Wandering Eyes

With heavy rain associated with Tropical Storm Debby forecast to impact Saratoga Springs on Friday and Saturday, the New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA) will add the GI FanDuel Fourstardave Handicap and GI Saratoga Derby Invitational as contingency races for Sunday, Aug. 11, the track said in a Wednesday press release. Should weather force races off the turf on Saturday, Aug. 10, then NYRA will aim to run the Fourstardave and Saratoga Derby as the final two races on Sunday, Aug. 11. To allow for increased flexibility, those races will fall outside of all horizontal wagers. NYRA is monitoring weather forecasts closely and will provide updates as necessary. The post If Saturday’s Saratoga Derby and Fourstardave Are Off The Turf, Races Will Move To Sunday Says NYRA appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Colonial Downs Racetrack has pushed its Festival of Racing, which includes the GI Arlington Million, back a day after it was originally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 10, the track said in a Wednesday release. The decision to switch the card to Sunday, Aug. 11 was made after confirmation from weather experts that heavy rain caused by Tropical Storm Debby would hit the Tidewater by the end of the week. While most of the conditions are expected to clear the area by Saturday, safety is the highest priority. Gates will open for the Festival of Racing on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET with the first post set for 1 p.m. ET. General admission and parking are free and all previously purchased tickets will be honored. The post Colonial Downs Shifts Festival Of Racing Back A Day To Sunday, Aug. 11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just last week, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority released its latest safety figures, showing a four-quarter consecutive decline in equine fatalities. Indeed, in the second quarter of this year, tracks operating under HISA reported 0.76 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts–significantly lower than the perennial national average. But on the flip side of these statistics is an ongoing concern among stakeholders that the enforcement arm of the national program is in certain areas proving too onerous, and that the penalties aren't always an appropriate response to the violation. To discuss these concerns, the TDN recently spoke with Alan Foreman, chief executive officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and national ombudsman on behalf of HISA and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU). In this role, Foreman serves as an impartial resource and advocate for the nation's horsemen and women. The following is the first part of a long, discursive conversation. It has been edited for clarity and brevity. Part two will be published tomorrow. TDN: The Mike Puype case has caused a lot of consternation in California. On the-one hand, the rules are the rules, and HISA officials have made clear that stakeholders shouldn't be in possession of a whole list of items and medications. But on the other hand, here you have a trainer with a pretty spotless track record–just two minor medication positives over the last 18 years according to thoroughbredrulings.com–and he's facing a potentially significant ban not for administration but for the possession of banned substances, Levothyroxine and Isoxsuprine. This has the potential to effectively end his career. (Note: Levothyroxine was permitted in California pre-HISA, but isoxsuprine lost FDA approval in 2020, making it prohibited under CHRB regulations) Though the case is still being adjudicated, what it points to more broadly are misgivings among stakeholders that sometimes, the punishments being meted out just don't fit the crime. Do you share these concerns? AF: I do share the concerns about the issue of penalties fitting the crime. But you have to separate out the controlled therapeutic substances from the banned substances because they're treated differently. I'm not involved in the Puype case, so I want to be careful in my response. But there have been previous cases since the new rules went into effect a year ago involving trainers who had in their possession a banned substance. And there has been an extensive educational process to warn trainers to go through their barns to ensure that they are not in possession of–or have in their tack rooms or in their personal belongings–banned substances. These previous cases have also involved trainers with spotless records. The penalties, however, are mandated by the rules and are difficult to mitigate. But not impossible. There will be an extensive investigation in this case. There will be a determination made as to why the trainer was in possession of those substances. Possession cases are treated the same as if the drug was in the horse under the rules. He will have an opportunity to explain why he's in possession of those substances, and there will be an opportunity through the process to mitigate the violation if in fact it is determined that there is a violation. My concern is that, to the extent that we have commented upon or expressed concerns about the application of these rules in these instances, there doesn't seem to have been an outcry from the industry about trying to fix the problem until now–certainly with the California interests, who feel that this may be unfair. TDN: As you point out, there is the opportunity for these penalties to be mitigated. Should HISA/HIWU deploy this approach more extensively than they have so far? AF: They have the opportunity to do so, but it's limited. Since we're not dealing with a drug that's in the horse, we're dealing with possession. Why is the trainer in possession of these substances? What is the explanation? And once that explanation is made, is there an analysis of no significant fault or negligence? If there is a finding of no fault, then the penalty is completely mitigated. If there is no significant fault, there is the ability to mitigate as with negligence. But under the rules, the reduction in a penalty for a violation is very limited. Instead of a two-year suspension, it is an 18-month suspension. And either way you look at it, it's potentially career ending. Which begs the question: Is this an appropriate penalty for the violation? It's very fact specific. If you're in possession of a gene and a blood doping agent then yes, probably the mandatory penalty applies. But if you're in possession of other substances for which there is an explanation, or they don't go to the integrity or safety and welfare of the horse, then they should be viewed differently. I think what the industry is wrestling with now is what is an appropriate penalty for certain violations. To the extent that the rules do not permit discretion, or HIWU feels it does not have discretion under the rules, that should be changed. There should always be room for discretion and the exercise of common sense. TDN: Just to be clear, what you're saying is that these penalties aren't always appropriate, especially when it comes to certain substances currently banned under HISA, correct? AF: Pre-HISA, the industry's principal concern with banned substances was gene and blood doping agents, snake venom, along with the kinds of substances that are difficult to detect–the EPOs, for example–that go to the heart of the integrity of the sport and the safety and welfare of the horse. You don't see those cases very often. And in those situations, there should be summary suspensions and there should be a very aggressive prosecution and a very aggressive penalty. But as we've seen with the banned substances over the past year, we've been dealing with substances of human abuse–your methamphetamines, which we know can be transferred from human to horse. If HISA had not been willing to make changes to those rules, you had trainers who were facing the loss of their livelihood through no fault of their own, notwithstanding whatever measures they could have taken to prevent it. You also have other substances like metformin for example, where it's being suggested that it's showing up in horses because of contamination. And metformin isn't the only drug on the prohibited substance list for which that might happen. Controlled medication with syringe | Sarah Andrew We have been advocating for HISA to take a fresh look at the banned substances list and see if it isn't possible to categorize those substances similar to the way the controlled therapeutic substances have been categorized: A, B, and C, based on the severity or potential to affect the horse and adjust the penalties accordingly depending upon the category. If it was a category “A” banned substance, there's your mandatory two years, $25,000 fine, and so on. You can see what HISA is doing now with the drugs of human substance abuse–a maximum suspension of 60 days, but which can be mitigated to zero based on the facts and circumstances and the likelihood that the drug was in the horse because of contamination as opposed to an intentional administration. I think the [same approach with some other banned substances] would go a long way towards reducing some of the angst that pervades the backstretch. TDN: You brought up the issue of provisional suspensions. HISA and HIWU have repeatedly argued they're necessary to maintain the integrity of the game and issued only in cases of higher import. But on the other hand, they're issued before a party has had a chance to formally argue their case. Are these provisional suspensions a fair exercise of judicial authority? AF: The provisional suspensions come from the international rules. But I would argue that the statute that enables HISA says that with respect to enforcement, HIWU should take into consideration the unique aspects of horse racing. As we have articulated to HISA, we believe that provisional suspensions should be limited to the most serious cases involving threats to the integrity of the sport or the health and welfare of the horse, and that provisional suspensions not be issued in cases that do not fit into that category. We're only dealing again with banned substances here. We're not dealing with controlled therapeutic substances. But again, unless you're dealing with the most serious threats to the industry, I think that a trainer should be given the opportunity to defend himself, to have and enjoy all of the privileges of due process that is provided. These cases are being handled relatively quickly, and in my opinion, there is no harm to the integrity of the sport or the system by letting these trainers defend themselves without putting them under provisional suspension. TDN: When you say, 'the most serious threats to the industry,' I'm assuming you are talking about things like EPO, gene doping? AF: Yes. Not every one of the substances that's on the banned list would fit into that category. But I'm not a scientist, and I would hope that HISA, as it is doing right now with metformin, would take advantage of the RMTCs scientific advisory committee–which is an independent arm of the industry and comprised of the industry's best scientists–to undertake a review of the banned substances list to see if it would be possible to categorize them and then adjust the penalties accordingly. TDN: Have you seen any cases so far that have warranted a provisional suspension? AF: I don't want to discuss any particular cases, but I've seen instances where I feel that a provisional suspension would not have been appropriate. For example, with respect to the drugs of human substance abuse, all the early cases resulted in provisional suspensions, and that was unfair. But in response to industry concerns and criticism, the rules have been changed. We're still waiting for the FTC to approve them, but HISA's not applying provisional suspensions in those cases. Dirt hooves | Sarah Andrew I think there were other cases where contamination clearly was evident, as opposed to an intentional administration, where a provisional suspension, in my opinion, was not necessary. But you have to understand also that there is a wall between HISA and HIWU. HIWU is an independent enforcement agency whose responsibility is to enforce the rules that have been handed to them by HISA. So, when we get into situations where we find rules to be problematic, we have to advocate to HISA and to HIWU for change. And that's what we do. TDN: The wall that exists between HISA and HIWU leads to another key concern repeatedly raised by stakeholders: The perception that certain parties charged with an offense are being treated more leniently than others by virtue of their reputation and their connections. Do you share these concerns? AF: I have seen no evidence of that whatsoever. First of all, the system is transparent. If you peruse the rulings for controlled therapeutic substances, you'll see that they've been uniformly applied across the board. The system works very similarly to the pre-HISA enforcement mechanism. I have not seen any examples in the controlled area of favoritism of any kind. And that's one of the things the system was set up to avoid. A trainer might get favorable treatment in one jurisdiction as opposed to a trainer in another jurisdiction. It was supposed to be uniform. And I think that if you look at the rulings, they've been uniform. I think where that notion has arisen relates to the current review of metformin by HISA and the scientific community. But all they've done is pause enforcement of metformin cases. They've decided to take a step back and ask for a thorough scientific review. The RMTC scientific advisory committee will advise HISA of its conclusions. If the rules need to be adjusted, or that the enforcement process needs to be adjusted, it will be adjusted. But that's not an indication of favoritism. TDN: Just to be clear, it strongly appears that it took a metformin case against a George Weaver–someone very well respected in the industry–to prompt the sort of change we've seen in the modified enforcement approach to metformin. AF: I can't dispute that. Although my understanding is that recent scientific information was the reason why HISA determined to ask assistance from the scientific advisory committee. I can tell you as an advocate for horsemen and as ombudsman, when we hear or we see concerns about the rules themselves, or the application of the rules, it would be helpful, rather than us being the lone advocates, to get help from other stakeholders in the industry, many of whom were responsible for the creation of HISA and these rules, because they're the ones who react. When you have situations like the George Weaver case or the Mike Puype case in California, it's when it hits home that then they say, 'oh well, this isn't what we intended, or this isn't fair.' But where were they in these other cases for which we've been advocating, and where we've seen these concerns? To me, the industry needs to step forward. And if it feels that these cases are not being handled fairly, they need to step to the plate and say so. The post Alan Foreman Q And A Part 1: “I Share Concerns About Penalties Fitting The Crime” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Guy Lavender has been appointed the new chief executive officer of Cheltenham Racecourse, The Jockey Club announced on Wednesday. He will begin his new role early next year, working alongside Cheltenham managing director Ian Renton. The duo will coordinate the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, and Renton, who has served in his role since 2012, will remain involved at the racecourse in an advisory capacity at least through the event. Lavender was previously the CEO and secretary of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) since 2017 and since 2022 has been a committee member at Exeter Racecourse. Lavender said, “I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed as the next CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse and very much look forward to playing my part in the long-term success of the Racecourse and The Festival. “There is an excellent platform to build upon and whilst there will be much to learn I have a strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in racing through my tenure on the Committee at Exeter Racecourse. “Cheltenham is a great British sporting institution, and I am determined to ensure it goes from strength to strength.” Nevin Truesdale, group chief executive, The Jockey Club, added, “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to announce Guy Lavender as the new CEO of Cheltenham Racecourse. “Guy's deep and wide-ranging experience in sports events and administration will prove invaluable in his new role and should also ensure the continued advancement of the Home of Jump Racing and the Cheltenham Festival. “Ian Renton has overseen a period of huge change at Cheltenham Racecourse following the 2014-15 redevelopment, which he led, and we look forward to his continued contribution as he and Guy manage a smooth leadership transition at the beginning of 2025.” The post Guy Lavender Appointed New CEO Of Cheltenham Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There can't be many tracks that that deviate further from the standard American model than Goodwood. Even in Britain nobody today would dream of laying out a racecourse along a twisting ridge of downland, and we remain duly indebted to the militia officers who first eked out a little sport here 223 years ago. Not that the horses themselves share our appreciation for a gorgeous panorama of cornfields and woodland, focused as they are on keeping their balance over the swaying terrain and round sharp right-hand bends. Yet last week “dirt” blood once again proved far more potent than its marginal representation in Europe should allow. Thursday's card alone featured Group scores for Justify and Complexity, while lesser prizes fell to American Pharoah, Tamarkuz's half-brother Without Parole and a son of Scat Daddy. The Group winners each exemplified one the two principal conduits for a recent renewal of transatlantic exchange after an era of deplorable insularity. G2 Richmond Stakes scorer Black Forza (Complexity) had crossed the water thanks to the willingness of breeze-up pinhookers to roll the dice at American yearling sales; while the G1 Nassau S. success of Opera Singer (Justify) confirmed the European industry's debt to John Magnier for once again introducing some extraneous invigoration. Justify has quickly established that the prowess which proved equal to the iconic challenge of dirt racing can be adapted to the demands of Europe. But Complexity is another story again. Black Forza | Goodwood Racecourse As a GI Champagne Stakes/GII Kelso Handicap winner by Maclean's Music out of a Yes It's True mare, the Airdrie sensation could hardly be expected to extend his flying start to the European theater. But it's remarkable how readily Europeans shed their distrust of dirt brands once a horse has been introduced to their domestic market by a local pinhooker. That's presumably because the stopwatch is now so decisive at 2-year-old sales (“Oh, no, that's unfair–times are just one of the many factors we agents take into account yadda yadda yadda….”) that pedigrees have in that marketplace almost been neutralized. Breeze-up consignors know that if only they can demonstrate functionality, then European end-users will pay well for horses that would have made them run away screaming as yearlings. Black Forza was actually born the same day that his dam (with her ex utero bonus) changed hands for $50,000 at Fasig-Tipton in February 2022, and was sold as a weanling at Keeneland that November for $27,000. Tom Whitehead of Powerstown Stud then risked $65,000 for him at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale last year, and received due reward when Michael O'Callaghan paid £220,000 at the Goffs U.K. Breeze-Up Sale in April. In other words, starting literally at birth, he had been a “commodity” four times before he ever entered a starting gate. As colleague Brian Sheerin has told us, his emergence has meanwhile transformed the value of his dam Harlee Honey (Harlan's Holiday), picked out of a Fasig Digital Sale for just $11,000 last summer by Ashley Hillyard. The mare's half-sister California Nectar (Stormy Atlantic) won the GII Santa Ynez Stakes, while another sibling by Blame won an Ohio-bred stakes; and maybe some chlorophyll has percolated from her granddam, who was by that flexible influence Dixieland Band out of a half-sister to 1984 Epsom Derby winner Secreto. Complexity | Sarah Andrew But whatever her contribution, it's astounding for a $12,500 rookie like Complexity to have produced the winners of a keynote midsummer race for juveniles either side of the ocean, with Black Forza reciprocating Mo Plex in the GIII Sanford Stakes. This time last year, remember, Mo Plex was a $27,000 RNA in the New York catalogue at Saratoga, before selling for $45,000 at OBS in April. Setting the pace across all indices in the freshman table, it does look as though Complexity must be moving up his mares. His unraced dam is half-sister to a Grade II winner and has otherwise produced graded stakes winner Valadorna (Curlin) to run second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies; and the next dams were respectively Grade II-placed and an unraced half-sister to a dual Grade II winner. That's pretty solid for a family that has not been seeded too glamorously through recent generations. In a phrase I like borrowing from John Sikura, when a horse goes to stud “the genetic switch is either off or on.” But it's pretty rare that we find out as soon as this. Wouldn't it be something if that surreal race for the GI Forego Stakes in 2020 turned out to be the key stallion signpost of that miserable year? It was run through mud and torrential rain, before empty stands, and Complexity absorbed such brutal fractions that Win Win Win could pounce from the other side of Albany to get virtually his first call on the line. In the ring and in his first skirmishes on the track, Win Win Win has himself been doing things that should be beyond a $5,000 cover. There were plenty of horses putting themselves in line for much bigger fees that year, but Thoroughbreds will always keep us guessing. And long may that continue. High and Low Points in Grace's Journey Into Mischief has been a lock to retain his title ever since Laurel River loaded up his saddlebags early in the year, but the Spendthrift phenomenon would by now top the standings even without that help. Of course, he does have quantity to match his quality. That's increasingly less true of deposed champion Tapit, who must be duly saluted for producing his 32nd elite winner in Arthur's Ride. At 23, Tapit is being managed by the Gainesway team with all the veneration he has earned. Already last year he was restricted to precisely 100 mares and so far in 2024 he has fielded barely a third of the cavalry started by Into Mischief. Arthur's Ride | Sarah Andrew Arthur's Ride is out Points of Grace (Point Given), who won the GII Dance Smartly Stakes for Live Oak, also breeder of her first few foals. But she was sold for just $30,000 as a 10-year-old, signed for by Mersad Metanovic at the 2015 Keeneland November Sale, in foal to none other than the emerging Into Mischief. At least Live Oak had retained her 2014 daughter by Exchange Rate, who proceeded to renew her dam's value with a big Canadian success of her own in the GI Natalma Stakes. An interval of a couple of years in her production record suggests that the new owners of Points of Grace may have endured one or two misfortunes, but Helen and Joseph Barbazon then managed to breed a stakes-placed filly by Treasure Beach (GB), which rare distinction appears to have warranted some more ambitious covers down the line. Her next foal, an Arrogate filly foaled in 2019, ignited her sire's posthumous success as his first stakes winner (actually on turf, emulating her dam) at Gulfstream on the first day of 2020. That earned Points of Grace the first of two consecutive appointments with Tapit, respectively producing a colt and a filly. Both have ended up in the Glassman Racing Stable. Donato Lanni signed a $250,000 docket for the colt at the 2021 September Sale. Named for Karl Glassman's late father, he has required plenty of patience but Arthur's Ride has finally put it all together round a second turn at the Spa this summer, winning no less a race than the GI Whitney on his stakes debut. His sophomore sister, again co-bred by the Barbazons with the Tapit Syndicate, cost Glassman Racing twice as much ($525,000) when taking her turn through the September Sale. She broke her maiden at the seventh attempt at Horseshoe Indianapolis last month, but turns out to have been aptly named as Genetics. Even as it was, Points of Grace is a half-sister to Fatefully (Private Account), a dual Listed winner in England whose stakes performers/producers are headed by G1 Nassau S. winner Favourable Terms (GB) (Selkirk). And now Genetics has a second Grade I-winning sibling to boost her residual value. Now 19, Points of Grace this spring dignified the debut book of Verifying, Midnight Bisou's half-brother by Justify, new to the roster at her owners' Pleasant Acres Farm. Incentive Strengthens Blue Hen Credentials As lately illustrated by the dams of Nakatomi (Firing Line) and Black Forza, respectively discarded for $2,000 and $11,000, the breeding stock market can yield some pretty anguished remorse. But sometimes everyone can be a winner. It would be hard, for instance, to complain of banking “only” $2.15 million for the dam of Highly Motivated (Into Mischief) at Fasig-Tipton last fall–especially as she appears to have been nearly culled a few years previously, and before that even broke her maiden under a tag. Yet purchaser Alpha Delta Stable has meanwhile celebrated the elevation of Strong Incentive (Warrior's Reward) as already–at just 12–one of the most significant broodmares in the Bluegrass. Ways and Means | Tod Marks Within a month of her sale, Strong Incentive's son Surge Capacity (Flintshire {GB}) made a Grade I breakout in Matriarch Stakes. And now her next foal, Ways and Means (Practical Joke), already runner-up in the Spinaway Stakes last year, has achieved an elite success of her own in the Test Stakes. The Kentucky Derby was the only Grade I race ever contested by Highly Motivated himself. But he ran champion Essential Quality to a neck in the GII Blue Grass Stakes, and may well be playing the Dansili (GB) role here. (That horse was probably the most talented foal out of Hasili (Ire) (Kahyasi {Ire}) despite never emulating the elite scores of four siblings.) Regardless, her record with four named foals leaves the Alpha Delta team an enviable commercial dilemma over the Good Magic filly delivered by Strong Incentive a few weeks after her arrival. I'm always intrigued by how many of the most expensive mares at breeding stock sales are by stallions that would never be remotely entertained by the big programs at the yearling sales. Strong Incentive's sire, nowadays standing at $3,500 in Pennsylvania, is a case in point. But other daughters of Warrior's Reward have produced GI Champagne Stakes winner Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) and Super Chow (Lord Nelson). (Incidentally the latter, a triple graded stakes scorer this year, has a remarkable pedigree: his second dam is a full sister of his sire's granddam.) Though never favored by high-class mares, perhaps Warrior's Reward as a distaff influence is filtering some of the blood that nourished an ocean of black type under third dam Quilloquick (Graustark). Of course, it's not just Strong Incentive whose value has increased since her sale. Highly Motivated is now looking a pretty outsized genetic package at just $7,500 and, as his neighbor Complexity is showing, he could not be in better hands to seize his opportunity. The post Breeding Digest: Overcoming the Dirt Complex appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A consultation paper covering the state of New Zealand jumps racing was issued by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR), and industry participants and racegoers are all being given a chance to decide the beleaguered sport's future, the New Zealand Herald reported earlier this week. The NZTR is asking for feedback from any interested parties on whether the sport should continue differently or be wound down over the next few seasons. Participation in the sport has halved across most metrics in New Zealand when compared to just 10 years ago. One of the main concerns is a growing jockey shortage. “Jumps racing in New Zealand is at a crossroads and as an industry, we now need to decide what path we should take,” NZTR chief executive Bruce Sharrock told the New Zealand Herald. “Unfortunately, the economic reality means doing nothing is not an option. “We are asking participants to carefully read the document, understand the situation we are currently facing, and ultimately provide feedback on their preferred option. “We are going into this with an open mind and we want to hear from people who care. Now is your chance so I hope people take that opportunity.” Opportunities for the public to provide valuable feedback lasts until Sept. 6 on the New Zealand Racing website. A decision will likely be released on Halloween. The post Future Of New Zealand Jumps Racing Up In The Air, As Consultation Paper Issued appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Move To Strike powers to the line to capture the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images PN Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are excited for what spring has instore for their premiership-winning team, with several of their stars stepping out at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday. One of those stars is Group One winner Move To Strike, who finished runner-up by a head to Alabama Lass in their 900m heat, showing he has lost none of the brilliance he showed as a juvenile when winning the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham in April. “He’s a lovely colt that we always thought was going to be better as a three-year-old, and he is developing into a lovely horse,” Bergerson said. “He looks magnificent and is coming up well. “Opie (Bosson, jockey) was really taken with his trial, and we plan to trial him again on 21 August at Taupo, ahead of resuming in the El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on the 7th of September at Hastings.” Stablemate Captured By Love was third behind Move To Strike in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce to cap a pleasing two-year-old term, which included victories in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), Group 3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), Group 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and placing in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). She also made her first public appearance of the season at Te Rapa on Tuesday where she wasn’t asked too much in her 900m heat, which was taken out by Group One winner Velocious. “She had a really good blow and Opie said she’ll certainly improve for the trial,” Bergerson said. “She’ll go to Taupo for the Group and Listed trial over 1100m on August 21 and then onto the Gold Trail Stakes (Group 3, 1200m) at Hastings.” Bergerson was also rapt with the trial performance of Group One winner Romancing The Moon, who was runner-up to multiple Group One winner Legarto in their 900m heat. “She seems to be coming up well and is still loving her racing,” Bergerson said. “She’s a tough, gritty mare and has always been very competitive in her style of racing. “It was certainly no disgrace being run down by Legarto, who trialled super, but Wiremu (Pinn, jockey) was really happy with Romancing The Moon, and she’ll probably now go to the midweek trial before the races at Taupo.” Horse racing news View the full article

Bridget Woodsford was all smiles after recording her first win as a trainer at Riccarton on Wednesday. Photo: Race Images South It’s been a week to remember for the Woodsford family. Family patriarch Steven Woodsford tasted success at Riccarton last Saturday with Street Fightin Man, and on Wednesday his daughter Bridget followed suit when recording her first win as a trainer courtesy of Blue Bay on the Riccarton Synthetic. Blue Bay had finished runner-up first-up on the surface last month and Woodsford was confident her mare could go one better at the midweek meeting. “It was a big confidence boost when she ran second,” Woodsford said. “I thought she was going to go alright, she pulled up well after that last race and had been working well this week, so I had a bit of hope in her that she was going to go alright.” Formerly trained in Cambridge by Tony Pike, Blue Bay had three placings from 11 starts in the north before she was offered on gavelhouse.com where Woodsford secured her with a final bid of $3,500. “She looked like a nice type so we thought we would give her a go,” she said. The daughter of Preferment has proven to be a bargain buy, nearly recouping her purchase price in her first start for Woodsford, who is now well in the green after picking up $11,200 for Wednesday’s triumph. Both of Blue Bay’s southern starts have been on Riccarton’s synthetic, and Woodsford said she elected to try her mare on the surface after seeing she had performed well on Cambridge’s polytrack at the trials. “She had a trial up north on it and she had won, so I thought we would give her a go down here and see what she thinks of it,” she said. Woodsford shares in the ownership of Blue Bay with Sanjay Balloo and Vikash Pothanna, both of whom she met through her partner, jockey Akshay Balloo. “My partner’s uncle shares in the ownership as well as Vikash, who is a friend through Akshay,” she said. Balloo was aboard runner-up Iff I Get Paaid, and Woodsford said she is glad to have the bragging rights in the relationship for the next wee while. The 29-year-old horsewoman has had a lifelong involvement with racing, and has spent time working in both thoroughbred and harness racing stables, and is now enjoying making her own mark as a trainer. “My Dad is a trainer, so I grew up with the horses,” she said. “I had ponies when I was young and then I eventually moved on to helping out with the racehorses. “When I was 18, I started to work for Tarsh and Michael Stokes. I was with them for five years and then I went to the trotting side for a couple of years and worked for Andrew Stuart. I then went back to Dad’s and started to help him out and last year I thought I would give it a go myself. “I have got two in work at the moment and I am really enjoying it. I am still working full-time, so I am enjoying working them around that.” Horse racing news View the full article

Russell McKay with Spartan and Tegan Newman after winning the Ripple Creek Equine Polytrack $100,000 (1200m) at Riccarton Park Synthetic. Photo: Race Images South A classy field of synthetic specialists assembled at Riccarton Park in search of the rich spoils on offer in the inaugural Ripple Creek Equine Polytrack $100,000 (1200m), but the glory went the way of local trainers Russell McKay and Ashley Harrington with Spartan. A winner of his maiden on the synthetic early last year, Spartan had proven himself in strong company on turf over the summer and was targeted at the feature back in May, with the father-daughter training partnership electing to run him in a fresh state. Plenty of talent had travelled south from the Central Districts, including $4.20 race-favourite Kana, who looked a big danger after a convincing win on the course a fortnight ago. Spartan also had plenty of support late in the market closing at $6.70 with horse racing bookmakers and jockey Tegan Newman showed intent early from the extreme outside barrier, pushing forward to take the lead over Showbastian Coe and Motiontime. Finding a powerful kick off the home turn, Spartan kept finding down the straight and was too strong for a fast-finishing Kana with the final margin a half-length, while Miss Nico Belle was game into third. Newman was full of praise for the imposing five-year-old, indicating the best is still yet to come. “That’s a massive buzz,” she said. “I’ve always said it’s quite scary, he’s got the ability there, but he just doesn’t know how fast he is yet. He’s just a big baby. “Today, that was phenomenal. He’s come from the outside barrier and he still had more at the line too which is the exciting thing about him. “He was a little bit slow away, he’s normally quite quick but it ended up working out because the speed to my inner ended up pulling back. “They’ve (McKay and Harrington) been so loyal to me and they’re such good people to ride for, so to get a win like that is a really good feeling.” Harrington was equally delighted, particularly for McKay who she joined in partnership at the beginning of the 2020/21 season. “He (Spartan) did so well, we had a plan to go forward and it all worked out,” she said. “He didn’t jump the gates that well, but when he hit the ground, he hit the ground running and they let him away with it. He tries so hard and Tegan loves him just as much as we do. “Dad works so hard and he’s been doing it for so many years so to have a good horse like this is pretty cool.” Horse racing news View the full article

Just two days prior to the second hearing of the inquiry into the proposed sale of Rosehill Racecourse, independent NSW MP Mark Latham called for the resignation of Racing NSW CEO Peter V'Landys during a private member's statement in the upper house on Wednesday, TTR AusNZ reported. V'landys is set to attend the hearing at New South Wales Parliament on Friday, as will other high profile attendees like trainer Chris Waller. Latham's accusations were due to issues of “nepotism, regulatory abuse, and a lack of financial accountability” revealed during a parliamentary inquiry into the proposed development of Rosehill Racecourse. He also described the working environment at Racing NSW, as “a toxic workplace plagued by intimidation, favouritism, electronic surveillance, and constant decision-making and interference by the CEO.” “Megalomania is a dreadful thing, and it's really ruining the NSW racing industry,” Latham stated. “For the sake of a sport I dearly love, I believe V'landys should resign and hand over to someone with the best interests of racing in mind, rather than the relentless pursuit of toxic power.” “Evidence has been presented to the committee that the worst of this dictatorial behavior is V'landys' persistent interference in steward inquiries,” Latham said. “I'm shocked to learn that the CEO intervenes in active inquiries to benefit his favorite licensed individuals and punish those who are either powerless or refuse to toe the V'landys line.” Latham's comments were answered by V'Landys and reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. The NSW CEO insisted that there was no evidence to support Latham's claims and accused breeders of leading the charge against him. “There is no doubt Mr Latham is running an agenda for some very wealthy breeders who don't wish to be held to account for animal welfare,” V'landys said. “They have at all times resisted having their horses traced from birth to retirement. They are attempting a smear campaign on steroids. “I challenge Mr. Latham to say all these things outside parliament and produce some evidence because there is none. Anyone can say anything in coward's castle. Because everything he is saying is completely and utterly rubbish.” The post NSW MP Mark Latham Calls For Peter V’Landys Resignation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, and the deadline to register is Friday, Aug. 9. The charity fundraiser features participants following a route along the South West Coast Path beginning at Durdle Door and finish in Swanage. The route covers 20 miles and 1,443 metres of ascent. Open to teams and individuals, this is a fully guided challenge from event partner Large Outdoors. Registration on the day of the event will open at 5:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to complete the trek by sunset that day, with a post-event celebration held after completion of the course. There is a £39 registration fee per person, and a £300 sponsorship target for each participant. To register and find out more about the challenge, please visit the Racing Welfare website. The post Racing Welfare Jurassic Coast Challenge Set For Sept. 29 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A galaxy of well-bred potential stars featured in the release of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 catalogue on Wednesday, headed by the Frankel sister to Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista, which had already been announced last week. The Book 1 catalogue boats 21 yearlings by Dubawi, 25 Frankels, 26 Kingmans, 29 Lope De Vegas while fellow top-notchers Sea The Stars [22], Siyouni [10] and Wootton Bassett [23] are similarly well-represented. The catalogue features own or half-brothers and sisters to 45 Classic and Group 1 winners and 219 Group/Listed winners. Frankel earned a second Champion sire title in 2023 and has a typically high-class collection of yearlings catalogued, led by that sister to the Arc and six-time Group 1 winner Alpinista. She will be joined by the own brother to dual Classic winner Hurricane Lane and colts out of Classic and Group/Grade 1 winners Beauty Parlour, Blond Me, Pretty Pollyanna, Seal Of Approval and Urban Fox. It wouldn't be Book 1 with a big offering for Dubawi, and the Daddy of Dalham Hall Stud has a number of big-ticket yearlings catalogued, with colts out of big-name mares Glass Slippers, Lady Bowthorpe, Loving Dream and Snow Lantern among his representatives. Regally bred fillies catalogued by Dubawi include half-sisters to the multiple Group/Grade 1 winners Rizeena and Uni, as well as daughters of the Group 2 winner Waldlied, the half-sister to Arc winner and European Champion Waldgeist and more. Tattersalls Chairman Edmond Mahony said, “There is a simple reason that Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale holds its status as Europe's premier yearling sale and that is because year after year it produces the highest percentage of superior racehorses of any European yearling sale. It is a sale that produces stallions and breed shaping broodmares like no other and the 2024 catalogue has the abundance of Europe's finest yearlings that the leading buyers from throughout the world have come to expect. “The combination of the best British and Irish yearlings and the hugely rewarding £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonuses available to every Book 1 yearling is a compelling package and the catalogue for Book 1 of the 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale truly lives up to the sale's unrivalled position as Europe's premier yearling sale.” Well over a third of the yearlings catalogued are by the top 10 sires currently standing in Europe and devotees of first-season sires are also well catered for with a strong cohort of freshmen represented including Group 1 winners Lucky Vega, Palace Pier, Space Blues, Starman, St Mark's Basilica and Supremacy. The largest draft comes from last year's leading consignor Newsells Park Stud who will offer 27 yearlings, followed by the Castlebridge Consignment with 22 and Baroda Stud who have 19 lots catalogued. Participating owners will receive a £25,000 bonus if their 2024 October Book 1 purchase wins a Class 2, 3 or 4 two-year-old maiden or novice race in Britain run between 29 March 2025 and 8 November 2025 or any open two-year-old maiden run in Ireland between 16 March 2025 and 2 November 2025. The cost to enter the £25,000 Tattersalls October 'Book 1 Bonus' Scheme will be a single payment of £2,000 and the number of qualifying British and Irish two-year-old maiden and novice races is greater than 300. The catalogue is online now at www.tattersalls.com and will be available from Tattersalls and Tattersalls representatives from Wednesday, 21st August. The post Sister To Alpinista Heads Galaxy Of Well-Bred Tattersalls Book 1 Yearlings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here is the single such horse entered for Thursday at Saratoga and Del Mar: Thursday, August 8, 2024 Saratoga 1, $90k, 2yo, f, (S), 6 1/2f, 1:10 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Lady Wisdom (Solomini), OBSMAR, 75,000, :10 2/5 C-Silvestre Chavez Thoroughbreds, agt; B-Joe Brocklebank, agt Saratoga 6, $100k, 2yo, f, 5 1/2fT, 4:02 p.m. ET I'mwishiningonastar (Maximus Mischief), OBSMAR, 150,000, :9 4/5 C-Omar Ramirez Bloodstock, agent; B-Laura Barrish Mean Eileen (Twirling Candy), OBSMAR, 50,000, :10 3/5 C-Richardson Bloodstock; B-Joe Sharp, agent Radio Goo Goo (Twirling Candy), OBSAPR, 95,000, :10 C-Wavertree Stable Inc (C Dunne), agent; B-Upland Flats Racing Soul Secret (Seeking the Soul), OBSMAR, 60,000, :10 1/5 C-Kinsman Farm, agent; B-Tonja Terranova, agt Curragh Stables Del Mar 5, $75k, 2yo, f, (S), 5fT, 7:00 p.m. ET Nell's Legacy (Ghostzapper), OBSAPR, 325,000, :10 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-George Papaprodromou, agent The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: August 8, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A majority share in French 2000 Guineas hero Metropolitan (Fr)'s stallion rights has been purchased by Haras d'Etreham, the stud announced on Wednesday. The 3-year-old will stand alongside Almanzor (Fr), City Light (Fr), Hello Youmzain (Fr), Onesto (Ire), Persian King (Ire), and Victor Ludorum upon retirement. Bred by Stuart McPhee and raced by Peter Bradley and Scuderia Scolari, the son of Zarak (Fr) was unbeaten in a pair of juvenile starts, and won the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains second up in May. Third in the G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Mario Baratti trainee is gearing up for a start in Sunday's G1 Prix du Jacques le Marois. He was a €78,000 Arqana October yearling purchase by Alessandro Marconi from Clairefontaine. Haras d'Etreham's Nicolas de Chambure said, “We are delighted to be associated with the future stallion career of this horse with a very interesting profile and to ensure his retirement in France. In addition to his flawless conformation, Metropolitan is a son of Zarak who is extremely successful at stud. His outcross pedigree represents another major asset for the French stallion ranks and a real opportunity for breeders to widen their choice of crosses. In only five outings, he has already demonstrated his precocity, speed and quality at the highest level and he undoubtedly still has plenty of margin for improvement. “We would like to express our thanks to his owners, Peter Bradley and Hrand and Monique Aladjian, as well as his trainer Mario Baratti, and Alesandro Marconi for opening the doors to his future stallion career and we look forward to Metropolitan's next races, starting with the Jacques Le Marois on Sunday.” The fourth foal out of Alianza (GB) (Halling), Metropolitan is from the same family as G3 Norfolk Stakes winner and G1 Prix Morny second Warm Heart (Diesis {GB}), and fellow black-type scorers Miquel Cervantes (Danzig) and Royal Tigress (Storm Cat). “Metropolitan is a dream come true,” said Peter Bradley. “I cannot thank Hrand and Monique enough for letting my team be a part of this journey. To win a French Classic and then to know that Metropolitan's stud career will continue at the finest stallion station in France is nothing short of magnifique.” The post Metropolitan To Stand At Haras d’Etreham Upon Retirement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Adam Hyeronimus had Storm Boy in splendid isolation when claiming the Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Photo: Darren Winningham Tulloch Lodge has unveiled the spring campaigns for two of their standout horses, Storm Boy and Lady Of Camelot. Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are targeting the Melbourne Spring Carnival with the pair. Lady Of Camelot is set to kick off her campaign aimed at The Everest (1200m) in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley next month. Meanwhile, Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) winner Storm Boy will start in the Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 14, with the goal of competing in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m). Both horses trialed at Randwick on Monday, with Storm Boy emerging victorious and Lady Of Camelot finishing runner-up over 850 metres. “I think he’s more a miler and I think you’ll see him really come to hand over a mile,” Waterhouse said of Storm Boy. “Firstly, there will be the Golden Rose, and then he’ll come down. “If you want to make a stallion, you have to come to the Caulfield Guineas, that and the Coolmore Stud Stakes (up the straight) and the Golden Rose, they’re the stallion making races, for the sprinter and the middle-distance colts.” On Lady Of Camelot, Waterhouse added: “We’ll get her fit in Sydney first before we bring her down. She had her first trial at Randwick and we’ll give her another trial and then we’ll bring her down. I would love her in The Everest and (owner) Sir Owen (Glenn) would love her there too.” Horse racing news View the full article

Sale Turf Clib is set to host Victoria’s first Inglis Xtra Bonus. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) The first Victorian race to feature in the new $5 million Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series takes place at Sale on Thursday, August 22, when the 3YO Maiden Plate (1100m) will carry a $100,000 bonus for eligible horses. The national series will see a total of 50 maiden races throughout the 2024-25 season carry the lucrative $100,000 bonus. Provided the winning horse is an Inglis graduate and fully paid up for the Inglis Race Series, connections will be entitled to benefit from the bonus in addition to the winner’s cheque (and any VOBIS bonuses). Sale stages the first of nine Inglis Xtra Bonus races held across Victoria this calendar year, with Benalla (September 3) and Cranbourne (September 19) taking over hosting duties before the 3YO Maiden Plate (1200m) at the Moonee Valley metropolitan meeting on Saturday, October 4 carries the incentive. The programs for the Country Cup Racedays at Moe (October 18), Bendigo (October 30), Donald (November 17) and Werribee (December 8) have all been enhanced with the introduction of an Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden, with Seymour providing some pre-Christmas cheer when the club hosts the ninth and final bonus race of 2024 on Thursday, December 19. In total, there will be 23 races in the Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series held across Victoria during the 2024-25 season. “We are delighted to partner with Inglis in their Xtra Bonus Maiden Series, which offers huge rewards to the winners of 23 Victorian Maiden races this season,” said Matt Welsh, Racing Victoria’s (RV) Executive General Manager – Racing. “The announcement builds on our existing Sportsbet Future Stars Series, which is the country’s richest series for Maiden horses and seeks to reward connections at the very start of their ownership journey. “When taking into account any additional VOBIS bonuses, these rich Inglis Xtra Bonus Maidens will be worth more to the winner than most Saturday metropolitan races, so there is now a major incentive for all owners and trainers to target the heats of the new Inglis series in Victoria.” Inglis Bloodstock CEO, Sebastian Hutch, said the series was “an opportunity for clients to win more prizemoney, more often’’. “The hardest race for a horse to win is their Maiden, so we wanted to give every buyer and owner of an Inglis graduate the opportunity to win extraordinary prizemoney at the entry level of racing,’’ he added. “There will effectively be one Maiden a week on average nationally, at different venues, over different distances ranging from 900m to 2000m, giving so many of our clients regular chances to win significant money. “If you look at the Sale race carrying the bonus as an example, if the winner of that race meets the criteria of the Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series, the winning prizemoney will be boosted to $120,625. That’s more than the winning purse for most races throughout the world, so it really does represent an incredible opportunity for owners with Inglis Race Series-eligible horses. “To put it into further context, only two per cent of races run in Australia last season saw the winners take home $100,000 or more, so it’s an enormous carrot for owners of eligible horses and we expect the designated Maidens to be targeted and bonuses to be won regularly through the 2024-25 season and beyond.’’ It is worth noting that the race at Sale also carries VOBIS Silver and Gold bonuses, therefore if the winning horse is eligible to receive them the total collect would be increased to $143,025, with an additional $30,000 in VOBIS Platinum vouchers also on offer. RV will advise of the dates and locations of the 14 Inglis Xtra Bonus Maiden Series races programmed in 2025 in due course. Horse racing news View the full article

Happily for Darwin Turf Club chief executive officer Grant Dewsbury, the positives outweighed the negatives during the 2024 Darwin Cup Carnival. The eight days of racing, which started on July 6, concluded on Monday with Cup Day at Fannie Bay. The Peter Robl-trained six-year-old gelding Hadouken from the Gold Coast, ridden by leading Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller, won the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m). A decision was made by the DTC not to utilise the infield this year – it traditionally accommodates the corporates and general public. The Gala Ball returned to Mindil Beach Casino Resort, and Dewsbury couldn’t hide his delight in regards to field numbers on race days. “Very pleased with the local turn out this year, it was a busy Cup Day,” he said. “With the numbers we were expecting this year, it didn’t warrant opening the centre field at additional cost. “Physical prudency dictated that we could fit them on the grandstand side of the track. “I think that moving the corporates from centre field to our paddock area worked. “They all want to be back on that side of the racetrack. “It gives us an opportunity to create a real general admission festival type atmosphere in centre field.” Up to 20,000 patrons normally flock to Fannie Bay on Cup Day, but this year some 9,000 patrons flowed through the gates. A number of factors, including exorbitant flight tickets and interest rates, contributed to the smaller crowd. “We’re ready to go when crowds come back and it’s easier to get to Darwin,” Dewsbury said. “The racing was clearly the winner this year. “We had more nominations, more acceptances, more runners than we had the year prior. “It was pleasing to see full fields of 12 on race days.” According to Dewsbury, the Gala Ball held on Saturday night on Palmerston Sprint Day was the highlight. “The last time we had the Ball at the Casino was 2019,” he said. “It was Covid in 2020, so the Ball took place at the Turf Club with 400-500 people. “After Covid, we just continued with that model. “Last year’s Ball was in centre field for the first time and with us not opening centre field this year it dictated that we needed to take it off site. “We couldn’t have done it on the grandstand side of the racetrack. “We started speaking with the Casino earlier in the year, it’s a spectacular location and it’s pleasing to see the Ball back at the Casino. “Racing is the headline act, but the support acts like the entertainment and what we do outside the racing product is attractive to a lot of our patrons, so we need to get that right going forward.” The fall suffered by visiting Ballarat jockey Thomas Doyle on Day 2 of the Carnival was one of the rare negative moments according to Dewsbury. Doyle was hospitalised for a heavy bout of concussion – he also had two minor bleeds on the brain. “Thomas seems to be recovering, it would have been great to have him ride throughout Carnival,” Dewsbury said. Horse racing news View the full article

The annual dispersal of Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud is set to be a highlight of the Tattersalls Online August Sale when it takes place on August 14-15. The full catalogue will be published on Thursday, August 8. The dispersal comprises of eight lots and is headed by the Grade 1 winner Beacon Edge (Ire) (Doyen {Ire}), who was most recently seen finishing fourth in a Listed handicap hurdle at last week's Galway Festival. He gained his sole victory at the top level when winning the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in November 2021, while last season he showed he was still no back number at the age of 10 when filling the runner-up spot in the G2 Boyne Hurdle at Navan. Another highlight of the draft is the winner of last month's Listed Midlands National Handicap Chase, Idas Boy (Ire) (Dubai Destination), along with fellow staying chasers Flanking Maneuver (Ire) (Beat Hollow {GB}) and Frontal Assault (Ire) (Presenting {GB}), who finished third and fourteenth, respectively, in last week's Galway Blazers Handicap Chase. Flanking Maneuver was Grade 2-placed as a novice for Noel Meade, while Frontal Assault produced one of his best efforts when finishing second in the 2022 Irish Grand National. The post Gigginstown Annual Dispersal Confirmed for Tattersalls Online August Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has published its fixture list for 2025, which, with 1,460 fixtures throughout the year, sees a reduction of eight meetings from those scheduled for 2024. Premier Racedays will receive an extra 10% in prize-money for next year, which is the second of a two-year trial launched in January 2024 in a bid to to “enhance the quality and competitiveness of [British] racing, increase customer engagement and improve the financial returns to those who own, train and run their horses here in Britain” as part of the BHA's long-term strategy. “We are just seven months into the trial, and it was at an even earlier stage when the principles of the fixture list were agreed,” said the BHA's director of racing Richard Wayman. “As such, there were no plans to fundamentally alter anything for 2025, given how short a period this has been in terms of accurately assessing the performance of the changes. “The volume of fixtures and races remains largely consistent with last year, but the race programme will fluctuate as more agile planning allows us to better tailor supply to the needs of the horse population – ensuring sufficient opportunities for connections to run their horses. We have also published the fixture list much sooner this year, which will support earlier production of the Programme Book. We hope this will help field sizes in early 2025 by giving connections more time to plan their campaigns.” There was an obligatory increase in prize-money for racecourses wishing to stage Premier Racedays, of which there are set to be 165 this year. That theme will continue into next year, with prize-money levels set to increase by a further 10% for the 162 Premier fixtures in 2025. “Having increased the minimum prize-money criteria for Premier Racedays, we did expect to see a contraction in the overall number, but while some meetings have returned to core status, others have met the new thresholds. Hopefully this extra prize-money will be welcome news, as will the strengthened offering on a Sunday,” Wayman continued. “The Commercial Committee did discuss whether the number of Premier Racedays should be restricted by other means. However, there was a strong consensus that the two-year trial should be allowed to play out before significant changes are introduced.” In a bid to give a break to the busiest Flat jockeys, there will be eight days with no Flat meetings scheduled from directly after the November Handicap meeting at the end of the turf season. Similarly, there will be a 19-day break in the summer with no National Hunt fixtures. “We are acutely aware of the impact of the demands that the fixture list places on the many involved in servicing it and know that more progress is necessary in this area in the future,” said Wayman. For 2024, the number of fixtures overall dropped by 20 from the 1,488 scheduled in the two previous years, which had in turn come down from 1,511 in 2019. However, there was a marked shift towards evening slots, partly through the introduction of a trial of Sunday evening racing through the winter months and through some Saturday fixtures being moved to a later slot from outside the 'protected' window of only three fixtures on Saturday afternoons. The number of evening fixtures in 2024 has increased by 29 to 452, while afternoon meetings dropped from 1,065 to 1,106. In 2025 the balance will be adjusted slightly once more and there will be 13 fewer evening fixtures, which place extra pressure on participants. Wayman added, “Staging Flat racing under floodlights on an almost nightly basis through the winter means that those standalone meetings will generate higher financial returns than if they are scheduled alongside Jump fixtures in the afternoon. It has to be recognised, however, that this comes at a cost for those regularly servicing these meetings. The sport will need to consider whether the current approach is sustainable or if there is an alternative way forward that, in the round, would provide a better outcome.” The post Funding Boost for Premier Racing as BHA Publishes 2025 Fixture List appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes winner Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) may have danced his last dance, according to trainer Richard Hannon, who says the star miler has “nothing to prove”. Rosallion was a last minute withdrawal from the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and Hannon admitted to being unsure whether the horse would be seen on a racecourse again when asked about the colt's next target. Speaking to The Sun, the trainer said, “I'm pretty certain Paris will come too quickly for Rosallion. He looks great, but we are just giving him time to get over everything. “There are targets for him in the winter, but by then you are getting into soft ground and as we know he is fast ground dependent. “He has nothing to prove and he has been an amazing horse for us this season winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes.” Hannon has sent out just two winners from his past 54 runners and also withdrew Shouldhavebeenaring out of the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Sunday. Speaking of the overall health of the stable, he commented, “A few haven't scoped well, but you get that every year at this time of the year. The horses generally ran well at big prices at Goodwood last week. “Unfortunately it happened to be two good horses that had bad scopes and we don't want to take any chances. “It was a hard decision to make with Rosallion. He was odds-on for a million quid race, but it could turn out to be the best decision I'll make.” The post ‘He’s Nothing To Prove’ – Star Miler Rosallion Nowhere Near A Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Chris Waller saw some positive signs in Manzoice’s (NZ) (Almanzor) first preparation as a gelding and he remains hopeful the Victoria Derby winning son of Almanzor can continue to build on that this spring. The 2022 classic victor will be the first of Waller’s Group One brigade to kick off their season when he resumes in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday. Most of the stable’s big guns, including Fangirl and Via Sistina, will return on Winx Stakes day on August 24, but being a stayer, Waller says Manzoice needs to be getting his campaign underway sooner. “He will be the first of our spring runners,” Waller said. “The stayers, you’ve got to get them up and going early. “They will go there (on Saturday) and then to another race in two or three weeks’ time, like a Wyong Cup (Listed, 2100m), then you’re just about at the Metropolitan (Gr.1, 2400m).” Manzoice was a brilliant winner of the 2022 Victoria Derby (2500m) but failed to rediscover that form in his next six starts. Connections made the decision to geld him last summer, and while he mixed his performances at his next preparation, he wasn’t beaten far in a brace of Listed middle-distance races and managed a runner-up finish behind Post Impressionist in the Gr.3 N E Manion Cup (2400m). Waller has been happy with the five-year-old’s progression this time in, and his two recent barrier trials. “He has shown glimpses of form,” he said. “He’s first-up over 1800 metres but in his trials, we have been trying to ride him a bit closer. “He’s a lovely horse. He shows us a lot more at home, but if you’ve won a Derby, you don’t just lose it completely. “We’ve still got hope that he can come back, and he will head towards a Metropolitan.” View the full article

A classy field of synthetic specialists assembled at Riccarton Park in search of the rich spoils on offer in the inaugural Ripple Creek Equine Polytrack $100,000 (1200m), but the glory went the way of local trainers Russell McKay and Ashley Harrington with Spartan(NZ) (War Decree). A winner of his maiden on the synthetic early last year, Spartan had proven himself in strong company on turf over the summer and was targeted at the feature back in May, with the father-daughter training partnership electing to run him in a fresh state. Plenty of talent had travelled south from the Central Districts, including $4.20 race-favourite Kana, who looked a big danger after a convincing win on the course a fortnight ago. Spartan also had plenty of support late in the market closing at $6.70 and jockey Tegan Newman showed intent early from the extreme outside barrier, pushing forward to take the lead over Showbastian Coe and Motiontime. Finding a powerful kick off the home turn, Spartan kept finding down the straight and was too strong for a fast-finishing Kana with the final margin a half-length, while Miss Nico Belle was game into third. Newman was full of praise for the imposing five-year-old, indicating the best is still yet to come. “That’s a massive buzz,” she said. “I’ve always said it’s quite scary, he’s got the ability there, but he just doesn’t know how fast he is yet. He’s just a big baby. “Today, that was phenomenal. He’s come from the outside barrier and he still had more at the line too which is the exciting thing about him. “He was a little bit slow away, he’s normally quite quick but it ended up working out because the speed to my inner ended up pulling back. “They’ve (McKay and Harrington) been so loyal to me and they’re such good people to ride for, so to get a win like that is a really good feeling.” Harrington was equally delighted, particularly for McKay who she joined in partnership at the beginning of the 2020/21 season. “He (Spartan) did so well, we had a plan to go forward and it all worked out,” she said. “He didn’t jump the gates that well, but when he hit the ground, he hit the ground running and they let him away with it. He tries so hard and Tegan loves him just as much as we do. “Dad works so hard and he’s been doing it for so many years so to have a good horse like this is pretty cool.” The pair are among the ownership group of the son of War Decree, who has now earned more than $158,000 in stakes with four wins from 16 starts. His Falkirk dam, Sweet Revenge, also produced seven-race winner Sea Shepherd. View the full article

It’s been a week to remember for the Woodsford family. Family patriarch Steven Woodsford tasted success at Riccarton last Saturday with Street Fightin Man(NZ)(Pure Champion), and on Wednesday his daughter Bridget followed suit when recording her first win as a trainer courtesy of Blue Bay(NZ)(Preferment) in the 3F At West Fitzroy Apartments Maiden (1600m) on the Riccarton Synthetic. Blue Bay had finished runner-up first-up on the surface last month and Woodsford was confident her mare could go one better at the midweek meeting. “It was a big confidence boost when she ran second,” Woodsford said. “I thought she was going to go alright, she pulled up well after that last race and had been working well this week, so I had a bit of hope in her that she was going to go alright.” Formerly trained in Cambridge by Tony Pike, Blue Bay had three placings from 11 starts in the north before she was offered on gavelhouse.com where Woodsford secured her with a final bid of $3,500. “She looked like a nice type so we thought we would give her a go,” she said. The daughter of Preferment has proven to be a bargain buy, nearly recouping her purchase price in her first start for Woodsford, who is now well in the green after picking up $11,200 for Wednesday’s triumph. Both of Blue Bay’s southern starts have been on Riccarton’s synthetic, and Woodsford said she elected to try her mare on the surface after seeing she had performed well on Cambridge’s polytrack at the trials. “She had a trial up north on it and she had won, so I thought we would give her a go down here and see what she thinks of it,” she said. Woodsford shares in the ownership of Blue Bay with Sanjay Balloo and Vikash Pothanna, both of whom she met through her partner, jockey Akshay Balloo. “My partner’s uncle shares in the ownership as well as Vikash, who is a friend through Akshay,” she said. Balloo was aboard runner-up Iff I Get Paaid, and Woodsford said she is glad to have the bragging rights in the relationship for the next wee while. The 29-year-old horsewoman has had a lifelong involvement with racing, and has spent time working in both thoroughbred and harness racing stables, and is now enjoying making her own mark as a trainer. “My Dad is a trainer, so I grew up with the horses,” she said. “I had ponies when I was young and then I eventually moved on to helping out with the racehorses. “When I was 18, I started to work for Tarsh and Michael Stokes. I was with them for five years and then I went to the trotting side for a couple of years and worked for Andrew Stuart. I then went back to Dad’s and started to help him out and last year I thought I would give it a go myself. “I have got two in work at the moment and I am really enjoying it. I am still working full-time, so I am enjoying working them around that.” View the full article

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are excited for what spring has instore for their premiership-winning team, with several of their stars stepping out at the Te Rapa trials on Tuesday. One of those stars is Group One winner Move To Strike, who finished runner-up by a head to Alabama Lass in their 900m heat, showing he has lost none of the brilliance he showed as a juvenile when winning the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham in April. “He’s a lovely colt that we always thought was going to be better as a three-year-old, and he is developing into a lovely horse,” Bergerson said. “He looks magnificent and is coming up well. “Opie (Bosson, jockey) was really taken with his trial, and we plan to trial him again on 21 August at Taupo, ahead of resuming in the El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (Listed, 1200m) on the 7th of September at Hastings.” Stablemate Captured By Love was third behind Move To Strike in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce to cap a pleasing two-year-old term, which included victories in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m), Gr.3 Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m), Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), and placing in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m). She also made her first public appearance of the season at Te Rapa on Tuesday where she wasn’t asked too much in her 900m heat, which was taken out by Group One winner Velocious. “She had a really good blow and Opie said she’ll certainly improve for the trial,” Bergerson said. “She’ll go to Taupo for the Group and Listed trial over 1100m on August 21 and then onto the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) at Hastings.” Bergerson was also rapt with the trial performance of Group One winner Romancing The Moon, who was runner-up to multiple Group One winner Legarto in their 900m heat. “She seems to be coming up well and is still loving her racing,” Bergerson said. “She’s a tough, gritty mare and has always been very competitive in her style of racing. “It was certainly no disgrace being run down by Legarto, who trialled super, but Wiremu (Pinn, jockey) was really happy with Romancing The Moon, and she’ll probably now go to the midweek trial before the races at Taupo.” View the full article

What Ballarat Races Where Ballarat Turf Club – 240 Kennedys Rd, Miners Rest VIC 3352 When Thursday, August 8, 2024 First Race 1pm AEST Visit Dabble Ballarat Turf Club will host its second meeting in the space of 48 hours this Wednesday. This time, the action will be held on the turf, and with clear skies forecast, we should be racing on an improving Soft 6 surface. The rail comes out 9m for the entire circuit, which could suit those up on speed as the meeting progresses. Best Bet at Ballarat: Desert Star Desert Star has been rolled as a favourite in both starts this campaign, most recently at Geelong as a $1.55 pop. The five-year-old gelding gets his chance to right those wrongs at Ballarat, coming up against a relatively weak BM64 affair. Barrier 12 is a touch sticky, but Celine Gaudray will likely roll forward and have the son of Deep Field settled close to the speed throughout. From there, Desert Star should prove too hard to hold out in the quaddie opener. Best Bet Race 6 – #6 Desert Star (12) 5yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Celine Gaudray (a0) (59kg) +200 with Bet365 Next Best at Ballarat: Muktamil Muktamil has been beaten as favourite on all three outings in his maiden Australian campaign. The son of Sea The Stars went down by the barest of margins in his first two starts on these shores before failing as a long odds-on favourite with online bookmakers at Mildura. He draws barrier one for this, and if John Allen can stalk the speed throughout, Muktamil should have no issue in disposing of his rivals when the run appears. Next Best Race 4 – #3 Muktamil (1) 5yo Gelding | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: John Allen (59.5kg) +240 with Picklebet Next Best Again at Ballarat: Dreamzel Dreamzel had won three in a row before losing at Sandown in a tough BM64 on July 24. The four-year-old mare looks to have found a winnable BM58 affair, and with Jordyn Weatherley on board claiming 3kg, she gets in nicely at the weights. Weatherley will look to offset barrier 12 with Dreamzel’s strong early speed, and if the pair can find the rail without burning too many carrots, this girl should prove too hard to gun down over the 1000m scamper. Next Best Again Race 9 – #1 Dreamzel (12) 4yo Mare | T: Tom Dabernig | J: Jordyn Weatherley (a3) (59.5kg) +450 with Neds Ballarat Thursday quaddie tips Ballarat quadrella selections Thursday, August 8, 2024 1-6 2-4-8-9 1-3-4-6-7-8-10 1-5-6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article