Wandering Eyes

The Aga Khan Studs' Calandagan, fresh off a victory in the G1 Champion Stakes, has been ranked 133 by Timeform, second only to Hong Kong Horse of the Year and recent G1 The Everest winner Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress), who is at 135. The ranking is the highest for a European horse this year. The Hong Kong invader received a mark of 128 for his Australian heroics. The son of Gleneagles surpassed the mark of 131 given to Daryz (Sea The Stars), who also races in the iconic green with red epaulettes, in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe two weeks ago. In the Ascot contest, Calandagan defeated the 130-ranked Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), who ran second. A trio of horses sit at 129–Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), Delacroix (Dubawi), fourth in the Champion Stakes, and Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who has won the GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes, and the GI Travers Stakes this year. Timeform handicapper Rory King said, “The Champion Stakes looked the race of the season on paper, Ombudsman and Delacroix – both having a victory over the other this summer – joined by King George winner Calandagan in a heavyweight clash, the like of which is rarely seen in Europe. “In many ways Calandagan's the perfect middle-distance horse. He had the speed to put himself in a winning position through the first half of the straight and the mile-and-a-half stamina to fend off Ombudsman once that one had got within half a length, the mettle he showed in pulling clear putting to bed any remaining doubts over his attitude that crept in following defeat to Jan Brueghel in the Coronation Cup.” The post Calandagan Ranked Second Only To Ka Ying Rising By Timeform appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Il Miracolo (Gun Runner –Tapit's World by Tapit) will join Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm roster for the 2026 breeding season, according to a farm release Monday. Il Miracolo will stand for $7,500 Live Foal (Payable Stands and Nurse). An earner of over $1 million on the track, the Il Miracolo broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion going one mile at the age of two, dominating a maiden special weight field at Gulfstream Park. At three, he won the GIII Smarty Jones at Parx, in addition to hitting the board in three other graded starts, including the GI Pennsylvania Derby. The following year, he won the GIII Ghostzapper, was runner-up in Monmouth's GIII Philip Iselin and finished third in the Gulfstream Park Mile and GII Alysheba Stakes. He was fifth in this season's G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan. “We are excited to announce Il Miracolo at Crestwood Farm,” said Pope McLean Sr. “Having a son of Gun Runner who was a precocious maiden winner at the age of two, and went on to win graded stakes at the age of three and four, shows the durability and the quality racehorse Il Miracolo was throughout his career. Il Miracolo displayed ability against some of the best of his generation, and he possesses a strong physical presence with size, substance and presence that we believe will impress breeders.” Bred by Willow Oaks Stable, LLC, the chestnut was campaigned by Alexandres Investments, LLC and trained by Antonio Sano. “Il Miracolo was a multiple graded stakes winner and an exceptional athlete who proudly represented us on the world stage in Dubai,” said Sano. “He was a remarkable horse in every way–talented, determined, and completely sound. Training him was a true privilege. He will always hold a special place in my career.” Call Crestwood Farm at 859-252-3770 to schedule an inspection appointment. The post Gun Runner’s Il Miracolo to Stand at Crestwood in 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) is one of nine Aidan O'Brien-trained colts to stand his ground for the G1 William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday. The impressive Killarney winner went on to take the G2 Champions Juvenile Stakes. Other entrants hailing from Ballydoyle include G3 Zetland Stakes hero Pierre Bonnard (Camelot), the group-placed Action (Frankel), the stakes-placed Frescobaldi (No Nay Never), G2 Beresford Stakes winner Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett), New Zealand (Frankel), G3 Killavullan Stakes victor Dorset (Wootton Bassett), Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Basilica), and G3 Eyrefield Stakes third Port Of Spain (St Mark's Basilica). The last-named trio all ran on Saturday. Andrew Balding's unbeaten Juddmonte runner Item (Frankel) looks to have the greatest chance of upsetting the O'Brien brigade. His connections are keeping a close eye on underfoot conditions, as if it was too heavy on Saturday, he would be withdrawn. “Once he broke his maiden Andrew had this race in mind but he needed to get some more experience and the natural way to do that wasn't clear, so we said we'd go for another novice on the grass and the race at Bath presented itself,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte. “I know the Clive Cox horse that was second [Blue Courvoisier] is well regarded but he did it well. “Ground is obviously going to be a concern. We feel like he skipped off the all-weather pretty good and Bath was nice ground the last day, so if there was to be a lot of rain and it went testing he probably won't run. “There's rain early in the week so it's a watching brief. He's a horse we like but he's probably not a horse who would want a slog. Good to soft or anything like that would be fine. “His dam [Capla Temptress] won a Grade I in America and she liked it quick, so have her other progeny.” Ralph Beckett's group-placed Cape Orator (Mohaather), John and Thady Gosden's G2 Champagne Stakes second Oxagon (Frankel) and Adrian Keatley's Rochfortbridge (Mehmas) are the others not trained at Ballydoyle still engaged. The post Baker’s Dozen Confirmed For Futurity Trophy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The £1-million All-Weather Bonus scheme, which runs from October 21 to Good Friday, April 3 has returned, Arena Racing Company (ARC) announced on Monday. Runners at ARC's four all-weather tracks – Lingfield Park, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton – will compete for a range of bonus prizes, including five 'Horse of the Month' competitions and the overall £100,000 'Horse of the Year' title. The number of bonus money on offer has increased by £150,000 for 2025/26 – along with a change to the points system for the Horse of the Month and Horse of the Year competitions. For more information on the scheme, please visit the ARC website. The post ARC All-Weather Bonus Returns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Group 1 winner Delacroix has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore Stud in Ireland next season. A stud fee for the TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard, will be revealed in due course. A winner of the G3 Autumn Stakes at two and only a nose away from also being a juvenile Group 1 winner in the Futurity Stakes, the son of $8-million dual-champion racemare Tepin (Bernstein) went to another level this year at three for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners. Both the G3 Ballysax Stakes and G3 Derby Trial Stakes went his way at Leopardstown, and the G1 Derby participant was back to his brilliant best in the G1 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in July. Second in the G1 Juddmonte International Stakes a month later, he rebounded in the G1 Irish Champion in September. His career finale was a close fourth in the G1 Champion Stakes at Ascot this past Saturday. “Delacroix is a gorgeous horse, undoubtedly the best-looking son of Dubawi we've ever seen,” said Coolmore's David O'Loughlin. “He's out of one of America's greatest racemares of recent times and was an exceptionally sound, tough and talented racehorse with a lethal turn of foot. Dubawi's sons like Night of Thunder, Too Darn Hot, Zarak and New Bay are all excelling at stud and Delacroix was higher-rated and ran more times than any of them. His pedigree is free of Sadler's Wells, Galileo, Danehill and Green Desert so he will be a very important outcross for Coolmore and many of our clients.” A half-brother to fellow top-flight winner Grateful (Galileo), Delacroix is the best representative of his late dam, who won the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and numerous Grade I events in the U.S. The post Delacroix Retirement Rubber-Stamped, As He Heads To Coolmore Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Alex Pantall trainee Rhiyanna (Elarqam) shed maiden status at Lyon Parilly five weeks ago and continued on the upgrade with a breakthrough victory in Monday's G3 Darley Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville, becoming the first black-type scorer for her second-crop sire (by Frankel) who is now based in Turkey. The 17-2 chance was slick from the inside stall and occupied a forward position behind the leaders in a handy fourth during the opening exchanges. Inching into third approaching halfway, she made headway under pressure in the home straight to go second entering the final furlong and kept on relentlessly to usurp Kiss Melody (Almanzor) by a short-neck in the dying strides for a career high. The hitherto undefeated Shahbanu (Mehmas) was 1 1/4 lengths adrift in third. Good battle at Deauville! Rhiyanna digs deep to reel in Kiss Melody and wins the Group Three Prix des Reservoirs with something in hand… pic.twitter.com/sj5dmB2BEO — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 20, 2025 Pedigree Notes Rhiyanna is the latest of four foals, all winners, and second stakes performer out of an unraced half to the multiple Group-winning G1 Dubai World Cup runner-up Algiers (Shamardal). The March-foaled bay is a half-sister to the five-time Listed-placed Anthorus (Territories). Her second dam, the multiple Group 1-placed dual G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes victrix Antara (Platini), is a half-sister to G3 Walther J Jacobs Rennen winner Andolini (Kallisto) and she is also a full-sister to the dam of the multiple Group-winning Deutsches St Leger hero Aff Un Zo (Kallisto). Monday, Deauville, France DARLEY PRIX DES RESERVOIRS-G3, €73,200, Deauville, 10-20, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:47.82, vsf. 1–RHIYANNA (FR), 123, f, 2, by Elarqam (GB) 1st Dam: Anna Platini (GB), by Dubawi (Ire) 2nd Dam: Antara (Ger), by Platini (Ger) 3rd Dam: Auenpracht (Ger), by General Assembly 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Alain Jathiere & Henri-Alex Pantall; B-Mme Yvette Pantall & Henri-Alex Pantall; T-Henri-Alex Pantall; J-Tony Piccone. €36,600. Lifetime Record: 5-2-1-1, €57,000. *1/2 to Anthorus (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), MSP-Fr, $193,629. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Kiss Melody (Ire), 123, f, 2, Almanzor (Fr)–Eyota (GB), by Golden Horn. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€70,000 Ylg '24 ARQOCT). O-Ecurie David R Layani Family & Ecurie des Charmes; B-Oceanic Bloodstock SARL, Francois Jean-Louis Branere & Mme Beatrice Richard; T-Gerald Mosse. €14,640. 3–Shahbanu (Ire), 123, f, 2, Mehmas (Ire)–Serena's Queen Ire), by Iffraaj (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€100,000 RNA Ylg '24 GOFORB). O-Kaniz Bloodstock Investments & LNJ Foxwoods SC; B-Roundhill Stud; T-Tim Donworth. €10,980. Margins: SNK, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 8.50, 3.40, 2.00. Also Ran: Miuccia (Ire), Lyrics Of Life (GB), Waiting For You (GB), Society Princesse (Fr). The post First Stakes Winner For Elarqam As Rhiyanna Shines Bright at Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

So You Think (NZ), a ten-time group 1 winner turned successful Coolmore sire, has died after succumbing to a short illness while receiving treatment at Scone Equine Hospital in New South Wales. He was 19. View the full article

Grade I winner Clicquot (Quality Road–Royal Obsession, by Tapit) and graded winner Italian Soiree (Uncle Mo–Social Call, by Smart Strike) head the latest supplements to Fasig-Tipton's November Sale, held on Monday, Nov. 3 in Lexington, Kentucky. Clicquot, who won the GI Cotillion on Sept. 20, is catalogued as hip 221. In the Cotillion, the 3-year-old defeated GISWs Scottish Lassie, La Cara, and Good Cheer, winner of this year's Kentucky Oaks. Clicquot's next anticipated start is the upcoming GI Breeders' Cup Distaff at Del Mar. The grey filly won four consecutive starts this year at three, including the GIII Indiana Oaks. She has current earnings of $840,153. Clicquot, who hails from a female family that includes GISW Magnificent Song, will be consigned as racing/broodmare prospect by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, agent. Also added to the November Sale is GSW Italian Soiree (hip 222). The 3-year-old won this year's GIII Coronation Cup on the Saratoga turf. Last year at two, she won her debut on the dirt and then finished second in the GIII Adirondack at Saratoga. Italian Soiree is a full-sister to Be Better, a stakes winner of $347,300. She is out of a half-sister to the dam of graded stakes winner Old Time Hockey, and her third dam is GISW Likeable Style. She hails from the immediate family of MGISW and prominent sire Scat Daddy. Italian Soiree will be consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Gainesway, agent. The latest entries increase the number of graded stakes winners and producers catalogued in The November Sale to 71, 30 of which are Grade I. The entries may now be viewed online and will also be available in the equineline sales catalogue app. Print versions of all supplemental entries will be available on-site at sale time. The post GISW Clicquot, GSW Italian Soiree Added to Fasig-Tipton November appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 13th season of the All-Weather Championships kicks off at Newcastle on Tuesday, October 21 and ends on Good Friday, April 3 with the £1-million Finals Day at Newcastle and the All-Weather Vase at Lingfield Park. Some of the changes announced ahead of the season include the rechristening of the Marathon to the Easter Plate. The two-mile race will boast a maximum field of 20 and total prize-money of £175,000. Also, Midnite is now one of the title sponsors alongside BetMGM. The former will sponsor the Marathon, Middle Distance and Sprint categories, while BetMGM will back the Fillies & Mares, Mile and 3YO divisions. The G3 Winter Derby and Listed Hever Sprint will return to Lingfield Park. Both the Listed Churchill Stakes and Listed Golden Rose Stakes move from Newcastle to Southwell. There will also be All-Weather Championships Trials Day fixtures at Newcastle on January 16 and Lingfield Park on February 27, each hosting six £45,000 open handicaps in the respective categories. The winner of each AWC Trials Day race will be eligible for free entry to the corresponding Finals Day race at Newcastle, as well as a £15,000 bonus should they go on to also win on Good Friday. Any horse that wins at both AWC Trials Days in the same category and goes on to also win at Newcastle will be eligible for a total bonus of £35,000. As in previous years, there will be cash prizes awarded to the jockey, trainer and owner who accumulates the most wins during the season: AW Champion Jockey – £10,000 AW Champion Jockey runner-up – £5,000 AW Champion Apprentice – £4,000 AW Champion Apprentice runner-up – £1,000 AW Champion Owner – £10,000 AW Champion Trainer – £10,000 The rules for the All-Weather Championships remain unchanged, with horses requiring a minimum of three runs on all-weather surfaces in Britain, Ireland, France and the US during the qualifying period to be eligible for Finals Day. One of these three qualifying runs will continue to be permitted to take place on dirt in either Dubai or Saudi Arabia. The post Marathon Final Renamed Easter Plate, As All-Weather Championships Return appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

So You Think, a winner of 10 Group 1 races in both hemispheres, has died at the age of 19 after a short illness. Coolmore Australia announced the news on Monday morning. The farm said in a statement, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of 10-time Group 1 winner and leading sire So You Think, after succumbing to a short illness while receiving world-class care from the team at Scone Equine Hospital.” The son of High Chaparral was described by his Southern Hemisphere trainer Bart Cummings as “perfection on four legs, you don't get any better than him, he is the finest, most genuine horse I have ever trained.” Bred by MJ Moran and Piper Farm in New Zealand, he was purchased by Duncan Ramage for NZ$110,000 on behalf of Dato Tan Chin Nam at the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale. Out of G2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic winner Triassic (Tights), the dark bay would make his mark in two editions of the Cox Plate (2009/2010), as well as the MacKinnon Stakes, Caulfield Stakes and Underwood Stakes. He was also third in the Melbourne Cup. In the Northern Hemisphere, So You Think won the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, Eclipse Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes and two editions of the Tattersalls Gold Cup (2011/2012) for Aidan O'Brien. During his career there, he was also second in the Champion Stakes and another edition of the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. He won 14 of his 23 starts, placed in another five and earned over $8.6 million. “When people visit Coolmore, more often than not the stallion most of them really want to see is So You Think,” added Coolmore Australia's Tom Magnier. “He was an absolute gentleman, an incredibly kind and intelligent horse and this is a sad day for all the staff that have looked after him so well at Coolmore since he retired in 2012. “We are so lucky to have had him and watch him develop into one of the country's truly elite sires. He provided me with so many great memories on racetracks throughout the world as both a racehorse and a stallion. I will never forget the day he sired three Group 1 winners in a day at Randwick in 2022, but equally the day he provided Joseph O'Brien with his first Royal Ascot winner as a jockey in the Prince of Wales's Stakes in 2012.” O'Brien told the Press Association after his first Gold Cup win in Ireland in 2011, “So You Think looks very special and is an incredible athlete. He just does everything so incredibly easily it's hard to believe. He's incredibly exciting and something like him you don't see very often. There's a chance that we've never seen anything like this horse before, so we're just so grateful and privileged to have him.” At stud Down Under, he has finished in the top 10 of the Australian sires' table for the past five seasons, coming in second to I Am Invincible twice during that time. His current Group 1 winners stand at 12. His leading runner is three-time top-level winner Think It Over. He also spent three seasons shuttling to Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Overall, So You Think has sired 66 stakes winners worldwide, 43 of them group/graded. The post “Perfection On Four Legs”: So You Think Dies At 19 After Short Illness appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Mick Price, Michael Kent Jnr and the Roll The Dice Racing team are daring to dream with Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit), who will this Saturday look to cap an ascension into Australian racing’s elite. Just four weeks after being beaten in an 1800m handicap on AFL Grand Final Day, the Kiwi-bred gelding will look to upstage some of Australia’s biggest names in the A$6 million Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley. The son of Charm Spirit defeated Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock), who will again be rivals this weekend, in the Gr.1 The Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield on October 11, which prompted Globe’s connections to pay a $200,000 late-entry fee. The seven-year-old looks the solo leader in the 2040m event and some likely early pressure in the race was subtracted with the Racing Victoria stewards-enforced scratching of then-favourite Sir Delius (Frankel) and Price said Globe deserved his opportunity. “The horse goes into the race at his top and he’s going to have a go, isn’t he?,” Price said. “I’m not saying he can play with the big boys if they’re on their game, but the favourite’s come out, he will be the leader and the race will be put on for everything to sit off him and if they’re good enough, they win.” Globe will be a part of what is likely to be a field of nine for the Cox Plate. Defending champion Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) is now favourite from Antino (NZ) (Redwood) with Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) and The Might And Power runner-up Treasurethe Moment the others shorter in betting than Globe. The X-factor could be Caulfield Guineas hard-luck story Observer (Ghaiyyath) with Godolphin weighing up whether to pay the $100,000 three-year-old late-entry fee or use the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) against his own age as a lead-up to the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m). Observer has also been entered for the $2 million Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney. Price, who is chasing his maiden Cox Plate success, just wants to see Globe hold his form from The Might And Power. “I wouldn’t say he’s come on and I haven’t asked him to come on as such, because he’s had some hard racing,” Price said. “He was first up at 1500 (metres) at Moonee Valley, was then 1700 and he’s had some hard racing. “I’m just trying to keep him where he was for us that day. He’s in good order.” Blake Shinn was aboard Globe for The Might And Power, but will ride Antino in the Cox Plate, paving the way for Ben Melham to take the ride this weekend. View the full article

After the relief of watching My Wish romp home in the Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) on Sunday, Mark Newnham is hoping to continue his momentum to Happy Valley on Wednesday and extend his trainers’ premiership lead. The 57-year-old is two clear of Caspar Fownes after a double at Sha Tin, headlined by his rising star My Wish flexing his Group One Hong Kong Mile credentials. The Group Two Jockey Club Mile in November now awaits his five-year-old and although happy to see his flag bearer win,...View the full article

The first horse Jonathan Riddell rode at the races was a winner and nearly two decades later he recorded his 1,000th victory in the saddle in New Zealand. Riddell had been closing in on the milestone through last season and sat on 999 on the morning of Waverley’s Sunday meeting, with his first ride Perfect Pete proving to be the only one he needed to tick that elusive box. It was a mix of joy and relief for Riddell, also known as ‘Scrapper’, when he crossed the line, having battled with weight issues right through his career. “It was a bit of a relief really, I never thought I would get to the 1,000 and then when it was getting close, it was getting a bit frustrating to say the least,” he said. “It’s good to have that box ticked. “She’s been a bit of a grind along the way and it’s been a milestone I’ve been quite passionate to get. For a rider of my weight to do this, I do give myself a little bit of a pat on the back. “I don’t check my weight before I go to the races, which sounds a bit unprofessional, but you know your body and know where you’re at when you’ve done it for so long. It’s always touch and go, I live on the knife edge of making weight or not. “It’s a job so the money (is motivation), but when you get a bit of success you keep wanting more – I’m pretty stubborn too. “It’s a good game, but it’s a tough game.” Having done it tough for so long, retirement had crept into Riddell’s mind just over a year ago when heading on holiday with his partner and Group One-winning trainer Lisa Latta. “Lisa and I went on a holiday to the UK last year and I was unsure if I’d come back from that because I knew I’d get fat over there enjoying myself,” he said. “I got back and had a few mates that were pushing me along to get the 1,000, so I just pinned my ears back. We didn’t go on holiday this winter, I said to her that being only 10 (wins) away, it would’ve been too tough to come back. “We stuck it out in the Manawatu winter so it’s great to get there.” Getting to 1,000 was no easy task, but Riddell got off to best possible start when winning his first ride as an apprentice at Tauherenikau in 1996. He couldn’t recall too much about the ride, but credited the win almost entirely to his employer, hall of fame trainer Murray Baker. “I was apprenticed to Murray and to be honest, I had no idea what I was doing,” he said. “I think he must’ve had a good dollar on it and pretty much set it up for me. I can remember the car ride there, he was pretty confident. “It was a great training effort.” Riddell had good success riding as an apprentice, but after finishing his time with Baker, he found himself riding over jumps in the early 2000’s. He rose swiftly to become one of the best in the land and further afield, winning three Great Northern Hurdles, two Grand National Hurdles and three editions of the Grand National Steeplechase. A number of those victories came aboard Paul Nelson’s horses, winning seven races apiece on No Hero and Just Not Cricket, as well as the Crisp Steeplechase at Flemington with Chibuli. “It (jumps riding) came about after I left Murray’s,” Riddell said. “Cheryl Douglas (now McGlade) grabbed me to help out and she steered me in the direction of riding jumpers, so I got good grounding from her. “That was basically my life for a few years. Paul came along, and we know how he can train a horse, and I was lucky enough to sit on some of his good ones. “It was a good time of my life, I got to see the world riding jumpers. I couldn’t put it down to one horse, I got to ride quite a few good ones and riding them in the big races is a real thrill.” Riddell had continued to ride on the flat and won his first Group One in the 2009 aboard Eileen Dubh in the Levin Classic (1600m). During that same year, a very special galloper came on his radar, which was a key factor in giving up the jumps. “I was doing both at the same time for a while, but it was just getting too tough trying to lose weight then being strong enough to ride the jumpers,” he said. “I did have a bad crash which didn’t rock me exactly, but possibly put a couple of doubts in my mind about it. “At that stage, Jimmy had come around, so it was too much of a risk riding jumpers to lose the ride on a horse like him.” That horse was Jimmy Choux, a once-in-a-lifetime talent that won 10 stakes races with Riddell on board, including the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m), Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Spring Classic (2040m). The pair finished second to Pinker Pinker in the 2011 Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) and competed in Hong Kong, memories that remain dear to Riddell. “He was such a nice horse, uncomplicated, everything about him was just easy,” he said. “He had a great big heart, a will to win and would be one of the quietest horses I’ve ridden. “I had an association with John (Bary, trainer) right from when he started training, I was actually at the jump-outs at Waipuk and he was in the same heat and I remembered how he went, so I must’ve chased him up and was lucky enough to get the spin on him. “Riding him in a race was easy, I could be where I wanted to be, there was no drama and he didn’t pull. The only times I didn’t ride him was when I was suspended, his first win when Lofty (Paul Taylor) rode him, then Michael Walker rode him in the Sires’ Produce. “It was a good field that that day in the Rosehill Guineas and he just smashed them. It was pretty cool. He’s one of those ones that only comes along every now and then.” Riddell said he had a real soft spot for another Bary-trained gelding in Callsign Mav, who he guided to three Group One victories during the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival. Always hungry for the next big success, Riddell was thrilled to add another to his record last month in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Te Rapa on Magic Carpet. “That gave me a real good kick, I’ve known Stephen (Marsh, trainer) since I started riding and it was a bit of a surprise to me because I’ve never ridden the horse, maybe not so much for them,” he said. “I hadn’t been featuring in big races for a while, so it was really good.” That victory took his black-type total to 67, with 14 Group Ones, 10 Group Twos, 19 Group Threes and 24 at Listed level. Of his overall total of 1,013 wins, 10 of his came on Australian soil, alongside two in Japan. Loyalty has been an integral part of Riddell’s success and something he is proud of, having ridden from the early days for many of the same trainers as he rides for in the present time. “The numbers speak for themselves, I’ve had a great association with John, Paul, Allan Sharrock, and Lisa, she has been a supporter of mine forever as well as her owners,” he said. “It’s nice to have that loyalty and the good thing about it is I’m still riding for those people now.” A new chapter started for the 47-year-old when his daughter Amber joined him in the professional ranks last term, admitting it was an adjustment riding alongside her initially. “To start with I was hopeless, I was literally watching her in the races as any father would,” he said. “Now, I think it’s one of those things that you do often enough that it becomes natural. “I don’t worry about her out there now, she’s just another competitor and she’s going better than me so it’s good to knock one over her.” Also based in the Central Districts, Amber rode 53 winners in her first season and Riddell couldn’t have been prouder. “That would be an understatement,” he said. “She’s going so well, she’s determined and she works really hard. I’m so proud of her. “It’s a special thing to do, to compete and fight against your daughter in the sport we do. She’s got it all ahead of her.” View the full article

Sharp ‘N’ Smart will be lining up on Melbourne Cup Day, it just won’t be at Flemington. The former New Zealand Horse of the Year was guaranteed a start in next month’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), being 23rd in order of entry, but his connections have decided to bypass the $10 million feature despite his pleasing third place finish in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie. After a meeting with his owners on Monday, trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson have decided to keep the multiple Group One winner at home and target the Gr.3 Elsdon Park Balmerino Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on the first Tuesday in November instead. “Two miles might be just too soon,” Graeme Rogerson said. “After talking with all the owners today, he is running at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup Day and then we are going to make up our minds on what we do with him then. “Hopefully he has a good summer campaign, and we will be looking at Sydney at some stage.” While Rogerson has decided against heading to Melbourne, he was buoyed by the way his gelding performed on Saturday where he showed glimpses of his former Group One-winning self. “He is on the way back,” Rogerson said. “He is a little bit like his old self. He got a little bit out of his ground when that horse (El Vencedor) took off, but he certainly made up a lot of ground. “The track was beautiful. He is not hopeless in the wet, but he is a better dry track horse.” Rogerson now has his eye on some autumn targets with his six-year-old gelding, particularly on Champions Day at Ellerslie on March 7, with the Hamilton horseman considering both the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) and Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m). “He doesn’t have to improve a lot for the Bonecrusher,” he said. “I don’t know what weight he would get in the Auckland Cup, but we will just wait and see.” Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s withdrawal leaves only two remaining New Zealand-trained contenders for the Melbourne Cup, with the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Mark Twain and Raymond Connors-trained Trav still in the hunt to gain a place in the 24-horse field. Meanwhile, Rogerson was happy enough with stablemate Solidify’s seventh placing in the Livamol on Saturday. “He looked good,” Rogerson said. “He will either run at Tauranga or Tauherenikau.” View the full article

Andrew Forsman joined an exclusive club at Matamata last Friday when Berry Brown recorded his 1,000th New Zealand training success when victorious in the GCM Feeds 1600. The Cambridge horseman was proud to reach the milestone and said it was fitting it was achieved with a horse carrying the familiar green silks of long-time stable supporters Jomara Bloodstock. “It is a nice milestone to reach,” he said. “It’s a number, but a very special one to get to and I am happy to have got there. “That (bringing up the milestone with a Jomara horse) was very rewarding. They have obviously been very solid supporters of mine right the way through, so it was very fitting.” Many of those 1,000 wins were recorded when training in partnership with his mentor Murray Baker, and Forsman said he owes much of his success to the legendary horseman. “I wouldn’t be anywhere near 1,000 without him,” he said. “A lot of it is his hard work and what he had built toward. Of all the people to end up training in partnership with, I was very thankful it was him.” Initially intent on a career in broadcasting, Forsman didn’t begin working with horses until he started assisting in Baker’s barn 20 years ago to supplement his income as a camera operator for Trackside. His love for the horse began to grow and following seven years with the stable he was rewarded when taken into a training partnership by Baker. “I graduated film and television school and my first job was a camera operator for Trackside,” Forsman said. “I needed more money and extra hours, so I approached Murray to do some work for him in the mornings, and it grew from there. “I did both jobs for a fair while, it worked out quite well because they complemented each other. I could get a fair bit of work done in the morning with the horses and then go off during the day to work in the television side. “Having experience in both facets of the industry did help me and that was a good grounding to have. “My passion for the game took over and when Bjorn (Baker) came back from Europe he was training in partnership with Murray and I was foreman, working under them at the time. “Bjorn didn’t hang around too long in New Zealand, he took the opportunity to take the punt and have a go in Sydney. When he left, he pushed my case to Murray to put me into partnership and the rest is history.” The pair enjoyed a lucrative 10 years before Baker retired in 2022, with the partnership having won four New Zealand Trainers’ Premierships, 24 Group One victories, with Dundeel and Mongolian Khan being two of their highest profile representatives. Forsman has enjoyed training in a solo capacity over the last three years, where he has continued to expand his business, including setting up a permanent base at Flemington racecourse in Melbourne. “The first spring when I was training in my own right we had a very good season,” Forsman said. “Mr Maestro strung together a few black-type races in a row and ran a game fourth in the (VRC) Derby (Gr.1, 2500m). “That particular spring we had some good results, and I think that was really good for my profile heading forward and it gives you the confidence that you can compete against the best trainers in Melbourne. “Chloe (Cumming) is the full-time assistant trainer there (Flemington) and she is doing a brilliant job. From a financial point of view, we really need to build the stable to a bigger number to make it worthwhile, which is something we are striving toward at the moment.” Looking back on his 1,000 wins in New Zealand, Forsman said there are several highlights, but one race stands out above the rest. “Of the New Zealand winners, Aegon winning the Karaka Million three-year-old mile was one of the standouts,” Forsman said. “It was a pretty cool night. “He was unbeaten going into it. The horse he was and the way we had to manage him right the way through, he was a very special horse, and it was a great race – him and Amarelinha going head-to-head and it was great to come out on top.” Forsman purchased Aegon for $150,000 out of Waikato Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft and raced him with the Zame Partnership, with the now retired gelding going on to win six races, including the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m), and he competed in Australia, Hong Kong and New Zealand, and earned more than $2 million in prizemoney. Forsman said searching for his next star helps him get up in the morning, and he is hoping they are among his latest batch of youngsters at his Cambridge barn. “You are always looking for that next good horse, they are hard to find and you take it for granted when you have got them,” he said. “We have got a lot of nice young horses in the stable, in New Zealand in particular, and you just never know where they come from. “That is the exciting part of it, waking up in the morning and working toward finding that next good one.” View the full article

Ancient Spirit is on the victory board and White Robe Lodge is expecting his progeny to continue to build winning momentum as the season rolls on. The well-related son of Invincible Spirit has only had a handful of runners and was represented by his first success at Wingatui where when Bobby Mcgee broke her maiden last Friday. From the stallion’s first crop, the Terry Kennedy-trained three-year-old was making her third appearance and had placed on debut last term. “It was really nice to get the monkey off the back, it was a nice win as she sat with no cover most of the way and fought on well,” stud manager Wayne Stewart said. “Ancient Spirit hasn’t had many runners, and they should get over a bit of ground as the season goes on. “The stallion’s out of a Galileo mare and with our mares they should stay, the reports I’ve been getting are positive and they will develop into middle distance horses. “He suits what we breed, so hopefully they can get to a good level.” The German-bred Ancient Spirit is a son of Invincible Spirit and Assisi and won five races, including two at Group Two level. “We got offered him by bloodstock agent Ed Stapleton and we knew he was a good miler, he won two Listed miles at the Curragh and the German Guineas (Gr.2, 1600m),” Stewart said. “He was appealing to us, and his second dam won the German Oaks (Gr.1, 2200m) and he’s a half-brother to a Group One winner (Alson). “Invincible Spirit has done a great job in this part of the world with I Am Invincible.” Ancient Spirit stands at White Robe alongside the proven Ghibellines and newcomer Alflaila. By Shamardal, Ghibellines has been a grand source of success with the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) winner Smokin’ Romans his flagship performer while Campaldino claimed this year’s Gr.2 Brisbane Cup (3200m). “Ghibellines just keeps consistently leaving winners all over the place,” Stewart said. Alflaila is a son of Dark Angel and stakes performer Oasis Dream mare Adhwaa and was a two-time winner at Group Two and Three level. “Harry Angel, who’s by Dark Angel, is fully booked in Australia and he’s leaving good winners all the time,” Stewart said. “Alflaila has a big book of stakes winners and stakes performed mares, so he’s going to get every opportunity. “I’ve been a bit surprised how many mares are about this season, and he’ll be serving around the 100 mark.” View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Victoria Cup winner Kingman could be a shock late entry for the $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. Owner-breeder Mick Harvey dropped the bombshell on Melbourne radio this morning. “We’ll see how the next few days go once Luke (McCarthy, trainer-driver) gets him settled back home, but if you asked me now … I’d say he’ll go,” he said. “The horse came through that win so well. He was strong on the line and he’s at the top of his game. “With the doubts on Leap To Fame and Swayzee and no real standouts in NZ, we’d be right in the race. “Like everyone, I love the NZ Cup. It would be amazing to give it a crack.” The Kingman twist sparked memories of last year when trainer Jason Grimson paid a late entry fee for Swayzee, who then successfully defended his title eight days later. “We beat Swayzee two starts back and we beat Leap To Fame the other night … the formlines are there,” Harvey said. “Luke’s done an amazing job with this horse and he’s still on the up. “It’s very tempting to strike while the iron is hot. We could go over for the Cup and still be back for the Blacks A Fake in Brisbane (December 6). “I’ll be guided by Luke. We talked about it, but that was midnight Saturday after the race. “He was open to it. Let’s see how the next few days play out, but I’m super keen.” Harvey is no stranger to big races having raced Grand Circuit stars King Of Swing and Hectorjayjay. “What amazing rides I had with them, but anyone who has bred a horse and had it all the way through will tell you it’s extra special,” he said. “This is the first horse I bred, so you can imagine the thrill the other night gave me. “He’s only four and just starting to come into his own now. Hopefully we’ve got another couple of years at the top level with him.” View the full article

The Kaikoura Cup will celebrate its 100th running this year. Over the next few weeks Kaikoura Trotting Club historian Phil Gourdie will look back at the history of the great race. This is the third installment – Back to back winners By Phil Gourdie After Diamond Moose became the first horse to back to back in 1983-84 (as mentioned in a previous column) it didn’t take long to get a second. Spry Joker, owned by Ray Winter and trained and driven by Hall of Famer J A (Jack) Carmichael, repeated the feat immediately. In 1986 the rain came and the track was muddy with Spry Joker revelling in the conditions. He enjoyed the run of the race until he took control 500m from home and went on to win by seven lengths. In 1992 and 1993 Master Musician (pictured above) won back-to-back for the owners R J Dunn, K L McDonald and E C Storck. In 1992 when trained by Geoff Dunn and driven by Colin DeFilippi the Master shattered the world and track record by over three seconds recording 2.57.8. The following year when trained and driven by Robert Dunn he went 3.00.7. Il Vicolo won back-to-back for owners John Seaton and Mark Purdon in 1995 and 96. Purdon trained and drove on both occasions. In 1996 he equalled Master Musician’s world time of 2:57.8. The 1995 cup race was the first winning drive at Kaikoura for Mark Purdon. Il Vicolo went on to win the New Zealand Cup in both years. 2010-11 saw Smiling Shard win consecutive cups for owners Chrissie Dalgety, A J Rooney, A R Vernel, P M Gorman, trainer Cran Dalgety and star reinsman Dexter Dunn. In 2010 Smiling Shard was slow away and settled at the rear of the field. He caught the three wide train from the 800 and stayed there until they turned for home, when Dunn sent him forward and held off all the challengers to win by half a head. Three years later Arden Rooney won the first of two Cups for owners Meg and Merv Butterworth. In 2014 Arden Rooney was trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen and driven by Rasmussen while in 2015 he was trained and driven by Kerryn Manning. Arden Rooney was the first Australian owned, trained and driven Kaikoura Cup winner. Just days later Manning guided Arden Rooney to victory in the NZ Cup, becoming the first successful female driver in the Cup’s history. In 2019, 2020 and 2021 Classie Brigade became the first to win back-to-back-to-back Kaikoura Cups. In 2019 and 2020 Robert Dunn was the trainer, in 2021 he was joined by his daughter-in-law Jenna. John Dunn (Robert’s son, Jenna’s husband) was the driver on all three occasions. In 2021 the Covid pandemic forced the meeting to be held at Addington with no crowds allowed to attend. Next time we will look at “They just keep getting faster.” View the full article

Over the past week, there has been discussion regarding planned road closures on State Highway 1 between Waipara and Kaikoura, which had the potential to impact travel to and from the Kaikoura meeting. We’re pleased to confirm that the Kaikoura Club has successfully worked with Downer to delay the scheduled works, meaning full road closures will now not commence until Tuesday, 4 November. However, please note that traffic management will be in place from 9:00 p.m. on Monday, 3 November, including stop/go operations and potential delays of up to 10 minutes at the Kaikoura tunnels. Participants are advised to allow extra time for travel accordingly. For any trainers requiring overnight horse accommodation surrounding the meeting, please contact Natalie Gameson on 021 936 155. There is ample accommodation available for horses in the area. We look forward to a successful and enjoyable two days of racing at Kaikoura. View the full article

By Jonny Turner It might have just been a maiden race, but Sarah O’Reilly got an extra buzz when winning with Molly Maeve Estelle at Oamaru on Sunday. O’Reilly was having her first drive at just her second meeting back in the sulky after sustaining a nasty arm injury in a trackwork incident in July last year. With 304 victories to her name, the winning feeling is nothing unusual for the talented reinswoman. But she admitted she got an extra kick out of getting back into the winner’s circle with her employers, Brent and Tim White. “It was a great thrill, it has been hard not being able to drive because when you are out there it’s such a different feeling.” “She had been working well and the team think she’s a nice horse, so it was great to be able to get the job done.” After a lengthy battle to get her injured arm back to where it needed to be for driving, O’Reilly was back in action at Addington on Friday night before heading to Oamaru to win Sunday’s opener. The wait to get back out on the track on race day is one O’Reilly had got used to as it went on. “At the start it was pretty frustrating, but as time went on it got better and I got used to it.” O’Reilly’s arm has clearly been given the tick of approval for work and race driving, but she continues to work to build strength back into it. “My arm has completely healed now but I am still working on my strength a little bit with my physio.” “I am still going to the gym to get it back to where it was, but it is pretty good at the moment.” “I don’t have any problems, except that the skin is numb.” “They said it could be like that for a while and that it was pretty normal because of the damage to the nerves.” O’Reilly was competing all over New Zealand before her injury, before returning with a handful of drives over the weekend. Now she hopes to build her base of drives back up, though she admits it will not be easy. “I am trying my best but it will probably take a while to build my drives back up to where they were.” Later on the Oamaru card, Tokyo Rose ran a strong front-running victory in the Oamaru Cup. Driver Blair Orange had the mare in front soon after the start, with the pair running home in fast splits to set the backmarkers an impossible task. The victory took Orange to 2995 wins in New Zealand, just five short of joining the elite 3000-win club. View the full article

Also working six furlongs on the main track Sunday, all for trainer Bob Baffert, were Nysos (1:11 3/5), Nevada Beach (1:11 4/5), and Citizen Bull (1:12 3/5).View the full article

Riccarton trainer Anna Furlong felt a real sense of satisfaction when her promising three-year-old Champagne Diblu turned his form around to win the Agraforum Growing Innovation 1300 at Ashburton on Sunday. Champagne Diblu had been an impressive juvenile trial winner and subsequently contested a stakes race, but showed his inexperience on that occasion and was sent for a spell. It was a similar story for the gelding when resuming at three, travelling well in the running but fading in the straight in a big field. Knowing the ability he had, Furlong went back to the trials twice to instil some confidence and with regular rider Billy Jacobson on board, he was a live chance in a small field headed by Dakota and last-start winner The Fed Express. He flew the gates and found himself in front early, before Jacobson allowed The Fed Express to cross and lead. The pace was only moderate from that point and the leader dialled up the pressure turning for home, giving his rivals something to catch. Champagne Diblu looked the big danger of doing so and started to go through his gears down the straight, taking over at the 150m and keeping up a strong gallop through the line to score by a length, with Knockingatthedoor closing gamely into second. “He’s just been a little bit immature mentally, he’s taken a bit of time to get that ringcraft so we’ve gone back to the trials to really drive home that education,” Furlong said. “We wanted to see him working up in between horses and gaining that confidence amongst the field. “It was potentially going to be a tactical affair with the small field but we didn’t want to lead, I was just looking for nice, calm run to get into a good rhythm and really hit the line, which he did. “Billy has done a lot of work with him, both at the trials and at home so it was really satisfying to get this result. “We always knew he had the ability, it was just coaxing it out of him. It couldn’t have gone better.” Furlong is now eyeing a start for the gelding during her home track’s biggest carnival, New Zealand Cup Week, which is fast approaching in three weeks’ time. “We’d like to give him a start over Cup Week, I’m leaning towards the three-year-old 1400m at this stage,” she said. “He’s probably going to be nicer again in the autumn with a little bit more time on his side.” A son of Russian Revolution and the Lonhro mare Rosadiblu, Champagne Diblu was purchased by the stable for $100,000 out of Kilgravin Lodge’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale last November and was syndicated out to a big group of owners, many of which were on course at Ashburton. “He’s a fantastic type, he had good scope about him and we thought he’d develop into a nice sprinter-miler that will improve over time,” Furlong said. “When we bought him, we wanted to introduce micro-shares to get as many people involved as we could for a really low cost, making it more affordable to come and enjoy racing with us. We got a great response from that and as you could hear on the telly, there were a lot of happy owners. “It was super exciting, it’s great to have that many people involved in racing and wonderful for our stable.” Later in the meeting, Furlong was pleased with her Impending filly Queen Of Sheba, who was just caught in the final bounds on debut over 1200m, and The Entertainer, who continued her consistent run when third in the Rating 75 mile. “She (Queen Of Sheba) was really good, a good effort first up on debut,” she said. “I’d like to see her settle a little more in the running so she can finish off her races, but it was a gallant effort and she’ll improve a tonne off that. “The Entertainer is a very honest mare, I thought she had every chance to win and Ruvanesh (Muniandy) rode her very well, but she just plugged a little bit in the finish. She may be looking to get over a little bit more ground now, we’ll have a think about that one.” View the full article

Monday, Deauville, France, post time: 15:40, DARLEY PRIX DES RESERVOIRS-G3, €73,200, 2yo, f, 8fT Field: Kiss Melody (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}), Miuccia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Society Princesse (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Rhiyanna (Fr) (Elarqam {GB}), Shahbanu (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Waiting For You (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}), Lyrics Of Life (GB) (Pinatubo {Ire}). TDN Analysis: This contest was won last term by subsequent G1 Prix de Diane heroine Gezora and the dual stakes-placed Waiting For You and undefeated dual winner Shahbanu are the leading lights in this year's renewal. Kiss Melody, Miuccia and Rhiyanna all boast winning form, while the Brian Meehan-trained three-race maiden Lyrics Of Life is a notable entry from Britain. Society Princesse has a length to find with Kiss Melody and completes the line-up. [Sean Cronin]. Monday, Deauville, France, post time: 14:30, CRITERIUM DE VITESSE-Listed, €54,900, 2yo, 5 1/2fT Field: Go Ken Go (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Kimi Rey (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Solana Rose (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Igetakickoutofyou (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}), Hold My Hand (Fr) (Threat {Ire}), Pearl Fortune (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Jeudixx (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}), Ceramic (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Sonatine (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Kimi Rey had Jeudixx and Go Ken Go in arrears when notching a three-length triumph in July's Listed Prix Yacowlef over the straight five here and holds the key in this first start since. Her main threats are G2 Prix du Calvados fourth and G3 Prix Eclipse runner-up Ceramic and Listed Prix des Reves d'Or second Hold My Hand. David O'Meara trainee Solana Rose, last seen running fifth in Ayr's G3 Firth of Clyde, holds solid claims, as does fellow British raider Pearl Fortune, who finished a close-up fourth in last month's Listed Harry Rosebery at the same venue. [Sean Cronin]. Monday, Deauville, France, post time: 16:50, PRIX VULCAIN-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 12 1/2fT Field: Allure (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}), Aegean Prince (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Military Air (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Viking Invasion (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Master Cath (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Waldnebel (Ger) (Reliable Man {GB}), Ankara (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), Karla Jet (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), Walleah (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}), Three Pearls (Fr) (Intello {Ger}). TDN Analysis: With black-type opportunities dwindling as the season drifts towards the winter recess, Godolphin's Aegean Prince heads to France coming back off an impressive eight-length tally at Ascot earlier in the month, his first appearance since winning on the Kempton Polytrack last December. Threats include Chevotel Racing's unbeaten winner-of-two Karla Jet and the consistent G1 Deutsches Derby eighth Waldnebel, who has registered two runner-up finishes in three Listed outings since that Hamburg Classic. Allure, Military Air and Three Pearls have all placed at stakes level and should not be discounted. [Sean Cronin]. Tuesday, Curragh, post time: 15:17, STAFFORDSTOWN STUD STAKES-G3, €36,000, 2yo, f, 8fT Field: Cameo (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Caught U Sleeping (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}), Ice Dancer (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Ifweonlyhavelove (Fr) (Recoletos {Fr}), La Fogata (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), Stars Will Shine (Ire) (Starman {GB}), Sugar Island (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Thundering On (GB) (Frankel {GB}). TDN Analysis: Without the customary Ballydoyle standout, this is wide-open and could go to one of the unexposed maiden winners. Stars Will Shine impressed at Down Royal and may have more upside than stablemate Caught U Sleeping despite that runner having been third to Diamond Necklace in the Listed Ingabelle Stakes last month. Thundering On is of intrigue, bypassing the many maidens on offer at the moment which shows what Joseph O'Brien thinks of Shapoor Mistry's homebred daughter of his star mare Thundering Nights. [Tom Frary]. Click here for the complete fields. The post Black-Type Analysis: Prix des Reservoirs Takes Centre Stage at Deauville appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Holding a Nov. 6 date with the Keeneland Sales Pavilion, Venencia gave herself a top advertisement with an impressive victory in the $262,000 Dowager Stakes (G3T) on the yielding Keeneland turf course Oct. 19.View the full article