Wandering Eyes

Woodford Thoroughbreds' John Sykes has sold his historic 1,000-acre farm in Reddick, Fla., and refocused his operation on high-class race fillies and a commercial broodmare band.View the full article

Godolphin's homebred Knightsbridge made a dazzling return March 28 at Gulfstream Park, scoring a nine-length victory in his first start since capturing his debut last fall at Churchill Downs. The Pat Day Mile (G2) could be next for the colt.View the full article

Keeneland welcomed new sponsors of two stakes that will be run during the Spring Meet: Resolute Racing, which is sponsoring the $600,000 Madison (G1) April 6, and MiddleGround Capital, which is sponsoring the $400,000 Beaumont (G2) April 7. View the full article

Counting the well-mannered colt's strides as she takes him to the seven-eighths pole on a brisk Wednesday morning breeze this week at Oaklawn Park, Laura Moquett knows precisely where she wants to be. She understands how much throttle to let out and what visual markers are presenting themselves. Clocking is useful, but it is more about listening intently as she moves forward. An accomplished horseman like Moquett relishes the routine; everyone does, but as an assistant trainer she is never shy when it comes to a good equine conundrum. In a vocation such as hers when you spend your time breaking and training Thoroughbreds to race the trade demands it. Time Hot Springs's own Harry T. Rosenblum, who co-owns Time for Truth (Omaha Beach) with Cheyenne Stables, has entered that well-mannered colt this Saturday in the GI Arkansas Derby and Moquett has played an integral part in 'Truth's' development. The road to the track's signature race has not been a cakewalk. Remember, it's horse racing. A case in point, the 3-year-old was spooked during one of those routine workouts one morning, but according to Moquett, in situations like these what seems to be a problem can turn into an invitation for growth. Laura Moquett breezing Time for Truth | Coady Photography “Jogging backwards a rider got dropped,” said Moquett. “It really made him [Time for Truth] fearful because it was a surprise and it was keeping him from moving forward, so we needed to figure out a way to address it by teaching him not to be afraid. He figured it out with a little help.” What Moquett did, along with fellow assistant Greta Kurtzweiler, was put a horse in front of the 3-year-old and show him how to move around obstacles. It seems like a simple fix. But it's not. The social cues and mechanisms from the saddle come from a long line of trial and error, which are based in the fundamentals of exercise riding. Moquett knows this; she's studied it through countless hours of developing her own horseman's database. It's a hard drive full of experiences. In her line of work, you have to consider anatomy, kinesiology, a dab of psychotherapy, and most of all, a heavy dosage of patience to solve a horse's Rubik's Cube. “You don't get on them and just steer with your hands,” explained Moquett. “It's about knowing their tendencies, listening and feeling their body movements. All of that comes from your legs and it has a lot to do with your weight distribution.” Listening The tried-and-true Socratic Method–asking a question and then receiving a response– works just fine in your garden-variety academic setting. However, when it comes to preparing Time for Truth for Saturday's career-defining race, what you really need is someone who understands a horse's language. Laura Moquett on her shedrow rounds | JN Campbell Someone who whispers to them? Sure, but it's equally important to know how to listen. Laura Moquett is one of those listeners. With an intuitive sense for animals which she had from a very young age, Moquett has honed her skills over the years working with Thoroughbreds around racetracks and after they have retired. As an assistant to husband Ron Moquett, Time for Truth's conditioner, the question she asked when the Thoroughbred first arrived as a juvenile last year is the same one she issues to any member of the barn: “How can this colt move forward?” “I like a good fixer,” Moquett said with a smile. “Maybe Ron understands that most of all, but what I am trying to do is guide energy. Horses can feel a fly, so what we do is help manage their senses by listening to what they tell us.” Origins Ron Moquett met his future wife on the backstretch while the two worked under trainer Bernie Flint in the mid-1990s. He understood early on what a natural gift for horsemanship she possessed and how equine athletes responded to her. “Laura can find ways to get along with some of the toughest horses,” Ron Moquett said. “Instead of making them perform a task, her connection to them–all animals really–is just incredibly special and she gets into their psyche by adapting to their own ideology.” Time for Truth with groom Jose Espinoza | Coady Photography Laura Moquett says there's a complex and evolving dialogue between the horses and the humans who care for them. Grooms, hotwalkers, van drivers, and of course, exercise riders all gravitate to a certain type of equine athlete. “Oh, we've all got a type, everyone in this barn does,” she said. “For me, I like a big-ass colt with an attitude.” Assistant Greta Kuntzweiler agreed, but she works well with a different sort. “Give me the nutty filly or the cranky old gelding,” she said. Truth As an integral member of Moquett Racing, Kuntzweiler guided Time for Truth, along with her mentor Laura Moquett, over the course of the past several months as the colt prepared for each new obstacle. Once he broke his maiden on the last day of the year, the dark bay out of the Lookin At Lucky mare Shape Shifter had to endure time off due to a frozen second half of January, which caused his workout regimen to be altered. An unlucky stall accident the week of the GII Rebel S. waylaid his next start, but the team behind him kept him on course. Time for Truth successfully traversed the two-turn conundrum against optional claimers at Oaklawn earlier this month, which set up the opportunity to enter the starting gate this Saturday. “Working with Laura and Ron over the years, I've learned to take on challenges one step at a time, really watch how she develops the ones who need the most help,” Kuntzweiler said. “Ninety-nine percent of the time, the answer is to go forward.” Already at Churchill Downs for the coming meet, the assistant trainer credits Moquett with teaching her everything she knows. That's a high compliment coming from a former jockey who rode competitively, and continues to evolve. “When my business [as a jockey] began to dry up, it was time to start thinking about a new direction and watching Laura work has really helped me add a whole new dimension to my own bag of tricks,” she said. Greta Kuntzweiler aboard Time for Truth | courtesy of Robert Yates Tricks Moquett began to expand said bag when she started show jumping with OTTBs–like MGISW Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect)–who can start new careers once their days racing and breeding are over. What she learned through this whole other universe was a different kind of problem-solving, which got her to look more inwardly at the horse–like a football player who takes ballet. “Education in the jumping has helped my training by understanding body mechanics,” she said. “That has made me rethink how I approach 2-year-olds when they first hit the track, and it also makes me think about how we communicate with our own riders.” Moquett is especially in-tune when it comes to checking a horse's legs every morning for any issues and looking for social cues during training. Communicating those observations to her husband and also to the jockeys, like Time for Truth's regular rider Rafael Bejarano, is an essential part of the conduit of information. It only adds to a jockey's toolbox. “Greta is the one who has done such a wonderful job of talking to jockeys and doing it in such a way that is constructive,” said Moquett. “That really shows her attention to detail. Rafael was the first to hear about Time for Truth's new ability to pass, and that will give him the confidence to make the right decision during Saturday's race when the moment comes.” Time for Truth with Rafael Bejarano up | Coady Photography Saturday Can someone with Moquett's background and training history over decades of development lead Time for Truth to a win in the Arkansas Derby? Moquett offers a practical response. “All we can answer is the question of is our horse ready?” she said. “Everyone in this barn is forward first and what this is about is running his best race. What we have done is get this specific horse to run in a specific way. He has the mind and the temperament. The rest is up to him. I will tell you though, Saturday can't come soon enough” Laura Moquett might be a self-described creature of the backside much more than the front, but what she has continued to showcase with her professionalism and penchant for solving equine puzzles makes her a horseman through and through. She will keep searching for the next good fixer or, like in the case of Time for Truth, another big-ass colt. The post Laura Moquett’s Search For A ‘Good Fixer’ On The Eve Of The Arkansas Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Friday, March 29 promises an exciting day of horse racing with six meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Ascot, Cranbourne and Yarra Valley races. Friday Racing Tips – March 29, 2024 Ascot Racing Tips Cranbourne Racing Tips Yarra Valley Racing Tips For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on March 29, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. Horse racing tips View the full article

'TDN Rising Star' Knightsbridge (c, 3, Nyquist–Tyburn Brook, by Bernardini), a jaw-dropping debut winner going seven furlongs at Churchill Downs Nov. 4, returned to the races in style in an optional claimer at Gulfstream Park Thursday afternoon. The 1-9 favorite, drawn widest of all in post five, broke alertly and held a narrow advantage through an opening quarter in :23.40. Facing continued pressure through a half mile in :45.40, he began to shake free turning for home and dropped the hammer in the stretch while racing under wraps to win for fun. Sea Streak (Sea Wizard) was second. The final time for the one-turn mile was 1:36.75. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0. O/B-Godolphin (KY); T-Bill Mott. Knightsbridge wins with authority in the 6th race under @JuniorandKellyA. #GulfstreamPark #ChampionshipMeet pic.twitter.com/Uwj28j2WA3 — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) March 28, 2024 The post Unbeaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Knightsbridge Back With Authority at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Charlie Appleby revealed at a Dubai World Cup conference March 28 that 2023 Breeders' Cup Mile (G1T) hero Master of The Seas has landed in Lexington and will make his next start in the April 12 Maker's Mark Mile Stakes (G1T) at Keeneland.View the full article

John Stewart, who owns Resolute Racing and founded MiddleGround Capital, will sponsor two Keeneland dirt sprint stakes which will be run opening weekend of the Spring Meet, the track said in a release on Thursday. Resolute Racing will add its name to the $600,000 GI Madison S. which will run on Saturday, Apr. 6, while MiddleGround Capital will sponsor the $400,000 GII Beaumont S. on Sunday, April 7. “My partner Scot Duncan and I have always enjoyed taking our family, friends, co-workers and investors to the races at Keeneland,” Stewart said. “The Spring Meet is a significant event for the local community and the Thoroughbred horse racing industry. Everyone in Kentucky looks forward to the Spring Meet with enthusiasm and optimism. We are honored to support these prestigious events that historically represent the Bluegrass region as well as many of the best competitors in horse racing.” John Stewart | Keeneland Among the winners of the newly-minted Resolute Racing Madison is Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), who Stewart purchased last year and then retired from racing. Fans will be able to see the two-time Eclipse Award winner who is currently in foal to Not This Time while she is paraded in the Paddock between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. ET. Apr. 6 during Keeneland's Sunrise Trackside program. “Keeneland is pleased to welcome Resolute Racing and MiddleGround Capital to our team of race sponsors,” Keeneland Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Christa Marrillia said. “Their participation signifies John Stewart's passion and growing involvement in the Thoroughbred industry.” The post Stewart’s Resolute Racing And MiddleGround Capital To Sponsor April Keeneland Stakes, Goodnight Olive To Appear appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kilgame (Fr) (Jeu St Eloi {Fr}) (lot 1) topped the Arqana March Online Sale at €300,000 on the bid of Alex Elliott's Elliott Bloodstock Services and NBB Racing's Nicolas Bertran de Balanda, on Thursday. Placed over hurdles, the Gabriel Leenders-consigned dark bay is from the family of G1 Grand Prix d'Autumne winner Millenium Royal (Fr) (Mansonnien {Fr}). Haras de la Hetraie's Kantagua Du Large (Fr) (Great Pretender {Ire}) (lot 6) went to Guy Petit for €68,000. The listed-placed chaser is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Farceur Du Large (Fr) (Turgeon). Also sold was the 4-year-old filly Trheligonne (Fr) (Sant Des Saints {Fr}) (lot 3) for €21,000 to Caeau Bloodstock. Also consigned by Hetraie, she is a granddaughter of G3 Prix Andre Michel winner Eliga (Fr) (Turgeon), who foaled the Grade 1 winner Srelighonn (Fr) (Martaline {GB}). The gross of the three lots was €389,000. The post Kilgame Brings 300k At Arqana Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two 1 1/2-mile stakes races on Florida Derby Day on the Gulfstream Park turf course—the $200,000 Pan American Stakes (G2T) for older runners and the $150,000 Orchid Stakes (G3T) for fillies and mares—have a French flavor.View the full article

The Road, presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

The Macau Jockey Club hosts its final race meeting March 30 with a 14-race card, providing trainers, jockeys, and hundreds of stable staff and administrators, who are facing career oblivion, one last chance to shine at Taipa. View the full article

For me personally, what a weird coincidence that earlier this week, TDN published a wonderful essay by its columnist Chris McGrath, who spent time with three of the industry's “elder statesman,” among them Ercel Ellis. For it was Ellis who, 40 years ago this coming week, made a decision that altered the course of my life. McGrath obviously had a wonderful time at Lil's Coffee House in Paris, Ky., listening to the yarns spun by Ellis, now 92, renowned veterinarian Bob Copelan (97), and the youngster of the trio, Stone Farm owner Arthur Hancock (81). Forty years ago, when I was a mere 25 and Ellis 52, he decided to leave his position as breeding columnist for Daily Racing Form to train a small string of horses he and his wife owned. I was interviewed by Logan Bailey, who managed the small Daily Racing Form office in Lexington, and was offered the position Ellis was vacating. While Ellis grew up on Dixiana Farm–which his father managed–and had a wealth of knowledge about Thoroughbreds, my initial foray into the industry was as a handicapper (something I still enjoy today). Now any good handicapper inherently learns about pedigrees, but, honestly, I knew very little at the time about such topics as breeding and sales. During the interview, Logan (now deceased) asked me if I could spend time with any one person who would it be. I guess most people answer with the president, or an astronaut, or the Pope … I don't know. I said Secretariat. There were only four persons in the DRF office, which was located in the Keeneland clubhouse, in some of the track's original stalls. I often wondered what horses had stabled where I now had my desk and typewriter. I started the Monday after the Kentucky Derby, and that timing was also interesting. Because I had said I wanted to meet Secretariat, Logan had arranged for me to visit Claiborne Farm and do just that. The week after the 1984 Derby was special at Claiborne because the Derby winner, Swale (Seattle Slew–Tuerta, by Forli), was bred by Claiborne and raced by the farm in partnership with William Haggin Perry, Peter Brant and Edward Cox Jr. Here I was, just a few days after the Derby and new at my job, being shown not only Secretariat, but the incredible roster of stallions, by farm managers John Sosby and Gus Koch. That day, I briefly met farm president Seth Hancock, with whom I had numerous subsequent conversations over the years. Of course, the story of Swale ended up being bittersweet. He also won the GI Belmont S. for trainer Woody Stephens, but eight days later collapsed and died. Though no definitive cause was determined, an autopsy discovered lesions in the heart area which could have been responsible for his death. Chris McGrath, Ercel Ellis, Arthur Hancock and Dr. Robert Copelan | courtesy of Chris_McGrath. When Secretariat died Oct. 4, 1989, Logan informed me we would be allowed to attend his burial at Claiborne. But, the following morning, farm officials decided not to allow press members. We always respected that decision. I have seen Ercel only a few times over the years. But it is always a wonderful experience for me when I do because he has as encyclopedic mind when it comes to Thoroughbreds, able to recall races and pedigrees as if it were yesterday. I was truly honored a number of years ago when Ercel phoned and asked me to be interviewed on his radio show. I will never forget that 15 minutes. During my 25 years regularly covering racing and breeding at Daily Racing Form, The Racing Times and The Blood-Horse, Ercel is an example of those I always jumped at the chance to spend five minutes or five hours with–such as Bob Green, Bob Courtney, Henry White, Warner Jones, Carter Thornton, Alice Chandler, Ted Bassett, Gail Hughes, Brereton Jones, Johnny Griggs, Bruce Hundley, Johnny Jones … and countless others–because though green when I started, I became fascinated with the history and intricacies of the industry. It is hard to believe I was 25 when I started at Daily Racing Form and Ercel Ellis was 52. Now, I have recently started Medicare and Ercel is 92. Where would I be had Ercel Ellis not left Daily Racing Form? Yogi Berra said, “When you get to a fork in the road, take it.” Because of Ercel, there was a fork in the road, and I took it. I just hope those starting in the business today will find mentors not only as knowledgeable as those I was fortunate to have, but as willing to share their knowledge. The post Letter To The Editor: Ercel Ellis and The Decision That Altered My Life appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Repeat winners are rarities on the Dubai World Cup (G1) program and Sibelius has the chance to join those ranks if he can overcome a talented international field in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) March 30.View the full article

With heavy rain forecast for this weekend, Santa Anita has canceled live racing March 30-31. A makeup card will be added next Thursday, April 4, with entries to be taken on Saturday.View the full article

The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario recently announced the appointment of Steven Lym as Executive Director.View the full article

Leading trainer Johnny Murtagh has identified the leading juvenile prospects that he is looking forward to unleashing this season but spoke out about the increased levels of frustration that trainers are facing when it comes to hanging on to their big-name stars due to what he describes as stagnant levels of prize-money in Ireland. The Group 1-winning handler has called on Horse Racing Ireland, who announced a €1.4 million increase to prize-money [to €69.4 million] for 2024 in the latest budget, not to rest on its laurels. Murtagh, who runs Daamberdiplomat (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) and Final Voyage (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) in valuable all-weather contests at Lingfield and Newcastle respectively on Friday, explained that, with the rising costs that have come with running a busy training yard, he needs to clear €1 million in prize-money per season. He also called for a €100,000 race to be run in Ireland on a weekly basis throughout the Flat season and labelled some of the purses on offer for the feature races at the Curragh and Naas in the opening weeks of the new season as “not good enough.” The Curragh-based handler said, “We should have a 100-grand race every week in Ireland. Look at the Group 3 Devoy Stakes at Naas the other day–that should be a 100-grand race but the winner got €23,600. The Group 3 Gladness Stakes at the Curragh was the same–the winner got just over €40,000. That's no good. How can we keep the best horses in Ireland with that sort of prize-money? If it keeps going the way that it is, we won't have those horses in Ireland.” Murtagh added, “Take horses like Final Voyage and Daamberdiplomat, who I run at Newcastle and at Lingfield on Friday, for example. There is nothing for those horses at Dundalk. The prize-money in England is going up. The way they are going, they'll be looking down on us. “There are a lot of 50-grand races on the Flat in England now. Look at the prize-money at Newcastle, Lingfield and even Chelmsford on Friday and compare that to the final meeting of the year at Dundalk. There's no comparison. Not only that, they have the Racing League and many other valuable handicaps over in Britain. It's not the same in Ireland. HRI shouldn't be resting on its laurels.” Murtagh sent out 41 winners domestically in 2023 and cleared the €1 million mark. In fact, he has earned over €1 million in each of the past four seasons in Ireland but admitted that he may be forced to travel horses more in future if prize-money levels remain the same on home soil. He continued, “I'm looking at where the prize-money is now. Before, it wouldn't pay you to travel over to Britain. Nowadays, you have to travel for the prize-money. We need to stop telling ourselves how great we are in Ireland. It's very frustrating that we are buying horses to sell them in Ireland now. It shouldn't be the case that when, a horse reaches a certain level, it makes more sense to move him on because he can't win even close to what is being offered by the foreign market. “When you come across a horse rated 100, for example, you should be thinking, 'brilliant, I have a horse capable of paying his way for the owners this year,' but it's not the case at all. As I said, there should be a 100-grand race in Ireland every week. The prize-money just isn't good enough.” Just four juveniles made up last year's tally of 41 winners. That number was down from 14 in 2022, eight in 2021 and seven in 2020. In an effort to boost his juvenile stats for this season, Murtagh returned to the yearling sales last year and added roughly 20 youngsters to the team on spec, most of which have now been sold. He explained, “I didn't buy any yearlings a couple of years ago-just trained what was sent to me-and we only had four two-year-old winners last season as a result. I went and bought 20 two-year-old types at the yearling sales last year and I have most of them sold by now. The sweet spot used to be between 20 and 50 grand but it's getting harder and harder to buy those nice horses now. “We have a nucleus of people who support us every year. Fitzwilliam Racing used to buy between eight and 10 yearlings every year but they didn't shop last year so we had to go out and find a few more people.” He added, “It's been difficult. Most of the big owners have their own agents that they like to use. I rarely get orders. I go out and buy the horses on spec and, when you are spending your own money, you approach the sales differently. I think I only had three orders to go and fill at the yearling sales last year. The rest I bought myself and got sold afterwards.” When shopping the yearling sales, Murtagh says that he has certain criteria that he tries to fill when recruiting future runners to the stable. He explained, “We buy an early type who might take us to Royal Ascot, a filly who could win a maiden or get placed in a maiden and then get sold on to America, and then the back-end middle-distance horse who might be good enough for Australia in time. The main thing you're looking for is a horse that you might be able to trade on. Listen, that's the only way you can survive in this business in Ireland. It's terrible when you have to buy horses to sell them. We're becoming a nursery for abroad and that's the problem.” The Aga Khan, for whom Murtagh enjoyed some memorable days in the saddle for, remains a loyal supporter with seven juveniles in training at Fox Covert stables and reportedly more on the way. However, Murtagh explained that, along with the illustrious Aga Khan pedigrees that the stable has the luxury of working with, there are many recruits to the yard that have been less obvious. He said, “We have seven two-year-olds for the Aga Khan in training at the moment and there are still a couple more to come in. There is a Wootton Bassett (GB) colt out of Tanaza (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who goes well, while they also have a nice Footstepsinthesand (GB) colt here as well.” Murtagh added, “I like shopping at the yearling sales because it keeps your eye in. We don't even look at what the horses are by any more. We try to look at every single horse if we can because Lord Rapscallion (Ire), he was by Alhebayeb (Ire), Champers Elysees (Ire) by Elzaam (Aus) and Create Belief (Ire) by Awtaad (Ire). If you are looking at the page first, rather than the model, you won't be able to buy them.” Colts Oasis Dream (GB) colt out of Its A Given (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) Bought by: Johnny Murtagh/Linehan Bloodstock for €40,000 at Goffs Orby Book 2 Owner: Paddy Woods Comment: This fella is tough, sharp and hardy. He looks ready to go. He may want fast ground so we will need to wait for the ground to dry up. Ardad (Ire) colt out of Sugar Hiccup (Ire) (Refuse To Bend {Ire}) Noel Hartley Bought by Johnny Murtagh / Linehan Bloodstock for €50,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale I haven't had an Ardad before but Eddie [Linehan] was keen to get one as he said he's a sire who gets very good two-year-olds. This lad is sharp and fast. He looks a typical two-year-old type and is exactly what we wanted to have to go to war with this year. Study Of Man (Ire) colt out of Kesarina (GB) (Medicean {GB}) Bought by ATS Racing for €40,000 at the Goffs Orby Part 2 Sale Tony Smurfit A nice colt for the second half of the season. Paddy Twomey has a very nice horse by Study Of Man, Deepone, the winner of the Beresford last year, and he could be a nice horse in the making. Zoustar (Aus) colt out of Abbakova (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) Bought by FCS Bloodstock/Linegan Bloodstock for £72,000 at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale I have had a bit of luck with the stallion. We had Young Champion (Ire), which he is known as in Hong Kong, finish second in a Listed race at Naas for us before being sold out there. This lad reminds me a bit of him. Fillies Unnamed Blue Point (Ire) filly out Ridge Ranger (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) Bought by FCS Bloodstock / Linehan Bloodstock for 215,000gns at Book 2 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Wellspec This filly was bought on behalf of Welspec, who also had Malacanne (Ire) (Raven's Pass) with me. She is the first Blue Point I have trained and we were delighted to get her. Blue Point did unbelievably well last year. She's very sharp and is showing us plenty. Hopefully she'll be out by May. Mehmas (Ire) filly out of Under Offer (Ire) (Bated Breath {GB}) Mark Dobbin Bought by Johnny Murtagh/Linehan Bloodstock for €150,000 at the Goffs Orby Book 1 She is a half-sister to Basil Martini (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who was a Listed winner for Joseph O'Brien. Again, she should make a sharp two-year-old and is coming along nicely with the early bunch. She probably won't be a five-furlong filly but maybe six furlongs could suit her well and she should be out soon. She's owned by Mark Dobbin who is a good supporter. Kodiac (Ire) filly out of Castellated {GB}) Mark Dobbin Bought by FCS Bloodstock / Linehan Bloodstock for 165,000gns at Book 2 at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Another filly owned by Mark Dobbin, she came from Tally-Ho Stud and we like her a lot. I haven't had many by the sire but we're looking forward to this one. Havana Grey (GB) filly out of Freckles (GB) (Arakan) Bought by Johnny Murtagh/Linehan Bloodstock/Nick Bradley Racing at the Goffs Orby Sale Book 2 for €85,000 Nick Bradley has a very nice Havana Grey filly with me. She's probably one of my sharper fillies. Hopefully we'll get her out before the end of April. Nick saw her first-it was him who put her to me. He told me he was out at 50 grand and then when I bought her, he said he'd take half of her. I couldn't leave this filly behind me at the sales. I just kept bidding on her and I'm delighted we have her now. Nick had two horses with us last year and both of them won. In fact, I think every horse he has had with us has won. He's pretty shrewd at picking them out and hopefully this can be another. Belardo filly out of Shelannga (Ire) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) Aga Khan I have more fillies than colts this year and this is a nice one from the Aga Khan. I haven't had many Belardos in the past but this filly goes particularly well. She is showing plenty but we're not going to rush her. She is taking all of her work really well. We have a lovely Too Darn Hot filly for the Aga Khan as well and they are just a couple that are showing the right signs at the moment. Inns Of Court (Ire) filly out of Wild Mix (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) Bought by Johnny Murtagh/Linehan Bloodstock for €50,000 at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale Tony Smurfit This is a half-sister to Noel Meade's good filly, Caught U Looking (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}), who did very well last year. This is a very big filly and she will be out in the back-end of the season but she is a fine filly. Ten Sovereigns (Ire) filly out of Enharmonic (E Dubai) Bought by Johnny Murtagh/Linehan Bloodstock for €70,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale Michael O'Flynn They don't give stallions a long time to make a name for themselves these days but I'd have to say I'm a fan of Ten Sovereigns and I'm looking forward to this filly. She'll be out in the second half of the season. Raven's Pass filly out of Seschat (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}) Bought by Syndicates Racing for €22,000 at the Goffs Orby Book 1 Sale Syndicates Racing She is backward-she's a big girl. I think Jack [Cantillon] has all the shares sold in this filly and she's nice. The post ‘We Need To Stop Telling Ourselves How Great We Are – Prize-Money Isn’t Good Enough’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1-winning jockey Dane O'Neill has announced his retirement from the saddle. The 48-year-old's decision has been hastened by injuries sustained in a race fall last July at Wolverhampton, from which he has still not fully recovered. During a career spanning three decades, O'Neill took his first rides in 1992, working for Richard Hannon Sr and later as stable jockey for Henry Candy. In 2012 he was appointed second jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell operation. In Sheikh Hamdan's colours he won the inaugural Commonwealth Cup on Muhaarar (GB), while his most recent Group 1 wins came aboard Danyah (Ire) and Alfareeq (Ire) in Dubai. “I've given it a good go but unfortunately it is just not healing,” said O'Neill of his fractured T6 vertebra. “There's quite a significant gap between the vertebrae and there was damage to the other vertebra as well. It's filled in a little bit, but not enough and it is mainly filled with scar tissue, so it wouldn't take another impact. “But on a positive note, because I broke seven ribs as well, once I healed and it stabilised, I've never really suffered any pain and I'm leading a normal life, so I've got to be thankful for that. “I got 32 years out of it, so while it isn't the way I wanted to end it, it's a good chunk of time. I was watching some old races back the other day and there's only John Egan still going now.” Reflecting on some of the top horse he partnered during that time, O'Neill continued, “I rode Battaash before he got a bit more sensible, I had the early pleasures of him! He was exceptionally fast. I rode some fast horses but he was freakishly fast. In the early days, it was just a case of hang on and set him off in the right direction. Don't fall out with him and you'll win. He was different. “Winning the first Commonwealth Cup on Muhaarar came at a nice point in my career for Shadwell and that day he came of age, it was nice to give something back to Shadwell and repay that faith. Unfortunately, I didn't get back on him! “I rode Mostahdaf before he hit the heady heights he went on to achieve but another horse I didn't have a long association with was when Mohaather won the Summer Mile for Marcus (Tregoning). “He was very good. He was probably the best I rode because when I rode Baaeed he was at a different stage of his career. That day I rode Mohaather, he was exceptional.” The post Injury Forces Retirement of Dane O’Neill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With heavy rain forecast for this weekend, Santa Anita has canceled live racing on Saturday, Mar. 30 and Sunday, Mar. 31, the track said in a Thursday release. According to the National Weather Service, rain is expected to arrive in the area Friday evening and remain throughout the weekend. A makeup card will be added next Thursday, Apr. 4, with entries to be taken this coming Saturday. The racing that day will include both the GIII Wilshire S., which was scheduled for Saturday, and the GIII American S. that was set to be run this Sunday. In addition to Thursday's card, Santa Anita plans to run extra races Friday through Sunday. All races in the condition book for this weekend will be offered back next week. As a result of the cancellations, no Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 wagers will be offered this weekend. 1/ST Racing was scheduled to seed Saturday's Coast-to-Coast pool with an additional $100,000. That will now take place with the Coast-to-Coast Pick 5 on Sunday, Apr. 7. The popular Easter Egg Hunt, the largest in the San Gabriel Valley, that was scheduled for Sunday, will take place in the Santa Anita infield on Sunday, Apr. 7, while the infield carnival will be offered all four days next week–Thursday through Sunday. Next weekend's Santa Anita Derby card will be drawn on Wednesday, Apr. 6. The post With A Forecast Of Heavy Rain, Santa Anita Cancels Weekend Live Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Repeat winners are rarities on the Dubai World Cup Program and Sibelius has the chance to join those ranks if he can overcome a talented international field in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) March 30.View the full article

Two days after Classic prospect Narkez (Fr) brought up an 11th TDN Rising Star for Siyouni (Fr), White Birch Farm's unbeaten filly Louise Procter (Fr) made it a dozen for the Aga Khan's star sire when dazzling at Chantilly. Coming into Thursday's Prix du Belvedere off the back of two juvenile wins at Saint-Cloud and Deauville spaced apart in May and December, the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained granddaughter of Anabaa's Creation (Ire) (Anabaa) travelled easily with two behind early. Set alight by Cristian Demuro approaching two out, the 2-1 favourite who is G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-bound swamped Godolphin's Vertbois (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) a furlong later en route to an authoritative three-length success. Last year's Criterium d'Ete winner Jasna's Secret (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), who had started favourite for the G1 Cheveley Park S. only to disappoint when last seen, was a further length behind in third. Louise Procter, a €360,000 Arqana Deauville August graduate, joins the likes of St Mark's Basilica (Fr), Sottsass (Fr), Paddington (GB) and Tahiyra (Ire) as she adds to her sire's TDN Rising Star tally. She is the third foal out of the Chelsey Flower S. winner Create A Dream (Oasis Dream {GB}), whose second is last year's California Derby runner-up Phosphorescence (Fr) (City Of Light). The aforementioned Anabaa's Creation, who captured the Listed Prix Isonomy before placing in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary in this country, was also runner-up in the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. She is a half-sister to the G3 Prix Cleopatre winner Leo's Starlet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whose full-sibling Starlet's Sister (Ire) is the dam of the Arc hero Sottsass himself, the champion turf female Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), the multiple group and graded-stakes scorer and GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and GI Flower Bowl S. runner-up My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) and another notable Siyouni in the G1 Hopeful S. runner-up Shin Emperor (Fr). Create A Dream also has the 2-year-old filly Say Yes To Dreams (Ire) again by Siyouni and a yearling son of Dark Angel (Ire) to come. Classic contender! Siyouni filly Louise Procter has French Classic entries and makes a blistering return to action in the Du Belvedere Stakes at @fgchantilly for Cristian Demuro and Jean-Claude Rouget… pic.twitter.com/jlA9ryIeSl — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 28, 2024 The post Louise Procter Makes It A Dozen TDN Rising Stars for Siyouni appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The ease and wealth of information available to today's veterinarians might be unimaginable to the veterinarians before who only could document their work on paper. The change is helping to protect horses.View the full article

Godolphin's Ancient Wisdom (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) looks likely to use the Qipco 2,000 Guineas as a stepping stone to the Betfred Derby, according to trainer Charlie Appleby. He said, “Ancient Wisdom won the Futurity on very soft ground and has been held in high regard from very early in his career. “After getting beaten at Ascot he progressed physically, as you would expect from a Dubawi.” Ancient Wisdom won four of his five starts last year, landing the G3 Autumn S at Newmarket prior to his Group 1 triumph. A return to the Rowley Mile for the first Classic of the season appears the favoured option ahead of the G2 Dante S., a traditional Derby trial, which takes place at York on May 16, just over two weeks before Epsom. Appleby continued, “It's possible there will be slow ground for the Guineas, and we will take a look at that with the view that a mile and a half will prove his forte. “If I waited for York and the ground was soft, there's not much time left until Derby to put things right should they go wrong, and it would be a more ambitious route to take.” Appleby also issued an update on the unbeaten filly Dance Sequence (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), winner of the G3 Oh So Sharp S. on her second start last season. He said, “Dance Sequence has done well. William [Buick] sat on her the other day and was delighted. We will take her to the Nell Gwyn and then the English Guineas.” The post Appleby’s Dubawi Double Heading to the Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There’s enough evidence in Pride Of Jenni’s (Pride of Dubai) pedigree to suggest the star mare can run out a strong 2000m in Saturday’s Australian Cup, according to her breeder. Trelawney Stud’s Brent Taylor has watched in awe as the daughter of Pride Of Dubai has emerged as a bonafide star this season via Group One wins in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) and Champions Mile (1600m) last spring, as well as the All-Star Mile (1600m) at her most recent start. Pride Of Jenni’s family is one that Taylor and his wife Cherry have been curating over several generations at the famed New Zealand thoroughbred nursery. It began with the purchase of Success Express mare Real Success after a brilliant racing career that yielded three Stakes wins between 1600m and 2000m. From Real Success, the Taylors bred and raced Queensland Oaks winner Vouvray (NZ), by Zabeel, and her daughter Sancerre (NZ), by O’Reilly. Sancerre won four races out to 2200m and was tried at Group One level in the 2014 Queensland Oaks (2400m), although it’s her deeds as the dam of Pride Of Jenni that have surpassed anything she did on the track. Taylor is bullish that Pride Of Jenni can continue her winning run in Saturday’s A$3 million weight-for-age classic at Flemington. “It’ll be interesting to see how she (Pride Of Jenni) gets on over the 2000m on Saturday,” Taylor said. “Certainly the pedigree further back says she will see a strong 2000m out on her ear. “But horses are individuals, so we’ll see how she gets on of her own account. “We won the Queensland Oaks with a mare called Vouvray out of the family. “Pride Of Jenni’s dam Sancerre actually ran in the Queensland Oaks as well but it turned out she was more of a sprinter and far more effective over 1200m and 1400m.” The decision to send Sancerre to Coolmore Stud’s then-first season sire Pride Of Dubai for her debut mating has proved an inspired one, although Taylor admits it’s not a formula he’s traditionally followed. A brilliant juvenile who won the Blue Diamond and the Sires’ Produce at two, Pride Of Dubai has steadily established himself as one of the country’s premier stallions via the deeds of his versatile stock that, as well as Pride Of Jenni, includes G1 winners Bella Nipotina, Dubai Honour and Desert Lightning (NZ). Taylor said Pride Of Jenni was a standout from her earliest days, prompting the decision to send her to Australia to sell via Segenhoe Stud’s draft at the 2019 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Sydney. “We don’t normally go to first-season stallions but, having been to Coolmore to see the horse as an individual, we were very taken with him,” he said. “He was a very good racehorse and we liked the pedigree cross – it’s one we’ve replicated using Per Incanto here in New Zealand. “We thought she was a very good individual from an early stage and we selected her to sell in Australia. “We sell the majority of our yearlings in New Zealand, so to hit the radar to sell in Australia they have to come up on style, type and pedigree. “She was a really good type – she was medium size with good length, good quarters and nice bone, so she was an attractive-looking filly.” Sancerre’s career at stud has been littered with misfortune but Taylor is optimistic that a yearling filly out of the mare can live up to her big sister’s reputation. “She’s (Sancerre) not the greatest breeder but we’ve got a very nice Per Incanto filly, which we’ve kept,” he said. “She’s a yearling and currently at the breakers at the moment. “There’s quite a nice three-year-old by Per Incanto in with Tony Pike called Awatere (NZ) – he’s won from only a handful of starts and looks a very progressive horse. “She’s back in foal to Hello Youmzain.” View the full article