Wandering Eyes

The daughter of Curlin had a six-race win streak snapped June 8 in the Ogden Phipps Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course when she lost by a head at the wire, just failing to catch front-running Randomized. View the full article

The Lexus Melbourne Cup will be at Naas Racecourse during the €300,000 Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes Day, on Monday, Aug. 5. Besides celebrating the iconic Australian race, the course will also venerate the legacy of Kildare man Robert Cooper Bagot, whose contributions helped shape one of the world's greatest races, and the experience of the Melbourne Cup. “The Race That Stops a Nation” will be run for the 164th time this year, and will offer prize-money of A$8.4 million. The trophy itself is valued at A$750,000. The trophy travels 110,000 kilometres, visiting 39 destinations globally before returning to Melbourne for the race on Nov. 5. Cooper Bagot, born in 1827 in County Kildare, emigrated to Australia in 1849, prior to becoming the first secretary of the Victoria Racing Club in 1864. His redesign of the Flemington racecourse and successful lobbying for a Melbourne Cup Day half-holiday expanded the race's appeal. There will also be a Treo Eile ex-racehorse parade that day, which will include the dual Melbourne Cup placegetter Max Dynamite (Fr) (Great Journey {Jpn}), and the first race on the day is due off at 2:20 p.m. For more information about the event and schedule, please visit the Naas website. The post Naas To Welcome Melbourne Cup During Ballyhane Stakes Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 213 entries for its inaugural July Digital Sale, which may be viewed at digital.fasigtipton.com. Bidding is now open and will close on Tuesday, July 23, beginning at 12 p.m. ET. The catalogue features 84 horses of racing age, led by 2024 graded stakes winners Hades (Awesome Slew) (Hip 1) and Nadette (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) (Hip 39). A leader in his three-year-old crop this year, Hades captured the GIII Holy Bull S. in January and recently finished second in the GIII Dwyer S. on July 6. Nadette (Fr), a five-year-old graded stakes winning mare of $329,634, won the Beverly D. Preview S. by nearly five lengths at Colonial Downs this past weekend. Breeding stock on offer is led by the Dispersal of the Lakin Estate Partnership, which includes broodmares as well as several New York-foaled weanlings. The Lakin entries are consigned by Sequel New York, as agent. In total, there are 88 broodmares or broodmare prospects catalogued, including 28 mares with foals at foot. Covering sires represented include American Pharoah, Cyberknife, Forte, Tiz the Law, Golden Pal, Oscar Performance, Street Sense, and Yaupon. The catalogue also includes 24 yearlings, as well as unraced two-year-olds, and a stallion prospect. “The interest from sellers in this inaugural July Digital Sale has been overwhelming,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “We have quality racehorses at all levels, including high-end stakes horses and recent winners.” “Our breeding stock entries are especially impressive for a mid-summer sale,” Aaron continued. “Mare and weanling buyers need to zero in on this catalogue or risk missing some major opportunities.” To create an account or register to bid for the July Digital Sale, prospective buyers should visit digital.fasigtipton.com. The post Graded Stakes Winners and Lakin Dispersal Headline Fasig July Digital Sale; Bidding Now Open appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Registration is now open for Monmouth Park's $1,000 Haskell Handicapping Challenge on Saturday, July 20. Now in its fourth year, the Haskell Challenge boasted a record 265 entries in 2023. Last year's winner, Gwyn Houston, took home his $7,100 bankroll plus a $17,000 cash prize and a Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC) seat. In addition to the eight total BCBC prizes, two seats to the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship were awarded last year and will be awarded again this year. The Haskell Challenge can only be played online through Xpressbet, TVG, 4NJBETS and HPI. In order to participate, contest players must pre-register. TVG and 4NJBETS players must pre-register with contest director Brian Skirka by Friday, July 19, at 3 p.m. Eastern. Skirka can be reached at 732-571-6595 or bskirka@monmouthpark.com. HPI players must pre-register with Klaus Ebner at kebner@woodbine.com by the same deadline. Xpressbet players can pre-register with Skirka or register directly through Xpressbet up until noon on Saturday, July 20. The full $1,000 buy-in must be paid in advance with $500 going to the player's bankroll and $500 going to the prize pool. Entry fees can be paid via credit card. Per contest rules, there is a maximum of two entries per person. The post Registration Open For Haskell Handicapping Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Great Racing Welfare Cycle will take place in Newmarket and its environs from noon on Saturday, July 20 until noon the following day, charity Racing Welfare announced on Thursday. The Rowley Mile Racecourse will be the base for participating teams consisting of four to eight persons, who will continuously cycle over a 24-hour period completing laps of a planned 32km route around the town and surrounding villages. Afterward, there will be a BBQ and a celebration for all cyclists and their families. Earlier this week, a quiz was held by the Baker McVeigh cycling team at The Yard pub in Newmarket on Tuesday, July 16, which raised £1,362.80 towards their fundraising total. Juddmonte's Jake Woolf will also field a team, and has arranged a ticket drawing for six people to meet Frankel (GB) at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud. For every £50 donated to his team's JustGiving page, Woolf will offer a ticket. There are 50 tickets available. For more information on the charity cycle, please visit the Racing Welfare website. The post Great Racing Welfare Cycle Challenge Set For July 20-21 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

York maiden winner The Strikin Viking (Ire) (Inns Of Court {Ire}) has been acquired by the Emir of Qatar's Wathnan Racing. Wathnan's racing advisor Richard Brown announced the news on Thursday. The G2 Railway Stakes runner-up will join the Newmarket-based Qatari trainer Hamad Al-Jehani. Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, the bay son of Asmeen (Ire) (Shamardal) was bought for 65,000gns out of the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale in May. From the family of worldbeater Azamour (Ire), he made his first two starts for Middleham Park Racing and trainer Kevin Ryan. The Strikin Viking is named after Manchester City's Norwegian phenomenon Erling Haaland. Brown said, “Kevin Ryan and his team have done a very impressive job with The Strikin Viking and Kevin and Tom and Tim Palin of Middleham Racing have been a pleasure to deal with. Hamad's got off to an outstanding start in Newmarket with just a handful of horses and Wathnan is keen to support him with some more firepower. I'm sure The Strikin Viking will give Wathnan lots of fun over the months ahead.” The post Railway Runner-Up The Strikin Viking Purchased By Wathnan Racing, Joins Al-Jehani Stable appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The United Nations Stakes (G2T) has an international name and history but half of the entries for the July 20 renewal ran their last race over the same Monmouth Park turf.View the full article

Though foreign-bred runners have done well in recent editions of the San Clemente at Del Mar, Kentucky-bred Medoro could change that this year and keep her record perfect.View the full article

Four weeks before the Aug. 17 King's Plate, the historic CA$1 million race that kicks off the Canadian Triple Crown, 3-year-olds bred in the country will audition for a King's Plate opportunity in July 20 stakes at Woodbine.View the full article

Ocala-based Peterson Smith Equine Hospital recently completed a new CT wing of to their facility, the healthcare provider said in a release early Thursday. The project included comprehensive upgrades to the lobby and examination rooms, along with the construction of a cutting-edge standing surgery suite. The new development includes the installation of the Qalibra Aquillion Exceed LB Computed Tomography (CT) system, which features industry-leading technology and a large (90cm) bore. The advanced CT unit enables safe and efficient diagnostic imaging of patients undergoing standing sedation or general anesthesia. The enhanced imaging capabilities provide the hospital's veterinary team with critical information, ultimately improving equine patient outcomes. “With access to these detailed three-dimensional images from the CT scan as part of our diagnostic process, we can confidently identify specific issues and plan surgeries and treatment more effectively,” said Dr. Faith Hughes. The post Ocala’s Peterson Smith Equine Hospital Enhances Care With New CT Wing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tim Naylor, the British Horseracing Authority's director of integrity and regulation, will step down from his post after serving in the role for 7 1/2 years to spend more time with his family, the BHA announced on Thursday. Naylor was the first head of regulation, and oversaw the successful completion of the Rules of Racing re-write in 2019. In addition, he led the integrity, regulatory and safeguarding teams in his current role since 2018. He will continue as a voluntary non-executive director of the Commonwealth Games Wales, and as a disciplinary and appeals chair for the RFU and FAW. BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington said, “We are very grateful for Tim's contribution to the BHA and British racing over the past seven and a half years. This has been a significant period for racing, during which we have developed and strengthened our integrity, disciplinary, regulatory and safeguarding functions to ensure the highest standards and bolster participant and public confidence in our sport. We wish Tim well for the future.” The post Tim Naylor To Leave BHA To Spend More Time With His Family appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Gabaldon (Gone Astray), a runner-up finisher in last month's Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, will race for a new partnership after Qatar Racing privately acquired a 50 percent stake in the colt following Wednesday's Inglis Digital USA July Sale, the online auction company said in a Thursday release. Qatar Racing purchased 50 percent of the colt for $150,000, valuing him at $300,000, while original owner Soldi Stable will retain a 50 percent stake. Bloodstock agent Fergus Galvin brokered the deal on behalf of Qatar Racing. “Gabaldon's performance at Ascot caught our eye,” Galvin said. “The team at Inglis helped us acquire him in partnership with the original owners. We bought a 2-year-old by Lope de Vega (Ire), Bongos (Ire), as well. With the quality of offerings Inglis Digital USA are bringing we will be sure to continue to participate in future sales.” Jose D'Angelo trained Gabaldon for his original owner and the colt will remain with him after the transaction. “Soldi Stables and Qatar Racing has reached an agreement in which Gabaldon, who has started a stellar campaign winning the Royal Palm Stakes at Gulfstream Park, and later a magnificent race in The Windsor Castle Stakes at the tough Royal Ascot meeting in June, will run in partnership,” said Alfonso Soued of Soldi Stable. “The goal is to race Gabaldon at the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint. In the meantime, his next race will be the Skidmore Stakes at Saratoga. He will continue under the magnificent training of Jose F. D'Angelo, who has done so far a great work and believed in Gabaldon as a potential star since day one.” Bred in Florida by Carol Ann Reitman, Susan Gannon and Warren Miller, Gabaldon is out of the Value Plus mare Valuable Miss. His full-brother, Valuable Breigh, is a seven-time winner from ages two to four. “Gabaldon is an impressive horse who has been proven internationally,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Liza Hendriks. “We are thrilled for the connections who have been able to take advantage of a global marketplace and look forward to what the future holds for him.” The post Qatar Racing Privately Acquires 50 Percent Share In Gabaldon After Inglis Digital USA July Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday August 24th (Matamata farms) 9.00am Waikato Stud – 521 Tower Road, Matamata (Ardrossan, Banquo, Novere, Ocean Park, Savabeel, & Super Seth)– Coffee cart/Breaky 8.30-9am 10.15am Mapperley Stud – 107 Matai Road, Matamata (Armory, Contributer, & Savile Row) – Coffee Cart 11.00pm Rich Hill Stud – 570 Landsdowne Road, Walton (Ace High, Proisir, Satono Aladdin, Shocking & Vadamos) 12.15pm Brighthill – 1352 Tauwhare Road, Eureka 3284 (Dalghar, Eminent & Preferment) Sunday August 25st (Cambridge/Hamilton farms) 9.45am Highview Stud – 1544 Kakaramea Road, Ngahinapouri (Wrote, Divine prophet, Mr Mozart & Santos) – Coffee Cart 11.00am Windsor Park Stud – 1130 Kaipaki Road, Cambridge (Profondo, Circus Maximus, Paddington, Turn Me Loose, Shamexpress & Vanbrugh) – lunch provided 12.30pm The Oaks – 122 Roto-O-Rangi Road, Cambridge (U S Navy Flag , The Chosen One & Roc de Cambes ) 1.30pm Novara Park – 35 Gorton Road, Cambridge (King of Comedy, Staphanos, Sweynesse & Press Statement) 2.45pm Cambridge Stud – 128 Discombe Road, Cambridge (Almanzor, Hello Youmzain, Chaldean, Embellish & Sword of State) View the full article

Group One sire Vadamos will not shuttle to Rich Hill Stud for the upcoming 2024 Southern Hemisphere season. “It’s purely an economic decision,” farm principal John Thompson said. “The progeny of Vadamos have had another good year on the racetracks and they continue to sell well. “He currently sits in 15th place on the New Zealand premiership, with outstanding Group One-winning mare La Crique his flagbearer. “It will be difficult to cover the costs of transport, promotion and staff at his advertised service fee of $9000. “As any Australasian farm standing stallions will know, these fixed costs have risen substantially over the last few years, so the syndicate has decided to leave him in the Northern Hemisphere this year. “The Vadamos Syndicate owns 50 percent of the stallion, so we do have the option to bring him back to New Zealand in the future.” View the full article

The prestigious S$400,000 Singapore Derby (1800m) is set to be run for the final time this Sunday, bringing the curtain down on a race whose proud history is littered with New Zealand-bred and Karaka-sourced success stories. The Singapore Derby was first run in 1880 and is the oldest feature race in Singapore. It is one of the most coveted prizes on the annual calendar of Singaporean racing, which is set to come to an end later this year with the closure of Kranji Racecourse. Throughout that long and rich history, New Zealand’s thoroughbreds have underpinned the Singapore Derby’s special legacy. Since the race was revived in 1959 after a half-century hiatus, no fewer than 32 New Zealand-bred horses have won the Singapore Derby – by far the most of any country. There have been 14 winners bred in Australia, seven in Great Britain, six in Ireland, three in the United States and one each in Japan, Argentina and France. Just since 2004, the Karaka sale ring has produced six unforgettable winners of the Singapore Derby. 2004 – DREYFUSS (NZ) Legendary trainer Laurie Laxon paid $32,000 to buy Dreyfuss (NZ) (Oregon) from the 2001 Select Colts Sale at Karaka. Dreyfuss went on to be crowned Champion 4YO in Singapore and Malaysia in 2004. His seven wins included a powerhouse come-from-behind performance in the Derby and an additional feature win in the Patron’s Bowl (1400m), and he also placed in the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m). He earned just over S$1m in stakes, which is the equivalent of more than 37 times his purchase price. Dreyfuss was bred by Tom Fraser and was offered at Karaka by Fairdale Stud, who stood the Derby hero’s sire Oregon. 2007 – LIM’S PRESTIGE (NZ) Lim’s Prestige (NZ) The 2007 Derby winner Lim’s Prestige (NZ) (Pins) was bred by Elizabeth Pollard. He was offered by Rosehill Farm at the 2004 Select Yearling Sale at Karaka, where Chief Stipe Rawnsley bought him for $16,000. Lim’s Prestige returned to Karaka later that year as a member of Phoenix Park’s draft for the Ready to Run Sale, and he was sold to Mick Dittman for $47,000. A scintillating victory in the Singapore Derby was the best of four wins for Lim’s Prestige, who banked around S$740,000 in prize-money for prominent Singapore owner Mr Lim Siah Mong, along with Kiwi couple Stephen and Bridget Gray. He was also a two-time winner over 1200 metres and finished fourth in the Merlion Trophy (1200m). “People didn’t think this horse would stay 2000 metres, but we’ve always had faith in him,” Bridget Gray said after Lim’s Prestige’s Derby triumph. “He’s out of a staying mare and we always thought he would develop into a genuine stayer. “Mr Lim has been a great owner, he has been with our stable for a long time, and we couldn’t be happier to give him this Singapore Derby.” 2012 – CHASE ME (NZ) Chase Me (NZ) Peter Jenkins and Neoline Redfern bred Chase Me (NZ) (Storm Creek), who was offered as a yearling during Karaka’s 2008 Winter Mixed Bloodstock Sale and was bought by Brett McDonald for just $4000. Four years later he secured a place in Singapore racing history with a stunning Derby performance. Ridden by Joao Moreira, Chase Me powered to the lead in the straight and blew his rivals off the track in an eight-length demolition. “It was a great thrill, we were ecstatic watching it on television,” Redfern said afterwards. “It was a terrific win – he just annihilated them. It’s by far my biggest success as a breeder.” Chase Me had a total of 29 starts for seven wins, eight placings and just over S$1m in stakes – massively surpassing his lowly $4000 purchase price at Karaka. His Derby victory was backed up by another black-type win in the Chairman’s Trophy (1800m), and he also placed in the Moonbeam Vase (1800m). 2016 – WELL DONE (NZ) Well Done (NZ) pictured as a 2013 Ready to Run graduate. The Windsor Park Stud-bred Well Done (NZ) (Falkirk) was passed in during the 2013 Select Sale at Karaka, then was a $90,000 purchase at the Ready to Run Sale. He would go on to win seven of his 25 starts and more than S$1.3m – around 18 times his purchase price. He produced a brilliant performance to win his Derby after being badly blocked in the straight. Rider Michael Rodd finally found a way through and Well Done launched an explosive sprint in the final 100 metres to charge past the leader and win by three-quarters of a length. “To win the Derby is clearly my biggest day as a trainer,” trainer David Kok said. “When I saw Michael put him on the rails and switch him off, I was very confident. Even when he had nowhere to go in the straight, I knew he would run on once he found the gap. “The other horse had a big lead, but I know my horse has a very good turn of foot and he didn’t let me down.” Well Done also won the Patron’s Bowl (1600m) and placed in the Kranji Mile (1600m) and Committee’s Prize (1600m). He was Singapore’s Champion 4YO in 2016. 2017 – INFANTRY (NZ) Infantry (NZ) was Singapore’s Horse of the Year in 2017. Just a year after Well Done’s heroics, the Karaka sale ring was in the Singapore Derby spotlight again thanks to Infantry (NZ) (Tavistock). Bred by Sir Patrick and Lady Hogan, Infantry was offered by Cambridge Stud at the 2013 National Weanling Sale and sold for $7000. Infantry earned more than S$1.9m from a 26-start career that produced nine wins and 10 placings. His black-type wins came in the Derby, the Kranji Mile (1600m), the Merlion Trophy (1200m) and the Moonbeam Vase (1800m), while he placed in the Singapore Guineas (1600m), Colonial Chief Stakes (1700m), Stewards’ Cup (1400m), Patron’s Bowl (1600m), Fortune Bowl (1400m) and Chairman’s Trophy (1600m). He earned well over 300 times his purchase price, and he was Singapore’s Horse of the Year, Champion 4YO and Champion Miler in 2017. Infantry settled in fifth place in the 2017 Singapore Derby before pouncing in the straight and opening up a big lead. He began to tire in the closing stages, but had put too much space between himself and his rivals and held on to win by a length. “This is the biggest race I’ve ever won,” trainer Alwin Tan said. “I can’t find words to describe how I’m feeling. All I can say is that I’m very happy and also for the Thai owners who came here to support the horse. This horse has such a big heart, he always does his best. I gave him a lot of endurance work leading into this race and it obviously paid off.” 2022 – LIM’S KOSCIUSZKO Lim’s Kosciuszko took out the 2022 Singapore Derby. Perhaps the greatest member of this list has been saved for last. The Trelawney Stud-bred Lim’s Kosciuszko (Kermadec) was twice passed in at Karaka, failing to meet his $75,000 reserve in Book 1 of Karaka 2019 and his $60,000 reserve at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. He has banked more than S$3.1m, winning 20 of his 26 starts to date. Already a two-time Singapore Horse of the Year, Lim’s Kosciuszko has scored black-type wins in the Derby, the Lion City Cup (1200m) twice, the Merlion Trophy (1200m), the Kranji Mile (1600m) twice, the Singapore Gold Cup (2000m) and the EW Barker Trophy (1400m). He has displayed extraordinary versatility, winning feature races from 1200 up to 2000 metres, and he showed all of his star quality in the Derby to take command in the straight and defy the late challengers all the way to the finish line. “It’s fantastic and a very important win,” trainer Daniel Meagher said. “There was a lot of pressure, knowing he’s more of a 1200 to 1400-metre horse and this wasn’t his best distance, so this is an amazing thrill.” THE 2024 SINGAPORE DERBY Once again, there is a strong New Zealand flavour amongst the field for this Sunday’s Singapore Derby finale. The likely favourite is the Kiwi-bred Lim’s Saltoro (NZ) (Shamexpress), whose nine-start career has produced eight wins and a second placing behind Lim’s Kosciuszko. He was a convincing last-start winner of the Stewards’ Cup (1600m). Flying Nemo (NZ) will line up in Sunday’s Derby. Three of his rivals in the Derby line-up were sourced from NZB Sales. Flying Nemo (NZ) (Vespa) was a $7000 purchase by Warrior Stables from the 2021 National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. He has had 17 starts for six wins, four placings and S$108,494 (NZ$133,153) in stakes. Roda Robot (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) was passed in when offered with a $5000 reserve during Book 2 of Karaka 2021. His 36-start career has produced seven wins, six placings and S$215,211 (NZ$264,126). Combustion (NZ) (El Roca) was offered by Lilywhites Lodge at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale, where he failed to meet his $30,000 reserve. A five-time placegetter in New Zealand under the name I’m On Fire, he has subsequently recorded two wins and two placings from 13 appearances in Singapore and banked S$55,948 (NZ$68,664). The 2024 edition of the prestigious Singapore Derby will be run as Race 9 at Kranji on Sunday, with a scheduled start time of 4.35pm local time (8.35pm NZT). View the full article

Emerging jumper Affluential (NZ) (Zed) remains on track for next month’s Grand National Hurdle, despite skipping Sunday’s blockbuster all-jumps card at Pakenham. Trainer John Leek Jnr confirmed that Verry Elleegant’s younger brother will run in a 3100-metre flat handicap at Warrnambool on Tuesday instead of Sunday’s Brendan Drechsler Hurdle (3500m), in a bid to avoid a potential weight penalty. The five-year-old Zed gelding is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, including a dominant win in a Benchmark 120 hurdle at Sandown last start and Leek Jnr is keen to get him into the Grand National Hurdle with the lightest-possible weight. Affluential has been mixing flat and jumps racing all season and satisfied his trainer in a recent hurdle trial at Pakenham. “He’s definitely going to Warrnambool next Tuesday and we’re definitely going to the National,” Leek Jnr said. “The reason for not running him on Sunday is that if he happened to win the Drechsler, it would give him a significant penalty going into the National and I’m very keen to win the National with him, especially for Bob Peters. “It’s like winning a race before the Melbourne Cup. “He probably went better in the trial last week than he’s gone since we’ve had him so he’s on track.” View the full article

If assistant trainer Jack Turnbull is right, Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) is about to strike form at Flemington. The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper contests the VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000m) on Saturday, one of five runners from the stable. A Group 1 winner of the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in October 2022, Smokin’ Romans has placed only once in 12 subsequent starts. Smokin’ Romans did run seventh in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following the Turnbull Stakes success and fourth in an Australian Cup at Flemington. Turnbull said Smokin’ Romans had been progressing well this campaign and had finally drawn a gate where he can hold a position in the run. “He’s been up at Ballarat and is coming off a slow build-up,” Turnbull said. “He had a long spell over summer after a couple of heavy seasons and this campaign, being winter, we’re trying to get some confidence back and he’s brimming with confidence. “I know he hasn’t won, but he’s hit the board a couple of times, and every time Jaylah (Kennedy, who rides again on Saturday) gets off him, she’s just rapt with how well he’s going.” View the full article

Liquid Les (NZ) (Echoes of Heaven) has become more like a family member than a racehorse for Craig Williamson, and the capable gelding will aim to collect a hometown success at New Plymouth in the Revital Fertilisers Open (1800m). A rising eight-year-old by Echoes Of Heaven, Liquid Les has been sparingly raced throughout his career and has made just five appearances this season for two wins, most recently a brave front-running victory at Te Rapa. “It was a big thrill, we’d gone there for a run because there weren’t many options,” Williamson said. “It was his fourth win and he’s won pretty much all of his races the same way, being out in front and leading. “He’s gone from strength to strength this year, he’s an older horse but it’s taken us a long time to get him to this stage, hence only having 20 starts. “He’s been pretty much perfect since, you wouldn’t really know that he’s had a race. He travels quite well, eats up and came home again for a few days off afterwards before getting ready to go again.” On that occasion, Liquid Les was ridden by Matt Cameron, and Williamson opted to remain with a senior rider in Kelly Myers for Saturday’s contest, where he is currently rated an early favourite with TAB bookmakers at $4.50. “I would say we’ll do the same on Saturday in letting him go forward, which is why we’ve got a senior rider on again as they are just able to read the race a bit better. He’s a horse that, if ridden correctly, will go well for you,” Williamson said. “If someone wants to take him on, I would probably prefer to let that horse go as it wouldn’t do him any good getting into a speed battle, often I’ve seen that those two horses just end up nowhere which isn’t what we want. “I think the track will be pretty heavy as we have more rain coming tomorrow. “It’s a bit daunting for smaller trainers when their horses go out and almost be favourite in a bigger sort of race, not that we have any pressure from owners, but it’s just the way it is.” Originally purchased for just $900 via gavelhouse.com as a weanling, Liquid Les has earned more than $88,000 in stakes for Williamson and his wife Sue, who also run a popular café in Inglewood. “I liked the look of him, he had a kind eye and was a nice-looking type,” Williamson said. “He’s out of an O’Reilly mare and I wasn’t looking as much into the breeding side at that time, but as I’ve gone through, he’s from quite a good family. “He’s an awesome horse, great to have around and is a real character. “It’s hard work balancing both, we start at around 4:30 at the café to do baking before coming to do the horses but that’s what I choose to do. “We don’t do it (racing) for the money, we do it because we love the animals and put a lot of time into them. They give us some back as well which is really cool. “It’s very rewarding and being smaller trainers, any win you can get is a big bonus.” Williamson was influenced into racing by former local trainer Marilyn Paewai, who prepared successful winter mare Rosewood (NZ) (Redwood) to several Group Three placings and 11 wins during Williamson’s time at the stable. “The person who got me into training was Marilyn Paewai, who had Rosewood and Batchelor Babe,” he said. “I worked with her for six or seven years before she unfortunately had a stroke and had to give up the horses, Rosewood was at the end of her career, so she retired then. “I inherited Batchelor Babe who was a lovely mare and had five wins, and I’m now breeding from her. We have her second foal on the ground by Derryn. “When I bought Ben (Liquid Les), I bought another filly called Tess, both named after two of my children. Tess raced as Cya Maria, but she sadly broke down, so we got her in foal to Derryn as well. “We bred from her because she was exceptionally tough, she’s by Ghibellines and was a neat little horse.” He has also appreciated assistance from another Taranaki-based conditioner in Tawhiti Hina, who provided him with sound advice to take to each race-day. “My trackwork rider Tawhiti is a very good person and probably the best rider we have here, he’s also a trainer himself,” Williamson said. “He’s been like a mentor to me and not being a rider myself, I’m very lucky to have his help and I wouldn’t be able to do it without him. “He always told me that as long as your horse tries and comes home in one piece, that’s the main thing.” View the full article

It is only fitting that Nikki White has secured a place in next month’s Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations 127th Winter Cup (1600m) with her gelding Balzano (NZ) (Shooting To Win), with few trainers experiencing wintery conditions like the Omakau trainer. White is met by chilly temperatures and frosts most days at this time of year and has to work her team within a set time window in the afternoon where the ground has finally defrosted for the day. “It is pretty hard training where I am because it is frozen, so we try and get them done around 3pm in the small window where it isn’t freezing,” White said. “It has been -8 (degrees) for the last week and by 3pm it gets up to about two or three degrees, and it takes a little bit of edge off the track. It has been pretty trying. “We have got between 2.30pm and 4pm that we can work them. I am not working them today (Thursday) because we have had a hoar frost all day and it isn’t lifting, so the ground is still frozen. “I haven’t given them a day off (previously this week) because I knew one of these days would come up, so it is like their Sunday today, I worked them Sunday because I could.” White said her team has adjusted to the chilly temperatures and enjoy being outside. “I have their neck and bellies clipped because it is easier for them to dry, so it is a nice, warm wash when they come in,” she said. “They haven’t really grown a really thick winter coat because I have good blankets on them. “They are double rugged, and it is only when it is snowing or raining that they are stabled. They actually don’t like being stabled, they like being in paddocks. It is a dry cold here, it isn’t a wet cold like they get down south. They handle it well.” Rising four-year-old gelding Balzano has thrived in the cold environment and secured his place in the Winter Cup when winning over 1400m at Ashburton earlier this month. It was a big step up from rating 65 to Open grade, with White admitting she only entered the race with her charge because of the lack of options available. “My husband was up in Christchurch, and I thought if I was coming up I might as well chuck one in (at Ashburton), and that was the only race open to him,” she said. “He is in the Winter Cup after winning that last race at Ashburton, so he got straight into that.” Balzano was bought by White off gavelhouse.com for $25,000 and he has proven to be an astute purchase, running in the top four in all but one of his southern starts, and White believes he can feature once more in the Thank You Oamaru Jockey Club Supporters (1400m) at Oamaru on Sunday. “He will be right there, he is full of it,” she said. White will also line-up Claire’s Pal in the Robbie Lory Memorial (1400m) and Billy Lid in the Plunket Electrical (2200m). “Claire’s Pal needs to go over ground but there wasn’t anything for him until the next meeting at Oamaru after the Winter Cup,” White said. “Billy Lid is back to a distance that he likes. He is a funny horse, he either loves it or he doesn’t, it is what he feels like on the day.” View the full article

A total of 14 fillies will line up for Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks, with the likely favourite Ballydoyle's G2 Ribblesdale Stakes winner Port Fairy (Ire) (Australia {GB}). She is due to renew rivalry with Elwick Stud's supplemented Lava Stream (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), who was runner-up in that Royal Ascot contest, as she heads a trio from the Aidan O'Brien stable including the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes third Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Rubies Are Red (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Wathnan Racing's acquisition Lope De Lilas (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) represents the Willie Mullins stable stepping up from a Leopardstown maiden win, while other notables include Tars Farm Equestrian Stud's Oaks third War Chimes (Fr) (Summer Front) and The Aga Khan's Listed Naas Oaks Trial winner Hanalia (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The post Ballydoyle’s Port Fairy Faces 13 in Irish Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Richard Didham with his promising filly Diablo Blanco. Photo: Race Images South Aylesbury trainer Richard Didham has his eyes on a Group One prize with his promising filly Diablo Blanco this spring. The two-year-old daughter of Super Seth had four starts earlier this season, culminating in a fourth placing in the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham in December. She subsequently went for a lengthy spell before being brought back to prepare for what could be a lucrative spring campaign, with Didham eyeing the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November. “She was awesome earlier this season, she even trekked all the way to Wellington and courageously ran fourth in a Group Two up there,” Didham said. “She had a long campaign, so she has had a decent spell and hopefully she is in for another long campaign because there are a lot of good three-year-old races coming up. “It (target) has to be the 1000 Guineas, especially on her form so far. I would like to tick off the Canterbury Belle (Listed, 1200m) in September, I think it will be an ideal three-year-old fillies race with a bit of black-type.” Didham has been pleased with how Diablo Blanco has returned, and he is looking forward to her kicking off her campaign at Oamaru on Sunday. “She has been in work a long time. She is not completely screwed down yet, but she is not far away either,” Didham said. “She had a jumpout last week on the course proper at Riccarton and she seems ready to go. Her ability and race experience will take her a long way.” Diablo Blanco races in the colours of co-breeder and part-owner Tony Rider, and Didham said his association with the Milan Park principal began through their link with Hawke’s Bay trainer Guy Lowry. “I am a really good friend of Guy Lowry’s, who Tony Rider has horses with,” Didham said. “Guy Lowry’s horses stayed at our barn during the Cup meeting, and that is how I met Tony.” Rider has entrusted a couple of horses to Didham’s care, including Diablo Blanco and her yearling full-sister. “I have just broken in the yearling full-sister, and I have got a three-year-old filly by Wrote, Divine Story, in work for Tony as well.” While Didham holds high hopes for Diablo Blanco this spring, he is also excited about the prospects of Chairman, who brought up a special milestone for the Canterbury horseman last week. “I am very impressed with Chairman,” Didham said. “He has only had four starts for me, for two wins and two thirds. He looks like a promising horse. “He won last Friday, which ticked off my 100th winner as a horse trainer, it was good to bring up that achievement. I will definitely get that photo on the wall.” Of his 100 wins, Didham singled out a victory in partnership with his father, Les, as the biggest highlight of his training career to date. “One of the nicest ones was winning the Riverton Cup (Listed, 2147m) with Waitui Music (in 2011) when I was in partnership with Dad,” he said. Didham is hoping to quickly add to his win tally this weekend and enhance his stakes haul within the coming months. Horse racing news View the full article

Dashwood will contest the Revital Fertilisers Open (1800m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Jon Miller will be represented by two decent prospects at New Plymouth on Saturday and he will also be keeping a close eye on Flemington. The Cambridge trainer has an improving Dashwood and the genuine Super Dialo to look forward to on the domestic front while their former stablemate Cindy Falls will chase further success in Victoria. Miller prepared the daughter of Sacred Falls to win three races and placed on another three occasions for owner Mark Brady before she relocated to Lee and Shannon Hope’s Seymour stable. Cindy Falls ran third at Sandown in her Australian debut and then won the Leilani Final (1400m) at Flemington, where on Saturday she will step out in the Rising Stars Final (1600m). “We sent her across about a month before she won, it was good to see her go over and at the end of the day she would be racing for $35,000 in her grade here and over there for $150,000 and she picked one up,” Miller said. “She’s won about $100,000 already and there’s not much of her, but she is certainly determined and eventually I think she’ll get 2000m.” Meanwhile, Dashwood will contest the Revital Fertilisers Open (1800m) and while it is a step up in grade, the son of Redwood is fitter for recent racing. He stepped up to a middle-distance last time out to finish a respectable sixth at Te Rapa and Miller said he had benefitted with that outing under his belt. “I’m just hoping it will be loose ground, some of the tracks have been quite sticky and when Sam (Spratt) rode him at Waikato she said he never handled it and was dipping and diving. “Last time, I asked Warren (Kennedy, jockey) to tuck him in behind, but he ended up in front and he was a sitting duck. “He’s more of a chaser than a leader, but he has improved with the run and he’s got a light weight.” Dashwood will carry 53kg with the benefit of apprentice Niranjan Parmar’s claim while Kelly Myers has been booked for Super Dailo. The Swiss Ace gelding is overdue a major reward after posting four consecutive placings. “He’s been knocking on the door but just manages to get run down,” Miller said. “At Te Rapa, a horse came out under his neck just as he was making his run and the next time he was taken on in front and they got him right on the line. “Sam (Spratt) rode him last time, I possibly should have claimed, and she rode a mighty race and it was just the pull in the weights in the finish. “She hopped off and said he might be better going left-handed so I think he’s got a pretty good chance this time.” Horse racing news View the full article

Matamata trainer Pam Gerard. Photo: Supplied Savile Row was a special horse in Pam Gerard’s training career and she is looking forward to debuting one of the young sire’s progeny in Suit Yourself at Arawa Park on Saturday. A son of Makfi, Savile Row was a stakes winner and multiple Group One-placegetter in his short racing career, before retiring to stud at Valachi Downs and later Mapperley Stud. During Valachi Downs’ dispersal sale in 2022, Gerard secured Suit Yourself as a weanling and has since watched his half-sister Sedaka become a multiple-Group Two placegetter during her three-year-old campaign, before being sold as a lucrative breeding proposition due to injury. “I trained Savile Row, so I had been looking at getting hold of one and I’d missed out on a few auctions,” Gerard said. “I happened to see this horse on the sale and knew a little bit about the family. I really liked the type and he was very clean, he just needed to grow, which he has done. “The half-sister going out and performing in Group Twos was very helpful and he is an exceptionally good-looking colt. “He’ll let us know if he doesn’t want to be a colt, but he’s no hassle whatsoever. Being a colt sometimes gives them that little bit of edge going into the early spring, but if they don’t need to be gelded they are just treated like any other horse.” A winner of his last two trials, Suit Yourself is among a six-horse juvenile field, with the benefit of leading hoop Michael McNab to guide his fortunes. “He’s done everything he’s had to and pretty easily, but obviously race-day is a completely different scenario,” Gerard said. “We’ll have to see how the track comes up, I don’t think he would suit a really heavy surface but he’s a really nice horse and I probably would expect a bold showing from him.” Gerard trains in partnership with Michael Moroney and the pair will also be represented by Tarzana, a half-sister to former stable Group One winner On The Rocks. The Tarzino filly was also nominated for the Hastings meeting on Thursday, with the decision to be made on race morning. “We’ll probably take her on Saturday, but we will make the final decision in the morning,” Gerard said. “She’s had a long time between runs as we’ve been waiting for a slightly better track, I’m not sure if she’ll get that on Saturday but we’re at the point where she really needs to have a run. “She’s a nice little filly, doesn’t give much away but on race-day she’s very professional.” The Matamata trainers also hold four-year-old gelding Presuming in high regard and expect further improvement. “He’s a pretty smart horse, we’ve given him plenty of time and possibly just came to the end of it at his last prep. He’s only going to get better the further he goes,” Gerard said. Completing the stable’s runners are Step In Time and Key Largo, both to appreciate light weights courtesy of apprentice Joe Nishizuka claiming four kilograms. “Step In Time was a bit unlucky at Hastings, they just went no clip whatsoever and he’s a horse that needs a genuine pace in there,” Gerard said. “He was good when he won and the same at Pukekohe, just put a line through that last start as he’s not a sit and sprint horse. He’s a big chance on Saturday. “We scratched Key Largo from Pukekohe today which proved to be a blessing, but it was because he got in so nicely at the weights at Rotorua. “He got through the track really well there last time, he was a bit unlucky not to go closer. I think the smaller tracks suit him where he can get a bit of cover, he tends to be a bit fierce on a big track.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group One-winning filly Orchestral. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Star performer Orchestral won’t be over-taxed during her spring preparation, with trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood more focussed on longer-term targets with their stable star. The daughter of Savabeel has returned to work with the Cambridge trainers following her outstanding three-year-old season. Orchestral put together five wins on the bounce, including the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), and was spelled after finishing third in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m). “She’s very well and enjoying being back in the stable, so it’s exciting heading forward,” Wellwood said. “We’ve got three different plans, one is Sydney, one is Melbourne and the other is New Zealand. “It can be a very hard time for a four-year-old spring mare, she had a big three-year-old season so we will be reasonably conservative with her. “Plans will be firmed up more once we have got her through to a trial and see what the weather is doing in each jurisdiction. “There are good options for her, but we will really be focussing on some exciting races in the autumn and have to be a bit patient with her in the spring.” Meanwhile, the stable will have a quiet weekend, with the Irish-bred mare Samoot their only representative. The well-travelled daughter of Dubawi faces an important assignment in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. The mare is owned by Australian Bloodstock and relocated to New Zealand with one aim. “The master plan was for her to come across and get some black type and this is a great opportunity for her,” Wellwood said. “It would be lovely to get some black type for her, she’s got a good page and it would make her a pretty desirable asset to have in anyone’s broodmare band. “We haven’t had a huge involvement with Australian Bloodstock, but we appreciate their support and just hope we can get the job done for them and continue the relationship.” Samoot is a daughter of the multiple stakes-winning Red Ransom mare Muthabara and she is out of a three-quarter sister to Bahhare, who sired Group One winners Hurrah and Dowry during his time in New Zealand. Samoot was twice successful from Sir Michael Stoute’s Newmarket stable before she was purchased by Australian Bloodstock and doubled her winning tally for trainer Kris Lees. The six-year-old has placed in two of her four runs in New Zealand, including a last-start resuming second at Hastings last month. Masa Hashizume takes the ride at the weekend. “She’s had decent form in Australia, it’s probably been a while since we’ve seen that but her form here hasn’t been that bad and she’s going to get her chance on Saturday,” Wellwood said. “She needed the last run and got held up at the top of the straight and she’s derived good benefit from that. “The worst thing is that she’s drawn wide (12) and it will dictate a bit on how we ride her.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Darwin Races Where Fannie Bay Racecourse – Dick Ward Dr, Fannie Bay NT 0820 When Wednesday, July 17, 2024 First Race 2:23pm ACST Visit Dabble It is Day 4 of the Darwin Cup Carnival with 75 horses accepting for the seven-event program on Saturday at Fannie Bay where the three-year-olds take centre stage in the $135,000 NT Derby (2050m). Sunny conditions and light winds are on the menu for Saturday with a top temperature of 30C. The rail will be in its true position, and it will once again be a good dirt surface. NT Derby Tip: He’s Maverick The three-year-old gelding impressed en route to victory in the Darwin Guineas and the fact he finished so powerfully suggests the 2050m won’t trouble the son of Ambidexter. He’s Maverick overcome several obstacles in the Guineas, which only adds merit to the win, and it won’t be smooth sailing on Saturday after drawing a wide gate in the 12-horse field. The winless SA galloper was third in the NT Guineas (1600m) in Alice Springs in March. Success over 1600m (BM68) in the Red Centre in April was followed by a Darwin win against his own age group over 1600m (BM66) in June. NT Derby Race 7 – #7 He’s Maverick (14) 3yo Gelding | T: Kym Healy | J: Sonja Logan (58kg) Bet with Picklebet BEST BET: Spaceship Spaceship is a perfect three wins from three starts in the Top End since arriving from the stable of Eagle Farm trainer Robert Heathcote. He left his rivals in his wake on his debut at Fannie Bay in April, when he overcame Class 2 opposition by five lengths over 1200m as a $1.60 favourite. The son of Invader then caught everyone’s attention when he saluted by 3.3 lengths over 1200m (BM76) in May as a $1.40 favourite. Spaceship got home by 1.5 lengths after clocking 1.07.75 in an open 1200m handicap as a $1.45 favourite with horse racing bookmakers in June. Best Bet Race 3 – #5 Spaceship (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 NEXT BEST: Captain George Captain George made an immediate impact a year ago when he arrived in Darwin from Anthony Cummings’ Randwick stable before losing his edge, but he seems to be back on track after a seven-month spell. Two wins over 1200m (BM54 and 0-58) in June 2023 was followed by a third over 1300m (0-66) in July before the five-year-old gelding was unplaced in three starts over a nine-month period. Two seconds over 1200m at 0-70 ($4.40) and BM54 ($1.50 fav) level in April was followed by a last start second over 1100m (0-58) on June 22 as the $2.15 favourite. He is clearly the best horse in the field. Next Best Race 5 – #1 Captain George (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Gary Clarke | J: Jarrod Todd (60kg) Bet with PlayUp BEST VALUE: Whitten Whitten was five lengths behind Spaceship in second place over 1200m (Class 2) before finishing six lengths adrift of Desarmer in third place over 1300m (Class 2) in April. The four-year-old gelding then spent time in the paddock before finishing full of zest when second behind Motivated Miss over 1200m (0-58) on June 29. Sitting in eighth place, the son of Written Tycoon made ground quickly along the rails at the 600m before motoring home down the middle of the home straight to finish 0.8 lengths adrift of the winner. Best Value Race 2 – #3 Whitten (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Phil Cole | J: Emma Lines (a1.5) (58kg) Bet with Neds Saturday Darwin quaddie tips – 20/7/2024 Darwin quadrella selections Saturday, July 20, 2024 1-2-3 1 2-3-6-7 6-7-9-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article