Wandering Eyes

Storm Boy will go into the Group 1 Golden Slipper as the favourite at Rosehill on Saturday. Photo: Racing NSW One of the most anticipated editions of the Group 1 Golden Slipper will headline the 10-race meeting at Rosehill this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 16 expected to take their place in the 1200m contest. The near $5 million two-year-old feature is headlined by the Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner and undefeated colt from the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable, Storm Boy, who has opened as the clear favourite at +110 with top online racing betting sites. The son of Justify has never looked in trouble or gone close to losing in his four starts, with his Magic Millions triumph being the most impressive win of his short career. Adding to the excitement has been the drama around which jockey will ride which Coolmore-owned horse, as the ownership group will have both Storm Boy and Switzerland in the race. Coolmore’s number one jockey, Ryan Moore, has been booked on the favourite, while James McDonald, who has ridden both horses at their last two starts, will be legged aboard second favourite Switzerland (+350). The Chris Waller-trained colt has beaten jumped every hurdle that he has been faced with and he will join the favourite as the only unbeaten runners in the Slipper. Last start, the son of Snitzel came from behind the leading contenders to win in stylish fashion in the Group 2 Todman Stakes, with McDonald saying post-race that there is very little splitting the top two. Unlike most Golden Slipper fields, this year’s edition appears to be a race between two; however, there is still plenty of quality outside the market leaders. Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi (+1600) and runner-up Lady Of Camelot (+1000) have to be considered big chances after taking care of the two-year-old ranks in Victoria three weeks ago. Straight Charge (+1000) and Fully Lit (+2000) must been given strong chances, but they have been beaten by the leading contenders throughout their Golden Slipper preparations, which could be detrimental to their confidence. First emergency Espionage (+1400) is considered a genuine winning hope, but needs a scratching within the starting 16 to gain a start. The Golden Slipper is scheduled to jump at 4:40pm AEDT and will be race eight on the Rosehill program. 2024 Golden Slipper Final Field 1. Storm Boy (2) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Ryan Moore W: 56.5kg F: 1111 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Justify (USA) Dam: Pelican (NZ) +110 -454.55 2. Fully Lit (1) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Sam Clipperton W: 56.5kg F: 211 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Hellbent Dam: Sunlit +2000 +400 3. Shangri La Express (3) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bot J: Regan Bayliss W: 56.5kg F: 32×11 Age: 2YO Color: Brown Sex: Colt Sire: Alabama Express Dam: Sent From Above +2000 +400 4. Rue De Royale (14) T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy J: Chad Schofield W: 56.5kg F: 202×2 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Per Incanto (USA) Dam: Urban Royal +20000 +4000 5. Traffic Warden (6) T: James Cummings J: Craig Williams W: 56.5kg F: 18312 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Street Boss (USA) Dam: Efficiently +3300 +660 6. Straight Charge (9) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tim Clark W: 56.5kg F: 21x1x Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Written By Dam: Matryoshka +1000 +200 7. Switzerland (7) T: Chris Waller J: James McDonald W: 56.5kg F: 111 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Ms Bad Behavior +350 -142.86 8. Bodyguard (10) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Mark Zahra W: 56.5kg F: 41×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Tumooh +3300 +660 9. Dublin Down (13) T: Tony & Calvin McEvoy J: Hugh Bowman W: 56.5kg F: 10×12 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Exceedance Dam: Dublin Lass +7000 +1400 10. Coleman (4) T: Matt Laurie J: Kerrin McEvoy W: 56.5kg F: 301×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Pierata Dam: Sboog +3300 +660 11. Holmes A Court (8) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Tom Marquand W: 56.5kg F: 132 Age: 2YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Colt Sire: Capitalist Dam: Menagerie +5000 +1000 12. Prost (11) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Adam Hyeronimus W: 56.5kg F: 21×3 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Snitzel Dam: Samarmeteors +5000 +1000 13. Hayasugi (16) T: Clinton McDonald J: Jamie Kah W: 54.5kg F: 111×5 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Royal Meeting (IRE) Dam: China Road +1600 +320 14. Lady Of Camelot (5) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Blake Shinn W: 54.5kg F: 21×4 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Written Tycoon Dam: Miss Debutante +1000 +200 15. Manaal (17) T: Michael Freedman J: Jason Collett W: 54.5kg F: 12×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Tassort Dam: Red Lodge (USA) +3300 +660 16. Enneza (15) T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman J: Damian Lane W: 54.5kg F: 42×12 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Exceed and Excel Dam: Sweet Sherry +7000 +1400 17 (1E). Espionage (12) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Tommy Berry W: 56.5kg F: 52×1 Age: 2YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Zoustar Dam: In Times of War +1400 +280 Horse racing news View the full article

Australian handler is looking forward to seeing his charge step up in distance in front of a bumper crowd at Sha Tin this SundayView the full article

The world’s richest two-year-old race, the Golden Slipper Stakes (A$4.92 million, 1200m), is set for a thrilling showdown at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday. Unbeaten colt Storm Boy is top elect in 2024 Golden Slipper Stakes betting this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart. A capacity field of promising juveniles has been accepted, with all eyes on the undefeated colt Storm Boy. Undefeated in all four starts, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott‘s Storm Boy sits atop the Golden Slipper field and betting markets ($2.20 at Ladbrokes). He aims to become the first horse since Dance Hero (2004) to complete the coveted Skyline Stakes – Golden Slipper double. The Justify colt has a prime inside draw (barrier 2) and champion jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle. Waterhouse, a Golden Slipper legend with seven wins, holds a strong hand in the race with a total of seven runners in partnership with Bott. Switzerland ($4.60), trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald, poses a significant threat to Storm Boy’s dominance. This unbeaten Snitzel colt is fresh off a victory in the Todman Stakes and seeks back-to-back Golden Slipper wins for Waller after his 2023 success with Shinzo. Lady Camelot ($12), the Waterhouse-Bott stable’s best filly hope, is well drawn in barrier 5 with Blake Shinn aboard. She finished a close second in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes last time out in late February and looks to become the first filly winner since Fireburn (2022) to win the Slipper. Hayasugi ($15), the history-making Blue Diamond Stakes winning filly, also deserves attention despite a challenging outside draw (barrier 16). See the complete Golden Slipper Stakes final field and barrier draw below, while he latest betting odds are available here from Ladbrokes. 2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 1111 STORM BOY Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Ryan Moore 2 56.5kg 2 112 FULLY LIT Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Sam Clipperton 1 56.5kg 3 11×23 SHANGRI LA EXPRESS Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 3 56.5kg 4 42×202 RUE DE ROYALE (NZ) Tony & Calvin McEvoy Chad Schofield 14 56.5kg 5 21381 TRAFFIC WARDEN James Cummings Craig Williams 6 56.5kg 6 2x1x12 STRAIGHT CHARGE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 9 56.5kg 7 111 SWITZERLAND Chris Waller James McDonald 7 56.5kg 8 1×14 BODYGUARD Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 10 56.5kg 9 421×01 DUBLIN DOWN Tony & Calvin McEvoy Hugh Bowman 13 56.5kg 10 1×103 COLEMAN Matt Laurie Kerrin McEvoy 4 56.5kg 11 231 HOLMES A COURT Peter & Paul Snowden Tom Marquand 8 56.5kg 12 3×12 PROST Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 11 56.5kg 13 25×111 HAYASUGI Clinton McDonald Ms Jamie Kah 16 54.5kg 14 4×12 LADY OF CAMELOT Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Blake Shinn 5 54.5kg 15 1×21 MANAAL Michael Freedman Jason Collett 17 54.5kg 16 21×24 ENEEZA Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman Damian Lane 15 54.5kg 17e 1×25 ESPIONAGE Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tommy Berry 12 56.5kg Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Golden Slipper Stakes 2024: Undefeated Storm Boy Leads Strong Field appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Imperatriz headlines the Group 1 William Reid Stakes field at Moonee Valley this Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Group 1 William Reid Stakes will headline proceedings at Moonee Valley on Saturday afternoon, with 11 runners accepting for the time-honoured weight-for-age feature. After finishing in first and second in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington last start, Imperatriz (-133.33) and Cylinder (+320) dominate the market as two of the three runners under double figures. Although the Mark Walker-trained mare was beaten by Cylinder in the Newmarket down the Flemington straight, the daughter of I Am Invincible was arguably as impressive as the winner, considering she had to give the colt 6kg in the weights. As the William Reid is a weight-for-age contest, Imperatriz will be the beneficiary of a 5.5kg weight swing with her nearest rival and she will return to The Valley, a track that she is unbeaten at from four starts. The James Cummings-trained colt is the obvious danger to the star mare, but the difference in weight and the fact that this will be his first start at Moonee Valley, makes this clash much tougher for the impressive Newmarket Handicap winner. Outside of the top two in the market, there are three runners coming through the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, with the likes of King’s Gambit (+1000), Queman (+1400) and Hypothetical (+2500) accepting for the 1200m race. Interestingly, online bookmakers have marked King’s Gambit, who finished seventh in the Oakleigh Plate, shorter than the other two runners, even though Queman defeated Hypothetical in a narrow finish to the Group 1 feature four weeks ago. Ciaron Maher’s runners Bella Nipotina (+650) and I Am Me (+1200) are also given strong chances and they sit on the third and fifth line of betting. 2024 William Reid Stakes Final Field 1. The Astrologist (9) T: Leon & Troy Corstens J: Declan Bates W: 58.5kg F: 3759x Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Zoustar Dam: Aquada +4000 +600 2. The Inferno (8) T: Cliff Brown J: Jake Noonan W: 58.5kg F: x044x Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) Dam: Spina Rosa +8000 +1200 3. Queman (4) T: Shane & Cassie Oxlade J: Harry Coffey W: 58.5kg F: 11×71 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Mint Lane (USA) Dam: Langreen +1400 +215 4. Johnny Rocker (11) T: Nick Ryan J: Rhys McLeod W: 58.5kg F: 172×4 Age: 4YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Horse Sire: Jukebox Dam: Margene +10000 +1500 5. Imperatriz (10) T: Mark Walker J: Opie Bosson W: 56.5kg F: 21×11 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Berimbau -133.33 -909.09 6. Bella Nipotina (3) T: Ciaron Maher J: John Allen W: 56.5kg F: 54×51 Age: 6YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Bella Orfana +650 +100 7. I Am Me (2) T: Ciaron Maher J: Ben Melham W: 56.5kg F: x2216 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Mefnooda +1200 +180 8. Queen Of The Ball (7) T: Michael Freedman J: TBC W: 56.5kg F: 70×51 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Miss Debutante +8000 +1200 9. Hypothetical (6) T: Anthony & Sam Freedman J: Michael Dee W: 56.5kg F: 24×12 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Fitna +2500 +380 10. Cylinder (1) T: James Cummings J: TBC W: 56kg F: 16×05 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: Exceed And Excel Dam: Circular +320 -222.22 11. King’s Gambit (5) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: TBC W: 56kg F: 8x13x Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Colt Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Sultry Feeling +1000 +150 Horse racing news View the full article

The initial announcement of the closure of Golden Gate Fields left industry stakeholders to question what their next steps would be. The roller coaster of emotions comes to a head March 21 as the CHRB allocates the remainder of 2024 racing dates.View the full article

Imperatriz ridden by Opie Bosson wins the 2023 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley Racecourse. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) The Moonee Valley Racing Club is set to ignite the 2024 Spring Racing Carnival with an electrifying revamp, featuring a Group 1 extravaganza on the first Saturday in September and a thrilling Friday Night Lights Season Launch on the eve of the AFL Grand Final. Kicking off the Friday Night Lights series on September 27, racing enthusiasts can anticipate the adrenaline-pumping action of the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) under the dazzling lights. Rescheduled to align with the Cox Plate (2040m), the Feehan Stakes promises to be a pivotal lead-up event, offering contenders a golden opportunity to secure a coveted spot in Australia’s premier race. Returning to its AFL Grand Final Eve slot, the Manikato Stakes adds to the anticipation, drawing upon the immense success of previous editions. The allure of Friday night racing at The Valley is undeniable, with its unique blend of top-tier competition, entertainment, and intimate setting continually captivating audiences. Following the opening night, racing enthusiasts can mark their calendars for two more exhilarating Friday night fixtures on October 4 and Cox Plate Eve on October 25. Spring at The Valley kicks off in grand style on Saturday, September 7, with the prestigious Moir Stakes (1000m) setting the stage for high-octane racing action. The strategic reshuffling of key events like the Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes earlier in the season enhances the pathway for elite sprinters, seamlessly integrating with the national racing landscape. Further enhancing the Carnival experience, adjustments include the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) joining Cox Plate Day festivities on October 26, while the Group 2 Stocks Stakes on September 27 will see a distance and format modification to elevate its competitive appeal. With these exciting updates, the Moonee Valley Racing Club is primed to deliver an unforgettable Spring Racing Carnival brimming with world-class competition and entertainment. Horse racing news View the full article

What Sandown Hillside Races Where Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 When Wednesday, March 20, 2024 First Race 2:30pm AEDT Visit Dabble Sandown’s Hillside track is gearing up to host metropolitan racing this Wednesday afternoon. Weather predictions suggest a possibility of rain overnight on Tuesday, with scattered showers expected to persist throughout Wednesday. The rail will be positioned 9m out across the entire circuit, with the action slated to commence at 2:30pm AEDT. Best Bet at Sandown: The Shaper It took the judge several minutes to split The Shaper and Quickster in a tight photo finish at the Sandown Lakeside 1300m on March 6, and despite not getting the chocolates on that day, The Shaper looks set to go one better. The three-year-old gelding will relish the step up to 1400m, considering the way he hit the line last time out. From barrier six, Damian Lane will position him wherever he pleases with a touch of cover, and if he runs anywhere near what he produced against Quickster, The Shaper should be breaking maiden ranks at the third time of asking. Best Bet Race 1 – #5 The Shaper (6) 3yo Gelding | T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | J: Damian Lane (59kg) +100 with Neds Next Best at Sandown: Donegal Donegal is set to drop back from Group 3 company at Flemington, back to a BM70 where she is set to appreciate the drop in grade. The American Pharoah was simply outclassed and found the going a bit too firm for her liking, so the forecast rain and class drop should suit her perfectly. With plenty of speed engaged over the 1400m, the race shapes perfectly for the three-year-old filly to storm home from the rear of the field. With Celine Gaudray’s claim getting Donegal in with just 57.5kg on her back, Donegal will prove too hard to hold out in the second leg of the quaddie. Next Best Race 6 – #4 Donegal (10) 3yo Filly | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Celine Gaudray (a1.5) (59kg) +400 with Playup Best Value at Sandown: Auspirit Having finished third in a similar race that she lines up in on Wednesday on March 6, Auspirit can find her way to the winner’s stall from a handy draw. The Australia progeny was forced to sustain a long run from the rear of the field and peaked on her run in the shadows of the winning post. She stays at the 2400m for this assignment, and from barrier five under John Allen, she can hold a mid-field spot with cover. That was her first crack at the distance, so with the miles in her legs this deep into her campaign, Auspirit presents great value with horse racing bookmakers. Best Value Race 4 – #8 Auspirit (5) 5yo Mare | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: John Allen (57.5kg) +900 with Picklebet Sandown Hillside Wednesday quaddie tips – 20/3/2024 Sandown quadrella selections Wednesday, March 20, 2024 3-7-9 1-6-7 4-5-8-13 5-7-8-12-15 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Horse Racing on Tuesday, March 19 will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Hawkesbury. Tuesday Racing Tips – March 12, 2024 Hawkesbury Racing Tips As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on March 19, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Tuesday, March 19. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 19, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Place a 4+ leg multi, if one leg fails Bonus Back up to $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in Bonus Cash. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10%. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for March 19, 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

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features the half-sibling to Dalham Hall stallion G1SW-Fr Territories (Ire). 15.05 Compiegne, Mdn, €27,000, 3yo, f, 7fT MONTEMESOLA (FR) (Kingman {GB}) is the latest foal out of Taranto (GB) (Machiavellian) to debut for Godolphin and Andre Fabre, who enjoyed some big days with her son Territories (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Successful in the G1 Prix Jean Prat and second in the 2000 Guineas, the relative of Machiavellian's Street Cry (Ire) and the brilliant Shamardal has proven a useful stallion at Dalham Hall. The post Half to Territories Starts at Compiegne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Unfortunately, as is typically the case with the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA) corporation, CEO Lisa Lazarus left out important details from her remarks during HISA's town hall meeting on March 11 regarding the toe grab rules in relating to horsemen and breakdowns at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino (PMRC). The following comment is quoted from the TDN article HISA Town Hall: Regulatory Reach, Environmental Contamination, Lab Variability and More Discussed: “Probably the racetrack that had the biggest complaints about this rule was Prairie Meadows, and they went from in 2022 at 2.39 [fatalities per 1,000 starts rate], a much higher fatality rate. And this year, they were exceptional–they were 1.14,” said Lazarus. “I'm not suggesting the whole reason is to do with toe grabs, but at least the data shows they're not worse off with that rule than they were previously.” The facts: in all of 2021, PMRC experienced two breakdowns from 3,849 starters, thus 0.52 fatalities per 1,000. In May and June of 2022 prior to that, when horsemen believed the new zero tolerance on toe grabs was to go into effect, PMRC experienced 0 breakdowns from 1,265 starters, thus 0 per 1,000. More precisely, for all of 2021 and including the period prior to the implementation of HISA's safety protocols and toe grab rule, there were two breakdowns out of 5,114 starters, thus 0.39 fatalities per 1,000. Beginning July 11 (the period after which horsemen believed they couldn't have front or rear toe grabs and were trying to come into compliance with the rule), we had our first of eight breakdowns in less than 11 weeks. The Iowa HBPA, along with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission's (IRGC) regulatory veterinarians, early on in the spate of breakdowns identified there was an urgent issue and unsuccessfully pleaded with HISA to grant us a waiver of the rule until the end of the racing season. Our stance was that nothing had changed in this environment other than horsemen re-shoeing their horses to be in compliance with the no toe grabs rule, front or rear. As many others also began to reach out to HISA about the absurdity of no toe grabs at all, HISA acquiesced to the pressure, releasing on July 29, 2022 a newly-updated noncommittal statement saying they would not enforce the rule regarding hind-shoe toe grabs effective Aug. 1. That attempt at communication failed badly, lacking clarity and coming much too late after many horsemen had gone to the considerable expense of re-shoeing their horses. Nine months later, horsemen–even contenders in last year's Kentucky Derby–were still confused or unaware about an alternative shoe rule to the point that the Kentucky HBPA had to issue a horsemen's advisory trying to explain what was or was not allowed for something as easy as toe grabs! But while the hind toe grabs ban was in effect and the injuries accumulated, the pleas of the IA HBPA and IRGC's veterinarians went unheard. A back and forth of letters (one of which HISA provided after the end of the racing season in 2022) effectively said our horsemen and IRGC regulatory veterinarians were solely at fault and missed the underlying issues with the horses who had suffered catastrophic injuries. Point of Fact: not one member of the HISA Racetrack Safety Committee ever made a trip out to Prairie Meadows, reached out to either the IA HBPA, IRGC or jockey colony or spent any time understanding the issues for which we were expressing our heartfelt concerns over a cascading series of events or helped us resolve the horrendous continuation of horses breaking down on our racetrack. Quite the opposite occurred in fact. Instead we, and specifically PMRC, were spotlighted in a Twitter post by PETA for one of the breakdowns, highlighting the horse's name and calling us all out on where the horse was and what occurred. At the end of the 2022 racing season, there had been a total of eight breakdowns from 3,762 starters, thus 2.13 fatalities per 1,000. If only reviewing from July 11 through September 19, there were eight breakdowns from 1,754 starters, thus 4.56 fatalities per 1,000 starters in that small time frame. So, what happened post PMRC's 2022 racing season and the start of the 2023 racing season, all without the help of HISA? The IA HBPA and PMRC did the work. Work that involved the IA HBPA and PMRC having long discussions on what horsemen encountered, what jockeys experienced riding across the surface, and what veterinarians expressed about the horses coming back from training and racing. PMRC then took the initiative and worked in such a way to ease what the IA HBPA viewed then–and still do now–as an abysmal application of a one size fits all rule to revamp the racing surface to fit the rule. PMRC added 900 tons of sand, 21 tons of clay and finally 100 yards of pine bark, something that never had been added to PMRC's surface ever in its history nor never needed to be before. But needed to be done now to make the surface fit the rule. We went from having one of the safest track surfaces in America to a horrific streak of catastrophic injuries. The only thing that changed was HISA's toe-grab ban, implemented with virtually no input from those with boots on the ground. Thankfully our safety record got back on track, and contrary to the figure stated by Ms. Lazarus of 1.14 breakdowns per 1,000, our 2023 record was back to 0.57–with no help from HISA. For Lisa Lazarus to suggest otherwise is disingenuous. Sent on behalf of the Iowa HBPA. The post Letter To The Industry: Iowa HBPA Response To HISA Town Hall Comment On PMRC Catastrophic Breakdowns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sierra Leone, winner of the Risen Star Stakes (G2), closed as the 7-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, with champion 2-year-old Fierceness the 9-1 second betting choice.View the full article

Pleasant Acres Farm outside of Morriston, Florida launched its stallion division in 2013 with the vision of bringing top-class sires to the Sunshine State. Over a decade later, the operation founded by Joe and Helen Barbazon is still working toward that same goal. This year they've provided a major boost to the Florida stallion ranks with the addition of five newcomers for 2024, bringing their stallion roster up to a total count of 13 members. With his first-crop of 2-year-olds hitting the track this year, Bodexpress (Bodemeister) has relocated from California to Pleasant Acres for 2024. Meanwhile the farm has brought in four new recruits who recently retired from racing: Doppelganger, a Grade I-winning son of Into Mischief; Verifying (Justify), a half-brother to champion Midnight Bisou; Grade II Fountain of Youth S. winner Simplification (Not This Time); and near-millionaire Chess Chief (Into Mischief). Pleasant Acres' Director of Stallion Services Christine Jones explained how their aspiration to go out and recruit these notable racehorses with such in-demand sirelines reflects the farm's mission to make bloodlines normally only accessible in Kentucky available to Florida breeders right in their home state. “We worked extremely hard this year to try to bring in yet another level of horse,” Jones said. “With the stallions that we brought in this year, our thought was that perhaps all of us who are busy running up and down the road to Kentucky might be able to stay home with a couple of mares, which would be really nice. Our roster has grown in leaps and bounds with all the headline names.” The first of the newcomers to arrive at Pleasant Acres last fall, Doppelganger will stand for $10,000 in 2024 and will be campaigned by a syndicate of partners that includes Pleasant Acres. A $570,000 yearling out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Quiet American mare Twice the Lady, Doppelganger's name is a nod to his shared physical resemblance with GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, another son of Into Mischief campaigned by a partnership that included SF Bloodstock, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. A TDN Rising Star on debut as a juvenile, Doppelganger was twice graded stakes placed at three and got his Grade I score in the 2023 Carter H. as a 4-year-old. Doppelganger gives trainer Brittany Russell her first Grade I victory in the 2023 Carter H. | Sarah Andrew “Doppelganger brings a lot to the table for us,” said Jones. “He is a stellar individual. What a strong shoulder and a great hip. He is absolutely what I think everyone is looking for.” Few incoming stallions have as high-profile a pedigree as Verifying. The half-brother to 2019 Eclipse Award champion older dirt female Midnight Bisou joins Spendthrift Farm's Arabian Lion as the first two sons of Justify to go to stud. Verifying's dam Diva Delite (Repent), winner of the GIII Florida Oaks, is also responsible for multiple stakes winner Stage Left (Congrats). First or second in seven of his 11 lifetime starts at two and three, Verifying won the 2023 GIII Indiana Derby and put in runner-up performances in the GI Champagne S., GI Blue Grass S., GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. and GIII Matt Winn S. Jeff Bloom, founder of Bloom Racing Stables which campaigned Midnight Bisou, joins Pleasant Acres as two members of the syndicate that will launch Verifying's stud career. The 4-year-old will also stand for $10,000. Simplification stands out as the first Not This Time to stand in Florida and he is one of the first three sons of the red hot sire to launch his stud career along with Coolmore's Epicenter, who stands for $40,000 this year as his first foals hit the ground, and Lane's End's Up to the Mark, who is new this year for $25,000. Simplification with stand for $6,500 in 2024. The Florida-bred is out of the stakes-placed Candy Ride (Arg) mare Simplify Confection, who hails from the family of champion Ashado (Saint Ballado). As a juvenile, Simplification broke his maiden in his second start by almost 17 lengths. The next year, he won the Mucho Macho Man S. and the GII Fountain of Youth S. before placing third in trio of graded stakes, including the GI Florida Derby. He also finished fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby and at four, placed in the GII Gulfstream Park Mile S. Simplification was purchased as a yearling by Florida horsewoman Tami Bobo. She opted to skip the 2-year-old sales with him and race him herself. Even after the colt's hair-raising debut under the tutelage of trainer Antonio Sano, Bobo went against her normal practice and turned down offers so that she could continue racing the colt herself. Even now as Simplification debuts as a stallion, Bobo remains at the helm of his career. “Tami is well invested in this horse and he still belongs to her 100%,” said Jones. “It's lovely to have people who have so much excitement and passion because it's their own horse. She is sending between 25 and 30 mares to him this year, so it really shows her enthusiasm and it's nice to be able to tell the breeders that because they know that the owner is vested as well.” The highest earner among the four new guys, Chess Chief will stand for $5,000 in 2024. The son of Into Mischief is out of a daughter of GISW Plenty of Grace (Roberto), who is a half-sister to champion Soaring Softly (Kris S.). Racing from two through seven for trainer Dallas Stewart, Chess Chief is five-times graded stakes-placed and got his signature win in the 2021 GII New Orleans Classic S. Owner James Coleman has retained ownership for the Virginia-bred's stallion career. “He's a very sturdy horse, running 39 times and on the board in 14 of those starts, and he is a very good-looking horse,” said Jones. “He looks a lot like Into Mischief for sure. A nice, big shoulder, good walk, very nice hip. He was also Horse of the Year in Virginia, which is a pretty nice accolade. He brings a lot of good things to Florida.” Verifying and Tapit Trice battle to the wire in the GI Blue Grass S. | Coady Presenting four new sires to a regional market all in one year certainly cannot be an easy task, but Jones said that in many ways, the new recruits have spoken for themselves. She shared that they expect each stallion to fill a book of over 100 mares this year. “Our clients are very pleased to see the level of horse that is coming in now,” she said. “We are very hopeful that each of these guys will get a very full book. We are well on our way to having that accomplished, so I couldn't be happier for the Barbazons and all of the owners of these horses. It's a challenge these days to make that happen, especially here in Florida and I think probably anywhere since our crop is on the decline, but I think in Florida we may even be seeing some people who were maybe taking a little break but are now coming back in, so that's great.” Also new to Pleasant Acres this year, Bodexpress entered stud at Barton Thoroughbreds in California in 2021 but relocated to Pleasant Acres for this season. The son of Bodemeister won the 2020 GI Clark S. and will stand for $3,500. This year he will be represented by his first crop of 2-year-olds. Four went through the ring at the recently concluded OBS March Sale, including a colt out of Tart's Knickers (Ghostzapper) that worked in :10 flat and sold to agent Steve Young for $85,000. There's no shortage of young blood on the Pleasant Acres roster. MGSW Gunnevera (Dialed In), MGSP Curlin's Honor (Curlin) and GISP Sweetontheladies (Twirling Candy) are also represented by their first juveniles this year. Meanwhile MGSW Leinster (Majestic Warrior) has his first crop of yearlings and both Magic On Tap (Tapit), winner of the 2021 GII Triple Bend S., and Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief), 2020 GII Bourbon S. victor, have their first foals arriving this spring. The stallion division is just one sector of the Pleasant Acres operation. The farm will foal around 150 foals this year, from both client-owned mares and Pleasant Acres' own broodmare band. “The Barbazons have worked very hard their whole lives,” said Jones. “Helen and Joe have made this a lifelong pursuit. They started off at a very small place in Ocala, like most of us. They had 20 acres, which they quickly outgrew, so that's how they located this beautiful piece of property, which encompasses about 450 acres. The Barbazons started the stallion division when it became very apparent that we needed a few more stallions in Florida. They're always looking for a new chapter and I think this one has turned out really well.” The post Pleasant Acres Optimistic on New Sire Quintet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing Together, the industry's community engagement partnership, will host the 2024 community day on Wednesday, May 8 to coincide with the Boodles May Festival at Chester Racecourse, the organisation announced on Monday via press release. British horseracing's national day of employee volunteering, the effort is supported by various charity and commercial partners with a focus on horseracing and bloodstock groups to give back as a team to their communities. Activities range from staff volunteering at local care homes to renovating stables, and picking up litter or collecting for local food banks. In 2023, a record 75-plus groups took part with over 700 hours hours of manpower donated, an effort which included Tattersalls and Goffs as well as trainers nationwide, insurance brokers and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). “It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the social impact of racing and have some fun while doing it. We have already had lots of sign-ups and activity ideas for this year, so we are optimistic in beating the 75 organisations that were involved last year,” said Alex Shaw, the community engagement manager at Racing Together. “Assessing local need and getting people mobilized is the hallmark of this day; we also encourage colleagues unable to commit their time in early May to book in an activity which suits their calendars and to still be part of this industry-wide initiative.” Anyone who would like to sign up is encouraged to visit the website or send in an email for more information. The post Racing Together Community Day Aims for Record Numbers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Season tickets and passes for the 2024 Saratoga summer race meet will become available to the general public Wednesday, March 20. The sale, announced by NYRA Monday, will begin at 10am and includes admission along with reserved seating in the clubhouse or grandstand. Season passes grant access to the track for all 40 race days including the GI Travers S. and can be purchased for $95. “Season ticket plans allow fans to secure some of the best seats in the house for all 40 days of the Saratoga meet,” said NYRA Vice President of Sales Kevin Quinn. “And a season admission pass will pay for itself in fewer than 10 visits for fans looking to enjoy the backyard throughout the summer.” Racing at Saratoga opens Thursday, July 11 and continues through Labor Day weekend. The post Saratoga Season Passes On Sale March 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sierra Leone, winner of the Risen Star Stakes (G2), closed as the 7-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager with champion 2-year-old Fierceness the 9-1 second betting choice.View the full article

Aidan O'Brien's 2024 Flat Turf campaign got off to a perfect beginning at The Curragh on Monday as the 3-year-old filly Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Plying, by Hard Spun) flew the flag in the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S. Runner-up in the G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF S. over this mile trip and track and third in the seven-furlong G3 Weld Park S. also here last term, the 7-2 second favourite was steadied towards the rear early by Declan McDonogh and crept into contention once straightened for home. Getting to the front a furlong out, the 1000 Guineas entry had to battle on the testing surface to see off fellow 3-year-old Alpheratz (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) but proved up to the task to prevail by half a length. “I think she probably had the best form in the race and, on her first run of the year, I'm delighted with her,” O'Brien said. “She'd been working nicely and is a hardy filly. It's a big call for three-year-olds against older horses on that ground at this time of the year. She'll step up and a mile is good for her. That will be her trial and she'll go into one of the Guineas now after that. She might end up going to Newmarket and back here. She doesn't really want that ground, but she went in it.” Brilliant Last seen in the Fillies' Mile, the Gleneagles filly puts experience to good use and shows plenty of heart in the Group 3 @LodgeParkStud @IrishEBF_ Park Express Stakes @declanmcdonogh | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/n1TfWiNPEL — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 18, 2024 The post Gleneagles’ Brilliant Best In The Park Express appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Opera Singer (Justify), winner of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and winter favourite for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, may miss the first Classic of the season after meeting with a setback in training. Her trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed the news in an interview on Racing TV. He said, “Opera Singer is a bit behind. She had a little setback, she had two weeks easy and might not make the English Guineas. She is likely to start in the Irish Guineas and we don't want to force her.” Bred by the late Evie Stockwell, Opera Singer is a half-sister to the Group/Grade 1 winners Brave Anna and Hit It A Bomb, both by War Front. The daughter of Liscanna (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) won three of her five starts at two, culminating in her top-level triumph in Paris at the Arc meeting. Prior to that she had beaten Monday's G3 Park Express S. winner Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G3 Newtown Anner Stud Irish EBF S. at the Curragh. Her stable-mate Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), winner of the G1 Fillies' Mile, has now replaced Opera Singer at the head of the betting for the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, May 5. The post Setback Puts Opera Singer’s Guineas Challenge in Doubt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The training game may be a tough one but that doesn't stop new young hopefuls joining the ranks each year. Getting early winners on the board counts for everything and that is something Alice Haynes managed from the outset. Now, just over three years since she sent out her first runner, her string has grown steadily in number and she has taken on the historic Machell Place Stables in Newmarket in addition to her original base just across the road at Cadland Cottage Stables. Despite having all of Newmarket's expansive training grounds right on her doorstep, as we speak Haynes is on her way back from Chelmsford City Racecourse where she has taken seven two-year-olds for an away day a week ahead of the start of the Flat turf season in Britain. “We take them away as often as we can. We'll take some three-year-olds there in two weeks' time, and then there'll be another bunch of two-year-olds, which will go in April,” she explains. “Today wasn't a barrier trial day but we did come here a few weeks ago for that. But just unloading and getting in the lorry, experiencing all of that, can put a few manners on them before they have to go to the races.” No stone unturned, then, and this may well go some way to explaining the success of Haynes, now 32, who spent her formative years in racing as an amateur and apprentice, working for Mick Channon, Henrietta Knight and David Simcock before setting up her own pre-training business for a while. “We're a week away now from the start and all systems are go,” says the trainer, who hasn't exactly been idle through the winter. She already has 13 winners on the board in 2024 and is looking forward to the enhanced early juvenile programme. “Every year, you are learning what kind of horse you want to target for different places. You then work back from there, and that's the exciting part of it. I think this year we'll have our first Brocklesby runner. And we'll have Maysong for the consolation handicap that he ran so well in last year.” The four-time winner Maysong (GB) (Mayson {GB}), who holds an entry for the Lincoln, was beaten less than a length when third in the Spring Mile at Doncaster on the opening day last year. He joined Haynes as a four-year-old and runs often, with 15 of his 65 starts coming in 2023, but he is a consistent sort who rose to a high of 83 last year and he has 26 placed efforts to go with his victories. “I think horses that we've got from other people we've done quite well with and I'd like to say we have a few nice handicappers,” says Haynes, who has entered last season's Newcastle maiden winner Sir Gabrial (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the 2,000 Guineas. “Obviously he's only rated 75 now, but he's a horse that will definitely be on the up in a couple of handicaps, or hopefully going there,” she says. “But I very much enjoy two-year-olds. Obviously I started life at Mick Channon's and it's something that I just sort of picked up. This year is the first year there are 17 two-year-old races before the Craven, which is unreal. “I'm not quite sure why they've been so extreme with early two-year-old races, but it's nice to get a couple out early. I always try to have a two-year-old winner before the Craven Breeze-up [Sale] – you try and put your name out there a little bit – and we have done that for the last two years.” A key member of Haynes's growing team at home is Kieran O'Neill, who is both her stable jockey and partner. “He's very dedicated,” says Haynes. “He likes the involvement, not just the riding of the horses, but of picking where they're going to go next. And I think he's a big asset because he does know those horses at home. Of course, owners sometimes like to use their own jockeys, which is fine and he understands that. But I like to think that he does well with me and with horses and the rides that he's given.” She continues, “He works hard and that's the biggest thing. He doesn't expect anything to be given to him. He's not afraid to be up on Sundays or riding four or five lots out each day. Or for instance, riding out this morning, going to Chelmsford and then going off to Wolverhampton.” O'Neill was rewarded with a winner that evening at Wolverhampton aboard Tasmanian Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}), a horse who has thrived at the Haynes stable, winning three of his four starts since being purchased at the Horses-in-Training Sale last October. “Obviously now we want the better type of winners in black-type races or on the bigger days. And that's where you have to stand on your own and prove yourself – the horses running didn't cost 200 grand as a yearling, however it still should be here in this race. And with those horses you won't really get acknowledged in those kind of races,” she says. Haynes has trained a stakes winner in each of her seasons with a licence to date. Mr Professor (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) got the ball rolling by winning the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Silver Tankard S. at 16/1 in her debut season. Lady Hollywood (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) won a Listed race in Ireland and Group 3 in France in 2022, while Fix You (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) won last year's Polonia S. in Ireland. All three horses belonged to Amo Racing, run by Kia Joorabchian, who no longer has horses with Haynes. “I thank him for the support,” she says. “We had nine winners together last year.” The absence of the Amo silks is unlikely to halt the trainer's ascent, however. Her yard is now sponsored by the bookmaker Coral, and with 70 in training she has her biggest string to date as the 2024 season gets underway. “We're growing all the time and it's a nice number, but we've still got the attention to detail. There's a good team behind me and working alongside me. And you're not so focused then on one horse being good and putting all that pressure on one horse – you might have a couple instead. I still ride out. I actually rode one round Chelmsford this morning and I really enjoy it,” she says. “Simon Clare [of Coral] sent us a horse last year, Aspire to Glory, who has won three, and it's great to have them on board. It started with them sponsoring Kieran, then I approached Simon and said, 'Are you looking for anyone else?' It's great to have a sponsor. He said he was thinking about it so I put my name in the hat.” Haynes is looking forward to the prospect of unleashing at least one juvenile in this Saturday's Brocklesby S. at Doncaster. She has two entries for the race – Solvency (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) and Atherstone Warrior (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}). Now included in the High-Value Development Race Series, the season's traditional curtain-raiser for two-year-olds, which is sponsored by British Stallion Studs (EBF), is now worth £40,000, as is the first two-year-old race at Chelmsford – a course now familiar to Haynes's youngsters – which is to be run on Good Friday (March 29). “I have an Ardad colt called Solvency and hopefully he will run in the Brocklesby. Obviously Ardad went a bit quiet last year because he would've had fewer numbers, but this year I've got two of them and I think he's really going to come back with a bang. They're for new owners, which is great. They've actually bought parts of different horses and they've bought this one on their own. I sourced him for them, he's a nice size, and it's exciting to have him. “There's a Far Above (GB) filly that is probably going to run at Chelmsford. That's a 40-grand maiden and I think it's a great incentive. Chelmsford missed out on having its Good Friday meeting last year but there's really good prize-money on offer there this year and that's what you need.” It's not just about the two-year-olds, of course. Haynes also admits to a soft spot for older sprinters and she has bought back the six-year-old Mashaan (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), who won twice for her stable in 2022 before being sold on. “He'd come down in the weights, and when you bond with a horse…I'm learning that in a three-year-old career, they do get a little bit lost, the sprinters, and then all of a sudden they're back as four- or five-year-olds,” she says. “We also have Live In The Moment (Ire), the half-brother to [Nunthorpe winner] Live In The Dream (Ire), and he lost his way for a couple of years after going to Dubai. It's nice to see the revival of the older horses,” she says. “But basically, you've got to win with what you've got and that's very much what I try to do. Whether it's a 0-50, 0-60 [handicap], you still try and get the best out of them and then you can move them on and fill the box with something else. “That's why we are not afraid to run them. We run plenty of horses, I prefer to run them than to keep galloping them at home.” The post ‘All Systems Are Go’: Haynes Aiming Enhanced Team at Brocklesby and Beyond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monday's curtain-raising Curragh card saw Whitsbury Manor Stud's first-season sire Sergei Prokofiev register his opening salvo as his son Arizona Blaze (GB) captured the five-furlong Castle Star And Alkumait At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden. Representing AMO Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar and the Adrian Murray stable, the £82,000 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale graduate was always on the sharp end under David Egan. Asserting from Rowdy Yeats (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) inside the final furlong, the 5-4 favourite eked out a professional 1 1/4-length success. Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev) follows in the hootprints of Bucanero Fuerte with victory in the Irish Flat turf season opener for Adrian Murray and @amoracingltd at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/sqWXjTopte — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 18, 2024 The post Freshman Sergei Prokofiev Off The Mark In Curragh Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Since taking oversight of the sport's safety in 2022, HISA has not pulled a long list of new rules from the clouds, but its ability to ensure uniform adoption of often already field-tested safety initiatives has made all the difference.View the full article

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), winner of the GII Risen Star S., was the 7-1 favorite when Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening. Last year's 2-year-old champion Fierceness (City of Light) was second choice at 9-1. “All Other 3-Year-Olds” closed as the 11-1 third betting option. Japan's G3 Saudi Derby winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}) (12-1); GII Rebel S. winner Timberlake (Into Mischief) (12-1); GII Fountain of the Youth S. winner Dornach (Good Magic) (13-1); GIII Gotham S. winner Deterministic (Liam's Map) (16-1); allowance winner Conquest Warrior (City of Light) (16-1); and GIII Southwest S. winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) (16-1) were next in the open betting pool. In the lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which was conducted concurrently with the KDFW Pool 5, 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) closed as the 7-1 favorite over champion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I (Justify), who was 8-1. Betting on all future wagers over the three-day period was $458,269. Total handle for the KDFW pool was $334,581 ($246,076 in the win pool and $85,506 in exactas). Betting on the Oaks Future Wager totaled $69,717 ($48,334 in the win pool and $21,384 in exactas). The Oaks/Derby Double, which requires bettors to correctly select the winners of both the races, handled $53,971. Through the first four pools, a total of $1,676,353 has been bet on Derby future wagers, a 16% increase from last year's $1,444,099. The year's sixth and final Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool runs from Apr. 4 through Apr. 6. The post Sierra Leone Favored in Derby Future Wager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Len Green will be honored with the New York Race Track Chaplaincy's Marylou Whitney Award for his ongoing humanitarian support of the New York backstretch community. Green will be presented the award at the group's 17th annual Fundraising Brunch to be held Aug. 14 at Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs. “Len and his late wife Lois have silently, although generously, supported an increasing number of NY Chaplaincy vital initiatives and events over the course of the past several years,” said Ramon Dominguez, president of the board of the NY Chaplaincy. “In doing so, they have set a tremendous example for others, and we are immensely grateful for this.” Green is Founder and Chairman of the New Jersey CPA firm, The Green Group. The family's D. J. Stable, which is now managed by his son, Jon, campaigned Eclipse champions Jaywalk and Wonder Wheel, as well as 40 other graded stakes winners. “Lois and I have long admired the work and activities of the NY Chaplaincy and Chaplain Humberto Chavez and continually realized how the organization enhances the quality of life for the backstretch community all year long.” Green said. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities at the Aug. 14 brunch, click here. The post NY Chaplaincy to Honor Len Green appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day–due to be staged on Good Friday, March 29–has been cancelled, it was announced on Monday. For over 30 years the annual charity event has offered a look behind the scenes of the racing industry, with various training yards and attractions opening their doors to the public. However, following an exceptionally wet spring, the decision has been made to cancel the hugely popular event in 2024 due to either flooded or unusable car parks. The Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day's chairman, Mark Smyly, said, “It's a huge shame that this year's event cannot take place. An enormous amount of work has already been put into the planned event by the committee, along with the valued support and help of all the trainers. “The Lambourn Open Day is put on each year solely to raise money for the welfare of all the Lambourn Valley's hard-working stable staff and their families. If you could please support the Silent Auction, and perhaps generously make a donation, you will be helping them enormously.” Smyly added, “A full refund of all purchased tickets will be made. There is no need to apply. The refunds will take a while to sort out and your patience is appreciated. The Silent Auction will go ahead as usual. It has some exciting and unique items ranging from mornings on the gallops to hospitality and lunches at some of the top racecourses around the country.” Full details are available on the Lambourn Open Day website. The post Cancellation of the 2024 Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn Open Day Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

British racing has welcomed the decision by the Government to add six crucial racing-related roles to the new Immigration Salary List (ISL), making it easier for training yards and studs to recruit workers from abroad. The ISL, which has replaced the former Shortage Occupation List, now includes racing grooms, work riders, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands and stud handlers. The industry is currently facing a shortfall of 2,000-2,500 staff, but this development makes recruiting some of the best overseas talent a more realistic option for the sport. The addition of these roles to the ISL also enables training yards and studs to employ overseas workers on a minimum salary of £30,960–a salary discount on the £38,700 minimum that applies to other businesses under the Government's immigration rules. The new roles will still need to meet existing criteria and businesses should be aware of the other requirements under the Government's points-based immigration system post-Brexit, including mandatory requirements for overseas employees to have received a firm job offer and speak English to the required level. Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said, “The fact that the six racing and breeding roles are part of only a very small number of jobs transferred from the old Shortage Occupation List to the to the Immigration Salary List shows the Government recognises how crucial they are to Britain's rural economy. “Bringing in world-class talent from overseas is not a sticking-plaster solution to our recruitment crisis. They are part of the answer by providing us with unrivalled experience to help train our next generation of high-skilled workers. It is essential that racing now takes the opportunity to make the most of our access to the best international talent, which will enable us to put in place long-term solutions to racing's staffing shortage.” The post Six Roles Added to Government’s New Immigration Salary List appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article