Wandering Eyes

Friday, March 15 promises an exciting day of horse racing with seven meetings scheduled across Australia. Our dedicated team of racing analysts at horsebetting.com.au has curated the top bets and provided quaddie numbers specifically for the upcoming Kembla Grange and Pakenham races. Friday Racing Tips – March 15, 2024 Kembla Grange Racing Tips Pakenham Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For March 15, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $91.30 odds return: Friday, March 15, 2024 Kembla Grange – Race 3 #1 Notabadbuy Kembla Grange – Race 5 #1 Waihaha Falls Pakenham – Race 3 #8 Illative Pakenham – Race 9 #6 United Kingdom | Copy this bet straight to your betslip For avid Australian racing fans, numerous promotions await your exploration. Be sure to peruse the offerings from top online bookmakers, as daily promotions can enhance your horse racing experience. If you’re in search of a new bookmaker to elevate your horse racing ventures on March 15, 2024, consult our comprehensive guide to the finest online racing betting sites. We’re committed to keeping you informed and enhancing your horse racing betting journey. Horse racing tips View the full article

Australian targets are beckoning Mustang Valley once more, and trainer Andrew Forsman is looking forward to seeing if she is up to the task when she heads to Tauranga on Saturday to kick-off her autumn preparation in the BOP Equine Vets Open Handicap (1400m) at Tauranga. The dual Group One-winning daughter of Vanbrugh was last seen on Kiwi shores last October in a campaign that included an impressive victory in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) before heading across the Tasman for two unplaced efforts. Courtesy of apprentice jockey Ngakau Hailey’s three-kilogram claim, the mare will get some weight relief from her 63kg allocated weight on Saturday, and Forsman indicated it would be a hopeful springboard towards another Australian target. “The 1400m fresh-up suits her, she’s trialled well and worked really well, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see her in the finish,” he said. “It’s never easy giving weight to good horses, but she’s a good horse herself, she’s a dual Group One winner with class. “We’ll get this run into her and there’s plenty of options around. Sydney is potentially on the cards, we are possibly looking at the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) on the final day of The Championships.” Among the mare’s seven rivals is stablemate Saint Bathans, the imposing Maurice five-year-old also returning in a fresh state after going down by a nose to Habana in the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) on New Year’s Day. “He’s great, he trialled really well the other day too, but also coming off a freshen-up so he may be a touch vulnerable at the 1400m,” Forsman said. Forsman is looking at a return to Tauranga for next Saturday’s Gr.2 Ultimate Mazda Japan Trophy (1600m) for the gelding, who carries 6kg less than Mustang Valley with Billy Jacobson in the saddle. “It’s really just a run to set him up to ideally back-up next Saturday in the set weights and penalties mile at Tauranga, which we are definitely considering,” he said. “He should be competitive though, and any rain around will certainly help his chances.” Completing Forsman’s team will be classy Snitzel filly Ethereal Star, who will tackle the Super Liquor Greerton 1600. “She was good in the Karaka Millions ($1.5 million 3YO, 1600m) with a hard run and we dropped her back to the 1400m at Ellerslie (Gr.3 Mufhasa Stakes), where she possibly looked like a horse that wants to be getting over further,” Forsman said. “That ruled out going for the 1400m and all the way to Wellington (for the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas). “It’s not easy taking on Rating 75 horses at a mile, but we want to test her again at that distance again to see where she’s at. If she can get a mile or further, it opens up options potentially in Brisbane for her.” View the full article

Owners John Fanelli and Longball Stables have finally received some good news surrounding their tumultuous claim of the 5-year-old gelding Deplane.View the full article

On Friday the 15th of March 2024, the Racing Integrity Board conducted routine drug and alcohol testing on thoroughbred track work riders at Ascot Park, Invercargill. One track work rider had a test result return as non-negative for cannabis, and the sample will be subject to confirmatory testing. The post Drug and alcohol testing conducted at Ascot Park, Invercargill appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Horse racing bookmakers have unveiled an array of enticing racing promotions for Friday, March 15. Among the highlights are multiple generous bonus back offers that add an extra layer of excitement to your horse racing experience. Explore these free promotions from top online bookmakers to make the most of your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for March 15, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Pakenham Races 1 & 2 Run 2nd or 3rd Bonus Back up to $50 Back a runner in races 1 & 2 at Pakenham this Friday and if it runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $50 in Bonus Cash. Fixed Win bets only. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Pakenham Races 1-4 Bonus Back 2nd or 3rd Get your stake back in bonus bets. Limits apply. Playup T&Cs apply. Login to PlayUp to Claim Promo 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 Pakenham – 25% Boosted Winnings Paid in Bonus Cash. First Fixed Win Cash Bet. Max Bonus $250. T&Cs Apply. Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet 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 Friday Bonus Back 2nd ALL RACES at Pakenham Auto-applied in bet slip. Fixed odds only. Min 6 runners. Promotional limits apply. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au has meticulously assessed the premier horse racing bookmakers in Australia, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions and specials tailored for Friday, March 15, 2024. These horse racing promotions are a consistent feature, underscoring the unwavering commitment of Australia’s top horse racing bookmakers. In the world of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t currently running a promotion, rest assured that another is making the most out of promotional offers. Your ultimate resource for the most lucrative horse racing bookmaker bonuses every day is HorseBetting.com.au. Gain the most value out of your punting endeavours by leveraging bookie bonuses, accompanied by the most competitive horse racing odds available for each race. It’s crucial to note that these thoroughbred racing promotion offers are exclusively designed for existing customers. To access these special promotions and claim the bookmaker’s offers, simply log in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For those on the lookout for races and horses to optimise their horse betting bookmaker bonus bets, HorseBetting provides a valuable resource with its daily free racing tips. Horse racing promotions View the full article

Chris Waller’s Fangirl has been ruled out of the autumn carnival due to injury. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Chris Waller’s star Group 1-winning mare, Fangirl, has been ruled out of the autumn carnival after sustaining an injury to her leg. Arguably one of the Australia’s best horses in work at the moment, Fangirl was due to be seen next in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) on March 23, before her grand final in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 13 on day two of The Championships. Fangirl was the favourite for both Group 1 races with horse racing bookmakers. Chris Waller announced the news on X/Twitter on Friday morning. “Fortunately, it is only a cut, not a fracture or tendon or anything like that,” Waller said. “The Ingham family has been informed and have been fantastic and understanding. “This certainly makes my job, and my staff’s jobs, a lot easier knowing we have owners who understand horses and livestock and the problems that can occur.” ** Fangirl ** pic.twitter.com/WjkAT6Bg0q — Chris Waller Racing (@cwallerracing) March 14, 2024 Horse racing news View the full article

Gordon Elliott was the key player at last year's Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale when going to £420,000 to secure the joint top lots, Jalon D'Oudairies (Fr) (No Risk At All {Fr}) and Romeo Coolio (GB) (Kayf Tara {GB}), two names that will be familiar to National Hunt enthusiasts following the running of the G1 Champion Bumper back at the track on Wednesday. Having shared top billing 12 months earlier, this time it was Romeo Coolio who got the better of the argument, two and a half lengths ahead of stablemate Jalon D'Oudairies, albeit both horses had to settle for a minor role as they completed a clean sweep of the podium places behind the Willie Mullins-trained winner, Jasmin De Vaux (Fr) (Tirwanako {Fr}). Romeo Coolio and Jalon D'Oudairies both look capable of winning good races over obstacles when the time comes, promising to add to what is already an impressive roll of honour for the Cheltenham Festival Sale since its inception in 2016. Previous graduates include Festival winners Telmesomethinggirl (Ire) (Stowaway {GB) and Love Envoi (Ire) (Westerner {GB}), successful in the G2 Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle in 2021 and 2022, respectively, while Bravemansgame (Fr) (Brave Mansonnien {Fr}) filled the runner-up spot in last year's G1 Cheltenham Gold Cup after being bought for £370,000 at this sale in 2019. Bravemansgame will be tasked with trying to go one place better in the latest edition of the Gold Cup on Friday and he won't be the only graduate from the Cheltenham Festival Sale in the line-up. He's joined by Elliott's multiple Grade 1 winner Gerri Colombe (Fr) (Saddler Maker {Ire}), who made £240,000 when up for auction in 2020. Just shy of £20 million changed hands in the first seven years of this boutique event, raised through the sale of 133 horses. Another 27 horses (93%) were sold on Thursday evening, for a record total of £3,563,000 and an average of £131,963. The top lot was the four-year-old filly Echoing Silence (Ire) (Doyen {Ire}) (lot 12), a half-sister to the Grade 2 winner Deafening Silence (Ire) (Alkaadhem {GB}) consigned by Sam Curling on behalf of owner Correna Bowe. Echoing Silence won a mares' maiden on her point-to-point debut at Ballycahane and will now go into training with Henry de Bromhead having been bought by Peter Molony's Rathmore Stud for £410,000. “I never imagined this could happen,” said an emotional Bowe, who is the niece of the prolific point-to-point trainer and consignor Colin Bowe. “I said to Mum a couple of months ago that if I was to ever own a horse and bring it to the Cheltenham Festival Sale that would be the dream–to do this on the very first time is absolutely amazing.” Malony–who also went to £120,000 to secure The Big Westerner (Ire) (Westerner {GB}) (lot 10), a half-sister to the G1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle winner Stay Away Fay (Ire) (Shantou)—said, “I was there when she won at Ballycahane point-to-point as it is just 10 minutes away from home; The Big Westerner won on the same day. “I had been told about her [Echoing Silence] about a month before she ran. She is just beautiful, just stunning, so we said that we will have to have a go.” Malony added of The Big Westerner, “She is a lovely scopey mare and has been bought on spec. She will probably be turned away now.” The post Echoing Silence Tops Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis OCALA, FL – With a $1-million Authentic colt early in the session and a $1.8-million Win Win Win filly late in the day, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March Sale of 2-Year-Olds matched its 2023 number of five seven-figure juveniles and the auction concluded its three-day run Thursday with another strong renewal. “Overall, it was a terrific sale and we are looking forward to April,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. Through three sessions, 446 horses sold for $66,437,600. The average of $148,963 dipped 5.0% from 2023 and the median of $75,000 was down 6.3%. The buy-back rate was 25.3%. It was 23.2% at the close of bidding last year. In its ninth renewal as an open sale, the March auction has now produced back-to-back competitive editions and multiple seven-figure offerings for the third straight year. “I think consignors are probably more comfortable and feel more confident that they can put a horse in either March or April and do well,” Wojciechowski said. “It doesn't have to be either/or. It can be both. And the way we set these sales up, if you have a horse that is ready now, he is March-type of horse and if he needs just a little more time, he is an April horse, and if he needs even more time than that, he is a June horse. I think when we opened this sale up there were probably some reservations and concerns and there was a little bit of a sit-back-and-watch attitude, but I think that comfort level is there now. The consignors who have brought those type of horses the last couple of years have been rewarded and the rest of the consignors have seen that.” Bloodstock agent Marette Farrell saw the results of that increased confidence in the March market on the OBS sales grounds this week. “I thought the sale was deep with good horses and there were a lot of very athletic horses to choose from,” Farrell said. “I think the consignors did a good job bringing early, athletic horses here. Horses who were forward, they weren't afraid and didn't feel like they had to wait for the April sale. One consignor said to me, 'If it's a good horse, it will be found.' If it's showing a little more precocity, they are happy to bring it to this sale because they are going to find the real athletes.” A Florida-bred filly by first-crop sire Win Win Win became the sale's highest-priced offering when selling to Amr Zedan for $1.8 million. The filly was the highest-priced horse ever sold by the O'Farrell family's historic Ocala Stud. “They are a legacy consignor here at OBS,” said Wojciechowski. “Their history and reputation within the industry is important to both OBS and to the industry. So to see them do well was very gratifying.” Ocala Stud's sale-topping Win Win Win filly | Photos by Z The sale topper provided an exclamation point on a strong showing for the Florida breeding and racing industry, with a pair of seven-figure juveniles set to join the barns of trainers based in the state. “I think what it shows is that Florida is still loaded with quality horses and quality horsemen,” Wojciechowski said. It was the second year in a row that Zedan has walked away with the top-priced horse at the March sale. The Saudi businessman purchased subsequent Grade I winner Muth (Good Magic) for $2 million last year. The end results of the March sale continued to show a polarization in the market. “This year, we had a lot of horses in that middle market over the first couple of days and it's been a little tough,” admitted consignor David Scanlon. “Overall, the market has been a little bit challenging. When everything lines up, you get rewarded. Really rewarded. But the other ones that you need $100,000 for, it's been a struggle. You have to be realistic and set your reserves right. It keeps you humble.” Farrell speculated buyers in the middle market may be taking a wait-and-see approach to the juvenile sales season. “It's becoming increasingly the same,” she said. “The top horses are definitely gathering momentum and there is a little bit of a dearth in the rest of the market. But I think it's also because it is the first sale of the season, so some people are sitting on their hands a little bit for a lower-level horse now. They are saying, 'Well, April is coming up and there are 1,200 horses, maybe we could find the same for less.' But maybe they won't. I think that is the dilemma that everyone is facing.” De Meric Sales was the leading consignor at the March sale, with 40 sold for $6,595,100, followed by Wavertree Stables with 14 sold for $4,960,000. Hideyuki Mori was the sale's leading buyer. The Japanese trainer signed for 10 horses for $2,695,000. Homebred Success for Ocala Stud “I am absolutely speechless,” Ocala Stud's David O'Farrell said after watching the operation's homebred filly (hip 788) from the first crop of Win Win Win sell for a sale-topping $1.8 million to Amr Zedan Thursday at OBS. “I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's incredible.” O'Farrell knew the filly was special even before the striking bay turned in her track-record equaling :20 1/5 work during last week's under-tack preview. “We weren't totally surprised,” O'Farrell said after watching the filly sell. “She prepped extremely well, all completely on her own. I didn't tell people what the prep time was because I don't think they would believe me. But I was super excited coming into the breeze show because I knew she was special and we were expecting that kind of breeze from her.” David O'Farrell | Photos by Z O'Farrell continued, “She is just a special filly. The fastest that we've had and we've been doing these 2-year-old sales a long time. She has just been a spectacular filly. She performed every time that we sent her out to the racetrack and she came back beautifully and the sky is the limit for her.” Bred and campaigned by Live Oak Plantation, Win Win Win (Hat Trick {Jpn}) won the 2020 GI Forego S. He stands at Ocala Stud for $5,000. “We are super excited about the stallion,” O'Farrell said. “We love what we are seeing. We have more to come in the later sales and later crops and we think he has a huge future.” Ocala Stud has grown a reputation as launching pad for stallions to begin their careers in Central Florida before making the trek north to Kentucky. Recent stallions to take that path include Girvin and Kantharos. “To recruit the stallion [Win Win Win] and bring on great partners in Live Oak, who bred and raced the horse, and also Airdrie Stud is a partner and to support him heavily and to carry him all the way to the 2-year-old sales for our own crop, is super rewarding,” O'Farrell said. “And to get him off to a great start, we couldn't be happier about his prospects.” Asked what he was seeing in the stallion's first crops, O'Farrell said, “Just a ton of athleticism, super versatile, good-looking horses with big rear ends. Very smart, very quick and very athletic.” The topping Win Win Win filly | Photos by Z/Joe DiOrio The $1.8-million juvenile is from the same family that has put her breeder on the GI Kentucky Derby trail this year with GIII Holy Bull S. winner Hades (Awesome Slew). Ocala Stud purchased the filly's second dam, Lady Discreet (Boundary), for $45,000 from the E. P. Robsham dispersal at the 2004 OBS October sale. Lady Discreet produced The Shady Lady (Quality Road) in 2013 and that unraced mare is the dam of Hades. Two years later, the mare produced Unanimity (Union Rags), the dam of hip 788, who RNA'd for $65,000 at the 2017 OBS March sale and was winless in three starts for the O'Farrells. Unanimity produced a colt by Gretzky the Great this year. She also has a yearling colt by Win Win Win. @JessMartiniTDN Wow Wow Wow Moments before Hip 788 was to stroll into the OBS sales ring, the buzz began to intensify. Ocala Stud's daughter of Win Win Win was certainly no secret following a sparkling quarter-mile display in :20.1 last Saturday. With the bids coming hard and fast from several points in the pavilion, the price quickly surpassed the seven-figure mark and the volleys didn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. When the dust had settled, it was Donato Lanni–bidding on behalf of Amr Zedan–who held the hot draw, securing the filly for $1.8 million. “Nothing surprises me at these sales anymore,” said Lanni. “Everyone knew she was the best. I'm just happy we got her.” Donato Lanni | Photos by Z He continued, “You come to a sale like this every year and you never know what you are going to see. That's what's great about the 2-year-old sales, there are some horses that just do things that are out of the ordinary. Everyone witnessed that she had a breeze that was unbelievable. And she did the same thing the week before.” According to Lanni, the Florida-bred filly will head west to join Zedan's regular trainer, Bob Baffert. 'She is a cool filly,” Lanni said. “Every time I saw her, she was out of her stall. She just took it all in stride. She was easy to like.” A member of the first crop of the Ocala Stud-based sire Win Win Win, the Mar. 9 foal is a daughter of the unplaced mare Unanimity (Union Rags), herself out of Lady Discreet (Boundary)–a half-sister to Grade I winners Discreet Cat and Discreetly Mine. The juvenile's 9-year-old dam, who is a half-sister to SW and GSP Courtesan (Street Sense) and SW Chary (Montbrook), RNA'd for $65,000 at this venue in 2017. “We always come to the sales and look at horses by sires that are a bit obscure or haven't had a runner yet,” explained Lanni. “What's great is that you never know where the good ones will come from.” With Ocala Stud's influence running through the March sale's topper top and bottom, Lanni was clearly impressed with the operation. “She comes from a great outfit and they are honest people and I trust them,” he underscored. “And when they breeze one, you never really see one like that. She was special.” When asked if this was his first Win Win Win purchase, Lanni quipped, “I hope she's a win win win.” @CBossTDN Authentic Colt Brings a Cool Million A colt from the first crop of GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic (hip 601) provided a jolt to the early stages of Thursday's final session of the OBS March sale when selling for $1 million to an online bid from John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock. Consigned by Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds, the chestnut worked a furlong last week in :9 4/5. Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo's operation purchased the colt for $260,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “Absolutely stunning physical,” Resolute's Gavin O'Connor said. “His breeze was so fluent and he looked fantastic going a fast time.” Hip 601 | Photos by Z The juvenile is out of stakes-placed Ruby Trust (Smart Strike), a daughter of graded winner Queen of the Catsle (Tale of the Cat). “The cross through Authentic with Into Mischief over Smart Strike and his overall physical would make him a standout in any stallion barn in Kentucky,” O'Connor said. Resolute Bloodstock purchased five juveniles during the OBS March sale, including a $525,000 daughter of American Pharoah (hip 370) and a $500,000 filly by Munnings (hip 453). The result was the first million-dollar sale for Authentic, winner of the 2020 Derby and GI Breeders' Cup Classic. The Spendthrift stallion was represented by a $900,000 colt at last year's Keeneland September sale, as well two $875,000 sons at that sale and a third at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale. Hartley and DeRenzo, who sold the $1.5-million Not This Time colt during Wednesday's session of the March sale, came back later Thursday to sell a filly by Uncle Mo (hip 681) for $600,000 to Seth Morris, as agent for Hit the Bid Stables. The bay was a $290,000 Fasig-Tipton July purchase last summer. @JessMartiniTDN Bernardini Filly to Speedway A filly by Bernardini (hip 613) will be joining Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner's Speedway Stables after bloodstock agent Marette Farrell went to $875,000 to acquire the juvenile from the de Meric Sales consignment early in Thursday's final session of the OBS March sale. Marette Farrell | Photos by Z “She's a beautiful filly,” Farrell said. “Both Peter Fluor and K.C. Weiner were here themselves and they really liked her. And we love the fact she is by Bernardini. She traces to a really good family.” The juvenile is out of graded-placed Salamera (Successful Appeal) and from the family of Grade I runners Piedi Bianchi and Outadore. She was bred by the Eisamans' Eico Ventures, which purchased the mare for $300,000 at the 2016 Keeneland November sale. “She looks super athletic and we think she will come around quickly and they will have a lot of fun with her,” Farrell said of the filly who worked a furlong last week in :10 flat. During Wednesday's second session of the auction, Farrell purchased a colt by Mitole for $725,000 on behalf of Speedway. Both juveniles will be trained by Bob Baffert. @JessMartiniTDN Mori Extends to $800k for Son of Constitution Ever present at North America's major sales in his trademark red jacket, Hideyuki Mori landed a son of Constitution for $800,000 early in Thursday's session at OBS. Consigned by Scanlon Training and Sales, Hip 617 breezed an eighth of a mile in :9.4 last week. “He liked the build of the horse and of course, the most important factor was his performance on the track,” said Hideyuki Mori through an interpreter. “You get good value for the horses here. They are nice and inexpensive. In Japan, the horses are nice too, but expensive. They are also very nice here, but more affordable. That's why he keeps coming back.” Hideyuki Mori | Photos by Z Bred by Don Alberto, the chestnut is out of Argentine multiple group winner Sand Puce (Arg) (Footstepsinthesand). “The intention is to get these horses to the races as early as possible. His horses usually make their debuts early, which is why they can go on to be successful. They're ready to return at three and then target group company. That's how he likes to train the horses he buys here.” The Mar. 23 foal RNA'd for $385,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Sale last summer. A full-brother to the colt, Burden of Proof, sold for $700,000 in Saratoga in 2022. “He was training really well coming in here,” said David Scanlon. “Constitution has also been doing really well, his horses have been doing well. He has proven to show horses getting ready for Classic races. Based on the pedigree and the strength of his work, he was rewarded. “He walked well, he breezed well and is out of a hard-knocking mare. There was a lot of interest in him from all the right parties, so everything lined up.” Also during Thursday's session, Scanlon sold Hip 641, a colt by Liam's Map, for $500,000 to MyRacehorse. @CBossTDN The post $1.8M Win Win Win Filly Leads the Way as Top of the Market Drives Strong March Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Milton Pineda has been suspended 15 years and fined $180,000 plus an additional $15,000 for the cost of arbitrational services by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit. The punishments were posted on HIWU's website March 13. View the full article

The Democrat-controlled New York State Assembly March 14 approved a plan to create a screening and advanced imaging program designed to improve racehorse safety as part of a Cornell University and New York Racing Association partnership.View the full article

A January recommendation by the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority to renovate Pimlico and move the state's racing operations to a state-owned, nonprofit-managed arrangement has taken a significant step toward becoming reality.View the full article

John and Susan Moore's Catnip (Kitten's Joy), beaten less than a length into third by Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Jan. 27, breezed six furlongs in 1:13 at the Fair Grounds Thursday morning in advance of his next appearance in the G1 Dubai Turf at Meydan Mar. 30. “He broke off behind another horse and went on by, finished well and galloped out nicely. Very pleased with the way he went,” said trainer Mike Stidham. The 5-year-old is a four-time winner from his 10 trips to the post, including a victory in the GIII Monmouth S. last summer followed by a narrow runner-up effort in the GI United Nations S. at the Jersey Shore oval. The half-brother to five-time graded winner and five-time GI/G1SP Princess Grace (Karakontie {Jpn}) was returning from a 5 1/2-month layoff in the Pegasus, having finished down the field in the GI Arlington Million last August. Connections could easily have opted for a far easier test in the GII Muniz Memorial S. Mar. 23, but have elected to shoot for the stars in the desert. “We felt like he stepped up in the Pegasus, only got beat 3/4 of a length behind Warm Heart,” Stidham said. “This is a $5-million race and it's another Grade I and although he's a gelding, the Moores still own the mare. So it was kind of an exciting race to consider. We kind of let him tell us based on how he's been doing since the Pegasus. “In my opinion, the horse has moved forward off the Pegasus, he ran a 4 1/2 on the Ragozin sheets, a huge lifetime top for him, and we just kind of felt, 'hey, he's earned a shot,' the trainer continued. “Going over there and challenging the top horses in the world from Japan and Britain and Hong Kong, that's asking a lot, but he just got beat to Warm Heart and she would be considered one of the favorites for a race like this.” The Stidham barn is one-for-one from their trips to Dubai, having been represented by 'TDN Rising Star' and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper) three years ago. “This will be our second try over there,” Stidham said. “The only difference is this time we won't have to wear a mask. We got to go right in the middle of COVID and it was empty and everyone had masks on.” Japanese ace Christophe Lemaire has the call in the Dubai Turf. The post Catnip On Course For Dubai Turf Following Fair Grounds Work appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) has suspended its accreditation of the University of Kentucky's Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, according to the RMTC's executive director, Michael Hardy. This follows news last week that the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) have opened an investigation into the UK Laboratory's performance, and that the agencies were cooperating with the university's own investigation into the matter. The university is also conducting an ongoing personnel investigation relating to former lab director Scott Stanley and that “Dr. Stanley was not permitted to be in direct communication with the other staff at the laboratory,” HISA and HIWU wrote in a joint statement last week. According to Stanley, he stepped down as the UK Lab's director at the beginning of March and has been reassigned within the university. Blood-Horse reported that he had been “removed” from the position. HIWU stopped sending samples to the UK Lab on Feb. 16. Prior to that, the laboratory had been one of six drug testing facilities used under HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program. According to the RMTC's Hardy, his organization alerted the University of Kentucky to the RMTC's laboratory accreditation suspension on Mar. 11. When asked what specific developments had prompted the RMTC to take this action, Hardy pointed to the RMTC's laboratory code of standards, section 2.4.9.2. The document outlines 10 possible considerations that may prompt the RMTC to suspend its accreditation of a laboratory: Accreditation suspensions by international lab oversight bodies. Failure to take appropriate corrective action after unsatisfactory performance either in routine Analytical Testing or in proficiency testing. Failure to comply with any of the requirements or standards listed in an international laboratory accreditation cooperation document. Failure to cooperate with the RMTC or the relevant State Horse Racing Authority in providing requested documentation. Lack of compliance with the RMTC Laboratory Code of Ethics. Major changes in key staff without proper and timely notification to RMTC. Failure to cooperate in any RMTC enquiry in relation to the activities of the Laboratory. Non-compliances identified from laboratory on-site assessments. Loss of financial and administrative support jeopardizing the quality and/or viability of the Laboratory. Material breach of contractual obligation to a State Horse Racing Authority. Hardy declined to elaborate on the nature and severity of the issues identified by the RMTC with operations at the UK Lab. Hardy wrote, however, that “the Horserace Testing Laboratory Committee (HTLC) will, upon receipt, review the laboratory's response and associated corrective actions. Accreditation will not be restored until the laboratory is in full compliance with the Code.” According to the RMTC's code of standards, the “period and terms” of the suspension shall be proportionate to the “seriousness of the non-compliance(s) or lack of performance and the need to ensure accurate and reliable drug testing of Horses.” The RMTC can suspend accreditation for a period of up to six months, according to the code of standards, during which time any problems must be “corrected, documented and reported” to the RMTC at least six weeks before the end of the suspension period. “Delay in submitting the proper corrective actions may lead to an extension of the Suspension period,” the code of standards explains. If the problems are not rectified, laboratory accreditation will be revoked, the document states, “unless an extension, not to exceed two (2) months, is granted by the RMTC.” In a brief phone interview with the TDN, Hardy added that the RMTC has been “very pleased with the response and communication with executive staff at the University of Kentucky regarding the laboratory and have been assured that they are proactively seeking to redeem those requirements.” Since Feb. 16, all samples collected in Kentucky and Florida that previously would have been analyzed by the UK Lab have been redirected to Industrial Laboratories in Colorado. The TDN has reached out to the University of Kentucky for comment. The story will be updated as necessary. Lab accreditation is only one prong of the RMTC, which is also involved in the research, education and advocacy of horse racing's anti-doping and medication control programs. The post RMTC Suspends Accreditation of UK Laboratory appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Michael Guerin Southland’s best harness trainer starts a rare Alexandra Park campaign tonight with two objectives. One is winning either the Northern Derby or Oaks, or both, over the next week. The other is taking three better horses home than the three he flew north. Nathan Williamson has become the dominant force in the harness racing stronghold of Southland, his team often dominating meetings and TAB markets in the deep south. But starting at Alexandra Park tonight things step up a level as he brings Dreams Are Free north to start his Northern Derby campaign while fillies Flying Ellie and Ruby Roe are aimed at next week’s Oaks. Ruby Roe has been so impressive winning two heats of the Southland Oaks her connections have paid the hefty late entry fee to get her into tonight’s $100,000 Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes where she meets a deep field. “All three of mine are good horses who deserve this trip,” says Williamson. “But I am not kidding myself they face an easy task. “Dreams Are Free is still very much learning and he is up against the best of his age and that is hard enough but he also has to learn about Alexandra Park racing while trying to beat them. “So if he races well over the next two Fridays then I will be happy regardless of the results. “Because he will then go home a better horse and ready for what we are hoping will be a big three-year-old season. “So while we want to win, we also want him to come out of this trip have learned about top level racing.” As talented as he looks, Dreams Are Free faces a massive task in tonight’s Sires’ Stakes heat as Chase A Dream has drawn the ace and should probably lead and win and even if he doesn’t Cold Chisel is the obvious danger and clear next best chance. With the Derby next week now worth $200,000 it is hard to imagine many drivers doing anything too dramatic after the early burn so Chase A Dream looks the night’s multi anchor. Ruby Roe meets a red hot field with proven big-race winning fillies in Coastal Babe and Duchess Megxit while there is still no telling how good All You Need Is Me might be. The daughter of champion mare Adore Me was super impressive on her northern debut last week but whether she gets as easy a lead with a gate flyer like Coastal Babe in the race could decide the race. “I know Ruby is stepping up in grade but her best form line for me is that she beat All You Need Is Me when they met, so I think she is up to this field,” says Williamson. “But she will have to handle the right-handed track, the lights of night racing for the first time and a few other things. So it is a big test.” Flying Ellie is a little pro who is using Race 3 tonight as her Oaks lead-up but meets some smart intermediate grade pacers, headed by Jolimont, who will work his way to open class. One of the other highlights tonight will be Old Town Road starting his Race by Grins campaign in yet another small handicap pace field, where even his 30m back mark should be enough to beat him if he is any where near his peak. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Ben Hope hopes logic doesn’t apply when Muscle Mountain returns to racing in the Group 3 Lamb and Hayward Trotters Classic at Addington on Friday night. Muscle Mountain is set down for the first of several outstanding clashes with the horse who currently holds the title of New Zealand’s best trotter – Oscar Bonavena. Logic says Oscar Bonavena should have the wood on Muscle Mountain this week given the All Stars trotter has the benefit of several runs over summer. Muscle Mountain returns fresh up following his shock exit from the Group 1 Dominion with an atrial fibrillation. After a short break, the star trotter returns to start his path towards reclaiming the top spot amongst New Zealand’s trotting ranks. “We are rapt to have him back, it is like Christmas when you get to drive a horse like him,” Hope said. “He seems really well and we are thrilled with the way he has come up.” “Logically you would think that it is Oscar’s race to win, he has had the recent racing where whereas we are coming in fresh.” “Our horse will improve, he will have this race then go to the NZ Trotting Champs and onto the slot race.” “But I am sure that he is ready to go a very good race.” Muscle Mountain has had two trials ahead of his return to square off with Oscar Bonavena on their 30m handicaps. The big striding trotter has won both of them against very moderate opposition. “His trials have been good, he wasn’t asked for much but he did feel really good each time,” Hope said. Midnight Dash also steps out in Friday night’s trotting feature for the Hope stable. The seven-year-old has the benefit of one run back, a third behind Eurokash late last month. The Hope camp also start Mossdale Ben in Friday night’s feature pace. The pacer has been solid recently without threatening. Hope feels getting back on the front line, after chasing from off the pace should help the pacer. “He has been going handy races and getting back on the front line looks a plus for him.” “He should go a pretty good race.” The Hopes also start Jack Tar and Celtic Spirit in race 4 on Friday night. “They both look handy enough chances,” Hope said. “It looks like a bit of a step up for Jack Tar but he has been going nice races.” “Celtic Spirit is going the other way, they both should be handy enough top 4 chances.” View the full article

Resolute Racing has finalized a deal to acquire 'TDN Rising Star' Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah), the operation's owner John Stewart said on X late Wednesday evening. The filly will now be trained by Chad Brown. Sweet Rebecca is bred by Greg Goodman's Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch, who purchased the filly's stakes-winning and Grade II-placed dam Sweet N Discreet (Discreet Cat) for $1.6 million in foal to Liam's Map at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Herself a $250,000 Keeneland September purchase by Cobble View Farm, Sweet Rebecca is a full-sister to Sweet Melania, a three-time winner at the graded level and third in the 2019 GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf. Sent off as the 17-5 third choice as the only first-time starter in a field of nine in the Sunday finale at Gulfstream Park, Sweet Rebecca did not have the smoothest beginning and was taken up soon after the start, then became headstrong rounding the first turn. Well off the speed down the backstretch, the Brendan Walsh-trainee swung out about five wide for the drive and motored home impressively to score by a length, with a final quarter-mile in :22.34 according to DRF Formulator. Sweet Rebecca debuted in the colors of Mike Ryan, who raced her in partnership with Mt. Brilliant for the debut. “I think American Pharoah is one of the most significant broodmare [sires] around,” Stewart told the TDN. “We have several of his fillies. After watching that race and looking at her pedigree, we think she will fit right in with the Resolute program. We can't wait to see what Chad Brown does with her.” Resolute Bloodstock purchased five 2-year-olds at the just-concluded OBS March Sale, including an American Pharoah filly out of the well-related Grade III winner La Cloche (Ghostzapper) for $525,000. Stewart burst onto the scene during last fall's breeding stock sales, acquiring two-time champion Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) for a sales-topping $6 million and Queen Caroline (Blame) and Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) for $3 million each at Fasig-Tipton November. Stewart also purchased Puca (Big Brown), the dam of GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic) and the latter's full-brother Dornoch, for $2.9 million at Keeneland November. Dornoch has since gone on to win the GII Remsen S. and GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth. S. Debut 3YO American Pharoah (@coolmoreamerica) filly, SWEET REBECCA ($8.80), made a huge move after a terrible start to take @GulfstreamPark race 10. A masterful ride by @Tyler_Gaff for trainer Brendan Walsh! @larrycollmus turned $2 into $61.90 with a score in the Pick 4! pic.twitter.com/E33liatyzA — TVG (@TVG) March 10, 2024 The post Resolute Racing Acquires ‘TDN Rising Star’ Sweet Rebecca appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On March 14 Tampa Bay Downs vice president and general manager Peter Berube provided added detail on the decisions the track made when confronted by tote issues during its March 9 card.View the full article

What All-Star Mile Day 2024 Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, March 16, 2024 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble The course proper at Caulfield is the destination for a stacked 10-race meeting on Saturday afternoon, headlined by the lucrative All-Star Mile (1600m). Despite there being no Group racing, the All-Star Mile is ably supported by several Listed events to keep the punters entertained. Perfect track conditions will be met by a perfect autumn’s day. The track is a Good 4, the rail is out 6m the entirety, with action set to commence at 12:15pm AEDT. Keep reading for our free race-by-race tips and quaddie selections for Caulfield Race 1: Listed Victoria Gold Cup (2000m) Carini was only beaten 1.3 lengths in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 2, and as he steps up to the 2000m, he clearly looks the one to beat in the Caulfield opener. The five-year-old gelding has two wins from three starts at 2000m, and gets conditions to suit in the small field of seven on the weekend. Damian Lane will land him on the heels of the leaders throughout, with even luck, Carini should have no issue in disposing of his rivals in the Listed Victoria Gold Cup. Selections: 7 CARINI 3 MURAMASA 5 MANKAYAN 4 GEAR UP Best Bet Race 1 – #7 Carini (5) 5yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Damian Lane (54kg) +100 with Dabble Race 2: VOBIS Gold Reef (1600m) Fistsoffury was the best of the beaten bunch behind rising star Another Wil at Flemington last time out, and gets his chance to go one better on Saturday. Despite being beaten 4.5 lengths, the son of Dundeel still held a comfortable margin back to the in-form Ceerseven in third on that occasion, to suggest his run was still pretty good. Jye McNeil will use barrier one to his advantage and stalk expected race leader Ambassadorial wherever he goes. With even luck in the home straight, Fistsoffury should prove too hard to hold out. Selections: 1 FISTSOFFURY 7 SOCKS NATION 2 AMBASSADORIAL 3 MAGNOLIA LODGE Race 3: BM70 Handicap (1200m) Nick Ryan has always had a high opinion of his classy colt Wolfy, and the Tivaci progeny gets his chance to get back to the winners stall in BM70 company. The three-year-old resumed in Group 3 company when beaten 4.5 lengths behind Raikoke and Brave Mead, so this is a genuine drop back in company for him. With plenty of pace expected in the 1200m event, the race looks perfectly set up for Wolfy to absorb the pace at the rear of the field, and thunder home down the heart of the track. Selections: 10 WOLFY 9 WHITE BEAR 5 FURIOUS 1 KENTUCKY CASANOVA Race 4: VOBIS Gold Comet (1000m) Sparks will fly in the VOBIS Gold Comet and as he steps back from Group 1 company in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), Lempicka looks well-placed in this. With severeal of the key market fancies expected to chop each other up out in front, it will leave Lempicka with the sit on them a fair way out from home. Armed with a thunderous turn of foot, Lempicka should have no issue in overpowering the leaders in smart fashion. Selections: 3 LEMPICKA 6 END JOURNEY 1 JIGSAW 4 VIVIANE Race 5: Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) First Immortal is one of the stayers on the rise in this country, and despite winning once from four starts during the autumn, it was hard to not be impressed with what he put forward. This will be his first raceday start since being beat in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) as favourite. He arguably should have won first-up over the mile during the spring, so despite returning at a trip short of his best, he clearly has the speed in the legs if required to sprint sharply. Blake Shinn will need a touch of luck to not get caught three wide from barrier seven, but if the pair can lob mid-field with cover, First Immortal has plenty of upside in a race like the Listed Anniversary Vase. Selections: 4 FIRST IMMORTAL 1 NUGGET 2 KEATS 6 ARRAN BAY Next Best Race 5 – #4 First Immortal (7) 4yo Gelding | T: Mark & Levi Kavanagh | J: Blake Shinn (55kg) +300 with Bet365 Race 6: Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1100m) Bold Bastille should simply prove too speedy for her rivals in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes on Saturday. She disposed of her rivals at Flemington when producing some slick late splits, and a repeat of that sustained speed should be more than good enough to be winning again on the weekend. Selections: 2 BOLD BASTILLE 1 SKY CAP 7 YES LULU 8 COMANCHE MISS Race 7: The Mystic Journey (1200m) Waltz On By returned with an eye-catching second at Flemington over 1100m and despite her $6 quote with horse racing betting sites, has found the right race to break a winless drought that stretches back almost 12-months. The four-year-old mare has a horror record at the track (6: 0-0-0), but if she runs up to her effort fresh from a spell, she’s a genuine chance in The Mystic Journey. Craig Williams will look to have settled outside lead in a race that lacks much speed, and from there her tactical advantage on some of rivals might just prove to be the determining factor. Selections: 4 WALTZ ON BY 11 PEACE TREATY 2 MY BELLA MAE 1 PAPILLON CLUB Race 8: All-Star Mile (1600m) The All-Star Mile of 2024 looks to be a race in two, with Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni the only two runners at a single figure quote. Can Mr Brightside run down Pride Of Jenni or will their be a major upset in Saturday’s feature? Click here for our full preview of the 2024 All-Star Mile Race 9: Country Mile Series Final (1600m) A capacity field of 16 of the best milers on the country circuit will do battle for the $250,000 Country Mile Series Final. As always, races like these are a genuine dartboard job, Dashing Duchess is the on top selection, but literally any of the 16 combatants can salute in this. Field job in the quaddie for sure. Selections: 7 DASHING DUCHESS 4 HASSELTOFF 5 JUCCONI 1 SIR ATLAS Race 10: Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1200m) Sweet Ride has had zero luck in his three runs this campaign, but has been far from disgraced in tougher races than what he face on Saturday. First-up he was beaten 1.4 lengths behind subsequent Oakleigh Plate winner Queman, then saw plenty of backsides at his next two runs at Caulfield and then again at Moonee Valley. He will need some luck from barrier two, but surely this time around, he can land one off the fence in his bid to find clear running. At his best, Sweet Ride has the class to salute against the likes of Rey Magnerio and Grand Impact. The $17 on offer is simply the wrong price. Selections: 6 SWEET RIDE 3 BRUDENELL 10 GRAND IMPACT 9 REY MAGNERIO Best Value Race 10 – #6 Sweet Ride (2) 4yo Horse | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Thomas Stockdale (57.5kg) +1600 with Picklebet Caulfield free Saturday quaddie tips Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, March 16, 2024 2-4-11 1 Field 3-6-9-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

CHELTENHAM, UK–St Patrick's Thursday at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival could turn out to be a pivotal day in the career of Dan Skelton, with the prize-money pocketed by his two winners–taking his overall tally for the week to four–seeing him leapfrog his long-time mentor Paul Nicholls in the battle to be crowned champion trainer in Britain. Skelton had been the one man to put up any resistance to the Irish on Wednesday's card when winning the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle with Langer Dan (Ire) (Ocovango {GB}) and the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase with Unexpected Party (Fr) (Martaline {GB}). Those two wins took Skelton's career tally at the Festival to eight, no mean feat for a trainer in just his eleventh full season with a licence. It's days like this one which Skelton has been longing for, though. Few would argue that he's one of the best around when it comes to priming a horse for a Festival handicap, but in the Grade 1 races at the meeting, the contests every trainer wants to be involved in, he'd been resigned to little more than a bit-part role in his career thus far. That was until the Turners Novices' Chase which kicked off Thursday's card, featuring the best novices chasers over an intermediate trip that Britain and Ireland had to offer and a sparkling winner in Grey Dawning (Ire). He gained his first win at the top level at the expense of Ginny's Destiny (Ire) (Yeats {Ire}) and Djelo (Fr) (Montmartre {Fr}), with a shocking turn of events seeing the home team complete a clean sweep of the podium places having trailed the Irish 10-3 on the scoreboard after the first two days. With the trainers' championship on the line, it won't have been lost on Skelton that the runner-up was trained by Nicholls, the 14-time champion to whom he was assistant during the glory years when the Ditcheat stable won three successive renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup courtesy of Kauto Star (2007 and 2009) and Denman (2008). Now, Skelton has his sights set on Nicholls's crown, not to mention the 2025 Gold Cup with the dashing Grey Dawning, a son of the late Flemensfirth–Coolmore's dual champion National Hunt sire who has already produced one Gold Cup winner in Imperial Commander (Ire), the horse who memorably toppled Kauto Star and Denman in 2010. “He's a lovely horse, isn't he?” Skelton said of Grey Dawning. “We had such hopes for him. When you go and win two bumpers at the start of your life and you're destined to be a chaser, you just want it to happen. To win a Grade 1 novice here is great. It gives us all that future to look forward to and, being that colour [grey], he might get a following.” Bred at Grange Stud, Grey Dawning was bought for €40,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland June Derby Sale as a three-year-old and now carries the colours of Robert Kirkland, no doubt at the envy of John Hales. After all, nobody covets a top-class jumping grey quite like Hales, the proud owner of star performers in that image such as Al Ferof (Fr), Neptune Collonges (Fr), Politologue (Fr) and, of course, his beloved One Man (Ire). It remains Hales's dream to win the Gold Cup, one of the few major steeplechases in Britain to have eluded him, and it was that lifetime ambition which fuelled his decision to partner with Sir Alex Ferguson, Ged Mason and Peter Done in the €740,000 purchase of the exciting Caldwell Potter (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) at last month's Caldwell Construction Dispersal at Tattersalls Ireland. The fact Caldwell Potter was grey might also have had something to do with it, though Hales hasn't been afraid to diversify his interests, as the two races which followed Grey Dawning's victory in the Turners showed. Envy quickly turned to joy for Hales as his own yellow colours with a red star were first carried to victory in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle by the black Monmiral (Fr) and then in the G1 Ryanair Chase by the bay Protektorat (Fr), who was gaining a deserved first success at the Festival having finished third in 2022 and fifth in 2023 when bidding to deliver his owner's Gold Cup dream. The victory of the Nicholls-trained Monmiral was a timely reminder that he won't be giving up his champion trainer crown without a fight, but Protektorat's defeat of defending Ryanair champion Envoi Allen (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}) was enough to take Skelton to the top of the current standings. Master and apprentice look set to be locked in a titanic battle for the rest of the season, but on St Patrick's Thursday they combined to provide a red-letter day for Hales, plus fellow owners Ferguson and Mason. “I've been in racing now for 25 years and it's the first time I've ever done a double at Cheltenham,” said an elated Hales. “To win once is a privilege; to do it twice is just unbelievable. He [Protektorat] was brilliant today and I can't speak highly enough of the two trainers and our two winners, because they are a dream come true.” The dream run Ferguson and Mason have enjoyed in recent months shows no signs of slowing down. Thursday's double follows hot on the heels of two notable Flat wins on the international stage with Ferguson's progressive homebred Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), successful in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia from his last three starts. Not to be outdone, Ferguson's former sparring partner in the Premier League managerial ranks, Harry Redknapp, was also among the owners celebrating on St Patrick's Thursday after the Ben Pauling-trained Shakem Up'Arry (Ire) had run out an emphatic winner of the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase. “To have a winner at the Cheltenham Festival has been my dream,” said Redknapp before being asked about his relationship with Ferguson. “Me and Alex have had some great days,” he added. “Going to Old Trafford I used to go in his office at 2.15pm when the teams had been sent out and we would then watch a bit of racing for 15 minutes. We both loved the racing and we both loved the football. It is great to see him have two winners today.” The win of Shakem Up'Arry was a third at the meeting for Flemensfirth after those of Ballyburn (Ire) and Grey Dawning, putting him one ahead of Haras de la Tuilerie stalwart Saint Des Saints (Fr), who was responsible for both Monmiral and Protektorat. Already that pair have at least matched the feat of Shantou last year when he was the only stallion to sire more than one winner at the meeting. Elsewhere, Kapgarde (Fr) was expected to open his account at the 2024 Festival when his impeccably-bred daughter Brighterdaysahead (Fr) lined up as the odds-on favourite for the G2 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle, trying to add another illustrious chapter to the tale of Francois-Marie Cottin's brilliant broodmare Matnie (Fr) (Laveron {GB}). Already the dam of five Graded winners from as many foals, including the multiple Grade 1 hero Mighty Potter (Fr) (Martaline {Fr}) and the aforementioned Caldwell Potter, Matnie looked to have produced another star in the shape of Brighterdaysahead, who came into the race unbeaten in five starts under Rules having been bought by Gordon Elliott for €310,000 at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale as a three-year-old. This time, however, Brighterdaysahead was forced to settle for the runner-up spot as she was unable to match the turn of foot shown by Jeremy Scott's Flat-bred winner, Golden Ace (GB). She was making it five on the day for Britain and became a first Festival winner for Golden Horn (GB), the G1 Derby and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero who relocated to Overbury Stud to stand his first season as a National Hunt sire in 2023. Golden Ace is out of the Listed-winning Dubawi (Ire) mare Deuce Again (GB) but made only 12,000gns when selling as an unraced three-year-old at the Tattersalls July Sale. Yet to taste defeat in three starts over hurdles, Golden Ace is proving quite the bargain for owner Ian Gosden, not to mention a flagbearer for Scott. He was celebrating a first Festival success following a couple of near-misses in a training career spanning more than two decades, notably with Dashel Drasher (GB) (Passing Glance {GB}) in last year's G1 Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle. “It's an emotional moment,” said Scott. “I thought last year coming second with dear old Dashel Drasher was something, but this is very, very, very special. I'm so thrilled for the yard and for my family, who are all involved. It's a super moment.” Dashel Drasher could manage only eighth in the latest edition of the Stayers' Hurdle behind old rival Teahupoo (Fr) (Masked Marvel {GB}), who finished a controversial third in 2023 having met late interference at the hands of the runner-up. The stewards on the day promoted Teahupoo to second before Dashel Drasher was reinstated on appeal. This year it was all rather routine for Teahupoo, who gradually asserted after being produced to lead on the approach to the last, always doing enough from there to land the spoils by three and three-quarter lengths from the 2021 and 2022 winner Flooring Porter (Ire) (Yeats {Ire}). Knocking on the door earlier in the week and again with Brighterdaysahead in the Dawn Run, Elliott cut a relieved figure afterwards, safe in the knowledge that he won't be leaving Cheltenham empty-handed. “It's just great to get a winner–we've hit the crossbar all week,” Elliott summed up. “The horses are running well and there are no excuses and no hard-luck stories either, but to win the Stayers' Hurdle is just unbelievable. It's been a long couple of days, but no horse didn't win that should have won. We've one on the board now, so we are happy.” The post Skelton Takes Trainers’ Championship Lead As Brits Fight Back appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets are now on sale for the 2024 Horse Racing Women's Summit (HRWS) Annual Summit and HRWS Events. Events at Keeneland (Apr. 18) and at Saratoga (July 23) kick off the year, all leading up to the third annual Horse Racing Women's Summit at Santa Anita Sept. 25-26. There will be another gathering prior to the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar Oct. 31. Attendance at each event is limited and it is expected that events will sell out. Click here to purchase tickets. “Coming into our third year of the HRWS, it is incredible with the encouragement of our supporters, sponsors, and volunteers that we can expand our reach nationally,” said Jodie Vella-Gregory, HRWS executive committee member. “With a tremendous lineup of events from California to Kentucky to New York, the momentum is palpable and we are excited to bring robust programming and a sense of community to multiple jurisdictions.” Programming for the regional events at Keeneland and Saratoga includes featured speakers, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities on topics relevant to the region and the HRWS community as a whole. Attendees at the Keeneland event will have the option to 'stay and play' on Apr. 19 for special farm tours in conjunction with Visit Horse Country, and Saratoga attendees are invited to 'stay and play' for a day of racing in the 1863 Club on July 24. Each event has been planned in conjunction with regional representatives to allow for authentic expansion and connection within the HRWS community. The third annual Horse Racing Women's Summit Sept. 25-26 will be highlighted by a powerful keynote in addition to robust panel discussions, workshops and a celebration of the 2024 Jane Goldstein Award winner. In addition to a full day of programming on Sept. 26, attendees will gather at Santa Anita Park for a welcome reception and networking activity the evening of Sept. 25 and have the opportunity to 'stay and play' on Sept. 27 for opening day of the autumn meet. The post Tickets On Sale For Horse Racing Women’s Summit appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sprinting sensation Highfield Princess has been retired after suffering an injury at John and Sean Quinn's stable in Malton.View the full article

HISA is inviting all racing participants who wish to be considered for membership in the advisory group to submit an application.View the full article

An auction of 10 original hand-painted bourbon barrels by Lexington, Ky. artists will raise funds for the Fayette Alliance at The Jockey Bar at 131 Cheapside in downtown Lexington. 'Art, Ales, and Advocacy' is a charitable event hosted by The Jockey on May 10, where the 10 horse racing-themed, hand-painted barrels will be auctioned. The proceeds will benefit the Fayette Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable and equitable growth in Lexington-Fayette County through advocacy, education, and research. The event is presented by the Lexington Event Company, with support from Alltech Brewing and Longwood Antique Woods, and promises an evening brimming with art, entertainment, and philanthropy. The 10 barrels will be unveiled at the bar March 15 at 5 p.m. at an event where the artists will be on hand to discuss their work. TDN cartoonist Remi Bellocq is one of the artists chosen to participate. “Just when I thought I'd drawn or painted on every conceivable surface, an old bourbon barrel found its way to my home studio needing a paint job!” said Bellocq. “I'm very honored to have been selected as one of 10 Lexington-area artists commissioned.” Tickets for the May 10 event, where the winning bidders will be announced, go live at 4 a.m. Friday, March 15, coinciding with the day of the art unveiling, and may be purchased online here. The barrel auction is a live auction, with no online bidding. Bidders must be present at The Jockey Bar on May 10 to bid. The post Remi Bellocq Original Featured Among Jockey Bar Barrel Art Auction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A filly from the first crop of Grade I victor Win Win Win brought a sale-topping bid of $1.8 million from bloodstock agent Donato Lanni, bidding on behalf of Amr Zedan, late in Thursday's final session of the OBS March sale. Bred and consigned by the O'Farrell family's Ocala Stud, the bay filly announced her presence at last week's under tack show with a track-record equaling quarter-mile work in :20 1/5. She is out of Unanimity (Union Rags) and from the family of Discreet Cat. The post Win Win Win Filly Brings $1.8 Million at OBS appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Stronach Group has entered into a 'binding commitment' to donate Pimlico Race Course to the state of Maryland, a move that will allow the state to take over operations at the track, the Baltimore Banner reported Thursday afternoon. According to the report, the transfer could occur as early as this summer, per state officials, with the state taking over racing operations in 2025. The report says that the transfer will enable the state of Maryland to earmark hundreds of millions of dollars towards modernizing the track as well as the construction of a new training center at a location yet to be determined. On Thursday, a bill was introduced in the Maryland General Assembly that would pave the way for the construction and for the state to run racing in the state on a daily basis. “This is a new day … We get to bet on ourselves. We're going to control our own destiny,” said Baltimore attorney Greg Cross, who heads a state authority that came up with the plan and negotiated the deal with The Stronach Group, told the Banner. The post Report: The Stronach Group Agrees To Donate Pimlico To State of Maryland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article