Wandering Eyes

In conjunction with BES Studios, the Virginia Equine Alliance (VEA) was awarded a Telly Award in recognition of a sixty second TV commercial titled “Virginia Wins With Horses” that was submitted in the annual competition which honors excellence in video and television across all screens. The BES Studios and the VEA received a “Silver” in the Travel & Tourism Regional TV category–the highest achievement awarded by the Telly awards judging panel, a body of over 200 executives from television networks, production companies, global agencies, immersive content studios, and streaming platforms. The Telly Awards annually showcases the best work created within television and across video, for all screens. The VEA, whose mission is to sustain, promote and expand the horse breeding and horse racing opportunities in the Commonwealth of Virginia, initiated a multi-media campaign titled “Virginia's Economy Wins with Horses”. BES Studios acquired hours of footage to select from via day-long video shoots at four locations– Colonial Downs Racetrack in New Kent, Shenandoah Downs Racetrack in Woodstock, Eagle Point Farm in Ashland and Audley Farm Equine in Berryville. Footage highlighted the state's economy, tourism, jobs, careers and agriculture. The VEA then forged a strategic partnership with Virginia Broadcast Solutions (VBS) and the Virginia Association of Broadcasters (VAB) to develop a comprehensive advertising plan which aimed to highlight the economic and social impacts of the Virginia horse industry, emphasizing its integral role in contributing to the Commonwealth's prosperity. “We are thrilled with the results so far and look forward to continue to promote the agribusiness, economic benefits, jobs, and vibrancy of Virginia's bustling horse racing and breeding industry through creative spots,” said Jill Byrne, the VEA's Vice-President of Strategic Planning who served as the media campaign's Project Manager. “It's also a great honor to receive a Telly Trophy on behalf of a great team here led by BES Studios and all the horses and horsemen that contributed to the project.” To view the award-winning spot, click here. The post ‘Virginia Wins With Horses’ TV Commercial Wins Telly Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brittlyn Stable's extremely talented Louisiana-bred mare Ova Charged is set to make her Ellis Park debut when she faces seven rivals in the Aug. 3 Kentucky Downs Preview Ladies Turf Sprint, one of three stakes races there Saturday.View the full article

Following an impressive performance in the $401,000 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar July 27, The Chosen Vron has re-entered the top 10 in the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Top Thoroughbred Poll.View the full article

Susan Speckert has been named the chief operating officer of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation, formerly the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. View the full article

For the second time in five days-and for the seventh time in three years-individuals or entities under the control of the Horseracing and Safety Integrity Act (HISA) have filed a lawsuit in a federal court alleging that the law and its enforcement are unconstitutional. This latest legal action took the form of a July 29 complaint in United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa (Central Division) filed by Thoroughbred owner Joseph A. Kelly and owner/trainer Chief Stipelas L. Anderson against the HISA Authority, the Federal Trade Commission, and executives of both organizations. “There have been several legal challenges to the Act's delegation of power to HISA,” the complaint stated. “The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has twice declared that portions of the Act are unconstitutional under the private non-delegation doctrine; the Eighth Circuit currently has the issue under consideration; and the Sixth Circuit has upheld the Act over broad constitutional challenges. None of these cases, however, has directly addressed the Act's grant of authority to HISA to assess taxes or fees on industry participants. “This case is solely about whether the Act's delegation of authority to a private entity to levy and collect a tax or a fee is constitutional and whether this private organization is even complying with the Act's requirement that any assessment be 'allocated equitably,'” the filing stated. “This Court should declare that the Act's funding mechanisms is unconstitutional and permanently enjoin the defendants from enforcing it. Or, in the alternative, the Court should declare that HISA's assessment against Iowa horse owners is not equitable and thus [beyond legal power or authority],” the filing stated. A request for comment sent to the HISA Authority did not yield a response prior to deadline for this story. At issue are the HISA Authority's annual assessments to Iowa for 2023 (originally $1,040,576 but later reduced by the Authority to $953,400) and for 2024 ($1,187,942). According to the complaint, “on June 20, 2023, HISA President and CEO Lisa Lazarus notified Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino, the only horseracing track in Iowa, that HISA determined that the proposal Prairie Meadows submitted to HISA for the allocation of the assessment 'among Covered Persons' had 'allocated equitably' the assessment [and that] this 'equitable allocation,' as determined by HISA, 'splits the assessment 50-50 between the track and horsemen.'” The complaint stated that Lazarus's letter “did not define 'horsemen,' nor did it explain how the allocation was equitable.” A footnote in the complaint stated that the Authority's “Assessment Methodology Rule does provide a formula for how HISA will divide up the total assessment among the states, but it does not provide how HISA will equitably allocate that assessment among covered persons within the state.” The complaint then stated that, on Oct. 31, 2023, Lazarus sent a letter to the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission regarding the 2024 assessment, in which she “urged the Iowa governmental body to voluntarily pay that sum.” Then, according to the complaint, “Starting in the spring of 2024, HISA began to put significant pressure on the Iowa Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) to voluntarily pay half of the assessment. HISA representatives told Prairie Meadows representatives that they were frustrated and angry that the Iowa HBPA had not yet paid the 2023 or 2024 assessment and that Iowa HBPA Executive Director Jon Moss had not spoken to HISA about it.” Moss is a lead plaintiff in the anti-HISA federal lawsuit that is currently awaiting judgment in the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. That case, initiated in a lower court on Apr. 6, 2023, involves leaders of the HBPA affiliates in Arkansas and Iowa seeking to reverse the lower court's denial of a preliminary injunction that sought to halt HISA and its Anti-Doping and Medication Control program. Moss, the complaint stated, wrote to Prairie Meadows as far back as June 2023 to make it known that, “the Iowa HBPA believes the passage of HISA and the corresponding creation of a non-governmental authority to govern horseracing is an unconstitutional delegation of government authority to a private entity and an unconstitutional encroachment of authority on the power of the State of Iowa.” The complaint stated that, “HISA's decision to allocate the 2023 and 2024 Iowa assessment '50-50 between the track and horsemen' was not based on any evidence or objective factors but was instead arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion.” The complaint stated that, “Plaintiffs are now forced to bring this lawsuit to stop HISA's assessments, which violate the Constitution's structure, the Due Process Clause, and the Act's requirement that assessments among covered persons be 'equitable.' The complaint continued: “These unconstitutional and unlawful actions are bad enough, but Plaintiffs' injuries are made worse by the fact that HISA has assessed and will continue to assess Plaintiffs and other industry participants for the millions of dollars in legal fees that HISA has unnecessarily incurred and will continue to incur to defend against HISA's unlawful actions and the unconstitutional Act.” The post Another Day, Another New Anti-HISA Federal Lawsuit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Scandals involving top equestrians have ignited fierce debates about animal welfare at the Olympics. As comparisons to horse racing's more controversial practices emerge, TTR AusNZ's Vicky Leonard discusses how all equestrian sports face mounting pressure to address these issues head-on, requiring strong leadership to ensure robust practices that can uphold public acceptance. It's the grand stage of the Olympics, where the thunderous applause for our elite equine athletes should be deafening, but instead, it's muffled by controversy. The recent removal of revered British dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin from the Olympics after a leaked video of aggressive whip use during a coaching session years ago has sparked fierce debate. As if that wasn't enough drama, the FEI's retroactive yellow card to Brazilian eventer Carlos Parro for training misconduct—prompted only by PETA's intervention—adds more fuel to the fire. And let's not even start on the social media comments. Here's the scary part: a portion of the equestrian community still thinks the villain is the person who leaked the Dujardin video. It's no secret, animal sports are teetering on the edge of a precipice. Instead of the Olympics showcasing the glory of equine athletes, the FEI is grappling with public backlash. The real issue isn't the exposure of these problems but the neglect of welfare considerations in the first place. To state the obvious, if the incident never happened, there'd be no video to leak. And these incidents are blaring alarms for all equestrian sports. Addressing The Real Issue Blaming extremists and whistle-blowers (no matter their questionable motive) for the added scrutiny is like exclusively blaming the iceberg for Titanic passengers dying. Sure, the iceberg was the direct hit, but if the captain did his job properly, the iceberg would have been avoided. If the ship had been built with balanced consideration of the risks posed, it would never have sunk after hitting the iceberg. Even having enough lifeboats on board would have helped save passengers. A strong sport that can withstand challenges has strong leadership looking out for vulnerabilities. It's built with solid welfare rules and regulations, rigorously enforced to withstand the scrutiny of the everyday Australian who simply wants to be comfortable knowing the sport has the best interest of the horse in mind. And just as lifeboats could have saved lives on the Titanic, transparency and accurate data can safeguard our sport. It allows us to educate the public and proudly defend our practices from a position of strength when misinformation arises. But ignoring genuine problems won't make them disappear; they'll pop up when we're most vulnerable, often with more significant consequences. What's Horse Racing's “Iceberg”? We probably have a few icebergs—practices that simply can't withstand the scrutiny of the everyday Australian. Take the whip, for instance, as the tip of the iceberg where meaningful conversation needs to start. Imagine hitting a dog in a park with a padded whip (or even a pool noodle)—the outrage from any witness would be immediate and justified. Yet, we defend whip use in horse racing. Yes, the whip is padded. Yes, jockey use is tightly regulated. And while there's no conclusive scientific evidence that the whip is a welfare issue, try explaining that to 27 million Australians who would banish you to Siberia if they saw you hit your dog with one. There's no doubt the whip should be carried for safety reasons, but justifying its persistent use to the public presents more than a mere education gap—it's a deep values chasm; a fundamental disconnect between our sport's practices and the expectations of everyday Australians. Addressing this issue isn't about conceding one point that triggers a slippery slope to our final demise, but about aligning our values with the public's ethical standards so we can survive and thrive. Another key vulnerability is the lack of transparency around welfare and aftercare investment. Trying to address any public perception challenge without accurate information is like trying to save passengers with not enough lifeboats. We are working our hardest to counter misinformation with Kick Up, yet in New South Wales we don't even have clarity on very basic information such as Equine Welfare Fund spending, or how many horses are rehomed each year. As the Olympics incidents show, and ongoing public scrutiny around horse racing continues to grow, the common person won't accept anything less than an unwavering commitment to equine welfare – before, during and after their sporting careers. But without our captains acknowledging the icebergs and reorienting the ship, equestrian sports are only going to become increasingly vulnerable. It's time to demand our leaders navigate these treacherous waters head-on and ensure a future where our equine sports are celebrated. The post Op/Ed: The Olympic Games Send Warning To Horse Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Galway Festival's seven-furlong fillies' maiden on the Tuesday card is prone to producing future luminaries and Ballydoyle's Bubbling (Ire) (No Nay Never–Lumiere Noire {Fr}, by Dashing Blade {GB}) looked no exception as she became the stable's latest TDN Rising Star. Fourth on debut at Leopardstown earlier this month, the full-sister to the G1 2,000 Guineas runner-up Wichita (Ire) travelled with ease under Wayne Lordan stalking the early pace. Sent forward to take control a furlong from home, the 320,000gns Tattersalls Book 1 graduate opened up to score by five lengths from the Paddy Twomey-trained newcomer Lady Mairen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), with a neck further back to the Andrew Slattery-trained Abazaami (GB) (Mohaather {GB}) in third. This is the race that Aidan O'Brien won with the dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and which two years ago was won by another subsequent Classic heroine in Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). This year's G1 Irish Oaks third Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) also won it 12 months ago for the Twomey stable. Others to take it en route to big things are Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), Sunspangled (Ire) (Caerleon)–Aidan O'Brien's first winner who went on to take the G1 Fillies' Mile–and Dance Design (Ire) (Sadler's Wells). Lordan was impressed with the winner, who becomes No Nay Never's 10th TDN Rising Star, with the likes of the stable's Little Big Bear (Ire), Ten Sovereigns (Ire) and Aesop's Fables (Ire) the best so far. “She had a lovely run at Leopardstown, where she was a little bit raw early and stayed on very well in a good maiden and that experience stood to her,” he said. “She had a look around when she got to the front and is a nice filly. She hit the line well and these maidens always throw good horses.” Oh, hello there rises to the occasion in the @ColmQuinn_bmw @IrishEBF_ Fillies' Maiden @Galway_Races The young daughter of No Nay Never, who holds a Debutante entry @curraghrace, looks another sharp one for @coolmorestud and @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/XTv9jQGAgE — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2024 The post Sister To Wichita a New TDN Rising Star For Ballydoyle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

When a Bill Mott-trained horse named Authorize (Curlin) broke down and had to be euthanized after an Apr. 26 race at Aqueduct, the trainer thought the worst was over with. Having a horse break down is excruciating for any trainer, but Mott was ready to move on. Little did he know that his problems were just beginning. Tests were performed on Authorize and they showed that he was positive for the painkiller Flunixin, also known as banamine. Mott was incredulous. He did his own internal review, checking with vets, his assistants, grooms and others on his staff and concluded that there was no way his horse was given the medication. He had been given banamine some 60 days before the race to treat colic, but there's no way that drug would have stayed in his system that long. “There's not a chance that Bill or anyone under his control gave the horse banamine,” his attorney, Drew Mollica, said. So what did happen? From the time the horse broke down until he was put down, his care was completely out of Mott's control. Mollica speculates that during this period, banamine may have been given to the horse, perhaps as a painkiller, to get him through the moments until he was put down. “…it is not in dispute that euthanizing drugs were administered to the Horse post-race due to his injury and it is our contention the alleged Flunixin overage was caused by that administration and/or an error in that administration,” Mollica said in a letter sent to HIWU in what is called a “Demand” letter, which asks for discovery and an investigation. Was he or was he not given banamine? The answer to that question would solve the mystery, but Mollica said that HIWU has not provided him the answers he is seeking. One thing seems clear: blood was drawn from the horse for the test after he was euthanized. The race went off at 3:32 p.m. Authorize was euthanized on the track, and his connections were notified that he would be tested at 4:31 p.m. “For fatalities,” confirmed HIWU's Director of Communications Alexa Ravit, “the samples are collected after the horse is euthanized.” “If the tests were conducted after a third-party administration of medications when the horse was no longer under the control of the trainer, that breaks the chain of command, and he cannot be held responsible,” argued Mollica. So what medications were administered? “We've said to them, we've done our own investigation and now we want you, HISA, to do an investigation into your end of this because it's not in dispute that you and vets there in an emergency situation treated the horse,” Mollica said. “All we're asking is that you investigate your procedures and get some input and tell us when these tests were drawn. They said we have no duty to investigate. That's contrary to HISA's mandate of transparency and fairness.” When some of the same questions Mollica has been asking where sent via email to HIWU by the TDN, Ravit did her best to fill in the blanks, but the central issue of whether or not the horse was given banamine by HIWU vets is still not clear. Ravit wrote that, “if the agency collects any sample(s) from a deceased horse, the sample collection shall not interfere with any life-saving treatment. She also wrote that sample(s) should ordinarily be collected from the Covered Horse before it is removed from the relevant venue where it suffered a fatal condition, but otherwise may be collected at the location where the Covered Horse is transported to ( e.g., veterinary clinic). She concluded: “If a Covered Horse receives an Adverse Analytical Finding (positive test), HIWU reviews all veterinary records connected to that horse, including those associated with emergency treatments administered by a veterinarian(s), before determining whether to proceed with a Notice of a potential ADMC Program violation.” Does that mean that HIWU did in fact examine whether or not banamine was given to the horse as part of a emergency treatments? Ravit's answer does not directly answer that question. “We haven't asked for anything crazy,” said Mollica. “All we have said have said is that this is an odd situation. Remember, the horse was euthanized while not under Mott's care, custody or control. We want to know if this event could have caused this positive. It's not an unrealistic question.” The penalties for a Flunixin positive are far from severe. There is just a $500 fine. Wouldn't it would be easier for Mott to pay the fine and move on? “Bill says in a case like this, for the betterment of the game, shouldn't we all know what happened to this horse?” Mollica said. “Why not the transparency needed to answer the questions we have raised? It's just a $500 fine point and a half. Why spend the money? This is the problem with this system. Everybody bails out because it's ridiculously expensive to fight.” Mollica has requested a hearing, but the odds are against him and his client. Mott, at some point in time, will likely have to pay the fine and the banamine positive will be part of his official record. As a Hall of Fame trainer with a pristine reputation, he's not okay with that. “It's a $500 fine,” Mollica said. “Let fairness be damned, walk away and take the penalty. Bill understands that he may not win, but he wants this story to get out there.” Ravit wrote that “HIWU cannot comment on this case beyond what is posted on the HIWU website,” which is little. The website lists the name of the horse, the drug it was positive for and the date of the race in question. Mollica doesn't intend to let it go at that. “…given Mr. Mott's reputation and stakes that are involved for the industry as a whole, we demand that HISA and HIWU comply with this discovery demand and conduct a thorough investigation of its own into this alleged violation, because as stated above, it is clear that no one acting under or pursuant to Mr. Mott's agency and/or control administered Flunixin to the horse, period,” Mollica wrote in his “Demand” letter. “Hence the sui genius nature of this matter demands a full HIWU investigation, and that the discovery requested herein be disclosed, as justice demands it, and racing as an industry deserves to know answers to the questions raised herein.” The post Mott Questions Flunixin Positive appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Wednesday at Saratoga: Wednesday, July 31, 2024 Saratoga 5, $90k, 2yo, f, (S), 1 1/16mT, 3:26 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Grace and Grit (Munnings), OBSAPR, 350,000, :10 C-Niall Brennan Stables, agent; B-J Kimmel, agt Nedlaw Stables Playful Lass (Mitole), FTMMAY, 80,000, :10 3/5 C-Best A Luck Farm LLC, agent; B-Michael Maker Saratoga 6, $80k, 2yo, f, (R), 5 1/2fT, 4:00 p.m. ET Graceful Warrior (Fog of War), OBSMAR, 40,000, :10 1/5 C-Ricehorse Stable (B & A Rice); B-Bridle Path Racing, Franklin Ave Equine, agent Linda's Jewel (Flatter), OBSMAR, 40,000, :10 1/5 C-A G Sales; B-Fernando Abreu Mean Eileen (Twirling Candy)-AE, OBSMAR, 50,000, :10 3/5 C-Richardson Bloodstock; B-Joe Sharp, agent Melle Mel (Liam's Map)-MTO, FTMMAY, 30,000, :10 3/5 C-Paul Sharp, agent; B-Flying P Stable Miss Interpretation (Vino Rosso), FTMMAY, 10,000, :10 4/5 C-Pick View LLC, agent; B-Will Sacco, agent/Elliott Mavorah The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: July 31, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Eight horses have been named finalists for induction into the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame in 2024. The finalists are: Alma North, Caveat, Eightofasttocatch, Heros Reward, Post Boy, Richard's Kid, Shine Again, and Smart Angle. To be considered, a horse must have been bred in Maryland and be retired for at least five years. The horses selected to enter the Hall of Fame will be announced with a special ceremony Aug. 23 during live racing at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium. The Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame was created jointly by the Maryland Horse Breeders Association and Maryland Racing Media Association. It inducted its first class of 12 in 2013. There are now 33 members, ranging, alphabetically speaking, from Awad to Youth. The post Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame Finalists Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Susan Speckert has been named chief operating officer of the newly formed Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. The KHRGC, established through 2024 Senate Bill 299, took over the responsibilities of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on July 1. “I am honored to work alongside the outstanding team at the KHRGC to ensure Kentucky continues to lead in protecting the health, safety and welfare of horses, riders and all participants, as well as the wagering public,” Speckert said. “I am grateful to the Board of Directors and President and CEO Jamie Eads for the opportunity to come full circle in my career to serve the sport I dearly love.” Speckert most recently served as the Commissioner of Law for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. She had previously served as General Counsel of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission where she was involved in all operations of the agency and was instrumental in drafting regulations related to historical horse racing. “Susan's commitment to and knowledge of the horse racing industry is well known,” said Eads. “Her professional experience makes her uniquely qualified to serve as the KHRGC's first COO.” Board Chairman Jon Rabinowitz added, “Susan is a well-respected attorney and community leader with the right experience and knowledge to serve in this crucial role. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I welcome Susan to the team.” Speckert will assume her new role Aug. 19. The post Speckert Named COO of Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tattersalls Ireland released its catalogue for the September Yearling Sale, which features 555 lots and takes place on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 September, with Part II taking place on Thursday 26 September where 275 yearlings are catalogued. The €250,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes has long been a feature of the sale, and will offer the connections of two-year-olds catalogued in the September Yearling Sale, the opportunity to compete at the 2025 Irish Champions Festival, with prize-money being offered to 10th place. The vendor of the winning horse in the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales Stakes will receive an Overlander Two-Box for one year and will be presented with the vehicle at the Curragh. Commenting on the release of the September Yearling Sale catalogue, CEO Simon Kerins said, “Due to the outstanding success of last year's sale, which was the standout sale of 2023, the profile of the September Yearling Sale is improving year on year. This year, we experienced unprecedented demand from vendors, which is extremely encouraging as it shows that they are choosing the September Yearling Sale over alternative sales. Their decision has allowed us to formulate a strong catalogue full of quality, giving purchasers the confidence that this is the strongest catalogue we have ever produced for this sale. “The September Yearling Sale has produced two-year-old winners week after week through the season, while graduates such as Purple Lily (Ire), A Lilac Rolla (Ire), Ponntos (Ire), American Sonja (GB), Folgaria (Ire), and Sea The Boss (GB) have been flying the flag with stakes success. “We are appreciative of the continued work being done by Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to increase the appeal of the sale. We look forward to welcoming clients from all over the world back to Tattersalls Ireland from 24 to 26 September.” The catalogue will be available from Tattersalls Ireland and Tattersalls Ireland representatives from the end of next week. The post Tattersalls Ireland Releases September Yearling Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The X-Ray Files, now in its second year and presented in cooperation with the Consignors and Breeders' Association, uses conversations with buyers and sellers to contribute to the dialogue on the sales and training process. In his role as general manager at Gainesway, Brian Graves is preparing for a busy season of selling world-class yearlings, while also casting an eye ahead to entries for the November breeding stock sales. The yearling sales season–which opened with the Fasig-Tipton July sale, continues in upstate New York with next week's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and includes stops at Keeneland in September and back at Fasig-Tipton in October– completes a year-long cycle for Graves, who has also built a reputation as one of the leading weanling-to-yearling pinhookers in the country. Graves took a few minutes away from the hectic schedule to discuss everything from his strategy for picking out foals, to observations on the yearling market and lessons he learned from his late father, Bill. Graves's pinhooking success at the yearling sales–which includes a $1.2-million Saratoga yearling purchased for $500,000 in 2017–starts with his search for the right weanling prospects. “I just look for quality–what I have come to recognize as perceived quality,” Graves said of his foal shopping. “I like balance, I like a horse with a long neck, a horse with a sloping withers and deep girth. I like a horse with a good strong hip and I like a horse that has action, that moves and can show some action and athleticism. I think those quality type horses, honestly, do come in all shapes and sizes. They have those similar attributes, but they can be taller and they can be shorter and they can be by any sire in the world, really.” He continued, “If you have been burned a few hundred times, you start to recognize what it is you like and what you've had success with. And you gravitate towards it. That's not to say that there aren't a lot of horses in that sale that you miss and that somebody else does really well with. I just think it's natural for people to gravitate to what they have done well with.” Graves admitted the vet report can sometimes take a backseat to the individual in his buying decisions. “It's been my experience that most of the issues that you buy a foal with are not the issues that they have when you sell them,” he said with a chuckle. “So, I am pretty forgiving.” And what about buyers the following year? Do they have that same attitude about the vet reports? “What I have found is that when I find something that I think is a really nice foal with sire power and all those attributes that we like, and they vet perfectly, you really stick your neck out to obtain them,” Graves explained. “And little things that pop up can really hurt you. Conversely, if you are willing to take a chance on some of those foals that don't vet perfectly, but they grow through it, then you can find yourself in a position to do fairly well. You get a square deal. You don't have to pay quite as much.” The weanling market has been particularly strong in recent year and Graves has found plenty of competition from fellow pinhookers, like Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's AAA Thoroughbreds, which was the leading buyer of foals at last year's Keeneland November sale. The demand from both end-users and pinhookers continues to push the prices of those “perceived quality” weanlings higher. “I think it's at an all-time high, really,” Graves said of the weanling market. “I think that's just a reflection of where the market and the U.S. economy and stock market are in general. All of them are at an all-time high. It just makes it tough because everybody has a lot of disposable income and the horses bring a lot of money. Sometimes over the last few years, you're just finding that the returns aren't as easy to make. But usually the best cure for that is a good recession. And then things level out again.” On the selling side of the equation, the Beck family's Gainesway is coming off a strong showing in 2023. The historic nursery was the leading consignor at the bellwether Keeneland September sale where it sold nine seven-figure yearlings. Preparation for the fall auctions begins earlier than you might expect, according to Graves. “We focus on the health of the horse early in the year,” he said. “Even in the winter time, the best thing you can do in advance of preparation is insuring the health of the horse. You can tell it in the health of the coat even as early as late winter when they start to shed out. If a horse is good and healthy on the inside, it's going to gleam on the outside. I think a lot of people make the mistake of starting late where they just do the same thing for every horse and think it will all come right in the last 60 to 90 days. If you focus on the health of the horse right up to that point, and you have them gleaming in their coats before you start, you are in much better shape.” The yearling market continued on at record or near-record levels in 2023, but polarization between demand at the top and results in the middle to lower markets continued to be an issue last fall. “I think a lot of things are heading the right way, honestly,” Graves said of the yearling market. “You can't really complain too much about where the market is in general. It would be nice to see more participation and perhaps maybe less polarization and the money spread out a little bit more across the entire population of horses.” Of the increasing presence of partnerships as major players in the yearling market, Graves added, “I think it's great for the market–the more participants the better. The SF and various other partnerships have become an interesting way for people to get involved in the business on a large scale with a diversified approach and be part of big horses and big stallion deals. It's been a big lift for everybody. I would love to see more of it.” Graves's success in the industry has a strong foundation thanks to his father, longtime Fasig-Tipton official Bill Graves, who died in 2018. “I think about my dad every day really,” Graves said. “He was a stickler for details. If I took something from my dad, it was that, from day to day, week to week, I look at a horse and I reevaluate. I say, 'What's he doing this week and what can I do to make him better?' That's because every time my dad would come out, he would criticize something else. It's almost like he is sitting on my shoulder, saying, 'Geesh, Brian. Don't you think that horse has a little too much belly?' or 'Geesh, Brian do you think we should give him a five-day panacur? He's not quite shining like the other ones?' or, 'Do you think we should use this supplement or that supplement?' and, 'How can we make this better?' I will probably never lose that.” Graves continued, “And my dad was a stickler for work ethic. You didn't get lazy around him. So I try to do that and pass that along to my children as well.” Of his three children, Graves said his oldest son, Will, is already following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. “My oldest son has signed on for sure,” he said. “He's going to work for Eddie Woods after the September sale. He's graduated from college and he's carrying it on. The other two are yet to be determined.” Asked if he was happy to see the third generation set to tackle the racing and breeding industry, Graves said, “If you had asked me a year and a half or two years ago, I was scared to death and I would have said no. And here in the past six months, as I have seen a lot fewer breakdowns and a lot of things that I thought were detrimental to the sport changing, I am more optimistic.” To check out other installments in the series, click here. The post The X-Ray Files, Season 2: Brian Graves appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

All the drama involving Ballydoyle's Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Polished Gem {Ire}, by Danehill) hopefully seems to be firmly in the past as the monster stayer returned to the Sussex Downs for a second G1 Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, setting a new track record to put the cherry on top. Sent up by Ryan Moore to keep tabs on the cat-and-mouse leading duo from the outset, the 8-13 favourite needed niggling at various stages to close the gap but quickly responded each time and by the time he found himself in front two out the contest was already decided. Sent clear from there, the Moyglare homebred continued at his own high tempo to record a sixth victory at the highest level in a time over six seconds below the standard, a remarkable feat on the clock considering this great race's honour roll. The John and Thady Gosden-trained pair Sweet William (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) followed him home, beaten four lengths and a head respectively. “He cruised it–with that turn of foot he has it's over in the blink of an eye and every race he seems to perform, so on we go,” part-owner Michael Tabor said. “He has to be right up there with the best we've had–he ranks very high.” ! pic.twitter.com/HITaY1YmG7 — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2024 The post Kyprios Breaks The Track Record As He Conquers The Goodwood Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 180 countries will be able to view the Qatar Goodwood Festival, which runs from Tuesday through Saturday, the racecourse announced on Tuesday. The festival, which features three Group 1 races, will be available to an expanded audience through the efforts of the Racecourse Media Group (RMG), the HBA Media (HBA) and Goodwood Racecourse. For the first time ESPN/Disney+ and SuperoSport will show the full festival for the first time, while first-time broadcasters include Racing.com (Australia) Sportsnet (Canada), Transvision (Indonesia), NTV (Mongolia) and Eurovision (Europe). Audiences in UK and Ireland will be served by ITV, Virgin Media, Racing TV, while the Far East will enjoy coverage via Green Channel (Japan) and HKJC, Cable TV, TVB and Now TV (Hong Kong). Broadcast crews from Fanduel (US), Sky Racing (Australia), HKJC (Hong Kong) and Al Kass (Qatar) will be on course to bring live coverage from the Sussex Downs. Clerk of the Course and Director of international racing at Goodwood Racecourse, Ed Arkell, said, “The Qatar Goodwood Festival is now firmly embedded as one of the major events on the international racing calendar–and global TV exposure is pivotal to this. We are delighted for the record exposure garnered by RMG and HBA Media and that more countries than ever before will be able to see what is sure to be a terrific week of racing.” The post Qatar Goodwood Festival To Be Shown By A Record 32 Broadcasters appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A full-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will be offered by her breeder Kirsten Rausing's Staffordstown Stud during the first day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, the sales company announced on Tuesday. Book 1 of the sale takes place from Oct. 8-10 in Newmarket. Kirsten Rausing said, “Lanwades and Staffordstown are proud to present world champion Alpinista's own sister at Tattersalls October Book 1. The filly, an exceptional individual whose pedigree speaks for itself, represents the pinnacle of my over 50 years of breeding. As I retain her dam, own sister and two half – sisters, I hope the filly will herself contribute to the fantastic, continuing success of my 'AL family'.” Foaled Feb. 11, the filly is out of the listed winner Alwilda (GB) (Hernando {Fr}), making her a full to six-time Group 1 winner Alpinista, and a half to the listed winner Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}). The filly's granddam is the champion and Group 1 winner Albanova (GB) (Alzao), herself the dam of four group/listed winners, one of which, All At Sea (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), foaled G1 St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The filly's great granddam, Alouette (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) was a stakes winner and third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. She, too, was a Group 1 producer, with nine winners anchored by the top-level winners Albanova and Alborada (GB) (Alzao). This family's touchstone is Alruccaba (Ire) (Crystal Palace {Fr}), who had four winning fillies–Alouette, Last Second (Ire) (Alzao), Jude (GB) (Darshaan {GB}) and Alleluia (GB) (Caerleon)–go on to foal Classic or Group 1 winners Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony added, “We visited Staffordstown earlier in the year and it was impossible not to be impressed by Alpinista's yearling sister. She is an exceptional individual with a truly outstanding pedigree and a wonderful tribute to her breeder Kirsten Rausing who has nurtured this family for many generations producing champion after champion. There cannot be a thoroughbred breeder anywhere in the world who would not covet this particular yearling and we are honoured to be offering her on behalf of Kirsten Rausing at Book 1 of the 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.” The post Rausing To Offer “Pinnacle” Of Her Breeding Programme At Tattersalls Book 1 With Full-Sister To Alpinista appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lumbered with a five-pound penalty for his G1 Lockinge Stakes victory, Cheveley Park Stud's 5-year-old gelding Audience (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}–Ladyship {GB}, by Oasis Dream {GB}) was just too good for his rivals and surged to an impressive four-length triumph in Tuesday's G2 HKJC World Pool Lennox Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The homebred bay, who finished last of six last year, was let go at generous odds of 4-1 coming back off a fifth in Royal Ascot's G1 Queen Anne Stakes and stalked the pacesetting Art Power (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in second through the early fractions of this seven-furlong test. Looming large in the straight, he cruised to the front on the bridle approaching the quarter-mile marker and powered clear in style to easily defeat Art Power by daylight. Marc Chan's 'TDN Rising Star' Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) failed in his quest to secure a record-breaking third renewal, but posted the fastest closing sectionals to finish one length further adrift in third. “It is amazing, Audience has grown up and defied a five-pound penalty,” said John Gosden. “He has matured a lot mentally and had the hood off today. Rab [Havlin] really knows him, he rides him most mornings and nearly takes him home with him. Audience has always had the talent and [Cheveley Park Stud owner] Mrs [Patricia] Thompson kindly let us keep him in training as a lead horse to Inspiral, which he did in the Lockinge. It was not a fluke when he won the Lockinge and the mile at Ascot was too stiff last time. He will go to the [G2] City of York Stakes now. He was second to Kinross in it last year and will go there without a penalty, which helps. We have also put him in the [G1] Prix de la Foret and last year's good-to-firm ground would be perfect, but we wouldn't want traditional Parisienne autumn ground. He has the speed for a race like the [GI] Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar and he could be a horse for it. Travelling would be no problem.” Cheveley Park Stud's Chris Richardson continued, “Plainly, Audience didn't quite stay the stiff mile at Ascot. I was thrilled that Pat Thompson was there at Newbury when he won [the Lockinge] and I'm sorry that they are not here today. Defying a penalty has certainly given everyone plenty to think about. We will probably go to York and then it's all to play for. We'll look at all those races over his favoured seven furlongs. I think he's grown up, he continues to improve and taking the hood off today made a big difference. That was very much Rab's suggestion and we have stuck with Rab the whole way through.” Tim Easterby was delighted with the performance of Art Power and said, “He is a pony, but he has an unbelievable temperament and tries like hell. We thought he'd run well and we wanted to run him over a fast seven somewhere. It would have been better if it had been softer, but he goes on any ground.” Wow! Audience (4-1) dominates the @HKJC_Racing @WorldPool Lennox Stakes @Goodwood_Races for @CPStudOfficial Team Gosden's Group One-winning five-year-old was simply operating on another level #BetWithTheWorld pic.twitter.com/3dKqRLUp4t — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2024 Pedigree Notes Audience is the fourth of eight foals and one of six winners from as many runners produced by Listed City Plate victrix Ladyship (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), herself a half-sister to Listed Zawawi Cup runner-up Kinsman (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) out of G1 Sun Chariot Stakes and G1 Lockinge Stakes heroine Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). He is full to a weanling filly and kin to this term's G3 Greenham Stakes winner Esquire (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), G3 Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes winner Dark Lady (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the unraced 2-year-old filly Kinswoman (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}). Tuesday, Goodwood, Britain HKJC WORLD POOL LENNOX STAKES-G2, £180,000, Goodwood, 7-30, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:23.90, gd. 1–AUDIENCE (GB), 137, g, 5, by Iffraaj (GB) 1st Dam: Ladyship (GB) (SW-Eng), by Oasis Dream (GB) 2nd Dam: Peeress (GB), by Pivotal (GB) 3rd Dam: Noble One (GB), by Primo Dominie (GB) O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Robert Havlin. £102,078. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng, 15-5-4-3, $727,144. *1/2 to Esquire (GB) (Harry Angel {Ire}), GSW-Eng; and Dark Lady (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), GSW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Art Power (Ire), 132, g, 7, Dark Angel (Ire)–Evening Time (Ire), by Keltos (Fr). (€110,000 Ylg '18 GOFOR). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Owenstown Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Tim Easterby. £38,700. 3–Kinross (GB), 132, g, 7, Kingman (GB)–Ceilidh House (GB), by Selkirk. TDN Rising Star. O-Marc Chan; B-Lawn Stud (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £19,368. Margins: 4, 1, 2. Odds: 4.00, 16.00, 3.50. Also Ran: English Oak (GB), Pogo (Ire), Tiber Flow (Ire), Chicago Critic (GB), Noble Dynasty (GB). The post Iffraaj’s Audience Outclasses Lennox Rivals in Style at Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's €260,000 Arqana August graduate Aomori City (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}–Setsuko {Fr}, by Shamardal), who came back off a June 13 debut triumph at Nottingham with a third-place finish in Newmarket's July 11 G2 July Stakes, stepped forward in impressive fashion to secure a stakes breakthrough in Tuesday's G2 HKJC World Pool Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. The 2-1 favourite was slick from the gates and occupied a forward position along the rail in third through halfway. Biding his time in the straight, he was the last of seven to come off the bridle inside the final quarter-mile and quickened stylishly once seizing control with 150 yards remaining to easily hold the late rattle of Wolf Of Badenoch (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}) by 1 3/4 lengths. Aomori City becomes the second winner of the seven-furlong contest for Charlie Appleby, whose first was 2019 hero and the runner-up's sire Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal). “William [Buick] obviously decided to angle out just before the cutaway and he was travelling well,” said Appleby. “When they've ran to that level over six, you are going to be confident they are going to travel well and he did that. Once Will decided it was time to give him a kick, he had plenty of horse under him. On the evidence of what we saw in the July Stakes, we thought coming into this race that stepping up to seven would suit, and he cut it at a decent level there. We had toyed with the idea of the [GI] Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf for Aomori City over the past couple of weeks, but Al Qudra went and won on Saturday and he's probably a horse we'll pinpoint towards that race. It doesn't mean we can't run two in it and we'll keep all options open for Aomori City. Today was a marked improvement on what we saw before. He was neat and had to be brave there. He got tightened up on the turns and that does no harm in educating them towards the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. Buick added, “Being where we were was always the plan, but we just had to tussle for our position at the top of the hill and round the turn. It gave a bit of pressure, but he was very brave and got stuck in. Aomori City is a pretty well-seasoned two-year-old and knows his job, which is always a help round here, and I was really pleased with his performance. He sort of does what he has to in front, but I thought he won well and I think he'll improve.” Wolf Of Badenoch's trainer Hugo Palmer said, “He still looks like a work in progress and I am absolutely delighted. He was the first one off the bridle and ultimately the winner just got first run on him. He is a horse with a really exciting future and he will stay a mile this year. His dam stayed 14 furlongs and he might get 10 furlongs next year. He has some nice entries, we put him in the [G1 Vincent O'Brien] National Stakes in Ireland and we will put him in the [G1] Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere as well now.” City slicker! (2-1f) strides purposefully clear under @WilliamBuickX in the @HKJC_Racing @WorldPool Vintage Stakes @Goodwood_Races Charlie Appleby and @godolphin last won this with Pinatubo, who was a steady horse ….#BetWithTheWorld pic.twitter.com/9sYgUZf7Km — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 30, 2024 Pedigree Notes Aomori City is the latest of two foals and one of two scorers produced by an unraced half-sister to G3 Prix Noailles and G3 Prix Exbury victor Soleil Marin (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}). The February-foaled dark bay's second dam Sousmarine (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) is a daughter of G2 Prix de Malleret runner-up Underwater (Theatrical {Ire}) and thus a half-sister to G3 Prix de Lutece third Investissement (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}), Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange runner-up No Joy (Kitten's Joy) and to the dam of Listed Prix Caravelle second City Girl (Fr) (City Light {Fr}). Tuesday, Goodwood, Britain HKJC WORLD POOL VINTAGE STAKES-G2, £175,000, Goodwood, 7-30, 2yo, 7fT, 1:25.13, gd. 1–AOMORI CITY (FR), 129, c, 2, by Oasis Dream (GB) 1st Dam: Setsuko (Fr), by Shamardal 2nd Dam: Sousmarine (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire) 3rd Dam: Underwater, by Theatrical (Ire) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€260,000 Ylg '23 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-SCEA Haras de Saint Pair & SAS Ecurie Peregrine (FR); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £99,243. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, $145,643. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Wolf Of Badenoch (GB), 129, c, 2, Pinatubo (Ire)–Miss Latin (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Mrs Fitri Hay (GB); T-Hugo Palmer. £37,625. 3–Cool Hoof Luke (GB), 129, c, 2, Advertise (GB)–Dutch Monument (GB), by Dutch Art (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (16,000gns Wlg '22 TADEWE; €20,000 Ylg '23 TATIRY). O-John Wallinger & Partner; B-Tony Nerses (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £18,830. Margins: 1 3/4, 1HF, SHD. Odds: 3.00, 14.00, 3.00. Also Ran: Tiger Mask (Ire), An Outlaw's Grace (Ire), Electrolyte (Ire), Arabian Sun (Ire). Scratched: The Parthenon (Ire). The post Oasis Dream’s Aomori City Powers to Vintage Stakes Glory at Goodwood appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has released a request for proposals for research into whether furosemide is a performance-enhancing drug in Thoroughbred racehorses. The research is required as part of HISA's Congressional mandate and its conclusions will be used to guide HISA's Furosemide Advisory Committee in its recommendations to the HISA Board on next steps regarding the regulation of furosemide. Responses to the RFP are due by Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Questions about the RFP and the process for submitting a response may be sent to Dr. Jennifer Durenberger at jennifer.durenberger@hisaus.org and/or Sam Reinhardt at samuel.reinhardt@hisaus.org. Final proposals may also be submitted via email to Durenberger and Reinhardt. The post HISA Requests Furosemide Proposals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matamata’s marvelous mare brings unique credentials to this year’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards – sponsored by SENZ. Retired from racing following her autumn campaign, Imperatriz is amongst the standout contenders within the list of finalists for the 2023-24 Awards. After taking runner-up honours in 2023, the $6.6 million mare is likely a key contender for the sprinter-miler category this year, with obvious prospects for the major award. Campaigned by Te Akau Racing, the five-year-old mare is the first New Zealand-trained horse to win five Group I races in Australia in a single season since the introduction of the Australian group classification system, in the 1978-79 season. Group 1 Trackside NZ Derby winner Orchestral is the only horse this year to find herself in two categories. After her Australian campaign in the Group 1 Vinery Stakes over 2000m, the outstanding daughter of Savabeel cemented herself as a contender in both the three-year-old and staying categories. Trained by Roger James and Robert Wellwood, Orchestral had five wins and two seconds from her eight starts as a three-year-old and earned more than $2 million in stakes. Six horses, including four fillies, will contest the three-year-old section. Five were Group I winners and are joined by Antrim Coast, the runner-up to Orchestral in the Trackside NZ Derby and a Group II winner in Melbourne at his next start. The other male candidate is the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Crocetti who was the standout domestic performer in the spring. Crocetti and Orchestral never met in competition but between them they recorded 11 wins and three placings from 15 starts in the 2023-24 season and grossed close to $3 million in stakes. Their efforts also ensured that their owners – Daniel Nakhle (Crocetti) and Colin and Helen Litt (Orchestral) – are finalists for Owner of the Year. Jockey of the Year will be contested between six contenders including premiership winner Warren Kennedy, Opie Bosson who won five Group I races in Australia to go with his three in NZ while Grylls, McNab, Spratt and Doyle all had big seasons as well. The New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year results will be announced at the Awards dinner, at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton, on September 8. New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year finalists: Champion Two-Year-Old: Bellatrix Star, Captured By Love, Move To Strike, Velocious. Champion Three-Year-Old: Antrim Coast, Crocetti, Molly Bloom, Orchestral, Pulchritudinous, Quintessa. Champion Sprinter-Miler (Up to and including 1600m): Bonny Lass, Desert Lightning, Imperatriz, La Crique. Champion Middle Distance Horse (1601m-2200m): Campionessa, El Vencedor, Ladies Man, Legarto. Champion Stayer: (2201m & further): Asterix, Mahrajaan, Mark Twain, Mary Louise, Orchestral. Champion Jumper: Berry The Cash, Nedwin, The Cossack, West Coast. Trainer of the Year: Robbie Patterson, Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson Partnership. Jockey of the Year: Opie Bosson, Joe Doyle, Craig Grylls, Warren Kennedy, Michael McNab, Sam Spratt. Jumps Jockey of the Year: Shaun Fannin, Portia Matthews, Hamish McNeill. Owner of the Year: Barneswood Farm, Denise Bassett and John Elstob, Eddie Bourke, Gerry Harvey, Ben Kwok, Brendan and Jo Lindsay Partnership, Colin and Helen Litt, Daniel Nakhle, The Oaks Stud, Kelvin and Vanessa Tyler, Waikato Stud. View the full article

Recent stable acquisition Lady Moana (NZ) (Ocean Park) was swift in putting up a winning performance for Clinton Isdale, breaking her maiden stylishly at Waverley on Sunday. A filly by Ocean Park, Lady Moana was positively out of the gates in the 1200m contest under Leah Hemi, who allowed her to find her feet midfield and one-off the rail. Turning for home, the perfect gap opened for Hemi and Lady Moana started to let down strongly, eventually coming out on top in a tight two-way go to the line with a game Hokitika Bell (NZ) (Belardo). Formerly prepared by Ben and Ryan Foote at Cambridge, it was the recommendation of the former to send Lady Moana to the smaller environment of Isdale’s, a decision that has paid dividends for her connections. “It was a good win,” Isdale said. “She came to me from Ben Foote and he had a big opinion of her, but he felt she would suit a smaller stable and convinced the owners to let me train her. “I didn’t really know what to expect really, I hadn’t given her a proper gallop since she arrived three or four weeks ago as I’ve just been swimming her and trying to change a few things up. “I said to Leah just ride her how she jumps, I think her best run prior had been sitting three-deep the trip so she probably appreciated being on the outside of horses. “I’ll give her a week off out in the paddock to get some weight back on her, she’s only a fine little thing. After that, I’ll just look for a nice 65 somewhere.” Isdale will have three representatives at the final meeting of the season on Wednesday at Tauranga, with consistent filly Impressive Belle (Press Statement) due a winning turn after a trio of placings since joining his stable. “It looks to map out perfectly and be her race on paper, her last run was very encouraging and she’s done nothing but put her hand up in the three runs she’s had for me,” Isdale said. “She’s a nice, honest horse.” The daughter of Press Statement will contest the Ultimate Mazda Maiden 3YO (1200m), while stablemate Storms Ahead (NZ) (Astern) lines up in the Back To Black Maiden 2100. “I thought he could win that last race in the amateurs, but being a three-year-old, I don’t think he handled carrying the big weight,” Isdale said. “He had a horse outside of him annoying him the whole race as well and didn’t allow him to get into a rhythm, but I think we’ll see a different horse on Wednesday.” A four-year-old by Belardo, Stone Of Destiny (NZ) will start on debut in the Aztech Signs Maiden (1400m) after joining Isdale earlier this month. “I thought I’d put him in as he’ll get a wet track which the Belardo’s seem to love,” he said. “I haven’t taken him for many gallops, just three-quarter pace so it’ll be a learning run for both him and us.” View the full article

Darwin Cup favourite Bear Story. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Fotofinish Racepix) The Neil Dyer-trained Bear Story is top-weight for the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) at Fannie Bay on Monday after being handed 61kg. A six-year-old gelding by Kodiac, Bear Story has only had one Top End start when he blitzed his rivals by 4.3 lengths in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at weight-for-age on July 13. Victory guaranteed the former Irish galloper an automatic start in the NT’s biggest race and he is the $2.25 favourite with online bookmakers as Dyer eyes his fourth Cup. The Kyneton-based trainer has already celebrated Cup victories with Hawks Bay (2011 and 2012) and Royal Request (2017). A last start fourth over 1800m (BM100) at Sandown in May before heading to the NT, Bear Story had three wins in Ireland before debuting in Australia in March 2023 when 11th for Cranbourne trainer Clinton McDonald in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. The gelding’s first win was over 1609m at Dundalk as a two-year-old in December 2020 before posting back to back wins at the track in the Group 3 Dubai Diamond Stakes (2149m) in September 2021 and 2022. Bear Story also finished among the minor placings on eight occasions in 18 Irish starts. Gary Clarke’s five-year-old gelding Wolfburn (56.5kg), third in last year’s Darwin Cup, has had four wins from five starts from 1200-1600m since returning from SA, including victory in the Metric Mile (1600m) by 2.5 lengths on Saturday. Wolfburn, the son of Snitzel, is flying, but will need to find another gear after finishing second behind Bear Story in the Chief Minister’s Cup. Victory in the Cup will also make it four wins for Clarke, Darwin’s leading trainer, following the success of Lightinthenite (2015), Zahspeed (2018) and Playoffs (2022). Other winners of feature races leading up to the Darwin Cup include Wolfburn (ROANT Gold Cup), He’s Maverick (Darwin Guineas), Hettinger (Toyota Finance Cup), Masatora (NT Derby) and Hadouken (Buntine Handicap). Kerry Petrick’s Venting won the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) in April. Meanwhile, Chris Nash’s six-year-old gelding Ideas Man is top-weight for the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) on Saturday after being assigned 61kg. Ideas Man, the son of Brazen Beau, finished second behind Dick Leech’s Early Crow in the Palmerston last year and in 22 Fannie Bay starts from 1000-1200m his record stands at 22: 9-6-1. In 11 Darwin starts since May 2023, Ideas Man has never missed the top four and he was a last start winner over 1100m (BM76) on July 17. Early Crow, currently the $5 favourite, now trained by Chris Pollard, completed his Palmerston preparations on July 20 with a last start win over 1200m at weight-for-age. Other likely Palmerston starters to taste success against quality opposition over the short course since May include Spaceship, Rising Sphere, Canton Kid, Kerioth and the in-form Star Magnum. Terry Gillett’s Dakota Lee, who has won 10 races from as many starts in Alice Springs, makes her Fannie Bay debut, while Kym Healy’s Mathematics is unlikely to get a start despite winning the $100,000 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in the Red Centre in April. Horse racing news View the full article

The Melbourne Spring Carnival and Sydney Spring Carnival’s are set to kick off in August, with the opening Group 1 races to be held on August 24 and August 31, respectively. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have found three runners that are worth following into each of the spring carnivals. You can add these horses to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker and receive notifications when they run next. Top horses to follow during the 2024 spring carnivals Horse to follow: Berkshire Breeze Berkshire Breeze won his last three starts, with the winning hat-trick concluding in the Banjo Patterson Series Final over 2600m at Flemington, where he won by 4.75 lengths. Since joining the Ciaron Maher stable in November last year, the lightly raced five-year-old gelding has been to the races five times for three wins and one placing, with four of his five starts being over 2000m-plus. This son of Mastercraftsman has gone through his grades nicely during the winter, and he will seek to gain a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup later in the spring through The Bart Cummings. Potential spring target: The Melbourne Cup appears to be the main target for Berkshire Breeze this spring; however, if he doesn’t win The Bart Cummings, he could try and plot a path to the Caulfield Cup a few weeks later. Berkshire Breeze is marked as a $15 chance for the Melbourne Cup & Caulfield Cup with Neds Berkshire Breeze with another impressive win! He’s one to follow this Spring… @cmaherracing @Brown_ethan8 pic.twitter.com/XL6xRjWyPu — 7HorseRacing (@7horseracing) July 6, 2024 Horse to follow: Veight After impressing trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy in the autumn during his two-year-old season, Veight returned with a big win before the autumn carnival kicked off as a three-year-old, winning the Group 2 Australia Stakes. The son of Grunt then finished fourth behind two subsequent Group 1 winners, Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni, in the C.F. Orr Stakes before finishing second behind Southport Tycoon in the Group 1 Australian Guineas. The McEvoy team sent him to Rosehill to run in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes, where he tackled 1500m for the first time. He saluted by a small margin over Lady Laguna to finish his autumn off with a victory. Potential spring target: Now that Veight enters the spring as a four-year-old entire, the $10 million Golden Eagle stands out as a clear target for him. With the Golden Eagle being raced over 1500m, expect the McEvoy team to kick off his preparation over 1200m and 1400m in readiness for his main target on November 2 at Rosehill. Veight is marked as an $8 chance with Playup to win the Golden Eagle. A ripping edition of The Agency George Ryder Stakes Veight for @mcevoymitchell @LaneDamian hold off the fast-finishing Lady Laguna to capture the Group 1 at Rosehill Gardens!#ExpectItAll #TABGoldenSlipper pic.twitter.com/mhCJbl2kgG — Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) March 23, 2024 Horse to follow: Tower Of London For those that don’t know much about Tower Of London, he is a four-year-old entire who is trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, and he has won six of his 12 starts for the master trainer. The son of Galileo has won multiple Group races, including the Group 2 Curragh Cup (2830m) and Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m). His most recent start was in the Curragh Cup, where Ryan Moore settled near last for most of the journey before peeling wide to unleash with a devastating turn of foot. Tower Of London bridged a near-25-length gap over the final 800m to run down his stablemate Grosevenor Square and win by 1.25 lengths. Tower Of London has the perfect racing style to perform well and win races under Australian conditions. Potential spring target: Although it hasn’t been confirmed if O’Brien will bring Tower Of London down to Australia to race in the Melbourne Cup, he has said that he believes the 3200m race would suit his galloper. Online bookmakers rate him as an equal-second favourite for the race that stops the nation, and many expect him to make the trip down under in the coming months. Timed to perfection! Tower of London and Ryan Moore get there late in the Group 2 Comer Group International Curragh Cup as the pair flash home to deny trailblazing stablemate Grosvenor Square for trainer Aidan O’Brien pic.twitter.com/vBiZw4pge9 — The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) July 20, 2024 Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

Coolmore and Westerberg's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation Stakes placegetter Opera Singer (Justify) and supplementary entry Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) are the leading lights left after 10 of 12 overnight nominees stood their ground for Thursday's G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes. Opera Singer, last term's impressive G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner, is on course to make her first start beyond the one-mile distance while it will be dual Group 1 winner Emily Upjohn's first visit to the Sussex Downs venue. The latter's Team Gosden stablemate Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Zinlo Syndicate's 'TDN Rising Star' Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) were the only absentees at Tuesday morning's declaration stage. Thursday's £665,000 renewal of the near 10-furlong contest also marks the first appearance of G1 Prix de Diane heroine Sparkling Plenty (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) since she caused a stir at last month's Goffs London sale. Al Shaqab Racing parted with £5-million for 50% of the 3-year-old distaffer in the immediate aftermath of a staggering £8.1-million final bid at the Kensington Palace Gardens fixture. Al Shaqab also stumped up the £40,000 fee to add Ralph Beckett trainee Doha (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a stakes-placed daughter of dual Arc heroine heroine Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), before last Friday's supplementary deadline and she will likely be utilised as a pace regulator for Sparkling Plenty. Beckett also has G2 Lancashire Oaks third Lady Boba (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) engaged. Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's G1 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}) finished two places behind Opera Singer when fourth in Royal Ascot's G1 Coronation Stakes last month and, like that reopposing rival, will go beyond the one-mile trip for the first time. Coronation Stakes fifth See The Fire (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the third representative of her sire, returns off a fourth behind City of Troy (Justify) in this month's G1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown. The field is completed by Michael O'Flynn's Lumiere Rock (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Omar Jackson's Novus (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and Hughie Morrison trainee Stay Alert (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Ire}). The post 10 Declared for Thursday’s Nassau, Opera Singer and Emily Upjohn to Face Off in Clash of the Generations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Star miler Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) will miss the Qatar Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday due to a respiratory infection. Runner-up to Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the 2,000 Guineas on his three-year-old debut, Rosallion went one better in the Irish edition before turning the tables on his Newmarket conqueror when landing the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Richard Hannon's colt was again set to clash with Notable Speech, who disappointed at the royal meeting, and the St James's Palace runner-up Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Group 1 feature on day two of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. However, he was officially declared a non-runner shortly after 11am on Tuesday, with a respiratory infection put forward as the reason for his defection. The post Rosallion To Miss Sussex Stakes Due To Respiratory Infection appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article