Wandering Eyes

Hugh Bowman and Vincent Ho Chak-yiu claimed the final two slots in the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on December 10 with a trio of winners between them on a dramatic night at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Bowman needed a winner to leapfrog Luke Ferraris and he almost took the initiative straight away when Flow Water Flow missed by a nose behind Somelovefromabove in section one of the Class Four Glenfinnan Viaduct Handicap (1,200m). Remarkably, Bowman then missed again by a nose...View the full article

Woodbine Cares Horsepower Fund, a new grant program designed to support charities and not-for-profit organizations that champion horse welfare and strengthen the bond between horses and people, has been launched by Woodbine Entertainment. Through the Horsepower Fund, local registered charities and not-for-profits across Ontario can apply for micro-grants of up to $5,000. These grants are intended to fuel initiatives that help people connect with horses through education, hands-on care, or innovative programs that highlight the role horses play in the racing community. Applicants to the Horsepower Fund must be: a registered charity with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a registered not-for-profit; be located within the local communities surrounding Woodbine Racetrack or Woodbine Mohawk Park; demonstrate a clear focus on equine welfare; provide evidence of strong fiscal management and governance practices; and have submitted final reports from previous years if a prior recipient. Eligible charities can apply online here: https://form.jotform.com/251273988732266. The post Woodbine Launches Horsepower Fund to Support Horse Welfare, Community Programs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning Eclipse Award winner Flavien Prat won a total of 14 races last week, including a five-win day Nov. 23 and a sweep of the day's stakes races. He was voted Jockey of the Week Nov.17-23.View the full article

Spendthrift Farms' Further Ado (Gun Runner), who will make his next start in Saturday's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs, ran sensationally in his last start, winning a Keeneland maiden by 20 lengths, earning a 98 Beyer figure. The Beyer number is tied for the second fastest race by a 2-year-old in 2025. But he's also somewhat of a mystery. Why did he run so poorly in his first two races and can he once again turn in a sizzling effort in what will be his stakes debut? The Kentucky Jockey Club should provide a lot of answers. “We liked him a good bit, especially first time out,” trainer Brad Cox said. “I thought he was a horse that could win first time based on how he trained at Keeneland, Churchill and even Saratoga leading up to that debut. He's always been a really good training horse. We did lose a little bit of confidence along the way when we didn't get the performances we were expecting in the first two runs.” Further Ado debuted July 26 at Saratoga and finished fifth in a six-furlong maiden. He returned Aug. 30 at Saratoga in a seven-furlong maiden and ran a distant third. The most obvious difference between his first and second races and his third was the distance. Cox stretched him out to a 1 1/16 miles and got one of the best performances by any 2-year-old this year. “I think he just didn't handle the distance in those first two starts,” Cox said. “Getting him out around two turns seemed to make the difference. We liked him a good bit in all three starts. He was able to put it all together going long that day at Keeneland. No, I never thought he'd win by 20 lengths. Watching the race that day at Keeneland, I thought, 'Wow he's really moving well and they were going quick enough up front.' It didn't seem like anyone was closing in on him going into the far turn. It looked like he had the horse in front of him measured and he just kept extending the margin. It was a very impressive win, to say the least.” Still, Cox knows that Saturday's stakes will be a challenge. As usual, the Kentucky Jockey Club has attracted some talented juveniles. “He will need to step up and improve,” he said. “As long as he can get away well, get into the race and get into his rhythm, I think he will run well. He's been training at Churchill ever since that win at Keeneland and he trained this morning [on Nov. 23] and it was very impressive. Breaking well, getting involved early and getting into that rhythm are the things he'll need to do to be successful Saturday.” Should Further Ado win the Kentucky Jockey Club, he will no doubt be considered, at the very least, a Top 10 prospect for next year's GI Kentucky Derby. Cox said he will wait until after Saturday before starting to put together a schedule for him for his 3-year-old campaign. Further Ado will winter at Payson Park in Florida, but that doesn't mean he will be taking the Gulfstream route to the Derby. Spendthrift will be in Florida with the horse now considered the Derby favorite, Ted Noffey (Into Mischief). Cox is rather sure that Spendthrift will want to keep the two apart, which means Further Ado might do his racing in the preps at Fair Grounds. “The Florida preps will at least be on our list, but you have to remember that they'll have another very nice colt down there in Ted Noffey,” Cox said. “That's going to play a role in what we do, and it should. We'll see how we do on Saturday and then start thinking more about our plans.” The main competition may come from the Saffie Joseph-trained Dr. Kapur (McKinzie), who will be stretching out after an impressive win in a seven-furlong maiden at Keeneland. Bob Baffert will be represented by the $1.15-million Keeneland September purchase Cherokee Nation (Not This Time), who is still a maiden. Steve Asmussen, who has won this race three times, will send out GIII Iroquois S. winner Spice Runner (Gun Runner). Saturday's card at Churchill will also feature the GII Golden Rod S. for 2-year-old fillies. The heavy favorite will be Baffert's Explora (Blame), who is coming off a second-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. Cox will try to post the upset with Rags to Riches S. winner Life of Joy (Gun Runner). “We really like her,” Cox said. “She broke her maiden in Indiana and it was a really big step up going from that race to the stakes at Churchill. That race [the Rags to Riches] came up with somewhat of a short field and she got a really good trip. There are a few more fillies in this race and it's a deeper group . She has to step up again. She's another one that had a really good breeze this morning [Nov. 24] over this track. She is training well and is training forward since that last run. We've seen positive things from her since that last run.” The post Further Ado is Good, But How Good? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. What an effort from Boss Dylan (c, 2, Liam's Map–Sweet, by Blame)! Those were the words of track announcer Travis Stone as Boss Dylan rallied from last to finish a fantastic second in the nightcap at Churchill Downs Sunday evening. Off at odds of 9-1 in his 6 1/2-furlong unveiling for trainer Brendan Walsh in a very deep maiden special weight, Boss Dylan made a mess of the break from his outside draw and was 11th as the Brian Lynch-trained firster Mob (Gun Runner) sped through an opening quarter in :22.16. The $40,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $460,000 OBS April breezer began to launch beneath Tyler Gaffalione with a flashy move on the far turn and split horses leaving the quarter pole. He kept on rolling down the stretch and came home in a field-best :31.24 while finishing 1 1/2 lengths behind the aforementioned Mob, a $560,000 Keeneland September graduate. Boss Dylan earned a 75 Beyer Speed Figure, four points less than the front-running winner. Mob is a debut winner is in the @churchilldowns finale for trainer @blynchracing with @luissaezpty aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/rdrXDHuaSm — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) November 23, 2025 Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock Agency purchased Boss Dylan on behalf of G and O Racing, High Step Racing, JR Ranch and KAS Ultimate Racing after breezing in :10 1/5 earlier this spring in Ocala. “It's almost a blessing in a way,” said Restrepo, who co-owned 2023 GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage. “Out of a loss, there's a win. He learned so much. Kudos to Tyler, just let the horse get into rhythm. They were moving up top and they got away from him. Lynchie's horse is a fast, well-meant horse.” He continued, “It was so nice to see a young baby eat that kind of dirt and zig zag between horses and not be afraid to attack a pack. Normally you see the babies spit it on the turn after making a move like that. The gallop out was savage. That probably was the most impressive thing.” Boss Dylan's leading young sire Liam's Map is responsible for seven top-level winners worldwide. Bred in Kentucky by Twin Oaks Bloodstock LLC, Boss Dylan was produced by Claiborne Farm homebred Sweet (Blame), a two-time winner on grass and full-sister to GI Santa Margarita S. heroine Fault and half-sister to the dam of GI Darley Alcibiades S. winner Juju's Map (Liam's Map). Sweet is also responsible for the 4-year-old filly No Mo Candy (Uncle Mo), winner of last fall's GIII Pebbles S. over the Aqueduct lawn. Boss Dylan in the paddock prior to his debut at Churchill Downs Sunday | courtesy Ramiro Restrepo “It was great for the group and all the partners to have a root home,” Restrepo said. “He showed that he wanted it and came running fast for the wire. That kind of stuff makes it all worth it. My main supporter and the person who has really given me a gigantic boost is Jose Aguirre of JR Ranch. He has been a godsend as an owner. I am Jose's racing manager and bloodstock manager and put the group together with High Step Racing, G and O Racing and KAS Ultimate Racing. It's a bunch of new guys and they come from all walks. Some of them are in the sport-fisherman world. Getting them in the game is pretty fun.” Restrepo concluded, “He came out of the race great and will ship to Florida to Palm Meadows after Thanksgiving. We'll look at a maiden there going seven-eighths to a mile at the beginning of the year. If he answers that bell, you're definitely in line for some dreams.” Since launching 'Second Chances' in 2017, 64 maidens have been featured in these pages (through 2024), producing 25% graded stakes winners, 34% stakes winners and 48% stakes horses. The series has introduced eight future winners at the top level, led by this year's GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI Travers S. winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief), 2023 Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin) and fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo). The post Second Chances: ‘Out of a Loss, There’s a Win’ – Boss Dylan Florida-Bound Following Eye-Catching Debut Second appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Over 300 horses from 19 countries have applied for the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival (DRC) at Meydan this season. The 16-week stand kicked off on November 7 and ends on March 28 with the G1 Dubai World Cup card. The multiple group-placed Heart Of Honor (Honor A. P.) was one of the first to arrive for trainer Jamie Osborne. Trainer Niels Petersen has an 11-strong team from Norway, including Norsk Derby winner War Socks (Kameko). Consistent sprinter Ponntos (Power) has returned for trainer Miroslav Nieslanik, and Denmark's Veronika Jandova brought seven horses. Newmarket's Phil Spencer, backed by Phil Cunnhingham, have sent a team of 10 under the Rebel Racing banner, among them is Goodwood Stewards' Cup winner Two Tribes (Rajasinghe) and Ayr Gold Cup hero Run Boy Run (Rajasinghe). Later in the season, Karl Burke's G1 Jebel Hatta third Holloway Boy (Ulysses) is set to compete, as is G2 Dubai Gold Cup third Epic Poet (Lope De Vega) for David O'Meara. G2 Lennox Stakes hero Witness Stand (Expert Eye) will appear for Jamie Insole, while Charlie Hills's Mitbaahy (Profitable) is signed on. John and Thady Gosden will send G1 Lockinge Stakes victor Audience (Iffraaj). Meydan races three times in December, on Friday, 5, 12 and 19, culminating in Festive Friday which hosts the G2 Al Maktoum Mile and the G2 Al Rashidiya. “We are delighted to have acceptors for the Carnival from so many different countries,” commented Erwan Charpy, head of department, Racing Operations & International Relations for Dubai Racing Club. “This further underlines the position of Dubai as the centre of the racing world and is a compliment to both our facilities and our racing programme, both of which continue to evolve. “We are excited about welcoming so many Group 1 winners and high-class horses to Dubai over the next few weeks and wish everyone the best of luck with their planning and travel.” The post Dubai Racing Carnival Attracts Over 300 Entries appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year’s winner Giavellotto will lead a European assault on the Group One Longines Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) and bid to become the first horse since 2008 to win the HK$26 million prize back to back. Just two horses, Doctor Dino (2007-2008) and Luso (1996-1997), have won the race in consecutive years since the race was given Group One status in 1994, while Highland Reel (2015 and 2017) and Glory Vase (2019 and 2021) are the only other horses to have repeat wins. That shows the mountain that...View the full article

Grahame Begg’s She’s A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High) has received the ideal draw of three in Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic, after a field of 14 accepted for the Caulfield race. The daughter of Ace High, who was narrowly defeated in the G2 Matriarch Stakes in her most recent start, is yet to miss the top two in 10 career runs but is racing at Caulfield for the first time, making the good draw even better. Alalcance, who ran well into third behind She’s A Hustler in the Matriarch, will jump from next to her in gate four, with that pair the only mares in the race. Of the boys, Etna Rosso (Decorated Knight) (eight) brings good form having been third on varying surfaces in his past two starts, while Berkshire Breeze (Mastercraftsman) (seven) was most recently a solid fourth in the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. The latter is joined by four stablemates from the Ciaron Maher yard – Light Infantry Man (Fast Company) (nine), Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) (14), Interpretation (Galileo) (1) and Strawberry Rock (Rock of Gibraltar) (10). View the full article

Twelve sprinters face the daunting task of taking on world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising when he chases a 16th consecutive victory in the Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m). Fresh from another dominant success in last Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Sprint (1,200m), the David Hayes-trained superstar will bid to join Mr Stunning, Lord Kanaloa, Silent Witness and Falvelon as back-to-back winners of the HK$28 million feature. Ka Ying Rising bagged his first Group One success in the race last year,...View the full article

Two of the world’s very best could do battle in a showdown for the ages in next month’s Group One Longines Hong Kong Cup (2,000m), with the mighty Calandagan still a chance to face local hero Romantic Warrior. The catch, however, is that recently crowned European Horse of the Year Calandagan must first get through this Sunday’s Group One Japan Cup (2,400m) and is considered a slim chance of actually making it to Sha Tin. Whatever happens with Calandagan, Romantic Warrior – who returned from...View the full article

Voyage Bubble will defend his Group One Hong Kong Mile crown in a capacity field that also features Japan’s Soul Rush and Embroidery, Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter and French colt Beauvatier. Trainer Ricky Yiu Poon-fai and Voyage Bubble’s owners opted to drop the Triple Crown hero back to a mile rather than tackle the Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m) after he ran second to Romantic Warrior in last Sunday’s Group Two Jockey Club Cup (2,000m). Zac Purton is expected to again take the ride...View the full article

Trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are excited about the future with regally-bred colt King’s English after he broke through for his maiden win in impressive fashion at Te Aroha on Wednesday. A son of Snitzel, King’s English is out of dual Group One winner English, who also placed on four occasions at elite-level, including a runner-up performance in the Golden Slipper (1200m). He was purchased at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale by Te Akau principal David Ellis for A$700,000 and made a good impression at the trials as a juvenile, winning and finishing runner-up in his two heats. He placed in two this season before making his debut at Taupo in September where he finished third over 1200m before returning to the same track a month later to post the same result over 1100m. Punters took note and backed him into $1.60 favouritism for Wednesday’s Diprose Miller Maiden 1150, and he duly delivered. Jockey Craig Grylls was positive out of the gates, sending King’s English forward from his wide alley in search of the lead, but I’ll Be Home Soon punched up on the inside to maintain his advantage on the rail. The pair went head-to-head and opened up several lengths on the rest of the field. They held that advantage heading into the home straight, and while I’ll Be Home Soon began to tire, King’s English continued his forward momentum and kicked clear to win by 5-3/4 lengths. Co-trainer Sam Bergerson was pleased with the dominant performance. “He was electric,” he said. “We thought they had gone pretty hard early, and obviously the other leader weakened off, but he kept going right through the line and he is just going from strength-to-strength this horse. “A bit of time between runs he was feeling very well and it was good to see him put in a performance like that. “He is putting on a bit of weight and he is certainly going the right way as we head into some nice races potentially for him. “It’s an exciting time for the ownership group and hopefully he can go on with it.” Grylls was just as impressed with the colt’s performance, and he believes King’s English has a bright future in-store. “He was impressive,” Grylls said. “It was pretty easy. He travelled really nice and had a very nice kick on him today. He definitely franked that form today (of his first two runs) and he is going to be one that goes on with it too. “He’s a really well-bred colt, is a good mover and a nice horse in general.” View the full article

Twelve months since the start of a frustrating run of Group One seconds in the TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), Te Awamutu mare La Crique is ready to go one better in next week’s Trentham feature. That close second was the first in a frustrating and almost unbelievable sequence of runner-up placings at Group One level. All five starts since last December have been at racing’s highest level and every one of them has produced the same result. The most recent was her half-length second to Waitak in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa in late September, and on Wednesday at Te Aroha the benefit of the time she has been allowed since was clear to see. In a solo gallop between races, La Crique was timed to run 1000m in 1:00.91s and the last 600m in 35.14s. Minutes earlier fellow top-class mare Legarto had recorded 1:03.44s in an 1100m black-type trial, with the final 600m in 32.55s. “That was just right, not too much pressure and it should bring her on nicely,” said Katrina Alexander, who trains La Crique with her husband Simon. “The time she’s had to herself was good for her, she’s carrying good condition and I would go so far as to say that she’s finally matured.” Even with all those placings, which can be added to by another two Group One seconds in the 2022 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the 2023 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m), the now seven-year-old has still won nine of her 23 starts, headed by the 2022 Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and 2024 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) for stakes of more than $2 million. La Crique was ridden at Te Aroha by Masa Hashizume, who will be in the saddle for the first time on raceday at Trentham next week. “Masa has been coming down regularly to ride trackwork for us, which is something we really appreciate,” Alexander said.. “He’s been very obliging and we’re pleased to see how well he’s getting on with the mare, so we’re looking forward to getting them together on raceday.” View the full article

Shaune Ritchie caught up with Gareth to discuss what winning the Jericho means to him as he looks to do it again this Sunday with Tempest Moon. LISTEN HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/shaune-ritchie-on-giddy-up-26-11-25/id1542139858?i=1000738433825 View the full article

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable is hoping for some significant rain ahead of the Zipping Classic at Caulfield. The rain that fell at acceptance time on Wednesday for the Caulfield meeting was music to the ears of the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable. The Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) on Saturday is the contest the Price and Kent Jnr stable have picked out for Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking). The problem is the stayer has a terrible record on dry ground and is far better performed when there is some give. The track was posted in the good category when acceptances were declared on Wednesday morning, just as a heavy rain band descended on Melbourne. There is some rain forecast for the remainder of the week, but how much effect that will have on the Caulfield track remains to be seen. “He hasn’t won for a while and he’s had something like 20 starts on good ground, for no result,” Price said. “He needs to get his toe in. It’s a $750,000 race and he did run in a $1 million race three starts ago, so I’ll probably send him around because he’s in good order.” Hezashocka collected $45,000 when he finished last in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield last month before finding the firm track against him in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 29. At his most recent outing on his preferred soft ground, Hezashocka found the trip too far when a fading sixth in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on the final day of Melbourne Cup week. Hezashocka’s last victory came on a soft track in Brisbane in June last year. A field of 14 stayers is set to contest the Zipping Classic on Saturday, named after the horse that won the race on four consecutive occasions at Sandown from 2007 through to 2010. Among Hezashocka’s rivals on Saturday include Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park), Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines), Alenquer (Adlerflug), Brayden Star (Twilight Son), Star Vega (Lope de Vega) and She’s A Hustler (NZ) (Ace High). Price said if Hezashocka runs well on Saturday then the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on December 13 could come under consideration. The trainer has noted the Pakenham surface had been retaining moisture in recent meetings. “It has been a wet track and racing like a heavy track, so that would suit him,” Price said. “But by the time he gets to it, it might firm up a bit.” View the full article

Ken and Bev Kelsos’ millionaire duo of Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) and Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) are well on target for further major assignments as the feature summer racing period looms. An easy trial win at Te Aroha on Wednesday has confirmed that Legarto is ready to resume her career in the Gr. 1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday week. The six-year-old, already credited with stake-earnings of more than $2 million, has been off the scene since finishing fifth in the Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa in late September. That race was to be followed by the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on October 18, however, Legarto was withdrawn due to a niggling hoof problem resulting from constant wet spring ground. It has since been a game of patience for connections, however, she has turned the corner with an exhibition gallop at Tauranga last week, further good trackwork and a trial hit-out to now be ready to race again. In Wednesday’s 1100m black-type trial ahead of the Te Aroha race meeting, Legarto set a leisurely pace from fellow Group One winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) and was under no pressure from rider Vinnie Colgan to score by 3-1/2 lengths. “That was good to see, more like her old self, and she was in no hurry to pull up,” Ken Kelso said. “She had a hood on for the first time today and I’m pretty sure it will stay on when she races. “We have the option of the TAB Mile at Trentham or the Cal Isuzu (Gr.2, 1600m) a week later at Te Rapa, but at this stage she’ll be heading to Trentham. “The obvious attraction is it’s a Group One and the trip away on top will be a better platform ahead of the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m), which is her Christmas target.” Legarto’s bold trial forced a rejig of the futures market for the TAB Mile, from $4.50 equal favourite with La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos) and Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) to now be the outright favourite at $4. Legarto will be bidding for her first win since a fresh-up victory last February in the Listed Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (1400m) at Matamata. The Kelso stable’s other millionaire earner, Alabama Lass, has also received the green light for summer features after making good progress since her return from a two-race Melbourne spring campaign. Having won at Flemington on a hit-and-run mission in her final three-year-old appearance last autumn, Alabama Lass returned to Melbourne in September for a fresh-up second in the Gr. 1 Moir Stakes (1000m), followed by a sub-par performance in the Gr. 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m). “That really had us scratching our heads, so once we got her home and back in work we decided to run a battery of tests to see if we could identify any sort of a problem,” Kelso said. “The vet report has come back all clear, her scopes and everything are good, so we can start making plans. “It looks as though she’ll go into the Railway first-up, so now it’s a matter of working back from the Karaka Millions meeting in late January, probably with trial earlier in the month and maybe an exhibition gallop somewhere. “She’s up to three-quarter-pace at home and has really furnished and bulked up.” Alabama Lass is the $4 equal favourite for the Gr. 1 Sistema Railway (1200m) alongside star three-year-old filly Well Written (Written Tycoon). Under the race’s set weight and penalty conditions, she will carry 54 kilos, and Kelso has already had tentative discussions with Melbourne lightweight jockey Craig Williams. “Craig knows her well from her Melbourne races and he’s keen to stick with her, so we’ll keep in touch,” he said. View the full article

With a last-to-first rally, Kentucky shipper Brotha Keny wore down his fatigued 3-year-old rivals to post a half-length victory in the $300,000 Zia Park Derby on Land of Enchantment Day, Nov. 25, at Zia Park in eastern New Mexico.View the full article

Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray took out the 2023 edition of the A$304,000 Jericho Cup (4600m) at Warrnambool with Nassak Diamond (Roc de Cambes), and on Sunday they will be seeking to usurp their former stable runner in the marathon feature with Tempest Moon (NZ) (Turn Me Loose). Ritchie is in Australia with the daughter of Turn Me Loose, who like Nassak Diamond, carries the familiar silks of owner The Oaks Stud. The Cambridge trainer is excited to be back in Warrnambool and said the city gets in behind the race that honours past servicemen. “It is a fantastic week here,” Ritchie said. “They have the light infantry go through town and when Nassak Diamond won, Colm, Rick (Williams, The Oaks Stud general manager) and I all got a kick out of it because they play the last post, there are 8,000 people on course and nobody says a word, it is eery. They really show a lot of respect to their returned serviceman, as do we. “It is a unique race being three miles and when Nassak Diamond won it two years ago I wasn’t sure if there was another lap to go or not. “It is nice to come over here with a New Zealand-trained horse again and have another go.” The five-year-old mare has won just one of her 13 starts to date, but Ritchie believes she will lap up the marathon distance and has taken heart from her last two runs, where she was fourth at Taupo over 2600m before finishing runner-up to I’m A Dirty Rascal (NZ) (Galileo) in the NZB Airfreight Road To The Jericho (3000m) at Riccarton. “She profiles as the right style of horse, she wanted to go another lap again after the winning post at Riccarton and at Taupo in her last couple of starts,” Ritchie said. While confident in his charge, Ritchie believes Nassak Diamond is the horse to beat in the race, having won over two miles earlier this month. “You are taking on a great deal of jumping style horses over here, but the one to beat might be The Oaks Stud’s other horse, Nassak Diamond, who is with Michelle and Paddy Payne now,” he said. “Either way, if The Oaks Stud win the race, we will be having a drink on a Sunday night.” A day prior back in New Zealand, the stable will welcome the return of another stayer, Group Two winner Mahrajaan (Kitten’s Joy) in the Gr.3 Bayleys Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie. The winner of the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) was set to contest last year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), but those dreams were dashed after he was withdrawn on veterinary advice, and he wasn’t sighted publicly until a 1100m trial at Ellerslie last month where he finished third behind Group One winner Provence. Ritchie said the son of Kitten’s Joy has thrived during his hiatus from racing and he was rapt with his resuming trial. “It has been a long road back,” he said. “He now looks like an open sprinter, he has put natural muscle on. We have given him a lot of required time, most of it partly because he can’t handle wet ground.” Ritchie doesn’t expect his charge to be competitive over a mile this weekend but said it will help him progress towards some staying targets in the coming months. “I am looking forward to him getting back to the racetrack, but I will expect him to be uncompetitive in those first couple of runs that he has as he works up over those further distances,” Ritchie said. “He holds a nomination for the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), which he would need everything to go 100 percent right on fitness levels, but his main goal will be the Auckland Cup to try and do what he did last year.” Mahrajaan will be met on Saturday by stablemate Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel), who will be second-up after running fifth over 1400m at Tauranga earlier this month. “He had his first run a couple of weeks ago and he is working towards those summer cups,” Ritchie said. “Nereus is a lovely horse. He has won a couple of Cups for us and this is just a stepping stone. I am sure we will get him to 2000m in a race like the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr.2, 2100m), which he has won before. “He didn’t really run the two miles out in the Wellington Cup, so we have stayed away from that extreme distance. Over 2000 to 2400m he will find his niche area right through the summer and autumn.” View the full article

Sarah Sharp Farish was deeply devoted to her family and to many causes she held dear, including preserving and enhancing the Gasparilla Island community on Florida's Gulf Coast and her family's Gasparilla Inn located there.View the full article

Ted Noffey, the presumptive champion 2-year-old male of 2024 after a 4-for-4 campaign that culminated with a victory in the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) at Del Mar, will take things "very easy" this month, trainer Todd Pletcher said.View the full article

PUBLISHER, CD-2nd, 11/20, 6 1/2f (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-84 (2nd) (c, 3, American Pharoah–Indian Pride, by Proud Citizen) O-Gus King and the Estate of Brereton Jones. B-Brereton Jones (Ky). T-Steve Asmussen. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. This spring he was perhaps America's best-known maiden, finishing second in the GI Arkansas Derby to earn a spot in the GI Kentucky Derby starting gate. Nearly seven months later, he's still a maiden. Last week he was an odds-on runner-up in his return to maiden company, and now has been second, third or fourth in eight of his 11 starts–four of them in stakes races. CLAIRITA, CD-8th, 11/21, 1 1/16m (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-85 (f, 3, Gun Runner–Here Music, by Dehere) O-Rigney Racing. B-Lee and Cheryl Mauberret (Ky). T-Phil Bauer. J-Gabriel Saez. A decent enough third in her debut on dirt, she was entered for the turf–but perhaps Mother Nature did her a favor. On a very sloppy track she clearly handled well, she was head-and-head with two rivals at the 1/4 pole before splashing her final quarter in :24.65 and opening up by 12 lengths at the wire. CRISIS MANAGER, CD-2nd, 11/20, 6 1/2f (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-88 (g, 3, Liam's Map–Wilburnmoney, by Wilburn) O-Highlander Training Center. B-The Elkstone Group (Md). T-Tom Amoss. J-Jose Ortiz. Highlander Training Center northeast of Dallas is known for its prowess in preparing young horses for others, but also has won 22 races in its own colors this year. Highlander owner Larry Hirsch signed the $190k yearling ticket for this 3-year-old, who has improved since his return from a seven-month break and took these wire-to-wire in the mud. THOUGHT CONTROL, GP-6th, 11/21, 5 1/2f Beyer Speed Figure-91 (c, 3, Gun Runner–In It for the Gold, by Speightstown) O-e5 Racing Thoroughbreds. B-Fifth Avenue Bloodstock (Ky). T-Saffie Joseph Jr. J-Micah Husbands. Coming off the bench, both Thought Control and runner-up Viking Sun showed substantial–and improbable–improvement over their debuts. And they didn't look that visually impressive over Gulfstream's Tapeta. But the clock told a different tale: the 1:03.51 final time was nearly a full second faster than a 5 1/2-furlong race also on Tapeta a half-hour earlier for older fillies and mares who consistently run Beyers in the mid-70s. MAXIMUM BOURBON, CD-7th, 11/23, 6f (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-94 (g, 3, Maximum Security–Unbridled Reward, by Warrior's Reward) O-Bourbon Lane Stable and Seidman Stables. B-Nicholas Lotz and Mr. and Mrs. Troy Reed (Ky). T-Brendan Walsh. J-Tyler Gaffalione. The 3-year-old finally made an appearance in late November after 18 published breezes, and made it count with a front-running 7 1/2-length romp. The $90k yearling buy earned $37,868 from the purse and was claimed for $50k, so while the original partnership didn't recoup its investment, at least it got a thrill. You can look for him at Fair Grounds; Joe Sharp trains him now. The post Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made: Nov. 17-23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

GISW and nationally ranked fourth-crop sire Collected (City Zip) will highlight Rancho San Miguel's 2025 Open House & Stallion Show to be held Saturday, December 6. The free event will be hosted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with all regional Thoroughbred breeders, owners, trainers and enthusiasts invited to attend. Collected recently arrived at the San Luis Obispo County farm from Airdrie Stud in Kentucky, which is partnering with Rancho San Miguel and prominent California breeder/owner Marsha Naify to stand the 12-year-old son of City Zip for a $7,500 fee in 2026. From his first four crops to race, the 2017 GI Pacific Classic Stakes winner has sired 20 stakes winners, including seven graded stakes winners, with cumulative progeny earnings of more than $18 million. He enters the California stallion ranks with 2025 progeny earnings of $6.4 million to date. Also making his Rancho San Miguel debut is GISW and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' Eight Rings (Empire Maker), whose first foals will be 2-year-olds in 2026. Promising young stallions Bolden, Brickyard Ride and The Street Fighter and veteran sires Cyclotron, Editorial, Mo Forza, Niagara Falls, Northern Causeway, Sir Prancealot (Ire) and Uptown Rythem also will be paraded. Participants will be treated to a catered lunch, as well as opportunities for giveaways, door prizes and stallion season raffles. The farm also will offer several horses of mixed age for inspection and sale, including broodmares, weanlings and yearlings. “This year, we are especially proud and excited to open our doors to members of the California breeding and racing community,” said Rancho San Miguel owner Tom Clark. “We plan on having some old-fashioned holiday fun while showcasing our diverse group of stallions and sharing our enthusiasm for the future of our state's industry at this crucial point in time.” Reservations for the event are being accepted at (805) 467-3847 and teri.ransanmig@gmail.com. The post Collected Highlights Upcoming Rancho San Miguel Open House And Stallion Show appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kretz Racing's Cabo Spirit will try to secure the third grade 2 win of his career and his fifth graded stakes score overall when he faces an expected eight other rivals in the Seabiscuit Handicap (G2T) Nov. 29 at Del Mar.View the full article

News last week about the loss of this year's GIII Bob Hope Stakes after receiving just three entrants–all from the Bob Baffert stable–wasn't exactly a shock. But is it a canary in the coal mine concerning the health of California's horse inventory? Not on its own. It is, however, one among a flock of important indicators. Growing attention has been spent on the implications from the consolidation of top bloodstock between fewer and fewer stables, with many observing how a greater distribution of horses among more stables would help the trainers, the sport's ledgers, and in many ways the horses themselves. Expanding upon this idea, economists would agree how one major indicator of a healthy racing marketplace is a good cross-section of trainers–spanning the large, medium and small barns–all thriving in a way that makes the entire product competitive and appealing to the bettor. As we approach the last month of 2025, enough time has passed since the closure of Pleasanton this March–and with it a racing circuit in the North of the state–to gauge the health of a key section of California's racing product, which is those trainers from the North. How important are they to California? “A horse in the North, and horsemen in the North, [are] as valuable as any horse or horseman in the South, regardless of the price tag,” said president of The Stronach Group's 1/ST business, Aidan Butler, at a California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) meeting a year ago, arguing how a system that didn't involve direct competition would be in the best long-term interests of the state's racing. Using a California Thoroughbred Trainers' (CTT) evaluation of the fate of these former Northern-based stables since the closure of Pleasanton, as well as earnings and starts statistics available on Equibase, however, three main trends materialize indicating these stables have really struggled to find their footing under this system. A significant number of barns have currently left the state (12 in total). Another notable number of trainers have called it quits altogether (22). For the barns that have maintained a footprint in the state, the overall impression has been one of shrinkage–an average 50% decline in both earnings and starts, with only a few weeks left in the year to make up the deficit. Concurrently, this one-time infusion of horses south has proven a plus for the bottom half of the state. Last month, there were 269 more horses in SoCal than the corresponding month last year. Field sizes have understandably ticked up, including at the current Del Mar meet. But it's the state's SoCal barns which appear to have primarily benefited from this consolidation. Racing at Del Mar | Horsephotos Overall Numbers The TDN asked California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT) to analyze the impact of the new California single circuit on trainers who were formerly based in Northern California. According to the CTT's analysis, there were 61 Northern California horsemen and women who were stabled at Pleasanton at some point during their final meet up until the facility closed to stabling in March. Of these: 13 trainers immediately retired or disbanded their stable entirely. Of the 27 trainers who relocated their entire string to Southern California, nearly all of them downsized. Four of these trainers subsequently closed down. During Emerald Downs' 2025 meet, three trainers split their stables between Santa Anita and the Washington track (and some of these horses returned to Southern California when the meet ended in September). 17 former NorCal trainers sent their entire string to Emerald Downs. When that meet ended, 11 of these 17 trainers moved their horses to Turf Paradise, while one trainer took their string to San Luis Rey in California. Five of these 17 trainers subsequently disbanded their strings entirely. There was one trainer who initially left 10 horses at Santa Anita and sent 40 horses to Texas. In June, however, that trainer took the 10 Santa Anita horses to Lone Star Park. When asked about the short and long-term implications from these numbers, CTT executive director Alan Balch said it is “especially difficult” to forecast the future. Santa Anita recently announced increased purses in selected categories to $70,000 for MSW and 1X Allowance for the upcoming Classic Meet, 50% of which are for Cal-breds. The Cal-bred maiden bonus will be increased from $10,000 to $12,500. “Santa Anita has just announced purse increases, which is positive. On the other hand, purses remain much higher elsewhere,” said Balch. “Perhaps the biggest and most critical unknown is this coming year's California population of two-year-olds, given the declining national foal crop, and particularly California's.” The Numbers Behind the Numbers Aidan Molinaro is the son of former Northern California-based trainer Kent Molinaro. He wore several hats at last year's Golden State Racing meet at Pleasanton, including paddock host, handicapper and marketing officer. This past summer, Molinaro worked on the Wyoming racing circuit as a clocker and morning-line maker. He has a Master's degree in communications from St. Mary's College of California. Given his long roots in the north of the state, Molinaro was curious how the loss of a Northern racing circuit had impacted those horsemen and women he had grown up around. Using statistics available on Equibase, Molinaro sat down and compared the fates of 41 trainers based at Pleasanton last winter. Using earnings and starts data for these 41 stables, Molinaro found what he describes as a landscape of “massive earning declines, premature retirement, stable closures, and a restructuring of nearly every Northern California operation.” Mirroring Molinaro's approach, the TDN examined all the former NorCal stables that have kept a presence in California (as per the CTT's analysis), 27 trainers in total. This comprises all trainers that relocated their entire barns to Southern California; those trainers that split their stables between SoCal and Emerald Downs; and the one trainer who took his string to Emerald Downs but returned to SoCal when the Washington track closed for the year. Using Equibase, the TDN found the following trends (with the caveat there's still more than a month left of racing in Southern California): The average earnings of these 27 stables have dropped just over 50% this year over last. Last year, the average stable earning among these trainers was $558k. This year it's around $261k. The average number of starts these stables have made has also dropped around 50% this year over last–from an average 165 starts in 2024 to 81 so far this year. Taking into account potential earnings during the last few weeks of the year, 12 of these 27 trainers are on track to see both their annual starts and annual earnings drop over 50% comparing 2025 to 2024 figures. In terms of earnings, trainer Andy Mathis has arguably done the best of the larger barns, earning so far this year $874,896, a slight uptick over his total of $843,998 last year. SoCal-based trainer Bob Baffert | Horsephotos Horse Inventory Though the number of statewide race days this year is expected to be 155 as compared to 298 last year (a 48% decline), California's daytime Thoroughbred handle is down only 3% through October, which included one day of the Breeders' Cup (as per a report at the most recent California Horse Racing Board meeting). Using a comparative cross-section of trainers, however, the rewards of this consolidated system appear to have largely benefited those primarily Southern-based trainers. The TDN used Equibase to look at the top 20 trainers from Del Mar's 2024 summer meet (not including Eric Kruljac in this analysis, as he retired early in 2025, nor Todd Fincher, as he's primarily based elsewhere). Among these top 20 SoCal stables, there was just an 8% decrease in individual stable earnings–from an average of $4.09 million last year, to an average $3.77 million this year (with weeks left to run). We also see an average decrease in the number of starts among these 20 trainers of just 11% (from 319 last year to 282 this year). Looking at overall horse inventory numbers, it strongly appears that some of the horses formerly under the auspices of Northern-based trainers have been recirculated among their Southern-based compatriots. Referring to figures provided via a monthly analysis from Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), Balch said that horse numbers in California have understandably declined this year over last, given the loss of a racing calendar in the North. When looking at horse population totals on a month-by-month basis this year over last, the declines have shown ebbs and flows rather than proving uniform, Balch said, pointing to fluctuations from “younger horses arriving” and “trainers replacing older stock.” The smallest decline was a fall of 13% in January (comparing 2024 to 2025). Pleasanton didn't close its doors to Thoroughbreds until the end of March this year. August constituted the largest population drop of 24%. In the last available monthly totals, there were 2544 horses in Southern California in October, said Balch. This constitutes a drop of 17% in California as a whole from the corresponding month in 2024, when there were 2275 horses in Southern California and 778 in the North. Asked what he'd like to see come from his analysis, Molinaro said in the short term at least, fair racing dates should be granted next year to Ferndale and Fresno, to capture the horses from the Oregon fair circuit and from Emerald Downs respectively. “The California racing industry can return to statewide racing by integrating these two race meets, which have historically been very successful,” Molinaro wrote in an email. “I believe they will continue to be, if given the opportunity to race by the state of California's industry leaders and most important stakeholders,” he added. “Hopefully these raw numbers and facts will serve as a stark call to action.” The post By The Numbers: NorCal Barns Hit Hard From Consolidation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Wednesday's Observations features a half-sister to a Group 1 trio. 16.30 Newcastle, £6,300, Nov, 2yo, 8f 5y (AWT) Watership Down Stud's hitherto unraced FANCIULLA DEL WEST (GB) (Lope Y Fernandez {Ire}) is kin to six black-type performers headed by Group 1 winners Awelmarduk (Ire) (Almutawakel {GB}), Jakkalberry (Ire) (Storming Home {GB}) and Crackerjack King (Ire) (Shamardal). The Ed Walker trainee is opposed by 15 in this low-key debut. The post Half-Sister To Group 1 Trio Set For Newcastle Debut appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article