Wandering Eyes

Bouncing back from her disappointing effort in the G3 Musidora Stakes, George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}–In Clover {GB}, by Inchinor {GB}) relished the drop to a mile to boss Ascot's G3 Longines Valiant Stakes on Saturday. Only seventh in that York Oaks trial in May, the homebred half-sister to the group 1 winners With You (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Call The Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and We Are (Ire) (Dansili {GB}) who had previously impressed when taking Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes earlier that month was soon in front under Kieran Shoemark. Extending her advantage in the final furlong, the John and Thady Gosden-trained 100-30 second favourite hit the line strong with three lengths to spare over the 4-year-old Doom (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Friendly Soul rockets home! A cracker of a ride from @KShoemark from the front to grab the Valiant Stakes at @Ascot… pic.twitter.com/YI622xtrYy — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2024 The post Kingman’s Friendly Soul Rebounds in the Valiant appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Compensating for her agonising reversal in the Royal meeting's G3 Albany Stakes, Al Shaqab Racing's acquisition Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}–Cashla Bay {GB}, by Fastnet Rock {Aus}) got up late to break her maiden in style in Saturday's G3 Princess Margaret Stakes back at Ascot. Third on debut at York behind the high-class Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}) prior to her standard-setting Albany performance behind Fairy Godmother (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), the 11-8 favourite was held up early by Ryan Moore who had already ridden the opening race's winner. Staying on strongly as Mandurah (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) took over inside the final two furlongs, the star of the Ollie Sangster stable overhauled Betty Clover (GB) (Time Test {GB}) close home for a neck success, with half a length back to Tales Of The Heart (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in third as the tiring Mandurah ended up fourth. “It's a real privilege to have Al Shaqab in the stable and great to get off to a good start for them,” Sangster said. “She's a filly we've always held in high regard and this is a fantastic result. We've got a small team and everyone works really hard.” Simmering comes to the boil late on to grab the Princess Margaret Stakes at @Ascot for Ryan Moore and @OllieSangster… pic.twitter.com/1wxz2TVX15 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2024 The post Too Darn Hot’s Simmering Justifies Al Shaqab Investment in the Princess Margaret appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Emerging four-year-old Rhapsody Chic (NZ) (Sacred Falls) extended his winter winning sequence to four with an impressive performance in Saturday’s A$130,000 Sportsbet Feed Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield. The son of Sacred Falls was born in New Zealand and was a winner on debut at Matamata last winter before crossing the Tasman, where he placed in all of his first four starts. The gelding collected his first Australian win in a Benchmark 64 handicap at Seymour in late May, and he never looked back from there. Rhapsody Chic has gone on to win a Benchmark 70 at Sandown, a Benchmark 78 at Randwick and Saturday’s Benchmark 84 at Caulfield. Rhapsody Chic was only a $5.50 third favourite against a form-filled field on Saturday, but jockey Jye McNeil gave him an ideal run in midfield. McNeil was able to get on the back of The Open (Deep Field) as that highly rated favourite strode forward to challenge the leader at the home turn, and it became a two-horse race from that point on. Rhapsody Chic quickened smartly to move up on the outside of The Open with 150m remaining. That rival found a bit more and fought back hard, but Rhapsody Chic gradually got the upper hand and prevailed by a neck. “You’re usually happy to have gate three, but with this race being so late in the day, there was a bit of a concern when the rain came today,” McNeil said. “Fortunately we were able to get the best run I could have hoped for. “The key with him was getting him out of the barriers, which he’s had issues with in the past. He put himself in a great position today. When it came down to a battle in the straight, I knew he’d give me everything he’s got. “I wanted to get on the back of The Open at the turn and get a bit of a trail into the race, which I was able to achieve, and then we got over the top of him late. That horse was in for the fight, but my horse dug deep and was able to get the win.” Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman and racing in the colours of syndicators Roll The Dice Racing, Rhapsody Chic has now had nine starts for five wins, four placings and A$227,949. Sam Freedman has not been surprised by Rhapsody Chic’s progress this winter. “Coming into this preparation, we were very confident that he’d come back well,” he said. “He’s a typical Kiwi – tough and genuine, and he likes to get his toe into the ground. Those runs he had on firm decks hardened him up, and he’s really come into his own this winter with some give in the ground. “It’s never easy to win four races in a row, so it’s a real credit to all of our team. “Today was a bit of a test to see where he could get to. He’s shown that he could potentially be a nice chance from down in the weights in a good handicap at some stage, whether it’s in the spring or the autumn. In the right track conditions, he’s very capable.” Rhapsody Chic was bred by Blandford Lodge owners Helen-Gaye and Graham Bax. He is by Sacred Falls out of the Pour Moi (Montjeu) mare Boho Chic (NZ), who is a half-sister to Singapore’s Champion Two-Year-Old, Three-Year-Old and Four-Year-Old Better Than Ever (French Deputy). Kurtis Pertab paid just $700 to buy Rhapsody Chic as a weanling from a Gavelhouse.com auction in May of 2020. Pertab later offered him at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, where he failed to meet his $25,000 reserve. Rhapsody Chic remained in Pertab’s Matamata stable and won by three lengths on his home track last June in his only New Zealand start before being purchased privately by Roll The Dice. View the full article

Formerly a rising star of Western Australian ranks, lightly raced eight-year-old Showmanship (NZ) (Showcasing) returned to the winners’ circle for the first time in almost two years in Saturday’s A$150,000 Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. The son of Showcasing races in the colours of leviathan Perth owner Bob Peters. He made a sensational start to his career with victories in seven of his first eight starts including the Listed Chandler McLeod Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in September of 2020. Showmanship had almost two years off the scene after that, then returned in 2022 with a placing in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m) in May and a win in the Gr.3 Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick in August. He was later unplaced in the Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield before another two-year lay-off. Now in the care of Pakenham trainer John Leek Jr, Showmanship finally returned to action earlier this season with a fourth in the Listed Doveton Stakes (1200m) and unplaced finishes in the Wangoom Handicap, a 1400m handicap at Sandown and the Listed Winter Stakes (1400m) in Sydney. Showmanship was an overlooked $20 outsider for his first attempt over 1600m on Saturday, but he turned back the clock and made a triumphant return to form in the hands of jockey Damian Lane. Showmanship was slow to leave the starting gates and settled at the tail of the field, but he warmed into his work down the side of the track and began to make eye-catching progress through the field. The favourite Jimmy The Bear (Jimmy Creed) hit the lead and looked the winner at the top of the home straight, but Showmanship emerged as the danger on his inside. That pair fought out a tight tussle to the finish, and it was Showmanship who found that little bit more to claim a narrow win. The third placegetter finished five and a half lengths behind the first pair. Showmanship has now had 16 starts for nine wins, a placing and A$520,350 in stakes. “It’s fantastic,” Leek said. “He’s a beautiful horse. He’s had a lot of problems along the way. “He was able to really let down today in that rain-affected ground. I saw him weaving his magic through the field just before the home turn, and I realised we might be actually going to win a race with him. It’s just fantastic. “We worked him up the rise on Tuesday and we’ve just swum him since. We rarely put a saddle on him and just try to keep him happy. “Now that we’ve got him back in winning form, hopefully we might get suitable track conditions again, convince Damian Lane to ride him again and see if we can repeat this result.” Lane was having his first raceday ride on the rising nine-year-old. “I was hoping to settle a little bit closer than he has been lately, but he began poorly so I had to go straight to Plan B straight away,” he said. “But he always travelled well and I was quite confident a long way out. He was picking up very strongly from about the 600m. “One advantage of settling in that back and inside position is that I had the opportunity to cut through the field, rather than having to loop around. “Credit to John. He’s done a great job to turn this horse around.” Bred by Haunui Bloodstock, Showmanship was purchased by bloodstock agent John Chalmers, on behalf of Bob Peters, out of Haunui Farm’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale draft for $145,000. Out of the Don Eduardo mare Khales (NZ), Showmanship is a sibling to stakes-placed La Mouline (NZ) (Showcasing) and a half-brother to Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) winner Bahana (NZ) (Elusive City). View the full article

Fans of sporting art can look forward to a special lecture at the National Horseracing Museum (NHRM) in Newmarket to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the birth of renowned equine painter George Stubbs. Given by former NHRM director and art historian Christopher Garibaldi on Wednesday, September 11, the lecture looks at the life and work of Stubbs, with specific reference to his equestrian subjects, which include the famous painting of Whistlejacket, which hangs at the National Gallery. Tickets for the evening, which begins at 6pm in the John Lambton Rooms, are £15 per person and can be booked via the NHRM website. The post NHRM Hosts Lecture on George Stubbs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The decision to buy Victory Roll (NZ) (Belardo) for just A$2250 has paid dividends for the new connections of the Kiwi-bred three-year-old, who scored a hard-fought win in Saturday’s A$120,000 TAB Highway Plate (1800m) at Randwick. After starting his career with four unplaced starts in Queensland, the Belardo gelding was offered in an Inglis Digital online sale in March and was purchased by Goulburn trainer Pat Murphy. Victory Roll has won three of his six starts since then, banking more than A$90,000 for his new owners. “One of his owners, Jimmy Bergin, suggested I buy him,” Murphy said. “He told me he’d stay all day and the best was yet to come and he was spot on. “He paid us back when he won his first start at Wagga and now he’s added a Goulburn win and a Highway victory, so we’re over the moon. There’s still plenty more to come too.” Victory Roll was ridden to Saturday’s win by Rachel King, who slid her mount forward to sit on the outside of the leader before going for gold at the home turn. Victory Roll took a clear lead into the straight, but he looked vulnerable when the well-supported County Kilkenny (Fast Company) loomed on his outside with 200m remaining. Victory Roll responded to that challenge and lifted again, holding on to win by a head. “When County Kilkenny came at me, I thought I still had something to give,” King said. “Having the blinkers on, he just needed to get a sight of the horse. I let him drift out towards him, and when he got sight of him, he found again.” Victory Roll was bred by Transtasman Breeders Pty Ltd and has continued a remarkable season for the former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo. Since August 1 last year, Belardo’s southern hemisphere crops have produced 69 winners from 146 runners, including stakes winners Belardo Boy (NZ), Golden Path (NZ), Belardi (NZ) and Southern Warrior (NZ). The dam of Victory Roll is the Redoute’s Choice mare Invisible Coin, whose five winners from six foals to race also include the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m) winner Gypsy Goddess (NZ) (Tarzino) and Listed placegetter Bitcoin (NZ) (Tarzino). View the full article

Enigmatic galloper Reign It In (NZ) (Scared Falls) returned to winning form after a frustrating twelve-month period for both the horse and his trainer Roydon Bergerson when he took out the Levin Truck Services-sponsored Open 1200m at Otaki on Saturday. The five-year-old son of Sacred Falls had won the corresponding event at the meeting in 2023 but since then his form had tapered off badly as Bergerson tried to coax him out of the slump. A promising first-up sixth at Woodville back in May had Bergerson encouraged his charge was on the way back to his best however he managed to beat just a combined two runners’ home in his next two starts. Bergerson wasn’t sure what to expect on Saturday but breathed a huge sigh of relief as Reign It In sat three wide outside the pacemakers Old Town Road (NZ) (El Roca) and Tavis Court (NZ) (Tavistock) before angling to the outside fence for apprentice Jim Chung, who had been aboard in last year’s victory. In a desperate finish Reign It In stuck his nose in front at the right time to defeat a brave Prioress (NZ) (Proisir) with Tavis Court battling well for third. Bergerson was shaking his head afterwards as he discussed the temperamental nature of the horse. “I wouldn’t like to play cards with the bugger,” Bergerson said. “He has always had ability and he got the job done today as he deserved it. “He just needed to get on a heavy track, and I did say to Jim just ride him the same way you did last year. “I had said to my kids he should be winning open handicaps every second week when the tracks get heavy and thank god he has today.” Chung was beaming as he expressed his thanks to Bergerson for giving him the ride on the horse. “I am so happy to ride a winner for Roydon,” he said. “Today I tried to do the same thing as I did last year. The track is really good (for the horses) as it’s heavy and I just had to get him rolling quite early and he did it.” Owned by the Reign It In Racing syndicate, which includes a number of Bergerson’s family, Reign It In has now won five of his 31 starts and over $129,000 in prizemoney. The win was also the first leg of a treble on the day for Chung who was also successful aboard Farravallo (NZ) (Belardo) and Make Time (NZ) (Makfi) later on the programme. View the full article

A thrilling victory for ghostly grey Hula Beat (NZ) (Redwood) in Saturday’s feature race at Te Rapa, the Callinan Family Taumarunui RSA Gold Cup (2200m), has provided trainer Stephen Marsh with a much-desired goal that he set himself at the start of the 2023-24 racing season. His stable topped $5 million in stakes won for the first time in his training career to date, a massive achievement in its own right, however Marsh had made no secret of his desire to hit the three-figure mark in wins for the third season in a row. With runners at both Otaki and Te Rapa on the day it took until the sixth event on the Te Rapa card for Marsh to strike and it was a close-run thing as Hula Beat held out race favourite Diamond Jak (NZ) (Jakkalberry) by just a head with last year’s winner Enchanted Elle (NZ) (Jakkalberry) close up in third. Superbly handled by apprentice Ace Lawson-Carroll, who was having his first ride aboard the five-year-old gelding, Hula Beat settled well back in the early running before making ground between runners approaching the home turn. Lawson-Carroll squeezed him expertly between runners at the 300m and he shot to the front before holding out the late run by Diamond Jak to claim his fifth career victory. Marsh was all smiles as he described the atmosphere during the race from a large group of his friends and supporters who had gathered at Te Rapa with him. “We have had a few people here on course and in the box with us and it’s fair to say it erupted a bit,” Marsh said. “It does mean a lot as it was going to be a tough battle and I’m rapt for the team and everyone involved. “It’s just nice to go out with this for the year as I would hate to end on 99 wins. “This horse has been going really well and we wanted him to go back (in the running) which he did. “It was a beautiful ride by Ace, and I said to him just get his breathing right and he did. I was worried he would get squeezed out of a gap, but he rode a beautiful race, a mature race. “I’m not one for going the early crow and Allan Sharrock went twice and said we were home, so I nearly jumped in his arms after the race. “It was actually a bit tighter than I thought but the place erupted after the decision which is just great.” Marsh was unsure of where he would take the son of Redwood next although he was certain the promising stayer could improve further. “I will get today over and done with, but he has had a brilliant campaign,” he said. “He got a bit crook early doors but has come back well. “He loves the wetter tracks, and he loves Te Rapa and going left-handed although he has won going right-handed at Te Aroha, so we will just keep him going through (the grades).” Bred and raced by Gerry Harvey under his New Zealand Thoroughbred Holdings banner, Hula Beat is the last foal of unraced Zabeel mare Limbea (NZ). His granddam Dancing Hula (NZ) (Three Legs) is a half-sister to multiple Group One winner Love Dance (NZ) (Kaapstad) while he is also closely related to Gr.1 Railway Handicap (1200m) placegetter Tip The Wink (NZ) (Stravinsky). The victory took his career record to five wins from 23 starts and over $112,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

Apprentice rider Lily Sutherland followed her pre-race instructions perfectly to land rugged four-year-old Opawa Jack (NZ) (War Decree) an impressive winner of the Open 1600m event on the card at Otaki on Saturday. The Chrissy Bambry-prepared galloper had won three of his six starts in his current campaign and came into the event off the back of a win over the same distance at Wanganui earlier in the month. Sutherland and Bambry had walked the track prior to the first race and hatched a plan to have her guide the son of War Decree wider in the home straight to capitalise on potentially firmer footing than was available against the inside rail. Sutherland followed instructions to perfection as she set up a muddling pace on the $3.10 race favourite and angled to the outside fence rounding the home bend. Eventual runner-up Sacred Pearl (NZ) (Sacred Pearl) followed her out there and the pair settled down to a decent tussle with Opawa Jack maintaining a strong gallop to land the major prize in the contest. Bambry was thrilled with the victory for a horse she believes has plenty more in store for him. “I didn’t know if there was a heap of speed in the race, but Lily knows him well and we walked the track this morning looking for the best ground and that’s exactly where she went,” Bambry said. “He still has a lot of maturing to do but he has come on heaps in this prep and he’s a good one.” Sutherland gave plenty of praise to her mount who she believes will be even more potent on a firmer surface. “He just bowls along at his own speed in front and he was going good enough to come out (wide),” she said. “He doesn’t like a wet track but is just going so well at the moment and I just tried to get as far out as I could for better ground as it’s pretty wet today.” Sutherland is in a decent fight for the National Apprentice Jockey premiership title with Niranjan Parmar as they go toe to toe with just two race days in the current season to go. Tied at the start of the day on 50 wins apiece the victory aboard Opawa Jack put Sutherland in front early in the day with racing left to come at Waverley on Sunday and Tauranga on Wednesday. Bred by southern racing legend Brian Anderton and his late wife Lorraine, Opawa Jack is out of the Nom Du Jeu mare Serve De Aunt (NZ) and has now won six of his 23 career starts. View the full article

Dusty Road (NZ) (Shamexpress) gave Graeme Cameron his first taste of Group One racing last year, and the Cambridge owner-trainer is keen to shoot for the stars again after a dominant performance in Saturday’s Woods Contracting (1400m) at Te Rapa. Cameron arrived at Te Rapa on Saturday with eight training successes to his name, three of them from Dusty Road. That highly talented son of Shamexpress has also taken on some of New Zealand’s best with a midfield finish in the Gr.1 Levin Classic (1600m) as a three-year-old, followed earlier this season by a sixth in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m) and a fifth in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). The Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 7 is firmly circled in Cameron’s calendar this spring, and what he saw from Dusty Road on Saturday did nothing to change his mind. Sent out as a $2.10 favourite for Te Rapa’s $40,000 open sprint, Dusty Road broke well from the starting gates and quickly took up a prominent position on the outside of the leader, Dubai Diva (Pride of Dubai). Dusty Road pounced at the home turn and kicked away by more than two lengths. Eased down in the last couple of strides by apprentice jockey Liam Kauri, Dusty Road crossed the finish line a length ahead of the late-finishing Fonteyn (NZ) (Swiss Ace). From 21 career starts, Dusty Road has recorded four wins and five placings, earning $120,515 for Cameron and his wife Jacky. Dusty Road is now rated a $31 chance on the TAB’s Tarzino Trophy market, which is headed by Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) ($3.50), Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) ($4.50) and Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) ($6). “I don’t know if I’m going over the top or not, but I’m looking at the Tarzino,” Cameron said. “I think he deserves a go in that race. We’ll go straight there, rather than running in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m). “This horse is just a ripper. I think the 4kg claim did wonders for him today and it was a really good win. “We looked at Otaki today as well, but I thought this race really suited him. It’s just down the road, and he’ll be back in his paddock in an hour.” Saturday’s victory was also a notable result for the 25-year-old Kauri. The Central Districts apprentice has now outridden his 4kg claim with the 10th win of his career. “It’s good to finally lose the 4kg claim, it’s been a bit of a struggle but should be easier from here,” he said. “I didn’t really have to do anything today. I just sat on him. He jumped out of the gates himself and sorted himself out. I barely even had to steer him around the corners. He did it all himself.” View the full article

Progressive mare Swindle (NZ) (Rageese) had little favours in the running of the Stewart Browne Memorial (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday, but that didn’t stop her from powering to victory for trainer Lauren Brennan. Jumping from barrier six, apprentice jockey Triston Moodley was assertive in the early stages aboard Swindle but was forced to sit three-wide in third, while Baronet (NZ) (Contributer) and Winning For All (Shooting To Win) set a solid tempo in front. Travelling boldly near the turn, Moodley let the mare roll outside the leaders and she sprinted clear at the 300 metres, keeping up a strong gallop in the heavy conditions to score with authority by two lengths. The sole three-year-old of the field, Itza Charmdeel (Charm Spirit), finished gamely into second followed by Winexpress (NZ) (Shamexpress). A winner at Rating 65 level in mid-May, Swindle has continued to race consistently amongst competitive fields up in grade and Brennan was delighted to see the mare rewarded. “I was watching from the stands, so when George (Simon, race commentator) was saying she was three-wide and doing it tough I was thinking ‘poor thing, she never gets a break’, she’s drawn wide at most of her starts,” Brennan said. “I said (to Triston) to try and sit behind the speed as there was a fair bit in the race, but he had no choice. When he asked her, she picked up really nicely and Triston’s riding really well at the moment. “I’m really happy with the run.” Initially planning on sending the daughter of Rageese for a spell, Brennan may reconsider upcoming plans for Swindle after such a commanding victory. “I was going to give her a break after today thinking she might have come to the end of it, but we’ll get her home now and see how she pulls up,” she said. Bred by Windsor Park Stud and owned by Lauren and Micky Brennan’s Monacurragh Lodge, Swindle increased her earnings to over $65,000 with three wins from 13 starts. The four-year-old is out of an O’Reilly mare in Code Black (NZ), who won twice over 1200m in Australia. The victory was Moodley’s 38th for the season, placing him firmly in third position behind frontrunners Lily Sutherland and Niranjan Parmar as the National Apprentice’s Premiership draws to a close next Wednesday. A five-win haul at the apprentice’s race-day at New Plymouth last month was a key highlight for Moodley, and the 23-year-old has his sights firmly set on the top spot next season. “It’s been my best season thus far and I’m just hoping to carry on into the next,” Moodley said. “My biggest goal (next season) is to try and win the premiership.” View the full article

Talented three-year-old Captain Electric (NZ) (Savabeel) was well and truly in his element when he stepped out beyond 1700m for the first time and won Saturday’s A$150,000 Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (2400m) at Caulfield. The New Zealand-bred son of Savabeel had his third start for Pakenham trainer Andrea Leek in Saturday’s stamina test, having scored a 1600m maiden win at Moe on July 12 before finishing fifth over 1700m at Flemington last week. He had previously collected one placing from four starts for Emma-Lee and David Browne. Captain Electric relished the additional distance of Saturday’s 2400m race, settling into a smooth rhythm in third or fourth spot before jockey Damian Lane began to move him through his gears approaching the home turn. Captain Electric loomed on the outside of fellow Kiwi-bred Phats (NZ) (Embellish) at the top of the straight, then quickened well to take charge. Captain Electric dashed away to score an emphatic victory by a length and three-quarters. “Having the race run at a genuine tempo helped him,” Lane said. “He was a touch keen on the bridle early in the race, but once we found cover, he got into a lovely rhythm and he was always going to be hard to beat. “Andrea has done a great job with this horse, and he did very well going straight from 1700m to 2400m today. You know that the Leek-trained horses are always going to be very fit, so you’re never shy to put them into a race. I did that today and he was too good.” Captain Electric has now had seven starts for two wins, a second and A$109,530 in stakes. “He’s a lovely horse who’d always shown us that he was going to get up over ground,” Leek said. “We’re just lucky to have him. He’s a gem. “He’s so easy to do anything with – I think he’s the easiest that we’ve got in the stable. We haven’t had to do a lot of work with him. “We’ll see how he pulls up and then make a plan around what we do next.” Captain Electric was bred by Ultra Thoroughbred Racing and is by Savabeel out of the Italian-bred mare My Central (Central Park), who won seven races including the Gr.3 Balanchine Stakes (1800m) in Dubai. All of the Central Park mare’s five foals to race have been winners, headed by this season’s Gr.3 Easter Cup (2000m) and Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) winner Captain Envious (NZ) (Savabeel). My Central is also the granddam of Umgawa (Shamus Award), who has won four races and finished second in the Gr.3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) in Melbourne. View the full article

Robbie Patterson is excited about what the future might hold for Read About It after the lightly raced two-year-old outclassed his opposition in Saturday’s Listed Phil’s Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. The season-ending juvenile feature was only the second career start for Read About It, who made his debut with a strong-finishing second after an interrupted run at Riccarton on June 22. He had previously won all of his three trials. Read About It was strongly supported into $1.80 favouritism for the Ryder Stakes, but that pre-race confidence was shaken as rider Craig Grylls found himself squeezed back and boxed in along the rail behind a muddling pace. Just before the home turn, most of the field began to drift out towards the better ground wide on the track. Grylls seized that opportunity and cut the corner, bursting through to hit the lead at the top of the straight. Grylls was then able to angle across the front of the field to find the better footing, and Read About It took command. He powered away with his ears pricked, scoring a comfortable victory by a length and three-quarters over Grove Street and Ortega. “They’ve been mostly keeping away from the rail today, but we drew two for this race and the whole field came back down to the inside,” Grylls said. “Then they started to scout wide just before we straightened up. Fortunately he was good enough that I was able to get through and hit the front, and then we got out from there. “He’s still pretty green. He pricked his ears when he saw the crowd at around the 100m mark, and he almost put the handbrake on. But when the others got a little bit closer, he let go again. “He’s a big-striding guy and will improve heading into his three-year-old season. Once he gets up to 1400m and a mile, you’re going to see an even better horse.” Read About It was bought for just $5000 from the 2022 National Weanling Sale at Karaka. Carrying the white and red colours of KRD Racing, he has had two starts for a win, a second and $52,475 in stakes. Patterson is now working backwards from a black-type target in the spring. “We were in a horrible spot in that race today,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “The horse in front of him wasn’t really travelling and they slammed those anchors on. But he won with his ears pricked, didn’t he? He was just dominant. “I think he’s a serious horse. It was probably not the most elite field that he beat today, but going forward, he’s pretty exciting. “We’ve always liked the horse, and I think the trip down to Riccarton for his debut probably made him as well. It was a big call going all the way down there, but it paid off. “I won’t go too far with him now. He can have a week in the paddock, and then we’ll head towards the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1200m) at the end of August, and then we might back off him a little bit. Whether we go to a race like the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), I’m not too sure. But we’ve got a bit to look forward to with him.” Read About It became the fifth individual stakes winner for Highview Stud stallion Wrote, who is best known for this season’s Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) winner Pulchritudinous. The dam of Read About It is the unraced Iffraaj mare Diggilou, who is a half-sister to the Gr.1 Australian Oaks (2400m) placegetter Perfect Rhyme. View the full article

A bold debut at Caulfield on Saturday has put Public Attention (NZ) (Written Tycoon) on a potential pathway towards the Gr.1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at the same venue in October. Despite starting at $16 odds, the New Zealand-bred colt was held in high regard by trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr as he prepared to kick off his career in Saturday’s A$150,000 MRC Chairman’s Club Handicap (1200m). Public Attention justified his stable’s faith, settling three wide in fourth before warming into his work in the straight. He slowly but surely surged past the front-running Band Of Brothers (Omaha Beach) and Azeezle (Exceed and Excel), hitting the lead in the final 50m and stretching out to score by just under half a length from the late-finishing Ndola (Justify). “The fact that we gave him his first start here today on a Saturday, against some good horses with proven form, gives you an idea of what we felt about this colt,” Price said. “We want him qualified for the better races that are coming up. “I would be going towards the Caulfield Guineas with him. He’s a beautiful, clean-winded horse. “He was a bit of a lighter, backward type of yearling when we bought him in New Zealand, and it probably took him 15 months before he started to morph into a real colt. But if you look at him now, he’s a beautiful horse. “Our pre-race thoughts were that he’s a black-type horse in the making, so that’s the direction we’ll be heading.” Public Attention was ridden to Saturday’s debut victory by Ethan Brown, who was impressed with his mount’s performance. “I think he’s well and truly a Guineas horse,” he said. “He’s a very nice colt. He covered a fair bit of ground today, but at the same time, I think he appreciated that bit of room. “He’s only going to improve. I heard that he was a bit of a handful while he was getting saddled up, but he switched on once I got on his back. He knew what his job was. He’ll definitely take improvement from this and should go on to measure up in better races.” Racing in the familiar navy blue colours of Coolmore, Public Attention earned A$82,500 with Saturday’s first-up victory. The grey colt was bought by Tom Magnier for $160,000 from Carlaw Park’s Book 1 draft at Karaka 2023. Public Attention was bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan. He is by Written Tycoon and is the first foal out of the twice-winning Commands mare Legramor (NZ) (Commands), whose dam Katie Lee (Pins) made New Zealand racing history with her unprecedented double in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m). Legramor produced a filly by U S Navy Flag in 2022 and a colt by Tarzino in 2023. She was served by Satono Aladdin last spring. View the full article

What Sale Races Where Sale Turf Club – 1227 Maffra-Sale Rd, Sale VIC 3850 When Sunday, July 28, 2024 First Race 11:25am AEST Visit Dabble Horse racing in Victoria heads to the Sale Turf Club on Sunday afternoon, where a competitive nine-race meeting is set down for decision. With plenty of rain in the region, the track is rated a Heavy 9 at the time of acceptances, with the rail out 8m the entire circuit. The Sale races on July 28, 2024, are set to commence at 11:25am AEST. Best Bet at Sale: Golden Hips Golden Hips is a deadset swimmer, having won both of his starts on heavy ground, and gets his chance to keep his perfect record intact on Sunday. The four-year-old gelding will need to overcome the widest barrier (10), but with speed drawn directly underneath him, he should gain a perfect cart across the field and likely settle outside the lead. With the love for wet ground and winning form on his side, Golden Hips will take a power of beating in the quaddie opener. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Golden Hips (10) 4yo Gelding | T: Jason Warren | J: Jason Maskiell (59kg) +170 with Picklebet Next Best at Sale: Capper Thirtynine Capper Thirtynine has produced two stunning victories in recent times, none more impressive than the way he won on the Ballarat synthetic on July 16. The three-year-old gelding came with a barnstorming finish to prevail with 61.5kg on his back, and as he steps up into BM64 grade, he drops a kilo and should prove hard to hold out once more. The son of Vancouver will gain an economical run in transit, and as long as the gaps appear at the right time in the home straight, Capper Thirtynine should prove too hard to hold out once again. Next Best Race 9 – #3 Capper Thirtynine (2) 3yo Gelding | T: Nick Ryan | J: Rhys McLeod (60.5kg) +240 with Neds Best Value at Sale: Fast Freeze Fast Freeze has not missed the minor money in her three runs this time in and looks well-placed to break her maiden at her eighth career start. She was the best of the beaten brigade when she was defeated last time out at Seymour by the smart Sea of Lights by eight lengths. Patrick Moloney will likely find the one-one from barrier eight, and having shown the ability to hand wet ground, Fast Freeze can run a bold race at an each-way price with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #7 Fast Freeze (8) 3yo Filly | T: Ken & Kasey Keys | J: Patrick Moloney (57.5kg) +900 with PlayUp Sunday quaddie tips for Sale races Sale quadrella selections Sunday, July 28, 2024 1-3 2-3-5-8-10 1-2-3-8-9 3-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Read About It and Craig Grylls kick clear of their rivals to win Saturday’s Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Robbie Patterson is excited about what the future might hold for Read About It after the lightly raced two-year-old outclassed his opposition in Saturday’s Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki. The season-ending juvenile feature was only the second career start for Read About It, who made his debut with a strong-finishing second after an interrupted run at Riccarton on June 22. He had previously won all of his three trials. Read About It was strongly supported into $1.80 favouritism with horse betting sites for the Ryder Stakes, but that pre-race confidence was shaken as rider Craig Grylls found himself squeezed back and boxed in along the rail behind a muddling pace. Just before the home turn, most of the field began to drift out towards the better ground wide on the track. Grylls seized that opportunity and cut the corner, bursting through to hit the lead at the top of the straight. Grylls was then able to angle across the front of the field to find the better footing, and Read About It took command. He powered away with his ears pricked, scoring a comfortable victory by a length and three-quarters over Grove Street and Ortega. “They’ve been mostly keeping away from the rail today, but we drew two for this race and the whole field came back down to the inside,” Grylls said. “Then they started to scout wide just before we straightened up. Fortunately he was good enough that I was able to get through and hit the front, and then we got out from there. “He’s still pretty green. He pricked his ears when he saw the crowd at around the 100m mark, and he almost put the handbrake on. But when the others got a little bit closer, he let go again. “He’s a big-striding guy and will improve heading into his three-year-old season. Once he gets up to 1400m and a mile, you’re going to see an even better horse.” Read About It was bought for just $5000 from the 2022 National Weanling Sale at Karaka. Carrying the white and red colours of KRD Racing, he has had two starts for a win, a second and $52,475 in stakes. Patterson is now working backwards from a black-type target in the spring. “We were in a horrible spot in that race today,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “The horse in front of him wasn’t really travelling and they slammed those anchors on. But he won with his ears pricked, didn’t he? He was just dominant. “I think he’s a serious horse. It was probably not the most elite field that he beat today, but going forward, he’s pretty exciting. “We’ve always liked the horse, and I think the trip down to Riccarton for his debut probably made him as well. It was a big call going all the way down there, but it paid off. “I won’t go too far with him now. He can have a week in the paddock, and then we’ll head towards the Wanganui Guineas (Listed, 1200m) at the end of August, and then we might back off him a little bit. Whether we go to a race like the 2000 Guineas (Gr.1, 1600m), I’m not too sure. But we’ve got a bit to look forward to with him.” Horse racing news View the full article

Swindle and Triston Moodley put a space on the field to score at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Megan Liefting (Race Images) Progressive mare Swindle had little favours at Te Rapa on Saturday, but that didn’t stop her from powering to victory for trainer Lauren Brennan. Jumping from barrier six, apprentice jockey Triston Moodley was assertive in the early stages aboard Swindle but was forced to sit three-wide in third, while Baronet and Winning For All set a solid tempo in front. Travelling boldly near the turn, Moodley let the mare roll outside the leaders and she sprinted clear at the 300 metres, keeping up a strong gallop in the heavy conditions to score with authority by two lengths. The sole three-year-old of the field, Itza Charmdeel, finished gamely into second followed by Winexpress. A winner at Rating 65 level in mid-May, Swindle has continued to race consistently amongst competitive fields up in grade and Brennan was delighted to see the mare rewarded. “I was watching from the stands, so when George (Simon, race commentator) was saying she was three-wide and doing it tough I was thinking ‘poor thing, she never gets a break’, she’s drawn wide at most of her starts,” Brennan said. “I said (to Triston) to try and sit behind the speed as there was a fair bit in the race, but he had no choice. When he asked her, she picked up really nicely and Triston’s riding really well at the moment. “I’m really happy with the run.” Initially planning on sending the daughter of Rageese for a spell, Brennan may reconsider upcoming plans for Swindle after such a commanding victory. “I was going to give her a break after today thinking she might have come to the end of it, but we’ll get her home now and see how she pulls up,” she said. Bred by Windsor Park Stud and owned by Lauren and Micky Brennan’s Monacurragh Lodge, Swindle increased her earnings to over $65,000 with three wins from 13 starts. The four-year-old is out of an O’Reilly mare in Code Black, who won twice over 1200m in Australia. The victory was Moodley’s 38th for the season, placing him firmly in third position behind frontrunners Lily Sutherland and Niranjan Parmar as the National Apprentice’s Premiership draws to a close next Wednesday. A five-win haul at the apprentice’s race-day at New Plymouth last month was a key highlight for Moodley, and the 23-year-old has his sights firmly set on the top spot next season. “It’s been my best season thus far and I’m just hoping to carry on into the next,” Moodley said. “My biggest goal (next season) is to try and win the premiership.” Horse racing news View the full article

Dusty Road sailing across the line to win at Te Rapa on Saturday. Photo: Megan Liefting (Race Images) Dusty Road gave Graeme Cameron his first taste of Group One racing last year, and the Cambridge owner-trainer is keen to shoot for the stars again after a dominant performance at Te Rapa. Cameron arrived at Te Rapa on Saturday with eight training successes to his name, three of them from Dusty Road. That highly talented son of Shamexpress has also taken on some of New Zealand’s best with a midfield finish in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) as a three-year-old, followed earlier this season by a sixth in the Group 3 Spring Sprint (1400m) and a fifth in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m). The Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on September 7 is firmly circled in Cameron’s calendar this spring, and what he saw from Dusty Road on Saturday did nothing to change his mind. Sent out as a $2.10 favourite with horse betting sites for Te Rapa’s $40,000 open sprint, Dusty Road broke well from the starting gates and quickly took up a prominent position on the outside of the leader, Dubai Diva. Dusty Road pounced at the home turn and kicked away by more than two lengths. Eased down in the last couple of strides by apprentice jockey Liam Kauri, Dusty Road crossed the finish line a length ahead of the late-finishing Fonteyn. From 21 career starts, Dusty Road has recorded four wins and five placings, earning $120,515 for Cameron and his wife Jacky. “I don’t know if I’m going over the top or not, but I’m looking at the Tarzino,” Cameron said. “I think he deserves a go in that race. We’ll go straight there, rather than running in the Foxbridge Plate (Group 2, 1200m). “This horse is just a ripper. I think the 4kg claim did wonders for him today and it was a really good win. “We looked at Otaki today as well, but I thought this race really suited him. It’s just down the road, and he’ll be back in his paddock in an hour.” Saturday’s victory was also a notable result for the 25-year-old Kauri. The Central Districts apprentice has now outridden his 4kg claim with the 10th win of his career. “It’s good to finally lose the 4kg claim, it’s been a bit of a struggle but should be easier from here,” he said. “I didn’t really have to do anything today. I just sat on him. He jumped out of the gates himself and sorted himself out. I barely even had to steer him around the corners. He did it all himself.” Horse racing news View the full article

Opawa Jack powers clear under Lily Sutherland at Otaki on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Apprentice rider Lily Sutherland followed her pre-race instructions perfectly to land rugged four-year-old Opawa Jack an impressive winner of the Open 1600m event on the card at Otaki on Saturday. The Chrissy Bambry-prepared galloper had won three of his six stars in his current campaign and came into the event off the back of a win over the same distance at Wanganui earlier in the month. Sutherland and Bambry had walked the track prior to the first race and hatched a plan to have her guide the son of War Decree wider in the home straight to capitalise on potentially firmer footing than was available against the inside rail. Sutherland followed instructions to perfection as she set up a muddling pace on the $3.10 race favourite with horse racing bookmakers and angled to the outside fence rounding the home bend. Eventual runner-up Sacred Pearl followed her out there and the pair settled down to a decent tussle with Opawa Jack maintaining a strong gallop to land the major prize in the contest. Bambry was thrilled with the victory for a horse she believes has plenty more in store for him. “I didn’t know if there was a heap of speed in the race, but Lily knows him well and we walked the track this morning looking for the best ground and that’s exactly where she went,” Bambry said. “He still has a lot of maturing to do but he has come on heaps in this prep and he’s a good one.” Sutherland gave plenty of praise to her mount who she believes will be even more potent on a firmer surface. “He just bowls along at his own speed in front and he was going good enough to come out (wide),” she said. “He doesn’t like a wet track but is just going so well at the moment and I just tried to get as far out as I could for better ground as it’s pretty wet today.” Sutherland is in a decent fight for the National Apprentice Jockey premiership title with Niranjan Parmar as they go toe to toe with just two race days in the current season to go. Tied at the start of the day on 50 wins apiece the victory aboard Opawa Jack put Sutherland in front early in the day with racing left to come at Waverley on Sunday and Tauranga on Wednesday. Bred by southern racing legend Brian Anderton and his late wife Lorraine, Opawa Jack is out of the Nom Du Jeu mare Serve De Aunt and has now won six of his 23 career starts. Horse racing news View the full article

Public Attention wins on debut at Caulfield. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli A bold debut at Caulfield on Saturday has put Public Attention on a potential pathway towards the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at the same venue in October. Despite starting at $16 odds with horse racing bookmakers, the New Zealand-bred colt was held in high regard by trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr as he prepared to kick off his career. Public Attention justified his stable’s faith, settling three wide in fourth before warming into his work in the straight. He slowly but surely surged past the front-running Band Of Brothers and Azeele, hitting the lead in the final 50m and stretching out to score by just under half a length from the late-finishing Ndola. “The fact that we gave him his first start here today on a Saturday, against some good horses with proven form, gives you an idea of what we felt about this colt,” Price said. “We want him qualified for the better races that are coming up. “I would be going towards the Caulfield Guineas with him. He’s a beautiful, clean-winded horse. “He was a bit of a lighter, backward type of yearling when we bought him in New Zealand, and it probably took him 15 months before he started to morph into a real colt. But if you look at him now, he’s a beautiful horse. “Our pre-race thoughts were that he’s a black-type horse in the making, so that’s the direction we’ll be heading.” Public Attention was ridden to Saturday’s debut victory by Ethan Brown, who was impressed with his mount’s performance. “I think he’s well and truly a Guineas horse,” he said. “He’s a very nice colt. He covered a fair bit of ground today, but at the same time, I think he appreciated that bit of room. “He’s only going to improve. I heard that he was a bit of a handful while he was getting saddled up, but he switched on once I got on his back. He knew what his job was. He’ll definitely take improvement from this and should go on to measure up in better races.” Horse racing news View the full article

Hong Kong-based jockey returns to South Africa for full book of 10 rides at showpiece meetingView the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a 1.5-million half to crack sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). 13.15 Ascot, Mdn, £50,000, 2yo, c/g, 6fT AL MISBAR (IRE) (Blue Point {Ire}) is a key member of the “Crocker Bulteel” Maiden that opens the King George card, being Godolphin's 1.5million gns Tattersalls October Book 1 half-brother to the stellar sprinter Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and his dual Group 3-winning and G1 Middle Park Stakes and G1 Prix Morny-placed full-brother The Antarctic (Ire). His trainer Charlie Appleby will have taken note of the fact that Richard Hannon has won six of the last nine runnings of this and that the East Everleigh handler puts forward Robert Barnett's homebred Our Terms (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), a son of the G2 Queen Mary Stakes and G2 Lowther Stakes winner Best Terms (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) who was fourth behind TDN Rising Star Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) at Newmarket's July Festival. The post Blue Point 1.5-Million Half To Battaash Debuts In The Crocker Bulteel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of former multiple graded stakes hero Public Sector in the Great White North. Kingman's Public Sector Wins In Canada Michael and Jules Iavarone and co-owner Saffie Joseph, Jr.'s Public Sector (GB) (Kingman {GB}) visited the winner's circle for the first time since taking Belmont's GII Hill Prince Stakes in the autumn of 2021 when capturing a Woodbine contest in July (video). The 6-year-old entire is also a winner of the GII National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes and the GIII Saranac Stakes. Bred by The Kathyrn Stud, the son of Parle Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) was originally a 170,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling by for Seth Klarman's Klaravich Stables by Mike Ryan in 2019. He joined his current ownership after bringing $35,000 out of the 2023 Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale from Meah/Lloyd Bloodstock on behalf of Iavarone when offered by ELiTE. The fourth foal for his dam, Public Sector's latest sibling is a full-brother born in 2023. A grandson of G3 Prix Chole heroine Di Moi Oui (GB) (Warning {GB}), he is also related to stakes winners King Vega (GB) and Lady Boba (GB), who are both by Lope De Vega (Ire). Juddmonte's Kingman has 42 winners from 69 runners (61%) in America. A total of eight of those are stakes winners (11%), with three-time Grade I winner Domestic Spending (GB) his flagbearer. Muhaarar Gelding A Winner At Del Mar Hronis Racing's Bran (Fr) (Muhaarar {GB}) emerged a winner at Del Mar for John Sadler after nine months on the bench (video). The Lordship Stud-bred had won the GII Turf Sprint Stakes at Kentucky Downs in September of 2023, then resurfaced to race just twice last year, with a second in the GII Eddie D Stakes his best effort. The son of Best Intent (GB) (King's Best), also a winner of the GIII Daytona Stakes, was a €36,000 Arqana October yearling turned €80,000 Arqana Horses-of-Racing Age Sale graduate when purchased by MAB Agency from the later sale. A half-brother to the multiple stakes-placed filly Atakama (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), Bran is also a half to that filly's full-brother, the 3-year-old gelding Orfeo (Fr). Kin to Mr. Prospector Group 1 winners Coup De Genie and Machiavellian, Bran's second dam is G2 Prix d'Astarte heroine Hydro Calido (Nureyev). Haras du Petit Tellier's Muhaarar has seven winners from 15 runners (47%) in the U.S. One of four stakes winners for his sire in that locale (27%), Bran is joined by fellow graded winners Motorious (GB) and Evening Sun (GB). #5 BRAN ($13.20) under @umbyrispoli waited for room on the rail, got some just off of it and came thru to win the opener at Del Mar.@johnwsadler trains for @Hronis_Racing. Watch more on @FanDuelTV. pic.twitter.com/gRnhaO47oE — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 21, 2024 Without Parole Represented By First U.S. Winner John Gunther homebred Without Caution (Without Parole {GB}) became the sixth winner for his first-season sire (by Frankel) and first in the U.S. when prevailing at first asking at Saratoga for trainer Cherie DeVaux (video). The $95,000 Keeneland September yearling is out of Mama Tembu (Street Cry {Ire}), and is her fourth foal. Her latest produce is a filly of 2024 by Good Magic. This is the same family as successful stallion and American Triple Crown winner Justify. Newsells Park stallion Without Parole was bred and raced by the Gunthers. He won the G1 St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2018. #2 Without Caution is a debut winner in the opener at Saratoga at 13/1 for trainer @reredevaux with Jose Lezcano in the saddle! @dpcracing1 pic.twitter.com/dnGbYTe7p2 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 20, 2024 Repeat Winners Just two starts removed from taking the G1 Jenny Wiley Stakes at Keeneland in April, Beaute Cachee (Fr) (Literato {Fr}) returned to the winner's circle for Louis Lazzinnaro, Madaket Stables, Michael Caruso and Michael Dubb in the GIII Matchmaker Stakes at Monmouth Park (video). The 5-year-old is trained by Chad Brown. The first stakes race today at Monmouth Park on Haskell Day was a fantastic one! #7 BEAUTE CACHEE ($11.20) goes gate-to-wire holding off #6 Sacred Wish to win the $300,000 Matchmaker Stakes (G3). @FrankieDettori was in the irons for Chad Brown. Congrats to all the connections! pic.twitter.com/YdjPJWEu0Q — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 20, 2024 Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Bruce Treitman's Sunset Glory (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) made it two consecutive victories on Sunday (video). She broke her maiden at Santa Anita in April, before this Del Mar win. The post Making Waves: Public Speaks In Canada appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It didn't take 18-year-old apprentice Chris Elliott long to win a stakes race—the first of his career—since moving his tack from Lone Star Park to Monmouth Park last week. He guided Reclusive to upset the July 26 Regret Stakes at Monmouth Park.View the full article

There can be few six-time Group 1 winners that have as weird a profile as Ballydoyle's enigmatic Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), but as Ascot's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes approaches of course all eyes are on him once again. It was in this summer jewel 12 months ago that one of the best Derby winners of recent times was seen floundering even before the home turn before disappearing from view, a scene that would normally represent a fall from grace. But where we are talking about this particular colt, normal goes out of the window. That 2023 King George disaster is one of a trio of flops on the biggest stage and perhaps the most forgivable on rain-softened ground, but the latest in Meydan's Dubai Sheema Classic is less so. Balanced against his Irish Champion, Breeders' Cup Turf and Prince of Wales's Stakes triumphs, his desert no-show is not as concerning as it seemed at the time and he is now firmly in the zone ahead of his second major summer target. Aidan O'Brien spoke at the Royal meeting of Ryan Moore believing that “engaging” Auguste Rodin is essential and connections are now convinced that their dynamo is as tactics-dependant as he is ground-dependant. The dry lead-up to the race has taken care of the latter situation, while the presence of Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}) can only aid his cause. Moore has no problem with passing up the ride on the stable's genuine top-level performer Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), which is testament to the elite status that Auguste Rodin enjoys. “I am looking forward to riding him. This is a horse who has won six Group 1s already and he is simply a top-class colt who anyone would clearly love to own, train or ride,” he said. “He was back to near his brilliant best when winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes for me last time, the step back up to a mile and a half won't be an issue, and the expected quick ground is a bonus. It is a race with Group 1 depth, but my colt is the one to beat.” Rebel Without a Course… There are certain multiple Group 1 winners who fail to earn the full love and respect of their own nation's public due to their most notable exploits coming overseas and Godolphin's Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is one of them. Ironically, the usually-reliable stalwart was also ineffective in last year's Sheema Classic much as Saturday's great rival was in March, but it was the latest renewal of that contest which saw him gain redemption under new enterprising tactics. Unbeaten in the UK and three-from-three this term, he enters the fray at Ascot strangely as a relative unknown to some who will visit the track for the showcase event despite being a hardened 6-year-old. “He's an international superstar, but he just hasn't had the opportunity he deserves until now to run in a Group 1 over here,” jockey William Buick said. “Bar the Derby, the King George is our biggest middle-distance race. He's a huge imposing horse who you can't help but spot and he's very uncomplicated, very genuine and obviously very good. He's high-class and it's lovely that he's now getting a proper shot at a top-level win at home.” Juddmonte's Influence Continues… Juddmonte's ability to consistently unearth top-level performers is remarkable and the rise of the operation's contender Bluestocking (GB) (Camelot {GB}) from fledgling Group 1 performer to genuine King George contender in the space of 12 months only serves to underline the ongoing potency of the operation's bloodstock. Few would have predicted that the filly that was caught close home in the G1 Irish Oaks would a year on be entering this race a leading candidate, but here she is and she is deserving of full respect given the nature of her G2 Middleton Stakes and G1 Pretty Polly Stakes wins. “It's the King George and they are the best of the best,” European racing manager Barry Mahon said. “Auguste Rodin and Rebel's Romance are both top class and Luxemburg is a Group 1 winner on his last start, there is no shortage in quality from top to bottom. It's going to be a top renewal and it's nice to have a filly good enough to partake in it.” “She's definitely matured a lot and last year, in fairness, she was probably a little weak. She was gallant in her efforts, but probably just had a bit of weakness, which wasn't able to carry her through the line. This year, she has strengthened and Ralph [Beckett] has been very happy with her, she worked very well last Saturday and I think we're in a good place, so hopefully we see that on Saturday.” Lone 3-Year-old Leads the Way… It is always disappointing when the King George fails to attract the premier members of the Classic generation, but at least this renewal has representation unlike some in recent times. On the face of it, Guy Pariente Holding and Qatar Racing's Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) has uninspiring form figures taking on his elders, but the G1 Irish Derby runner-up has weight-for-age in his favour and trainer David Menuisier is keen to have a tilt at the stars with a colt he has always rated highly. “It seems to be the trend these days that less and less 3-year-olds run in the race, but you have to try them against older horses some time and they get an 11-pound allowance,” he said. “Sunway was possibly caught in traffic a bit at a crucial stage in Ireland, but we came back from there really chuffed because he'd vindicated what we thought of him, not thinking we were unlucky in the way Tamfana was in the 1,000 Guineas.” “It took him a while to come to himself this season and I'm not sure why, but the faster ground in Ireland worked in his favour, as I think he thrives on quick conditions and in fast-run races, even though he won on testing ground last year. Having taken so long to come to himself, I didn't want to stop and he came out of Ireland absolutely buzzing–kicking and bucking as if it hadn't taken too much out of him. All the lights are green.” More Than Just a Passenger… Europe's second most important race on Saturday is the G2 York Stakes, where Sir Michael Stoute's latest older-horse project Passenger (Ulysses {Ire}) re-emerges from a setback to tackle the G1 Juddmonte International course and distance. Impressive in the G2 Huxley Stakes at Chester in May, he had to sidestep the Prince of Wales's Stakes but is ready to make his presence felt once again among the best of the middle-distance runners tackling last year's winner Alflaila (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and the promising 3-year-old King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). “He had a cough just at the wrong moment in his preparation for Ascot–now he is back at 100%,” the Niarchos Family's racing manager Alan Cooper explained. “Michael and his team are happy with the horse. It's a first step back. He looks a typical Sir Michael older horse improver. They've had a little hold-up, but he could be very good. Hopefully, he will reward everybody's hopes for him on Saturday and then, all being well, we'll be back at York for the Juddmonte.” Alflaila's trainer Owen Burrows is aware of the challenge facing the Shadwell homebred, who is entitled to progress from his return fourth behind Auguste Rodin in the Prince of Wales's. “King's Gambit, I respect massively,” he said. “If anything, it's probably a stronger race than last year but I'd like to think we're a better horse than we were last year.” All Hail the Chancellor… As far as visual impressions go, there are few 2-year-olds who have dazzled as Cheveley Park Stud's Chancellor (GB) (Kingman {GB}) did on his debut at Doncaster and the Gosdens' TDN Rising Star bids to add substance to style in Saturday's Listed Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot. The son of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}) was winning over six furlongs there, but everything about his pedigree suggests this seventh will bring out even more in him which is a scary prospect for all others. “He was pretty impressive as we saw at Doncaster and we were thrilled that he transmitted a bit of what we saw on the gallops to the racecourse,” the operation's managing director Chris Richardson said. “Everyone seems happy and this looks like a good next opportunity for him and it is exciting to have a colt with a bit of potential I think.” “It's funny, we normally have fillies, but it just so happened that last year when we took him to the sales people weren't receptive to him for various reasons,” he added. “We took a view that we would give him a chance and he's a nice individual out of a proper mare who was hugely talented, let's hope he's exciting.” Among his peers is Qatar Racing's New Century (GB) (Kameko), an important colt for the owners and for trainer Andrew Balding who combined with the sire. He had the subsequent TDN Rising Star Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) back in third in his Doncaster novice last month and racing manager David Redvers rates him highly. “Andrew and Oisin [Murphy] are incredibly sweet on the horse,” he explained. “He's got a similar career mapped out to his father and we're taking a swing at the Pat Eddery because otherwise he's got five weeks until the Solario and he's bouncing out of his skin, according to Andrew. He does take on some promising looking horses–I was rather alarmed how easily Chancellor won for the Gosden team at Doncaster. But it's a Listed race for two-year-olds at this time of year and it's hard to find an easy one over seven furlongs.” Simmering Nicely… Denied late in Royal Ascot's G3 Albany Stakes, Al Shaqab Racing's acquisition Simmering (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) is back over the course and distance to bid for compensation in Saturday's G3 Princess Margaret Stakes. Third on debut at York behind the high-class Arabie (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}), she sets the standard and trainer Ollie Sangster is keen to get a pattern race on board while conditions favour her. “The form from Ascot has worked out well at Newmarket and the Karl Burke horse who beat her on debut is now a Group 2 winner in France,” he said. “We're very excited to have Sheikh Joaan and the Al Shaqab team in the yard and look forward to training for them.” Despite the obvious merit of the Albany form, the fact remains that over a month has passed since that contest and that can be a long time in juvenile racing. Three potential class acts to have emerged in the interim are Isa Salman Al Khalifa's Definitive (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}), The King & The Queen's Handcuffed (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum's Mandurah (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and they are all here to be tested. Definitive's trainer Clive Cox said of his contender, who showed a willing attitude at Haydock, “It's a big step and she will come forward hugely for that first run. We liked her going into that race and she did everything really nicely.” Mandurah made a significant impact on her racecourse bow at Newmarket and Ed Crisford is hopeful. “She won her maiden well at Newmarket, we've always liked the filly and at home she looks like she's improved enough to take her chance in a stakes race. It's a competitive race and there's some very good fillies in there, but if she improves, hopefully she'll be in the mix. You've got to see where you stand really.” Soul Revival? Ascot also boasts the G3 Longines Valiant Stakes, where a talented trio of 3-year-olds include George Strawbridge's Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}) who reverts to a mile having proven such a disappointment in the G3 Musidora Stakes. Given time to get it back together since then, the homebred who was so exciting when beating Kalpana (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}) as they drew clear in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly Stakes in May remains one of the more exciting members of her sex and age from this trip to a mile and a quarter. She encounters Godolphin's unbeaten Devoted Queen (GB) (Kingman {GB}), daughter of the talented Fintry (Ire) (Shamardal) who reappears for the first time since beating Friendly Soul's classy stablemate Spiritual (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in York's Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes in May. The post ‘My Colt Is The One To Beat’: Moore’s Unwavering Faith In King George-Bound Auguste Rodin appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article