Wandering Eyes

The G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood, which will be run for total prize-money of £1 million on Wednesday, July 31, has attracted 39 horses at the first entry stage. Unbeaten colt Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) are the early standard-bearers for the Classic generation, with the duo having dominated the finish of the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Rosallion then went one better in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh last weekend, overhauling stable-mate Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) to give trainer Richard Hannon a memorable one-two. G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Metropolitan (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) features among a four-strong contingent from France–along with the 2023 runner-up and last-time-out G1 Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire})–while the recent G2 German 2,000 Guineas winner Devil's Point (Ire) (New Bay {GB}) is another Classic hero in contention for David Menuisier. “We are once again delighted with the quality of entries for the Qatar Sussex Stakes, which is always an incredibly competitive race as the first all-aged Group 1 mile race in Europe,” Ed Arkell, director of racing at Goodwood, said of the possible runners who also include the six-time Group 1 winner Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and the top-class Japanese runner Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}). “To receive entries from all around the world highlights the international importance of the meeting and we are hugely grateful to owners and trainers for supporting the race once again.” A full list of entries can be found here. The post Guineas Winners Star In High-Class Sussex Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK — The two-year-old racing and sales sector has become an increasingly expanding element of the racing world in general, but the practice of training horses at the age of two has been put under the microscope in Germany. A revision of German animal welfare laws means that it is now illegal to train or compete with horses younger than 30 months of age, though Thoroughbred racing is currently exempt from this law while a behavioural study is undertaken and eventually assessed by parliament. Around 60 delegates from Europe and America attended a workshop in Newmarket last week to discuss the issues surrounding these changes to German law and their potential repercussions for the wider racing world. If the exemption is not extended beyond the conclusion of the study, which is expected to be in 2027, the German government could seek to have its 30-month rule adopted by fellow EU member countries, including Ireland and France. Organised by Rossdales consultant and former FEI veterinary committee member Fred Barrelet, the day-long seminar featured participants from the veterinary and research world along with speakers from both racing and sport horse disciplines. Trainers John Gosden and Sir Mark Todd were among those to take the floor, as was Florida-based pre-trainer and breeze-up consignor Nick de Meric. “This at the moment doesn't affect Thoroughbred racing because there is a protocol that permits two-year-olds to race subject to psychometric and physical assessments by a veterinary surgeon, one when the horse comes into training and one within a fortnight of his first race,” Barrelet said. “This stay of execution, if you like, is in place until the results of the Project Horsewatch have been reviewed by the German ministry of agriculture and by parliament. So that's why we are here today.” Projekt Horsewatch has been commissioned and funded by Germany's ministry for agriculture in an attempt to determine the age at which young equine athletes reach a sufficient level of mental and physical maturity to withstand training and competition. The eventual report and any recommendations are expected to be submitted to parliament in 2027. In the meantime, the extra independent veterinary checks for young horses, as outlined by Barralet, have been accompanied by new rules pertaining to the size of and available light in stables, as well as compulsory daily turnout for horses in training. In German racing, two-year-olds are limited to six starts in a year and jockeys are now only permitted to use the whip three times in a race. German trainer Christian von der Recke, who attended Friday's debate, said, “This was our only option, to agree to these tests, otherwise there would have been no two-year-old racing. “The stables are measured, as well as the light readings, and horses have to be together in a field and for a couple of hours every day.” The physical benefits of early training in Thoroughbreds have been well documented in veterinary studies, as highlighted by de Meric in his presentation. He said, “Independently compiled statistics clearly show that two-year-old sale graduates race more often, have longer careers, win more races, more stakes and graded stakes than any other source of young racing prospects. “In North America there has been considerable research on this subject, which clearly shows why training young Thoroughbreds is critical to their skeletal development, optimising their ability to handle the stresses of racing. “It is also worth mentioning that Thoroughbreds have been selectively bred for countless generations to be a fast-maturing, athletic animal, designed to race at age two and beyond. In a natural state, horses are prey animals and are typically active soon after birth, genetically programmed to keep up with the safety of the herd within minutes of foaling. During their first month of life, left to their own devices, foals exhibit a pattern of trotting, cantering and galloping in ever increasing increments. Within a week of foaling, Thoroughbred babies can cover as much as five miles, much of it at a canter, a necessary evolutionary adaptation, true of many herd animals, to evade predators.” John Gosden, the reigning champion trainer in Britain in partnership with his son Thady, gave the opening presentation of the day and spoke of his organic approach to dealing with the horses in his care. “With young horses I tend to wait for them to present themselves to me,” he said. “If you go looking for them, or pushing them, you will do more harm than good. I find that the most important button when I am training horses is the pause button. But if you have a horse who is precocious and comes forward to you, it is the wrong thing not to train that horse.” He added, “You have to be careful when you say we're not going to race at two. Bone density increases from early training.” Former Olympic eventer-turned-trainer Sir Mark Todd drew a comparison between the training of sport horses and racehorses. “Most people break in event horses as three- or four-year-olds. I prefer to do it sooner, but the Warmblood is a very different breed to the Thoroughbred,” he said. “The sooner we can educate horses the better it is for them. I use the word education as opposed to training. They absorb what they have learned when they are on a break.” Among an afternoon session devoted primarily to equine behaviour and the risk to the 'social licence' surrounding all sports involving horses, delegates heard from Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, which acts as an advisor to both the FEI and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). He said, “I felt that the one thing that was most relevant [from these discussions] was exploring awareness of changing public perception of the mental welfare of equine athletes.” Owers praised the BHA's recent launch of the Horse PWR website ahead of this year's Grand National, which sought to present the facts and figures related to the importance of racing in Britain and the significant welfare efforts involved within. Jorg Aurich of Germany's Graf Lehndorff Institute said of the 30-month rule regarding training of young horses, “The German ministry for agriculture has stopped discussions and has decided that there is a need for research. That has initiated a major research project, and decisions will be made once the science-based data has been assessed.” The post German Two-Year-Old Training Permitted Under Exemption appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tattersalls has renewed its sponsorship of the G2 Oaks d'Italia at Milan's San Siro Racecourse, operated by Snaitech, it was announced on Tuesday. The second Oaks d'Italia Tattersalls will be held on Sunday, June 9 and run over a distance of one mile and three furlongs. First run in 1910, the Classic will offer a prize fund of €388,000 which makes it the fourth most valuable Group 2 race in Europe. It stands alongside the G1 Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas, the G1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Tattersalls Polish St Leger in the list of European Classic races sponsored by Tattersalls. As part of the sponsorship, Tattersalls will offer vouchers of 15,000 guineas, 5,000 guineas and 2,500 guineas to the owners of the Classic winner, runner-up and third, respectively. The vouchers can to be spent at the 2024 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale or Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, or at the 2025 Tattersalls Craven and Guineas Breeze-Up Sales. The Classic winner, runner-up and third will also be offered free entry to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. The post Tattersalls Renew Sponsorship Of The Italian Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tara Stud resident River Boyne (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire} became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Amy Murphy-trained daughter Tequila Rose (Ire) justified odds-on favouritism in Tuesday's Get Raceday Ready Restricted Maiden Fillies' S. at Brighton. 3rd-Brighton, £6,800, Mdn, 5-28, 2yo, f, 5f 215yT, 1:12.76, gd. TEQUILA ROSE (IRE) (f, 2, River Boyne {Ire}–Himiko {Ire}, by Aussie Rules), an Apr. 30 debut runner-up going five furlongs at Catterick in her only prior outing, broke sharply from the outside stall and asserted for an early lead in this second start. Holding a slender advantage throughout, the 8-11 favourite came under pressure when threatened on both sides at the quarter-mile marker and kept on in resolute fashion to deny the persistent challenge of Could She Be Magic (GB) (Time Test {GB}) by a neck, becoming the first winner for her freshman sire (by Dandy Man {Ire}). Tequila Rose is the seventh foal and scorer out of an unraced half-sister to Multiple Group 3-placed Listed Silver S. and Listed Ruby S. victrix Deauville Vision (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). The March-foaled bay is a half-sister to the dual Group 3-placed Listed Prix Lord Seymour victor Virtual Rock (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Invincible Army (Ire). Sales history: €18,000 Ylg '23 GOFOR2. Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $7,077. O-Racing To Profit Syndicate & Partner; B-Eimear Mulhern (IRE); T-Amy Murphy. The post Freshman Sire River Boyne Off The Mark At Brighton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockey Scott Spieth rode his 5,000th career winner May 27 as he guided 4-year-old filly Wheelingndealing to an allowance victory in the seventh race at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pa.View the full article

Wednesday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

The Goodman family's Mt. Brilliant Farm went to A$1-million (US$667,900) for a Wootton Bassett (GB) half-sister to the Hong Kong star Golden Sixty (Medaglia d'Oro) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale Tuesday. “We love the filly, she's got a beautiful pedigree and she's by Wootton Bassett. It doesn't come any better than that and we are thrilled,” said Hutton Goodman. The operation is no stranger to the Australian industry with several mares located in the Hunter Valley. “It is hard to buy yearlings like her and she ticked all of our boxes. There is a lot of American stuff in there which will help us if we eventually bring her home,” Goodman said. The filly is a half-sister to six winners, including Golden Sixty of course, but her Group 2-winning dam Gaudeamus (Distorted Humor) has also produced two stakes placegetters and two metropolitan winners. Like Golden Sixty, she was bred by Element Hill and was part of their unreserved dispersal. The sale was topped by Zhijun Zhao (Yulong as partners) landing 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) for an Australasian broodmare prospect record of A$6.6 milllion (US$4,408,140). The post Mt. Brilliant Buys Half-Sister to Golden Sixty appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The world’s highest-rated sprinting mare Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) is now also Australasia’s most-expensive broodmare ever after she was purchased on Tuesday for A$6.6 million. The 10-time Group One winner was purchased by Yulong after an opening bid of A$4m progressed by A$250,000 increments to A$6.5m until the final bid was lodged. Imperatriz is the premier sprinting mare in the world so far this year with a 119 mark from her Newmarket Handicap defeat at Flemington in March. Imperatriz, who cost Te Akau principal David Ellis A$360,000 as a yearling, has accrued A$7m in stakes earnings from her 19 career wins. Her dam Berimbau (by Shamardal) fetched A$1.8m at sale in 2023. Previously, Milanova (Danehill) held the Australian record when sold for $5m in 2008, with Sunlight (Zoustar) going for A$4.2m in 2020 and the following year another Te Akau mare, Avantage (Fastnet Rock), became the world’s most-expensive online purchase when Coolmore bought her for $4.1m on gavelhouse.com. View the full article

Blake Shinn is one of Australia’s leading riders, but he will need to go to even greater heights if he can land the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) on Warmonger (NZ) (War Decree). The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained three-year-old drew the widest gate in Eagle Farm feature on Saturday. Warmonger drew barrier 23 but will start from gate 18 with five emergencies also declared. Having drawn so wide, it is expected Warmonger will need to be ridden in his recent pattern of getting back beyond midfield, coming with a late surge. Those tactics were used aboard Warmonger when second in the South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville at his most recent outing. Warmonger had three runs in Adelaide during the Carnival and Kent Jnr said a silver lining from the gelding being a get-back and run-on galloper was that he was pulling up so well from each run. “He’s still got plenty of petrol left in the tank and he’s been thriving since Adelaide,” Kent Jnr said. “He’s put on weight, muscle and maintained his summer coat. “He had two Brisbane-way gallops on the grass before he left, and I think the horse is flying.” Kent Jnr is banking on a truer tempo on Saturday after the South Australian Derby was run at a more leisurely pace. He said third placegetter Air Assault (Justify) led and dictated the speed after being considered a suspect stayer. “As soon as Air Assault got the lead, he dropped anchor. They were fearful he wouldn’t stay and he went 14 (seconds) to the furlong,” Kent Jnr said. “We took the blinkers off in an effort to make him jump better and settle better, and he raced tractably so they’re staying off, and hopefully Blake can find a spot midfield on the big Eagle Farm track.” Warmonger was posted an $8.50 in revised markets after the barrier draw on Tuesday. View the full article

Luke Nolen this weekend runs the risk of being presented with the same issues that confronted James Mcdonald in the Doomben 10,000 after Tuesday morning’s Kingsford Smith Cup barrier draw. The Victorian jockey goes back aboard I Wish I Win (NZ) (Savabeel), who will start from the inside alley in the A$1 million Group One event at Eagle Farm. That is the gate I Wish I Win started from when a narrow second, after being run down by Bella Nipotina (Pride of Dubai), in the Gr.1 Doomben 10,000. The opportunity for Nolen to reclaim the ride aboard I Wish I Win presented when James McDonald, who has ridden him at his past two starts, was unavailable due to commitments in Japan. It is the fourth time from his past five starts that I Wish I Win has drawn the inside alley with Nolen having partnered him into third position in the Memsie Stakes and second in The Everest at his only starts last spring. Katherine Coleman, who trains I Wish I Win in partnership with Peter Moody, would have preferred to have seen him drawn a little further off the fence but is happy with the way he has come through the 1200m Doomben 10,000. “He worked on Saturday morning and all reports were very positive, the jockey was very happy with him, it was nice work and his action felt good, which is pleasing going towards this week,” Coleman said. I Wish I Win will start alongside Bella Nipotina, who has drawn gate two, while other key contenders in the 12-horse event include defending champion Think About It (So You Think) (eight), dual Group One winners Magic Time (Hellbent) (nine) and In Secret (I Am Invincible) (four) and local star Antino (NZ) (Redwood) (12). It will be the first time I Wish I Win has run off a two-week break since the Toorak Handicap in the spring of 2022, when he was unplaced as a $2.20 favourite, but Coleman is happy with his condition and said he would spell after the Kingsford Smith Cup. “It’s a little bit a difference, but he’s been so lightly raced that I don’t think it will be a problem,” Coleman said of the five-year-old. “He still seems well and happy within himself and this option gave him that little bit of a longer break between having to come back and get ready for the spring.” View the full article

The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF) has concluded its biennial Conference, this year hosted by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA) over five days. The 70 ITBF delegates from 21 of the 27 member countries first attended the G1 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) in Tokyo, before being flown to Hokkaido for a two-day tour. An array of world-class stallions were shown at Shadai Stallion Station, Darley Japan and JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station, as well as the exceptional facilities at the JRA's Hikada Training and Research Centre. The attendees later returned to Tokyo to participate in a half-day Veterinary Meeting and an all-day General Meeting. The plenary veterinary lecture delivered by the host nation educated the audience on the important distinction between gene therapy, gene doping and genetic manipulation–and the future implications of all. Kirsten Rausing, chair of the ITBF, and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, chair of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), shared views on Thoroughbred industry enhancement through working collaboratively, while attendees also enjoyed presentations on equine welfare as the foundation of a socially responsible sport, environmental sustainability in stud farming and the impact of racetrack closures in the USA, amongst other topics. In addition, ITBF members voted unanimously to continue to stand resolute against the use of all artificial breeding methods. The ITBF, which works to advance and protect the interests of Thoroughbred breeders throughout the world, will hold its next General Meeting when France hosts in 2026. The post ITBF Concludes Its Five-Day Conference In Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will not defend his crown at Royal Ascot after suffering a setback. The five-year-old was bought privately by Wathnan Racing ahead of last year's meeting, having won each of his three previous starts for breeder Anthony Oppenheimer. Courage Mon Ami then provided one of the moments of the meeting as he took the stayers' crown in the hands of Frankie Dettori, before going on to disappoint in the Goodwood Cup and having to settle for second in the Lonsdale Cup at York on his final start of the campaign. Trainers John and Thady Gosden had been preparing the gelding for a repeat Gold Cup bid, but the team will now rely on Gregory (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), winner of the Queen's Vase at Ascot last year and third in the Yorkshire Cup on his return earlier this month. Wathnan's racing adviser Richard Brown said, “It's unfortunate timing, but thankfully not a serious setback and we are very hopeful he will be back to contest Cup races later in the year. “Courage Mon Ami gave Wathnan such a brilliant start last year, and we will miss him on Gold Cup day. We'll be pinning all our hopes that Gregory will prove an able deputy.” The Aidan O'Brien-trained Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is the general even-money favourite for the Gold Cup, with Gregory a best-priced 6-1 second-favourite. The post Courage Mon Ami Ruled Out Of Gold Cup Defence Through Injury appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kevin Ryan has confirmed that Inisherin (GB) (Shamardal) will be supplemented for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot following his dominant victory in the Sandy Lane S. at Haydock. Inisherin became the first horse to take the scalp of Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who could only manage third, on Saturday. Ryan reports the colt to have come out of the 6f contest in rude health and says it is all systems go for Ascot. “I was delighted with him on Saturday, he's a horse with a lot of speed,” Ryan said. “Sheikh Mohammed Obaid was in agreement that we'd try six furlongs and we were always very confident it would suit him.” The trainer added, “He moved through the race great and quickened up nicely. It would probably be nicer for us in a race where you could give him a lead, but he has such a high cruising speed you have to let him use his stride. “He's a super horse to train in that he has a great mind and a great constitution, he's a very simple horse to deal with. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid is going to supplement him for the Commonwealth Cup, all things being equal.” The post Ryan Confirms Inisherin Will Be Supplemented For Commonwealth Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a move that further illustrates the global prowess of the operation, Yulong and partners landed 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) for a record A$6.6m (€4,039,810) at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. It was Yulong that saw off the attention of Coolmore for Te Akau Racing's superstar racemare with the new connections of Imperatriz revealing that the 5-year-old is likely to remain retired from racing. Bidding for the 13-time winner, who was trained for the majority of her career by Mark Walker, opened up at a whopping A$4m. It was Yulong's Zhijun Zhao who did the bidding online to secure the winning bid. American billionaire John Stewart, who was vocal in the build-up to the sale and even vowed to pay up to $6 million for Imperatriz, was not involved in the bidding. The previous broodmare sale record set in Australia was $5 million for Milanova back in 2008. The emotions! $6.6 million for Imperatriz! pic.twitter.com/We6DmXbSf7 — Magic Millions (@mmsnippets) May 28, 2024 The post Yulong And Partners Land Imperatriz For Record $6.6 million At Magic Millions appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Matamata trainer Cody Cole. Photo: Trish Dunell Matamata trainer Cody Cole clocked up quite a few kilometres down State Highway One on Tuesday when he took a few of his team down to the Foxton trials. Cole was in search of better going for a couple of his juveniles and was pleased with what he saw from Atmospheric and St Giles, who won their respective heats, and both will now head for a spell ahead of their three-year-old season. “We had a wee trip away to get them on a decent surface,” Cole said. “We have got grass trials at Te Awamutu on Thursday, but I would say from the forecast it is going to be heavy and we needed to get a trial into a couple of them before the tracks get too wet, and we wanted to see where they were at. A trip away also grows a lot of young horses up. “I think Atmospheric is going to be quite a nice three-year-old. He is an immature type that just wants a bit of time and a decent surface. We got a couple of trials into him early, but he wasn’t really comfortable on rain-affected going and I thought we needed to get another trial into him, and the best place for it was down there (Foxton). He will head to the paddock, and he will be a nice three-year-old when he gets over a bit of ground. “St Giles is a really nice horse, he has come a long way. He has got a bright future wherever he goes, whether he stays here or goes overseas. He is a lovely type and can gallop a bit, and he is doing everything on his first preparation. He is only going to improve when he goes out, has a break and comes back.” Meanwhile, Cole is looking forward to racing at Pukekohe Park on Saturday where he will be represented by a quartet of runners, including Rareza, Kai Moana, Campaldino and Tianzi. “Rareza needed her first-up run (when fifth at Te Rapa), which we expected,” Cole said. “She is double nominated and we are unsure where we will run her yet, but I think she will take good improvement from her first-up run at Te Rapa, which had merit, she just came to the end of it late. I think she will be a chance wherever she goes. “Kai Moana surprised us, I didn’t think she would make that step-up from a rating 60 win midweek to Saturday grade. It took a handy enough horse to get past her at Rotorua. If she continues that form, she will have to be a chance.” Cole also has high hopes for Campaldino and Tianzi, with the Matamata horseman expecting to see plenty of improvement from the latter after they finished last when first-up over 1400m at Te Rapa last month. “If the track is not too deep, I think Campaldino is not the worst, but we are a bit unknown on a wet track,” he said. “Draw a line through Tianzi last start, she didn’t pull up 100 percent after that run. We seem to have got her back to herself, the wet track won’t worry her, she worked super this morning (Tuesday) on the course proper at Matamata, which was pretty testing. She will be the biggest improver of the day.” Horse racing news View the full article

Babylon Berlin will likely remain in New Zealand for the remainder of her racing career. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Well-performed sprinter Babylon Berlin has remained at home with another winter start on the cards for the multiple Group winner. Connections had considered a Queensland campaign for the six-year-old but opted against the trip with a domestic Group 1 feature her long-term aim. “She might go to the open sprint at Te Rapa in the middle of June or we could tip her out and get her ready for the Foxbridge Plate (Group 2, 1200m),” co-trainer and part-owner Ben Foote said. “She might get in foal later this year and then we’ll concentrate on the Railway (Group 1, 1200m), that’s the plan, so we’ll be doing all the right things by the horse.” A three-time Group Three winner, Babylon Berlin has two placings to her credit in the Ellerslie sprint feature as well as runner-up Group 1 finishes in The Telegraph (1200m) and BCD Group Sprint (1400m). The daughter of All Too Hard was most recently third in an open 1100m handicap at Trentham. “She came through the race really well, there’s nothing wrong with her at all and she’s in good condition,” Foote said. With training partner and son Ryan, he will have a number of runners at the Cambridge meeting on the synthetic track on Wednesday. Among his better winning chances is the Zoustar filly Mars, who runs in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1300m) off the back of success at Matamata earlier this month with Michael McNab again taking the ride. “I think Mars and Ultimate Focus will both be very strong chances,” Foote said. “Baz Dowling (equine chiropractor) has been doing a bit of work with Mars and she seems to be stretching out really well now. “Ability-wise, she’s certainly a lot better than a Rating 65 horse but with it being a Pearl Series race we’ve decided to have a go for the bonus.” McNab will also partner Ultimate Focus from the inside gate in the Waipa Earthworks Handicap (970m). The son of Smart Missile drew attention to his prospects with a resuming run for second over the course and distance earlier this month. “I do quite like So Brassy as well, she has been working well and might be the best longshot as far as a little nibble goes,” Foote said. The lightly raced three-year-old daughter of Per Incanto hasn’t raced since January and will be ridden in the other Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1300m) by Courtney Barnes. Stablemate Viva Rosso, the mount of Sam Spratt, also resumes in the event and is another forward for her return. Horse racing news View the full article

Helena Baby will make his jumping debut next week. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A jumping future is looming for Group 1 performer Helena Baby following his 20-length victory in an Open Hurdle trial at Cambridge on Monday. The grey nine-year-old has performed well on the flat for trainer John Bell, winning seven races, including the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) on two occasions, and placed in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) and Opunake Cup. He has had three unplaced sprint outings this preparation in preparation for making his debut hurdle outing at Te Aroha next Monday, and Bell is looking forward to seeing what he can do over fences on raceday. “Sprinters can make great hurdlers and he we have been working on him for several years (to go jumping),” Bell said. “We have given him a few sprint races and will look to have him in the maiden hurdle at Te Aroha on Monday. “He is a lovely horse, there is not much about him that you don’t like. He went up to Hong Kong and didn’t handle the tracks up there but came back here and performed again with a bit of rain. The more rain the better for him. “We will get him over his first encounter. Nick Downs has done a lot of work on him. Mentally he is quite prepared for anything and we will go day-by-day with the jumping.” Bell said a transition to jumping will help extend Helena Baby’s racing career. “If he wasn’t doing that he would be sitting in the paddock or a clerk of the course, so we might as well endeavour for him to win us a dollar or two and help pay the bills,” he said. Helena Baby will be joined at Te Aroha’s meeting by stablemates Ata Rangi and Curious George. “Ata Rangi is doing well on the flat. He hurdles very well, so that is where he is destined for, but we will run him over 2200m (on Monday). Curious George will be in the 0-1 win Hurdle,” he said. Prior to the weekend, Bell will head south to Awapuni’s synthetic meeting on Thursday where he will line-up Da Optimist in the Townshends Joinery 1000. “We have Da Optmisit on the poly with Jonathan Riddell on,” Bell said. “He is well and should go well.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matamata trainer Cody Cole clocked up quite a few kilometres down State Highway One on Tuesday when he took a few of his team down to the Foxton trials. Cole was in search of better going for a couple of his juveniles and was pleased with what he saw from Atmospheric (NZ) (El Roca) and St Giles (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who won their respective heats, and both will now head for a spell ahead of their three-year-old season. “We had a wee trip away to get them on a decent surface,” Cole said. “We have got grass trials at Te Awamutu on Thursday, but I would say from the forecast it is going to be heavy and we needed to get a trial into a couple of them before the tracks get too wet, and we wanted to see where they were at. A trip away also grows a lot of young horses up. “I think Atmospheric is going to be quite a nice three-year-old. He is an immature type that just wants a bit of time and a decent surface. We got a couple of trials into him early, but he wasn’t really comfortable on rain-affected going and I thought we needed to get another trial into him, and the best place for it was down there (Foxton). He will head to the paddock, and he will be a nice three-year-old when he gets over a bit of ground. “St Giles is a really nice horse, he has come a long way. He has got a bright future wherever he goes, whether he stays here or goes overseas. He is a lovely type and can gallop a bit, and he is doing everything on his first preparation. He is only going to improve when he goes out, has a break and comes back.” Meanwhile, Cole is looking forward to racing at Pukekohe Park on Saturday where he will be represented by a quartet of runners, including Rareza (NZ) (Exosphere), Kai Moana (NZ) (Sweynesse), Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Tianzi (NZ) (Reliable Man). “Rareza needed her first-up run (when fifth at Te Rapa), which we expected,” Cole said. “She is double nominated and we are unsure where we will run her yet, but I think she will take good improvement from her first-up run at Te Rapa, which had merit, she just came to the end of it late. I think she will be a chance wherever she goes. “Kai Moana surprised us, I didn’t think she would make that step-up from a rating 60 win midweek to Saturday grade. It took a handy enough horse to get past her at Rotorua. If she continues that form, she will have to be a chance.” Cole also has high hopes for Campaldino and Tianzi, with the Matamata horseman expecting to see plenty of improvement from the latter after they finished last when first-up over 1400m at Te Rapa last month. “If the track is not too deep, I think Campaldino is not the worst, but we are a bit unknown on a wet track,” he said. “Draw a line through Tianzi last start, she didn’t pull up 100 percent after that run. We seem to have got her back to herself, the wet track won’t worry her, she worked super this morning (Tuesday) on the course proper at Matamata, which was pretty testing. She will be the biggest improver of the day.” View the full article

Mauritian rider looks to continue his impressive form on the all-weather at Wednesday night’s dirt meeting at Sha TinView the full article

Pam Gerard is set to assume ownership of Ballymore’s Matamata stables. Photo: Supplied Change is coming at the trans-Tasman Ballymore Stables operation, with Pam Gerard set to take sole charge of the Matamata base. Established in 1982 by Hall of Fame trainer Michael Moroney, Ballymore Stables has become renowned for its achievements on both sides of the Tasman headed by a total of 55 Group 1 wins. The decision has now been made for Gerard, Moroney’s training partner since 2016, to assume ownership of the Matamata stables and for Moroney to relinquish his New Zealand trainer’s licence. “We’ve been working on a plan for the past 18 months to ensure the future success of both our stables, and the decision has been made for Pam to take ownership and sole charge of Ballymore’s Matamata operation,” Moroney said. “Pam joined Ballymore as a highly respected horsewoman and during her time with us she has excelled, not only with her hands-on role at Matamata but also for the development of horses moving between the two stables.” After beginning his career as foreman and then training partner of legendary horseman Dave O’Sullivan, Moroney went solo in 1982 and his very first starter, Bold Avon, was a winner. He claimed his first Group 1 win with Imperial Angel in the 1985 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and his first in Australia, the 1989 South Australian Oaks, with Heavenly Body. Moroney claimed back-to-back New Zealand trainers’ premierships in the mid-1990s before branching out with an Australian stable, originally in Adelaide and then in Melbourne, where he was allocated boxes at Flemington’s famous Chicquita Lodge. An early classic success was with Second Coming in the 1997 Victoria Derby, and the same horse finished third when stablemate Brew won the 2000 Melbourne Cup. That period also included the Blue Diamond Stakes with True Jewels, and at the end of the season Moroney was awarded the prestigious Fred Hoysted Medal for training excellence. While Brew’s famous victory secured Ballymore’s place in Australian racing, the Matamata stable has also continued to operate successfully, with major wins at home as well as being integral to the development of Australian Group 1 winners such as recent stars Roch ’N’ Horse and Tofane. Canterbury-born Gerard began her training career in the late 1990s and after moving north in 2011 to a senior position with Te Akau Racing, in 2016 she was offered the role as Ballymore New Zealand’s resident trainer. “Our paths happened to cross at the time I was looking for a change and when Mike made the offer I was happy to take on the challenge, it was too good an opportunity to turn down,” Gerard said. Subsequent years have seen Gerard flourish in her role, winning at Group 1 level with On The Rocks as well as multiple elite level placings to Savile Row, Arrogant, Harlech and Roch ’N’ Horse. In the current season, Group and Listed wins by Pendragon, Savaglee, Pericles and Sassy Merlot head a tally of 31 that have Ballymore in the top 10 on the New Zealand trainers’ table. “It’s hard to believe that I’ve been with Ballymore for nearly a decade now, but it’s been fantastic to work alongside Mike and benefit from his vast knowledge and training skills,” Gerard said. “Now I have a fresh challenge presented to me and I’m looking forward to the next step in my career. I’m very grateful for everything Mike has done for me to this point, and it means a lot that while I will be the sole licence-holder in the New Zealand stable, it will be business as usual with Mike continuing to have input. “The timing is good to strike out on my own, what with the stakes increases and other incentives that we’ve seen this season. That will also mean horses in the Melbourne stable coming across to make the most of those opportunities, and of course horses from the Matamata stable going over there.” While the new structure, set to take effect on July 1, will mean change, Moroney remains confident about the future. “Just as Dave O’Sullivan supported me in my early years, I will continue to support Pam, which includes the two stables working in tandem as we plan programmes for respective stable members,” Moroney said. “You would be aware of my recent health challenges, however, I’m pleased to report that I’m making very good progress and responding well to the fantastic medical care I’ve been so fortunate to receive and I’m now at home. “It’s very satisfying to see how well the two stables have continued to perform and I’m grateful for the efforts of all our staff as well as the good wishes and support received from so many of Ballymore’s clients. “Everyone involved in Ballymore can rest assured that the new structure will prove just as effective as it has over the years, and we look forward to further successes in both New Zealand and Australia.” Horse racing news View the full article

Zac Purton holds a 35-win lead in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship. Marching towards a seventh Hong Kong jockeys’ championship, Zac Purton hopes Triumphant Warrior can extend the Australian’s recent hot form when Danny Shum’s charge contests the second section of the Class 4 Hin Yiu Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin’s eight-race all-dirt meeting on Wednesday night (29 May). Leading the 2023/24 standings with 107 wins – 35 clear of nearest rival Karis Teetan (72) with only 13 meetings left in the season – Purton takes six rides tomorrow night before travelling to Japan to partner Ricky Yiu’s Voyage Bubble in the Group 1 Yasuda Kinen (1600m) at Tokyo Racecourse on Sunday (2 June). With four victories at Sha Tin on Sunday (26 May), Purton has 1,717 Hong Kong wins and requires 96 more wins to reach Chief Stipelas Whyte’s all-time record in the city of 1,813. “I thought he (Triumphant Warrior) was a little bit disappointing last time, we put the hood on him because he over-raced badly the start before when the pace steadied and he took off and emptied out the last bit in a race that he probably could have won,” Purton said. “Last time, we had the hood on, he had a perfect run, the tempo was good, he relaxed really nicely and he was a bit disappointing, so coming back to 1200 (metres) might be a bit more suitable after a few runs at a mile. “The tempo should suit him a little bit better. He’s a bit of a slow maturing horse but when the penny drops with him, he’s going to be capable.” While Shum and Purton will be allies on Wednesday night, they will be rivals in Tokyo on Sunday when Shum teams with James McDonald and Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior in the Yasuda Kinen. In the midst of another consistent season, Teetan hopes to extend his lead over third-placed Hugh Bowman (56 wins) when he partners Ricky Yiu-trained Adefill in the Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap (1650m). “It’s nice to get back on him and it’s been a while since I’ve got on him. He comes with a weight (119lb) where I get a chance to ride him,” the Mauritian said. “He’s a horse who’s at home on the all-weather, so he trials really good on it. Form-wise he’s going really well and he’s in good shape so I think in this small race he’s going to have his chance. “Things didn’t go his way on his last start, he sort of got stuck behind some horses. I don’t think he really got his opportunity. He handled the track really well in his previous wins and he should be more competitive in Class 2. Let’s hope he does his best. “Those small races are the most tactical races to ride in. Sometimes you think there’s a lot of speed on paper and you get out of the gates and they walk. It’s going to be a tricky race but it looks like there is a lot of pace, so we’ll just let our fella sit in the first half and give his best in the final 400m.” Teetan also rides Sing Dragon (135lb) for Mark Newnham in the Class 3 Chung On Handicap (1200m), bidding for a fourth win in a row on the gelding. “He’s done so well. Since I’ve got on him, he’s won those three times and I think he’s getting better all the time. Last time he just held on, but he had a big weight (129lb) to carry and he’s been progressing. “It’s going to be interesting again and I don’t think the draw (gate 12) is going to be very helpful to him, but it depends how the track will run. Sometimes the outside gate can work in your favour and sometimes you can save some energy instead of rushing to get a position from an inside gate. “I’ll just ride the horse that I think he is. He fights on and when the horse came to him last time, he actually kept fighting. He’s got a good spirit. He’s done well already and if he can pull one off again it will be really good.” Sha Tin’s eight-race card starts on Wednesday night with the Class 2 Chun Shek Handicap (1650m) at 7.15pm HKT. Horse racing news View the full article

The Queensland Racing Carnival is in full swing after two meetings at Doomben in as many weeks. Meanwhile, Sandown and Randwick held strong offseason programs last Saturday, featuring several progressive horses returning for winter campaigns. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we look at three runners that punters should consider adding to their blackbooks. Doomben Track rating: Soft 5 Rail position: +2m entire circuit Race 3: Darby McCarthy (1100m) | Time: 1:04.89 Horse to follow: Skirt The Law (4th) After finishing a disappointing ninth of 12 in the Listed Mick Dittman Plate first-up, Skirt The Law returned to the races on Saturday and produced a strong finish to record a fourth-place finish. The Tony Gollan-trained filly settled midfield over 1100m, and when asked for the ultimate effort by Damian Lane, she let down with a strong turn of foot. The further this daughter of Better Than Ready went, the closer she got to the leaders, and it appears as though she is looking for 1200m now. When to bet: The Listed Queensland Day Stakes on June 8 at Eagle Farm looks to be the ideal race for Skirt The Law, as she will compete against her own age group while rising to 1200m third-up. Randwick Track rating: Soft 5 Rail position: +8m 900m–WP, +5m remainder Race 7: Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:58.71 Horse to follow: The Black Cloud (1st) The Black Cloud returned from a three-month spell and claimed her third win from four career starts in a Benchmark 78 Handicap at Randwick. The Joseph Pride-trained filly gave the leaders a good start at the top of the home straight and rounded them up quickly before running away with a strong one-length victory. With slightly weaker competition expected during the winter months, The Black Cloud could build a formidable record before looking towards some feature races next autumn. When to bet: Pride and his team will be looking to take The Black Cloud through her grades and get her rating up. If her next start is over 1100m in the same grade, we will be following. Sandown Track rating: Soft 5 Rail position: True entire circuit Race 1: 2YO Fillies Handicap (1000m) | Time: 0:57.17 Horse to follow: Flattered (2nd) Although Flattered has finished second in four of her six career starts, the Patrick Payne-trained galloper looks ready to win. This two-year-old filly had been racing in Listed and Group company before her most recent run at Sandown, earning herself over $120,000 in prize money even though she has yet to win a race. Last Saturday, this daughter of Yes Yes Yes recorded the fastest last 600m section (32.27s) and 400m section (21.64s) of the entire meeting. When to bet: If Payne can find a similar race for two-year-old fillies over 1200m at a big track, Flattered will get every chance to break her maiden at the seventh time of asking. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Pakenham Racecourse – 420 Nar Nar Goon–Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3813 When Thursday, May 30, 2024 First Race 5:15pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to Pakenham this Thursday evening for a very competitive eight-race program. The track was rated a Soft 6 at the time of acceptances, and with more rain forecast on Thursday, it is expected that the surface will remain in the Soft range. The rail will be pushed out to the +9m position for the entire circuit, with the first event scheduled to jump at 5:15pm AEST. Best Bet at Pakenham: Golden Estrella Golden Estrella was well beaten by Bons To Riches at Cranbourne over 1200m first-up, but she gapped the rest of the field to finish second. The Ciaron Maher-trained mare settled behind the race favourite and eventual winner but couldn’t close the margin and battled on gamely in the final 200m. In a slightly weaker race, with Mark Zahra jumping aboard, Golden Estrella looks to have found the right one. Best Bet Race 8 – #10 Golden Estrella (3) 4yo Mare | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Mark Zahra (57kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Pakenham: Written Bligh Jordan Childs and Grahame Begg will combine again with Written Bligh after a narrow defeat at Sandown on May 15. The daughter of Written By took a run up the inside of the field and looked to be the winner before Heart Of Glass surged over the top late. This filly would have taken benefit from her fresh run, and if she can perform at a similar level to that, Written Bligh will go very close. Next Best Race 4 – #6 Written Bligh (10) 3yo Filly | T: Grahame Begg | J: Jordan Childs (57.5kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Pakenham: Whateley Whateley will kick off his racing career following two solid jumpouts, with his last over 1000m at Cranbourne being the more impressive. Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have given this son of Written Tycoon plenty of time to learn his craft. Luke Currie will want to settle close to the speed from barrier nine, and if she shows the same dash in the final 300m that he did in his last trial, Whateley has the ability to figure in the finish on debut. Best Value Race 3 – #6 Whateley (9) 2yo Colt | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Luke Currie (58kg) Bet with PlayUp Thursday quaddie tips for Pakenham Pakenham quadrella selections Thursday, May 30, 2024 2-4-5-6 2-4-5-9-10 1-2-4 8-10-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

What Hawkesbury Races Where Hawkesbury Race Club – 1 Racecourse Rd, Clarendon NSW 2756 When Thursday, May 30, 2024 First Race 11:45am AEST Visit Dabble Hawkesbury Race Club is the destination for NSW racing on Thursday afternoon, with an ultra-competitive eight-race program set for decision. The rail is out +4m between the 1100m and 450m markers, while the remainder is in the true. With nothing but sunny skies in the lead-up, expect the surface to be a genuine Good 4 prior to the first race at 11:45am local time. Best Bet at Hawkesbury: Vivezza Vivezza was outstanding when she returned on the Kensington circuit at Randwick on May 15. The daughter of American Pharoah fought on gamely in the final furlong, clinging onto second to get within a head of Wild Gypsy. Getting back to a firm deck should be ideal, and as Vivezza steps up to the 1600m for the first time, watch for the three-year-old to make every post a winner in the opener. Best Bet Race 1 – #1 Vivezza (1) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Tom Sherry (59kg) Bet with Neds Next Best at Hawkesbury: Junebug Junebug couldn’t have been more impressive on her Australian debut, going on to score by 1.3 lengths at Muswellbrook on May 13. It took a long time for the French import to wind up over the unsuitable 1280m journey, but once she did, her class was on full display as she knuckled down to break her maiden. Junebug has plenty of upside compared to some key rivals and should win this before homing in on some tougher assignments. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Junebug (8) 4yo Mare | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Heavelon Van Der Hoven (57kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value at Hawkesbury: Recruiter Recruiter caught the eye in a recent trial and appears set to strike on debut. The gelding by Deep Field travelled strongly behind race rival Waterski at Rosehill on May 17, and while he was defeated by 3.3 lengths, his work through the line suggests he can turn the tables. Jaden Lloyd takes the reins, and provided he can hold a spot from gate one, Recruiter will have his say at an each-way price with the top racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 2 – #2 Recruiter (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | J: Jaden Lloyd (59kg) Bet with Bet365 Thursday quaddie tips for Hawkesbury races Hawkesbury quadrella selections Thursday, May 30, 2024 4 1-2-4-6 3-4-6-9-10 1-2-3-6-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Veteran handler can snatch premiership lead with in-form galloper headlining his team at all-weather meetingView the full article