Wandering Eyes

A small fire May 27 at Saratoga Race Course was quickly contained and will not impact the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival dates that begin June 4.View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of May 19-25View the full article

Lush Lips, who finished second behind Nitrogen in her two most recent starts, will try to take advantage of that rival's absence when she starts as the likely favorite in the $275,000 Regret Stakes (G3T) May 31 at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Bill duPont's program today is much smaller than it was back in the 1980s, when he stood 15 stallions across three continents. Nonetheless all his experience keeps telling in a fashion very hard to emulate for anyone now trying to fill that kind of space. Under the banner of Pillar Properties Services Inc., duPont bred GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies runner-up Vodka With a Twist (Thousand Words) from a $6,000 mare. Then there's Irish Maxima (Maximus Mischief), whose recent graded stakes breakout at Aqueduct was her eighth win in 11. She's out of a mare duPont bought for $8,500. And after Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) won the GI Del Mar Oaks last summer, guess who turned out to have bought her dam for $12,000? DuPont says with a shrug that he isn't crazy about insurance premiums, and duly confines himself these days to mares that let him sleep at night. But the fact is that anyone newer to the game, whatever their resources, cannot hope to match the lore he has honed between his own experience and that of a sporting family as colorful as it was accomplished. Very often duPont will go back to blood that can mean little to most, but that he knows to trust. Take the dam of Vodka With a Twist. “Unplaced in one start is not my usual M.O.,” duPont acknowledges. “But sometimes you make exceptions, and I will occasionally indulge in a mare that goes back to one of my old families. This particular mare, Bourbon and a Kiss (Sky Mesa), traces to Istria (GB), who was a champion 2-year-old filly in Germany [in 1979]. The family has been very successful: Vodka's third dam Mayo On the Side (Silver Deputy) was a Grade I winner, and another branch has Jackie's Warrior.” Not that Vodka With a Twist can yield more than the odd breeder's prize. As a yearling, a couple of veterinary issues enabled McCutchen Training Center to pick her up for just $2,500 at Fasig October. Far worse, duPont then lost the mare to a twisted gut. Nor, actually, has there yet been due reward for finding Silver Screamer (Cozzene), whose weanling at the time turned out to be Iscreamuscream, at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. The Global Campaign colt she was carrying there was another to hit vet trouble (admittedly resurfaced winning by 11 lengths in Mexico) and sadly Silver Screamer has since lost consecutive foals. “It's a cruel business at times,” duPont concedes. “The lows can be very low. But the highs are very high, too. And obviously Vodka showed up and ran nearly every month from April through to December.” In the circumstances, he might regret not having retained her to race himself. But that's something he seldom does anymore—though, again, there are exceptions. One is a filly out of a mare culled by Calumet a couple of years ago: a champion 2-year-old in Brazil, also graded stakes-placed in California, for just $3,500. “Since younger mares are out of my 'good night's sleep' range, I look for middle-aged ones that haven't yet had their good horse,” duPont explains. “I do prefer mares that could run, over pedigree or conformation. Triers make broodmares. So when I was bigger in the business, and could buy them younger, I followed the Joe Estes theory. Most of mine were stakes mares. And we did fine. It's many years since anyone counted them up, but we were on 75 stakes winners then so must be closer to 100 now.” The duPont dynasty obviously resonates across our sport: while he has only a remote kinship with the owner of Kelso, his aunt had 1938 Grand National winner Battleship. His most direct influence, however, was his mother Margaret Osborne duPont: an all-time tennis great. “She had to take a little vacation to have me, in 1952, but won 37 major titles [across singles/doubles/mixed doubles],” her son explains. “Of those 25 were at the U.S. Open equivalent [pre-Open era], still a record. And my father would never let her go to Australia, so potentially she missed out on many more. He went to California in the winters, for his asthma, and didn't want her going away on his vacation. Different times, right? She was a very quiet, withdrawn personality, very competitive but always known for her sportsmanship.” His father, also William, raced serial champions from Foxcatcher Farm; indeed duPont admits an ancestral resentment that neither Fairy Chant (1940/41) nor Parlo (1954/5), champion fillies at both three and four, have made the Hall of Fame. (Parlo's daughter All Beautiful was bought by Paul Mellon at his father's dispersal, carrying a future Horse of the Year in Arts and Letters.) DuPont's father also joined the syndicate that imported Blenheim, but is perhaps best remembered for Rosemont, who not only interrupted the Triple Crown spree of Omaha in the 1935 Withers (then between Preakness and Belmont) but also beat Seabiscuit in the 1937 Big 'Cap. “I loved the Seabiscuit movie, it was great public relations for the sport, but they took a lot of artistic license,” DuPont says. “They made a big deal out of Pollard's eye, and not seeing Rosemont coming. But Rosemont was the betting favorite, giving Seabiscuit 14lbs, and ran him down through a lot of traffic from the 17 post.” (DuPont adds that anyone who actually reviews Seabiscuit's celebrated win in the same race, three years later, will notice his owner's other entry finishing second under a strikingly indulgent ride!) After his parents' divorce, duPont's mother joined her great friend Margaret Varner Bloss—who uniquely represented the U.S. in tennis, squash and badminton—in El Paso, Texas, where her son was raised. “And it was Margaret Bloss that got my mother into racehorses,” duPont says. “She married a trainer in New Mexico, Gerald Bloss, who did the early training of Gallant Man. They got into breeding and racing down there, Margaret Bloss raising them all herself, by hand.” DuPont was himself getting plenty of hands-on experience, including a summer with Ruidoso trainer Joe Welch – and the two Margarets even urged the college boy to get a trainer's license himself. “So I did,” duPont says. “And I was the official trainer of two of their horses. I had one winner, a horse we took up to Santa Fe.” But the real dividend of that precocious experience was exposure to a couple of interesting neighbors on the backside. “I had two stalls at the end of the barn, and a pony outside, and it was very hard to get an exercise rider,” duPont recalls. “So I was ponying the horses for exercise in the morning. But directly across was this beautiful shedrow, totally out of place at Ruidoso Downs: flowers, grass, beautiful signage. Oh boy: D. Wayne Lukas! And the rest of my shedrow? J.J. Pletcher.” DuPont duly had a couple of horses with Pletcher's son Todd when he started training; and others, over the years, with Lukas. “Wayne suffered much professional jealousy,” duPont says. “But I'm a big fan. Absolutely changed the game, and a very upstanding guy. I didn't know him that well until later, really. But he was amazing. One time we ran a horse in the Hollywood Gold Cup and he's walking through the grandstand with Elizabeth Taylor. Wayne and J.J. both came from Quarter Horses, of course. American racing obviously has a lot of sprinting and a large part of the Quarter Horse angle is training 2-year-olds and keeping them sound.” After graduating, duPont quickly emerged as a dynamic young presence in the Bluegrass. Pillar Stud's first stallion in 1979 was Silver Series, who soon sired Churchill turf specialist Mrs. Revere. As a student of Turf history, however, duPont had been especially inspired by a tour of Europe—and his other start-up was the 1976 St Leger winner, Crow (GB), soon followed by Sassafras (Fr) and the brilliant British juvenile Tromos (GB). “I think horses are more versatile than we give them credit for,” duPont says. “I've always had European mares, and European stallions when I was in that game. I didn't bring them over to be turf sires. I thought they'd be good additions to the gene pool and could adapt to dirt. Some did, some didn't; same with the broodmares.” Unfortunately duPont lost both Silver Series and Tromos, within months of each other, as soon as 1982. “Tromos was my all-time favorite,” DuPont says. “A champion 2-year-old by Busted (GB), of all horses, out of Stilvi (GB) who was a very good sprinter and a top, top broodmare. When I lost him, it just took the wind out of my sails. I've had the most outrageously bad and good stallion personalities. Poker was just flat dangerous; Tromos the total opposite, kind as a lady's hunter. He loved attention, and I have a great picture of him just hanging his head over my shoulder.” DuPont did much business with John Gaines and, having narrowly failed to land Blushing Groom in a partnership, settled for four of 40 shares when he came to Gainesway. And, having surrendered a contract for Riverman when CEM hit, he instead ended up taking one-third of Lyphard. Nor did duPont disdain stallions off the dirt: he repatriated Cure the Blues and General Assembly, and stood (having co-raced) Star de Naskra. And there was a tantalizing moment when he was poised to bring Mr. Prospector to Kentucky, had Claiborne's deal fallen through. But his stable was certainly an unusually cosmopolitan one, with links to Haras de Victot in Normandy and Blue Gum Farm in Victoria. Perhaps his quirkiest success was Noalcoholic, bred from Italian Classic winner Alea (GB). (She was also champion 2-year-old filly in her homeland: hunting those down, even in relative backwaters, has worked repeatedly for duPont, as already noted with Istria.) Noalcoholic had done enough in France to be sent to Blue Gum, but while undergoing quarantine in Newmarket began thriving so insistently that he was allowed to resume racing, and won such races as the G1 Sussex Stakes on his way to becoming champion miler of Europe. Evocative names, for many of us! But the world has changed, as has duPont's firepower. Based in Florida for the last 40 years, he talks wryly of real estate misfortunes that “turned me from a large breeder into a small one.” There were domestic commitments, too: children to raise, a remarriage. Even last November, however, he couldn't resist adding to his residual band of a dozen mares—expertly managed by Collier Mathes of Chesapeake Farm—when a stakes winner by New Approach (Ire) surfaced at Keeneland. She was out of a graded stakes-placed daughter of Test winner Storm and Sunshine, whose own sire was none other than Star de Naskra. Because what the catalogue didn't show was that she's also fourth dam of Group 1-winning sisters Mama Cocha (Jpn) and (the pure white) Sodashi (Jpn) (both by Kurofune). While admittedly now 15, this mare has twice changed hands for half a million—and duPont got her for $5,000! She's gone to The Factor, the kind of stallion that reciprocates the value in those “middle-aged” mares. “Farms are having trouble getting mares once their shiny new stallions become less shiny,” duPont reflects. “So I've been using sires like The Factor, Cross Traffic, Goldencents, while these first-year horses have been going through the roof. But I guess I'm old-fashioned. Isn't the goal ultimately to breed a racehorse? If I can do that, I should get more for the foals down the line.” Playing the long game reflects the perspective of a man familiar with some of the most memorable Turf protagonists of his time. There's even a Kentucky Derby breeder's trophy on the sideboard. In 1987, the year they married, duPont bought his wife Pam a Stage Door Johnny mare named Never Knock—and seven years later Pamela Darmstadt duPont was duly honored as official breeder of Go for Gin. Never Knock having meanwhile also produced Pleasant Tap, one of duPont's great coups was selling a full brother for $2.2 million at the 1998 July Sale. “The first person to congratulate us was 'Brere' Jones,” DuPont recalls. “He was someone I thought very highly of. We had similar thought processes, regarding stallions, and often wound up bidding on the same mares too. Just one of the most respectable, honest, upright people I've ever met.” And that, for duPont, is the real reward of his journey with horses: the relationships, characters, stories. Those who influenced him most included Lee Eaton, Ben Walden, Bob Courtney, Henry White and above all, for his early mentoring, Dan Scott. “My father would send his mares from Virginia to Dan in Kentucky,” he explains. “Dan had Geisha for Alfred Vanderbilt and she wouldn't load the van. So the only horse she could be bred to was the one across the street: Polynesian. If you look at her breeding record, you'll see one Polynesian after another, none any good apart from… Native Dancer!” But then that's what horses do: they amplify the general truth that the more we know, the less we know. As duPont says himself: “I think that anybody you talk to, that has it all figured out, is… inexperienced!” The post DuPont Still Serving up Aces appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Lope De Vega's Ezo Fuji (lot 4) was knocked down to Broadhurst Agency for a sale-topping €50,000 during Auctav's May Sale on Tuesday. The Philippe Sogorb trainee has placed this year at three and is out of the multiple stakes-placed mare Malicieuse (Galileo). Her dam is a half-sister to Group 1 winners and sires Bago and Maxios. A juvenile filly by Sea The Moon (lot 9) caught the eye of BLM Bloodstock for €42,000. Consigned by Al Shahania Stud, the daughter of Meseika (Medaglia d'Oro) is a half-sister to G3 Epona Stakes heroine Osmose (Zoffany) and the stakes winner Paris Style (Showcasing). Overall, six sold from 10 offered for a gross of €128,000. The average was €21,333 and the median was €16,750. The post Lope De Vega Filly Tops Auctav Monthly May Sale At €50K appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Paola Castro was introduced to the world of horse racing two years ago on a visit to Churchill Downs. After touring the backside and the Derby Museum, she swore that she would be back again someday to watch the Kentucky Derby. This spring, the dream came to fruition for the 21-year-old when she got to experience the thrill of Derby week firsthand, culminating in attending the iconic race on Saturday, thanks to her involvement with Amplify Horse Racing. “During my first trip to Churchill Downs, I remember walking around and thinking that I would do anything to be there for the Kentucky Derby,” Castro recalled. “I would have worked the concession stand! Then when I had the opportunity to actually be there for the Derby, I remember looking around and thinking that I don't ever, ever want to lose this excitement.” Castro is a first-generation Mexican-American from Brownsville, Texas. A lifelong horse lover, she recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a degree in animal science and is set to start vet school there in the fall. Until two years ago, Castro believed horse racing was a closed-off world, one that required family ties or inside connection to gain access. But then she was introduced to Amplify. The program opened doors that she never thought were available to her and today, while her path is still taking shape, Castro is certain that horse racing will be a part of her future. After that first visit to Kentucky–where, through an agriculture-focused student program, she toured Godolphin's Jonabell Farm in addition to Churchill Downs–Castro was eager to learn more about how to get involved in racing. She wasn't sure where to start until a friend forwarded her an email about the Amplify Mentorship Program, an initiative that pairs young adults interested in pursuing a career in racing with experienced industry professionals. She was matched with Jodie Vella-Gregory, the Vice President of Industry Relations for 1/ST Racing. The pair met bi-weekly via video call and their initial connection developed into a meaningful mentorship. “Jodie has been the biggest blessing and a true catalyst for my growth–not only professionally but also personally,” said Castro. “She has connected me with so many different individuals throughout the industry and has always been so supportive of me and the opportunities that have come my way.” Shortly after their mentorship began, Vella-Gregory invited Castro to come to California for the 2023 Horse Racing Women's Summit. While Castro said she was initially hesitant about attending an event where she did not know anyone, she was welcomed with open arms by the other conference attendees. Castro with her Amplify mentor Jodie Vella-Gregory and Horse Racing Women's Summit's Stehanie Hronis | courtesy Paola Castro “I was so nervous,” she admitted. “I had never really been to a networking reception before, but I wanted to be there so badly and I slowly started to talk to people. They all made me feel like I belonged and like they wanted to hear my opinion. It made me feel like I had a place at the table. I remember leaving and thinking that I want this to be my life. I want to have horse racing in my life.” Castro's trip to Santa Anita became a catalyst for many of the connections she has made in the industry over the past two years. At the summit, she learned about The Jockey Club's scholarship program. She applied and was awarded their Vision Scholarship for $10,000 per semester. She also got involved with the Ed Brown Society. Seeking hands-on experience, she interned with veterinarians in the test barn at Retama Park last summer. Castro also got connected with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, which offered her an internship this summer. She ultimately had to decline the offer after being accepted into veterinary school. Throughout her undergraduate years and during the application process for vet school, Castro struggled with overcoming self-doubt. She credits Amplify and the connections she has made through horse racing for giving her confidence going into those competitive vet school interviews. “Whenever I start thinking those negative thoughts, I remind myself that not very many people have had the experiences that I have had,” she said. “That goes back to my involvement with Amplify and the Horse Racing Women's Association. I feel like that is truly what set me apart from the other students and the other candidates. I have to remind myself that I don't have to look exactly like them to succeed. My story is different and that's okay.” Ahead of this year's Kentucky Derby, Amplify contacted Castro about the opportunity to assist their program in giving tours of the backside during Derby week. Although the trip fell the week before her last round of college finals, Castro could not pass up the opportunity. If Castro was not yet certain of her desire to pursue a career in racing, her experience during Derby week sealed the deal. In addition to helping out with Amplify, she was able to spend a day racing with the Ed Brown Society and another with the Saints or Sinners racing partnership–one more connection she made at the Women's Summit. Castro with (left to right) Amplify's President Jordyn Egan, treasurer Laurel Humbert-Stock, and Executive Director Annise Montplaisir | courtesy Amplify Horse Racing After two years of learning and immersing herself in the industry, the sense of belonging that Castro felt during her week in Louisville was a feeling that still sticks with her. “I think my favorite part of being there was that I felt like I was in such a unique position to recognize people, whether they were jockeys or trainers or whoever,” she reflected. “I was feet away from Frankie Dettori, feet away from Bob Baffert. Mike Smith was on my flight. On the backstretch I met Brian Hernandez and Griffin Johnson. I was just so thankful for it all because two years ago, I wanted to be involved but I didn't know if I was able to and then two years later, I'm at the Derby.” Castro's many positive experiences in the industry haven't all come by chance. Her engaging and enthusiastic personality, gracious attitude, and willingness to step outside her comfort zone have all afforded her one opportunity after another. And that floodgate of possibilities first opened when Amplify introduced her to horse racing. “Amplify is truly an investment in the industry and in the future,” Castro said. “They have done such an amazing job of making racing accessible to whoever wants to be involved. If you want to be there, they will do anything to set you up with whatever role you want to be in. It is very nice to know that there is a pipeline for people who might not necessarily have the professional network to know what their next step is.” Castro is counting down the days until vet school starts in August. Over the next four years, she hopes to dip her toe in anything related to equine medicine. Her goal is to complete internships in both the racing and the breeding sides of the business to discover where her passions lie. In whichever realm of the industry she winds up in, Castro dreams of having a positive impact on the sport someday. “At the Women's Summit, they talked about how they want to keep growing and adapting and that they don't want to stay stagnant with the old rules because the old rules are just not cutting it anymore,” explained Castro. “I think part of that is bringing in new ideas, new perspectives and new people and I think Amplify can bring in so many new people. For me, it has completely changed my life and the trajectory of where I see myself in my future.” The post Tomorrow’s Front Runners: Amplify Opens Door for Future Vet Paola Castro appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Saratoga Springs and Malta Ridge Fire Departments responded to a small fire in a kitchen area of the Clubhouse at Saratoga Race Course on Tuesday afternoon. The fire was quickly extinguished and caused minimal damage, per NYRA Vice President, Communications Patrick McKenna. “Upon arrival, firefighters witnessed smoke emanating from the third floor Clubhouse windows,” McKenna said. “The fire was quickly extinguished and caused minimal damage, which will have no impact on track operations for the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival next week. NYRA thanks Saratoga Springs and Malta Ridge Fire Departments for their quick and professional response.” City and state fire officials are currently investigating the cause. The post Small Fire Quickly Extinguished at Saratoga Race Course Tuesday Afternoon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kyprios has been hailed "the most incredible horse with a concrete mind" by Aidan O'Brien following the retirement of one of the greatest stayers of all time May 27.View the full article

Breeders Bobby and Honora Donworth on what an Irish 2,000 Guineas triumph means to the team at Roundhill Stud Relief rather than unbridled joy was the first emotion that came to proud breeders Bobby and Honora Donworth, who have opened up on what they have labelled as a 'rollercoaster' of emotion in the build-up to Field Of Gold's emphatic triumph in Saturday's Irish 2,000 Guineas. The team at Roundhill Stud in County Limerick, one of the most esteemed nurseries of equine talent Ireland has to offer, admitted to having been left deflated after Field Of Gold had his colours lowered by Ruling Court in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. A feeling of, 'what might have been' is all too familiar to the breeders given that Jacqueline Quest, who finished first past the post before being demoted to second in the 1,000 Guineas back in 2010, is the closest the Donworths had come to Classic glory prior to this year. But in Field Of Gold, the masters of their craft rightly believed that they had come up with something special from a family that extends back to Princess Serena, who was purchased for $150,000 almost 25 years ago. And how right they were, with Field Of Gold confirming himself one of the most exciting milers on the planet by lighting up the Curragh in what has to go down as one of the most impressive Classic displays the racetrack has seen in recent times. Bobby commented, “We have received lots and lots of congratulations from our fellow breeders, which is nice. That aspect of the whole thing has been lovely. They seemed to be thrilled for us, which is great. For small breeders – this farm only holds 15 mares – so it's some farm to do it. This is our second Guineas – of course, the first one was taken off us!” He added, “It was more relief because of Jaqueline Quest but also because of what happened at Newmarket. That was just a bit upsetting. I felt we should have won at Newmarket and it was a let down. It was like what John Gosden said afterwards, you are always apprehensive until it happens. But it was very easy to enjoy it on Saturday because you could see he was going to win two furlongs down. A lot of work goes into it so you do say to yourself, 'are we ever going to get a bit of luck?' But it happened, thank God.” It was Bobby's wife Honora who described Field Of Gold as 'a monster' in the immediate aftermath on Saturday, and who is he to disagree? “He is a monster, really,” Bobby continued. “He is a big baby and I was amazed about what he was able to do as a two-year-old. I knew that if he filled into his frame and trained on, he was going to be a monster, and he has. He is a beautiful horse – an absolutely stunning horse. And I think he'll keep on improving as well.” Backing up her husband's appraisal of what Saturday meant to everyone at Roundhill, Honora simply said, “Major relief. Just relief that he proved to be the horse that John Gosden and Juddmonte said that he was. It was great that he could do it so emphatically – he's very like his father Kingman. He has the brilliance of Unbridled Song and the acceleration of Kingman, which I think is a brilliant combination. It's fantastic that, after 25 years working with this family which has been so successful, we finally have a Classic winner. We're a commercial farm so we couldn't keep them all – we have to sell some of them. The fact that we have been able to keep control of the family to the extent that we have is perhaps the biggest achievement. For him to become a stallion at Juddmonte, which please God he will, that is a huge thing.” In many ways, Field Of Gold was destined to carry the Juddmonte silks to big-race success. For him to become a Classic winner and essentially book his place at Banstead Manor Stud is just a dream. Out of Roundhill's Blue Hen Princess De Lune, already the dam of a black-type performer in Zanbaq and a sister to a further five stakes runners, Field Of Gold was a Juddmonte foal share. To that extent, he was sent to Goffs November Foal Sale in 2022, with Juddmonte replicating the achievements with fellow Guineas winner Chaldean, in sourcing their future Classic hero as a foal. This time, the winning bid was €530,000. Honora recalled, “Juddmonte are the best people to deal with in the entire industry. Always have been. We have been doing business with them now for 10 or 15 years. They are horsemen and they understand and respect horses. Listen, Barry Mahon is as cute as a fox. Come on. You ask how they know all these horses, it's because he's a horseman and his father was a horseman. Also, Simon Mockridge is one of the best horsemen you will meet. And one of the kindest men as well. And then you have Shane Horan as well. Myself and Shane could talk for hours on the phone about pedigrees. Field Of Gold was a foal share. We don't ever sell foals but it was better that he was sold as a foal. Nobody else was going to buy that horse other than Juddmonte or Roundhill. I growled outside the box at anyone else who came to look at him. There was no way we were going to let a pinhooker get their hands on him.” The $150,000 that Roundhill parted with to secure Princess Serena way back in 2003 looks bargain material now. Many high-class performers have come from that family, including multiple Group 1 winner Rizeena, and Honora is confident that the legacy of that great foundation mare will continue for generations. Tim and Honora Donworth | Tattersalls She said, “Any time we went out to buy a mare, it had to be from a good family. I am a bit of a snob – any time I go through a catalogue, I think, 'well, that's not good enough.' It has to be from a recognised family. You could never have bought into a better family than Serena's Song. That was just amazing. We always bought very correct mares as well. A lot of it is down to that. And husbandry as well. Bobby is a top-class horseman and I am a pedigree freak. Somewhere along the way, it works.” She added, “Even after what happened at Newmarket, I always felt that Field Of Gold would shine through. I was a little bit dubious because it was his third championship race in a short space of time and, while he is in the most wonderful hands, it's horse racing. But, my goodness me, he was so emphatic I think he had it won at halfway. It was amazing. He must be a spectacular horse. He has amazing speed and the most wonderful temperament. “I was looking at the videos of him after the race and there was no fuss whatsoever. Anyone could go over to him and he just looked out at the crowd with this great, big kind eye. He has a very commanding presence. A very imposing-looking horse. So is his mother. The family tends to be like that. They're grey, they're big – they're beasts. He has a half-sister by Ghaiyyath and she's exactly the same. To see her in the paddock, she's in total command.” What the team at Roundhill decide to do with the Ghaiyyath half-sister has yet to be decided upon but Honora revealed that no amount of money could convince her to part with the Irish Guineas winner's dam Princess De Lune. “We have two from the family out of Serena's Storm [the dam of Rizeena]. We have a Dubawi filly, which was a foal share, but we bought out Darley at Book 1 last year [at 340,000gns]. We sold half of her to Trevor Stewart, who is a great friend of ours. She has the most wonderful name. Trevor has that wonderful family of Cassandra Go so we decided to call this filly Serena Go. She is in training with Tim [the Donworths' son, who is based in France]. We also sent him a Mehmas filly out of Serena's Queen [a full-sister to Rizeena]. There is so much more to come and of course we have the other half-sister Serena's Symphony. She's by Gleneagles – I wanted the pedigree of him in the family – and she's grey as well and is very beautiful. Her first yearling, a colt by Blue Point, sold for 450,000gns to Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin. He has gone to Charlie Appleby. She has a very nice yearling filly by Wootton Bassett. Anywhere you look, the family is being hit by the best.” She added, “Princess De Lune is currently in Juddmonte. She visited Kingman this year and is still over there because they didn't want to be shuttling her over and back. She'll come home in about a month. She was empty to Too Darn Hot last year. In fairness to Juddmonte, they are very good people to deal with and they'd never pressurise you [to sell the mare]. But no, why would you ever part with a mare like Princess De Lune?. I mean, she has topped two sales already.” After tucking into a takeaway, a couple of bottles of wine were uncorked back home in Limerick on Saturday evening. The dust had hardly settled on the momentous achievement but Bobby has revealed that more big news could be coming, given Roundhill is likely to be put on the market in the coming weeks. He concluded, “I have had a few health problems and Honora is feeling the pinch as well. Tim is training in France so, between everything else, the property is likely to come on the market this year. I am 75 now and you don't go on forever. It's a beautiful farm. A well-kept and a well-managed farm. The mares have been spoiled here, to be honest, and we'll keep on spoiling them for as long as we can.” The post ‘Even After Newmarket, I Always Felt Field Of Gold Would Shine Through’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

J.P. (Paul) Souter, who posted 928 career riding wins, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Avelino Gomez Memorial Award. The Gomez Award is given to the person, Canadian-born, Canadian-raised or regular rider in the country for more than five years, who has made significant contributions to Thoroughbred racing. It is named in memory of one of the sport's most talented and respected competitors. The Cuban-born Gomez died of complications after a three-horse accident in the 1980 Canadian Oaks. “I don't know what to say,” said Souter. “I'm not a nervous guy but I'm going to be nervous [when I make my speech], I'm sure. Avelino was my friend, and I'm thrilled to receive this honour. I only knew him for a short while, but when I started at Gulfstream, he was there for the winter vacationing and riding a bit–we became friends. We came home and started riding here, and I've never seen anybody like him since. He was entertaining and just a really good guy. I'm at a loss for words.” Souter remains an active member of today's game, passing on his 54 years of expertise to the next generation as a jockey agent. His best bit of advice? “Be happy, be healthy, and have some fun.” The Avelino Gomez Memorial Award ceremony will take place on June 29 at Woodbine. The post J.P. Souter Wins 2025 Avelino Gomez Memorial Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Who were the fastest maiden winners based on the Beyer Speed Figures this week? We count them down. 5. (tie) FACT, CD-10, 5/24, 1 mile Beyer Speed Figure-83 (g, 3, by Instagrand–Bazinga Baby, by Afleet Alex) 2023 $125,000 yearling for Taylor Made Sales. O-Grandview Equine, OXO Equine and LNJ Foxwoods. B-Town & Country Farms. T-William Walden. J-Luis Saez. He touted himself with a strong debut second behind Big Truzz in one of the toughest maiden races of the Keeneland meet, and kept the ball rolling here. 5. (tie) SILSBEE, BAQ-6, 5/25, 6 furlongs (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-83 (f, 3, by Vekoma–Grace's Treasure, by Rockport Harbor) O-Swinbank Stables, RAP Racing and Chris Mara. B-Dirico R&B. T-George Weaver. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. She took to turf nicely to overwhelm NY-bred competition and become yet another maiden grad by Vekoma. Among ownership group are Rick Pitino and NY Giants co-owner Chris Mara. 4. GROWTH TRAJECTORY, MTH-7, 5/25, 1 1/16 (turf) Beyer Speed Figure-84 (f, 3, by Lope de Vega (IRE)–Wekeela (FR), by Hurricane Run (Ire) O-Klaravich Stable. B-The Wekeela Partnership. T-Chad Brown. J-Samuel Marin. She may not have been the fastest maiden of the week, but she was likely the most impressive. After racing professionally during the early stages, the debuting 3-year-old filly motored away from rivals with a turf turn of foot that suggests she could become yet another Klarman/Brown stakes performer. 3. SINISTER SMILE, CD-3, 5/24, 6 1/2 furlongs (2nd) Beyer Speed Figure-85 (c, 3, by Practical Joke-Making Mark Money, by Smart Strike) O-George Messina. B-Rhineshire Farm. T-Brad Cox. J-Luis Saez. He couldn't win despite getting through inside pacesetter Master Controller in a dream trip, but the number came back solid. Cox doesn't claim many, but took this one for $50,000 last month, perhaps with an eye on grass: year-younger sibling Mo Stash won the GIII Transylvania. The same mare has produced GII Tampa Bay Derby runner-up Hidden Stash (who also ran well on grass) and Cupid's Strike (who had a strong preference for turf). Idol-HeaderGraphic-TDN-1024x426.jpg" alt="" width="1024" height="426" /> 2. MASTER CONTROLLER, CD-3, 5/24, 6 1/2 furlongs Beyer Speed Figure-88 (c, 3, by Tapiture-Key is to Win, by Dixie Union) O-AJMAC and Family Thoroughbreds. B-Chief Stipe & Felicia Branham. T-Brittany Vanden Berg. J-Chris Emigh. Dropped into a $100,000 claimer, he continued his upward career trajectory. He controlled the pace for the first time, drifted off the rail at the 1/4 pole allowing 7-10 favorite Sinister Smile through inside to challenge, but prevailed anyway in a sharp victory. 1. ACADEMY, DEL-7, 5/22, 1 mile 70 yards Beyer Speed Figure-91 (g, 3, by Oscar Performance-Sacred Luna, by Malibu Moon) O-Harrell Ventures and Starlight Racing. B-Dixiana Farms (Ky). T-Graham Motion. J-Samuel Marin. Maybe it was the sloppy track, or his first start on dirt in general. Perhaps it was the ultimate equipment change – he was recently gelded. Or possibly the $310,000 yearling buy is beginning to find himself after four starts. Whatever the explanation, Academy galloped into a new performance echelon, closely tracking favorite Bayou Blitz and powering away. Good decision by Motion not to scratch when the race came off the turf. The post The Five Fastest Maidens, Presented by Taylor Made, for the Week of May 19-25 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan makes his first start at Churchill Downs since his successful Run for the Roses, but has a tough task entered against a deep field of graded winners in the $275,000 Blame Stakes (G3) May 31.View the full article

After his hard-fought victory in the Claiming Crown Rapid Transit last November at Churchill Downs, Like a Saltshaker was named Claiming Crown Horse of the Year for 2024.View the full article

Front-runners Skelly and World Record, respectively coming off rapid six-furlong victories in 1:08.15 and 1:07.84, square off at Churchill Downs May 31 in a seven-horse renewal of the $275,000 Aristides Stakes (G3).View the full article

In Clover, the dam of four Group 1 winners for her owner-breeder George Strawbridge, has died at the age of 23. The outstanding producer, herself the winner of the G3 Prix de Flore, was a daughter of Inchinor and the Bellypha mare Bellarida. Strawbridge bought her dam from the Wertheimer brothers in 1997 and they would later buy back into the family when purchasing In Clover's daughter Incahoots as a three-year-old. Strawbridge will not have regretted his original outlay, for In Clover alone has been responsible for the top-level winners Friendly Soul, Call The Wind, With You, and We Are, as well as the Listed winners In Crowd and Incahoots. The latter is now the dam of G1 Prix de la Foret winner Kelina. Tom Goff oversees George Strawbridge's European breeding stock and said of In Clover, “She passed away quickly last Saturday at Barton Stud under the excellent supervision of Rossdales' Ollie Pynn. “It's obviously very sad as she was a wonderfully kind mare but she had an incredible life as both racehorse and broodmare for her owner and breeder Mr Strawbridge. He was saddened by the news but, at the same time, is hugely grateful to have owned such a superstar mare.” Goff continued, “I have to mention Zoe Isaacson and the team at Barton, who have looked after her so well. Also, David Ludlow of Stowell Hill Stud cared for her for many years so deserves huge credit, as do Joe Bradley and his team at The National Stud, where she often went to foal.” Friendly Soul, the mare's 12th foal and four-year-old daughter by Kingman, won last year's G1 Prix de l'Opera for John and Thady Gosden as the third leg of three consecutive group victories. She was the first of In Clover's offspring not to be trained in France by Freddy Head and she currently holds entries for both the Pretty Polly and Eclipse Stakes. The G1 Prix Rothschild winner With You, by Dansili, is long the family members remaining in the Strawbridge broodmare band and has bred two winners from her first two runners – With Stars (Sea the Stars) and Gitano (Lope De Vega). She has a two-year-old filly by Siyouni as well as a yearling daughter of Sea The Stars to follow. Goff added, “It's worth saying that all [In Clover's] Group 1 winners were sired by Juddmonte stallions, which says a lot about the depth and quality at that establishment. She leaves behind a smart Kingman yearling colt and an exceptional filly foal also by Kingman, so hopefully the story isn't over yet.” The post George Strawbridge’s Stellar Broodmare In Clover Dies at 23 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Like a Saltshaker (Peace and Justice) was named the Claiming Crown Horse of the Year by Claiming Crown co-founders National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association (NHBPA) and the Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders Association (TOBA). Like a Saltshaker, who cemented his title with a narrow win in last fall's $140,000 Claiming Crown Rapit Transit at Churchill Downs, will be honored at the annual TOBA Awards Dinner on Sept. 6 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. Trained by Brittany Vanden Berg, the gelding was campaigned by Marisco Brothers Racing, who claimed the Pennsylvania-bred for $10,000 on May 14, 2023. With 18 wins to his credit and $606,161 in career earnings, the 7-year-old was bred by Glenn Brok in Pennsylvania. The Claiming Crown Horse of the Year is selected by the National HBPA's Industry Awards Committee chaired by Todd Mostoller, the Pennsylvania HBPA's executive director. The 2025 Claiming Crown, totaling $1.1 million in purses, will be held Nov. 15 at Churchill Downs. Colonial Downs is hosting an eight-race Claiming Crown Showcase Day on Thursday, Aug. 21, at Virginia's track in New Kent, offering $550,000 in purses. The top two finishers in those races will receive an automatic berth in the corresponding Claiming Crown race in Louisville. The winner of each race will also receive a travel stipend from the Virginia HBPA of up to $2,000, provided the horse starts in the Claiming Crown championship race. The deadline is Oct. 25 to request Claiming Crown eligibility for a horse to run in the Nov. 15 races at Churchill Downs, accompanied by a $250 administrative fee per horse per race. Late eligibility requests will be considered up to Nov. 8 (the day of entries) for a $1,250 administrative fee. The post Like a Saltshaker Named 2024 Claiming Crown Horse of the Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Epsom's traditional Derby gallops morning attracted three of the 25 colts remaining in contention for this year's Betfred Derby, including a duo from the stable of John and Thady Gosden. Wathnan Racing's Damysus and Juddmonte's Nightwalker, both by Frankel, stretched out around the unique curves and camber of the Surrey track in tandem, and Thady Gosden appeared to be encouraged by the morning's exercise away from Newmarket. “They both handled it very well. They're very intelligent horses, the pair of them, really taking it in. You could see Damysus pricking his ears coming to the line,” he said of the colts, who were second and fifth respectively in the Dante Stakes at York. “It's not the easiest race to prepare for – obviously coming here this morning helps but it's a unique test of everything and until you actually get to it you don't really know how it's going to go. “Neither of them had hugely hard races in the Dante, they were both doing their best work late on. These are two horses that we think will suit [Epsom] well. It'll be another step up in the Derby, as it should be, but we're very happy with them both at the moment.” Wathnan Racing's retained jockey James Doyle, who has recently returned from injury, was aboard Damysus, whose dam Legerete (Rahy) won the G2 Prix de Malleret over a mile and a half. He said of the flashy chestnut, “His temperament is pretty rock solid and he was very relaxed this morning, got a nice lead round. He's a very neat horse with a quick action, very well balanced and he relaxed beautifully on the way round. The track shouldn't be a problem for him, judged on today. “He's got all the little things you need at Epsom – obviously it'll be different on the day, but just doing a gallop around here he got all those little things right, switching his leads at the right time, getting balanced up across the road at Tattenham Corner and then into the straight he flicked his leads again and kind of felt like a little motorbike the way he was down there so hopefully he handles it that well in the actual race.” Doyle also has inside knowledge of the 2,000 Guineas winner and Derby third-favourite Ruling Court, having ridden him in a racecourse gallop during Craven week. He said of the Godolphin colt, “I think Ruling Court probably isn't getting the respect he deserves. He's a horse with a lot of natural pace.” Rab Havlin, who was second in last year's Derby on Ambiente Friendly, rode Nightwalker in the gallop. “I thought he had learnt a bit from the Dante as he has been a horse that's been quite a slow learner,” he said. “In the Dante he was a bit naive about things and lugging left but straightened up in the final furlong and hit the line strong.” The Juddmonte homebred is out of Sleep Walk, an Oasis Dream half-sister to the St Leger winner Logician. Havlin continued, “It looked like he wanted a mile and a half in the Dante. The fractions were slow and he had a wide stall that day – the plan had been to go forward but he was so slowly away and it became a bit of a three-and-a-half furlong sprint. He was aways playing catch-up but I was really happy with the way he found a gear. A step up in trip will be a big plus.” Joining the Gosden pair at Epsom was the thrice-raced Al Wasl Storm, the winner of a Chester maiden on his last start for Owen Burrows. The colt is by Affinisea, who is more commonly regarded as a National Hunt sire but is by a Derby winner in Sea The Stars and is a half-brother to the Irish Derby winner Soldier Of Fortune. Al Wasl Storm's owner Ahmad Al Shaikh has an extraordinary record in the Derby, with his Khalifa Sat and Hoo Ya Mal each having finished second at odds of 50/1 and 150/1. He also owned the fourth and fifth horses home in last year's race, Deira Mile (25/1) and Sayedaty Sadaty (50/1). Al Wasl Storm and David Probert | John Hoy/The Jockey Club “When he came to us I had to look up the stallion as I'd never heard of him,” said Burrows after watching Al Wasl Storm at Epsom. “But even last year – I didn't get him until summertime last year – he showed a bit in his work. He's not a typical jumps-bred horse. He's not a big unit, he's well balanced and moves well. He'd always shown he had ability so it's not been a complete surprise.” He added, “Ahmad has been second in The Derby twice with 50-1 and 150-1 shots and he's so passionate about the race – it's his life goal, as such, so if we could be the one to tick that off, that would be massive. As long as he can run well and do us proud then we'll be happy.” He added of the €7,000 foal purchase, “I'm very realistic – he is only rated 86 so I'm not going to tell you that he is going to outrun his odds, but we'd like to think he'll handle the place and he'll be galloping at the end. He should be staying, and staying well. “This horse has a different profile with his breeding but is a horse who is improving with every run and I was pleased with what I saw there. On ratings he's got a huge job to find but the owner has been very lucky, he's rolled the dice a few times and not been too far away, so hopefully we can do the same again.” David Probert, who rode Hoo Ya Mal in the Derby for Al Shaikh, was aboard Al Wasl Storm and said, “Mentally, this horse has come on since Chester but is still quite raw. He did it the hard way from the front at Chester but galloped on relentlessly. I would imagine a mile and a half around a track like this would suit him as he is a well-balanced horse with a good mind on him. He handled the sharp bends well at Chester so there is no reason to believe he wouldn't handle a track like Epsom.” The post Doyle on Damysus: ‘He’s Got All the Little Things You Need at Epsom’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars PRESTIGE GOOD - R5 (1) Seems to like the Valley mile and can break through here Jay Rooney FLYING FORTRESS - R7 (5) In top form and just needs an ounce of luck from the draw to go close Trackwork Spy TACTICAL COMMAND - R6 (3) Can take advantage of an overdue good barrier and return to winning form Phillip Woo SPICY GOLD - R9 (3) Boasts sterling Happy Valley form and can win another here Shannon (Vincent Wong) PRESTIGE GOOD - R5 (1) Has been knocking on the door and can produce...View the full article

Seth Hancock recommended Christophe Clement when he went out on his own in 1991 and I sent horses to him. Christophe worked extremely hard to become one of the most successful trainers in New York. We were friends for many years. I appreciated a text from him on May 4, but could only think about how hard this battle had to be. Christophe will be remembered by what he achieved in his career. He leaves a large, loving family behind to relish his accomplishments and honor his memory by building on them. The post Letter to the Editor: Peter Blum Remembers the Late Christophe Clement appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Kristen Manning/TTR AusNZ In one of the most significant votes in Australian racing history, members of the Australian Turf Club (ATC) have rejected the proposed A$5-billion sale of Rosehill Gardens, voting down a controversial resolution that would have seen the iconic western Sydney racecourse redeveloped into housing. The final result was 56.1 per cent against and 43.9 per cent in favour, with 4413 members voting “No” and 3451 voting “Yes”. The vote marked the end of an 18-month saga that saw heated debate, a parliamentary inquiry, and widespread industry backlash. “This was the most significant decision in the Club's history,” ATC chairman Peter McGauran said in a media release after the result. “We thank every member who engaged with the proposal and made their voice heard.” A vote that divided the industry The proposal – first announced in December 2023 – was billed by the NSW Government and the ATC as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to create 25,000 new homes and unlock $5 billion in proceeds to reinvest in Sydney racing infrastructure. Premier Chris Minns, who championed the plan, described the outcome as disappointing but signalled the government had contingency plans for addressing Sydney's housing crisis. But critics questioned the process, the rushed timeline, and the integrity of the governance. “I am very happy,” said Arthur Mitchell of Yarraman Park. “It was all badly run, badly thought out. Now we can take a deep breath, a rethink, take some time and look at other opportunities. There was a lack of trust. The bribery to members didn't go down well.” That so-called “bribery” refers to the controversial loyalty program released in the final weeks of the campaign, which offered free memberships and benefits to those who voted in favour of the sale. The offer was seen by many as a last-ditch inducement to flip the vote. Julia Ritchie from Save Rosehill said, “I think 99.9 per cent of the people in the room today were 'No' voters. McGauran said young people wanted this. Someone asked for the young people in the room to raise their hands. There were two. Where were the rest?” She continued, “Before the last vote we were polling 85 per cent no. Then they had lots of pretty pictures and brochures – and the inducements – and they got it down to 56 per cent. We want to help the industry get it right. We shouldn't need inducements to get members to support our tracks.” Whilst I'm pleased with the result, I am disturbed by the seven-figure amount wasted by the Board on the proposal and hope this is an opportunity for 'Board renewal', with the four proponents retiring, their only honourable course. https://t.co/n4osmqdGtV — Gai Waterhouse AO (@GaiWaterhouse1) May 27, 2025 What comes next? The ATC has confirmed it will now refocus its energy on strategic planning and infrastructure renewal. “With the vote behind us, the Club's focus is firmly on the future – one that honours our proud heritage while continuing to evolve and grow,” said McGauran in a Club statement. “Our priorities remain enhancing our tracks and welfare systems, growing participation through deeper community engagement, and continually improving the raceday experience.” The result will also intensify calls to speed up urgency on the review of the Racing Act, which has been committed to by the Racing Minister. As Antony Thompson, Aushorse chairman and principal of Widden Stud, put it, “It's time for a reset.” The post Sale Rejected: ATC Members Say ‘No’ to Rosehill Resolution appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot will be run over six furlongs from 2026, as well as being restricted to two-year-olds whose sire won a race over at least seven furlongs (1400m) at the age of two, or at least a mile (1600m) at the age of three and upwards. The changes were announced on Tuesday by the British Horseracing Authority's Flat Pattern Committee (FPC) and follow the Group 1 upgrades announced in February by the European Pattern Committee (EPC), with the aim of safeguarding the production, retention and racing of quality horses with stamina in European Flat racing. The Windsor Castle, which currently takes place on the Wednesday of Royal Ascot, has been run over five furlongs since being awarded Listed status in 2004. Ruth Quinn, director of international racing and development at the BHA, said, “Whilst a change such as this in isolation will not materially alter the landscape, it is hoped that such a move, in tandem with further tactical adjustments, will continue to focus minds and add greater encouragement for breeders and buyers to look beyond the more obviously precocious type. “The Windsor Castle is a very popular race for owners seeking to have a runner at the Royal Meeting; changing the requirements for runners in this fashion from 2026 should create further incentive for breeders, buyers and owners to consider investing in middle-distance bloodlines. “We are grateful for the careful consideration given to this matter by the Flat Pattern Committee, and to the valuable support of Ascot Racecourse.” The post New-Look Windsor Castle Stakes to be Staged at Royal Ascot from 2026 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Triple Group 1 winner Zougotcha became the most expensive horse sold at auction in the Southern Hemisphere this year when she realised $5.25 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. The daughter of Zoustar was offered by Chris Waller Racing and became the second-highest priced horse ever sold at the National Sale following Imperatriz's virtual sale at $6.6 million 12 months ago. Coolmore's Tom Magnier secured Zougotcha, and said, “Well done to Chris Waller and all his team. She was a beautiful mare and everybody was on her this week.” He added, “Olly Tait and his team were underbidders. They are very good judges. She will go to Wootton Bassett. Having Wootton Bassett back this year, it gave us the confidence to find these mares and what he is doing both in Australia and Europe, we are very fortunate to be in this position and to get this mare. “We are very close to Sophie Baker and the Waller team. When you look at these top ones that they keep putting through the sale, they're blue chip mares for everyone. Hopefully they might be buying the offspring in years to come.” Another triple Group 1 winner from the Chris Waller Racing draft offered was the Go Racing syndicated star Atishu. The daughter of Savabeel was purchased by the powerful Yulong Investments (Australia) team for $2.7 million. “Mr Zhang was very impressed when he saw her,” Yulong's Sam Fairgray said. “She's a beautiful type so it is great to have her in the broodmare band.” He added, “She doesn't need to take on Via Sistina [on the track] so she's going straight to the breeding barn. She will probably go to Alabama Express. I think it is a really nice cross. She's a beautiful mare so it is exciting to have her.” All told, there were 14 lots that sold for $1 million or more on the day. The sale grossed $47,574,500 while the average was $363,164 [up from $309,731 in 2024] while the median settled at $160,000 [up from $120,000 last year]. The clearance rate was 81%. “I thought it was an unbelievable day,” Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said. “I thought there was great confidence and electricity in the ring from the very start.” He added, “I think buyers got involved accordingly. It was great to see a huge cross section of buyers and not any one buyer dominating the market today.” The post Zougotcha Sells For AUD $5.25m At Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Champion stayer Kyprios has been retired from racing following the recurrence of an old injury, Coolmore announced on Tuesday. “Due to an aggravation of an old ringbone lesion we have decided to take no chances with Kyprios and although he is currently sound and doing well the decision has been made to retire him from racing,” read a statement posted to X by Coolmore (@coolmorestud). Kyprios retires as the winner of 17 of his 21 starts and over £2.6 million in total prize-money. Having won the 2022 and 2024 editions of the Gold Cup in a career which brought him eight Group 1 victories, the son of Galileo had been the overwhelming favourite to defend his crown at Royal Ascot this year before news of his retirement was announced. More to follow. The post Coolmore Announce Retirement of Star Stayer Kyprios appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Madame Gandhi’s journey to creating her latest album, Let Me Be Water, has roots in an overflowing rubbish bin at her Los Angeles home during the pandemic. “There were stacks of takeout food containers,” she says. “This was my New York City upbringing, where we grew up being able to eat at any restaurant any time of day without any awareness of how that impacts our climate and sustainability.” That snapshot of her pandemic life became a potent symbol. “This is horrible,” she recalls thinking. “I...View the full article

Xiaomi has clarified that its advanced 3-nanometre XRing O1 system-on-a-chip (SoC) is not a customised solution from Arm, pushing back against speculation as the Chinese smartphone maker seeks to design its own integrated circuits (ICs) in-house to rival industry leaders Apple, Samsung Electronics and Huawei Technologies. “[XRing O1 SoC] is not based on a complete solution provided by Arm, and claims about it being an Arm-customised chip are groundless,” Xiaomi said on Monday in a post to its...View the full article