Wandering Eyes

One of New Zealand’s brightest broadcasting talents, Andrew Gourdie, is set to join The NZB Kiwi ranks as Head of Communications and Content for the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race. Commencing his position on 1 August 2024, Gourdie will play a vital role in driving all content and promotional activity for The NZB Kiwi until the race’s inaugural running on Champions Day – 8 March 2025 at Ellerslie Racecourse. Gourdie’s major responsibilities include leading The NZB Kiwi digital content strategy, front-of-camera talent for subsequent promotional interviews and videos, as well as generating cut-through for mainstream engagement. The previous Television Sports Reporter of the Year looks forward to bringing a fresh take on NZB Kiwi-related content as New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) looks to extend the race’s profile beyond the domestic racing industry. “I’m really excited to be part of the team that’s helping to bring the NZB Kiwi to life,” Gourdie said. “It’s an incredibly exciting time for racing in New Zealand. This event is a major addition to the annual sporting calendar in our country and an innovation that will be a game-changer for an industry I care deeply about. “My previous roles have given me the chance to tell some amazing stories, and I’m really looking forward to sharing the journey of the people and the world-class New Zealand Thoroughbred talent that will be involved in this race over the coming months. “I’d especially like to thank outgoing NZTR Chairman Cameron George for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to begin the build-up towards what will be a massive day for Kiwi sport,” he said. With over two decades of broadcasting experience, Gourdie has covered some of New Zealand’s finest sporting achievements and memorable moments, including the All Whites’ unbeaten run at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the All Blacks’ 2011 Rugby World Cup victory, the Black Caps’ historic 2015 Cricket World Cup campaign as well as two consecutive Rugby World Cup campaigns in 2019 and 2023. Outgoing NZTR Chair Cameron George is thrilled to have Gourdie join The NZB Kiwi team. “To have an award-winning communications professional with over 20 years of experience reporting and presenting sport in mainstream media is a huge win for NZTR,” he said. “Andrew has a proven track record of developing and implementing strategies to engage with and grow mass audience numbers towards Kiwi sports. “We are confident he will be a great fit in our team and help elevate The NZB Kiwi to a level New Zealand racing has never seen before,” George said. There is plenty to look forward to following Gourdie’s appointment, with the country’s inaugural Thoroughbred slot race headlining a major revamp of the New Zealand summer racing calendar next year. The NZB Kiwi will become one of the major highlights of a newly established ‘Champions Day’ that will feature more than $9 million in total prizemoney in year one, climbing to $10 million in year two. Held on the second Saturday of March at Ellerslie Racecourse, Champions Day will also include the Trackside New Zealand Derby and three other iconic Group 1 races, positioning the meeting as a pinnacle event on New Zealand’s racing calendar. Champions Day forms part of the new summer Thoroughbred racing calendar that will boast a series of truly world-class races and meetings, offering more than $23.8 million in stakes across 51 black-type races from January to early April. View more about the revamped summer calendar details here. Last week, NZTR also announced a raft of NZB Kiwi-related initiatives that included the public auction of NZTR’s year-one Slot for The NZB Kiwi. This auction will take place at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2024 Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds, held next November at the Karaka Sales Centre. View the full announcement here. View the full article

Magic Time on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the 2024 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Dual Group 1 winner Magic Time will skip the Group 1 Tatts Tiara (1400m) after finishing nearly ten lengths behind Stefi Magnetica in Queensland’s premier Group 1 race, the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), over the weekend. Melbourne trainer Grahame Begg announced that Magic Time, who claimed the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m) and Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) this season, will be taking a break. “(Eagle Farm) was a very funny track as it was hard and loose on top,” Begg told Racing.com. “She had excuses in the Kingsford Smith as she twisted a plate when jumping and also got galloped on in the race. “I’ll give her a month and then assess whether we need to give her longer or not. It’s a tight turnaround, though.” Horse racing news View the full article

Thomas Stockdale returns to the mounting yard aboard Captain Envious after winning the Group 3 Easter Cup at Caulfield. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) The racing career of Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) placed gelding Captain Envious could be over after he suffered a suspensory injury about 200 metres from the finish line in Saturday’s race. Trained by Paul Preusker in Victoria for Ultra Racing’s Sean Buckley, the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) winner seemed poised for victory when jockey Mark Zahra felt Captain Envious falter in the Eagle Farm staying feature. Despite the injury, he managed to hold on and finish third behind Alegron and Mostly Cloudy. “About the 150-metre mark he has gone amiss. He had it won and unfortunately he couldn’t do any more, the poor horse,” Preusker told Racing.com. “It could be worse, but it’s not great either. “He’ll get the best care we can give and do the rehab and hopefully get it right. “Whether he races again, that would be a bonus, but it doesn’t have to happen either.” Horse racing news View the full article

Group 1 winner Western Empire. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Grant Williams has decided to abandon Melbourne spring carnival aspirations for Western Empire. Initially aiming for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley later this year, Williams has now opted to focus on sprint races in Perth for the horse. Western Empire concluded his winter campaign over the weekend, finishing second to Let’s Galahvant in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Belmont. This marked his second consecutive defeat as the odds-on favourite, following a fourth-place finish to Magnificent Andy in the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) two weeks prior. “He won’t be travelling,” Williams told The Races WA regarding Western Empire’s Victorian campaign. “His form was too good in the short races, so now we’ll train him for a Winterbottom and a Gold Rush. “We’ll go back and keep him short; he blew them away in the 1300 metres and blew them away in the 1400 metres. “For some reason, he’s dropped off the 1600 metres and 2000 metres. “We’ll bring him in, give him two trials, give him two races, go bang, bang, and give him a break. “If he comes back like he did and there are no issues, we can put him out again and save him for a Quokka.” Horse racing news View the full article

Royal Ascot winner Asfoora. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) Asfoora delivered trainer Henry Dwyer the pinnacle win of his career by claiming the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot. This victory marked Australia’s sixth triumph in this prestigious race, following in the footsteps of sprinting legends such as Choisir (2003), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007), Scenic Blast (2009), and Nature Strip (2022). “I’m really struggling for words,” Dwyer admitted. “We’ve come a long way from Ballarat. “Just an amazing experience from start to finish. It was a bit of an audacious plan – we copped a bit of stick back home for bringing her over because she wasn’t seen as one of our better sprinters, but we were just so confident she was really, really textbook, wheelhouse, five furlongs, and she’s proven that today. “She’s no Black Caviar or Nature Strip, but she’s a very good sprinter in her own right, and she’s proved she’s up to it.” 2024 Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (UK) Replay – Asfoora Asfoora burst from gate one, trailing Regional as they led a group of six runners up the stand side. Meanwhile, race favourite Big Evs took charge of the 11 runners on the inside rail. In the final 400m, Asfoora began to drift towards the centre of the track, challenging Big Evs with a furlong to run before surging ahead in the latter stages. Asfoora paying +500 with horse racing bookmakers triumphed over Regional (+600) by a length, with Big Evs (+275 favourite) finishing half a length behind in third. “Thrilled for connections,” exclaimed winning jockey Oisin Murphy. “It’s very brave to come from Australia with a very good horse. She performed on the day. “How good was she? Regional gave me the perfect tow to halfway, he gave me a nice lead. “She lugged a little bit right under pressure, but how good was she at the line? “It’s hard to win Group 1’s, the King Charles III Stakes is a massive race. “I’m delighted. Royal Ascot day one, to win a Group 1, brilliant.” This victory, Asfoora’s ninth from 20 starts, pushed her earnings beyond $2 million and marked Dwyer’s third Group 1 success. Horse racing news View the full article

There are six horse racing meetings set for Australia on Wednesday, June 19. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Canterbury, Sandown and Royal Ascot (UK). Wednesday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – June 19, 2024 Canterbury Racing Tips Sandown Racing Tips Royal Ascot (UK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on June 19, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

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What Royal Ascot 2024 – Day 2 Where Ascot Racecourse – High St, Ascot SL5 7JX, United Kingdom When Wednesday, June 19, 2024 First Race 2:30pm BST (11:30pm AEST) Visit Dabble The Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (2000m) is the headline act for Day 2 of the Royal Ascot Carnival, with an ultra-competitive seven-race program set for decision. The forecast continues to look positive for all participants, with a genuine Good 4 surface expected. The opening event is scheduled to get underway at 2:30pm local time. Check out our best bets for the Royal Ascot races on June 19. Prince Of Wales’s Stakes Tip: Auguste Rodin A classy field of 10 is set to line up in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, and although he’s been mixing his form of late, the Aiden O’Brien-trained Auguste Rodin gets the nod. The son of Deep Impact didn’t fire a shot at Meydan in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m) on March 30, but showed glimpses of a return to form at Curragh on May 26 in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup (2100m) finishing within three lengths of White Birch. Ryan Moore should get the economical run of the race from stall three, and provided Auguste Rodin can replicate his electrifying best, he must be considered the one to beat. Princes Of Wales’s Stakes Race 4 – #2 Auguste Rodin (3) 4yo Colt | T: Aiden O’Brien | J: Ryan Moore (58kg) +150 with Picklebet Best Bet at Royal Ascot: Laurel Laurel has the ability to take out the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (1600m) despite being first-up in over a year. The John & Thady Gosden-trained mare was Group 1 placed last preparation in the Chariot Stakes (1600m) at Newmarket in October of 2022, going on to secure an impressive Listed victory at Kempton Park in the aftermath. She’s been put away and targeted for this a long way out, and with Ryan Moore set to take the reins from the inside draw (1), Laurel should get every chance to make a statement on return. Best Bet Race 3 – #6 Laurel (1) 5yo Mare | T: John & Thady Gosden | J: Ryan Moore (58kg) +280 with Neds Next Best at Royal Ascot: Illinois The Group 2 Queen’s Vase (2800m) is for the three-year-olds, where the Aiden O’Brien barn lines up four genuine chances. Illinois appears to be the one bringing the best form to this, however, with an impressive runner-up performance behind Ambiente Friendly at Lingfield in the Listed Derby Trial Stakes (2300m) on May 11. He should relish the step-up in trip, and with Ryan Moore electing to hope aboard Illinois, take that as a guide to which of these has the most upside. Next Best Race 2 – #4 Illinois (5) 3yo Colt | T: Aiden O’Brien | J: Ryan Moore (58kg) +210 with Bet365 Best Value at Royal Ascot: Ultima Grace Ultima Grace represents the Wesley Ward barn in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes (1000m) and looks a terrific each-way price with online bookmakers. The daughter of American Pharoah cruised to victory at Keeneland on April 18, making every post a winner to score by 3.8 lengths. She’s drawn the right part of the track to scoot along the near-side running rail, and if Ultima Grace can pinch a break, she could prove hard to chase down. Best Value Race 1 – #24 Ultima Grace (17) 2yo Filly | T: Wesley Ward | J: Joel Roario (58kg) +1000 with Dabble Horse racing tips View the full article

Brett Prebble after winning the 2021 Caulfield Cup aboard Incentivise. (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Brett Prebble, renowned for his illustrious career spanning more than a decade in Hong Kong, has officially retired from racing. The Victorian native, who also claimed victory in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m), concluded his riding career based in Sydney. His final win came aboard Eagle Nest at Rosehill on November 11. Prebble last rode in a race on February 24 at Rosehill, taking two rides that day. “It’s a real mix of emotions, but I know the time is right,” Prebble stated. “I’ve had the most incredible career. It’s not lost on me just how fortunate I am to leave my time in the saddle a fit, healthy, happy, and content 46-year-old. “Over four decades of riding I’ve seen way too many times just how incredibly dangerous, devastating and life-changing the job can be. “I’m extremely grateful, proud and genuinely satisfied with what I’ve been able to achieve both in Australia and internationally. “A CV including a Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Golden Slipper, a 15-year career in Hong Kong with more than 800 winners including the Hong Kong Derby and basically every other major race there, as well as the most incredible Group 1 winners in Japan and Singapore.” “Reflecting on it, I know it’s real but it’s also totally surreal at the same time. “It leaves me lost for words to be honest.” Prebble’s career highlights include nine wins in 1999 and 2000 at the Melbourne Cup carnival. He started as an apprentice under Terry O’Sullivan before moving to John Meagher to complete his apprenticeship. Prebble spent 15 years riding in Hong Kong from late 2002 before returning to Australia, initially to Victoria, and then relocating to Sydney. In addition to his racing career, Prebble has owned and operated the riding gear business Persuader for 25 years and plans to focus on this venture alongside his business partner, Mark Bourke. Horse racing news 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. Wednesday's Observations features the topper from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale. 18.00 Ripon, Mdn, £9,000, 2yo, f, 5fT LADY ROXBY (GB) (King Of Change {GB}) debuts for the R N J Partnership and the Bryan Smart stable, having topped the Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Sale at 180,000gns. From the family of the G1 July Cup and G1 Diamond Jubilee S. winner Slade Power (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}), she faces six in a low-key affair. The post King Of Change’s Tattersalls Guineas Breeze-Up Topper Debuts at Ripon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Asfoora gave trainer Henry Dwyer the biggest win of his career when taking out the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot. View the full article

The first post for Saturday, June 22 at Delaware Park has been moved up an hour to 11:30 a.m. ET due to a forecast of extreme heat. Seven races are scheduled for the day with approximately 30 minutes between each race. There will be no changes to the usual post time of 12:30 for the Wednesday and Thursday cards and no live racing is scheduled Friday. The post Delaware Park Moves Saturday Post Time appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every year the road to the Breeders' Cup World Championships starts months before with a series of qualifying races that are known as the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.View the full article

The Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) June 19 at Royal Ascot features a matchup of 2024 Breeders' Cup winners Auguste Rodin and Inspiral.View the full article

Delaware Park became the latest track to alter its scheduled post time during a heat wave gripping parts of North America. First post there June 22 has been moved up an hour to 11:30 a.m. View the full article

Scott Sander had an idea for a rom-com movie floating around in his head, but wasn't quite sure what the setting should be. Then it hit him. Why not horse racing, and specifically the breeding industry? That's the story behind the story when it comes to the movie Sander is working on, “Breeders.” “I thought I had what was a really good idea for a big, fun romantic comedy,” said Sander, who was this week's Green Group Guest of the Week on the Thoroughbred Daily News Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. “I knew what the idea was, and then I knew that I needed to set it in some beautiful, esoteric world that people don't normally get to see. So I came up with an idea, that I'm going to set it in the world of Thoroughbred horse breeding, not horse racing per se, but down in Lexington. There are so many beautiful farms there, which I had never been to. Then I realized, I don't know anything about horses.” But he met the right people in Lexington and got a crash education. Among others, Keeneland, Coolmore and Three Chimneys have been assisting him. Without giving away the plot, Sander said, “'Breeders' will be a comedy about traditional marriage set in the beautiful world of Thoroughbred horse breeding.” Sander realizes the sport has been hit with a lot of negative publicity in recent years and said his movie will shine a positive light on the breeding industry. “I absolutely believe people in the industry will like this,” he said. “I met one of the owners of one of the most venerable farms down there and when I met her originally, she said, 'don't you make fun of us?' Yes, it is a rom com and it's fun, but it's also an absolute celebration of the breeding world. I told her I turned it into language that I thought would work for her. This movie is going to do for Lexington what 'Sideways' did for the Southern California wine country.” The timetable for release of the movie is uncertain. Sander and his team went to work on the Thursday before the GI Kentucky Derby and got a lot done there. They hope to shoot some more in the fall, but will take the winter off because Sander wants to show the farms at their best, which is not possible when it's cold and there is snow on the ground. Asked for an estimate of when the movie will hit the theaters, Sanders said he'd hope that it will be out in 18 months. In our breeding spotlight section we took a look at the WinStar stallion Tom's d'Etat. The podcast also included the “News You Can Use” segment, which is sponsored by Darley. It featured TDN European Sales Editor Brian Sheerin, who talked about the major stories at this year's Royal Ascot meeting. Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders' Association, West Point Thoroughbreds, WinStar, Darley, XBTV.com and the KTOB, the team of Randy Moss and Bill Finley took a look at the 2-year-old picture, which included several impressive debut winners during the week. They also took a look at the situation in Northern California now that Golden Gate Fields has closed and the news from HISA that breakdowns during the first quarter of the year were down by 38%. To watch the video podcast, click here. To listen to the audio podcast, click here. The post Movie Producer Scott Sander Joins TDN Writers’ Room Podcast appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of June 11-June 18View the full article

Five open seats on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Horse Breeders Association (MHBA) have been filled, with four of the positions filled by returning members and one by a new member. Returning to the board are veterinarian Brooke Bowman, DVM; owner-breeder Michael Horning; Country Life Farm and Merryland Farm co-owner Josh Pons; and Northview Stallion Station's general manager David Wade. Trainer Phil Schoenthal is joining the MHBA Board for the first time. The five elected will serve for the next three years and will join current directors William K. Boniface, Amy Burk, Henry “Tim” Clark, Charles Fenwick, Jr., Lisa Hofstetter, T. K Kuegler, Grace Merryman, Kent A. Murray, Gina Robb, and Thomas Rooney. The MHBA's Annual General Membership meeting will take place on Wednesday, in person at the Maryland Horse Library & Education Center in Reisterstown and on Zoom. Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority (MTROA) interim CEO Corey Johnson will serve as guest speaker. The post MHBA Sets 2024 Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It was a day that had everything. From Rosallion landing the St James's Palace S. to yet another Australian sprinter showing the Euros how it's done, day one of the royal meeting did not disappoint. Here are some of the talking points. Faux Pas For The French Anyone who backed the French raiders Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) in the Queen Anne knew pretty early that they were not going to get off to a winning start at the royal meeting. After Christophe Soumillon elected to ignore the rest of the field and make his effort on the far side aboard Big Rock, Maxime Guyon felt it would be best to follow his fellow countryman. It proved to be a spectacular faux pas for the French raiders and, what's even worse for Guyon who broke from stall seven, is that the winner, Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), came from two doors down in stall nine. Big Day For Eustace That race provided a big moment for trainer Harry Eustace. Despite not winning the Queen Anne, last year's Britannia winner Docklands (GB) (Massaat {Ire}) confirmed that he belongs at the highest level when staying on for second. A breakthrough Group 1 does not look beyond Docklands on that evidence and Eustace could have a potential candidate to take in big-race international targets. Wathnan Hitting The Crossbar Speaking of enhancing your reputation in defeat, Wathnan Racing did exactly that when recent breeze-up purchases Electrolyte (Ire) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) and Columnist (GB) (Ardad {Ire}) finished second and third in that order in the Coventry. Bloodstock agent Richard Brown may have been shopping the breeze-up sales with the equivalent of a blank cheque but you still need to come up with the goods. Had Electrolyte or Columnist raced in the same group as the winner Rashabar (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), who knows, maybe Wathnan would have been off the mark for the week in the Coventry. It didn't get any easier for the owners who had to fill the placings yet again in the Wolferton but there are bigger bullets to fire later in the week and one would imagine recent recruit Haatem (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) will be very hard to beat in the Jersey S. on Saturday. Unadulterated Speed How good are those Australian sprinters? By no means a star Down Under, Asfoora (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) picked off the best of the European sprinters in the King Charles III S. Ed Bethell was left ruing his decision not to opt for the six-furlong Group 1 on Saturday with the runner-up Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}) after the race but perhaps the trainer was being a little hard on himself. Meanwhile, Big Evs (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) just appeared to be going too fast for his own good by blazing a trail out in front before being swallowed up by the front two. One would imagine that the Nunthorpe would be tailor-made for Big Evs and he could be hard to beat at York. The Real Deal It was billed as a big day for Blue Point, with Big Evs and Rosallion (Ire) holding leading chances in the feature Group 1s on day one, and so it proved with the latter putting in a spellbinding performance to win the St James's Palace S. Rosallion has now won three Group 1s in three different countries and built on that hard-fought Irish 2,000 Guineas victory with another top-class display at Ascot which can be viewed as something of a coming of age performance. Of course, Blue Point has some deep Royal Ascot history himself, given he won the King's Stand and Diamond Jubilee sprints within the space of a week back in 2019. When he joined the Darley roster, it would have been easy to see him siring very fast horses but Tuesday proved that he is not only about speed and precocity. He can get you much more than that and, in Rosallion, he has produced a genuine top-notcher. Willie In The Bumper What more can you say about that man? Willie Mullins took the Copper Horse Handicap 12 months ago with Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), a leading fancy for Thursday's Gold Cup, and who's to say where this year's winner Belloccio (Fr) (Belardo {Ire}) might end up. Word on the street was that Mullins might not have been bringing his usual power-packed team to Royal Ascot this year but how wrong that proved with Belloccio taking the race with something to spare. Regardless of the code, be it Flat or jumps, there really is no stopping the Mullins juggernaut. The post Royal Ascot Talking Points: Wathnan Racing Out Of Luck With Two Near Misses appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A mandatory evacuation for horses and humans at New Mexico's Ruidoso Downs was issued Tuesday after the South Fork Fire was reported by government officials at nearly 14,000 acres with zero percent containment. Officials were alerted Monday morning to the fire, which is burning on Mescalero Tribal land, U.S. Forest Service land, and within the areas surrounding Ruidoso. Ruidoso Downs is located within the Village of Ruidoso. “The racetrack right now is in great shape,” said New Mexico-based trainer Todd Fincher, who has 70 head on the premises. “Huge fire destroying the town, but I left there this morning and everything was very good at the track. Some people have moved their horses and some haven't. I haven't yet, but we are on alert. Hopefully it won't get close to the track or affect the horses.” Ruidoso's most recent day of live Thoroughbred racing was conducted Sunday with the next card originally scheduled for this coming Friday. Social media had a number of images showing road access limited in and out of the track with air quality also being a major concern. The Downs at Albuquerque, approximately 200 miles away, was accepting horses with room for about 1,000 equines. According to New Mexico Fire Information, the South Fork Fire is a full suppression fire, with air and ground resources utilized from tribal, federal, state, and local agencies. Cell service is limited in the greater area. Tuesday brought an additional concern of increased winds while approximately 500 structures have already been impacted. The post Fire Sparks Mandatory Evacuation at Ruidoso Downs appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Two raging wildfires in New Mexico that prompted the evacuation of thousands of residents in the resort town of Ruidoso have also led to the relocation of horses from Ruidoso Downs, located about five miles southeast of town.View the full article

Charyn got favorite backers off to a winning start at Royal Ascot June 18 with a hard-fought victory over Docklands in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1).View the full article

For the connections of classic winner National Treasure, there figures to be some traveling this summer—one way or the other. View the full article

ASCOT, UK–A wishlist for the first day of Royal Ascot would certainly have included the hope that a Classic-winning colt would step forward and announce himself as a proper horse, a major win for an international traveller, and the sight of the inimitable Sir Mark Prescott in the winner's enclosure. Tick. Tick. Tick. We'll throw in to the mix a tearful Mark Loughnane proclaiming the 80/1 Coventry S. victory for his jockey son Billy as “the best ever moment of my life”, and Sam Sangster, equally tearful as his father's famous colours were carried in on the back of Loughnane, who in turn was on the back of Rashabar (Ire). In short, it was a day that had everything. It's too early to talk about coronations for the Classic generation but the horse pushing himself to the front of the queue to be called the next champion is Rosallion (Ire), who won the unofficial battle of the Guineas winners to continue his sire's illustrious association with the royal meeting. Blue Point (Ire) had himself dazzled on this day in both 2018 and 2019, taking back-to-back runnings of what was then the King's Stand S., before bowing out with a final audacious victory four days after the second of these wins in the Diamond Jubilee S. He hasn't taken long to make his presence felt in his second job. Rosallion and then Big Evs (Ire) became his first and second top-flight winners on the international stage last year, at the Arc meeting and the Breeders' Cup respectively, and both have stepped up again this year. Big Evs showed blistering early pace in his attempt to emulate Blue Point in the King Charles III S. But ultimately had to give best to Asfoora (Aus) and Regional (GB) when finishing a length and a half back in third. We discussed Rosallion's family in greater detail in these pages yesterday. It is one already heavily laden with classy animals, and if his dam Rosaline (GB) had looked a little disappointing in the early days as the sole unraced daughter of the celebrated Reem Three (GB), then boy is she making up for it now. “Quite often you call these horses something that they're not, because you want them to be the best horse you've trained – and quite often you are disappointed. That's an occupational hazard. But this lad has never let me down,” said Richard Hannon, who bore a look of disbelief after Rosallion was beaten by Notable Speech (Ire) in the 2,000 Guineas but has subsequently been fully vindicated in his staunch belief in the colt. On this day 12 months ago, Rosallion's relation Triple Time (GB) had given their owner-breeder Sheikh Mohammed Obaid another Group 1 success in the Queen Anne S., a race which this year fell to Nurlan Bizakov. The man behind the Sumbe operation has been enjoying a great season with his runners in France and beyond, and Charyn has been his main flagbearer in Britain, winning three of his four starts and finishing second to Audience (GB) in the Lockinge. While Bizakov's stud manager Tony Fry, admitted that he was already preparing a stallion box for Charyn at Haras de Montfort, smiling on from the sidelines was a member of the family who bred him and who stands his sire Dark Angel (Ire). Robert O'Callaghan admitted that he was the sole member of the clan at Ascot this week and his brother Guy, who bred the four-year-old under his Grangemore Stud banner, was too jittery to join him on the pilgrimage. “His nerves got the better of him and he couldn't come,” he said. “Guy's a real box-walker, and if [Charyn] had not won today it would have been a long day here with him. This is the first Group 1 winner for his own farm so it's a great start for him.” O'Callaghan added of Charyn, “Like most of the Dark Angels he's getting better with age. They thrive on their racing. He's such a genuine horse. I don't think he quite got the credit he deserved last year for the races he ran. He was placed in all those Group 1s and didn't quite have his day, but this year his first two starts have been brilliant and he was a but unlucky the last day, but today it all fell right. It's brilliant.” Sir Mark Prescott won the Ascot S. with Pledgeofallegiance | PA Media As for Asfoora, she has been making herself at home in Newmarket over the last few months and the great news is that we are likely to be seeing plenty more of the Australian mare this summer as part of a bold campaign by trainer Henry Dwyer to take in Goodwood, York and perhaps even Longchamp. But Royal Ascot is the one that draws the international raiders here in the first place and in the surge towards the winner's enclosure after the mare's emphatic victory there was barely an English accent to be heard as the Australians took charge. There were 40 in Asfoora's entourage alone, including six members of Akram El-Fahkri's family. The owner-breeder, who owns Noor Elaine Farm in Euroa, may not be staying in Europe as long as his star graduate but of this dream Group 1 victory for Asfoora, he said with no little understatement, “This is something that is extremely satisfying. She has been superb, but this is all credit to Henry Dwyer. He has been the impetus behind everything.” All the stallion men would have had eyes on the Coventry, but few could have predicted a trifecta of runners who were sent off at 80/1, 40/1 and 50/1. Perhaps the only people not shocked by the result were trainer Brian Meehan and Sam Sangster, who runs the ownership syndicate behind Rashabar, Manton Thoroughbreds, and has been quietly compiling a record which marks him out as a man with a distinctive eye for a good horse. Last year, the same syndicate's Isaac Shelby (GB) had beaten Charyn to win the G3 Greenham S. and was then narrowly denied when second in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. Sangster suffered similar agony this year when Kathmandu (Ire), whom he shares with Ed Babington and who runs in the same colours made famous by his late father Robert, was beaten a head in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. This time, however, the verdict went his way. He said, “There was an unbelievable amount of pride as he crossed the line. I was in tears behind my sunglasses. “The reason why we set the syndicate up 10 years ago was to keep the colours going. We buy six horses every year and it has been fantastic in the last few few years, with Isaac Shelby last year and this fella this year. “I get a bit emotional when I talk about the colours and the old man.” For their jockey, it was both a first winner at Royal Ascot and a first group victory in Britain. It will soon be time to stop calling him Billy the Kid, but Loughnane is still only 18, even if he celebrated the 200th win of his career at Windsor on Monday night. He has the composure for the big time, and on a day packed full of stars he shone as brightly as any. The post Rosallion Picks up Ascot Baton From Blue Point appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

He has been here longer than just about any of them, albeit he arrived in 1978 presuming himself to be only breaking a longer journey. One breeding season in Kentucky, and then it would be off to Australia. Having instead become a pioneer of a remarkable Irish diaspora, Robbie Lyons is a perfect template for the many compatriots who have meanwhile flourished in the Bluegrass: an innate flair for trading, a fierce work ethic, and the willingness to take a gamble. He wasn't particularly raised to the horse game–his father was in the farm machinery business–but had plenty of exposure through extended family. Cousins David and Mary McCann, for instance, bred the Grand Prix-winning show jumper and leading Sport Horse stallion Cruising. His uncle Bill Corrigan whipped in the Carlow Hunt, while an aunt, Mabel Lyons, competed in many point-to-points. Sure enough, young Lyons found his way into Pony Club and hunting with the Kildares and the Naas Harriers. But no less valuable to his ultimate calling were days at sheep and cattle marts in Blessington and Maynooth. “Doing that taught you what type of beast made you money and what did not,” he recalls. “I've been around plenty of cattlemen. Those were people who knew how to close a deal. They didn't just know a good-looking animal when they saw one, but were good with figures, they were sharp, on the ball. For them it was about the deal as much as anything else.” An initial vocation did not survive “a vain attempt at veterinary medicine” at Trinity College nor valuable experience with Jimmy Kelly, whose Naas practice included a few stud farms and trainers on the Curragh. As for so many, the turning point–at Kelly's suggestion–was the Irish National Stud course under Michael Osborne, who also happened to be president of the rugby club where Lyons played in Naas. Both Kelly and Osborne remain cherished as mentors who opened new horizons. “The course basically gave you exposure to a breeding season on a stud farm: stallions, breeding and foaling mares, sales preparation,” Lyons says. “Trainees were dispersed to various studs, and I drew Yeomanstown, then run by Tony Coyle for the Levins-Moores. Gerry Dilger drew Brownstown Stud under Tony Butler. We figured we did enough walking to cover the distance to Newmarket on foot, and Gerry probably back again as he walked several lots a day to my two. Even though we only spent a few months with those two legendary horsemen, it was like getting a PhD, invaluable.” Dilger would soon follow him to Kentucky, but it was Lyons along with fellow trainees Gerry O'Brien and David Brophy who served as pathfinders–albeit strictly David Mullins got there first–after John Williams asked Osborne for grooms suitable for the Spendthrift stallion barn. Robbie Lyons | Courtesy Susie Lyons “There wasn't much going on in Ireland, so the three of us signed up,” Lyons recalls. “I really had no thought that I'd stay. But it turned out to be one opportunity after another. Obviously it was totally different to what we'd been exposed to at home, whether in the National Stud or just covering mares down in the country: Spendthrift was a massive operation: 3,000-4,000 acres, hundreds of mares, 28 stallions.” And it so happened that these rookies arrived just as the whole commercial environment was heating up. Affirmed, Seattle Slew and J.O. Tobin had just been syndicated to stand alongside the icons Raise a Native and Nashua, while Caro was new from France. “It was just at the time that the idea of stallion syndication was really taking off,” Lyons recalls. “The value of shares and seasons was soaring, and vehicles like Matchmaker were emerging to streamline trading. It was all pretty wild.” Most importantly he met Susie, his wife for over 40 years, who had come from Virginia to work sales and break yearlings. Together they resolved to move around, meet as many people and gain as much experience as possible. They started out at Walmac-Warnerton under Johnny Jones, prepping for Keeneland July, before proceeding to the Saratoga sale with Smiser West. “Post-sale, Dr. West kindly introduced us to Bert and Diana Firestone, who took us on to break their yearlings at Catoctin, Va.,” Lyons explains. “These were some of the best-bred yearlings around, as they were breeding from amazing racemares. Genuine Risk and Cure the Blues were also there at the time, for some R & R: they had a magnificent training barn and track, run by another great horseman, Marvin Green.” Diana, Matt, and Bert Firestone with jockey Joe Bravo at Monmouth in 2015 | Equi-Photo Eventually Lyons received a call from a friend in Ireland, Tony Watkins, who had attended a syndicate meeting for Tap On Wood. Also present was Wing Commander Tim Vigors, the Battle of Britain veteran, on behalf of W.R. “Fritz” Hawn who had recently bought a farm in Midway, Kentucky. “Tim was unhappy with the management and was looking to make a change,” Lyons recalls. “Tony threw my name out there, Tim flew over and met me in Lexington along with Hawn and, long story short, I was offered the job. It was an amazing opportunity for someone of my age and background. But despite my inexperience, the farm produced some very nice horses.” These included multiple graded stakes scorer Lovlier Linda and G2 Richmond S. winner Gallant Special. Four years into this dream job, however, Hawn sold up to Will Farish, then developing Lane's End on adjoining land. But a closing door turned out to open the other way: Farish had hired Mike Cline, who had been managing his mares at Big Sink, in the process creating a vacancy there. “Susie and I had become good friends with Mike, and he very graciously recommended me for the manager's position,” Lyons says. “E.V. Benjamin and his son Tony ran Big Sink primarily as a commercial operation, and were major consignors at Keeneland and Saratoga. So it was another great opportunity to help sell nice horses for some very good clients.” In time, moreover, things would turn full circle: the Benjamins sold Big Sink to his former employers, the Firestones. “Made me feel like I should be in the real estate business!” says Lyons. All the way through, his career attests to the value of relationships in this business; in other words, the value of trust. His next move, for instance, he credits to another good friend in Richard Holder, who recommended Lyons to Hilary Boone, owner of Wimbledon. “It was a beautiful farm of several hundred acres, and had produced plenty of good horses including Golden Fleece,” Lyons recalls. “Relaunch was among the stallions standing there, and he'd just been joined by Danzig Connection. They were both in big demand, and proved a great way of making new contacts alongside the clients I'd been able to bring from Big Sink. The fact that their books were limited to 65 mares made us pretty popular in the office! We had some pretty good staff there, also: Bobby Spalding managed the yearlings, and I was able to bring Mark Moloney and Des Ryan over from Ireland on trainee visas. While I thought all three 'kinda average' at the time, they turned out all right!” The Lyons family | Courtesy of the Lyons family Lyons now reached a point where he felt that he had adequate experience and contacts to strike out on his own. He was already doing some foal pinhooking and Steve Johnson, a friend from their Spendthrift days, brought an opportunity to his attention. “Steve had developed a showplace farm with Ed Seltzer,” Lyons explains. “But plans had changed, as they often do in the horse business, leaving a large part of Margaux unoccupied. Steve made it very attractive for me to lease what was a top-class, turn-key farm: fresh land, state-of-the-art barns. I had gathered up some nice clients and all I had to do was move in with horses.” Among those clients was Virginia Knott, for whom Lyons bred Lucky Song–sent to Luca Cumani, she won the G2 Park Hill S.–while he meanwhile reconnected with Hawn, and indeed Lovlier Linda: her son Old Trieste thrashed Grand Slam by 12 lengths in the GII Swaps. As ever, Lyons emphasizes the role of good staff, led by Moloney, who had accompanied him over from Wimbledon. Others included Sandra Russell, who arrived as a novice but was able to return home after 10 years to establish Lismacue Stud; while Leslie Heermann had inherited talent from her father Victor, who set a world record for a yearling when selling a Lyphard colt for $1.7 million in 1980. “But while I had a good core business, I knew I needed to get out there,” Lyons reflects. “I knew that Mike Ryan was on the muscle, as well, so we said, 'Let's go out and buy some weanlings, see if we can get somebody to partner up with us, get some new people into the business.' Mike had this all-important banker who was game enough to lend us the money. Our mutual friend Gerry thought this was a wonderful idea, so he jumped in too. Mike Ryan | Sarah Andrew “I knew Mike to be a man of action as a couple of years previously we had hatched a plan with Phil and Judy Needham to buy some fillies out of training in Newmarket to breed to Hostage, a son of Nijinsky newly retired to Domino Stud under Phil's management. Together we went through the catalogue picking out some suitable candidates and sent Mike to Newmarket with a small bag of cash to buy one or maybe two fillies. At the conclusion Mike had bought four, none of whom we recognized! But all of them made money. As I said, a man of action: send Mike to a sale on your behalf, and you will own some horses!” One way or another, then, Keeneland November in 1994 was shaping up as a crucial sale: Lyons had put together a consignment of 15 or so, while the lads would also be shopping for a few weanlings. Shortly beforehand, however, Lyons found himself unusually tired after a day out with the Woodford Hounds. Reluctantly he “allowed Susie to load me up and go to the emergency room,” where a heart attack was diagnosed. When the surgeon came in next day–actually a fellow he hunted with–Lyons was feeling much better. “Well, we'll do an angiogram tomorrow,” the doctor said. “Okay, yeah, let's get that over with because I have to get out of here. We're shipping into the sale Friday.” When he came back with the results, the doctor said: “Son, you've at least two major blockages and two or three more. You need to have surgery.” “Okay, tell you what, let me get this sale out of the way and then I'll come back for the operation.” “Um, that's actually not how it works. In fact, you're going in for open-heart surgery at six o'clock tomorrow morning.” Lyons cursed. “Do you think I'll be out by Friday?” He was not. But between Susie, Moloney, and various friends rallying round, Lyons was left wondering whether he should just keep out of the way in future: sales reached seven figures, while Ryan and Dilger spent around $700,000 on a dozen weanlings. But they were only just getting started. “While I was recovering from surgery, my darling wife went out and bought a farm!” Lyons says. “She moved the horses and set up shop, all while raising four young boys aged nine to two. It's been a great farm. Of the seven Grade I winners it has produced, three [including champion sprinter Kodiak Kowboy] came in the space of two months in 2008.” Dilger meanwhile leased an adjacent farm and for several years they split the weanlings bought for syndication. “At the peak of it we spent $9 million on 49 weanlings,” Lyons recalls. “The three of us took half and then we'd syndicate the rest. The second year was very successful, I think we got almost 100 percent return, and we thought, 'Jeez, this is easy.'” Needless to say, that impression would be revised somewhat, not least as the weanling market became more competitive. But as the stakes became giddier, they held their nerve and sometimes rode very high indeed. “We gave $800,000 or so for a Storm Cat filly, and that didn't work out,” Lyons remembers ruefully. “But we got $1.8 million for a Deputy Minister colt that had cost $785,000, and gave $825,000 for a Mr. Prospector colt that made $1.6m. We bought a lot of really nice horses. Bought a few crows, as well, of course!” The most satisfying result on the racecourse itself was Russian Rhythm. Bought as a weanling for $340,000, she sold through Ted Voute at Tattersalls for 440,000gns before winning the G1 1,000 Guineas for Cheveley Park Stud. She was among many bought with the European market in mind, often sold at Goffs or Tattersalls through local consignors. Another to make that journey was Shamardal, who came aboard as a yearling in the spring and sold at Tattersalls, again through Voute. Shamardal | Darley “Business generates business,” observes Lyons. “Gerry and myself were both full to the brim. Everybody wanted to send you horses when you had some apparent success. But of course it always looks better on the outside. You sell a yearling for a million and people say, 'Wow, these guys are geniuses.' But there's always the other side to it. “When the syndications wound down Mike and, more so, Gerry carried on. Gerry brought in some other young lads–Spider Duignan, Adrian Regan, Ted Campion, Pat Costello–and showed them how to do it, ultimately pinhooking a Kentucky Derby winner [Nyquist].” While it is not quite such heady stuff nowadays, the Hartwell consignment remains an essential calling point at any sale, with wry humor and good stories guaranteed alongside the consummate horsemanship. And another thing that doesn't change is the sense of debt Lyons expresses to his team, nowadays including Jane Lewington, a talented event rider back in England, and manager Shane Hennessy, who “rather reminds me of myself, 40 years ago.” A lot of water under the bridge since then, clearly. “If I had to do it all over again, would I try to get back home?” Lyons muses. “It felt kind of hard to break in, in Ireland, and there have just been so many great people that God has put in my life here. People you build relationships with, make connections. It's been a great ride. I don't really know how it all came about, but I thank God it did.” He pauses and chuckles. “And I still haven't been to Australia.” The post Shamrocks in the Bluegrass: Robbie Lyons appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article