Wandering Eyes

Trainer Jerome Reynier is optimistic that Lazzat can consolidate his position as Europe's leading sprinter by adding another Group 1 success to his tally in Saturday's Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock. An eight-time winner for the Marseille-based Reynier, Lazzat put himself in contention for top honours in this division when winning the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, beating the high-class Japanese raider Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) by half a length, having been acquired by Wathnan Racing just a few weeks previously. More recently, the son of Territories was forced to settle for the runner-up spot when attempting to win the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville for the second consecutive year, but Reynier will be travelling to Merseyside on Saturday with only a victory on his mind. Speaking on a Zoom call organised by the Jockey Club on Thursday, Reynier said, “It's exciting to have our first runner at Haydock. We've had a few runners in England and finally won our first Group 1 race at Royal Ascot with Lazzat which was good. Now, we only want to cross the Channel and win. “It's a different feeling to come over with a favourite for a Group 1 race. When he got beaten by Sajir in the Maurice de Gheest last time it was tough, although we were still happy with the horse because he ran a good race. “If he wins another Group 1 on Saturday, we will be very happy as he could be European sprint champion of the year, which is very important for all the team. Wathnan have invested a lot and it was great to be able to win at Royal Ascot with him in a Group 1 – I am hoping we will be able to win many more with him. After getting beat last time, hopefully he can fire back and prove he is the best.” Three of the five French-trained winners in the history of the Sprint Cup – Polar Falcon in 1991, Cherokee Rose in 1995 and Nuclear Debate in 2001 – were saddled by the now-retired John Hammond, who Reynier used to work for as an assistant trainer. “John did give me some tips,” Reynier revealed. “And I know James [Doyle, jockey] knows his way around Haydock well, so I am confident the horse will give his best as usual. “He doesn't need to go right to the front – he won the Maurice de Gheest last year when upsides the leader. He just needs to be in his rhythm. If you try to hold him up, he is not happy. I think by keeping him at Deauville, with a workout a week before the race and then making the long journey to Haydock, he will hopefully be spot on for the race on Saturday. “He is a horse that's happy in any kind of routine. He's travelled the world and been in quarantine, so he is very versatile and can adapt himself to any kind of conditions. He's very easy to deal with. He gets on well with his morning rider, Franck Blondel, a former champion jockey. As long as he has Franck with him, he is happy to visit the world.” Beyond Saturday, Lazzat could well be on his travels again at some stage, with Reynier adding, “To be the fastest horse in the world, we would need to beat Ka Ying Rising from Hong Kong. That horse is going for the Everest [in Australia] and we will see how good he is outside of Hong Kong. “With Lazzat, we could give him an international campaign as a five-year-old next year and start off in Dubai with the Al Quoz Sprint.” Strong Hand for Wathnan in Maximum Field of 17 Lazzat is the headline act in a maximum field of 17 for the Sprint Cup, with fellow Group 1 winner Kind Of Blue (Blue Point) and last year's fifth Flora Of Bermuda (Dark Angel) also featuring in a three-pronged attack from Wathnan. Time For Sandals (Sands Of Mali), Harry Eustace's G1 Commonwealth Cup winner, has been declared, alongside a pair of runners from the Richard Hughes yard in the G1 July Cup heroine No Half Measures (Cable Bay) and G3 Summer Stakes scorer Sayidah Dariyan (Dariyan). Mick Appleby will also be double-handed with July Cup runner-up Big Mojo (Mohaather) and the veteran Annaf (Muhaarar), while Kevin Ryan saddles last year's beaten favourite in Inisherin (Shamardal), as well as Ain't Nobody (Sands Of Mali) following his runner-up finish in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at 100/1. Clive Cox will be represented by both Diligent Harry (Due Diligence) and James's Delight (Invincible Army), but William Haggas will field only Sky Majesty (Blue Point) after his Almeraq (Dark Angel) was not declared. Sky Majesty was a supplementary entry on Monday, along with Eve Johnson Houghton's Rage Of Bamby (Saxon Warrior). There are two further horses travelling from overseas, with Yann Barberot's Beauvatier (Lope De Vega) joining Lazzat in a two-pronged French challenge and the Ger Lyons-trained My Mate Alfie (Dark Angel) making the journey across the Irish Sea. July Cup third Run To Freedom (Muhaarar) completes the list of horses guaranteed a run, leaving Nighteyes (Night Of Thunder) and Celandine (Kingman) to fill the role of reserves. The post ‘We Only Want to Cross the Channel and Win’ – Reynier Ready to Unleash Sprint Cup Ace Lazzat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Just over 20 minutes had passed when Darren Filkins dislodged the irritant in his craw concerning the future of Harris Farms without its eponymous captain, John, who passed this July. “People were talking dispersal,” said Filkins, about Fasig-Tipton's recent digital sale of around 90 Harris homebreds. “I even corrected people yesterday. 'Oh, I heard you're shutting down Harris farms.' 'Nope.' I don't know where they heard it. We're not shutting down Harris Farms. We're committed to being in this.” Sitting at a table in Del Mar's backstretch cafeteria and presiding over an audience of Harris Farms mainstays–trainer Dan Morgan and his son, Trevor–Filkins wore the sharply focused air of someone juggling flaming torches while riding a unicycle. Or, in Filkins's case specifically, of someone taking stock of the Harris Farms trainees currently stabled at Del Mar, all the while taking mental stock of a sprawling Central Valley institution. As CEO of Harris Farms, Filkins is responsible for overseeing a vast 14,000-acre farming operation including swaths of pistachio and almond trees, citrus groves, tomato vines and hand-harvested garlic and onions; a 1,000-acre vineyard (for now); a swanky hotel and resort; along with the 7,000-acre Harris River Ranch (citrus and olives groves and a 250-head cow-calf operation), nearly 250-acres of which are set aside for the rearing of the latest Harris blue-bloods. The racing portion of this whole enterprise is now a 501 (C) 4 charitable organization, with trustees overseeing Filkins's every move. “Before, I just reported to John Harris. John was a 100% shareholder of everything,” said Filkins, emphasizing his “fiduciary” obligation to keep the racing side of things solvent. He'll still enjoy the support of Jonny Hilvers, general manager of the horse division. “Over the last year and a half, working very closely with John on the transition plan, he really wanted us to continue to do what we were doing, and he wanted to set us up for future success,” said Filkins. “He oftentimes would tell me, 'Hey, I want you to perpetuate the business.'” Perpetuate, but in reduced fashion. Portrait of the late John Harris | Courtesy Darren Filkins Earlier this year, a Harris Farms horse headcount came to around 390, about 100 of them broodmares. The aim over time is to trim the broodmare band down to about 25. “It's quality for us,” said Filkins, of their philosophy without a racing calendar in Northern California. “We're going to focus on the tracks where we're running now. We want to have the quality of horses that can be competitive here.” Harris Farm's Coalinga facility will be shuttered as a training center. About 40 horses in the training program currently reside there, with a handful of outside boarders. “We're in the process of letting all the owners know of the outside horses that they need to be finding those horses new homes,” said Filkins. Of the nine stallions currently standing at Harris Ranch, only Catholic Boy will remain under the Harris banner, moved to a stallion farm to be named (the deal still to be inked). The racing band has already been sharply reduced. Earlier this year, they sent about 18 horses to trainer Debbie Peery at Emerald Downs, who found them all new homes. As the numbers shrink, so will the number of trainers, with the likes of Sean McCarthy, Dean Pederson, Carla Gaines and Morgan set to enjoy continued patronage. The task of paring back the numbers will take a year or so. They currently have between 30-40 horses in training in Southern California, and another roughly 65 foals this year. Morgan will take a string to Turf Paradise this winter. Furthermore, Harris Farms has15 entered in the upcoming September sale at Pomona, another 15 entered in the Arizona's fall mixed sale, along with what Filkins calls a “strong presence” in Fasig-Tipton's online January sale. “We get there as quick as we can.” Filkins said, of the reduction process. “There aren't homes for all these horses right away.” Filkins grew up in Bakersfield, where his father, a large animal veterinarian, worked with Quarter Horses and local Thoroughbred breeders like Don Valpredo. After college, Filkins even dabbled in a spot of rodeo. But it's fair to say he's more comfortable holding a shovel than a set of reins. After starting out in sales and marketing in the hallowed Steinbeck firmament of the Salinas Valley, Filkins has pursued a career in agriculture from most angles, doing everything from grower relations to dabbling in seed genetics to strategizing water assets. He was senior vice president of North American operations for Bolthouse Farms, one of the largest carrot companies in the country. He joined Nickel Family Farms–a Bakersfield farming dynasty dating back to the 1860s–as its CEO, then assumed the same position for Agriculture Capital, focused on regenerative agriculture. In December 2021, Filkins came under the Harris fold. As the CEO of Harris Farms, Filkins must navigate an agricultural landscape in the Central Valley of California that's undergoing a major sea change. Catholic Boy | Harris Farms Landmark regulations passed over a decade ago are forcing growers to sharply reduce the amount of groundwater they can use for irrigation. Crops are being torn out or changed. Land is being fallowed. “We are redeveloping a lot of the farm ground,” Filkins said, before offering a glimpse into what this all means. “We have farm ground up by Lodi that had been wine grapes. We're in the process of removing those now, and we're going to be planting almonds there. We're 50-50 partners with Harris Woolf Almonds in Coalinga.” In terms of adaptation and consolidation, the parallels with California horse racing are compelling. Prior to his passing, Harris promised to bankroll a fair meet this summer at Fresno, to try to keep the fair meet legacy going. The California Horse Racing Board ultimately voted it down 4-3. “John was committed and financially committed to continuing to try to support Northern California racing up until the time he passed away. We tried until the very last day to have Fresno run. Unfortunately, we lost. So, that was difficult, because we really, really were trying. But I'm still committed to continuing to look at that,” said Filkins. That commitment, he said, has involved the putting together of a business plan to present to the CHRB. “We're not asking for the whole circuit back. But what can we do to preserve racing history that goes back to the late 1800s? Because if one year goes by, two years goes by, three years, it's not going to come back,” he said. Did Harris leave a pot of money to help bankroll any future fair meet? “I can say that we have done our diligence to put a business plan together that would allow us to do this. And if it's one track or two tracks, at least it preserves the legacy.” he said. “I guess I go back to the challenge: where are the horses going to come from?” Filkins added. “I can't speak for everyone else. Harris Farms and George Schmitt, we'll provide horses. We're still going to have horses that can race there.” One key difference between the challenges Filkins faces through his twin agricultural and racing pursuits concerns planning. While these new state groundwater laws are a major hurdle for California's growers, they're being rolled out slowly over many decades, giving time for farmers to adjust. For those working in California horse racing, seismic changes have come quickly, as exemplified by the closure of Golden Gate Fields. Filkins identifies the uncertainty this has created as one of his key challenges in keeping Harris Farms going–more specifically, “the uncertainty of Santa Anita,” he said. “What's going to happen there in three to five years? Nobody knows except one person. [The Stronach] family knows probably what the plans are. But if [Santa Anita's sold], it's going to impact California racing dramatically.” he said. “I mean, we put all our eggs in one basket.” It's not just Santa Anita's future that concerns him. “Los Alamitos–who knows what's going to happen there?” he said. In the meantime, Filkins would like to see more races carded at Los Alamitos, including more Cal-bred races. “They have got a nice track. Why not a little bit more distance to the races?” In taking Harris's spot on the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC) board, Filkins will have an important say on an important forum to raise such kinds of issues. “There are three representatives [on the TOC] that represent the north. Ty Green, Andy Mathis, and now myself. I'm the most junior member in all of this and probably have the least amount of experience, but I know what John would want me to do, and that's continue to exhaust all the opportunities to see if we can race in Northern California at a fair circuit somewhere next year,” he said. What would give the whole state a major shot, of course, is some kind of legislation–think the advent of historic racing machines–to help bolster the industry's purses. Filkins isn't blind to the key hurdle standing in the way. “Where we've seen the sport grow–in states like Wyoming, Nebraska–they have gaming. My daughter lives in Columbus, Nebraska, and they built a brand-new racetrack and hotel casino last year. It's phenomenal. “But it's a totally different environment than here,” he said. “I know there's a lot that goes on between the Indians, gaming- wise, with the state here. They've gone to great measures to protect that.” As the late Del Mar breakfast wound to a close–breakfast burrito still untouched upon his plate before him–Filkins bandied around another idea that seems to have support of other leading industry figures, that of a consolidated program combining the Western States' breeding industries. “If you can get that done, I think that would be great,” he said. “There are, I won't say safety in numbers, but there are benefits in numbers.” Anything, in other words, to help shore up and strengthen an industry that had meant so much to a figurehead whose name remains stamped into the soils skirting the I-5 highway that runs like a backbone through the Central Valley. “I just want people to know that we're committed to continuing–that's where it seems to be lost in translation with some people in the rumor mill,” said Filkins, hammering home his earlier point. “We are committed to this for as long as we can.” The post Darren Filkins Talks Future Of Harris Farms: ‘We’re Committed To Being In This’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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The catalogue for the OBS October Yearling Sale is now online at www.obssales.com and features 459 yearlings. The two-day auction is set for Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 7 and 8, with sessions beginning at noon ET. The opening day of trade will see hips 1-230 (plus supplements) go under the hammer, while the Oct. 8 session will see hips 301-530 proceed through the ring (plus supplements). Supplemental entries for the sale will be accepted through Sept. 24. Those horses will be offered in order of the first letter of the dam's name. Mares beginning with D-Sam will be added on to the first session and San-C will complete the sale on Wednesday. This year's October sale features yearlings by such notable sires as Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, Horse of the Year Authentic, champion Blame, Bolt d'Oro, OBS grad Bucchero, Charlatan, OBS grad Colonial Liam, Complexity, Constitution, Girvin, champion Good Magic, six-time leading sire and OBS grad Into Mischief, OBS grad Kantharos, Horse of the Year Knicks Go, Leinster, Maximus Mischief, McKinzie, Medaglia d'Oro, OBS grad Mitole, Omaha Beach, Practical Joke, Solomini, Uncle Chuck, Upstart, Vekoma, Win Win Win and OBS grad Yaupon. First-crop sires with offerings in the October catalogue include OBS grad and champion Corniche, Cyberknife, Drain the Clock, Early Voting, champion Epicenter, Golden Pal, Highly Motivated, champion Jackie's Warrior, Magic On Tap, Mind Control, Mo Donegal, Mystic Guide, Nashville, Roadster and Speaker's Corner. Featured on the front cover of the catalogue is Crimson Advocate (Nyquist), a $100,000 graduate of the 2022 October Sale who added a taking victory in this year's G2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot to a win at two in the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at the Royal meeting. The auction house will once again offer online bidding during the October Sale. Click here for additional information. The post OBS October Catalogue Features 459 Yearlings appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Velazquez is Jockey of the Week after wins in the Pacific Classic (G1), Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1), and Hopeful Stakes (G1). View the full article

Ed Bethell hopes calling on "man of the moment" Frankie Dettori can help him make an instant impact in the U.S. when the trainer breaks new ground with Point Lynas in the Mint Millions Invitational Stakes (G3T) at Kentucky Downs Sept. 6.View the full article

Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) this morning effortlessly completed fast-work preparations for the HK$3.72 million Class 1 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup Handicap (1200m) at Sha Tin on Sunday (7 September), when the world’s highest-rated sprinter bids to extend his winning streak to 13 straight races. Partnered by regular rider Zac Purton, Hong Kong’s reigning Horse Of The Year sauntered down the back straight on Sha Tin’s dirt track before upping the tempo over the final 400m, clocking 24.1s and pleasing trainer David Hayes. “It was just typical Ka Ying Rising work, he’s a bit lazy on his own but we’ve been doing it now for 12 months and the routine works, so we’re not going to change it,” said Hayes, who believes the four-time Group 1 winner is thriving after a 1000m trial at Sha Tin on 30 August. “I thought the trial down the straight showed that he’s back in very good form.” Hayes believes Hong Kong’s champion sprinter is well placed to repeat last season’s opening-day heroics, when he triumphed on Good to Yielding ground and set a weight-carrying record under 135lb to become the first horse to win the HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup with more than 130lb. “Last year it poured and he won with a big weight and a wide gate (barrier seven), so this year he’s got a good gate (barrier four) and he’s probably going to be 15 to 20 pounds heavier but that’s strength, not fitness,” Hayes said. Purton said: “He (Ka Ying Rising) did his work, as he always does. He’s pretty cruisy in the mornings, he knows what to do. He gets out there and shows the enthusiasm that he always does. He just ticks the boxes. “He was just on the wrong leg again, which is becoming more and more frustrating by the day but hopefully at some stage he works that out and makes life a little easier for himself.” Ka Ying Rising will this Sunday concede weight to all 11 rivals – Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) (126lb), Lucky With You (Artie Schiller) (116lb) and Beauty Waves (Starspangledbanner), Victor The Winner (Toronado), Copartner Prance (Epaulette), Raging Blizzard (NZ) (Per Incanto), Magic Control (Sioux Nation), Bottomuptogether (Shamus Award), Divano (Brave Smash), Gorgeous Win (Press Statement) and Harmony N Blessed (Magnus), who have all been assigned 115lb. View the full article

Parting with a lot of coin for a relatively unproven racehorse is a risky proposition for most. So, when Darcy Mangan and his fellow directors of Ace Bloodstock were advised by renowned bloodstock agent Phil Cataldo to buy into a maiden winner named Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who then failed to fire at her subsequent three starts, there was, understandably, some trepidation. As history shows, that punt two years ago has paid huge dividends, with Niance flourishing since crossing the ditch. The now six-year-old, who is trained out of Cranbourne by Grahame Begg, has earned $430,250 in prizemoney, having only tasted defeat once in seven starts in Australia. Her CV boasts two Listed victories and a Group 3 triumph, while on Saturday the mare can add to her tally when she contests the G1 Moir Stakes at The Valley. “We thought we had something that could measure up in town, but she just keeps stepping up,” Mangan told racing.com. “Grahame always had high hopes for her, as did we, and he has just been so patient with her. “I had hoped she would be Listed-class, so to have three Stakes wins already and now be contesting a Group 1 on Saturday, it’s amazing. If we can win this, then hopefully go on and run in the Manikato and potentially The Everest, who knows?” Bred by Gerry Harvey, Niance is by Swiss Ace, who stands at Harvey’s Westbury Stud in New Zealand. Niance commenced her career with trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy and after two encouraging trials, the then three-year-old debuted with a victory in a 1200-metre maiden at Ruakaka on December 14, 2022. The sale of Niance went through after she won a trial over 800 metres at Avondale on August 23, 2023. “She’s actually one of the first horses we bought, I think she may be third overall,” Mangan commented. “We’d only been operating for about six months when Phil sent through a video suggesting we take a look at her; we thought she was progressive. “We knew we would have to pay decent money as Gerry had a good opinion of her. I know Terry Henderson and a few other good judges looked at her, so we were fortunate enough to secure her. Some of my family are in her, as are some of my good mates.” Harvey has remained a part-owner, but Niance now races in the Ace Bloodstock silks carried to victory by horses such as Snow Patrol (NZ) (Contributer) and Angland (NZ) (Ace High). “I have seen Gerry at the sales a couple of times and we’ve spoken about her. He may well want to buy her back when she retires,” Mangan added. Begg is renowned for his patience and placement of horses and that has been to the fore with Niance. His hand has been forced to some degree, with the mare experiencing a few setbacks along the way. In December 2024, Niance’s racing future was in the balance after she suffered a fractured skull in a paddock incident. “It was pretty worrying there for a while,” Mangan said. “Thankfully, she’s come through it and it appears the injury hasn’t impacted her. “It’s a good time to have a quality sprinter because so many of the topliners like Giga Kick (Scissor kick), Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) and Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) have fallen away.” For Mangan and some of the other owners in Niance, competing in G1s isn’t foreign. A number of them were involved in the now-deceased cult hero I’m Thunderstruck (NZ) (Shocking), who took out the G1 Toorak Handicap in 2021 and the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes a year later. Those were great times, but they could have been even more euphoric. “I never saw Thunder win a Group 1, it was during COVID times and we weren’t allowed on course. I was watching from home, it was a strange time,” Mangan explained. “We also had Snow Patrol run in the G1 Australian Guineas last year, but, yeah, this is very exciting. There’ll be about 40-50 of us owners there on Saturday, so they will certainly hear us if we win.” View the full article

Over 20 years ago, when my wife Jacqueline and I first started dating, she gave me Tim McGraw's new CD, “Live Like You Were Dying.” In my mid-forties then, I wasn't able to wrap my mind around or put my heart into that concept. I'd not been around anyone who lived like they were dying, when they were dying. Now I have. Stuart Angus never allowed cancer to come between him and his life. If you didn't know Stuart had Stage Four cancer for the past five years, you wouldn't have known he was even sick, period. Stu was more apt to have such a good time while being diagnosed and treated that he would bring some level of joy into the medical community. Josie Mattmiller had taken Stu one early morning to St. Joseph East for a biopsy procedure. As planned, I went to spell Josie while the procedure was going on and wait just in case they released Stu. Well, they didn't before Josie returned and we waited together, for several hours. We were told that the procedure caused Stu a great deal of discomfort and that he was doing well and to proceed to a staging area before he would be released. We did as we were told and turned right after going through a second set of doors, we heard Stuart chatting away! Josie and I were standing in the middle of six to eight beds separated by curtains and we knew which room Stu was in from the chatter. He heard the two of us, pulled the curtain back, while still in the bed, and whispered loudly, “JoJo, Finny! What's going on!?!” “Just checking on you, are you OK?” “Yeah, I'm good! Hey Finn, do you have a hundred on you!?!” “I've got some money; not sure I've got a hundred,” I said with a smile. “I'd like to give it to the nurse!” We whispered, “Stuey, you're in a hospital, not a bar!” “I know! She's just taken such good care of me,” he quipped with that twinkle in his eye. I was blessed to have looked at countless horses with Stu, to go to all the races we could go to with each other–Rob, Josie and others. We worked the same horse sales, ate meals together (and if I wasn't eating with Stu, he was sending me pictures and videos of the food he was eating, oftentimes at his son Drew's with his wife Alexa, and then their first foster child, Stuart's pride and joy), and had some very beautiful conversations. Drew recently emailed many of his dad's friends and within the email wrote that his dad was “off to sit with The Lord.” Based on some of my conversations with Stu, I know that to be true. The Sunday before the Wednesday Stuart Angus completed his stay here, I stopped by his home to visit. We were watching the Saratoga card and Stu asked, “Do you want some soup?” “Well, if you want some, let's get some,” I replied. “What kinda soup is around here?” Stu asked, and then I knew he had something in mind. He continued, “Brewster's has good chicken noodle soup but I don't want chicken noodle soup,” I shrugged, he continued, “I wonder what kinda soup they have at J Al's?” I looked at him. And with that twinkle in his eye, Stu said, “They've got really good potato soup at Shamrocks, and we can watch the races, too!” Like Napoleon went onto Elba Island, I followed Stu over to and into Shamrock's, where he was greeted and treated like the great man he was. Last Friday night, a little after 7:00, I finished going through Keeneland's Book 4 and walked out of my second-story Midway office onto its back porch. A slight circular breeze began and quietly blew around me and it continued. I got goose bumps and could almost see that twinkle in Stuart Angus's eye. My Brother, the horseman, who showed me how to Live Like You Were Dying. Editor's note: Stuart Angus, a Senior Thoroughbred Advisor for Taylor Made, passed away Aug. 28 at the age of 60. His friends are encouraging those he touched to submit `Stu stories' to the TDN. Please email suefinley@thetdn.com if you have a story to share. The post Letter to the Editor: Stu Story #4, Live Like You Were Dying appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first rankings are out for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot, to be held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. Nominations for the two Group 1s closed late last month (34 in the New Zealand Cup and 41 for the Dominion). In the $1m New Zealand Cup Swayzee, as defending champion, 2024 Auckland Cup winner Republican Party, Inter Dominion champion Leap To Fame and 2025 Maurice Holmes Vase winner Mo’unga have automatically qualified and fill the top four places. Of the other top Kiwi chances, star northern pacer Merlin is rated at fifth, ahead of Don’t Stop Dreaming with Akuta at eighth, We Walk By Faith at 9 and Chase A Dream at 10. Two trotters have already qualified for the Dominion Trot – Bet N Win after his win in 2025 Rowe Cup and Inter Dominion champion Arcee Phoenix. They are ranked first and second with multiple Group 1 winners Oscar Bonavena and Muscle Mountain at 3 and 4, followed by Victorian visitor Keayang Chucky. His stablemate Keayang Zahara, who caused such a sensation last year with 15 wins in a row, is ranked at 13th. The first of the automatic qualifiers for the Dominion is Friday’s Ordeal Cup at Addington, followed by the Worthy Queen (October 10) and the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup (October 17) while the second automatic qualifier for the New Zealand Cup is the New Brighton Cup this Friday followed by the Holmes DG at Alexandra Park on October 3 and the Canterbury Classic at Addington (October 17). Both the NZ Cup and the Dominion will be limited to 15 starters. Rankings will be updated weekly with the final rankings coming out after the Kaikoura meeting on Monday, November 3. Rankings can be viewed here View the full article

Hong Kong Jockey Club has achieved another first, being given the highest level of accreditation for responsible betting by the World Lottery Association (WLA) for a fifth time. The club was the first organisation in Asia to be recognised as having reached Level 4 in 2011, and was recertified in 2015, 2018, 2021, and again this year, becoming the first in the region to hit that mark five times in a row. In a statement released on Thursday, the club said the accreditation underscored its...View the full article

What Chelmsford Stakes Day 2025 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Saturday, September 6, 2025 First Race 11:50am AEST Visit Dabble Feature racing returns to Randwick this Saturday with a bumper 10-part program lined up for Chelmsford Stakes Day. The forecast promises a genuine Good 4 surface, and with the rail out +4m for the entire circuit, it should be a fair track throughout the afternoon. HorseBetting.com.au has looked over the Randwick race card and come up with the best bets for the day, including our top picks for the features. Chelmsford Stakes Tip: Ceolwulf It was hard not to be impressed with the return of Ceolwulf in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 23. The son of Tavistock was left with plenty of work to do after settling last in the run, circling the widest of 11 runners when closing within 2.5 lengths of Via Sistina. He is already a two-time Group 1 winner at this course and distance, and with Chad Schofield set to gain the gun run from gate two, Ceowulf should have them covered in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m). Chelmsford Stakes Race 7 – #2 Ceolwulf (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Joseph Pride | J: Chad Schofield (59kg) Furious Stakes Tip: Akaysha A capacity field of 16 fillies do battle in the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m), and it looks to be a wide-open betting affair. After two strong trials, the Peter Snowden-trained Akaysha gets the nod as she returns from a 112-day spell. The Capitalist filly didn’t miss the frame in three starts last preparation, and with the shape of this contest set to suit the get-back-run-on style of Akaysha, the $26 with horse racing bookmakers is too big to ignore. Furious Stakes Race 6 – #8 Akaysha (8) 3yo Filly | T: Peter Snowden | J: Andrew Adkins (56kg) Tramway Stakes Tip: Linebacker The penny dropped with Linebacker at the end of last season, with the son of Super Seth claiming the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) prior to failing in a slowly run edition of the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m). He returns after an eye-catching barrier trial at Hawkesbury on August 25, with the four-year-old surging through the line impressively under minimal riding by Zac Lloyd. Gate 16 is the only reason we are still getting $6 odds; if the breaks fall his way, Linebacker must be considered the one to beat in the 2025 Tramway Stakes (1400m). Tramway Stakes Race 9 – #2 Linebacker (16) 4yo Gelding | T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | J: Zac Lloyd (58kg) Concorde Stakes Tip: Headwall The Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) will act as an Everest audition for most of these, and that is no exception for Headwall. The Dream Ahead gelding went to another level in the autumn, claiming three placings across four starts — including a luckless effort in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m). He brings a strong first-up profile into this, and although he may lack the class of a Lady Shenandoah and Jimmysstar later in the prep, Headwall should get every chance here. Concorde Stakes Race 8 – #5 Headwall (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Matthew Smith | J: Zac Lloyd (58kg) Best Bet at Randwick: Spirit Of Wealth Spirt Of Wealth appears to be a clear best bet on the Randwick card despite returning from a 329-day spell. They simply don’t trial much better than what the Michael Freedman-trained mare produced at Gosford on August 18, with the four-year-old cruising through the wire to score by 1.5 lengths. This BM78 contest against the girls lacks depth, and with Spirit Of Wealth set to target stakes races moving forward, expect her to prove too classy for this lot. Best Bet Race 3 – #10 Spirit Of Wealth (1) 4yo Mare | T: Michael Freedman | J: Tommy Berry (54kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Randwick Randwick quadrella selections Saturday, September 6, 2025 2-5-8 1-4-5-11 2-4-5-7-15 1-5-8-10-11 Horse racing tips View the full article

The Jockey Club believes changes to its whip rules will “address perception issues” around equine welfare and act as a step towards “harmonisation with other racing jurisdictions” as the World Pool continues to grow. Beginning from this Sunday’s season opener at Sha Tin, jockeys will not be permitted to use the whip in consecutive strides before the 100m mark, while the whip may be used at the rider’s discretion in the final 100m. After consulting jockeys, trainers and owners towards the end of...View the full article

La Dorada (NZ) (Super Seth) is one of two three-year-old fillies taking on the older horses in the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. New Zealand filly La Dorada will attempt to become the third of her age group to win the Group 1 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley. A Group 1 winner as a two-year-old, La Dorada joins fellow three-year-old filly Esha (Extreme Choice) when makes her seasonal return in the Moir Stakes (1000m) on Saturday, looking to join She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) and Coolangatta (Written Tycoon) as three-year-old filly winners. La Dorada will start for the first time in Australia on Saturday having had four starts in New Zealand, for three wins, including the Karaka Millions and the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m). All the filly’s four starts have been at 1100m and beyond, but Ben Gleeson, the assistant trainer for Mark Walker, believes La Dorada has the pace to be successful at 1000m first-up. It was a toss-up where to kick-off La Dorada’s campaign as she was also entered in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes (1200m) also on Saturday’s program. “We could have run her in the Atlantic Jewel, but she would have had 59-½ kilos which is tough for any filly,” Gleeson said. “She is quite small in stature, and we were more worried about her bottoming out with the big weight, so take away 9-½ kilos, we thought we would have a crack at the Group 1. “She is arguably the best two-year-old in New Zealand and we saw that form come over last season, with a horse like Bellatrix Star (Star witness) and Savaglee (NZ) (Star witness), they were up to Group 1 standard. “She is probably, on form, better than Bellatrix Star, so if she can show her true colours, there is no reason why she can’t win a big race.” The walker-trained Bellatrix Star defeated the older sprinters in the Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield last spring before going on to finish second in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. Gleeson said La Dorada had been prepared for Saturday’s return at Cranbourne and had had two jump outs to have her ready. “She’s had two nice jump-outs and some nice gallops,” Gleeson said. “Laura Winks who rides her, and she used to ride Imperatriz and Bellatrix Star. It’s good to get her opinion, her judgement is incredible, and she said she is more than up to the standard here.” Gleeson said La Dorada could potentially go to the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on September 26 or revert to the Group 3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) for three-year-old fillies that same night. The Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield next month is the long-term plan. “She’s by Super Seth and we think she’s a Thousand Guineas filly, but it’s not a very good program for her,” Gleeson said. “We could go to the Scarborough or Manikato and then a strong trial into the Thousand Guineas, but she’s not a filly that would cop four or five runs in a prep because she is so small. “If she was to get to a Thousand Guineas here, that would be great, but we could also take her home for the Thousand Guineas back there.” Apprentice Luke Cartwright has been entrusted with the ride on Saturday. Cartwright rode one of the stable’s first winners after setting up a small base at Cranbourne which has expanded in recent years. “He comes in and rides gallops and does a lot of work,” Gleeson said. “If you remove the apprenticeship tag next to his name, he is arguably one of the most promising young jockeys in Australia and he deserves his chance. “We had options of other jockeys, but we chose him.” View the full article

Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto) will follow the successful path of former stablemate Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) into October’s A$20 million The Everest (1200m), with the dual Group One winner to begin his spring campaign in Sydney on Saturday. Trainer Ciaron Maher on Monday confirmed Jimmysstar’s spring will begin on Saturday in the $1 million Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) Randwick, which would allow the horse two prep runs before The Everest on October 18. After the Concorde, it is planned Jimmysstar will run in the $1 million Gr.2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 4. “I was toying with whether to kick him off in this race or in two weeks’ time but just the way he’s prepped up, it would be a similar preparation to what Bella did,” Maher told Racing.com. “He can run here, and then in the Premiere, and then two weeks into The Everest.” Maher said he expected racing fans have not yet seen the best of the former New Zealander. “It was a real breakout prep last campaign – in four Group Ones, he was able to secure two and wasn’t too far away in the other two,” he said. “I feel he’s got a bit more to come, and he’s certainly trialled up in good order. “You can just ride him where he’s comfortable and let him hit the line as we know that he will improve off that first-up run. “He likes that little bit of freshness on his side too, so the aim will be a couple of prep runs and then hopefully have him right to go.” Jimmysstar was bred by Wairarapa couple Pete and Chrissy Algie in partnership with Masterton’s Little Avondale Stud. Stud proprietors Sam and Dame Catriona Williams along with the Algies remain in the ownership of the star galloper. View the full article

Mark Walker joins Gareth Hall to talk about Te Akau’s prospects this Saturday. LISTEN HERE View the full article

Top quality performer Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj) will be heading in a new direction on Saturday when she attempts to add to her record at the highest level. The daughter of Iffraaj will spearhead a four-strong Wexford Stables assault on the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie in her pursuit of a third top-flight title. Grail Seeker was an emphatic first-up winner of the event last season, then named the Tarzino Trophy and raced at Hastings, before also claiming the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham later in the season. “She’s proven at weight-for-age, she’s proven at the distance and she’s coming in on a similar path to last year having trialled well,” said Andrew Scott, who trains Grail Seeker with Lance O’Sullivan. “The only thing that is different is the right hand turn versus the left, and she hasn’t had opportunities going right-handed to show her best yet. “We don’t think she’s disadvantaged by it, but she hasn’t raced at the same level going right to left. “Apart from that, her body weight is the same as last year, she’s been eating well and thriving, and we expect a similar performance.” Grail Seeker will be ridden by Bruno Querioz, who has been aboard in both of her lead-up trials. “He’s made a strong impression since he’s been in New Zealand, he’s ridden with a great deal of success in different jurisdictions around the world,” Scott said. Grail Seeker is the shortest in the market of the stable’s runners, but Waitak (NZ) (Proisir), Tomodachi (NZ) (Tarzino) and Checkmate (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) aren’t considered lesser hopes. “They are very hard to split, they all have legitimate chances and the team has put an incredible amount of work into them to have them near their peaks for the race,” Scott said. “Waitak is super consistent and he’s raced at a high level all his career and we think we’ve got him very fresh and well. “Last year, we trialled him twice and he had quite a tough run in the Foxbridge (Gr.2, 1200m) and he then lacked the zip, which we think he’s got now. “He’ll sprint well fresh and is certainly well capable and any rain will aid his chances. We certainly think we’ve got him as well as he can be and see him being very competitive.” Waitak will be ridden by Craig Grylls while Joe Doyle takes the ride on Tomodachi and Lynsey Satherley takes the reins aboard Checkmate. “We think Tomodachi is up to this class, the thing with mares is that they have their time of the year,” Scott said. “This is the first time we’ve tried her this early in the season, usually it’s been summer and autumn, but everything indicates that she’s going really, really well. “We’ve always believed in her ability to get to this level.” Tomodachi ended her last preparation with victory in the Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m), while Checkmate won the Listed Armacup 3YO (1500m), ran third in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) and in the $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m). “He never let us down and we took him to Sydney (for the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas, 2000m), but he didn’t stay and it was at the end of his campaign,” Scott said. “He was so consistent and raced against our best three-year-olds and was always very competitive and raced well at Ellerslie. “We really think a lot of him and hopefully he can take the next step. Any rain won’t worry him either.” View the full article

Two popular members of Kevin Myers’ stable in Aljay (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) and Verry Flash (NZ) (Zed) are heading for a well-earned retirement following successful careers with combined earnings of nearly $1 million. The Wanganui horseman purchased Aljay for $39,000 at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready To Run Sale in 2019, having prepared his star half-brother Tallyho Twinkletoe (NZ) (St Reims) to win a Grand National Hurdles (4200m), and played a large role in his successes in the Australian Grand National Hurdle (4200m) and Steeplechase (4500m). While his sibling thrived over fences, Aljay was just as proficient on the flat, winning 10 of his 50 starts, including the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and last year’s Listed Spring Classic (2000m). The son of Rock ‘N’ Pop also placed in the Listed Metropolitan Trophy (2600m) for three consecutive years and was runner-up in a Listed Rotorua Cup (2200m), bowing out with $543,437 in earnings for Myers and co-owner Charlie Gestro. Aljay’s early New Zealand Cup success and consistency often told in the weight scale, which made retirement an easy call for Myers. “He was always topweight in the handicaps, four or five kilos heavier than the rest, so he was often a kids (apprentice jockey) horse,” Myers said. “It was an easier decision to retire both him and Flash while they are sound. “I considered it (jumps racing) with Aljay, but he wasn’t a natural jumper and he’s done pretty well on the flat. “He can go and enjoy life, he’ll retire here on the farm with Scapolo. They’ll have a paddock of their own.” Verry Flash fashioned a similarly impressive record in his racing career, which started in the care of co-owner Nick Bishara. While he may not have quite reached the phenomenal heights of his full-sister and Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) heroine Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed), Verry Flash won 11 races on the flat, including a Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m), and after joining Myers, a Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m). He was particularly efficient in heavy track conditions, placing in two editions of the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m), and Myers added another string to the gelding’s bow when presenting him as a jumper. Verry Flash added a further four victories to his record over hurdles, and in his first and only attempt over the steeplechase fences at Hawera in late August, he was successful, and Myers decided that was the perfect note to finish on. “Flash was a good horse, he won his last start so I thought he could retire on that,” he said. “I thought about going to the Jericho, but he’s 11-years-old now and has done a good job. “He came here later in his career, but he kept running well on the flat right up to his last start. “Flash will go to Rowena Smyth, she used to ride him early on and he can go hunting. They’ll both have a nice home and they deserve that.” Verry Flash was bred by the late Don Goodwin, who raced him alongside Bishara. View the full article

Tackling Group Ones on either side of the Tasman is nothing new for Ken and Bev Kelso, and they will do exactly that this weekend. In Australia, the Matamata trainers will head to The Valley on Saturday to test the talent of their rising star Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m). The four-year-old daughter of Alabama Express is unbeaten in Australia, having won her only start there in the Listed HKJC World Pool Sprint Classic (1100m) at Flemington in March, and the Kelsos have been pleased with the way she has returned following her spell. “She spelled really well at Henley,” Ken Kelso said. “Sarah (Devcich) does a magnificent job there and she came back and put on about 40 kilos. She felt stronger and she is really thriving. “I am really happy with her, she has really improved since that trial (winning her 1050m heat at Te Rapa last month), she is really flying. I couldn’t be happier with her going into the race.” While pleased with his mare, Kelso said she faces a stiff task this weekend. “They don’t give Group Ones away in a Weet-Bix package,” he said. “We are testing the water. It is a big transition from a three-year-old filly up to weight-for-age. “It has come up a really strong field. Normally the Moir is eight to 10 runners and this year it is a full field of 15, which is a lot of runners for Moonee Valley.” Further elite-level targets await Alabama Lass in Melbourne this spring if she performs up to expectations. “If she fired up and went really well, we have got the option of staying for the Manikato (Gr.1, 1200m) three weeks later. If not, she will come home, have a break and be set for the sprints here.” Alabama Lass has already proven herself in those New Zealand sprints, finishing runner-up to Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) in the Gr.1 Railway (1200m) in January before turning the tables on her rival when winning the Gr.3 Kings Plate (1200m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day. Stablemate Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) has already tasted Group One success in Australia, having won the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington two years ago. She added a subsequent elite-level victory to her record last year when winning the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), and she will be seeking another when she heads to Ellerslie to contest the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) on Saturday. She placed in the race two years ago and is favoured by TAB bookmakers to go two better on Saturday, sitting atop of the market at $4.80, alongside last year’s winner Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaji). Legarto will be first-up after finishing fifth behind Alabama Lass in her trial last month and subsequently had an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa 10 days ago. “She came back in big order, which she is, she is a monster,” Kelso said. “I thought her trial was okay. Her gallop between races she went with Wild Night and I was a little bit disappointed initially but then I found out what time they ran. “I probably read too much into the gallop, but she has really improved since then. “She is probably going to be a little bit vulnerable over 1400m. Ellerslie has not really been her go. They will know she is there.” Kelso admits to being slightly nervous ahead of his Group One doubleheader on Saturday, but he is excited to have two quality mares lining up in their respective elite-level races. “I am a bit nervous with a Group One on either side of the Tasman,” he said. “You are just privileged to have horses like this to be able to run in these sorts of races, and you have got to remind yourself of that.” View the full article

Check out the great racing offers available from horse racing bookmakers on Thursday, September 4. Enjoy bonus back deals and other promotions to boost your betting experience. Explore these specials from top online bookmakers and get more value from your bets. Top Australian racing promotions for September 4, 2025, include: Today’s horse racing promotions Moe Races 1-2 | Bet Back Run 2nd or 3rd Activate your Bet Back Tool in your Betslip on Races 1 & 2 at Moe this Thursday and if your runner comes 2nd or 3rd, get up $50 back as Bonus Cash. Bet Back Tool is only available to use on the day of race, on Fixed Win bets, and on races with 5 or more runners. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Blonde Boosts! Elevate your prices! BlondeBet T&C’s Apply. Eligible Customers Only. Login to BlondeBet to Claim Promo Copycash – Get Copied. Get Paid. Get paid $0.10 every time someone uses Copy Bet to copy your bets. Eligible Customers Only. Login to Dabble to Claim Promo 10% Winnings Boost! – Northam & Mackay Get 10% Boosted Winnings paid in BONUS CASH. First eligible bet per race. Must apply Promotion in betslip. Cash bets only. Max bonus $100. Eligible customers only Login to Picklebet to Claim Promo Bet Boost | Thursday Thoroughbred Meetings Get a bet boost on thoroughbred races around Australia on Thursday. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Daily Exotic Boosts Boost your exotics by up to 20%. Available on Exactas, Quinellas, Trifectas & First Fours. Excludes Quaddies. Check your vault for eligibility. Login to Unibet to Claim Promo Owners Bonus – Win a bet on your horse & receive an extra 15% winnings in cash Max Payout $2000. Account holder must be registered as an official owner of the nominated horse. Fixed odds win bets on Australian thoroughbred races only. Excludes boosted, multi, live and bonus bets. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo Odds Drift Protector | If Your Horse Drifts, You Get The Bigger Price Only available on Australian Horse Racing Fixed Price Win bets placed from 8am AET the day of the race. Eligible customers. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au find these racing offers? HorseBetting.com.au reviews Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers to share the best thoroughbred promotions for September 4, 2025. Bookmakers are always competing, so if one doesn’t have a deal, another usually does. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au for daily racing bonuses and betting specials. Get better value with competitive odds and offers for existing customers. Just log in to your betting account to see what’s available. For extra help picking winners and using your bonuses wisely, check out our daily free racing tips. View all horse racing promotions View the full article

Young broodmare Jill's a Hot Mess (Laoban) led the way Wednesday at the closing of the Inglis Digital USA September Sale, topping the sale with a winning bid of $145,000 by Bluewater Sales, agent. The 7-year-old mare is in foal to Vekoma, who currently leads the second-crop sire list. “We have loved the ease and fun of the digital sales process, both selling and buying,” said Meg Levy of Bluewater Sales. “Timing for this mare was perfect, with the weekend Vekoma had. That's the beauty of the process.” Consigned as hip 47, the New York-bred stakes-placed winner of $331,220 hails from the same family as champions Straight No Chaser and Housebuster. Brookdale, as agent, consigned Jill's a Hot Mess and offered her for inspection in Versailles, Ky. “Jill's a Hot Mess is a strong young mare who could really run, and she is in foal to one of the of the hottest young stallions in Vekoma,” said Brookdale Director of Sales Sarah Seitz. “The Inglis Digital USA sale came at the right time to highlight a mare like her. Kyle [Wilson] and his team were great in keeping us informed once the sale went live and promoting the mare on social media platforms. It was a very professional experience all around.” While Jill's a Hot Mess was the topping boodmare of the Inglis Digital USA September Sale, Chado (American Freedom) topped the racing-age offerings at $55,000. The 3-year-old colt, last seen winning an allowance by 6 1/4 lengths at Colonial Downs Aug. 22, sold to Jerry Romans, Jr. Jason McCutchen trained and consigned Chado as hip 1, offering him for inspection at Colonial Downs. “I'm really pleased about getting Chado sold,” said McCutchen. “It was a very easy and successful experience. I can't wait to do it again.” Horses in the sale were available for inspection and purchase in Arkansas, California, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. “We had a large cross section of offerings, and it was great to see activity from all over the country and the world, for that matter,” said Inglis Digital USA CEO Kyle Wilson. “We appreciate the support of our longtime customers, and we welcomed some new ones this sale as well. We'll be back at it in a month!” Offerings that finished under their reserves are still available to purchase on the Inglis Digital USA website. Entries for Inglis Digital USA's next sale, the Early October Sale, will be taken through Sept. 22. Bidding for that event will close Oct. 1. The post Inglis Digital USA September Sale Closes with Jill’s A Hot Mess on Top appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series kicks off Sept. 6 when Gulfstream Park stages the $100,000 Dr. Fager division for 2-year-old males and the $100,000 Desert Vixen division for juvenile fillies.View the full article

By Jonny Turner Phase one of Canterbury’s raid on Southland starts on Thursday. Ranfurly Shield fever has hit the Deep South after the Stags snatched the old log of wood from Waikato last weekend. Southland’s first defence comes up on Saturday in what should be another epic battle with Canterbury. Before then, Southland’s harness racing talent will be out to repel a Canterbury attack in the trotting game. Several key runners will be crossing the Otago border to head to Wyndham on Thursday, including a likely pairing from Stonewall Stud. One is the impressive debut winner B B King. The pacer was quietly handled early before building into a beautiful rhythm to score at Addington early last month for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer and driver Tim Williams. Held in high regard by his camp, it is hoped Thursday’s race will prove an important stepping stone in the two-year-old’s career. “The ability is there, but he needs racing now and that’s why he is coming down on Thursday,” Williams said. “Mandy was keen to get this race and the trip away into him, hopefully it will do him the world of good.” “We are hopeful he can work towards some nice races, but he needs to learn what the game is all about and develop his ringcraft.” B B King will square off with breakout Southland star She’s Crunchy at Wyndham. She’s Crunchy was scheduled to fly to Australia after her big Southern Surge Final win but following a flight cancellation, she’s remaining in Southland for the immediate future. The filly brings proven form to Wyndham on Thursday with her unbeaten run in three starts, while B B King brings untapped potential. “She’s Crunchy is clearly the horse to beat, she looks like a lovely filly,” Williams said. “From a handy enough draw (4), we are reasonably hopeful that our fella has the ability to run a pretty nice race.” “It’s a big step up from a small field to racing horses that have had as many as 80 starts.” “How he handles it all will be key.” The Stonewall Stud team also bring the in-form Miki Bennett south for what looks like a very suitable assignment. “Initially I thought his last run was a touch disappointing, but he did do a little bit early,’’ Williams said. “It does look like a nice step back in grade from Addington Friday night company.” “He’s been very consistent lately, which he hasn’t been at times.” “He’s in a good space and hopefully he can go another nice race.” Other key Canterbury raiders at Wyndham include both Lasa and Rush. View the full article

Stakes-winning mare Venencia not only faces males, but tries the 1 3/8-mile trip for the first time in the CA$150,000 Singspiel Stakes (G3T) at Woodbine. View the full article

After an increase last season, Fair Grounds' Road to the Kentucky Derby remains valued at $1.875 million. The track's 154th racing season will offer 56 stakes worth $8.65 million.View the full article

Maryland horsemen have emerged as meaningful beneficiaries of the collaborative dual-state stakes schedule and new bonus incentives, according to statistics covering the period from June 21-Aug. 23 of this year. View the full article