Wandering Eyes

Pimlico-based trainer David Howard passed away the evening of March 15 after suffering a heart attack. He was 45.View the full article

Trainer Butch Reid, Jr. has three sophomores aiming for stakes on Aqueduct's Apr. 6 Wood Memorial card. Michael Milam's Uncle Heavy (Social Inclusion), aiming for the GII Wood Memorial, worked five furlongs in 1:02.09 (3/15) Saturday at Parx. It was the colt's first official work since winning the Feb. 3 GIII Withers S. “The work went very well, we couldn't be any happier. He did it well and came out of it great this morning, ate up everything last night,” said Reid. “We had a horse in front of him to chase after and he went after him.” Due to a now-lifted Equine Herpesvirus quarantine at Belmont Park, Uncle Heavy shipped to a farm in Pennsylvania following the Withers and returned to Reid's Parx base Feb. 25. “The time off, believe it or not, actually did him a bit of good. He put his weight back on,” said Reid. “He's big and fat and healthy now, so we are very happy with the way he is going.” Cash is King and LC Racing's Carmelina (Maximus Mischief), a last-out runner-up in the Mar. 2 Busher S., is expected to line up in the GIII Gazelle S. “I think a mile and an eighth is the edge of how far she wants to go, but we will see how it comes up and she definitely could get involved,” Reid said. “Speed can be dangerous at a mile and an eighth, too.” Reid, LC Racing and Cash is King's Maximus Meridius (Maximus Mischief), who earned 10 Kentucky Derby qualifying points with his fourth-place effort in the one-mile GIII Gotham S., will ditch the Derby trail in pursuit of the seven-furlong Bay Shore S. “We like a little bit of a turn back. He had to go from the one-hole last time and used a little bit out of the gate to not get swallowed up,” said Reid. “Right now, it doesn't look like he is going to be a Classic horse, so this race should be a nice turn back, to keep him going shorter.” The post Reid Trio Target Wood Day Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Driver Penalties W House | Manawatu 14 March; crossed over prior to start; fined $200. N Delany | Manawatu 14 March; out of position at start; fined $100. J Abernethy | Manawatu 14 March (heard Auckland 15 March); use of whip; fined $250. M White | Auckland 15 March; careless driving; suspended 23 March – 4 April inclusive. J Stormont | NZ Metropolitan 15 March; use of whip; suspended 21-27 March inclusive. R Gutsell | Wyndham 16 March; drove in a manner capable of diminishing chances; suspended 26 March – 27 April inclusive. M Hurrell | Wyndham 16 March; shifted into passing lane and caused interference; suspended 17-28 March inclusive. G Hunt | Banks Peninsula 17 March; use of whip; suspended 18-27 March inclusive. Trainer Penalty F Mitchell | Manawatu 14 March; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties GRETTYMAC | NZ Metropolitan 15 March; fractious prior to start; must complete standing start trial. OUR SHANGRI LANA | NZ Metropolitan 15 March; entrapped epiglottis; veterinary clearance required. SONNY JIM | Wyndham 16 March; broke in running; must complete trial. FORTY WIVES | Wyndham 16 March; laceration to fetlock; veterinary clearance required. Protests MR MONTY | Manawatu 14 March; excessive galloping in home straight; disqualified from 4th. SHADOW CREEK | Banks Peninsula 17 March; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 11-17 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

It's Sizzling Time (Not This Time) finished second in Saturday's $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial S. at Laurel, but trainer Valrie Smith wasn't about to complain. The gelding banked another $20,000, upping his career earnings to $327,766. Not bad for a horse who cost $1,000 as a yearling, which is what It's Sizzling Time sold for at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling sale “If you had told me back then that he'd win all these races, win a stakes and make all that money, I would have told you you were being ridiculous,” Smith said. “I would have told you there was no way that could happen.” But it did. It's Sizzling Time has won seven races, including the John B. Campbell S., and has developed into one of the better older dirt horses on the Maryland circuit. Smith and her husband Donnovan Haughton like to buy at Fasig Tipton's fall yearling sale and are always on the lookout for bargains. But the couple is not well off and they cannot afford to buy horses even in the four-figure range. Many of their purchases have been for $1,000, the lowest price a horse can sell for at a Fasig-Tipton auction. Smith doesn't pretend that she saw something special in It's Sizzling Time or that she knew something the other buyers didn't. She also couldn't have predicted what was to come for the sire, Not This Time (Giant's Causeway). Not This Time was second in the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile and never ran again. Taylor Made took a chance on the horse and started him off with a stud fee of $15,000. He's since gone on to become one of the top sires in the sport, with a stud fee of $150,000. It's Sizzling Time is from his first crop. None of that was part of the equation when Smith put in her $1,000 bid for the horse. “We bought him because we thought we were getting a bargain,” she said. But why did he sell for so little? “I have no idea why. It was just our luck,” she said. “We were just lucky to get him. There was nothing obviously wrong with him. He looked smart in the ring. It wasn't like he was looking all crazy.” The Florida-bred began his career in a $25,000 maiden claimer in October of 2020. He finished second and two starts later would go on to break his maiden. For the next three years plus he started only in allowance races and starter allowance races. But he kept improving and Smith chose the Campbell as the race in which he would make his stakes debut. With jockey Jean Briceno aboard, he won the $100,000 race by a nose. “I'm so excited, I'm lost for words,”Smith said after the Campbell win. Smith is a native of Jamaica who came to the U.S. in 2005. Not only did she know nothing about horse racing at the time, she was scared of horses. “I was scared of them because I thought they were so big,” she said. It was Haughton, who was a jockey in Jamaica, that introduced her to racing. She started off as a hotwalker and soon found out that not only were horses not scary they could be your best friend. “Gradually, I started to love them. But the horses loved me first,” said Smith. “They love people. You just have to be patient and love them back. I started having a good connection with the horses. I was sucked into it.” Smith, who works alongside Haughton, has been training since 2017 and has a four-horse stable. It's Sizzling Time is co-owned by Haughton and Mona Bowley, a friend from Jamaica. It's not easy to make ends meet with a four-horse stable, but the money that It's Sizzling Time has earned has helped immensely. “Oh my God, he has been a huge, huge blessing,” she said. “I just have to thank God. I'm so happy. This horse makes us look real good.” Smith isn't sure where It's Sizzling Time will run next, but it will no doubt be in another stakes race. The $1,000 yearling has proven that he belongs. Santa Anita's Safety Record Matanzas Creek (Empire Maker) broke down three strides past the wire after winning Saturday's sixth race at Santa Anita. While no one wants to see a horse break down and euthanized, the incident served to remind us of just how safe racing at Santa Anita has become. While there have been fatalities during training, Santa Anita went nearly one year without having a fatality in a race. Prior to Saturday, the last time it happened was Mar. 18, 2023 when a horse named Beverly Vista (Arrogate) broke down. The increased veterinary oversight that horses must go through at Santa Anita is obviously an inconvenience to trainers. But no one should be complaining. It's working The Chosen Vron Does it Again It was quite a week for The Chosen Vron (Vronsky). First he was named the 2023 California-bred Horse of the Year and then he won for the 16th time in his career when he captured the GIII San Carlos S. Saturday at Santa Anita. He is now 16-for-21 lifetime. It was the fourth graded stakes win for the popular 6-year-old gelding He's won 11 of his last 12 starts, with the only defeat coming when he was fifth in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint. In an era where a lot of good horses race six or seven times in their careers and their owners can't get them to the breeding shed fast enough, it's great to see a tough old gelding whose a throwback to a better time for the sport when racing was more than an audition for the breeding shed. The post The Week in Review: From $1,000 Yearling to Stakes Winner, It’s Sizzling Time Not Done Writing his Story appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Harry Rosenblum and Cheyenne Stable's Time for Truth (Omaha Beach) tuned up for an expected start in the Mar. 30 GI Arkansas Derby with a six-furlong work in 1:13.00 (1/1) work over a muddy Oaklawn strip Saturday. “This was our meat and potatoes,” trainer Ron Moquett said of the work. “Then, we'll put a side on him next week.” A debut winner at Oaklawn on New Year's Eve, Time for Truth was second in the Feb. 10 Ozark S., but missed out on a start in the GII Rebel S. when he suffered a minor shin injury the night before the Feb. 24 race. He resurfaced with a victory in a 1 1/16-mile allowance Mar. 2. “We're still trying to put it all together,” Moquett said. “He's a very talented horse that we're just trying to see where his maturation is. The other day we noticed, even though he won, when he made the front, he kind of waited on a horse for a second, but then galloped out really well. So, we're trying to get him to do everything that he's supposed to do to be more professional.” The Arkansas Derby will offer 200 points to its top five finishers (100-50-25-15-10, respectively) toward starting eligibility for the May 4 GI Kentucky Derby. The post Time for Truth Tunes Up for Arkansas Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Muth, who has been off since winning the seven-furlong San Vicente (G2) by 2 3/4 lengths Jan. 6, drilled six furlongs in 1:12.00.View the full article

The Curragh is fit for racing for its opening day of the Irish Flat season March 18, but officials will be hoping no more rain arrives than is forecast to allow the meeting to go ahead.View the full article

In an electrifying display through the late stages, Sixpence (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) overwhelmed nine other rivals and proclaimed himself as one to watch for the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas), dominating the G2 Fuji TV Sho Spring S. on Sunday at Nakayama. Jumping well and close to the pacesetters, Sixpence tucked in neatly behind Allegro Brillante (Jpn) (Deep Brillante {Jpn}) and that one's closest pursuer Cosmo Buddleja (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) as the pair showed the way. The placings remained consistent until the field passed the 800 metre mark with closers beginning their march from the rear and Sixpence was launching his own rally coming off the bend. Looming the danger with 400 metres left, Christophe Lemaire asked and his charge responded, leaving long-time leader Allegro Brillante in his wake under the mildest of hand rides. The advantage extended with 200 metres left in the running and the gap back to the game pacesetter was 3 1/2 lengths on the wire. Lucullan Feast (Jpn) (Isla Bonita {Jpn}) came out best of the scramble for the minors, nosing out Channel Tunnel (Jpn) (Greater London {Jpn}) for the last trifecta spot. Hold the phone, we've got a live one! G2 1800m Spring Stakes, a classic Satsuki Sho trial Won by exciting 3c 4. SIXPENCE (Kizuna x Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy)) x Christophe Lemaire Unbeaten in 3 starts Devastating turn of foot!#JRA pic.twitter.com/eiJlzgF5WJ — Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) March 17, 2024 Pedigree Note The lone offspring to race for American Grade I-winner Finley'sluckycharm (Twirling Candy) thus far, Sixpence is the newest Classic contender for sire Kizuna (Jpn), who himself was the Japanese champion 3-year-old colt as well as a Classic winner in France and Japan. Among the stallion's best runners are dual champion Songline (Jpn), who twice claimed the G1 Yasuda Kinen, and G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup victrex Akai Ito (Jpn). On his female line side, the busiest activity is found deep in the pedigree via the dam Gather the Clan (Ire), who is responsible for GISW Pure Clan (Pure Prize). That mare would later go on to produce SW & GISP Princesa Carolina (Tapit), who set a course-record en route to her victory in the Fifth Third Insurance Dueling Grounds Oaks. She is not the only runner with a wicked turn of foot as Pure Clan's half-brother MGSW Greater Good set a new track-record beneath the fabled twin spires of Churchill Downs. Since changing hands to Katsumi Yoshida for $1.5-million in 2018 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale, Finley'sluckycharm has produced two of racing age, but Sixpence is the first to make it to the races. She does have a 2-year-old colt by Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) named Field Note (Jpn). Her 2023 Orfevre (Jpn) foal was stillborn. Sunday, Nakayama, Japan FUJI TV SHO SPRING STAKES-G2, ¥104,580,000, Nakayama, 3-17, 3yo, 1800mT, 1:49.40, fm. 1–SIXPENCE (JPN), 126, c, 3, by Kizuna (Jpn) 1st Dam: Finley'sluckycharm (GISW, $928,068), by Twirling Candy 2nd Dam: Day of Victory, by Victory Gallop 3rd Dam: Gather the Day, by Dayjur 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. O-Carrot Farm; B-Northern Farm; T-Sakae Kunieda; J-Christophe Lemaire; ¥54,756,000. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, ¥72,873,000. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Allegro Brillante (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Deep Brillante (Jpn)–Centenary (Jpn), by French Deputy. 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Sunday Racing; B-Northern Farm; ¥22,216,000. 3–Lucullan Feast (Jpn), 126, c, 3, Isla Bonita (Jpn)–Gorgeous Lunch (Jpn), by Manhattan Cafe (Jpn). 1ST BLACK-TYPE, 1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE. O-Shadai Race Horse; B- Shadai Farm; ¥14,108,000. Margins: 3HF, 1, NO; Odds: 1.90, 24.30, 6.30. Also Ran: Channel Tunnel (Jpn), Cosmo Buddleja (Jpn), Stinger Glass (Jpn), Pellegrini (Jpn), Lograr (Jpn), Water Licht (Jpn), Jun Gold (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Sixpence Dominates Satsuki Sho Trial appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Barry Fitzgerald may be an under-the-radar trainer but he is by no means unheard of. The County Carlow-based handler registered five winners in Ireland last season and six the previous campaign. What's more impressive is that he was operating at a hugely respectable 10 and 14 per cent strike-rate for those respective campaigns. No mean feat when you're operating with just a handful of Flat horses and working with limited pedigrees every year. But the quality is on the up in the yard and Fitzgerald, already off the mark this year at Dundalk, is hoping to hit the ground running when he unleashes a couple of youngsters on the opening day of the new Flat season at the Curragh on Monday. First up for Fitzgerald is Far At Sea (Ire), a filly by first-season sire Far Above (Ire), who tackles the opening two-year-old maiden and is reported to go well at home. The trainer said, “She goes very well–she's a good, fast filly. I know the ground is quite soft and hopefully that won't blunt her speed too much. We've liked everything she has been doing so far so hopefully she can bring it to the track. “Far At Sea was bought privately by her owner David Granville. He buys a lot of horses privately and, actually, he bought Harbour Gem (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) privately as well. She did well for us last year, placing in two maidens, and she has gone to Dermot Weld now. She could have a big year in front of her.” Fitzgerald will also run another debutante, Bella Mistiko (Ire) (Invincible Army {Ire}), in the three-year-olds and upwards fillies' maiden later on the card. On her prospects, he commented, “She goes very well as well. We're hoping for a big run but she's drawn in stall 19, which isn't ideal. She was just a very backward two-year-old and we were going to go to Dundalk with her. We said we'd wait and go for the grass instead and I think she will love the ground. She's ready to go as well. If either of them win or get placed, the likelihood is that they'd be sold. You need to sell in order to keep the whole thing going.” Fitzgerald splits his yard of 20 horses between Flat and National Hunt. Much of the emphasis to his business revolves around trading and he has done well in that aspect of the game over both codes. He explained, “We're getting better horses every year. We started off in 2019 and we've built it up to about 20 horses split 50-50 between the Flat and National Hunt. We got a couple of two-year-olds sold to America last year but we need to keep the two codes going to make the game pay. If I only concentrated on the one code, I'd be out on the road.” On his background, he added, “I grew up on a farm in Limerick and was pony racing for 15 years before I went training a little under five years ago. Things got so expensive at the pony racing, I said I might as well have a go at training them for the track, and thankfully it has been working out for us. “I have worked for Mags Mullins, Shark Hanlon, Enda Bolger and Michael Hourigan so I have seen plenty and have been around the block. I have seen a lot of different things and, above all, I know how important it is to keep your yard clean and healthy. That's been a big part of our success.” The respective strike-rates posted by Fitzgerald in recent seasons do not happen by accident. He only brings a horse to the races if he thinks it has a chance and it's a modus operandi that has served the stable well. He said, “There is no point running horses for the sake of it. It costs a lot of money to bring a horse to the races and we like to be good and competitive when we go. You need to be trying to get as much of the prize-money as you can. It's an expensive game-even if I want to get the horse plaited, I have to give somebody 20 quid to do that for me. Everyone needs to be paid so there's no point going to the races and not being competitive. There's no craic in that.” Away from the youngsters, Fitzgerald also has a number of smart older horses to lead the team into battle this season, and the handler nominated A Piece Of Heaven (Fr) (Jukebox Jury {Ire}) as being one to keep the right side of. He said, “A Piece Of Heaven is back in and is one to look forward to this season. He will work next week and hopefully he'll run when the ground dries out. To me, I think he could be a Royal Ascot horse. Races like the Ascot Stakes could be right up his street. It's great to have a horse like him because I don't even know how to enter for Royal Ascot, never mind getting there, so it's nice to dream in this game.” Fitzgerald added, “Genesis (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), who ran well the other night at Dundalk, is another to keep the right side of. He'll probably stay sprinting for now but we might step him up to seven furlongs towards the end of the year. The Scurry Handicap is the race I have in mind for him. He could be a progressive horse.” The post Meet The Under-The-Radar Trainer Out To Make A Splash At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

No sooner is the Cheltenham Festival wound up than the Flat Turf season begins at The Curragh on Monday, leaving no time to draw breath. Offering the ultimate contrast to the recent jumping spectacles is the opening five-furlong Castle Star And Alkumait At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden for 2-year-olds, where a clutch of the entries are by the first-season sires Sergei Prokofiev, Verbal Dexterity (Ire), Far Above (Ire) and Arizona (Ire). It is Whitsbury Manor Stud's resident Sergei Prokofiev who could have the favourite in the Adrian Murray-trained colt Arizona Blaze (GB), sporting the silks of AMO Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar, but this is a race that Jim Bolger likes to make an early statement in and it is significant that he saddles Verbal Dexterity's son Monotone (Ire) in his colours. A half-brother to his former TDN Rising Star and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas fourth Wexford Native (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), it would be no surprise to see him emulate Dawn Approach (Ire), who gave his sire New Approach (Ire) his first winner in this back in 2012. Ballydoyle roll out the first of their turf runners in the well-tried Old Faithful (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the seven-furlong maiden for 3-year-old colts and geldings and the filly Mayfair (Ire) (Justify) in the fillies' version. A daughter of the G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Clemmie (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), she is chosen to represent the yard in the maiden won three years ago by the subsequent G1 Prix de Diane heroine Joan Of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), so there could be a hint there. In the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S., the Rosegreen establishment puts forward the G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF S. runner-up Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and the Galway maiden scorer Everlasting (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), both entered in the 1000 Guineas, while there is a G1 Irish Oaks entry involved in Gerard Kervick's Gowran Park winner Alpheratz (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) from the Joseph Murphy stable. The intrigue begins again. The post The Curragh Welcomes Back the Flat appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

WinStar Farm stallion Improbable, champion older male of 2020, was euthanized March 16 at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington after suffering from ataxia behind, the farm announced March 17.View the full article

For the first time since 1996, Seamie Heffernan will not be based at Ballydoyle–but Aidan O'Brien's long and trusted ally has revealed that he still hopes to be riding big-race winners in the Coolmore colours in the future. It has been one of the worst kept secrets in Irish racing for some time that Heffernan, one of the constants at Ballydoyle for almost three decades now, would not be returning to the fold. And on the eve of the opening day of the Flat season in Ireland, Heffernan lifted the lid on the reasons behind taking the decision to step away from Ballydoyle in favour of tackling life “in the fast lane” as a freelance jockey. He also revealed that he has already been approached to ride for one of the major opposition stables. Heffernan told TDN Europe, “It was my decision. When I look outside my back door on my farm, I know that I have been so privileged because I started off with absolutely zero. I couldn't believe it when I was offered the job behind Christy Roche in Ballydoyle back in 1996. “I have made many friends, plenty of money and I have loads of nice pictures and trophies. It's not over yet but I just felt that I needed a change.” He added, “For me to stay going, I felt it would be easier to stay going by not being based in Ballydoyle. Some lads will raise their eyebrows and wonder why. But, look it, I'm going to continue race riding so, if Aidan wants to use me, it will be absolutely fine. The only difference is that I won't be riding out in Ballydoyle every day anymore.” Heffernan and O'Brien have categorically denied that there has been any falling out. Speaking to the Racing Post on Sunday, O'Brien said, “Obviously I heard the rumours but I didn't think any more about it. However, Seamus rang me last weekend to say he was going to go freelance. I totally respect that and I told him he's welcome to come back any time he likes, we're always here any time it suits him. That will always be the way, if it ever suits him.” O'Brien added, “There has been absolutely no falling out in any way. Seamus rode a lot of very big, important winners for us and we'd always hope and wish the very best for Seamus going forward.” Together, O'Brien and Heffernan combined to win the Derby at Epsom in 2019 with Anthony Van Dyck, the Oaks in 2012 with Was and five more Irish Derby victories at the Curragh. But Heffernan's personal highlight, marginally behind being offered the Ballydoyle gig in the first place, was guiding globetrotting sensation Highland Reel to victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar in 2017. Heffernan remembered, “I probably should have won an Arc on Highland Reel but, a couple of weeks later, I hit the nail on the head–that Breeders' Cup win was awesome. That would have to be the one that sticks out. But, I would nearly have to put that second to being offered the job at Ballydoyle in the first place back in 1996. Getting the job was my highlight.” So what will a day in the life of Heffernan look like this season? Outside of O'Brien, for whom the 51-year-old rode 34 winners from 155 rides domestically last season, Tipperary-based handlers Willie Browne [rides] and Kevin Coleman [22 rides] were also major supporters. Heffernan says that he is committed to maintaining and developing those relationships going forward as well as working closely with a number of longstanding owners to identify young talent. Heffernan said, “A change is as good as a holiday. I'm going to be busy and I'm going to be riding on. I feel very fit and I'm very focussed. It's onwards and upwards, hopefully. I have little bits and pieces and interests in horses. When I set my mind on something, I try very hard to make it happen. I'm going to try hard to make things happen this year. I can't call the people I will be riding for smaller trainers–they just don't have the same ammunition as the big boys. I'll be working very closely with some of my owners to get the ammunition and to make it happen for those trainers.” He continued, “I feel that I have achieved a lot and, for me to stay happy and keep achieving, I needed a change. Hopefully it's the right decision. I can't stress how thankful I am to the Magniers, the Tabors and the Smiths. With their pedigrees, I achieved the most on the biggest stages. I can't stress how thankful I am to them for never saying, 'we don't want Seamie.' I am sure I will ride plenty of winners in their silks again.” Heffernan has been associated with many of Coolmore's champions, none more high profile than the legendary Galileo, who he partnered to Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial success in 2001. Coolmore boss John Magnier and his partners are understood to have given Heffernan their full backing in his decision to go freelance after a long and fruitful association riding many of Ballydoyle's big guns. He explained, “They completely respected my decision. Whatever I felt was the right thing to do, they had no problem with it. I would be inclined to say I have spent all of my career in the slow lane so maybe I might chance putting on the indicator and heading into the fast lane for a while. Maybe it's time I put myself in the fast lane to see if I can handle it!” Asked if that meant he had designs on challenging for a championship, Heffernan concluded, “I don't have the ammunition so I don't think I would have any chance. Unless you are riding for Joseph O'Brien, Dermot Weld, those sort of trainers, you can't win a title because you just don't have the numbers. I have been approached [by one of the bigger stables] but I am happy enough for my agent [Ruaidhri Tierny] to do his best and I will do my best for him.” The post “I Needed A Change” – Seamie Heffernan Explains Ballydoyle Departure appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

WinStar Farm stallion Improbable (City Zip), the champion older male of 2020 and a 'TDN Rising Star', was euthanized late last night at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington after suffering from ataxia behind yesterday morning, the farm said in a release early Sunday. “He was sent to Rood and Riddle yesterday morning to determine the exact cause of the ataxia,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “He was responding well to treatment, but went to lie down in his stall, and fell awkwardly. As a result, he broke his right tibia, which could not be repaired.” Improbable won three consecutive Grade I races in 2020, taking the GI Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita, the GI Whitney S. at Saratoga and the GI Awesome Again S. at Santa Anita en route to Eclipse honors at season's end. Undefeated at two, Improbable broke his maiden at first asking at 'The Great RIP' in late September of 2018. He followed that up with a score in the Street Sense S. at Churchill Downs in early November, which earned him a 'TDN Rising Star' badge for the effort. Improbable winning the Whitney | Sarah Andrew Improbable's juvenile year ended with a five-length win going 1 1/16 in the GI Los Alamitos Futurity. His time of 1:41.18 was the fastest in over a decade. A stakes winner each season from two to four, Improbable concluded his career with a runner-up finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic in 2020. All told, he won seven starts, six of them stakes, and earned $2,729,520 for owners WinStar Farm, China Horse Club and SF Racing. “These horses are our life, and we work every day to take care of them the best way we know how,” said Dr. Natanya Nieman, general manager and resident veterinarian at WinStar Farm. “The whole team is reeling. Improbable gave us many great moments to share with our partners, our team, and the whole racing community. It is tragic.” Bred in Kentucky by St. George Farm and G. Watts Humphrey Jr., Improbable was acquired by Maverick Racing and China Horse Club for $200,000 out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment at the 2017 Keeneland September Sale. Out of the A.P. Indy mare Rare Event, the 8-year-old stallion was bred to 329 mares in his first two books and is represented by his initial crop of 2-year-olds this year, including a colt out of the stakes-placed Inaugurate (Empire Maker) that was purchased by trainer Jimmy DiVito, agent, for $475,000. The post WinStar Farm Stallion Improbable Euthanized appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson sealed victory aboard the Chris Nash-trained Son Of Bielski in the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Darwin trainer Chris Nash has confirmed that Son Of Bielski will contest the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup after taking out the $40,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Fannie Bay on Saturday. The Red Centre’s biggest race is scheduled for Pioneer Park on April 7 and Son Of Bielski, a seven-year-old gelding by Dissident, will hopefully follow in the footsteps of Garry Lefoe’s I Am The Fox and Gary Clarke’s Count Of Essex. I Am The Fox and Count Of Essex, who won the 2021 and 2022 St Patrick’s Day Cup, backed up to win the Alice Springs Cup (2000m). Clarke’s Siakam, who won last year’s St Patrick’s Day Cup (0-76), didn’t appear at the 2023 Alice Springs Cup Carnival. For Son Of Bielski, owned by Nash’s father Andrew, that made it five straight wins at Fannie Bay after a first up fifth over 1100m (BM54) following his arrival from Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea’s Murray Bridge stable. Nash, successful in the 2015 St Patrick’s Day Cup with King Kev, is now aiming to win his first Alice Springs feature after saluting with Mayameen in the $135,000 Palmerston Sprint (1200m) during the 2021 Darwin Cup Carnival. Last year, Nash’s Ideas Man was second in the Palmerston. For Son Of Bielski’s in-form rider Jade Hampson, she has won 14 races in the NT in the past seven weeks. The 20-year-old apprentice ended Saturday’s program with a double after guiding the Tayarn Halter-trained The Stifmeister to its second straight win. Although lumping 60kg as the topweight, Son Of Bielski (+3000), who had failed to run a place in its seven other Darwin starts. Clarke’s +900 hope Vallabar, third in the 2022 Darwin Cup, also powered home to finish 1.7 lengths adrift in third place. Clarke was aiming to win the St Patrick’s Day Cup for the fourth time in five years, but Wilsons Prom, the +180 favourite with leading horse racing bookmakers, had every chance before fading to finish eighth after having won four of his past five starts. Horse racing news View the full article

Trainer Penalties M Grant | Waikato 14 March; failed to comply with GRNZ Welfare Standards; fined $300. S Codlin | Auckland 17 March; late to present runner; fined $50. Dog Penalties KNOW HURRY | Waikato 14 March; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial and veterinary clearance required. HALF DAY HOD | Christchurch 15 March; turned in boxes; must complete box trial. ROMINA BALE | Christchurch 15 March; failed to pursue the lure (3rd offence); stood down for 3 months and must complete 2 satisfactory trials. General Race 3 at Wanganui GRC meeting of 15 March was declared a no race after a fallen runner ran back towards the field. The post 11-17 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Rider Penalties N Hailey | South Waikato 13 March; failed to make weight; fined $100. A Goindasamy | Ashburton 14 March; careless riding; suspended 24 March – 3 April inclusive. W Kennedy | Ashburton 14 March; use of whip (2 charges); suspended 17-24 March inclusive and fined $300. T Moseley | Ashburton 14 March; failed to ride mount to finish; suspended 18-27 March inclusive. D Danis | Tauranga 16 March; use of whip; fined $250. B Jacobson | Tauranga 16 March; use of whip; fined $500. S Weatherley | Wellington 16 March; use of whip; suspended 17-24 March inclusive. T Newman | Wellington 16 March; use of whip; fined $1,200. M Hashizume | Wellington 16 March; use of whip; fined $550. S Toolooa | Beaumont 17 March; careless riding; suspended 24 March – 4 April inclusive. Trainer Penalties D Crozier | Non-raceday dated 7 March; misconduct; fined $500. C Bambry | Wellington 16 March; late rider declaration; fined $50. M Walker & S Bergerson | Beaumont 17 March; incorrect gear; fined $100. Horse Penalties NOBLE BOY | South Waikato 13 March; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. ROYAL ACE | South Waikato 13 March; bled; stood down for 3 months and veterinary clearance required. BROOKBOURNE | Tauranga 16 March; lame; veterinary clearance required. MOLASSES | Wellington 16 March; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. Protest AQUILIFER | Tauranga 16 March; caused interference; relegated from 1st to 2nd. The post 11-17 March 2024 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

With a thrilling victory in Saturday’s BOP Equine Vets Open Handicap (1400m), classy mare Fashion Shoot (NZ) (Savabeel) headlined a big day at Tauranga for Te Akau Racing and set herself up for a Group One assignment at the end of this month. Fashion Shoot was one of four winners on the eight-race card for Te Akau trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, who also won the Mills Reef Wines (1400m) with Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer), the Frocked Up Girls 3YO (1200m) with promoted winner Valentine (NZ) (Turn Me Loose), and the World’s End Bar and Restaurant (1200m) with Aequus (NZ) (Iffraaj). Saturday’s $50,000 race was a milestone victory for Fashion Shoot, who took her career earnings past the $300,000 barrier and also booked herself a ticket to the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on March 30. Ridden by Kelly Myers, Fashion Shoot settled in third-last among Saturday’s small but select field of eight. The race developed into a four-horse war down the straight, with Fashion Shoot striding up on the outside of the quality Andrew Forsman-trained pair of Mustang Valley and Saint Bathans, while Karman Line poked through along the inside. There was little separating the quartet through the last 50m, but Fashion Shoot lunged at the line and snatched victory by a nose. Mustang Valley beat Saint Bathans by a head for the runner-up spot, with the same margin back to Karman Line in fourth. Fashion Shoot has now had 31 starts for seven wins, 13 placings and $304,980 in stakes for the Te Akau In Vogue Syndicate. Her best win to date came with a brilliant finishing burst in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton in November. “It was a really good win today and should give her that winning confidence before heading into the Breeders’ Stakes,” Walker said. “I think we pulled the right rein going to Tauranga, rather than a trip to Trentham for the Cuddle Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m). “She’s been a good consistent mare for a long time, she’s having a great season as a six-year-old and she’s going to make a beautiful broodmare when she’s finished racing. She’s got a great pedigree.” By Savabeel out of the multiple Group Three-winning O’Reilly mare High Fashion, Fashion Shoot was bought by David Ellis for $320,000 from Waikato Stud’s draft at Karaka 2019. “She’s a tough and talented race mare, Fashion Shoot, and becoming a very valuable and commercial breeding proposition,” Ellis said. “All the team at the farm and the stables have done a fantastic job with her and we’re seeing her racing at her absolute best now.” The TAB now rates Fashion Shoot a $12 chance for the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes. That market is headed by La Crique ($3.20), Molly Bloom ($4), Pearl Of Alsace ($6) and Mustang Valley ($8). View the full article

Although finishing runner-up in the initial judge’s call for the result in the Frocked Up Girls 3YO (1200m) at Tauranga on Saturday, promising galloper Valentine (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) secured his second career victory courtesy of a successful protest lodged after the son of Turn Me Loose suffered interference from race favourite Aquilifer in the home straight. Valentine and apprentice rider Jess Allen rider had stalked the pace-making Aquilifer throughout and the pair set down for a tooth and nail struggle in the home straight. Aquilifer ran out and bumped Valentine on more than one occasion, and despite holding on to beat her rival home by a neck, the judicial committee saw enough to relegate her behind Valentine deeming the interference cost that runner more ground than the official winning margin. “He’s a horse that’s always shown ability and finished runner-up to subsequent Group One winner Pignan on debut as a two-year-old,” said Te Akau racing manager Reece Trumper. “There is the Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes coming up, but we’d have to get him home and see how he progresses, and he’d probably need another run before then. It’s become a really competitive race, so we’ll just have to wait and see.” Valentine was purchased by David Ellis CNZM for $80,000 at the Karaka 2022 Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Windsor Park Stud, and is part-owned by Jonny Schick, director of Shaw’s Wire Ropes and Shaw’s Property Holdings. “He’s a nice colt, really athletic, and good moving style of horse with plenty of quality and class about him,” Ellis said. Valentine is out of the Fastnet Rock mare Fastnet Rose, who is closely related to triple Australian Group One winner Serenade Rose and dual Group One winning sprinter Trekking. The victory was one of four at the meeting for Walker and Bergerson who took their winning tally to 126 for the season and well clear of their nearest rival, Stephen Marsh, who sits second with 66 wins on the National Trainers’ premiership ladder. View the full article

Three Taranaki representatives were tipped as key hopes in Saturday’s The Bold One & Agraforum St Leger (2600m), but it was another of the region’s staying talents in Testify Me (NZ) (Atlante) that reigned supreme in the Trentham feature. A son of Atlante, Testify Me was tasked with the challenge of contesting Robbie Patterson’s classy trio of Mary Louise, Nom De Plume and The Underbelly, the latter a scorching TAB tote favourite paying just $1.80 at the jump. Fellow New Plymouth trainer Janelle Millar’s charge held the fourth line of betting at $9.60, backing up from close-up second placed finish behind Orlov over 2100m at the course a week prior. Regular rider Chris Dell has partnered Testify Me in six of his last seven race-day appearances, and was thrilled to deliver the victory for Millar. “I do a lot of work behind the scenes for Janelle, so I’ve had a long association with this horse. It’s great to get a big win like this,” he said. Despite the narrow winning margin, Dell had been confident at the post after the race had panned out as intended. “He jumped well and I put him a bit handier than I was last-start, being a 2600m race they are quite tactical affairs, and there wasn’t a huge amount of pace on paper in the field,” he said. “I settled in behind the hot-favourite in The Underbelly, and just followed him everywhere he went. I did hit a flat-spot at the 600m, but that’s just the way my horse races, and he kept coming up underneath me down the straight. “I let a scream out because I knew I’d got there, even though it was by the barest of margins, he’d got his head down at the right time. I was pretty confident at the post.” Out of a Volksraad mare Cherry Bomb, Millar co-bred and shares in the ownership of the gelding, who has earned over $130,000 in a 16-start career. “Janelle’s very good with her horses, she places them very well, and she definitely will be looking after him as he’s a Cups horse for the future. What he’s lacking in starts, he’s making up with wins,” Dell said. “We’ll hopefully be targeting those 3200m races next year, he’s shown that he can get the 2600m distance, which is one of the hardest battles. “I’m not sure what she has in store for him in the immediate future, but I know I’ll be happy to be on him next start.” View the full article

In a sport where many top equines leave racing early while in peak form for rewarding breeding opportunities, fans and trainer and co-owner Eric Kruljac can still celebrate The Chosen Vron, the 6-year-old gelding and 16-time win machine.View the full article

Following the same path set forth by Pretty Mischievous a year ago, Godolphin's Tarifa will use the March 23 $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) to prepare for a date with lilies on the first Friday in May.View the full article

March 16 was Hall of Fame Day at Oaklawn Park. Fans in attendance to celebrate some of the best in the sport's history were treated to a thriller in the $250,000 Whitmore Stakes (G3) as Jaxon Traveler defeated Tejano Twist by a nose.View the full article

Matanzas Creek, a 4-year-old son of Empire Maker, crossed the line first as the 4-5 favorite in a six-furlong allowance at Santa Anita Park Saturday afternoon, but fell about 50 yards past the wire and was later euthanized, Tom Ryan, representing part-owner SF Racing, confirmed in a tweet about an hour after the race. Initial reports indicated that the colt walked onto the horse ambulance and was taken to the barn of trainer Tim Yakteen to be evaluated further. Frankie Dettori emerged from the incident with no serious injuries, but took off his mounts for the remainder of the afternoon. “Matanzas Creek sustained irreparable injuries to his right front fetlock,” read Ryan's tweet. “It's a heartbreaking decision to make, but he was euthanized on site. Our hearts go out to the horse and the people who adored and cared for him. Thankfully, Frankie walked away from this tragedy.” Bred in Kentucky by Betz, Burns, Kidder, Cole, D J Stables, CoCo and the Empire Maker Syndicate, Matanzas Creek broke his maiden at second asking at Del Mar last November and was second in consecutive first-level allowance races at Santa Anita, going a mile Dec. 29 and 6 1/2 furlongs Feb. 15. In addition to SF Racing, the other partners on Matanzas Creek include Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Robert E Masterson, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Jay A Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan. Matanzas Creek sustained irreparable injuries to his right front fetlock. It's a heartbreaking decision to make, but he was euthanized onsite. Our hearts go out to the horse and the people who adored and cared for him. Thankfully, Frankie walked away from this tragedy. — Tom Ryan (@TomRyanKY) March 16, 2024 The post Matanzas Creek Euthanized Following Santa Anita Allowance appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Le Dom Bro (Mucho Macho Man) will train towards a start in the GI Curlin Florida Derby, his connections announced Saturday. The GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. runner up worked a half mile in :49 4/5 Saturday morning at Palm Meadows. “He went really well,” said owner Vincente Stella. “We are looking at the Florida Derby 100 percent. He's a very happy horse. He's going really well.” The winner of the Fountain of Youth, Dornoch (Good Magic), also worked a half mile Saturday morning in :49 4/5 and will start next in either the Florida Derby or the GI Toyota Blue Grass S. for Danny Gargan. The post Fountain Of Youth Runner Up Le Dom Bro Confirmed For Florida Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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