Wandering Eyes

The only juvenile by New Bay (GB) in the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale, lot 26, a grey colt already named Anno Domini (GB), brought 525,000gns from Anthony Stroud on behalf of Godolphin during the first session at Park Paddocks on Tuesday. A half-brother to listed winners Pythagoras (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Blue Gardenia (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), the colt is out of the winning Galileo (Ire) mare Alegra (GB) and he was consigned by Greenhills Farm. Greenhills had snapped up the March foal for 125,000gns in the same ring during Book 1 of the October Sale last autumn. He was bred by the Executors of the late Sir Robert Ogden. The post Godolphin Strikes For 525k New Bay Colt At Tattersalls appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The first of the Japanese Kentucky Derby (G1) contenders, Forever Young, arrived at Churchill Downs early in the morning April 13 and has begun to settle in over the dirt track he'll call home for the next three weeks.View the full article

On April 14, the Maryland Jockey Club was alerted to a horse displaying neurological abnormalities in its hind limbs. Testing revealed the affected horse is positive for equine herpesvirus.View the full article

County Tipperary trainer Paddy Twomey is unlikely to be represented in the G1 Qipco 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, having stated his intention to wait for the Irish equivalent–run at the Curragh on Sunday, May 26–before stepping up to the top level with a trio of talented fillies in his care. They include A Lilac Rolla (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}), who gained her third success from as many starts when returning from eight months off to win the G3 Ballylinch Stud “Priory Belle” S. at Leopardstown last time, digging deep to beat the Listed winner Kitty Rose (GB) (Invincible Army {Ire}) by a head. “I was very happy with how she did it in the Guineas trial the other day at Leopardstown,” Twomey said of that performance. “She won in spite of the ground, I would say. She's got form last year where she beat Opera Singer on pretty quick ground and then she's won on heavy ground, so she's pretty versatile. “She's a classy filly and, every time she's started a race, she's done exactly what we thought she would do. I'd say the Irish 1,000 Guineas is the race she'll go for next. She's entered there and she's not entered in Newmarket.” A Lilac Rolla could be joined at the Curragh by two other unbeaten stable-mates in the shape of One Look (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and 'TDN Rising Star' Purple Lily (Ire) (Calyx {GB}). Both fillies raced only once at two and have already been in action in 2024 when making the most of good opportunities to win at Cork and Naas, respectively. “My thinking now is that she won't go to Newmarket,” Twomey said of One Look, who made a sparkling debut as a two-year-old when winning the Goffs Million at the Curragh by six lengths. “I think she'll stay in Ireland and either go to the Athasi Stakes or more likely the Cornelscourt Stakes at Leopardstown, with a view to going to the Irish Guineas. “I feel that I'd like to educate her a bit more along the way. I don't want to land her into an English Guineas just now. Those are the two races I would run her in if she is going to run before the Irish Guineas and the preference would be the three-year-old only race [Cornelscourt]. “She's one that I would hope will progress all year and I'm just not in a hurry to rush off to England and give her a grueller. I would like to take the next step with her career in mind.” Twomey confirmed similar plans for Purple Lily, adding, “She will go for an Irish Guineas and not an English Guineas. She's a filly that will stay 10 furlongs in time and she's very exciting. I'd like to get another run into her of some description, but she could go straight to the Guineas now.” The post Twomey Targeting Irish Guineas With Strong Team Of Fillies appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte homebred Kikkuli (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Kind {Ire}, by Danehill), a member of the whole Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) ensemble, backed up a promising debut effort at Newmarket last November with a neck victory over the same seven-furlong strip on sophomore return in Tuesday's Alex Scott Maiden back at HQ. “It's wonderful to have him in the yard, but that comes with a little bit of added pressure,” admitted trainer Harry Charlton. “We try to push that pressure away, Juddmonte has applied no pressure and this win will mean a lot to the family and a lot to racing. He's not done a lot of work and we were pleased he put on so much condition since last year. He's put on 27 kilos and our only concern was whether we had him fit enough, or not. There's no immediate plan and Ryan [Moore] thinks he'll be even better next year, but that doesn't mean we're going to do nothing this year! We'll talk to Juddmonte and see what they want to do.” 6th-Newmarket, £10,000, Mdn, 4-16, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:24.61, gd. KIKKULI (GB) (c, 3, Kingman {GB}–Kind {Ire} {MSW-Eng & GSP-Ire, $132,320}, by Danehill), who shaped with promise when runner-up over course and distance in his Nov. 3 debut last time, tracked the leading wave in an overall sixth through the halfway point of this seasonal return. Tanking closer approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 5-2 second choice inched ahead passing the furlong pole and kept on strongly under late rousting to deny Creative Story (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) by a neck in a blanket finish. Kikkuli is the latest of eight registered foals and seventh scorer produced by dual stakes-winning G3 Ballyogan S. third Kind (Ire) (Danehill), herself kin to a trio of black-type performers out of G3 Lancashire Oaks victrix Rainbow Lake (GB) (Rainbow Quest) headed by G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup and GI Arlington Million hero Powerscourt (GB) (Sadler's Wells). The March-foaled homebred bay requires little introduction as a sibling of MG1SW sires Frankel (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Noble Mission (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), G3 Lingfield Derby Trial victor Bullet Train (GB) (Sadler's Wells) and multiple Group-placed Listed Dick Poole Fillies' S. and Listed Cecil Frail S. victrix Joyeuse (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). The latter, in turn, is the dam of last term's G2 Mill Reef S. winner Array (Ire) (No Nay Never), the multiple Group 1-placed Maximal (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), G1 Coronation S. third Jubiloso (GB) (Shamardal) and the dual stakes-placed Jovial (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $8,890. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-Harry Charlton. Frankel's half-brother wins at @NewmarketRace! Kikkuli (Kingman) gets off the mark at the second time of asking and shows a good attitude to land the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes at HQ under Ryan Moore…@HarryJCharlton | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/w1RMaGF6iw — Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 16, 2024 The post Frankel’s Half-Brother Kikkuli Digs In To Shed Maiden Status At Newmarket appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Byron King's Top 12 on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, presented by Spendthrift Farm.View the full article

The Maryland Jockey Club was alerted to a horse displaying neurological abnormalities in its hind limbs Apr. 14, and the horse in question subsequently tested positive for Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), according to a Maryland Jockey Club release. As a precautionary measure, both the affected horse and another, which had been in close proximity to the affected animal but showed no symptoms, were relocated to an isolation barn at Laurel Park. Additionally, Barn 33, where the affected horse was housed, was promptly placed under quarantine. The MJC, who alerted the State Veterinarian's Office, received confirmation that the initial nasal swab tested positive for EHV Monday evening. Further testing is scheduled for later this week. A MJC issued statement reads: “In collaboration with the State Veterinarian's Office, we are in the process of developing a comprehensive quarantine protocol for Barn 33. This plan will allow horses in this barn to train separately from the general population and enable other barns to continue their regular racing and training activities.” “It is imperative that all horses within our care are closely monitored for any signs of fever or symptoms consistent with EHV. Any horse registering a temperature above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, or exhibiting signs of incoordination, must be reported immediately to an MJC Veterinarian.” The post Horse Tests Positive For EHV at Laurel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Churchill Downs Foundation has partnered with 20 Thoroughbred aftercare organizations for the upcoming 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve by pledging a $150,000 donation to support the organizations. On Monday, Apr. 29, an aftercare post position draw will be held on the Churchill Downs backstretch where each horse in the Kentucky Derby field will be paired with an aftercare organization. Each organization is guaranteed at least a $5,000 donation from the Churchill Downs Foundation with the organization paired with the winner of the Kentucky Derby receiving a $25,000 donation. The runner-up will be awarded $20,000, the third-place finisher will receive $15,000 and fourth place will garner $10,000. “We're thrilled to embark on this meaningful partnership with 20 of the best aftercare organizations in North America,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “The Kentucky Derby is the pinnacle of Thoroughbred racing and it is all of our responsibilities to ensure every horse receives the care and support they deserve after their career on the racetrack.” The organizations chosen this year are: After the Races, Friends of Ferdinand, Galloping Out, Horse and Hound Rescue, James River Horse Foundation, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center, MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, New Vocations, Old Friends, Racing For Home, Remember Me Rescue, ReRun, Inc., Second Stride, Secretariat Center, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Thoroughbred Retirement Network of Louisiana, TRRAC, United Pegasus Foundation, Virginia Thoroughbred Project and Win Place Home. To make a donation for each of the Kentucky Derby contenders, visit www.kentuckyderby.com/derbygives. The post Churchill Downs Pledges $150K to 20 Aftercare Organizations in Conjunction with Ky Derby appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 556 entries for its upcoming Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training sale, to be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 20-21, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Maryland. “We have a phenomenal catalogue this year–quality sire power and strong individuals,” said Midlantic Sales Director Paget Bennett. “Consignors are increasingly pointing many of their best prospects to this sale from the start of their training, and the lengthy list of high-profile sale graduates over the last year make Midlantic May a must shop sale.” The under-tack show will be held over three sessions, on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 14-16. Each under tack show session will begin at 8 am. The May 18 GI Preakness S. will precede the sale on May 20 and 21. Each sale session will begin at 11 am. The catalogue may now be viewed online and will also be available via the equineline sales catalogue app. Print catalogues will be available beginning Apr. 22. The list of top recent graduates is headlined by Mage, winner of the 2023 GI Kentucky Derby and earner of more than $2.5 million. Mage, whose victory in the Kentucky Derby is pictured on the catalogue's front cover, is the twenty-first Fasig-Tipton graduate to capture the American classic. Fasig-Tipton will also offer a supplemental catalogue and is now accepting entries. The post Midlantic May Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale Catalogue Online appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The second panel in the 2024 OwnerView webinar series held Apr. 9 covered information resources for owners, including OwnerView, Equineline, Equibase, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA) and BloodHorse. The conference is hosted by The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and presented by Bessemer Trust, Stoll Keenon Ogden, and The Green Group. The panel was sponsored by Equilume and Pleasant Acres Stallions. Gary Falter, project manager for OwnerView, moderated the panel with guests Scott Carling, general manager, BloodHorse; Tim Leith, senior vice president, The Jockey Club Information Systems; Dan Metzger, president, TOBA; and Rhonda Norby, director of Marketing and Communications, Equibase. A Q&A was sponsored by West Point Thoroughbreds, and attendees were able to ask questions through a Q&A link. The replay of Tuesday's Thoroughbred Owner Conference panel is available at bit.ly/OVVideos. Eight additional Thoroughbred Owner Conference virtual panels are scheduled for 2024. The next session, “Equine Nutrition: Best Practices from Foals to Racehorses,” will be held May 14 at 2 p.m. ET. A full schedule can be found here: bit.ly/OVSchedule. There is no registration fee for the 2024 virtual conference series, but registration is required. For more information about the owner conference series, including the schedule of panels and registration, please visit www.ownerview.com/event/ conference or contact Gary Falter at 859.224.2803 or gfalter@jockeyclub.com. The post OwnerView Thoroughbred Conference Virtual Series Covers Owners Resources appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday's top tips from the Post's racing teamView the full article

Keeneland has cataloged 111 horses for its April Selected Horses of Racing Age Sale, to be held Friday, Apr. 26 following the races on closing day of the Spring Meet. Click here for the online catalog. Keeneland will accept approved supplemental entries to the April Sale until the sale date. On Apr. 26, the final race will go off at approximately 5:09 p.m., and the April Sale will begin at 6:30 p.m. The auction will livestreamed on www.Keeneland.com. “The April Sale will benefit from the excitement generated by our Spring Meet and the fact that all eyes of the racing world are on the Bluegrass at this time of year,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “The auction is well placed on the calendar because in many ways the summer racing season begins when the final race of our Spring Meet is run. Buyers will find tremendous opportunities to add to their stables at this sale on the eve of Kentucky Derby week.” Among the most accomplished horses cataloged are: Dana's Beauty, a 6-year-old daughter of Not This Time who has won her past two races, most recently the Latonia S. Mar. 23. She is out of the winning City Zip mare City Siren, a half-sister to recent Keeneland stakes winner Bo Cruz, who took the GIII Commonwealth S. and from the family of GI Preakness winner and sire Cloud Computing. Dynamic One, a 6-year-old horse by Union Rags who captured the GII Suburban S. and was second in the GII Wood Memorial S. and GIII Ben Ali S. From the family of Racing Hall of Famer Personal Ensign, Dynamic One is entered in Keeneland's GIII Ben Ali S. Apr. 20. Escapologist, a 4-year-old colt by Good Magic coming off a victory in a Mar. 30 allowance optional claimer at Oaklawn Park, where he earned a 93 Beyer. He is out of the winning After Market mare Revealing Moment, a full sister to multiple Grade I winner Belle Gallantey. Expected Value, a 4-year-old colt by Flatter who won his most recent race at Aqueduct in March. His dam is stakes winner Midnight Visit, by Henny Hughes. Fuerteventura, a 5-year-old gelding by Summer Front who is a multiple stakes winner and Grade III-placed runner. In March, he took the Cotton Fitzsimmons S. on turf at Turf Paradise. Noted, a multiple stakes-winning and Grade II-placed 3-year-old colt by Cairo Prince. Out of the winning Proud Citizen mare Sea View Millie, he is from the family of Grade II winner and sire Mark Valeski and Grade III winner Albano. Sir London, a 5-year-old gelding by Malibu Moon who is coming off a victory in March at Gulfstream Park. Smile Happy, a millionaire who is a multiple Grade 2 winner and was second in Keeneland's GI Toyota Blue Grass S. The 5-year-old gelding by Runhappy is entered in the Apr. 20 GIII Ben Ali S. at Keeneland. Tiz the Bomb, a millionaire, Grade II-winning gelding who was second in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf. The 5-year-old is by Hit It a Bomb. Watchtower, a 3-year-old filly by Demarchelier (GB) who is unbeaten in two races this year on turf at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs. She is out of Zloty, a winning stakes-placed daughter of Exchange Rate. Click here for the enhanced digital catalog on www.Keeneland.com. The catalog, also available through the Equineline Sales Catalog iPad app, includes pedigrees, Equibase past performances and race videos, Daily Racing Form past performances, and Ragozin and Thoro-Graph figures. Consignors may upload photographs and walking videos. A print catalog is now available for pickup from the Welcome Center at Keeneland along with a separate booklet with Equibase past performances. A supplemental catalog also will be printed prior to the sale. Consignments will be stabled and a barn order list produced and distributed around Monday, Apr. 22 when the catalog– including supplements–is close to final. The post Keeneland Catalogs 111 for April Selected HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

William Alempijevic has been named Chief Operating Officer of AmWager.com, according to AmWest Entertainment LLC Tuesday. As COO, Alempijevic will oversee AmWager.com's operational strategies with a focus on leveraging technology to enhance user experiences. He will also head business development by maintaining and building supportive relationships both within and outside the horse racing industry. With a career that spans over two decades in the industry, Alempijevic formerly served as Executive Director of the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association and in various strategic positions within the New York Racing Association (NYRA). “William's leadership and ingenuity are invaluable assets to our team as we strive to elevate the online betting experience for our users. His deep understanding of the horse racing ecosystem and commitment to excellence makes him the perfect fit for our business,” said Nelson Clemmens, CEO of AmWest Entertainment LLC. “I am incredibly excited to join the dynamic team at AmWager.com and look forward to contributing to the company's mission of offering an unrivaled betting experience,” said Alempijevic. “AmWager's innovative platform appeals to novice and sophisticated bettors alike and shows the company's commitment to providing the resources to help bettors win.” The post William Alempijevic Joins AmWager.com appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ciaron Maher intends on making another impact at Randwick on Saturday when one of the stable’s most popular horses, Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto), returns from a short break. While victory in the Benchmark 100 over 1400 metres won’t quite rank with the awesome Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory of Pride Of Jenni, the race on the final day of the Randwick Carnival is still an important one for a horse who is also going places. The Group One Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) in Brisbane in June is the ultimate goal this campaign for the former New Zealander, but for Jimmysstar to get there, he must lift his current rating of 93. Maher said on Monday that he expects Jimmysstar will prove hard to beat and therefore open up the Stradbroke option. “He’s freshened up really well,” Maher said. “He looks fantastic and I think he’s in a good spot. “This is just a ratings race and if he goes well, he’ll have another chance at stakes level in Brisbane. “There’s a Group 3 race up there that would get him there (into the Stradbroke field) but of course, he’d have to do everything right to get in.” Jimmysstar became quickly popular with punters by winning his first three races in Australia, before ridden from the front when beaten in the Listed Elms Stakes (1400m) at Flemington in February ahead of a luckless unplaced run in the Gr.3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) in March. View the full article

Trainer Brian Toomey will be sponsored by Star Sports for the 2024 Flat season. Toomey partnered just shy of 50 winners during his time as a National Hunt jockey, but his career in the saddle was brought to a premature end when he suffered a heavy fall at Perth in 2013 which almost claimed his life. He joined the training ranks having been granted his licence in October last year and has since saddled three winners, with the breakthrough coming when the Harry Redknapp-owned Wake Up Harry (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) won at Kempton in December. “Becoming a trainer has been a dream for a long time,” said Toomey. “My story is an unusual one and I know how lucky I am to be here. I'm hugely grateful to all the owners who have supported me at such an early stage of my career, my landlord at Bowstridge Farm as it's such a brilliant place to train and now to my new sponsors, Star Sports. “I'm looking forward to telling my story as a new trainer and updating Star Sports' customers on our runners, as well as my views on the big races and issues in the industry.” Luke Tarr, head of PR at Star Sports, added, “Brian's story is truly inspirational. To achieve what he has, both in his recovery from such a serious head injury and in his determined pursuit of a trainer's licence, shows exactly what he is made of, and we are delighted to sponsor the yard. “He has already attracted some massive owners and we're excited to produce some top-quality content with Brian at the beginning of what we're sure will be a very successful training career.” The post Brian Toomey To Be Sponsored By Star Sports appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Day two of The Championships took the spotlight at Randwick last weekend, while racing in Victoria headed to Bendigo for its standalone Saturday metropolitan meeting. In this week’s edition of The Follow Files, we have zeroed in on both of those cards to find three runners worth tracking. Add these horses to your blackbook with your chosen bookmaker, and you will receive updates before they run. Bendigo Track rating: Good 4 (up to Good 3 after R4) Rail position: True entire circuit Race 8: Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) | Time: 1:22.71 Horse to follow: War Machine (1st) War Machine recorded a hat-trick of wins when he careered away from his rivals to take out the Bendigo Guineas by two lengths. The Michael Moroney-trained gelding has won three of his five career starts to date, and after a dominant win in Listed grade, he appears destined for Group company soon. The further this son of Harry Angel steps out in trip, the better he gets, so it would be no surprise to see him take on a 1600m contest next start. When to bet: Post-race, the Moroney stable said that Queensland was on the cards for this progressive galloper, and the Group 2 Queensland Guineas over 1600m would be the ideal race for War Machine next. Randwick Track rating: Soft 5 Rail position: +4m 1400m-W/Post, +3m Remainder Race 2: Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m) | Time: 1:21.98 Horse to follow: Port Lockroy (6th) After producing a strong performance in the Listed Canberra Guineas when fresh, Port Lockroy ran home strongly in the South Pacific Classic and appears ready to go to 1600m third-up. The Annabel Neasham-trained colt settled near last and had to sustain a long run around the outside of the field to finish in sixth place, only 1.55 lengths off the winner. When to bet: If Neasham and her team can find a race over 1600m or 1800m for this colt against his own age group, Port Lockroy will go very close to winning next time out. Race 4: Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m) | Time: 1:09.74 Horse to follow: El Morzillo (4th) Kelly Schweida entered El Morzillo in the Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes against some of the best two-year-old fillies in the country, and she passed the test with flying colours. This daughter of Star Witness flew home from the back of the field and finished in fourth place; however, she went straight past the placegetters through the line, suggesting a step up in trip would suit her down to the ground. When to bet: With the Queensland Racing Carnival just weeks away, Schwieda and his team could find a nice race for El Morzillo over 1400m. If she performs at a similar level to her last start, she will have a big chance to record another win. Top horse racing sites for blackbook features Horse racing tips View the full article

Amelia’s Jewel is the favourite for The Quokka at Ascot this Saturday afternoon. The second edition of The Quokka will headline proceedings at Ascot this Saturday afternoon, with a full field of 14 runners expected to compete in the $5 million slot race. There appears to be a plethora of chances in the 2024 edition, with five of the runners marked in single figures. Online bookmakers have the Simon Miller-trained Amelia’s Jewel heading the market at +230 as the four-year-old mare seeks to go one better than her runner-up finish last year. Unfortunately for the mare’s connections, the luck of the draw has gone against her once more, as the daughter of Siyouni will have to jump from barrier 12 after drawing 14 previously. Patrick Carbery has lost the ride to star hoop Damian Lane, who will make the trip across the country to reconnect with Amelia’s Jewel. Reigning champion Overpass (+360) has drawn perfectly in barrier six for Bjorn Baker and Joshua Parr. The son of Vancouver led every step of the way last year and has since won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes at the track and trip. Bella Nipotina (+400) finished half a length off the top two last year, and she brings strong form-lines out of the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes last start. William Pike and Dion Luciani will combine with Oscar’s Fortune (+550) as the three-year-old gelding seeks to build on his impressive Group 3 Roma Cup victory over Amelia’s Jewel two weeks ago. King Of Sparta (+750) rounds out the runners in single figures as the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained gelding makes the trip across the Nullarbor for the first time. The three remaining runners that are given some sort of chance are Ripcord (+2000), Super Smink (+3000) and Almighty Class (+4000). 2024 The Quokka Final Field 1. Overpass (6) T: Bjorn Baker J: Joshua Parr W: 58.5kg F: x102x Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Vancouver Dam: Walkway +360 -117.65 2. King Of Sparta (4) T: Peter & Paul Snowden J: Blake Shinn W: 58.5kg F: x1128 Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: I Am Invincible Dam: Octavia +750 +170 3. Malkovich (2) T: Bjorn Baker J: Ben Melham W: 58.5kg F: 26336 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Choisir Dam: Mabkhara +1800 +360 4. Triple Missile (7) T: Grant & Alana Williams J: Brad Parnham W: 58.5kg F: 5×062 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Smart Missile Dam: Triple Latte (USA) +8000 +1500 5. Waitak (10) T: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor W: 58.5kg F: x811x Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Proisir Dam: Repo Bay (NZ) +5000 +900 6. Saloon Bar (1) T: Daniel Morton J: Rhys McLeod W: 58.5kg F: 24×19 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Sessions Dam: Paris Cracker +15000 +3000 7. Bella Nipotina (13) T: Ciaron Maher J: Craig Williams W: 56.5kg F: 2454x Age: 6YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Bella Orfana +400 -105.26 8. Amelia’s Jewel (12) T: Simon Miller J: Damian Lane W: 56.5kg F: 2×091 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Siyouni (FR) Dam: Bumbasina (IRE) +230 -166.67 9. Ripcord (5) T: Luke Fernie J: Clint Johnston-Porter W: 56.5kg F: 3×231 Age: 3YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Written By Dam: Single in London +2000 +400 10. Oscar’s Fortune (3) T: Dion Luciani J: William Pike W: 56.5kg F: 12×22 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Rich Enuff Dam: Oscar Award +600 +135 11. Wild Belle (11) T: Luke Fernie J: Steven Parnham W: 56.5kg F: 114×8 Age: 4YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Pride of Dubai Dam: Hi Belle +2500 +500 12. Almighty Class (8) T: Mitchell Pateman J: Jarrod Noske W: 56.5kg F: 32×21 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Playing God Dam: My Classy Lady +4000 +750 13. Super Smink (14) T: Daniel Morton J: Chris Parnham W: 54.5kg F: x2321 Age: 3YO Color: Bay Sex: Filly Sire: Super One Dam: Sminky Shorts +3300 +650 14. Petula (9) T: Simon Miller J: Patrick Carbery W: 54.5kg F: 31124 Age: 3YO Color: Brown Sex: Filly Sire: Nicconi Dam: Run Sally Run +5000 +900 15 (1E). Comfort Me (0) T: Rhys Radford J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: 8×373 Age: 7YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Playing God Dam: Southern Comfort +10000 +1900 16 (2E). Red Can Man (0) T: Steve Wolfe J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: 80×54 Age: 7YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Gingerbread Man Dam: Brocky’s Ace +15000 +3000 17 (3E). Hot Zed (0) T: Lou Luciani J: TBC W: 58.5kg F: 67670 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Red Hot Choice Dam: Zedfire +10000 +2000 18 (4E). Gemma’s Son (0) T: Embroja-Lee Altieri J: TBC W: 58.55kg F: 44172 Age: 6YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Snippetson Dam: Princess Gemma +7000 +1300 Horse racing news View the full article

Regally-bred colt Magice (NZ) (Savabeel) has plenty of pressure to live up to his family name, but he will begin that challenge when he makes his debut in the Arawa Park Hotel 2YO 1150 at Rotorua on Wednesday. Bred by Waikato Stud, Magice is by the farm’s champion stallion Savabeel and out of Group Three winner Magic Dancer, making him a full-brother to Group One winner Noverre. Purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis out of Waikato Stud’s 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $800,000, Noverre went on to win three and place in three of his seven starts, including victories in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m). He was retired to stand at Waikato Stud where he has served books of 127 and 136 mares respectively in the last two seasons. Magice has been retained by Waikato Stud and has been entrusted to the care of Matamata trainer Glenn Old, who has a high opinion of the colt and is excited to see what he can do on debut. “His trials have been quite good. He had a couple of educational ones early days and his trial (win) at Taupo was very good,” Old said. “We gave him a quiet trial the other day to pass the barrier certificate because he got his legs over the gates at Pukekohe and had to be scratched.” Magice has drawn barrier 12 and will be ridden by Craig Grylls on Wednesday. “There are a few scratchings so it is only going to be a seven or eight horse field, so he should be able to get into the one-one hopefully or outside the leader,” Old said. “He has shown some potential but we won’t know until raceday pressure as to how he responds. “We are hopeful for a nice run tomorrow.” Old will also line-up Candycane in the Campbell Infrastructure 1560 for breeder-owner Sir Peter Vela. “She has been a bit disappointing, but she is due a win, so we are hopeful,” he said. Later in the week, Old is looking forward to heading to his home track where he will line-up Kaimai Warrior in the Auto Super Shoppe Matamata 1600. “He is going to go to the paddock after Friday and is a nice stayer for next season hopefully,” Old said. View the full article

New Zealand’s reigning Champion Jumper, West Coast (NZ) (Mettre En Jeu), is set to resume at Waverley on Thursday and trainer Mark Oulaghan has a plethora of options ahead of him this season with the eight-year-old gelding. The son of Mettre En Jeu is yet to miss a placing in his 14 jumping starts to date, including seven steeplechase victories and a sole Hurdle triumph. His jumping prowess was on full display last year when he won his maiden Hurdle in May before going on to secure four prestige jumps titles, including the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m), Wellington Steeplechase (5500m), Grand National Steeplechase (5600m), and Great Northern Steeplechase (6500m). He has returned in fine fettle, having a mile trial at Foxton last week ahead of his resuming run on the flat in the Chris Hay Livestock (2200m). “He seems pretty well. Compared to last year he is in a similar mode,” Oulaghan said. “It (Waverley) is a reasonable place to give him a run and that is basically it for him, he will be there to have a run.” While a similar path to last year is tempting, Oulaghan hasn’t ruled out any targets, including feature jumping contests across the Tasman. “We are not 100 percent sure at this stage,” he said. “We are just going to get a couple of runs into him and see where the opportunities lie. We are a little bit flexible at this stage, we haven’t made any set plans.” West Coast was part of a memorable Grand National double at Riccarton last year for Oulaghan, with stablemate Berry The Cash taking out the Grand National Hurdles (4200m). The seven-year-old gelding is also set to resume at Waverley on Thursday in the Taranaki-Wanganui NZTBA (2200m) after pleasing in his mile trial last week where he finished runner-up behind Group Three winner Aljay. “Berry The Cash is in the same boat, it will just be a conditioning run for him,” Oulaghan said. “We were pretty happy with the run (trial) there (Foxton). I know it was a small field but the horse that beat him is a fair galloper. We were happy enough.” While West Coast’s campaign has yet to be finalised, Berry The Cash’s key targets have been locked in, with a defence of his Grand National Hurdles crown a priority. “He will probably go to Manawatu, Wellington and the National, that will be his programme for this year,” Oulaghan said. Oulaghan is also set to line-up Rocking Light in the Nick O’Leary Farrier (1650m). “Rocking Light will go jumping but we he just needs a few flat runs to get his head around the job properly,” he said. Meanwhile, Oulaghan is looking forward to three of his team having their first run over fences this year when they head to Hawera on Sunday. “We will kick a few off at Hawera on Sunday. Super Flash in the maiden hurdle, and Super Spirit and Kentucky Boy in the Steeplechase,” he said. “They have had a flat run each, so condition-wise they are not super fit, but they are getting that way, and Hawera will be a good place to kick them off.” View the full article

Joanne Surgenor had plenty of success a couple of seasons ago with multiple Group Two winner Showoroses, and now she is set to unveil a close relative that she believes has just as much talent. Showoroses was a standout for Surgenor, winning five of her 20 career starts, including the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m), Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile and Gr.2 Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), and also placed in the Gr.2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m), Gr.3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m), Cal Isuzu Stakes and Auckland Thoroughbreds Breeders’ Stakes. She was subsequently sold at Magic Millions’ 2022 Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale to Corumbene Stud for A$525,000, where she has commenced her career as a broodmare. Surgenor has been hoping to find that talent once more, and believes she has in the form of Whiskey ‘N Roses, a Belardo two-year-old gelding out of two-win mare Fullinbloom, a half-sister to Showoroses. “He is from the same family as Showoroses and he has got that family trait about him – a little bit of toughness,” Surgenor said. “I have had him since he was a foal, so he has been here all of his life. He has got a bit of tenacity about him. “He is very much like her (Showoroses), especially his personality. I trained his mother, Fullinbloom, as well, she was a nice filly but unfortunately she got injured in a storm and that is why her career ended. She was a nice type too.” Bred by Ashford Lodges’ Peter and Sherin Walker, the couple own Whiskey ‘N Roses in partnership with Haunui Farm, and Surgenor said they are excited to unveil his talent for the first time on raceday in Saturday’s Listed TAB Star Way 1200 at Ellerslie. “Peter and the family are absolutely thrilled to have him and have something out of the family that is showing something again,” Surgeoner said. Whiskey ‘N Roses has made one public appearance to date, winning his 800m trial at Pukekohe last week by 2-1/4 lengths, and Surgeoner believes he is ready to be thrown into the deep end in stakes grade this weekend. “He is very well, I am really pleased with him. He has come through his trial really well and all looks good at the moment,” she said. “He had a jumpout at his previous prep and he went quite well. We put him away and he has come back this time around twice the horse. I am absolutely thrilled with him. “It is coming to the end of the season for two-year-olds and you have just got to chance your luck.” While looking forward to his debut outing on Saturday, Surgenor believes he will be better with time. “I think he is going to be a lovely three-year-old,” she said. “He won that trial and he has done it nicely, it is nice to get a race into them going forward into their three-year-old season. I think his future is more three and onwards.” View the full article

Epee Beel’s (Epaulette) victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton was a welcome result for breeder Monovale Farm. The three-year-old daughter of Epaulette became the first stakes winner out of Group Two performer Pipi Beel, who was bred by the late Paul Smithies, father of farm principals Joe and Max. Smithies senior sold Pipi Beel as a yearling for $75,000 to Murray Baker at Karaka 2013, for whom she went on to win three and place in three of her seven starts, including runner-up in the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) and third in the Gr.3 Lowland Stakes (2100m). She was later bought back by Monovale Farm as a broodmare, and she is starting to leave her mark in that space, with Joe and Max believing the best is yet to come from the mare. “My father bred Pipi Beel out of a mare called Pierian – we sold her and then bought her back,” Max Smithies said. “She had serious ability herself and was trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. “In our opinion, we think she is one of the best mares on the farm that didn’t get to reach her full potential. “She leaves quite a strong, forward type. She is dry this year so we are unsure whether she is going to go back to Australia, but now that our New Zealand stallion ranks are quite strong, we could find her something here, but we are still working on that.” Epee Beel is the third foal out of Pipi Beel and was purchased by trainer Andrew Forsman at Karaka 2022 for $80,000. “We always thought a lot of her as a yearling,” Smithies said. “She went through Dave Duley’s draft (Landsdowne Park), who does some yearlings for us, and he does a really good job. Andrew really liked her.” She was subsequently offered a year later on gavelhouse.com where she was purchased by clients of Michael and Matthew Pitman for $5,250, and she has gone onto win two and place in five of her 12 starts to date for the father-and-son training partnership, including Saturday’s maiden stakes success and placings in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) and Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1400m). “She was quite a forward type that we thought that we might have seen a bit earlier as a three-year-old. As it turns out, they have been patient with her and got the results,” Smithies said. Monovale Farm sold an Almanzor yearling half-sister to Epee Beel at Karaka earlier this year for $75,000, and Smithies said Saturday’s result will go a long way to promoting her Proisir weanling half-brother, who is set to go through the sale ring next year. “We have got a weanling colt by Proisir out of the mare who we are really happy with. He will be heading to the sales, so it was a really pleasing result for him too,” Smithies said. While they have been pleased with the racetrack success of their farm graduates, the Smithies have also been rapt with the results of their racing team of late. “Our racing team has been going very well,” he said. “Hat Trick (NZ) (Hat Trick), who is with Tony Pike, he won three in a row and was narrowly beaten at Pukekohe last start. He has just come home for a spell. We have got a couple with Terri Rae that have been going really well.” View the full article

Jim and David Wallace are savouring the best of both worlds with their Ardsley Stud homebred War Machine (NZ) (Harry Angel). While they failed in two attempts to sell the son of Harry Angel at Karaka, father and son are now enjoying the three-year-old’s burgeoning racing career as part-owners of the last-start Listed Bendigo Guineas (1400m) winner. War Machine had fallen short of his $100,000 reserve at both New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale and Ready to Run Sale when offered by Ardsley. “Everybody thought he was too small, I never agreed with that because he always had a little bit of length,” Jim Wallace said. “He was never going to be a 17-hand giant, but he was always going to be 15 through to 16 and he’s closer to 16 now. “We liked the horse all the way through and set a mark in the sand and if he didn’t sell, we were happy to do the next thing.” Wallace prepared War Machine to win a two-year-old heat by six lengths over 1000m at Foxton, which prompted a private sale to clients of Michael Moroney’s Flemington stable. “We sold him and David and I stayed in the horse, which is a great bonus,” Wallace said. “He’s going to the paddock now and he will be aimed at the A$10 million race (Golden Eagle) in November. “He’s certainly a progressive horse and just improving in leaps and bounds and the stable has been absolutely rapt with him.” War Machine placed in one of his two starts last winter before successfully resuming at Kyneton last month and won again at Cranbourne before claiming the Guineas to provide a great fillip for Moroney, who was hospitalised last week. The gelding is a son of the Hussonet mare Caserta, a half-sister to the Gr.3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) winner Fire In The Night and to the dam of the dual Group Two winner Hooked. “David and I bought her (for A$40,000) at the Magic Millions under our MDJ banner and have had her ever since,” Wallace said. “She was in foal to Shamus Award when we got her and we sold her for $100,000 at Karaka,” Wallace said. Named Stolen Away, she won twice in Australia while half-brother Bourbon Falls, by Sacred Falls, was a $47,500 Karaka purchase and has so far won twice from Lisa Latta’s Awapuni stable. “The Per Incanto sold very well last year ($275,000) and she was a beautiful filly, I understand she is in training with Gerald Ryan in Sydney and the reports so far are very good,” Wallace said. “We’ve got a Darci Brahma yearling colt who is being broken in at the moment and there’s a Satono Aladdin colt on the ground and the mare is in foal to In The Congo.” Meanwhile, former stable star Pennyweka (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) will be offered through the Sledmere Stud draft as Lot 20 at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale at the Riverside Stables on May 9. Wallace prepared the daughter of Satono Aladdin to win three races, including the Group One double of the New Zealand Oaks (2400m) and Australian Oaks (2400m). View the full article

Dominic Sutton will give his two youngsters who have given him a flying start to his training career one more run each before they are spelled ahead of spring. After only saddling up his first starter on March 8, Sutton has made a spectacular start to his training career with Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) winning at Pakenham and then Caulfield and filly Khadime scoring at Sandown last week. Both horses will now head to feature races at the end of the month, with Feroce to head to Flemington to run in the Listed Anzac Day Stakes (1400m) on April 25, before Khadime becomes his first Group runner in the G3 Breeder’s Stakes (1200m) on April 27 at Morphettville. Sutton said Feroce has taken improvement from his two runs and should be suited by 1400 metres. “It will be a good test to see whether we can stretch him out further in distance in the spring,” he said. “That will be it for him and it will be the same for Khadime (Star Turn) as she will also complete her campaign in Adelaide and come back for the spring.” Sutton believes Khadime is a sprinting type and so he will restrict her to races no more than 1400m in the spring. He also went close to training his fourth winner with only his 10th runner at Morphettville last Saturday, as Garachico was beaten in a photo finish when he contested a 2500-metre race. “He’s a real grinder and he’ll be even better over more ground,” Sutton said. Both Feroce and Khadime were sold through the draft of Kilgravin Lodge at last years Ready To Run sale for $160,000 and $200,000 respectively to Sutton Racing and McKeever Bloodstock. View the full article

Punters don’t have to do too much drilling to find the right form lines for New Zealand stayer Good Oil (NZ) (Dalghar) when he starts in Saturday’s A$300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m). At his most recent start, Good Oil finished second in the Auckland Cup to Mahrajaan, with subsequent impressive Roy Higgins Quality winner Mark Twain third. Trainer Andrew Forsman has taken the stayer to his Flemington stables so he can tackle the Mornington Cup on Saturday and the Andrew Ramsden at Flemington on May 18. Both races have significant appeal to Forsman, as the winner of the Mornington Cup gains an automatic start in the Caulfield Cup and the Andrew Ramsden winner goes straight into the Melbourne Cup. “His form lines look good through Mark Twain, albeit he was a bit unlucky in the Auckland Cup, but I thought my horse went pretty well,” Forsman said. Forsman said he has been a little surprised by the improvement his on-pace stayer has shown. “He’s stepped up every time we’ve raised the bar. He’s racing well,” he said. “We thought he’s a dual Group 2 placegetter now at home and there’s not a lot of options for him during our spring.” Forsman said now is a good time to find out whether Good Oil can measure up in the better staying races in the spring. “We thought we’d get him over there while he’s fit and well and test the waters to find out,” he said. Forsman has booked Billy Egan to ride Good Oil. “He arrived last Wednesday and he’s very bright and well and he’ll have a good hit-out on Tuesday,” he said. View the full article

With countless highlights throughout its 100-lot catalogue, the 2024 NZB National Online Yearling Sale gives buyers access to a quality selection of yearlings that would not have been out of place in the Book 1 or Book 2 sessions at Karaka earlier in the year. There are 16 siblings to black-type performers, along with half a dozen progeny of stakes-performed mares. Top-class families feature prominently throughout many of the catalogue’s pedigree pages. Below is just a small selection of some of the highlight lots that will be available for purchase in the National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus. Poplar Lodge presents Lot 37, a filly by Shocking out of Musigny (Reset). Herself a winner as a two-year-old and runner-up in the Listed St Albans Stakes (1400m) at Moonee Valley, Musigny is the dam of five winners including the Group placegetters Jimmy Lincoln (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) and Amor Fati (NZ) (Showcasing). Rich Hill Stud’s Lot 16 is a filly by emerging sire Ace High out of Kiara (NZ) (Pentire). Herself unraced, Kiara is a full-sister to 10-time Group One winner (King) Mufhasa (NZ) (Pentire). Group One winners (The) Bostonian (NZ) (Jimmy Choux) and Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park) are also close relatives, along with big-race performers Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) and Cheval d’Or (NZ) (Almanzor). Lot 50 is a colt by Cambridge Stud’s exciting newcomer Hello Youmzain out of the winning mare Runway Queen (Star Witness). Runway Queen is a full-sister to the Group Three-placed Serenade (Star Witness) and half-sister to multiple Group One winner Stratum Star (Stratum), along with the Group One performer and exciting stallion prospect Prague (Redoute’s Choice). Lot 36 is by superb Australian stallion Written Tycoon, who is the leading sire of two-year-olds in both Australia and New Zealand in 2023-24. His outstanding juvenile daughters this season include Golden Slipper (1200m) heroine Lady Of Camelot, along with New Zealand’s $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Group One Sistema Stakes (1200m) winner Velocious. All unbroken yearlings purchased from the National Online Yearling Sale are eligible to be nominated for NZB’s lucrative Karaka Millions Series. Just nine short months after they make their virtual sale-ring debut, graduates of the online sale can compete for a share of the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), followed by the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) plus a $200,000 bonus for New Owners. NZB’s 2024 National Online Yearling Sale will take place on premium online subsidiary Gavelhouse Plus, with bidding opened on Friday 12 April and closing from 6pm (NZT) on Wednesday 17 April. View the full article