Wandering Eyes

Simon and Katrina Alexander are hopeful the best of La Crique’s (NZ) (Vadamos) season is yet to come, with the Group Oner winner heading south on Saturday to tackle the Gr.1 Trackside Otaki-Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki. A daughter of Vadamos, La Crique resumed after a muddled spring campaign with a solid fourth-placed effort in the Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) on Karaka Millions Night last month, a run that gave the husband-and-wife training partnership confidence to target the Central Districts feature. “I’m very pleased with how she came through that run, it was fresh-up for her whereas a lot of the other horses were having more of a grand finale,” Katrina Alexander said. “I was very happy with how she found the line, it was all that we needed to see from her to make sure we’re on the right track.” Despite several campaigns hindered by heavy tracks and soundness issues, La Crique’s record boasts multiple victories and placings at Group level, topped by an outstanding performance to claim last season’s Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m). The mare was a gallant second behind the now retired Levante (NZ) (Proisir) in last year’s edition of the Otaki WFA Classic, but Alexander is looking forward to stepping her up over further ground. “She’s trained on super from the Westbury Classic and I believe we’re getting closer to the horse we know,” she said. “Having said that, she’s a lot more mature now, she’s wanting the distance as opposed to be brilliant over the shorter distances, so it’ll be another progressive run for her. But we’re more than happy to be sending her to Otaki and seeing what she can do.” La Crique has formed a successful partnership with in-form hoop Craig Grylls, who has been in the saddle in 10 of her 17 career starts, but with his commitments to last start Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) winner Puntura (NZ) (Vespa), Matt Cameron will take the ride. “Matt Cameron will ride her this time, Gryllsy understandably had to make a decision and Robbie’s team is very much in form at the moment,” Alexander said. “We’re thrilled to have Matt on, and he seems to be very happy to take the ride. It’ll be interesting to see her with someone else on, it’s been a while since she’s had a change, so it’ll be good going forward to see how she behaves under a new jockey as well.” Following Saturday’s race, Alexander is unsure of the path for La Crique, but may look across the Tasman in search of suitable targets. “She’s quite hard to place now to be perfectly honest, we need to see another good solid performance out of her,” she said. “She may be an Australian proposition in the autumn, not necessarily for anything at the higher level, but she’s just coming right in her preparation now and if she continues to thrive that may be on the cards. “She’s probably always been more of an autumn horse than spring, mostly due to seasonal conditions. It’s just a case of race-by-race, to enable us to pick the right path going forward.” Alexander revealed another exciting prospect at Matamata earlier this month, with debut runner Si Exquis (NZ) (Vadamos) flashing home into second over 1400m behind Darci’s Angel. The Vadamos filly will appear second-up on Wednesday at Pukekohe, currently rated a $3.60 chance on the TAB Fixed market for the Ellerslie Events 1600. “I was really pleased with her debut run at Matamata. She went against the track bias that day with a really strong performance as she has shown us in her work at home, so she ran up to our expectation,” Alexander said. “She’s trained on really well, I’d be quite keen to get over a bit more ground and a longer straight, so I think Pukekohe will suit her nicely.” Stablemate Chuckle’s Daughter (NZ) (Reliable Man) has come off the ballot into the Auckland Co-Op Taxis 1200, Alexander looking forward to her resumption following a lengthy spell. “She’s an older mare now and had a few issues in the past, but she’s a big powerful type and has been working very well,” she said. “I would’ve liked to see a bit more moisture in the track for her, but she’s come to hand quicker than we had originally thought as her trackwork has indicated, which warrants her having a start now. “Whether we then put her aside and wait for the softer track conditions later in the season, that may well be the case, but we’re looking forward to seeing her have a hit out as well.” View the full article

Memories of the mighty mare Ethereal (NZ) (Rhythm) continue to be rekindled and most recently by the emergence of her gifted grandson Pericles (NZ) (Rubick). Bred and raced by Sir Peter Vela and his late brother Philip, Ethereal was the toast of the 2001 Melbourne spring carnival when she completed the famed Group One double of the Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m). Trainer Sheila Laxon had previously prepared the daughter of Rhythm to win the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) and the curtain came down on her racing career in the wake of her 2002 victory in the Gr.1 BMW Stakes (2400m). “She was gracefully retired and is still on the farm and looks great with quite a few of her direct family around her,” Pencarrow Stud manager Leon Casey said. Six of Ethereal’s seven foals to race were subsequently successful, including stakes winner Seraphim (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) and Group performers Uberalles (NZ) (Giant’s Causeway), Duquesa (NZ) (Encosta De Lago) and Imperium (NZ) (Encosta De Lago) while her last foal was the unraced O’Reilly mare Empyrean (NZ). “She showed a fair bit of promise at the trials, but she was a really big mare and she had a bit of knee trouble,” Casey said. “We tried to get her through but ran out of time, so we decided to breed from her.” Empyrean was sent to Rubick for her first mating with the result the Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard-trained Pericles, who at Ellerslie on Saturday won the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m), his third victory from seven appearances. Pericles was part of the Pencarrow draft at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale and was purchased for $110,000 by Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Ballymore Stables. Empyrean’s colt by Ole Kirk was bought by Go Racing and Blandford Bloodstock for $200,000 at Karaka last month and the mare is currently in foal to Farnan. An esteemed pedigree page also features the multiple Group winner Eleonora (NZ) (Makfi), dam of the talented stakes winer Ethereal Star (Snitzel), and the two-time Group Two winner and top-flight placegetter Supera (NZ) (Savabeel). “The family is going as well as ever and still playing a key role for us, Ethereal Star performed really well last season in those top two-year-old races,” Casey said. “She was the first foal out of Eleonora, who won the Ethereal Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) and the Sunline Vase (Gr.3, 2100m) and was third in the VRC Oaks (Gr.1, 2500m).” Supera’s first foal by U S Navy Flag was knocked down to bloodstock agent Bruce Perry at Karaka last year for $230,000. “It is still a very active family and, of course, you still have the influence of Darci Brahma and Burgundy who are one remove further back,” Casey said. Five-time Group One winner and producer Darci Brahma was sold by Pencarrow at Karaka to David Ellis for $1.1 million and the Te Akau boss also purchased his Group-winning half-brother and ill-fated sire Burgundy for $1.3 million. View the full article

Melbourne Cup runner-up Soulcombe has been ruled out of the 2024 autumn. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Trainer Chris Waller announced that Soulcombe’s autumn campaign has been derailed due to an unfortunate injury. The talented runner-up of last year’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) was found to have some swelling in one of his legs, necessitating a period of rest. “Soulcombe is unfortunately out of the autumn carnival due to having some swelling to his off-front leg which will require rest,” said Waller. “We will do our best to have him back for the spring but will take no risks and give him the relevant time required.” Soulcombe, who hasn’t competed since his impressive performance in the Melbourne Cup, will now focus on recovery with hopes of returning for the spring season. Prior to his withdrawal, Soulcombe was on the second line of betting with horse racing bookies for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). Horse racing news View the full article

Horse Racing on Tuesday, February 20 will feature three meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meeting at Wyong. Tuesday Racing Tips – February 20, 2024 Wyong Racing Tips Best Horse Racing Bets For February 20, 2024 Place these horse racing bets in a multi for $43.26 odds return: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 Wyong – Race 6 #7 Scalextrics Wyong – Race 7 #2 Rush Hour Benalla – Race 1 #13 Miss Winslet | Copy this bet straight to your betslip As always there a plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans, check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 20, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Dive into an array of enticing horse racing promotions provided by leading bookmakers on Tuesday, February 20. Enhance your betting excitement with lucrative bonus back offers. Explore these promotions from top horse racing online bookmakers to maximise your wagering prospects. The top Australian racing promotions for February 20, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Odds Drift Protector If the price at the jump is bigger than the price that you took, we will pay you out at the bigger odds Eligible customers. T&C’s apply. Login to Bet365 to Claim Promo Place a 4+ leg multi, if one leg fails Bonus Back up to $50 Applies to your first eligible 4+ leg multi each day. Paid in Bonus Cash Picklebet T&Cs apply. Login to PickleBet to Claim Promo BoomBet Daily Race Returns Use your daily Race Returns to back a runner in ANY RACE you want* and if your horse doesn’t win but finishes in the specified positions, you get your stake back as a bonus bet. 18+ Gamble responsibly. Can be used across any race and code unless specified in customer’s BoomBox. Fix odds, win bets only. Max bonus $50. Login to BoomBet to Claim Promo Daily Trifecta Boosts Boost your winnings on Trifectas by 10% with new Daily Trifecta Boosts. Thoroughbreds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au thoroughly evaluates leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, unveiling exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for February 20, 2024. These ongoing offers highlight the commitment of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, if one bookmaker isn’t showcasing a promotion, another is stepping up. Rely on HorseBetting.com.au as your primary source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Boost your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions crafted for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging into each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, rely on HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

At a make-or-break time for Northern California racing interests as they attempt to build a racing circuit in the void left by Golden Gate Fields's imminent closure, two key players in those efforts have been on the receiving end of public records requests from Benbrook Law Group, a law firm well-known for their involvement in high-profile political campaigns, including the failed effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. Some Northern California stakeholders said they suspected political intimidation was the motive for the request when the balance of the industry's economic power in California is up for grabs, and at a time of heightened tensions between industry interests in the North and South of the state. “This constant back and forth that's happened is really unfortunate. It's not sustainable,” said owner-breeder Justin Oldfield, who chairs a working group to help facilitate ongoing racing in the North. “Racing in California is in jeopardy here. We need the North. We need the South. We need to figure out a way to make this all work.” It's currently unclear who or what entity hired Benbrook Law group to file the 10-page Public Record Act (PRA) requests sent to the California Association of Racing Fairs (CARF) and the Alameda County Fair. Broadly speaking, the PRA requests ask for records and communications related to the closure of Golden Gate Fields, and to the continuation of Thoroughbred racing after the closure of Golden Gate Fields. This includes any records related to the creation of a new entity, “whether public or private,” that would “participate in hosting or conducting Thoroughbred racing,” and the allocation of wagering proceeds once Golden Gate closes. Aside from its role in the campaign to recall Gov. Newsom, Benbrook Law Group has been involved in several high-profile politically-driven legal campaigns with a right-wing bent, including in recent years challenges to affirmative action programs, and a lawsuit against the state by the Firearms Policy Coalition challenging gun and ammunition disclosure laws. After a Sacramento County Superior Court judge ruled to give supporters of the effort to recall Gov. Newsom more time to collect the necessary signatures for a special election, it transpired that the judge and Bradley Benbrook–who founded Benbrook Law Group–were once attorneys at the same Sacramento law firm, and had served as co-counsel on at least two cases. Before last month's California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) meeting, the Thoroughbred Owners of California (TOC), The Stronach Group (TSG) Los Alamitos and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) issued a joint submission to the CHRB, asking the regulator to allocate race dates for the last 14 weeks of 2024 and for 2025–beyond the Northern fair meet dates–with operations concentrated in the South. Citing the tough economics of maintaining parallel North-South racing circuits, the letter also outlined a broader set of proposals, including a possible legislative change to permit Los Alamitos to card night Thoroughbred races beyond 4 1/2 furlongs for $5,000 claimers and below, and $8,000 maiden claimers. Against a backdrop of strong vocal support from NorCal stakeholders, representatives from CARF unveiled during the CHRB January meeting possible plans for a racing circuit in the North to be based at Cal Expo in Sacramento or at Pleasanton, which hosts the Alameda County Fair. Stakeholders in the North appear to have until the March 21 CHRB meeting to assemble a concrete proposal for extended racing operations beyond the summer fairs. According to Jerome Hoban, CEO of the Alameda County Fair and CARF board chair, Pleasanton has become the primary focus for a racing HQ in the North. “CARF Board voted last week to support Pleasanton as being a potential hub for Northern Racing,” wrote Hoban, in an email on Feb. 11. He added that “many details need to be worked out to make this a reality,” including contract negotiations related to the property and on financing. One such negotiation would appear to concern Pleasanton Golf Center Driving Range, which currently operates within the fairgrounds. “The Alameda County Fair Board will need to approve the plan and ultimately, the CHRB would need to allocate the dates and license the meeting,” wrote Hoban. “We know that Northern California racing is vital to the entire industry as well as the Fairs. The economic impact of Northern racing is staggering and has a broad reach across several states.” Prior to the January CHRB meeting, three TOC board members resigned from the organization in protest at the joint submission to the state regulator. “It is clear to us that the current leadership is not being transparent and not working to represent the entire state of California,” wrote Lindsay LaRoche, Johnny Taboada and Ed Moger, in their resignation letter. TOC leadership subsequently pushed back against several claims made in the letter. Another point of leverage in the ongoing negotiations concerns legislation passed last September that means if Golden Gate Fields is not licensed to operate beyond July 1, proceeds from simulcast wagering in the north are funnelled south when there is no live racing in the northern half of the state after that date. It is currently unclear who or what entities have hired the Benbrook Law Group to issue the PRAs. The TOC, TSG, DMTC, Los Alamitos and PETA have all denied hiring the firm. Benbrook declined to answer the same question. In response to claims that the company had been hired to intimidate Northern racing interests at such a sensitive stage of negotiations, Benbrook wrote that it is “hardly political bullying or intimidation” to ask a public entity to comply with its public record disclosure obligations. “All the more so considering that these public entities appear to be using public resources to figure out how to make money from gambling proceeds,” Benbrook wrote. “Your questions suggest that some parties think all of this should be happening outside the public's view; we respectfully disagree with that.” Long-time Northern California owner-breeder Tom Bachman said that “there's a lot of skulduggery going on” as the fight over the future of horse racing in California plays out. “I think they're going to make whatever push they can to collapse the North,” Bachman added. “If they threaten Pleasanton, that's the heart of being able to keep the North up and going.” The post Politically Powerful Law Firm Hired To Issue NorCal PRA Requests appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. 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Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features No Retreat, last year's Arqana May Breeze Up topper. 19.00 Newcastle, Novice, £11,400, 3yo/up, 8f 5y (AWT) NO RETREAT (IRE) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a key debutante on a quiet day, having topped the charts at last year's Arqana May Breeze Up Sale when selling to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock for €1.2million. Carrying the silks of Victorious Racing and hailing from the Roger Varian stable, he is a son of the dual listed scorer Isabel De Urbina (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), a full-sister to the G2 Lancashire Oaks winner Manuela De Vega (Ire). The post Tuesday’s Observations: Debut for Arqana Breeze Up Topper appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maiden Watch: Week of Feb. 12-Feb. 18View the full article

Joel Rosario has picked up the ride on RRR Racing's Isolate (Mark Valeski) for Saturday's $20-million G1 Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, his agent Ron Anderson confirmed in a text message Monday. The 6-year-old Isolate made the first 12 starts of his career in the U.S. for Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, winning two from his first five for trainer Kathy Ritvo before joining the barn of Tom Amoss. The Florida-bred posted four victories from seven outings for that barn, winning the Work All Week S. at Hawthorne and the Tale of the Cat S. at Saratoga ahead of a runner-up effort in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society S. in 2022. Subsequently acquired by Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's RRR Racing and turned over to trainer Doug Watson in Dubai, Isolate was runner-up in a pair of group sprint races at Meydan, then stretched out in distance to post an impressive win in the G2 Godolphin Mile with Tyler Gaffalione in the irons. He has made just one appearance since, a handy success in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile at Meydan Dec. 22. Isolate did not originally draw into the Saudi Cup, but gained a run when Aidan O'Brien elected to re-route the gifted multiple Group 1-winning turf horse Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) to the G2 Neom Turf Cup. Rosario will also take the ride aboard Pantofel Stable, Wachtel Stable and Gary Barber's Bold Journey (Hard Spun) in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, Anderson also reported. Winner of the GIII Fall Highweight H. and Gravesend S. in his two most recent appearances, Bold Journey carried Rosario to a first-level New York-bred allowance victory at the Big A in 2022. Bold Journey is trained by Bill Mott. Rosario rode no fewer than six stakes winners over the weekend, including Beatbox (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GIII Fair Grounds S. He was runner-up in the GII Risen Star S. atop Track Phantom (Quality Road). The post Rosario Picks Up Saudi Cup Mount appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As the 2024 breeding season is now underway, the TDN staff is sitting down with breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Here we catch up with Chelsey Stone, the Director of Breeding for John Stewart's Resolute Bloodstock. Stewart made a huge splash at the yearling and breeding stock sales in 2023 and he purchased the former Shadwell Stud property in Midway, Kentucky to launch Resolute Farm. “We have such an awesome fleet of mares, but we are always looking to add to the group,” said Stone. “We have 16 mares total. 5 of those are maidens and so we are due for eleven foals this year.” GOODNIGHT OLIVE (m, 6, Ghostzapper – Salty Strike, by Smart Strike) bred to Not This Time Purchased for $6 million at 2023 Fasig-Tipton November She was the first mare to visit Not This Time this year. We're very excited about this mating. Not This Time has really been impressive over the past few years and we thought it would be a great fit with Goodnight Olive. It nicked well. We have a great relationship with the Taylors and love what they're doing at Taylor Made, so it was the perfect fit. CARAVEL (m, 7, Mizzen Mast – Zeezee Zoomzoom, by Congrats) to be bred to Frankel Purchased privately in January, 2024 John and I actually visited Frankel last week at Juddmonte. He's big-boned and the shoulder and hip on him is so impressive. He's every bit of what he's hyped up to. We were more than thrilled with that mating. Caravel will leave the farm in the first part of March. The idea is to keep her over there, let her foal out and then we'll breed her back and then bring her back home. QUEEN CAROLINE (m, 11, Blame – Queens Plaza, by Forestry) to be bred to Tapit Dam of Forte (Violence). Purchased for $3 million at 2023 Fasig-Tipton November Queen Caroline, the dam of champion Forte, will be bred to Tapit in 2024 | Sara Gordon Queen Caroline had a massive filly by Flightline this weekend. Once we nicked her, it was kind of a no-brainer to send her to King Tapit. PIZZA BIANCA (m, 5, Fastnet Rock {Aus}) – White Hot {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) to be bred to Justify Purchased for $3 million at 2023 Fasig-Tipton November Pizza Bianca is currently in foal to Into Mischief with her first foal. We are taking her to Justify. She's by Fastnet Rock and that pairing to Justify has worked time and time again. PUCA (m, 12, Big Brown – Boat's Ghost, by Silver Ghost) to be bred to Into Mischief Dam of Mage (Good Magic). Purchased for $2.9 million at 2023 Keeneland November Puca is currently in foal to Good Magic and will be bred to Into Mischief. There was definitely a lot of discussion between John, Gavin [O'Connor, General Manager] and me. There were a lot of options for her, but we kept coming back to Into Mischief. LENNI GIRL (m, 5, Candy Ride {Arg} – Unicorn Girl, by A.P. Five Hundred) to be bred to Practical Joke Purchased for $500,00 at 2023 Fasig-Tipton November She is currently in foal to Not This Time and we are taking her to Practical Joke. Practical Joke has been a favorite of ours and we actually have his full brother, who we purchased at the Keeneland September Sale [for $1 million]. That was the horse John bought all on his own when Gavin and I weren't around. He liked the horse that much. We have a great relationship with Coolmore and supporting their stallions is important to us. GODDESS PELE (m, 4, West Coast – Fiery Pulpit, by Pulpit) to be bred to Munnings Purchased for $300,000 at 2023 Fasig-Tipton November Goddess Pele recently had the first foal at Resolute Farm, a very nice Epicenter filly. We will be sending her to Munnings. We have a couple of yearlings on the farm sired by him and they're fantastic. They all have a great look about that. I think he'll pair up very nicely with this mare. CHAMPAGNE (Ire) (m, 5, Galileo {Ire} – Red Evie {Ire}, by Intikhab) to be bred to Justify Purchased privately in 2024. This is the full-sister to champion Found (Ire). Champagne is in foal to Siyouni and we are breeding her back to Justify. Justify is on fire and we are excited to be sending mares to him this season. DRAMATICALLY (m, 9, War Front – Wonder of Wonders, by Kingmambo) to be bred to Curlin Purchased privately in 2024. Dramatically is in foal to Wootton Bassett and she will go to Curlin. HAPPEN (m, 8, War Front – Alexandrova {Ire}, by Sadler's Wells) to be bred to Into Mischief Purchased privately in 2024. Happen, a daughter of multiple Group 1 winner Alexandrova, is also in foal to Wootton Bassett and she will visit Into Mischief. PINK DOGWOOD (Ire) (m, 8, Camelot {GB} – Question Times {GB}, by Shamardal) to be bred to Justify Purchased privately in 2024. This is the full-sister to Group 1 winner Latrobe (Ire). She is in foal to Frankel and is due in April, so we're ecstatic that she will have the first Frankel on our farm. John is a huge fan of Frankel. We will be sending her back to Justify. The post Mating Plans, presented by Spendthrift: Resolute Bloodstock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Steve Asmussen told Daily Racing Form that Echo Zulu had "become cast in her stall and was injured when she tried to rise to her feet."View the full article

Equine MediRecord's software platform will be used for all equine participants during the upcoming two-day Saudi Cup festival. An Arabic version of the Equine MediRecord platform to assist local trainers and veterinarians will also be available to help clear the Saudi-based horses through the festival's equine welfare protocols. The software platform allows for the full veterinary history of each horse to be recorded securely, supporting horse welfare as well as aiding with anti-doping procedures. The new system EMR, developed for the 2023 Saudi Cup, will automatically inform trainers from across the world of the safety and integrity regulations that need to be followed and what documents need to be submitted through the system to allow horses to run at the Saudi Cup. Records entered into the system cannot be altered, providing integrity and transparency. Equine MediRecord's employed internationally, including by the British Horseracing Authority, Thoroughbred Owners of California, Maryland 5 Star, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Arabian Racing Organisation, Pegasus World Cup, Preakness Stakes and Breeders' Cup World Championships. In 2022 Equine MediRecord received a multi-million dollar investment from Merits Holdings to become part of their Business Infusions group, the largest equine veterinary software group in the world. “We are excited to have our Arabic version of our Equine MediRecord system, which was developed with Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia's support, used for the local Saudi racehorses,” said Pierce Dargan, Chief Executive Officer of Equine MediRecord. “We hope this will drive adoption of our system by more equine events in the region who want to ensure the best equine welfare and bio-security protocols are being followed at their events.” For more on Equine MediRecord, click here. The post Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia Partners with Equine MediRecord for ’24 Saudi Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Five-time Grade I winner and 2021 Eclipse Champion Older Dirt Female Letruska (Super Saver) produced her first foal, a filly by Curlin, on Feb. 4 at Terrazas Thoroughbreds in Lexington, KY. Farm owner Eduardo Terrazas reported that the foaling was normal and that as the leggy filly has flourished in her first few weeks of life, she seems to have adopted her sire's physical and her dam's personality. “Her mama is a very secure type of mare, very sure of herself, and the baby definitely shows that,” he said. “Ever since day one, she'll come straight to you. She's very independent and curious. She's a little bit of a handful. I think my night crew spends a little too much time with her, but my daughter is the night watchman and she likes to play with all her kids, so it makes sense.” It's fair to say that everyone at Terrazas Thoroughbreds gives just a little bit of extra attention to the talented Letruska and now her young daughter. While Terrazas did not foal Letruska, she was raised on their farm and spent well over a year growing up there before she was sent to race in Mexico, where she would be named champion 3-year-old filly. The St. George Stable homebred made the move to America with trainer Fausto Gutierrez in 2019 and soon rose to the top of the game in the U.S. Some of her more memorable wins came in a battle against champion Monomoy Girl (Tapizar) in the 2021 GI Apple Blossom H. and her near six-length victory in the 2021 GII Fleur de Lis S. The winner of 19 races from 28 lifetime starts, Letruska retired in 2022 with over $3.05 million in earnings. Sara Gordon Terrazas Thoroughbreds is also home to several of Letruska's family members, including her dam Magic Appeal (Successful Appeal), who was purchased by St. George Stable for $100,000 in 2015 with Letruska in utero. This year Magic Appeal has an Into Mischief yearling filly and is in foal to Gun Runner. Letruka's half-sister Mixteca (Tapizar) also resides at Terrazas and she recently produced a Charlatan filly. “We have always been attached to Letruska's siblings, but we get attached to everything,” Terrazas admitted. “With all of her brothers and sisters that we have had, we know them like family. Having Letruska here is great, just to be able to say that you had something to do with a horse of that quality.” Terrazas said they are in conversation with St. George Stable as they close in on their choice for which stallion Letruska will visit in 2024. St. George Stable is owned by Mexican billionaire businessman Germán Larrea. His racing and breeding operation has a massive presence in Mexico and up until recently, he would race only a handful of his best horses in the U.S. Terrazas said those numbers have grown substantially over the past few years now that St. George Stable's trainer Fausto Gutierrez has planted a base in the U.S. “In the past Mr. Larrea would probably breed around 10 or 12 mares here and most of them would be used to race in Mexico,” Terrazas explained. “Nowadays we are producing roughly 20 to 22 foals for them each year and the vast majority of them are staying here to race.” St. George Stable has been active at the Kentucky breeding stock sales in recent years. At last year's Keeneland November Sale they bought nearly a dozen mares, including the $300,000 purchase of Ambassador Kelly (Pioneerof the Nile), a daughter of GISW Rachel's Valentina (Bernardini). At the 2022 Keeneland January Sale they went to $390,000 for Siempre Mia (Scat Daddy), the dam of MGSW Consumer Spending (More Than Ready). The operation will also send mares who were successful in Mexico north to breed in Kentucky. Jala Jala (Mex) (Point Determined) and Malinche (Fast Anna) were both champions in Mexico before they joined St. George Stable's broodmare band at Terrazas Thoroughbreds. Terrazas said it is a privilege to work with a client like St. George Stable that breeds exclusively to race. “There are not a lot of people like that anymore,” he noted. “Everybody is so gung-ho on the market. This allows us to cater to him from a different perspective. Over the past few years, he has accumulated a really strong group of quality mares. We spend normally in the $250,000 to $300,000 range. That makes me really think high for the future. He's the type of owner that we need in the industry.” Terrazas decided to launch his own boarding operation because of the changes in the commercial breeding industry. He served as stallion manager for Overbrook Farm and Taylor Made Farm for almost 30 years before opening Terrazas Thoroughbreds in 2005. Eduardo Terrazas | Sara Gordon “Frank Taylor is the one who talked me into going on my own,” Terrazas said. “At the time I decided that I needed a bit of a break. As a stallion manager there is a lot of pressure. I started noticing that the books for the stallions kept getting bigger and bigger. All of that pressure comes to you. When you're a stallion manager, you have to find a happy medium between the horse and the business side of it. We started stressing more about [the book sizes] and I said, 'Well, maybe I don't want to do this for the rest of my life. It's not fun anymore.' That's when I decided to try it on my own. I never had any big plans and I still don't. We all know this is a finicky business. We're fine today. Tomorrow, who knows?” But Terrazas Thoroughbreds had found plenty of successes over the years. Along with St. George Stable, their client list has included White Fox Farm and Corser Thoroughbreds, who recently bred 2023 GI Pacific Classic S. winner Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo). Terrazas credits their operation's success to keeping things simple and hands on. He and his daughter, Jenny, take their time with each and every horse. “My daughter and I do all the dirty work,” he said. “We foal every single horse. When we are raising horses, we just try to stay out of their way. Our horses come in each morning, eat, and an hour later they go back outside.” Terrazas Thoroughbreds will consign horses, but only those that they foaled and raised themselves. Terrazas said he wants buyers to have the confidence factor of speaking to a consignor that has known the horse for his entire life. “I've never run an ad; it's all by word of mouth,” he shared. “I turn down mares every year because I'd rather say no than do a bad job.” Terrazas said that being able to share his passion for the business with his daughter is what gets him out of bed for those late night foalings and the early morning feedings. “I've always joked to people that if it wasn't for my daughter, I probably would have quit a while ago and just gotten a real job,” he admitted. “I tried to steer her away from a young age, but it didn't work out. She loves it. She's a very hard worker. She's a lot like me. You can be out here with triple pneumonia or whatever and still show up. I'm very proud of her. To see these horses doing so well is just unbelievable and to see our clients do good is really what we're here for.” The post Letruska the Star of Terrazas Thoroughbreds appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

L and N Racing and Winchell Thoroughbreds' Eclipse Award-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Echo Zulu (Gun Runner–Letgomyecho, by Menifee), was euthanized Sunday at the Chino Valley Equine Hospital in Southern California, Daily Racing Form reports. Trainer Steve Asmussen told the Form's Steve Andersen that the filly became cast in her stall and injured herself when trying to get back on her feet. “She was beyond special. My condolences to all who loved her,” Asmussen told the Form. Named the champion of her generation in 2022 in a four-for-four season capped by a dominating victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the $300,000 Keeneland September graduate was a dual winner at the graded level and second in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at three. She was perfect in three starts at four in 2023, with a victory over eventual Filly & Mare Sprint and Eclipse Award repeater Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) in the GI Ballerina H. at Saratoga. She was training towards a start in the Breeders' Cup when she suffered fractured sesamoids in an October workout and had been at the clinic since. Bred in Kentucky by Betz/J. Betz/Burns/CHNNHK/Magers/CoCo Equine/Ramsby, Echo Zulu posted a record of 9-1-0 from 11 starts and earnings of $2,640,375. This story will be updated The post Report: Echo Zulu Euthanized Following Stall Accident appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the Kentucky Derby 11 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-year-olds" closed as the 5-1 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the Feb. 17 Risen Star (G2) winner Sierra Leone was the 6-1 second choice.View the full article

Sulekha Varma, Kate Sigsworth and Robin Mounsey have been appointed to British racing's Horse Welfare Board (HWB). Varma, head of racing and clerk of the course at Aintree, joins as racecourse representative, while Sigsworth, who is the deputy chair of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA), will represent the Thoroughbred Group. Mounsey is head of communications for the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and will represent that body on the board. Projects undertaken as part of the sport's 'A Life Well Lived Strategy' include British racing's first Thoroughbred census, which was completed in December 2023. Work is ongoing to develop and improve hurdles and fences in jump racing, as well as research into multiple aspects of ground and going on racecourses, and ongoing support of the sport's charity, Retraining of Racehorses. The HWB is supported by The Racing Foundation and Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB). Since its inception the Racing Foundation has awarded the HWB over £3.5 million and the HBLB has provided £2.2 million. Barry Johnson, independent chair of the HWB, said, 'We're delighted to welcome Sulekha, Kate and Robin to the team at such a pivotal time for the board, with the culmination of several key projects this year. Their combined knowledge spans the entire sport and will be of huge value to us as we enter the final phase of our current five-year strategy.” The post Three New Members for Horse Welfare Board appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With the Kentucky Derby 11 weeks away, the pari-mutuel field of "All Other 3-year-olds" closed as the 5-1 favorite in Pool 4 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager (KDFW) and the Feb. 17 Risen Star (Grade 2) winner Sierra Leone was the 6-1 second choice.View the full article

Christopher Head won his first Classic last season with Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) and he is now eyeing a possible run un the Qipco 1,000 Guineas for Ramatuelle (Justify), who was the top-rated juvenile in France in 2023. The winner of the G2 Prix Robert Papin, and runner-up in the G1 Prix Morny, Ramatuelle is also entered for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and she will begin her preparations for the Classics in Deauville on April 9. “Ramatuelle has been a tremendous filly for us as a two-year-old and we are now preparing her for pretty much the mile programme in France, but not only in France, in the UK too,” said Head. “We're looking all over Europe to make the best programme for her as a three-year-old. [Newmarket] is of course a possibility, but at the end of the day her owner will decide where she will run. “She's going to go to the Prix Imprudence and then from there we will see where we go. To be a successful miler is the main objective this year. “I think Ramatuelle is a really nice filly and Justify has proven he can sire very versatile horses. I'm very happy to have her at three and can't wait to see what she is going to do for us in the mile races this year.” Ramatuelle, like Blue Rose Cen and fellow Group 1 winner Big Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), was bred by Yeguada Centurion but she was sold as a yearling to a syndicate involving Tony Parker's Infinity Nine Horses and Ecurie des Monceaux. While Blue Rose Cen has been moved over the winter to the stable of Maurizio Guarnieri, Big Rock remains under Head's care. He said of the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. winner, “Big Rock is brilliant and has done very well over the winter. He will have a nice programme in Europe and we will be able to come over to the UK again. “I will speak with the owners before saying anything about where he is going to start, but don't worry the horse is doing very well and we're very happy with his training. We can't wait to see him back on track.” The post Guineas Options Open for Ramatuelle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

“Some people looked at me like I'd lost my marbles,” admits Jamie Osborne. The trainer is back in rainy Lambourn following a couple of glorious days under the Middle Eastern sun. The potential moment of madness to which he refers came last October when he bid 160,000gns for the then-seven-year-old Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal). The gelding already had 32 runs under his belt and an impressive track record for Kevin Ryan, which included victory in the G2 Gimcrack S., backed up later by his win at five in the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup. He had also won the Listed Rous S. a couple of weeks before heading to the Tattersalls Horses-in-Training Sale, so he was clearly still a competitive animal but one would naturally start to wonder, as he embarked on his eight-year-old campaign, about the general wear and tear that might come with being in training all those seasons. That old fighting spirit was still very much in evidence, however, as Emaraaty Ana held on gamely to win Saturday's Dukhan Sprint on Saturday, a local Group 3 in Qatar worth just shy of £180,000 to the winner. His success was a rather large cherry on top of a fine 24 hours for the Osborne stable which began not that far away in Dubai with the second victory this winter at Meydan for another eight-year-old, Ouzo (GB) (Charm Spirit {Ire}). Both horses were ridden by the trainer's daughter, Saffie, who notched a notable landmark in becoming the first woman to ride a winner at Meydan. “We can't quite believe our luck,” says Osborne. “It's nice when plans come off because most of them don't.” He adds of Emaraaty Ana, “Buying a horse like that, you could potentially make yourself look stupid. I mean, I'm very fortunate that Ian and Claire Barratt have given me a bit of a budget to entertain them with and I felt that, at the money, he made sense as long as we could maintain him. And look, it's easy after the event, but I did say to them that he had the potential to win his purchase price back in Doha in February.” Job done then, and we could see Emaraaty Ana back at Meydan next month. “We're hoping he's going to get an invitation for the Al Quoz,” Osborne says. “Obviously he's going to have to up his game to compete in that, I still think there's a chance that he can improve again. “Barratt Racing have given me the opportunity to actually spend a bit more money than I've had to spend in the past to give them some fun. Now, how do you spend it? What they're about is going to nice places and competing at a decent level. So if you spend your budget on yearlings, the odds are you'll be disappointed. If you are looking for higher-rated younger horses to go and do these nice international races, well sadly our budget didn't stretch that far. “In doing this, we have to accept that we've been buying horses that clearly other people feel their best days are behind them. And they are probably right, but hopefully we can maintain them for a year or two to give the Barretts the fun that they would like.” He continues, “I know some people looked at me like I'd lost my marbles by giving 160,000 for a seven-year-old, but if you think about it, there's so many £160,000 yearlings out there and not many of them are going to end up being rated 110. And, yes, you've got a different journey, you've got a huge amount of hope and excitement with those horses that they could have a successful career, but the reality is most of them don't. “We're abandoning that hope that we're buying a champion and exchanging it really for a bit of reality. We accept that we're not buying a champion, but we're buying good horses. And as long as we can manage them, and keep them sound, and keep them wanting to do it, then there is some instant fun available with them.” Osborne admits to having found the Horses-in-Training Sale frustrating last year as he regularly played the role of underbidder, and he points to how the expansion of the racing programme in the Gulf has driven prices up. “If you just value them as a function of how much prize-money they can win around the world, it makes sense when you see what horses are going to race for in Saudi this weekend, and what they've been racing for in Qatar, what they can race for in Dubai. It's not a surprise that they're expensive,” he says. “All the horses that we've got out there have come from very good trainers who have done very well with them: Kevin Ryan, Solid Stone came from Sir Michael Stoute, Ouzo came from Richard Hannon, we've got a nice horse called Sean out there that runs on Friday in the Singspiel Stakes. He came out of Germany, and he's been very well looked after and very well trained, he's seven. “We're just probably doing things with them that the previous owners and trainers weren't really wanting to do. We've got the same horse, but if you just campaign them differently, you can find almost a new lease of life for them to compete. These are not English Group 1 races. A British Group race I think is the hardest race to win. So while some of these horses are competing in Middle Eastern Group races, they may well not compete in the British ones, but if we look after them and campaign them very much with a return to the Middle East in mind for next year, there's no reason why we can't go overseas.” Ouzo is owned by The Other Club, a syndicate which comprises Osborne's wife, the artist Katie O'Sullivan, and a group of her friends. “He's been a bit of a revelation, really, and I'm still unsure why,” Osborne says. “We failed to win with him for two years and he was running very consistently, getting placed in some very good races, and I was very worried about taking him to Dubai off 98, but he's found another leg since we've been out there this year. Maybe the extra little bit of trip has helped. “There's one thing for certain, he isn't going to win the Hunt Cup now. He plied his trade around that 95 mark for two years, being slightly a victim of his own consistency, and now he's gone and won off 102, so it's fantastic for his owners who have enjoyed him immensely in spite of not winning for a couple of years, and now he's won three on the trot.” He adds of the ownership group, “They certainly enjoy themselves wherever they go. I'd said to them before his first start, 'If you're only going to come out [to Dubai] once, come for his second start.” So obviously when he won first time, I thought I'd completely messed it up.” He adds, “We'll get his little bag packed and bring him back here. He's still in the Lincoln off 98 plus a penalty. I wouldn't completely rule that out, but we'll just see how he comes back.” Osborne's biggest win in Dubai came a decade ago when Toast Of New York won the G2 UAE Derby. He ended that same season by being beating just a nose in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Now 13, the son of Thewayyouare has an active life as a riding horse with the family of Osborne's right-hand man and fellow former jump jockey Jimmy McCarthy, who is overseeing the trainer's horses in Dubai. Despite enjoying multiple top-level successes in his own career over jumps, Osborne admits to being a bit of a fair-weather racing man, making the Middle East at this time of the year an appealing prospect beyond just the prize-money on offer. He says, “One of the downsides of being a jump jockey was that it happened in the winter. I suppose, to a degree, I've driven this concept motivated by my hatred for the British winter, but thankfully I've got owners that enjoy it too.” Saffie Osborne is doubtless enjoying it too, especially as she had to curtail her season last November when seeking treatment for torn ligaments in her knee. It was still her best year to date, with 70 winners on the board and a first Group success in the Valiant S. aboard Random Harvest (Ire) (War Front). And before you start thinking she's a nepo baby, it's worth reading what her father has to say about her. “She's been a liability most of her life but it finally looks like she's turning into an asset,” he says, though even down the phone it's easy to detect the smile on his face. “She's had a tough few months. I'm not totally certain that if we hadn't had the nice horses in the Middle East that she would be back yet. But she worked very hard to get back and did what she had to do with her knee, and hopefully it'll keep improving as the year goes on, but she does have damage in there. “Obviously, for Katie and me, doing what we're doing with her on board just makes it extra special.” He continues, “There was a time when she was riding, she rode Alignak at Meydan for us a couple of years ago, and I was happy with her riding the horse, but she was just proficient. Now, I would say, without being biased, which is a difficult thing not to be, I think I would rather have her on the horses than anyone else now, from a professional point of view, and regardless of the pleasure that I get from seeing her riding for us. She's got the hang of it now. “She's not afraid to get beat on a horse, which sounds stupid, but I think that's a very important thing that a jockey must have. The route she took on Ouzo, that could have ended up as a real hard-luck story, but if she'd come around them, she wasn't going to win. So you've got to be prepared to take that chance and sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't, but she has the confidence to take that calculated risk. And maybe it stems from the fact that as her mother owns it and her father trains it, she knows she's not going to get jocked off. “But on the other hand, I'm trying to regrow this business at the moment, I don't have enough horses. I would like to grow both sides of the business, both here and a travelling team for the Middle East for next winter, and if I thought her involvement was in any way going to be detrimental to the growth of this business, well I'm afraid nepotism would go out the window. I'm not going to employ her at the expense of the business. He adds, “She's extremely driven and I think there's a chance that Saffie can really make it and she's almost certainly going to grow out of me, I hope. In which case, I'll just have to stand in line with everyone else.” The next big test for Saffie Osborne comes on Friday in Riyadh, where she is one of 14 jockeys to have been called up for the Saudi Cup International Jockeys' Challenge. Ryan Moore is also in the line-up, as is Australia's Damien Oliver, who is making a brief comeback from his recent official retirement. With a line that only a father could get away with, Osborne says of his daughter's participation, “That's a big step for a little girl. “I think if she'd been involved in that competition last year, you'd be living in fear that she's going to be outwitted or out-jockeyed by that class of a rider that she's going to be competing against, but now I don't think that's a concern. I think that rule number one if you're going to be a good jockey is you've got to know how fast you're going and it seems that she's innately got that now. I'll be in Dubai watching with interest.” The post ‘We Can’t Quite Believe Our Luck’: Jamie Osborne on a Memorable 24 Hours in the Gulf appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who captured the GII Risen Star S. Saturday, was the 6-1 individual favorite when the Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 4 closed Sunday evening. The pari-mutuel field of 'all other 3-year-olds' closed as the 5-1 favorite. Other horses who attracted interest from bettors: Dornoch (Good Magic) (9-1), the GII Remsen S. winner and full-brother to 2023 Derby winner Mage; GI Champagne S. winner Timberlake (Into Mischief) (15-1); GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile third Locked (Gun Runner) (16-1); and champion 2-year-old Fierceness (City of Light) (16-1). Total handle for the Feb. 16-18 KDFW pool–the fourth of six scheduled wagering pools in advance of this year's Derby–was $408,422 ($309,393 in the Win pool and $99,029 in Exactas). That was a 20% increase from last year's $340,880 ($259,489 in the Win pool and $81,391 in Exactas). Through the first four pools, a total of $1,218,084 has been bet on Derby future wagers, a 26% surge from last year's $964,540. Other Future Wager dates are set for Mar. 15-17 (Pool 5) and Apr. 4-6 (Pool 6). The lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager will coincide with Kentucky Derby Future Wager Pool 5. For the complete Pool 4 betting field, visit KentuckyDerby.com/FutureWager. The post Sierra Leone Individual Favorite in Derby Future Pool appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club’s chief executive outlines future plans after last week’s weird and wonderful Amir Sword Festival takes centre stage in DohaView the full article

Velocious winning the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) at Ellerslie last month. Photo: Race Images Syndicator Go Racing are looking for their standout juvenile Velocious to become the first The NZB Kiwi (1500m) bonus eligible horse in the coming weeks. On top of the $3.5 million prizemoney on offer in the inaugural running of the slot race, there is also $1 million in bonuses up for grabs, and to be eligible for a share of the bonus pool, a horse must win one of the various bonus eligible races on offer in New Zealand and/or Australia, and also run a top three placing in The NZB Kiwi on Champions Day next year. The bonus for eligible horses that run a place in The NZB Kiwi will be $600,000 for first, $250,000 for second, and $150,000 for third. The first bonus eligible race will be the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on April 6, with first nominations ($287.50) for the two-year-old feature set to close at 4pm on Tuesday, February 20, with the National Racing Bureau. Go Racing’s Albert Bosma is keen to be part of the action with his star filly Velocious, provided she comes through her next run, the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 9, in good order. Bosma purchased the daughter of Written Tycoon out of Inglewood Stud’s 2023 Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $190,000 and she has gone on to win three of her four starts for trainer Stephen Marsh, including the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), and placed in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes (1200m). Bosma said she has come through her last start Karaka Millions triumph in fine fettle and is on target for her first tilt at elite-level next month. “She hasn’t missed a beat. We gave her a week in the paddock and she is back in work now,” Bosma said. “She will head to the Sistema on the 9th at Ellerslie and she will have a very quiet trial at Taupo the week before. She is spot on for that, we are very happy. “The Manawatu Sires’ is something we will consider. We will get through the Sistema and post the Sistema we will either turn her out or go to the Manawatu Sires’. “We have decided that with the bonus that is now on offer with the Sires’ Produce going into the slot race, that is probably going to be a better option rather than heading to Australia with her for one run, which was the other thought.” Bosma said The NZB Kiwi and the bonuses surrounding the slot race is a great initiative, and will keep horses like Velocious in New Zealand to compete, where historically they would have gone on to campaign across the Tasman. “There is no doubt that if it wasn’t for the slot race and the bonus that is up, then the Manawatu Sires’ wouldn’t have been on the radar. It would have been the paddock or Australia,” Bosma said. Horse racing news View the full article

What Happy Valley Races Where Happy Valley Racecourse – Wong Nai Chung Rd, Happy Valley, Hong Kong When Wednesday, February 21, 2024 First Race 6:40pm HKT (9:40pm AEDT) Visit Dabble Hong Kong racing returns to Happy Valley on Wednesday evening for a classy nine-race program. The rail is out in the C+3 position throughout the circuit, and although there are some light showers predicted in the lead-up, it shouldn’t have any effect on the Good 4 rating. The opening race is scheduled to get underway at 6:40pm local time. Best Bet: Son Pak Fu Son Pak Fu held his own in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m) at Sha Tin on January 28 and now returns to his favoured circuit. The son of Fighting Sun has a 50 percent win rate at Happy Valley and chalked up back-to-back victories in Class 2 before making that massive leap into Group 1 company, where he was unsuited to the set-weight conditions. The Benno Yung barn has the five-year-old perfectly placed in Class 1 on Wednesday evening, and with just a small field of eight runners, watch for Son Pak Fu to launch over the top to score. Best Bet Race 4 – #3 Son Pak Fu (2) 5yo Gelding | T: Benno Yung | J: Jerry Chau (a1kg) (58.5kg) Bet with Neds Next Best: Galaxy Witness Galaxy Witness returns to Class 3 company for the first time since May 2022. The gelding by Star Witness has raced ultra-consistently against tougher opposition in Class 2, signified by his bold runner-up effort last start behind Happy Together on December 20. He does tend to get too far back in his races, but with the hefty weight of 61kg on his back, jockey Karis Teetan can be much more positive in the run. If Galaxy Witness gains an economical run in transit, he will simply prove too classy. Next Best Race 7 – #1 Galaxy Witness (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Karis Teetan (61kg) Bet with Unibet Best Value: The Khan Nothing went to plan for The Khan on debut at Sha Tin on January 28, and the 5.5-length margin isn’t a true reflection of the potential this guy has. He was dragged back towards the rear of the field by Karis Teetan, and from there it was a glorified barrier trial for the son of Acclamation. He was ridden up in the concluding stages and found nothing but backsides before closing off nicely under his own steam. He draws barrier 11 on Wednesday, so he may get back again, but if the breaks fall his way, The Khan can close off best at a massive each-way price with online bookmakers. Best Value Race 3 – #5 The Khan (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Caspar Fownes | J: Karis Teetan (57.5kg) Bet with Bet365 Hong Kong Wednesday quaddie tips – Feb 21, 2024 Happy Valley quadrella selections Wednesday, February 21, 2024 1-2-3-7-10 1-4-12 1-3-4-7-11 3-5-6-9-10 Horse racing tips View the full article

Whangaehu and Per-Anders Graberg bolt clear of their rivals in Sunday’s AFFCO NZ Ltd Wairoa Cup (2100m) at Hastings. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) Waverley trainer Bill Thurlow claimed the Auckland Cup (3200m) with his top stayer Glory Days in 2019, and five years on he is daring to dream of adding another to his mantle. While the race no longer holds the elite-level status it did in his first triumph, Thurlow is still keen to claim New Zealand’s top two-mile prize with Whangaehu following his dominant performance in the Wairoa Cup (2100m) at Hastings on Sunday. From his outside gate, Swedish jockey Per-Anders Graberg made a beeline for the fence with Whangaehu, where he was able to find cover three-back behind key rivals Enright and Pep Torque, with the five-year-old gelding enjoying an economical passage throughout. Graberg was able to find clear running room at the 200m mark and Whangaehu showed a blistering turn of foot to quickly claim the lead and run away to an extending four-length victory, giving Graberg his first win on New Zealand soil. Thurlow was rapt with Whangaehu’s performance and is now looking forward to heading north next month to tackle the Group 2 Auckland Cup. “He was very dominant,” Thurlow said. “His three runs since coming back from Australia had all been on rain-affected footing. He won his first one on ability and his third run was very good on a heavy track, so we were looking forward to getting him on a Good track.” Whangaehu began his racing career under Thurlow’s care, but soon found himself in leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller’s stable, for whom he had two victories before returning to Thurlow last year. The Taranaki horseman has always thought highly of the son of Proisir and is pleased to see that promise translated to raceday. “He has always been a promising horse. He won his second start for us before he went to Aussie and looked like he was going to be a very good horse,” he said. “He won a couple of races over there but maybe just didn’t fit in as well as he could have for one reason or another, which happens. He is a pretty handy horse.” Whangaehu will now likely head straight to the Auckland Cup, with Thurlow citing the distance between his Taranaki base and Ellerslie as the major deterrent of tackling another lead-in race. “The Auckland Cup is the logical place to head with him now,” Thurlow said. “He had to do what he did yesterday to carry on, but he did win really well on a Good surface, which is what we have been looking for, so we will push onto that race. “I’ll discuss it with the owners, but I think he won‘t race again until the Cup. He could go up the week before to line-up in the old Nathans, but we are mindful of the length of travel from here. Week-on-week it is probably too much to ask, so we will probably get him ready at home.” A day prior, Thurlow had a pleasing result at Ellerslie when No Rain Ever ran home well for third in the Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1200m) behind Pericles and Just A Floozie. “It was outstanding what she did,” Thurlow said. “They ran a blistering speed, two seconds quicker than the open horses over 1200m. “It was her first time that way (right-handed) and when she jumped out of the gates you could see she was a little bit lost and on the wrong leg, but once she got going she was very good. We are really happy with her going forward. “There is a race up there (Ellerslie) again for her in two weeks, but we are really mindful of the travelling with those young horses, so we might wait two weeks and go to Wellington (for the Group 2 Wellington Guineas, 1400m) on Oaks Day.” Field Of Gold was also in action at Ellerslie, finishing 10th in his 1500m contest. “Field Of Gold has come through it really well,” Thurlow said. “I wasn’t disappointed with his run at all, it just wasn’t really his race, he went up as a mate for No Rain Ever. The owners live up in Auckland and it was nice for him to go up there and race.” Meanwhile, Thurlow’s Group One winner No Compromise has headed to the spelling paddock following his last-placed run in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). “We were disappointed with his last run, so we have elected to put him in the paddock and he will come back in the spring and we will see where we go from there,” Thurlow said. Horse racing news View the full article