Wandering Eyes

Sarah Sharp Farish, the wife of Lane's End Farm owner Will Farish, passed away Monday, November 24, 2025 at home in Boca Grande, Florida. She was 83 years old. The following obituary was sent to the TDN Tuesday by the Farish family. “Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Sarah was the daughter of Mary and Bayard Sharp. In 1961, she married the love of her life, Will Farish, owner of Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Kentucky and former U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James. She is survived by her husband, her son Bill Farish (Kelley), daughters Mary Farish Johnston (Dennis) and Laura Farish Chadwick (John). Beloved daughter Hillary Farish Stratton preceded her mother in death. Sarah is also survived by 17 grandchildren and their spouses: Hunter Farish Johnston (Emily), Sarah Sharp Malloy (William), Maggie Miller Johnston, Ande Farish Day (Lincoln), Sammy Farish Rosenstein (Ross), Lulu Farish Pohanka (Jason), William S. Farish, III, Daisy Miller Farish, Robert Wood Farish, Coco Sharp Farish, Stormy Stokes Farish, Lilly Chadwick Poulson (Hundley) , Isabella Sharp Chadwick, Stanford Clark Stratton, Bayard Farish Stratton, Wilson Sharp Stratton and Jack Miller Stratton. Sarah was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren. Sarah brought her quiet elegance to every setting, from her family home at Kentucky's Lane's End Farm to the sparkling Court of St. James in London, England to her family's beloved Gasparilla Inn on Florida's Gulf Coast. Her life with Will Farish over their 63 years of marriage was marked by many adventures, from the weekends of quail hunting at the Lazy F Ranch to the thrills of Thoroughbred horse racing to serving their country in the diplomatic corps. In every facet of her life, she embodied strength, dignity and charm. Sarah was deeply devoted to her family and to the many causes that she held dear. She grew up spending time in Boca Grande on Gasparilla Island, where her father owned the historic Gasparilla Inn. She shared her father's love of the Inn and the Island community. For the past 22 years, she dedicated herself to preserving and enhancing that wonderful island and Inn property. She was a strong supporter of the Boca Grande Health Clinic, the Island School and the Boca Grande Preschool as well as many other organizations and island businesses. When Sarah took to something, she went all in. Among her many passions were golf (she was a multi-time club champion at the Idle Hour Country Club and the Gulfstream Golf Club), bird shooting, pottery, photography, gardening and flower arranging. She also cherished the companionship of many dogs over the years, including Max, Rosie, Charlie, Cotton, Slipper and Katie. Sarah Sharp Farish leaves an enduring legacy for her children and grandchildren, all of whom revere the extraordinary life that she lived. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Gasparilla Inn Employee Care Fund for the Relief Effort in Jamaica, PO Box 1088 Boca Grande, FL 33921. A special thank you for the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Bret Kueber and the health clinic staff, and to the home care team of Debbie, Logan, Nettie, Nicolette, Francine and Livette.” The post Sarah Sharp Farish, Wife Of Will Farish, Dies At 83 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Nov. 17-23View the full article

Despite a successful career in which he won 1,871 races, jockey Trevor McCarthy announced his retirement in April. He admitted that he was “miserable” and that the many problems that come with being a jockey, especially one who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, had caused him serious mental health problems. In November, it was announced that McCarthy had taken on a new job as HISA's Jockey Wellness Consultant. To talk about his battles, his new job, his current state of mind and why he walked away from the sport when he did, McCarthy joined the team on this week's edition of the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. McCarthy said that he had been searching for answers as to what he should do and how he could conquer his demons. He believes divine intervention led him to retire. “I had some serious red flags for a while,” he said. “For me, it was just a perfect storm so far as the last few years, considering what I was dealing with mentally and physically with my body. I'm not a very religious guy, but I was raised Catholic and I was in a hotel room at Colonial and I prayed to God to show me some really strong signs whether I should continue riding or not.” He said that a number of individuals, including a racetrack chaplain and friends, contacted him and said they were worried about him. McCarthy had not publicly revealed his problems and, to the outside world, seemed to be content with his life and career. McCarthy saw these interactions as a sign that God was speaking to him through the people who were showing concern for him and told him he needed help and that maybe he would be much happier if he stopped riding. He had this to say about his decision: “Once I decided to retire I never felt so calm. I never felt so right about a decision in my entire life.” He admitted that his height was an issue, that making weight was much more difficult for him than it was for shorter jockeys. “There were so many things that added up,” McCarthy said. “Maybe if I was five-foot tall, it might have been a little bit easier. There were also the injuries that I had and the wear and tear on my body and the lack of nutrition that I was giving it. Being 5-9 and having to get down 115 pounds, weight was always a struggle.” McCarthy, whose wife, Katie Davis, is a jockey, is now working for both HISA and a real estate firm. Some seven months after he hung up his tack he said that he has found the peace of mind that he had been missing for so long. He is enthusiastic about his job with HISA and hopes that by doing that and telling his own story he can help other jockeys who may be struggling with mental health issues. “What we have been working on is building resources for jockeys that improves wellness for them,” McCarthy said. “We have teamed up with Onrise (an organization that provides mental health care and support to teams, clubs, leagues and players' associations at the elite youth, college and professional levels). Through Onrise, we have developed therapy and psychiatric programs. We have also tied in with a nutritionist, which we did just a few weeks ago. Starting on Jan. 1, we're going to have a career counselor, as well, for jockeys.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was Full Screen (Big Screen), who earned a 100 Beyer figure when winning an allowance race at Aqueduct for trainer Brad Cox. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the stallion Life is Good. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the KTOB, PHBA, 1/ST TV and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman discussed the surprising announcement that James Carville, an institution within the Democratic Party, had endorsed Dale Romans's run for the U.S. Senate and the stories of the sport's two hottest jockeys, Flavien Prat and Paco Lopez. In the final segment, Moss, Cadman and Finley handicapped the major races to be run this weekend at Churchill Downs and at Del Mar, which will host the GI Hollywood Derby. Click to watch the podcast or here to listen. The post Trevor McCarthy Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Parx will begin installing a new turf course in March with the goal of racing on it by late summer 2026. There has been no grass racing at Parx since September 2024. In August of that season the course was closed after a catastrophic equine injury during a stakes resulted in a euthanization, triggering a safety review by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). The track was cleared to reopen by HISA within several weeks, with Parx agreeing to put new protocols and maintenance procedures in place. But another grass-race injury and euthanization on the GI Pennsylvania Derby undercard Sept. 21, 2024, resulted in a second shutdown, and the course was closed for the rest of the '24 season. As TDN's Bill Finley reported at that time, “video showed that there were numerous holes in the turf course and that the grass itself looked like something you might see in a vacant lot.” Attempts to get the course usable for '25 didn't work out, and the Parx turf has not hosted a race for the last 14 months. Joe Wilson, the chief operating officer at Parx, said during Tuesday's Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission (PHRC) meeting that “the goal is to be back on that turf when we come back from our break in the middle of summer.” Parx has yet to publish its '26 calendar, but a similar seasonal break in '25 spanned July 25-Aug. 17. “We're taking [the existing course] away and putting a new one in. This sod will come from Tuckahoe [Turf Farms in Hammonton, New Jersey], which is one of the leading suppliers of sod to both racetracks and sports fields in general.” Wilson was asked by a commissioner about the feasibility of installing a Tapeta track at Parx. “It gets talked about,” Wilson said. “Unfortunately, you're looking, at my racetrack, to put a Tapeta track in, you're looking at pretty close to probably $10 million, which, as we know, is a significant investment. Certainly, we'll continue to look at that, but that cost has to come down.” Wilson's comments came before the PHRC voted unanimously Nov. 25 to grant Thoroughbred racing dates for '26 that mirror the same number of dates the commission awarded in '25. There will be 150 dates at Parx, 105 at Penn National, and 76 at Presque Isle Downs. “We continue to race 150 days a year at pretty much the same purse levels, which is really tough to do these days,” said Wilson. Scott Lishia, the director and racing and sportsbook for Penn National, said that rather than starting racing in early January and having breaks in late January, early April and early October like this year, Penn National in '26 won't start racing until late February, with two-date weeks until mid-March, after which three-date weeks will largely be the norm through Labor Day. “Then we're going to take a five- or six-week break off, come back in October with those three days a week again, finishing up the day before Thanksgiving,” Lishia said. The post Parx To Install New Turf Course; PA Keeps ’26 Racing Dates Level appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Lush Lips returns in the $300,000 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs Nov. 28 against a talented group of 3-year-old fillies going 1 1/16 miles.View the full article

There has been much discussion in the press recently about the ongoing negotiations on the 2026 racing calendar in New York. In truth, we are closer than reports would suggest on reaching an agreement. Currently, there are four days for the Winter meet, four days for the Saratoga meet, and two days at the Spring meet that are in dispute. We are advocating strongly to retain these dates because we believe that a robust year-round racing calendar is vital to the long-term health of New York's Thoroughbred industry. Year-round racing sustains the breeding industry, it supports thousands of jobs at the tracks, the breeding farms, and all the ancillary businesses that depend on our industry to survive. It is essential to our year-round horsemen and women – owners and trainers and backstretch workers alike – who have built their lives in New York State, buying homes, raising families, and becoming valued members of their communities. Racing dates at the NYRA tracks already have been cut by 15% in the last seven years and, as history will show us, once you lose those dates, you do not get them back. But has cutting dates really been a successful strategy? It's just not working. We are still seeing a decline in field size, because we have not done a good job of attracting new owners and trainers to race in New York. Our horses head to Oaklawn and Kentucky, where purses are higher and the cost of doing business is lower. Offering ever fewer racing days is not going to reverse that trend. NYTHA has several proposals on the table that we hope will be given due consideration. One is a Developer Program modeled on the initiative currently enjoying success in Maryland. This program would reward a horse's “Developer” – the owner that makes the investment to breed or buy the horse and then bring it to the races – with a bonus for starting the horse's career in New York and keeping it here. We have ideas for decreasing the cost of doing business in New York. We have suggested finding ways to make our product more attractive to horse players on days when revenue is down, with lowered takeout or other incentives. Maybe these proposals will work, maybe they will not. But you can't keep doing what you have been doing – cutting dates – and expect different results. We are in a transition year in New York. We have not raised purses in five years, because the horsemen and the racetrack agreed that revenue would be challenged during the Belmont redevelopment, and we wanted to be able to sustain our program and our purses during the construction of the new Belmont Park. We are optimistic that the new Belmont will revitalize New York racing, and we have been assured that having a winter meet on the synthetic track will bring new trainers to New York and we will see the results in increased revenue. We need to give these historic changes the best opportunity to work, not by further contraction, but by finding ways to grow our business and support our year-round horsemen and women. Tina Bond is the President of the NYTHA. The post Letter To The Editor: New York Racing Needs A Robust Year-Round Calendar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

NEWMARKET, UK–Improved trade punctuated by a steady stream of notable results for the progeny of Dragon Symbol would be a neat summation of Tuesday's opening session of the December Foal Sale at Tattersalls, with Whitsbury Manor Stud's first-crop sire alone accounting for nearly 25% of the 1,684,200gns that changed hands on the day. That total turnover represented a 23% increase compared to 12 months ago, while the average and the median also painted a much prettier picture as opposed to what was a sluggish start to last year's December Foal Sale. The average was up by 22% to 14,774gns and the median by 8% to 9,750gns. Meanwhile, having hovered just above 50% during the first two hours of selling, the clearance rate had increased to 66% by the end of the session, compared to 65% last year. Following that low-key start to proceedings, it was the third hour of trade which saw things really step up a gear, with two of the day's most expensive weanlings being sold in the space of five lots. The pick of that duo was lot 304 from the Norris Bloodstock draft, a Dragon Symbol colt out of the Showcasing mare Perfect Showdance, who went the way of Paul McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud for 75,000gns. Perfect Showdance has already produced last year's dual-winning juvenile and Listed Blenheim Stakes fourth Itsatenfromlen by another Whitsbury Manor inmate in Sergei Prokofiev. Both Itsatenfromlen and the Dragon Symbol colt were bred by Mildmay Bloodstock, with Bridget Drew of Mildmay Farm and Stud at the helm. “At home he was really straightforward and we knew he was a good shape of a horse,” Olly Nash, Mildmay Farm and Stud manager, said of Tuesday's joint-top lot. “I think it was quite hard to gauge how much he'd make. The Dragon Symbols we've seen have been really lovely and people are confident that they're a nice crop of foals.” He added, “The mare is going great guns. She had that fantastic Sergei [Itsatenfromlen] that came out and won those two nice races in France. She's exciting, she's back in foal to Sergei, and it looks like she'll go back to Dragon Symbol! “Whitsbury do such a great job with those fast sires there. We're exactly an hour away and we have a lot of confidence in them – they've always worked really hard for their breeders.” Speaking of hardworking breeders, McCartan himself knows a thing or two about producing fast horses – having bred Battaash, Harry Angel and Fairy Godmother, to name just a few – and the Ballyphilip boss identified this colt's speedy pedigree as the major selling point after signing for him under the name of CBS Bloodstock. Bloodstock agent Matt Coleman filled the role of underbidder. McCartan said, “He was a lovely individual, the sire was a very fast horse, and the young Showcasing mare has bred a horse rated 94 already. It's all two-year-old speed and that'll do anybody.” 'A Stunning Foal And A Great Example Of What The Sire Can Do' On a day when first-crop sires accounted for eight of the top 10 lots – and 16 of the top 20 – the sheer weight of numbers in the Dragon Symbol camp ensured that his was the name on everybody's lips at the end of the session. Of the 18 weanlings by the Whitsbury Manor stallion offered on Tuesday, 15 sold for a total of 409,500gns and at an average of 27,300gns, a fair return for those breeders who supported the consistent sprinter when he embarked on his first season at a fee of £8,000. It follows on from the Goffs November Foal Sale where he had seven out of seven sold at an average of €37,000. Overall, the son of Cable Bay was responsible for seven of the top 20 lots here at Park Paddocks, with the others including a colt out of the Listed Marygate Stakes fourth Beautiful Eyes (Bobby's Kitten), who sold to Apollo Bloodstock for 58,000gns. Lot 329 belonged to Whitsbury Manor's own draft, with head of bloodstock and sales Joe Callan able to reflect on a promising start for Dragon Symbol at the close of play, with another 29 weanlings by the sire catalogued to sell later in the week. “They've gone down brilliantly and we're absolutely delighted,” Callan summed up. “It's great to see who is buying them, the likes of Ballyphilip Stud, Grove Stud and so on. And it's great for the breeders. Bridget Drew is a great client and we were delighted they got such a good result. He was a stunning foal and a great example of what the sire can do. “He covered a good book in year one, and we knew we were in a good position when he covered a bigger book this year, but you don't know for sure until you get to the sales ring. But they're good foals, everybody is pleased, and we're excited about what's to come for the rest of the week.” Shaquille Lands A Slam Dunk With Joint-Top Lot Late in the day, lot 304 was joined at the top of the leaderboard by a filly belonging to the first crop of the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Shaquille, with Luke Barry of Manister House Stud striking the successful 75,000gns bid. Lot 372, from the Petches Farm draft, is out of a winning half-sister to talented two-year-old Baileys Jubilee (Bahamian Bounty), who won the Listed Prix des Reves d'Or, as well as finishing placed in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and G2 Lowther Stakes. Shaquille was responsible for only three weanlings to be offered for sale on Tuesday, but Barry admitted to being impressed by what he's seen of the Ace Stud stallion's progeny so far, not least in the case of this filly. “She was very dear, but she's very nice,” Barry explained. “There are some very nice fillies tomorrow, but she stands up very well against them. It was all about the individual but, also, I like the idea of the sire. We have a nice colt at home and he's stamping his stock. He gets very nice horses and he's a good-looking horse himself.” Confirming the filly would be reoffered for sale next year, he added, “We'll know by this time tomorrow whether we've made the right move or not.” Native Trail Not To Be Outdone Shortly before lot 304 went under the hammer and stole some of the limelight, European champion two-year-old colt and Classic hero Native Trail provided another of the day's most sought after foals when lot 300 was secured by Harry Sweeney's Japan-based Paca Paca Farm for 65,000gns. Sweeney politely declined when asked to confirm plans for the colt, a half-brother to the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes third Model Guest (Showcasing), but consignor Charlie Budgett was only too happy to express his delight in the aftermath of what was a terrific result for his family's Kirtlington Park Stud. “I'm absolutely over the moon,” said Budgett. “What was quite rewarding was all of the good judges were pulling him out and kept coming back, so we knew we had a nice horse. It was then a question of how they fought it out in the ring, really. We were just thrilled with the way he looked and the judges obviously agreed. “We've got a full-sister to Model Guest with Hugo Palmer at the moment. The mare I bought originally just to go to Showcasing. We do a lot with Whitsbury and they support us really well. We got the Showcasing filly we wanted, so we retired the mare and she'll carry on the family for us.” On the decision to send the dam, Looks All Right (Danehill Dancer), to Kildangan Stud resident Native Trail, Budgett added, “I thought he had a pretty strong chance and all of the right credentials. It's a mare that I own with my family, so they didn't argue which is always nice!” Along with Dragon Symbol, Native Trail was another first-crop sire to pull his weight in a big way during this opening session, with three of his four foals to go through the ring finding a place in the top 10. His quartet sold for a total of 147,500gns and at an average of 36,875gns, with lot 385, a colt from Church View Stables, proving another highlight when knocked down to BAC Bloodstock for 42,000gns. Meanwhile, breaking up the monopoly of the newcomers at the top of the market were Native Trail's fellow Darley sires Ghaiyyath and Harry Angel. JC Bloodstock provided one of the day's final flourishes when forking out 68,000gns for lot 382, a Ghaiyyath colt from Altenbach Bloodstock, while the Harry Angel colt offered as lot 310 was bought by Mags O'Toole for 45,000gns. Consigned by Ashbrooke Stud, the colt is out of an unraced Tasleet half-sister to the multiple Group 3 winner Psychedelic Funk (Choisir) and dual Listed scorer Gale Force Maya (Gale Force Ten). The post Dragon Symbol Roars as First-Crop Sires Dominate Tuesday’s Session at Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Amplify Horse Racing, the national organization connecting youth to the Thoroughbred industry, closed out its 2025 season of outreach with a busy week in November. Amplify began the week by welcoming over 75 students and 4-H leaders from 11 different states participating in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup to a Thoroughbred Industry Discovery Day at Keeneland. Students heard from industry professionals about racehorse training and equine safety, explored the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, and joined a lunchtime career activity that connected them directly with mentors and employers in the industry. Amplify then presented its signature Mentorship Program at the National Farmers Union Women's Conference, highlighting the importance of mentorship in connecting young people with agricultural education and industry careers. And it hosted five mentees from across the country for an immersive day of learning in Kentucky, made possible through the support of Glen Hill Farm. Their day included touring the Keeneland sales grounds and learning how to evaluate horses alongside industry professionals, visiting Godolphin's Jonabell Farm, and touring the Keeneland Library before concluding with Amplify's annual end-of-year student networking event. Amplify conducted a field trip to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm for 40 students from the Walden School in Louisville, and capped off the week by exhibiting at the Fayette County Public Schools Career Expo at Tates Creek High School. “Our goal has always been to meet youth where they are, in their schools, communities, and online, and show them that there's a place for them in this industry,” said Annise Montplaisir, Amplify's Executive Director and Co-Founder. “This type of transformative programming doesn't happen without the collaboration and generosity of industry partners and donors. The financial support we receive directly fuels our ability to reach youth who might otherwise never discover this incredible industry. As we look toward 2026, we invite everyone who believes in the future of horse racing to join us in this mission.” In 2026, Amplify plans to build on the success of this year's programs with the debut of a new high school curriculum. Aligned with the National Agricultural Literacy Outcomes (NALOs), Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Standards, the curriculum will provide teachers with ready-to-use lessons and hands-on activities that bring the world of Thoroughbred racing to the classroom. To make a tax-deductible contribution in support of Amplify's mission, visit amplifyhorseracing.org/donate. The post Busy November Completes Impactful Year for Amplify appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Brilliant Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics will embark on his stallion career in India after being sold to Poonawalla Stud, bloodstock agent Ajay Anne has confirmed. Trained by William Haggas, Economics took the scalp of Auguste Rodin in that memorable Leopardstown tussle last year. He also won the Dante Stakes in breathtaking fashion earlier on in his three-year-old campaign. The son of Night Of Thunder will join fellow imports Territories, Mutasaabeq and Chindit on the roster at Poonawalla Stud. Anne commented, “Mr Zavaray Poonawalla has a big ambition of improving the breeding stock in India. They have been breeding horses for half a century and have stood some very good stallions and recently purchased Territories last year. “This year, Mr Poonawalla was looking to buy a stallion from off the track, and Economics is one of the highest-profile horses that has gone to India in my memory. A winner of the Irish Champion Stakes and by a very hot sire in Night Of Thunder, he is also an extremely good-looking horse. He looks just like his father – is just a bigger model and he is out of dual Group 2 winner in La Pomme D'Amour (Peintre Celebre). I think we are very lucky to get a stallion like him.” Anne added, “Mr Poonawalla wants to buy mares who can be commercial in any part of the world. Likewise, he wants to buy stallions who have international appeal. We went with a proven horse last year in Territories and this year we wanted to buy a horse from off the track. “It wasn't easy, because a horse like Economics is always going to have a big appeal internationally, but I have to say thank you to Sheikh Isa Salman Al Khalifa for giving us the opportunity. Likewise, his racing manager Jake Warren, who was very helpful in brokering the deal. Obviously, Mr Poonawalla himself was very enthusiastic about getting the deal done fairly quickly, so thank you to him as well. He is a very exciting addition to the stallion ranks in India.” All told, Economics won four of his seven starts and amassed close to £1 million in career earnings. He reached a career-high rating of 123. The post Group 1 Winner Economics To Stand At Poonawalla Stud In India appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Great Pretender will stand for €10,000 in 2026, Haras de la Hetraie announced via press release on Tuesday. Successful with his progeny on either side of the English Channel, the stallion will likely be standing his final season in 2026, according to the farm. All posted fees exclude VAT. Grade 1 stallion Nirvana Du Berlais will stand for €7,500 and already has a pair of Grade 1 winner in Lulamba and Leader Sport from his first crop of four-year-olds. Bathyrhon's fee remains unchanged at €6,000. He is among the top 10 active sires in France. A trio of stallions will stand at €4,000–Leon Du Berlais remains at that price, and Feed The Flame, standing his second season, and Mare Australis, who is standing his fourth season at stud, have both been trimmed. Second-season sire Riocorvo will also remain at his 2025 fee of €2,800. Internaute will debut at €3,200, while Headman is priced at €3,000. The post Great Pretender Leads Haras De La Hetraie Roster At €10k appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Debut hurdle winner Minella Academy (lot 6) has been added to the catalogue for the Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale at Newbury Racecourse on Saturday. The Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale will be held in the winners' enclosure immediately after the last race at 3:35 p.m. By Sea The Moon, the three-year-old won an academy hurdle at Cork on Sunday by eight lengths for John Nallen. His addition brings the number of three-year-old horses-in-training to two, which will sell alongside 18 point-to-point horses. There are several debut point-to-point winners set to sell including Baron Du Brizais (Nirvana Du Berlais) (lot 5), and Blue To You (Blue Bresil) (lot 8). Vivre Le Reve (Pether's Moon) (lot 12) won his hurdling debut at Lyon-Parilly in France. Inspections will be open from late morning on Friday and Saturday and remain open throughout the day. The post Minella Academy Supplemented To Goffs Coral Gold Cup Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The newly formed Varese Turf & Sport will become the new concession holder of Varese Racecourse on January 1, 2026, the organisation announced on Tuesday. Varese Turf & Sport released a statement which read in part, “The challenges ahead are many and significant, but we are ready to immediately deploy skills, energy, and investments to launch a concrete and long-lasting renewal path for the racecourse. “Our objective is clear: to relaunch the world of horse racing as both a symbol and a driving force of a broader process of enhancement of the city's sporting, cultural, and economic sectors. We firmly believe that the racecourse can once again become a point of reference not only for enthusiasts but for the entire Varese community and, more broadly, for northern Italy, thanks to modern programming, renewed services, and an open approach toward the city. “In the coming months, an intervention plan will take shape involving facilities, activities, and initiatives linked to horse racing, with particular attention to sustainability, innovation, and collaboration with local stakeholders.” The post Varese Turf & Sport Awarded Concession Of Varese Racecourse appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It has been quite the year already for trainer Jose D'Angelo, who will have two chances to win the Nov. 29 FTBOA Florida Sire In Reality Stakes at Gulfstream Park. View the full article

A share in Haras du Mesnil stallion Telecaster (lot 24) completes the catalogue for the Arqana Online November Sale on Thursday, November 27. The sale, which includes a breeding right in Mehmas, will take place from 4-6 p.m., French time. A winner of the G2 Dante Stakes at three, the son of New Approach also claimed the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville and G3 La Coupe at four. The half-brother to group winner and Group 1-placed Al Suhail (Dubawi) is out of Shirocco Star (Shirocco), who was placed in both the G1 Oaks and G1 Irish Oaks. His eldest foals are three-year-olds, and already he has several winners on the Flat and over jumps, including listed winner Quinteplus and the group-placed hurdler Teletrope. The post Share In Telecaster Completes Arqana Online November Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The top three finishers from last year's Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T) return for a rematch Nov. 28 at Del Mar. Up for grabs is the lion's share of a $200,000 purse. View the full article

The $300,000 Hollywood Derby (G1T) features five entrants primarily based on the East Coast, but Amerman Racing homebred Test Score stands tall among them.View the full article

Bearstone Stud's new stallion Aesterius will head the 2026 roster at £6,500 with competitive breeding rights also available. Meanwhile, Dream Ahead has had his fee reduced to £5,500 and Washington DC remains at £3,500. All fees are on October 1st Special Life Foal terms. Terry Holdcroft, Bearstone Stud's owner, said, “We feel our stallions offer exceptional value and are particularly excited to add a new sire to our roster. Aesterius has settled in well to Bearstone Stud, and as a son of Mehmas and winner of the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes, he's exactly the type breeders are looking for – early, fast, tough, and by one of Europe's most reliable sources of juvenile speed. “Washington DC enjoyed a breakout year in 2025 with his first Group 1 winner in American Affair landing the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. A high-class sprinter himself, his ability to produce tough and durable sprinters from his limited first crops continues with Washington Heights adding more Stakes success to his form and Venture Capital winning the Ripon Silver Sprint Trophy.” He added, “Proven Group One sire Dream Ahead has now sired over 65 Stakes horses worldwide and is Europe's top sire of sprinters standing at under £25,000 by earnings for the past eight years. He's also making an impression as a broodmare sire, with several Group 1 horses, and eight new Stakes winners or performers in 2025.” The post “Our Stallions Offer Exceptional Value” – Bearstone Stud Announces Fees For 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars AMAZING GAZE - R7 (5) Is working nicely towards a victory and has again drawn well Jay Rooney AMAZING GAZE - R7 (5) Horribly unlucky not to win last time out and gets his chance to atone Owen Goulding ROMAN CROWN - R4 (10) Tardy start costly behind all-the-way improver latest and can go one better Phillip Woo A AMERIC TE SPECSO - R8 (3) Looks ready to strike after two eye-catching Valley 1,650m runs this term Shannon (Vincent Wong) BITS SUPERSTAR - R3 (6) Unlucky second last...View the full article

Multiple Grade I winner Patch Adams is now available for inspection at WinStar Farm, the farm announced Tuesday. The son of perennial leading sire Into Mischief developed into one of the nation's premier sprinters this year in his sophomore season, scoring consecutive Grade I victories at Saratoga, winning both the Woody Stephens S. and the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. for trainer Brad Cox. “Patch Adams arrived at the stallion barn on Saturday and is settling in nicely,” said Liam O'Rourke, director of bloodstock services for WinStar. “We had the opportunity to show him to his shareholders on Monday morning. It was encouraging to receive a ton of positive feedback from a highly accomplished group of horsemen. We look forward to showing him to more breeders in the coming weeks.” All told, Patch Adams won four of seven lifetime starts, going three-for-three at seven furlongs, and earning $772,585. A third-generation WinStar homebred, Patch Adams hails from one of the top families cultivated at WinStar. His dam is stakes winner Well Humored, and he is from the family of Grade I winners Well Armed, Cyberknife, Played Hard, and American Patriot. To schedule an inspection, contact Liam O'Rourke, Olivia Desch, or Ben Hanley at 859-873-1717, or visit www.WinStarFarm.com. The post Patch Adams Now Available for Inspection at WinStar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dollars and Sense with Frank AngstView the full article

Bellatrix Star (Star Witness) has defied early predictions and is set to be back at the races as early as Saturday at Caulfield after a stunning recovery from a fractured neck. The spring’s best jockey, Mark Zahra, has been confirmed as taking his first ride aboard the now four-year-old as she races for the first time in more than a year in the A$175,000 Listed Doveton Stakes (1100m). Such a comeback was something her connections dared not to even dream of at the start of the year when she broke her neck in a training accident at Cranbourne. In early January, after a spring where she had run second in the Gr.1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, Bellatrix Star reared and fell when exiting the pool, with the early prognosis indicating her racing days were done. Trainer Mark Walker’s assistant Ben Gleeson explained that her future looked certain to lie in the breeding barn until connections took another x-ray of her neck and, to their surprise, found the injury had healed. “It was just in a tricky enough position that all sorts of things could come about from it,” Gleeson said. “We weren’t sure if she was ever going to be able to be ridden again let alone get back to doing everything she is doing currently. “We were going to retire her when she was out cantering in the paddock and we just thought we’d take a precautionary x-ray and it basically showed it had all healed, much to our surprise. “We’ve been pretty level-headed the whole way through about where we are going to get to so, provided she has a smooth week at home, this weekend is exciting, although we’re just trying to keep a lid on it at the moment. “We’ve still got no idea whether she is going to come back the same horse, but she ran through the line last Thursday in her trial and that gave us enough inclination that she’s got plenty of zest for racing. It’s going to be a tough ask on Saturday. She carries a big weight first-up for over 12 months. “It won’t be easy but we’re hopeful of seeing her resume to a good enough standard to push onto the autumn. She’s had a few riders but I’m sure Mark Zahra will suit. He’s obviously a man in form and he’s got great hands. She’s renowned for being a bit keen and a bit fierce in her races.” Bellatrix Star has raced just 11 times for five wins, including a Stakes hat-trick last spring of the Listed Cap d’Antibes Stakes (1100m), the Gr.3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) and the Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m), before her Coolmore Stud Stakes placing. View the full article

Progressive staying prospect Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo) will take another step towards a planned Pakenham Cup tilt when he runs over 1800m at Caulfield on Saturday. Stokes has a number of horses nominated to compete at the Zipping Classic Day meeting, with Skippers Canyon scheduled to run in a Benchmark 74 after making an impression first-up at the same track earlier this month with a last-to-first victory over 1700m in the same grade. That was Skippers Canyon’s second win from three starts for the Stokes stable since joining the team after doing his earlier racing in New Zealand. “It was huge,” Stokes said of the four-year-old’s first-up win at Caulfield on November 15. “He’s just got a bit of a habit of stepping slow and Lachy (Neindorf) went to Plan B and he couldn’t have been any more impressive the way he let down. “He’s trained on good, no problems. It was probably a bit better than expected first-up so I’m hoping that we’re not going to get the second-up blues but his work this morning was nice and sharp so I feel he’s in good order.” Stokes is focused on getting Skippers Canyon to next month’s $300,000 Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on his home track, with Saturday’s race pinpointed as the right stepping stone. Skippers Canyon has been nominated in both the Eclipse Stakes and the Benchmark race, with Stokes indicating on Tuesday that the latter is the preference, with apprentice Logan Bates booked to take the ride to utilise a claim and help offset the 61.5kg impost. “When we tipped him out (last campaign) we thought we’d aim him up for the Pakenham Cup and then we’ll give him another little break and then we’ll work out where we go after that,” Stokes said. “We really like the horse. “He’s still not there, I still think he’s a preparation away, but he couldn’t have done much more than what he’s done. He won first-up (last preparation) at Sandown on a Heavy track and I think he’s going to make a nice 2400-metre horse.” The Belardo gelding was imported by OTI Racing after 10 starts in New Zealand, including a maiden win over 2100m at Otaki in January. He also recorded three seconds and a third, along with a fourth in the $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) and a fifth in the Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m). View the full article

Farag (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will be given the chance to enter a new chapter in the Jericho Cup story at Warrnambool this Sunday when he strives to become the first back-to-back winner of the 4600-metre marathon. ‘’No horse has done it before so it would be great for him to achieve that,’’ trainer Aaron Purcell said on Tuesday. ‘’It’s obviously very hard to win the race once, let alone twice, but he’s in the right shape to give it a real shot.’’ To become the first defending champion of the longest flat race in Australia, Farag must match the feats of previous winners Wil John (2021) and Ablaze (2019) by carrying topweight of 70 kilograms over the 4600-metre journey. ‘’The 70kgs is obviously a task over that trip and against the others he’s carrying more weight as the second topweight has 67kgs and he was second topweight last year with 69kgs,’’ Purcell said. ‘’But he knows the track and distance and he’s carried weight before so we’re confident he’ll go well. ‘’Of course, Will Gordon riding is a major plus as well. ‘’He was obviously good at Geelong last week with the weight (70kgs) and bounced out of that race well. ‘’He went over the hill yesterday (Monday), even though he’s been over the hill before, it’s been a while, so everything suggests that he’s well and should be running well on Sunday.’’ Purcell may have two runners in the race as he waits on news as to whether new stable acquisition The Claimant gains a run in the Jericho Cup or is in the $60,000 consolation race over 3450 metres. View the full article

Group Two winner Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) is gearing up for a busy summer, with the son of Tivaci given a quiet trial over 1100m at Taupo on Tuesday to help ready him for his looming targets. He had a pleasing three-year-old term for trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, winning three of his six starts, including the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) and Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m), and was runner-up behind Damask Rose in the $1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO (1600m). He returned this season with a first-up victory over 1400m at Ruakaka in August before running seventh and sixth respectively in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) and Gr.1 Howden Insurance Mile (1600m). He has subsequently been freshened, and reflecting on Tuxedo’s first two weight-for-age runs, Ritchie said he certainly wasn’t out of his depth. “He had three weeks off after his two unlucky weight-for-age runs, and he certainly didn’t get the rub of the green in either race,” he said. “In his first one he got a bit of a wide run and didn’t get a lot of luck, he was knocked around a little bit and wasn’t far off them, and in the second one Waitak beat him to the gap and won the race. He perhaps could have run a place had he had clear running in that one. “I don’t believe he underperformed, but it was time to back off. I think it will strengthen him up and make him a lot tougher for the summer and autumn racing he has got ahead of him.” Ritchie was pleased with Tuxedo’s trial, where he was untested at the rear of the field, alongside multiple Group One winner Waitak, and he expects him to fire on all cylinders fresh-up in the Gr.3 J Swap Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on December 13. “That was a lovely quiet trial,” he said. “A lot of Lance (O’Sullivan) and Scotty’s (Andrew Scott) horses have been having what I would call handbrake trials, like they do in Sydney, and you find when they have trials like that, they usually come out full of beans and perform well first-up. “He will almost certainly take his place at Te Rapa in the J Swap and then more than likely the Rich Hill Mile (Gr.2, 1600m). He is in a good place in the Handicap now, so he doesn’t need to run at that weight-for-age level anymore, so we will work our way through the handicap and hopefully hit our peak in the Aotearoa Classic ($1 million, 1600m) in front of the big crowd at Ellerslie (on Karaka Millions night).” Ritchie was also happy with the trial of stablemate Crowd Pleaser (NZ) (Derryn), who finished runner-up in his 1100m heat. The three-year-old son of Derryn won his first trial over 800m at Ellerslie in June and Ritchie expects him to perform on raceday at short notice. “He is a lovely three-year-old,” Ritchie said. “I think he was purchased initially by people who turn horses over, a good couple of clients of ours. “He won his first trial at Ellerslie very well. We probably didn’t quite have him ready for the 1100m today, so he might be better at 1000m, but I think he will end up running a mile later on. “He is a very nice horse and if they decide to race him in New Zealand, and they may well do that now, I am sure he will show some form very quickly in the three-year-old ranks through the summer.” View the full article

Chris Wood’s team has been in good recent form and he’s hoping for more of the same this week. At Ellerslie on Saturday, the Cambridge trainer will have You Say D’Orsay in the Gr.3 Bayleys Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m), promising stayer Boxmoss in the Cure Kids Handicap (2400m) and sentimental favourite Lyin’ Eyes in the Mondiale VGL Maiden (1300m). Wood will also have runners at Te Aroha on Wednesday where Watch Me Go (Property Brokers Maiden, 1150m) and That’s Gold (Travel Advocates Maiden, 1400m) look two of his better chances. “I quite like them, they should definitely be strong each way chances,” he said. You Say D’Orsay (Under The Louvre) is the highest rated horse in the stable, with four wins to his credit, and has performed well in stakes company, finishing a close fifth earlier this year in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) and fourth in the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m). “He’s in the big mile and he’s racing well, he’s a very, very consistent horse and I’d expect him to go well again,” Wood said. You Say D’Orsay has run consecutive thirds at Tauranga in his two starts back after a break, while Boxmoss (NZ) (Vadamos) has won three of his last five appearances, including a course and distance victory last time out. “He’s a progressive staying horse and will be a really nice chance on Saturday,” Wood said. “I’m really happy with him and everything going right, he’ll go to the Dunstan Stayers’ Final (2400m) on Boxing Day.” Shocking mare Lyin’ Eyes (NZ) (Shocking) will resume on Saturday after finishing a debut spring third behind last Saturday’s Wanganui winner Passiflora. Wood has a lengthy and successful association with the four-year-old’s family. “She’s a great granddaughter of a mare I trained to win on Cox Plate Day and Melbourne Cup Day in 1989,” he said. A six-time winner up to Group Three level and Group One-placed, Echo Lass was ridden in her Moonee Valley and Flemington victories by former champion jockey and successful trainer Lance O’Sullivan. View the full article