Wandering Eyes

Independent research has shown that Te Akau Racing Principal David Ellis is the leading buyer of yearlings and he knows more about finding the right horses than almost anybody else on the planet! View the full article

Nucleonic is proving to be a broodmare gem for Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis, who shares in the ownership of the mare with Westonlea Bloodstock’s David and Matthew Peacocke. The family have been put up in lights by the recent deeds of her daughter Qali Al Farrasha, with the Almanzor filly finishing runner-up in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie earlier this month before running third in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) at Trentham. While there is plenty of excitement surrounding the three-year-old filly, her year younger full-brother Nucleozor is showing he has inherited the family talent when extending his undefeated streak to two at Riccarton on Saturday when taking out the Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1000m) at Riccarton on Saturday by 3-1/4 lengths. “It was another really good win by Nucleozor,” said Mark Walker, who trains in partnership with Sam Bergerson. “He’s a horse with a lot of scope and size about him and obviously has plenty of natural ability. “We expect he’ll only get better with time and age, so whatever he’s doing now is just a bonus. He has the makings of a lovely three-year-old.” Nucleozor will now likely head to the Listed Welcome Stakes (1000m) at Riccarton next month ahead of the Listed Champagne Stakes (1200m) in May. The family is entrenched at Te Akau Stud, with Ellis having raced their granddam Mexican Rose, who was a Champion 2YO & 3YO in Singapore, after impressing when winning two of her three starts in New Zealand. “Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud) and I bought Mexican Rose,” Ellis said. “We sold two O’Reilly colts out of her for a good return and her weanling topped the sale in 2016. “She was pretty smart, Nucleonic, and this is her third foal, so it’s great to get another promising horse like this early in her breeding career. “The Peacocke family has had a lot of success with Te Akau, racing Avantage among others, and have a long family involvement in racing. “Nucleozor is a really professional young horse with plenty of ability, and Hunter (Durrant, Riccarton Stable Foreman) and our team of staff at Riccarton are doing a great job with him and all the horse there.” Later on the card, Beau Brummell secured a stable double when taking out the Selwyn District Council TAB Southern Alps Qualifier (1600m). “It was very good win and positive ride by Ashvin (Goindasamy),” Walker said. “He’s really starting to come of age. “He’s maturing nicely with age, like other three-year-olds we’ve got in the stable by Embellish, and they look like they’re going to continue improving.” Bred by David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis, Beau Brummell is shared by the couple in ownership with Waikato Thoroughbred Racing board of directors Glenn Holmes and his wife Cathie Holmes. Ellis purchased his sire Embellish as a yearling at Karaka, and the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner stands at Cambridge Stud, with his oldest progeny being three-year-olds. Held in high regard as a racehorse and future stallion by Ellis, his belief has been vindicated as the stable leads way with six individual winners by the young sire. “He’s made a great start to his stallion career with winners in New Zealand and Australia, and this bloke (Beau Brummell) joins some really nice winners we’ve had by him in the stable,” Ellis said. “He ran a good race for fourth in Southland Guineas after only winning his Maiden the week beforehand, and he displayed really good attributes to win. “Talisker recorded a hat-trick of wins before finishing second in the 2000 Guineas (Gr. 1, 1600m) and What You Wish For and Glitzy Glory are another couple of promising winners by Embellish that we’ve got in the stable. “His oldest are only three-year-olds and I think he’s doing a great job at stud.” View the full article

Lightweight rider eager to hang around in the city after Jockey Club extends his licence until May 1View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, March 27, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to the bright lights of the city circuit at Happy Valley Racecourse on Wednesday night, where a bumper nine-race program awaits punters. The rail is in the A position throughout the evening, and with no rain forecast to hit the course proper, the track should maintain its current Good 4 rating at the time of writing. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm local time. Best Bet: Beauty Infinity Punters will need to wait until the Happy Valley finale for the best bet as Beauty Infinity looks to redeem himself after a luckless last start performance. The son of Toronado got caught three-wide throughout the 1200m journey on that occasion but showed plenty of determination to find the minor money despite the torrid run in transit. He retains the services of Hong Kong Derby-winning jockey Zac Purton on Wednesday, and so long as Beauty Infinity gets some cover this time, watch for him to make a mess of his rivals before setting sights on better than Class 3 company. Best Bet Race 9 – #4 Beauty Infinity (6) 4yo Gelding | T: John Size | J: Zac Purton (58kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best: Sharpen Bright It took forever for Sharpen Bright to warm to the task in his most recent outing at this course and distance on February 7, eventually muscling his way into a runner-up finish behind Romantic Fantasy. He gets a significant swing in the weight on two key rivals from that form reference, and with gate three, the gelding by Redwood should be able to slot in much closer to the speed. Karis Teetan takes the reins this time for the David Hall-trained galloper, and despite being winless in eight starts, that can all change on Wednesday evening. Next Best Race 2 – #5 Sharpen Bright (3) 4yo Gelding | T: David Hall | J: Karis Teetan (56kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value: Comet Splendido Comet Splendido finds himself dropping back into Class 4 company for the first time in his 18 start Hong Kong career and gets the ideal setup to bounce back to the winners’ enclosure. The son of War Command did enough first-up at Sha Tin on March 3 to suggest he has returned in super order despite being unable to match motors with the likes of Blue Marlin. This appears a much more manageable task for the six-year-old gelding, and with his only Hong Kong win coming at this course and distance, Comet Splendido can add to his tally. Best Value Race 5 – #2 Comet Splendido (2) 6yo Gelding | T: Danny Shum | J: Ben Thompson (61kg) Bet with Neds Hong Kong quaddie tips – Wednesday 27/3/2024 Wyong quadrella selections Wednesday, March 27, 2024 1-3-4-5-8-9-12 1-2-4-5-6-8 1-2-3-5-6-8-9-10-12 4 Horse racing tips View the full article

What Kensington Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Wednesday, March 27, 2024 First Race 1:45pm AEDT Visit Dabble NSW metro racing heads to Randwick on Wednesday afternoon, where the Kensington circuit is set to host a competitive eight-race program. The rail moves out +3m for the meeting, and with no rain predicted in the lead-up, participants should anticipate a genuine Good 4 surface. The track should play fairly throughout the afternoon, with all the action scheduled to get underway at 1:45pm local time. Best Bet at Randwick-Kensington: Ballroom Bella Ballroom Bella appears set to peak third-up into the campaign after an enormous effort in the Listed Fireball Stakes (1100m) at Randwick on March 9. She got back to last before attempting to swoop the entire field turning for home, with only Infancy and Corniche holding her off in the concluding stages. She drops back significantly in grade entering this BM78 contest, and with Regan Bayliss given the opportunity to sit closer in the run from barrier five, Ballroom Bella can add her third win to the resume. Best Bet Race 6 – #3 Ballroom Bella (5) 3yo Filly | T: Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou | J: Regan Bayliss (58.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Next Best at Randwick-Kensington: Imperial Force Two eye-catching barrier trials have the Chris Waller-trained Imperial Force ready to go on debut and the stable seem to have picked out an ideal kick-off point. This Open Handicap for the two-year-olds seems to lack depth on paper, with most of the field made up of debutants trying to make a first-up impression. The son of Snitzel looked to trial the best of this lot, and with James McDonald taking the reins on race-day to bolster confidence, Imperial Force will prove hard to hold out. Next Best Race 1 – #4 Imperial Force (1) 2yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (57kg) Bet with Dabble Best Value at Randwick-Kensington: Zondee City Of Lights was sensational in her most recent outing in the Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick on March 9 and looks set to bounce back to the winners’ circle. She was storming through the wire before running into a wall of horses, and she was still only narrowly defeated by 2.2 lengths. She steps up to the 1800m for the first time in the campaign, and with barrier two allowing Chad Schofield to seek the one-one throughout, City Of Lights must be considered the one to beat in the final event. Best Value Race 8 – #3 City Of Lights (2) 4yo Mare | T: Joseph Pride | J: Chad Schofield (56.55kg) Bet with PlayUp Wednesday quaddie tips – Randwick Kensington races Kensington quadrella selections Wednesday, March 27, 2024 1-4-5 1-2-3-4 2-3-5-6-8 1-2-3-5-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

Vinery Stud Stakes contender Kimochi. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Gary Portelli has announced his intentions to target Kimochi at Saturday’s prestigious Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill. Despite the notable presence of star New Zealand filly Orchestral and Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) victor Zardozi, who captured the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) in her latest outing, Portelli remains optimistic about Kimochi’s prospects in her maiden attempt over 2000 metres. “I think they’ve got it wrong,” expressed Portelli in reference to the early betting markets. “Zougotcha, what price would she be in a race like that? We’ve stretched Zougotcha in a Coolmore. She’s done nothing wrong, my filly. “I know you’ve got two Group 1 winners there, my filly hasn’t won one yet but she has raced the best of them. “I don’t think she should be that far out of the market, that’s for sure. “She’s in great order. She’s going to the right race for her, I believe, over the 2000 metres. I’m pretty happy with her.” “After the Thousand Guineas, Craig Williams said, ‘mate, she feels like a 2000-metre horse all day long’. “She wants to settle, she wants to please you, she hasn’t got that zip that she does fresh. So I think we’re going to the right race at the right time.” Kimochi is currently a +500 winning hope leading horse racing bookmakers for the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes. Horse racing news View the full article

Kerrin McEvoy (red cap) lifting Zapateo to Group 1 victory in The Galaxy Photo: RacingNSW Kerrin McEvoy’s autumn carnival has been cut short due to a serious injury sustained during Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill. The unfortunate incident occurred when McEvoy fell from Tintookie in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m), resulting in a fractured vertebrae, specifically his C6. The fall came after McEvoy piloted the James Cummings-trained Zapateo to victory in The Galaxy (1100m). Despite being conscious when he left the track, the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey faces a four-week hiatus following an upcoming MRI scan on Monday. The injury’s progress will then be reassessed before McEvoy can return to racing action. Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler gains ‘good experience’ in the Land of the Rising Sun during Victor The Winner’s Group One Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1,200m) raidView the full article

It was the third win in four starts for the 3-year-old, who made his debut finishing 10th in a Dec. 3, 2023 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, where he ran his first three races. View the full article

It was a monumental day for jockey Umberto Rispoli at Turfway Park March 23. Not only did he secure the grand prize, the $700,000 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) with Endlessly, but he also earned his 2,000th victory in the saddle.View the full article

Ruby Rocks made it two home cup wins in as many months at Tauherenikau on Sunday when taking out the Trust House Enhancing Our Community Masterton Cup (2050m). The daughter of Burgundy was victorious over the same track and distance on Waitangi Day last month when taking out the Wairarapa Cup, and owner-breeder-trainer Roger Allen was confident of another bold showing on the Soft5 footing. Ruby Rocks jumped well and was sent straight to the front by jockey Jonathan Riddell where they were able to dictate terms. The Bill Thurlow-trained Field Of Gold pressed forward to challenge Ruby Rocks around the final turn, heading his rival with 200m to go, however, Ruby Rocks’ tenacity proved too strong and she fought back to regain her lead and hold out race favourite Titled to win by a length. Opaki-based Allen said he was pleased to get his mare’s name etched in another local Cup. “She got the Wairarapa and Masterton Cup double, which was great. It was very pleasing to get that win,” he said. “She was headed and then she just showed so much determination, she fought back. She is a gutsy mare and just doesn’t give up, she loves it. “She likes that track too and she has finally got firm tracks. All last summer it was wet, and we didn’t have any firm tracks, and now we have got them and she is thriving.” Out of two-win Black Minnaloushe mare Rapidpower, Ruby Rocks has now won eight of her 43 career starts and more than $150,000 in prizemoney, and Allen said attaining black-type is now the primary objective with his mare. “I am thinking of stopping breeding and buying yearlings, so you don’t have as long to wait, so getting some black-type (with Ruby Rocks before she is offered for sale as a broodmare) is important,” Allen said. “We are looking at going to the Manawatu Breeders’ (Gr.3, 2100m) at Trentham (on Saturday week) where she will be against mares and fillies, and not big geldings.” With winter fast approaching and Ruby Rocks liking for firm tracks, Allen said she may only have a couple of more starts before she heads to the spelling paddock, but he is keen to press on with his charge for as long as possible. “She is just thriving at the moment, she is loving it,” he said. “If we have still got firm tracks then we will keep going, but as soon as it gets wet she can got out for the winter.” View the full article

Step into the spotlight and join us for an unforgettable evening of elegance, philanthropy, and celebration at The CatWalk Trust’s LUMINARY event! Ladies, it’s time to dust off your most dazzling dresses, and gentlemen, don your sharpest suits – because on Saturday, June 22, we’re rolling out the red carpet at the newly refurbished Newmarket Room at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland, New Zealand. Tickets to this magical soirée are available now, offering you the chance to immerse yourself in an evening of glamour and giving. With a lineup of exciting events, including live entertainment, gourmet dining, and much more, LUMINARY promises a night to remember. But that’s not all! A shining star of the evening is our highly anticipated charity auction, where generosity knows no bounds. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, CatWalk has raised invaluable funds year after year to support cutting-edge research to cure spinal cord injury. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome Newgate Farm to the live auction stage! Led by the visionary Henry Field, Newgate Farm stands as a beacon of excellence in the thoroughbred industry. With bold stallion selections and a commitment to top-tier care, they’ve risen to become one of Australasia’s leading thoroughbred farms in just 14 short years. Among their stellar lineup stands Capitalist, the Champion Australian Two-Year-Old of 2015/16, whose lightning-fast speed and impact on the track are matched only by his influence in the breeding shed. Capitalist’s progeny have earned nearly $8 million this season alone, making him a coveted asset for breeders worldwide. Thanks to Newgate’s generous contribution, we’re thrilled to announce that a service fee to Capitalist will be up for grabs at our LUMINARY event. Don’t miss your chance to bid on this exclusive opportunity to support world-class spinal cord injury research! For more information and to secure your tickets to LUMINARY, visit www.catwalk.org.nz. Can’t attend in person? Phone bids will be accepted – simply contact Chris@catwalk.org.nz to register your interest and learn more. Join us as we highlight spinal cord injury research progress and share in the exciting future at LUMINARY – an evening where every bid brings us one step closer to a cure. Together, let’s make a difference! View the full article

What Taree Races Where Manning Valley Race Club – Racecourse Dr, Taree NSW 2430 When Tuesday, January 26, 2024 First Race 1:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Manning Valley Race Club is the destination for country racing on Tuesday afternoon, with a competitive eight-race program lined up for punters. The rail is in the true position the entire circuit for the meeting, and although the track is currently rated a Heavy 9 at the time of writing, the forecast does predict drying days ahead, so expect an upgrade prior to the opening event at 1:15pm AEDT. Taree Best Bet: Rum Diary Rum Diary managed two minor placings before being sent to the paddock by the Kris Lees camp and gets set to return after 118 days off the scene. The son of Written By ran into some quality types at the end of last preparation, going down by two lengths in his most recent start to the progressive Bojangles at Wyong on November 11. Two soft barrier trials have the three-year-old returning in excellent order, and with some class on this opposition, Rum Diary will go close to breaking his maiden on Tuesday. Best Bet Race 3 – #3 Rum Diary (9) 3yo Gelding | T: Kris Lees | J: Andrew Gibbons (58.5kg) +150 with Neds Next Best At Taree: Antisocial Antisocial has savaged the line in her two starts at Dubbo to kick-off the campaign and looks primed for a third-up peak. The Brett Cavanough-trained filly has been crying out for a step up in trip after getting run off her feet early in her races, and the 1250m on Monday afternoon should be ideal. Watch for Grant Buckley to send her back towards the rear again, but with enough time to wind up in the straight, Antisocial can finish best. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Antisocial (11) 3yo Filly | T: Brett Cavanough | J: Grant Buckley (57.5kg) +320 with Dabble Best Value At Taree: Magic Stella Tanglewood Jimmy represents good each-way value with online bookmakers heading to Taree for the Wayne Wilkes barn. The son of Stratum Star has been solid through the wire in his two starts to date, with his latest catching the eye at Muswellbrook on March 15. He might still want further than the 1600m journey on offer in this event, but with claiming apprentice Shae Wilkes getting 4kg off his back, Tanglewood Jimmy still appears over the odds in this wide-open maiden contest. Best Value Race 2 – #7 Tanglewood Jimmy (1) 3yo Colt | T: Wayne Wilkes | J: Shae Wilkes (a4) (58.5kg) +1600 with PlayUp Taree Tuesday quaddie tips – 26/3/2024 Taree quadrella selections Tuesday, March 26, 2024 1-3-4-7-10 1-2-3-6-7 1-2-5-9 1-2-3-9 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Massive Sovereign edges out Galaxy Patch and Ka Ying Generation. Dennis Yip will consider a tilt at the Group 1 QEII Cup (2000m) next month after former Irish stayer Massive Sovereign completed an extraordinary rise to glory with a spectacular win in the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) under Zac Purton at Sha Tin on Sunday. Providing Yip with his first triumph in the Classic and Purton’s second after Luger in 2015, Massive Sovereign clocked the fastest time in Derby history – 1:59.85 – since the race distance was changed to 2000m in 2000, bettering champion Golden Sixty’s time of 2:00.15, set in 2020. In a thrilling finish, Massive Sovereign charged from the tail of the field to beat Galaxy Patch by a neck. Front-runner Ka Ya Generation was a neck further back in third place as all three place-getters broke two minutes on the good to firm surface in front of 60,976 spectators. Formerly known as Broadhurst when trained by Aidan O’Brien in Ireland, Massive Sovereign was having only his second Hong Kong start after having secured a place in the Hong Kong Derby with a stunning debut win over today’s course and distance on March 3. Backed into +340 on the strength of that win, Massive Sovereign sat at the rear of the field before gradually edging closer while tracking Helios Express, who was bidding for a clean sweep of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series after snaring both the Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) and the Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m). While Helios Express finished eighth, Massive Sovereign emerged from a chasing pack to stymie Andrea Atzeni’s daring all-the-way bid on Ka Ying Generation – who threatened to defy his +3900 odds after sweeping to a five-length lead at the 400m. Weaving into clear running, Massive Sovereign responded strongly under a desperate Purton with a final sectional of 22.58s to overhaul a courageous Ka Ying Generation, while also defying Galaxy Patch, who clocked 22.40s for the last 400m. 2024 Hong Kong Derby Replay – Massive Sovereign Hong Kong champion trainer in 2012/13, Yip revelled in the most important success of his career. “It’s very exciting. I think the Derby for me is more important than the championship…but this one for my life is the big one,” Yip said. “He’s a very special horse with a very good mind. The last 200m I was very nervous but I rely on Zac. He is the champion jockey in Hong Kong and everything was good with the horse. “This horse, the first day he arrived in Hong Kong, he (Purton) sent me the video (of Massive Sovereign winning at Leopardstown) and told me he thought he was a nice horse and asked me if he could ride him. “I’ve already entered him for (the FWD QEII Cup) at the end of April. I will see how the horse pulls up. If he’s good and he improves, I will go this way. “I’m very happy, it’s amazing for my life. What a memory.” Purton described securing the ride on Massive Sovereign – a No Nay Never gelding who won two of five starts for O’Brien – as the fruit of several “sliding doors” moments. “There are all those sliding doors moments in the season leading up to it. At once stage, I thought I was going to ride Ensued and the owner wanted Ryan (Moore), then I thought I would ride Helios (Express) and I was away when Hughy (Bowman) won on him and then I watched him win the first two legs (of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series),” Purton said. “I didn’t really have a horse for the Derby until this bloke won so, like when I won on Luger, it was a late pick-up ride into the race. “I feel extremely honoured and privileged to have found such a horse to win it. To win the race itself, it’s the most prestigious race in Hong Kong and I’ve had a frustrating run in this race and a frustrating season, so it’s nice to get another big one – and probably the biggest one among the local races overall. “He’s shown us so far that he’s the ideal horse here in Hong Kong and he’s got such a good attitude. He just takes everything in his stride since he got here. I loved him in the mornings, you love a lot of horses in the morning but they don’t turn up on race days – this guy has turned up on race day so far. “I’m not sure how good he’s going to be, only time will tell but he’s done a good job so far. “When the leader was that far in front, and that horse (Ka Ying Generation) keeps galloping – he doesn’t stop or give up – he might have tired a little bit but he didn’t capitulate, so he made me earn it. I always thought I was going to get close, but how close you can’t be sure. “Once I got to the 200m, I could feel I had his measure.” Horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing on Monday, March 25 will feature five meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Warrnambool. Monday Racing Tips – March 25, 2024 Warrnambool Racing Tips As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 25, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Monday, March 25. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximize your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 25, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Place a 4+ leg multi, if one leg fails bonus back up to $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in bonus cash. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for March 25, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

It was the third win in four starts for the 3-year-old, who made his debut finishing 10th in a Dec. 3, 2023 maiden optional claimer at Gulfstream Park, where he ran his first three races. View the full article

As the Heritage winter meet winds down with two racing days left on the calendar, Jamie Rodriguez enjoyed a four-win afternoon Sunday at Laurel Park and cemented his claim to the leading rider title. In addition to his four wins on the day, Rodriguez claims 46 through the meet, 18 more than runner-up Jeiron Barbosa, and helped conditioner Jamie Ness move ahead of Brittany Russell in the race for leading trainer. All four of Sunday's wins were on Ness runners and the combo hit at a lofty 29 per cent for the meeting. Rodriguez also leads in purse earnings at more than $1.6-million. Since starting his 2024 season, he's recorded 12 multi-win days, six of which he visited the winner's enclosure on three or more occasions. Rodriguez is the three-time defending champion at Delaware Park as well. “I have to thank all the owners and trainers that help me,” Rodriguez said. “All the hard rides I give to Jamie Ness I'm going to give all my horses, whoever puts me on. We're going to keep working.” The post Jamie Rodriguez Notches Four-Win Sunday, Clinches Meet Title appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Double B Racing Stables' dual grade 3 winner Repo Rocks, last seen finishing seventh in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) in June at Belmont Park for trainer Jamie Ness, is now with conditioner Rick Dutrow Jr.View the full article

Stop me if you've heard this one before: A horse gets claimed for a relatively cheap $30,000, later scores qualifying points at Turfway Park in March to get into one of the sport's most prestigious races at Churchill Downs, then ends up winning a career-defining Grade I stakes at improbable odds on the first weekend of May. That storyline describes the long-shot career of Rich Strike, who upset the GI Kentucky Derby at 80-1 back in 2022. But it also could be the 2024 script for newly crowned stakes victress Everland (Arrogate), who was haltered for $30,000 out of a trip-troubled win at Turfway three months ago, and on Mar. 23 captured the Bourbonette Oaks over the same Tapeta surface. The purse of that stakes was worth 10 times the gray filly's claiming price, and, just as importantly, the race awarded 50 qualifying points to get into the GI Kentucky Oaks. Everland's trajectory is only part of the narrative. Her rise through the ranks is a testament to the upward arc of trainer and co-owner Eric Foster, 46, whose 15 wins are currently tops at the nearly concluded Turfway meet. Foster's $828,364 in earnings for the season there are second behind only perennial powerhouse conditioner Brad Cox. Foster Family Stables has been in business for a decade. Eric runs a 16-acre farm with a training track in rural Utica out in western Kentucky, about 45 minutes southeast of Ellis Park. Eric trains, exercises and transports the horses to the races while his wife, Brooklyn, manages the barn. The couple tag-teams, along with some help from their children and an on-track team of assistants, on everything else. “Me and my wife, we work together. We talk together all the time about [the business],” Foster told Jennie Rees in a post-win video interview for the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protestive Association (KHBPA). “It's just exciting to win. I tell everybody, we're still happy to win a $5,000 claimer. And to win these bigger races…” Foster's voice trails off in thought, and he has to take a moment to keep his emotions in check. “I mean, we're leading this meet right now,” Foster said. “It wasn't even something we had thought about going in [to the start of the season]. Of course, we would want to [be a top stable] if we could, [but] it seems that we've had a little bit better go here than we even expected.” As a kid, Foster excelled in barrel racing. Then by 17 he was galloping and exercising Thoroughbreds. He initially took out his training license in 2000, but his first foray as a conditioner at smaller tracks like Fairmount, the Woodlands, Ellis, and River Downs lasted only a year, with a 6-for-59 record and a hard-won appreciation for just how difficult a vocation training racehorses could be. Foster then worked construction jobs as a welder, taking on whatever work he could, which eventually allowed the couple to buy their house and farm on Highway 431 outside of Owensboro. According to a 2022 profile in The Gleaner that was written by Rees, Foster initially raised cattle, built a barn, and bought a Thoroughbred baby with the intent of re-selling at a subsequent auction. After determining that it might end up being more cost-effective to race the horse themselves, Foster constructed the training track, taking on most of the job himself. As his training business grew from 2014 onward, Foster got financial backing from a diverse number of clients, including those who would eventually partner with him to own Everland (Bill Wargel, Sidney Karmia's Maxis Stable, and R.K. Eckrich Racing). Foster began honing a reputation as a trainer who could spot horses who could be acquired for comparatively short money via claims and at the sales, then get those Thoroughbreds to outrun their purchase prices. Kitodan (Point of Entry) is a prime example. In a partnership with Douglas Miller, Foster Family Racing claimed that gelding for $80,000 in May of 2022, and the 5-year-old has responded with two grass stakes victories (one a Grade III), plus a handful of other stakes performances in which he was only beaten by a couple of lengths. Kitodan was named the KHBPA claimer of the year for 2022, his career earnings have since swelled to $835,237, and is he still competing in graded stakes (he finished eighth on Saturday in the GIII Kentucky Cup Classic). “Now, we have all the supplies, all the tools,” Foster said. “We have the help now. We have the confidence. We have the [better] jockeys. You know, it's just a matter of everything coming together. We do the blankets and all the therapy that we can do on them to get the horses happy. But you've just got to have good horses, and I think we've just been blessed with some good horses lately.” Everland is being pointed to her secured spot in the GI Kentucky Oaks on the first Friday in May | Coady When Foster spotted Everland entered for a $30,000 tag on Dec. 30, 2023, he notified his partners to see who wanted in on what would eventually be a four-way deal. Bred by George Strawbridge Jr. and raced by Augustin Stable with trainer Jonathan Thomas, Everland to that point had been 0-for-3 in maiden special weight races at Kentucky Downs, Woodbine and Turfway. Her pedigree-by Arrogate out of a Tapit mare-stood out. Off at odds of 6-5, Everland endured a horror trip to win, checking on the first turn of a mile race and then almost getting wiped off her feet in a far-turn scrum. After losing all momentum, she determinedly bulled her way between horses, then scooted up the rail to win by three-quarters of a length, with Turfway announcer Tony Calo exuding in his call about the filly's display of athleticism. Everland next won a $50,000 starter-allowance for her new connections by 3 1/2lengths at 15-1 odds on Feb. 10. She was then fourth in the Mar. 1 $150,000 Cincinnati Trophy S., a race won by stablemate Maxisuperfly (Optimizer), who was bought by the Fosters for $18,000 as a Keeneland yearling. In the Mar. 23 Bourbonette, Maxisuperfly set the pace while Everland got caught four wide around the clubhouse turn. Guided to the rail by Abel Cedillo, Everland threaded through on the inside. Turning for home, she briefly got caught on the heels of her tiring stablemate (who finished eighth), then freewheeled up the fence while fending off several fresh challengers, quickening nicely inside the final sixteenth to win by 1 1/4 lengths (82 Beyer Speed Figure). Despite Everland's sky's-the-limit pedigree, Foster doesn't feel like he stole a hot prospect from the filly's former connections. In the winner's circle after the race, he expressed empathy for anyone faced with the difficult business decision of whether or not to drop a well-meant horse in class for a claiming tag. “It's hard. You expect them to win, and when they don't you say, 'We've got to do something different,' and you give them three or four chances [before trying a spot that's] a little cheaper,” Foster said. “We do it too. And a lot of time, we're happy that we didn't lose [a claiming dropdown]. “I would have to think that they knew that they would probably lose her,” Foster continued. “A couple of my good horses are claims, and [the outfits I claim from] are good. I wouldn't ever tell anybody that I'm a better trainer. “[But I do] want to be that guy that has horses that run for a long time. “It's usually the horse that does the running. I don't want to take a whole lot of credit,” Foster said. “We take care of them. We do the best we can. We vet them deep. We feed them good. We do everything to make the health of the horse better. And then it's up to the horse.” Everland is now 3-0-1 with 237,093 in earnings from seven starts, and with 54 qualifying points, she ranks fourth on the Oaks leaderboard. She is safely in the race, and Foster indicated post-win that his connections intend to run in that Grade I spot–even though Everland has never raced on the dirt. In fact, Foster has never personally witnessed her step onto a non-Tapeta surface. “Now I'm going to have the same question everybody else has,” Foster said. “If she can run on the dirt, they better look out. That's going to be the thing. We haven't trained her on the dirt. We've left her [at Turfway] since we claimed her. So we're going to move to Keeneland this week coming up and just see how everything goes, and get her on the dirt. And hopefully she loves it.” Even though Foster is a meet-leading trainer and on the cusp of breaking through in one of the most prestigious races in Kentucky, he is still facing some smaller-outfit business issues, like stabling. “You know, I don't want to call out anybody, but we don't get the stalls we put in for,” Foster said, alluding to the tight allotments at Churchill and Turfway. “We had the horses to put into them. I think we get taken advantage of a little bit for having our own farm and our own training center…. “We're going into the Oaks here. We wanted some stalls at Churchill coming into this spring, and I was just certain we would get stalls. But you know what? You never know… Foster said he would have to “map out” a shipping or stabling strategy for Everland. “I'm not going to take one horse up [to Churchill] and train up to the Oaks. It's going to be a bit of a challenge,” Foster said. In case you haven't already figured it out, Foster doesn't shy from challenges. “I make three, four trips a week sometime,” Foster said. “It's over a seven-hour round trip. A lot of those nights are back to back-to-back. I don't always get somebody to ride with me. I have friends that I get to talk to on the phone. Somebody said, 'Well, how do you not get tired?' And I said, 'You know, I just think about my horses.' “I just go,” Foster added. “I don't start to complain.” The post Week In Review: Foster’s Work Ethic and Keen Eye for Bargains Propel Rise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In a field of 10, 'TDN Rising Stars' GISW Muth (Good Magic) and GISW Timberlake (Into Mischief) have drawn the seven and two gate spots, respectively, and lead the charge in Oaklawn's feature GI Kentucky Derby prep race, the GI Arkansas Derby. Muth, 8-5 on the morning line, will attempt to give Bob Baffert his fifth win in the contest, but hasn't started since finding the winner's enclosure in the GII San Vicente S. Jan. 6 at Santa Anita. The colt is ineligible for the Derby points and to run in the GI Kentucky Derby owing to Baffert's much talked-about suspension by Churchill Downs. Brad Cox, trainer of Timberlake (9-5 on the morning line), seeks his third consecutive victory in Oaklawn's fourth and final Kentucky Derby points race. Having already claimed the GII Rebel S. at this venue in February, the third offered qualifying race, the son of Into Mischief looks to pad an already sizeable tally here. Also drawn was the field for the GII Fantasy S., a 200-point race for the GI Kentucky Oaks, and Mike Maker's MSW My Mane Squeeze (Audible) has been tapped as the 3-1 program favorite. The New York-bred leads a field which includes the top three finishers of the GIII Honeybee S. in GSW Lemon Muffin (Collected), SW & GSP Tapit Jenallie (Tapit), and SW & GSP West Omaha (West Coast). The post ‘Rising Stars’ Muth, Timberlake Lead Arkansas Derby Field appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Owner-breeder John Fairley said he and his family are "all heartbroken" after his multiple group 1-winner Highfield Princess died March 23 after sustaining an injury in an accident in her stall last week.View the full article

Trainer Penalty S Ross | Non-raceday dated 21 March; possession of permanently banned substance; disqualified 20 March – 19 July inclusive. Dog Penalties GO HELEN | Christchurch 22 March; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. HOMEBUSH SUZIE | Christchurch 22 March; turned in boxes; must complete trial. GOLDSTAR ROMAN | Christchurch 22 March; marring (2nd charge); stood down for 28 days and must complete trial. General Race 5 at Auckland GRC meeting of 24 March was declared a no race after the boxes were slow to open. The post 18-24 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Al Basti Equiworld will renew its partnership with York Racecourse and continue sponsoring a trio of group races, the two organisations announced on Sunday. The £180,000 G2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Dante S. and the £150,000 G2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Middleton S. will take place on May 16 this year. The £250,000 G2 Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Gimcrack S. will be held on Aug. 23. Malih Al Basti said, “Our long-standing relationship with York Racecourse has contributed significantly to promoting recognition of our brand within the sport and beyond. I am delighted that we are able to continue our support for these three important races at two of British racing's most exciting Festivals.” Chairman of York Racecourse, Bridget Guerin, added, “Malih Al Basti has been a great supporter of York, so it is wonderful news that his support is set to continue. All three races have a rich heritage with many famous winners and memorable contests, they will continue to thrive under the strong partnership between Al Basti Equiworld and the team at York.” The post Al Basti Equiworld And York Racecourse Continue Sponsorship Partnership appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“Stud Medicine–Back To Basics” is the next event in the Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA) CPD Series and will be held at the Irish National Stud (INS) on Tuesday, Apr. 2 beginning at 11 a.m. CVI points are pending for the lecture, which follows the “Stud Medicine–Following the Evidence” course that took place in February. Veterinarians with expertise in equine stud medicine will present a programme of lectures on a variety of topics including mare management to foaling and foal care. There will also be a panel discussion on career options and planning, a late lunch and a tour of the Irish National Stud and Gardens, weather permitting. To register, please visit the IEVA website. The post IEVA CPD Series Continues With Stud Medicine Programme appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article