Wandering Eyes

Haras de Bouquetot resident Romanised (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) became Europe's latest first-crop sire to get off the mark when his Philippe Sogorb-trained son O Sole Mio (Fr) shed maiden status at the first time of asking over 5 1/2 furlongs in Saturday morning's Prix Jacques Boutier at Tarbes. 1st-Tarbes, €23,000, Mdn, 4-19, unraced 2yo, c/g, 5 1/2fT, 1:07.60, g/s. O SOLE MIO (FR) (c, 2, Romanised {Ire}–Vera Blue {Ire}, by Intello {Ger}) broke sharply from the outside gate and tracked better drawn rivals in third until beyond halfway in this debut. Shaken up passing the quarter-mile marker, the 37-5 chance was pushed to the front entering the final furlong and ridden out to hold the late thrust of Keanu (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) by a neck. O Sole Mio is the lone reported foal produced by a winning daughter of Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie and Listed Prix Vulcain runner-up Venturous Spirit (Fr) (Arch). The March-foaled dark bay's third dam Vatrouchka (Kingmambo) is a winning half-sister to G2 Prix de l'Opera victrix and MG1SP matriarch Verveine (Lear Fan). Sales history: €13,000 Ylg '23 ARQOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,500. Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-SARL Groupe KR, Mme Michele Sogorb & Philippe Sogorb; B-Roger-Yves Simon, Nicolas Simon & Mme Meline Mechineau (FR); T-Philippe Sogorb. The post Freshman Sire Romanised Off The Mark at Tarbes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Exciting juvenile Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) maintained his perfect record with a dominant win in Saturday’s Listed TAB Starway Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie. The son of Swiss Ace made a strong impression on debut earlier this month at Otaki, warranting co-trainer Graeme Rogerson to consider backing up in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) the following Saturday. Rogerson elected to bypass the Trentham showpiece in favour of targeting the Starway Stakes, where Domain Ace flew under the radar in betting starting at $11.30 on the TAB tote, with two-time Group Three performer Love Poem (Snitzel) closing a hot favourite at $1.60. Domain Ace was a clear last at the jump, forcing jockey Craig Grylls to track three-wide and cover the most ground of any in the juvenile feature. Love Poem loomed large at the top of the straight but was no match for Domain Ace as the gelding scorched down the middle of the track to score by 1&½ lengths. Rogerson has held the two-year-old in high regard throughout his preparation and believes there is plenty more to come. “He’s a very nice horse, and still very green and learning to be a racehorse,” he said. “Craig said he missed the start, he doesn’t quite know what he’s doing yet, but he is something special. “The trials were cancelled, and he had to back up, so we didn’t go to the Group One, but I think he’s well and truly up to that company.” Rogerson plans to press onto the Listed Waikato Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1400m) at Te Rapa on May 4, with the Listed Staphanos At Novara Park Champagne Stakes (1600m) a long-term possibility in boosting his $67,860 in stakes. “We are pretty confident that he’s a Group horse. He’s going to run in two weeks’ time at Te Rapa and maybe in the Champagne Stakes as well,” Rogerson said. Out of an unraced Hussonet mare Internet, Domain Ace was bred by Gerry Harvey and was set to be sold at the 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sales by Rogerson Bloodstock. After Domain Ace was passed in, Rogerson elected to train the two-year-old himself alongside wife Debbie and granddaughter Bailey, while retaining part-ownership alongside several long-time clients including Merv and Meg Butterworth and Craig Leishman. View the full article

Underrated three-year-old filly Moonlight Magic (NZ) (Almanzor) employed a barnstorming finish from last to secure a valuable stakes victory when she captured the Gr.3 Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie in spectacular fashion. The Andrew Forsman-prepared daughter of Almanzor had been thereabouts in all of her recent racing without having much luck but ensured her maiden victory would be a memorable one in a race that will significantly boost her value when she eventually heads to the broodmare paddock. Punters hadn’t missed her unlucky fourth at her most recent start when hampered in the home straight as she finished fourth in the Gr.3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), and sent her out a strong $3.80 second favourite on Saturday. That inspired support looked in jeopardy when she trailed the field in last place for most of the journey, before rider Craig Grylls got busy on the filly approaching the home turn as she looped the field to make a long, sustained run. Angled to the outside, Moonlight Magic produced an electric turn of foot at the 300m to burst clear and dash to a three-length victory over Solidify (NZ) (Redwood) with another Forsman runner in First Innings (NZ) (Contributer) charging into third. Forsman admitted he had some mid-race questions for Grylls to answer if the filly hadn’t been successful. “She deserved that as she has been desperately unlucky in some good races right the way through,” Forsman said. “She is a good filly who will keep getting better. “I had wondered what Craig was up to approaching the home turn and I thought he must have a lot of horse under him to take off like he did. “I think they had gone steadily enough up front, and he had confidence in her to take off like that. “It was just nice to see her get a good crack at it.” Forsman is in a quandary as to whether to press on with his charge to a possible Queensland campaign or to back off her and get ready for spring racing. “She has had a lot of racing now and hard racing over ground, but to her credit she seems to be thriving,” he said. “We will just reassess now, see how she comes through the run and work it out.” Grylls was pleased the filly could get the victory after being stopped in her tracks at her last start. “Last time down at Trentham she was luckless as she got knocked over halfway down (the straight), but picked herself up for fourth,” he said. “She should have been right in the finish that day. “I was a little bit concerned how far back I was, but there was good speed and that played into her hands as we tracked to the outside and she had a really good turn of foot.” Bred and raced by the Sunlight Trust, Moonlight Magic is out of the Encosta De Lago mare Japonica and comes from an extended family that includes triple Group One winner Serenade Rose (Stravinsky), the 2006 champion three-year-old filly in Australia along with dual Group One winner Trekking (Street Cry). View the full article

An autumn trip to Canterbury has turned out to be career-defining for Matamata mare Sassy Merlot (NZ) (Burgundy), who added a valuable black-type win to her record in Saturday’s Listed Daphne Bannan Memorial Great Easter Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton. A placegetter in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m), Gr.3 Desert Gold Stakes (1600m) and Gr.3 Rotorua Stakes (1400m) as a three-year-old, Sassy Merlot had struggled to find her best form through her four and five-year-old seasons. An encouraging third at Hastings on February 28 led to co-trainer Pam Gerard sending her down south, where she finished a close fifth in a 1400m open handicap at Riccarton before winning in Rating 75 grade at Ashburton on April 4. But on Saturday the southern venture paid off in the best way possible with a Listed victory and the lion’s share of the $80,000 stake. “She’s been a tough horse all the way through,” Gerard said. “It’s just a little bit harder up north, especially when you get tracks that aren’t quite to suit. I’m really pleased now that we talked the owners into coming down. “She’s come down here and had one-on-one attention over the last few weeks. Richie (Fallon) has just done the most amazing job and got her back into form. “The Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) was originally the target, but she just didn’t travel down all that well and we weren’t sure about the distance. She had a nice run over 1400m instead, then went to Ashburton and won there and boosted her confidence. “When I saw her after I got off the plane this morning, I thought she’d just gone to another level.” But even the most resurgent racehorses still need things to go to plan once the gates open, and rider Lisa Allpress had some nervous moments in the early part of Saturday’s race. A slow start made Sassy Merlot’s customary front-running tactics impossible, and she instead took up a position in midfield. Allpress trucked up in Our Echo’s (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven) slipstream coming up to the home turn, then switched to the outside and asked Sassy Merlot to quicken. The response was immediate and Sassy Merlot swept to the lead with more than 300m remaining, then kept finding enough down the long Riccarton straight to turn back the late challenges of Third Decree (NZ) (War Decree) and Millefiori(NZ) (Iffraaj) and win by a length. “That was a strong performance,” Allpress said. “My instructions went out the window a few seconds before we jumped. She was just standing there like a statue, and I knew she wasn’t going to jump well. There wasn’t much I could do about it at that stage. “I was supposed to ride her forward, but I had no choice but to go back and get some cover, then try to find a nice back to follow into the race. It all worked out nicely in the end and she kicked really well. “Her last-start win was phenomenal, and I knew she had that residual fitness on her side as well. When I asked her in the straight, she just shot out from underneath me. It was a good feeling.” Sassy Merlot was bred by Advantageous Ventures Ltd, who offered her in Book 3 of Karaka 2020. The daughter of Burgundy was bought for $24,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables, and her 28-start career has now produced five wins, seven placings and $181,145 View the full article

Central Districts filly No Rain Ever (No Nay Never) bounced back from an uncharacteristically poor performance seven days ago at Riccarton to secure a hard-fought stakes victory when taking out the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m). The daughter of No Nay Never had been strongly supported in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) but never really figured when finishing ninth behind impressive winner Epee Beel (Epaulette), who brought up co-trainer Michael Pitman’s 2000th New Zealand winner. Trainer Bill Thurlow was prepared to overlook the run and with apprentice Lily Sutherland in the saddle for the first time, his charge repaid that faith courtesy of a peach of a ride. Sutherland had the filly back beyond midfield against the rail in the early stages before sneaking closer at the 800m and then angling into a gap wider out rounding the home bend. No Rain Ever burst to the lead and despite being hotly challenged by Sense of Timing (NZ) (Time Test) over the final 100m she found enough to hold her at bay with fellow northern raider Race Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace) running on nicely to take third. Sutherland was thrilled with the win and was quick to acknowledge the connections of the filly and the trust they placed in her. “I’m just very thankful to be put on her,” Sutherland said. “I was supposed to ride her more forward but I thought I’d better not panic (when she was further back). “She has come through them really easily and got the front too soon, wobbled around but it was a really good win. “Bill (Thurlow) has supported me since I was a 4kg claimer and I’m very thankful to him.” No Rain Ever is a daughter of Group Two winner and multiple Group One placegetter November Rain (NZ) (Stravinsky) and is raced by her breeders, former New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing chairman Matthew Goodson and his wife Dianna Perron. Her extended family includes a host of International stakes performers including American Group One winners Will’s Way, Willa On The Move and Tizway (Tiznow). The victory took her career record to three wins and five placings from 12 starts and over $136,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

A week after his remarkable front-running heroics on Pride Of Jenni (Pride of Dubai) in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), in-form jockey Declan Bates pulled off another wire-to-wire performance with New Zealand-bred mare Disturbia (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) in Saturday’s Evergreen Turf Handicap (1600m) at Mornington. A second placegetter in all of her last three appearances, the four-year-old daughter of Turn Me Loose dominated Saturday’s A$80,000 race from the moment the gates opened. Bates sent her forward from the outside gate and she swept across to the rail and dictated terms throughout. Disturbia produced a strong kick approaching the home turn and put herself out of the reach of the chasers, keeping up a strong gallop down the Mornington straight to win by a length and three-quarters. “I’m getting a bit of a reputation for this – it would be nice to ride a winner from the back for a change,” Bates quipped. “But it worked out nicely for this mare today and she toughed it out really well. “I just let her roll forward from the wide gate. She gave a good kick coming down the side and then sustained it enough to hold them out well.” Disturbia has now had 23 starts for three wins, nine placings and A$135,480 in stakes. “We were pretty happy to get Declan on today, we thought he could probably do the job around Mornington,” said Emma-Lee Browne, who trains in partnership with her husband David. “I’m super proud of this horse. She was up in class today, but she’s as honest as they come. She always puts her hand up and tries very hard. She’s as tough as anything, loves stable life and loves going to the races. We’re just rapt. “We’re taking it race by race with her, but she’s in a great space at the moment, a great frame of mind, so I don’t see why we wouldn’t keep going in this campaign.” Browne paid just $2000 to purchase Disturbia on gavelhouse.com in March of 2021. She was bred by Windsor Park Stud and is out of the winning Fastnet Rock mare New Age Rocka – a half-sister to Gr.1 Flight Stakes (1600m) winner Danglissa (Danzero). New Age Rocka later produced a colt by Vanbrugh in 2022, and she was served last season by Waikato Stud’s Noverre. View the full article

Alpha Delta Stables' homebred Raging Sea shakes off the rust of a nearly five-month layoff with a dominant victory in the $300,000 Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. View the full article

Alpha Delta Stables' homebred Raging Sea shakes off the rust of a nearly five-month layoff with a dominant victory in the $300,000 Doubledogdare Stakes (G3) at Keeneland. View the full article

One day after a lower court in Kentucky denied a motion to make Amr Zedan's 'TDN Rising Star' Muth eligible for the GI Kentucky Derby by overturning Churchill Downs Inc., (CDI)'s ban again trainer Bob Baffert, Zedan's incorporated racing stable on Friday asked the Kentucky Court of Appeals to “vacate the Jefferson Circuit Court's order and issue a temporary injunction” to let his Good Magic colt at least begin the entry process to race in the first leg of the Triple Crown. Zedan's Apr. 19 motion proposed that “At a minimum, a partial injunction should issue enabling Muth to be stabled under Derby rules at Churchill Downs Racetrack by 11:00 a.m. Eastern on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Such an approach will properly protect the rights and interests that hang in the balance and enable the upcoming Derby to proceed as it should, with all qualified horses racing and the very best horse winning.” Zedan is not only racing against the clock with his legal efforts, but against preceding court decisions. In addition to Thursday's denial of his injunction request in a Kentucky state court, Baffert (who is not a party to Zedan's lawsuit) lost a case at the federal level in 2023 that similarly sought to overturn his ban by CDI. CDI had barred Baffert from its properties shortly after the 2021 Derby, which the now-disqualified Zedan-owned and Baffert-trained Medina Spirit won while testing positive for betamethasone. Baffert's ban was initially just supposed to last for two Derbies. But in July 2023 CDI extended the penalty through 2024. Zedan's Apr. 19 filing in the appeals court disagreed with the judge's opinion in the lower Kentucky court that articulated “deep concerns” about “innocent third parties who will have their horses removed from the Derby field to make room for the Plaintiff's horse should the Court grant injunctive relief.” To the contrary, Zedan told the appeal court in his filing, “such harm is a phantom-there is no evidence that any competitor will suffer.” Zedan's reasoning continued: “Absent the unlawful ban, Muth would be waltzing into the Derby as the winner of the [GI] Arkansas Derby and no one would think twice about that. That's how horse racing-indeed, any competition-properly works. “The Jefferson Circuit Court noted that other competitors 'have done nothing wrong, have followed the rules, and worked hard only to be denied the opportunity to compete at the last moment,'” Zedan's filing pointed out. “But there was no showing or finding that any other horse would be ousted from the Derby if Muth is afforded his [qualifying] points, or that any other owner would be aggrieved.” Churchill Downs in recent years has limited the Derby to a draw of 24 entrants, with 20 being allowed to start. Should the appeals court rule in favor of letting Muth into the Derby, it could theoretically exclude bottom-dwelling qualifiers who wouldn't make the top 24 cutoff. If the court's injunction un-banned Baffert, other owners who have Derby candidates trained by him might also suddenly want in on the Derby, possibly excluding even more current qualifiers. Zedan's filing didn't see it that way, though. “If anything should bother other owners, it is the fact that none of them will be able to claim their horse as the deserving winner of this year's Derby without having an asterisk next to its name and the lingering, unanswerable question, 'Would that Thoroughbred have outrun Muth'?” the filing stated. Zedan's filing continued at a different point: “Without purporting to find any substantive justification for CDI's ban, the Jefferson Circuit Court denied Zedan's request for temporary injunctive relief. After rejecting several of CDI's defenses and determining that a dispute over standing did not prevent it from resolving Zedan's request, the lower court questioned the irreparable harm threatening Zedan. In particular, the court suggested that Zedan could have avoided its injuries by transferring its horses to a different trainer back in January-months before this year's Derby.” Zedan then argued in his filing that transferring Muth to a different trainer wasn't an option he wanted to pursue in 2024, even though he had done it in previous Derbies when Baffert's ban by CDI was in effect. “Zedan and like-situated owners experienced disappointing results after switching trainers prior to the 2022 Derby and the 2023 Derby, where their horses' performances materially declined,” Zedan's filing stated. “After returning to Baffert, most of these horses returned to form.” Zedan's filing then made this leap of logic: “The undisputed evidence is that switching trainers hurts horses and diminishes performance, and that no one can substitute for Baffert in readying horses for the Derby. By all indications, switching to a different trainer would have left Muth handicapped and ultimately ineligible for the Derby.” At another point in the Friday filing, Zedan made the analogy that his stable “has as much standing as the New York Giants would have if they were, say, barred from the Super Bowl because the host stadium harbors a vendetta against the State of New York.” Zedan lashed out at CDI by stating that the gaming corporation was “excluding a horse based on a trainer's public 'narrative' rather than actual qualifications, compliance, and merit. CDI is betraying its principles, upending fairness, skewing the Derby, and casting a cloud over the ultimate 'winner,' which would now be a mere artifact of CDI's petty caprice… “No one should want to see the Derby unfold this way,” Zedan summed up. “To the contrary, the public interest is served by letting the public watch and cheer the very best horses at the Derby-as opposed to having CDI arbitrarily exclude a potential winning horse.” A request for comment emailed to CDI late Friday afternoon did not yield a reply in time for deadline for this story. The post Zedan Appeals Muth’s Derby Denial; Says Harm to Horses Who Might Get Excluded Is ‘A Phantom’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Given a cozy inside trip from gate one by Flavien Prat, Alpha Delta Stables' RAGING SEA (f, 4, Curlin–Stormy Welcome, by Storm Cat) went on the offensive in the stretch and powered clear to make a victorious seasonal return in Friday's GIII Baird Doubledogdare S. at Keeneland. Sent off as the 5-2 second choice while making her first start since annexing last year's GIII Comely S. in November at Aqueduct, the homebred fell into the box seat in the early going as Loved (Medaglia d'Oro) cut out even fractions while tracked along by Hidden Connection (Connect) to her outside. Loved continued to hold a short lead into the turn, but Hidden Connection was breathing right down her neck while Raging Sea was waiting for her cue just in behind. Hidden Connection got the better of the tussle on the front end and put away Loved nearing the stretch, but Raging Sea popped away from the inside soon after, wrested command a sixteenth of a mile from home and went further clear with each stride, scoring by about four lengths on the wire. Even-money 'TDN Rising Star' Scylla (Tapit) raced in between horses in the second flight, but was flat-footed when the real running started and grinded her way into a trifecta finish. Sales history: $300,000 RNA Ylg '21 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 8-4-1-1. O/B-Alpha Delta Stable LLC (KY); T-Chad Brown. The post Raging Sea Romps Home In the Baird Doubledogdare appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Despite the varying levels of industry experience and the assortment of roles held amongst the 80 attendees at the Horse Racing Women's Summit (HRWS) event at Keeneland on Thursday, April 18, the sense of comradery was palpable throughout the day's program. The first HRWS event of the year, the sold-out program included a keynote conversation and two panel discussions focused on the topics of sales and bloodstock, along with a workshop activity and ample opportunity to converse with fellow industry women throughout the afternoon. Shannon Arvin, President and CEO of the Keeneland Association, alongside Julie Cauthen, a bloodstock agent and member of the Keeneland Inspection Team, kicked things off with a conversation moderated by Gabby Gaudet, a reporter/analyst for FanDuel/TVG and Keeneland. With a friendship that goes back to junior high, Arvin and Cauthen delved into the two different paths they have taken in establishing their careers within the Thoroughbred industry and how they've balanced that with motherhood. The importance of finding the equilibrium between the sacrifices made in one's personal life and professional life was a sentiment echoed by both women. “I'm all for leaning in but I feel it's also important at times to lean out,” said Arvin. “Just because you make a choice at one point in your life, it's not indicative of the rest.” The speakers also discussed the importance of having a supportive and motivating team around you, particularly when looking to advance your career within the industry, and emphasized the value of integrity and commitment. “If you can make that choice, be with the people that make you feel valued and that you respect, and then that path to advance is easier,” said Cauthen. “Show up. Just keep showing up over and over again. Even on days when you're discouraged, show up,” added Arvin. Horse Racing Women's Summit at Keeneland | courtesy of HRWS The program continued with the first panel, comprised of Allaire Ryan, Director of Sales at Lane's End Farm; Caroline Wilson of SF Bloodstock; Jill Gordon, Owner of Highgate Sales; and Dr. Kathleen Paasch, DVM, a Veterinarian and Shareholder at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. Moderated by Alexa Zepp, a Quality Assurance Analyst and Handicapper for Daily Racing Form, the panel entitled 'Navigating Sales' encompassed a wide-variety of discussion that ranged from how each woman's role varies at the sales, what it's taken to establish themselves in those roles, and how they've all learned to thrive amongst the hustle and bustle of the sales atmosphere. “I had a good foundation and second to that, it was really important to put together a team that could rally around and be the best they can be. I think having that solid, strong team, there's nothing that can replace that and I think that's the most important thing when starting anything,” said Gordon, whose Highgate Sales has quickly shot to the top since debuting in 2022. Ryan shared a differing perspective as someone whose family's involvement in the industry traces back four generations. She emphasized that despite being born into it, it was her determination and hard work that led to where she is today. “I've learned through trials and tribulations that there are people out there that will use one consignor this year and a different consignor the next year. I think if you dwell on things, you can easily get caught up. I try to be respectful of my peers, the jobs that they do and the services they offer, because at the end of the day we're all relevant in what we do,” said Ryan. “I grew up in [the industry], but where I got to today is because I was forced to make my own connections. My dad is still one of my biggest cheerleaders, but the best thing he ever did for me was say, 'you have to go do it yourself.'” Paasch, who was introduced to horses and learned to ride while growing up out west, completed an internship at Rood and Riddle in 2000 and has been there ever since. “If you don't have a racing background, don't let that discourage you. People are very happy to answer your questions. There is knowledge in years of doing this job, from the grooms to the managers, on every level,” she said. A native of Ireland who now travels nationally and internationally in her role with SF, Wilson paid homage to the connections she's made and the network she's built while forging her own path into the industry. “I do feel like I've had a lot of people that helped me along the way and I'll always remember that. I feel very passionately about paying that forward because I was just really nobody that landed over here halfway accidentally and this has now become my whole life,” said Wilson. Complimenting the event's first panel of the day, the second panel focused on 'Bloodstock Decisions,' with panelists including Kitty Day, Owner of Warrendale Sales; Cherie DeVaux, a Graded Stakes-Winning Trainer; Meg Levy, Owner of Bluewater Sales; and Dr. Natanya Nieman, DVM, General Manager and Resident Vet at WinStar Farm. Day and Levy, who both established their own consignment companies over 20 years ago, shared how they've seen the sales world evolve, particularly when it comes to the role women play. “When I started, women didn't show, only the men showed. There weren't any women consignors. And it evolved because there weren't enough men to do the job,” said Day. “I think women come into this industry for totally different reasons than men do. We love animals, we enjoy animals and we want to be around these animals.” “I don't think that we can deny the business is still male-dominated. In the end, we're all human and we have to interact with the structure that is there and figure out strategies to both get to the position we want and be successful,” added Levy. Though DeVaux, who went out on her own as a trainer in the spring of 2018, juggles plenty in her day-to-day schedule, she emphasized the importance of remaining grounded through staying true to yourself. “Don't compromise who you are as a person, your values or your goals. Sometimes you have to take a step back to take two steps forward. If one door closes, it might not have been your path,” she said. “Be open but always keep your core values and be true to who you are.” Stephanie Hronis | courtesy of HRWS Nieman shared her personal experiences as a member of the WinStar team since 2002. Since last year, she's taken on the role of general manager while continuing her duties as the farm's resident vet. “I felt like I owed it to myself and all of us to take the job and do what I can with it,” said Nieman. “Trust yourself and have faith in what you're doing. You do have the ability, you do have the knowledge, and you can do really whatever you want to do with it.” Stephanie Hronis, Executive Committee Chair of the HRWS, wrapped up the day with an interactive workshop activity focused on 'work-life balance.' “Being in this industry, it's not a one-size fits all. Our want, wish, hope with all of our events is that there are takeaways for you. No matter who you are or where you are in your career, there's a takeaway for you that you can apply both personally and professionally,” said Hronis. “We believe that by engaging, elevating and investing in women, we can change the sport of horse racing.” The next HRWS event is Tuesday, July 23 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, Ny. To purchase tickets, click here. The post Momentum Of HRWS Continues To Build With Keeneland Event appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Gulfstream, $43,650, Moc ($50,000), 3yo, 1m 70y (AWT), 1:40.94, ft, 2 1/4 lengths. QUESTER (c, 3, Into Mischief–Osare {SW, $234,605}, by Medaglia d'Oro), a $775,000 Keeneland September graduate, finished off well to be a debut third sprinting over this surface and was the even-money selection while stretching out to a distance of ground here. One of two in this field not entered for the tag, the immaculately bred bay showed good speed from the inside gate, but was nevertheless outfooted to the front by Dunes of Gold (Midshipman). Content to chase from second down the backstretch, Quester was asked for his best nearing the stretch, reeled in the front-runner with a bit less than an eighth of a mile to race and edged away. Quester's stakes-winning dam, a $300,000 Keeneland September yearling, is a daughter of MSW & GSP Bubbler (Distorted Humor), a $170,000 purchase by Eamon Cleary at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2010 and later bought back on a bid of $4.7 million at FTKNOV just days after her son Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) outgunned California Chrome in the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Osare is also the dam of a 2-year-old colt by Into Mischief, a yearling filly by Gun Runner and was most recently bred to Life Is Good. Quester is cataloged as hip 45 at next Friday's Keeneland April Horses Of Racing Age Sale. Sales history: $775,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $32,940. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Repole Stable & Robert & Lawana Low; B-Bridlewood Farm (FL); T-Todd A Pletcher. The post Regally Bred Quester Graduates First Time Long at Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Churchill Downs Inc. will be given until April 24 at noon ET to respond to an appeals court motion for emergency relief seeking to get Muth into the Kentucky Derby (G1), only three days before a deadline for Derby horses to be under the Twin Spires.View the full article

Top Darwin jockey Jarrod Todd, who has won the Top End and Country premiership for the past four years, celebrates one of his three wins at Fannie Bay on Friday on the Gary Clarke-trained Starspangledancer. Picture: Caroline Camilleri (Darwin Photography Professionals) Darwin’s Gary Clarke and Jarrod Todd look set to defend their Top End and Country trainer and jockey premierships. Clarke, unstoppable for the past 11 years, and his No.1 rider Todd, untouchable for the past four years, landed a winning treble at Fannie Bay on Friday. That’s 41 wins for the season for Clarke; he now holds an unassailable lead over Phil Cole (21). Todd has 35 wins for the 2023–24 campaign; he’s well clear of apprentice Emma Lines (20). Clarke and Todd claimed the main race on Friday when eight-year-old mare Bel’s Banner ($3.20) made it back-to-back wins over 1100m (BM76). Bel’s Banner was sitting outside Tayarn Halter’s $2.90 favourite with horse racing bookmakers Pocket Pistol (Jade Hampson) passing the 900m and their dog-fight continued before they battled it out in the home straight. Bel’s Banner edged clear at the 200m before downing Pocket Pistol by a length, with Clarke’s $6 hope Influential Jack (Ianish Luximon) third. That made it seven wins from 21 Darwin starts for Bel’s Banner, after two wins from 23 starts in Queensland and Victoria. Starspangledancer ($2.70 fav), a four-year-old mare by Starspangledbanner, got the ball rolling for Clarke and Todd with victory over 1200m (0-58). Starspangledancer, boasting two wins from nine Darwin starts, led after 200 metres before Halter’s I’m A Dreamer (Hampson) applied the heat leaving the back straight. At the 300m, Starspangledancer skipped two lengths clear before I’m A Dreamer ($3.50) got to within 0.6 lengths at the finish with Chris Pollard’s $14 chance Go Barney Go (Luximon), a distant third. It was a big day for Clarke’s mares, with five-year-old Extreme Emotion ($3.10) finishing strongly in a 1000m maiden after coming third in a similar race on her NT debut in March. Extreme Emotion, the daughter of Extreme Choice, settled fourth before making ground and catching Chloe Baxter’s $4.80 prospect Siberian Larch (Wayne Davis), who led for a long time, to win by 1.3 lengths with Cole’s $2.80 favourite Miami Vice (Luximon) third. It was on from the outset between Nash’s $1.60 favourite Mr Have A Chat (Sonja Logan) and Clarke’s $2.50 second pick Patriotic King (Todd) over 1000m (0-64). Patriotic King, who held the fence, lost rhythm at the 500m with Mr Have A Chat, skipping two lengths clear. Mr Have A Chat, a solid performer in Victoria and SA (34:5-7-2), had to lift over the final 100m as Patriotic King, the 1100m track record holder, rallied before prevailing by 1.1 lengths, with Halter’s $8.50 contender Raffalli (Hampson) working home nicely for third. Peter Stennett’s New Enterprise ($3.60) lined up over 1300m (0-64) and left it late before winning by length from Cole’s $4.40 chance Merseyside (Luximon) and Clarke’s $3.20 fancy Global Wonder (Todd). Horse racing news View the full article

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by Jessica Martini & Stefanie Grimm OCALA, FL – The Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training rushed across the finish line with a lively session of bidding Friday and concluded its four-day run in Central Florida with a new sales record average and median and a gross just off last year's highwater mark. “It certainly felt like it picked up here at the end of the four-day stretch,” said OBS Director of Sales Tod Wojciechowski. “It felt good. We were bumping up against a record [gross from] last year. And so, we feel good to be within striking distance of it again this year.” Through four days, 630 horses sold for a gross of $81,994,000. The average of $130,149 just inched ahead of last year's record-setting figure of $129,907, while the median rose 7.7% to a record $70,000 from $65,000 a year ago. During the 2023 Spring sale, 698 horses sold for $90,805,000. “The record median reflects the broad buying bench at the Spring sale,” Wojciechowski said. “The international bench of buyers continue to grow–that's certainly an area of growth for us. They obviously like the stock that they've been getting. They keeping coming back and we continue to attract new international buyers as well. And then, domestically, you have somebody like Donato [Lanni] who obviously bought quite a few over the last few days. Obviously they are happy with the product they are getting.” On behalf of various clients, Lanni purchased the top offering at each of the auctions' four sessions. He purchased the sale's top-priced horse, a filly by Tiz the Law, for $1.9 million Wednesday. His other session toppers included a $775,000 daughter of Caracaro Tuesday and a Nyquist colt for $550,000 Thursday. During Friday's final session, he purchased a filly by Nyquist for $850,000 on behalf of Susan and Charles Chu's Baoma Corp. Lanni came back later in Friday's session to acquire another colt by Nyquist for $525,000 on behalf of Zedan Racing Stable. Through the four sessions, Lanni signed the ticket on nine juveniles for a total of $7,010,000. Under the Three Amigos buying name of Bob Baffert clients Mike Pegram, Paul Weitman and Karl Watson, Lanni signed for an additional three lots for $2,175,000. The $1.9-million sale topper was the only seven-figure juvenile of the 2024 auction, compared to three a year ago, but, this year's sale did match its 2023 number of horses to sell for $500,000 or more with a final of 28. Despite the record-setting statistics, a large number of horses catalogued to the auction never went through the ring. From a catalogue of 1,208 horses, only 783 were offered. There were 153 not sold for a buy-back rate of 19.5%. A year ago, the catalogue featured 1,222 head and 840 of those went through the ring. Of those offered, 142 failed to meet their reserves for a buy-back rate of 16.9%. “We were certainly disappointed in the outs,” Wojciechowski said. “There were a lot of outs over the course of the four days and that's something we will address in the future.” Consignors and buyers alike returned to the same word to describe the market in Ocala this week. “Spotty,” John Kimmel echoed the common refrain. “It seemed like the ones we were interested in certainly didn't have any trouble finding buyers.” Nick Sallusto, active on both the buying and selling side of the ledger this week, added, “It's the same pattern. The quality is being pursued heavily and anything that is not perceived as top quality, it's the same old story, it's struggling. It's more of the same, but maybe a little bit more than usual.” Another Nyquist for Lanni From Wavertree Donato Lanni | Photos by Z Donato Lanni purchased a colt by Nyquist from Wavertree Stables late in the day to top Thursday's session of the OBS Spring Sale and Lanni returned early in the day Friday to purchase a filly by the Kentucky Derby-winning sire from the same consignment, going to a session-topping $850,000 to acquire hip 915 on behalf of Susan and Charles Chu's Baoma Corp. The Chus campaign the promising multiple graded-stakes winning sophomore Nysos (Nyquist), who they acquired for $550,000 at last year's OBS Spring sale. “They absolutely love the sire,” Lanni said. “She's a lovely filly. She worked well, came back good. She has class and a good mind. We are happy to have her.” The juvenile is out of the unraced Amagansett (Tapit), a daughter of Twirl (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and from the family of Group 1 winners Misty for Me (Ire) and Ballydoyle (Ire). Nysos aside, Susan Chu also maintains a broodmare band and targets well-bred fillies at the auctions. “She loves the fillies,” Lanni said. “She loves the breeding program and she loves her foals. She prefers fillies.” The juvenile was bred by Bobby Flay and was purchased by Allstar Bloodstock for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Through consignor Paul Sharp, the breeder/celebrity chef sold a colt by Uncle Mo a few hips later for $685,000 to D.J. Stable and Robert Cotran. @JessMartiniTDN McKinzie Colt to Flanagan A colt from the first crop of McKinzie (hip 995) sold for $725,000 to the bid of John Kimmel and Nick Sallusto, bidding on behalf of Sean Flanagan, during the final session of the OBS Spring sale Friday. Consigned by Saul Marquez's Caliente Thoroughbreds, the bay is out of Bernadreamy (Bernardini), a daughter of Grade I winner Dream Empress (Bernstein). He worked a quarter-mile last week in :21 flat. “We have been following McKinzie since the yearling market,” Kimmel said. “They have done well and we were quite impressed with a bunch of them that breezed here, but this colt actually did something that you don't see very often. For a horse with his kind of fluid action, for him to go out the way he did, he went in :21, but he also went out in :44 4/5 and another eighth in under :59. He looks like a horse that has such fluid motion, we were just surprised because he doesn't look like he is going that fast. And then you go back and you look at the physical and you check all the boxes there. The horse passed all the technical stuff, the ultrasound and X-rays and those are the kind of horses that we try to buy. I thought the price was stiff, but I think Mr. Flanagan got a legitimate horse.” Sallusto added, “The horse had all of the right qualities, mentally and physically. His characteristics kind of give you the chills. It's a little uncanny how cool a character he is.” Earlier in Friday's session, Bradley Thoroughbreds purchased a filly by McKinzie from Julie Davies's consignment for $675,000. And later in a bang-up session for the Gainesway stallion, a filly from Eddie Woods's consignment sold for $600,000 to Bill Childs and a colt from Hernandez Stables sold for $350,000 to Seth Morris as agent for Hit the Bid Racing. Through four sessions, 17 juveniles by the Gainesway stallion sold for an average of $216,735. “They look like they have good physicals with powerful bodies,” Kimmel said of McKinzie's first crop of 2-year-olds. “We've seen them breeze very well. And he's by a horse that won the Kentucky Derby in Street Sense. I think he's a stallion that has a legitimate chance to jump up there on the freshman sire list.” Of plans for hip 995, Kimmel said, “We will send him back to Thorostock, give him a little breather and probably get him to the races back up to Chad Brown.” @JessMartiniTDN Another OBS Home Run for Marquez Saul Marquez enjoyed a second home run at the OBS Spring sale Friday when his Caliente Thoroughbreds sent hip 995 through the ring to sell for $725,000 to Sean Flanagan. In his inaugural one-horse consignment a year ago, Marquez sold future graded winner Wynstock (Solomini) for $700,000. Marquez and partners had purchased that colt for $50,000 at the previous year's Keeneland September sale. “I am blessed to be around good people who trust me. I can't express how happy I am right now,” Marquez said. Of hip 995, Marquez said, “He's an impressive colt who does everything well. He's a two-turn horse, well-minded. He was busy all week long. He had a great workout and the sky is the limit for him.” Marquez purchased hip 995 for $260,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale last summer. “It was a partnership I put together,” he said of the pinhooking group. “He was the first horse I saw in July, number 71, I will never forget.” Asked if the colt's six-figure yearling price tag was a stretch for the group, Marquez said, “I took a little risk. I was coming off a good year and I said, 'I have to roll it in again.' That's the only way I believe I can keep on going.” During Thursday's session of the Spring sale, Caliente Thoroughbreds sold a filly by Tiz the Law (hip 733) for $300,000 to Klaravich Stable. The chestnut had been purchased for $35,000 at Keeneland last September. Looking ahead to this coming yearling sales season, Marquez said with a smile, “Let's roll again.” @JessMartiniTDN Orseno Strikes Early For Uncle Mo Colt Paul Sharp and Joe Orseno | Jessica Martini Only minutes into Friday's closing session, trainer Joe Orseno went to $685,000 for an Uncle Mo colt (hip 920) on behalf of D. J. Stable LLC and Robert Cotran, the owners of this year's GIII Holy Bull S. winner Hades (Awesome Slew). The colt, who is out of GSW/MGISP America and a half to MGSW/GISP and 'TDN Rising Star' First Captain (Curlin), was a $345,000 RNA as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton October last year. Paul Sharp, selling the colt on behalf of Bobby Flay Thoroughbreds, joined Orseno as he signed the ticket. “They [D.J. Stable and Robert Cotran] were all over this horse right from the start,” said Orseno. “We're happy to get him.” Competition for the colt was plenty and Orseno noted that the price was more than they expected to pay. “Good horses cost money,” he said. Sharp, who opted to gallop the colt instead of breeze him, added: “He developed slowly, but he started to really turn here lately. He's a very nice horse. We just took our time with him. There was no intention to ever breeze him. The horse is very big and he'll be late developing. We always wanted to do right by the horse.” The price marked the highest of the week, by far, for a horse that galloped. “There's always a concern given how we sell 2-year-olds these days,” said Sharp on whether a breeze vs. gallop would affect the sales price. “But the opportunity to get a horse with a pedigree like that and a physical that matches up–he's very, very beautiful with beautiful action, even in the gallop.” The gallop clearly didn't bother Orseno or the colt's new owners. “We're not looking to run him in June or July,” Orseno said. “Right now he looks like he's going to be October or November. I'm hoping to be ready for Keeneland in the fall, but if he's not ready, we'll take our time.” @SGrimmTDN On Point Finds Success With Tiz the Law The connections of On Point Training and Sales were all smiles Friday when their New York-bred filly by Tiz the Law (hip 928) and out of a stakes-placed dam brought a final bid of $600,000 from Donato Lanni made on behalf of the Three Amigos. “She always showed up for us,” said On Point's Ortiz Victor Rivera. “She's an easy keeper, stays in her feed tub and she takes care of herself. And when we asked her to work a couple of times on the weekends, she was always there. You wish you had 10 of these.” The filly, from the first crop of Classic-winning Tiz the Law, went the way of On Point for just $30,000 at Saratoga last August. Rivera continued: “She has that walk that when you see it, you just know. And [at Saratoga], she had all her lines, just hit every mark. She's our first Tiz the Law. This is the only one we could get our hands on, they're very expensive!” The Three Amigos, who also picked up a Caracaro filly (hip 199) for $775,000 and a colt by Bolt d'Oro (hip 351) for $800,000 earlier in the week, provide all the opportunity that On Point feels their filly deserves. “It's a huge connection,” Rivera said. “This is the best opportunity in the world for her. If she can't make it there, she can't make it anywhere.” A small operation, On Point had just two horses entered at OBSAPR. Their other entry, a filly from the first crop of Curlin's Honor (hip 978), sold for $40,000. @SGrimmTDN Flashy McKinzie Colt Rewards Hernandez Hip 1188 | Jessica Martini While most shoppers at Keeneland last September likely noticed the flashy white face and blue eyes, Angel Hernandez noticed an attractive individual with an impressive pedigree. Hernandez was able to purchase the colt, from the first crop of McKinzie, for $32,000. The Ocala horseman was rewarded Friday when the youngster (hip 1188) sold for $350,000 to Seth Morris, as agent for Hit the Bid Racing. “I know people focus on him because of his color, because of the blue eyes and a lot of white, but the first thing I liked about him was his body,” Hernandez said. “I liked the big hip, strong butt and the pedigree. His first dam is by Curlin and the second dam is by Tapit. So I thought good would have to come out of that.” Hernandez admitted he had expected he would have to pay more for the colt last fall. “I was surprised because I was willing to go to $40,000 and I got him for $32,000,” he said. “I couldn't tell why–maybe there was something that I missed. But I think people focused more on the color and they forgot to see what was in front of them, the beautiful body. So I thought I had made a good buy.” The juvenile worked a furlong at last week's under-tack show in :10 flat. “He put a lot of weight on and he just grew up,” Hernandez said of the colt's development. “He was a little baby and he's a big man now.” This is just the second year Hernandez has been consigning under his own name, but he has spent two decades working for Nick de Meric. “I don't pinhook a big group, normally six or seven,” Hernandez said. “This year, I did 10, which was one of my biggest years.” On what Friday's sale–his highest result so far–felt like, Hernandez said, “Amazing. I don't have words to explain.” @JessMartiniTDN The post $875k Nyquist Filly Leads Way as OBS Spring Sale Sets Records Again appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

6th-Keeneland, $110,000, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 4-19, 3yo, f, 6f, 1:11.06, ft, 5 1/4 lengths. EMERY (f, 3, More Than Ready–Athena {MSW, $459,222}, by Street Sense) broke her maiden by 5 3/4 lengths over a muddy course last summer at Saratoga, and then finished fourth in the slop to Eclipse winner Just F Y I (Justify) in the GI Frizette S. during the Belmont at the Big A meet in early October. Poised to kick off her 3-year-old campaign, the dark bay with Lasix was tabbed as the 1-2 choice here. From the bell, Emery tracked up the backstretch pacesetter Rhapsody (Goldencents), but just before the turn she was shuffled back towards the middle of the pack. Re-rallying at the eighth pole, the filly shifted off the rail to the two path, gunned her engine and sailed home a winner by 5 1/4 lengths over the former leader. The winner's dam is responsible for a 2-year-old filly by American Pharoah. Athena was purchased by Stonestreet for $130,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November Sale while in foal with a filly by Improbable. She visited Good Magic for this term. Sales History: $235,000 Wlg '21 KEENOV. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, $149,098. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Stonestreet Stables LLC; B-Mary K. Grum (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. #3 EMERY ($3.08) pulled away to win race 6 at Keeneland under a handride from @Tyler_Gaff for trainer @bradcoxracing. This is the second win in three starts for the @StonestreetFarm runner, who was last seen finishing fourth in the GI Frizette in October. pic.twitter.com/zSBUACxRes — TVG (@TVG) April 19, 2024 The post Emery Begins Her 3-Year-Old Campaign With A Win At Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

George Krikorian's War Like Goddess has dominated Keeneland's Bewitch Stakes (G3T) like no horse before her. A winner at ages 4, 5, and 6, the super mare is back at it again at age 7, chasing an unprecedented fourth win in the race April 26. View the full article

Churchill Downs and Fasig-Tipton have announced a new three-year partnership in which the sales company will be the official sponsor of the La Troienne Stakes (G1), Fleur de Lis Stakes (G2), and Locust Grove Stakes (G2).View the full article

Desert Dawn, Turnerloose, and Super Shine will try to take the Santa Maria for D'Amato against five other rivals.View the full article

Churchill Downs and Fasig-Tipton have formed a new three-year partnership where the sales company will be the official sponsor of the GI La Troienne S., the GII Fleur de Lis S. and the GII Locust Grove S., the track said in a release Friday. The $1 million Fasig-Tipton La Troienne will kick off the series on Kentucky Oaks Day. The Fasig-Tipton Fleur de Lis is scheduled for Saturday, June 29 during Stephen Foster Day. That race is part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, which awards the top three finishers a partial travel credit should they compete in the GI Breeders' Cup Longines Distaff. The Fasig-Tipton Locust Grove will run during the September Meet. “We're thrilled to team with Fasig-Tipton for this three-race series,” said Gary Palmisano, Vice President of Racing for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “Fasig-Tipton brings unmatched prestige to these iconic filly and mare stakes races at Churchill Downs and we couldn't be more honored to have them onboard.” “We are pleased to partner with Churchill Downs to sponsor three important filly and mare stakes races,” said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton President. “Fasig-Tipton is synonymous with selling the sport's top females, so this is a perfect partnership for us.” The post Churchill Downs And Fasig-Tipton Partner For Three-Race Series, Includes La Troienne appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coming off a record-breaking victory in the March 30 Florida Derby (G1) at Gulfstream Park, Fierceness breezes April 19 at Palm Beach Downs in South Florida in preparation for the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Saturday's Observations features a son of the dual 1000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 13.35 Curragh, Mdn, €20,000, 3yo, 7fT IGOR STRAVINSKY (IRE) (No Nay Never), who was scratched from his intended debut at Dundalk last week, is set to start on turf for the Ballydoyle stable which has started 2024 with a flourish. The first foal out of the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), he looks to emulate his relative Wingspan (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was a first-time winner earlier this month. The post Son Of Hermosa Debuts At The Curragh appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Further Guineas clues abound at Newbury on Saturday, with the pair of seven-furlong trials offering a springboard to next month's Newmarket and ParisLongchamp features. In time-honoured fashion, the G3 Fred Darling S. sees a high-profile sprinting filly being asked to stretch out for the first time and at this point all are in the dark as to whether Yuesheng Zhang's acquisition Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) can go the extra furlong having signed off her highly profitable juvenile campaign with a win in the G2 Lowther S. In contrasting style, Cheveley Park Stud's homebred Regal Jubilee (GB) (Frankel {GB}) drops back from a mile having taken the Listed Montrose Fillies' S. on heavy ground at Newmarket in November. Representing the Gosdens, Regal Jubilee descends from the operation's G1 Cheveley Park S. winner Regal Rose (GB) (Danehill) who was denied a chance to tilt for the Guineas due to injury. “The stiffer seven at Newbury will suit her, the ground will certainly suit her from what we saw last autumn,” the Stud's Chris Richardson said. “I think the trip is the minimum, really, she's probably bred to be more of a mile-and-a-quarter filly. But it makes sense to go for a trial and see where we go after that. We'll take advantage of the slightly easier ground now and see what happens.” What Next For Folgaria… Italy's 2023 sensation Folgaria (Ire) (Due Diligence) debuts for the Marco Botti stable having shone for his brother Stefano last term. Unbeaten in five including the G3 Premio Primi Passi and G2 Premio Dormello, she is a fascinating contender dipped into British company. “She joined us about two and a half months ago, the owner decided to see what she can do abroad and it seems a good race to start her off in,” Marco commented. “The ground won't be an issue, she's been in good form and her work at home has been pleasing us. She's in the French Guineas and this will tell us a bit more about how to compare what she did in Italy to here.” Rough Sketch In The Greenham? Also at Newbury is the G3 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham S., where Lynn Turner and Guy Brook's unbeaten Listed Prix Herod scorer Zoum Zoum (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and Victorious Racing and Fawzi Nass's G2 Coventry S. runner-up Army Ethos (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}) look the form picks. Wathnan Racing's G2 Mill Reef S. runner-up Mister Sketch (GB) (Territories {Ire}) is one of the more intriguing contenders and trainer Eve Johnson Houghton is looking to the future. “He's in great form, he's done some nice work,” she said. “He'll love better ground but I think this ground will be okay, he is a lovely horse but he's very much still a work in progress. He's improving all the time, I thought he ran really well in the Mill Reef and I think we've got a very nice horse on our hands.” The post Speed And Stamina Blend In The Fred Darling appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article