Wandering Eyes

Considered by most to be mere understudy to Kalpana (Study Of Man) in Saturday's G3 September Stakes at Kempton, last year's Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto (Mastercraftsman) had other ideas as he registered a minor upset. Always comfortable tracking the pacemaker for Juddmonte 1-2 market-leader, the Marco Botti-trained 9-4 second favourite outstayed her under Oisin Murphy in the closing stages to score by 1 1/2 lengths as he continues on the road back to Sha Tin. Turned AWAY Giavellotto sees off the challenge from Kalpana to land the September Stakes @kemptonparkrace. The odds-on fav had every chance but just couldn't get by. Is the winner an outside contender for the Arc?@MarcoBotti | @oismurphy pic.twitter.com/hl3ksGejzs — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 6, 2025 The post Hong Kong-Bound Giavellotto Upsets Kalpana In The September appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Following an impressive debut win at Newbury last month, TDN Rising Star Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder) denied chief rival Publish (Kingman) to double his tally in Saturday's Listed Ascendant Stakes at Haydock. Shrugging off that Juddmonte rival inside the final furlong, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's George Boughey-trained 5-6 favourite readily asserted under Billy Loughnane for a length success. 12-1 for the 2,000 Guineas with @paddypower https://t.co/LE3iYNhCr4 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 6, 2025 The post Unbeaten Bow Echo Ascendant At Haydock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Former Kiwi galloper Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) landed a deserved victory in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at The Valley on Saturday for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, digging deep to stave off the challenge of high-class Canadian mare Moira (Ghostzapper). The six-year-old gelding has been unfortunate not to greet the judge first since winning the Gr.3 Sandown Stakes (1500m) nearly 12 months ago but has hardly gone a bad race in that time. A Group One winner for now retired trainers Peter and Dawn Williams in New Zealand, Desert Lightning transferred across the Tasman last spring. Given a perfect ride by comeback jockey Luke Nolen, Desert Lightning sat outside the leader Glint Of Silver (Rubick) before finding the front before entering the home straight and after a strong challenge from Moira had a neck to spare on the mare, with Attrition (Churchill) three lengths away in third. “It’s pretty special,” Coleman said. “We’ve got Chris and Sarah Green here from New Zealand, the owners of Desert Lightning and it’s just really rewarding to get the win on the board. “He’s a very special horse to their family, and we’ve got a jockey that’s pretty special to our family on board as well. “It’s fantastic to see both of them back in the winner’s stall. “It was a tough performance from him. He’s a really genuine horse and the Yulong horse (Moira) probably had the softer run than he did and was sort of cruising up on his outside. Our old boy had to really fight hard, so it was great to see.” Desert Lightning, who won a Gr.2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) as a three-year-old, is now likely to step up in distance. “We’re thinking that we might look to stretch him out a little bit more this time round and maybe we look to go to an Underwood Stakes (Gr.1, 1800m), but we’ll see how he comes through today and go from there,” Coleman said. Desert Lightning was bred by German native Wessel Van der Scheer under the Mahoenui Partnership and is by Pride Of Dubai out of the High Chaparral mare Isstoora. Presented by Little Avondale Stud as a yearling at Karaka, Desert Lightning was purchased by Peter and Dawn Williams for $150,000 on behalf of Barneswood Farm’s Sarah Green and Ger Beemsterboer. Desert Lightning is a half-brother to quality sprinter Oak Hill (NZ) (Per Incanto), a seven-time winner that caught the eye when charging through the line in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m), also at The Valley on Saturday. View the full article

My husband and I met Stuart at Giussepe's having dinner at the bar one night. I was immediately impressed by his sincerity and openness. When he found out we bred and raced Thoroughbreds, he shared his story and that he worked for Taylor Made. He and my husband Steve bonded over their love of the stallion Not This Time. We often ran into each other at the sales or at the races and Stuart was always there to congratulate us on our successes and to offer advice only if asked. Stuart always asked after our mares and knew each one and when they were racing. When we found out Stuart was sick, we were moved by his desire to not let it slow him down. I think we heard from him more this past spring that ever before. He came to visit our farm with colleague Steve Castagnola and we were proud to show him our long-anticipated little Not This Time colt born in March (after a 363-day pregnancy!) Soon thereafter, we learned of the seriousness of Stuart's illness and prognosis. We decided to name the colt after Stuart as well as his sire and we have named him “Stuart's Time.” Here is little Stuart this week as a five-month-old weanling. We would often send Stuart pictures and videos of the colt while he was in treatment, hoping he might bring a smile to his face during a difficult time. We have a feeling Stuart might be sending him more than luck and are excited to see where his racing career goes. We are grateful to Stuart for his friendship and guidance. Editor's note: Stuart Angus, a Senior Thoroughbred Advisor for Taylor Made, passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 60. His friends are encouraging those he touched to submit `Stu stories' to the TDN. Please email suefinley@thetdn.com if you have a story to share. The post Letter to the Editor: Stu Story #6, Stuart’s Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Japanese Road to the Kentucky Derby does not officially begin until the end of November with the running of the Cattleya Stakes at Tokyo, but Sanshisuimei Co. Ltd.'s debuting Magna Victor (Maxfield–Eyeinthesky, by Sky Mesa) became one of the earliest to join the party when storming clear to take his 1400-meter debut by the better part of 10 lengths Saturday afternoon at Hanshin. With Yuga Kawada in the irons, Magna Victor was not the quickest away, but he quickly recovered and by the time the field had transitioned onto the dirt track, the colt had poked his head in front. Allowed to cross down onto the fence after racing about four deep through the opening furlong, the bay lobbed them along under a light hold on the turn and when Kawada slipped his mount the slightest bit of rein in upper stretch, the 1.1 (1-10) mortal careered away under hands-and-heels encouragement to score in the time of 1:24.6 on a track rated 'good.' He covered his final 600 meters in a race-best :37 flat, his last 400 in :24.1 while never out of a high gallop. Magna Victor becomes the first 2-year-old to break 1:25 at Hanshin since the subsequent multiple group winner Emperor Wakea (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) in November 2022. “There are some difficult aspects to his temperament, but there's no doubt about his ability,” the winning rider told Netkeiba following the race. Kawada also rode $1-million Keeneland September purchase Matenro Da Vinci (Uncle Mo) to a six-length debut victory for trainer Mitsu Nakauchida last weekend. The conditioner has helped orchestrate the careers of the late Liberty Island (Jpn), Prognosis (Jpn) and Serifos (Jpn), among others. Magna Victor is the 11th winner for his freshman sire (by Street Sense) and was a $75,000 Keeneland September yearling before blossoming into a $1-million OBS March juvenile (see below) to top the opening session of that auction. Nakauchida outbid Donato Lanni for the colt. “Physically, he looks really strong and his movement is really smooth–very nice,” the trainer told TDN's Christina Bossinakis at the time of the sale. “I liked his breeze at first and then I looked at the physical and I really liked him. And he's by freshman sire Maxfield and he looks like he will be good.” Dam Eyeinthesky, a stakes-winning and Grade II-placed turf sprinter for Gary Barber and Mark Casse, was purchased by Dana and Gerry Aschinger's War Horse Place for $300,000 carrying to War of Will at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Not only does Magna Victor carry 4×4 inbreeding to the legendary A.P. Indy, he is also inbred 3×3 to Caress, responsible for Maxfield's dam Velvety and the dam of his broodmare sire Sky Mesa. Eyeinthesky foaled a colt by Candy Ride (Arg) on Apr. 9 and was bred back to Maxfield. 6th-Hanshin, ¥14,250,000 ($96,658), Newcomers, 2yo, 1400m, 1:24.6, gd. MAGNA VICTOR, c, 2, by Maxfield 1st Dam: Eyeinthesky (MSW-US, GSP-Can, $301,788) 2nd Dam: Ruliontome, by Lion Heart 3rd Dam: Cahill Connection, by Cahill Road Sales history: $75,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '25 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $50,873. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree and VIDEO (SC 10). O-Sanshisuimei Co Ltd; B-War Horse Place (KY); T-Mitsumasa Nakauchida. 強っ#阪神６R#マグナヴィクトル pic.twitter.com/KbmVAnd5GH — 杏仁オブジョイトイ (@anhinPyejoyjoyP) September 6, 2025 2025.09.06 阪神6R メイクデビュー阪神#マグナヴィクトル くん#川田将雅 騎手 めちゃつよかった pic.twitter.com/D6m769BSkE — マリンバ (@maominkanao) September 6, 2025 The post Maxfield’s Magna Victor Monstrous On Hanshin Debut, Becomes a ‘Rising Star’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He might have room to improve ahead of his tilt at The Everest next month, but David Hayes expects Ka Ying Rising to “run fast time” when the superstar sprinter makes his much-anticipated return at Sha Tin on Sunday. Bidding to become the first ever two-time winner of the Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m), Ka Ying Rising will use the season-opening feature as a springboard to the A$20 million (HK$102 million) The Everest (1,200m) at Randwick on October 18. Hayes said the world’s...View the full article

What Sha Tin Races Where Sha Tin Racecourse – Tai Po Rd, Sha Tin District, Hong Kong When Sunday, September 7, 2025 First Race 1pm HKT (3pm AEST) Visit Dabble The 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season gets underway at Sha Tin this Sunday afternoon, with a competitive 10-race program set to commence at 1pm local time. All eyes will be on Ka Ying Rising as he kicks off his 2025 Everest journey in the Class 1 HK Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m). The rail is in the A course, and with minimal rainfall forecast, the surface should be rated a Good 4 throughout the day. Best Bet at Sha Tin: Super Strong Kid Despite suffering a bleed in his post-race assessment, Super Strong Kid was a dominant winner at this course and distance on March 15. He was ultra-impressive and appears to have plenty of upside, as it was only his second career start. The son of Brutal has been kept up to the task in a recent barrier trial at Conghua, and with Zac Purton set to gain the gun run from stall 13, Super Strong Kid should have no issues claiming this lot before stepping up to Class 3 company. Best Bet Race 4 – #3 Super Strong Kid (13) 4yo Gelding | T: Manfred Man | J: Zac Purton (61kg) Next Best at Sha Tin: Invincible Ibis The Mark Newnham-trained Invincible Ibis failed to claim maiden success in his debut season; however, he shouldn’t have lost many admirers in producing back-to-back placings. The Hellbent gelding didn’t have much luck in either start and looks to have recovered nicely trialling on the Sha Tin all-weather circuit. Luke Ferraris just needs to get this guy to jump with them from gate five, and provided the pair can stalk from the one-one, expect Invincible Ibis to go one better at the third time of asking. Next Best Race 6 – #3 Invincible Ibis (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark Newnham | J: Luke Ferraris (60kg) Best Value at Sha Tin: Bulb General Bulb General was a smart winner at Sha Tin on July 13, surging to the top at the 200m marker and holding them off impressively to score by 2.5 lengths. This Class 3 contest has plenty more depth compared to what he faced last time out, but with Zac Purton willing to stick aboard, it seems to be a strong indicator that Bulb General can go on with the job to kick off the campaign. Best Value Race 9 – #11 Bulb General (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Jamie Richards | J: Zac Purton (56kg) Sunday quaddie tips for Sha Tin Sha Tin quadrella selections Sunday, September 7, 2025 3-6-9-11-14 1-4-8-9 1-6-10-11 1-2-5-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Derek Leung Ka-chun is hopeful Lucky Sweynesse can use Sunday’s Class One HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1,200m) at Sha Tin as a launching pad to international success later this month. Set the daunting task of taking on the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, on Sunday, Lucky Sweynesse will be out to prove he is on track for his first overseas mission, with the Group One Sprinters Stakes (1,200m) in Japan on September 28 firmly on trainer Manfred Man Ka-leung’s radar. Leung is locked in for...View the full article

The early spring has tended to bring the very best out of Quintessa, and that trend continued at Ellerslie on Saturday with a spectacular last-to-first performance at $36 odds in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate. The $400,000 weight-for-age triumph came almost exactly a year after the Te Akau Racing mare’s last win, which was a first-up victory in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 31 last year. Another 12 months before that, she kicked her three-year-old season off with back-to-back successes at Taupo and in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Hastings. Quintessa headed into Saturday’s Proisir Plate on a seven-race winless streak, during which a third in the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in February was her only time in the top five. But the Te Akau team approached Saturday with a quiet confidence, boosted by the fact that Quintessa’s three previous starts in a fresh state had produced two wins and a placing. In fact, earlier in the afternoon, co-trainer Sam Bergerson commented that Quintessa was worth “a dollar each way” if she got the right run. That part of the equation was left to jockey Rory Hutchings, who these days is based in Australia but made a flying visit home to take the ride. Quintessa drew gate 15 in a 16-horse field and was taken back to a clear last by Hutchings as Dusty Road and Herbert led the field around the first turn and down the side of the track. The race rapidly changed complexion coming into the straight as the field bunched right up and the leading lights made their moves. Qali Al Farrasha was the first to pounce, quickly joined by El Vencedor, La Crique and Tuxedo. The likes of Grail Seeker, Legarto, Waitak and Tomodachi were searching for runs just behind them. Hutchings opted to avoid all that traffic and switch to the outside, angling Quintessa out to be the widest of all with just under 300m to run. He pushed the button and Quintessa exploded. She roared past all 15 of her rivals in the blink of an eye, opening up a winning margin of a length and a half as Hutchings stood high up in the saddle in a triumphant salute. Quintessa continued the Te Akau stable’s proud recent record in the first Group One race of the New Zealand season, following on from Melody Belle (2018 and 2019) and Skew Wiff (2023). That win by Skew Wiff was the first Group One success for Bergerson, who is now in his third season in partnership with Mark Walker. “Quintessa was incredible today,” Bergerson said. “It was a very patient ride. We left it up to Rory, really. I asked him what he thought, and he said, ‘I’ll go back and will probably ride for luck,’ but then he ended up going the widest. “I was actually watching the other mare (Qali Al Farrasha) for most of the straight, and then at the last minute, she was flashing and we started really screaming. “Fair play to her. She’s come back in fantastic order from Australia. I can’t thank the team at home enough, and the veterinary and farrier team as well. They do an amazing job with her, and she’s just a sound, happy horse. “We were quietly confident coming into today, without being overconfident with the quality of the field. But she’s a fantastic mare and it’s great to see her back in form. “She’s pretty unassuming at home. She’d be one of the worst trackworkers in Matamata. But once those shades go on and she sees the crowd and gets a bit of a buzz for it, she’s just so genuine and tries so hard. That’s always going to hold her in good stead. “It was fantastic to get Rory over. He gave her an A1 ride, so patient. Full credit to the horse and Rory. “It’s special to get this win with my parents here today, and awesome to do it at Ellerslie. We’ve had a bit of a frustrating day until now, just being edged out in the three-year-old races and having a couple of disappointments, but that’s racing. It’s a great leveller. “I’m really stoked and just taking it all in and pinching myself, really.” Quintessa is now rated a $6 chance for the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa on September 27. She shares second favouritism with La Crique, while Legarto heads the market at $4. “I think the mile is the logical next step,” Bergerson said. “But we’re get her home and make sure she’s come through it well and then go from there.” That could throw a spanner in the works for Hutchings, who during the week announced a permanent move from New South Wales to Queensland. Hutchings has now won four Group One races, all of them in New Zealand, having previously taken out the Zabeel Classic (2000m) with Soriano and the Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) with Soriano and El Vencedor. “Might have to think about changing those plans now,” Hutchings said. “I love this place. “The plan was to go back today and try to ride for luck, but it got a little bit messy through the middle stages and I decided I’d be better off keeping her out of trouble and getting to the outside. She went past them in a few strides. That was electric.” Quintessa was bred by Peachester Lodge and is by Shamus Award out of the five-race-winning High Chaparral mare Chaquinta. She was offered at Karaka 2022 by Wentwood Grange, who also sold Saturday’s Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) winner Affirmative Action. David Ellis bought Quintessa for $170,000. From a 19-start career, Quintessa has now recorded six wins and four placings. She has earned $1.05 million for her owners the Te Akau Awarded Racing Partnership. Runner-up La Crique continued a remarkable run of second placings at the elite level. She has now done it in five consecutive races, having finished her previous campaign with seconds in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Zabeel Classic (2000m), Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) and New Zealand Stakes (2000m). She has now been runner-up in seven Group One races in her career, which is a New Zealand record. Emerging star Tomodachi caught the eye with her strong finish for third, just ahead of Sterling Express, El Vencedor and an unlucky Legarto. View the full article

Lollapalooza went into Saturday’s Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie as a maiden, but she came out of it as one of the leaders of her generation and the clear favourite for the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). The $150,000 three-year-old fillies’ feature was the El Roca filly’s fourth start. She had finished third on debut at Ellerslie in February behind Lucy In The Sky and Miss Ziggy, then struck bad luck in the straight when eighth in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) in her only other two-year-old start. Lollapalooza’s three-year-old return hinted at bigger and better things. Coming up against a strong field of three-year-old fillies at Taupo last month, she flew home from the back of the field for a close second behind In Haste. Saturday’s rematch saw In Haste jump as a $3.40 favourite and Lollapalooza at $5.90, but this time the Taupo result was turned upside down. Lollapalooza was ridden patiently by Vinnie Colgan, who took her back to last from her wide gate. She appeared to have a mountain to climb from the home turn, looking for a run along the inside and coming up behind a wall of horses. In the meantime, the stage was set for an all-Te Akau finish as In Haste and Queen’s Evidence edged ahead of Too Sweet coming into the final 150m. But Colgan had weaved his way through the pack on Lollapalooza, and suddenly she launched a stunning finish from nowhere. She bounded past In Haste and Queen’s Evidence in the last few strides and was three-quarters of a length in front by the finish line. “I opted to ride her quietly from the wide barrier,” Colgan said. “We haven’t seen them winning out wide so far today, so I stayed towards the inside and just hoped for a bit of luck. “She was explosive in the straight. I think getting up over more distance will suit her.” Lollapalooza was bred by Don and Dame Wendy Pye and is out of their Gr.3 Stewards’ Stakes (1200m) winner Carnival. Haunui Farm offered her in Book 2 of Karaka 2024, where Richardson Racing Stables and Social Racing bought her for $30,000. Trained by Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall for the Social Racing Premier Dynamic Duo Syndicate and the Richardson Racing Carnival Syndicate, Lollapalooza has now had four starts for a win, two placings and $105,000 in stakes. “We love training good three-year-old fillies, and it was an honour to have three of them in the Gold Trail this year and to win it with Lollapalooza,” Richardson said. “Don and Wendy Pye bred her, and when I went and saw her at Haunui as a yearling, she was a standout from the start. Vinnie gave her a great ride today and we’re thrilled to get the result.” The TAB reacted to Saturday’s win by cutting Lollapalooza from $14 into $3.20 favouritism for the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton on November 8. “This is very satisfying,” Norvall said. “There’s been a lot of talk about her. Her sectional times were very, very good last start. For her to come here today and produce a similar performance, we’re really happy. “She’s doing everything we’ve asked her to do so far. We’ll go one step at a time, we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves, but this was a great win for her. “She’s nominated for the Guineas. The way she settles and the way she can come home, a big track like Riccarton should suit her.” Lollapalooza continued an outstanding start to the spring for the Social Racing Premier Dynamic Duo Syndicate, which also races the Gr.3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) runner-up Yokozuna. “Good fillies win this race, and I think we saw another good filly win it today,” Social Racing manager Brent Cooper said. “She may have been a maiden coming into it, but her performance for second last start was outstanding and I was confident. “There are two syndicates that race this filly. Graham Richardson has a syndicate that includes her breeders, Don and Wendy Pye. It’s great to have them in the ownership alongside our Social Racing syndicate. “There are a lot of first-time owners in the Social Racing syndicate, and with Yokozuna as well, they’re feeling lucky so far.” The Gold Trail Stakes was the first leg of the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year Series. Lollapalooza earned six points with her victory, while In Haste picked up three points and Queen’s Evidence earned one and a half. View the full article

A booming late run out wide on the track has carried promising stayer Crouch to an eye-caching victory in the first run of a new campaign as he took out the feature race at Otaki on Saturday, the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock Handicap (1400m). The Mike Breslin-prepared six-year-old rounded out his last campaign with a fourth in the New Zealand St Leger (2500m) at Trentham in March, a track where he performed with distinction by finishing runner up to Wolfgang in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) two months earlier. Despite finishing second in a 1000m Awapuni trial last month, not many expected him to be able to foot it with some capable winter sprinters over 1400m fresh-up although no-one told the Tarzino gelding that. Allowed to settle last by apprentice Toni Davies, Crouch lobbed along without a care in the world before being asked to loop his seven rivals wide out from the 600m. Davies purposely kept him wide around the home turn where he still spotted Make Time, Chajaba and Enrico several lengths as that trio looked likely to fight out the finish, They were still in front with 100m to run however Davies had her mount charging home and a couple of huge bounds saw him hit the front in the shadows of the post, winning by neck from Make Time with a long neck back to Chajaba in third. Breslin had an inkling his charge was ready to run a good race as he has been a different horse during his build up. “I knew he had come back better than ever, so I was expecting a good run even if he has never won over less than a mile in the past,” Breslin said. “He has always had ability but always had to be pushed along, but this time in his maturity has improved and he is doing things far easier than he has before. “You can see it in his trackwork and general demeanour that the penny has dropped with him. “Even though his wins have mainly come on wet tracks, he is also showing he really wants a better surface as he gets up over more distance.” Breslin has a number of options open to him as he plots a campaign path for his charge with the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton in November one of those options although not a guaranteed target. “We would love to take him to Riccarton but he is a little behind where we would like him to be as there haven’t been any races lately to get him started,” he said. “If everything went one hundred percent right then the New Zealand Cup is on the cards but that is still not confirmed. “If he does miss that race then the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) is likely as I told Roy (co-owner) after he ran second this year we would be back to win it in 2026.” A $20,000 purchase by Breslin out of the Book 2 Westbury Stud draft at Karaka in 2021, Crouch is named after former Liverpool and English international footballer Peter Crouch. Raced by Breslin and Roy Potter, Crouch has now won six of his 25 starts and more than $243,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Trainer Pam Gerard had been confident of a good showing from her lightly raced three-year-old Affirmative Action and that’s exactly what she got when the showy gelding upset the applecart at a Fixed Odds quote of $91 when taking out the Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of the 2019 Everest (1200m) winner Yes Yes Yes had finished third behind To Bravery Born over 1100m at Taupo last month and improved markedly for Saturday’s first stakes race on the Ellerslie card as punters ignored his claims completely. Rider George Rooke took the bull by the horns and went forward at the start to sit outside leader Lady Iris, where his mount relaxed beautifully. Travelling like a winner at the 300m Affirmative Action took control and despite being pushed all the way by He Who Dares, held on to win by a long neck, running a respectable 1.12.54 for the journey on the Soft 6 surface that was slowed by rain throughout the day. Gerard was all smile as she accepted congratulations from a large group of owners. “We’ve been waiting for him for a long time as we had tried to get him going as a two-year-old,” Gerard said “You can see how big and lanky he is and I think if we had of pushed on it could have gone the wrong way for him. “We have been patient, given him a couple of trials and he has not put a foot wrong. “It’s super exciting today as we’ve had a tough time lately and this is a reward for all the staff at home who have been putting in the hard yards. “He is a good horse, we thought he was and it gives us confidence with a win like this.” Rooke admitted the horse had done plenty wrong but just had too much ability for his rivals. “There wasn’t as much pace as I thought there was on paper and ideally I would have liked to be behind one (with cover),” he said “He has done everything wrong, came around the bend on the wrong leg, but I made sure he was balanced and although he waited for a bit of company he has a very big engine. “I think he will get a mile no problem and that gives you plenty of options as he is a very nice horse.” Purchased by Ballymore Stables, Paul Moroney and Catheryne Bruggeman for $115,000 out of the Wentwood Grange draft during the Book 2 Sale at Karaka in 2024, Affirmative Action comes from an extended family that includes Fast And Sexy who was placed in Group One company as a two-year-old while dual stakes winner Contessa Vanessa also features. View the full article

Promising gelding Have A Crack retained his unbeaten New Zealand record with a gritty performance to take out the Rich Hill Stud (1200m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Zoustar made his way to Chad Ormsby’s Matamata stable after losing his rider during his only start in Australia last year for trainer Simon Zahra. Ormsby has worked hard on improving the manners of the horse and a trial win at Avondale over 1000m in June indicated he had plenty of ability. Taken to the synthetic track at Cambridge for his New Zealand debut, Have A Crack won the maiden 1300m contest with authority and lined up at Ellerslie with plenty of supporters backing him into a solid $4.20 favourite despite starting from barrier 11 in the 13-horse field. Apprentice Tayla Mitchell got him away nicely to sit fourth in the early running before easing through a narrow gap early in the run home to take the lead. Navy Dreams chased hard over the final 200m however Have A Crack had plenty left to hold him out by half a length at the winning post. Ormsby was thrilled his charge could take the step up to triumph at New Zealand racing headquarters after spending plenty of time getting his attitude right. “We have never underestimated this horses’ ability and the perseverance of the owner and his team, who have gone the extra mile to get him here,” Ormsby said. “He has just had some younger horse habits he couldn’t shake and now a little later in life and with some more practice involved, he is starting to piece it together. “Tayla had to be brave from that draw and I just said to trust her horse. She got into a beautiful spot and it was a ten out of ten ride.” Mitchell was quick to thank Ormsby for helping hone her skills in the saddle “Chad told me to be brave and he has helped so much with my riding skills to take me to the next level,” she said. “He has done lots of work with this horse, who didn’t really like racing in Aussie, but is starting to enjoy it now. “He is a really nice horse and was probably waiting for them a little bit as I hit the front a little too soon. When he gets into better races he will be able to chase them down.” Raced by Zahra, Have A Crack was bred by the China Horse Club Pty Ltd out of their race winning Sebring mare Cross Legend. View the full article

Ruakaka stayer Bosch took his best form over the Brynderwyn Hills on Saturday and scored his first Ellerslie victory in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 2200. The Pentire gelding headed into the $75,000 race with five wins to his name, all of them at his home track. His six previous visits to Ellerslie had produced a fourth, a fifth, two sixths and two ninths. It was a different story on Saturday as Bosch produced a relentless front-running performance. Ridden by Samantha Collett for trainer Michelle Bradley, Bosch drew the second to outside gate but jumped well and was able to cross to the rail and take up the lead with a lap to go. The seven-year-old enjoyed a comfortable run through the first half of the race, but that all changed in the back straight as Drop Of Something pressed forward after being caught wide. Collett decided not to hand up the lead to that rival and went with him as they lifted the tempo and moved two or three lengths clear of the rest of the field. Bosch regained a clear lead coming down the side of the track, and then he kicked off the corner. Drop Of Something chased hard down the straight, but Bosch refused to let him pass and held him out to win by a head. King Khan produced a late run into third, three-quarters of a length behind the first pair. Bosch delivered a perfect raceday return to Ellerslie for Collett, whose last Ellerslie ride was before its closure in 2022 for major renovations. Collett has spent most of the last three seasons in Queensland. “I’ve been here a couple of times recently for trials and gallops, but it’s been a hot minute since my last spin around here on raceday,” she said. “It’s nice to know I didn’t get lost! “Michelle has done a great job with this horse, which made my job easy today. He had a break between runs before his last start, which was over 1400m mainly to tick him over, but his run there was actually really good. “I think the key today was being able to get to the rail and let him dictate his own tempo. The track is beautiful out there and he was very comfortable. “I was in two minds when Drop Of Something came up alongside me. I didn’t want him to work me too hard, but my horse – and Michelle will tell you this too – is significantly better when he has the rail to follow. So I wasn’t really keen to hand up and let him go out in front of me. “I knew my horse was good enough to keep going, so I just had him working enough to prove an inconvenience for him and to help my horse along. “I think he can step up in class from here. I know he hasn’t done much away from home before this, but he put them to the sword today.” Bosch has now had 32 starts for six wins, nine placings and $219,355 in stakes. His four starts over 2200m have produced three wins. “For me, this is like winning a Group One race,” a delighted Bradley said. “My main goal with him in this preparation was to win a race here, and we’ve done that, so it’s fantastic.” Bosch’s preparation has been an unconventional but effective one, with a win in an open 2100m handicap on July 12 followed by a fourth over 1400m on August 16. “He won well over ground two starts ago,” Bradley said. “The reason for dropping back in distance last time was that he got in with a nice light weight (54kg) compared to the 62kg he would have had to carry if we ran in a Rating 75. It was a good way of getting another run into him.” Bradley is now keen to raise the bar – potentially with a tilt at the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m), in which Bosch was unplaced last year. “We had a crack at the Counties Cup last year, but I think he’s a much stronger horse this time around,” Bradley said. “That could be an option again. In the meantime we’ll probably come back here in a few weeks and then take it from there.” View the full article

By Michael Guerin As one door closes, another opens. That tells the tale of Cyclone Rebel, who caused a mammoth upset winning on debut at Alexandra Park on Friday night at $70 on the tote. The son of Bettors Delight had to be good too, overcoming a second line draw in the hands of Matty White to divebomb Andretti, whose drive from Andre Poutama to be trailing early from barrier eight deserved better. But the winner did what very few juveniles do, particularly in Woodlands Sires’ Stakes heats and trainer Tate Hopkins admits he was a touch surprised. “I have always liked him but you don’t really expect them to win like that on debut,” he told HRNZ. “When you see them draw the second line in a capacity field for a Sires’ Stakes heat, I’ll be honest I would have been happy to see him running on well for sixth or seventh.” Cyclone Rebel’s case was helped by a searing early speed as three of the favourites all got involved early but he still had to be excellent to win and he is bred to be good. He is the younger half brother to Cyclone Jordy (Art Major) who won the Young Guns Cardigan Bay Stakes at Alexandra Park last season before being sold for good money to West Australia where he has proven to be one of the best of his age. “At the time this horse was a yearling and the guys who own them, who have been great to deal with for a long time, decided if they were going to sell Jordy they wanted to keep this horse. “So a deal was done where Frank and Ann (Cooney) came in on this horses with the guys who bred him and they now all race him together. “But that meant he didn’t go through the sales so he isn’t Harness Millions eligible.” Hopkins of course worked for Frank Cooney for a long time and was then in training partnership with the popular horseman before Frank took a step back from the business after a race smash. Cyclone Rebel is the fourth foal of Cyclone Kate, who won 21 races here and in Australia for well-known owners Mark Lyon, former All Black Ant Strachan, trainer Gareth Dixon and the famous cricketing brothers Kyle and Heath Mills. “He is obviously very good and I suppose we have to start thinking about the Sires’ Stakes but I will need to give him a couple more starts first to see exactly where he is at,” says Hopkins, who is training 12 at the moment. While he came from a second line draw the night’s other big winners at Alexandra Park were all on the speed. Sooner The Bettor defied a weird odds drift to lead throughout in the main pace with Harrison Orange getting his timing spot on to beat Better Knuckle Up and Jeremiah, with a 26.8 second last 400m as they all prepare for the Spring Cup in a few weeks. Odds-on favourite Castana continued his great run of form after trailing for most of the main trot, things only getting a little tricky when Bolt For The Hill ran to the lead at the 400m but driver Taitlyn Hanara was able to get back to the passing lane to grab the win. And Shezsofast was able to use her speed to lead for most of her Dunstan Feeds Sires’ Stakes heat for the girls to post a 1:56.2 mile rate for the 1700m. View the full article

Excited by a rare opportunity to ride overseas, Jerry Chau Chun-lok has faith that Chancheng Glory and Self Improvement can handle Seoul’s unique sand track when the Hong Kong duo races in South Korea on Sunday. Chau will represent Hong Kong connections abroad for the second time after teaming up with Duke Wai to finish fifth in the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) at Meydan in 2023. The 25-year-old, who started his career as an apprentice in Australia, cut short his summer holiday to put his...View the full article

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When Practical Joke and Life Is Good–both by Into Mischief and out of Distorted Humor mares–each racked up multiple Grade I victories and retired to major stallion farms in Central Kentucky, the cross they share surely earned a second look. After three 3-year-olds of 2025–Eclipse champion Citizen Bull, Patch Adams, and Tappan Street–added another five combined Grade I victories to that same cross in the last 11 months, anyone savvy enough to have a yearling on offer at Keeneland's September sale on the 'Midas Touch' nick looks positively inspired. Three of Into Mischief's Book 1 yearlings are out of Distorted Humor daughters. Warrendale Sales consigns the only colt, hip 90, who is the sole member of the trio slated to go through the ring Monday. Mulholland Springs and Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services will both send fillies Tuesday (hips 201 and 336, respectively). “He's a lovely colt,” said Hunter Simms, a partner in Warrendale and the operation's director of bloodstock services, about hip 90. “He's bred on that really good Into Mischief/Distorted Humor cross that's produced a bunch of Grade I winners and he has the physical to boot as well. He's a nice package and we're really excited to offer him here.” Bred by Pitlochry Partners LLC in Kentucky, the March colt is out of Repartee, who has already produced Canadian champion Munnyfor Ro (Munnings). Repartee's black-type winning dam is a half to GI Ashland Stakes winner Little Belle (A.P. Indy), who produced GI Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes winner Dickinson (Medaglia d'Oro). She shares a third dam with this year's GI Gamely Stakes winner Be Your Best (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}). That third dam is, of course, the tremendous Flagbird, a half to Broodmare of the Year Prospectors Delite, and a daughter of the wonderful Up the Flagpole. This particular branch of the long-time Phipps family became a Farish family and traces directly tail-female to 1961 Broodmare of the Year Striking, who was a granddaughter of La Troienne. With that stellar family under his girth, what's the physical of the colt like? “He looks a lot like Into Mischief and has great walk to him. He's correct,” said Simms. “In trying to match up the physical of the stallion with the physical of the mare, they were well rewarded with the horse that they got. He vets well. It's only Friday afternoon, but he's been well received for the viewers we've had come through here so far.” Simms said Pitlochry Partners is a group of people with a handful of mares who “like to offer everything for sale. It was always the plan to sell here at Keeneland.” He added, “They had a good sale up north a little while ago and I think September will be just as strong, if not stronger, with the international participation as well.” With outs taken into consideration, a group of 303 elite yearlings is currently scheduled to go through the Keeneland sales ring Monday and Tuesday as part of Book 1. It will be no surprise to learn 29 of them–nearly a whooping 10% of Book 1–are by six-time leading sire Into Mischief, who secured his 26th and 27th Grade I winners last weekend at Saratoga and is poised to add another title this year. The upwardly trending Not This Time matches Into Mischief with 29 lots, as does the much-anticipated first-crop yearling sire Flightline, but no other stallion has more. Knowing Warrendale's offering is bred on Into Mischief's well-proven cross with Distorted Humor gives Simms optimism for the colt's chances to make a little noise in a Book 1 often known for fireworks. “We have high hopes and hopefully we tick all the boxes for everybody and we have a fun time,” said Simms. “He's a nice horse and we're excited to showcase him here this week. Fingers crossed he jumps through all the hoops for all the buyers in Book 1 and we can have a fun afternoon.” The Keeneland September sale kicks off Monday at 1 p.m. The post ‘Excited to Showcase Him’: Warrendale has Only Colt Bred on Red-Hot Cross in Book 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday, Haydock, post time: 15:35, THE BETFAIR SPRINT CUP-G1, £427,000, 3yo/up, 6fT Field: Annaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Diligent Harry (GB) (Due Diligence), Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal), James's Delight (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), Kind Of Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), My Mate Alfie (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Run To Freedom (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Ain't Nobody (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Big Mojo (Ire) (Mohaather {GB}), Flora Of Bermuda (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), No Half Measures (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}), Rage Of Bamby (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Sayidah Dariyan (Ire) (Dariyan {Fr}), Sky Majesty (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}). Reserves: Nighteyes (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Celandine (GB) (Kingman {GB}). TDN Verdict: With the weather having changed dramatically across Europe in recent days, the initial feel of autumn is in the air and with it perhaps a shift in the fortunes for some of summer's luminaries. Lazzat's Royal Ascot heroics mark him out as the one to beat, but the way he was brushed aside attempting back-to-back wins in Deauville's Prix Maurice de Gheest suggests this is not cut and dried. The July Cup heroine No Half Measures has to do it all again, but is still unexposed at this trip, while the Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals is up against her elders and has something to prove. Sky Majesty hails from last year's winning stable and is a filly being brought to a peak at the right time, having mastered two competitive Irish sprints, while last year's runner-up Kind Of Blue at last gave us something to hold on to after his lacklustre spring and early summer campaign. Third in the Phoenix Sprint, he has to up his game again, but we know what he is capable of from last year and it is worth remembering that James Fanshawe won this with his relative The Tin Man in 2018. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 16:25, T VON ZASTROW STUTENPREIS (BADENER STUTENPREIS)-G2, €70,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 12fT Field: Egina (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), North Reliance (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Tanami Starlet (GB) (Best Solution {Ire}), Weltbeste (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), Innora (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), Lady Charlotte (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), Nyra (Ger) (Isfahan {Ger}), Santagada (GB) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). TDN Verdict: Westminster Stud's G3 Diana Trial victrix Lady Charlotte found it tough going against the boys when relinquishing her unblemished record in July's G1 Deutsches Derby and returned with a fifth in last month's G1 Preis der Diana. She was just over a half-length adrift of closely matched runner-up Innora and third home Nyra, but a half-length in front of Santagada, in that Dusseldorf Classic and will be a warm order to regain the winning habit at the head of a strong sophomore band. Nyra had earlier denied Innora by inches in the G3 Hamburger Stutenpreis on the Derby undercard and both possess solid claims. Best of the older brigade is dual Listed winner Egina, who was last seen finishing third in July's G3 Preis von Lotto Hamburg. [Sean Cronin]. Saturday, Kempton, post time: 13:35, THE UNIBET SEPTEMBER STAKES-G3, £90,000, 3yo/up, 11f 219yT Field: Candleford (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Meydaan (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), Tasmania (Ger) (Australia {GB}), Satavia (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). TDN Verdict: This should be straightforward for last year's winner Kalpana as she is geared towards an Arc tilt, especially after her barnstorming effort in the King George. Only the Hong Kong Vase hero Giavellotto offers any meaningful opposition if she is near her peak, coming off a break having run a touch disappointingly in the Coronation Cup. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Haydock, post time: 13:15, THE BEST ODDS ON THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE SUPERIOR MILE-G3, £85,000, 3yo/up, 8f 37yT Field: Balmacara (GB) (New Bay {GB}), Checkandchallenge (GB) (Fast Company {Ire}), Ice Max (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Make Me King (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Prague (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Excellent Believe (GB) (Make Believe {GB}), Fearnot (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), Snow Master (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Zeus Olympios (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Suite Francaise (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Suite Francaise returns to the course and distance of her Listed Dick Hern Stakes win and is one of a group of three-year-olds with perhaps some more up their sleeve. They include the unbeaten pair Snow Master and Zeus Olympios, who both face an entirely new challenge tackling the Summer Mile fourth Make Me King. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Kempton, post time: 15:10, THE UNIBET SIRENIA STAKES-G3, £70,000, 2yo, 6fT Field: Beckford's Folly (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Egoli (GB) (No Nay Never), First Legion (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Five Ways (GB) (Kameko), Ninth Crusade (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Rogue Supremacy (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}), Sirius A (Ire) (Palace Pier {GB}), Super Soldier (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Chicory (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Sayidah Hard Spun (GB) (Ubettabelieveit {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Charlie Appleby always likes to bring a nice type to this race and Beckford's Folly has confidence high following two Newmarket novice wins. Andrew Balding has a strong team of juveniles and puts forward the impressive Salisbury novice winner Five Ways, while Super Soldier is the one with Pattern-race form, having finished second in Chantilly's Prix Robert Papin. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Haydock, post time: 13:50, THE BETTING.BETFAIR ASCENDANT STAKES-Listed, £40,500, 2yo, 8f 37yT Field: Bourbon Blues (GB) (Space Blues {Ire}), Bow Echo (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Glacius (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), He's Waliim (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Publish (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Shayem (Ire) (King Of Change {GB}), Tailgunner Joe (Knicks Go), Midnight Tango (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). TDN Verdict: Impressive at Newbury on debut last month, 'TDN Rising Star' Bow Echo takes on Juddmonte's exciting Publish in an encounter that could have an impact on next year's Classic picture. The latter was forced to miss the Solario last week and the Gosdens obviously hold him in high regard given their record in that Sandown contest. Newmarket winner Glacius is another with abundant potential in a fascinating affair. [Tom Frary]. Saturday, Craon, France, post time: 17:25, CRITERIUM DE L'OUEST – PRIX DU HARAS DE BOUQUETOT-Listed, €54,900, 2yo, 8 1/4fT Field: Command The Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Agiota (Fr) (Birchwood {Ire}), Good Bye Manu (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}), Zambezi (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Honey Pearl (Fr) (Lucky Team {Fr}), Canena (Fr) (Ulysses {Ire}), Meisho Sugar (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Waiting For You (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}). TDN Verdict: Eight contenders head postward with winning form and, in the absence of Dodge City, Mauricio Delcher Sanchez trainee Agiota has found an opening to better his runner-up finish in July's Listed Criterium du Bequet tackling six furlongs at Bordeaux's La Teste. George Scott's in-form stable came close to annexing Wednesday's G3 Zukunfts-Rennen with Commander's Intent and is represented here by dual-winning York nursery runner-up Command The Stars. Anita Wigan's clear-cut Vittel winner Zambezi was narrowly denied over this trip at Vichy last month while Satoshi Kobayashi entry Meisho Sugar is on the upgrade and returns off a three-length maiden triumph at Vichy. Of the remainder, Good Bye Manu boasts a decent level of form and is not without a chance. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 15:25, WETTSTAR.DE – 155TH GROSSER PREIS VON BADEN-G1, €300,000, 3yo/up, 12fT Field: Alleno (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Cold Heart (Brz) (Alpha, Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Straight (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}), Path Of Soldier (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}). TDN Verdict: This contest has lost much of its lustre with the defection of G1 Deutsches Derby hero Hochkonig and Godolphin's globetrotting multiple Group 1 winner Rebel's Romance. Their absence provides an ideal opportunity for last term's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Goliath to regain the winning habit after an uninspiring last-of-five in June's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and a second in last month's G3 Prix Gontaut Biron. Laat year's runner-up and April's G1 Tancred Stakes victor Dubai Honour returns to European action for the first time since November and rates a serious threat. Last year's Deutsches Derby fourth Alleno and this year's fourth Path Of Soldier head the home defence. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 15:50, QATAR PRIX DU MOULIN DE LONGCHGAMP-G1, €800,000, 3yo/up, 8fT Field: Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), Quddwah (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Go To First (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}), Lead Artist (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), Sahlan (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), The Lion In Winter (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Serengeti (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: Richard Hannon has yet to win this contest and is represented by Rosallion, winless in four Group 1 starts this year, and his Group 3-winning stablemate Persica in a hot renewal. Aidan O'Brien is three-handed, with jockey bookings and form suggesting G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Henri Matisse as the obvious stable preference. Last term's Poulains runner-up Dancing Gemini, who has finished behind G1 Lockinge Stakes hero Lead Artist twice this year, was ahead of Japan's Go To First when third in last month's G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois. Domestic hopes rest with outsiders Sahlan and Alcantor. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:25, QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE-G1, €900,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 12fT Field: Survie (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Ginalyah (Ire) (Chachnak {Fr}), Bedtime Story (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), Whirl (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Gezora (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}). TDN Verdict: This mouthwatering distaffers' clash plays host to G1 Prix de Diane heroine Gezora eyeballing G1 Pretty Polly Stakes and G1 Nassau Stakes victrix Whirl. The former was one length too good for Whirl's stablemate Bedtime Story in the Chantilly Classic and should confirm form with the Ballydoyle back-up, who has failed to fire on all cylinders in two subsequent starts. Christophe Ferland trainee Aventure, runner-up in this and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, was last seen finishing second in June's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and is an obvious danger. Survie has plenty to find with Aventure and Whirl on recent form and returns to action coming back off a second in last month's G1 Prix Jean Romanet, while Ginalyah's presence is baffling. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, Baden-Baden, Germany, post time: 14:00, 92ND BRUNNER – OETTINGEN-RENNEN-G2, €70,000, 3yo/up, 8fT Field: Best Lightning (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}), Geography (Ger) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Glady Tiger (Ger) (Zoffany {Ire}), Make Me King (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Penalty (Ger) (Frankel {GB}), Short Final (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}), Zabiari (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Quebec (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}). TDN Verdict: This open renewal is at the mercy of the Francis Graffard-trained G3 Prix Bertrand de Breuil victor and G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois seventh Zabiari. He encounters last year's winner Penalty, who has failed to fire in five starts since, the four-time Group 3 winner Geography and the consistent veteran Best Lightning, who is set to make his fourth start in this contest. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 14:33, QATAR PRIX FOY-G2, €119,000, 4yo/up, 12fT Field: Almaqam (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Cheeky Boy (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), Iresine (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), Mont St Michel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Arrow Eagle (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}), Map Of Stars (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Byzantine Dream (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}). TDN Verdict: Arc Trials Day, brought forward one week this year, commences with the older horses taking centre stage over the main event's 12-furlong strip. Last term's G2 Prix Niel winner and Arc fourth Sosie has annexed this term's G1 Prix Ganay and G1 Prix d'Ispahan and will head postward coming back off a close-up sixth in July's G1 Coral Eclipse at Sandown. May's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup victor Los Angeles is on a recovery mission after unplaced effort's in the G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes and G3 Royal Whip and will be chaperoned by stablemate Mont St Michel. Almaqam, Map Of Stars and Arrow Eagle all rate as dangers, while Japanese raider Byzantine Dream takes a step into the unknown coming back off a second in May's G1 Tenno Sho Spring. [Sean Cronin]. Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France, post time: 16:00, QATAR PRIX NIEL-G2, €119,000, 3yo, 12fT Field: Leffard (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Cualificar (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Swagman (Ger) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Parachutiste (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Bay City Roller (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Nitoi (Siyouni {Fr}), Aftermath (Ire) (Justify), Tennessee Stud (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). TDN Verdict: Gerard Augustin-Normand and Antonio Caro's G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Leffard sets the standard in a contest with eight runners for the first time since 2014. His main rivals are G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up and G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano third Cualificar and G1 Derby fourth Tennessee Stud, who has not been seen since running fourth in June's G1 Irish Derby. Aidan O'Brien has won this just once, with Soldier Of Fortune in 2007, and relies Swagman, who comes back off an extended break after annexing April's G3 Sandown Classic Trial. Andre Fabre has a record 12 editions in the books and sends forth the unexposed Nitoi for this year's renewal. [Sean Cronin]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Can Kind Of Blue Upstage Lazzat At Haydock? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In returns to South Korea Sept. 7, headlined by the $1.1 million Korea Cup (G3) at 1 1/8 miles and the $1 million Korea Sprint (G3) at six furlongs, both on the dirt track at Seoul Racecourse Park. View the full article

Santa Anita's popular "Ship & Win" program, designed to attract horses from out of state, will be back in effect for the track's Autumn Meeting starting Sept. 26.View the full article

In a continued effort to lure horses from out of state, Santa Anita will once again offer the “Ship and Win” program for the track's Autumn Meet, which kicks off Friday, Sept. 26. With seven 'Win and You're In' events for this year's Breeders' Cup, which will be held at Del Mar Oct. 31-Nov. 1, the five-week meet features increased overnight purses compared to last year and a comprehensive stakes schedule. “The Ship and Win program has continued to attract significant numbers of horses to the Southern California circuit,” said Santa Anita's Director of Racing and Racing Secretary Jason Egan. “With the best weather and [a] great facility at which to race and train, we feel we've got the best turf racing in the nation. The Ship and Win program provides tremendous incentives for those considering stabling here in California year-round.” Horses from out of state who made just one start at the Del Mar Summer Meet will remain eligible for the Ship and Win purse bonus provided they did not make an additional start elsewhere. In dirt races, eligible Ship and Win horses who finish first through fifth will receive a 50% purse bonus. In turf races, eligible horses who finish in the top five will receive a 40% purse bonus. These bonuses are applicable for one start only and do not include stakes races. New Ship and Win horses making their initial California starts will also receive a guaranteed $4,000 in addition to the purse bonuses. Santa Anita's Autumn Meet closes Sunday, Oct. 26. For more information, visit santaanita.com/ship. The post Santa Anita’s ‘Ship and Win’ Program is Back for Autumn Meet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A cool $15.6 million in prize money is up for grabs Saturday afternoon at Kentucky Downs, as a 12-race program features no fewer than five graded events each worth at least $2 million at distances from 6 1/2 to 12 furlongs. The GII Kentucky Turf Cup wraps up the main events on the afternoon, and a field of 11 will head to the post for a circuit of the undulating turf course, with a berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf on the line. Fort Washington (War Front) is arguably the 'form' horse of the race with three victories from his last four starts, all with Classic-winning jockey Junior Alvarado at the controls. Winner of the GIII Canadian Turf Stakes and GIII Dinner Party Stakes, the 6-year-old entire was too late when dead-heating for fourth in the GII Wise Dan Stakes June 28, but successfully stretched out to 10 furlongs to narrowly defeat Grand Sonata (Medaglia d'Oro) in the GI Arlington Million last time. On pedigree he's a candidate to see this out, but will need a trip from an awkward gate. Grand Sonata returned 15-1 to those who believed here last year, but is winless in eight tries since, including a second consecutive runner-up effort in the GII United Nations Stakes prior to his effort at Colonial last time. If it's a class-dropper you're after, perhaps Utah Beach (English Channel) is your animal. Victorious in the GIII Elkhorn Stakes and GIII Louisville Stakes, both over this trip, the gray exits an even fourth to El Cordobes (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the GI Sword Dancer Stakes Aug. 9. Also coming in from the Sword Dancer are the fifth-placed El Rezeen (English Channel) and Vote No (Divisidero), seventh after uncustomarily making the running at Saratoga. The $2.5-million GIII Mint Millions Invitational has attracted its defending champ as well, with Goliad (War Front) making the trek in from California for Richard Mandella. The veteran made every pole a winning one beneath Flavien Prat to return a crisp $20 bill to his backers last September, but he's been shut out in his three appearances since. Cairo (Ire) (Quality Road) never truly factored in the Arlington Million a few weeks ago, but he was a cracking third when last seen over the mile in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, the traditional opener of the Royal Ascot meeting on June 16. Yes, he was 100-1 that day, but he encounters nothing the quality of Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) or Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) in this bunch. Brilliant Berti (Noble Mission {GB}) would be an auto-include at anything near his 8-1 morning line and arguably even at half that price. Winner of last year's valuable and age-restricted Gun Runner Stakes at this meeting, the Klein runner is two-for-four this term, including a defeat of the reliable Lagynos (Kantharos) in the May 1 Opening Verse Stakes and a last-out success in the Wise Dan. Sophomore males and fillies run for $2-million pots in the GI Franklin-Simpson Stakes and GII Music City Stakes, respectively. The former features Round 2 of the head-to-head battle between Juddmonte's Spiced Up (Quality Road) and Governor Sam (Improbable), after the Bill Mott trainee flashed home to defeat Governor Sam on the square in the GIII Mahony Stakes over 5 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga Aug. 10. 'TDN Rising Star' Shisospicy (Mitole) is the 3-1 pick in the Music City as she looks to bounce back from a down-the-field finish when pitched in against the boys in the G1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot June 20. Tabiti (GB) (Kingman {GB}) was third in the 25-runner Sandringham Handicap at the Royal Meeting on June 20 and came out of that to share the spoils in the G3 Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood July 30. Kilwin (Twirling Candy) heads back to the grass after winning the June 8 Leslie's Lady Stakes and GI Test Stakes on the main track. Also on the program is the GIII Ladies' Marathon Stakes over the not-so-marathon distance of one mile, 2 1/2 furlongs. Baffert Fields Trio In Search Of a Dozen Debutantes Where it comes to 2-year-old racing, it's perennially an embarrassment of richest for trainer Bob Baffert, who will field three of the seven runners in Saturday's GI Del Mar Debutante,a race he's already won on 11 occasions since Batroyale in 1995. Baoma Corp's Himika (Curlin) really has no business being this effective at abbreviated trips, but the $900,000 OBS April purchase became a 'TDN Rising Star' when galloping by six on five-furlong debut June 12 and she barely broke a sweat when sailing home by better than four lengths in the GIII Sorrento Stakes going three-quarters of a mile Aug. 10. Juan Hernandez rode Himika in those two starts, but opts for fellow 'Rising Star' Explora (Blame) in the Debutante. The $350,000 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic breezer also has a pedigree that screams the farther, the better, but she was electric in graudating by 4 3/4 lengths going 5 1/2 furlongs here on Aug. 17. The quick-ish back-up might feel like a negative, but she won the debut with a minimum of fuss and has worked twice since. Richard Mandella won this two years ago with Beholder (Henny Hughes)'s 'Rising Star' daughter Tamara (Bolt d'Oro) and gives it another go with the same stallion's Bourbon and Ginger, who carried Mirco Demuro and the Spendthrift silks to a half-length debut score over Grandma Mary (Bolt d'Oro) going 5 1/2 panels here on Aug. 2. In the afternoon's other graded event at Del Mar, Medoro (Honor Code) , who returned from a December layoff to win the July 20 Osunitas Stakes, looks very tough to go past in the GII John C. Mabee Stakes, though Graham Motion's East Coast shipper Gimme A Nother (SAf) (Gimmethegreenlight {Aus}) is in with a puncher's chance. World Beater Ships Into Colonial World Beater (Oscar Performance) helped make for a very successful Saratoga meeting for Jim and Dana Bernhard's Pin Oak Stud, and having given last weekend's GIII Nashville Derby a miss, looms the one to beat in Saturday's GIII Old Dominion Derby. The nine-furlong contest takes the place on the calendar previously occupied by the Virginia Derby, which was relocated to this track's March meeting as a Kentucky Derby points race. A $105,000 Keeneland September graduate, World Beater has amassed a record of 3-2-1 from six starts on the turf, including the May 31 Audubon Stakes at Churchill and the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational either side of a runner-up effort to Nashville Derby fourth Test Score (Lookin At Lucky) in the GI Belmont Derby. The appropriately named Thirteen Colonies (Hit It a Bomb) merits a small look off a second in Saratoga allowance company behind Simulate (Kitten's Joy), who returned to complete the exacta in the GII Secretariat Stakes here Aug. 9. The afternoon's ninth and final graded stakes is the GIII Singspiel Stakes at Woodbine. The post Breeders’ Cup Berth On The Line In Kentucky Turf Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

King's Plate winner Mansetti makes a second stop along the Canadian Triple Crown when he battles six other Canadian-bred 3-year-olds in the CA$400,000 Prince of Wales Stakes Sept. 9 at Fort Erie.View the full article

BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY – Gestüt Brümmerhof stole the show at the BBAG Yearling Sale for the second year running when Godolphin swooped in to land a Sea The Stars filly out of German 1,000 Guineas heroine Novemba (Gleneagles) for €750,000. That sale represented continued support by Godolphin for the best stock that Germany has to offer given Anthony Stroud and his buying team bought Del Maro (Camelot) from Brummerhof for a record-breaking €850,000 here 12 months ago. Bidding through BBAG boss Klaus Eulenberger, Godolphin held off the attention of Alex Elliott and Kieran Lalor of Al Shira'aa Racing on the sale-topping Sea The Stars filly who is out of a champion in this country and from the family of Old Vic. Brümmerhof boss Gregor Baum said, “Last year we had the great Camelot and this year [we have topped the sale] again. We are pleased that Godolphin have trust in our stud and in German breeding. She is a special individual. A really tough filly, she is not too big and has a lot of character. We love her.” Asked if it was a difficult decision to sell the Sea The Stars filly, he replied, “It's a foal share so Madame Tsui should be happy as well. We'd have loved to keep her because she is a special horse for our family. But we are happy that she has gone to such a good buyer and such a good home. Novemba has a filly foal by Siyouni but she was not covered this year.” Eulenberger confirmed that he was bidding on behalf of Stroud, who was reported to have inspected the stock here on Tuesday before flying to America for the upcoming September Yearling Sale in Keeneland. “We are very thankful for the support of Anthony Stroud, David Loder and Sheikh Mohammed,” Eulenberger said. “They were here on Tuesday and liked the filly a lot. We are very happy that they bought her.” Brümmerhof produced a dominant performance, ending the sale as by far the leading vendor with nine horses sold for a combined sum of €1,545,000. The stud was also responsible for the second-most expensive horse sold on the day, a Camelot colt that was purchased by Philip von Ullmann for €340,000. Out of proven producer Mill Marin (Pivotal), who is the dam of three black-type horses including Group 1 scorer Mendocino (Adlerflug), the Camelot colt will join trainer Joseph O'Brien in Ireland. Von Ullmann said, “[He is] the best-looking colt in the sale for me. He is a star. He is going to go to Joseph and Joseph knows Camelot quite well. I think he was a good buy and also good value. I compared him a little bit to the Camelot [the once-raced Del Maro] from last year. I hope that he will be a horse for the Classics. Obviously it's very early to be saying that but that's what we will hope. He will probably head straight to Ireland now so we'll take it from there.” Of the 198 lots offered, 153 were sold at a clearance rate of 77%, which was up 4% on last year's figures. The €54,929 average was up by 14%, the €55,120 median by the same while turnover climbed by 13% to €8,404,100. Brummitt Goes Big In BBAG Jeremy Brummitt has farmed this sale better than most people in recent times with Group 1 winner Tamfana and leading St Leger hope Lazy Griff notable purchases. The latter was only beaten a little over three lengths in the Derby and, in lot 73, a colt by the bloodstock agent's beloved Stradivarius, Brummitt joked that he may have found Middleham Park Racing a horse who can go one place better at Epsom. Brummitt spent €593,000 on six yearlings, headed by a filly by the red-hot young stallion Palace Pier for €160,000. Meanwhile, the Stradivarius colt cost €140,000 and both of those yearlings were consigned by Gestüt Fährhof. “I thought he [73] was a very nice individual and embodied Strad's good points, which I think are not his coat colour and white socks, but his calm temperament and fluent movement,” Brummitt explained. “A lot of people are looking for a horse who looks like Strad but I'm looking for one who acts like him. I thought this horse acted like him. He's a bigger horse, he's a darker horse but he has effortless grace. He was bought for Middleham Park Racing in the hope that he will be three-and-a-half lengths faster than Lazy Griff!” He added, “I bought a very nice Palace Pier filly. I bought the individual, actually, and, while I am sure there will be Palace Pier fillies with bigger pedigrees at the upcoming sales, I am not sure there will be many with the same athleticism that she has. I think she is a very composed filly. I also bought a Sea The Stars colt [for €130,000] out of a mare that is inbred two by three to Lando. He was half the cost of the stallion fee and I don't know why more people didn't want to buy him. He was bought on spec for Mr [William] Haggas so anyone who wants a certain Group winner should ring up Mr Haggas!” No buyer left BBAG with more individual purchases than Brummitt and, while a number of people expressed difficulty in getting involved in what proved to be yet another bustling yearling sale in Europe, Brummitt maintains that there was a lot of value on offer. He concluded, “I am shocked that the horses here are not making more when you compare it to Doncaster and the Somerville. I think there are some nice horses here and I actually don't think they require as much imagination as people suggest. You've got to be very short-sighted if you need an early two-year-old.” Talking points Leading owner and syndicate manager Lars-Wilhelm Baumgarten predictably played a major role. One of the most expensive lots on the day, Gestüt Westerberg's Gleneagles colt [132], was sourced by Baumgarten on behalf of Liberty Racing for €210,000. Westerberg's front of house, Annelie Rodde, said, “For the last two months I've been saying this colt has Hamburg Horn written all over him! He's a lovely horse with a great mind and didn't lose his fantastic walk even though he was flat out showing for the last three days. We are delighted that Liberty Racing has bought him and the Derby dream for 2027 is very much alive.” Baumgarten labelled trade at BBAG to be extremely strong and revealed that, along with purchasing on behalf of Liberty Racing, he sourced various other horses on for new syndicates and ownership groups. He said, “It has been a strong market for the good horses. We are very happy with what we have bought today. The Soldier Hollow filly [67] we bought earlier was on behalf of a new syndicate and she is out of an old Aga Khan family that I love. It's very exciting to buy her on behalf of the new syndicate. It consists of some people who met through Liberty Racing and decided to go and buy something together. I have connected the guys together and they are interested in fillies only.” Blandford Bloodstock agent Stuart Boman has hit the ground running in his new role for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and, after signing for a handful of yearlings at Arqana, he supported the BBAG Yearling Sale when going to €160,000 for a Soldier Hollow colt from Gestüt Park Wiedingen. Boman said, “He has been bought for the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Danny Rolston has been over here with us this week. Soldier Hollow was an outstanding stallion and is a great loss. This is a lovely horse by him – great-mover who vetted very well, which is obviously important for the Jockey Club. This is a sale that the Hong Kong Jockey Club wanted to be active at and to support the German bloodstock industry.” Joseph O'Brien and Kevin Blake have honed in on the progeny of Counterattack and left Baden-Baden with a colt by the Group 1-placed sprinter for €55,000. He was consigned by Gestüt Karlshof. Blake said, “The stallion is under-appreciated and only covered very small crops in recent years, but the percentage of his runners that hit a rating of 100 or greater is very strong. I have been calling him the Chad Bradford of the European stallion scene for a few years now! Joseph felt this colt was one of the better individuals in the sale and he's a full-brother to the highest-rated Counterattack in See Hector, so we feel he was very good value. Joseph and I went on a similar mission to buy the best one by the sire at this sale last year and bought a filly that is getting close to making her debut.” On what was another memorable day for the leading German outfit, Gestüt Brümmerhof was also responsible for lot 56, a Saxon Warrior colt out of outstanding producer Wildfahrte (Mark Of Esteem), the dam of three individual black-type horses – Wildpark (Shamaradal), Wild Approach (New Approach) and Wild Max (Maxios) – and from the family of Waldgeist. It was trainer Marian Weissmeier who went to €200,000 to secure the colt. “He's a very nice colt,” said Weissmeier. “Andreas Suborics inspected him first, and said he liked him, and then I looked at him and liked him too. All the lights were green, so we tried our hardest to get him and thankfully we did. He's for a nice new owner in the stable, Gerd Lutters, who is based in Düsseldorf. We started working together this year. Hetty Spencer has carved out a bit of a niche in Germany and taking the leap in consigning her biggest-ever draft at BBAG paid off with eight lots selling for €258,000. The highlight of which came through lot 127, an Australia colt that went the way of Federico Barberini at €110,000. A quick scan through the results would suggest that there was only one horse bought to go breezing. That was lot 147, a Palace Pier colt purchased for €120,000 by Roderic Kavanagh of Glending Stables. Golden touch It was a rather select offering of pinhooked yearlings on Friday but debut consignor Bartek Radzikowski enjoyed a 'dream' result when the share price in his Intello colt [lot 25] rose from €13,000 to €61,000. It was Baumgarten's Liberty Racing who landed the colt from Radzikowski who, on the eve of the sale, told TDN Europe of how he rears his horses back home in Poland. Speaking after the sale, the young consignor said, “It's an absolute dream. Never did I think that he would make that kind of money. To be completely honest with you, I was expecting only half that much coming here this morning. It's amazing – a day I will not forget.” Thought for the day There is a lot riding on Torquator Tasso being a success at stud and one would have to take encouragement by how his yearlings sold on Friday. All told, 13 of the 15 horses offered by the high-class son of Adlerflug sold for an average of €50,231 and a highest-price of €160,000. The post ‘We Love Her’ – Sea The Stars Filly Heads BBAG Sale At 750k To Godolphin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article