Wandering Eyes

Virginia Reid, assistant trainer for her brother Butch Reid, discusses their Preakness Stakes (G1) contender and Withers Stakes (G3) winner Uncle Heavy.View the full article

The New York Racing Association announces the creation of the NYRA Foundation to raise funding and awareness for the work of non-profits, service providers, Thoroughbred aftercare groups, and charitable organizations connected to horse racing.View the full article

An overcast morning at Pimlico Race Course May 15 was business as usual for the remaining Preakness Stakes (G1) contenders, led by Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan, who became the morning-line favorite after Muth was scratched.View the full article

6th-BAQ, $90K, Msw, 3yo/up, 6f, 3:39 p.m. ET. DEPUTY MISCHIEF (Into Mischief), a 3-year-old Bill Mott trainee, makes his first start for co-owners John Oxley, Neil Sands, Tom McCrocklin and Justin Casse. The $475,000 2023 OBS June Sale graduate is out of Canadian champion 2-year-old filly and 'TDN Rising Star' Delightful Mary (Limehouse). Herself campaigned by Oxley, she counts as a half-sister MGSW Delightful Kiss (Kissin Kris). Deputy Mischief has an extended female family which includes MSW Dr Ardito (Liam's Map) and Japanese multiple group 1 stakes runner-up Wilson Tesoro (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). TJCIS PPS The post Thursday Insights: Into Mischief $475k OBS June Grad Debuts At Big A appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kabirkhan (California Chrome), who won his first three starts in Kazakhstan on his way to winning the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge in Dubai, has been sent to the U.S. and will be trained by Brad Cox. Kabirkhan was purchased at the 2021 Keeneland September sale for $12,000 by agent Nadir Khassanov and was then shipped to Kazakhstan, which has just one racetrack and a horse population of about 300. Running at Almaty Hippodrome, he broke his maiden in a three-horse race after breaking slowly. For owner Tlek Mukanbetkaliyev, the chestnut won his next two starts in Kazakhstan, winning so easily that it was clear that no horse in that country could compete with him. He was living up to his name, Kabir is Arabic for mighty or great and Khan is Kazakh for King. Yet, his total earnings after those three races in Kazakhstan were the equivalent of $3,458. Looking for bigger purses and greater challenges, the connections sent the colt to Russia. There he won five straight races, but his winning streak ended when he was second in the Russian Derby behind Hero Mo (Mo Town). The next stop was Dubai, where he was trained by Chief Stipe Watson. In his first start there, he won a handicap race over the same Hero Mo who had defeated him in Russia. He followed that with a win in the $1-million Al Maktoum Challenge. “He might be the best mile and a quarter horse I've ever trained,” said Watson. “We'll see what the owners want to do next, but I'm glad he's in our yard. I'm delighted for our team, [jockey] Pat [Dobbs] and of course everybody in Kazakhstan.” The fairy tale took a wrong turn when Kabirkhan finished a distant eighth in the G1 Dubai World Cup. After the World Cup, Kabirkhan was shipped to the U.S. and sent to WinStar Farm to get acclimated to the U.S. Cox said he arrived at his barn at Churchill Downs last Sunday. “I just got him,” he said. “He's a big, good-looking horse. All we've done with him so far is to gallop him a couple of days. I've had a couple of conversations with the owner, who seems like a nice fellow. I am looking forward to getting this horse up and going.” Cox said he hasn't decided when to give Kabirkhan his first breeze or where he will kick off his U.S. campaign. “I just want to see how he moves forward over the next week or so,” the trainer said. “It's like a big puzzle. You're hoping you can put it together. Based off what we have in our barn in the division, I think we'll have a pretty good idea of what we have before we run him. Obviously, I have to get to know the horse and what his tendencies are and how he is as a work horse. We can work him with some of the better older horses we have and that will give us a good line on where he stacks up. It will be interesting.” The post By Way of Kazakhstan, Group 1-Winning Son of California Chrome Sent to Brad Cox appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Free contest entries for the $5-million 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick 'Em Challenge are now open, 1/ST announced in a release. The 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick 'Em Challenge closes at 6:55 p.m. ET May 18, prior to the post time for the 149th GI Preakness S. Fans can register and submit their picks for free at www.1st.com/contest or at www.preakness.com/contest. The 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick 'Em Challenge connects the Preakness (May 18 at Pimlico Race Course), GI California Crown (Sept. 28 at Santa Anita Park) and the 2025 GI Pegasus World Cup (Jan. 25 at Gulfstream Park). Five million dollars is on the line to successfully pick the first four finishers of each race, in order. If there is not a perfect entry, the entry with the most overall points will win a guaranteed $100,000 cash prize. “The 1/ST GRAND 3 Pick 'Em challenge is a great opportunity for new fans and seasoned pros to take a shot at a huge payday, coupled with amazing racing and entertainment experiences across the three events, this is intended to drive excitement for the next 8 months!” said Aidan Butler, President, 1/ST. The post $5-Million 1/ST Grand 3 Pick ‘Em Challenge Kicks Off Preakness 149 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Preakness Stakes (G1) morning-line favorite Muth has been declared out of the May 18 race after spiking a temperature after arriving at Pimlico Race Course late May 14.View the full article

Edited Press Release The NYRA Foundation, a philanthropic effort designed to raise funding and awareness for the work of non-profits, service providers, Thoroughbred aftercare groups and charitable organizations connected to horse racing, has been launched by the New York Racing Association, Inc. Throughout its history, NYRA has dedicated significant resources and made direct investments to support the communities surrounding Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park and Saratoga Race Course. In addition, NYRA provides sustaining financial contributions to deepen the impact of the Backstretch Employee Service Team (BEST), the Racetrack Chaplaincy of New York and the Belmont Child Care Association (BCCA), the primary non-profits working in support of New York's backstretch community. The NYRA Foundation establishes a pathway for businesses, individuals and organizations to contribute to a variety of worthy endeavors connected to Thoroughbred racing in New York State and across the country. To highlight the expansion of NYRA's charitable efforts, the NYRA Foundation will host a gala event Friday, June 7 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Co-hosted by NYRA Chairman Marc Holliday, all proceeds from the inaugural Belmont Ball will benefit a selection of non-profit organizations active in backstretch services, thoroughbred aftercare and more. The NYRA Foundation is currently offering Belmont Ball sponsorship opportunities for individuals and businesses interested in supporting the mission. For additional information on available sponsorship opportunities, or to donate to the NYRA Foundation, visit https://nyraf.org/. “The NYRA Foundation reflects our belief in the importance of service to others,” said David O'Rourke, NYRA President & CEO. “Thanks to Chairman Marc Holliday, and the generosity of our event sponsors, the Belmont Ball will shine a light on the essential and underappreciated work done to support the broader horse racing community.” The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will take place at Saratoga Race Course in 2024 to allow for the uninterrupted construction of a new Belmont Park. Highlighted by the 156th edition of the GI Belmont S. on Saturday, June 8, the 2024 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival will begin on Thursday, June 6 and continue through Sunday, June 9. The post NYRA Launches Charitable Foundation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Do you want to feel old? It's over a decade since a baby-faced Connor King burst onto the scene in Ireland and landed Champion Flat Apprentice titles in 2013 and 2015. King rode winners for some of the biggest names in the sport but his career on the Flat was cruelly cut short when he started to fill into his massive frame. In short, nature took its course. After a spell riding under National Hunt rules, King is now concentrating fully on training winners rather than riding them, and sent out his first runner at Killarney this week. Oscars Brother (Ire) (Malinas {Ger}), the sole horse the young man has to go to war with on the track, ran a respectable race under his own brother and promising young National Hunt pilot, Daniel, in a novice hurdle at the Kerry track. That horse should have days in him over fences, according to King, but more pressingly, there is a certain Make Believe (GB) colt that the Tipperary-based handler is getting excited about ahead of the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale. King said, “The Make Believe is a lovely horse and I'm very happy with him. I'm very excited to be going to the sales with him actually. He seems to be going very well. I spent €12,000 on him at Part 2 of the Orby Sale at Goffs. He has a decent pedigree and is a half-brother to Impact Warrior (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), who was a decent filly for Paddy Twomey–she was actually third in a Grade I in America last year. The mare got black-type and is by Lope De Vega (Ire) so I am lucky to have gotten my lad for the price that I did.” He added, “I had worked for Paddy and was obviously keeping an eye on all of his horses at the time. I was familiar with the filly so, when I saw her name on the page, it jumped out at me straight away. When I was looking at the pedigree at the sales, I thought to myself that I probably wouldn't have been able to afford the colt. Luckily enough, I did.” One of the stories of last year's Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale was the touch the Shinnick brothers secured with a filly by Make Believe. It was Johnny Shinnick who came out with the memorable line, “she looks quick going past thistles,” after selling the filly for €170,000. A similar result would do nicely for King. “That was brilliant,” he recalled. “If we got even half as good a result as that it would be great. The lads did very well with their filly last year and the sire is going well. He has a couple of nice horses on the go, so fingers crossed. He's probably a value sire at €10,000.” On his career change, he added, “I'll be 28 in August so it's coming up on 12 years since I had my first ride. I don't know where the time has gone, to be honest. It took me a while to realise what I wanted to do after I was finished riding on the Flat. I rode over jumps for a while but it wasn't easy, especially when I had no claim. But I did enjoy that and got plenty of experience. It just wasn't for me, though. That's why I decided to go down this route. I had my first runner the other night. I took out my restricted National Hunt licence and he's the only horse I have in training at the moment. But it did take me a while to figure out what I wanted to do.” King was the prime example of what an unstoppable force a talented young apprentice can be. He went from sitting his Leaving Certificate to being to most in-demand young jockeys in Ireland and rode high-profile horses at some of the biggest meetings there is. But the harsh reality is that it was never going to last. His body was better suited to playing in the NBA than guiding thoroughbreds to victory but he was bloody good at the latter which made letting go and allowing nature to take over all the more difficult. “At the time, I thought it was going to last forever. People were telling me that I needed to mind my claim but one high-profile jockey told me to just make hay while the sun shined and to ride as many winners as I could while I was able to. Looking back now, that person was right because my height meant I was never going to make a long-term career at it. When I was going well, I did try to convince myself that it would last, but it didn't take long for reality to kick in.” King added, “I feel like I had a good run and lived my dream for a good few years when I was younger. You know, all I wanted to do when I was younger was to race-ride and I did it. I looked up to Pat Smullen, Billy Lee, Wayne Lordan and Joseph O'Brien when I was kid. What felt like five minutes later, I was sitting in the car with those lads heading to the races and sitting beside them in the weighroom. It was brilliant.” The dream has changed insofar that he now has designs on training winners rather than riding them. Working with the youngsters and setting up a breeze-up arm to his business is another avenue that he is keen to pursue. That's not to say that King will be diving in head first after what has proved to be a tricky few weeks for his fellow breeze-up consignors. He said, “I breezed one horse last year and he won twice for Ed Dunlop. It was brilliant watching him go on. He ended up being called Hint Of The Jungle (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}). We bought him for €20,000 and sold him for 30,000gns but watching his entries and seeing him run–it was like we still owned him.” King added, “If you were just reading the sales reports and looking at the big-money sales, you could get sucked in, but you have to be realistic. A lot of people seemed to be coming home with horses from the sales. But the fact that I am operating at such a small scale for the moment, it's not going to affect me too much. Going forward, you'd certainly be cautious. At the moment, I'm just taking things one step at a time and we will see where we end up. “Hopefully we can get on well with this fella first and I can't wait to get him up to Fairyhouse for him to show people what he can do. I think he's very nice so hopefully he proves me right. I'd be fairly confident that, wherever he goes, he'll be a fairly good horse.” The post ‘I Lived Out My Dream’ – King Looking Forward To New Chapter In Training Ranks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Live racing at Horseshoe Indianapolis was canceled Wednesday as a result of rains that passed through the area. “Out of concern for the safety of our equine and human athletes that the races for Wednesday, May 15, have been canceled,” Horseshoe Indianapolis Vice President and General Manager Eric Halstrom said on the track's X feed. Rachel McLauglin, the on-air racing analyst and production manager for the track, posted images on X showing widespread flooding on and around the racetrack. Nine Thoroughbred races were carded for Wednesday, including the first open stakes of the 2024 meet, the $150,000 Horseshoe Indianapolis H. for 3-year-old turf fillies, and the colts' counterpart, the $150,000 Caesars H., each carded for a mile on the grass. The $100,000 Swifty Sired Fillies' H. and $100,000 Sagamore Sired H. were also scheduled to be run. According to a post from Daily Racing Form's Marcus Hersh, the two Indiana-sired stakes will be brought back May 22. The status of the Caesars and Horseshoe Indianapolis Handicaps was to be determined. Here are some pictures of the flooding on and around the track. Definitely a good call to cancel today @HSIndyRacing pic.twitter.com/utYsmpWtkm — Rachel McLaughlin (@RacingRachelM) May 15, 2024 The post Rain Washes Out Stakes-Laden Program at Horseshoe Indianapolis appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Progressive galloper continues his hot winning streak with a tough performance at the city circuitView the full article

One of the least-likely candidates on paper for Wednesday's G3 Tattersalls Musidora S. at York, Guy Brook's Secret Satire (GB) (Advertise {GB}–Secret Pursuit {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}) defied formbook logic to run out a clear-cut winner of one of the premier Oaks trials. Only third in a Sandown novice last month, the Andrew Balding-trained 22-1 shot raced freely early before being found cover by Oisin Murphy behind the leader. Staying on strongly to gain the advantage two furlongs out, the homebred drew away late to score by two lengths from Francophone (GB) (Study Of Man {Ire}), with Classical Song (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) half a length away in third. The 8-11 favourite Friendly Soul (GB) (Kingman {GB}) hung right throughout and finished last. 22/1 chance Secret Satire wins the @Tattersalls1766 Musidora Stakes@yorkracecourse | @oismurphy pic.twitter.com/9lMo55oQMy — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 15, 2024 The post Advertise’s Secret Satire In Musidora Upset appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter Harris's 4-year-old Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Swirral Edge {GB}, by Hellvelyn {GB}), who ran second to the reopposing Washington Heights (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}) in last month's G3 Abernant S. at Newmarket on seasonal return, stepped forward to claim a last-gasp victory in a dramatic renewal of Wednesday's G2 1895 Duke of York Clipper S. at York. The Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee annexed Deauville's G3 Prix de Meautry and Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud in seven sophomore starts before undergoing a wind operation at the end of last year. Mill Stream tracked the leaders in sixth, after an alert getaway, from the outset of this straight six-furlong dash. Rowed along soon after passing halfway, the 4-1 joint-favourite came under sterner urging inside the final quarter-mile and was driven out in the latter stages to nail Shouldvebeenaring (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) by a nose on the line, in a thrilling three-way photograph, for a career high. There was a heart-stopping moment approaching the final furlong where William Haggas representative Tiber Flow (Ire) (Caravaggio) parted company with rider Tom Marquand in an horrific-looking fall. Both escaped relatively unscathed after being assessed. “I wasn't sure if we'd won and I appreciate they couldn't show the replay because of the faller, but thankfully Tom [Marquand] and the horse look okay,” said Chapple-Hyam. “Mill Stream is a tough, brave horse and he's come on a lot since the Abernant, but he's only just won. I think he's pretty versatile and he goes on any ground. It was soft when he won in France last year, but quick in the Abernant. I'd like to go to Ascot on the Saturday [for the G1 Platinum Jubilee], but I'll see what Mr Harris wants to do. He has landed me with some nice horses and I'm in a lucky position, so it's nice to win a big race for him. I think Mill Stream is good enough to run in the Jubilee and I'd like to see the splits as it's on the slow side of good today, but he's against older horses. Winning rider William Buick added, “I got carried left a little bit, but he really put his head out and I was delighted he got the verdict. He's been knocking on the door a few times, hopefully this is his year and he could have a big year ahead of him.” Middleham Park Racing's Tim Palin, reflecting on the performance of runner-up Shouldvebeenaring, commented, “Mill Stream was a worthy winner on the day, it was obviously close in the photo, and we're just delighted with how our horse ran because we couldn't really explain what happened last time. Maybe there was a slightly bounce factor going into the Abernant from the Lady Wulfruna. We've got our horse back, a horse who was running well in Group 1s at the backend of last year, in the Haydock Sprint Cup and the Prix da la Foret, and we'll continue to ply our trade in Group 1s and Group 2s. He's in a Group 3 over seven furlongs at ParisLongchamp a week on Sunday [May 26 G3 Prix du Palias-Royal] and he's also in the [May 25] G2 Greenlands at the Curragh, so he could go into one of those.” Pedigree Notes Mill Stream is the second foal and Group 2 scorer produced by a winning half-sister to Listed Westow S. victrix and G3 Prix du Petit Couvert third Fashion Queen (GB) (Aqlaam {GB}), herself the dam of Listed Premio Umbria victor Noble Title (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). The April-foaled bay is a half-brother to G2 Richmond S. winner and G1 Prix Morny third Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and the hitherto unraced 2-year-old colt Tasalla (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). Mill Stream wins the G2 1895 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes for @JaneChappleHyam Tiber Flow is up & Tom Marquand has also walked away from that incident pic.twitter.com/9oNKWBGxTj — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 15, 2024 Wednesday, York, Britain 1895 DUKE OF YORK CLIPPER S.-G2, £150,000, York, 5-15, 3yo/up, 6fT, 1:10.91, gd. 1–MILL STREAM (IRE), 136, c, 4, by Gleneagles (Ire) 1st Dam: Swirral Edge (GB), by Hellvelyn (GB) 2nd Dam: Pizzarra (GB), by Shamardal 3rd Dam: Pizzicato (GB), by Statoblest (Ire) (350,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-P W Harris; B-Redpender Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Jane Chapple-Hyam; J-William Buick. £85,065. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 12-4-3-1, $276,085. *1/2 to Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}), GSW-Eng, SW & G1SP-Fr, SP-USA, $286,744. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Shouldvebeenaring (GB), 136, c, 4, Havana Grey (GB)–Lady Estella (Ire), by Equiano (Fr). (£40,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Middleham Park Racing XVIII; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £32,250. 3–Diligent Harry (GB), 136, g, 6, Due Diligence–Harryana To (GB), by Compton Place (GB). (£38,000 Ylg '19 GOFFPR). O-The Dilinquents; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Clive Cox. £16,140. Margins: NO, NK, NK. Odds: 4.00, 12.00, 8.50. Also Ran: Washington Heights (GB), Art Power (Ire), Montassib (GB), Azure Blue (Ire), Swingalong (Ire), Fivethousandtoone (Ire), Commanche Falls (GB), Spycatcher (Ire), Marshman (GB), Khaadem (Ire). Scratched: Cold Case (GB). The post Gleneagles’s Mill Stream Pounces Late in Dramatic Duke of York appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The X-Rays Files series, now in its second year and presented in cooperation with the Consignors and Breeders' Association, uses conversations with buyers and sellers to contribute to the discussion on the sales and training process. Nick de Meric and his wife Jaqui have become stalwarts of the pinhooking scene in Ocala over the last four decades and their program has produced success after success both in the sales ring and on the racetrack. Among the graduates of the family's program are Horse of the Year Knicks Go and champion juvenile Corniche. Whether de Meric is preparing a horse for the sales ring or the racetrack, the horseman said both start out with the same training regimen. “When we start the babies, they all start the same way,” de Meric said. “They all start in a round pen. And then they graduate to a small paddock, and then to a bigger field. And then they learn diagonals, leads, head set, learn to respond to the aids, bending around the leg, and I try to spend at least a month in a large field unless I'm really tight on time. “And then from there, we introduce them to the racetrack, and usually that's a graduated introduction where they'll spend three days in a week on the track, and the other three maybe it's back in the field. And then we gradually phase out the field to where they're going to the track every day. They pretty much all start that way.” Eventually the training paths diverge as the sales horses are prepared for a solo work at the all-important under-tack show. “When a baby is going to 2-year-old sales, we all know about the speed factor. We all know they need to show a little sizzle on the racetrack,” de Meric said. “But beyond that, they need to learn independence, maybe a little sooner than the horses that are going to the track. When we do start breezing, I tend to keep the horses that are going to the racetrack in company for longer, sometimes pretty much right through, whereas the ones going to the sale, they need to learn fairly early on to have the independence and the confidence to do that alone without having the sparring partner of another horse alongside them.” As for the racing prospects, they continue working in company, while also adding on other lessons they will need at the track. “That sprint speed over a short distance is less critical for horses going to the track, so we tend to work them more in company,” de Meric said. “I do a lot more gate work with those horses going to the track. I have no time for a baby leaving me that doesn't walk straight into the gate, stand quietly when it's locked, and jump clean when the gates open. I consider that part of my job, and I insist on it. But I tend not to do as much gate work with horses getting ready for sales. We're focused on other aspects of their condition.” Asked if he sees any residual impact of sales horses be instilled with the independence to work alone from an early stage, de Meric said, “I think it probably does. I like the horses going to the races to be comfortable breezing alone, but they're going to do less of it. I think that the graduates of 2-year-old sales, they do have that independence and that confidence and belief in themselves, which I think stands them in good stead when they get to the track. And I think the results of 2-year-old graduates in their racing careers bears testimony to that.” Purchasing yearlings with an eye towards resale the following spring requires that the team finds a specific type of horse. “Whether you are buying for the races or for the 2-year-old sales, you've got to find athletes,” de Meric said. “But we're also looking for horses to look and act as if they would show some precocity that would make them come to hand in order to perform at a 2-year-old sale. That can be a product of pedigree, it could be a product of foaling date, but most of all, it's usually a product of conformation, balance, athleticism, and good body type.” He continued, “With the 2-year-olds going to sales, I think that an element of precocity is pretty much a given. Although it has to be said that the days of, we'll just say, cheap speed or just speed on the track and nothing else to back it up are long gone. Elite buyers now, they not only want a horse that shows up at a 2-year-old sale, but they want one that looks as if it's going to train on and become an important 3-year-old. And that's what the important buyers are rewarding consignors for.” Beyond physical appearance and pedigree, de Meric has found radiographic issues he can live with and some that are a total turn off. “I think the emphasis changes a little bit as technology and knowledge and studies evolve,” he said. “But I think that I'm cautious of knees, because nobody wants iffy knees. A little bit of roughing in fetlock joints, mild sesamoiditis, lesions in hocks, all of those things I'm reasonably forgiving on. Again, not moderate or severe sesamoiditis, not lesions in knees, preferably not in ankles, but in hocks, not usually a big deal. “Other radiographic findings, splints of course, it's not so much a radiographic finding, but you prefer not to because it sometimes implies soft bone or at least one that's going to take a little bit longer to mature and harden up. But spurs in knees, you'd prefer not because there's always the risk they might break off and chip. While a lot of buyers are reasonably accepting of P1 chips, if they occur, knee chips much, much less so. So that's an issue. Definitely more than mild remodeling in the ankle joints would be a difficult sell because again, a lot of those horses are going to turn out fine given time, but you don't always have that luxury of getting horses ready for 2-year-old sales. The cleaner the X-rays, the less explaining you're going to have to do at the other end. You want the yearling X-rays from when you buy a baby to correspond to his 2-year-old X-rays without too much changing in the middle.” The issue of medication at the 2-year-old sales became a hot-button topic this spring. De Meric sees plenty of things to give buyers confidence buying at the juvenile auctions. “I'm on the executive board of OBS, and I've been on the board for about 25 years, and this is a constant discussion,” he said. “We're constantly raising the bar, tweaking our medication rules and regulations. There certainly was a time when there was a little bit of a wild west component to 2-year-old sales, but that's been a long time. “We at OBS have a very strict protocol for medication use. We have medication reports that are filled out in advance of the breeze show. There is a complete library of any medication that is given to a horse, within, I think it's three days of his breeze show, right through the sale. And surprisingly few people take advantage of that. It's right there on file, and it's just like the repository. It's available to anybody who wants to see it. Is there a major problem with medication at 2-year-old sales? I honestly believe that the answer to that question is no, that there is not a major problem. The perception and the reality, there's a chasm between the two.” Highlighting the divide between perception and the reality that de Meric sees, the horseman said, “Throw away lines like 'Clenbuterol use is rampant in 2-year-old sales,' and I'm quoting verbatim, that strikes to the heart. That really hurts us because we've worked so hard to prevent that. We [at OBS] test 20% of the 2-year-olds that go through any 2-year-old sale. And any time that we've had a positive for Clenbuterol–and there's been three in the last, I think, five years–and in all instances, those horses were scratched and the consignors were sanctioned. “We've tried very, very hard in the U.S. to sell a clean product that is well regulated, not to the point that a consignor is unable to ply his trade, but to where a buyer can walk on the sale ground with as much confidence as it's possible to have, knowing that the process is tightly regulated, the horses are tested and that there are sanctions available to them if a horse is tested post-sale or post-breeze that comes up with a positive.” De Meric has a quick answer when asked what advice he would give to a buyer heading to the 2-year-old sales. “Do your homework,” he said. He continued, “I'd say to buy from somebody you know, or if you don't know them, somebody who you have researched enough to know that they're selling you a clean and honest product. That's not to imply that half of the sellers of 2-year-olds aren't to be trusted. That's not to imply that for a minute, but I just think that if you are listening to information you're being given by a consignor, you want to know it's coming from a good source. And there's the used car salesman approach or there's the straight down the middle trying to get it right approach. And we've always tried to aim for the latter. In the same vein, if you are not an expert yourself, use a reputable agent with a good track record who is respected industry-wide.” The information is available to all would-be buyers, if they choose to use it, de Meric said. “At the end of the day, we provide a ton of information on these 2-year-olds when they go through a 2-year-old sale,” he said. “Way, way, way more than you get when you buy a yearling, for example. Yes, you might have to pay a little bit more because you know this horse has a turn of foot, and you know he moves like this on the racetrack, and you know he's resting well after being put through his paces. You know all that.” De Meric's passion for his craft is clear, as is his pain at what he sees as unwarranted criticism of the 2-year-old sales. “Those of us who care about the future of our sport and of our industry, are working really hard to do the right thing,” he said. “And it offends us deeply to hear some of the comments that are written in the trade press, and of course in the mainstream media, that are absolutely, blatantly inaccurate. And it's hurtful to us because we're trying so hard to get away from any of the stigma of what used to be. Going back 20 or 25 years, it was a bit more wild west. But it has changed so much in the time between now and then that it's a very different marketplace you're walking into. If you do your homework and you approach it intelligently, you can stack the odds in your favor buying a 2-year-old.” Click to read previous 2024 X-Ray Files with Alistair Roden and David Scanlon. For the entire series, click here. The post The X-Ray Files, Season 2: Nick de Meric appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Edited Press Release Officials at The Jockey Club have announced the recipients of its five academic scholarships, which will be awarded for the 2024-2025 academic year. Lauren Maas was selected to receive The Jockey Club Scholarship ($7,500 per semester), which is awarded to a student on an academic path toward employment in the equine industry. Maas is a candidate for a Master's of Science in Animal Biology with the thesis, “Arrhythmogenesis and Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses.” After receiving her Master's, Lauren will attend veterinary school at the Royal Veterinary College in London, England. The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship ($10,000 per semester) is being awarded to Sophia Vega. She works as a nursing technician at Rood and Riddle equine Hospital and is an Ed Brown Society Scholar. Her goal is to become an equine veterinarian specializing in equine orthopedic and soft tissue surgery. Paola Castro will receive The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship ($10,000 per semester), which is awarded to an undergraduate student who is from a minority racial or ethnic group. Her goal is to become a veterinarian specializing in performance horses. Paola has been active with the Horse Racing Women's Summit and Amplify Horse Racing. The Jockey Club Benevolence Scholarship ($7,500 per semester) provides needs-based assistance with preference to backstretch and horse farm employees and their family members and was awarded to Elizabeth Rosas. Elizabeth is a high school student from Elmont, NY, her father is an assistant trainer, and her fondest memories are of visiting the stables with him. Elizabeth is studying business and hopes to create an eco-friendly clothing brand. Nathan Klein is the recipient of The Jockey Club Jack Goodman Scholarship ($3,000 per semester), which is open to students enrolled in the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program (RTIP). He has worked in a variety of positions at Rillito Racetrack in Tucson and called two full cards at Turf Paradise in Phoenix, AZ, while making simulcast calls in English for Brazilian and Argentinian racetracks. He was also a full-time intern at Colonial Downs in Virginia. Nathan's goal is to become a racetrack announcer “We have been providing scholarships for several years, and the group of applicants this year was as strong as ever,” said James L. Gagliano, president and COO, The Jockey Club. “It's encouraging to know so many intelligent, dedicated students are focused on the equine industry, and we hope many of them will have an impact on the Thoroughbred industry in the years to come.” Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year will open this fall. The post The Jockey Club’s Academic Scholarship Recipients Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Arqana's Summer Sale, originally set for July 2-4, will now be held from July 1-4. There was a significant increase in entries across all categories of the mixed sale, which resulted in the expanded stand. The breeze session will take place at Deauville-La Touques Racecourse on Monday, July 1. On Tuesday, July 2, Flat-bred 2-year-olds and National Hunt stores will sell beginning at 10 a.m. The sale will feature horses-in-training at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, and the final day of the sale will begin at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, and consist of a session breeding stock (fillies and mares). The post Arqana Summer Sale Expanded To Four Days appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Preakness Stakes (G1) morning-line favorite Muth has been declared out of Saturday's race after spiking a temperature after arriving at Pimlico late Tuesday night.View the full article

1st-Hipodromo de la Zarzuela, €13,600, Mdn., 2yo, 1200mT, 1:15.16. GOLDEN FURIUS (IRE) (c, 2, Shaman {Ire}–Nefetari {GB}, by Kodiac {GB}), making his debut, broke on top, but was soon relegated to third. Sneaking up the rail with 400 metres left to travel, he kicked away from his foes by the 300-metre mark. He won with his ears pricked by 1 3/4 lengths over Capdepera (Ire) (Aclaim {Ire}). Golden Furius is the first winner for his multiple group-winning sire (by Shamardal), who stands for €5,000 this year at Yeomanstown Stud in Ireland. Shaman was also second in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains and two other Group 1 races. A €7,000 Tattersalls Ireland Sapphire Sale weanling when bough by RR Bloodstock, he was purchased for €9,000 out of the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale by Nicola Pucci when consigned by Glenspring Farm, agent. The fourth foal and second winner for his dam, Golden Furius is from the extended family of G2 Richmond S. winner and G1 Gran Criterium third Mister Cosmi (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}), and the stakes winner Auditorium (GB) (Royal Applause {GB}), who was second in the G2 Champagne S. and third in the G1 Middle Park S. Sales history: €7,000 Wlg '22 TATNOV; €9,000 Ylg '23 TATSEP. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €8,000. Click for the video. O-Amore Mio. B-Colin Kennedy (Ire). T-F. Jimenez. Golden Furius (Shaman), con @JanacekVaclav, supera a Capdepera y Kingofthesandcen y vence en el premio Reltaj, prueba para dos años debutantes. pic.twitter.com/ziCHsjhyR8 — A Galopar (@AgaloparTurf) May 15, 2024 The post First Winner For Shaman, As Golden Furius Strikes In Spain appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Zedan Racing Stables' 'TDN Rising Star' Muth (Good Magic) has been withdrawn from Saturday's GI Preakness S. after spiking a temperature following his arrival into Pimlico late Tuesday. “We are sick about this. The horse had been doing really well,” trainer Bob Baffert told the Pimlico media office. “But we have to do what's right by the horse.” Runner-up to fellow 'Rising Star' Fierceness (City of Light) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the $190,000 Keeneland September yearling turned $2-million OBS March topper came off the bench to win the GII San Vicente S. over seven furlongs in February and gave his trainer Bob Baffert a record-equaling fifth victory in the GI Arkansas Derby Mar. 30. He was unable to contest the GI Kentucky Derby owing to the ban that remains in place against Baffert at Churchill Downs. Muth was the 8-5 morning-line favorite in a field of nine and was to be ridden by Juan Hernandez. Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents), third to Muth at Oaklawn prior to his 18-1 upset two weeks back, is the 5-2 morning-line second favorite. This story will be updated as additional information becomes available The post Muth Withdrawn From Preakness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The latest intake of Godolphin Flying Start trainees for the 2024-2026 term was revealed on Wednesday. The two-year Thoroughbred Industry Management and Leadership Programme features trainees from Ireland, France, Czech Republic, UK and the USA. Their course begins at Kildangan Stud, County Kildare, Ireland, on Monday, August 12. The scholarship facilitates trainees to learn and experience practical horsemanship, management operations and leadership in the global Thoroughbred industry with phases in Ireland, the UK, the USA, Australia and Dubai. The course is accredited by University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School as a Graduate Certificate in Management. The dozen trainees are as follows: Matthew Browne, Ireland Megan Bulbulia, Ireland Caroline Bunch, USA Matthew Daubeney, UK Ivanna Dempsey, Ireland Rachael Doody, Ireland Grace Hamilton, USA Adam Holland, UK Luke Kevin, Ireland Gabrielle Nebout, France Tereza Pavlů, Czech Republic Antoine Rozan, France The post Godolphin Flying Start Trainees For 2024-2026 Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The latest all-female racing syndicate has been launched by Opulence Thoroughbreds, which purchased a Calyx (GB) filly at the recent Goffs UK Breeze-up Sale at Doncaster. Named Impatiently (Ire), the filly, who was consigned by Charlie Poste of Station Yard, has gone into training with Jane Chapple-Hyam and will race for Opulence Ladies. She is an intended runner in the Class 2 five-furlong maiden at Yarmouth on May 22. Courtney Wyatt, Racing and Communications Manager for Opulence Thoroughbreds, said, “A huge percentage of our owners are men and that number reflects the general population of racegoers too. As a syndicate, one of our objectives is to bring new audiences into the sport, and this is a great opportunity to promote women in all aspects of racing, including ownership. The syndicate will be run by women, for women, and we are keen to support our fellow ladies in the industry. For instance, there are no female trainers in the top 20 of the Flat Trainers' Championship and we want to see more female jockeys rising the ranks too. “We are really excited to see where we can go with this filly, who we felt went under the radar at the breeze-ups. She looks very quick and has a great mind, [and is] by Calyx, who made a great start to his first season last year. We would love to see her do well, not only for our owners but to encourage more women to enjoy horse racing.” The post Opulence Ladies Syndicate Launched With Breeze-up Filly appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With plans for a new track in place, Maryland racing leaders can turn their attention to crafting a stakes schedule fit for the new venue.View the full article

The second session of the under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, which had been scheduled to begin Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., has been postponed after a night of rain in the Timonium area. The under-tack show will resume Thursday morning at 8 a.m. and will continue with a third session Friday. The Midlantic May sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday. The post Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Under-Tack Show Postponed appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is set for a spell on the sidelines having been found to be lame after his routine exercise in Newmarket on Tuesday morning. Trained by Roger Varian, King Of Steel enjoyed a productive three-year-old campaign in 2023 when his victories included the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot and the G1 Champion S. at the same course. He also filled the runner-up spot behind Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the G1 Derby at Epsom. His connections had held high hopes that the imposing colt would be contending for top honours again this season as a four-year-old, with the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. back at the Royal meeting being identified as his primary target in the first part of the year. However, all plans are now said to be on hold following Tuesday's setback. “It's very disappointing for everyone concerned, both for the owner and his team and also the whole of my team,” said Varian. “He's had a training setback which is going to rule him out for the main part of the season and it is disappointing.” In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, owners Amo Racing Ltd added, “King Of Steel has sustained an injury during his routine exercise on Tuesday morning in Newmarket. “We are happy to report that he is fine and his usual bubbly self, but sadly, he will miss his planned seasonal debut at Sandown and Royal Ascot. As you can imagine, this is a very disappointing day for all of King Of Steel's supporters and all the people who have put their heart and soul into this horse.” The post King Of Steel Ruled Out Of Summer Targets Due To Training Setback appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tennant Creek Racing Club president Mike Nash believes there are several factors behind the drop in numbers for the region’s annual Cup Day meeting. It’s Tennant Creek Cup Day on Saturday, and although racing club president Mike Nash is looking forward to the occasion, he was left surprised with the final acceptors for the six-event program. The Two Cup Race Day is one of the big events in the NT’s Barkly Region, but numbers are down with just 33 horses to feature at Hagan Park. Apart from the $30,000 Tennant Creek Cup (1600m), the other feature race is the $21,500 Denis Staunton Memorial Cup (1200m) for the 0-70 class. Both races have attracted five starters, and Nash said there were factors that may have contributed to the drop in numbers. Tennant Creek Cup Day clashed with the Mount Isa races last year, but there is no meeting in the Queensland mining town this weekend. “Who knows the reason why numbers are down, but the Alice Springs Cup Carnival was held a month earlier this year,” Nash said. “Things have changed — perhaps horses in Alice Springs have been sent to the paddock or are resting up before the Darwin carnival. “A lot of horses raced here in the past following the Alice Springs carnival, although we only had 38 runners last year. “I felt sure that if there was no racing in Mount Isa, we would have had a few horses from there. “I remember when they used to come over on a regular basis every year. “Those Mount Isa trainers might be out of the game too, I don’t know. “In regards to the numbers on Saturday, yeah, I’m not happy, but what can you do.” Meanwhile, Nash said the local community was once again looking forward to Cup Day, and with fine weather forecast, it should be yet another big occasion. “All the girls are very excited about frocking up,” he said. “Those from stations are coming to town, it’s a big thing for them too. “They love the races, camp drafts and rodeos — anything to do with horses. “The town looks forward to Cup Day, very much so, and we get plenty of tourists turn up. “As usual, it should be a wonderful day.” The Tennant Creek Racing Club had issues with its track in 2022, when it was deemed too heavy after new sand was added to the surface. However, it was given the thumbs-up last year despite 835mm of rain falling in the Barkly Region from December 2022 to March 2023. “We’ve had around 750mm of rain since Christmas, it washed away a fair bit of sand on the track,” Nash said. “We had to replace it, but the track will be in fine order on Saturday.” Nash said preparations for Cup Day started in January with the pavilion, racecaller’s box, running rail and fencing at Hagan Park receiving a new coat of paint. “As for the program itself, it’s pretty much standard this year, as it was last year with the new secretary’s office in the middle of the pavilion,” Nash added. “The committee has a meeting fairly soon after Cup Day, normally a fortnight later while it’s still fresh in everyone’s mind.” Horse racing news View the full article