Wandering Eyes

Kentucky Derby (G1)-winning jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. has confidence in Mystik Dan's ability ahead of a potential rematch with Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Muth in the $2 million Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course May 18.View the full article

Namur stands out in field of of 15 in the Victoria Mile (G1) at Tokyo Racecourse after doing battle with some of the world's best in Hong Kong and Dubai.View the full article

Judy Hicks will be the first to say that it's not the fanciest farm in Kentucky. The fences are not painted and the lawns are not perfectly manicured. But there is good soil at Brookstown Farm and there is plenty of it, enough to where no more than six of the 100 mares who reside there ever share the same pasture. Hicks and her husband R.W. purchased the 600-acre property located just outside of Versailles in 1983 and since then, R.W. has been meticulous in fertilizing and re-seeding the pastures to ensure that the foals raised at Brookstown have the very best of the Bluegrass. It's an idyllic place to raise a Thoroughbred. And it's now the birthplace of a Kentucky Oaks winner. Hicks, the breeder of Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), liked the filly so well that she stayed in for a piece after Kenny McPeek bought the filly as a yearling for $40,000. She joined the partnership of Brookdale Racing, Mark Edwards, and Magdalena Racing. Last Friday was, to put it mildly, a day that Hicks will never forget as Thorpedo Anna took the lead early and never looked back to win the Kentucky Oaks. There was plenty of celebration and fanfare that evening, but by Saturday morning it was back to business as usual at Brookstown Farm. “I had to take a mare to the breeding shed, so it was sort of like the reality hadn't sunk in yet even though I'm getting texts and phone calls and interviews and all this hurrah,” Hicks explained. Even by Wednesday, after she returned from yet another early morning trip to the breeding shed and sat down on her porch overlooking her farm's sprawling pastures to reflect on the weekend, Hicks was still at a loss for words. “It has been surreal,” she said. “I know it's a huge, huge deal and I am very excited.” Judy and R.J. Hicks with Brookstown Farm mascot Smoke | Sara Gordon Getting Off the Ground Growing up in California, Hicks always believed that she was destined to be a veterinarian. The animal lover went to California Polytechnic State University for undergrad and then started vet school at Texas A&M. A few months in, she realized the job was not for her when she came in one morning to find that the dog that had lived in one of the experimental cages had been reduced to various samples in jars and test tubes. She moved on to an internship in Kentucky at Forest Retreat Farm and while she was there, she met Cecil Horne and Dr. Donald Applegate. They were looking for a farm manager for their Mint Springs Farm and Hicks quickly accepted the position. “I started at the bottom of the ladder grooming yearlings and went on to become a farm manager in a matter of a year,” Hicks recalled. It was at Mint Springs Farm that Hicks met her husband, R.W. When the pair purchased Brookstown Farm, they knew they had a lot of hard work ahead of them. “It had nothing on it but a couple of old tobacco barns,” said Hicks. “It had no water, no electric, no fencing, no pavement. R.W. and I put in three miles of water line by ourselves, built every fence and started raising horses.” Hicks started out focusing on boarding horses, but when one client did not pay their bills, she bought her first horse for $6 on the courthouse steps. Phoenix Sunshine (Encino) was raised at Brookstown and went on to become a four-time stakes winner and then a successful broodmare. One of her daughters, Shining Victory (Victory Gallop), is the granddam of Grade I winner Newgate (Into Mischief) and Grade II victress Denim and Pearls (Into Mischief). Another one of Shining Victory's daughters produced My Majestic Rose (Majestic Warrior), who was one of the best fillies that Hicks campaigned herself. The homebred won the GII Summertime Oaks in 2019, but broke down in training shortly after. When Hicks had another client who would not pay their bills, she purchased Miss Pink Diva (Dunkirk) for $10. The filly was runner-up in the 2016 Locust Grove S., but broke down in her next start in the GI Spinster S. “So down at my pond there are two grave sites and they are growing some big, beautiful oak trees,” said Hicks. “I love the highs,” she added. “But I hate the lows because the lows are very low.” But as Hicks has learned, with every crossroad comes an opportunity, and sometimes a seemingly impossible situation can turn into a beautiful story. Sataves (center) accompanied by her 2024 Known Agenda filly and her 5-year-old daughter Charlee O | Sara Gordon The Mare Who Was Never Supposed to Live In January of 2015, a client's mare foaled an extremely premature filly by Uncle Mo. Hicks volunteered to take the feeble foal off the client's hands, not knowing if the youngster would even survive because her lungs were so underdeveloped that it was unclear if they could function properly. Luckily Sataves, the dam of Thorpedo Anna, did survive. While her fight to live in those early days affected her conformational development and prevented her from ever becoming a racehorse, she turned out to be a pretty good broodmare. “She took several years to grow up,” said Hicks. “She's got the body of Uncle Mo, but the legs of a pony. She is not very big, but it doesn't seem to change or affect the genes.” Sataves's first foal Charlee O (Tourist) was a $5,000 yearling RNA in 2020. Hicks retained the filly, who won on debut at Belmont at 30-1 odds and earned over $100,000. For Sataves's next mating, Hicks decided to send her to Fast Anna , who was standing at Three Chimneys for just $10,000. “I like to pick stallions on their physical,” Hicks explained. “I may use all the bookwork–the Goldmine, the TrueNicks–but that's just secondary. It was hard to think he would be a good physical for Sataves because Sataves is sort of out of whack [in her conformation]. But I thought she would cross very well with Fast Anna, a son of Medaglia d'Oro, and it worked.” Thorpedo Anna is from the final crop of Fast Anna, who succumbed to laminitis only a few days after Thorpedo Anna was foaled in late January. From her early days at Brookstown, the filly was a crackerjack. “She had a mind of her own,” Hicks explained. “She didn't want her feet trimmed. She didn't want to have vaccinations. She was pretty opinionated. She didn't get her way, so she did settle down after a while. My nightwatch person took her on and was very good with her. She calmed her down and made her behave.” From the handful of her own foals that Hicks produces every year, she aims to sell them all but oftentimes ends up retaining or at least staying in for a piece of some of them. Thankfully Charlee O and Thorpedo Anna were two fillies she decided to keep and she has also retained a piece of Sataves's third foal McAfee. The 2-year-old colt by Cloud Computing was bought for $40,000 by Maddie Mattmiller at the Keeneland September Sale. Last year Sataves's foal did not survive foaling due to a case of hydrops–a condition characterized by an over-accumulation of fluid in the placenta–but this year the mare produced a filly by Known Agenda. The foal arrived in the middle of March when threats of tornados and wind storms were popping up across Central Kentucky. One night the wind was howling and Hicks was fighting to keep the barn from flooding, but when the storm finally stopped, Sataves laid down and foaled. Hicks does not normally name her foals, but she decided to call this one After the Storm. Mother-daughter pair Sataves and Charlee O | Sara Gordon An Oaks to Remember The confidence McPeek had in his 'TDN Rising Star' Thorpedo Anna was no secret, with the news of his comment about bringing a grizzly to the Oaks spreading like wildfire in the days leading up to the big event. Meanwhile Hicks was relieved when the last of the mares due to foal at Brookstown this year produced a healthy foal three days before the Oaks. The breeder was in the clear to make an unforgettable trip to Louisville on Friday and watch her filly cross the wire first just before the heavens opened up over Churchill Downs. “Kenny was pretty sure she was going to win if she got a good start,” she said. “He knew she was going to win. And the way she ran, it was hard to contain myself. My tears were flowing. It was just unbelievable, but believable because we know how good she is.” From a broodmare band of eight mares and off a $10,000 stud fee, Hicks produced a Classic winner. “Everything just fell into place the right way,” she said with a shrug. “Now walking outside I have this feeling of fulfillment because of what I've done. But I don't feel like it's anything out of the ordinary. I mean, I'm still having to say, 'Hey, get it in your head that this really happened!' It's special and it'll be an occasion I will remember for the rest of my life.” Hicks has a lot to look forward to in the coming months as McPeek has said that Thorpedo Anna will likely point toward the GI Acorn S. on June 7 before the GI Coaching Club American Oaks and the GI Alabama S. But the horsewoman is also just as excited about what she has going on at her farm. Charlee O retired from racing this spring and has been bred to Bolt d'Oro. Meanwhile Sataves, who is only nine years old, has been bred to Gun Runner. Besides upgrading the class of stallion that Sataves will be visiting in the coming years, Hicks won't be changing much about her own lifestyle or her breeding program. Life at Brookstown Farm doesn't slow down even after producing a Kentucky Oaks victress and Hicks wouldn't have it any other way. “I live and breathe the horses and I have my dogs,” she reflected. “I come in my front gate and I leave everything behind me because, as we all know, the Thoroughbred business can be tough. I just enjoy my life. I enjoy my animals. I work very hard. I foal everything and I take every mare to the breeding shed myself.” “I don't want to retire,” she continued. “People say, 'When are you going to retire, Judy?' I say, 'What would I do then? I love what I do.' I feel that I run a good operation. It's not fancy, but it does seem to work.” The post From Brookstown Farm’s Soil, an Oak Flourishes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Horse racing on Saturday, May 11, will feature 11 meetings in Australia and one in Hong Kong. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for Morphettville, Newcastle, Caulfield, Darwin, Sunshine Coast and Sha Tin. Saturday’s Racing Tips – May 11, 2024 Newcastle Racing Tips Morphettville Racing Tips Caulfield Racing Tips Sunshine Coast Racing Tips Darwin Racing Tips Sha Tin Racing Tips The Goodwood Betting Preview And Best Bet As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on May 11, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Saturday, May 11. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for May 11, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions SUNSHINE COAST – 3+ LEG SAME RACE MULTI BONUS BACK Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Sunshine Coast this Saturday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds Terms and Conditions apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo KEMBLA GRANGE & CAULFIELD BONUS BACK 2ND OR 3RD Get your stake back in bonus bets. Limits apply. PlayUp T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo JAMIE KAH BONUS BACK UP TO $10 IF SHE DOESN’T WIN First fixed win bet only. Max bet $10 Must use available balance. T&C’s apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Caulfield – 25% Boosted Winnings Max bonus $250. First fixed win bet only. Paid in bonus cash. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for May 11, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Charged Temp (Star Guitar), a full-sister to 'TDN Rising Star' GSW Manama Gold and 13-time winner GSW Ova Charged, has been added to the Fasig-Tipton May Digital sale as HIP 42, announced the auction house via release Friday. A four-time winner herself, Charged Temp is offered in foal with her first offspring by GISW Arabian Lion (Justify) on a 2024 cover. She hails from an active female line as her dam SW Charged Cotton (Dehere) is a half to MSW & GSP Walkwithapurpose (Candy Ride {Arg}), whose daughter Regulatory Risk (Omaha Beach) recently ran third in the GI Longines Kentucky Oaks. That mare has also produced SW Where Paradise Lay (Into Mischief) and SP Whispering Pines (Uncle Mo). This is also the family of MGISW Schossberg as well as Canadian champion juvenile colt MGSW Conquest Typhoon. Bidding for the sale will end Tuesday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m. eastern time. To view the catalogue and register to bid, please visit the website. The post Sister to Manama Gold, Ova Charged Added to Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The International Thoroughbred Breeders' Federation (ITBF) biennial Conference will begin next weekend in Tokyo, Japan, the ITBF announced on Friday. Lasting from May 18-23 and hosted by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders' Association (JBBA), the Conference will welcome roughly 70 delegates from 20 countries, plus organisations EFTBA and OSAF, as well as representatives from the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Significant breeding and racing industry issues will be raised during the general meeting, and reports given on ITBF's proactivity within both breeding and the wider Thoroughbred industries. There is also a veterinary conference, with one of the themes 'Biological Integrity of Thoroughbred Racehorses and Its Regulatory Challenges', presented by Dr. Teruaki Tozaki of the Japanese Racing Association (JRA). Delegates will be taken on a trip to Hokkaido to visit top stud farms, including Shadai Stallion Station, the Darley Japan Stallion Complex, and Shizunai Stallion Station. There will also be tours of the JRA Hidaka Training Farm and the Bloodhorse Training Centre. In addition, Tokyo's premier race meetings, the Japanese Oaks to begin the week, and the Japanese Derby after the meetings have ended, are also available to attend. ITBF chairman, Kirsten Rausing said, “The ITBF much looks forward to its Conference in Japan. The location of our meeting is topical and relevant, as it highlights Japan's pivotal role in the contemporary Thoroughbred industry. The success of Japanese breeding and racing is a marvellous example to us all.” For more information on the conference, please visit the ITBF website. The post ITBF Conference Set For Tokyo On May 18-23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kentucky Derby winning jockey Brian Hernadez Jr. as confidence in Mystik Dan's ability ahead of a potential rematch with Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Muth in the $2 million Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course May 18.View the full article

It's not quite the Chicago Bulls of the Michael Jordan era, but a look at the recent history of the $175,000 Beaugay Stakes (G3T) might give a similar impression. Trainer Chad Brown has won five of the last six editions. View the full article

11th-CD, $120K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 5 1/2f, 5:58 p.m. ET. LNJ Foxwoods campaigned champion female sprinter Covfefe (Into Mischief), whose first registered foal ELLEN JAY (Constitution)–also trained by Brad Cox–will bear the gold and royal blue colors for her unveiling under the Twin Spires. A half-sister to Japanese multiple group stakes winner Albiano (Harlan's Holiday), Covfefe is also responsible for 2-year-old colt in-training Rothko (Tapit) and she has a new filly on the ground by Gun Runner. TJCIS PPS 3rd-BAQ, $75K, Msw, (S), 3yo/up, 1m, 1:34 p.m. ET. Gold Square went to $600,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York Bred Yearling Sale–the second highest return at the auction–to acquire Forgone (Hard Spun). Out of an unraced dam, the colt is a half-brother to MGISP Wonder Gal (Tiz Wonderful), who produced champion 2-year-old filly Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief). The Chad Summers trainee is also from the family of MGSW Social Queen (Dynaformer) and her son GISW Force the Pass (Speightstown). TJCIS PPS 3rd-MTH, $52K, Msw, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f, 1:52 p.m. ET. Opening day at the Jersey Shore will include Colts Neck Stables homebred No Tricks (Into Mischief). The Jorge Duarte-trained filly is out of GI Ballerina S. heroine Dance to Bristol (Speightstown). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: Champion Covfefe’s First To Race Unveiled At Churchill Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien's late supplement Cambridge (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is among 12 currently declared for the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante S. at York next Thursday. The Salisbury winner was second to G3 Chester Vase third Grosvenor Square (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Eyrefield S. at Leopardstown last October. He returned to run fourth in the G3 Craven S. at Newmarket in April, and could be joined by the multiple group placed Chief Little Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who was third in the Listed Blue Riband Trial on Apr. 23. Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), set to run in Sunday's G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains, is also still entered. That potential trio have to face the G1 Futurity Trophy winner Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Charlie Appleby and Futurity Trophy third and Listed Dee S. fourth God's Window (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) for John and Thady Gosden. The Godolphin trainer already has hot G1 Derby prospect Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won Sandown's G3 Classic Trial on Apr. 26. Listed winner Caviar Heights (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for Karl Burke and William Haggas's maiden winner Economics (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) have been entered as well. Another is the stakes-placed War Rooms (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) from the yard of Owen Burrows, while Paul and Oliver Cole will send out the Riding High Together H. winner Black Run (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}). Hugo Palmer trainee Under The Sun (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}), fifth to Arabian Crown in the Classic Trial, tries this prep, as does Roger Varian's Ghostwriter (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Royal Lodge S. last September. The field is completed by Ed Walker runner Harper's Ferry (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The post Cambridge Supplemented To The Dante, Dozen Declared appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France-The temperature is rising at Arqana and so, too, are the stakes. Breeze-up consignors young and old have made no secret about the fact that trade this year has been tricky, particularly at the middle to lower tiers. All duck or no dinner, feast or famine-whatever way you want to describe it, vendors have had to negotiate some choppy waters, meaning a lot is still on the line at Arqana when the sale gets underway at 11am on Saturday. But, weirdly, the optimism is palpable. Maybe it's the baking heat, beautiful food or the steady flow of champagne. Or perhaps it's just the high-class bunch of horses that has attracted buyers from all over the world that has breeze-up consignors like Eddie O'Leary, Jim McCartan and Cormac O'Flynn confident about what Saturday might bring. O'Leary said, “The market is tight but if you get it right it can be very good. They all seem to be landing on the same horses. If you have a horse with a pedigree and he qualifies for the main men, it's very good trade.” He added, “I found at some of the sales so far this year that the top 40 horses on the times made plenty of money. You would hope at Arqana that the times go out the window because you can't buy a horse for Royal Ascot here-you won't make it.” And plenty of people agree. There is an American flavour to this catalogue and O'Leary's filly and colt by Justify in particular are making waves. Through Lynn Lodge Stud, O'Leary has sold Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) (Dream Ahead), The Wow Signal (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) and Big Call (Animal Kingdom) at the breeze-up sales. In fact, four horses from last year's Arqana draft have all won races and achieved good ratings, highlighted by French 2,000 Guineas hopeful Eben Shaddad (Calyx {GB}). On this year's draft, he commented, “We got in on Justify before the market went nuts last year. We are lucky to have two very, very good horses by him. They are natural talents and it's a credit to the sire that, when you have a horse as big and strong as the colt [lot 62] that he can breeze as well as he did. He could be a freak of nature-he's just an inch smaller than Gronkowski (Lonhro). The filly [lot 187] is a natural talent as well.” Jim McCartan and Daniel Creighton at Arqana | Brian Sheerin McCartan is another man selling the American dream. California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}, a horse who has won close to £8 million in Hong Kong, has put McCartan's Gaybrook Lodge in lights and the normally shy operator couldn't hide his enthusiasm for the Not This Time colt [lot 55]. He said, “We always try to buy a few in America but didn't buy as many last year because we couldn't seem to get them at the price we wanted them at. But I was lucky enough to buy the Not This Time and the Bernardini colts for in and around the same money [$62,000 apiece]. Both horses have been very easy to manage and breezed very well. Not This Time is top of the pops-he's a sire on the up. I actually rang a couple of pals of mine in America and they told me that Not This Time is the horse who really is on the way up. The stock from his better mares are coming through now and his stud fee has gone up to $150,000. He's getting into that bracket of Into Mischief, Curlin and those sorts of horses. McCartan added, “I have clients who want dirt horses and grass horses. We try to buy a broad section of horses as we have lots of different clients. This year has been good so far but I have been down on numbers. That was by design to be honest. Now, I did have an interest in a couple of horses with Willie Browne at the Craven, and they went ok. There is a lot of emphasis on the clock at different sales. Is that a good thing? I don't think that it is. I certainly have no interest in breezing horses very fast. I think it's the wrong thing for them to be doing. We pre-train them and like them to be big and strong at the sales. If they do a nice, even breeze with a bit of style, we're happy. The Not This Time was up there on the times but he's one of those natural talents. Over here at Arqana, they appreciate a big horse with a pedigree so times are not necessarily as important as they are at the other sales. The footfall has been very good here this week. There is an extra day, so it's a bit more spread out, but a lot of the right people are here so it's great to see. I think it should be a very good sale.” O'Leary and McCartan are seasoned pros when it comes to the breeze-ups but O'Flynn is fast becoming a force to be reckoned with in this sphere. Through his association with Roderic Kavanagh of Glending Stables, O'Flynn famously sold the unbeaten Group 1 performer Vandeek last year and the pair followed that unforgettable pinhook up with an emphatic result in the Craven when selling their 125,000gns yearling purchase by Galileo (Ire) for an eye-popping 1 million gns. Cormac O'Flynn and Roderic Kavanagh | Brian Sheerin “The Galileo has been the flagship horse so far this year and it was great to hit with him but there were plenty of others who failed to hit the mark,” O'Flynn said. “They still sold well, went to good homes and will hopefully go on to be good racehorses, but it's definitely been a sticky market to be operating in. “The middle of the market has been very tough, particularly in the UK. Obviously coming over here, things are a little bit different and Arqana is a lovely place to bring a nice draft of horses, which hopefully we have. There is a little bit more of an emphasis on middle-distance horses over here. But we are happy, Arqana have done a great job and there has been plenty of footfall. We have been very busy all day.” But surely when you sell a horse for ten times his initial outlay in a year, the pressure is off? “No, definitely not. You just take each sale as it comes. This game is a great leveler. While the highs are brilliant, you never know what is around the corner. We just try to do the best that we can with each horse and hopefully we have a nice group for tomorrow. We're looking forward to it.” O'Flynn added, “I got involved in pinhooking with Roger quite a while ago. We started off with a couple of foals and ended up breezing one of the fillies that we couldn't sell as a yearling. It has gradually built from there. I never thought we'd be operating to the level that we are now-I wouldn't have even dreamt of it.” Without Vandeek, the Galileo may not have been a goer for Glending. It goes back to that old saying that success breeds success and that saying certainly applies to the breeze-up sector as a whole. This sale has been the source of many top-notchers down through the years and, like O'Leary and McCartan, O'Flynn is expecting a string of strong results on Saturday. He concluded, “I can't get over the standard of horses here. Everywhere you look, there are outstanding horses and the pedigrees in the catalogue speak for themselves. I'd be expecting it to be a very good sale. “There are a lot of people in town and Arqana has done a great job. There is a lot of emphasis on those mile to mile-and-a-half horses and there is a lot of American interest, too. There is a diverse group of buyers here and there are a lot of horses here for people to shop.” The post “I Can’t Get Over The Standard Of Horse Here” – High Expectations For Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), who recently overcame a difficult trip and soggy underfoot conditions to win the G1 FWD QE II Cup (2000m) for the third consecutive year, will cut back to a mile for the June 2 G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo Racecourse, trainer Danny Shum confirmed Friday. “He will go to Japan,” Shum told the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Leo Schlink. “He will leave around the 21st of May,” and the conditioner is of the opinion that Romantic Warrior's recovery from the QE II Cup merits the decision. “He should be okay–he can be better,” Shum said. A victory in the Yasuda Kinen, where he will be joined by G1 Stewards Cup winner Voyage Bubble (Aus) (Deep Field {Aus}), would complete a season for the ages for Romantic Warrior. The 6-year-old began the campaign in Australia, finishing a useful fourth in the G1 Turnbull S. before prevailing in the G1 W. S. Cox Plate. He emerged from quarantine just in time to successfully defend his title in December's G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, just holding out a resurgent Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), and defeated Voyage Bubble in the G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup in a battle of Hong Kong Derby heroes. His margins of victory in his last four starts: nose, nose, neck, neck. James McDonald, who has guided Romantic Warrior to seven wins from eight rides, will have the call in the Yasuda Kinen. Leading jockey Zac Purton takes the reins for trainer Ricky Yiu aboard Voyage Bubble. In his most recent appearance over a mile, Romantic Warrior was beaten a length into second by Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in the 2023 Stewards Cup. His only previous try over the distance resulted in a half-length defeat of California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in the 2022 Hong Kong Classic Mile. The Japanese challenge for the Yasuda Kinen figures to include champion Jantar Mantar (Jpn) (Palace Malice), winner of the age-restricted G1 NHK Mile Cup over the course and distance May 5, and potentially Namur (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}), a cracking second in the G1 Dubai Turf and the likely favourite in this weekend's G1 Victoria Mile at Japan racing headquarters. The Yasuda Kinen is a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar this November. Bring. It. On. Danny Shum confirms Romantic Warrior is heading to Japan for next month's G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo! @JRA_WorldRacing | #競馬 | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/DXPO659Jef — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 10, 2024 The post Romantic Warrior Gets Green Light For Yasuda Kinen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Starfield Stud resident Far Above (Ire) (Farhh {GB}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Jessica Harrington-trained son Rock N Roll Rocket (Ire) made a winning debut over five furlongs in Friday's €25,000 Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden at Cork. 1st-Cork, €25,000, Mdn, 5-10, 2yo, 5fT, 1:00.41, gd. ROCK N ROLL ROCKET (IRE) (c, 2, Far Above {Ire}–California Tee {GB}, by Kheleyf) was positioned in mid division after an alert getaway in this debut. Inching forward from halfway, the 16-1 chance came under pressure with a quarter-mile remaining and was ridden out inside the final furlong to deny Powerful Nation (Ire) (Sioux Nation) by a short-head nearing the line. “He was bred by Con [Marnane], which is great, and he'll now be nominated to head off to the [Listed] Windsor Castle or [G2] Norfolk [at Royal Ascot],” said trainer Jessica Harrington. “He absolutely loves that [good] ground and has to have it quick. He was professional today, but he'll definitely need another run before Ascot. I think he did it through ability rather than anything.” Marnane added, “He is the first winner by the stallion and the first foal to run out of the mare as well, so if there are any more ones like this fella, we'll be delighted to have them. Far Above is a cheap stallion [€5,000], but was a very, very fast racehorse and was brilliant. Michael Orlandi owns him and stands him [at Starfield Stud].” Rock N Roll Rocket is the second of three foals and first runner produced by a multiple-winning granddaughter of Peryllys (GB) (Warning {GB}), herself a half-sister to the dual stakes-winning Never So Sure (GB) (Never So Bold {Ire}), Listed Grand Prix de Rouen victor Honest Word (GB) (Touching Wood) and G3 Cornwallis S., G3 Prix du Petit Couvert and G3 Prix de Seine-et-Oise placegetter Cragside (GB) (Hot Spark {Ire}). The February-foaled homebred bay, full-brother to a yearling filly, hails from the family of Group-winning G1 2000 Guineas runner-up Glory Awaits (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}). Sales history: £11,000 RNA Ylg '23 GOFFUK. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $16,173. O-Amy & Olivia Marnane; B-Con Marnane (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. ️ ️ wins on debut over 5f at Cork for @Jessica_Racing & @amymarnane @BanshaHouse Congratulations to connections #FarAboveTheSpeedLimit @CompasStallions @MichealOrlandi @jackcantillon pic.twitter.com/QtYhknz4zx — Archie Brookes (@brookesbldstck) May 10, 2024 The post Freshman Sire Far Above Off The Mark At Cork appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last year's dual Group 1 winner Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) has already made her successful return to the racecourse this season in the Prix Jacques Laffitte and looks set to reappear in what could be a star-studded line-up for the G1 Prix d'Ispahan on May 26. In the meantime, her owner-breeder Baron Edouard de Rothschild will be represented in Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains by Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), who was bought on the owner's behalf as a foal by Nick Bell, manager of the Rothschild family's Haras de Meautry. “It started during Covid and we were slightly down on numbers of horses,” says Bell of the decision to supplement the homebreds with a few foal purchases each year. “I went to Arqana and we bought two foals that year, a Galiway colt called Cte d'Escarbagnas, who is a half-brother to Alenquer, and a filly by Roaring Lion. The next year we bought Alcantor. “It's quite a good way to compare your own stock. I take notes every month and we weigh all the horses, so it's quite interesting to compare yours with ones that you bought.” Bell, who is soon to head off on an epic charity cycle ride to raise money for Au-Dela des Pistes, has managed Haras de Meautry for 17 years. The Normandy stud is closing in on its 150th anniversary. “The Rothschild family bought the land in 1875,” he notes. “At the time, Deauville was being developed as a holiday destination by the Duke of Morny among others.” Now, the bustling seaside town is easily visible from the high paddocks at Meautry, which is situated in the heart of the outlying medieval village of Touques. It was at Deauville last summer that the stud enjoyed the twin highlights of Mqse De Sevigne winning first the 'family race', the G1 Prix Rothschild, followed by the G1 Prix Jean Romanet. After some thought, her owner took the decision to keep her in training at the age of five. “We had a long debate,” Bell says. “If she hadn't stayed in training, she might have gone for the Breeders' Cup last year, but she would've had to take on Inspiral again. After the Prix d'Ispahan there could be a number of options. She could go to Royal Ascot, she could go to Newmarket for the Falmouth, or she could follow the same route and go to Rothschild-Romanet again.” Mqse De Sevigne's dam Penne (Fr) is now 21 and already has three of her daughters for company at Meautry. Both she and her dam, Une Pensee (Fr), are by Rothschild-bred stallions in Sevres Rose (Fr) and Kenmare (Fr). Sevres Rose, an unraced and lightly used son of Caerleon, died at the farm in March at the age of 31 with just 127 foals to his name. “Penne, brilliantly, is in foal,” says Bell, and his relief is well justified as it's not just Mqse De Sevigne who has advertised the mare's talents. Penne's first foal was the four-time Group 1 winner Meandre (Fr) (Slickly {Fr}). “She went to St Mark's Basilica after three years of trying with Siyouni. She's 21 now and we wanted to go back to Siyouni and we tried and tried but she is a very tricky mare. She'll come into season and go out of season very quickly and just show for a day.” The Rothschild colours, or a variation of them, could also soon be seen back in England as Baron Edouard has struck up a partnership with his relation Nathaniel Rothschild, the 5th Baron Rothschild whose mother, the late Lady Serena Rothschild, raced the Irish Oaks winner Great Heavens (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as well as that filly's full-brother and fellow Group 1 winner Nathaniel (Ire). Great Heavens is already the dam of three black-type performers among her six winners, and her three-year-old will represent the Anglo-French familial alliance. “We have a partnership with Nat this year in a horse in William Haggas's called Greatest Heavens,” Bell says. “She's by Kingman and she was going to go to Book 1 at Tattersalls but Nat asked Edouard if he wanted to take a half-share. She's yet to run but she's a very nice filly.” Another Kingman (GB) filly whose progress will be keenly monitored by all at Meautry is the yearling daughter of Esoterique (Ire) (Danehilll Dancer {Ire}), the mare who was her owner-breeder's previous Prix Rothschild winner a decade ago and who later added the G1 Sun Chariot and G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois to her record. Now 14, Esoterique's stud career has been fraught with frustration and she had produced only two colt foals prior to her longed-for daughter last season. She is now back in foal to Kingman and her two-year-old colt by the same sire, named King Esoteric (Fr), is, like Alcantor and Mqse De Sevigne, in training with Andre Fabre. Alcantor with Baron Edouard de Rothschild, right | Scoop Dyga Bell, who has been at Haras de Meautry since 2007, is itching for the stud to be involved with another Classic winner. “The thing that really gets to you about being here is the history,” he says. “You're really only a caretaker for a while and you've got to make the most of it while you're here. But you look back at what they had here, when it was an awful lot bigger than it is now, and the number of Classic races they've won, with horses all bred on this land. That's the big thing for me now, that we have to win a Classic somewhere along the line. Esoterique was second in the Poule d'Essai.” He adds, “The one thing I've noticed since I've come to France is that you used to be able to win a maiden with quite a moderate horse, and certainly if you went out into the provinces, you could win. Now it's tough to win anywhere.” While Alcantor, who was bred by SCEA du Grand Chene, was not born at the farm, he has spent much of his early life there and takes his Classic chance this Sunday having won last season's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon – one of his three juvenile victories – and finishing second in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud behind Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}). Bell recalls, “He was very impressive in the Thomas Bryon. Mickael Barzalona went up in his stirrups, practically waving to all his friends. From last to first, he was really impressive. In the Criterium, he was a bit unlucky because he had to come from behind and Sunway got the rail first and the ground was definitely better on the rail.” A less happy time in the long history of Haras de Meautry will doubtless be brought to mind for some as the 80th anniversary of D-Day is celebrated across Normandy this June. During the Second World War, German soldiers were billeted at the farm, their graffiti still visible in the haylofts all these decades later. The Rothschilds' homebred stallion Brantome, whose 12 wins included the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, was among hundreds of Thoroughbreds seized during the German occupation of France. “The Nazis stole all the horses, including Brantome. He'd won the Arc and started his stallion career and they took him and all the horses to Germany. After the war, [Edouard's father] Baron Guy and his father went and searched for the horses and repatriated them all,” says Bell. “Deauville was very lucky because it wasn't affected by the D-Day landings. But then you go to Caen and you go to Lisieux and places like that, they were just absolutely flattened.” Ninety years after Brantome's triumph in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp it would be fitting to see those distinctive Rothschild silks carried to glory once more. “This time of year we're all hopes and dreams,” says Bell. The post Alcantor Aiming to Extend Meautry’s Classic History appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A World Pool race in 2021, but missing since, the 2024 G1 Eclipse S. is back in the World Pool lineup, the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and World Pool announced on Friday. The QIPCO Guineas meeting on May 4 and 5 featured the World Pool, with a full card of races on the Saturday, and the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas on the Sunday accumulating total turnover of HK$305,219,946 (approximately £31 million). Jockey Silvestre de Sousa, who rode Elmalka (GB) (Kingman {GB}) to victory in the fillies' Classic currently leads the World Pool Jockeys' Championship, which sees the winning jockey of every World Pool race in the UK and Ireland accumulate points based on the World Pool dividend. Seven Questions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB})'s victory in the G3 Palace House S. earned the World Pool Moment of the Day award, with groom Darren Yellowlees being awarded a cheque for HK$40,000 (£4,000) and also gaining entry into the World Pool Moment of the Year competition for the opportunity to win a VIP trip to Hong Kong next year. Michael Fitzsimons, executive director, wagering products, at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, said, “It was great to kick start World Pool's season in the UK with the first two British Classics of the season, and we're delighted to announce the reintroduction of the historic Eclipse S. from Sandown to our fixture list for this year. “This year World Pool's global offering of races is stronger than ever and continues to grow with new fixtures from Ireland, Australia, South Africa and Germany added in the coming months, showing World Pool's commitment to delivering the world's best racing to customers across the globe.” The World Pool lineup over the next three months will offer a variety of betting opportunities with F standing for a full day's card, P is part of a meeting on selected races and S indicates a single race that day. World Pool's calendar for the next few months is as follows: Saturday, May 18: Lockinge S. Day – Newbury Racecourse (P) Sunday May 26: Irish 1000 Guineas Day – Curragh Racecourse (P) Saturday June 1: Derby Day – Epsom Racecourse (F) Tuesday, June 18: Queen Anne S. Day – Ascot Racecourse (F) Wednesday June 19: Prince of Wales's S. Day – Ascot Racecourse (F) Thursday June 20: Gold Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F) Friday June 21: Commonwealth Cup Day – Ascot Racecourse (F) Saturday June 22: Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee S. Day – Ascot Racecourse (F) Sunday June 30: Irish Derby Day – Curragh Racecourse (F) Saturday July 6: Eclipse S. – Sandown Racecourse (S) Saturday July 6: Durban July – Greyville Racecourse (S) Sunday July 7: Deutsches Derby Day – Hamburg Racecourse (P) Saturday July 27: King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. Day – Ascot Racecourse (F) Sunday July 28: Champions Cup Day – Geryville Racecourse (P) Sunday July 28: Grosser Preis Bayerisches Zuchtrennen Day – Munich Racecourse (P) Tuesday July 30: Goodwood Cup Day – Goodwood Racecourse (F) Wednesday July 31: Sussex S. Day – Goodwood Racecourse (F). The post Eclipse Stakes Added To World Pool Lineup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The $200,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois is the longest of the National Steeplechase Association's grade 1 races at three miles. Millionaire Snap Decision towers over the field of six.View the full article

Two-time stakes winner Amdist Waves attempts to rebound in her sophomore debut as she faces an oversubscribed field in the $175,000 Soaring Softly Stakes (G3T) at Aqueduct Racetrack at six furlongs on the outer turf.View the full article

Louise Norman, previously the head of ownership with the Racehorse Owner's Association (ROA) is the new interim CEO of the organisation, it announced on Friday. She replaces Charlie Liverton, who has resigned to pursue other opportunities. ROA president Charlie Parker said, “The ROA Board would like to thank Charlie for his contributions over a number of years to both the ROA itself and the wider racing industry. The Board and I are delighted, and fully supportive of Louise stepping into the role of interim CEO. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry with her, not just from her head of ownership role with the ROA, but from her previous roles.” Norman added, “I am very excited to take on this role and lead the ROA's efforts to ensure owners remain paramount in every decision made across the industry. I look forward to working closely with the excellent team at the ROA as we develop our strategy on behalf of our members, ensuring their voices are heard, amplified, and considered and that the value of owners is understood.” The post Louise Norman New Interim CEO Of Racehorse Owners’ Association appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last term's G1 Derby 12th Passenger (Ulysses {Ire}–Dilmun, by War Front) continued on his pathway back to the highest level when striking late to secure a record-extending eighth renewal for veteran maestro Sir Michael Stoute in Friday's G2 Huxley S. at Chester. Flaxman Stables' homebred 4-year-old settled into a smooth rhythm, within range of the leaders, in fifth for most of the extended 10-furlong test. Making eyecatching headway on the bridle into contention rounding the home turn, the 7-4 second favourite swept by last term's G2 Princess Of Wales's S. victor with 100 yards remaining and drew off from there to score by an ultimately comfortable 1 1/2-length margin. Passenger, untested as a juvenile, opened up last term with victory in Newmarket's famed “Wood Ditton” before hitting the board in York's May 18 G2 Dante S. and came back off a break after his Derby reversal to close his sophomore campaign with a stakes breakthrough in August's G3 Winter Hill S. at Windsor when last seen. Pedigree Notes Passenger, the second of four live foals, is one of two scorers produced by a winning half-sister to G3 Flame Of Tara S. victrix Liquid Amber (Kitten's Joy). The March-foaled bay's second dam, MGSW GI Spinster S. and G1 Personal Ensign Invitational runner-up Pachattack (Pulpit), is a daughter of Listed Chalice S. second El Laoob (Red Ransom) and thus kin to the stakes-winning La Mina (Mineshaft), G3 Thoroughbred Breeders S. runner-up El Sagrado (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) and the dual stakes-placed Absolute Crackers (Ire) (Giant's Causeway). Passenger's dam Dilmun (War Front), who was bred to McKinzie last year, has the unraced 2-year-old colt Proteus (Karakontie {Jpn}) and a yearling filly by Karakontie (Jpn) to come. Passenger returns in style to win the Group 2 Huxley Stakes at @ChesterRaces! pic.twitter.com/LvrBbsdEkM — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 10, 2024 The post Passenger Strikes Late to Secure Eighth Huxley for Sir Michael Stoute appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saturday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

By Jonny Turner Mark Jones hopes his trip to Winton on Saturday won’t be his only one this month. The Canterbury trainer brings three horses south and they’ll be in the first three races of the day, including his maiden trotter Prohibited Bid in race 3, the Mico Trot. The chance to head down for a shot at one of Southern Harness’ Gold Chip Finals was the starting point for the Jones raid. “There are not a lot of options for her at home and I like southern racing, so we are heading down there hoping she can qualify for one of the Gold Chip Finals they have,” Jones said. “She’s a handy filly, she doesn’t show us a lot at home but she shows up on race day.” “She’s gone two handy races so far, and should go another one.” Jones also brings Le Twist south following an eye-catching trial effort at Rangiora. The filly drops back into a maiden race, the Rheem Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace, after last starting in Coastal Babe’s two-year-old Harness Million win at Addington in October. Though she hasn’t shown her best at the races yet, Jones is hopeful punters will see more from Le Twist this campaign. “She has raced the good ones all the way through, she started favourite in a Group race in her first start.” “We weren’t as happy with her then as we are now, she seems to have come up a lot better.” “She is probably not up with the good ones at the moment, but she will race in the Nevele R heats and races like that and we will take it from there.” “She has only had the one trial but she ran on nice.” “She should go a pretty nice race on Saturday.” Jones also starts Tres Bonne Fille in the opening race at Winton, the Goodman Plumbing Mobile Pace. The filly was a little unlucky in her last start at Addington and though eighth, she finished close up. Tres Bonne Fille looks to get a royal opportunity to break maidens in race 1 on Saturday. “She doesn’t bring the best form but neither does anything else in the race,” Jones said. “She comes up with the right sort of draw, so there won’t be too many excuses if she can’t go a decent race.” Jones will make a return to driving, linking up with all three of his Winton runners. View the full article

Presented by Gainesway and Darby Dan FarmView the full article

Sunday's swathe of European stakes action is headlined by ParisLongchamp's Emirates-sponsored G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Both Classics have attracted double-figure fields with 15 distaffers set for the Pouliches and a baker's dozen declared for the colts' equivalent. Godolphin's G3 Prix Imprudence victrix Romantic Style (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), drawn out wide in 14, heads a six-strong overseas challenge in the €550,000 Pouliches. She will be joined by G1 Moyglare Stud S. runner-up Vespertilio (Fr) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf fourth Content (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). They have been allocated stalls 11 and eight, respectively. The home defence includes G1 Prix Marcel Boussac second Rose Bloom (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in stall one and undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Louise Procter (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) next door in two. The €650,000 Poulains features a sextet of 'TDN Rising Stars' headed by Ballydoyle's G1 Vincent O'Brien National S. hero and likely favourite Henry Longfellow (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The Aidan O'Brien trainee is set to be partnered by Ryan Moore and has drawn stall six. Stablemate Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with Christophe Soumillon booked, will exit gate 11. France's octet includes G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere third and fellow Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The Yann Barberot trainee will be loaded next door to Diego Velazquez in stall 10. The post French Guineas Fields Finalised – 15 Set For Pouliches and 13 Set For Poulains appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Papa Surf will contest the Brandlab Handicap (1200m) at New Plymouth on Saturday. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) New Plymouth two-year-old contender Pleasing has lived up to her name ahead of her debut on Saturday. The daughter of Russian Revolution will step out in the A B Electrical Ltd (1200m) and has displayed the pace to make use of her inside barrier. “She’s had a jump-out and a trial and won them both nicely over 800m this time in. I’m hopeful she’ll stretch out to 1200m and can’t see why she won’t,” trainer Mike Breslin said. “She’s a very fast horse, but in her general nature she’s relaxed and that’s probably the most exciting thing about her, she can run quickly and her demeanour is pretty chilled.” Pleasing will be partnered by Lisa Allpress who was aboard the filly when she won her 800m trial heat at Waverley at the end of last month. “She can run time and Lisa rode her at the trials and was pretty keen to stick with her. That’s always a positive and gives more confidence,” Breslin said. “She went shin sore in her first preparation and this time she’s gone along without any hitches and has showed plenty.” Breslin purchased Pleasing out of breeder Westbury Stud’s draft at Karaka last year for $75,000 and races the youngster with Hawke’s Bay owner Roy Potter. “Roy has raced horses for a few years and I’ve bought three promising horses for him,” Breslin said. “I’ve got Crouch, who has won three, and Revolt, who should have won a couple, and now this one.” Rider Masa Hashizume lost an iron and parted company with Revolt when in front 50m off the post at Otaki before the son of War Decree finished a game sixth in the Group 2 Wellington Guineas (1400m). Meanwhile, Pleasing’s stablemate Papa Surf has been in good touch this preparation and another top showing is expected from him in the Brandlab Handicap (1200m). “He was a bit of a handful as a three-year-old and did a bit wrong, but he has really grown up and matured,” Breslin said. Papa Surf beat a handy line-up when opening his campaign at Tauranga and then finished fourth last time out after racing three wide without cover. “He won really well fresh-up, which wasn’t unexpected, and I thought he ran well again at Wanganui,” Breslin said. “He got caught a bit wide from a wide gate and he boxed on pretty well.” Papa Surf will be reunited with three-kilogram claimer Jim Chung after they successfully combined at Tauranga. “Jim is back on him and knows the horse, he’s been working a treat and from barrier one he should be right in the firing line,” Breslin said. Horse racing news View the full article