Wandering Eyes

Speed Boat Beach was named the 2023 Florida-bred Horse of the Year in a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association board of directors.View the full article

In a vote by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association board of directors, Speed Boat Beach (Bayern) has been crowned the 2023 Florida-bred Horse of the Year. The result was announced Monday night at the FTBOA Awards Gala. Bred by Richard Heysek's Caperlane Farm, who was also presented with the Needles Award recognizing the Small Thoroughbred Breeder of the Year in Florida, the Bob Baffert runner also took home the awards for champion 3-year-old colt and champion male sprinter. In 2023, Speed Boat Beach won the GI Malibu S. at Santa Anita Park and finished second in the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship H. Marilyn Campbell's Stonehedge LLC took home Florida Breeder of the Year and leading breeder by Florida-bred earnings awards after Stonehedge-bred runners earned over $3.3-million with 103 wins during the year. Arindel was crowned leading owner by state-bred earnings with over $1.69-million to their credit. Florida stalwart Khozan took home honors as the 2023 Florida Stallion of the Year, a fourth consecutive title, and tied Montbrook and Wildcat Heir by title count. He's the only Florida stallion to be honored four years in a row going back to 1991. Florida-based Jena Antonucci was presented the 2023 Bruce Campbell Award for outstanding achievement as the first woman to train the winner of a Triple Crown race. Stuart Morris and Ruben M. Sanchez' Really and Truly Thoroughbreds were awarded the 2023 Joseph M. O'Farrell Memorial Award, presented by Ocala Breeders' Sales Company to the consignors of Speed Boat Beach, the top Florida-bred of the year who graduated from an OBS auction. Saffie Joseph Jr. was recognized as the leading Florida trainer by state-bred earnings and tied with Kathleen O'Connell and Jose D'Angelo as leading trainer by state-bred wins. Joseph and D'Angelo tied for leading trainer by black-type wins. Other Florida-bred champions on the night were: 2-Year-Old Fillies: Honey Dijon (Girvin) and R Harper Rose (Khozan), who tied for the award 2-Year-Old Colt: Bentornato (Valiant Minister) 3-Year-Old Filly: Dorth Vader (Girvin) Older Female and Female Sprinter: Maryquitecontrary (First Dude) Older Horse: Isolate (Mark Valeksi) Male Turf Horse: Me and Mr. C (Khozan) Female Turf Horse: Sweet Dani Girl.(Jess's Dream) The post Speed Boat Beach is Florida Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pride Of Jenni was in splendid isolation when claiming the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Ciaron Maher has revealed the roadmap for the formidable Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) victor, Pride Of Jenni, revealing intentions to target the prestigious Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) in October. Initially contemplating the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) following the thrilling win last Saturday, Maher officially solidified the Cox Plate aspirations via RSN972 on Monday. “The Cox Plate will be our target,” declared Maher. “The King Charles has been mentioned but the Cox Plate is the one.” Market dynamics reflect the growing confidence in Pride Of Jenni’s prowess, with her odds firming from +400 to +350 in Cox Plate futures markets with horse racing bookies. She is poised to engage in a riveting showdown with Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up Via Sistina, who shares the second line of betting at +500 alongside the 2023 Cox Plate victor, Romantic Warrior. If Pride Of Jenni graces the turf for the King Charles III Stakes, she would enter the Cox Plate on a seven-day back-up. Horse racing news View the full article

Magic Time winning the 2023 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Magic Time is set to amplify her Group 1 achievements as she gears up for Saturday’s All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick. Trained by Grahame Begg, the four-year-old prodigy clinched the prestigious Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on her final outing last season. This time around, she commenced her campaign with commendable sixth and seventh-placed finishes in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) and Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) respectively. “I thought she ran very well,” remarked Begg regarding his mare’s performance in the TJ Smith. “The jockey (Michael Dee) thought she was going to be the winner turning for home. I guess she just drew probably not the gate that was desirable on the day, barrier one. “She got beaten 1.1 lengths and ran seventh, so she has run very well.” Begg continued, emphasising her potential for improvement. “Obviously she’ll improve with another run under her belt. That was only her second run back this time round. “She had a good month between runs between the Newmarket and the TJ and now two weeks into the All Aged. We’re very happy with her and she’s stepping up to 1400 metres.” Magic Time is listed +600 a winning chance with horse racing bookmakers for Saturday’s All Aged Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Horse racing on Tuesday, April 16, will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Scone. Monday Racing Tips – April 16, 2024 Scone 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 16, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Nereus winning the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN New Zealand’s champion jockey, Michael McNab, is poised to make his Victorian debut this weekend when partnering the Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained Nereus in Saturday’s Mornington Cup (2400m). The Kiwi sensation, Nereus, boasts an impressive record of five wins from eight career starts, including a recent triumph in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham. Ritchie is optimistic about the prospects of the four-year-old progeny of Savabeel (Zabeel) in this weekend’s Listed event. “Nereus is very good. He’s not your typical New Zealand stayer, as he’s not a big-striding New Zealand stayer,” Ritchie shared with Racing.com. “He’s nifty with a nice little turn of foot at the end of 2000 metres, so we’re chancing our arm by going to 2400 metres. “We feel Mornington will suit him and so will Caulfield, so we are hoping to get our spot in the Caulfield Cup.” “We’re going to have a go and see how good we are. We have to step up again on New Zealand form but he’s doing that every start.” McNab, renowned for clinching consecutive New Zealand jockeys’ premierships in 2021-22 and 2022-23, currently ranks second in this year’s standings. Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, April 16. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximize your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for April 16, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Place A 4 Leg Multi, If One Leg Fails, Bonus Back Up To $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in bonus cash. Must use available balance. T&C’s apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for April 16, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

To facilitate a greater reach and membership growth for both the National Association of Equine Affiliated Academics (NAEAA) and reciprocal organizations, the NAEAA has created a Reciprocal Organization Membership, the group stated Monday. The mission of the NAEAA is to strengthen post-secondary equine academic programs, provide networking opportunities, and facilitate increased cooperation and information sharing among their members from public and private institutions. To further it, the group invites collaboration with other non-profit equine organizations centered around post-secondary education. For more information and to see upcoming events, please visit their website. The post NAEAA Announces Reciprocal Organization Membership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Woodbine's 5th annual Derby Day Party will take place Saturday, May 4 and tickets are now on sale, the track announced via release Monday. The event will feature a livestream from Churchill Downs, food, fashion, and live racing on site highlighted by the GIII Whimsical S. Included with a ticket purchase are complimentary food and dessert stations as well as a mint julep in a solid copper cup. Derby-style attire is highly encouraged and there will be a “best dressed' contest, photo booth, and various other activities on the day. A viewing party will take place in Woodbine's Turf Lounge, a newly renovated space on the second floor, formerly Favourites, showcasing a panoramic view of the racetrack. Tickets are $110 per person and are available for purchase here. The post Derby Day at Woodbine Tickets On Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Christophe Clement said April 15 that Deterministic is "unlikely" to run in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after a disappointing eighth-place finish as a 4-5 favorite in his last race, the Wood Memorial (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack.View the full article

John W. Jacobs, son of Hall of Fame trainer Hirsch Jacobs, died April 10 after a long illness at the age of 89.View the full article

Declaring he understands the arguments, a Louisville, Ky., judge said he will issue a ruling this week on Amr Zedan's courtroom bid to force Churchill Downs to allow Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Bob Baffert trainee Muth in the Kentucky Derby (G1).View the full article

The lawsuit filed by Amr Zedan's incorporated racing stable to try and get Bob Baffert-trained horses un-barred from the GI Kentucky Derby could get decided by the end of this week according to several published news reports in the wake of a Monday hearing in Kentucky's Jefferson Circuit Court. Ron Flatter of Horse Racing Nation reported that the judge in Zedan's lawsuit against Churchill Downs, Inc. (CDI) was “prepared to rule” on Zedan's motion for an injunction and/or on CDI's motion to dismiss the case entirely, but wanted to wait until the Kentucky attorney general weighed in on the constitutionality of a law that CDI is citing that is designed to prevent the filing of allegedly frivolous lawsuits. Jason Frakes of the Louisville Courier Journal reported that John Quinn, an attorney representing Zedan, argued Apr. 15 that the decision to extend Baffert's previous two-year suspension was based on the “subjective opinion” of CDI's chief executive, Bill Carstanjen. Matt Hegarty of Daily Racing Form wrote that judge Mitchell Perry “spent much of Monday's hearing drilling attorneys for Zedan on why the owner waited to file his request for a temporary injunction until April when it was known that Baffert had been banned through the 2024 Derby in July of the previous year.” Perry told Zedan's legal team that much of the relief they were seeking could have been issued at any point in the last 10 months after stating that the late hour of their request was putting 'an incredible time crunch on everyone involved, including this court.'” Hegarty also quoted a lawyer for CDI, Thomas Dupree, as stating to the judge that Zedan was well aware his horses would not earn Derby qualifying points if they were under Baffert's care. “He knew back in July of last year that if he kept Mr. Baffert as his trainer then his horses would not be eligible,” Hegarty's DRF story quoted Dupree. “Each time, he decided to stick with Mr. Baffert, knowing the consequences of his decision, and he now regrets that decision.” After the Zedan-owned and Baffert-trained Medina Spirit tested positive for betamethasone in the 2021 Derby, Baffert was banned from CDI's properties for two years. A federal judge in February 2023 denied Baffert a preliminary injunction that the Hall-of-Fame trainer had sought to be eligible to race in the Derby. Last July CDI extended the ban at least through 2024. Baffert is not a party to this latest lawsuit. Zedan owns the GI Arkansas Derby winner Muth (Good Magic), who would be among the Derby favorites if allowed to race. It is unclear if a ruling 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. After the hearing, a spokesperson for Zedan issued the following statement to TDN: “We appreciate the attention the Judge has paid to this case and we share the court's interest in definitively resolving these issues for the 150th Derby and beyond. We look forward to his rulings on our case.” TDN also requested comment from CDI, but a spokesperson for the corporation did not respond prior to deadline for this story. Next up is an Apr. 17 hearing. The post Reports: Judge Could Rule on Zedan 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

The rankings below are independent from the “Road to the GI Kentucky Derby” leaderboard that Churchill Downs uses to determine starting berths. In addition, several horses listed here could be aiming for other Triple Crown races. 1) MUTH (c, Good Magic–Hoppa, by Uncle Mo) 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Zedan Racing Stables Inc; B-Don Alberto Corporation (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $190,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $2,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: MGISW, 6-4-2-0, $1,504,100. Last start: WON Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby. Right now there's a court showdown in Kentucky initiated by Muth's owner, Amr Zedan, to try and get this son of Good Magic ($190,000 KEESEP, $2 million OBSMAR) eligible to start in the Derby despite a corporate ban by Churchill Downs against Bob Baffert's trainees. This 'TDN Rising Star' and winner of the GI Arkansas Derby would be among the favorites if he were granted access to the gate in Louisville. Otherwise, Baffert has indicated Muth is on target for the GI Preakness S. Muth reacted professionally to two disruptive attempts in the early stages of the Arkansas Derby. Off as the 2.3-1 second choice, he showed good speed early, then Juan Hernandez conceded the lead when a 26-1 shot slipped through at the rail. When 11-10 favorite Timberlake (Into Mischief) unexpectedly accelerated between rivals at the 6 ½-furlong pole to seize the lead, Muth shadowed him about a length back while not expending much energy in doing so. Muth began to gather serious momentum 3 ½ furlongs out, and opened up under a hand ride past his spent rival. Muth was then kept to task by Hernandez in the stretch to win by two lengths over Just Steel (Justify), and at no point did he appear to be scraping the bottom of his stamina reserves. Muth has four wins and a pair of seconds from six lifetime races since breaking his maiden way back on June 18. He was second in the GIII Best Pal S., first in the GI American Pharoah S., second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, then a winner in the GII San Vicente S. prior to his tally at Oaklawn. 2) SIERRA LEONE (c, Gun Runner–Heavenly Love, by Malibu Moon) 'TDN Rising Star'. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael B Tabor, Derrick Smith Westerberg, Rocket Ship Racing LLC & Peter M Brant; B-Debby M Oxley (KY); T-Chad Brown. Sales history: $2,300,000 Ylg '22 FTSAUG. Lifetime Record: GISW, 4-3-1-0, $918,000. Last start: WON Apr. 6 GI Blue Grass S. When speed figures get adjusted several races after those numbers were initially assigned, it squares away potential inaccuracies moving forward. But this process of revising numerical ratings also can give horseplayers fits, because the changes can significantly alter one's perception of the overall pecking order. A case in point was last week's Beyer Speed Figure change for Sierra Leone. After this $2.3 million FTSAUG sale-topper earned a 98 in winning the Apr. 6 GI Blue Grass S., Andrew Beyer told Daily Racing Form's David Grening that the colt's winning figure for the GII Risen Star S. would be upgraded from 90 to 95, and that all the horses who finished behind Sierra Leone would also be get a five-point boost. “The Fair Grounds track was sloppy on Feb. 17, and may have been getting slower when the Risen Star was run,” Beyer told DRF. “Moreover, the pace of the Risen Star was slow enough to hinder horses from running a fast final time. “The subsequent performances of horses in the field demonstrated that our initial figure was too low,” Beyer explained. “Three of the top five finishers all came back to win important stakes, and all five of these horses earned speed figures five or more points higher than their published numbers for the Risen Star.” So Sierra Leone's career Beyer arc now reads 71-91-95-98 instead of 71-91-90-98. The betting public's assessment of Gun Runner-sired 'TDN Rising Star' probably won't change all that much because of how the numbers paint him. He's capable of making one sustained run from five furlongs out, and as the Derby's best-credentialed closer, Sierra Leone will vie for favoritism with 2-year-old champ and fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness, who projects to be a pacemaker. 3) FOREVER YOUNG (JPN) (c, Reel Steel {Jpn}–Forever Darling, by Congrats). O-Susumu Fujita; B-Northern Racing; T-Yoshito Yahagi. Sales History: ¥98,000,000 Ylg '22 JRHAJUL. Lifetime Record: 5-5-0-0, $2,049,451. Last start: WON Mar. 30 G2 UAE Derby. The 5-for-5 Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) arrived at Churchill Downs on Saturday, then jogged in the one-mile chute for about 20 minutes before taking a 1 1/8-mile gallop Sunday. This Yoshito Yahagi trainee, who sold for the equivalent of $720,603 at the JRHA Select Yearling and Foal sale, has earned the distinction of being the most credible foreign threat in the Derby since the advent of the points qualifying system. Forever Young's victory in the G2 UAE Derby over 1900 meters stamped him as an A-lister based on his ground-conceding outside trip that featured deft shifting into consecutively higher gears and a confident drawing-away in the stretch. Although there were only four dirt races on the G1 Dubai World Cup card at Meydan that day, two of them were blowout wins by speed horses who rode the rail, suggesting that the wide-all-the-way run by Forever Young could have been against the grain of the way the track was playing. This colt's chances in the Derby will be augmented if jockey Ryusei Sakai can carve out a stalking trip that utilizes Forever Young's tactical speed to put him somewhere in the first flight or just behind it. Although he has come from farther back in several of his victories, rating from way off the tailgate in a 20-horse Derby doesn't seem like the most effective use of his cruising ability. 4) FIERCENESS (c, City of Light–Nonna Bella, by Stay Thirsty) 'TDN Rising Star'. O/B-Repole Stable (KY); T-Todd Pletcher. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo, MGISW, 5-3-0-1, $1,703,850. Last start: WON Mar. 30 GI Curlin Florida Derby. Now that all the speed-figure cards for the Derby are face-up on the table, the 110 Beyer awarded to 'TDN Rising Star' and 2-year-old champ Fierceness for his GI Florida Derby win stands atop the crop. The chief question for handicappers though, is whether you think this Repole Stable homebred by City of Light can replicate or better that gaudy number in the Derby. It was earned under ideal circumstances in a 13 1/4 -length blowout against no other horses currently ranked among TDN's Top 20 sophomores. A few weeks back the Derby was shaping up as a race lacking strong early speed horses. Now that vacuum has been theoretically filled, with Fierceness, Track Phantom (Quality Road), Dornoch (Good Magic), T O Password (JPN) (Copano Rickey (JPN)), and possibly Encino (Nyquist) all likely to want a say in the early fray. When Fierceness is on his game, he is one of the most dangerous colts in the division. But excelling under adversity has not been his strong suit, with two baffling, odds-on losses in the GI Champagne S. and GIII Holy Bull S. offsetting resounding scores in his Saratoga unveiling, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile, and the Florida Derby. 5) TRACK PHANTOM (c, Quality Road–Miss Sunset, by Into Mischief) O-L and N Racing LLC, Clark Brewster, Jerry Caroom & Breeze Easy LLC; B-Breeze Easy (KY); T-Steve Asmussen. Sales history: $500,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-3-2-1, $405,000. Last start: 4th in Mar. 23 GII Louisiana Derby. I always try to rate “how he did it” over “how fast” when handicapping. But in Track Phantom's case, even though I've consistently liked the way he's gone about his business when challenges have been thrown in his path, I still have nagging doubts about whether this colt is truly fast enough to be able to pull off a Derby win. This $500,000 KEESEP son of Quality Road has handled different types of pace pressure despite being routinely drawn in or near the outside stall. He has engaged in several hard-fought stretch battles, and has run well over two different types of wet tracks at Fair Grounds and Churchill. Even his beaten-fave fourth-place try after setting a moderate pace in the GII Louisiana Derby wasn't as bad as it might seem. Closers stacked up five across the lane behind Track Phantom at the top of the stretch, yet he didn't capitulate until the sixteenth pole. Track Phantom isn't a flashy sort, but you have to give him points for consistency. Getting out of the gate is crucial in the Derby. This colt has been on the lead at the first call in five of his seven lifetime races, and in the two others he was second, just a head behind. Trainer Steve Asmussen will try blinkers on Track Phantom for the Derby. After pairing 94 Beyers in his last two efforts, he'll need about a 10-point improvement to win. Dornoch is the full-brother to Derby winner Mage | Ryan Thompson 6) DORNOCH (c, Good Magic–Puca, by Big Brown) O-West Paces Racing LLC, R A Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding LLC, Two Eight Racing LLC & Pine Racing Stables; B-Grandview Equine (KY); T-Danny Gargan. Sales history: $325,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: MGSW, 6-3-2-0, $552,275. Last start: 4th in the GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 6. Dornoch has lost some steam in the Kentucky Derby Future Wager pools, going from 9-1 in February to 12-1 in March to 15-1 in April. Although this son of Good Magic has cachet because he is a full brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage, his no-impact fourth in the Blue Grass S. wasn't an emphatic enough of a final prep to stamp him as a major contender. Although I wouldn't recommend singling Dornoch, it wouldn't be prudent to eliminate him off your Derby tickets entirely. Trainer Danny Gargan was asking this $325,000 KEESEP colt to change tactics by rating from behind horses in the Blue Grass, and after conceding that bit of schooling didn't work out, he said Luis Saez will be instructed just to let Dornoch roll from the gate in the Derby. Gargan has spent the winter at Palm Meadows trying to get the brawny-framed Dornoch to maintain a keen sense of focus. If the figurative lightbulb clicks on in the Derby, look out. 7) JUST A TOUCH (c, Justify-Touching Beauty, by Tapit) O-Qatar Racing LLC, Resolute Racing & Marc Detampel; B-Don Alberto Corp. (KY); T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $170,000 RNA '22 KEESEP; $125,000 yrl '22 FTKOCT; $300,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: 3-1-2-0, $281,700. Last start: 2nd in GI Blue Grass S. Apr. 6. Just a Touch deserves praise for what he has accomplished in only three starts. But since his second-place effort in the Blue Grass S., his bandwagon has become crowded enough to warrant a reality check. Are Derby prognosticators “reaching” for a horse who has yet to truly peak? In the Blue Grass, this Brad Cox-trained colt ($170,000 RNA KEESEP, $125,000 FTKOCT, $300,000 OBSAPR) pressed a rapid pace, then gained control of the lead from the three-sixteenths marker until just before the sixteenth pole. He was no match for the locomotive-like close of Sierra Leone, but he didn't pack it in, and after being beaten only 1 ½ lengths, galloped out well. Prior to that, Just a Touch broke his maiden by 4 ½ lengths sprinting at Fair Grounds Jan. 27, then was a wide but willing second in the Mar. 2 GIII Gotham S. at Aqueduct, both in the slop. The post-Blue Grass reasoning has focused on how if Just a Touch could deliver such a good showing in only his first race around two turns and in his first race on a dry track, he just might be capable of turning in the over-the-top effort he will need to win the Derby, which will be run one day prior to his third birthdate. From 1900 to the present, 26 horses have attempted to win the Kentucky Derby with exactly three lifetime starts. Only four have won: Mage in 2023, Justify in 2018, Big Brown in 2008 and Regret in 1915. Beyond those four, only one of the remaining 22 managed to hit the board (Curlin, third in 2007). Just a Touch's sire, Justify, in 2018 became the first horse since Apollo in 1882 to win the Derby without having raced at age two. Mage then triumphed over the “Apollo curse” in 2023. But the record of horses in the Derby without a race at age two since 1937 is 2-3-5 from 73 starts. 8) ENCINO (c, Nyquist–Glittering Jewel, by Bernardini) O-Godolphin LLC; B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $378,315. Last Start: WON GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. Apr. 13. Encino (Nyquist) is a legit wild card if he goes in the Derby. He's in sharp form with three straight wins and a Beyer pattern that keeps improving. Yet he's taken an unconventional path to the Triple Crown level, pairing stakes victories in the John Battaglia Memorial S. over Tapeta at Turfway and wiring the GIII Lexington S. over Keeneland's short-stretch configuration for 1 1/16 miles. Speed and the rail have produced favorable results this spring at Keeneland, and this Godolphin homebred had little trouble establishing himself at the head of affairs in his first dirt try, rattling off unopposed opening quarter-mile splits of :23.53 and :23.73. Encino responded when roused to swat back the race's only true challenger. But it's not entirely clear if the three-quarter length win (94 Beyer) was more attributable to Encino's fighting spirit or the inability of The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) to seal the deal off a six-month layoff. The rest of the field was 8 ¼ lengths back. Encino could end up being an intriguing wiseguy play in a year where the success of the two obvious Derby favorites (Fierceness and Sierra Leone) hinges upon whether they get the right pace and/or trips, and the next two logical horses in the betting (Just a Touch and Forever Young) still haven't won American dirt stakes. 9) IMAGINATION (c, Into Mischief–Magical Feeling, by Empire Maker) O-SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital LLC, Catherine Donovan & Tom Ryan; B-Peter Blum Thoroughbreds (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Sales history: $1,050,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-2-3-0, $406,800. Last start: 2nd in the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 6. No next start has been publicly disclosed for Imagination (Into Mischief), a Bob Baffert trainee who was most recently second in the GI Santa Anita Derby. This $1.05-million KEESEP colt has been battle-tested by hooking up in prolonged late-race fights in three straight races. Even though he didn't come out on the winning end of all of those stretch tussles, it's the type of experience that will stand him in good stead at the Triple Crown level. Imagination is now 2-4-0 from six lifetime starts, which include five two-turn races. 10) RESILIENCE (c, Into Mischief-Meadowsweet, by Smart Strike) O-Emily Bushnell & Ric Waldman; B-Pam & Martin Wygod (KY); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-2-1-1, $494,630. Last start: WON Apr. 6 GI Wood Memorial S. The GII Wood Memorial S. win didn't appear to be an overlay demanding race for Resilience, and he does exit the most obvious key race among the points-awarding winter preps. Prior to his blinkers-on score in the Wood, he ran fourth in the Risen Star S., from which the first- and third-place finishers, Sierra Leone and Catching Freedom (Constitution) also won graded stakes in their next starts. It took Resilience four starts to break his maiden. But the horses who won those first three at Saratoga and Churchill all eventually became stakes winners, so this colt gets points for taking a path to Louisville that has been laden with legit competition. The question is whether this Bill Mott trainee is going take another leap forward (a small step won't do it) in Louisville. 11) CATCHING FREEDOM (c, Constitution–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile) O-Albaugh Family Stables LLC; B-WinStar Farm (KY); T-Brad Cox. Sales history: $575,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 5-3-0-1, $877,350. Last start: WON Mar. 23 GII Louisiana Derby. This medium-framed $575,000 KEESEP colt by Constitution from Brad Cox's barn waited patiently at the back behind a moderate tempo in the Louisiana Derby, then unwound 2 1/2 furlongs out and fanned 12 wide into the lane. He ran straight and reeled in his targets, but for the most part was passing horses who had already made their major moves in upper stretch. The win returned a 97 Beyer, building on a previous upward trend of 72-77-87-92. Only two horses have won the Louisiana Derby and then the Kentucky Derby: Grindstone in 1996 and Black Gold in 1924. 12) JUST STEEL (c, Justify–Irish Lights {Aus}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}). O-BC Stables, LLC; B-Summerhill Farm (KY); T-D. Wayne Lukas. Sales History: $500,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GISP, 11-2-4-1, $724,545. Last start: 2nd Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby. It's at this juncture within the Top 20 that we have to realistically start considering every Derby aspirant from Just Steel on down to be “chaos contenders.” In other words, a lot of things would have to go wrong, tactics-wise, with almost all of the projected favorites, and a lot of things would have to go right for these longer shots to envision one of them wearing a blanket of roses. Yet it happens. Just ask Rich Strike (Keen Ice), the 80-1 Derby winner from two years ago. This $500,000 KEESEP colt trained by D. Wayne Lukas already has 11 races of experience, and on three occasions at age three he's finished second around two turns in points-awarding Derby prep stakes. The one time he didn't, Just Steel was five wide round both turns in the GII Rebel S. In the Arkansas Derby, Just Steel raced close to the pace throughout and finished only two workmanlike lengths behind No. 1-ranked Muth. Potentially rounding out the Derby starting gate… 13) Domestic Product (Practical Joke) Last week on the TDN Writers' Room podcast, trainer Chad Brown made a cogent case for this Klaravich Stables homebred to be “an under-the-radar real contender for the Derby” with a switch to jockey Irad Ortiz, Jr. because Tyler Gaffalione is committed to No.2-ranked Sierra Leone. Brown said he expected big things out of this son of Practical Joke in his Saratoga sprint debut, but attributed the subpar fifth to the colt getting pelted with dirt kickback. Domestic Product then missed some training, and although Brown doesn't usually like to run a 2-year-old at nine furlongs off just one six-furlong start, he did so on Oct. 27 and the result was a 4 1/2-length win at Aqueduct. Brown said the muddy track was the primary reason for Domestic Product's poor seventh-place showing in the GII Remsen S., adding that a similarly wet track could be a problem if the rains come on Derby Day. But, Brown added, Domestic Product's second in the GII Holy Bull S. and win in the GIII Tampa Bay Derby both were promising considering the colt closed into very slow paces in both races. After the Tampa Derby, Brown said Gaffalione told him that Domestic Product is “not that far behind” Sierra Leone. “Going a mile and a quarter, they're not as much separating these two horses as you think,” the jockey told him. “So I trust [Gaffalione],” Brown said. “I think taking the blinkers off of this horse was a positive move for him in his last two starts.” 14) Mystik Dan (Goldencents) In the Arkansas Derby, this homebred son of Goldencents for owners Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby and 4G Racing didn't live up to his 101-Beyer winning, wet-track form from the GIII Southwest S. He was carried wide and encountered a bit of trip trouble, and ended up third, beaten 6 ½ lengths in his nine-furlong debut. Throughout this colt's campaign, trainer Kenny McPeek has emphasized that Mystik Dan has a good mind and an easygoing attitude, both of which can be more valuable than what's on paper in his past performances. McPeek said after a Saturday workout that Mystik Dan “got a lot” out of the Arkansas Derby “and has shown he handled it well in his training after.” Co-owner Eric Waller, left, leads Stronghold and jockey Antonio Fresu into the winner's circle after their victory in the GI Santa Anita Derby | Benoit 15) Stronghold (Ghostzapper) Stronghold is one of the more mature Derby aspirants, showing an ability to relax out of the gate, be responsive to his rider's cues to engage, and win stretch battles even after getting in front and then briefly losing the lead. This Ghostzapper-sired homebred for Rick and Sharon Waller necked Imagination in the Santa Anita Derby. He earned an 89 Beyer, the same figure as his score in the GIII Sunland Derby Feb. 18. Those have been his only two starts at age three. Although currently based in Southern California with trainer Phil D'Amato, Stronghold has already won over the Churchill surface. His one-turn-mile maiden victory back on Oct. 1 is notable because the second- and third-place finishers, Resilience and Track Phantom, are both currently ranked ahead of him on this list. 16) Endlessly (Oscar Performance) Endlessly, whose six races thus far been all on either turf or Tapeta, is aiming for a May 4 start at Churchill. But trainer Michael McCarthy still hasn't zeroed in on whether that will be in the Kentucky Derby or the GII American Turf S. This son of Oscar Performance won the Mar. 23 GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks S. by four lengths with a complete-control outside move that outclassed the field. Endlessly has won five races total, and his only loss is much better than it looks. This homebred for Amerman Racing was eighth, but beaten only 3 1/2 lengths, in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. 17) Honor Marie (Honor Code) This $40,000 KEESEP colt by Honor Code turns three on Derby Day. Although a touch behind his peers age-wise, Honor Marie does have the benefit of having won a two-turn stakes at Churchill at age two, the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. Trainer Whit Beckman is on record as saying that the 10-fulrong distance, “if not farther” might end up being Honor Marie's sweet spot. He was most recently third in the Louisiana Derby with a seven wide bid from the back of the pack. 18) Society Man (Good Magic) This $85,000 KEESEP son of Good Magic chased without making an impact in his July 22 Saratoga sprint debut, then resurfaced seven months later at Aqueduct tasked with nine furlongs. Society Man was bumped at the break and wide on the turns when third in that try, then had a nearly identical trouble line when attempting stakes company as a maiden in the muddy GIII Withers S. He was difficult to load but delivered in a one-turn maiden mile Mar 9 in New York (also in the mud), then was a best-of-the-rest second at 106-1 odds behind Resilience in the Wood Memorial. A plus is three races of experience at nine furlongs. 19) West Saratoga (Exaggerator) As an $11,000 KEESEP bargain who has already bankrolled more than 40 times his purchase price in purses, this Larry Demeritte trainee deserves kudos for overachievement. But despite running decently in several lower-profile stakes this season, West Saratoga (Exaggerator) hasn't hit the winner's circle since he registered a mild 12-1 upset in the Sept. 16 GIII Iroquois S., a one-turn mile at Churchill. This gray is also behind numbers-wise, with an 85 Beyer earned over Tapeta in his runner-up Jeff Ruby Steaks S. effort his career best. West Saratoga's consistent tactical speed, which he's utilized to be within striking distance of the mid-race leaders in every single one of his 10 starts, could be an asset in the Derby. 20) T O Password (Jpn) (Copano Rickey {Jpn}) The “T O” in T O Password (Jpn) is a naming convention for horses owned by Tomoya Ozasa. This is a forward-running colt by Japanese champion dirt horse Copano Rickey (Jpn). T O Password is a May 20 foal who did not make his debut until Jan. 6 at Kyoto in an 1,800-meter (about nine furlongs) maiden race. As the second favorite in the betting, he pressed a moderate pace and shook free over the final three furlongs to draw away by two lengths. In the Mar. 23 1,800-meter Fukuryu S., this 13-1 Daisuke Takayanagi trainee went straight to the lead but tired late. He would have been nailed in the final jump by an onrushing closer had he not been saved by the wire. T O Password figures to be a long-shot proposition north of 50-1 in the Derby. However, his tactics under Kazushi Kimura (Woodbine's leading rider last year) could play a major role in how the pace unfolds. The post TDN Sophomore Top 20: Pace Scenario For Derby Coming Into Clearer Focus appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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The 2024 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In schedule of 82 races in 12 countries includes 41 international races. Two new races in South Korea have been added to the program.View the full article

On the back of a 2023 racing calendar which saw no racing fatalities, the 2024 summer season at Del Mar will feature among the nation's highest prize money as well as a 'robust' lineup of trackside events, the club announced Monday. Marking a historic shift, opening day will be held on a Saturday–July 20–for the first time since the 1950s due to a scheduling adjustment with the San Diego County Fair running through July 7. Tickets for opening weekend and the summer racing season will go on sale Friday, May 10 at 10:00am. General admission will be limited and tickets are anticipated to sell out. Del Mar will run their summer season through Sunday, Sept. 8 and the marquee contest, the GI FanDuel Pacific Classic–a Win and You're In for the Classic which will be contest over the same oval, will go Saturday, Aug. 31. For tickets and information on the special events for the 2024 summer season, please visit their website. The post Del Mar Gears Up for 85th Summer Racing Season appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Lunch Voucher Program established by the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) has provided over $900,000 in meals to grooms and hotwalkers since its introduction in 2012. 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. Tuesday's Observations features Kikkuli, a half-brother to champion and leading sire Frankel. 16.05 Newmarket, Mdn, £10,000, 3yo, c/g, 7fT KIKKULI (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is a key player in this often-informative Alex Scott Maiden, as the eighth foal out of Juddmonte's diamond mine Kind (Ire) (Danehill). Her previous septet include racing's biggest household name of recent memory in Frankel (GB) and the fellow G1 Champion S. hero Noble Mission (GB), as well as the smart Bullet Train (GB) and Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), who has become a notable broodmare for the operation in her own right. Taking on the resident of Harry Charlton's base where Kind resided during her racing career is Godolphin's Kempton runner-up Creative Story (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a son of the Oaks and Irish Oaks third Volume (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}) and half-brother to the fellow Charlie Appleby-trained G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. and G2 Superlative S. hero Quorto (Ire) by Too Darn Hot's sire Dubawi (Ire). 13.20 Newmarket, Novice, £10,000, 2yo, 5fT HALLASAN (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) takes the eye as Godolphin's first-string representative in this opening juvenile race of the 2024 Newmarket season, being a son of the operation's star 2-year-old of 2019 and a precociously-bred £180,000 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale graduate whose listed-winning dam Fig Roll (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) has already produced the G3 Prix d'Arenberg winner Al Raya (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Joining him in action is the fellow Charlie Appleby-trained newcomer Al Qudra (Ire) (No Nay Never), a 425,000gns Tatts Book 1 purchase whose dam was a sharp 2-year-old. Interestingly, one who is not bred to be in that mold is the Gredleys' Bretton Wood (GB) (Frankel {GB}), the first foal out of their high-class G1 Prix Morny and G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. winner Pretty Pollyanna (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who hails from the James Owen stable. The post Tuesday’s Observations: Frankel’s Half-Brother Returns at Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Phil Schoenthal pair of methamphetamine positives at Laurel Park, announced by HIWU on April 9, have been resolved with a 15-day sanction for the trainer, eight days of which have already been served, according to HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. Schoenthal was issued a provisional suspension after two of his horses, Prodigy Doll and Determined Driver, tested positive at Laurel on January 28 and February 9. “I was informed today by HIWU that they took all of his evidence into consideration,” said HISA chief Lisa Lazarus, who said that the groom who took each horse in the paddock and an exercise rider in his barn both tested positive for meth, and that Schoenthal had already pre-emptively instituted a workplace program to warn employees about the dangers of environmental contamination. “The HIWU team was really impressed with that,” said Lazarus. “What we've said was that if you made efforts to reduce your risk, that would mitigate your sanctions. That was essentially the rationale.” Said Schoenthal, “I am pleased at the outcome. There were some very tenuous moments here in my week that were very trying for me, but I believed from the onset that common sense would dictate the outcome and I'd get a fair and equitable outcome, and I did.” Schoenthal said that substance abuse on the backstretch was something that everyone in racing had to deal with. “I think the takeway from my case, if it can serve to help others, is that you can't stop bad things from happening one hundred percent around your horses,” he said. “The onus is on us to be able to prove to HISA and HIWU that we did all that we could do to prevent this from happening and if you can prove that you did, I believe they're going to be fair with you.” Schoenthal said that he had taken some valuable lessons away from the Jonathan Wong ruling, in February. Wong was suspended for two years and fined $25,000 after one of his horses tested positive for metformin. Had he not read the entire ruling, said Schoenthal, he would have made the same mistakes. “Obviously, as a concerned industry participant I've read every ruling and case that comes down the pike, and his ruling was a 50-page document that was posted on the website. I never met him, but I read his defenses, and it occured to me if it were me, I'd have all the same defenses. He took a polygraph test. I would have googled nearest polygraph expert and thought I was doing the right thing. He had a sworn affadvaite saying his assistant told them not to pee in stalls. That wasn't good enough, and I would have done the same thing. I read that, digested it, and realized, `you know what? In the old regime, you would walk into the stewards' office and talk to a retired trainer or jockey who knew how the backstretch worked and were understanding with those things and believed you.' HIWU was given a set of rules they did not write. Their only their job is to enforce them. They are white-collar, smart, educated people, and come from a world where an employer has drug policies and HR policies. For the last 100 years, they have not been part of our world. I sat down that weekend, and typed up a whole manual for my employees. Don't take your prescription medications at the barn, and if you have to, wash your hands. Don't pee in the stalls. Don't allow friends, families, and strangers to touch the horses. We bought some pizzas, and went through all of these things in English and Spanish, and had everyone sign the paper that they understood. We also put up signs that said don't pee in the stalls and tried to take a very proactive approach to the things that were in our control to mitigate the risk.” Lazarus said that the manual and the meeting went a long way to prove that Schoenthal had taken steps to lessen his risk. Schoenthal said he called Alan Foreman right away, had everyone in the barn tested, and found the groom and the exercise rider tested positive for meth. “As such,” he said. “I could prove a clear path.” “I have had a wonderful experience dealing with HIWU,” said Schoenthal. “They have been nothing but professional and helpful. I spoke with Lisa Lazarus and Ben Mosier several times. I told Lisa, `look, at the end of the day my employees tested positive for meth. I'm not trying to say here I deserve zero punishment and should be exonerated. I accept and admit that there is some part that my failures played in this.' I was prepared to take some days. The investigators who served me with the notice of the first positive were nice guys who treated me with respect and fairness. I do understand the rules are the rules and they're just enforcing the rules, but we still need to have some further conversation about what rules need to be changed. We need to get together as horsemen to see how we can make this better.” In the end, said Schoenthal, his story should serve as a warning to others, just as Wong's did to him. “This can happen to anybody,” he said. “There is nobody who is immune to a horse coming up positive. There's a lot of work to be done and I believe from talking to HISA that they are open to it. I was very grateful to HISA and HIWU, Lisa Lazarus, and their general counsel that they were very willing to listen to me.” The post Schoenthal Meth Case Resolved With 15-Day Suspension appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Selected from a pool of almost 200 applicants, the Next Generation Advisory Group will consist of 16 new members who represent a broad range of views and experiences across the American horse racing community, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced Monday. The group will start in April and will convene monthly to provide feedback on the implementation and evolution of HISA's various regulations, including racetrack safety and anti-doping and medication regulations. Among this group of 16 are horsemen, veterinarians, jockeys, horseplayers, representatives from horsemen's groups, racing offices and racing syndicates. They will serve in 18-36 month terms to stagger changes in group composition. Those selected were: Waqas Ahmed, deputy executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KRHC); Keith Asmussen, rider and eldest son of Steve Asmussen; Joe Bianca, ownership advisor for West Point Thoroughbreds and former editor/podcast host at the TDN; Marc Broady, executive director of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority; Eric DeCoster, assistant racing secretary at Prairie Meadows and racing official at Oaklawn Park; Devon Chief Stipeherty, assistant trainer for Christophe Clement; Dr. Tatiana Fraguela, racetrack veterinarian based at Churchill Downs and Oaklawn Park and jockey Tyler Gaffalione. Also selected were Jeffrey A. Matty, Jr., executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association at Parx; Katie Miranda, co-owner of HorseOlogy and owner of White Lilac 2-year-old Consignment; Tyler Peeples, handicapper and owner; Courtney Reid, senior director of racing and industry relations for Breeders' Cup Limited; trainer Lindsay Schultz; Brianne Sharp, marketing and research coordinator for Godolphin; Sam Houston track announcer and handicapper Nick Tammaro; and Najja Thompson, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. and a member on several various boards. “Thank you to everyone who applied for the Next Generation Advisory Group,” said CEO Lisa Lazarus. “HISA remains dedicated to preserving our sport for generations to come, and the sheer number of applicants alone has been an incredible sign of support for a successful future. We are thrilled to have such diverse perspectives, vast experience and impressive qualifications across our industry advisory groups.” The post HISA Announces Next Generation Advisory Group Membership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This day 17th April in horse racing news history From the extensive Horse Betting news archives we present the all the thoroughbred racing action in Australian and overseas racing news in history. Delve in and enjoy our walk back in horse racing time. Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Happy Valley tips, odds & quaddie numbers | April 19, 2023 We’re back racing under lights on Wednesday evening with a strong nine-race program presented at Happy Valley Racecourse. See our … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Warwick Farm racing tips, best odds & quaddie | April 19, 2023 Metropolitan racing heads to Warwick Farm on Wednesday afternoon for a competitive eight-race program. See our best bets and quaddie … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Sandown Hillside best bets & quaddie tips | Wednesday, April 19 The Hillside track at Sandown is set to host an eight-race card on Wednesday. Check out HorseBetting’s James Herbert’s best … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Ipswich racing preview, best bets & quaddie tips | April 19, 2023 The Ipswich Turf Club will host a very competitive 10-race program on Wednesday. HorseBetting’s Ciaran Jackman shares his best bets … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | April 17, 2023 Three horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips and quaddie selections for free here at … Read More Horse Racing Tips 12 months ago Geelong best bets & quaddie tips | April 18, 2023 Geelong Racecourse will host an eight-race card on Tuesday afternoon, and HorseBetting’s Ciaran Jackman presents his best bets and free … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 12 months ago Allen makes winning start to riding career Apprentice jockey Jessica Allen made the perfect start to her riding career at Te Rapa on Saturday when notching up … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Pakenham betting tips & quaddie selections | Monday, April 18 Pakenham Racecourse is set to host a six-race card over the hurdles on Easter Monday and Horsebetting.com.au presents our best … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Sandown Lakeside Preview & Best Bets | Easter Monday | April 18 Eight races are scheduled to be run and won on Easter Monday at Sandown Lakeside and Horsebetting’s James Herbert presents … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | April 17, 2022 Seven horse racing meetings are scheduled around Australia today. See the top tips, best odds and quaddie selections for free … Read More Horse Racing Tips 2 years ago Albany Cup Day best bets & quaddie selections | Sunday, April 17 Albany Racing Club is scheduled to host a bumper nine-race card for Albany Cup Day on Sunday afternoon and Horsebetting’s … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Mark Waugh on his love of winners, the punt, and great mate Shane Warne Australian cricket legend Mark Waugh believes the thrill of being a winning horse owner is a similar feeling to scoring … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Brisbane beckons for Caulfield Group 3 Victoria Handicap winner Ayrton Ayrton has claimed the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday with sizzling first-up win under a perfect … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Sydney Autumn Carnival closes with Fireburn, Nature Strip, Waller & McDonald stars A dominant filly in Fireburn winning the Australian Turf Club’s prestigious race for two-year-olds and a third consecutive victory by … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 2 years ago Zac Purton regains jockeys’ championship lead The rollercoaster tussle for the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship continued at Sha Tin on Saturday (April 16) when a treble … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Swords Drawn takes out Hawke’s Bay Cup A decision to bypass a start in an open 2100m event at Te Rapa on Saturday with enigmatic stayer Swords … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Milford grinds out Group 3 Easter Cup win at Caulfield Milford has taken out the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday in a tight photo, the Mike … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Star filly too good for older rivals in Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes Outstanding three-year-old filly Imperatriz blew her older rivals off the track at Te Rapa on Saturday when she bolted clear … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Cascadian grabs Tofane near post to win 2022 Group 1 All Aged Stakes Cascadian has handed James McDonald his 10th Group 1 win of the season in the All Aged Stakes (1400m), running … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 2 years ago Johny Johny too slick in Hastings sprint Speedy Cambridge sprinter Johny Johny ran his rivals off their feet to take out the Listed Power Turf Sprint (1200m) … Read More Australia horse racing news 2 years ago Polly Grey smashes her rivals in Randwick’s Group 3 JRA Plate Polly Grey has led throughout to smash her rivals in the Group 3 JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick for the … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Promising mare takes first black type trophy Matamata visitor Roch ‘N’ Horse put a disappointing last start performance behind her when she produced a powerful closing burst … Read More Horse Racing Tips 3 years ago Sunshine Coast racing tips, odds & quaddie | Sunday, April 18 HorseBetting.com.au brings you the best odds, value bets and top quaddie selections for the Sunshine Coast meeting on Sunday, April … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Emotional win for Big Mike in Hawke’s Bay Cup There was definitely a catch in the voice of co-trainer Shaun Phelan as he described just what the victory of … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Avantage makes it nine Group One wins with Te Rapa triumph Despite being delayed a week, the Group 1 Fiber Fresh New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) lived up to its … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Today’s horse racing tips & best bets | April 17, 2021 Day 2 of The Championships is here! Headlined by four Group 1 races the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Sydney Cup, ATC … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Bel Esprit Stakes to answer questions for Dale Having performed best in shorter sprints, Matthew Dale is bringing Mossman Gorge to Melbourne in a bid to see if … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Stablemates have bases covered in VOBIS Gold Distaff Lunakorn and Shazade will fly the flag for the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable in the VOBIS Gold Distaff at … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Lindsay Park pair chase big payday in The Showdown Finance Tycoon and Tramontana are set to do Lindsay Park proud when they line up in The Showdown at Caulfield … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Start for Glamour mare weather-dependent Mark Newnham is keeping a close eye on the weather ahead of Greysful Glamourâ€s G1 bid at Randwick … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Kiss is fitter for Daybreak Lover tilt AFTER Gotta Kiss turned in the most inglorious run of her career, connections are pinning their hopes on a clearer … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Trainers looking for Joyous result at Randwick Training partners Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou will saddle up three runners on day two of The Championships … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 3 years ago Champion trainer Ricky Yiu plots winning return for Excellent Chariot Reigning champion trainer Ricky Yiu is optimistic a timely distance rise can trigger Excellent Chariot’s return to the winners’ list … Read More Horse Racing News 3 years ago Punt Drunk The Championships Day 2 edition Good morning punters and welcome to a special #PuntDrunk edition based around Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick! There’s … Read More Australia horse racing news 3 years ago Flowers blossoming ahead of Cup bid Realm Of Flowers has thrived in Sydney and remains on track to turn the tables on her Manion Cup conqueror … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 3 years ago Johnson delighted with Group One pick-up ride A lot can change in a week and the misfortune of the races being abandoned mid program at Te Aroha … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Tofane coming of age in Sydney New Zealand-bred mare Tofane will be shooting for her first elite-level victory when she lines-up in the Group 1 All … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Melbourne riders driving to SA quarantine John Allen, Ethan Brown, Dean Holland and Zac Spain are about to start two weeks quarantine ahead of riding in … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Team Edmonds equal training record The Toby and Trent Edmonds training partnership has equalled the Queensland metropolitan record with five winners at the Gold Coast … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Top Sydney hoops likely to winter at home Leading Sydney jockeys Hugh Bowman and Tim Clark say they are likely to bypass this year’s Brisbane winter carnival and … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Cumani Declares War on Gold Heath Matt Cumani has Declares War engaged in the VOBIS Gold Heath at Caulfield, a race the trainer has had in … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago St Covet’s Spirit to improve for Bell run Trainer Jason Coyle believes St Covet’s Spirit will be improved from the P J Bell Stakes heading into the J … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Fleet Review a test for young trainer Former Aidan O’Brien-trained sprinter Fleet Review will have his second Australian start for Alexander Rae when he runs in the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Godolphin trio poised to make their Mark Godolphin has a stranglehold on the Group Three Hall Mark Stakes as their three runners jostle for popularity in the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Technology keeps Griffiths informed on 2YO COVID-19 restrictions have not allowed Robbie Griffiths to watch Champagne Stakes contender Glenfiddich closely and he has relied on technology … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Clark in Lane for more stakes success In-form jockey Tim Clark is in line to post a stakes win for the seventh week in succession with four … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Trainer dares to dream of Showdown result The big prize money on offer in The Showdown at Caulfield has caught the attention of Michael Mehegan who will … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Bowman says Bivouac Aged to perfection Connections of Pierata and Bivouac, two of the leading All Aged Stakes fancies, are bullish about their respective chances to … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Lees is not giving up on import Danceteria Danceteria is yet to recapture his best European form but trainer Kris Lees is hoping a recent performance can help … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Group 3 test for Parsifal Darci Brahma five-year-old Parsifal is on a path to the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) on May 16 and trainer Will … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Quick Thinker to cap fine campaign Cambridge trainers Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman look forward to Saturdays even more than usual at present. With New Zealand … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago All Aged Stakes to suit Super Seth Quality three-year-old colt Super Seth will get an opportunity to add another elite-level victory to his resume when he contests … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 4 years ago Busuttin hoping for plenty of luck in Sydney Former New Zealand galloper Chuck A Luck has hardly put a foot wrong since joining Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young’s … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Neville Stewart on a winning break Grafton trainer Neville Stewart is reaping dividends from his decision to relocate to Queensland on a short-term basis with the … Read More Australia horse racing news 4 years ago Uncomplicated looms as winter hopeful Uncomplicated can stamp herself as a contender for winter feature races if she can back up her debut win … Read More United Kingdom Horse Racing News 4 years ago BHA defends holding Cheltenham festival British Horseracing Authority chief executive Nick Rust has defended the decision to hold the Cheltenham Festival … Read More Ireland horse racing news 4 years ago Group 1 winner and top sire Shamardal dies Multiple Group One winner and renowned stallion Shamardal has died at the age of 18 after some recent health issues … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Meech to have scans following Geelong fall Linda Meech has a suspected broken collarbone after falling from La Lova shortly after the start of the final race … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago All Aged Stakes field down to 13 runners The Group One All Aged Stakes field has been reduced to 13 after the scratching of dual acceptor Home Of … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Stable inspection leads to late scratching The late scratching of Ayer’s Rock at Geelong has followed a routine inspection of trainer Shawn Mathrick’s Cranbourne stables … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Regally bred filly gifted to CatWalk Trust In an act of generosity, Valachi Downs principals Kevin and Jo Hickman have gifted a regally bred filly to the … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Fond memories for Harold Norman at Ipswich Memories of some of his biggest wins have been revived for veteran trainer Harold Norman after Shauquin won at Ipswich … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Makybe Diva daughter to run at Caulfield A stakes race could be on the agenda for Divanation if she can be successful at her first try over … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Fall pair back-up in Group One Champagne On the back of an afternoon he would rather forget, David Payne could be set for a day to remember … Read More Japan horse racing news 5 years ago Japanese superstar Almond Eye out of the Arc The superstar showdown between Almond Eye and Enable is officially off the table with connections of the Japanese wonderhorse confirming … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Suspended trainer faces additional charges More charges have been laid against suspended racehorse trainer Ben Smith, Racing NSW has announced … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Music Bay on song for Caulfield assignment Music Bay will be out to confirm Adelaide feature race plans when she steps up to 1600m at Caulfield on … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Plenty of Intrigue around Pike’s Ellerslie hand Trainer Tony Pike has all bases covered with his quintet of runners set to tackle Saturday’s bumper meeting at Ellerslie … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Caulfield journey suits Streets Of Avalon Trainer Shane Nichols says a rise in trip and a drop in weight will benefit Streets Of Avalon in the … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Champagne Cuddles set to pop G1 drought Champagne Cuddles will chase a breakthrough Group One win in the All Aged Stakes at Randwick in a changing of … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago No juvenile G1 clean sweep for Godolphin Godolphin will not be represented in the Champagne Stakes, ruling out a clean sweep for the operation in this season’s … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Field of 14 for Group One All Aged Stakes The Group One All Aged Stakes has a field of 14 with Osborne Bulls to start from the inside barrier … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 5 years ago Reform pledged for Racing Industry Racing Minister Winston Peters says the Government will introduce two new pieces of legislation this year to revitalise the domestic … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Chris Waller stable dominate Tails Stakes Chris Waller will have numbers on his side with seven of the 11 runners in the Tails Stakes at Doomben … Read More Australia horse racing news 5 years ago Push to upgrade BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes The Brisbane Racing Club is hoping a prize money increase and some outstanding recent winners will help the BRC Sires’ … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Vic horse trainers want samples re-tested Racehorse trainers Lee and Shannon Hope want urine samples to be re-examined with a new testing method as they fight … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Jockey Ryan Maloney outed for four months Racing Victoria stewards have suspended jockey Ryan Maloney for four months after testing positive to a banned stimulant following a … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Stewards query beaten Mornington favourite The tactics adopted by jockey Billy Egan aboard beaten favourite Zizzis at Mornington are at the centre of an adjourned … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Trainer Jean Dubois aims at Champagne Goulburn trainer Jean Dubois has another two-year-old ready to make a rapid step up to Group One class when Guerrier … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Exciting Nature Strip to run at Caulfield Nature Strip will return in the VOBIS Gold Dash at Caulfield before a trip to Adelaide and then to Queensland … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Fell Swoop steps up to emerge from slump Canberra trainer Matt Dale will step Fell Swoop up in distance to the 1400 metres of the All Aged Stakes … Read More Hong Kong horse racing news 6 years ago Purton wants it Fast Most Furious at the Valley Zac Purton wants to see the front-runners match his mount’s name in the Class 3 Hong Kong Rugby Union Cup … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Theanswermyfriend back again at Caulfield Trainer Henry Dwyer doesn’t want Theanswermyfriend ridden as aggressively from the barriers with a view to stretching the gelding out … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Select Royal has form line to break duck David Payne is confident Select Royal and newcomer Georgia Hit can show signs of progress when they strive for their … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Moana Jewel makes city debut at Sandown Following a solid first-up maiden win at Pakenham, Cranbourne-trained Moana Jewel heads to Sandown for her city debut over 1400m … Read More New Zealand horse racing news 6 years ago Kiwi breeders celebrate unforgettable Oaks Unforgotten’s victory in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) provided a pair of New Zealand racing identities with a result … Read More Australia horse racing news 6 years ago Charles Road better for the Sydney experience Charles Road will return home this evening after going a long way toward realising his staying potential in Australia. His … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Rockhampton market movers for Tuesday, April 17 RACING in the sunshine state is at Rockhampton this Tuesday as the race club hosts a seven event card. Where … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Hawkesbury market movers for Tuesday, April 17 RACING in Sydney is at Hawkesbury this Tuesday as the venue hosts an eight race card. Where’s the smart money … Read More Market Movers 6 years ago Geelong market movers for Tuesday, April 17 GEELONG is hosting racing this Tuesday and the punters have shopped early at the southern Victorian venue. Horse Betting has … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Stewards ponder Schofield ride Jockey Glyn Schofield is at the centre of a stewards’ inquiry into his ride on beaten favourite Up ‘n’ Rolling … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Miss Promiscuity set for VOBIS Gold Sprint Miss Promiscuity is set to be given the chance at winning the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Sprint at Caulfield for the … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Williams suspended, misses Sydney Cup Melbourne’s premier jockey Craig Williams has been suspended for eight meetings at Sandown and is set to miss the ride … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Williams suspended, misses Sydney Cup Melbourne’s premier jockey Craig Williams has been suspended for eight meetings at Sandown and is set to miss the ride … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Interstate targets for Sandown winners Trainer Mike Moroney is considering a Queensland Derby campaign for Top Of The Range while a couple of other Sandown … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Sargent hoping Rock On makes Cup cut Trainer John Sargent hopes Rock On’s first Australian experience extends to a start in the re-run of the $2 million … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Higgins wins on Sneakers at Sandown Just over two weeks after being dumped off Sneakers in the mounting yard at Ballarat, Brian Higgins has guided the … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Promising win on debut for Regent Regent has made the ideal first impression despite sweating up before his win on debut at Canterbury … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Hopfgarten to trial for winter comeback Winter plans for multiple stakes winner Hopfgarten will be decided after he runs in a barrier trial at Deagon … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago James Doyle a better rider after stint in Sydney EUROPEAN jockey James Doyle will head back home after ending his four-month stint in Sydney. The quality rider rode 21 … Read More Horse Racing News 7 years ago Polarisation to undergo vet test Leading Sydney Cup contender Polarisation will undergo a veterinary inspection after being found to have heat in a fetlock … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing Tips 7 years ago Midweek racing at Wyong with form and free tips, April 19 AFTER a busy Easter racing period which included meetings at Randwick and Canterbury, New South Wales metropolitan racing returns to … Read More Australia horse racing news, Horse Racing News 7 years ago Big Duke ready for 2017 Sydney Cup replay PUNTERS that backed Big Duke to win the 2017 Sydney Cup would have been disappointed with what happened at Randwick … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Winx the undoubted star of the autum Cox Plate winner Winx has catapulted to a higher level over the autumn carnival which has ended with her trainer … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Skye Bogenhuber to appeal 2-month ban Queensland jockey Skye Bogenhuber will appeal a lengthy ban for not restraining her mount in a stakes race at Toowoomba … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Sydney autumn carnival in review Take a look back on the moments which defined the 2016 Sydney autumn racing carnival … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Winx the undoubted star of the autum Cox Plate winner Winx has catapulted to a higher level over the autumn carnival which has ended with her trainer … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Noblet fillies chasing Adelaide wins Andrew Noblet will send Super Cash and Silent Sedition to Adelaide in the search of black type victories at Morphettville … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Scarlet Billows to chase interstate G1s As her racing career begins to wind down, Scarlet Billows will attempt to add a Group One to her record … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Royal Ascot still possible for Kermadec Chris Waller-trained stablemates Kermadec and Press Statement are still in the mix for a trip to Royal Ascot … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Eagle on his way to the Queensland Derby Eagle Way has pleased trainer Bryan Guy with his first-up second at the Gold Coast as he works towards the … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Fell Swoop being readied for Brisbane Fell Swoop has been runner-up in Group One races in Melbourne and Sydney this campaign and will head to Brisbane … Read More Horse Racing News 8 years ago Protectionist close to race return The 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist is doing what is asked of him by German trainer Andreas Wohler … Read More View the full article

The 2024 Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In will consist of 82 races in 12 countries and host track Del Mar will run six on a schedule with several new additions, the organization announced via release Monday. In its 18th year, the Win and You're In (WAYI) program gives each winner an automatic qualifying position with fees paid into the corresponding race at the 2024 World Championships. In addition to the domestic schedule, forty-one international races will be held at premier tracks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, South Africa, and South Korea. Newly included races this season are the G3 Korea Cup (WAYI for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile) and G3 Korea Sprint (WAYI for the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint), both run Sept. 8 at Seoul Racecourse. England picked up three additional races as well–the G3 Acomb S., G3 William Hill Prestige S., and the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares S. They will offer berths into the GI Juvenile Turf, GI Juvenile Fillies Turf, and GI Filly & Mare Turf, respectively. Domestically, the GIII City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita Park will offer an automatic berth into the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile for the first time. The 2024 series in the U.S. will again feature a regional qualifying program to balance divisional competition. In 10 of the 14 race divisions, there will be one Challenge Series race per region, identified as East, Midwest, and West. The Breeders' Cup also announced that it would promote these regional rivalries on the road to the World Championships. All North American races must be graded to be included. Of the eight berths awarded for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, one has already been claimed by G1 February S. victor G1SW-Jpn Peptide Nile (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in Japan Feb. 19. Purse increases for the 2024 Championships raised the Classic to a $7-million purse while the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf will reward $5-million. As part of the benefits, $5,485,000 has been allocated for free entry fees as well as a $10,000 travel allowance for all starters within North America that are stabled outside of California. A $40,000 travel allowance to the connections of all Championship will be awarded to starters based outside of North America. If not already, the Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the pre-entry deadline of Oct. 21 to receive the rewards. The Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees and guarantee a starting position in a corresponding Championships race for all Challenge Series race winners. A full schedule of the Win and You're In Races, as well as a list of the race winners, may be found here. “We take great pride in seeing horsemen from around the world capitalize on the advantages provided by the Challenge Series, the premier route to securing a starting position in the World Championships,” said Dora Delgado, Executive Vice President and Chief Racing Officer of Breeders' Cup Limited. “Our heartfelt appreciation goes out to the racing jurisdictions across five continents for their invaluable support and administration of this year's series. We encourage all horsemen to target the Challenge Series en route to the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Del Mar.” The Challenge Series will also make a return to the television screen as NBC, FOX, and CNBC will feature five live programs in the U.S. this summer and autumn. Coverage on NBC and CNBC will be simulcast on Peacock, NBCSports.com, and the NBC Sports app. Coverage of the 2024 Challenge Series features two NBC broadcasts, two FOX broadcasts, and one CNBC program. A complete television schedule can be viewed here. The post Breeders’ Cup Releases 2024 Challenge Series Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The New York Racing Association announced April 15 the lucrative purse schedule for the four-day 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course, slated for Thursday, June 6 through Sunday, June 9.View the full article

The search for the next Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) just became a whole lot tougher. That's not to say that separating potential Group 1 winners apart from the near-200 horses who breeze up the Rowley Mile is an easy task to start with. However, the howling wind, vertical hailstorm and torrential rain added a whole new dimension to the breeze at this year's Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. They tell us year after year that the times don't matter. That they only serve as just another piece of the jigsaw to be factored in when scoping out talent at the breeze-ups. Well, bloodstock agents Ted Durcan and Martin Buick agreed that times really did go out the window to a certain degree here given how the weather played a significant factor with the breeze. Durcan explained, “I find that you'd nearly glean as much information from the practice breeze as the breeze itself. The times are obviously helpful but, standing out on the track there today, with the weather so in and out, it was probably a little bit unfair on some horses. If you were in the wrong half hour there, you were at a huge disadvantage. I think you need to take the times with a pinch of salt on a day like today.” Nobody knows that better than Con Marnane. It was around 11am when a torrential hailstorm hit the track. So bad was the weather, that lot 177 from Bansha House Stables, a filly by Blue Point (Ire), was not picked up by the cameras. Marnane had no other option but to send the filly back up a second time later in the session. Far from ideal. The weather, which ultimately delayed the start of the breeze by half an hour, also wreaked havoc with some of the lasers tasked with timing the session, resulting in some lots not featuring in the time sheets that were circulated later in the afternoon. But agents as good as Durcan, who unearthed a potential gem in Bracken's Laugh (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) at the Guineas Breeze-Up Sale here last year, don't get the results they do by simply going off a timesheet. He said, “With the wind, some horses ran a bit greener than they usually would, and everyone can see that. You have all the information there in front of you and you just have to make up your own mind. Sometimes you're wrong, sometimes you're right. It was marvellous to find a horse like Bracken's Laugh last year but you have to have the owner behind you and thankfully Richard Hughes and Sean and Bernardine Mulryan were brave enough. Thankfully, the horse seems to have worked out and he's hugely exciting.” Asked what he was looking for this week, Durcan added, “We have a mixture of clients. Some people are looking for sharp two-year-olds who are ready to rock and roll while others are looking for more of a project. You just have to do as much work as you can and hope for some luck in the ring. But getting back to the clock, I think you have to be a little bit mindful and take everything with a pinch of salt. There were some horses walking down at the start for a half an hour in the middle of a storm. That's unfair. So all of that has to be factored in.” One horse that seemed to be pretty high on most timesheets was the Blue Point (Ire) colt [147] of Charlie Poste's Station Yard. The Craven represents the first chapter of a new breeze-up venture for Poste, who described himself as being immensely proud of how his horses coped with the conditions. Poste said, “The problem is, a lot of the lasers kept falling over, so it's all a bit hit and miss. We've been told that our Blue Point colt was rapid and that our Blue Point filly is supposed to have clocked very well as well. I'm so proud of our team. It's a puff-your-chest-out moment. They are two lovely Blue Points and, coming to our first breeze-up sale and for them to match up to what we have been seeing from them at home-considering the weather-it's unbelievable. We're pretty speechless about it all.” Buick, who works closely with bloodstock agent Hubie de Burgh, explained how he was hoping to recruit horses for the Hong Kong and Scandinavian markets this week. He was also keen to point out that it wasn't just on breeze day that the weather hasn't been kind to the vendors. He said, “The majority of these horses are probably a gallop or two short. Some of them have never been on grass before because of the wet winter and spring we have been having in Britain and Ireland. The Rowley Mile can be a difficult enough test for three-year-olds, never mind inexperienced two-year-olds. They have to be somewhat forgiven for making mistakes given the conditions out there today.” Along with the weather, the one thing that everyone at Tattersalls was unanimous about was that Mick and Sarah Murphy of Longway Stables brought a pretty smart American Pharoah colt to the sale. Asked how to sum up running a busy operation in such demanding conditions, Murphy quipped, “Tough. Although, the weather has been very similar to what we have been facing into at home these past six or seven months!” He added, “Sunday was a beautiful day here in Newmarket but today was tough on both man and beast. It was probably more difficult for the clock men to get their ducks in a row because, at one stage, there were hailstones and gale force winds out there. “It's been a tough day but, overall, I am very happy with our draft. We have been pretty busy after the breeze and footfall seems good.” The American Pharoah colt is the only horse by the stallion in the sale. He's clearly always been a looker, given Durcan and Longways Stables went to $225,000 to secure him at the September Yearling Sale at Keeneland. Murphy said, “We definitely brought some nice horses here but the Pharaoh is the standout. He's very, very popular but, then again, he's one of the most expensive yearlings we bought last year. I think he's the best colt I have had for a very long time. We have been very lucky to have had two Royal Ascot winners but he's the best we've had in a while. He's just a very good horse and has the looks to go with it.” Buick went on to rightly point out that, if there was anyone who was at an advantage on Monday, it could only be Con Marnane. Granted the Bansha boss had some misfortune earlier in the day with his Blue Point filly but, lest we forget, Con's Craven horses wrestled their way through similar conditions at his hugely successful open morning last week. Buick concluded, “This should all be a walk in the park for Con's horses compared to what they came through at his open morning. But the cream will rise to the top. It usually does here.” The two-day sale gets underway after racing at Newmarket on Tuesday at 5.45 pm. The post Craven Breeze-Up Sale: ‘The Cream Will Rise To The Top – It Usually Does Here’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Back in the dying years of the last century I spent some time working for Horse & Hound. It was part of a large magazine group set in a 30-storey tower block on the south bank of the Thames in central London. A strange place for an equestrian publication to be based, but there we were, sharing the 20th floor with Country Life and Shooting Times, the odd Labrador or terrier running around loose, occasionally biting a delivery man or cocking a leg on the coat stand. You can imagine the embarrassment of having to share the lift with the beautiful things who worked on Marie Claire and the cool kids of the NME, realising all too late in that enclosed space that the coat you were wearing whiffed of that heady cocktail of wet dog and musty tack rooms. A number of the H&H girls used to come over all unnecessary whenever Norman Williamson was on the telly. This fevered excitement reached its pitch when he took over the ride on the Horse & Hound Cup winner Teeton Mill and rode him to four consecutive victories which included the Hennessy and the King George. They were great days, when I swore my allegiance to the jumps and barely watched a Flat race. These days are still great but they are different. More recently my enthusiasm for jump racing has declined while my passion for the Flat has increased. A large part of this is because I am becoming increasingly risk-averse with age, and it is a fact that jump racing is the riskier of the two. That said, the statistics show that the fatality rate in both codes is very low. The BHA should be applauded for the recent launch of the fact-packed website Horsepwr and it does actually make for encouraging reading. In 2023, the fatality rate was 0.08 per cent in British Flat races (46 fatalities) and 0.37 per cent over jumps (112). I'm sorry, jump racing, and all the many excellent people involved, not least some truly outstanding horses. It's not you, it's me. Perception This is the first year I've paid scant attention to the action at Aintree – a meeting which previously I wouldn't have dreamt of missing and always loved more than the Cheltenham Festival. It was, after all, Red Rum who drew me to racing in the first place. Instead, on Saturday morning I headed to Chelmsford for the first of the early-morning Saturday fixtures under the new Premier racing set-up. Leaving town past the Rowley Mile, I spotted another couple of Aintree defectors, the aforementioned Norman Williamson, riding back to Tattersalls alongside Katie Walsh, on two of their horses for this week's Craven Breeze-up Sale. I didn't make it as far as Chelmsford City Racecourse as I received a phone call en route telling me that our horse, who was set to start favourite following his recent win over course and distance, had been withdrawn by the veterinary officer after he sustained a small cut above his eye in transit. The vet was satisfied that the horse was perfectly fine and able to race, and said that the withdrawal wasn't on welfare grounds but was an issue of “perception”, just in case a racegoer was upset by the cut which wasn't upsetting the horse. So we were out. It was frustrating, especially for the five members of the syndicate who had got up extra early to get to the races, one of whom was looking forward to possibly having a winner on his birthday at his local course. But the horse is fit and well and I kept reminding myself of the day when we drove home with an empty horsebox. In racing, nothing is worse than the loss of a horse or a jockey. To the list of lost riders we sadly have to add the name of Grade 1 winner Kota Fujioka, who died last week from injuries sustained in a fall at Hanshin on Saturday, April 6. His death at the age of 35 came just a week after that of Stefano Cherchi, 23, in Australia, and it was the second tragedy in Japan in the space of three weeks. The 25-year-old Yudae Tsukamoto, one of the leading riders on the NAR circuit, was fatally injured in a race fall at Kochi on March 24. Atzeni on Fire Down Under Stefano Cherchi's compatriot Andrea Atzeni had flown from Hong Kong to be at his bedside following the young jockey's fall. On Saturday, Atzeni was involved in a far happier occasion when winning the G1 Sydney Cup aboard Circle Of Fire (GB) for Ciaron Maher. The four-year-old, who was bred by Queen Elizabeth II and formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute, had won the G2 Chairman's Quality a week earlier and his Cup victory made him the second Group 1 winner for his Haras d'Etreham-based sire Almanzor (Fr). The first was the 2022 Victoria Derby winner Manzoice (Aus), who was conceived during Almanzor's shuttle stints to Cambridge Stud in New Zealand. As Sydney's Championships drew to a close, Arrowfield Stud stallion The Autumn Sun (Aus) was represented by his first Group 1 winner on Saturday when Autumn Angel (Aus) won the Australian Oaks for Peter Moody. The Autumn Sun was also bred by Arrowfield, which has enjoyed a fruitful partnership with the Aga Khan Studs over the years. The 10-year-old stallion is by Redoute's Choice, who spent two years shuttling to the Aga Khan's Haras de Bonneval, and he is out of the Aga Khan-bred Azmiyna (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has since returned to Europe. The mare's current three-year-old is the Classic-entered Azada (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}), who is trained by Dermot Weld and received a TDN Rising Star for her sole successful run last season. Azmiyna also has a two-year-old Dubawi (Ire) colt listed in training with Francis-Henri Graffard. What Margot Did Next In tandem with this week's return to racing at Newmarket, the anticipation of which was described so eloquently by Paul Hayward in yesterday's TDN, we have the aforementioned breeze-up sale, the first of the season in Britain which follows on from last week's auction in France at Osarus. The breeze-up calendar will be even more packed next year following the recent announcement that Goffs has teamed up with Naas Racecourse to stage a second two-year-old sale in Ireland on June 3 and 4, 2025. One of the greatest bargains ever bought from the breeze-ups has to be the diminutive Margot Did (GB). The daughter of Exceed And Excel was bought for 10,000gns at the Tattersalls Guineas Sale of 2010, and went on to win her first two starts for Michael Bell and then finish second in the Albany, Princess Margaret and Lowther S. during a busy juvenile campaign. There was compensation for that string of bridesmaid finishes the following year when she won the G1 Nunthorpe S. in the hands of Hayley Turner. Bought privately by Katsumi Yoshida, Margot Did's early matings with Galileo resulted in the G1 Belmont Oaks winner Magic Attitude (Ire) and G2 Prix de Sandringham winner Mission Impassible (Ire), and she has pulled off another great feat as a broodmare this weekend as the dam of G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas) winner Justin Milano (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). The mare has produced a colt foal this season by Kitasan Black (Jpn) and is booked next to his first-season son Equinox (Jpn). The Authorized Version Having semi-renounced jump racing above, we must just return to the subject briefly to praise the 20-year-old Derby winner Authorized (Ire), who played such a major role in the results at Aintree on Saturday. It would be hard to top the dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll (Ire) but I Am Maximus (Fr) was truly magnificent in his romp up the run-in for this year's National and the day was completed by another son of Authorized, Horaces Pearl (Fr), winning the Grade 2 bumper for Fergal O'Brien. Though bred in France, the two winners have English breeders behind them: Ron Huggins, former owner of the great stayer Double Trigger (Ire) among others, bred I Am Maximus in partnership with the late George Tiney during Authorized's five-year stint at Haras du Logis. A huge cheer went up at Logis on Saturday, and was doubtless swiftly followed by several large glasses of rosé, for the victory of Horaces Pearl, who was bred by the stud's owner Julian Ince. As has been well documented, Authorized has done the rounds during his stud career: from Dalham Hall Stud, one year at Kildangan, Logis, and the Turkish Jockey Club before his return to the land of his birth to stand at Capital Stud this season. Some Start for Sumbe Kazakhstani owner-breeder Nurlan Bizakov has been in France in recent weeks and will doubtless have enjoyed his trips to the races as his horses have been in great form so far this spring. Following the smart maiden victory of Cashanda (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) at Longchamp on April 7, Bizakov's Sumbe operation landed the G3 Prix Djebel on Tuesday with Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) and then notched a second group win of the week in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau with Ramadan (Fr). Like Sunday's G3 Prix Noailles winner Caladangan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Lazzat is a gelding, which rules him out of a Classic campaign, but it would be fitting to see the Christopher Head-trained Ramadan, who is from the penultimate crop of Le Havre (Ire), continue his progression. He's two from two so far this season, having won the Listed Prix Omnium II last month, and with his front-running victory it was hard not to call to mind Head's star three-year-old colt of last season, Big Rock (Ire). Bizakov is represented on the Rowley Mile this week by the Feilden S. entrant Narkez (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). The colt is trained by Andre Fabre, who also has Baron Edouard de Rothschild's Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}) entered in Thursday's Craven S. With trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, the Aga Khan won both the Noailles with Caladangan and the G3 Prix de la Grotte with Candala (Fr) (Frankel {GB}). They are respectively out of mares by former Aga Khan Studs stallions, in Sinndar (Ire) and Dalakhani (Ire) respectively. Dalakhani had a great day in this role as Ramadan is also out of one of his daughters, in this case Raushan (Ire). The 14-year-old mare was bred by the late Lady O'Reilly and owns a pretty smart pedigree as a half-sister to the Group 1 winner Chinese White (Ire), who is herself out of the Group 3 winner Chiang Mai (Ire), a Sadler's Wells half-sister to the Classic winner and influential matriarch, Rafha (GB) (Kris {GB}). The post Seven Days: It’s Not You, It’s Me appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article