens, Regal Jubilee descends from the operation's G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Regal Rose (GB) (Danehill) who was denied a chance to tilt for the Guineas due to injury. “The stiffer seven at Newbury will suit her, the ground will certainly suit her from what we saw last autumn,” the Stud's Chris Richardson said. “I think the trip is the minimum, really, she's probably bred to be more of a mile-and-a-quarter filly. But it makes sense to go for a trial and see where we go after that. We'll take advantage of the slightly easier ground now and see what happens.” What Next For Folgaria… Italy's 2023 sensation Folgaria (Ire) (Due Diligence) debuts for the Marco Botti stable having shone for his brother Stefano last term. Unbeaten in five including the G3 Premio Primi Passi and G2 Premio Dormello, she is a fascinating contender dipped into British company. “She joined us about two and a half months ago, the owner decided to see what she can do abroad and it seems a good race to start her off in,” Marco commented. “The ground won't be an issue, she's been in good form and her work at home has been pleasing us. She's in the French Guineas and this will tell us a bit more about how to compare what she did in Italy to here.” Rough Sketch In The Greenham? Also at Newbury is the G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham S., where Lynn Turner and Guy Brook's unbeaten Listed Prix Herod scorer Zoum Zoum (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Victorious Racing and Fawzi Nass's G2 Coventry S. runner-up Army Ethos (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}) look the form picks. Wathnan Racing's G2 Mill Reef S. runner-up Mister Sketch (GB) (Territories {Ire}) is one of the more intriguing contenders and trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is looking to the future. “He's in great form, he's done some nice work,” she said. “He'll love better ground but I think this ground will be okay, he is a lovely horse but he's very much still a work in progress. He's improving all the time, I thought he ran really well in the Mill Reef and I think we've got a very nice horse on our hands.” The post Speed And Stamina Blend In The Fred Darling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GI Florida Derby champ Fierceness (City of Light) breezed at Palm Beach Downs on Friday morning in preparation for the GI Kentucky Derby. The Eclipse Award winner covered five furlongs in 1:00.35 under Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, while working in company with fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road). “I thought he worked super–a solid five-eighths with a good gallop-out, exactly what we were targeting,” Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher said. “I think he is doing every bit as good, if not better, than he was going into the Florida Derby.” Plans for the Repole Stable homebred beyond Friday's breeze are still indefinite, said Pletcher, who will continue to monitor weather conditions in Kentucky. Catalytic (Catalina Cruiser), who finished a distant second behind Fierceness in the Florida Derby, breezed five furlongs for trainer Saffie Joseph in 1:00.72 at Gulfstream Park on Friday morning. “Everything went all right,” said Joseph. “I got him in a minute and four-fifths and the [six-furlong] gallop-out in 1:14-and-change.” West Saratoga Drills Six At Keeneland Harry Veruchi's West Saratoga (Exaggerator), who was last seen finishing as the runner-up in the GIII Jeff Ruby S. at Turfway Park Mar. 23, continued his preparation for an expected Derby start by working 6 furlongs in 1:16.20 over a wet-fast track at Keeneland on Friday morning. With jockey Jesus Castanon aboard, West Saratoga produced eighth-of-a-mile fractions of :13.60, :26.40, :39.80, :51.20, 1:04.20, 1:16.20 and galloped out 7 furlongs in 1:30.20 while working on his own. Trainer Larry Demeritte said West Saratoga would return to his base at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington and stay there until vanning to Churchill Downs on Friday, Apr. 26 with a 3-furlong breeze scheduled beneath the Twin Spires the next day. “I am happy with the work, and right now everything is in place going forward,” Demeritte said of West Saratoga, who had breezed 3 furlongs at The Thoroughbred Center in :36.40 on April 6. “That work was for speed and this one for stamina. You can't do both at the same time. He will have a lot of long gallops (leading up to the Derby).” The post Florida Derby Champ Fierceness With ‘Super’ Work; West Saratoga Breezes At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-OP, $115k, Msw, 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, post time: 4:20 p.m. ET Having campaigned the likes of 'TDN Rising Star' Frank's Rockette, Arkansan Frank Fletcher will debut another daughter of the all-conquering Into Mischief Saturday afternoon at Oaklawn Park in the form of MISS ROCKETTE. The February foal, trained by Bob Baffert, is the first to race out of Song of Spring (Spring At Last), upset winner of the GIII Allaire du Pont Distaff in 2018, and was hammered down to Donato Lanni on behalf of Fletcher for $1.25 million at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale. That price was the third-dearest of the 77 yearlings by Into Mischief reported as sold two seasons ago. This is also the family of dual Grade I winner Dream Rush (Wild Rush) and her daughters GISW Dreaming of Julia (A.P. Indy); and GSW Dream Pauline (Tapit); and SW Atreides (Medaglia d'Oro). TJCIS PPs 5th-GP, $60k, Msw, 3yo, f, 5 1/2fT, post time: 3:15 p.m. ET ELHUBOOB (Hard Spun), a $400,000 KEESEP acquisition by Sheikha Hissa's Shadwell Farm, is the latest produce from Loving Vindication (Vindication), also the dam of Canadian Horse of the Year and multiple divisional champion Wonder Gadot (Medaglia d'Oro), GI La Brea S. heroine Hard Not to Love (Hard Spun) and SW/GSP Solemn Tribute (Medaglia d'Oro). Elhuboob shares her Grade II-winning second dam Chimichurri (Elusive Quality) with GISW Secret Spice (Discreet Cat). Craig Bernick is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and his Glen Hill Farm is represented by Wrigleyville (Into Mischief), a homebred daughter of dual Grade I winner Marketing Mix (Medaglia d'Oro) and named for the area immediately surrounding Wrigley Field, the hallowed home of the North Siders. TJCIS PPs 7th-AQU, $84k, Opt. Clm. ($62.5k), 4yo/up, 1m, 4:34 p.m. ET Rodeo Creek Racing's 2022 GI Champagne S. winner and last year's GI Preakness S. runner-up BLAZING SEVENS (Good Magic) makes his 4-year-old debut here as he faces allowance company for the first time since breaking his maiden at first asking at Saratoga nearly two years ago. A decent fourth to 'TDN Rising Star' Forte (Violence) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the $225,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling was a well-beaten third in last year's GI Toyota Blue Grass S. and was there to win the second leg of the Triple Crown, only to be denied by National Treasure (Quality Road). He makes his first start since faltering as the heavy favorite in the Curlin S. at Saratoga last July. The competition includes stablemate and 'Rising Star' Artorius (Arrogate), the 2022 Curlin winner and most recently third to next-out GI Jockey Club Gold Cup hero Bright Future (Curlin) going nine furlongs in allowance company at the Spa July 21. TJCIS PPs 7th-KEE, $100k, Msw, 3yo, f, 7f, post time: 4:12 p.m. ET SOUNDBITE (Audible) sold for $120,000 as a Keeneland September yearling in 2022 and made for a solid pinhook when fetching $350,000 as the fourth horse through the ring at last year's OBS April Sale (under-tack preview). That hammer price made her the fourth most-expensive of 44 of her sire's juveniles reported as sold last year. A half-sister to Grade III-winning juvenile filly Elsa (Animal Kingdom), Soundbite is out of a daughter of MGSW Fleet Lady (Avenue of Flags), the dam of champion Midshipman (Unbridled's Song) and of GSW Fast Cookie (Deputy Minister), whose five winners from six to race include MGISW sire Frosted (Tapit) and GSW Indulgent (Bernardini). TJCIS PPs 6th-TAM, $53k, Msw, 3yo, 1m 40y, post time: 3:02 p.m. ET MAIN BEACH (Into Mischief), a half-brother to SW Smart As Me (Malibu Moon) and to GISP 'TDN Rising Star' Luminance (Tale of the Cat), was knocked down to Mike Ryan for $525,000 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga in 2022. The Chad Brown trainee is out of a daughter of four-time Grade I winner Versailles Treaty (Danzig), the dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf victor George Vancouver (Ire) (Henrythenavigator) and GSW/GISP Saarland (Unbridled). Whiskey N Soda (Vino Rosso), a $115,000 KEENOV weanling turned $360,000 KEESEP yearling, is a half to three stakes horses, including the Grade III-placed Hardworkcleanlivin (Colonel John). The colt's owners, Repole Stable and St. Elias Stable, raced his Eclipse Award-winning sire to a victory in the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. TJCIS PPs The post Saturday Insights: Another Into Mischief Debuts For Fletcher appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Whether it was Roderic Kavanagh working his magic once again, Katie Walsh clearing seven figures on the only two horses she brought to Park Paddocks or Charlie Poste enjoying a dream debut at the first major breeze-up sale of the year, there were no shortage of feel-good stories to emerge from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. However, agent Richard Brown, consignor Mark Grant and trainer Jamie Osborne agreed that, while the top end of the market was arguably stronger than ever, the middle market remained tricky at Tattersalls this week. It is hard to be exact when crunching the numbers at any sale, not to mention the breeze-ups, which include many layers that need to be factored in. But the early signs are that pinhookers found the going tough at this year's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. Omitting horses that failed to sell or were bought back at the yearling sales, and running on the basis that it costs £12,000 to get a yearling to the breeze-ups, it is estimated that 28 pinhooks broke even or made profit for their connections on day one. It appears as though there were 63 genuine pinhooks on day one; 12 of which made a loss, a further 14 that were bought back and nine that were withdrawn. Discounting withdrawals, just 51% of those horses washed their face while some soared into multitudes of their initial outlay. There were roughly 73 genuine pinhooks on day two. Of the 73, 12 were withdrawn, 17 made a loss and 16 were bought back, leaving just 28 horses turning a profit. A similar story to day one. The figures illustrated that consignors are working to increasingly tight margins when it comes to ending the year ahead. All told, 136 of the 147 horses offered at this year's Craven Sale were pinhooks. Excluding the 21 that were withdrawn, just 56 made a profit, meaning 59 of those made a loss or were bought back by their vendors. Should you include withdrawals, just 41% of horses pinhooked for the Craven worked out. Richard Brown | Tattersalls Grant had an up and down week at Tattersalls. He brought five horses to the Craven and, despite getting 160,000gns for a No Nay Never filly who cost 100,000gns less than that at Book 2, he failed to sell a couple and just about got out on the other two. “It was definitely patchy,” Grant reflected. “If you were ticking the right boxes, you got rewarded but if you fell any way short, you missed out. It was tough. But I think the Craven is always tough. Going to the sale, I thought I had five nice horses and all bar one of them breezed in the top 60 times but I only sold the No Nay Never filly well.” He added, “The market at the Craven is very different to Doncaster for example. We've had great luck at Donny down through the years and sold a lot of good horses there, including Bradsell (GB) (Tasleet {GB}). The one thing you could say about Donny compared to the Craven is, buyers are a lot more forgiving at Donny. There are more people who buy the 50 to 70 grand horse at Donny whereas at the Craven, if you weren't in the top 25 or 30 on times, they were forgetting about you.” Doncaster has been as good to Grant as it has to Brown. The Blandford bloodstock agent sourced Bradsell and Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale but, unusually, will make his way to Doncaster after drawing a blank at the Craven. He explained, “The top of the market was obviously stronger than it has ever been before at the Craven. I didn't value some of the top horses as much as what they made but other people did and that's the great thing about a market. I just felt that some of the top horses made a bit much for what they were and then the middle market was patchy. After that, the bottom end of the market was non-existent. It's become very polarised and it's very hard because there are only a small group of horses who qualify. That means a lot of agents end up landing on the same horses at times.” Asked if he was left frustrated by the lack of business done at the Craven, Brown responded, “You've got to stay true to your values. You know, the joint sale-toppers last year were sold for 625,000gns. This year it was a million with a couple 800,000gns lots and a 600,000gns lot in there as well. Were they that much better than last year? Absolutely not. I couldn't really make sense of it, hence I didn't buy any horses.” Brown has some of the game's biggest owners on his books. From Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, for whom he sourced Perfect Power, and more recently the powerhouse that has become Wathnan Racing, the top agent has many orders to fill. Regardless, Brown says that he would prefer to stand firm in his valuations rather than trying to source horses for the sake of filling orders. He explained, “We never have a set number of horses that we need to buy at the breeze-ups. Obviously we have some orders from a set number of people but it will either happen or it won't and there are still a lot of horses to be sold. If you go into any sale panicking, you make terrible decisions. By the end of the breeze-up season, I am sure we will have sourced roughly the number of horses that we wanted to. But, if the top of the market remains bonkers, maybe we won't buy as many. We'll just have to see.” Brown added, “I think the breeze-up sales have always been polarised. Perhaps they are slightly more polarised than they ever were before. That seems to be the case in most markets as we saw with the yearling sales last year and certainly the mares' sales as well. We seem to be in that cycle at the moment but it's probably too early to make any strong assessments from the Craven alone. In many ways, Arqana will be the acid test of the market.” One of the fascinating takeouts from the Craven was the ever-increasing demand for dirt-breds to the Middle Eastern market and beyond. BBA Ireland's Mick Donohoe told TDN Europe earlier in the week that he was shopping at the Craven almost exclusively for horses on behalf of Saudi Arabian interests while leading Dubai-based trainer Bhupat Seemar made his presence felt when snapping up an Improbable colt for 185,000gns. Fresh from another fruitful spell in that region, Osborne made a splash at Tattersalls in recruiting four American-bred horses that could form part of the Lambourn-based handler's growing string for Dubai. Outlining his approach to the Craven Sale, Osborne said, “Thankfully I have clients who enjoy running horses in Dubai during the winter and, because of the type of horse we have in our yard, we can only really ply our trade on the turf races out there, where we invariably go head-to-head with Godolphin. This year, we are trying to assemble a more diverse group of horses to go out to Dubai this winter, and we'd like to have a few dirt horses going forward. I think there potentially is a gap in the back-end two-year-old/early-season three-year-old races on dirt in Dubai and that's why we said we'd try to assemble a few of those horses with American pedigrees.” Osborne ended the week at Tattersalls as the fifth busiest buyer with four new additions to the team at a total cost of 545,000gns. He revealed that he has since added a Practical Joke filly that didn't sell in the ring to his team, bringing that haul to five. All bar one–an Arizona (Ire) colt–boast dirt pedigrees. Osborne concluded on the market, “I am not just buying for this project and will hopefully be active throughout the breeze-up season. I admire these consignors because, ultimately, they take the risk on whether or not these horses can gallop or not. If they look ordinary, not many people will want them. Getting well paid for the horses who go very well, I think the consignors have a right to do that, because they take a huge amount of risk. “The breeze-up sales have proven to be a great source of quality horses in the past few years but, if you've got a slow one as a consignor, you've got a slow one. Thankfully, most of the vendors have a good spread of animals so hopefully it will all work out alright for them throughout the season as a whole.” The post Market Reflections: Top Stronger Than Ever But Patchiness Persists At The Craven appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lonhro, one of Australia's greatest horses, has died at age 25. View the full article

HOT SPRINGS, Arkansas–He got the call. They needed him and he was all too ready to oblige once again. Just like any serious athlete, you never really get comfortable with that dreaded word–retired. The chance to strut your stuff in front of the home crowd is just too enticing and probably most of all it is the opportunity to relive the good ole days. For Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), who won three editions of the GIII Count Fleet Sprint H., a GI Breeders' Cup Sprint–which earned him Eclipse honors–and took home over $4.5 million in earnings, leading the parade in the Grade III race named for him Mar. 16 was another accolade over his impressive career. “He enjoyed himself, for sure” said Laura Moquett, who co-owns the horse with trainer Ron Moquett. “You could tell days later that he hadn't come down from the high of being back at Oaklawn in a setting like that.” Laura Moquett rode the champ that day at Oaklawn Park as the throng buzzed as he went by. The track's administration reached out to the pair in the hopes that Whitmore would make an appearance and the Moquetts made it happen. “It's just a ton of fun to see how people react to him and it was great to see how it perked him up when everyone was cheering for him,” she said. While the Moquetts run their stable at Oaklawn during the meet, Whitmore is housed at a training facility owned by Joyce Metzer called Seamist Farm which is near Salem, Arkansas. Laura Moquett makes the 35-minute drive most days, but she's not just popping in for a meet and greet. She continues to work with the 11-year-old, and build on what the two accomplished during the Retired Racehorse Project's competitive trail event which took place at the Kentucky Horse Park in 2022. Whitmore leads the parade at Oaklawn | Coady Photography “It was a challenge and there were so many aspects to it that were really tough, but I was proud of him for taking it on,” Moquett said. After saddling, Whitmore steps lightly and makes his way to the show ring that is set up on the property. You can tell that he relishes a jaunt and his affinity for Laura Moquett is evident. “Whitmore and I have a great business relationship that is built on respect, but with Laura he will just do things that no one can get him to do,” said Ron Moquett. “It's truly amazing.” The Eclipse winner canters around the ring, as Laura Moquett gets him loosened up. The pair make a great team and with a course set, she takes the former racehorse through his paces. “He will take some chances and he trusts me,” said Moquett. “That day at Oaklawn is still with him and you can tell out here that he is feeling good, wanting to do more.” Whitmore completes several panel jumps and seeing the spring in his step in-person, you can tell he still possesses that singular drive and dogged determination. “He's still a racehorse inside and you can never take that out of him,” said Laura Moquett. “When I'm riding him it's fun to tap into his competitive spirit and that is what drives him.” Once the Oaklawn meet is complete in early May, the Moquetts will take Whitmore with them to Kentucky. The champion who became known for his cantankerous moods and antics behind the gate during loading is enjoying his time in the ring. “I have no doubt that if he knew he was going to get to race he would be ready,” said Ron Moquett. “You could tell that day at Oaklawn he was ready in case they needed him.” Whitmore is an athlete, albeit a retired one. Do not waste your time trying to assert the latter half of that statement. In his own mind, he is still a racehorse, but it sure was fun to see him jump. The post Champion Whitmore Jumps At Any Chance, Especially At Oaklawn appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Proxy (Tapit) provided Godolphin with its first winner of the GII Oaklawn H. just 12 months ago and the progressive Highland Falls (Curlin) has legitimate claims to double that tally when he squares off with 10 others in the nine-furlong contest. Trained by Brad Cox–who somewhat surprisingly has never saddled an Oaklawn H. winner–the homebred son of GI Breeders' Cup Distaff upsetter Round Pond (Awesome Again) won three of his first four trips to the post in maiden and allowance company back east and was scarcely disgraced last time in the 10-furlong GI Santa Anita H., making some late ground to just miss third behind Reincarnate (Good Magic) and less than three lengths adrift of the victorious Newgate (Into Mischief). He is slightly down in trip for Saturday's test and gets the shortest way around from gate one. “I think he can handle it,” Cox said. “Listen, I think most of…these Grade Is in this division, are run at a mile and an eighth. Obviously, the Breeders' Cup [Classic] is a mile and a quarter. We're hoping he can establish himself as one of the better handicap horses in the country. He's obviously light on seasoning, but hopefully he can have a big year and see where he takes us.” With a victory Reincarnate–third in last year's GII Rebel S. and GI Arkansas Derby–would remarkably be a first Oaklawn H. winner for Bob Baffert. Steve Asmussen landed a first Oaklawn H. in 2021 with Silver State (Hard Spun) and bids for a second with Red Route One (Gun Runner), campaigned by the former's owner Winchell Thoroughbreds. Winner of the Battle House Row S. on this program last year and the GIII West Virginia Derby later in the season, the homebred is exiting a career-best victory in the GII New Orleans Classic at the Fair Grounds Mar. 23. “Obviously, very nice win in New Orleans last time out,” Asmussen said. “This is a very good opportunity for him. Keeps moving forward.” Florida-based Saffie Joseph, Jr. saddles two in the race, topped by the consistent Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator). The 5-year-old is in search of a sixth win at the graded level, having successfully defended his title in the GIII Challenger S. at Tampa Mar. 9. Two other graded stakes in the handicap division are scheduled for Saturday. Judge Miller (Curlin–Cavorting), an 11-length allowance winner at Santa Anita Feb. 24, is the odds-on favorite for the GIII Californian S. at Santa Anita, while Keeneland's GIII Ben Ali S. has attracted a field of nine topped by Kingsbarns (Uncle Mo), an impressive winner of a seven-furlong Gulfstream allowance first off a June layoff Mar. 2. Sophomore grass fillies get their first chance at graded-stakes glory for 2024 in the GIII Providencia S. at Santa Anita. The most accomplished of the field's eight entrants is C R K Stable's Medoro (Honor Code), and barring something unforeseen, she should be able to run her record to a perfect four-from-four. She previously scooped this track's Blue Norther S. back in December and more recently, the Mar. 10 China Doll S. Shiloh's Mistress (Vino Rosso) won her maiden two back over the Turfway Tapeta before finishing fifth in the Mar. 9 GIII Santa Ysabel S. when going out for Resolute Racing for the first time. A half-sister to dirt MGSW Ahh Chocolate (Candy Ride {Arg}), the bay is also kin to Andraste (The Factor), twice graded-placed on the grass and her dam is a half-sister to Rahystrada (Rahy), a three-time winner of the grassy GIII Arlington H. The fifth and final of the days graded stakes is the GII Visitlex Elkhorn S. at Keeneland. Godolphin's Bold Act (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), winner of the GIII Sycamore S. over the track and trip last fall, looks to build on a two-length victory in the G2 Dubai City of Gold at Meydan Mar. 2. The homebred, to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, meets 2022 Sycamore hero Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and an interesting new shooter in the form of Winning Spirit (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), a three-time listed winner in Italy and runner-up in last year's G2 Derby Italiano for trainer Peter Schiergen. The post Highland Falls Should Sit The Right Trip In Oaklawn ‘Cap appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thomas Huet has joined Arqana as a bloodstock consultant, the sales company announced on Friday. The aim of his appointment is to strengthen Arqana's presence at racecourses in the Paris region. Huet will work on a number of one-off assignments, including inspecting horses-in-training at race meetings in and around Paris, as well as the training centres of Chantilly and Maisons-Laffitte on request. Previously a jockey in France, as well as riding in Australia for Gai Waterhouse, Huet has also worked as a jockeys' agent. Most recently, he has been assisting trainer Philippe Decouz with preparing his horses-in-training and with client relations and has accumulated 25 years in the racing industry. Huet said, “I'm delighted about my new role as consultant for Arqana and I look forward to representing them at racecourses. I'd like to thank Ludovic Cornuel and Olivier Delloye for this opportunity and their trust in me.” Bloodstock director Ludovic Cornuel added, “We're delighted to be working with Thomas as a bloodstock consultant. His solid experience in racing and training in France and Australia are important assets. What's more, his move to Chantilly will also enable us to continue strengthening Arqana's presence at racecourses, particularly in the Paris region.” The post Thomas Huet Joins Arqana In Consulting Role appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) hosted its second Annual Kentucky Derby Kick-off Reception on Capitol Hill this week, the organization said in a release Friday. On hand were more than 600 attendees, including many congressional staffers from the offices of Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06), Congressman Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), Congressman Ralph Norman (R-SC-05) and Congressman Paul Tonko (D-NY-20). For the event, the National Museum of Racing lent the Count Fleet Triple Crown and Kentucky Derby trophies, and Coolmore provided halters worn by Triple Crown Winners American Pharoah and Justify. This Congress, Representatives Barr and McGarvey have joined forces in introducing two bipartisan bills which encourage investment in the Thoroughbred industry through various tax incentives. The post NTRA Hosts 2nd Annual Derby Reception On Capitol Hill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It has been two months since the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) stopped sending samples to the University of Kentucky's Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory due to “concerns with the performance” of the facility. Prior to that, the laboratory had been one of six drug testing facilities used under The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) drug testing program. Since then, several key developments have unfurled amid limited public explanations. HISA and HIWU announced that they have opened an investigation into the UK Laboratory's performance, alongside the university's own investigation into the matter. In the same statement, the agencies announced that the university was conducting “an ongoing personnel investigation relating to Dr. Scott Stanley, the director of the UK Lab, and Dr. Stanley was not permitted to be in direct communication with the other staff at the laboratory.” Stanley had told the TDN that he had stepped down as the UK Lab's director at the beginning of March and has been reassigned within the university. The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) subsequently announced that it had suspended its accreditation of the UK Lab. RMTC accreditation is a necessity if a laboratory is to be among HIWU's stable of drug testing facilities. When asked why the RMTC had suspended its accreditation, executive director Michael Hardy pointed to a code of standards which lists 10 possible considerations that might prompt the organization to take such an action. The University of Kentucky then announced that it had hired Cynthia Cole as the interim lab director. Cole previously served as an associate clinical professor and director of The Racing Laboratory at the University of Florida from 2002-2006, then again from 2018-2023 when the laboratory closed. The TDN spoke this week with Cole about these recent developments at the UK Laboratory, and about her role as the lab's acting director. The following has been edited for brevity. TDN: What details can you share about HISA, HIWU and the university's investigations into the UK Lab's performance? Cynthia Cole: I'm afraid very little other than I do know both are ongoing and both organizations are working very collaboratively, as are the laboratory personnel in the process of the investigations. TDN: And what can you tell us about the HR-related investigation also in progress? Cole: That I have even less information on because it's not really pertinent to my role. I don't know the status of it and have not had it confirmed that there is one ongoing. TDN: Outside of HIWU and HISA, have other organizations stopped using the UK Lab to process samples? Cole: Yes. The U.S. Equestrian Federation (USEF) has also stopped sending samples to UK. TDN: What can you share about their decision to stop using the lab? Cole: My understanding is they were briefed on the concerns that HISA had, and that was part of it. There were also issues with not meeting turnaround times and so the decision was made to use another laboratory. One of my primary goals is to get the system back up and running and address any concerns that any of our clients had, including USEF, so that we can get them back to using the laboratory. TDN: Do any of these developments call into question the legitimacy of any HISA/ HIWU related samples that were processed by the lab? Cole: I think that it's possible that that will come into question. I think that is one of the main goals of the investigations, to determine if there is any reason to be concerned about any of the results returned to HISA and HIWU. TDN: Do you know when light might be shed on that one way or another? Cole: Just in discussing what we're providing to both of the investigation groups, I think it's going to be a couple of months before they are complete in their investigations. TDN: What can you share about the RMTC's decision to suspend accreditation? Cole: They provided the university with a letter of deficiencies and concerns that RMTC had with the laboratory. We have 60 days to reply to try to address those issues. Currently, I am in the process of working with the university to address as many of those deficiencies as possible and hope to get an extension to that because some of them are rather extensive requests in terms of adding personnel, which of course in a university setting is not a quick process. But we are addressing each and every one of those concerns and hope to maintain accreditation with the organization. TDN: What happens if you can't achieve the necessary fixes within the stipulated timeframes? Cole: They proceed to full revocation of the accreditation. If that were to [happen], we would have to start very much from scratch and that can be a very laborious and time-consuming process. So, we really want to try as best we can to maintain accreditation so that we can focus on moving forward. TDN: How hopeful are you that you will avoid revocation? Cole: I am an optimist, so I'm going to say we will be able to achieve this. I think we've made tremendous advances in already meeting some of their requests and their concerns. Some of them are simply a little bit more time consuming. So, I believe with an extension we can address almost all of their [RMTCs] concerns. For example, I don't think it would make sense to repeat an external audit process until we finish overhauling our quality management system. And that's probably not going to be completed until the summer. Hopefully they will appreciate that we're not trying to do it quick, we're trying to do it well. And that can take a little more time. TDN: What have been your primary responsibilities since you've taken over as interim director? Cole: We did have samples that we were processing for some organizations, the U.S. Equestrian Federation as well as the National Reining Horse Association. And so, the first goal was to try to make sure that those samples were finished and confirmations were done and that the clients were provided with those results. The next really important goal of mine was to really help the laboratory address the requests by the UK audit, as well as the HIWU and HISA investigators, and make it very clear that whatever we can do to assist we needed to do. Obviously, there are certain things within the laboratory information management system–which is the program that among other things tracks the chain of custody, sample analysis and results–that we can't change or alter until the investigations are complete. But we can work on improving and validating some of our screening methods and other processes once we get the go ahead. TDN: Have your responsibilities also included firing and/or hiring personnel at the lab? Cole: Yes, although the staff is the same as when I accepted the interim role. So, we have not let anyone go and nor has anyone left since I joined. We are in the process of hiring a quality manager. [As] part of that new role, that individual will report, not to me, but to an external individual at a higher level within the university system so that we have that independence, in terms of any concerns that a quality manager may have in the process. It can be obviously a conflict of interest for them if they have to report to the person who supervises them. So, in this case, we will remove that issue and have that person report to an external faculty member or university leadership. TDN: Does that mean there was no quality assurance manager? Cole: There had been, [but] that individual left and they had been unable to fill the role. [Though] I believe they did search several times. TDN: What other key changes have you made or you seek to make that you're able to talk about? Cole: I think one of the most important aspects is the quality program. And so, the external hire of a Quality Manager and instituting a quality management system was my first goal. And that very much aligns with what RMTC has requested of us. TDN: In terms of things potentially not being done appropriately, are you able to elaborate? Cole: No, I'm afraid I can't. That's part of the investigations that are ongoing. TDN: If the UK Lab regains its RMTC accreditation, is it a given that it'll once again re-join HIWU's stable of labs? Cole: I would not say that it's a given. I think that there has been a breach of trust for HIWU and HISA, and it will take some effort on our part to convince them that we are going to meet or exceed all of their quality expectations. We think that relationship is something that has to be earned and we don't take it for granted. TDN: Will the university's own investigation yield a report that will be made available to the public at the end? Cole: That's a good question. I don't know the answer to that. TDN: Do you have any other comments that you think is important for the industry to know that I haven't asked about? Cole: No, I would just reiterate that I agreed to take on this role as an interim director. I'm very committed to it. I don't want anyone to think that because it's interim, it isn't taken very serious by me. It's just not something that I want to go back and do full time. I've been really impressed by the laboratory staff. They are extremely talented. They are extremely dedicated. The laboratory itself is incredibly well equipped and the university is very dedicated to rebuilding and establishing a trust within the industry, for the laboratory. There is no reason that at some period of time-and I don't know exactly what that time period is-we should be a laboratory that will be state-of-the-art, second-to-none in the world. The post My Goal Is To Get The System “Back Up And Running”: Q&A With UK Lab’s Cynthia Cole appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There will be a generous travel incentive offered for Germany's €300,000 G1 Grosser Preis von Baden on Sept. 1. Entries close for the race on Tuesday, Apr. 23 by 10:30 a.m. A cost of €30,000 is needed to make a supplemental entry after that period by 9 a.m. on Aug. 28. Previous winners of this potential G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe prep including Arc winners Danedream (Ger) (Lomitas {GB}) and Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}). The post Travel Incentive Announced For Grosser Preis Von Baden In September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by TTR AusNZ/Keely Mckitterick Australian Horse of the Year Lonhro (Aus) (Octagonal {NZ}–Shadea {NZ}, by Straight Strike) has died at the age of 25, Darley Australia announced on Friday. The Woodlands Stud homebred was pensioned in March of 2023. “A wonderful contributor to the Australian racing and breeding worlds, and as 'the people's champion' Lonhro will be forever remembered for what he was able to achieve on the racetrack,” said Godolphin Australia's Corporate Director, Ross Cole said in a statement. “Lonhro had a huge and well-earned following, and he earnt the admiration and respect of everyone within our Godolphin teams over his years as a Darley stallion and in his retirement. We were honoured to have him as part of our operation.” Lonhro, born at Woodlands Thursday, Dec. 10, 1998, was a son of champion and 10-time Group 1 winner Octagonal, who won the G1 Cox Plate. Lonhro, the seventh foal of G3 Sweet Embrace S. heroine and MG1SP Shadea, inherited his father's excellence. Under the guidance of trainer John Hawkes, Lonhro dazzled on the racetrack, earning the moniker “the black flash.” As a juvenile, he demonstrated promise with notable performances in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts and Geldings) and a respectable fourth-place finish in the G1 Blue Diamond S. As a 3-year-old, Lonhro's prowess flourished, capturing the G1 Caulfield Guineas and the G1 George Main S. He swiftly ascended to become one of Australia's premier weight-for-age runners, claiming victories across a spectrum of distances, from 1100 to 2000 metres. Lonhro's illustrious career included triumphs in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S., the G1 Mackinnon S., and the iconic G1 Australian Cup, famously ridden to victory by Darren Beadman. Lonhro retired with an impressive tally of 26 victories, including 11 elite-level wins and $3,627,727 in earnings. He garnered accolades such as the 2003/04 Australian Horse of the Year, the Champion 3-Year-Old in Australia, and ranked at the top of various classifications and world rankings throughout his career. After his retirement to the Ingham family's Woodlands Stud, Lonhro came under the ownership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed in May of 2008. In 2011, he was honoured with the title of champion sire and stood as a Darley stallion until being pensioned last year. The full-brother to MG1SW Niello (Aus) (Octagonal {NZ}) shuttled to Darley American from 2012-2014. Worldwide, Lonhro has sired 97 stakes winners, including 13 individual Group 1 winners. Seven of his stakes winners struck in North America, with GI Awesome Again S. third Isotherm, Holding Gold and War Heroine all finding Grade II success. Gronkowski was second in the GI Belmont S., and Parlor filled that position in the GI Maker's Mark Mile S. Lonhro's influence extends beyond the racetrack; he is already making a significant impact as a broodmare sire. Notable examples include Zapateo (Aus) (Brazen Beau {Aus}), the victress of the G1 The Galaxy, Gatting (Aus) (Hard Spun), winner of the G1 Makybe Diva S., and Golden Mile (Aus) (Astern {Aus}), who triumphed in the G1 Caulfield Guineas. His sons have also excelled at stud. Pierro (Aus), one of his notable sire sons and best runners, has sired 36 stakes winners. Other stallion sons include Impending (Aus), Denman (Aus), Encryption (Aus), and Exosphere (Aus). Darley Australia's Head of Stallions, Alastair Pulford, said, “They say that a stallion is the soul of a stud. That certainly applies to Lonhro. He was a horse that lifted your heart.” The post Australian Horse Of The Year And Champion Sire Lonhro Dies At 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Alain and Gerard Wertheimer's twice-raced Halfday (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}–Daytime {GB}, by Frankel {GB}), who followed up a debut second at Deauville with a breakthrough score at Chantilly in December, continued on the upgrade with a dominant display in Friday's G3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud. The 27-5 chance broke in fourth, but was relegated to last of the six contenders after extended opening exchanges. Bustled along off the home turn, she made relentless headway in the straight to launch her challenge entering the final furlong and was ridden clear to comfortably account for the stakes-winning duo Fun With Flags (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and War Chimes (Fr) (Summer Front) by 2 1/2 lengths and a length. “I have to admit I was hoping more for a place and black type than the win,” revealed trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias. “She was doing well, but obviously needs more time to fully blossom. She hails from a top Juddmonte family where horses improve with time, so that is most encouraging. It is my last season as a trainer, so lets hope she carries the flag high for me and her owners. Breeders like them need good fillies like that.” Pedigree Notes Halfday, a half-sister to the unraced 2-year-old filly Seine (Ire) (Le Havre {Ire}), is the first of two foals produced by a daughter of six-time elite-level heroine Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The January-foaled homebred bay's dam is a full-sister to stakes-winning G2 Ribblesdale S. second Mori (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and kin to G3 Sandown Classic Trial and G3 N E Manion Cup victor Midterm (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and stakes-winning G3 Musidora S. runner-up Noon Star (Galileo {Ire}). Friday, Saint-Cloud, France PRIX CLEOPATRE-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 4-19, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:26.68, vsf. 1–HALFDAY (FR), 126, f, 3, by Lope De Vega (Ire) 1st Dam: Daytime (GB), by Frankel (GB) 2nd Dam: Midday (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB) 3rd Dam: Midsummer (GB), by Kingmambo 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €61,000. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Fun With Flags (Ire), 126, f, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Marie Celeste (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€50,000 Ylg '22 GORORB; €62,000 2yo '23 GORMAY). O-Mme Erika Gilliar; B-Mme Sonia Rogers (IRE); T-Jerome Reynier. €16,000. 3–War Chimes (Fr), 126, f, 3, Summer Front–Chipolata (Fr), by Muhtathir (GB). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€62,000 Ylg '22 ARQOCT). O-Tars Farms Equestrian Stud; B-Hubert Honore, Nicolas Clement & Christophe Clement Racing Stables (FR); T-David Menuisier. €12,000. Margins: 2HF, 1, 3HF. Odds: 5.40, 0.70, 2.50. Also Ran: Make A Wish (Fr), Keen Approach (Fr), Magestic Moon (GB). Scratched: Paraiba (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. Wow! Watch this filly blast past her rivals. LOPE DE VEGA's 3yo daughter Halfday is a cozy last-to-first winner of the Gr.3 Prix Cléopâtre – a leading trial for the French Oaks. Congratulations to her owner-breeder Wertheimer et Frere (@WertheimerSales) pic.twitter.com/X4tSuWXxBN — BallylinchStud (@BallylinchStud) April 19, 2024 The post Lope De Vega’s Halfday Outpoints Cleopatre Rivals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The owner of a pair of Grade I wins on turf in North America last year, Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) took home Horse of the Year honors at Thursday evening's 49th Annual Sovereign Awards ceremony hosted by the Jockey Club of Canada. Fev Rover, who won the GI Beverly D. S. at Colonial Downs and the GI E.P. Taylor S. at Woodbine, is trained by Mark Casse. The Canadian and U.S. Hall of Famer once again collected hardware as he was awarded his 13th consecutive Sovereign and 16th overall title. Other highlights of the evening included top rider Kazushi Kimura being named the champion jockey and Gary Barber won his first Sovereign as an owner. As for the juvenile categories, the top 2-Year-Old Female went to Witwatersrand (Connect), who won the GIII Mazarine S. at Woodbine, while the top 2-Year-Old Male was awarded to MGISP My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince). In the 3-Year-Old Male division, the King's Plate S. hero Paramount Prince (Society's Chairman) earned top honors, and Woodbine Oaks heroine Elysian Field (Hard Spun)–who was also the runner-up in the King's Plate–was the leading 3-Year-Old Female award winner. The top three finalists in each horse and human category were cast online by the Jockey Club of Canada's voters. The media category award finalists were determined by professionals within the industry selected from across North America. Horse Awards: Horse of the Year: Fev Rover (90); Runners-Up: Paramount Prince (Society's Chairman) (44), Elysian Field (Hard Spun) (32) Champion 2-Year Old Female: Witwatersrand (Connect) (132); Runners-Up: Tripolina (Constitution) (41), Living Magic (Justify) (32) Champion 2-Year-Old Male: My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince) (156); Runners-Up: Babbo (Kantharos) (59), Two Ghosts (Ghostzapper) (39) Champion 3-Year-Old Female: Elysian Field (149) Runners-Up: Solo Album (Curlin) (60), Fashionably Fab (Silent Name {Jpn}) (45) Champion 3-Year-Old Male: Paramount Prince (144) Runners-Up: Patches O'Houlihan (Reload) (70), Touch'n Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) (47) Champion Female Sprinter: Loyalty (Hard Spun) (160) Runners-Up: Our Flash Drive (Ghostzapper) (61), Fashionably Fab (39) Champion Male Sprinter: Patches O'Houlihan (137) Runners-Up: Lucky Score (Lookin At Lucky) (61), Dream Shake (Twirling Candy) (31) Champion Female Turf Horse: Fev Rover (148) Runners-Up: Moira (Ghostzapper) (95), Our Flash Drive (17) Champion Male Turf Horse: Lucky Score (96) Runners-Up: My Boy Prince (88), Palazzi (Pioneerof the Nile) (30) Champion Older Main Track Female: Millie Girl (Hard Spun) (152); Runners-Up: Infinite Patience (Sungold) (60), Il Malocchio (Souper Speedy) (39) Champion Older Main Track Male: Tyson (Tapit) (113) Runners-Up: Wolfie's Dynaghost (Ghostzapper) (100), Treason (Constitution) (29) Outstanding Broodmare: Mendocino Beano (Smart Strike) (74); Runners-Up: Sunday Affair (A.P. Indy) (54), Game (Fr) (Montjeu {Ire}) (31) Champion Jockey, Kazushi Kimura | Michael Burns Human Awards: Outstanding Breeder: Adena Springs (85); Runners-Up: Anderson Farms Ont. Inc. (68), Chiefswood Stables Limited (32), Sean Fitzhenry (32), Sam-Son Farm (32) Outstanding Apprentice Jockey: Sofia Vives (162) Runners-Up: Fraser Aebly (83), Amanda Vandermeersch (35) Outstanding Jockey: Kazushi Kimura (162); Runners-Up: Sahin Civaci (75), Rafael Manuel Hernandez (28) Outstanding Trainer: Mark E. Casse (160); Runners-Up: Kevin Attard (80), Martin Drexler (21) Outstanding Owner: Gary Barber (126); Runners-Up: Bruno Schickedanz (71), Chiefswood Stables Limited (27) Outstanding Groom: Michelle Armata Outstanding Off-track Worker: Jennifer Buck Special Sovereign Award: Robert “Red” McKenzie Media Awards: Outstanding Writing: Jennifer Morrison, Cat's Long Way Home, Published in Canadian Thoroughbred.com, Dec. 31, 2023 Outstanding Photograph: Jason Halstead, A Kiss for Commando, Published in The Inside Track, Issue #98, Sept. 22, 2023 Outstanding Audio Visual/Digital Broadcast: Woodbine Entertainment, Secretariat The Last Race, Aired on TSN Oct. 8, 2023 The post Fev Rover Earns Canadian Horse of the Year Honors At Sovereign Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chief Stipelas Whyte is only two wins shy of 200 Hong Kong victories as a trainer. Revered for his extraordinary exploits as a jockey with a record 13 Hong Kong championships, Chief Stipelas Whyte’s famed appetite for achievement is showing no signs of abating as the South African searches for more success at Sha Tin on Saturday. With a record 1,813 victories in the saddle, Whyte is now only two wins short of 200 as a trainer and he has four runners on Saturday – Link, Red Elegance, Valiant Elegance and Flaming Rabbit – as he looks to add to his stable’s 30 wins so far for the season. A last-start Class 2 winner over 1600m on March 31, Flaming Rabbit stretches to 1800m for the first time under regular rider Lyle Hewitson. “He’s stepping up and taking a chance,” Whyte said. “He bounced back well from a freshen-up and he won with authority last time. He’s won over a tough mile at Goodwood, so if he has a soft time of it (in front), he’ll get the 1800m. He’s vulnerable, but he should get the trip. “He’s in good form and I took the opportunity of running him. It would be too long between runs otherwise, we would’ve had to wait for the next mile race and trial again first.” Whyte is also represented by last-start course and distance winner Valiant Elegance for Antoine Hamelin. Successful on March 16, Valiant Elegance’s rise in class is offset by a five-pound weight drop to 117lb as he bids for his eighth Hong Kong win from 50 starts. “He’s as honest as the day is long and he comes in with a light weight. Hopefully he can run in the money,” said Whyte, confirming champion stayer Russian Emperor would bypass the HK$28 million G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m). With a total of 2,011 wins as jockey and trainer, Whyte trails only Tony Cruz, who boasts 2,448 Hong Kong victories with 946 as a jockey and 1,502 as a trainer. Caspar Fownes has seven entries for Sha Tin this Saturday and, after notching his 1,100th Hong Kong winner at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the four-time champion trainer hopes Joy Of Spring can overcome barrier 12. “The draws haven’t been kind to use these last couple of months but it is what it is,” Fownes said. “The horse presents well again – wide gate, going to a mile at Sha Tin, I think will be quite suitable for him. “He’s only a lightly-framed horse but his fitness level is very good and Vincent (Ho) on top, so hopefully with a bit of tempo and a nice ride, we should be closing off hard.” With a full book of 10 rides, apprentice Angus Chung needs only one more Hong Kong win to reach the 70-victory graduation mark. Chung, 27, is fourth in the 2023/24 jockeys’ championship with 38 wins behind Zac Purton (91), Karis Teetan (62) and Hugh Bowman (47). Horse racing news View the full article

Naas Racecourse will stage a free race day on Sunday, May 19 to make the course's centenary. The eight-race card features some Royal Ascot trials, including the G3 Goffs Lacken S. and the G3 Coolmore Stud EBF Fillies Sprint S. With a nod to the course's illustrious past, amateur dramatic groups from around the country will be in attendance on the day, stepping back in time to embrace the glamour of the 1920s by showcasing vintage attire reminiscent of the era. Racegoers are encouraged to do the same, and the person who sports the best 1920s-inspired outfit on the day will win a VIP day at Naas races along with an overnight stay and dinner at Lawlor's of Naas Hotel. Dermot Cantillon, chairman of Naas Racecourse, said, “We are incredibly proud to reach this significant milestone in our history. Our Centenary Celebration Raceday is a tribute to the rich heritage and tradition of Naas Racecourse, and we look forward to welcoming racegoers for free on the day to share in the festivities.” The post Naas Celebrates Centenary with Free Race Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

What Wagga Races Where Murrumbidgee Turf Club – Travers St, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650 When Sunday, April 21, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble Country heads to the Riverina on Sunday afternoon as the Murrumbidgee Turf Club gets set to host a competitive eight-race program. The rail is out +4m between the 1400m and the winning post, then sits true for the rest of the course. Pristine conditions in the lead-up should leave the surface rated a Good 4, with the opening event scheduled to get underway at 12:45pm local time. Best Bet at Wagga: Sizzle Minizzle Despite being winless over the last 12 months, Sizzle Minizzle brings an element of class to this Open staying contest. His last win came in the Country Championships Final (1400m) at Randwick in April of 2023, and since that career highlight, the Brett Robb-trained gelding has been unable to replicate the feat. This appears to be his most manageable task since, and with the four-year-old prepared to strike for the first time at 1800m, Sizzle Minizzle should justify favouritism with online bookmakers. Best Bet Race 4 – #2 Sizzle Minizzle (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Brett Robb | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (59.5kg) +130 with Picklebet Next Best at Wagga: Anilla Anilla was sensational at Oakbank on March 30 and appears set to peak third-up into the campaign. The son of Valentia was storming over the top, but hit a flat spot in the middle stages, closing within two lengths of Second To Nun. That form reads exceptionally well heading back to country grade, and although Blaike McChief Stipeall will need to drag Anilla back worse than mid-field throughout, watch for this guy to be burst clear at the top of the straight. Next Best Race 7 – #1 Anilla (10) 6yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Blaike McChief Stipeall (61kg) +400 with Neds Best Value at Wagga: Take The Rap Take The Rap gets sent to the races on the back of one impressive barrier trial victory at Goulburn on March 24. The Norm Gardner-trained gelding took a sit before clearing out by 1.4 lengths under a strangle hold, suggesting the son of Star Turn may possesses above-average ability. It was a terrific piece of education for the two-year-old, and with the current each-way price available with online betting sites, punters should be willing to take the price for Take The Rap. Best Value Race 2 – #5 Take The Rap (6) 2yo Gelding | T: Norm Gardner | J: Mathew Cahill (57.5kg) +650 with PlayUp Sunday quaddie tips for the Wagga Wagga quadrella selections Sunday, April 21, 2024 1-7 1-3-5-6-7-8-10 1-3-8 1-2-3-7-8 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Glimmer winning at Waverley on Thursday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Local trainer Rosie Gibbs made a welcome return to the winner’s stall following Glimmer’s commanding debut performance in the Treadwell Gordon 1200 at Waverley on Thursday. The three-year-old filly jumped well from the ace barrier and was sent straight to the front by jockey Chris Dell where the pair dictated terms and ran out 2-1/4 length victors in front of a cheering home crowd. “I am absolutely thrilled,” said Gibbs, who was delighted to record her first victory in a decade. “She was only broken-in in August and then she had a bit of time off. She has done this all on one prep. “Glimmer is going out for a spell now. She is quite a tall filly and I think she now needs a bit of time. She is very easy and agreeable to do anything with, but I don’t think it would be the right thing to carry on. “We will plan to head towards the spring with her.” Gibbs, who bred and owns the filly with her partner George Kiihfuss, said Glimmer is a pleasure to have around the stable. “She is a strange horse because she is so placid that you are not ever quite sure where she is,” Gibbs said. “But she has got beautiful movement and does everything so easily. She eats her food and goes about her daily business. She is a dream to have around.” The victory was a bittersweet moment for Gibbs, who had to euthanise a sibling of Glimmer’s recently. “The unfortunate thing about it was that I had to put her sister down last week because she had tumours, so this was a bit of a silver lining to that,” she said. Gibbs has been training for the last 30 years and said she got the racing bug from her family, who have a long and successful history in racing. “The great Nukumai, he was my grandfather’s horse who did all those great things in the 1920s,” she said. “They are famous for doing the three days at Trentham, which was the Winter Oaks, The Parliamentary and the Wellington Chase all in one week. He also won the Waverley Gold Cup in 1924 and I have got the Cup. “My father also bred a lot of good horses, including one called Kalgoorlie. In 1953, the year I was born, Dad went to the yearling sales at Trentham and bought the mare that became Gold Planet, who was a granddaughter of Gold Trail. She was the dam of Kalgoorlie and my father sold him and he went on to win 28 races.” Gibbs said the best horse she has had anything to do with also hails from the same family. “The best one was probably one my father bred. He was called Kalm Day and he was by Open Day out of Kalgoorlie’s family. The mother died foaling, so I hand-reared him. He turned out to be a pretty good horse (and won five races).” While Gibbs enjoys training, she has also inherited her father’s passion for breeding and has enjoyed breeding from Glimmer’s dam, Ananiashvilli, who she purchased as a yearling out of Lyndhurst Farm’s 2015 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale draft for $5,000. “My partner and I went to the yearling sales and we had a whole lot of horses we wanted to buy and there was nothing we could afford, everything was too expensive,” Gibbs said. “Then George said to me ‘Dan Myers has got a horse coming in soon, we will look at that and then we will go home’. It was a Savabeel (filly) out of an Encosta de Lago mare, so I thought it would go for $200,000 and we couldn’t afford that. “She came into the ring and the bidding started at $1,000 and ended up at $4,000 and we bought her for $5,000 because she had turned out legs. That is how I got a Savabeel in my paddock.” While Ananiashvilli didn’t make it to the track, she is starting to leave her mark as a broodmare. “She got injured, so she never raced,” Gibbs said. “The first foal was Kazaderose and she had really good form (placing in four of her 12 starts) but broke down at Hastings. The second foal was a Mongolian Khan (Modernissimo) who has won three in Australia, and the third foal was an absolutely beautiful Redwood, but she broke a hind leg.” Gibbs hasn’t bred from Ananiashvilli in the last couple of years, but Thursday’s result has ensured she will head back to the breeding barn this spring. “I made myself a little rule that you can’t keep breeding horses without winning races,” she said. “The mare is only 10, so she will be going back to Staphanos this coming season.” Gibbs enjoys keeping her numbers low, with Ananiashvilli her only broodmare and Glimmer her only racehorse, and she is excited for the future with both. “I am a one mare band,” she said. “I just have the one horse in work and a hunter, and I love it.” Horse racing news View the full article