Wandering Eyes

An omen barrier may prove the key to Waitak’s (NZ) (Proisir) success in a star-studded line-up for Saturday’s A$4 million The Quokka (1200m) in Perth. The son of Proisir is trained by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott, and the latter flew from their Matamata base to Western Australia to be present at the Breakfast With The Stars promotional event, where he drew barrier 10 for the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) winner. While the gate assists Waitak’s racing pattern of settling back and showing his sharp sprint late, it also has acted as a springboard for many of Wexford’s great victories, more recently Molly Bloom’s (NZ) (Ace High) Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), and Dragon Leap’s (Pierro) Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m). “It’s been a very lucky number for our stable with good results as number 10, and barrier 10,” Scott said. “My birthday is actually on the 10th as well. “For Waitak, it suits him as he can go back and settle in, and possibly be in the open to get home late. It should give him an opportunity to open up in the straight.” Earlier yesterday (Wednesday) morning, Waitak and travelling representative Erin Leighton galloped on the course proper at Ascot Racecourse with Scott watching on. “He worked yesterday morning on the course proper on nice soft ground and we couldn’t have been more pleased with how he moved through his gallop. Erin was really pleased, she said he felt quite explosive so we couldn’t be happier with his work,” he said. “He’s handled the travel and recovered well, his appetite is good and he’s consuming a good lot of feed. “He’s sound and very well within himself, and he’s continued to thrive over here in the warmth.” With temperatures reaching as high as 33 degrees in Perth this week, Scott has been wary of the four-year-old’s routine in contrast to the Kiwi climate. “We’ve brought his work back a fair bit with the heat, as well as with his long trip over, you can’t quite do as much as you would back home in cooler temperatures. It’s just been a matter of ticking him over,” Scott said. “We’re under no illusion that it’s going to be a very strong field, but he’s going as well as he can which is the exciting part. They’ve done a great job of building the race up so it’s all go for Saturday.” Waitak and jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor will represent Trackside Media in the A$4 million slot race, and he has shortened into $26, with glamour local mare Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) heading the TAB Fixed market at $3.50. Wexford will also have three representatives at their home meeting on Friday, with Tempest (NZ) (Frankel), Ever Charm (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) and Baggio (NZ) (War Decree) all poised to break maidens at short notice. Well-bred mare Tempest has been six times a bridesmaid and will contest the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1400m) in the colours of Pencarrow Stud. “It’s important to the connections, and to us, that a daughter of Frankel goes to the broodmare paddock a winner, and she’s been very close in the past. She goes well fresh and gets a home track advantage tomorrow, so hopefully she can break through for a well-deserved,” Scott said. Stablemates Baggio and Ever Charm will face off in the following race, the J.P Wills Bloodstock 1400, with the former finishing runner-up in his sole race-day start in early February. “Baggio’s trial was good in between times as he’s been away from the races for a wee bit, but he’s fit and worked in a manner that suggests he’ll race very well. We’re confident he’ll be right in the mix tomorrow,” Scott said. “We had Ever Charm going over the summer months, but he’s certainly going to appreciate the autumn give in the ground. He’s in for a good autumn preparation, possibly an improver out of tomorrow, but we think he’ll get through a couple of grades this time in.” View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Sha Tin for a rare Saturday meeting, where a competitive 10-race program is set to get underway at 1pm local time. The card is split between the turf and all-weather circuits, with the rail in the C+3 for all turf contests throughout the afternoon. There are some showers predicted in the lead-up; however, with excellent drainage at Sha Tin, the surface should hold its Good 4 rating. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Call Me Glorious Call Me Glorious was sensational on debut at this course and distance on February 25 and wasn’t disgraced in his following effort in Class 3 company. He was collared by Ka Ying Rising but held on comfortably to secure a second-place finish, running sharp time in the process. Watch for Lyle Hewitson to lead throughout from barrier seven, and provided he can tick-over a soft sectional in the middle stages, Call Me Glorious will take a power of beating. Best Bet Race 8 – #7 Call Me Glorious (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Francis Lui | J: Lyle Hewitson (55kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Sha Tin: Chill Chibi After a bold showing in the Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 23, Chill Chibi appears well placed in this Class 2 contest. The son of Wrote hit the line powerfully under Jerry Chau despite getting into a bumping duel with 150 metres left to travel. He should be able to slide across into the one-one throughout the 1800m journey, and with a genuine tempo engaged with the likes of Flaming Rabbit and All For St Paul’s attempting to burn the candle at both ends, Chill Chibi should be closing off best. Next Best Race 9 – #4 Chill Chibi (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Jerry Chau (a1) (56.5kg) Bet with PlayUp Best Value at Sha Tin: Prince Of Porty Prince Of Porty hasn’t found the minor money in six starts this preparation; however, dropping back into Class 4 should be a major benefit. His only two wins have come in this grade, with his debut victory at this track and trip proving a gritty effort in January 2023. He should lob midfield under Hugh Bowman, and although he may need luck down the Sha Tin straight, Prince Of Porty warrants an each-way ticket with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #1 Prince Of Porty (4) 5yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Hugh Bowman (61kg) Bet with Picklebet Sha Tin quaddie tips – Saturday 20/4/2024 Sha Tin quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 1-2-3-5-11-12 2-7 5-6-7-9 3-4 Horse racing tips View the full article

What The Quokka Raceday Where Ascot Racecourse – 71 Grandstand Rd, Ascot WA 6104 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 11:19am AWST Visit Dabble The $5 million Quokka will headline the 10-race card at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. The track was rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances, and with no rain forecast for Friday and Saturday, it is expected that the surface will be perfect for racing throughout the meeting. The rail will be in the +3m position for the entire circuit, with racing scheduled to kick off at 11:19am AWST. Click here to view our Quokka preview and betting strategy. Karrakatta Plate Tip: Golden Kathleen Golden Kathleen is coming off a strong performance behind Siren Assault, where the Russell Stewart-trained filly was held up behind runners until the final 100m. This daughter of Leonardo Da Hinchi was an impressive winner at Bunbury on debut over 1100m; however, the stable chose to ride her towards the rear of the field last start and they will do the same from a wide barrier here. With William Pike engaged for the first time and a lot of speed expected in this race, Golden Kathleen should get every chance to fly home from the back of the field late. Karrakatta Plate Race 7 – #7 Golden Kathleen (10) 2yo Filly | T: Russell Stewart | J: William Pike (54.5kg) +320 with Bet365 Best Bet at Ascot: Bondi’s Future Bondi’s Future brought up a hat-trick of wins at this track over 1800m, as the Adam Durrant-trained gelding let down with a strong turn of foot from midfield to take over in the final 150m and held on for a tough win. Clint Johnston Porter has ridden this son of Bondi in his last five starts and gets along well with him, so with him stepping up in trip to 2000m, it is expected he will perform very well once again. From barrier seven, Bondi’s Future should find a spot just behind the speed and attempt to replicate his most recent victory. Best Bet Race 4 – #8 Bondi’s Future (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Adam Durrant | J: Clint Johnston-Porter (54kg) +300 with Neds Next Best at Ascot: Laced Up Heels Chris Parnham gave Laced Up Heels a perfectly timed ride second-up to claim a narrow victory over Saloon Bar and Almighty Class at this track and trip on March 30. The Luke Fernie-trained mare settled midfield, started her run well before the home turn, and let down with a sustained turn of foot to nab the leaders in the final strides. In a much bigger field with more speed injected in this race, this daughter of Toronado will appreciate a cosy run from barrier two. If Parnham can find a horse to follow around the home turn, Laced Up Heels will go very close. Next Best Race 9 – #16 Laced Up Heels (2) 4yo Mare | T: Luke Fernie | J: Chris Parnham (56.5kg) +400 with PlayUp Best Value at Ascot: Star Power Star Power has won three on the bounce after the Neville Parnham-trained mare held on for a narrow victory over 1200m at this track on April 3. This four-year-old mare led at a strong tempo, and even though she started to struggle late, she held on to win by a nose on the line. Dropping back to 1000m in a race with good speed, Kershaw Dhurun can push forward from barrier five, as the other speed influences drawn outside of her. With Dhurun’s 1.5kg claim, Star Power can run the race at a good clip, kick clear on the home bend, and give her rivals something to chase. Best Value Race 5 – #9 Star Power (5) 4yo Mare | T: Neville Parnham | J: Kershaw Dhurun (a1.5) (59kg) +2000 with Picklebet Saturday quaddie tips for Ascot races Ascot quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 2-6-7-10 1-7-8-10 2-6-12-13-16 1-3-4-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Alice Springs Races Where Pioneer Park Racecourse – Stuart Highway, Connellan NT 0870 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 2:52pm ACST Visit Dabble The Alice Springs Cup Carnival concluded on April 7, but numbers in the Red Centre are good, with 61 accepting for Saturday’s six-race meeting. No rain has fallen in Alice Springs since March 28, with fine conditions prevailing for the rest of the week. Come Saturday, it will be sunny and windy, with a top temperature of 24°C. The rail will be in its true position, and it will be a good dirt surface. BEST BET: Protostar Protostar has a wide gate and carries plenty of weight, but he hasn’t been far away in four starts since arriving in the Red Centre. The fact that Stan Tsaikos is on board is certainly an added bonus for the five-year-old gelding. A third and a second over 1100m at BM54 and Class 2 level was followed by a win and a second over 1200m against 0-58 opposition. The son of Star Turn looked set to go back-to-back on April 6 before getting pipped on the post, and Protostar is capable of making amends on Saturday. Best Bet Race 3 – #2 Protostar (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Terry Gillett | J: Stan Tsaikos (59kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Daniher Daniher jumped from the inside gate over 1600m against the three and four-year-olds at BM68 level on April 6 and looked set to lead from start to finish before succumbing to He’s Maverick right on the line. The four-year-old gelding lumped 58kg that day and spotted the winner 4kg, so he has more than a decent chance if he overcomes the wide gate. You must respect the opposition, but the son of Fighting Sun clearly boasts better form. In six Alice Springs starts, Daniher’s record stands at one win and four minor placings. Next Best Race 6 – #1 Daniher (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Kevin Lamprecht | J: Ianish Luximon (a2) (60kg) Bet with Neds BEST VALUE: Princess Pancakes Princess Pancakes, a full sister to last year’s NT derby winner Anphina, bombed in her first two Alice Springs starts at the end of 2023 before heading to Darwin. The mare has finished second over 1600m in her past three starts and gave the winner Macer’s Razor – a rival on Saturday – far too much start on April 7 before going down by 2.5 lengths. Expect Princess Pancakes to turn the tables on her rival at a nice price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 5 – #9 Princess Pancakes (3) 5yo Mare | T: Kerry Petrick | J: Paul Denton (55kg) Bet with Neds Saturday Alice Springs quaddie tips – 20/4/2024 Alice Springs quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 1-2-3-4-8 1-2-3-4 3-4-5-7-9 1-5-7-8 Horse racing tips View the full article

Son of Galileo ‘flying’ as he eyes Group Three assignment en route to Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m) hat-trick bidView the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 11:38am AEST Visit Dabble The Listed Ascot Quality Handicap and Daybreak Lover will headline the nine-race card at Eagle Farm this Saturday afternoon. Although there is rain forecast for Friday and Saturday, it is expected that the track will remain in the Good range after being rated as a Good 4 at the time of acceptances. The rail will be in the +1m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race scheduled to jump at 11:38am AEST. Ascot Quality Handicap Tip: Zarastro Zarastro will return from a three-month spell in the first of the features as the Tony Gollan-trained gelding seeks to keep his unbeaten record at Eagle Farm intact (4:4-0-0). This son of I Am Invincible was an impressive winner of a 1000m trial at Doomben on April 11, where he led from start to finish and won by 1.8 lengths under little to no riding throughout. From barrier nine, James Orman will have to cross the field to find the front but if Zarastro jumps as well as he did in his trial, he should have no trouble doing so on his way to a first-up victory. Ascot Quality Handicap Race 8 – #2 Zarastro (9) 5yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (58kg) +230 with Unibet Daybreak Lover Tip: Press Link Robert Heathcote and Michael Rodd will combine with Press Link for the fourth straight start as the smart three-year-old gelding steps up into Listed grade for the first time. This son of Press Statement has recorded impressive back-to-back victories over 1110m and 1200m this preparation, with his most recent win by 2.5 lengths being the best of the two. With good speed expected and a cosy run from barrier four, Press Link will get every chance to extend his unbeaten start to his career to four. Daybreak Lover Race 9 – #5 Press Link (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Michael Rodd (57kg) +170 with PlayUp Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Iverson Iverson has finished inside the top two in all three starts this campaign, including a dominant win by 2.5 lengths last start at this track and trip. The Robert Heathcote-trained gelding settled behind the speed before peeling out wide to run past the leaders and away from his rivals late. With Bailey Wheeler retaining the ride, this son of So You Think will appreciate his 2kg claim and will get in very light at the weights. From barrier four, it is expected that Iverson will settle in a similar position and attempt to replicate his most recent victory. Best Bet Race 4 – #10 Iverson (4) 6yo Gelding | T: Robert Heathcote | J: Bailey Wheeler (a2) (54.5kg) +220 with Picklebet Next Best at Eagle Farm: Star Of Chaos After putting in a shocker first-up, Star Of Chaos returned to form with a strong performance to finish second behind En Pointe over 1300m at this track second-up. The Tony Gollan-trained mare will rise slightly in trip to 1400m third-up, which was the recipe for success at the same time as last preparation. From barrier 13, James Orman will push forward and cross the field to find the lead or settle outside the leader. If Star Of Chaos doesn’t have to work too hard to find the front, she can kick clear at the top of the home straight and give her rivals something to chase. Next Best Race 6 – #6 Star Of Chaos (13) 5yo Mare | T: Tony Gollan | J: James Orman (58kg) +450 with Neds Best Value at Eagle Farm: The Fixer The Fixer has only been seen at the races twice, but on both occasions, the Jack Bruce-trained galloper was an ultra-impressive winner, claiming back-to-back wins by a combined 7.3 lengths over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast. Although this race is a rise in grade for this lightly raced four-year-old gelding, he appears to have a lot of speed at both ends of his race, and he should be able to handle it. Damien Thornton will push forward from the wide gate (15), and if he is left alone in front, The Fixer can surprise a few at double-figure odds with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 1 – #5 The Fixer (15) 4yo Gelding | T: Jack Bruce | J: Damien Thornton (58.5kg) +1200 with Dabble Saturday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 6-10-11-12 2-4-7-8 1-2-4 1-4-5-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

What All Aged Stakes Day 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 First Race 11:25am AEST Visit Dabble After two phenomenal days of racing for The Championships, Royal Randwick gets set to host its third metro meeting in as many weeks headlined by the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m). A massive 10-race program awaits punters, with the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) rounding out the triple crown series for the two-year-olds, while the undercard is littered with black-type racing throughout Saturday afternoon. The rail is out +7m between the 1000m mark to winning post, while the remainder is out +5m. The track is rated Good 4 at the time of acceptances, however, with some consistent showers anticipated in the lead-up, expect a downgrade prior to the opening event at 11:25am AEST. Race 1: BM72 Midway Handicap (1400m) Silvanito is a terrific bet to kick-off proceedings in this BM72 Midway handicap. The son of Shooting To Win was sensational first-up for the Nathan Doyle barn chasing home Commemorative at Wyong on March 20, narrowly defeated by 1.8 lengths despite a three-wide trip in transit. Koby Jennings may need to navigate a passage from the inside draw (2), but if Silvanito has the breaks fall his way, the $7 with online bookmakers seems to be a fair price. Selections: 6 SILVANITO 1 ELETTRICA 17 HELLBENT ON YOU 9 RESISTIBLE Next Best Race 1 – #6 Silvanito (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Nathan Doyle | J: Koby Jennings (59.5kg) +600 with Neds Race 2: Class 3 Highway Handicap (1400m) The Class 3 Highway handicap is one of the trickier races to dissect, however, the Lyle Chandler-trained Rapbidash warrants plenty of respect. He rounded up all but two rivals in the $1 million Country Championship Final (1400m) on April 6, striding between gallopers with limited racing room in the concluding stages. That form reads extremely well dropping back into this grade, and provided Rapbidash can peak again, this guy will be hard to hold out. Selections: 4 RAPBIDASH 3 BELVEDERE BOYS 1 TIP OF THE SPEAR 2 SHIPSHAPE Race 3: Group 3 H B Carr Stakes (1400m) The Group 3 H B Carr Stakes (1400m) is for the three-year-old fillies, where New Zealand import Scarlet Oak makes her debut for the Chris Waller barn. She broke her maiden in stylish fashion on debut at Matamata on March 13, and the daughter of Kermadec seems to have acclimatised well into her new conditions based on her eye-catching barrier trial win at Warwick Farm on April 12. Zac Lloyd takes the reins from stall one, and although she comes through weaker races, Scarlet Oak appears to have the ability to match motors with this group of fillies. Selections: 12 SCARLET OAK 4 CHICA MOJITO 2 MIRAVAL ROSE 5 FRENCH ENDEAVOUR H B Carr Stakes Race 3 – #12 Scarlet Oak (1) 3yo Filly | T: Chris Waller | J: Zac Lloyd (54kg) +450 with PlayUp Race 4: Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) Tannhauser hit the line best of the rest in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on April 6 and should be primed for the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m). He sustained a long run when clear with 300m to travel, as the son of Dundeel attacked the line under Zac Purton. He finally draws a gate to sit prominently from barrier three, and with James McDonald hopping back aboard, if Tannhauser doesn’t win a race like this, it’s hard to picture this guy in the winners’ enclosure anytime soon. Selections: 1 TANNHAUSER 3 SALTCOATS 4 KINTYRE 8 BULLETS HIGH Frank Packer Plate Race 4 – #1 Tannhauser (3) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56.5kg) +210 with Dabble Race 5: Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) The James Cummings-trained Vilana resumes after 133-day spell and looks prepared to go back-to-back in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m). He won this race first-up last year and seemingly does his best work fresh, with five starts for three wins and one minor placing to his name. His two jump-outs have caught the eye, striding out comfortably in the most recent outing at Warwick Farm on March 26. Nash Rawiller has three wins aboard the five-year-old, and a repeat of last year’s effort should be enough for Vilana to pick up career win number eight. Selections: 3 VILANA 2 AFT CABIN 7 FRONT PAGE 6 KALINO Hall Mark Stakes Race 5 – #3 Vilana (7) 5yo Gelding | T: James Cummings | J: Nash Rawiller (58.5kg) +340 with Bet365 Race 6: Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) Renaissance Woman represents outstanding each-way value in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) on the one-week backup. She was more impressive than the 4.1-length margin may suggest in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf (1600m) last Saturday, finding the 1600m journey too sharp to produce her electrifying best. Zac Lloyd hops in the saddle this time, and with gate four allowing Renaissance Woman to sit closer, watch this girl burst clear in the concluding stages. Selections: 8 RENAISSANCE WOMAN 12 FAWKNER PARK 7 GOLDMAN 6 NEW ENERGY JRA Plate Race 6 – #8 Renaissance Woman (4) 4yo Mare | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Zac Lloyd (55kg) +1000 with Picklebet Race 7: Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) The final leg of the two-year-old triple crown has been built as a match-race between Linebacker and Manaal, with the former narrowly getting the nod. The son of Super Seth had to work hard to remain undefeated last start in the Group 3 Baillieu (1400m) at Rosehill on March 30, knuckling down to the task to score. There’s no doubt he comes through the weaker form compared to his key rival, but with a favourable map to sit outside the leader throughout, Linebacker will give a bold sight in the 2024 Champagne Stakes. Selections: 2 LINEBACKER 7 MANAAL 3 BROADSIDING 1 ANODE Champagne Stakes Race 7 – #2 Linebacker (5) 2yo Colt | T: John O’Shea | J: Tommy Berry (56.5kg) +180 with Neds Race 8: Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) The $1.5 million Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) has attracted a quality 14-horse field, where the Chris Waller-trained Espiona holds the call as a $3.70 favourite. Sunshine In Paris has the early support backed into $4.60 on the second line of betting, while the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner is on the drift at $6.00. Private Eye ($8.50) has firmed from the double figures on offer early, while Chain Of Lightning ($10.00) and Encap ($15.00) are sure to gain some admirers. Check out HorseBetting’s free preview of the 2024 All Aged Stakes here. Race 9: BM100 Handicap (1400m) The best value bet of the afternoon comes up in the penultimate, where the Chris Waller-trained Waterford returns after 133 days off the scene. The son of Awtaad was consistent without winning last campaign, with three minor placings across seven starts. Every race was at stakes level, however, proving to be slightly out of his depth in his second Australian prep. With a strong first-up record of (5:2-0-2), and Tommy Berry continuing his association with the five-year-old, Waterford warrants an each-way ticket with online betting sites. Selections: 9 WATERFORD 3 WELWAL 12 JIMMYSSTAR 16 WHINCHAT Best Value Race 9 – #9 Waterford (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (58kg) +1400 with PlayUp Race 10: BM88 Handicap (1200m) The best bet comes in the Randwick finale as Kazou returns to racing. The daughter of Zoustar cruised through the wire in a recent barrier trial at Rosehill on March 18, making every post a winner to score by 8.6 lengths. Simply put, if Kazou can replicate those jump-and-run tactics under James McDonald on race-day, the four-year-old mare will run her rivals into the ground in this BM88 handicap. Selections: 12 KAZOU 17 GENERAL SALUTE 7 PEREILLE 3 KIBOU Best Bet Race 10 – #12 Kazou (4) 4yo Mare | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (55.5kg) +210 with Dabble Randwick free Saturday quaddie tips Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, April 20, 2024 2-7 1-3-9-10-11-12 3-5-6-9-12-13-16 2-3-7-12-17 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Darwin-based apprentice Jade Hampson, who represented the NT during the final leg of this year’s National Apprentice Race Series at Doomben on Wednesday, celebrating victory aboard Mighty Murt at Alice Springs in January Picture: Nikki Westover Photography The National Apprentice Race Series has put aspiring young NT jockeys on the map. After a nine-year absence, the NT returned to the NARS last year, finishing well adrift of eventual winners Queensland. Before the fifth and final leg, comprising two heats, took place at Doomben on Wednesday, the NT (31 points) were second behind South Australia (37). Jade Hampson, who finished second in both Darwin heats on Saturday as the designated NT rider after replacing the suspended Emma Lines, made the trip to Brisbane with the hopes of the Territory resting on her shoulders. Darwin-based Hampson, 20, rode at Eagle Farm last year before dead-heating for first in a Sandown heat, and in Wednesday’s first heat she finished third in a 2060m maiden aboard Aces Up. Drawing gate 11, Hampson had Ryan Tyrell’s gelding sitting outside the leader for most of the race before hitting the front in the home straight and tiring over the concluding 200m. In the second heat – a 1200m Class 1 – Hampson’s mount Under Twenty Two, Andrew Parramore’s gelding, started well, but hung wide throughout, finishing 10th. Sixth in the first heat, SA’s Rochelle Milnes came third in the second heat to seal the NARS title for her state with 45 points from the NT (36), WA (35), Tasmania (27) and Queensland (17). Alice Springs trio Dakota Gillett, Lek Maloney and Ianish Luximon also featured in the 2024 NARS. “Our kids were terrific, I travelled to WA when Ianish won a heat,” Thoroughbred Racing NT’s Greg Aldam said. “If there is an apprentice anywhere in Australia looking for an opportunity and a sea change, then they should consider the NT. “They will get rides most weekends in Darwin or Alice Springs for experienced trainers, and most of all they will get national exposure.” TRNT CEO Andrew O’Toole, who accompanied Hampson to Brisbane, praised the NT team during the 2024 NARS. “They all rode well, absolutely, and hopefully our young riders will continue to go from strength to strength,” he said. “Ianish will be missing next year as he will be a senior rider, but Emma will get to ride for us. “It was a good performance by Jade today, it’s hard to come to a different track on horses you don’t know. “Well done to SA, they’ve done a great job winning the NARS. “They won the first two heats at Murray Bridge and haven’t looked back, so congratulations to Briony Moore and her team. “We’ll be back next year to give them a run for their money.” For Hampson, representing the NT and riding at a premier track once again was gratifying. “Very happy, it was a great experience,” she said. “The first horse ran well, but the other one didn’t show up based on it’s last start when it won. “I prefer Doomben, it’s a long straight at Eagle Farm and last year it caught me out. “I found it a lot easier here at Doomben, but they’re both beautiful tracks. “Back to Darwin for Friday’s meeting and then Alice Springs on Saturday – it’s full on.” Horse racing news View the full article

What All Aged Stakes 2024 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, April 20, 2024 Prizemoney $1,500,000 Distance 1400m Status Group 1 Conditions Weight For Age 2023 winner Giga Kick (12) | T: Clayton Chief Stipelas | J: Craig Williams (56.5kg) Visit Dabble The prestigious Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) headlines a bumper 10-race program at Royal Randwick on Saturday afternoon, with a near-capacity field of 14 set to battle it out for the $1.5 million prize. Five of the runners engaged come through the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes (1200m), where Chain Of Lightning secured her maiden Group 1 success. Can a rival turn the tables? Or should punters be looking elsewhere for the winner? ALL AGED STAKES 2024 ODDS Online bookmakers didn’t miss the luckless run of Espiona in the T J Smith Stakes on April 6, quickly installing her as the +270 favourite for the All Aged Stakes. Sunshine In Paris and Southport Tycoon share the second line of betting at +450 apiece, while Private Eye, Chain Of Lightning and Magic Time share the +800 quote. Meanwhile, the three-year-old pair of Encap and Tiz Invincible are bound to have admirers at the double figure price which is on offer. 2024 ALL AGED STAKES 2024 SPEED MAP There should be a genuine tempo throughout the 1400m feature, with the Michael Moroney-trained Buffalo River attempting to make all from gate nine. Golden Mile (13) will be sliding across to sit on his outside, leaving Sunshine In Paris (2) and Tiz Invincible (1) to get on the back of the leading pair. Southport Tycoon (5) shouldn’t be far away one-off the rail, with Chain Of Lightning (4) and Magic Time (6) ridden up to hold a position. The likes of Buenos Noches (3), Espiona (8) and Private Eye (10) will be dragged back to be ridden cold. Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 All Aged Stakes. ALL AGED STAKES 2024 PREVIEW & FORM Southport Tycoon gets the nod in the 2024 All Aged Stakes. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt was sensational winning the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2, bounding away to score by 1.3 lengths thanks to a perfectly timed Jamie Kah steer. The form has already been franked with the second and third placegetters securing Group 1 victories in the aftermath, and with another ideal draw (5) to gain an economical run in transit, there is no reason why Southport Tycoon can’t produce something similar against the older horses. The Annabel Neasham-trained Sunshine In Paris appears set to peak third-up after closing off impressively in the T J Smith Stakes. She was the widest galloper turning for home and never shirked the task to go down by less than a length. Her only attempt at 1400m resulted in victory in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) with Ryan Maloney in the saddle, so with this combination usually producing her best, punters should be saving on Sunshine In Paris. Buenos Noches is the one over the odds with online betting sites. He knuckled down to the task over 1200m in the TJ Smith and gave the impression that 1400m should be ideal for the son of Supido. He takes a long time to wind up, but with the genuine tempo likely to suit some of these back markers, Buenos Noches will be launching late at a massive price. It’s hard to knock Espiona, however, she’s simply too short in the market. She was luckless last time out but tends to be her own worst enemy, seemingly unable to run straight when asked for the ultimate effort. She is worth keeping safe in wider exotics, but punters should be willing to risk her at the current price. 2024 ALL AGED STAKES SELECTIONS & BEST BETS Selections: 12 SOUTHPORT TYCOON 10 SUNSHINE IN PARIS 3 BUENOS NOCHES 9 ESPIONA $100 betting strategy $45 win #12 Southport Tycoon @ +550 with Bet365 $45 win #10 Sunshine In Paris @ +360 with PlayUp $10 win #3 Buenos Noches @ +3000 with Picklebet 2024 All Aged Stakes Final Field 1. Private Eye (10) T: Joseph Pride J: James McDonald W: 59kg F: 062×2 Age: 6YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Al Maher Dam: Confidential Queen +800 +180 2. Golden Mile (13) T: James Cummings J: Adam Hyeronimus W: 59kg F: 487×3 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Astern Dam: Calaverite +3300 +650 3. Buenos Noches (3) T: Matthew Smith J: Mark Zahra W: 59kg F: 9094x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Supido Dam: Koi +3000 +600 4. Bandersnatch (12) T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes J: Dylan Gibbons W: 59kg F: 207×4 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Casino Prince Dam: Divine Faith +6000 +1100 5. Buffalo River (9) T: Mike Moroney J: Tim Clark W: 59kg F: 64333 Age: 8YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Noble Mission (GB) Dam: Fashion Insider (USA) +4500 +850 6. Airman (11) T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes J: Tommy Berry W: 59kg F: 73×82 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Zara Bay +3300 +650 7. Amenable (14) T: Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) J: Chad Schofield W: 59kg F: 92×46 Age: 4YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Lonhro Dam: Caribbean Sunset (IRE) +4000 +750 8. Chain Of Lightning (4) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Rachel King W: 57kg F: 110×0 Age: 5YO Color: Grey Sex: Mare Sire: Fighting Sun Dam: Magic Art +850 +190 9. Espiona (8) T: Chris Waller J: Nash Rawiller W: 57kg F: 633×4 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Extreme Choice Dam: Dahooil (NZ) +300 -133.33 10. Sunshine In Paris (2) T: Annabel Neasham J: Ryan Maloney W: 57kg F: 52x1x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Invader Dam: Zenaida (NZ) +360 -111.11 11. Magic Time (6) T: Grahame Begg J: Michael Dee W: 57kg F: 76×13 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Hellbent Dam: Time Awaits +800 +180 12. Southport Tycoon (5) T: Ciaron Maher J: Jamie Kah W: 56.5kg F: 122×9 Age: 3YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Ready To Rule (USA) +550 +135 13. Encap (7) T: Gary Portelli J: Tyler Schiller W: 56.5kg F: 6523x Age: 3YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Capitalist Dam: Enquare +1200 +260 14. Tiz Invincible (1) T: Ciaron Maher J: Zac Lloyd W: 54.5kg F: 886×9 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Amuletum (GB) +3300 +650 Horse racing tips View the full article

Off the back of another exceptional season for its high-class stallion roster, Rich Hill Stud has announced its service fees for 2024. Proisir, Shocking, Ace High and Vadamos all sired Group One winners and Satono Aladdin also continued to build on his burgeoning Southern Hemisphere record to sire another five Group winners. Champion sire Proisir has continued his remarkable rise through the Australasian sire ranks and has now sired six individual Group One winners over the last 20 months, while his commercial return to breeders has soared to new levels. At New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale in January, his magnificent daughter out of Donna Marie sold for $1.6 million to set a benchmark record-price for a filly sold at auction in New Zealand. Proisir’s 27 Karaka Book 1 yearlings averaged $275,000, while at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale his four yearlings sold up to A$450,000 and averaged A$283,000. “Proisir’s future looks particularly exciting with his bigger books and better pedigreed offspring to hit the sale-ring and racetracks over the next few seasons,” Rich Hill Stud’s managing director John Thompson said. Proisir will stand at a fee of NZ$80,000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. Leading young stallion Satono Aladdin has had another stellar year with his progeny to the fore both on the racetrack and in the sale ring. His yearlings were in huge demand at Karaka 2024, selling up to $900,000 and a Book 1 average of $235,000 for 14 lots sold. Satono Aladdin was crowned Champion Two-Year-Old Sire and Leading Second Season Sire last season through the exploits of his Champion Two-Year-Old Tokyo Tycoon and Champion staying filly Pennyweka. He has continued in the same vein this season and currently leads the New Zealand 3YO sires by stakes winners with four individual three-year-old stakes winners. “Satono Aladdin has achieved his racetrack results to-date off relatively small initial books, and he has since bred quality-books of 168 mares in 2022, and 162 in 2023,” Thompson said. “Should he maintain his current standout statistic of 10.62 percent Group winners-to-runners, he looks the likely heir apparent to his own champion sire Deep Impact.” Leading young stallion Satono Aladdin Photo: supplied Satono Aladdin will stand at a fee of NZ$65,000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. Ace High, a dual Group One-winning son of High Chaparral, has made an immediate impression with his first crop three-year-olds. “Ace High is the Leading New Zealand Second Season Sire by combined Australian-New Zealand winners with his tally of 16,” Thompson said. “He has already sired outstanding Group One-winning filly Molly Bloom, stakes winner Drakaina, stakes placed My Lips Are Sealed and a host of other promising gallopers including the recent eye-catching Victorian debut winner Angland. “His stock have been keenly sought both at public auction and via private trade, with his Karaka 2024 yearlings selling up to $280,000 with a Book 1 average of $164,000.” Ace High will stand at a fee of NZ$15,000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. Proven top-flight producer Shocking continues to enhance his reputation as one of New Zealand’s most consistent sources of high-class racehorses. Shocking has already sired seven stakes performers in 2023/24, including Group One winner El Vencedor and Victorian stakes winners Here to Shock and Mark Twain. The New Zealand-trained galloper Mark Twain has already qualified for the 2024 Melbourne Cup after his stunning last-to-first win in the Listed VRC Roy Higgins Handicap at Flemington. “Shocking offers breeders a real opportunity to breed a superior racehorse at a fee of NZ$12,500 +GST for the 2024 breeding season,” Thompson said. The progeny of Group One-winning French miler Vadamos have enjoyed another strong season on the racetrack. Vadamos currently sits inside the top 20 on the New Zealand sires’ list, having sired 19 winners with over $1 million in stakes. His star mare La Crique has added another Group One victory to her resume this season, while Mosinvader and Devastate have both performed at Group Two level. “His Karaka yearlings sold up to $220,000 and we can look forward to another successful season for his progeny on the racetracks of Australasia,” Thompson said. Vadamos will stand at a fee of NZ$9000 + GST for the 2024 breeding season. View the full article

Two-time stakes winner Mr Fisk takes on four in the Californian, and undefeated Medoro is slated to meet seven in the Providencia.View the full article

What Orange Gold Cup Day Where Towac Park Racecourse – 57 Canobolas Rd, Orange NSW 2800 When Friday, April 19, 2024 First Race 12:45pm AEST Visit Dabble Country racing heads to the Central West region of NSW on Friday afternoon, where the Orange Gold Cup (2110m) takes top billing on a competitive eight-race program at Towac Park Racecourse. The rail is out +3.5m the entire circuit, and with the forecast promising minimal rain to hit the course proper, participants should be racing on an even Good 4 surface. All the action is set to get underway at 12:45pm AEST. Orange Gold Cup: Vincenzo Vincenzo is searching for a hat-trick of wins since joining the Scott Singleton barn. His latest outing was a dominant 1.5-length victory at Tamworth on April 8, cruising past his rivals to suggest there was still more to come from this son of Real Impact. Mikayla Weir rode him to victory on both occasions this preparation, and although he must lug 61kg in the Orange Gold Cup, Vincenzo can take care of this lot. Orange Gold Cup Race 7 – #1 Vincenzo (6) 5yo Gelding | T: Scott Singleton | J: Mikayla Weir (61kg) +230 with Bet365 Best Bet at Orange: Joey D’or Despite a last start failure before being tipped out for a spell, Joey D’or looks primed for a first-up assault. The son of Pariah didn’t handle the 1400m journey at Warwick Farm on November 22, bombing out significantly in the concluding stages. Bjorn Baker has the three-year-old placed beautifully in this event after a soft barrier trial win at Rosehill on March 18, so watch for Joey D’or to bounce back sharply in this maiden contest. Best Bet Race 2 – #1 Joey D’or (3) 3yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Ashley Morgan (61kg) +125 with PlayUp Next Best at Orange: Piggyback Piggyback appears to have above-average ability based on her one start last preparation, going on to score by a length at Gosford on December 8. The margin doesn’t tell the full story of how dominant the win was, with the Ciaron Maher stable taking no chances, sending the progressive filly to the paddock. This Class 1 affair should be a relatively easy kill for Piggyback as she makes her way through the grades. Next Best Race 4 – #5 Piggyback (8) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Ashley Morgan (55.5kg) +140 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Orange: Up To Mischief Up To Mischief returned to dispatch her rivals at Mudgee on March 31 and continues to impress with every outing. The undefeated filly sustained a long run down the centre of the course to score by two lengths, suggesting she’s ready for tougher opposition. That’s exactly what she finds in this BM66 contest, but with a patient steer from Keagan Latham in stall two, watch for Up To Mischief to blouse her rivals. Next Best Again Race 8 – #7 Up To Mischief (2) 3yo Filly | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Keagan Latham (57kg) +150 with Neds Orange Gold Cup Day quaddie tips – Friday 19/4/2024 Orange quadrella selections Friday, April 19, 2024 4-5-7 1-6-7-10 1-4 1-2-7 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips
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Horse racing on Thursday, April 18, will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Hawkesbury and Pakenham. Thursday Racing Tips – April 18, 2024 Hawkesbury Racing Tips Pakenham Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on April 18, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. More horse racing tips View the full article

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by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL – The action picked up noticeably during the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training and, with the auction's first seven-figure offering leading the way, figures concluded above 2023 levels Wednesday evening. “It was an excellent day,” OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski said at the close of business Wednesday. “As I said yesterday, there are plenty of good horses left to be sold and obviously that was borne out today. Quality horses sell well and we're fortunate to have a high-quality group of horses here. It was a good day and hopefully we can continue on the next two days.” During Wednesday's session, 171 horses sold for $25,841,500. The session average was $151,120 and the median was $75,000. Through two sessions, 324 horses have grossed $46,428,500. Halfway through the four-day auction, the average of $143,298 is up 9.6% from the same point a year ago and the median of $80,000 is up 14.3%. A filly by Tiz the Law brought the auction's top price so far when selling for $1.9 million to Donato Lanni, bidding on behalf of Michael Lund Petersen. The seven-figure purchase was part of a frenzied day of bidding for Lanni, who signed for six of Wednesday's top 10 purchases for various clients for a total of $5,675,000. The largely domestic buying bench at the top of the market was interrupted late in the day when Naohiro Sakaguchi went to $925,000 to acquire a colt by Into Mischief from the Scanlon Training & Sales consignment. “Mr. Sakaguchi is new–that's the first horse he's ever bought,” Wojciechowski said. “So it will be his first racehorse in Japan. We're excited to have them here.” Despite the lively bidding throughout the day, there was still some polarization in the market, according to consignor David Scanlon. “It's been a little difficult in spots,” Scanlon said. “You will sell one good and you'll start to feel a little good and then you'll come back and it will humble you a little bit. But we've done good. We bought a couple back, but we sold them after the sale. We sold quite a few just over the reserve, so you have to be pretty decent with the reserves, you can't get too aggressive. For the horses at the upper end, it's very good. At the other end, we still continue to struggle a bit in the lower and middle market. But we are still getting horses sold, so I am happy with it.” The OBS Spring sale continues through Friday with sessions beginning daily at 10:30 a.m. $1.9M Tiz the Law Filly to Petersen A filly from the first crop of GI Belmont S. winner Tiz the Law (hip 365) lived up to the pre-sale hype when bringing a final bid of $1.9 million from bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, who was acting on behalf of Michael Lund Petersen. She will be trained by Bob Baffert. “[Petersen] has had great luck with fillies and Bob loved her,” Lanni said. “We're delighted to have her.” Among his star fillies–all purchased at 2-year-olds in training sales–Petersen campaigned champion Gamine (Into Mischief), a $1.8-million purchase at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May sale; and Adare Manor (Uncle Mo), a $375,000 purchase at the 2021 OBS June Sale who captured Saturday's GI Apple Blossom H.; as well as Grade I winner Faiza (Girvin) ($725,000 '22 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May) and multiple graded winner Kinza (Carpe Diem) ($350,000 at '23 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May). The session topper capped a frenetic few minutes for Lanni, who warmed up for the seven-figure purchase with hip 342, a colt by Nyquist acquired for $675,000 for Frank Fletcher; and hip 351, a colt by Bolt d'Oro for $800,000 acquired for Three Amigos. He concluded his morning buying frenzy with a $925,000 colt by American Pharoah (hip 371) for Fletcher and came back a little later to acquire a colt by Vekoma (hip 411) for $800,000 for Zedan Racing Stable and a colt by Curln (hip 417) for $575,000 for Fletcher. The Tiz the Law session topper's work last week | Judit Seipert Hip 365 worked the co-fastest quarter-mile of the auction's under-tack show when she covered the distance in :20 1/5 last Wednesday. She is out of Moonlight Sky (Sky Mesa), a half-sister to champion Abel Tasman (Quality Road) and the dam of Grade I-placed Urban (Quality Road). Tom McCrocklin purchased the filly on behalf of Jim Tilton for $170,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “She's a special, special filly,” McCrocklin said. “She showed it in her breeze. We bought her off of her physical conformation. She is out of a half to Abel Tasman, so she has a lot of quality in her pedigree. When we bought her, I didn't know, like all of us. And when she got here, it was effortless. She's very sound with clean vet work. She was amazing in her breeze with a strong gallop-out and she attracted the attention of all the buyers.” Asked how the filly had changed since he purchased her for $170,000 last fall, McCrocklin said, “She didn't change a lot. She was a beautiful yearling and a beautiful 2-year-old. Just a little bigger and a little taller. But she really didn't change very much.” McCrocklin has been working with Tilton for several years now and the partnership started out with a bang. “We've done several horses together, but nothing like this,” McCrocklin said. “He actually owned a part of Ruby Nell (Bolt d'Oro) and that's when I was introduced to him. He owned a quarter of her when we sold her at Gulfstream for $1.2 million, so he got a little taste of blood and came back for more. He loves the action and loves the game. He races and now he pinhooks.” McCrocklin was typically non-plussed by the big sale Wednesday. Asked how his client had reacted, McCrocklin said with a straight face, “He's probably more stoic than me. So it was a standoff of who would smile first.” McCrocklin was also responsible for the $800,000 Bolt d'Oro colt, who was purchased for $160,000 on behalf of Michael Sucher's Champion Equine at last year's Fasig-Tipton July sale. @JessMartiniTDN Lanni A Busy Man Wednesday Agent Donato Lanni, working the pavilion on behalf of several top-end clients Wednesday, kicked things off early and kept the momentum rolling throughout the afternoon during the second session of OBS April. In addition to the $1.9-million session-topping Tiz the Law filly (hip 365) for Michael Lund Petersen, Lanni signed tickets on behalf of Frank Fletcher, Zedan Racing Stable and the Three Amigos. Donato Lanni | Photos by Z Fletcher got the action started shortly after the sale began, pairing up a $675,000 Nyquist colt (hip 342) with a colt by American Pharoah (hip 371) for $925,000 and a Curlin colt (hip 417) for $575,000. Hip 371, consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent XVIII, worked in :10 and was sold as a yearling at FTKOCT last year for $115,000. He is out of a half to the dam of GSW/GISP Merneith (American Pharoah). Breeder D.C. Goff purchased that dam, More Roses, carrying hip 371 in utero for $475,000 at KEENOV in 2021 Lanni, who secured all three colts for Fletcher, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity after signing for hip 371. “He's a cool horse, we're very happy,” said Lanni. “I'm just fortunate to buy good horses for good people.” Around the same time, the Three Amigos secured a Bolt d'Oro colt (hip 351), who breezed a quarter-mile in :20.3, for $800,000 from the Tom McCrocklin, Agent XV consignment with Lanni signing the ticket. Of that purchase, Lanni said: “He's beautiful and he looks like a racehorse. And the sire has done really well.” Responsible for two of the top three highest-priced colts during Tuesday's opening session, Nyquist continued to be in demand Wednesday when Fletcher went to $675,000 early for hip 342. The colt, a half to GSP Sonic Brees (Maclean's Music), was consigned by Wavertree Stables (Ciaran Dunne). Fletcher and Donato indicated that the trio of colts would wind up in training with Bill Mott. “He just looked good to us,” said Fletcher after signing the ticket for hip 342. “We like the sire and we're excited to get him. He'll go to Eddie [Woods] for a rest and then to Bill Mott.” Hip 342, who worked in :10, brought $300,000 as a yearling at Keeneland last September. “We're excited to get him at that price,” Fletcher continued. “We'll see him [with Mott] hopefully in Kentucky and in New York.” Later in the afternoon, Sequel Bloodstock, acting as agent for Chester and Mary Broman, sold the colt Rookie Racer (Vekoma) (hip 411) to Lanni (who signed on behalf of Zedan Racing Stable) for $800,000 after he worked in :9.4. Speaking from the back ring, Becky Thomas and Carlos Manresa joined Mr. Broman to celebrate the sale. “Through the winter, he was a farm favorite,” said Manresa of the colt. “We had a lot of trainers out to the farm and we had nothing but good remarks about him. He's always been a beautiful mover, loves the dirt and we got him in front of pretty much everyone. He's got a beautiful body, beautiful paces and we're really happy with the result. We've got a really good gut feeling about Vekoma.” @SGrimmTDN Into Mischief Colt Provides Late Bang at OBS A flashily bred colt by Into Mischief out of multiple Grade I winner Separationofpowers (Candy Ride {Arg}) (hip 603) caused late fireworks when selling for $925,000 to Naohiro Sakaguchi. Sakaguchi, making his first-ever racehorse purchase, did his bidding on the colt, the second-to-last horse through the ring Wednesday, alongside trainer Makoto Saito. Through an interpreter, he credited Saito with picking the juvenile out and Saito confirmed the horse will be heading to Japan. Separationofpowers in the 2018 Test | Sarah Andrew The bay, who worked a furlong during last week's under-tack show in :9 4/5, was consigned by Scanlon Training & Sales. He was purchased by that operation for $350,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. “He's just been a real straightforward colt all winter,” David Scanlon said. “At the yearling sale, he was just a little immature, but he had a great hip and a great walk. He looked like a speedy horse, a real 2-year-old. We were really happy to get him.” Of the colt's progression since last August, Scanlon said, “He came to the farm and he did really well. We took our time with him and he really matured. He is a really level-headed colt who has done everything right. We pointed him to this sale rather than March just to give him a little more time. He breezed great. He's a real honest horse. He gets really low and tries really hard. And he has a super pedigree.” Saito trained 2014 G1 Japanese Oaks winner Nuovo Record (Jpn) (Hearts Cry {Jpn}) and saddled that filly to an 11th-place finish in the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup F/M Turf before winning the GIII Red Carpet H. a few weeks later. Oscar Performance Colt to Speedway Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stables added a colt by Oscar Performance to its roster when going to $725,000 to acquire hip 477 from the Wavertree Stables consignment Wednesday in Ocala. “[Bloodstock advisor] Marette [Farrell] did wonderful research on the pedigree and we liked everything on both sides,” said Weiner. “And the speed obviously was important.” Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner | Photos by Z The bay colt, a $180,000 Keeneland September purchase, is out of Post Script (Quality Road) and is a full-brother to stakes winner Act a Fool. He is from the family of graded winners Coffee Clique and Admission Office and worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5. Hip 477 was the third purchase so far for Speedway at the OBS Spring sale. The operation also purchased a filly by Good Magic (hip 16) for $300,000 and a colt by Collected (hip 63) for $310,000. It was a homecoming for hip 63, who is out of Golden Orb (Orb) and was bred by Speedway. The chestnut sold for $12,000 at last year's Keeneland January sale and again to Tom McCrocklin for $42,000 at the Fasig-Tipton October sale. “He reminds us of Collected,” Weiner said of the colt. “It's a re-collect,” he added with a laugh. Racing in the Speedway colors, Collected won the 2017 GI Pacific Classic. “They do sell their yearlings,” Farrell said. “Peter and K.C. have a mandate that, to be open and honest, every yearling is sold. So it's fair for everyone.” Of the colt, she added, “He had an amazing breeze. We had lots of conflabs. Do we do this? But it's supporting Collected who is having an amazing run with his progeny and we love him.” @JessMartiniTDN The post $1.9M Tiz the Law Filly Stars as Action Picks Up at OBS Day Two appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Kentucky judge overseeing the lawsuit initiated by Amr Zedan's incorporated racing stable against Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) to try and get Bob Baffert-trained horses un-barred from the GI Kentucky Derby told both parties Wednesday he now has a clearer understanding of a relatively new “meritless lawsuit” law to be able to issue a written opinion by the end of the week. That opinion is unlikely to decide the Apr. 3 civil lawsuit in full, but it is expected to address Zedan's motion for an injunction that could pave the way for his 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) to be able to race in the Derby. It could also address CDI's motion to dismiss. CDI has banished Baffert from its properties since just after the 2021 Derby, which the now-disqualified Zedan-owned and Baffert-trained Medina Spirit won while testing positive for betamethasone. The ban was initially just supposed to last for two Derbies. But in July 2023 CDI extended the penalty through 2024. Zedan is claiming that he spent millions in buying horses at auction prior to the extension of the ban because he understood that Baffert would be allowed to train those horses for the 150th Derby in 2024. Judge Mitchell Perry of Jefferson Circuit Court needed only a bit more than 20 minutes of testimony from all parties Apr. 17 to declare that he now had a better idea of how CDI's invocation of an “Anti-SLAPP” law (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation)–which carries an automatic pause in some related legal proceedings–might affect his forthcoming written opinion. “Obviously, I deal with injunctions all the time in various [contexts],” Perry said. “So that part is obviously well known to the court. This new statute is not.” CDI on Apr. 8 moved to dismiss Zedan's lawsuit, citing, in part, that the complaint runs contrary to Kentucky's Anti-SLAPP law that provides protections in certain cases based on a person's exercise of speech. In April 2022, Kentucky became the second state to enact a version of the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA), a model anti-SLAPP law drafted by the Uniform Law Commission. In arguing against the application of that statute, Zedan had articulated concerns that CDI's legal invocation of UPEPA/Anti-SLAPP was “not only meritless, but perverse.” More importantly, in terms of timing, an Anti-SLAPP claim, if allowed to proceed by a judge, would take at least 30 days, if not several months, to legally unfold. At a previous hearing on Monday, no one seemed to know for sure if that law's invocation, if allowed by Perry, would mean a mandatory halting of all other legal proceedings, including Zedan's pending motion for the temporary injunction. Thus, Perry asked for representatives of the Kentucky State Attorney General to appear in court Apr. 17 with their interpretation. At Wednesday's hearing, Lindsey Keiser, a Kentucky assistant attorney general, told the judge that under a subsection of the state's law, “UPEPA does not cut off judicial decisions or judicial discretions with respect to motions seeking a temporary injunction.” Keiser continued: “Our interpretation is that under [a subsection of the law] you could proceed simultaneously [with deciding on CDI's motion invoking UPEPA and Zedan's injunction request]. Officially there's no stay with respect to a temporary injunction motion.” Derek Shaffer, an attorney for Zedan, urged the judge to use that explanation from the attorney general's office to go ahead and rule on the temporary injunction. Horses declared for the Derby need to be on the grounds at Churchill by Apr. 27. Regardless of larger questions concerning the UPEPA claim and the underlying lawsuit itself, “you ought to be resolving the temporary injunction motion on merits,” Shaffer said. Thomas Dupree, Jr., an attorney for CDI, wanted to make it clear that the injunction relief sought by Zedan wasn't being requested to preserve well-documented rules established by CDI regarding the Derby, but rather, to upend them. “I did want to underscore the nature of the temporary injunction they're seeking here is, of course, not a 'status quo' injunction,” Dupree said. “It is an injunction that would affirmatively disrupt the status quo substantially.” Although it was not spoken of during Wednesday's hearing, a ruling allowing Muth into the race would have myriad downstream implications. It is unknown if an injunction in favor of Zedan would allow other Baffert trainees owned by different entities to also participate in the Derby, or if any lifting of the ban would also permit Baffert's trainees to enter the GI Kentucky Oaks or any other Derby undercard stakes. The Kentucky news website WAVE3 reported on Tuesday that one of the partners who co-owns the Baffert-trained Imagination (Into Mischief) had filed an amicus brief with the court seeking similar eligibility-via-injunction for that colt, who on Apr. 6 ran second in the GI Santa Anita Derby. Also unclear is what such a ruling would mean for Derby aspirants owned by other connections, specifically already-qualified horses that might get knocked below the points cutoff limit that CDI has been using to determine Derby eligibility if Muth (and potentially other Baffert trainees) are suddenly ordered into the race by the injunction. CDI generally takes entries for 24 horses in the Derby, with 20 being allowed to start. Perry said there would be no press conference or media announcement pertaining to his ruling, which would be delivered in the form of an opinion posted electronically to the court's filing system. “And you'll know sometime before the end of the week,” Perry said. The post KY Judge Says He’ll Rule on Derby Lawsuit by End of Week appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Real Men Violin, Patriot Spirit, and Woodcourt—all off the board in Kentucky Derby (G1) points races this year—attempt to regroup against ungraded stakes competition in the $200,000 Illinois Derby April 21 at Hawthorne Race Course.View the full article

The Racing Integrity Board Chair Neville Harris announced the appointment of Dr Eliot Forbes to the position of Chief Executive. Dr Forbes, a qualified veterinarian, is an accomplished racing executive with over 25 years of racing administration and wagering experience across Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. He previously served as the Veterinary Steward for the Emirates Racing Authority, overseeing the welfare and equine integrity arrangements for six Dubai World Cups. Returning to Australia in 2010, he was appointed as the Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Executive Officer of Tasracing, the principal racing authority in Tasmania. He moved on to the Chief Executive Officer role for Racing Queensland in 2016 and delivered signification financial turnarounds for both state racing authorities. Dr. Forbes has served on the Boards of Racing Australia (RA) and Greyhounds Australasia; and Chaired RA’s Retirement of Racehorses Committee. He was also a member of the national Veterinary and Analyst committees for each of the three codes of Australian racing and a member of Harness Racing Australia’s Standardbred Welfare Advisory Group. He has also successfully launched agricultural start-up AniMark Ltd, a standards company specialising in the formulation and monitoring of animal welfare standards and livestock traceability. More recently he has been Chief Executive of RACELAB Pty Ltd, which provides software and data products to wagering operators worldwide. Dr. Forbes has been a Steering Committee member of the International Forum for the Aftercare of Racehorses (IFAR) since 2016 and also chairs the IFAR Conference Committee. He has previously served on the Executive Council of the International Group of Specialist Racing Veterinarians and is a regular speaker on equine aftercare, traceability, and welfare around the world. He holds an honours degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland, a Masters of Business Administration from La Trobe University and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dr. Forbes will commence with the Racing Integrity Board on 29 April 2024 and be based in Wellington. The post Chief Executive Appointment appeared first on RIB. View the full article

The cliche of the difficult second album is very real. You have just recorded your greatest hit so, in many ways, you could feel destined to fail in attempting to follow up on something so special. Roderic Kavanagh set the bar pretty high in consigning Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale last year. The colt, bought by Anthony Stroud on behalf of KHK Racing, has turned out to be a dual Group 1-winning superstar who has yet to taste defeat. That's what you call a hit single. It was going to take more magic from Kavanagh to conjure up something as good and only a fool could think it possible for him to better such a result. However, the gifted young breeze-up handler showed he is far from a one-hit wonder when his Galileo (Ire) colt became the third-highest breeze-up horse sold at public auction in Europe at 1 million gns. Once again, it was Stroud who did the buying, this time on behalf of Godolphin with Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing filling the role of underbidder. “I used to love you Stroudy….not anymore,” Joorabchian joked with the sale's leading buyer shortly after the hammer fell. But Amo's role in the tussle shouldn't be underestimated and nobody was more keenly aware of that than an emotional Kavanagh. “It just aligned, didn't it? For Amo to go that far, I wasn't expecting that,” he said. “We were concerned that Godolphin and KHK Racing wouldn't bid against each other but, the fact that they relaid, it shows what they thought it would take to buy him. It's beyond our dreams. But you do dream occasionally that something like that could happen when you have one of the last Galileos in your yard. He's just a natural athlete. The last month has been tense because we knew we had something special. It's incredible.” Asked if he felt much pressure to follow up on last year's achievements with Vandeek, Kavanagh responded, “We were quite disciplined all year and didn't lose the run of ourselves at all. Then that horse came up and you could feel there was a possibility to get something that was unique. But I didn't think that would happen. I have other horses who I really liked coming here and it didn't happen for them. Maybe that's just the attributes of this horse-he just doesn't disappoint, and hopefully he won't disappoint.” It is probably fair to describe lot 112 as not your typical breeze-up horse. Bought by Kavanagh's Glending Stables for 125,000gns from The Castlebridge Consignment at the Tattersalls December Yearling Sale, the colt from the last crop of his legendary stallion's two-year-olds repaid the young consignor's vision. Kavanagh continued, “I thought there was a chance that he would make half of what he did. But there are no blemishes with that horse and hopefully he's as good as the last fella!” He added, “We were really lucky to get him.You start looking around and wondering, 'what's missing here?' I'd say that's why we were able to buy him-people thought there might have been something missing in the puzzle but there wasn't. “When the vet came back and gave us the green light we said, 'wow, this is a unique opportunity.' It's a lot of money for us to give but you're thinking and dreaming of the bigger picture. If it hadn't been for Vandeek, maybe we wouldn't have gone out and spent that money on the Galileo. Vandeek has been a life-changing horse for us.” The Galileo was the highlight of what proved a strong evening's buying for Stroud on behalf of Godolphin and others. On the Galileo, he commented, “We all thought he is a very nice horse and is the last horse by Galileo to go through public auction. He came from the same hotel as Vandeek. The colt deserved to do well and he did well. When two people really want a horse then it can make any price. It is great for the breeze up sale.” “Selectivity To The Trade” Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony acknowledged the extreme weather conditions that wreaked havoc during breeze day at this year's sale and pointed to the “selectivity to the trade” in his post-sale statement. Of the 166 lots offered, 126 were sold at a clearance rate of 72% [down 5% on last year]. The aggregate was down 5% to 14,584,500gns while the median stayed the same at 80,000gns and the average climbed 13% to 137,590gns. Mahony said, “Above all we would like to congratulate every single consignor and all associated with the way in which they coped with the extreme weather conditions which we encountered on the morning of the breeze. The professionalism, both human and equine, shone through the persistent wind and rain and it has been wonderful to see some memorable pinhooking triumphs despite the adversity. “The Craven Breeze-Up Sale has produced the best British two-year-olds of their generation in two of the last three years as well as two Guineas winners and the global participation this week reflects the sale's reputation as a prolific source of Group 1 performers. Domestic British and Irish buyers have been joined by a strong contingent from throughout the Gulf region, with Saudi connections particularly prominent, and American participation, which has been such a feature of Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale in recent years, has also been notable.” He added, “Obviously the outstanding Galileo colt selling for one million guineas, the second-highest price ever for a Craven Breeze-Up two-year-old and the third-highest in Europe, was the highlight of the sale and the second consecutive year that Roderic Kavanagh's Glending Stables has topped the sale which is a remarkable achievement. “As a 125,000 gns yearling purchase only five months ago the colt was a truly spectacular pinhooking achievement and there were numerous other notable successes which reflect the outstanding professionalism of the consignors. It should be noted, however, that while the key metrics of average and median compare well with last year's record-breaking sale, the clearance rate has fallen short and there has been a selectivity to the trade which should not be overlooked. “There has been no shortage of competition, both domestic and international, at the top of the market and a record number of lots selling for 500,000 gns or more, but the lower levels of the market have not matched the robust demand at the higher end. “Nevertheless, we are confident that this year's Craven Breeze Up Sale will prove to be an abundant source of high-class racehorses to follow in the illustrious footsteps of Cachet, Native Trail and Vandeek.” Poste Delivers A Dream Debut Performance Ex-jumps jockey Charlie Poste spoke to TDN Europe at the beginning of the year about the reasoning behind branching out from solely consigning point-to-point horses to dipping his toe into the waters of the breeze-up business. The international clientele on the Flat was put forward as one of the main lures for the man whose roots are entrenched in National Hunt racing. That bold move to diversify paid off in spades as Poste marked his dream debut with a Blue Point (Ire) colt and filly selling for close to 1 million gns. It was the Blue Point colt who stole the show at 800,000gns to Godolphin. Bought by Blandford Bloodstock's Tom Biggs and Poste's Station Yard at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, he brought in a multitude of that initial €78,000 outlay. Poste said, “It is far more of a kick than I ever got riding a winner! We have to thank the syndicate who backed us, especially as we have not got the pedigree for doing this. Tom Biggs helped buy him and mates such as Mark Grant helped us through the whole process. “I was nervous before they breezed as I did not want to be embarrassed. Francesca [Poste's wife] and I pride ourselves on doing these horses well, and the fact that he pitched up and he galloped as straight as a gun barrel and was seriously quick-he backed up what we had seen at home. “But the truth of the matter is that we are used to training point-to-pointers and, me thinking he is fast, might not mean a whole heap. It has been a long time since I was riding at Richard Fahey's as an apprentice! But he came and showed us that we were spot on.” Poste added, “We had been interested in breezing for a while but lacked the capital. We have loved the process and a change is as good as a rest. It has been seriously exciting for us. I didn't think in my wildest dreams it would end up like this at our first go.” Talking points If at first you don't succeed, try, try and try again. Eddie O'Leary might have been left cursing his luck when he failed to sell his Kingman (GB) colt out of proven broodmare Pure Excellence (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) at Book 1. Bought as a foal from Hazelwood Bloodstock for 230,000gns, he was led out unsold at 140,000gns last year, with O'Leary left with few options other than to breeze the colt. Well, it turned out to be for luck, with the brother to Group 3 and Listed winner Parent's Prayer (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) rocking into 800,000gns to Godolphin. “He was very, very popular-he's a very nice horse with a temperament that you could not fault,” O'Leary said afterwards. Asked how the transaction compared to having a Grade 1 win at Aintree last week with exciting novice hurdler Brighterdaysahead (Fr), he replied, “I hope he can run faster than her.” Katie Walsh won't be forgetting this week in a hurry. Less than 24 hours after selling her New Bay (GB) colt to Godolphin for 525,000gns, Walsh's Greenhills Farm secured the same sum from the same buyer for a Havana Grey (GB) filly [98]. Shortly after getting off the phone to her father Ted, she said, “I am emotional tonight-it is unbelievable. It has been a great couple of days and it has been really special. “I understand how hard it is. For the last couple of weeks I have been saying, 'Jesus, I can't have two of them!' It is so hard to get one, let alone two. I didn't really say it out loud, but quietly thought it at home, as we all did.” Walsh added, “I ride a lot of them at home but all the lads in the yard have prepared them so well and the pair of these seemed to have something special. Her sire is on fire and the whole thing worked.” The Havana Grey represented another fine pinhooking profit having been bought by Mags O'Toole and Norman Williamson for 80,000gns at the Somerville Yearling Sale. You've got to hand it to Anthony Stroud. He was the dominent buyer this week and accounted for the six top lots through either Godolphin or Stroud Coleman Bloodstock. It won't come as a surprise to many to see Blue Point and Havana Grey ending the Craven Sale high on the sires' podium. Obviously propped up by Station Yard's 800,000gns colt, but Blue Point had another big sale with nine lots selling for a combined 2,070,000gns. The Havana Grey train does not look like it will be slowing down any time soon, either, with eight lots making just shy of 1.5 million gns. Tally-Ho Stud ended the sale as the leading consignors with seven lots sold for 1,602,000gns, headed by a 600,000gns Persian King (Ire) bought by Anthony Stroud to go into training with Richard Fahey for KHK Racing. Roger O'Callaghan said afterwards, “We really like Persian King as a sire. We tried to buy him ourselves but they would not sell. This is a cracking horse.” The half-brother to Group 3-placed Ritournelle (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) was sourced by Tally-Ho at Arqana in December for €80,000. Michael O'Callaghan's commitment to the breeze-up sales continued with the Kildare-based trainer coming home from Newmarket with four new additions to the tune of 755,000gns. One of the more interesting names to pop up on the buyers sheet was Mike Repole. It was Jacob West, signing under his West Bloodstock, who bought Tally-Ho's Blue Point colt for 280,000gns on behalf of the leading American owner. Mick Donohoe explained on Tuesday how a lot of his business this week would be done on behalf of Saudi Arabian interests. The BBA Ireland agent went on to snap up an American Pharoah colt consigned by Longways Stables to fulfill that criteria at 285,000gns. The Golden Touch: Lot 112 Colt by Galileo out of Manderley (Ire) Consigned by Glending Stables Purchased by Godolphin It may be blindingly obvious but how can you give this award to any other horse other than the top lot? Okay, okay, 125,000gns is hardly a small sum of money to part with when snapping up breeze-up prospects at the yearling sales, but the Galileo colt made that initial outlay seem tiny when breaking the seven-figure marker. Hats off to everyone associated with the colt. A job well done. Thought for the day Much like last year, day two of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale proved to be much stronger than the opening session. Eight of the top 10 lots were sold on Wednesday. The post Another Craven Cracker For Kavanagh As Galileo Colt Makes A Million appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With no standout member of the line-up, Thursday's G3 Craven S. at Newmarket may offer more clues as to the 2000 Guineas prospects of those in absentia who share the stables of the main contenders. Ballydoyle are perhaps scouting the local opposition to City Of Troy with Cambridge (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), while Godolphin saddle Native Approach (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) possibly with a view to weighing up where their Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) sits. Andre Fabre is here again with Baron Edouard De Rothschild's TDN Rising Star Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), but he was found slightly wanting at the highest level last term as was Prince Faisal Bin Khaled & Najd Stud's fellow TDN Rising Star Eben Shaddad (Calyx {GB}) representing the Gosdens. Eben Shaddad currently occupies favouritism and will provide more evidence as to the merit of City Of Troy who galloped him and others into the ground in the G1 Dewhurst S. here in October. Cautious Approach… Charlie Appleby galloped his two main Guineas contenders at the track on Wednesday, but that is not to say that the Kempton winner Native Approach could not join them on the first Saturday in May. “He looks great at home, but he's got to go and switch it on on the turf now,” he said. “I'm always one who would rather just sit before I get too bolshy over what they have achieved or what they could achieve–like Notable Speech, he's doing it at a different level at the moment. At the end of the day, from the outside looking in, the only way you can beat City Of Troy is by an unexposed three-year-old, because what he beat last year, I don't see anything reversing the form myself.” Is There More From Alcantor? Fabre looked to have a serious Classic contender on his hands in Alcantor last term, but despite winning Saint-Cloud's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon he was unable to impose himself on the G1 Criterium International which has taken a few knocks already this season. Whatever the outcome on Thursday, his trainer has no intention of returning next month. “He has no plan to come for the English Guineas, the French is a possible option,” he revealed. Of the remainder, Jane Chapple-Hyam has two intriguing runners in the dual all-weather winner Champagne Prince (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and Hugo Morriss and Kirsten Rausing's Sons And Lovers (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) who overcame greenness to win on his sole start over seven furlongs in October. The post Colts Gather For Craven Puzzle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Keith Asmussen set a goal to ride one race as a jockey. He has done far more than that, ranking as one of the leading riders at Oaklawn Park. Now comes the mount on Just Steel in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races and the city of Charles Town, W.Va. announced the dedication of a commemorative panel of images and milestones honoring Sylvia Rideoutt Bishop, the nation's first Black female horse trainer.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. Thursday's Observations features a 'TDN Rising Star'. 16.45 Newmarket, Novice, £20,000, 3yo, 10fT ENDLESS VICTORY (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) earned TDN Rising Star status at Wolverhampton in February and is the Charlie Appleby first string in a race he likes to target with his potential Classic prospects. A full-brother to the operation's G1 Melbourne Cup hero Cross Counter (GB), he is joined by Kalidasa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the 2.8milliongns Tattersalls Book 1 topper and son of the well-connected G3 Musidora S. winner and G1 Prix de l'Opera third So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and they encounter Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Newcastle debut winner Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), a Simon and Ed Crisford-trained son of the G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Nezwaah (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). 14.25 Newmarket, Debutantes, £20,000, 3yo, 8fT LEAD ARTIST (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of the eyecatching members of this time-honoured “Wood Ditton” maiden for unraced 3-year-olds which retains the potential to throw up something special once in a while. Juddmonte's John and Thady Gosden-trained colt is the first foal out of the G2 Prix de Sandringham winner and G1 Prix Rothschild third Obligate (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a granddaughter of the operation's great broodmare Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}). Therefore linked to two top-level Dubawi performers in the full-brothers Ironclad (GB) and Forge (GB), he lines up against Godolphin's gelding First Conquest (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), a Charlie Appleby-trained half-brother to the G1 Jebel Hatta winner Blair House (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). The post Endless Victory Takes The Next Step At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Whitney Viewing Stand at Saratoga's Oklahoma Training Track will open to the public beginning Thursday, Apr. 25, the New York Racing Association said in a release Wednesday afternoon. Prior to the start of the summer meet, the site will be open free of charge from Thursday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ET. The Oklahoma Training Track is accessible to pedestrians through Gate 21 on East Avenue. Parking is not currently available within the Oklahoma grounds. The opening of the Whitney Viewing Stand also coincides with the on-sale for dining reservations for Saratoga's Clubhouse restaurants: The Turf Terrace, Club Terrace and The Porch. Click here for information concerning all of the available dining options and how to purchase tickets. The post Whitney Viewing Stand At The Spa Opens To The Public Apr. 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lot 154, a son of Persian King (Ire) and the Paco Boy (Ire) mare Robanne (GB), hammered at 600,000gns to Stroud Coleman Bloodstock from the draft of Tally-Ho Stud during the second session of the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. The dam was third in a brace of Group 3s, and is already responsible for Listed Prix Herod winner and G3 Prix Imprudence runner-up Ritournelle (Fr) (Camelot {GB}). Bred by Haras d'Etreham and Riviera Equine, the colt caught the eye of Tally-Ho at €80,000 out of the 2022 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. The post Stroud Coleman Bloodstock In Action For 600k Persian King Colt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article