Wandering Eyes

Despite a tough beginning, it was My Boy Prince (Cairo Prince–Hopping Not Hoping, by Silent Name {Jpn}) who got up in good order to take the Plate Trial Stakes at Woodbine on Saturday afternoon. Last year's champion 2-year-old colt, who was backed at the windows heavily here, hopped at the start, but he quickly settled into the second flight around the first turn. With some slow fractions to work with, My Boy Prince rolled home down the stretch to win over the late-running Rafaroo (Hard Spun). The final running time was 1:51.12. The King's Plate is set for Aug. 17. Lifetime Record: 10-6-2-1. Sales History: C$87,835 '22 CANSEP. O-Gary Barber; B-Murray Graham Smith; T-Mark Casse. My Boy Prince takes the Plate Trial in a very interesting race with much to unpack for the King's Plate pic.twitter.com/oUZew4r6M8 — Sheri (@gofilly) July 20, 2024 The post My Boy Prince Up To Take Plate Trail At Woodbine appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Sunday's Observations features a returning daughter of Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 13.40 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 2yo, f, 7fT BALLET SLIPPERS (IRE) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a hot prospect in the card's opener, being the first foal out of the multiple Group 1-winning Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) making her debut in the maiden won in 2020 by the former Ballydoyle luminary Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). One of Coolmore's rare commodities as a granddaughter of Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}), she has a major obstacle to overcome for a winning first start in Juddmonte's Red Letter (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Arguably Europe's most exciting maiden, having shown such electric acceleration when narrowly failing to catch Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Lake Victoria (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) over this course and distance last month, the Ger Lyons-trained homebred relative of the G1 Prix de la Foret heroine Etoile Montante (Miswaki) sets a high standard for all to reach. The post Magical’s First Foal In Deep In Curragh Maiden appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Jockey Manny Franco was on Honor Marie's (Honor Code) back when the colt hit the Oklahoma Training Track at 7:30 Saturday morning. That doesn't mean Franco will be there when Honor Marie runs in the GI Travers Stakes on Aug. 24. Honor Marie worked four furlongs in :48.75 with 2-year-old stablemate Fiddling Felix (Mendelssohn) as he continues to train up to the Midsummer Derby. Franco answered the call to work the horse because trainer Whit Beckman doesn't have an abundance of exercise riders at his disposal for his 13-horse stable at the Spa. Beckman said he has just one salaried exercise rider working for him here. So, don't read into Franco being the Travers rider. At least, not yet. “Irad (Ortiz Jr.) was on him for his work last week,” Beckman said back at the barn following the work. “There is nothing to read into. I have had a lot of guys help me out. It is something we will decide a little bit later down the line. I am not looking to make a decision today.” Florent Geroux rode Honor Marie to a fourth-place finish in the GI Belmont Stakes. He replaced Ben Curtis, who had ridden the colt to an eighth-place finish in the GI Kentucky Derby and a second in the GII Louisiana Derby. Curtis, however, broke his collarbone and could not ride in the Belmont. Rafael Bejarano rode Honor Marie in his first four starts. Honor Marie is owned by Ribble Farms LLC, Michael H. Eiserman, Earl I. Silver, Kenneth E. Fishbein and David Fishbein. Beckman said the decision to train the colt up to the Travers came after Honor Marie was given some time off after the Belmont. Once he came back to the barn, he thought it would be a little tight trying to make a prep, like the Grade II Jim Dandy Stakes here next Saturday. “We're very happy with him, I thought he had a great work today,” Beckman said. “We will prepare him (for the Travers) here. He loves it here.” Mystik Dan Might Not Run Again This Year Right now, it's a life of leisure for GI Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents). The colt is in Lexington, Ky., at trainer Kenny McPeek's Magdalena Farm. All he is doing there is getting time off, something McPeek says was well deserved. He may not return to Saratoga this summer. Mystik Dan | Sarah Andrew He won't run in the GI Travers Stakes on Aug. 24–McPeek said he won't even nominate him–and there is no race on the horizon. “We might not run this year, we will see,” McPeek said in his barn office at the Oklahoma Annex. “He is healthy. He has worked really hard this year.” Mystik Dan has raced six times this year, including all three legs of the Triple Crown, the only horse to do so. He finished second in the GI Preakness Stakes and eighth in the GI Belmont Stakes. Owned by Four G Racing LLC, Lance Gasaway, Daniel Hamby III and Valley View Farm LLC, Mystik Dan remained at Saratoga for 30 days after the Belmont before McPeek shipped him back to Kentucky. The final major race for 3-year-olds this year after the Travers is the GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx on Sept. 21. “You can't push horses into a race,” McPeek said. “They have to take you. He has been really good to us. He is a lovely horse and has gone 10 months without missing a beat. He has been breezing since probably last July, August … he has been go go go. He is very deserving of this. Is 30 days enough? Is 60 days enough? Is 90 days enough? We will let him tell us.” McPeek hopes to run Mystik Dan as a 4-year-old. If getting him to that point means giving him the rest of the year off, that is what McPeek is going to do. “Just want to take my time with him,” McPeek said. “He has accomplished a lot, there is nothing else to prove right now.” DeVaux Chasing First Graded Stakes Win At Saratoga Since Cherie DeVaux started her own stable in 2018, she has won 12 graded stakes races, according to Equibase. Cherie DeVaux | Horsephotos None of them have come at Saratoga. She hopes that changes on Sunday. DeVaux will saddle Shotgun Hottie (Gun Runner), a 5-year-old mare in the $200,000 GII Shuvee at 1 1/8 miles. “It's definitely a huge deal,” DeVaux said at her barn on the Saratoga backstretch Saturday morning. “I don't put a lot of pressure on myself to hit those type of milestones, but it would be a great experience.” DeVaux has won graded stakes races at eight different tracks. Five of them have come at Churchill Downs, her home base. The most recent was the GI Derby City Distaff at Churchill on May 4 with Vahva (Gun Runner). That was her second career Grade I. Shotgun Hottie, who is the 3-2 second choice on the Shuvee morning line, won the GIII Molly Pitcher at Monmouth last year for DeVaux. In her last start, Shotgun Hottie was second, beaten a neck by Scylla (Tapit) in the GII Fleur de Lis Stakes at Churchill on June 29. That came after she had won the Listed Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes at Pimlico on May 17. In her career, Shotgun Hottie, who is owned by Omar Aldabbagh and Jeff Ganje, has six wins, five seconds and two thirds in 20 starts. She has started 10 times while under DeVaux's care and has four wins, one second and one third. Shotgun Hottie will be ridden by Paco Lopez in the Shuvee. “She is doing great right now,” DeVaux said. “She peaked in the DuPont and was just a little unlucky in the Fleur de Lis. She came out of that bouncing around and we decided to take our chances and come up here with the three-week turnaround.” DeVaux was born in Saratoga but grew up in Florida. She knows the significance of winning at the Spa. “My family is here,” she said. “It's a big meet. We are on the forefront for summer racing along with Del Mar. It's important.” DeVaux is off to a strong start at this meet. After winning Saturday's first race with 13-1 Without Caution (Without Parole {GB}), she has four wins, a second and two thirds in 10 starts. She also had four wins in the 2022 meet; last year she had one out of 12 starts. “So far, everything is going well,” she said. “We are taking the horses out and they have been ready to fire.” The post Saratoga Notebook, Presented by NYRA Bets: Honor Marie Works for Travers, Colt Still Needs a New Rider appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frankie Dettori's internationally acclaimed riding skills were on full display in the July 20 Matchmaker Stakes (G3T), as the jockey guided grade 1 winner Beaute Cachee to victory in a front-running performance over the Monmouth Park turf.View the full article

4th-DMR, $75K, Msw, 2yo, f, 5f, 6:36 p.m. ET. CASALU (Caracaro) was taken home for $775,000 by the Three Amigos–Pegram, Watson and Weitman–at this year's OBS April Sale. Sent to Bob Baffert, the filly posted a four-furlong bullet drill of :46.40 (1/54) at Santa Anita July 8. Out of Key d'Oro (Medaglia d'Oro), the juvenile has a 4-year-old half-sister in SP Twirled (Twirling Candy) and a yearling half-brother by Vekoma. Casalu's second dam is herself a full-sister to sire Yankee Gentleman (Storm Cat). TJCIS PPS 7th-ELP, $71K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 3:52 p.m. ET. Just Showing Off (Justify) makes the races for trainer Steve Asmussen. A $700,000 purchase by Chief Stipelas Scharbauer at last year's Keeneland September Sale, the filly is the first registered foal for Gaels Win (Daaher). This dam is a half-sister to GSW T.D. Vance (Rahy) and her extended female family includes MGISP and sire Optimizer (English Channel). TJCIS PPS 9th-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, f, 6f, 5:41 p.m. ET. St. Elias homebred Kiss Me Slow (Into Mischief) drilled from the gate going four furlongs at Saratoga July 14 to the tune of :47.40 (1/147). The 2-year-old, who is making her first start for Chad Brown, counts as a full-brother Rebellious Type–a $1 million buy for Spendthrift, Cypress Creek and St. Elias at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. Under Kiss Me Slow's third dam, MGISW My Flag (Easy Goer), we find champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying (Storm Cat). TJCIS PPS The post Sunday’s Racing Insights: Caracaro Filly Poised For First Run At Del Mar appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After running second in last month's GI Ogden Phipps Stakes at Saratoga, champion Idiomatic (Curlin–Lockdown, by First Defence) slugged it out with a rival to take home the GIII Molly Pitcher Stakes at Monmouth Park on Haskell Day. The heavy 1-9 favorite was off the blocks first and took control of what would be some very soft fractions through the backstretch. Before the far turn though she was challenged by Soul of an Angel (Atreides), who took control under jockey Irad Ortiz. The champion mare was up for a fight and in the end she won by the slimmest of margins at the wire. The final running time was 1:44.53. Lifetime Record: 15-11-2-2. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc.; T-Brad Cox. What an incredible race! The champion #6 IDIOMATIC had to show all her class coming back to win the $500,000 Molly Pitcher Stakes (G3) after #4 Soul Of An Angel took the lead. That is now 7 graded stakes wins for the daughter of Curlin. @flothejock was up for @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/vpRurfRMCJ — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) July 20, 2024 Saturday, Monmouth MOLLY PITCHER S.-GIII, $490,000, Monmouth, 7-20, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16m, 1:44.53, ft. 1–IDIOMATIC, 124, m, 5, by Curlin 1st Dam: Lockdown (SW & MGISP, $445,900), by First Defence 2nd Dam: Rising Tornado, by Storm Cat 3rd Dam: Silver Star (GB), by Zafonic O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Brad H. Cox; J-Florent Geroux. $300,000. Lifetime Record: Ch. Older Dirt Female, MGISW, 15-11-2-2, $3,476,840. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus* Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Soul of an Angel, 124, m, 5, Atreides–Factor One, by The Factor. ($3,000 RNA Ylg '20 FTKOCT). O-C Two Racing Stable and Agave Racing Stable; B-Westbrook Stables LLC (KY); T-Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. $100,000. 3–Frosty O Toole, 118, f, 4, Frosted–O' Toole, by Distorted Humor. 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. ($35,000 Ylg '21 OBSOCT). O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Helen Barbazon, Joseph Barbazon & Godolphin (FL); T-Michael Dini. $50,000. Margins: HD, 9 1/4, HF. Odds: 0.10, 5.30, 22.50. Also Ran: Miles of Smiles, Kathleen O. Scratched: Just Katherine, Misty Veil. Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs. VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post Champion Idiomatic Takes Thrilling GIII Molly Pitcher Stakes At Monmouth appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Salesman, a sparkling winner of the 1 5/8-mile Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Stakes (G2) when marathoning on dirt in November, will look to repeat that performance in another stamina test in the $100,000 Cougar II Stakes (G3) July 25 at Del Mar.View the full article

The most competitive and open Irish Oaks (G1) for many years produced an exciting race and a game winner in You Got To Me, who gave trainer Ralph Beckett his second Irish classic and rider Hector Crouch his first classic July 20.View the full article

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The New York Racing Association, Inc. will continue its tradition of honoring police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) for their dedication and service to the community on First Responders Day, Thursday, July 25, at Saratoga Race Course. First Responders Day is presented this year for the first time by Albany Med Health System. The day will feature free admission for all first responders, in addition to a named race in their honor. The running of the GIII Caress Stakes will be presented by the Albany Med Health System. “These brave first responders answer the call of duty by protecting communities throughout New York State,” said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “NYRA is honored to pay tribute to their dedicated service by hosting a day in their honor, and we thank Albany Med Health System for its support.” The post NYRA to Honor First Responders at Saratoga July 25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte homebred Batten Down (Tapit) is probable for next Saturday's GII Jim Dandy Stakes, per Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. The gray won the nine-furlong GIII Ohio Derby last out June 22 at Thistledown. “I guess that is the way we are going,” Mott said. “When you have a horse like that, you look at all the options and think of where you fit. We felt it was time to reach out and take a chance in the Jim Dandy.” Mott added that the GI DraftKings Travers Stakes Aug. 24 may become a potential goal with a strong showing. “The Travers is run here. If we run well, maybe he can come back and run in the Travers,” Mott said. Out of champion older mare Close Hatches, Batten Down is a full-brother to the Mott-trained multiple graded stakes winner Tacitus. Glassman Racing's Arthur's Ride (Tapit), meanwhile, continued his work towards the GI Whitney, a nine-furlong test Aug. 3 at the Spa. The historic event is a “Win And You're In” qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in November at Del Mar. The 4-year-old breezed five furlongs over the Oklahoma dirt training track in 1:00.96 (4/10) in company with the unbeaten 4-year-old filly Nic's Style (Uncaptured). “They both had a good work. They both looked good on the track,” Mott said. “They finished up well.” Last out, Arthur's Ride set the pace in a 10-furlong optional claimer here on June 7 before drawing off to win by a widening 12 3/4 lengths, earning a career-best 111 Beyer in the eye-catching romp. The post Ohio Derby Winner Batten Down Probable for Jim Dandy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gaining TDN Rising Star status with a five-length debut success over six furlongs at Cork last month, Juddmonte's Babouche (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) squares up against the boys in Sunday's G3 Jebel Ali Racecourse and Stables Anglesey Stakes at The Curragh. Ger Lyons tests her against another TDN Rising Star in Camille Pissarro (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was down the field along with Cowardofthecounty (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in the G2 Coventry Stakes. Beaten under two lengths at Royal Ascot, Stonestreet Stables, Tracy Farmer and John Oxley's Cowardofthecounty had previously beaten Ballydoyle's subsequent G2 July Stakes winner Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never) with authority at this track in April and Joseph O'Brien is hoping for more clues. “It's a good spot for him and it was a good run at Ascot,” he said. “This is a kind of logical stepping stone after the Coventry and after this we will be deciding whether he goes up to seven furlongs. He's been training very well since Ascot and we're still confident we have a smart horse.” The post Juddmonte’s Babouche Faces Males In Anglesey Test appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer racing season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced offspring from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes highlights debuting 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, with links to their under-tack previews. To follow are the horses entered for Sunday at Saratoga and Ellis Park: Sunday, July 21, 2024 Ellis 7, $71k, 2yo, f, 1mT, 3:52 p.m. ET Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Always Forever (Medaglia d'Oro), OBSAPR, 365,000, :10 C-Wavertree Stables Inc (C Dunne), agent; B-Carson McCord Saratoga 7, $100k, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 4:26 p.m. ET Yesterday (American Pharoah), OBSAPR, 190,000, :10.2 C-Six K's Training & Sales, agent; B-Gatsas Stables Del Mar 4, $75k, 2yo, f, 5f, 6:36 p.m. ET Casalu (Caracaro), OBSAPR, 775,000, :20.2 C-Global Thoroughbreds, agent; B-Three Amigos Oveta's Hobby (Army Mule), OBSMAR, 125,000, :10 C-Eddie Woods, agent; B-H R Racing Rhythmical (Improbable), OBSAPR, 25,000, :10.3 C-Hoppel LLC, agent; B-Gary Folgner The post Summer Breezes, Sponsored By OBS: July 21, 2024 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Even the most reverent of Ryan Moore's legions of fans would have put his task on Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) down as a hopeless one at the top of the straight in Saturday's G2 Curragh Cup, but one of the world's finest demonstrated yet again that he is master of the clock as he delivered the 13-8 second favourite virtually on top of the line. Held up in rear throughout the early stages as the fellow Ballydoyle runner Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set off in isolation, the G3 Red Sea Turf Handicap and G2 Dubai Gold Cup still had a yawning gap to make up turning for home with the front-runner killing off all others. It looked highly unlikely there, but the fractions had been judged to perfection as Ballydoyle's number one mastered his stablemate yards from the finish. At the line, there was an ultimately substantial 1 1/4-length margin between them, a measurement of how much the runner-up was treading water in the closing stages with the 11-8 market-leader Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) seven lengths away in third. “He's a great horse to have, a stayer with speed and he can go anywhere–Hong Kong, Japan or Australia–he could be a Melbourne Cup horse,” Aidan O'Brien said of the winner, who was bouncing back from a disappointing fifth in the G2 Yorkshire Cup in May. “I never thought he was going to get there, as the 3-year-old wasn't going to stop but Ryan gave him a peach.” “He could come back here for the [Irish] Leger,” the trainer added. “He's getting tougher and can go anywhere, he loves travelling. He lost his confidence a little bit at York and Ryan looked after him. Grosvenor Square ran a great race and he's a trip horse. He wanted to go the distance, is a Leger-type horse and a big cruiser and could be a Melbourne Cup horse, but in the St Leger ridden like that it would take a fair 3-year-old to follow him and take him on. He is a big horse with a big stride and we finally let him go.” SCENES 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐧 comes from a mile back to land the Group 2 @curraghrace Cup under Ryan Moore. Go on, how many of you thought Gavin Ryan had pinched it on Grosvenor Square?@Ballydoyle | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/bcnE9EDISm — Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 20, 2024 Pedigree Notes Tower Of London is a full-brother to the G1 St Leger and G1 Irish Derby hero Capri (Ire), the G3 Stanerra Stakes winner and G1 Irish Oaks third Passion (Ire) and the G3 Loughbrown Stakes winner Cypress Creek (Ire), as well as to the dam of the G1 Fillies' Mile heroine Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}). Their dam Dialafara (Fr) (Anabaa) is a daughter of the G2 Prix de Malleret and G3 Prix de la Nonette winner Diamilina (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}) from the family of Green Desert's G3 Prix la Rochette-winning sire Diamond Green (Fr) and the G2 Doncaster Cup scorer Desert Skyline (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}). Dialafara's 2-year-old colt by Camelot (GB) named Saratoga (Ire) was third on debut at Killarney this week. Saturday, Curragh, Ireland COMER GROUP INTERNATIONAL CURRAGH CUP-G2, €150,000, Curragh, 7-20, 3yo/up, 14fT, 3:01.60, gd. 1–TOWER OF LONDON (IRE), 137, c, 4, by Galileo (Ire) 1st Dam: Dialafara (Fr), by Anabaa 2nd Dam: Diamilina (Fr), by Linamix (Fr) 3rd Dam: Diamonaka, by Akarad (Fr) TDN Rising Star. O-D Smith,Mrs J Magnier,M Tabor,Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages Ltd & Camas Park Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €90,000. Lifetime Record: GSW-Sau & UAE, GSP-Eng, 12-6-1-0, $2,391,951. *Full to Capri (Ire), G1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire, G1SP-Fr, $2,067,692; Full to Passion (Ire), GSW & G1SP-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $200,604; Full to Cypress Creek (Ire), GSW-Ire, GSP-Eng, $102,373. 2–Grosvenor Square (Ire), 125, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Wadyhatta (GB), by Cape Cross (Ire). O-M Tabor/D Smith/Mrs.J Magnier/Westerberg; B-Lynch Bages Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €30,000. 3–Vauban (Fr), 137, g, 6, Galiway (GB)–Waldfest (GB), by Hurricane Run (Ire). O-Mrs S Ricci; B-Philippe Decouz & SCEA du Bas Bugey (FR); T-Willie Mullins. €15,000. Margins: 1 1/4, 7, NK. Odds: 1.63, 8.50, 1.38. Also Ran: Raise You (Ire), Dancing Tango (Ire), Shamida (Ire), Eastern Legend (Ire), Seattle Creek (GB), Gasper De Lemos (Ire), Aircraft Carrier (Ire). Scratched: Crypto Force (GB), Kinesiology (GB). The post Moore Curragh Cup Masterclass On Tower Of London appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 7-20, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.88, fm, 1 3/4 lengths. WITHOUT CAUTION (c, 2, Without Parole {GB}–Mama Tembu, by Street Cry {Ire}), debuting with a 13-1 shot for John Gunther, broke with speed and settled comfortably mid pack while never far off the pace of a dueling pair into the backstretch. Inching up into contention around the far turn, he struck the front with an outside move past the eighth pole and opened up a bit of separation down the center of the track late to graduate over Helicity (The Factor) by 1 3/4 lengths. Without Caution is the sixth overall winner and first in North America for Newsells Park Stud's freshman stallion Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}), a horse also bred and raced by the Gunthers. Mama Tembu, purchased by John Gunther for $280,000 at KEENOV in 2012, is a half-sister to Broodmare of the Year Stage Magic (Ghostzapper), the dam of 2018 Horse of the Year, Triple Crown champion and successful young sire Justify (Scat Daddy). Second dam Magical Illusion (Pulpi), third in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks, was also a Gunther purchase for $425,000 at Keeneland January in 2005. Mama Tembu foaled a filly by Good Magic this year. Sales History: $95,000 Ylg '23 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $55,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-John D. Gunther (KY); T-Cherie DeVaux. #2 Without Caution is a debut winner in the opener at Saratoga at 13/1 for trainer @reredevaux with Jose Lezcano in the saddle! @dpcracing1 pic.twitter.com/dnGbYTe7p2 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 20, 2024 The post Freshman Sire Without Parole Collects His First Stateside Winner In Saratoga Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Pierre Hoyeau, a notable figure in the racing community of Western France, has died at the age of 91. He was the father of former Arqana president and current senior advisor Eric Hoyeau, and the grandfather of bloodstock agent Arthur Hoyeau. Hoyeau got his start in racing by creating a grain and feed trading company in Anjou, which supplied many trainers in the West of France. From there, his interest in racing developed, leading to Hoyeau creating his own stable, which focused primarily on jumping horses, but he worked with all breeds. He also bred a champion Purebred Arabian. Eventually he bred and trained on the family's Aumonerie property, and was known for the quality of his half-bred horses, which were frequently ridden by his son, a gentleman rider at the time. Mackenzie II was one of his best horses, and Hoyeau bought his dam as a foal from Louis Augonnet. Another was dual Grade 1-winning jumper Nicanor (Fr) (Garde Royale {Ire}), who won at Cheltenham and Punchestown. Other notable horses for Hoyeau were Macadam SF, Le Pont Lala and the Purebred Arabian Madjani. “He was simply a horseman,” son Eric told the JDG. “He was passionate about pedigrees, and his memory in this case was quite phenomenal. He had certainties in this matter, which earned him the nickname professor. He was my first guide in horses.” A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at the Abbey of Saint-Florent-le-Vieil in Mauges-sur-Loire. The post Pierre Hoyeau Dies At 91 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fourth in the Oaks and the G2 Ribblesdale Stakes, Valmont and Newsells Park Stud Bloodstock's You Got To Me (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}–Brushing {GB}, by Medicean {GB}) made the necessary improvement on Saturday to clinch the G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at The Curragh. Reserved by Hector Crouch in mid-division throughout the early stages in contrast to the forceful ride she was given at Royal Ascot, the well-supported 15-2 shot moved to the front a furlong out with the the 3-1 favourite Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in hot pursuit. Where Content had met with trouble in running in the straight which delayed her assault, the Ralph Beckett trainee enjoyed a smooth passage and at the line that was possibly crucial as she registered a 3/4-of-a-length success from that Ballydoyle representative. There was another 1 1/2 lengths back to Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}) in third. The quest for Galileo's 100th group 1 winner continues, with his daughter ironically denied by a progeny of his son Nathaniel. You Got To Me lands the feature Group 1 @JuddmonteFarms Irish Oaks as she powers ahead to score under the guidance of @HectorCrouch for trainer @RalphBeckett pic.twitter.com/AAgQuad6Wu — The Curragh Racecourse (@curraghrace) July 20, 2024 The post Nathaniel’s You Got To Me Can’t be Caught in the Irish Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Highclere Throughbred Racing's Believing (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}–Misfortunate {Ire}, by Kodiac {GB}), successful in last term's G3 Prix Texanita, finished just off the board in Royal Ascot's G1 King Charles III Stakes and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubliee Stakes last month and regained the winning thread with a decisive victory in Saturday's G2 Barberstown Castle Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh. Believing was alert from the gates and raced fifth, within range of the pace, through halfway in this straight dash. Shaken up with a quarter-mile remaining, the even-money favourite quickened to the fore passing the furlong pole and was ridden out in the latter stages to assert by 1 3/4 lengths from Beautiful Diamond (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}). Makarova (GB) (Acclamation {GB}), from the in-form Ed Walker stable, ran on well to finish a half-length adrift in third. “She's such a hardy, tough filly and she did it well,” commented George Boughey's assistant Henry Morshead. “She ran with great credit in two Group 1s over the week, which is amazing, and came out of [Royal] Ascot great. She hasn't done a lot since and we've just freshened her up. She can be quite busy at a high level through the second half of the year and I'd imagine she'll have sales hopes later in the year. Highclere are great supporters of the yard and it's great to get a Group 2 win for them.” Ryan Moore added, “She has been in very good form this year, she won well at Haydock [when winning the June 8 Listed Achilles Stakes] and had two very solid runs in Group 1s at Ascot. She was probably entitled to win this, she is very straightforward and seems to be most suited to five furlongs.” Pedigree Notes Believing is the second of four foals and lone scorer out of an unraced half-sister to G3 Brownstown Stakes and G3 Concorde Stakes victrix Miss Sally (Ire) (Danetime {GB}). She is a half-sister to a yearling colt by Inns Of Court (Ire). The February-foaled bay's third dam Nurse Jo (J. O. Tobin) is kin to six stakes performers headed by dual GI Beldame Stakes winner Love Sign (Spanish Riddle) and G1 Oaks d'Italia heroine and G1 Irish Oaks dead-heater Melodist (The Minstrel). A British-trained trifecta in Irish Gr.2 Sapphire Stakes! BELIEVING earns a fifth career Stakes success for @gbougheyracing & leading syndicate @HighclereRacing. BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND (GB) – @karl_burke MAKAROVA (GB) – @edwalkerracingpic.twitter.com/454sp5SXWM — GBRI (@GBRI_UK) July 20, 2024 The post Believing Leads Home British Trifecta in The Curragh’s Sapphire appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TDN Rising Star Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) suffered his lone career defeat when fourth in the 2008 renewal of the Curragh's Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden and his son The Lion In Winter (Ire), a €375,000 Goffs Orby yearling, restored family honour in the seven-furlong contest by delivering a stunning closing burst to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette of his own in this year's edition. The 11-2 chance tracked the leaders from off the pace, racing eighth, through the early stages of this debut. Cajoled closer with three furlongs remaining, he quickened to go third entering the final furlong and went up through the gears in the closing stages to win, going away, by a mightily impressive 2 1/4 lengths from Currawood (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). The Lion In Winter becomes the 20th Rising Star for his sire. “He's been working lovely and you would have to be very happy with him,” commented Aidan O'Brien. “He has plenty of class and would have no trouble going up in trip. He was a bit green, but finished out very well and looks a quality colt. Ryan [Moore] said his horse [eventual third Ides Of March] is more speed than stamina, so he might go back in trip. Wayne [Lordan] and Ryan said the ground is just on the slow side of good.” The Lion In Winter, whose victory yielded a €50,000 Goffs Orby bonus, is the second of three foals and first scorer produced by G3 Pinnacle Stakes third What A Home (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), herself a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner and G1 Irish Oaks, G1 Yorkshire Oaks, G1 Pretty Polly Stakes and G1 Nassau Stakes placegetter Venus De Milo (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}). Venus De Milo, in turn, is the dam of G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup victor Cleveland (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). The Lion In Winter's second dam Inchmahome (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is a half-sister to multiple Group 1-placed sire Inchinor (GB) (Ahonoora {GB}) out of G2 Child Stakes victrix Inchmurrin (Ire) (Lomond). Inchmurrin is also the ancestress of GI E. P. Taylor Stakes winner Miss Keller (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), G1 St Leger hero Harbour Law (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes-winning sire victor Poet's Word (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}). The January-foaled bay is full to a weanling filly. 1st-Curragh, €20,000, Mdn, 7-20, 2yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:25.38, gd. THE LION IN WINTER (IRE), c, 2, by Sea The Stars (Ire) 1st Dam: What A Home (Ire) (GSP-Eng & SP-Fr), by Lope De Vega (Ire) 2nd Dam: Inchmahome (GB), by Galileo (Ire) 3rd Dam: Inchmurrin (Ire), by Lomond Sales history: €375,000 Ylg '23 GOFORB. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,800. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Mrs John Magnier; B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Wayne Lordan. 2YO #GoffsGrad The Lion In Winter came with a late winning run on debut @curraghrace and earned a €50,000 #GoffsBonus The son of @AgaKhanStuds Sea The Stars was sold at #GoffsOrby Book 1 by @TheCastlebridge to MV Magnier pic.twitter.com/GwkrN3514F — Goffs (@Goffs1866) July 20, 2024 The post €375,000 Goffs Orby Son of Sea The Stars Surges to TDN Rising Stardom at The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Flemington specialist Horrifying (NZ) (Shocking) turned back the clock and returned to top form with a determined victory in Saturday’s A$150,000 VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000m). It was the fourth win from 11 starts at Flemington for the Shocking gelding, who has also picked up three minor placings at the famous Melbourne track. Horrifying has had a total of 34 starts for six wins, eight placings and A$616,827 in stakes. Almost two years had passed since Horrifying’s last win – a 2500m race at Flemington in August of 2022, which capped a winter sequence of three wins from four starts. That career-best run of form also included a win in the Flemington Cup (2800m), which had its 2024 edition staged on Saturday. Horrifying went winless in eight starts in between times, prompting a move from the Mark and Levi Kavanagh stable into Lindsey Smith’s beach environment. The six-year-old made an inauspicious start from his new stable with a distant last at Warrnambool in late April, but Saturday was a very different story. Completing a quartet of winners on Saturday’s card for expat Kiwi jockey Michael Dee, Horrifying settled in third and stuck to the rail around the home turn. He sprinted through a narrow opening along the inside and thrust his head in front with 300m remaining. Fellow Kiwi-bred Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) fought back hard alongside him, with a host of other challengers lining up across the track to try to reel him in, but Horrifying kept lifting and held on all the way to the finish line to win by a length at $51 odds. “That was just a really good training effort,” Dee said. “We got the right run and were able to come up the inside and hit the front. I wasn’t sure if something would kick back at me, like Smokin’ Romans, but he kept finding and it was a good effort. “I knew he was a lot better than a $50 chance, from his great form a couple of years ago when he strung together a few wins. “I came into today’s race with the ambition to try to be positive and put him into the race, and it worked out really well.” Smith took special satisfaction from Saturday’s win. “He came to me with the idea of going to the beach,” he said. “He was in great order leading into that first run at Warrnambool, where I thought he would win and he ran a long last. “I didn’t think he’d stay in my care for long after that, but the owners are very, very patient and they love this horse. They just asked me to keep persevering. “I tried everything – working him hard, putting him on the treadmill, taking him to the beach. I kept trying whatever I could think of until I ran out of tricks. But in the last couple of weeks I reverted to doing pretty much nothing. “Obviously he’s been a very good horse in his day and he had suitable track conditions here today. “I think turning this horse’s form around is one of the stable’s best results. Not many horses run 100m last and then win their next start. “It was the right day and everything worked out well. We’ll savour this win for now, and then we’ll go again another day.” Horrifying was bred by Alan Galbraith and was purchased at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale for $70,000 by Lawrence Eales, who raced his dual Group One-winning sire Shocking. Horrifying is out of the Red Ransom mare Zelt, who herself won twice over middle distances in Australia and is the dam of five winners from nine foals to race. Zelt is a half-sister to stakes performer Exchanges (Domesday) and is from an international family that features the Gr.1 English 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Cape Verdi (Caerleon). View the full article

Emerging sprinter Jedibeel (NZ) (Savabeel) is taking his career to new heights this autumn and winter, adding a third win to his five-start campaign with a dominant performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Schweppes Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill. The New Zealand-bred son of Savabeel began this preparation with three wins and four placings to his name from nine career starts, and his rating stood at 71. He resumed with a Benchmark 72 win on the Kensington track on ANZAC Day, followed by a second at Scone, a win in Benchmark 88 company at Canterbury and a last-start second at Randwick on July 6. Jedibeel delivered again in Saturday’s open sprint, improving his career record to 14 starts for six wins, six placings and A$358,650. Jedibeel and jockey Tyler Schiller settled in midfield on Saturday before pouncing in the straight and quickly taking command. The four-year-old asserted his superiority and drew away to win by two and a quarter lengths, clocking 1:04.78 for 1100m. Hawkesbury trainer Brad Widdup admits that Jedibeel’s sprinting prowess has taken him somewhat by surprise. However, the gelding is closely related to Waikato Stud’s sprinting superstar I Wish I Win (NZ) – also by champion stallion Savabeel – whose seven wins include the Gr.1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) and Gr.1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m). “I bought this horse to run 2000m,” Widdup said. “But after his first prep I said to Mike (Gregg, owner) I didn’t think he would run 1200m. “We did a genetic test on him and he came back as a sprinter. That made us focus on sprinting with the horse and it has helped a lot. “I think he is just starting to find his feet as a horse. We gelded him this time in and he has been faultless. It was great to see him win today, he was dominant. “He still does a lot wrong, he got into a skirmish at the top of the straight and wanted to lay in a bit, but he is starting to put them away now.” Widdup intends to continue raising the bar with Jedibeel next season. “I will probably give him a break now,” he said. “In December there is the Razor Sharp (Listed, 1200m) or something like that, which could suit him. I haven’t ruled out 1200m. If he goes up in grade with a genuine speed, it will help him. “He is starting to get there and I would like to try him at 1200m again. He is going to be pretty fair horse.” Jedibeel was bred by Waikato Stud and is out of their unraced O’Reilly mare Starry (NZ). Jedibeel is one of five winners from six foals to race out of Starry – a group that also includes the Dunstan Feeds Stayers’ Championship (2400m) winner and multiple Group Three placegetter Starrybeel (NZ) (Savabeel). But despite being a full-brother to that genuine stayer, there is also no shortage of speed in Jedibeel’s pedigree. Starry is a half-sister to the Listed Widden Stakes (1000m) winner Delta Girl (NZ) (General Nediym), and their dam Etoile Centieme (NZ) (Danasinga) is a half-sister to the dam of I Wish I Win. Waikato Stud offered Jedibeel during the National Weanling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus in 2020, where he was bought for $35,000 by Dengaroka Lodge in New South Wales. Jedibeel was later purchased by Widdup as a yearling in Australia. Since Jedibeel was born in the spring of 2019, Starry has foaled fillies by Waikato Stud stallions Tivaci and Noverre. She returned to Noverre again last spring. View the full article

What Sunshine Coast Races Where Sunshine Coast Turf Club – 170 Pierce Ave, Caloundra QLD 4551 When Sunday, July 21, 2024 First Race 12:13pm AEST Visit Dabble Racing will return to the Sunshine Coast this Sunday afternoon, with an eight-race card set down for decision. The track was rated as a Heavy 8 at the time of acceptances, but with no rain forecast across the weekend, it is expected to improve into the Soft range. The rail will be in the +4m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to jump at 12:13pm AEST. Best Bet at Sunshine Coast: Shot Of Whiskey Shot Of Whiskey returned with an ultra-impressive win at Toowoomba over 1000m on July 6. The Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted-trained gelding had 33 weeks off the racetrack before his first-up run, and he proved way too good for his rivals when leading from start to finish. This son of Spirit Of Boom steps up in grade slightly and finds another Soft track, so if he performs at a similar level, Shot Of Whiskey can record back-to-back victories. Best Bet Race 6 – #2 Shot Of Whiskey (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Boris Thornton (59kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Sunshine Coast: Smoke ‘N’ Oakum Smoke ‘N’ Oakum comes into this off two good performances at Doomben and Eagle Farm to kick off his preparation. The Jack Bruce-trained galloper has placed in his last two runs over 1400m, and a drop back in distance to 1300m could prove pivotal to his chances. Although he has drawn a wide barrier (20), James Orman will push forward and take up the lead before Smoke ‘N’ Oakum gives a good kick at the top of the home straight. Next Best Race 5 – #11 Smoke ‘N’ Oakum (11) 3yo Gelding | T: Jack Bruce | J: James Orman (58kg) Bet with Picklebet Best Value at Sunshine Coast: Rubinova Rubinova recorded an average fourth-place finish on debut at this track and trip before being sent out for six-month spell. The Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted barn gave this three-year-old gelding a trial at Doomben, where he led from start to finish over 1000m and won by two lengths. From barrier four, Emily Lang can settle behind the speed and peel off the leader’s back at the 300m mark before Rubinova lets down with a strong finish. Best Value Race 1 – #4 Rubinova (4) 3yo Gelding | T: Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted | J: Emily Lang (59.5kg) Bet with Dabble Sunshine Coast quaddie tips for Sunday Sunshine Coast quadrella selections Sunday, July 21, 2024 4-7-11 2-5-13 2-3-6-7 7-8-10-16 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Lightly raced three-year-old Liberami (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) lived up to his high rating with trainers Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock when he produced an impressive come-from-behind performance in Saturday’s A$150,000 VRC Member Leigh Hughes Trophy (1400m) at Flemington. The New Zealand-bred son of Turn Me Loose was unplaced in both of his starts as a two-year-old last year, and he was well beaten again when he resumed with a ninth at Sale in early May. Liberami made progress with strong finishes for second over 1100m at Sale on May 29, a 1300m maiden win at Echuca on June 13 and a second placing in heavy ground at Sandown on July 10. Griffiths and de Kock saw enough in those performances to give him an opportunity in Saturday company at Flemington, and he rose to the occasion in style. Sent out at $21 odds, Liberami was taken back to the tail of the field by jockey Michael Dee within the first 100m of the race. He remained there until the home straight, when Dee began to warm him up and started looking for a path through the pack. Liberami was still last at the 300m mark and had nowhere to go, but Dee finally found an opening and asked his mount to quicken. Liberami launched a brilliant burst, sprinting past eight horses in the final 150m and getting up to win by a neck. “If we didn’t win, I dare say we would have been a certainty beaten,” Dee said. “It was just a matter of trying to pick a path in the straight. “He definitely appreciated the big, long straight here at Flemington. He’s got a long stride. I was impressed with how well he picked up and sprinted to the line once we found a way through.” Liberami, whose name is an Italian translation for Turn Me Loose, has now had seven starts for two wins, two placings and A$128,775 in stakes. “That was sensational,” Griffiths said. “He was outstanding today. “We’ve always known that he had a lot of talent, but we’ve just struggled to get him to relax in his races. We finally got him to switch off at Sale and saw a nice horse in the making that day. I’m not sure he liked the heavy track last start, but Brad Rawiller was very positive about his performance. “We just told Mick to switch him off today. He doesn’t know much about middle gears at the moment – he’s either too on or completely off. But he was very good, and he was going to be unlucky if he didn’t win.” Liberami was bred by Lindsay de Souza, who was a part-owner of the gelding’s multiple Group One-winning sire Turn Me Loose. Standing at Windsor Park Stud for a service fee of $12,000, Turn Me Loose is the sire of 76 winners including seven at stakes level. Liberami is the first named foal out of the Nicconi mare Loose Goose, who herself won three times in an 18-start career. Loose Goose is a half-sister to the seven-race winner Fuerza (Snippetson), who placed in the Gr.1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick. Loose Goose has made several return visits to Turn Me Loose in recent seasons, producing colt foals in 2021, 2022 and 2023. View the full article

Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Le Zebra (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) turned his form around in style at Flemington on Saturday with a runaway victory in the A$150,000 VRC Member Michael Murphy Trophy (1700m). The grey son of Rip Van Winkle showed real promise as a two-year-old, collecting victories at Sandown and Flemington in a four-start campaign last year. But his form fell away in the early stages of his three-year-old season, finishing seventh in the Gr.3 McNeil Stakes (1200m), 15th in the Listed Exford Plate (1400m), eighth in a 1400m handicap at Flemington and 10th in a 1600m handicap at the same venue. A close last-start fourth in the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m) on July 6 hinted at a turnaround for Le Zebra, and on Saturday he was right back on top of his game. Ridden by Damian Lane for expat Kiwi trainers Emma-Lee and David Browne, Le Zebra was awkwardly drawn in gate 12 among a 14-horse field. But Lane pressed forward in the early stages of the race and was able to easily slot into a perfect position one out and one back. It was smooth sailing from there, and when Lane released the brakes in the home straight, Le Zebra bounded to the lead and raced away to win by five lengths with his ears pricked. “Emma-Lee and David have done a great job,” Lane said. “I trialled him early in the preparation and his performance was only fair, and then he raced accordingly. They’ve done really well to turn him around in this preparation and get him winning like that here at Flemington today. Le Zebra’s connections celebrate following his Flemington win. Photo: Grant Courtney “The race worked out really well. Being drawn wide, I thought there was no sense in dropping all the way back. I chanced the arm and tried to get in, and fortunately that eventuated. I was very confident from there. He was always travelling comfortably and I knew I could get into the race when I wanted to. He finished it off really strongly.” Le Zebra has now had 10 starts for three wins and a placing, earning A$286,000 for a big group of owners. An enthusiastic contingent of them were on course at Flemington on Saturday, some wearing large zebra heads. “We’ve got a brilliant ownership group involved with this horse,” Emma-Lee Browne said. “They’ve had to be very, very patient and they’ve stuck it out through some ups and downs. It’s just fantastic to see the horse back doing what he should be doing. “David rides him every day and has done a huge amount of work to try to get him to settle better and do things right. It’s been a real team effort. “Damian gave him a beautiful ride to get into that spot, and he won very well. We’re over the moon. “We’ll just take him home now and look after him, and hopefully we can keep him going into the spring.” Le Zebra is out of the My Halo mare Angel Del Dinero (NZ), who herself was a winner and finished second in the Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. Le Zebra is the fourth winner from five foals to race out of Angel Del Dinero, who is also the dam of the Brownes’ four-race winner Bifrost (NZ), a son of Turn Me Loose. The Brownes bought Bifrost for $40,000 at Karaka 2020, followed by the $60,000 purchase of his half-brother Le Zebra two years later from the draft of Windsor Park Stud. Adding to their investment in the family, the Brownes secured Angel Del Dinero for $26,000 in an online auction on gavelhouse.com. View the full article

Southerner Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer) made a strong showing in his Kiwi return last month and Kelvin Tyler isn’t ruling out a feature target dependent upon his performance in Sunday’s Crombie & Price Ltd Oamaru Cup (1600m). The Contributer five-year-old was a profitable bargain buy for the Riverton horseman and moved onto Australia after strong performances in three-year-old classic races in 2022. Four wins later, Master Marko returned to his homeland and put in a bold effort at Ashburton first-up, firing home late into second behind Balzano (NZ) (Shooting To Win). “I expected a good run as he is a good horse, and I was really happy with him,” Tyler said. “He’s come back really well, he was ready to go so it was just a matter of settling in which he’s done really well. He’s a good eater and nothing seems to worry him. “He’s gone forward since that run, we’ve put the visor blinkers on to keep him concentrating up to a mile so I think he’ll be a good chance with 52 kilos.” Among the lesser-rated horses of the field, Master Marko will carry the lightweight of apprentice Ciel Butler and would greatly enhance his chances of lining up the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) with a success in Sunday’s contest. “If he was lucky enough to win tomorrow, I would consider putting in a late nom for the Winter Cup,” Tyler said. “I’ve probably got five or six earmarked to go up there (Christchurch), Albatross will be another who is right on the cusp of getting into that Winter Cup field. “I’ve elected to keep her fresh instead of bringing her up to Oamaru this week, she did a nice bit of work this morning and seems really well so we may be able to have three in that field if things fall into place.” The third horse in Winter Cup contention is Go Lotte (NZ) (Telperion), a reliable member of Tyler’s barn for several seasons and she will make her final preparation in the Oamaru Cup with Ruvanesh Muniandy in the saddle. “She’s just a darling wee girl, she’s as honest as the day is long,” Tyler said. “She’ll run another nice race but doesn’t want it too heavy, so hopefully it won’t get too heavy up there for her. I can’t fault her work and she looks amazing. “She’s around the top eight qualified for the Winter Cup so she’ll definitely go, hopefully the rain stays away up there too. “She’s no champion, she’s probably just a notch below the really good open class horses but she’s super honest so hopefully she can sneak some black-type at some stage.” The youngest of Tyler’s contingent at Oamaru is Mamaea (NZ) (Ribchester), a two-year-old filly who lines up with race experience on her side in the Bevan Crombie Memorial (1200m). Of her five juvenile starts, Mamaea has recorded four top-four finishes including a close-up fourth in the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Riccarton in May. “She’s probably just been doing a little bit too much at the start in her last couple of races, we’ll look to ride her a little bit more patiently tomorrow,” Tyler said. “She’s thriving off her racing, she’s been up for a while and two-year-olds typically don’t take that much racing but she’s doing really well. “She likes the wet tracks as well so we’ve kept ticking her over and she’ll get her chance tomorrow so hopefully she can get the job done.” Lily Sutherland has been booked for the ride aboard the Ribchester filly, while she will also partner Classic Diva (NZ) (Proisir) in the Thank You Oamaru Jockey Club Supporters (1400m). “She hasn’t raced in a while, so she’s enjoyed a nice freshen-up, she’ll go a nice tidy race and improve from the outing,” Tyler said. “We’ll look at taking her to Riccarton over National Week so if she can finish in the top five, that’ll be a pass mark for her.” Back at Riverton, Tyler has rarely kept his team at a minimum over the winter period in past years but has found little opportunity forcing many to wait for the new season. “It’s really tough on the lower half of the South Island, we’ve got no racing for our winter horses,” he said. “Typically, I would have 15-20 horses in work at the moment but I’ve had six or seven as there just isn’t the races for them. “I know a lot of Southern trainers are in the same boat so hopefully in the next year or two we can get something back on track.” View the full article