Wandering Eyes

When considering the speculative nature of America's financial future, President Harry S. Truman famously exhorted his aides to bring him a one-handed economist. “All of my economists say 'on the one hand'…, then 'but on the other hand'…,” the plain-talking Missourian from Independence famously quipped. To put it another way, convictions matter, not the pros and cons. You are either in or you're not. Horse racing, or more specifically preparing for the 150th Kentucky Derby is no different. It's about possessing sterner stuff. Another Harry Truman, Harry Truman Rosenblum that is, knows this all too well. His father, Dr. Hyman Rosenblum of Little Rock, Arkansas named his son after his close friend 'Give-Em Hell Harry', and the former chief executive served as the boy's godfather. Harry T. Rosenblum | courtesy of Harry T. Rosenblum Bitten by the racing bug before he attended Hendrix College, Rosenblum has spent 39 years owning Thoroughbreds. He has dreamed of Derby glory–both the Arkansas and the Kentucky variety–not just for himself, but for what it means for his state. “I've been in this position before, coming into a big race like the Rebel with a horse and it just conjures so many emotions because of the spirit we have in this state for racing,” he said. On Saturday, the path to 150 rolls through Oaklawn Park as the Cella's storied track once again will play host to the next leg in their Arkansas series–the GII Rebel S.–a race which offers 50 Derby points to the winner. A senior investment manager in Little Rock, Rosenblum couldn't be more pleased that his colt Time for Truth (Omaha Beach–Shape Shifter by Lookin At Lucky) has made the Hot Springs starting gate. As a 15-1 morning-line shot, the 3-year-old will face 12 others, including a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars' in Carbone (Mitole) and Timberlake (Into Mischief). After hearing about the horse's smart :9 4/5 furlong workout during the Under Tack Show at last year's OBS April Sale, Rosenblum purchased the juvenile bred by Dominique Damico as a late April foal through the auction house for $47,000 after the dark bay RNA'd. A minor vet issue didn't deter him, especially when he watched the gallop out from the show. “I was just very impressed with that performance, the year that Omaha Beach had last year as a first-crop sire contributed of course, and once you see just how intelligent he is, it confirmed early that we had something special going,” Rosenblum said. “So, then it was time to send him to Ron Moquett and his team.” Naming his new acquisition after a book by American businessman William E. Simon, Rosenblum already knew that the Arkansas-born Moquett, whose stakes victories include a win in the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint with the irascible, but supremely talented Whitmore (Pleasantly Perfect), was the perfect fit. Team Moquett saddles Time for Truth with cotton in his ears to keep him calm before his debut | Owney Creative “Ron and I won the Smarty Jones and [GIII] Southwest together and there is no one in the business who I trust more than him to make sound decisions,” he said. “His staff is just first class and everyone takes such great care of whoever you send to them.” The pair watched as Far Right (Notional) swept the 2015 Smarty and the Southwest, but running into eventual Triple Crown champ American Pharoah in the GI Arkansas Derby was a tough break. Far Right was 15th in the Kentucky Derby. Flashing forward to this year, a win by Time for Truth in the Rebel would have several levels of meaning for Moquett. As an Arkansas guy, he's immersed in the history and culture of racing in his state. It's never lost on him about what big races mean. “The history of the Rebel, who has won it and obviously how it propels a horse's career is why we enter,” the conditioner said. “Nice horses belong in the Kentucky Derby and for us here, there is no greater title than the Arkansas Derby, and that is where we are trying to get with Time for Truth.” Every owner and their trainer have target races. The way you ready your horse for something like the Rebel is to back into it. In other words, you figure out the best path by working in reverse. But you can't push a position–as horsemen understand it–because plans go awry. Like Rosenblum explained, “You have to manage risk constantly in this business, horse racing is no different, and preconceived notions can get you into hot water very quickly.” Once Time for Truth posted an 89 Beyer when he broke his maiden at first asking by 1 3/4 lengths at Oaklawn Dec. 31, it was time for Rosenblum and Moquett to sit down and have a conversation about the Rebel and the Arkansas Derby. The meeting between the two was one of those junctures where practiced apathy and risk management mixes with aggressive moves. If you are lucky, then you might be able to employ a touch of strategic planning. Time for Truth with hotwalker Roxanna Lopez | J.N. Campbell “I prefer the word nimble,” says assistant trainer Chance Moquett, Ron's son, who spent 15 years in the corporate world before returning to be a part of his father's operation. “We grapple with unpredictability all the time here at Oaklawn because it is what we're used to.” Unlike other tracks whose surfaces benefit from chemicals which help keep them stable, Oaklawn's is devoid of such agents because of the park's rules designation. Thus, the setup, the training, really every aspect around the dirt oval, is constantly subject to change. Winters especially can wreak havoc on Derby Trail planning and that is precisely what happened with Time for Truth's preparation during the second half of January with a blast of frigid temperatures that sent the thermometers to the basement. In situations when the weather intervenes, keeping a horse like Time for Truth on the muscle falls to Moquett's crack team of grooms and exercise riders. Jose Espinoza, who has been with Moquett for a dozen years and served as Whitmore's groom, manages the colt's daily care, while Roxanna Lopez hotwalks him every day. Both did countless circuits with him around Barn Whitmore on the backside, as everyone waited for the sun to come out. By the time it did, the Moquetts were resolved that they had two choices for Rosenblum, who in the interim had sold a 30% stake in the horse to Cheyenne Stables in what he calls “a business decision to help mitigate risk.” After a couple of four furlong sets Jan. 29 and Feb. 3, there was an allowance race that Time for Truth could make or the other option would be the Feb. 10 running of the newly minted Ozark S. The team opted for the latter and though it was a runner-up ending to Valentine Candy (Justify), objectives were met. “In lieu of a big breeze, that stakes race took on the part,” Chance Moquett said. “I mean it was a muddy track, facing a much more experienced horse like the winner, our colt went off as the favorite and this is what you do when you are backing into a race like the Rebel.” Time for Truth breaks his maiden at Oaklawn | Coady Photography A favorite among anyone who has sat on him, Time for Truth's mild-mannered Clark Kent style has impressed Moquett's staff. Exercise rider Greta Kuntzweiler called his way “incredibly unusual,” which coupled nicely with what veteran jockey Rafael Bejarano said, “when you ask him, he responds.” Chance Moquett added, “Our plan last Sunday was to go 50 flat and that is exactly what Greta did with him. She's just that exact with everything she does, if you need a lick going :50.13, then that's what you get. Now, we are going to find out if this colt can take us where we want to go.” Being nimble and looking for key moments of progression leads his connections to enter their 3-year-old in the Rebel. Time for Truth may have never traveled two turns yet, but his Arkansas-based principal owner and trainer certainly think he has what it takes to get them to the Arkansas Derby and beyond. For Rosenblum, the Moquetts and their stable, there is no indecision and only one course. President Truman would be pleased. So, now it's just time for truth come Saturday. The post It’ll Be Time For Truth Come Oaklawn’s Rebel appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Jockey Club of Canada will present Robert “Red” McKenzie with the Special Sovereign Award during the 49th annual awards ceremony on the evening of Thursday, Apr. 18 at Paramount Eventspace in Woodbridge, Ontario, the organization said in a press release Thursday afternoon. Selected unanimously by the Jockey Club of Canada's Stewards, the Special Sovereign Award recognizes a particular achievement within a given year. The honor is being bestowed upon McKenzie for becoming the oldest trainer to saddle a winner in Canada, doing so at the age of 96 on June 23, 2023. Also that evening, Michelle Armata will be presented with the 2023 Outstanding Groom Award and Jennifer Buck with the inaugural Outstanding Off-Track Worker Award. The Jockey Club of Canada has also named the finalists for the 2023 Media Sovereign Awards categories. Listed in alphabetical order, the Media finalists are: Digital Audio/Visual and Broadcast Category Santino Di Paola – Chasing Dreams in the King's Plate TAXI – Ontario Racing UNFILTERED- Episode 5: The Kings Plate UNFILTERED Woodbine Entertainment Group – Secretariat The Last Race Photograph Category Patricia Burns – Rain Runnin Allan de la Plante – Holding Back Disaster Jason Halstead – A Kiss for Commando Writing Category Mark Colley – It was the greatest race in Canadian history. Fifty years later, Secretariat's legacy is still felt Jennifer Morrison – Cat's Long Way Home Curtis Stock – The Turcottes Judging for the Media Awards is performed by media professionals within the industry selected from across North America. The post Special Sovereign To Be Awarded By The Jockey Club Of Canada, Media Finalists Named appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Reigning champion 3-year-old filly Pretty Mischievous logged her first breeze since returning to trainer Brendan Walsh's barn this winter when she worked three furlongs in :37.65 Feb. 22 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla.View the full article

Trainer Ron Moquett is testing the unknown with Time for Truth in the $1.25 million Rebel Stakes (G2) Feb. 24 at Oaklawn Park. View the full article

By Adam Hamilton Mark Purdon is buzzing as he prepares to hop back aboard young star Don’t Stop Dreaming at Menangle on Saturday night. Purdon was reunited with the four-year-old at Cobbitty Equine not far from Menangle yesterday after a few days buying at the NZ yearling sales in Auckland and Christchurch. “I drove him in work and he felt terrific,” Purdon said. “It works well to have the race this weekend rather than go three weeks between runs in the Chariots.” Don’t Stop Dreaming, who was driven by Jack Callaghan at his latest win, faces an interesting challenge from the outside draw (gate nine) against older rivals in a 2300m free-for-all at Menangle (11.17pm). “It’s never easy from those draws, but he’s really well,” Purdon said. Former Chariots Of Fire winner Expensive Ego returns from a spell from gate five for trainer-driver Luke McCarthy. Talented former Tasmanian pacer Magician (gate three) and another former Kiwi, Smiffys Terror, add to the depth of the races. Don’t Stop Dreaming is $2.50 equal favourite for Saturday week’s $250,000 Group 1 Chariots Of Fire with Jason Grimson’s latest buzz pacer Frankie Ferocious. The field for the Chariots will be finalised after Saturday night’s $50,000 Paleface Adios Stakes (1609m) at Menangle where star Kiwi pacer Merlin – or Its Merlin as he will race as in Australia – makes his long-awaited Aussie debut (10.42pm). The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained pacer is $2.10 to overcome a wide against some quality opposition. He’s drawn nine, but will start from seven if the emergencies come out. Exciting Bathurst pacer Better Be The Best (six into four) and untapped Queenslander For Real Life (seven into five) look the biggest dangers. Mark Purdon expects Its Merlin to assert his class. “I’m sure it’s a good field, but if you look at how well Sooner The Better ran in the Hondo Grattan a few weeks back, you’d think Merlin should be too good,” he said. Sooner The Better, a stablemate of Its Merlin, made fantastic late ground from near last to finish fourth behind Don’t Stop Dreaming in the Hondo Grattan. Its Merlin should give NZ three runners in the Chariots. Given there are already five pacers qualified for the final, the remaining five runners will come from the Paleface Adios Stakes. Its Merlin is $5 in pre-post markets, but could shorten significantly with a dominant win on Saturday night. View the full article

By Jonny Turner Matthew Williamson hopes his run of success can continue at Cromwell on Friday. Williamson hasn’t just been winning on the track recently, with the trainer collecting the newcomer to training award at the New Zealand Harness Racing Awards on Monday. The Oamaru horseman is looking to cap a big week with strong results at Cromwell’s twilight card on Friday, and with many of the team who will step back out at the same track on Sunday. Deciding which Williamson runner to follow in race 5 could be a tricky task for punters with Jordan Anne, Shandon Bells and Dem Bones Dem Bones bringing a mixture of formlines together. But Williamson has been able to split the trio and is leaning towards Jordan Anne as his stable’s top seed given race 5’s distance of 2600m. “She’s going really well, Jordan Anne, and if she gets any luck I’d say she’ll be hard to beat,” the trainer said. Shandon Bells has been in outstanding touch recently and Williamson thinks she’s a threat if his wife Charlotte can find cover when she combines with the mare. “She’s racing really well, Shandon Bells, she just needs that wee bit of cover probably over that 2600m distance,” Williamson said. “If Charlotte can give her a nice run, I’m sure she’s good enough to be in the first three.” Dem Bones Dem Bones copped interference in her last start on grass at Gore. Williamson has made gear changes unrelated to the horse’s last start gallop ahead of her start on Friday. “She got a wee bit of interference which would have meant she finished a bit closer.” “But that said, she was on tired legs.” “We’ve made a few gear changes with her, she’s just been over-racing a wee bit.” “Hopefully, if she can just relax a wee bit more she’ll have more at the end.” Terra Sancta starts Williamson day off when she starts in race 4. The mare galloped in the score up of her last start at Oamaru before recovering to run a solid fourth. “She went good last start – she galloped in the score up,” Williamson said. “Hopefully we’re going to eradicate that – we’ve made some changes.” “She looks an each way chance.” Haley Robyn faces a tough task, starting from the unruly the after an early mistake in her last start at Gore. The mare went on to run well, backing up a good prior win on the all-weather. “I was really happy with her run at Gore, she’s on the unruly unfortunately so giving away a head-start.” “But if they’re having to go too hard or something like that she’s definitely going well enough to get by a few of them.” Majestix rounds out the Williamson stable’s Cromwell attack on Friday. The mare got her form back on track with a tidy last start win at Ascot Park. “It’s not too big of a step up in grade for her.” “There’s a couple of smart ones in it but she’s got a good turn of foot.” “If she can be in a striking position she’d be as quick as any of them.” View the full article

In this continuing series, Alan Carasso takes a look ahead at US-bred and/or conceived runners entered for the upcoming weekend at the tracks on the Japan Racing Association circuit, with a focus on pedigree and/or performance in the sales ring. Here are the horses of interest for this weekend running at Kokura and Nakayama Racecourses: Saturday, February 24, 2024 3rd-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1200m OTANISAN (c, 3, Justify–American Song {Arg}, by Stripes Song {Arg}) is the first foal from his dam, a Group 1 winner in Argentina who was exported to the U.S. in 2019 and was covered by this Triple Crown winner the following season. Having produced this colt in Kentucky in early April 2021, the half-sister to dual Group 1 scorer Mystery Train (Arg) (Not For Sale {Arg}) was bred to American Pharoah prior to her export to Japan. She foaled a colt in April 2022 who fetched better than $509,000 when offered at the JRHA Select Sale just over three months later. B-Grand Bokujo (KY) Nikkan Sports reports: “3yo OTANISAN (his name comes from Mr. O(h)tani ?) (JUSTIFY ex the Stripes Song mare American Song ) is yet to make a debut. He worked five-furlongs on the wood chip track at MIHO Training Centre, timed in 65.8, the last 1F in 11.6.” https://t.co/mKBJztfkQc — Katy (@InLuv_w_Horses) February 15, 2024 Sunday, February 25, 2024 1st-KOK, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1800m SING MY BLUES (c, 3, War Front–Solo Piano, by Empire Maker), a half-brother to British listed winner and Group 3-placed Purser (Mizzen Mast) and the stakes-placed Clavichord (Super Saver), is out of a daughter of 2001 GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Alabama S. winner Flute (Seattle Slew), also the dam of GSW & MGISP Filimbi (Mizzen Mast). Solo Piano is also kin to the dam of GSW Current (Curlin) and GISW Weep No More (Mineshaft)–dam of two winners in Japan–and cost $35,000 in foal to Flintshire (GB) at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale. B-Galteemore Bloodstock, Grouseridge Ltd & OPA Bloodstock (KY) 5th-NKY, ¥10,480,000 ($70k), Maiden, 3yo, 1600mT SHIMAI (JPN) (f, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Lyrical Moment, by Unbridled's Song) was purchased for $190,000 in utero at the 2021 Keeneland January Sale and is out of a granddaughter of Be a Prospector (Mr. Prospector), whose multiple Grade III-winning daughter Away (Dixieland Band) was responsible for the ill-fated MGSW & GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles (Unbridled's Song). B-Mishima Bokujo The post Justify Colt Otanisan On ‘Sho’ at Nakayama appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation was established in 2020 in memory of Gerry Dilger, the beloved and well-respected breeder and pinhooker of such horses as GI Kentucky Derby winners Nyquist and Always Dreaming, who passed away on Feb. 24, 2020. The Foundation awarded three scholarships for 2024 for the Kentucky farm experience to Sean Berns and Sara Pepper to go to Springhouse Farm in Lexington, and to Larry Mulvaney, who was placed at Hunter Valley Farm. A pair of 2023 scholarship recipients–Ivanna Dempsey and Elle Sorensen–who did their farm experience at Springhouse and Hunter Valley, respectively, have submitted blogs chronicling their experiences to share with the TDN audience: Ivanna Dempsey I was awarded a scholarship with the Gerry Dilger Equine Scholarship Foundation in March 2023. This was a fantastic opportunity to travel to Lexington, Kentucky, to further my education, knowledge, and passion for the horse industry, which was part of my Equine Science placement with UCD. Tara Carroll and I spent the summer at Springhouse Farm, where I had to assist with the concluding phase of the foaling season and the preparation of the yearlings for the upcoming sales. We felt an integral part of the team throughout our time at Springhouse Farm. Gabriel (Spider) Duignan and farm manager Dermot Joyce provided invaluable guidance that will significantly benefit me in the future. They shared their knowledge on various aspects of horsemanship, including developing an eye for assessing horses, understanding the confirmation of the horse, and handling critical tasks like scanning mares and assisting foals during and after birth. They stressed the importance of meticulous attention to detail with yearling preparation. The entire team at Springhouse were eager to share their knowledge, including the veterinarians and chiropractors. During the July sale, we had the opportunity to shadow buyers looking at horses. We learned invaluable sales knowledge working with Paramount Sales, and a massive thanks to Pat Costello and the entire team there. We worked the September yearling sale in Keeneland and the Saratoga Yearling sale in New York and also got the opportunity to attend the races in Saratoga. Our highlight was attending the 49th Kentucky Derby and the Oaks at Churchill Downs. What an incredible experience! On our Sundays off, we travelled to Nashville, Red River Gorge, the Railbird Festival in Lexington, and a Reds baseball game in Cincinnati. We also got the opportunity to ride out on numerous occasions in Keeneland Racetrack with Andrew McKeever, and what an experience that was. A special thanks to everyone at Springhouse, especially Spider and Aisling Duignan, for their generosity, dedication and support throughout the summer in developing our knowledge of the global thoroughbred industry and providing a working environment dedicated to excellence in their operation. I cannot put into words how grateful I am to the Dilger family for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be the recipient of the Gerry Dilger Scholarship. Throughout the summer, Erin, Claire, Grace and Joseph offered support, lots of fun and assistance whenever I needed it. Whenever Gerry's name was mentioned, I could not help but be inspired by the numerous remarkable stories about his generosity and mentorship to young individuals. His legacy lives through his family, who continue to carry forward his commitment to supporting young people in the industry. Elle Sorenson The Gerry Dilger Scholarship afforded me the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to undertake my nine-month placement with Hunter Valley Farm in the heart of Kentucky. This experience proved to be transformative, allowing me to significantly expand my knowledge, skills and passion for the Thoroughbred industry. My time in Hunter Valley was filled with invaluable experience that enriched my understanding and love for this industry. I had the privilege of participating in sales work in Fasig Tipton and Keeneland in Kentucky and even had the remarkable opportunity to work the Fasig Tipton Select sales in Saratoga, New York. Additionally, I was fortunate to attend the prestigious Kentucky Oaks, which was truly a highlight of my time. Working on the farm provided me with a wealth of knowledge and eye-opening experiences. I was involved in various aspects of the industry, including foaling, yearling prep and shed runs during breeding season where I was able to see the most prestigious Thoroughbred stallions. The memories, experiences and friendships I forged during my time in Kentucky are treasures that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. This incredible journey not only deepened my passion for the thoroughbred industry but also expanded my horizons in ways I could have never imagined. The post Dilger Scholarship Winners Reflect On Kentucky Experiences appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dr. Ronald Jensen, who served 10 years as equine medical director for the California Horse Racing Board through 2005, passed away at his home Feb. 12, according to a Thursday release from the CHRB. Dr. Jensen received his DVM from Iowa State University in 1962 and MS in 1963. He worked as a racing regulatory veterinarian for 42 years, serving as a commission veterinarian for the Illinois Racing Board for 32 years, and for 10 years with the CHRB under an agreement with the University of California, Davis. He then spent 10 years working with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association's Safety and Integrity Alliance Accreditation Inspection Team. An honor-roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), Dr. Jensen served on the AAEP Board of Directors, chaired the Racing Regulatory Committee, and was a member of the Ethics and Infractions Committee. He was the regulatory veterinary advisor for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) when it was first formed, and he served as Chairman of the Veterinary Advisory Committee for the Association of Racing Commissioners (ARCI). Internationally, Dr. Jensen was a founding member of the International Group of Specialists Racing Veterinarians (IGSRV), serving first as the North American representative, and later as president and then treasurer. He also was the IGSRV representative on the Scientific Advisory Council for the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). Dr. Jensen was a member of the Standing Committee, the Management Committee, and the U.S. Organizing Committee for the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV). Arrangements for a Celebration of Life are pending The post Dr. Ronald Jensen, Former Equine Medical Director For CHRB Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Turfway, $68,705, Msw, 2-21, 3yo, f, 1m (AWT), 1:39.64, ft, 3 1/2 lengths. WINNABLE (f, 3, Justify–Mischievousmaximus, by Curlin) became the 2,000th career winner for trainer Ken McPeek with this debut score at Turfway Park Wednesday evening. Overlooked at 14-1 here, the Stoneleigh Farm homebred raced under a snug hold in third, loomed up while three deep on the far turn and took care of business from there to win impressively by 3 1/2 lengths. Mischievousmaximus, a full-sister to Classic winner Exaggerator, was bred to Justify for 2024. Winnable is her first and only produce. McPeek posted on X, “Thank You!! To everyone for kind messages. To staff, clients & horses for all they've done. What I'm most proud of was winning for Joe Murphy & @TurfwayPark where I began. Joe's father, JB Murphy gave me a horse as a very young trainer in 1987. Judge CW was my 1st $100k earner.” Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $41,678. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O/B-Stoneleigh Farm (KY); T-Kenneth G. McPeek. Thank You!! To everyone for kind messages. To staff,clients & horses for all they've done. What I'm most proud of was winning for Joe Murphy & @TurfwayPark where I began. Joe's father, JB Murphy gave me a horse as a very young trainer in 1987. Judge CW was my 1st $100k earner https://t.co/fcwrSagqbH pic.twitter.com/XKx8J9lVZS — Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek) February 22, 2024 The post McPeek Hits 2,000 Milestone at Turfway Wednesday Evening with Stoneleigh Farm Homebred appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Ken McPeek saddled his 2,000th career winner when the 3-year-old Justify filly Winnable was victorious in her debut Feb. 21 at Turfway Park.View the full article

Edited Press Release Keeneland Library received a history-making gift from six-time Eclipse Award-winning photographer Barbara Livingston, who has donated an estimated two million photographic negatives from the collection of famed Turf photographer Jim Raftery. Raftery's Turfotos Collection is the most comprehensive photographic collection of Thoroughbred racing in 20th century North America, chronicling the sport's human and equine legends for nearly 60 years, from the late 1930s through the early 1990s. “We are incredibly grateful to Barbara for placing this incomparable historic industry asset in our care,” Keeneland Library Director Roda Ferraro said. “The Raftery Turfotos Collection is the largest gifted still image acquisition in Keeneland Library history, and we are honored to preserve Jim Raftery's legacy for future generations of researchers, writers and racing fans.” Barbara Livingston | Horsephotos Livingston, the longtime chief photographer for Daily Racing Form, acquired the Turfotos collection from Raftery's family in 2020 as part of her personal quest to preserve racing's photographic history. “Jim Raftery was among the all-time great racing photographers; he was stunningly prolific and a character to boot,” Livingston said. “I gave the majority of negatives and slides from the Raftery Collection to Keeneland Library because they will provide the collection a safe haven. “I grew up inspired by so many photographs from the collections of Skeets Meadors, C.C. Cook, and more, that Keeneland Library provided to others for their use,” she said. “I saw how the Library preserved these collections, as well as the respect they have for history and photographers. The Library was clearly the right choice for me and, more importantly, it was the right choice for Jim Raftery and his family. Jim Raftery's name will now continue to be seen and, with Keeneland's help, his photographs will no doubt inspire future photographers, racing historians and racing fans.” In December, Ferraro traveled to Livingston's home in upstate New York to coordinate the four-day move of 3,300 pounds of negatives via truck to a climate-controlled off-site storage facility in Lexington. The Library began processing the collection in January, an undertaking that given its size and scope will span decades. Bin by bin, the negatives will be rehoused in archival enclosures and stored in the Library's 24/7 temperature- and humidity-controlled vault. Kelso with trainer Carl Hanford | Keeneland Library Raftery Turfotos Collection Each negative will be indexed and triaged for digitization. An internal indexing system, custom-built by the Library for this project, will render each negative searchable by place, horse, race, person and date, among other metadata fields. “Without an intake, archival rehousing, processing and indexing workflow customized to this uniquely rich and sizable collection, we would have two million inaccessible negatives,” Ferraro said. “We created a system centered on access and preservation of the negatives in their original form and, when warranted by condition or a high likelihood for potential future use, a digital form.” The most imperiled negatives will be digitized during processing. Select others will be digitized to respond to patron image requests after each respective negative is indexed and searchable. “This is a painstaking, slow-moving process, particularly when we encounter negatives that require research to build our collection index with as much identifying information as possible,” Ferraro said. “It can be daunting to look ahead to the roughly two million negatives, but as with all our photograph collections, this is a critical preservation effort that will enhance our capacity to serve our global user base and tomorrow's public and industry stakeholders.” Keeneland Library works with the entire industry daily to connect journalists, writers, filmmakers, educators and publicists to its photography holdings for use in articles, books, documentaries and exhibits along with race track and farm promotional materials. The post Eclipse Award-Winning Photographer Barbara Livingston Gifts Jim Raftery’s Turfotos Collection To Keeneland Library appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Out from the cloudy backdrop on a morning borrowed from winter comes a sight so good that it serves to remind that spring has in fact sprung and the Flat season is not as far away as it seems. There is Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) leading Derby entrants Mr Hampstead (Galileo {Ire}) and Padesha (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}). And who's that lobbing along in behind? Potential Dubai World Cup runner Elegant Man (Arrogate) and Qipco Champion S. hero King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) add to what is a star-studded string. There are days where you might head to the racecourse and not see one horse as good as any of those mentioned above. But this is just a normal day in the life of Robson Aguiar, leading breeze-up handler, pre-trainer and more recently assistant trainer to Adrian Murray. A man of many hats is Aguiar, who is in no way short of ambition. He came to Ireland in 2006 with nothing and, after cutting his teeth at Ballydoyle followed by Tally-Ho Stud, quickly established himself as one of the best judges of equine talent in the business. The buying and selling of horses like The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}), Star Of Emaraaty (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), Summer Sands (GB) (Coach House {Ire}), Queen Jo Jo (GB) (Gregorian {Ire}), Shantisara (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}) and more got Aguiar's name in lights. It didn't take long for Kia Joorabchian of Amo Racing to take stock of those achievements and, in a little over three years working together, the pair has achieved Royal Ascot success with G2 Norfolk S. winner Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) and a breakthrough Group 1 victory with Phoenix S. scorer Bucanero Fuerte. The best may yet be come for the operation with Bucanero Fuerte facing a crucial gallop in a fortnight's time to determine whether he goes straight to Newmarket for the 2,000 Guineas or reverts in trip for races like the Commonwealth Cup, while the team is well-stacked in the fillies' department with Ornellaia (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and Persian Dreamer (Calyx {GB}) firmly on course for the 1,000 Guineas. “The money I got for him and then Star Of Emaraaty is the money I used to buy this farm. Those two horses paid for this place,” – Robson Aguiar Aguiar said, “I brought Bucanero Fuerte away to the Curragh last Sunday. It was only a light canter but he went well and we will bring him back there in about two weeks' time where he will work on the grass. After that, we will make a decision on whether he goes for the 2,000 Guineas or the Commonwealth Cup but I think he will get the mile no problem. That's what I hope. If we think he's a Guineas horse, he will go straight there. “The favourite City Of Troy (Justify) is a very good horse and will be hard to beat. But, if you look at Bucanero's best form, it is very good as well. He beat genuine Group 1 horses in Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) and Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the Phoenix Stakes. City Of Troy hasn't beaten a Group 1 horse by four lengths but Bucanero has. But I respect City Of Troy a lot. To be honest, he looks like he will be hard to beat.” On the fillies, Aguiar added, “I think Ornellaia and Persian Dreamer will run in the 1,000 Guineas. The 1,000 Guineas looks a bit more open than the 2,000 Guineas and we are happy with both fillies.” There are so many lots to be ridden this morning that Aguiar says he's lost count but the number is said to be somewhere between 10 and 14. That's before making a mad dash to Dublin airport in order to catch a flight to England where he will meet up with Joorabchian for dinner before having a sit on some of the youngsters coming through the Amo Racing system in other yards the following day. Along with Murray, Aguiar may be overseeing the careers of a galaxy of young stars at his base just outside Mullingar, but there is nothing fancy about how he gets the job done with Dunlop wellies the order of the day. “When you go to Newmarket, you will find a lot of fancy riding boots, but they cannot ride,” Aguiar jokes about his footwear of choice. “Yes, they have nice boots, but they cannot ride. It's like a soccer player with fancy football boots. They're not the good players.” That's not the only football reference throughout the morning with Joorabchian, who first shot to prominence in the sporting pantheon as the agent who looked after Argentinian soccer stars Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, being said to be sometimes guilty of viewing racing as “one big football game.” However, Aguiar is quick to point out that even in football, the amount you spend in the transfer market does not have a direct correlation to getting results on the pitch with big spenders and serial underachievers Paris Saint-Germain put forward as the most glaring example of that. One thing Aguiar cannot be accused of is spending over the odds. It was the small-money buys that got his business off the ground and, while he does not plan on sending many horses to the breeze-up sales this year, there is no shortage of trade being done at this place with Natalia Lupini, Middleham Park Racing and Nick Bradley buying privately from him in the past couple of weeks alone. “I will have a few horses in the Craven Sale and we will see how that goes but I won't have as many for the breeze-ups this year. I am able to get good money for horses on the private market and I have a lot of my own clients that I need to keep happy every year. Some people will ring me looking for a 75-rated filly and I will ask for a 75-rated filly's price and other people will ring asking for a good colt and I will charge what I think the horse is worth. You need to earn people's trust but we've sold a lot of nice horses privately-Kitty Rose (GB) (Invincible Army {Ire}) to Natalia Lupini, Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) to Nick Bradley and Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation) to Middleham Park Racing. They've all bought horses off me this year again.” Back out on the gallops, it's Aguiar in the plate aboard Bucanero Fuerte while his brother-in-law Jose-a dead ringer for David Loughnane-who has the pleasure of steering King Of Steel through his morning paces. Aguiar reports the Group 1 winner to be “very strong” and suggests he will be ready to return to trainer Roger Varian in the coming weeks. He explained, “King Of Steel looks well. He did very well for us last year and he has come back very strong. He should return to Roger Varian very soon and he can decide what he wants to do with the horse this year.” Fellow four-year-old Elegant Man, who has been earning his stripes quietly on the all-weather during the winter, could be another older horse to follow this season, according to the 42-year-old. Aguiar said, “He is entered in the Dubai World Cup but I don't know if he will get in or not. His form is working out well. He was second to Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) at Kempton in December and that horse has won a Group 3 in Qatar since. Elegant Man is still a big baby but I think he could be a very special horse in time. If he doesn't go to Dubai, we might run him in the Devoy Stakes at Naas at the end of March and start his campaign for the year on grass. I think he will handle the grass. If he does, he could end up being a Group 1 horse. Arrogate is dead so, if Elegant Man could win a Group 1 race on the grass, he could be a very interesting stallion prospect. That's the dream.” It wasn't always this way for Aguiar. He's had to work hard to get to where he is now, working closely with stallion prospects and black-type fillies, but there were times where he doubted if it may happen at all. He explained, “I came to Ireland in 2006 with nothing. It was not easy and it took a lot of hard work. I had to go to the sales and buy whatever it was that everybody else didn't want and then try to make a good horse out of what was left over. Now, I go to the sales and buy whatever I think is the best horse at the right money. But before, I could only buy the ones that other people didn't want. “The Lir Jet and Star Of Emaraaty, they changed everything for me. I think I would have been f****d without them because I sold them during Covid. There were no sales, barely any racing and I had 25 horses who I had to pay rent for and everything else on top of that. I got The Lir Jet going and sent him to Michael Bell. We got him sold privately before he made his debut but he failed the vet. I said to myself, 'oh my God, this can't be happening.' “We entered him at Yarmouth and I asked Silvestre [de Sousa] to ride him for me. I told him to treat the horse like a three-year-old and he did. He broke the track record first time out. Two minutes later, I have about five missed calls from agents trying to buy him because in that year, you had to nominate your horses for the two-year-old races at Royal Ascot. Michael Bell nominated him and he was one of the favorites for the Norfolk Stakes, which he went on and won for Qatar Racing. That was very important for me. The money I got for him and then Star Of Emaraaty is the money I used to buy this farm. Those two horses paid for this place.” The one constant in Aguiar's progression has been his close association with Tally-Ho Stud's Roger O'Callaghan. The Brazilian native refers to the O'Callaghans, whose famous farm is less than 10 minutes of a drive away, as being “like family” to him. He said, “Roger O'Callaghan helped me a lot, I have to be honest about that. At that time, when there was no racing, no nothing, I told him I had no more money left. He told me not to worry about that and to put my head down and get to work. He told me, 'whatever you need, I'll support you.' That was a big help to me, to have someone like Roger in my corner helping me. It gave me a lot of confidence. The O'Callaghans are like family to me and have helped me a lot. “I learned a lot at Ballydoyle but Tally-Ho is where I got a lot of confidence to go and practice what I learned. Every day you are learning in this game. Aidan O'Brien was the same. Every year, he would train the horses a different way. He changes every year. He is learning as well as us. As soon as you think you know everything about a horse, you are gone.” That's the sort of drive that sustains an operation as big as this. The hunger in Aguiar is palpable, borderline inspirational, and you have to take your hat off to a man who has grabbed every opportunity that has ever been presented to him and left nothing but crumbs on the table. He said, “I have always been ambitious but the younger generation don't want to work nowadays. They want to sit on their phones all day. When I was younger, we didn't have phones, we had to play outside. Nowadays, all we get is lazy people and soft people. Everybody is getting this and that. We never had time to think about such problems. We had to work to survive. Things come too easy to people now. If you give a person of 14 or 15 years of age a job, you'll get jail.” What age did you start to work? “When I could walk! When I was six or seven years old, I was already helping out on the farm. Seriously. My Dad used to milk cows back home in Brazil. At that time, everything was done by hand. You could get 150 litres of milk every day by hand. It was a lot of work. In the evenings, I used to go and separate the calves from the cows with my brother. Even at six or seven, you needed to use your brain because, if you made a mistake, there was trouble.” Through his association with Amo Racing and now Murray, Aguiar has had a taste of what it is like to dine at the top table. Make no mistake, he's hungry for more. “I have a very good relationship with Adrian,” he says. “We trust each other and, at the moment, his strike-rate is very good so I'd like to think I have been able to help him because he came to me a few years ago saying that he was thinking about not renewing his licence but I told him not to panic and to sit tight. I have known Adrian for a long time now. I bought Shes Ranger (Ire) (Bushranger {Ire}) for him at the breeze-ups back in 2016 and I rode her to win for him on the Flat at Dundalk. Before that, he didn't even have his Flat licence. Shes Ranger went on to finish third in a Group 3 at Leopardstown before being sold.” He added, “I think we are only just starting. We need to start selling a few more at the horses-in-training sales and qualifying horses better as well. A lot of horses will go to the horses-in-training sales in July and October. There is no point in us having a horse rated 90. What are you going to do with a 90-rated horse? We want Group 1 colts and black-type fillies. We don't want handicappers. We will have between 50 and 60 two-year-olds in training in Europe and America this year. My big aim is for us to become more competitive in Ireland. You look at the Group races in Ireland and it's Aidan O'Brien, Joseph O'Brien, Donnacha O'Brien and then Paddy Twomey. My ambition is to help Kia and Adrian to take our horses to those big races.” And what will it mean to them if they achieve that Classic dream? “One day we will do it,” he says without flinching. “When I first started working with Kia, the main thing he wanted was a winner at Royal Ascot. He also wanted a Breeders' Cup winner and a Group 1 winner. We nearly got all three last year. Now, we want a Classic winner. That's the dream and hopefully one day we can do it.” The post ‘I Came To Ireland With Nothing – Now, Winning A Classic Is The Dream’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

This year's 25th renewal of the National Horseplayers' Championship (NHC) presented by Caesars Entertainment, Horseshoe Las Vegas and Racetrack Television Network (RTN) will include a new wrinkle. The 'Silver Sunday' contest will take place Sunday, Mar. 17 and will replace the Sunday Consolation Contest, where only entries that did not make the semi-final round would compete in a 10-race contest for prize money. The 'Silver Sunday' contest will instead be open to all individuals competing in the tournament with no fee to enter. Individuals will receive no more than one entry and will be asked to place mythical win/place wagers on 10 optional and seven mandatory races on Mar. 17. The seven mandatories will coincide with the NHC Final Table. The top 25 highest bankrolls, including ties, will be eligible for a share of $100,000 in prize money. The top five finishers receive an entry into the 2025 NHC and the top 10% will receive on-track 2024 NHC points. Click here for the full contest rules. A separate online contest including the seven mandatory races that comprise the NHC Final Table will be offered online on Mar. 17 to NHC non-qualifiers only and offer five spots in the 2025 NHC as well as Tour Points. Both the Silver Sunday Contest and the online contest for non-NHC qualifiers will be free-to-play contests and limited to one entry per individual. Both contests will require a 2024 NHC Tour Membership in advance of the start of the contests. The online contest will be hosted on HorseTourneys.com. This year's NHC features more than 600 horseplayers competing for an estimated $4 million in cash and prizes. Click here for additional information. The post NHC Introduces ‘Silver Sunday’ Contest at NHC appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Saudi Cup program has grown quickly and its fifth running has attracted some stars from around the globe.View the full article

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has long been a racehorse owner but he has also become immersed in the breeding world since his retirement from football. On Saturday, his homebred Spirit Dancer (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who Ferguson races in partnership with Ged Mason and bookmaker Fred Done, lines up in the $2 million G2 Howden Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup undercard. The seven-year-old, trained by Richard Fahey, has been wintering in the Middle East, where he won the G2 Bahrain International Trophy in November before finishing fourth in the G1 Jebel Hatta in Dubai last month. “One of the great advantages of having a really good horse is international racing. We never dreamed, when I bred Spirit Dancer, that he would end up getting as far as this,” Ferguson told Saudi Cup presenter Martin Kelly when trackside in Riyadh on Thursday morning. “We're so excited about it and after Bahrain we are quite optimistic. “He had a little problem when he was three years of age, he got over that and he's just got better and better. He's not had a lot of racing. That's what Richard keeps saying, that he can race a lot more than he's been doing. So we're getting the benefit. “The international element is something we didn't expect. I'd been to Dubai some years back and I was saying to myself I wonder what it's like to have a horse involved in it – now we've got one, I'm enjoying it.” He added of his involvement in racing, “It was round about 1995 that I remember my wife saying I was going to kill myself because my whole day was absorbed with the [football] club. “One day, I said to my wife 'shall we go to the races?'. She asked where that had come from and I told her it was her who said I needed to start doing something else. We were at the races one day when I met John Mulhern and Dessie Scahill and I got hooked.” Ferguson bought Spirit Dancer's dam Queen's Dream (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}) from trainer and breeder Andreas Wohler, who had suggested that he should get involved with breeding. He keeps his mares at stud in Hertfordshire and divulged to Kelly that he has recently welcomed a foal from the first crop of Stradivarius (Ire). Fahey, who has trained Spirit Dancer to seven victories from his 24 starts, including last year's G3 Strensall S. at York, said of the horse's preparation ahead of Saturday, “He needed the run in Dubai last month and he has been training well since then. He did a very nice piece of work there last week. We'll have no excuses for him in terms of his preparation.” Among Spirit Dancer's 12 rivals in the Neom Turf Cup is the treble Group 1 winner Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot (GB)}), representing the Cooolmore team. “Everyone's very excited to see him. He's a big, powerful, long-striding horse. A good, scopey horse, with a good mind and very sound,” said his trainer Aidan O'Brien. “We think we haven't seen the best of him yet, all through this year and next year he's going to be a horse to really look forward to. “He's big with a long stride and often those types of horses take until four or five to really become strong enough to use their stride.” O'Brien will also saddle Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), a brother to the Irish Derby and St Leger winner Capri (Ire), for the Red Sea Turf Handicap. The four-year-old was twice a winner last term and narrowly missed out on victory in the G3 Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket when beaten a head in second before running fourth in the St Leger. “He's been off a good while and he's carrying a little bit of weight, but he's been working very well,” said the trainer. “We always thought the trip would suit him well and this type of race would suit him well. He has plenty of weight but he's a classy horse, we think that ridden a little bit patiently and gently we will see a very big run from him.” The post Sir Alex Ferguson Eyes Another Big Prize for Spirit Dancer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Among the winners at the last Breeders' Cup, what was it that separated White Abarrio (Race Day), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) and Nobals (Noble Mission {GB})) from the rest? Answer: they were the only ones that had changed hands at an American yearling auction, respectively for $7,500, $170,000 and $3,500. Even that lavish investor in the yearling market, Mike Repole, won the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile with a homebred. Except for a couple of European turf juveniles, the rest of the show was a parade of champions raised by “end users”: a couple apiece for Godolphin and Juddmonte, plus one each for the programs operated by Coolmore, Cheveley Park Stud and George Krikorian. Now, to be fair, they all reached that coveted winner's enclosure with the help of stallions beyond most pockets, with Curlin the most radiant example. And, besides, we're obviously peering through a narrow and fairly random window on the overall state of the game. That said, if this meeting is where we all want to end up, it would be very hard to look at this sample and conclude that the commercial market is functioning very effectively. That won't bother most people, so long as they can keep eking out some kind of profit from a fiendishly precarious trade. But perhaps it's a useful context to remind ourselves of the fundamental equilibrium on which the whole market depends: namely, that you need to retain sufficient mystery for the little guy still to have a chance; but values meanwhile have to stand up enough for the big investors to feel as though they can get some kind of edge. Put it another way: if the sale-topper won the Derby every year, the whole business would collapse overnight; but if a Rich Strike won every year, well, the whole business would collapse overnight. Anyway, the point is that every now and then the industry needs a 'TDN Rising Star' Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) to come along and make sense of what, in his case, was the second highest price paid at an American yearling auction in 2022. His first three dams are, respectively, a juvenile Grade I winner, a dual Grade I runner-up (also at two) and a Grade I sprint winner; and, as luck should have it, he belongs to the third crop of what has meanwhile proved the most phenomenal young sire of recent times. When you spend $2.3 million on a colt that has never had a saddle on his back, you're obviously wagering primarily on a potential stallion career. And, with those Twin Spires taking tangible shape on the horizon, the partners who placed this particular bet are still very much in the game. Sierra Leone was bred by Debby M. Oxley from her homebred GI Darley Alcibiades S. winner Heavenly Love (Malibu Moon), whose dam Darling My Darling (Deputy Minister) had been bought by Oxley's husband John for $300,000 as a Keeneland September yearling in 1998. Darling My Darling's own mother, GI Ballerina H. winner Roamin Rachel (Mining), was sold in the same ring that November, to Nobuo Tsunoda for $750,000–a price vindicated the following summer when Darling My Darling (her second foal) won on debut at Saratoga before consecutive runner-up finishes at Grade I level. Roamin Rachel had been sold carrying a Storm Cat filly, who managed a single start, but has since produced three group winners in Japan; Roamin Rachel, for her part, was sent for her next cover to Sunday Silence, and came up with Japanese Horse of the Year Zenno Rob Roy (Jpn). Heavenly Love's half-sister by Congrats, herself Grade II-placed, has meanwhile given the family tree additional Japanese luster through her son Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), who is about to try to give the family a second consecutive weekend in the sophomore spotlight in the G3 Saudi Derby. Even without that later boon to his page, then, everything was in place for Sierra Leone on paper. Heavenly Love herself admittedly proved unable to build on her juvenile success, albeit she did manage third in the GIII Regret S.; while her first foal by Uncle Mo did little more than retrieve the covering fee. Sierra Leone must have been a very different physical proposition, then, to be topping the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. It had been prescient of his breeders, of course, to persevere with Gun Runner at precisely the point most commercial breeders back off from exposure by a stallion's first runners on the track. The Three Chimneys top gun would take the customary trim in fee the following year, from his opening $70,000 to $50,000, but his numbers held up throughout: 156 mares kept the faith in 2020, leaving Sierra Leone among 120 live foals in his third crop. These also include the fillies who consolidated another stellar weekend for their sire by finishing second and third in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. and first and second in the Sunland Park Oaks. We have long since got over any surprise that Gun Runner's first crop should have been so precocious, making him not just champion freshman but leading sire of 2-year-olds, despite himself having thrived with maturity. As a result, however, fewer people remarked how his second crop actually made precisely the kind of tepid start that might have been readily indulged in their predecessors. In fact, as juveniles they didn't muster a single stakes success between them. Four, however, proceeded to win graded stakes as sophomores last year. Gun Runner's third crop tilted the balance back the other way. Of 45 entering the gate as juveniles last year, four won graded stakes–including Locked, already his seventh Grade I winner and himself about to resume the Derby trail. Sierra Leone missed becoming the crop's fifth juvenile graded winner by just a nose, in the GII Remsen S., but has now emulated his sire by winning the GII Risen Star S. off a layoff. Whether his focus was aided by blinkers, or he's simply becoming more professional with experience, he saw the race out rather better than when worried out of the Remsen, despite that wide sweep for home and runner-up Track Phantom (Quality Road) having controlled the tempo at his leisure. Track Phantom had cost $500,000 at Keeneland September, where the third Catching Freedom (Constitution) was similarly found in Book 1, for $575,000. Given that Catching Freedom looked like a horse still learning his trade, this proved a race to give fresh credibility to the yearling market. Perhaps we don't have to tear up those catalogues just yet. 'Beach'-Combers Share Godolphin Success As already acknowledged, breed-to-race programs are only so dominant because they tend to match their patienc–such a rare commodity in the commercial sector–with similarly uncommon financial resources. But they still need discipline, and the fatalism to accept that the culls essential even to the most lavish operations will occasionally convert years of work and expense into an overnight dividend for somebody else. The Godolphin team's delight over the success of 'TDN Rising Star' Tarifa (Bernardini) in the GII Rachel Alexandra S. is presumably tempered somewhat by the fact that they sold her young dam Kite Beach (Awesome Again), carrying a full sister, just nine months after she had delivered this first foal. Mind you, a good deal more regret is doubtless being experienced by the people who bought Kite Beach at the Keeneland November Sale for $100,000, because just weeks later they “flipped” her for $115,000 at Fasig-Tipton February. That must feel like a pretty marginal gain now. Ultimately Kite Beach was bought by Calumet, who sold Tarifa's sister at Fasig-Tipton last July for $105,000. While that sale nearly cleared their investment in one hit, congratulations must in turn go to purchaser Matthew Davis. Both he and Calumet, with their different stakes in her success, must be watching Tarifa's rise with due excitement. Because for Kite Beach to produce a talent like this, at the first attempt, revives a rather dormant branch of an extremely famous family tree. She's a daughter of Tizdubai (Cee's Tizzy)–whose own mother Cee's Song (Seattle Song) must be counted one of the most remarkable producers of modern times. Tizdubai was bought for Sheikh Mohammed as a weanling by John Ferguson for $950,000 at the 2001 Keeneland November Sale, a price that reflected her brother Tiznow's second consecutive success in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic just days previously. Cee's Song and Cee's Tizzy had already produced his brother Budroyale to finish second in that race, besides winning multiple graded stakes; and Tizdubai herself would duly proceed to win the GII Sorrento S. Cee's Song was herself sold at the same November Sale as Tizdubai, for $2.6 million, inevitably in foal to Cee's Tizzy. The resulting filly, Tizamazing, never made the track but later produced Classic winner Oxbow. Unfortunately, the new owners of Cee's Song evidently decided that she was doing all this despite Cee's Tizzy, and not because of him, and instead favored her with serial $500,000 dates with Storm Cat. These did not work out so well. Meanwhile another of the Song–Tizzy crew, Tizso, was sold for $625,000 despite an unproductive track career, and then produced Paynter to win the GI Haskell S. (Tizso also produced a couple of seven-figure yearlings so it was disappointing, shall we say, to see her sent into the ring at the age of 25 and sold for $62,000). Tarifa | Hodges Photography Both Paynter and Oxbow were by Awesome Again, and it was resorting to that ageing patriarch for Tizdubai's 2016 cover that produced Kite Beach. By then Tizdubai had come to seem a disappointing producer, despite serial elite covers. Kite Beach did nothing to improve matters, being unraced, while her siblings that did make it to the racetrack showed little. One Shamardal filly did win on debut in England, but ended up struggling in a low grade and was sold for 45,000gns. Her son by Pioneerof the Nile is Cabo Spirit, latterly a dual graded stakes winner on turf in California, but Tizdubai's overall record as a producer makes it easy to understand why Kite Beach should have been culled. But Awesome Again has served the Deputy Minister brand very well, as a broodmare sire; and of course Tarifa is by an outstanding such influence in Bernardini. So you'd have to be optimistic for Tarifa's prospects in her next career, as Mr. Davis can be about her sister. Remarkable to see, meanwhile, that Calumet's first choice for Kite Beach was Paynter's son Knicks Go. The resulting colt, now a yearling, is inbred to an exceptional degree: his dam is by Awesome Again out of Tizdubai, and his grandsire is by Awesome Again out of Tizdubai's full sister Tizso. Plenty of egg in that pudding! Patience Pays On Both Sides For Stronghold As just noted, Awesome Again has contributed to a cluster of successful broodmare sires under Deputy Minister (himself sire of Sierra Leone's second dam). And among others to do so is his own son Ghostzapper, most conspicuously as damsire of Justify. We have also credited Ghostzapper as one of those few sires to get a commercial yearling into the winner's circle at the last Breeders' Cup. So his prowess as a distaff influence must now augur well for the lady in question, Goodnight Olive, in her maiden cover by Not This Time (who sired Up to the Mark from a Ghostzapper mare). Ghostzapper has now turned 24 but continues to rebuke the (largely self-fulfilling) mistrust among some breeders regarding older sires. Over the years he has also paid for a lack of precocity in his stock but nonetheless accounted for perhaps the most brilliant juvenile of last summer in Rhyme Schemes, unfortunately sidelined since. Last weekend another member of the same crop, Stronghold, won the GIII Sunland Derby, the 100th worldwide stakes winner for Ghostzapper. Either way, how well he has steadied the ship after enduring some wild tides early in his stud career. Launched at $200,000 after one of the definitive speed-carrying displays of the modern breed, Ghostzapper was slashed from $125,000 to $30,000 (and soon $20,000) in one go after his first juveniles blew out. It was a long road back, but he fully merits a fee that has settled at $75,000, with career ratios that make him a very similar sire to Uncle Mo. Stronghold himself is another of those homebreds to advertise the merit of playing the long game. Eric and Sharon Waller bought his fourth dam after she was a $12,000 RNA at Barretts in January 1998, and from her bred Swiss Diva (Swiss Yodeler) to win her first three starts including the California Breeders' Champion S. by eight lengths. Swiss Diva's first foal (a filly by Henny Hughes) was unable to race because of injury, but she would redress that misfortune as dam of Spectator (Jimmy Creed), winner of the GII Sorrento S. and twice Grade I-placed. Spectator has now given the Wallers a run at the Derby with Stronghold, who managed to elude Bob Baffert in New Mexico and so elevated himself to fourth in the points board. He had previously counted the Risen Star runner-up and fourth among his pursuers when breaking his maiden over the Churchill surface. Little Legacy Is On The Money Marvin “Junior” Little was a man I would have loved to interview. He evidently knew plenty about the “real” world–never finished school, served in the Navy and was set for a factory job until a steel strike intervened–but proved a special talent when finding his way into our magical little one. Eventually he worked his way up to become manager of Newstead Farm, Virginia, until presiding over its $47-million dispersal in 1985. This was crowned by the homebred star Miss Oceana, in foal to Northern Dancer, at what was then a record price of $7 million. Moving back to his native Kentucky, Little showed no less flair in managing his own, rather more modest program, which notably produced champion Hansel. And while he was sadly lost in 2017, his legacy of horsemanship endures through his children Marilyn, Jeff and Teresa. For they are listed as co-breeders with William Lynn of Money Supply (Practical Joke), who continued his transformation for Joe Sharp in the GIII Mineshaft S. This horse achieved a good yield as a yearling, selling to Klaravich Stable for $400,000, but last summer he had reached a point where Chad Brown dropped him into a $32,000 claimer at Saratoga. For his new barn, Money Supply is now on a streak of five, reaching a new peak in a race that has lately drawn attention to others thriving with maturity in Olympiad and Maxfield. As his original cost indicates, Money Supply was bred for this kind of caliber–even though co-breeder Lynn signed a docket of just $30,000 for his dam Evita's Sister (Candy Ride {Arg}) (in foal to the young Into Mischief) at the Keeneland November Sale of 2013. She owed her name to full-sister Evita Argentina, who had won the GI La Brea S., while their dam was out of an unraced half-sister to Trippi. A few seams of gold there, then, for Practical Joke to be mining. Albeit aided by conspicuous volume, the Ashford sire is clinging to the slipstream of Gun Runner more tenaciously than the rest of their intake, earning a further hike to $65,000 this year. Money Supply is already his fourth stakes winner of the year, and watch out for another of them, the flying Skelly, in the desert this weekend. A $5,000 Sire Showing Elite Potential Having long recommended the horse, I make no apology for highlighting the fact that something really does seem to be afoot with Preservationist. Last weekend the Fair Grounds maiden winner Antiquarian, incidentally a $250,000 yearling off a $10,000 cover, became his ninth scorer since the turn of the year. Among second-crop sires, only Audible (12) has more–and they have respectively had 52 and 28 starters. Preservationist had the commercial odds stacked against him, as a son of Arch who had won his Grade I at the age of six, but he has a sensational shape to his pedigree, posing fourth dam Too Chic opposite his sire's third dam Courtly Dee. Even so, only a farm as enlightened as Airdrie would have given him an opportunity, and his books have been on a predictable slide since he mustered 102 mares for his debut season. So he had to make his one chance count, and he appears to be doing just that. An interesting template is In a Jam, who took as many as eight starts to break his maiden but posted a big number when doing so and again when following up in allowance company. It looks like people with the patience to let a horse gain a little maturity and experience are going to be very well rewarded, and they can now get to Preservationist for just $5,000. He even has a filly on the Kentucky Oaks trail, with Martha Washington S. winner Band of Gold heading to the GIII Honeybee S. on Saturday. Her late breeder, Airdrie's founder Brereton C. Jones, was synonymous with that Classic. But he was also celebrated for producing top-class stallions somewhat out of left field–and perhaps we're already seeing that legacy being extremely well-“preserved.” Band of Gold | Coady The post Breeding Digest: High Stakes Paying Off With Sierra Leone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The countdown is well and truly on for New Zealand’s highly anticipated Slot Auction. The Karaka Sales Centre will be set alight next Tuesday 27 February, with Australasia’s heavy hitters all looking to secure a spot in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old race, The NZB Kiwi. Held on the newly established Champions Day at Auckland Thoroughbred Racing’s Ellerslie Racecourse, The NZB Kiwi has already generated immense excitement ahead of the 8 March 2025 running. New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Chairman, Cameron George, is thrilled by the hype heading into the Slot Auction next week. “The buzz surrounding The NZB Kiwi has transformed into an incredible level of interest in the auction, not only from New Zealand and Australia but also from people beyond our borders.” “We have garnered more than 40 registered bidders, with additional confirmations expected before the auction kicks off next week. “With only nine slots up for grabs, the anticipation of fierce bidding competition is expected. “We are thrilled by the diverse interest, with renowned names like Ozzie Kheir, Chris Waller, Gai Waterhouse, Entain and Yulong already hinting at their participation in the auction. “We can’t wait to see how next Tuesday plays out and are looking forward to partnering with our foundation Slot Holders, as we look to take The NZB Kiwi and New Zealand racing to the next level,” George said. The NZB Kiwi, announced earlier this year by NZTR, Entain Australia and New Zealand and TAB NZ, is the pinnacle event on NZTR’s revamped summer calendar for season 2024/25. NZTR Chief Executive Officer, Bruce Sharrock, is looking forward to seeing the next crop of three-year-olds dominate The NZB Kiwi on Champions Day next March. “Interest in The NZB Kiwi has been incredibly strong to date, with several stables already targeting their current two-year-olds for this race.” “We have opened eligibility to horses conceived in New Zealand, meaning any mare that has been served by a New Zealand-based sire situated on a Stud Farm in New Zealand at the time of covering will be able to run. “It’s also open to all New Zealand-breds and horses sold through NZB and its online subsidiary Gavelhouse.com,” he said. Sharrock also believes the race will take the promotion of the domestic racing scene to new heights. “We see The NZB Kiwi as a chance to increase the presence of our summer racing carnival on the global stage.” “The race’s promotional, marketing, raceday, and operational endeavours will be self-funded through the proceeds of the Slot Auction, enchancing it over the next three years and beyond. “The overall goal will always be to ensure that the race gets promoted as effectively as possible and that Slot Holders (especially foundation Slot Holders) get a high degree of exposure in return for their support of The NZB Kiwi,” Sharrock said. NZTR invites industry participants to join in on the bidding action and attend The NZB Kiwi Slot Auction held at the Karaka Sales Centre on 27 February from 5.30pm. If you require accommodation for The NZB Kiwi Slot Auction, NZTR has acquired a preferential rate for Auction attendees at the DoubleTree by Hilton Karaka Hotel. To book your accommodation using this rate, please click here. Full coverage of the TAB Trackside New Zealand Derby Barrier Draw and The NZB Kiwi Slot Auction will be available to view on Trackside 1 (Sky Channel 62) and the TAB Facebook page from 7.00pm onwards. View more information about The NZB Kiwi here. View the full article

Australian ace hopes Straight Arron can provide a stern test for Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble, while Helios Express does enough in latest trialView the full article

Darwin trainer Phil Cole believes Cielo D’Oro can show his class at Fannie Bay this Friday. The Phil Cole-trained Cielo D’Oro is proving to be a model of consistency in Darwin. The seven-year-old gelding has had 17 starts since making his Fannie Bay debut in August 2022, and he has never missed the top four. With four wins and 10 minor placings, Cielo D’Oro will be out to enhance his reputation in the Top End on Friday when he faces open company over 1200m. Jumping from gate six in a seven-horse field, the son of Medaglia D’Oro will lump 59kg thanks to the 2kg claim of apprentice jockey Emma Lines. Stablemate Merseyside, Mark Nyhan’s Bat Pad, and Gary Clarke’s Desert Dreamer, Bel’s Banner, Influential Jack and Siakam complete the field. After finishing fourth in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m) in August during the Darwin Cup Carnival, Cielo D’Oro spent four months in the paddock. He returned at the end of last year and had three starts, finishing second and third behind Cole’s Darwin Guineas winner Tubthumper over 1200m before saluting over 1100m on December 30. On Australia Day, Cielo D’Oro went close over 1300m in very wet and muddy conditions when second behind Noir De Rue where 0.8 lengths separated the first four. The gelding was also in the mix three weeks ago over 1300m and led half way down the home straight before stablemate Saccharo stormed home for victory. Brisbane apprentice Minonette Kennedy rode Cielo D’Oro in those past two starts and did little wrong. Lines, who partnered Saccharo on February 3, was the pilot when Cielo D’Oro last had success. Cole is adamant Cielo D’Oro is a decent chance on Friday. “The horse has been ultra consistent since I’ve had him,” he said. “He won first-up in Darwin, but his second run was perhaps his only disappointing run. “He just got away from us a little bit between runs during his first campaign. “We learned a lot from that and we’ve been able to maintain his form ever since. “He’s been racing at the elite level against the best sprinters up here. “Hasn’t disgraced himself at all — he’s been a very good find for the stable.” Cole said the wide gate wasn’t ideal for Cielo D’Oro, the early +200 favourite with online bookmakers. “He’s a big, strong and a long-striding horse,” he said. “If he gets caught wide throughout the run, I won’t be too disappointed. “It gives him a really good chance to wind up and put himself into the race.” Horse racing news View the full article

What Blue Diamond Stakes Day 2024 Where Caulfield Racecourse – Gate 22, Station St, Caulfield East VIC 3145 When Saturday, February 24, 2024 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble Three Group 1 races complete a stacked 10-race card at Caulfield this Saturday. The juveniles take top billing in the Blue Diamond Stakes, the sprinters will battle for Oakleigh Plate success, and Mr Brightside will be looking to add another Group 1 win to his name in the Futurity Stakes. Despite rain forecast on Thursday, the track should be no worse than a Soft 5 or 6 on Saturday, with a Good 4 more than likely. The rail comes out 4m for the entire circuit, with a Group 1 day of racing commencing at 12:15pm AEDT. Keep reading for our free race-by-race preview and quaddie selections for Caulfield Race 1: Handicap (2000m) Flash Feeling has been a frustrating conveyance for punters in recent times, but John Sadler’s five-year-old looks set to bring up another win on Saturday. The Iffraaj progeny did plenty wrong at this track and trip when beaten two-lengths behind Don’t Doubt Dory and Independent Road. He overraced throughout, and that tolled late, but if he can settle nicely on Saturday, he is in this right up to his neck. With a 7.5kg advantage over Dunkel, Flash Feeling should have no issues in sprinting under the lightweight, and from barrier two should have no excuses. Selections: 7 FLASH FEELING 1 DUNKEL 4 MANKAYAN 5 GLENTANEOUS Race 2: BM84 Handicap (1100m) Midtown Boss gets the best bet tag having returned in fine form in two runs this campaign. First-up at Flemington he easily disposed of subsequent metro winner Mornington Glory, before being grabbed late by the in-form Rey Magnerio in arguably a tougher race than this. From barrier 11, Daniel Stackhouse will look to land this bloke in a midfield spot with cover, where he should have the sit on what looks to be a moderately run 1100m sprint. He has the best turn of foot, and as long as he is not trapped wide throughout, Midtown Boss should be overpowring his rivals late on. Selections: 7 MIDTOWN BOSS 8 VON HAUKE 13 KIN 2 SWISS EXILE Best Bet Race 2 – #7 Midtown Boss (5) 4yo Gelding | T: Matt Laurie | J: Daniel Stackhouse (57kg) +210 with Dabble Race 3: Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) Having knocked off her maiden at Pakenham, Pure Paradise is set to continue that winning form in the Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m). Hailing from the Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans barn, the Capitalist filly only needs to repeat her runs two runs back in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1600m) to be winning here. With plenty of speed drawn out wide, Craig Williams will most likely have her settled midfield with cover, and if Pure Paradise can gain a tow into the race, her turn of foot is good enough to be taking her a long way to winning this. Selections: 3 PURE PARADISE 1 SERASANA 2 AUTUMN ANGEL 6 SO GLAMOROUS Angus Armanasco Stakes Race 3 – #3 Pure Paradise (5) 3yo Filly | T: Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans | J: Craig Williams (56kg) +550 with Neds Race 4: Group 2 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) Brave Mead could not have been any more impressive in claiming the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) upon return, and looks set to go on with the job in the Group 2 Zedative Stakes (1200m). Already a two-time winner at Caulfield in three attempts, the three-year-old colt will look to take up proceedings from barrier 11 and dictate terms, much the same as he did in the Manfred. In a race without many other speed influences, Brave Mead should have plenty of petrol left in the tank and will prove too hard to run down. Selections: 1 BRAVE MEAD 3 DON CORLEONE 2 MAHARBA 4 SCHEELITE Next Best Race 4 – #1 Brave Mead (11) 3yo Colt | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Blake Shinn (58.5kg) +190 with Bet365 Race 5: Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) Dunbelievin’ produced an eye-catching run when finishing third in a BM70 at this track and trip on February 3, and it was a good enough an effort to suggest he was worth sticking with in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m). The son of Dundeel simply got too far back upon settling, and despite rattling off some nice late sectionals in tight room on the rails, it was too much of a bridge to gap, going down by 1.1 lengths. From barrier five, Blake Shinn will most likely have the three-year-old in the moving line throughout. With a sharp turn of foot, Dunbelievin’ can blouse the leaders and cause a minor upset. Selections: 1 DUNBELIEVIN’ 5 CARACAS 2 IMMEDIACY 10 JUSTABOOM Best Value Race 5 – #1 Dunbelievin’ (5) 3yo Gelding | T: Ciaron Maher | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) +1100 with Dabble Race 6: Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) Despite the return of Gold Trip, we’re happy to take on the $2.60 favourite with Foxy Cleopatra. The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained mare chased home Yonce first up in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m), in a run that screamed out that the 1800m at her next start would be ideal. With a touch of race fitness on her side, and drawn handily in barrier two, Blake Shinn should have a lapful of horse turning for home. Despite being nearly 18-months between wins, Foxy Cleopatra oozes class, and with a strong finishing burst under her bonnet, Foxy Cleopatra goes on top in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m). Selections: 10 FOXY CLEOPATRA 1 GOLD TRIP 7 CAMPIONESSA 8 ZENNZELLA Peter Young Stakes Race 6 – #10 Foxy Cleopatra (2) 4yo Mare | T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | J: Blake Shinn (57kg) +700 with Betfair Race 7: Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) Mr Brightside is $1.50 for a reason in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m). He is the best horse in the country not named Fangirl, and outside of any unforeseen bad luck, Mr Brightside simply wins again. Selections: 1 MR BRIGHTSIDE 4 DOM TO SHOOT 7 ATTRITION 6 BUFFALO RIVER Futurity Stakes Race 7 – #1 Mr Brightside (5) 6yo Gelding | T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes | J: Craig Williams (59kg) -200 with Unibet Race 8: Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) The feature of the day, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) has attracted a capacity field of 16 juveniles looking to etch themselves into equine immortality. Matt Laurie’s Coleman top the betting, whilst Sydney-based filly Lady Of Camelot will be looking to hand Gai Waterhouse her first win in the race. Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Blue Diamond Stakes Race 9: Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) The Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) is one of the more prestigious sprints in the country, and the 2024 edition looks to be an even affair. Three-year-old colt Kings Gambit heads the market with horse racing bookmakers, just ahead of the classy sprint Asfoora. With a log gam of sprinters around the $10-$17 quote, there looks to be plenty of value in the 2024 Oakleigh Plate. Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Oakleigh Plate Race 10: Group 3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) Vagrant was scratched from Flemington last week to be saved for another day, and considering she is a mare in form, with three wins in a row, she looks the best way home in the Group 3 Mannerisim Stakes (1400m). On the back of a perfect steer, the Pariah mare got the better of the likes of Penthouse and Party For One in dominant fashion in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), and as she steps up to 1400m once again, she looks just as formidable. With two wins and two minor placings at the trip, Vagrant looks to be the horse with conditions to suit in the last. If the breaks come her way from barrier one, Vagrant will prove too good for her rivals. Selections: 4 VAGRANT 1 REVOLUTIONARY MISS 10 ETERNAL FLAME 8 RUNNING BY Mannerism Stakes Race 10 – #4 Vagrant (1) 4yo Mare | T: Mitchell Freedman | J: Damian Lane (58kg) +450 with Picklebet Caulfield free Saturday quaddie tips Caulfield quadrella selections Saturday, February 24, 2024 1 3-4-5-8-12-13 1-2-4-8-14-15 1-4-8-10 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

New Zealand syndicator Te Akau Racing are continuing to the climb in the Thoroughbred Racing Commentary Global Rankings, aided by the deeds if standout sprinter Imperatriz. Akin to the ATP Tennis Tour Rankings, or PGA Golf Tour Rankings, the TRC Global Rankings are the measure of achievement over a rolling three-year period, based not on prizemoney but the quality of performances by the horses in Group and Graded races, while an individual’s ranking, such as Te Akau Syndicates, depends entirely on how well their representatives have been running. Racing Post Ratings (RPRs) are used to help calculate the merit of every performance and to ensure TRC Global Rankings maintain their principled hierarchy. In Owner Rankings, headed by Godolphin, Te Akau is sixth and the first syndication business with those above being privately owned. “For Te Akau to even be on the list is incredible, and it’s a great thing for the New Zealand industry and recognition of what superb judges they are and the excellent training setups that they have,” New Zealand Bloodstock Director of Business Development Michael Kneebone said. “Their recipe for success in the syndication ownership model is unmatched in Australasia at the moment and not only through Imperatriz, but week in, week out they come up with the right results. “I think it’s a great credit to them and I think what they’re doing now in Australia, having set up the stables at Cranbourne, is just a natural progression for such a powerhouse syndication business.” Recording her ninth Group One victory in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington, Imperatriz moved up a notch to fourth in the TRC Horse Rankings. The latest victory, her fifth Group One in Australia, surpassed the four Group One victories recorded across the Tasman by former stablemate and dual Horse of the Year Probabeel, while equalling the nine Group Ones by former stablemate Avantage. Purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $360,000 at the 2020 Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Bhima Thoroughbreds, Imperatriz is owned by Te Akau Invincible Empress Racing Partnership. Imperatriz has now won 18 of her 24 starts, including nine of 10 since the start of last year, and more than NZ$6.3 million in prizemoney. “Australia is recognised to have some of the world’s best horses, so I don’t think it’s surprising that she’s (Imperatriz) up there, but being trained from New Zealand is the remarkable part of it and that’s the difference that makes her so unique,” Kneebone said. Imperatriz is one of a number from the stable to excel, among a host of others in the list of 117 performances within the TRC Global Rankings rolling three-year period, including Group One winners Sword Of State, now standing at Cambridge Stud and Noverre, now standing at Waikato Stud. “It’s not just one horse, either, and the clear indication of that is the horses they’ve on sold back into the breeding industry and how well they have achieved,” Kneebone said. “The horses that they train, especially fillies and mares off the track, are wanted from Europe to America to Japan and to Australia. Everybody wants them and that’s a great indicator as to the quality of horses that they buy and the way they produce them on the racetrack. “There are not a lot of stables that can produce stallions either and that’s another string to their bow, with about a dozen going back to Darci Brahma and Burgundy. “I was actually the auctioneer when David Ellis bought Darci Brahma, and even well before that, in the livestock industry, he’s always had an eye for stock and been very meticulous and particular in what he buys. “It all ties in together. It starts with selection, which undoubtedly they’re one of the best in the world at the selection process. Then training, and Mark Walker has headed that operation for many years, even when he was in Singapore, and Jamie Richards, who is now in Hong Kong, took over in New Zealand. It’s a great recipe that they haven’t changed much and deserve every success they get.” Ellis was leading buyer for the 19th consecutive year at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sales Series at Karaka and combined with his purchases at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January, he has bought 40 yearlings for syndication, and currently about half are fully syndicated and sold. Ellis continues as a major force in the racing industry and Te Akau Racing now has stables in Matamata, Riccarton, Cranbourne (Victoria), and Kranji Racecourse (Singapore). Proven in his ability to select and purchase high quality young thoroughbreds, Ellis and Te Akau Racing has produced more than 50 individual Group One winners of 100 Group One races, including 15 in Australia, with 42 of the individual winners purchased by Ellis. “After buying these quality horses they then have to syndicate them out and I don’t think there’s anyone better than Karyn (Fenton-Ellis) and David that does that,” Kneebone said. “It’s a whole team operation, really, and involves a lot of people, and to be well recognised at a global level is an outstanding achievement. “But it’s no surprise to me because I’ve seen the operation working for 20-odd years and realise how much they put into it. “There’s a lot of hard work that goes into syndicating the horses and alongside their loyal client base they’ve also got new owners coming in that want to be involved. “Communication is the other thing, and Te Akau has set the standard, really, the benchmark with their communication about horses to the owners. I can say that from a firsthand point of view because I’ve had shares in horses with Te Akau. “It doesn’t matter whether owners have five, 10, or 50 percent, they are all made to feel that they are a genuine owner of the horse, and that’s how they’ve tailored their syndications to work. “Also, they’re very good at placing horses correctly, where they might get the best opportunity to win, that’s the crux of it, really, and it shows in these types of global rankings.” View the full article

There is plenty of hype surrounding the Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) following her dominant debut win at Matamata earlier this month and she will return to her home track this weekend to try and secure black-type. The daughter of Alabama Express was a 9/12 length victor over 1100m, with her time of 1.03.36 just 0.05 seconds outside of the track record. While impressed with her winning performance and happy with the way she has come through the run, Ken Kelso is still wary of the step-up in stakes company and meeting the undefeated Group Two winner Captured By Love (Written Tycoon) in Saturday’s Gr.2 J Swap Contractors LTD Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m). “She has done pretty well, she has been good in the feed bin and I am happy with her work. It is all systems go,” Kelso told TAB NZ. “Her time was pretty good at Matamata and she has won well. It is another step up this weekend, she has got to step up to stakes company. Te Akau’s horse (Captured By Love) looks pretty smart, she has won three in a row. It is a big step up, but what she showed the other day, she will hopefully put her hand up. “It will be nice to have a runner in the Matamata Breeders’, it is a race Matamata trainers all love to win. I think Bounding ran second one year. Hopefully everything goes well and she is competitive.” View the full article

Miss Layla (NZ) (Burgundy) is already a black-type winner on her home track and the talented mare will be given the opportunity to double her tally next month. The daughter of Burgundy has been set for the Gr.3 Valachi Downs South Island Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on March 23 and will further her preparation with an outing at Riccarton on Friday. Miss Layla will spearhead local trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong’s presence at the meeting when she steps out in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifying Race (1600m) in the hands of apprentice Ngakau Hailey. “There’s nothing really else for her so we have to run her in the Rating 75 race, but it’s good to get the claim (3kg) and get a bit of weight off her back,” Furlong said. “We want to get her over a mile now and there wasn’t a lot else around that’s suitable for her.” Last season’s Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Airfreight Stakes (1600m) winner has a sense of timing about her following a bold resuming run to finish runner-up in last month’s Listed Timaru Stakes (1400m). She had been given a break following her third placing in the Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (1400m) in the spring. “We kept her fresh for those other races and ultimately she’s heading toward the Breeders’ Stakes in March,” Furlong said. Miss Layla will be opposed by stablemate Iffididit (NZ) (Iffraaj), who was unplaced last time out at Wingatui after being held up in the run home. “It’s been a hard prep for him to be honest. He was at the races at Riccarton and was scratched after a bout of colic, it didn’t turn into too much which was lucky and he’s fine now,” Furlong said. “He’s a really nice horse and has been quite unlucky. He’s got a beautiful draw and a top jockey (Warren Kennedy) on board and should be figuring in the finish.” Kennedy will also partner Pierrogrine (NZ) (Pierro) in the Book A Suite For Autumn Racing Maiden (1600m). “With the rail being out, it makes it hard for backmarkers to run on. He’ll come in a few spots and he probably wants to get over a bit further, but we’re looking forward to his chances,” Furlong said. Tetbury (Tavistock) also has an awkward gate to contend with in the Christchurch Accommodation At West Fitzroy Maiden (1400m) with Samantha Wynne to guide the filly’s fortunes. “She is bred for distance and was fresh up last time so she will be much better suited, even though she’s got a sticky draw,” Furlong said. The stable’s representation is completed by Kudos De Sothys (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in the Kevin Daly Mowers Rating 65 (2000m) and Mister Goldie (NZ) (Almanzor) in the Moore Walker Davey Searells Accountants Maiden (2000m). “We’re looking forward to getting Kudos De Sothys up to the 2000m and Mister Goldie hasn’t had a whole lot of luck and does need everything to go his way,” Furlong said. “He has drawn well and had a trip to the beach earlier in the week with Miss Layla to spark him up so hopefully we get a good result from him.” Kennedy will take the reins aboard Kudos De Sothys and Wynne is booked for Mister Goldie. View the full article

Trainer Andrew Forsman is looking forward to getting his Group One winner Aegon (NZ) (Sacred Falls) back to a mile at Otaki on Saturday in the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic. The six-year-old son of Sacred Falls has been freshened since running 10th in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day, and Forsman believes he has thrived with the break. “I think the time between runs will be good for him,” said Forsman, who also part-owns the gelding. Aegon was tested beyond a mile for just the second time in the Zabeel Classic, having also competed in the 2021 edition of the race, and he will return to the comfort zone of his pet distance this weekend. “He just didn’t really round out the 2000m,” Forsman said. “We weren’t really sure, he has never had a proper crack at it, but he did get his fair chance to do it on Boxing Day and it wasn’t to be. “We freshened him up and are going back to a mile, where we know he performs well, and if it is a truly run race, the smallish field will help him too and he should run really well. There is good depth to the field and there are a few classy ones, which is good, hopefully that means it is run at a genuine tempo, and if that is the case the best horse will win it.” Forsman isn’t sure what path Aegon will take post Saturday’s contest, but said it is likely he will cross the Tasman to join his Flemington barn. “There are not a heap of options beyond Saturday for him, so we will just let Saturday dictate where we head,” he said. Closer to his Cambridge base on Saturday, Forsman will line-up Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata) in the Gr.3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m). The two-year-old son of Pierata has had two starts to date, finishing runner-up on debut behind subsequent TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) winner Velocious (Written Tycoon), before running fifth in the Gr.2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham in December. Bred and raced by Cambridge Stud principals Brendan and Jo Lindsay, Red Sea has subsequently been gelded and Forsman believes that will benefit the promising juvenile. “He has been gelded and I think that will help him, he will just be a little more focussed,” he said. “He was sharp in his trial the other day, but he does like the polytrack. He is one of those horses that can ping along on it pretty well, so I wouldn’t read too much into that. “He will go into the race with improvement fitness-wise compared to a few others, but he has got good ability and I am sure he will give a good account of himself.” Elite-level targets are in the offing for Red Sea if he performs well this weekend. “We are running him on Saturday to set him up for hopefully some options around the corner, whether it’s Ellerslie (Gr.1 Sistema Stakes, 1200m) or the (Manawatu) Sires’ Produce (Gr.1, 1400m) a bit later on. Getting a run into him on Saturday will certainly keep those options open,” Forsman said. View the full article