Wandering Eyes

Godolphin homebred TARIFA (f, 3, Bernardini–Kite Beach, by Awesome Again) unleashed a powerful stretch drive to out-finish race favorite Intricate (Gun Runner) and win the GII Rachel Alexandra S. at Fair Grounds Saturday. Stepping into stakes company for the first time, Tarifa picked up 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks with the victory. Gun Runner fillies finished second and third as race favorite Intricate followed in the winner while Perfect Shot filled the trifecta. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0. #1 Tarifa takes on stakes company for the first time and earns 50 points towards the Kentucky Oaks in the Rachel Alexandra S. @fairgroundsnola for trainer @bradcoxracing with Flavien Prat aboard! #TwinSpiresReplay #FG152 @johngdooley pic.twitter.com/pSERoU0Y76 — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) February 18, 2024 O/B-Godolphin; T-Brad Cox. The post Tarifa Splashes Home In Rachel Alexandra appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A field of 11–ten males and a single American-bred filly–head to the post for Sunday's $243,343 Listed Hyacinth S. going a one-turn 1600 meters at Tokyo Racecourse. The race serves as the third of four legs on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby and will award the winner 30 points towards a berth in the field at Churchill Downs on the first Saturday in May. Sheikh Mohammed's worldwide Godolphin operation won the 2022 Hyacinth with their homebred Combustion (Jpn) (Discreet Cat) and is represented Sunday afternoon by that colt's full-brother Unquenchable (Jpn). The chestnut defeated Logi Adelaide (Jpn) (Drefong) to win his maiden at second asking over this course and distance Oct. 27 and checked in a good third behind Amante Bianco (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) in the first leg of the local series, the Cattleya Sho (allowance) last November, picking up three Derby points. Unquenchable, a latest second to the talented American-bred Sonic Star (Into Mischief) over track and trip Jan. 27, is favored at just north of 2-1 and has the services of Christophe Lemaire from gate 11. Logi Adelaide proceeded to run second in his next start Nov. 4, but put it all together when romping home by seven lengths as the 2-5 chalk Nov. 26. Ballon d'Or (Jpn) (New Year's Day) is the only member of Sunday's field to already have earned black-type via his close third-place finish behind Ammothyella (Jpn) (Bricks and Mortar) and Ecoro Gaia (Speightstown) in the Listed Bluebird Cup at Funabashi Racecourse Jan. 17. The bay was purchased for over $650,000 as a foal at the 2021 JRHA Select Sale. Sunday's winner will leap-frog to the top of the standings on the Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby, with just the Mar. 23 Fukuryu S. (allowance) at Nakayama remaining. The current leader, Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}), runs in next Saturday's G3 Saudi Derby, while second-placed Amante Bianco was second in the Feb. 14 Kumotori Sho, an allowance race at Ohi Racecourse that was outside the Derby series. The post Godolphin Homebred Looks To Keep Hyacinth S. All In the Family appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Final Furlong Farm and Madaket Stables' Honor D Lady opened a commanding lead in the stretch and easily hung on to win the $154,000 Royal Delta Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park Feb. 17.View the full article

What Muswellbrook Races Where Muswellbrook Race Club – Skellatar Park, 15 Racecourse Rd, Muswellbrook NSW 2333 When Monday, February 19, 2024 First Race 1:55pm AEDT Visit Dabble The new week of racing is set to get underway at Muswellbrook on Monday afternoon, where a competitive seven-race program awaits punters. The rail is out +3m between the 1000m to 300m marker, while the remainder is in the true position. The weather seems to be a mix of mostly cloudy with a speck of rain in the region, so anticipate the course to be somewhere in the Soft range for race-day. The opening event is scheduled for 1:55pm local time. Best Bet at Muswellbrook: Dale There was no doubt the debut of Dale at Randwick-Kensington on January 31 was a major disappointment, however, the son of Castelvecchio contests much easier company on Monday afternoon. He was expected to lead on debut, but wasn’t quite able to muster enough early speed, forced to sit in the one-one position throughout the entire journey. While he did fail to make an impression, his barrier trial prior at Scone on January 21 was sensational when leading all the way to score, and provided Ashley Morgan can adopt those kinds of tactics, Dale will be much more competitive in this country maiden. Best Bet Race 1 – #11 Dale (3) 2yo Colt | T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | J: Ashley Morgan (56kg) +130 with Picklebet Next Best at Muswellbrook: Jonny Be Swift Jonny Be Swift is flying for the Gregory Hickman barn, but after chalking up back-to-back wins to kick off the campaign, the three-year-old may have appeared plain in his most recent start at Bathurst on February 2. The gelding by So You Think didn’t appreciate getting back on top of the ground, unable to display his usually electrifying turn-of-foot. Back onto a surface with some sting out of the ground should be ideal, and with the best country hoop getting back in the saddle, watch for Jonny Be Swift to bring up a hat-trick of wins for the preparation. Next Best Race 5 – #4 Jonny Be Swift (7) 3yo Gelding | T: Gregory Hickman | J: Gregory Hickman (59kg) +150 with Neds Best Value at Muswellbrook: Red In The Morning Red In The Morning seems to be steadily improving after two career starts and appears set to peak third-up on Monday. The son of Dawn Approach closed off gamely at Tamworth on February 3, unable to reel in the 0.7-length margin after making a long-sustained run from the rear of the field. The further he gets out in the trip, the more he’s worth following, and although Red In The Morning will have a couple short-priced commodities to overcome, this guy warrants an each-way ticket. Best Value Race 6 – #6 Red In The Morning (7) 4yo Mare | T: Justin Drake | J: Braith Nick (a1.5) (56.5kg) +1300 with Playup Monday quaddie tips for Muswellbrook races Muswellbrook quadrella selections Monday, February 19, 2024 2-8-12 2-4 1-2-6-8 1-3-5-6-8-11 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip Horse racing tips View the full article

Sheldon Russell's hands were full while picking where Apple Picker would mount her rally, but the daughter of Connect took home a basket full of the winner's share of a $200,000 purse in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3) at Laurel Park Feb. 17.View the full article

Alice Springs trainer Paul Gardner returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since early December when Gunnerside saluted at Pioneer Park on Saturday. They’re leading the way in the Alice Springs and Provincial premierships, but the dry spell for trainer Paul Gardner and jockey Sonja Logan ended on Saturday. Gardner’s six-year-old gelding Gunnerside ($6.50) saluted over 1100m (BM54) with apprentice Dylan Stanley on board, while Logan piloted Dan Morgan’s eight-year-old gelding Zoustorm ($19) to victory over 1400m (0-70). It was December 2 when last Gardner and Logan celebrated victory after combining to get Perkova home. Gardner, aiming for his first title, has 14.5 victories for the 2023/24 season and is 2.5 wins clear of Lisa Whittle. Darwin-based Logan, last year’s champion, has 11.5 wins and holds a narrow lead over apprentice Ianish Luximon (10), who also had success on Saturday. Gunnerside impressed the previous week with Logan aboard when second over 1000m (0-64), so to see the son of Choisir post his first win in Central Australia wasn’t a surprise. Jumping from the outside gate (11), Gunnerside covered plenty of ground and was sitting three deep in fifth place passing the 600m before making his winning move in the home straight. Greg Connor’s Quanapirri Bay ($13), ridden by Logan, was set for an all-the-way win before Gunnerside swooped late to win by a length – Terry Gillett’s NT debutante Protostar ($2.80 fav) held on for third. Logan wouldn’t be denied on Zoustorm when the son of Zoustar went to an early lead and edged clear at the 400m before overcoming Russell Bell’s Arrogant Miss ($8.50), who looked gone at the home turn, and Barry Cooke’s Nasha ($13) by 2.3 lengths. Zoustrom arrived in town after four wins and 11 minor placings from 80 starts in Victoria, Tasmania and SA. Last year’s champion trainer Dick Leech enjoyed his first win of the campaign when six-year-old gelding Prince Of Mercia ($3.70) also won on debut at Pioneer Park after pouncing on the leaders turning for home to win by 2.8 lengths in open company over 1200m. The son of Magnus, victorious on debut in Darwin during last year’s Cup Carnival, settled fourth before winding up at the 400m and beating Ray Viney’s Square Cut ($3.10 fav) – who led from the outset – and Gillett’s That’s Justified ($16) home. Top End apprentice Jade Hampson partnered Prince Of Mercia. After two unplaced starts in Alice Springs, Viney’s seven-year-old gelding Duty ($3.40 fav) outclassed Kerry Petrick’s Magnolia Rose ($5) – the early pace-maker – and Morgan’s Barocco Bar ($3.90) winning by four lengths over 1600m (0-64). Duty, the son of Fastnet Rock, was five lengths from the lead in fourth place passing the 800m, but once turning for home and leaving the fence, jockey Jessie Philpot had the gelding in prime position, and with 200m to go, it was all over. Kieffer ($9), Kevin Lamprecht’s four-year-old gelding, also celebrated his first at the track when he decimated his rivals in a 1400m maiden by 8.6 lengths. Under the guidance of Luximon, the son of Mawingo jumped well and settled third on the rails, however, it got a bit hectic at the 600m with six horses vying for the lead. Approaching the final bend, Keiffer left the fence in search of the lead and was in full flight straightening for home before gobbling up the leaders. Gardner’s Star Of New York ($21), a fading sixth at the 500m, rallied for second, while Bell’s Dartboard ($16), a hopeless last passing the 800m, stormed home for third. Horse racing news View the full article

Explore a multitude of captivating racing promotions offered by horse racing bookmakers on Sunday, February 18. Immerse yourself in the thrill with generous bonus back offers, elevating your betting experience. Delve into these complimentary promotions from top-tier online bookmakers to maximise your betting opportunities. The top Australian racing promotions for February 18, 2024, include: Today’s best horse racing promotions Sunshine Coast All Races – Same Race Multi 3+ Leg Bonus Back If 1 Leg Fails Place a 3+ leg Same Race Multi bet on any race at Sunshine Coast this Sunday and if 1 leg of your multi fails, get up to $50 back in Bonus Cash. Market available from approximately 8:30am local track time on race day. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds to Claim Promo Sunshine Coast Race 1 – Run 2nd or 3rd score up to $100 in Bonus Cash Enter the Bonus Code BONUS100 on the Bonus Bets/Offers page, place a fixed win bet on Sunshine Coast race 1 and if your selection runs 2nd or 3rd get up to $100 in Bonus Cash. One Bonus per week. Neds T&Cs apply. Login to Neds 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 Sunday Bonus Back 2nd on ALL RACES at Sha Tin Auto-applied in Bet Slip. Promotional Limits apply. Min 6 runners. Fixed Odds only. T&Cs apply. Login to UniBet to Claim Promo How does horsebetting.com.au source its racing bonus offers? HorseBetting.com.au meticulously assesses leading Australian horse racing bookmakers, revealing exclusive thoroughbred bonus promotions for February 18, 2024. These ongoing offers underscore the dedication of top horse racing bookmakers. In the realm of horse racing betting, when one bookmaker isn’t featuring a promotion, another is stepping up. Count on HorseBetting.com.au as your go-to source for daily rewarding horse racing bookmaker bonuses. Enhance your value with competitive odds and exclusive promotions tailored for existing customers. Easily access these offers by logging in to each online bookmaker’s platform. For valuable insights into races and horses to optimise your bonus bets, trust HorseBetting’s daily free racing tips. More horse racing promotions View the full article

Horse racing on Sunday, February 18, will feature eight meetings in Australia. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the top bets and the quaddie numbers for the meetings at Sale & Sha Tin (HK). Sunday Racing Tips – February 18, 2024 Sale Racing Tips Sha Tin (HK) Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on February 18, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. More horse racing tips View the full article

Sheldon Russell's hands were full while picking where Apple Picker would mount her rally, but the daughter of Connect took home a basket full of the winner's share of a $200,000 purse in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes (G3) at Laurel Park Feb. 17.View the full article

8th-Gulfstream, $70,840, Msw, 2-17, 3yo, 1m, 1:38.22, ft, 2 lengths. TOP CONOR (c, 3, Twirling Candy–Divine Dawn {GSP, $187,875}, by Divine Park), the second choice on the board at 5-2, sat narrowly off fifth-time starter Wistucky (Nyquist) through a half in :45.61. Tipped out past the quarter pole by Jose Ortiz, he closed stoutly and got up with plenty left despite drifting close to home to pick up the two-length win on debut over Military Road (Quality Road). Pinhooked as a $200,000 KEESEP yearling and secured by Flanagan Racing for a top-four price of $1,000,000 as a 2-year-old at OBS March last year after breezing in :9.4, Top Conor is the second winner out of a graded-stakes placed full-sister to GSW/GISP Divine Miss Grey. Divine Dawn saw her 2-year-old Gun Runner colt bring $850,000 as a yearling at FTSAUG last summer and produced a full-sister to Top Conor last year before visiting Epicenter for 2024. Sales History: $200,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $1,000,000 2yo '23 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $42,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Flanagan Racing; B-International Equities Holding, Inc. (KY); T-Chad C. Brown. “Top Conor is the top one indeed!” #1 TOP CONOR ($7.60) breaks his maiden in R8 at @GulfstreamPark. The three-year-old Twirling Candy (@LanesEndFarms) colt wins for trainer Chad Brown with @jose93_ortiz in the irons. pic.twitter.com/pf8oc2pWJg — TVG (@TVG) February 17, 2024 The post Twirling Candy’s Top Conor, Million-Dollar OBSMAR Grad, Debuts Nicely At Gulfstream appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Since impressing on debut in maiden special weight company at Churchill Downs last November, Halina's Forte has spent her last two starts in stakes races, earning placings in both the Fern Creek S. and finishing off 2023 as the beaten favorite at Fair Grounds in the Letellier Memorial S. Dec. 23. Racing in New York for the first time Saturday, the 2-1 top choice broke quickly was out outsprinted by a trio of runners to her inside. Relegated to a wide fourth as the leaders opened up a gap back to her, Halina's Forte began a sustained bid midway around the far turn, reeled in pacesetter Ghalia Princess from three wide and drove past with a sixteenth to run to pick her first stakes win. “She broke very well,” said winning rider Eric Cancel. “I wasn't scared of what position I could get with her. I just wanted to have a clean trip–I didn't have any trouble with her. She had a little trouble last time when she ran, so I think that really cost her a lot. But today, that wasn't the case. I just kept in the clear and once I started asking her, she just started picking it up.” A third stakes winner from the first crop of Mitole, Halina's Forte is a half-sister to the dam of SW/MGSP Whateverybodywants (Giant Oak) and out of a half to GSW/GISP sire Astrology (A.P. Indy) and MGSW Lunerpal (Successful Appeal). Lunarlady has not produced a foal since Halina's Forte and was not reported bred for this year. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. #4 HALINA's FORTE ($6.20) wins the $100,000 Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct. The three-year-old filly by @SpendthriftFarm's Mitole gets her first stakes score for trainer Philip Bauer with @Ericcancel85 aboard. pic.twitter.com/SFYTNPkUt9 — TVG (@TVG) February 17, 2024 RUTHLESS S., $100,000, Aqueduct, 2-17, 3yo, f, 7f, 1:26.26, gd. 1–HALINA'S FORTE, 118, f, 3, by Mitole 1st Dam: Lunarlady (SW), by Yes It's True 2nd Dam: Quiet Eclipse, by Quiet American 3rd Dam: June Gift, by Hold Your Peace ($130,000 Ylg '22 OBSWIN; $250,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Rigney Racing, LLC; B-Bill & Corinne Heilegbrodt & A.F.& B. Vanlangendonck (FL); T-Philip A. Bauer; J-Eric Cancel. $55,000. Lifetime Record: 4-2-2-0, $149,900. 2–Ghalia Princess, 118, f, 3, American Pharoah–Ghalia, by Medaglia d'Oro. ($575,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Sumaya U.S. Stable; B-International Equities Holding, Inc. (KY); T-Brad H. Cox. $20,000. 3–Value Area, 118, f, 3, More Than Ready–Her Smile, by Include. ($210,000 Ylg '22 FTKOCT). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and Gary F. Lewin; B-KatieRich Farms (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. $12,000. Margins: 1 3/4, 2HF, 10. Odds: 2.10, 2.25, 7.60. Also Ran: Low Society, Reconcile, Tiarella, Most of All. The post Halina’s Forte Another Stakes Winner For Mitole appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

5th-Fair Grounds, $65,000, Alw, 2-17, (NW2L), 3yo, f, 1 1/16m, 1:45.03, sy, 4 1/4 lengths. OUR PRETTY WOMAN (f, 3, Medaglia d'Oro–Dazzletown, by Speightstown) debuted in the slop Jan. 18 over this track in a driving 3 1/4-length win at a mile and 70 yards. The $900,000 Keeneland September buy duplicated that debut Saturday in nearly a carbon copy effort of that initial win to remain unbeaten in two tries. Breaking from the outside spot as the 9-5 choice, Our Pretty Woman cleared the field and angled to the rail to set a :24.39 first quarter with ears flicking back and forth while Joel Rosario kept her on a loose rein. Unthreatened while posting a :48.95 half, the dark bay sophomore repulsed a mild challenge on the turn, was briefly roused by Rosario into the lane, and sauntered home a clear 4 1/4-length winner over Standoutsensation (Take Charge Indy). The winner's dam hails from the same family as two-time Canadian champion Roxy Gap (Indian Charlie) and has a 2-year-old colt by Bolt d'Oro who sold to Mayberry Farm for $270,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. Dazzletown has a yearling colt by Yaupon and visited Authentic for 2024. Sales History: $900,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $70,200. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Courtlandt Farms (Donald Adam); B-Woods Edge Farm, LLC & Godolphin (KY); T-Steven M. Asmussen. #8 OUR PRETTY WOMAN ($5.60) leads them all the way around the track to win R5 at @fairgroundsnola. The three-year-old filly by @DarleyAmerica's Medaglia d'Oro is two for two for trainer Steven Asmussen. She was piloted by @JRosarioJockey. pic.twitter.com/Q7tBwzzifg — TVG (@TVG) February 17, 2024 The post Medaglia d’Oro’s Our Pretty Woman Stays Unbeaten in Fair Grounds Slop appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Imperatriz laid to rest doubts stemming from an unimpressive barrier trial in claiming her ninth elite-level win in the Feb. 17 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington.View the full article

Citing a threat of rain, Santa Anita Park cancels racing Feb. 19. The track had planned to offer a special holiday program on President's Day.View the full article

The final day of the White Turf meeting at St. Moritz has been cancelled, the Rennverein St. Moritz announced on Friday. The statement read, “Due to the current weather conditions and the resulting condition of the racecourse, the Rennverein St. Moritz has decided with a heavy heart to cancel all races this coming Sunday, 18 of February. This decision was taken by the board of the Rennverein St. Moritz in close consultation with See-Infra AG as well as partners and sponsors. The event site will remain open on both days and admission is free of charge.” There was a track inspection on Friday via drone that revealed various cracks and damp patches that had not frozen overnight. As a result, racing on Sunday–featuring the crown jewel of St. Moritz, the Grosser Preis von St. Moritz, was cancelled and Saturday's Family Day was held with a reduced programme. For more information, please visit the White Turf website. The post Final Day Of The White Turf Meeting Cancelled At St Moritz On Sunday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

With a forecast calling for significant rainfall, officials at Santa Anita Park have canceled Monday's Presidents' Day program at the track. The nine-race program on Sunday will proceed as scheduled, with a first post at 12:30 p.m. PT. The track will remain open Monday for simulcasting in the Grandstand Paddock Room beginning at 10 a.m., with free parking and admission. Races carded for Monday, including the $100,000 Tiznow S., will be offered as extras on the overnights for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 23-25. Similarly rainy conditions forced the cancellation of racing Feb. 4 and training was suspended through Feb. 8 due to track conditions. The track was reopened to regular training Feb. 9, but the live racing program was canceled that day to give local horsepeople additional time to prepare their horses. A reported 10 inches of rain fell between Feb. 4 and Feb. 7. The post Santa Anita Cancels Presidents’ Day Card appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

3rd-Fair Grounds, $59,150, Alw (NW1X)/Opt. Clm ($100,000), 2-17, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:43.74, sy, 2 lengths. TUSCAN SKY (c, 3, Vino Rosso–South Andros {SW, $207,125}, by Sky Mesa) facing a field scratched down to just two other runners, backed up a big figure in his Aqueduct debut, also over a muddy surface, Jan. 13 with a defeat here of 'TDN Rising Star' and GIII Lecomte S. runner up Nash (Medaglia d'Oro). Letting that runner go up to set an uncontested lead in what wound up a two-horse race, Tuscan Sky stalked from second, came with his bid into the far turn and engaged that rival in a duel from the top of the lane. With Hawks Creek (Exaggerator) far back in third, the top pair battled it out with Tuscan Sky turning back Nash inside the sixteenth marker to pick up the two-length victory and stay perfect. The half-brother to Private Creed (Jimmy Creed), GSW & GISP, $1,329,166, Tuscan Sky has a 2-year-old Complexity half-brother while his dam produced a full-brother to Private Creed last year before visiting Jackie's Warrior for 2024. Sales History: $200,000 Ylg '22 FTKJUL. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $83,000. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Spendthrift Farm LLC; B-Sierra Farm (KY); T-Todd A. Pletcher. #7 Tuscan Sky stays perfect in R3 @fairgroundwsnola for trainer Todd Pletcher and owner @spendthriftfarm with @luissaezpty in the irons! @JohnGDooley#TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/44osjlnn0T — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) February 17, 2024 The post Vino Rosso’s Tuscan Sky Stays Perfect, Defeats ‘Rising Star’ Nash appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rebel's Romance returns to Breeders' Cup-winning form in Doha, Qatar, easily handling a quality international field in the H H The Amir Trophy (G3).View the full article

Luxembourg had been entered for the Feb. 24 Saudi Cup (G1) but will instead contest the Neom Turf Cup (G1) on the same card.View the full article

Imperatriz laid to rest doubts stemming from an unimpressive barrier trial in claiming her ninth elite-level win in the Feb. 17 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) at Flemington.View the full article

Jonny Turner’s selections for Gore Race Jonny Turner Racing Journalist Race 1 12.19pm 6 Classie Linc 3 Takeitout 1 Ideal Double 5 Insarchatwist Race 2 12.52pm 6 Dignify 5 Wattle Hill 10 Styrax 3 Moment Of What Race 3 1.20pm 3 Sidorova 1 Vanessa Marie 5 Cheer Me On 2 Breeny’s Rock N Roll Race 4 1.54pm 2 Superfast 6 Warrior Easton 8 Get Kraken 4 Sly Tricks Race 5 2.30pm 14 Blithe 5 Dem Bones Dem Bones 7 Jordan Anne 9 Our Superfund Race 6 3.05pm 1 Smart I Am 6 Foxfire Easton 5 Olives Dream 10 Mamma Mia Race 7 3.40pm 4 Magic Sign 7 Haley Robyn 12 Netherton Franco 9 Duke Of Scotland Race 8 4.15pm 7 Da Vinci 8 One Change 6 Hacksaw Ridge 4 Brookies Player Race 9 4.40pm 9 La Bamba 2 Bismarck Du Plessis 13 Wehavtime 10 Summit Ultra Race 10 5.05pm 10 Maui 9 One Two Menny 11 Jimmy Carter 4 Sally Lindenny Race 11 5.30pm 8 Still Rockin 1 Quaddie VC 5 Lou’s Deal 6 Chris Kyle Race 12 5.55pm 4 Magnetic Beckers 5 Pounamu 1 Falcons Watch 2 Stickifingers View the full article

Craig “The Whale” Thompson is back with his best for Gore. View the full article

We all have days when we feel a bit low or even depressed. For many people that feeling will pass, but for some it can persist to a point where it becomes overwhelming and perhaps life-threatening. For Keith Haggins, the latter had become the norm towards the end of his 30-year stint working in the bloodstock business, leading him, eventually, to seek help. As is becoming better known and more openly talked about in everyday life, help with mental health struggles is now fairly widely available and comes in a variety of formats. What works for some may not be so beneficial for others. Haggins was not so keen on the idea of therapy in its traditional counselling format, but happened upon an eight-week online course called the Thrive Programme. Its website promises “a totally fresh approach to achieving lasting happiness, health and success” through focusing on managing thoughts, emotions and behaviour. Sounds too good to be true, right? This is what Haggins thought initially too, but he found the course so beneficial to his own situation that he left stud work to retrain as a coach on the programme in the hope of helping others. “I must emphasise how much I loved working in the industry and I want to pay something back to an industry that has given me so much,” he says, while admitting that there is plenty about the racing and breeding business that he misses. “I worked in the industry for 30 years and then retrained as a Thrive coach, but I'm still absolutely passionate about everything horsey and the whole industry, not just the horse side, the agricultural side. That's obviously a huge part of it.” The Irishman, who now lives in Sussex, England, worked at Kildangan Stud and then spent six years assisting Jacqueline Norris before moving to the UK, where he later worked as manager of the late Lady Rothschild's Waddesdon Stud. He says, “A few years ago I struggled with my mental health and found myself in a deep dark hole for a while and that's when I discovered the Thrive Programme. There's some incredible support out there and some great help, but it seems to be geared for people who are in crisis or who are in the depths of depression, feeling suicidal, suffering from drug addiction or whatever it is. The message is 'when you get to that point, give us a shout and we'll help you'. “But the Thrive Programme is based on learning and education, developing a skill set, so to speak. You don't need to be very academic to understand the programme as it is delivered in a simple way, it strips away all the complex terms we so often hear and delivers it in plain English. You also don't need to be in trouble to do it. You don't need to have a major significant issue going on in your life right now.” One of the hardest parts of seeking help if you are struggling is having to admit the fact to those around you. Thrive makes it easier in that regard as the course can be completed at home and doesn't requite participants to be off work or travel to appointments. “Asking for help is the hardest part, because that's the day you have to accept the fact that something's not quite right,” says Haggins. “That's difficult for a lot of people to get to that point. What drew me to the Thrive Programme is it's not therapy, it's not counselling. It's a training programme and it's structured with a start and middle and an end. And you can either do it at home on your own or with a coach, and then you become your own coach effectively, or whatever you want to call yourself at that point, but you learn the skills you need to do it yourself.” Through years of experience, Haggins recognises the specific pressures involved in working with horses. “It's not a nine-to-five, 40-hour-a-week job, especially at management level,” he says. “To be able to fulfil that role and have quality of life when that life revolves around the stud season can be hard. The calendar is very unsocial for parents, impossible really, sometimes. When the children are off on holidays, it's sales, preparation, and so on. And it is a never-ending cycle of, 'I can't go in October half-term because we're in Book 1, Book two. I can't go at Easter because we're foaling.' “I know the industry, and when somebody comes to me and tells me about their struggles or battles, it's not that I understand it, I've walked in those shoes. “People have said, 'Why did you give up on that industry?' I did it for 30 years. I don't think I gave up, really. That's a full lifetime career.” The next stage of Haggins's career is vastly different, but through his more recent experiences he hopes to be able to help those still working in the racing and breeding industry. “The Thrive Programme is already established in the Metropolitan Police, in a couple of leading companies, and it's in many schools up and down the country,” he explains. “I'd love to see it available to kids in the likes of the racing schools to National Stud courses, and any other training establishment where people can benefit from it. I don't want to appeal just to people in crisis. I want to appeal to everybody. “It can be tailored to any individual or groups in a variety of different ways. It's a lot of questioning, a lot of understanding. Where did that come from? Why do you think that or how could you think that differently? And when people start talking about that, it can inspire others. “People don't tend to look for help until something's wrong but making this something that people can come across and do when things are good, it's much better. But obviously it is also there for people when they are struggling.” The learning-based approach was what drew Haggins to the Thrive Programme initially, and in a time in which mental health is spoken about almost as frequently as physical health, then this is perhaps as important as educating people in the benefits of eating your five-a-day, or why too much sugar is bad for you. “For me, that's how the world works,” he says. “Life is a journey of learning, and what I learned by doing the Thrive Programme is what got me better and got me to the point I'm at now where life is amazing.” The post Learning to Thrive 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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