Wandering Eyes

Orchestral and Craig Grylls stride to a phenomenal victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on Saturday. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) Roger James is now the most successful trainer in the history of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), but even that enormous achievement was overshadowed at Ellerslie on Saturday by the new superstar of his Cambridge stable. Orchestral became the sixth Derby winner for James, following on from Tidal Light (1986), Roysyn (1995), Zonda (1997), Hades (1999) and Silent Achiever (2012). Saturday’s win took him one ahead of the great Colin Jillings, who had previously shared the record with five. But for James, Saturday’s $1 million classic was all about Orchestral. The super-talented Savabeel filly outclassed her 16 opponents by three and three-quarter lengths, having won the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) by three and a half lengths and the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) by four lengths in her two previous starts. 2024 New Zealand Derby Replay – Orchestral “I’m relieved, elated, awestruck,” said James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood. “She just has an abundance of ability. She could be the next star, I think.” The Derby has been a difficult race for fillies to win, and Orchestral joined Tidal Light, Popsy, Silent Achiever and Habibi as only the fifth to do so in the last 40 years. Three of them have been trained by James. Orchestral’s breathtaking lead-up performances made her one of the hottest Derby favourites in recent memory at $1.30. Despite a slow start and settling all the way back in fourth-last in a strung-out field, James was never worried. “I’ve been lucky enough to have had a lot of runners in this race, and I said to Robert when they went out that I don’t think I’ve ever had one parade better out the back,” he said. “She just never missed a beat. She was cool, calm and collected. “I wasn’t worried when she got so far back in the running. There was a lot of pace on, and I thought she’d outstay them. Pace makes the race. The best horse usually wins when there’s a good pace in the race. “It was very, very special when she went to the lead the way she did in the straight.” Orchestral was ridden by Craig Grylls, who had previously won the Derby aboard Crown Prosecutor (2019) and Rocket Spade (2021). But his feeling as the filly moved through her gears coming up to the home turn was something unlike he had ever felt before in this famous race. “I wasn’t planning to be as far back as we were, but she didn’t get away that cleanly,” he said. “But there was plenty of speed on, which was good. At about the 1000m, I got on the three-wide train that was moving into the race. “Passing the 600m, I just brought her out into the open and I could see them all coming off the bridle in front of me, and I just had a handful of horse. She’s some animal. “It’s great for Roger and Robert and the owners, and a big thanks to them for keeping me on. She’s the best of those three Derby winners I’ve ridden, and I think she could be one of the best I’ve ever sat on.” Wellwood took special satisfaction from Saturday’s win, joining his mentor James as a New Zealand Derby-winning trainer. “It’s almost more of a relief,” he said. “When you have a $1.30 favourite, there’s so much pressure. The team at home have done a massive job. To get a result like this just makes it all worth it, and it’s unbelievable. “I was still eight years away from being born when Roger won his first Derby. He’s been doing this for a while now, and I’m so grateful to be in partnership with him. He’s taught me a lot. “Results like this are very special, and especially for owners who trust us to buy them a horse and spend the money that we did. It makes it pretty easy to wake up in the morning.” Orchestral became the 33rd individual Group 1 winner for champion Waikato Stud stallion Savabeel, and his first New Zealand Derby winner. James is now setting his sights across the Tasman, where Orchestral could contest the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m). James and Wellwood won last year’s Vinery with another high-class performer, Prowess. Horse racing news View the full article

Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) winner Drakaina striding to a commanding maiden win last December. Photo: Monica Toretto Drakaina’s commanding victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui completed a remarkable rise to prominence for a filly that was bought for just $3,000. The daughter of Ace High caught the eye of her trainer and part-owner Ebony Turner on Gavelhouse last year. She was unplaced on debut at Ascot Park in November, then won at +4900 odds at Gore on December 24 before finishing fourth in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and second in last month’s Listed Dunedin Guineas (1400m). Drakaina stepped out as a +450 second favourite for Saturday’s NZB Airfreight Stakes, and she continued her rapid rise with a runaway win. Jockey Jasmine Fawcett drove Drakaina forward from a wide gate and took an early lead, but then was happy to settle in second when The Real Treasure made a big mid-race move to take over in the back straight. Drakaina cruised back up on the outside of that rival coming towards the home turn, but she was being accompanied every step of the way by the riderless Amiinit, who had parted company with jockey Lee Callaway when the gates opened. The riderless horse drifted across towards the rail just in front of Drakaina at the top of the home straight, but she was unfazed and produced a brilliant turn of foot to dash clear of the rest of the field. Drakaina got further and further in front through the final 200m, dashing to victory by six and a half lengths over Sense Of Timing and Epee Beel. The NZB Airfreight Stakes was the first stakes success for the Riverton-based Turner, who is in only her second season of training. Fawcett, who had her first ride on Drakaina in Saturday’s $80,000 feature, was delighted to play her part. “I hadn’t ridden her before, but my agent (Jacob Edens) had a good opinion of her previous form and was keen for me to ride her,” she said. “I was really glad I ended up on the right horse. “This filly gave me a fantastic feel and it was a great performance. It was a good-quality field today and she proved she was definitely up to stakes standard. I thought the loose horse made it an even more impressive performance – that didn’t make it easy for her at all, but she handled everything really well and then put them away very convincingly in the straight.” Horse racing news View the full article

Atishu ridden by Blake Shinn wins the Blamey Stakes at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) On return to her favourite track, Atishu (+300) has taken out the Group 2 Blamey Stakes thanks to a calm ride from Blake Shinn at Flemington, earning herself a run in the $4 million All Star Mile in two weeks’ time. The Chris Waller-trained mare was coming through the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes form, where she was only able to one of the nine runners’ home over 1400m, but many believed she would enjoy further second-up, and they were correct. The race favourite with most online bookmakers settled a lot closer to the leaders than she normally does, but it didn’t affect her finishing burst, as the daughter of Savabeel rounded her rivals up by the 100m mark and kicked clear. Holymanz (+1000) attempted to go with the winner and stuck on well for second, while Ayrton (+650) ran home nicely and grabbed third place in the concluding stages of the race. With the Australian Cup on the cards and the All-Star Mile now a possibility, Waller and connections will have to weigh up their options as to where they will go next with Atishu. 2024 Blamey Stakes Replay – Atishu “She’s a genuine group one performer and she absolutely loves it here at Flemington,” Duckworth said of Atishu. “Looking back it’s a fantastic ride from Blake and delighted to get the win, she’s obviously a valuable horse and the main thing is she’s racing in a rich of vein of form which is great to see after what looked on face value a slightly disappointing first up performance for her. “Obviously we know she’s a filly that has had a share of issues in the barriers and a result we’ve always been riding her conservative and she’s been finishing off so well in that position so I was a little bit concerned when he was so assertive out of the gates. “It’s all well and good if you win, but if you don’t then there are questions to be asked. “She looked to get into a lovely rhythm and travel tractably in that position and Blake, I think was very soft on her really up until the concluding stages when he had to ask an effort for her to lift. “I know it’s (All Star Mile) obviously sitting right there and especially now you’re in essentially. “I know Chris’ main thoughts were, at the start of the preparation, were to try and take out the Australian Cup, that was the big ticket item that he was after, but look, five million is a lot of money. “I’ll leave that to Chris and the owners to work out whether they go there or go straight to an Australian Cup but it’s an exciting issue to have.” “She began really well, no tempo early, just rolled forward, it was going to be a bit messy, ended up coming back, got a bit of luck to get in, the rest was history,” Shinn said. “I got in one out, two back on the back of Holymanz I thought the race was ours to win, it was a great effort. “Really grateful for the opportunity, these mares are wonderful to ride when you can get a chance to ride them and they’re just different level. “They’ve got a great will to win and even when she ran second to Pride Of Jenni in that mare’s mile here, I just loved her grit and I could see that today. “The more I asked her the more she responded well, lovely mare, second up, in for a great prep and hopefully I can stay with her now.” Atishu is a +1200 chance in the All Star Mile futures market with online horse betting sites. Horse racing news View the full article

Hell Hath No Fury arrived in time to claim the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW The Annabel Neasham-trained Hell Hath No Fury (+900) has lunged late to secure victory in the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Hellbent had been putting together a strong resume this campaign, scoring back-to-back wins in BM72 company, giving the stable license to throw her in the deep end to tackle her first stakes contest at start 16. She adapted to the occasion beautifully, courtesy of an outstanding steer by leading hoop Jason Collett finding the perfect stalking position throughout the 1400m. It was Miss Couver (+2500) initially looking to make-all under Chad Schofield, ticking along at a solid tempo, with James McDonald moving alongside to sit outside the leader aboard race favourite Hinged (+180). The Chris Waller-trained mare was able to dispatch her leading rival when asked for the ultimate effort, and appeared to be travelling best when the wire was approaching, however, it was Hell Hath No Fury getting the last crack, getting the nose down on the wire. More Secrets (+600) produced a promising return and didn’t have much luck when attempting to get clear running under Zac Lloyd, while big market firmer Ausbred Flirt (+230) was a non-factor after bombing the start significantly. 2024 Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes Replay – Hell Hath No Fury Aaron Chau was on course to dissect the win on behalf of the Annabel Neasham team and was delighted by the performance of the in-form mare. “She’s a mare in form and she was doing a good job all preparation,” said Chau. “We came here more hopefully she’d run a nice race but it is brilliant to get the job done. “She’s continued to improve. We were finding a bit about her after coming from Melbourne.” Jason Collett was jovial about the performance as well, and although maybe unexpected, was happy to have his mount secure the photo finish. “I actually said to James (McDonald), ‘thanks’,” joked Collett. “I was assuming that I won it but for a moment I thought I might have gone too early. “A bit of black type for this mare, but probably not the results the owners were expecting. “Days like these are special. “I was hoping to run a place, to be honest but when she loomed up outside Hinged, I was up for the fight.” The next logical target would be the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) on March 16 where online bookmakers have installed her as a +2500 chance. Horse racing news View the full article

Tropical Squall claimed the Group 1 Surround Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW Tropical Squall (+700) has returned after a 114-day spell to secure Group 1 glory for the second time in her career in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday afternoon. The daughter of Prized Icon had previously had Group 1 success in the Flight Stakes (1600m) last preparation, stamping her authority against the girls by producing another dominant front-running display. That was clearly the stable instructions again on Saturday, with the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained filly allowed to stride forward by Adam Hyronimus, holding off all challengers in the concluding stages. Chad Schofield was able to gain the perfect economical run aboard race favourite Learning To Fly (+260), who didn’t seem to have the same scintillating turn-of-foot as she did first up in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m), only managing a fourth-place finish. It was a race dominated up on speed, with Tropical Squall ticking over some soft sectionals throughout, allowing eventual runner-up Stefi Magnetica (+1400) to sneak up along the inside to make it a grandstand finish. Meanwhile, the Chris Waller-trained Tutta La Vita (+10000) has seemingly returned in good order, rounding out the top three and giving exotics players plenty to cheer about. It was all honours the winner, however, as Tropical Squall did it the tough way on resumption, eyeing off bigger targets in the autumn. 2024 Group 1 Surround Stakes Replay – Tropical Squall Adrian Bott spoke with media post-race for the second time on Saturday after Storm Boy saluted in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) earlier in the day and suggested the team’s filly has returned better than ever. She’s a classy filly as we saw previously,” said Bott. “She had come back so much bigger and stronger this preparation so I was confident that she would be in for a good preparation. “Just the way the track was playing today, we lost a little bit of confidence against horses with race fitness but it was fantastic to see so it is only up from here. “I thought she might be vulnerable in the conditions and the 1400-metres first-up. “We will probably go through the Coolmore path and assess. She had to do that today to warrant going down the Coolmore path. “The Vinery is an option and she is nominated for the Doncaster. There’s plenty of options.” Adam Hyeronimus spoke to the quality of his mount and seemed to suggest she’ll only improve getting over further later in the season. “It has been a huge 12 months – crazy, unbelievable,” said Hyeronimus. “She’s very good, this horse. After winning the Flight Stakes we tried to go to the Oaks and that can be very difficult for three-year-old fillies but she came back and she really took some time to find her feet this preparation but her improvement from her first trial to her second trial, and her work from that second trial was very good. “Very happy the way she worked last Saturday morning and it was probably the best she’s ever worked. “That gave me great confidence coming to the track today. I wasn’t happy with the conditions today but it just shows how good she is and what she had to overcome. “I think probably a mile is her sweet spot because she’s got a beautiful high cruising speed and I think that is where she does win her races. “She’s got great gate speed so you don’t have to push her to be anywhere but then once we go a furlong and she can go a nice gallop, but then when she gets to the 600 and you put the pressure on again, not many horses can do that.” Tropical Squall is currently an equal-second favourite for the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) set to take place on March 16. Horse racing news View the full article

Australian expecting big things from commanding Classic Mile victor at Sha Tin on Sunday: ‘There’s no question he’s the best horse in the race’View the full article

The newly christened Verry Elleegant Stakes, named in honour of the recently deceased champion mare, witnessed a stunning upset on Saturday at Randwick. Think It Over wins 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes in a boil-over. Photo: Steve Hart. Think It Over, trained by Kerry Parker and ridden by Nash Rawiller, defied the odds to claim victory over heavily favored Fangirl, trained by Chris Waller. The race carried extra weight this year, serving as a tribute to Verry Elleegant’s legacy. Waller, aiming for an emotional 11th win in the renamed race, entered Fangirl, the recent Apollo Stakes winner, as the clear favourite. However, it was the veteran stayer Think It Over who stole the show. In a performance reminiscent of his upset win over Fangirl last year at the same track and distance in the $1 million 7 Stakes, Think It Over held off Fangirl’s late charge to secure the victory. Rawiller’s masterful riding played a key role in the upset. He strategically positioned Think It Over near the front fourth the fence, conserving energy staying on the inside line before a powerful surge once in the lead. This tactical ride allowed him to snatch the front and maintain it until the finish line, with Fangirl just a length behind. This impressive win not only serves as a sweet victory for Think It Over but also positions him as a serious contender for the upcoming Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 13th. Trainer Kerry Parker couldn’t hide his delight, calling Think It Over “a bottler” and “the best.” He emphasized the horse’s continued passion for racing despite his eight years. “Everyone thinks he’s a giant-killer, I just think he’s a giant,” Parker said. “I think they’ve got to get past him and he has proved that again today. “Nash took some short cuts, I’m sure that helped at the end, but he really bounced off his first-up run and I was looking forward to the challenge today. “It’s always good to get a Group One under your belt.” “He’s just a bottler. He doesn’t know he is an eight-year-old, he is loving it. “He will just head towards the Queen Elizabeth, that’s our main goal this prep, so far so good.” “He is just a thrill, he’s the best. He loves racing so much. “You wouldn’t think he’s an eight-year-old, he doesn’t think he’s an eight-year-old. He kept us on our toes down in the stalls today, he was in a bit of a mood. He’s had the game face on all week. “I’m absolutely thrilled with the result. With this win, Think It Over adds to his already impressive career earnings, nearing $9 million. He now sets his sights on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, aiming to continue his winning streak and potentially cement his legacy as a champion in his own right. 2024 Verry Elleegant Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 1 THINK IT OVER Kerry Parker Nash Rawiller 2 59kg $8.50 2 9 FANGIRL Chris Waller James McDonald 0.82L 8 57kg $1.30F 3 7 LINDERMANN Chris Waller Tim Clark 2.54L 4 59kg $14 4 2 CASCADIAN (GB) James Cummings Tom Marquand 2.86L 7 59kg $21 5 3 ARAPAHO (FR) Bjorn Baker Zac Lloyd (a) 4.74L 6 59kg $81 6 8 ATHABASCAN (FR) John O’Shea Tyler Schiller 6.44L 5 59kg $101 7 6 NAVAJO PEAK David Payne Jason Collett 7.68L 3 59kg $18 8 5 JUST FINE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Regan Bayliss 11.21L 1 59kg $13 10 ATISHU (NZ) Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 0 4 BUCKAROO (GB) Chris Waller Tommy Berry 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Think It Over Upsets Fan Favourite in Thrilling Verry Elleegant Stakes 2024 Victory appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Smart four-year four-year-old mare Sans Doute recorded her third victory in succession when successful in the Resimax Group Plate (1100m) at Flemington on Saturday. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt was game after over-coming a checkered-passage in a small field of five to score going away. Prepared by Mark Walker out of Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable, the mare will be aimed at black-type to further enhance her residual value. She has now won her past three at Flemington. “It’s really difficult to do, winning three in a row, especially at Flemington, but she’s shown to love the course and is continuing to establish a really good sprinting record,” Walker said. “Ben (Gleeson) and the team are doing a very good job with her at our Cranbourne stable. “When we sent her over we thought she would be ideal for those 1000 and 1100-metre races and there’s so many more opportunities in Victoria for those types of races than we have in New Zealand. “It’s a benefit for our owners too, seeing all the different types of races that our horses are suitable for and obviously there’s fantastic stake money as well. “I think she’s only going to keep getting better with age and we’re really looking forward to chasing some Australian black type with her, and add to her Group Three placing in New Zealand.” Sans Doute placed in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at three, and her victory on Saturday advanced her career record to six wins and five placings from 14 starts. Sans Doute was purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2021 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud. View the full article

Manaal returned a winner in the Sweet Embrace Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW After having her colours slightly lowered by the Blue Diamond Stakes runner-up (Lady Of Camelot), Manaal (+100) has returned to the winner’s circle by taking out the Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes at Rosehill. The Michael Freedman-trained filly was well backed throughout betting and jumped as an even money favourite with top online horse betting sites, with her followers receiving a relatively easy watch throughout the 1200m contest. The daughter of Tassort jumped well and held a position behind the speed before Tommy Berry pushed the favourite out four and five-wide on the home turn to make her run in the final 400m. Once Berry released the brakes and she let down with her finishing burst, the race was just about over as she careered away to take the lead, with only Fly Fly (+700) taking ground off her in the final 100m. Behind the top two, Extreme Diva (+1100) finished the race strongly, after settling near the rear of the field and picking her way through the pack. 2024 Sweet Embrace Stakes Replay – Manaal Michael Freedman was on course to speak about his filly post-race. “She is one of the better fillies around, whether they can stack up against the colts remains to be seen,” Freedman said. “She did it Gimcrack day, it was a great run first-up against Lady Of Camelot and it was good to see her do that today. “We thought we could come here and get the job done, we’ll have a think about the Slipper. “She is so straightforward, she has got the perfect two-year-old mentality. “She’s a great ‘doer’ at home, she is very relaxed with everything she does and her racing style is very relaxed. “It’s exciting times now, but I’m excited for what the future might hold for her too.” Tommy Berry has ridden Manaal at her three starts to date and he spoke highly of her post-race. “She’s a filly that you don’t want to ask her a question because you’ll get a pretty good answer, and it isn’t always the one you want. “She wears her heart on her sleeve. It was a good run today. “I don’t know whether she’s a 12 or 1300-metre horse yet so I didn’t really want to ask her the question and then get her to try and relax. “I rode her quieter today, got her to relax and banked on her turn-of-foot and her quality as well. “Going into this race we thought she was a class above and the proved that today. “If she went that way (towards the Golden Slipper), she’d be very competitive, and she feels to me that once she gets up further she might be better suited.” Manaal is now a +1600 chance in the Golden Slipper futures market with online bookmakers. Horse racing news View the full article

The Michael Freedman-trained Manaal emerged victorious in the 2024 Sweet Embrace Stakes, securing her place in the prestigious Golden Slipper Stakes on March 23rd. Manaal wins the 2024 Sweet Embrace Stakes for the punters on way to the Group 1 Golden Slipper. Photo: Steve Hart. This win marks Manaal’s second career victory, following her Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes win last year. Today’s performance follows closely behind her impressive runner-up finish to Lady Of Camelot in the Group 3 Widden Stakes, which was further strengthened by Lady Of Camelot’s strong second-place finish in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes last weekend. Jockey Tommy Berry navigated Manaal expertly, settling her mid-field and taking control with a powerful surge in the straight. She displayed impressive resilience, holding off the fast-finishing Fly Fly to secure victory. While facing stiff competition from the undefeated colt Storm Boy, the current Golden Slipper favourite, Manaal has proven her capabilities. “I jumped well but jumped a bit too well. She’s a filly that you don’t want to ask her a question because you’ll get a pretty good answer and it isn’t always the one you want,” Berry told the media post-victory. “She wears her heart on her sleeve. It was a good run today. She jumped better than I expected and she wanted to be a little bit closer than I wanted her to be. “I don’t know whether she’s a 12 or 1300-metre horse yet so I didn’t really want to ask her the question and then get her to try and relax. “I rode her quieter today, got her to relax and banked on her turn-of-foot and her quality as well. “Going into this race we thought she was a class above and the proved that today. “She did a good job today, picked them up quick and was a class above them. They’re not the best we’ve seen (so far) heading into a Slipper. “She gave me a very similar feel to what She’s Extreme did and she won – I think – a week out from the Slipper. Then she was unlucky in the Slipper, second in the Sires’ and then won the Champagne. “She gives me that sort of feel. I know she won well today but I think the two-year-olds she was up against might not be as strong as what the colts were today. “If she went that way (towards the Golden Slipper), she’d be very competitive and she feels to me that once she gets up further she might be better suited.” She will strive to become the first horse since Fireburn (2022) to achieve the Sweet Embrace Stakes – Golden Slipper Stakes double, with her all-in odds currently sitting at $17 through Ladbrokes. 2024 Sweet Embrace Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 1 MANAAL Michael Freedman Tommy Berry 6 55.5kg $2.05F 2 11 FLY FLY Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes Jason Collett 1.17L 11 55.5kg $7 3 6 EXTREME DIVA Anthony Cummings Chad Schofield 2.32L 12 55.5kg $13 4 4 CHATEAU MIRAVAL Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 3.03L 7 55.5kg $5.50 5 12 DIDDLE DUMPLING Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou Regan Bayliss 3.43L 2 55.5kg $41 6 3 TOTOKA Paul Perry Dylan Gibbons (a) 3.89L 9 55.5kg $21 7 5 PHOTOGRAPHICS (NZ) John Sargent Kerrin McEvoy 4.7L 3 55.5kg $13 8 9 VALABING David Payne Adam Hyeronimus 6.48L 10 55.5kg $91 9 7 WAVE BREAKER Peter & Paul Snowden Tyler Schiller 7.94L 4 55.5kg $8.50 10 10 ASTERIDE Robert & Luke Price Ashley Morgan 10.55L 8 55.5kg $101 11 13 MONTANA DAWN John Thompson Reece Jones 10.65L 5 55.5kg $101 12 14 ZOUNAKA John Thompson Tom Marquand 11.85L 1 55.5kg $71 8 DRIFTING Peter & Paul Snowden Tom Sherry 0 2 CASTANYA Annabel Neasham Zac Lloyd (a) 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Manaal Books Golden Slipper Berth After 2024 Sweet Embrace Stakes Win appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

The hype surrounding Storm Boy, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott‘s sensational colt, intensified after his effortless victory in the 2024 Skyline Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Storm Boy wins 2024 Skyline Stakes on way to Group 1 Golden Slipper. Photo: Steve Hart. The Justify son, already the centre of attention pre-race, lived up to his billing, claiming the Group 2 Skyline Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion. This win extends his undefeated streak to four victories in four starts. Storm Boy last displayed his brilliance at the Gold Coast in January, winning the lucrative Magic Millions 2YO Classic by a commanding 2.5 lengths. Returning fresh for the Skyline, he continued his dominance under jockey James McDonald. McDonald utilized the inside draw to secure the lead early and maintained control throughout the race. A gentle nudge in the final furlong solidified his lead, and Storm Boy crossed the finish line comfortably ahead of the pack. “He’s as good as you get. He’s strong, he knows he’s really good and the more you ask him the more he keeps giving,” McDonald told the media after the victory. “You don’t get many fields coming up the rise and quickening like he does by himself. If feel like if one joined him he would go again. “He just idled. You could see him down the middle of the track, fishtailed a little bit through greenness but there is so much more to come and that is the scary thing about him. “Fitness-wise he’s going to improve so I felt like he levelled out over the last 50 metres. The most impressive thing is I think he’s got more to come and more to give. “Until he gets into a high pressure race, I think that is when you’ll see a fair dinkum horse. He felt like he could rip away and he’s got more to give. “He’s got the constitution of a big strong boy, he’s got the lungs on him. It felt like i was going fast up the rise and he goes faster. It is an incredible feeling.” Stablemate Prost secured a distant second, while Chris Waller‘s Duvana finished third. This dominant performance has solidified Storm Boy’s position as the raging favourite for the Group 1 Golden Slipper Stakes in three weeks’ time. His all-in odds have significantly shortened to $2.40 at Ladbrokes, making him the clear frontrunner in the race. Storm Boy aims to become the first horse since Dance Hero (2004), also trained by Gai Waterhouse, to achieve the Skyline Stakes – Golden Slipper Stakes double. With a record of seven previous Golden Slipper champions, the Tulloch Lodge team, led by Waterhouse and Bott, looks poised to add another victory to their legacy with Storm Boy. Bott also confirmed the Group 1 Inglis Sires’ (1400m) and Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) as autumn targets for Storm Boy post-Golden Slipper. “We’ve had to prepare for the Golden Slipper, but we’ve got big targets for the Triple Crown as well,” he said. “I’d like to think he is only going to be better suited getting over the 1400, 1600 metres in time. It’s very exciting for everyone involved.” 2024 Skyline Stakes Results Finish No. Horse Trainer Jockey Margin Bar. Weight Penalty Starting Price 1 1 STORM BOY Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott James McDonald 1 55.5kg $1.18F 2 3 PROST Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 1.38L 6 55.5kg $12 3 8 DUVANA Chris Waller Jason Collett 2.61L 3 55.5kg $18 4 4 PARKOUR James Cummings Tim Clark 4.79L 5 55.5kg $13 5 7 PRESIDENT Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 7.06L 7 55.5kg $20 6 5 CERONS Brett Cavanough Ashley Morgan 9.02L 2 55.5kg $51 7 6 INDECISIVE John Thompson Zac Lloyd (a) 15.21L 4 55.5kg $41 9 KINGDOM UNDERSIEGE Peter & Paul Snowden Tommy Berry 0 2 ODINSON Ciaron Maher Tom Marquand 0 Table Credit: Racing Australia. This page and the written content within it were partially generated using AI or automated technology and edited and verified by our editorial team. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au. The post Storm Boy Cruises in Skyline Stakes, 2024 Golden Slipper Favouritism Strengthens appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Storm Boy justified his favouritism to claim the Group 2 Skyline Stakes. Photo: RacingNSW The multi-million-dollar colt, Storm Boy (-555.56), has maintained his unbeaten start to his career after taking out the Group 2 Skyline Stakes at Rosehill as he prepares for the Group 1 Golden Slipper at his next start. The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained galloper was a little slow away from the barriers, but James McDonald gave the son of Justify a dig in the ribs, and he quickly found the front to run. Although he was sent around as long odds-on favourite with online bookmakers, Storm Boy did more than enough to suggest that he will be at his peak in the Golden Slipper on March 23, when he will be second-up for the campaign. Making up ground from midfield was the stable mate Prost (+1100), who ran home nicely into third place, while Duvana (+1800) from the Waller stable stuck on well for third. However, as many expected, all the honours went to the winner, as he won by an official margin of 1.38 lengths on the line. 2024 Skyline Stakes Replay – Storm Boy Adrian Bott was on course to represent the stable, and he spoke post-race. “It’s always a little bit nerve wracking seeing these profile horses come back off that turnaround,” Bott said. “It has been a big trip away for him, but he’s had a good campaign. “He is back in good shape, with the conditions today, he had to ride those but I think he certainly did enough and we’ve left some nice improvement to come. “He’s got a high cruising speed, he looked in full control from the outset, then he can find more levels and keep quickening off that and he looked in good shape going to the line. “It’s his first run and at 1200 metres off a while between races and a freshen up, he’s only had the one trial and he’s a lovely, big colt so I think condition-wise, that will tighten him up nicely. “We’ve had to prepare for the Golden Slipper, but we’ve got big targets for the Triple Crown as well. “I’d like to think he is only going to be better suited getting over the 1400, 1600 metres in time. It’s very exciting for everyone involved.” After riding Storm Boy in a barrier trial, James McDonald was impressed by the class of the colt in his first race ride, and spoke about his ability post-race. “He’s as good as you get. He’s strong, he knows he’s really good and the more you ask him the more he keeps giving,” McDonald said of the Golden Slipper favourite. “You don’t get many fields coming up the rise and quickening like he does by himself. If feel like if one joined him he would go again. “You could see him down the middle of the track, fishtailed a little bit through greenness but there is so much more to come and that is the scary thing about him. “The most impressive thing is I think he’s got more to come and more to give. “Until he gets into a high pressure race, I think that is when you’ll see a fair dinkum horse. He felt like he could rip away and he’s got more to give. “Ryan (Moore) is obviously their (Coolmore) number one and we’ll see what happens but if I get the opportunity I’d love to ride him.” Storm Boy has shortened into +130 in the Golden Slipper futures market with online horse betting sites. Horse racing news View the full article

Sans Doute records her third victory in succession at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Bruno Cannatelli Smart four-year four-year-old mare Sans Doute recorded her third victory in succession when successful at Flemington on Saturday. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt was game after over-coming a checkered-passage in a small field of five to score going away. Prepared by Mark Walker out of Te Akau Racing’s Cranbourne stable, the mare will be aimed at black-type to further enhance her residual value. She has now won her past three at Flemington. “It’s really difficult to do, winning three in a row, especially at Flemington, but she’s shown to love the course and is continuing to establish a really good sprinting record,” Walker said. “Ben (Gleeson) and the team are doing a very good job with her at our Cranbourne stable. “When we sent her over we thought she would be ideal for those 1000 and 1100-metre races and there’s so many more opportunities in Victoria for those types of races than we have in New Zealand. “It’s a benefit for our owners too, seeing all the different types of races that our horses are suitable for and obviously there’s fantastic stake money as well. “I think she’s only going to keep getting better with age and we’re really looking forward to chasing some Australian black type with her, and add to her Group Three placing in New Zealand.” Sans Doute placed in the Group 3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m) at three, and her victory on Saturday advanced her career record to six wins and five placings from 14 starts. Sans Doute was purchased by David Ellis for $300,000 at the 2021 Australian Easter Yearling Sale, from the draft of Arrowfield Stud. Horse racing news View the full article

John Size has won four Hong Kong Classic Cups. Armed with two leading chances in the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, John Size hopes Ensued can continue an unexpected advance to the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) with a strong performance this weekend under champion British jockey Ryan Moore. Moore is one of four visiting riders involved in tomorrow’s feature along with Mickael Barzalona (Speed Dragon), Blake Shinn (Elliptical) and Damian Lane (Simply Maverick) and the Englishman will bid for a second Hong Kong Classic Cup triumph in tandem with Size after the pair struck with Sun Jewellery in 2016. Chasing a fifth Hong Kong Classic Cup victory after striking with Unique Jewellery (2009), It Has To Be You (2013), Thunder Fantasy (2015) and Sun Jewellery, Size is represented in the second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series by Helios Express and Ensued. Winless in three starts in Great Britain for James Fanshawe, Ensued surprised Size by reeling off successive wins at 1800m and 2000m. “He’s been quite unusual the way he came into Hong Kong and won immediately at a distance, that doesn’t happen too often so he’s sort of stamped himself as one who has adapted to Hong Kong quite quickly,” Size said. “He certainly can stay – that doesn’t seem to be an issue with him. (Being) just a little bit one-paced is probably the chink in his armour, he just doesn’t have enough acceleration. But, with that, as long as he’s running in a forward position and running freely, that’s okay.” Moore reunites with Ensued for the first time since he finished second on the gelding over 1600m on Kempton’s Polytrack in April, 2023. Size initially believed Ensued might not adjust quickly enough to press for a start in the Hong Kong Derby, but the gelding’s effort to post three wins and a second has impressed the 12-time Hong Kong champion trainer. “My earlier thoughts would have been that he wouldn’t have the class for that (the Derby) but because he runs the distance, he’s gone up in the rating reasonably slowly (from 64 to 85) because his winning margins have been small. But he’s done really well, so certainly happy to have him on board,” Size said. Size also saddles Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) victor Helios Express, who steps beyond 1600m for the first time in a burgeoning career. “Distance doubts can always be a bit tricky, but he seems to be okay. If he gets a nice run and if things happen to suit him in the race, he’ll probably run okay,” Size said. “We’re trying to adapt to a distance and to a tempo, which always is an issue for the jockeys who manage the horse through the race, so it depends on the circumstances on the day and what sections they run during the race. So far, he’s been okay.” Size’s pair will contend with 12 rivals led by Helene Feeling, Chill Chibi, Beauty Crescent, Speed Dragon, Unbelievable, Chancheng Glory, Awesome Fluke, Elliptical, Ka Ying Generation, Fallon, Simply Maverick and Star Mac. Horse racing news View the full article

Darwin apprentice Jade Hampson aboard the Chris Nash-trained Son Of Bielski in the Fannie Bay mounting yard on Friday before the seven-year-old gelding posted its fourth straight win. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Apprentice Jade Hampson continued her good form on Friday with a treble in Darwin. After getting Son Of Bielski ($3.90) home narrowly for trainer Chris Nash over 1300m (BM76), the 19-year-old sealed another close win aboard The Stifmeister ($9) for her master Tayarn Halter over 1200m (BM54). Victory on the Garry Lefoe-trained Forms Of Fear ($1.90), who was making it’s Darwin debut, was much easier, with the former NSW galloper saluting by a staggering 12.3 lengths over 1100m (Class 2). It could have been a spectacular day for the teenager had it not been for the fact that Nash’s Mr Have A Chat ($2.05 fav) went down to Chloe Baxter’s Swing With Junior ($3.60) by a long neck over 1100m (0-64). In five weeks, Hampson has posted 11 wins after landing doubles at Alice Springs (January 27) and Darwin (February 3 and February 23). The Darwin apprentice, with 67 wins after almost two years in the saddle, has based herself in the Red Centre in the lead up to the Alice Springs Cup Carnival. Hampson won last year’s Alice Springs Cup (2000m) aboard the Dick Leech-trained Write Your Name. Son Of Bielski, a seven-year-old gelding, was returning from a four-month spell, but that didn’t stop the son of Dissident from making in four straight wins when he toppled Phil Cole’s Saccharo ($1.95 fav) by a neck – Garry Lefoe’s Barragunda ($17) was third. Trailing the leaders in the five-horse race, Son Of Bielski (54.5kg) and Saccharo (60.5kg) eventually caught the plucky Barragunda with 100m to go. A host of horses sought the early lead and there were plenty of chances with 300m remaining before The Stifmeister, a five-year-old gelding by Lonhro, pounced to sink Lefoe’s Rising Fire ($4.20 fav) and Gary Clarke’s Zourisky ($4.40) with 0.6 lengths separating the trio. The Stifmeister (56kg), having its fourth Darwin start, had a clear weight advantage over Rising Fire (61kg) and Zourisky (60kg). Forms Of Fear, a four-year-old gelding by Written Tycoon, shared the early lead and was three lengths clear at the 350m turning for home before sprinting clear to overcome Patrick Johnston’s Gotta Beat ($12) and Chris Pollard’s Rojo Boom ($61). If not for Hampson, veteran jockey Wayne Davis would have grabbed the headlines after winning his first Top End race after spending three and a half months in Geraldton. The 52-year-old produced a super ride on the Cole-trained Fly Nice ($8.50), a four-year-old mare by Impending, who led throughout before saluting over 1300m (3/4YOS) by two lengths. Jason Manning’s Bon’s Pride ($1.60 fav), travelling three deep before seemingly losing focus at the 500m, and Cole’s Tubthumper ($6.50) filled the minor placings. Fly Nice (56kg), boasting two wins and three minor placings from six Darwin starts, outclassed Bon’s Pride (61.5kg), who was aiming for four straight wins, and last year’s Darwin Guineas winner Tubthumper (60kg) – back from a Queensland campaign – who was declared fit despite rearing violently in the gates. For Davis, it was his first Fannie Bay win since punching Cole’s Little Town Blues home on August 5. Apprentice Emma Lines, who was placed aboard Tubthumper, Saccharo and Gotta Beat, had her first Fannie Bay win since landing a double on February 9 after piloting six-year-old mare Swing With Junior home from Mr Have A Chat and Clarke’s Global Wonder ($4). With a 4kg weight advantage over Mr Have A Chat, who blew the start, and Global Wonder, who wasn’t far away in third place, Swing Of Junior (55kg) – the daughter of Warhorse – led from the outset and never left the fence before posting her first win since last May. Horse racing news View the full article

Veteran handler believes four-time winner can spring a surprise on his return from injury, while he is also confident Helene Feeling is well placedView the full article

Mauritian jockey expects gear change to ‘make a big difference’ to his mount in second leg of four-year-old Classic SeriesView the full article

Intrepid Daydream won three stakes races in a 70-day stretch and concluded her 4-year-old season with a second in graded company en route to being named Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, champion older female, and champion sprinter.View the full article

In this continuing series, TDN's Senior Racing Editor Steve Sherack catches up with the connections of promising maidens to keep on your radar. With a ton of steam behind impressive debut winner Just a Touch (Justify) heading into Saturday's GIII Gotham S., the second-place finisher's come-from-behind effort over a sloppy, sealed track that day at Fair Grounds may look even better after this weekend. Off at debut odds of 10-1 for Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Gun Party (c, 3, Curlin–Carina Mia, by Malibu Moon) trailed the field of eight beneath Brian Hernandez, Jr. in the early stages of the six-furlong affair Jan. 27. Guided to the inside to race in fifth through an opening quarter in :22.25, the Three Chimneys Farm and Winchell Thoroughbreds colorbearer began to wind up with a rail run as Just a Touch gained command approaching the quarter pole. Gun Party gamely split horses and moved into second as Just a Touch pulled well clear in the stretch. Gun Party finished with interest while posing no threat to the winner to cross the line a geared-down second, beaten 4 1/4 lengths. It was another 5 1/4 lengths back to the third-place finisher. Gun Party earned an 80 Beyer Speed Figure for the effort. The Brad Cox-trained Just a Touch received an 89 rating. “That looks like a really legit horse,” Three Chimneys Vice Chairman Doug Cauthen said of Just a Touch, the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the Gotham. “We were very pleased and satisfied with (Gun Party's) effort because we knew that was a tough spot. Steve (Asmussen) had mentioned that he missed some time with him–he had gotten sick–and at this point, you're hoping that you can kick along and get into the big races. But at the end of the day, Steve's just letting the horse lead him. We think a lot of him. It's a great pedigree, a great cross and there's a lot of hope. But time will tell.” Carina Mia | Coady Produced by 2016 GI Acorn S. winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Carina Mia (Malibu Moon), Gun Party brought $1.7 million from these connections as a yearling on day one of the 2022 Keeneland September sale to dissolve a partnership. Gun Party, the third most expensive of 60 yearlings to switch hands by the mighty Curlin in 2022, was bred in Kentucky by Three Chimneys Farm and Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings, Inc. Third carrying the Three Chimneys silks in her career finale in the 2017 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, Carina Mia brought $2.6 million from Japan's Shadai Farm at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton November sale. Gun Party is bred on the same Curlin x Malibu Moon cross as champion Stellar Wind. He is also bred similarly to fellow Curlin-sired champions Malathaat and Nest as well as Curlin-sired GISWs Clairiere, Global Campaign, Idol and Paris Lights. “There were a bunch of partnership mares with Hill 'n' Dale, and when that group (of yearlings) went to the sale, he was a key one that was targeted,” Cauthen said. “Ron (Winchell) liked him as well so he came into the partnership. Hopefully, that team will have some more luck.” That team of Winchell Thoroughbreds, Three Chimneys Farm and Asmussen, of course, also campaigned 2017 Horse of the Year and GI Breeders' Cup Classic winner Gun Runner (Candy Ride {Arg}). The leading young sire currently commands a $250,000 stud fee at Goncalo Borges Torrealba's operation. “Goncalo is very partner-friendly and usually asks the partners to name horses,” Cauthen said. “Ron's team came up with Gun Party. Think he's hoping for another strike of lightning.” Gun Party has breezed three times since his unveiling, most recently working five furlongs in 1:01 (4/22) at Fair Grounds Feb. 25. “I think Steve's trying to decide which direction to go,” Cauthen said. “More than likely he's gonna run in the next couple of weeks, but we're letting him decide.” The 'Second Chances' Honor Roll is headed by recently crowned Horse of the Year Cody's Wish (Curlin), fellow two-time Breeders' Cup winner Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) and GISWs A Mo Reay (Uncle Mo), Honor A. P. (Honor Code), Locked (Gun Runner), Paradise Woods (Union Rags) and Speaker's Corner (Street Sense). #4 Just a Touch wins easy in R2 at Fair Grounds under @flothejock for trainer @bradcoxracing! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/tIRkpfOfEs — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) January 27, 2024 The post Second Chances: Gun Runner Connections ‘Hoping for Another Strike of Lightning’ with Pricey Curlin Colt Gun Party appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Enjoying a far cleaner trip than he had encountered in his maiden victory, Courtlandt Farms' Conquest Warrior galloped home the easiest of winners in a first-level allowance race at Gulfstream Park March 1.View the full article

Champion Fierceness (City of Light) continued his preparations for a likely start in the GI Curlin Florida Derby Mar. 30 with a half-mile breeze Friday at Palm Beach Downs in company with fellow 'TDN Rising Star' Agate Road (Quality Road). The pair clocked in at :48.89, leaving conditioner Todd Pletcher satisfied with the progress he'd seen since the GIII Holy Bull S. “Fierceness and Agate Road breezed a half together and both did really well, especially Fierceness. [He had] a strong gallop-out, looked good. He's continued to train really good since the Holy Bull,” Pletcher said. He also added that, while Fierceness had also been training well up to his seasonal debut, the race dynamics may've done more against him than they'd initially thought. “[…] I don't think he needed a race. I think our expectations were so high for him that maybe we're not looking at it realistically. If you watch the start of the race, he got slammed pretty hard from both sides. Johnny [Velazquez], in order to execute the game plan, had to use him pretty hard to get to the first turn in the position we wanted to.” “He could have been a little rusty off the layoff, even though he was training great. He was top weight. [There are] a lot of subtle excuses that, for an ordinary horse, you would try to justify it. In his case, he trained so well and we expected so much of him, sometimes you think he can overcome everything.” The post Fierceness Likely to Return in GI Florida Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-GP, $62K, A/OC, 4yo/up, 7f, 1:44 p.m. ET. Last year as a 3-year-old colt, KINGSBARNS (Uncle Mo) kept his perfect record intact when he went gate to wire to win the GII Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds, which secured himself a slot in the GI Kentucky Derby. The Todd Pletcher trainee finished 14th in America's signature race and a bout with colic sidelined him before the GI Belmont S. He did return to be the runner-up in the Pegasus S. at Monmouth Park in mid-June and that was the last time he was seen. Returning here, the colt's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale ticket was originally signed by Tom McCrocklin, agent, on behalf of Champion Equine for $250,000. The bay then brought the fourth highest return when Spendthrift Farm went to $800,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale during March of the following year. Out of GSP Lady Tapit (Tapit), Kingsbarns counts as a half-brother Weaponized (Gun Runner), a $650,000 buy for John Stewart at last year's Keeneland September Sale. His dam is a half-sister to GI American Oaks heroine Gozzip Girl (Dynaformer), who produced Japanese G2 American Jockey Club Cup victor (Chuck Nate (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). TJCIS PPS The post Saturday Insights: GII Louisiana Derby Champ Kingsbarns Returns At Gulfstream Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The defection of big-figure maiden winner Speak Easy (Constitution) to Saturday's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth S. made the task at hand for 'TDN Rising Star' CONQUEST WARRIOR (c, 3, City of Light–Tea Time, by Pulpit) that much easier on paper, and the Courtlandt Farms colorbearer made light work of the six rivals that stuck around to likely punch his ticket to the GI Curlin Florida Derby in four weeks' time. Away only fairly, the 3-5 chalk was handy enough to the early pace of 5-2 second pick Merit (Mastery) banking around the first turn and was settled nicely in fourth by Jose Ortiz through early sections of :23.79 and :47.62. Traveling a path or two away from the inside down the backstretch as the pacesetter opened just a touch of daylight, Conquest Warrior was ridden along just a bit 3 1/2 furlongs out, and when Raguel (Justify) failed to go on, he had dead aim on the pacesetter. Claiming that one more or less on his own courage at the three-sixteenths, Conquest Warrior quickly opened up and was under a full-nelson for the final sixteenth of a mile, stopping the clock in a very respectable 1:50.52 for the nine furlongs on a fast strip. Sales history: $1,000,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. O-Courtlandt Farms (Donald Adam); B-Betz/B & K Canetti/J Betz/CoCo Equine/D J Stables (KY); T-Shug McGaughey. Conquest Warrior, with @jose93_ortiz, wins with authority in Friday's featured race at #GulfstreamPark. pic.twitter.com/H52WoPjT3S — Gulfstream Park (@GulfstreamPark) March 1, 2024 The post ‘Rising Star’ Conquest Warrior Earns Florida Derby Ticket In GP Allowance Romp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1/ST will increase the purse of this year's Preakness Stakes (G1) to $2 million and offer a $25 million racing and incentive series connecting a trio of grade 1 races.View the full article

Apprentice jockey Kylie Wellington, who suffered a displaced tibial fracture Thursday at Fair Grounds after being unseated when her mount flipped over, confirmed her prognosis over social media. “As many heard, I had a horse flip on me behind the gates before a race today [Feb. 29]. I have a displaced tibia fracture. It's very unfortunate but I will recover and be back soon. Thanks everyone.” In 2024, Wellington had amassed a record of two wins and 21 on-the-board finishes overall from 68 jumps. She'd visited the winner's enclosure on seven occasions from 106 starts in her first meet at Fair Grounds, and in under a year's time since starting her riding career in May 2023, claims a record of 273-29-25-34 with $526,214 in earnings. The post Wellington Injured but ‘Will Be Back Soon’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article