Wandering Eyes

Imwonderfultonight will contest the Listed City of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A trip to the Queensland winter carnival is in the mix for progressive mare Imwonderfultonight and she could firm up plans with another strong showing this weekend. While the venture is yet to be confirmed, the daughter of I Am Invincible would offer a compelling argument if she runs up to expectations in the Listed City of Napier Sprint (1200m) at Otaki on Saturday. “She’s definitely going to the broodmare paddock in the spring and probably won’t race in New Zealand again after this weekend,” trainer Sam Mynott said. “We could send her to Brisbane for a small stint and we’ll assess that after her run on Saturday. “We’re taking each day as it comes before we decide what we do next. There are options over there for her, two or three stakes races that would suit her, but we’ll see how she goes here first.” Raced by strong supporters Windsor Park Stud and Ben Kwok, Imwonderfultonight has come a long way in a short time since joining Mynott’s Cambridge operation. “She has been so consistent and she hasn’t let us down at all, she’s been super,” she said. “She has gone from winning a maiden, a Rating 65 to stepping up to Listed level and running fourth in a Telegraph (Group 1, 1200m).” Imwonderfultonight will head to Otaki with five top four finishes in stakes company from her last six appearances, including a second in the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m) and thirds in the Group 3 Concorde Handicap (1200m) and most recently in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m). The only blemish in the five-year-old’s form line was an out of character failure in the Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). “We rode her back that day and it didn’t suit her. She didn’t breathe from the get-go, and it hadn’t been a problem before or after that, we let her race a bit more on the pace and she’s happy,” Mynott said. She is currently working a team of 25 from a leased property adjacent to the Cambridge track. “That’s nice and easy and I’ve got breakers and pre-trainers and around 10 racehorses in full work at the moment,” Mynott said. She has also ridden over jumps in recent seasons and from limited rides won aboard Mondorani at Rotorua last winter, but won’t be adding to that tally in the foreseeable future. “Rod (Schick, Windsor Park) put a firm foot down and I said if he keeps sending me horses like this to train then I’ll listen to him,” Mynott said. “I obviously ride most of my work, but I have always said I wouldn’t give up training for riding over the fences. “The business has gone a whole step ahead and I’ve got plenty of horses in the stable so that is definitely the main focus.” Horse racing news View the full article

Zac Purton celebrates milestone success. Zac Purton’s relentless pursuit of Chief Stipelas Whyte’s Hong Kong record of 1,813 wins annexed another important milestone at Happy Valley on Wednesday night when the Australian slotted a treble to become only the second jockey to ride 1,700 winners or more in Hong Kong. Chasing a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Purton extended a gaping lead in the 2023/24 standings to 30 wins over Karis Teetan (61) after the Australian snared a three-timer to take his seasonal tally to 91. In the midst of his 17th Hong Kong season, Purton is bearing down on his ninth century of winners in Hong Kong, having previously achieved the feat in 2013/14, 2016/17, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 – when he set the record for the most wins in a season with 179. Purton opened his account aboard Moments In Time before slotting his 1,700th on Francis Lui’s Copartner Prance and then crowning the night by piloting Sports Legend to victory. “It’s nice to get to 1,700 wins – it’s a big number,” Purton, 41, said. “It’s nice to get it on a progressive horse (Copartner Prance), so hopefully there’s a few more wins there. “(Whyte’s record) is still a way off. There’s still a bit of water to go under the bridge yet. He (Copartner Prance) is still learning, he doesn’t know what he’s doing, he’s doing a few things wrong and when he’s in front, he’s looking around.” With 25 meetings left in the season, Purton trails Whyte’s colossal figure by 112 wins. Now a successful trainer after retiring as a jockey in 2019, 13-time Hong Kong champion Whyte had 12,269 rides in Hong Kong, amassing 1,813 wins at a winning strike rate of 14.78%. Purton has had 9,854 rides in reaching 1,701 wins at a strike rate of 17.26% since moving to Hong Kong for the 2007/08 season. Moments In Time earned a HK$1.5 million PP Bonus and gave Danny Shum the first two legs of his treble. “It was a very good effort, he (Moments In Time) pulled really hard through the first half of the race,” Purton said. “It wasn’t ideal, normally they don’t finish off when they pull like that. “So, for him to put himself into the race was encouraging for him going forward. He had the race and then he went to throw it away and then he fought for it again – he’s still learning, but there’s something there.” Shum also scored with Hong Kong International Sale graduate Nice Birdie under Jerry Chau before teaming with Sports Legend in the last race. Four-time Hong Kong champion trainer Caspar Fownes is poised to become the fourth horseman to saddle 1,100 Hong Kong winners after Capital Legend snared the Class 4 Lavender Handicap (1650m) under Hugh Bowman. Fownes has 1,099 victories in the city to trail only John Moore (1,735), John Size (1,534) and Tony Cruz (1,501). Glorious Journey (135lb) overcame barrier 12 under a patient Matthew Chadwick ride for Frankie Lor before Ricky Yiu and Teetan combined with Golden Link in the second section of the Class 4 Freesia Handicap (1200m). Yiu now has 995 Hong Kong wins. Ivy League scored his second course and distance win under Keagan De Melo when fending off Simply Maverick for Whyte after E Universe swept to his second course and distance success under Lyle Hewitson for Manfred Man. Horse racing news View the full article

Top-tier bookmakers have rolled out an enticing lineup of racing specials slated for Thursday, April 11. Standouts on the list include a slew of lucrative bonus-back incentives, elevating the thrill of the trackside action. Dive into these offers from top horse racing betting sites to maximise your wagering prospects. The top Australian racing promotions for April 11, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Pakenham – 25% Boosted Winnings Max bonus $100. First fixed win bet only. Paid in bonus cash. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has conducted a thorough evaluation of Australia’s leading horse racing bookmakers, unveiling exclusive bonus promotions and specials tailored specifically for Thursday, April 11, 2024. These horse racing promotions stand as a testament to the unwavering dedication of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker is not currently offering a promotion, you can be confident that another is capitalising on promotional offers. Your go-to destination for the most rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses each day is HorseBetting.com.au. Take advantage of bookie bonuses and the best horse racing odds available for every race to increase the value of your betting endeavours. It’s important to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively crafted for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, simply log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those seeking races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Check out this week’s Box Seat with hosts Greg O’Connor and Michael Guerin for their Cambridge Night of Champions special. View the full article

Team Valor International belted a grand slam March 30-April 6, taking home four stakes victories in four different countries across three continents. Better yet, the wins came in consecutive stakes appearances for the ownership group.View the full article

The :9 4/5 works continue to pile up during the fourth session of the under-tack show for the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, with 18 juveniles hitting that mark Wednesday, even as sales officials confirm Thursday's session has been canceled due to forecasted inclement weather in Central Florida. After its unexpected dark day Thursday, the under-tack show will continue Friday and will have an extra day added Sunday. One of the pack of furlong bullet workers Wednesday was a son of Into Mischief out of multiple Grade I winner Separationofpowers (Candy Ride {Arg}). David Scanlon sent the striking bay with the sparkling pedigree (hip 603) to work early in the session. “We thought he would breeze really well today,” Scanlon said. “He prepped really good. He's been a very honest horse at the farm. He's real forward training and he has a real spring in his step. I always think :9 4/5s are blessings or gifts. I never go up expecting a :9 4/5, but you like to see it happen.” Separationofpowers won the 2017 GI Frizette S. and GI Test S. for trainer Chad Brown and Klaravich Stables. Her first foal, a filly by Curlin, sold for $650,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September sale. Scanlon purchased the Into Mischief colt, bred by Hunter Valley and Mountmellick Farm, for $350,000 at last summer's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. “For us, he was a pretty penny in Saratoga,” Scanlon said. “We always thought he looked like a real 2-year-old type out there. He's a smooth, well-balanced horse with a really nice hip on him.” Timing had a lot to do with the colt's price tag among all the glittering offerings at the boutique Saratoga sale, Scanlon said. “I think at the time, he was a little immature,” he explained. “I had a feeling he was just falling through the cracks there a little bit. Sometimes up there, we do that. We kind of have to look for those bargains and cracks in the market a little bit. If they check all of the boxes, we can't really afford them. The horses a lot of people bring up there are extremely mature, big physical specimens like [$2.3-million 2022 Saratoga topper and GI Kentucky Derby contender] Sierra Leone. “My wife and I always say, 'You've got to be there,'” Scanlon said. “We will vet a bunch of these and they will blow right past us–we aren't even close, we are off by zeroes. But then that one time you are there, you can get one like this. Luckily, we ended up getting him and he's just been a real standout from day one.” Daredevil on the Comeback Daredevil's first crop since being repatriated to the U.S. from Turkey in 2021 are now 2-year-olds and the Lane's End stallion was represented by a pair of bullet workers Wednesday. The Martin family's Britton Peak consignment sent out a colt by Daredevil (hip 594) to hit the bullet mark. The juvenile was forced to wait out a lengthy delay in the under-tack show after a loose horse was attended to on the track. “Unfortunately, we were right behind the accident,” Greg Martin said. “We were ready to work and we had to wait 45 minutes in the chute. Honestly, I hate to be so bold, but I wouldn't have been shocked if he had gone in :9 3/5. He definitely has a nice video. He has a nice, big stride on him.” The dark bay is out of graded winner Seasoned Warrior (Majestic Warrior), who is a daughter of Canadian champion Saoirse (Cure the Blues). Martin purchased the colt for $37,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton July sale. “He looked like an absolutely gorgeous individual,” Martin said. “He was well put together. Just the kind of body that I look for. He stood out.” While Daredevil's American-bred runners included GI Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil and GI Preakness S.-winning champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver, he was already plying his trade in Turkey when those fillies were making headlines in 2020. With his hiatus from the American sales ring now over, buyers may need a reintroduction to the stallion. “That's why, I think, we got him for that price,” Martin said of the colt's yearling price tag. “I think if he was by a first-year or sophomore stallion or somebody proven, we definitely wouldn't have gotten him for that price.” Of the colt's progression from last summer, Martin added, “He's definitely gotten bigger. Once in a while, you are going to get that horse who is push-button from day one. And he's been that. He has a really nice pedigree and he's a looker. He's a gorgeous individual.” A filly by Daredevil (hip 687) worked in :9 4/5 for Hal Hatch's Halcyon Hammock Farm. The bay is out of Starship Gussie (High Cotton), a half-sister to the dam of Shedaresthedevil. Bred in Florida by Mustang Farm, she RNA'd for $72,000 at last year's OBS October sale. Top Line Well Represented Five of Wednesday's18 bullet workers were from the Top Line Sales consignment: hip 524, a filly by Into Mischief who is a full-sister to graded winner Maximus Mischief; hip 548, a colt by Gormley; hip 577, a colt by Vekoma; hip 622, a colt by Not This Time; and hip 638, a colt by Maclean's Music. Wavertree Stables had a pair of juveniles share Wednesday's :9 4/5 co-fastest furlong time. Hip 567 is a filly from the first crop of Horse of the Year Authentic out of stakes winner Sandy's Surprise (Drosselmeyer), while hip 637 is a New York-bred daughter of Omaha Beach out of Sister Margaret (Pulpit). For the second day in a row, Grassroots Training & Sales had a pair of bullet workers: hip 599, a filly by Munnings; and hip 625, a filly from the first crop of GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Spun to Run. Also working in :9 4/5 Wednesday: hip 523, a filly by Not This Time consigned by Centofanti Thoroughbreds; hip 530, a filly by Nyquist consigned by Niall Brennan Stables; hip 555, a filly by Global Campaign consigned by Best a Luck Farm; hip 591, a colt by Hard Spun consigned by Harris Training Center; hip 642, a colt by Street Sense consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds; and hip 690, a filly by Not This Time consigned by Grade One Investments. A filly from the first crop of graded winner Instagrand (hip 551) turned in the fastest quarter-mile work of Wednesday's session when covering the distance in :20 3/5. Consigned by Hoppel LLC, the bay is out of Runaway Renee (Munnings) and was purchased for $70,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale. Conditions during the first four days of the seven-session under-tack show have been ideal, according to Scanlon. “I don't remember in recent years when we've had such absolutely perfect days,” he said. “I can't remember a year when we had so many cool mornings combined with an east wind–or a tailwind–for so many days in a row. It's been ideal conditions. It's made for perfect breeze days.” The ideal conditions are expected to be interrupted by heavy rain Thursday, prompting OBS officials to postpone the under-tack show's fifth session until Friday. Hips 691 through 863 are scheduled to work Friday, with hips 864-1035 on Saturday and hips 1036 through 1208 on Sunday. All sessions begin at 8 a.m. The OBS Spring sale will be held Tuesday through Friday with bidding starting each day at 10:30 a.m. The post Bullets Continue to Fly at OBS Wednesday, but Weather KO’s Thursday Breezes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. Among this week's rulings, trainer Lorenzo Ruiz was issued a combined 7-year suspension and charged a total of $95,000 in fines for three separate post-race positives for Diisopropylamine, a banned substance under HISA. The Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) classifies Diisopropylamine as a vasodilator, which is a substance that dilates the blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely through them. Diisopropylamine is also found in several everyday items like tobacco and beauty products, and hand sanitizer. The three Ruiz-trained runners–Kant Beat the Rock, American Cat and Facts Matter–ran at Los Alamitos last June and July. American Cat and Facts Matter won their respective races, while Kant Beat the Rock finished second. For these three positives, Ruiz was suspended a combined six years and charged a total of $90,000 in fines and arbitration costs. Ruiz was also issued an additional year suspension and $5,000 fine for breaching his provisional suspension by continuing to work as an outrider at Los Alamitos. Trainer Bernard Dunham was also suspended for 30-days and fined $2,500 after his trainee, Shanghai Superfly, tested positive for an alkalinizing agent (TCO2) when finishing fourth at Penn National on Dec. 8. High total carbon dioxide (TCO2) levels could be an indication of bicarbonate loading–otherwise known as milkshaking–which can neutralize the buildup of lactic acid in muscles, thereby helping the horse's performance. NEW HISA/HIWU STEWARDS RULINGS The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 04/05/2024 Licensee: Gustavo Rodriguez, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Glycopyrrolate–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Flint Ridge on 3/1/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 04/04/2024 Licensee: Lorenzo Ruiz, trainer Penalty: Accumulated 7-year suspension, $95,000 fine Explainer: For the presence of Diisopropylamine–a banned substance–in samples taken from Kant Beat the Rock, American Cat and Facts Matter who ran at Los Alamitos respectively on 7/4/23, 6/25/23 and 6/23/23. These were all possible violations of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers. This was also a possible violation of Rule 3227–aggravating Circumstances (in connection with Rule 3212 ADRVs). Resolution Date: 04/04/2024 Licensee: Mary Pattershall, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: For the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Shanghai Mike on 2/28/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 04/03/2024 Licensee: Adan Farias, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Dexamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Misty Rain on 2/25/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 04/03/2024 Licensee: Michelle Nevin, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: For the presence of Betamethasone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Everlys Girl on 2/19/24. This was a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Resolution Date: 04/03/2024 Licensee: Bernard Dunham, trainer Penalty: 30-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on 4/4/24; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $2,500; imposition of 3 Penalty Points. Final decision by internal adjudication panel. Explainer: For the potential breach of Rule 4221–Alkalinization or use/administration of an Alkalinizing Agent (TCO2)–on Shanghai Superfly, who finished fourth at Penn National on 12/8/2023. This was also a possible violation of Rule 3313–Use of a Controlled Method During the Race Period. Pending ADMC Violations Date: 03/05/2024 Licensee: Wendell Matt, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Dixon Tuff on 3/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 03/05/2024 Licensee: Wendell Matt, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Phenylbutazone–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Fire When Ready on 3/5/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 03/13/2024 Licensee: John Cortez, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Vet's list medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Acepromazine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from It'sanybodysgame on 03/13/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 02/26/2024 Licensee: Candelario Villamar, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Olivia's Choice, who finished third at Turf Paradise on 02/26/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 03/02/2024 Licensee: Bill McLean, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)–Controlled Medication (Class C)–in a sample taken from Street Tiger, who finished fourth at Golden Gate on 3/2/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 03/14/2024 Licensee: Ruben Alvarado, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, One Smokin Moon. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Date: 03/08/2024 Licensee: Amador Sanchez, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Capsaicin–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Grey Princess, who won at Gulfstream Park on 03/08/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 01/28/2024 Licensee: Philip Schoenthal, trainer Penalty: Provisionally suspended Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Prodigy Doll, who won at Laurel Park on 1/28/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Marker. Date: 02/09/2024 Licensee: Philip Schoenthal, trainer Penalty: Provisionally suspended Alleged Violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Methamphetamine–a banned substance–in a sample taken from Determined Driver, who won at Laurel Park on 2/9/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3212–Presence of a Banned Substance and/or its Metabolites or Marker. Date: 02/01/2024 Licensee: Andres Gonzalez, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Medication violation Explainer: For the presence of Lidocaine–Controlled Medication (Class B)–in a sample taken from Let There Be Peace, who won at Sunland Park on 02/01/24. This is a possible violation of Rule 3312–Presence of Controlled Medication Substance and/or its Metabolites or Markers (Post-Race/Vets' List). Date: 03/21/2024 Licensee: Richard Mandella, trainer Penalty: Pending Alleged violation: Pre-workout joint injection violation Explainer: A possible violation of Rule 3314–Use or Attempted Use of a Controlled Medication Substance or a Controlled Medication Method–on the horse, Ice Dancing. This is also a possible violation of Rule 4222–Intra-Articular Injections Within Seven (7) Days of Timed and Reported Workout. Violations of Crop Rule One important note: HISA's whip use limit is restricted to six strikes during a race. Oaklawn Park Joe Bealmear–violation date Apr. 4; $250 fine and one-day suspension Joe Bealmear–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension Martin Chuan–violation date Apr. 6; $250 fine and one-day suspension Tampa Bay Pablo Morales–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension Carlos Rojas–violation date Apr. 5; $250 fine and one-day suspension OTHER KEY RULINGS The TDN also publishes a roundup of key official rulings from the primary tracks within the four major racing jurisdictions of California, New York, Florida and Kentucky. Here's a primer on how each of these jurisdictions adjudicates different offenses, what they make public (or not) and where. California Track: Santa Anita Date: 04/04/2024 Licensee: Neil Drysdale, trainer Penalty: $2,500 fine Violation: Program Training Explainer: Pursuant to a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release with the California Horse Racing Board, Trainer Neil Drysdale, who was named as trainer in the official program for 'M Is For Magic (While still in the care of the previous trainer), in the fifth race at Del Mar Race Track on 11/11/23, is fined $2,500.00 for violation of California Horse Racing Board Rule #1502 (Program Training Prohibited). New York Track: Aqueduct Date: 04/04/2024 Licensee: Eric Cancel, jockey Penalty: Three-day suspension Violation: Careless riding Explainer: Jockey Mr. Eric Cancel for having waived his right to an appeal is hereby suspended three NYRA racing days 4/14/24, 4/18/24, 4/192024 inclusive. This for careless riding during the running of the 8th race at Aqueduct Racetrack on 3/14/24. The post Weekly Stewards And Commissions Rulings, Apr. 3-9 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Master of The Seas is out to avenge his former stablemate's defeat, as well as make amends of his own, when he lines up April 12 in the $600,000 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.View the full article

West Point Thoroughbreds announces the appointment of Trey Gordon as president. Terry Finley continues as CEO.View the full article

A trio of juveniles from the Mayfield Stables' consignment filled the top three positions during Wednesday's Osarus Breeze-Up Sale at La Teste Racecourse, with a filly by Mehmas (Ire) (lot 41), taking top honours at €80,000 from Mandore International Agency. The March foal is out of Heavenly Bliss (GB) (Intello {Ger}), herself a daughter of G3 Dahlia S. winner and triple Group 1 placegetter Heaven Sent (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), a full-sister to U.S. turf star and dual Grade I winner Megahertz (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). Mandore was also the name on the ticket for lot 2, a son of Profitable (Ire), who made €47,000 after bringing €20,000 during the Tattersalls Ireland September Yealing Sale. His granddam is Pomology (Arch), twice successful at group level and second in the G1 Prix Vermeille. The colt's New Approach (Ire) dam Teikei (Ire) is a half-sister to G3 Zetland S. hero Goldspur (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The third juvenile from Mayfield Stables was a filly (lot 40) by last year's leading first-season sire Blue Point (Ire), who caught the eye of Jean-Claude Rouget and Capucine BDT. Knocked down for €35,000 as a private sale, the filly is from the extended family of Classic winner and sire Camelot (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}). She sold for €27,000 at the 2023 Goffs February Sale. The fourth horse to make €30,000 or above was a filly by Aclaim (Ire) from John Bourke's Hyde Park Stud. The daughter of Impressionable (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) was also a Mandore International acquisition. Her second dam, the Bertolini mare Appealing (Ire), was second in the GII Yellow Ribbon H. and third in the GIII Oak Tree S. Overall, 36 sold (59%) from 61 offered for a gross of €579,000. The average of €16,919 was down 2% from 2023, while the median decreased 13% to €13,000. The post Mehmas Filly Leads Mayfield Trio At Osarus Breeze-Up Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A brand new series targeted towards lower-rated, older pacers kicks off at Addington tonight. Called the Canterbury Plains Challenge Series, it is designed for 5YO and older pacers rated R35 to R39. Tonight’s first heat (8.56pm) features a capacity 14-strong field. “The idea was first proposed by Addington Raceway and after some analysis, discussion and wrangling we have come up with this,” says Harness Racing New Zealand’s handicapper Andrew Morris, “and so far the concept looks to have been well received.” There will be 10 heats, each worth $12,500, between now and Ashburton on May 12. The series will culminate in a $30,000 final at Addington on May 17. All heats will be run as Preferential Barrier Draw based on earnings in the last five starts. The 10 heats will be held as follows : April 11 Addington April 14 Methven April 18 Addington April 19 Ashburton April 28 Rangiora (two heats) May 1 Addington May 5 Rangiora May 8 Addington May 12 Ashburton Final : May 17 Addington Consolation Final : May 19 Rangiora To be eligible for the final a horse must have had at least one start in a heat of this series, and a minimum of two race starts within the qualification period of April 11 – May 12. All heat winners will automatically qualify for the final as long as they have had a minimum of two totalisator race starts within the qualification period. If a horse wins two heats of this series it will be ineligible to contest any further heats. Points will be as follows : Second Place – 7 points Third – 5 points Fourth – 3 points Fifth – 2 points All other starters 1 point. In the event there is a tie for any position, a countback will be conducted. Other features of tonight’s programme include Race 6, the $25,000 Magness Benrow Sires’ 3YO Fillies Heat 1 (7.26pm) and the IRT Sires’ Stakes 3YO Trotters Prelude (5.56pm). The lineup has five last start winners including the very classy pairing of Empire City and Tyron Eros. They were the 2YO Trotting Filly and Colt/Gelding of the Year in 2023. To see Addington’s fields tonight click here View the full article

West Point Thoroughbreds has appointed Trey Gordon as its new President, while Terry Finley continues as Chief Executive Officer, the racing partnerships company said in a Wednesday release. In his new role, Gordon will work closely with Finley, who remains fully involved in the company's strategic direction and commitment to operating North America's largest public racehorse syndicate. “Trey has been a West Point Partner since 2021 and has an incredible passion for the game,” said Finley. “Our company has grown tremendously over the past several years and with over 130 horses in training and 650 Partners, we see bringing him on board as a natural expansion of our executive team. He is passionate about introducing new people to the sport and helping us execute on the highest level of Partner service. To know Trey is to like Trey, he's personable, kind, and a great ambassador for racing.” A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and Texas Tech University School of Law, Gordon practiced law for 33 years in Fort Worth, Texas. Additionally, he has 17 years of experience as a certified mediator. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, and has been a member of that organization's syndicate for 25 years, serving as chairman in 2020 and 2021. His efforts have helped generate over $80 million for agricultural youth in Texas. “I am honored to join the West Point Thoroughbreds team,” said Gordon. “I've had a wonderful experience as a Partner and this opportunity presented itself organically, combining my passion for racing and decades of experience working with people and organizations. Terry and I share the same values and I look forward to enhancing West Point's reputation as a world leader in racing partnerships.” The post Trey Gordon Named West Point Thoroughbreds President appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The winning mare Julia Augusta (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) (lot 15) topped the Tattersalls Online April Sale when selling to Jimmy Chua for 72,000gns on Wednesday during a sale noted for its record clearance of 76%. Offered by Roger Varian's Carlburg Stables, the 5-year-old mare has won twice–once each on turf and the all-weather–and was fourth in the Listed Snowdrop Fillies' S. at Kempton last Saturday. From the family of Poet's Word (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}), she is out of a half-sister to the dam of GIII Chicago S. winner Abby Hatcher (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). A yearling filly by Mehmas (Ire) (lot 55) came in second on the buyers' sheet when making 45,000gns on the bid of Kingthorn Racing. A half-sister to the G2 Superlative S. and GIII Quick Call S. third Neverland Rock (GB) (No Nay Never), the Baroda Stud-consigned bay is a granddaughter of multiple group winner Jessica's Dream (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}), herself the dam of G1 Prix Jean Prat hero and Group 1 sire Havana Gold (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Another two lots cleared 25,000gns–a yearling son of Admire Moon (Jpn) (lot 58), also from Baroda Stud, caught the eye of R T Goodes at 35,000gns. Rounding out the top four was Laafy (Noble Mission {GB}) (lot 17), who was consigned by Whitewall Stables and brought 27,000gns from Brian Ellison. Padraic Gahan of Baroda Stud, which was the leading vendor at the sale with 13 yearlings sold of 13 offered, said, “We are pleased with our consignment at the Tattersalls Online April Sale. It is great that all 13 of our yearlings sold and we would like to wish their purchasers luck with them be that for re-offering in the Autumn, at the breeze-up sales or on the racecourse. Particular thanks to the teams at Castlebridge, Castlehyde Stud and Ecurie des Monceaux for their assistance in bringing these to the market.” Of the 62 horses offered, 47 were marked as sold for a gross of 427,100gns. The median was 4,200gns and the average was 9,087gns. The post Record Clearance, As Ulysses Mare Tops Tattersalls Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

"We're privileged to align the Tattersalls Ireland brand to the Polish St Leger. The Polish racing industry goes from strength to strength, and our graduates are an integral part of raising its profile as a racing nation," Simon Kerins said.View the full article

Mike Ryan's Dilger will kindle plenty of emotion when he goes to the post for the 42nd running of the $400,000 Lexington Stakes (G3) April 13 at Keeneland. View the full article

Raise the Bar (c, 2, Maclean's Music–Paschali, by Bernardini) ran to the money for trainer Wesley Ward as the even-money favorite on debut over the sloppy going at Keeneland Wednesday. The rail-drawn Chief Stipelas Scharbauer homebred was hustled to the front beneath John Velazquez, kicked for home under very confident handling and was never seriously asked for run while crossing the wire 2 1/2 lengths clear of Tuxedo Park (Complexity). The final time for 4 1/2 furlongs was :52.17. O/B-Chief Stipelas Scharbauer (TX); T-Wesley Ward. Favored RAISE THE BAR ($4.26) went gate-to-wire under a hand ride to win his first career start in race 2 at Keeneland! Johnny Velazquez was in the irons for trainer Wesley Ward and owner/breeder Chief Stipelas Scharbauer. pic.twitter.com/uzoMq0ZNzK — TVG (@TVG) April 10, 2024 The post Wesley Ward-Trained Maclean’s Music Firster Sharp on Debut at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing to School and the Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust have renewed their partnership for an additional two years that will allow the latter to continue assisting young people in hard-to-reach areas, the duo announced on Wednesday. Already in its third year, the partnership has assisted over 600 young people from rural, inner city and deprived areas in 2023. The aim is to expose more young people to free, interactive, and healthy outdoor educational events for schools, staged at a variety of racing venues through the Racing to School experience. John Blake, chief executive of Racing to School, said, “Developing this special partnership with the Gerald Leight Charitable Trust has helped widen our scope to support new beneficiaries, and the racing industry. We are already working alongside other partners with similar objectives, which is very exciting.” The post Gerald Leigh Charitable Trust And Racing To School Renew Partnership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Keely Mckitterick/TTR AusNZ Following the sale of the AU$10 million Winx (Aus) filly and his announcement to step back from full-time duties at the end of the year, Jonathan D'Arcy, Inglis's general manager of bloodstock operations, spoke with TTR AusNZ. A few days after Jonathan D'Arcy, Inglis's general manager of bloodstock operations and auctioneer, made headlines for knocking down the Pierro (Aus) x Winx filly for a staggering AU$10 million to Woppitt Bloodstock, he took the time to sit down with The Thoroughbred Report for a Q&A session. While there was news of D'Arcy's retirement, he was quick to clarify that he would only be stepping back from his full-time role at Inglis. However, he plans to remain involved as part of the bloodstock inspection team and will continue his duties as an auctioneer. D'Arcy told TTR AusNZ, “I'm stepping back from a full-time position, but I'll certainly still be around. I will be playing a role in inspecting yearlings with the team in August and September and I'll be in the auction box for as long as they [Inglis] want to keep me.” Keely: Jonathan, could you provide readers with some insight into how your career in the breeding and racing industry began? D'Arcy: Certainly, I am going back a long time, probably before you were born, but I grew up in Brisbane and I was always interested in the thoroughbred industry. During my school holidays, I'd go and work on a stud farm or I'd go down to Eagle Farm Racecourse and help out a couple of trainers down there. My mum was a tipster on the radio and had a column in the paper tipping horses, so there was always an interest there and after finishing school I worked for a couple of properties and then to the Agricultural College in Victoria, and as part of that course I ended up doing some experience with Inglis in 1986. After that work experience I was fortunate enough that John and Reg Inglis offered me a position in the pedigree team. At that stage we wrote pedigrees, they weren't generated by computers, so we wrote all of them. At that stage I certainly wasn't thinking I was going to become an auctioneer. I just enjoyed being around the horses and loved the pedigree side of the business. I was learning a lot, as you do working for a company like Inglis. A couple of years later Reg Inglis asked me and Vin Cox if we'd like to have a go at auctioning. We both took up the offer, I kept going with it and Vin decided he'd go down more of a sales path where he became a successful bloodstock agent before embarking on his very successful management career. I stayed with auctioneering because I enjoyed it so much. I've been lucky enough to see the world as a company representative and it's been a very enjoyable career to this date. Keely: How do you ready yourself for an auction? Do you plan out your approach in advance, or do you prefer to improvise and go with the flow? D'Arcy: Every auction is different, and obviously a sale like the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale there's a lot more work that goes into having a think about how you can promote these horses you're selling. Most auctions we take 90 seconds to 2 1/2 minutes to sell a horse. So, there's not an awful lot you can say, you just make sure you're up to date with the pedigree and what the stallion's latest racetrack results are. We get all the information on the successful nicks and crosses, but all the buying bench is so well versed in all this information. They don't really want to hear a lot about pedigrees–it's all in the catalogue and so they really want an efficient auctioneering service that can get the horses bought and sold in a good time. I think we're actually selling a bit faster these days just to get through the large number of lots that we've got on our selling days. But overall, I don't think we want to bore people with extra statistics or pedigree information. You just got to be up to date with anything that might help or make a difference when the final bids are called for. Keely: Throughout your extensive and successful career, who have been some of your influences and sources of inspiration? D'Arcy: I've been fortunate to be around a lot of successful people in this industry. Early days, I was learning from the auctioneers that were present at the company. So, that was Reg Inglis, John Inglis and Jamie Inglis. Down the track we took over Dalgety Bloodstock in Victoria, and that meant that we had the services of Peter Heageny. Peter was certainly someone who I learned a lot of auctioneering skills from. We also worked with Simon Vivian. I spent a lot of time listening to other auctioneers and I was lucky enough to follow Damien Cooley, who's a very successful real estate auctioneer. I followed him around for several months just learning how he sold houses. I was lucky enough to do a real estate auction for his company. An inspiration has been Neville Begg. I am very fortunate to have developed a strong friendship with Neville. Obviously, he's been a successful trainer in Australia for many years. When he went to Hong Kong, I was lucky to stay with Neville and his wife on several occasions. Neville remained a very close friend and someone I learned a lot about horses from. I've spent time with many successful bloodstock agents like Kieran Moore and John Foote. There's too many to name. You learn from everyone you're around, and it's an industry that you keep learning. You're still learning to this very day and that's what makes it interesting. It's an industry where a lot of people get involved and a lot of people do share their knowledge with you. I think that's great for young people coming up through the business that you can learn from all these different people that we've got within the industry. Keely: What is your favourite aspect of your role? D'Arcy: At Inglis, we have a great bloodstock team. We've got about 10 people in the bloodstock team, so we talk to each other a lot. We have meetings almost weekly where we talk about some of the things we need to do, whether it's for a digital sale or whether it's recruiting buyers to certain sales. Sometimes it's about what we need to do to attract yearlings or attract mares for the Chairman's Sale. So, there's always something different happening throughout the year. The most enjoyable part to me is the auctioneering. I love it because I think we can make a difference to the returns for our clients, and I love the theatre of it. I love the fact every sale is different. When you're calling bids at a million dollars and seeing the emotion on both purchasers' and vendors' faces, that's a great kick. It's great to play a very small part in a successful sale. Because the breeders have spent up to 18 months, two years, breeding the mare to get the foal and then foal to a Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale or a Inglis HTBA Sale or Classic or Premier–to get the result for them that they dream of that's very important for not only myself but all the people in the company. Keely: Apart from the Winx filly, could you share some of your other career highlights? D'Arcy: I was lucky enough to sell a mare called Samantha Miss (Aus). She was put through as a racing and breeding prospect as a 4-year-old mare. She'd won the VRC Oaks and was probably one of the highest profile race mares to be sold that year. Samantha Miss sold for AU$3.85 million – that was a great thrill. I was also fortunate enough to sell Makybe Diva (GB)'s Galileo (Ire) colt at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when it was held at Newmarket many years ago. Once again, that was not dissimilar to what we saw play out this week, there was a lot of mainstream media attention there. Makybe Diva having won the Melbourne Cup on three occasions and a Cox Plate. There was a lot of international interest, the colt made AU$1.7 million. That was exciting but some of the biggest thrills you get are selling horses for AU$100,000 when the client thought it was worth AU$40,000 or selling a horse for AU$80,000 when they thought they were struggling to get AU$20,000. That gives you as much thrill as selling the high-priced horses. Sometimes a result like that keeps that breeder in the game. It means they can breed the mare again the following year. So, I think it's very important, and it's not a cliché but every horse we offer is important. We would like to think that we're giving every horse the same opportunity to maximise its sale price through our auctioneering team. Keely: Could you share some of your funniest or most cherished memories from your career? D'Arcy: I can remember when I was a bit younger and I was actually taking bids in the Newmarket ring, which many people will remember had quite a lot of residential housing around it and a school and hospital across the road. I can't recall if it was a Inglis Classic Sale or an Easter Sale but my wife and I lived across the road and we had a young beagle puppy called Jackson. Anyway, I had my back to the auctioneer and was looking at the clients under the tree taking bids and there was a commotion and I turned around and here was this beagle puppy racing straight towards me! It was quite a hilarious moment. I'm sure there would be a lot of other funny moments around the sales. You get people who are surprised at what their horses are making, absolutely gobsmacked and wonderful things like that. We sold a colt for a vendor from New Zealand one day, who thought the horse was going to make AU$400,000- AU$500,000 and they ended up making well over that mark, selling for AU$1.5 million. So, that was a bit of fun. You share a lot of jokes and camaraderie with the clients. Many of the people who attend the sales have been attending them for a very long time, you can always have a laugh with them about certain things that happen in the sale ring. Keely: What positive changes or innovations have you observed in the industry, and are there any aspects you'd like to see improved or altered? D'Arcy: I suppose the innovations are the way computers are used these days. The statistics are up to date and you can get the ratings that are put out after every meeting. I think that's certainly a tool that many people use now when they're buying horses or if they're trading horses to Hong Kong, those ratings are something that have become very Prior to the introduction of computers – analytics, statistics, ratings was very much a personal opinion but now it's solid data behind why horses are bought and sold. One of the biggest changes with the selling of bloodstock/livestock has been the introduction of digital sales. We've been lucky at Inglis to play a role in that. We're turning over AU$90 to AU$95 million a year in digital sales. But that's made it a very liquid market so you don't have to wait three or four months to sell a horse or even prior to this it wasn't really possible to sell a five or 10 per cent share in a horse. Now you've got a sale every two weeks. So, it's almost like the stock market, like a trading floor of a stock market and I think that has changed the way people look at trading bloodstock. We have horses that one year they're sold as a yearling for AU$400,000 and they have a couple of starts and the syndicate might decide that they're not exactly going to make a stallion, so they're traded for say AU$200,000. That horse might win a couple of races for that owner and then maybe nine months later they're traded again for AU$90,000 because they need to continue their racing in an easier jurisdiction. Some of these horses have been traded three, four, five times in their lives and at each time it's important for the owners to be able to conduct that trading. I think the fact we've developed a trading platform that assists everyone. The second part, I think the industry is now much more focused on welfare and the importance of displaying to the world that we care about these horses, not only during their racing careers but their post racing careers. While there's still more that can be done and needs to be done, I think everyone is now thinking in the right direction. There isn't just financial support but also having a think about how we look after these horses once they are retired. So, I feel that was something that was very much required and it's been a rocky road to get to that point. Keely: Is there a particular stallion that holds a special place in your heart over the years? D'Arcy: I was fortunate enough to be around when Danehill was really in full stride. I can remember looking at his fist crop and they sold okay but when they started racing it was quickly understood that he was a breed shaper stallion. Danehill was getting colts and fillies, his sons were going off to stud and were successful – the likes of Danzero (Aus), Flying Spur (Aus), Redoute's Choice (Aus), Fastnet Rock (Aus). The fact that we were able to sell Danehills for something like 12 years, the incredible popularity of the stallion and the success they had. Many of them were sold through our Easter Yearling Sale, it was just a great time to be involved. I remember Danehills regularly making a million dollars, two million and he never had any sex bias. It's a rare thing to see in a stallion – the term is a breed shaper and I've only seen a couple of breed shaper stallions in my lifetime. Danehill was probably the greatest one and to have the opportunity to his progeny for an extended period of time was certainly a great highlight of mine. Keely: Do you consider the sale of the Pierro x Winx filly to be the pinnacle of your career? D'Arcy: I suppose a lot of people will because it got all the publicity, and it was certainly probably the most highly anticipated moment of my career. I just hoped everything would play out well. I was pleased that there was competition, I would have loved to have had a few other people to jump in. However, I know people were trying to have a bid at AU$3 million, AU$4 million and AU$5 million. People have spoken to me afterwards saying we tried to get in but it was just too fast. I was just delighted to be able to play a very, very small role in what was a great story. The marketing team here and the way buyers were recruited did a massive job. I think the whole story captured the imagination of the Australian public and the thoroughbred industry around the world – that was great. As an auctioneer we sell a lot of horses every year but it's been very enjoyable being part of this sale and it's very fresh in my mind. It's an easy one to remember because there's just been so much written about it and a lot of video content. It was just a thrill to be involved and I'm pleased that it played out well for everyone. Fingers crossed the filly can go on and continue the legacy that Winx has laid down. Keely: Has the reality of selling a yearling filly for AU$10 million fully set in for you? D'Arcy: I practised selling her for about a month before the sale, not every day, but if I was driving for half-n-hour or every couple of days and in my mind she never made AU$10 million. When practising I'd be taking bids of AU$200,000 or AU$250,000 but to be taking bids of a million and a million and a half, that wasn't something I considered was ever a possibility of occurring. I don't think any auctioneer in the world would have imagined they'd be calling bids of that magnitude in such quick succession as how it played out. Personally, I really didn't think she would be making that sort of money. When you think about it the highest-priced yearling ever sold was a colt at US$13 million and it was a long, long time ago. The Australian record for a filly was AU$2.6 million, and I thought she'd be making somewhere around AU$5 million because of the interest. At AU$10 million, it is still sinking in for a lot of us. Just a magic moment to be involved in and a horse's worth is determined by what two people are willing to pay. Debbie Kepitis had a part ownership of the filly, but she had to pay an awful lot of money to buy out her partners. It was a unique opportunity to buy the daughter of arguably the greatest racehorse we've ever seen in this country. Keely: What would you name the Pierro x Winx filly? D'Arcy: I quite like a name called An A Nod. Three words, a wink and a nod. Sort of something like that. There's an old saying, a nod and a wink. So, that's why I think An A Nod. But I'm sure smarter people than I will come up with a very suitable name for her. The post ‘In My Mind, She Never Made AU$10 Million’: Jonathan D’Arcy And A Lifetime Of Sales appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the Listed HH The Amir Trophy in Qatar before causing a mild surprise over a star-studded field in the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic Mar. 30, is scheduled to travel overseas yet again for his next start. “He shipped back to Newmarket a couple of days ago, shipped well, and I think we'll stick with plan A and probably head to Hong Kong for the [May 26 G1 Standard Chartered] Champions and Chater there,” trainer Charlie Appleby told Equidia's Katherine Ford Callier at Deauville Apr. 9. Having won a pair of Group 1s in Germany and the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf in 2022, the homebred endured a string of bad luck when winless last season–including a spill in a race at Saratoga–but hinted at a return to his better form when taking out the Listed Wild Flower S. over the Kempton all-weather in December. The 6-year-old made the majority of the running in the Amir Trophy to win by a convincing three lengths and sat just off a moderate tempo in the Sheema Classic, pouncing late to best Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) by two lengths. “It's a program we put in place before the Sheema Classic,” Appleby said of the trip to Hong Kong. “We know he enjoys his traveling, as long as he's traveling in and out within a certain period, but importantly, he likes that style of track and that style of racing. So that's our plan to go to the Champions and Chater.” Rebel's Romance is likely to come up against Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has capped off each of his last two seasons in Hong Kong with victories in the Champions and Chater Cup, as well as the dual group-winning Straight Arron (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), a meritorious sixth in the Mar. 30 G1 Dubai Turf over an insufficient 1800 metres. The post Rebel’s Romance To Take His Show Back On The Road appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Everybody is searching for that flagbearer. Be it a jockey, trainer or an owner, the hunt for a horse capable of taking in big-race riches, that's the lure Breeze-up consignors are no different. Being associated with good horses is what sustains a business and keeps buyers coming back for more. That's what makes Sunday's Leopardstown maiden winner Ecureuil Secret (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) such an important horse in the career of Ryan Conron. Having put down two big stints working for prominent breeze-up handlers Con Marnane and Thomond O'Mara, Conron has been connected to many top-class horses, but Ecureuil Secret is shaping up to be the first flag-bearer sold through his own Lacka House Stables. After failing to sell at the Arqana May Breeze-Up Sale last year, the €22,000 yearling purchase was snapped up privately by trainer Edward O'Grady on behalf of owner Aidan O'Ryan last summer. Afforded time to fill into his fine frame, Ecureuil Secret made his debut in a one-mile maiden at Leopardstown on Sunday, justifying strong support to score in the style of an above-average colt. Conron said, “I have only been consigning under Lacka House Stables since 2020 and, while I have worked with a lot of good horses and sold some nice horses through Knockanglass Stables [Thomond O'Mara] and Eoin McDonagh's Shanaville Stables, Ecureuil Secret is potentially the nicest I've sold under my own banner.” He added, “Edward had an order for a two-year-old and I think he tried and failed to fill that order at the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale. He looked at a couple of Thomond's horses that were going to the July Sale in France and then, afterwards, looked at my lad as well. He liked Ecureuil Secret and asked if I'd work him in his yard that week. “That all went well and we had a deal done a few days later. Edward gave the horse the time that he needed and now he has a very nice colt on his hands-he's potentially a Group horse.” Ecureuil Secret (right): winning at Leopardstown | Racingfotos.com Ecureuil Secret does not hold any fancy entries at this juncture but that might change soon. Described as 'a very nice horse' by O'Grady in his post-race interview, the Wootton Bassett colt is the latest example that smart horses don't have to break the clock at the breeze-up sales. Conron recalled, “He was not your typical breeze-up horse–he was big and raw but he always had a big engine and showed plenty of pace. He was just on the weak side. With that being considered, he couldn't have gone to a better trainer in Edward O'Grady, as he gave him all of the time that he needed.” Ecureuil Secret might be the first horse that Conron is getting deserved recognition for but this is far from his first rodeo. He has been a key cog in the wheels of various big operations and has enjoyed many fine touches before branching out on his own. Explaining his background in the industry, Conron said, “Thomond is married to my aunt, Roisin O'Mara, and they taught me how to ride. They have taught me so much. I rode a lot of good horses for Thomond, including Malc (GB) (Calyx {GB}), who finished second in the Norfolk last year, and I still ride two lots for him every day. “All told, I've been pinhooking and trading breeze-up horses for seven or eight years now. Happy Together (Ire) (Dragon Pulse {Ire}) is probably the best horse that I have been associated with up until now. He has won over €3 million in prize-money in Hong Kong. I bought him for £15,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale when it was held at Newmarket during Covid in 2020. Thomond took half of the horse with me and I actually consigned him at Doncaster but he didn't breeze well and we withdrew him. I didn't do so well selling him at Doncaster so Thomond had a go at consigning him at Tattersalls Ireland!” Conron added, “He wasn't ideally-suited to breezing–not every horse is–because he liked to pass horses and never really did it on his own. I met Peter Nolan the night before Goresbridge and, thankfully, he listened to me and came down and looked at the horse the following day. He didn't breeze brilliantly again but, Peter is such a brilliant horseman, he saw enough in the horse and bought him for £24,000 on behalf of Noel Meade. He nailed it.” Nadowessi (Ire) (Sioux Nation), who finished second in a winners' race at Naas before being sold on to America, and rock-solid sprint handicapper Secret Guest (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), are other graduates. Like so many of the young breeze-up handlers who are making a proper go of it in their own right, Conron also speaks highly of his time spent working for Marnane, and credits the Bansha House operator for fast-tracking his progress within the industry. He said, “I spent three or four years working for Con Marnane and had a great time working for him. I rode a lot of nice horses for Con-Sands Of Mali (Fr), Prince Of Lir (Ire), Different League (Fr), Teppal (Fr)-and went out to France when Matthieu Palussiere was looking after his string out there. When you think back now, so many of the staff that Con sent out to France are running their own breeze-up consignment now, so that's hardly a coincidence. You could call him the Jim Bolger of the breeze-up game! “Off the top of my head, you had Stephen Byrne [Knockgraffon], Justin Timmons [Dolmen], Eoin Mc Donagh [Shanaville], Colin Bargary [Drummona House] and Shane 'Rancher' Ryan as well. Con had a brilliant method in place and we all learned a lot there. It helped me realise what a good horse actually feels like and that helps when you are standing outside your own consignment. It seems as though Marnane is indebted to Conron just as much as the latter is to the Bansha boss. “He didn't just ride Different League every day,” Marnane recalls of Conron's input, “he practically trained that filly. Ryan is a special horse man and you'd be proud to see himself and the lads doing so well out on their own.” While becoming bigger and better is the name of the game, Conron explained how his rapid progress came as a surprise even to him at one stage last autumn. However, there is no such thing as a problem in Conron's world, only solutions. He said, “We've nine horses this year but at one point we were a little short of room! My partner Pamela and myself bought a small place near Fethard in Tipperary a couple of years ago. We don't have a gallop yet but we try to improve the place every year. To that extent, we have been relying on the help of our neighbour, Johnny Cummins, who lets us use his gallop.” He continued, “The other little hurdle we had to jump recently was a lack of stables! There were only eight stables when we moved in and, as I said earlier, I buy a couple of horses every year with Eoin McDonagh, but we were both full by the time Book 3 came around. Anyway, Eoin fell in love with a Starspangledbanner (Aus) filly and we couldn't leave her behind. We just couldn't help ourselves. “When I got home, I said that I had no other option to convert the garage into stables. I rang a couple of mates and we had it up in no time. When I started off buying breezers, I did it with Eoin and his aunt, Noleen O'Brien, and they have also been very good to me and gave me a great start. Wherever you go in this game, there are so many people willing to give you a hand, and I'm forever grateful to so many people.” The post ‘He’s Potentially A Group Horse’ – Conron Full Of Hope For Leopardstown Winner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's Master of The Seas is out to avenge his former stablemate's defeat, as well as make amends of his own, when he lines up April 12 in the $600,000 Maker's Mark Mile (G1T) at Keeneland.View the full article

"We're privileged to align the Tattersalls Ireland brand to the Polish St Leger. The Polish racing industry goes from strength to strength, and our graduates are an integral part of raising its profile as a racing nation." -Simon KerinsView the full article

Prep season for the GI Kentucky Oaks is over and we have a pretty good idea of who is going to be in the race and which ones are the horses to beat. With three major preps–the GI Ashland S., the GII Santa Anita Oaks and the GIII Gazelle S.–all run over the weekend, there was plenty of movement in our Top 10. But the very solid Tarifa (Bernardini) maintains the top spot for Brad Cox. Here's a look at the latest installment of our Kentucky Oaks Top Ten: 1) TARIFA (f, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', MGSW, 5-4-0-0, $518,925. Last start: WON Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 150. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 3. Had someone done something spectacular in the GI Ashland S. at Keeneland, 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa might have been knocked down a peg. It didn't happen that way. Tarifa's stablemate, Impel (Quality Road), who was getting all the hype prior to the Ashland ran third, but does not have enough points to get into the Oaks. There's just no knocks on Tarifa, who is four-for-five lifetime and is riding a three-race winning streak. She faced a tough bunch in the GII Fair Grounds Oaks Presented by Fasig-Tipton and prevailed. She's more steady than spectacular, but you know she will show up on Oaks Day for trainer Brad Cox, who will be seeking his third win in this race. 2) LESLIE'S ROSE (f, Into Mischief–Wildwood Rose {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) O-Whisper Hill Farm; B-John D. Gunther & Eurowest Bloodstock Services (Ky); T-Todd Pletcher. Sales history: $1,150,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GISW, 4-3-0-1, $467,800. Last start: WON GI Ashland S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 115. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3 The Ashland was easily the best Oaks prep run so far this year, so you have to give a lot of credit to the winner, 'TDN Rising Star' Leslie's Rose. She was bought by owner Mandy Pope at Keeneland September for $1.15 million and got her career off to a fast start, with two straight wins, including a 9 1/4-length romp in her debut. But she stubbed her toe when third at odds of 3-10 in the GII Davona Dale S. on a day when she had no excuses. The betting public all but gave up on her in the Ashland, sending her off at 9-1. It now looks like she may fulfill her potential after all. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the race four times and will tie all-time leaders Woody Stephens and Wayne Lukas with a win. 3) THORPEDO ANNA (f, Fast Anna–Sataves, by Uncle Mo) O-Brookdale Racing, Inc., Mark Edwards, Judy B. Hicks & Magdalena Racing (Sherri McPeek); B-Judy Hicks (Ky); T-Kenneth McPeek. Sales history: $40,000 yrl '22 FTKOCT. Lifetime Record: 'TDN Rising Star', GSW, 4-3-1-0, $584,363. Last Start: WON GII Fantasy S., Mar. 30. Kentucky Oaks Points: 105. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3. Still another 'TDN Rising Star,' she sold for just $40,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Fall Yearling Sale. Trainer Kenny McPeek has a knack for finding good horses that didn't cost a lot and this is the latest example. She won her first two races by a combined margin of 17 1/2 lengths before finishing second in the GII Golden Rod S. as an odds-on favorite. But she was back at her best when scoring an easy four-length win in the GII Fantasy S. The Fantasy will be her only prep for the Oaks, but there's little doubt that McPeek willl have her tight enough and ready for the Kentucky Oaks. 4) JUST F Y I (f, Justify–Star Act, by Street Cry {Ire}) O/B-George Krikorian (Ky); T-Bill Mott. Lifetime Record: Ch. 2yo Filly, GISW, 4-3-1-0, $1,433,250. Last start: 2nd in GI Ashland S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 90. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3. All things considered, she didn't run badly in the Ashland, even if it was her first career defeat. Trainer Bill Mott had to play catch-up after she missed a start in the GII Davona Dale S. with a fever. That meant she had to run well in the Ashland to have enough points to make the Oaks. She had a good trip under Junior Alvarado and looked to be within striking distance at the top of the stretch, but couldn't deliver the knockout punch. Every reason to believe she will run better in the Oaks. 5) POWER SQUEEZE (f, Union Rags–Callmethesqueeze, by Awesome Again) O-Lea Farms, LLC; B-Forging Oaks Farm, LLC (Ky); T-Jorge Delgado. Sales history: $50,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $90,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 6-4-1-0, $337,450. Last start: WON GII Gulfstream Park Oaks, Mar. 30. Kentucky Oaks Points: 120. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3. She flew in under the radar when winning the GII Gulfstream Park Oaks at odds of 11-1. It was her fourth straight win and her third straight in stakes company for high-percentage trainer Jorge Delgado. She originally sold for $50,000 at Keeneland September and then for $90,000 at OBS June. Has seemed to get better as the distances have gotten longer and is 2-for-2 around two turns. 6) WHERE'S MY RING (f, Twirling Candy–Mapit, by Tapit) O-Michael McMillan; B-Don Alberto Corporation (Ky); T-Val Brinkerhoff. Sales history: $100,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSW, 8-1-3-1, $202,620. Last start: WON GIII Gazelle S., Apr. 6. Kentucky Oaks Points: 125. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3. You have to give trainer Val Brinkerhoff a lot of credit. He could have stayed on the West Coast with this filly, but that would mean facing off against the Baffert monsters in the GII Santa Anita Oaks. So he shipped her across the country to run in the Gazelle at Aqueduct, where the competition would be lacking. In fact, Where's My Ring was a maiden after seven starts coming into the race, but still went off as the 5-2 favorite. The win was more than good enough to get her into the Oaks, but the competition will much tougher than what she faced last Saturday at the Big A. 7) WAYS AND MEANS (f, Practical Joke–Strong Incentive, Warrior's Reward) O/B-Klaravich Stables (Ky); T-Chad Brown. Lifetime Record: GISP, 'TDN Rising Star,' 3-1-2-0, $165,750. Last start: 2nd Mar. 30 GII Gulfstream Park Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3. Is currently 16th on the leader board when it comes to her getting into the Oaks, so trainer Chad Brown is going to have to hope for some defections. But if she gets in, she can absolutely win. After romping by 12 3/4 lengths in her debut, she was second in the GI Spinaway S., but came out of that race with a chip in an ankle. That's why she didn't make her 3-year-old debut until the Mar. 30 GIIGulfstream Park Oaks. She had a tough trip that day, but managed to run second. Every reason to believe she will be better next time out, whether that's in the Oaks or not. 8) OUR PRETTY WOMAN (f, Medaglia d'Oro–Dazzletown, by Speightstown) O-Courtlandt Farms; B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC & Godolphin; T-Steve Asmussen. Sales History: $900,000 yrl '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: GSP, 3-2-1-0, $150,200. Last start: 2nd Mar. 23 GII Fair Grounds Oaks. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, CD, May 3. She's 17th on the points list, so is another one who is going to need a break to make it into the Oaks starting gate. Trained by Steve Asmussen, this $900,000 Keeneland yearling purchase won her first two starts and then faced the acid test when meeting Tarifa in the Fair Grounds Oaks. She ran a huge race that day, finishing second, losing by just three-quarters of a length. She's lightly raced and didn't make her debut until Jan. 18 of this year. So there's plenty of room for improvement. 9) WEST OMAHA (f, West Coast–Birthday Bash, by Medaglia d'Oro) O/B-Gary and Mary West (Ky); T-Brad Cox. Lifetime Record: SW & MGSP, 6-2-3-1, $369,250. Last Start: 2nd GII Fantasy S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 90. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3. After she won the Silverbulletday S. Presented by Fasig-Tipton, she looked like she'd be a major player in this division for Brad Cox. Instead, she ran third in the GIII Honeybee S. and second in the Fantasy S. It looks like the rest of the division has caught up to her and passed her. Will need to improve to contend in the Oaks. 10) LEMON MUFFIN (f, Collected–Pelt, by Canadian Frontier) O-Aaron Sones & Julie Gilbert; B-Mr & Mrs Theodore Kuster & Collected Syndicate (Ky); T-D W Lukas. Sales history: $20,000 yrl '22 KEESEP; $140,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR. Lifetime Record: GSW, 7-1-4-0, $324,000. Last Start: 7th GII Fantasy S. Kentucky Oaks Points: 50. Next Start: GI Kentucky Oaks, May 3. Sometimes the Wayne Lukas-trained horses run their best when it is least expected. Lemon Muffin was terrible in the Fantasy, losing by 10 3/4 lengths. She was a different horse in her prior start when winning the Honeybee by 3 1/2 lengths at odds of 28-1. She was still a maiden at the time and had never gone beyond seven furlongs. But instead of that race vaulting her forward, it seemed to have caused her to take a step in the wrong direction. Will be a big longshot in the Oaks, but you can never throw the cagey Lukas out. The post The Kentucky Oaks Top 10 for April 11 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Superstar rider joins Chief Stipelas Whyte in surpassing 1,700 Hong Kong wins after three victories at city circuitView the full article

Nick Bannister will become the next chairman of Racing Welfare on June 12, the organisation announced on Wednesday. Currently chairman of Haydock Park Racecourse since 2020, Bannister will succeed William Barlow, who will be completing his five-year term. Bannister, who first worked for three decades in financial services, also manages the family-owned Coniston Hotel & Spa and its associated estate in the Yorkshire Dales. He has served as chair of The Countryside Alliance Foundation for six years and spent over 10 years as the deputy governor of the Hunt Staff Benefit Society. At one point an amateur jump jockey, Bannister said, “I am very much looking forward to immersing myself in this position and helping Racing Welfare evolve, navigate the challenges ahead and continue the excellent work they do for a cause so close to my heart.” Dawn Goodfellow, chief executive at Racing Welfare said, “Nick's vast background of working in finance will undoubtedly be hugely beneficial. Added to that is his experience of political matters with the Countryside Alliance, which can hopefully serve to further strengthen our relationships with key industry stakeholders.” The post Nick Bannister Will Be Next Racing Welfare Chairman appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article