Wandering Eyes

The Freakonomics Radio podcast has released a new three-episode series, “The Horse Is Us,” which includes coverage of the Keeneland September Sale and several other important industry issues. “Their team was fantastic to work with and spent several days interviewing several industry professionals and Keeneland team members on our grounds,” said Keeneland Communications Manager Meredith Daugherty. The first episode is not necessarily Keeneland-centric. It is entitled “The Ultimate Dance Partner.” “For most of human history, horsepower made the world go,” the introduction reads. “Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America?” Episode One is about horses and their changing role in human society. It explores several pertinent questions, particularly how, after cars became prevalent, did horses continue to be a major part of society, whether as racehorses or otherwise. It also looks into the economic and cultural reasons why horses remain relevant today when they just as easily could have disappeared after the industrial revolution and machines and automobiles took over. The second episode is entitled “Inside the Horse-Industrial Complex.” It looks at Kentucky's dominance in the thoroughbred industry, how it maintains its position and how, even with racing declining in other areas, people will still pay millions to try to breed or buy the next champion. It notes that a $200,000 stud fee is no longer considered all that exorbitant. The mental and physical demands that are placed on jockeys has been an important topic in racing lately, particularly with the recent suicides of two jockeys. The episode looks at the many demands of being a jockey, particularly the mental struggles some experience. It continues with interviews from the major players in the industry, including jockeys and the heads of major breeding farms. The goal is to use economic principles to figure out why this one side of horse racing , breeding and the sales markets, have prospered beyond all expectations. Episode Three, “Does Horse Racing Have a Future?” is definitely something that will make you think about where this industry is headed. The episode explores this central question by looking at a paradox in the industry. It looks at the reasons to be optimistic about the sport's future, namely that thoroughbred auction prices, particularly for elite bloodlines, keep setting record highs, indicating that people are still willing to pay huge prices for what is, essentially, a luxury item. It also looks at the many problems and challenges, that tracks are closing down, that betting handle keep falling year after year and that horse racing has become overly reliant on subsidies from slot machines and casinos. The host, Stephen Dubner, investigates the world of the thoroughbred auctions, specifically the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. But he digs further, asking breeders, economists, and gamblers their opinions on whether or not sport so dependent on subsidies can survive in the long run? To watch or listen to this podcast on YouTube, click here: Episode 653. Episode 652. The post Freakonomics Radio Joins Forces With Keeneland For Thought-Provoking Podcasts appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A full field of twelve sophomore sprinters are signed on to contest the 11th running of the $300,000 Steel Valley Sprint, the main event of a stakes-laden card at Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course Nov. 24.View the full article

Nat Barnett Bloodstock bought three yearlings during the second session of the Arqana Autumn Sale on Tuesday, including the €160,000 top lot, a son of notable jumps stallion Doctor Dino. Sold as lot 540, the AQPS son of Diane De Grugy (Ballingarry) is a full-brother to dual Grade 1-winning hurdler Jade De Grugy. Aready named Oteuil De Grugy, the Windermere Stud-consigned colt is from the same family as top-notch AQPS chaser Sire De Grugy (My Risk). “For me, he was the horse of the sale,” said Barnett. “I've bought him for some English owners for whom I buy a lot of horses – some are resold as two year-olds and others go into training. This one will definitely race for us. He's a magnificent horse, with a great page and pedigree. He'll stay in France to be trained by Hugo Merienne. We had to fight to get him but it was worth it. We're delighted.” Barnett also purchased colts by Nirvana Du Berlais (lot 562) for €80,000 and by Masked Marvel (lot 534) for €60,000. NBB Racing and Elliott Bloodstock Services shelled out €150,000 for lot 514, another AQPS son of Doctor Dino and the Saint Des Saints AQPS mare Blue Beryl. Offered by Haras du Buff, the bay is a half-brother to Martaline's dual Italian Grade 3 winner Honey Sexy and dual French Grade 3 winner and G1 Prix de Craon third Jet Blue. His dam is a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Questarabad (Astarabad) and G2 Prix Murat hero Cyrstal Beach (Network). “He's a lovely horse,” said Nicolas Betran de Balanda. “He's got scope and walks well, he was also very well prepped. It's a family that I know well, as I trained Crystal Beach. I'm very happy. He'll go to Ireland in the near future.” The highest price among the stores was €125,000 given for lot 484, an AQPS already named Northern Voice by Choeur Du Nord. The juvenile is a full-brother to Jeriko Du Reponet, who has won a Grade 2 hurdle race. Consigned by Fairway Consignment, he was purchased by Horse Racing Advisory. Statistics were up on 2024, with 111 sold from 152 offered (73%) for a gross of €2,911,500 (+45%) from exactly 30 more horses offered. The average increased 14% to €26,230. The median also rose €3,000 (+20%) to €18,000. The post Doctor Dino Colts Lead NH Yearlings At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dale Romans is among the most successful trainers in the history of Kentucky racing. He's the all-time leading trainer in terms of wins at Churchilll Downs, has won the GI Preakness Stakes and upset Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) with Keen Ice (Curlin) in the 2015 GI Travers S. But he's looking for a career change. Last week, trainer Romans announced that he'd like to become U.S. Senator Romans, representing Kentucky. He announced his candidacy and has entered the Democratic primary. To discuss why he is running for office, his love for his home state and what he'd like to accomplish in Washington, Romans sat down with the team this week at the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. Romans was asked why such a successful trainer would want to make such an abrupt career change and go to Washington at a time when D.C. is a snake pit. The answer was, he wants to make a difference. “I've been the vice president of our HBPA for 30 years,” Romans said. “I've spent a lot of time on Capitol Hill. As Zoe [Cadman] knows, we spent a full day there together one time. I've been behind the scenes on a lot of political issues. I've supported a lot of our Democratic candidates inside the state of Kentucky. I've spent a lot of time in Frankfort working on issues like the VLT situation we have and helping Kentucky and Kentucky racing grow as a whole. Politics has always been a side gig of mine. And this seat became open. At this stage of my life, I think I could do a lot of good and help people from Kentucky by getting to Washington.” The pundits say he is a longshot. He first has to get by a formidable opponent in Amy McGrath in the Democratic primary, and if he gets that far, beat the Republican candidate in what is a solid red state. Can he pull it off? Who has he sought for advise? Should he have run, instead, as a Republican. “I'd be a phony issue if I changed my party to Republican and run as Republican,” he said. “That's not who I am. I'm a Democrat, but I'm a very centrist Democrat. Senator [Joe] Manchin and I have been talking. I talked to him a lot about running as a Democrat because he was a Democrat who won in a red state, West Virginia. He told me to identify myself as an independent Democrat. He said from your state you would have a lot of power coming from a red state and being a Democratic senator because they can never primary you. You don't have to go along with the party on anything. You can vote for what's right for Kentucky and what's right for this country. Everybody says we're such a red state. They did vote for Trump, but we've seen it all in the elections in the last couple of weeks that people don't just follow what Trump says and who to vote for. We have a Democratic governor, a very popular one. He's won a couple of terms. “We just haven't had an opportunity really to have a Democratic Senator for a long time. For 30 years, we had two institutions, Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning. Rand Paul came in, and I don't think we ran the strongest candidate against him, and he won the seat. So there really hasn't been a lot of opportunity for a Democrat to run for a Senatorial seat in the state of Kentucky. I'm just going to give it all I can, see what I can do.” Win or lose, Romans is in a good place in his life, one of the reasons he felt it was time to throw his hat in the ring. He has lost a considerable amount of weight and has overcome his problems with alcohol addiction. “I'm in the best place I've been in my life,” he said. “You're right, Zoe. You've known me a long time. We've had a lot of fun together. I was excess on everything. I ate too much, I drank too much. But a few years ago, I decided I needed to make major changes or I wasn't going to be here. And the first thing I did was have gastric sleeve surgery. I've lost 180 pounds. Two years ago, I went into rehab. That's another thing I want to work on at Capitol Hill, our whole rehab system. I haven't had a drink in two years. I've never been healthier or happier in my life.” Working as a trainer, he knows how important an immigrant labor force is in racing and in other industries. He said one of his major goals in Washington will be to work to fix the immigration mess. “I'm trying to get this issue through,” he said. “I've gotten as far as [United States Secretary of Agriculture] Brooke Rollins at a meeting with her,” Romans said. “You just can't get it over the line because it's a political pawn. It makes no sense to me. Even when I sat with Mitch McConnell for a long time in March, he said both sides agree. He agreed with me 100% as far as what we should do. He said neither side wants the other side to get the win. It would be one of the first issues I want to work on. We need to document, not deport. That's a more realistic situation for a labor force that we have to have in this country.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was the Robertino Diodoro-trained $10,000 claimer Get Her Number (Dialed In), who turned in a 103 Beyer in a race at Remington Park. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, which stands the stallion Constitution Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, 1/ST TV and West Point Thoroughbreds, Randy Moss, Bill Finley and Zoe Cadman discussed Finley's TDN story about a horse named Awesome Hawaiian (Awesome Bet) pulled from a kill pen by John Stewart and his family, who went on to win a $30,000 maiden claimer at Churchill Downs. As heartwarming a story as it was, the team lamented that too many horses in this country are still liable to show up in the slaughter pipeline. They also looked at the booming sales market, which set records across the board at virtually every major sale in 2025, including the recently concluded November sale at Keeneland. Click here to listen to the podcast or here to watch. The post Dale Romans Joins the TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented by Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Juddmonte's homebred stallion Mizzen Mast (Cozzene) has been euthanized due to the infirmities of old age, the Daily Racing Form reported Monday. The 27-year-old began his career in France, placing in the G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris before crossing the Atlantic to take both the GI Malibu Stakes and the GII Strub Stakes at Santa Anita to finish his racing career. As a stallion, Mizzen Mast sired 70 stakes winners and 27 group or graded winners until his pensioning from stud duties in 2021. He sired 11 elite-level winners including two-time GI Breeders' Cup Turf Spring winner Mizdirection and MGISW Caravel. He also sired a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' in MSW/GSP Barrier Reef. “It wasn't any [one thing], it was just more of an amalgamation of a bunch of things,” Juddmonte manager Garrett O'Rourke told the DRF. “They're never easy decisions, but they're easier when the horse is telling you, 'Look, I'm ready.'” The post Juddmonte Stallion Mizzen Mast Dies At 27 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Santa Anita Park will kick off a new season of Thoroughbred racing Dec. 26 with opening day of the traditional Classic Meet.View the full article

Live racing returns to Santa Anita with the traditional Dec. 26 opening card of the 48-day Classic meet featuring the GI Malibu Stakes, and continues through the close of the 30-day Hollywood meet June 14. The two meets will feature 81 stakes worth $11.75 million, including the newly named GII D. Wayne Lukas Stakes Feb. 7, the GI Santa Anita Handicap Mar. 7, and the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 4. Overnight race purses are slated to increase from the start of last year. “The overall 5% purse increase for Santa Anita Park's Classic Meet continues the positive trend from last season,” said Santa Anita General Manager Nate Newby. “The increases are highlighted by the rise in maiden special weight races to $70,000. Building on the strength of the 2025 Southern California racing program, we've been able to add back two stakes races that were not offered last season. These are positive steps for the state as California remains the only major racing jurisdiction where purses are not subsidized by other forms of gaming.” In addition to the GI Malibu Stakes, the Dec. 26 opening day card will also include the GI La Brea Stakes, GI American Oaks, GII Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes, GII Mathis Mile, and GIII San Gabriel Stakes. The Mar. 7 Santa Anita Handicap program also includes the GII San Felipe Stakes, the GI Frank E. Kilroe Mile, and the GI B. Wayne Hughes Beholder Mile. The San Felipe is part of Santa Anita's series of Triple Crown prep races. The series begins Jan. 10 with the GII San Vicente Stakes and continues with the GIII Robert B. Lewis Stakes Feb. 7, and the San Felipe, and concludes with the GI Santa Anita Derby Apr. 4. “The Santa Anita 3-year-old series has been a proving ground for the Triple Crown races since Hill Gail won our Derby in 1952,” said Jason Egan, Santa Anita Park's Director of Racing. “Earlier this year, Journalism became the 19th Santa Anita Derby winner to go on to win a Triple Crown race. Both he and [Santa Anita Derby runner-up] Baeza performed impressively throughout the series.” A total of 14 stakes exclusively for state-breds are also on Santa Anita's schedule, led by the Jan. 17 California Cup Day and the May 23 California Gold Rush Day. The Classic Meet ends Apr. 5. Following a one-week break, Santa Anita will resume live racing with the start of the 30-day Hollywood Meet Apr. 17. Highlighting the Hollywood Meet is a Memorial Day program May 25 that includes the GI Shoemaker Mile, GI Gamely Stakes and GII Hollywood Gold Cup. The post Santa Anita Meets to Offer $11.75 Million in Stakes Purses 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 Nov. 10-16View the full article

The University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program Global Symposium on Racing, scheduled for Dec. 8-10, will be streamed online with Roberts Communications Network making the stream available on the Racetrack Television Network. All proceeds from the sales of streaming packages will go back to the RTIP. “Year after year, the Global Symposium on Racing brings together the entire racing community to discuss the most important topics in our industry, and we are very excited to deliver it on an international scale,” said RCN and RTN President and CEO Todd Roberts. “All of the money generated by the sales will go back to the RTIP program to help support all of the great work they do for the industry.” The agenda for this year's symposium includes panels on wide ranging topics, including updates on HISA, a discussion on how to balance CAW growth with racing's long-term health, a look at the exciting new racetrack construction projects in major markets, a conversation with Hall of Fame jockeys Steve Cauthen, Ramon Dominguez, Chris McCarron, and Laffit Pincay Jr., an examination of innovative approaches to boosting U.S. Thoroughbred breeding, and an unfiltered discussion with Mike Repole. The live streaming package, which also includes archived sessions of each panel, is available for a $149 purchase on the RTN.tv website, enabling people to watch on tablets, smartphones, and PCs, and on televisions through Roku devices and Amazon Fire TV. For more information on the symposium, including a full agenda, visit the website at www.RacingSymposium.com. The post Global Symposium on Racing to be Streamed Live on RTN appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Grade 1 winner Troubleshooting will look for this third consecutive win to end the 2025 season in the $300,000 Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. He will take on 10 sophomore rivals in the 1 1/16-mile race.View the full article

The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will award $4.7 million in grants to 86 accredited Thoroughbred aftercare organizations in 2025, the organization announced Tuesday. The financial support is designed to assist organizations in delivering exceptional care and rehabilitation services for retired racehorses. Of the $4.7 million in grants awarded this year, $250,000 was provided by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and is being delivered directly to accredited aftercare facilities in Kentucky. “Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is proud to continue supporting our 86 accredited organizations through this year's grant awards,” said Janice Towles, Director of Accreditation & Grants, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance. “This funding helps sustain the remarkable efforts of these organizations to continue their incredible work as they provide care, rehabilitation, and second-career opportunities for retired Thoroughbred racehorses. We commend their ongoing commitment to giving every horse a secure and rewarding life after the track.” Since its inception in 2012, TAA has expanded from 23 to 86 accredited organizations and has increased its annual grants from $1 million to $4.7 million. Accredited organizations have successfully retrained, retired, and rehomed approximately 20,000 Thoroughbreds across 175 facilities. Support for TAA comes from across all facets of the Thoroughbred industry, including owners, breeders, trainers, stallion farms, racetracks, sales companies, horsemen's groups, foundations, veterinarians, horseplayers, racing fans, and wagering technology companies. The charitable donations received throughout the year directly fund the grants distributed to TAA-accredited organizations. To learn more about accreditation through Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance or to become a supporter of accredited aftercare visit thoroughbredaftercare.org. The post TAA Grants $4.7 Million to 86 Organizations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Courage Mon Ami, the winner of the 2023 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, has been retired from racing after failing to recover sufficiently from a tibia injury. Trained by John and Thady Gosden, Courage Mon Ami sported the now-familiar silks of Wathnan Racing when defeating Coltrane and Subjectivist in the Gold Cup, having been bought privately by the Emir of Qatar's burgeoning operation after his victory in a Goodwood handicap the previous month, his third win from as many starts for owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer. As well as becoming Wathnan's first Group 1 winner when enjoying his career high at Royal Ascot, the son of Frankel was also providing Frankie Dettori with a landmark success in his final season riding in Britain. Sadly, Courage Mon Ami himself has been an infrequent visitor to British racecourses since his Gold Cup win, having been sidelined by injury after his runner-up finish in that season's Lonsdale Cup at York. John Gosden said, “What a day Courage Mon Ami gave us all at Royal Ascot. It was a cool ride by Frankie, but Courage Mon Ami was so determined and he simply wasn't going to be beaten. “For Wathnan to land the Group 1 with just their third runner and be presented with the Gold Cup by the King – what a story! It was a dream start and surely helped ignite a real passion for racing and for Royal Ascot. “Courage Mon Ami is an enormous horse and, though he was so willing in all of his exercise, and we got close a couple of times, he just isn't going to be able to return to racing.” The six-year-old Courage Mon Ami will now move to the Emir of Qatar's Wathnan Stud just outside Doha. Gosden added, “He's a real yard favourite and it's wonderful that he's going to have a splendid retirement where the Emir can visit him. He richly deserves it.” The post Wathnan Racing’s Gold Cup Winner Courage Mon Ami Retired appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars MR DESIRA - R5 (2) Good run in defeat from wide draw latest and retains potential Jay Rooney SAMARKAND - R4 (1) Should go one better than last start with the aid of barrier one Owen Goulding SAMARKAND - R4 (1) Collared on the the line latest, now drops in grade with the inside barrier Phillip Woo SAMARKAND - R4 (1) Looks a wire-to-wire threat from gate one after back-toback minor placings Shannon (Vincent Wong) SAVVY TWINKLE - R6 (11) Not beaten far last start and should go...View the full article

He did a lot of things wrong before and during Tuesday's G3 Prix Thomas Bryon, but ultimately Godolphin's Al Zanati (Dubawi) was able to impose himself on proceedings in the nick of time. Difficult to load and recalcitrant throughout the early stages as William Buick sought to tuck him in behind, the 3-5 favourite who had been runner-up in the G3 Autumn Stakes last month had to close wide in the straight. Knuckling down where it mattered, the homebred cut down compatriot Bourbon Blues (Space Blues) in the final stride for a head success, with fellow Charlie Appleby-trained Pacifica Pier (Palace Pier) 2 1/2 lengths away in third. “I'm pleased we ran him, because it would have annoyed me over the winter had he not been a Stakes winner at two,” Appleby said of Al Zanati. “He's a work in progress, but the engine's there–it's a case of how he is mentally. He can be a challenge some mornings, he's sometimes electric and sometimes workmanlike so it's all about maturity.” “Stepping up in trip will see him improve, but mentally he should improve a lot and his dam was a challenge too,” he added of the winner, who could be about to switch to the dirt with the Kentucky Derby a distant dream at present. “We wanted to see what he was like on the surface and we could look at taking him to Dubai and go the Al Bastakiya route and see where we are. A good strong ten-furlong race will suit.” Gets up on the line! Last seen finishing 2nd in the Autumn Stakes, Al Zanati flashes home late to land Group 3 honours at Chantilly for @Godolphin and Charlie Appleby… pic.twitter.com/bhj1lDmvi6 — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 18, 2025 The post Al Zanati Leaves It Late In The Thomas Bryon, Kentucky Derby On The Horizon? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Malaysian buyers made a resounding statement at the recent New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale, securing an impressive 44 lots with a combined spend of $1.93 million. Held at Karaka, the sale featured a vibrant catalogue of two-year-olds, and Malaysia’s presence was felt across a wide spectrum of vendors and sires. Out of 353 catalogued lots, 265 were sold—of which Malaysian buyers accounted for 12%, a significant footprint in one of the Southern Hemisphere’s premier juvenile auctions. Leading the Malaysian charge was Mr Charles Leck, who acquired seven lots totalling $271,000, including the top-priced Malaysian purchase—Lot 356, a Time Test gelding out of Giggly, knocked down for $110,000. Selangor Turf Club followed closely with 11 purchases amounting to $257,000, reinforcing its commitment to sourcing quality bloodstock for domestic racing. Other notable buyers included Mr HY Cheng ($190,000), Mr WC Lim ($175,000) and Simon Dunderdale / Pinhook Bloodstock International ($160,000 across four lots). The diversity of sires—from Circus Maximus and El Roca to Farnan and Ardrossan—reflects a strategic approach to building depth and variety in Malaysian stables. Vendors such as Westbury Stud, Riversley Park, Kilgravin Lodge, and Waikato Stud featured prominently in the Malaysian acquisitions, underscoring the trust placed in New Zealand’s proven breeding and preparation systems. The sale also marked a milestone for emerging Malaysian syndicates and private buyers, with new names like Phoenix, Eternity Racing, and India Horse Club making their presence felt. Their participation signals a growing appetite for international investment and a belief in the long-term potential of New Zealand-sourced racehorses. As the Malaysian racing calendar looks ahead to 2026, these purchases are expected to inject fresh talent into the local scene, with several lots earmarked for debut campaigns in Malaysia. The Ready to Run Sale continues to serve as a vital pipeline for quality imports, and this year’s results reaffirm Malaysia’s status as a key player in the Asia-Pacific bloodstock market. View the full article

Ahead of Friday’s huge race night at Addington that features five Group 1s, including the Garrards NZ Pacing Derby, we look back at the Derby exactly 100 years ago. By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk A century ago there wasn’t just one Derby – there were two. The first one was at New Brighton in March, the second at Addington in November. Kohara’s win was the last at New Brighton before the shift in date and venue with Native Chief (pictured above) being the first at the “new” venue. Kohara’s Derby was robbed of some interest when arch rival Glenelg opted to race in the New Brighton Handicap. Their rivalry then has shades of Marketplace vs Got The Chocolates now. Glenelg had beaten Kohara twice already in the same season and according to newspaper reports another match up would have been “of great interest” Kohara went on to win the Derby (1.5 miles,2400m approx.) in 3:24.8 while Native Chief’s winning time was 3:23.8. The race record was set by Taurekareka a year earlier in 3:22. To provide context last year’s winning time by We Walk By Faith over the longer distance of 2600 metres was 3:10.9. Trained by Jack Kennerley, Native Chief was known as an “erratic” pacer. He had a habit of getting very worked up in his races. Apparently that stemmed from an episode when he broke away from his Winton breeder James Duffy when he was being educated. But there was no doubting his ability. He was regarded as Logan Pointer’s fastest son. In the Derby he was on his best manners and from all accounts won “without being extended”. Kohara won 11 races between 1924 and 1933 including the 1927 New Zealand Cup while Native Chief won nine between 1925 and 1937. Native Chief was just the second 4YO to start in the NZ Cup won by Ahuriri (for the second time) in 1926, finishing fifth. View the full article

Sir Peter Vela joined Gareth Hall for an extended chat live from Pencarrow Stud to speak on his life and background which led him into the racing & breeding game. The Amazing Life & Story Of Si… – Giddy Up – Apple Podcasts View the full article

It will be a full circle moment for Group One performer Wild Night (NZ) (Vanbrugh) when he returns to Windsor Park Stud following his retirement from racing this week. Bred by the Cambridge farm, the six-year-old gelding is by their Group One-producing sire Vanbrugh and out of Supreme, who is also the dam of Group Two winner Play That Song. Wild Night was offered through Windsor Park Stud’s 2021 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft where he was purchased by Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis for $50,000. He proved to be an astute buy, winning five consecutive races as a three-year-old, including the Gr.2 James And Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (1400m) and Listed Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), before finishing runner-up to Prowess in the Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) and third behind subsequent New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m). He battled with soundness issues in subsequent years but added a further three wins to his tally before the decision was made to call time on his racing career following his seventh placed run in last Saturday’s Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1530m). “He was a really good horse for his connections,” said Mark Walker, who trained Wild Night in partnership with Sam Bergeron. “He had a brilliant three-year-old season but had a few soundness issues creep in when he was a four-year-old. “He was quite lightly-raced that season and came back at five to kick off with consecutive wins and had an unlucky run in the Cranbourne Cup (Listed, 1600m) in Melbourne. “He was a lovely horse to have in the stables and if it wasn’t for his soundness issues I’m sure he would have ended up a Group One horse. “He’ll live out a fulfilled life as a pleasure horse and certainly won’t be forgotten by everyone that had something to do with him.” Wild Night retires to Windsor Park Stud the winner of eight of his 23 starts, with earnings north of $550,000. View the full article

Meaningful Star (Pivotal) shone brightly last Saturday when runner-up in the Gr.2 Tauranga Stakes (1530m) and he could now get the opportunity to defend his crown in the Gr.3 Great Northern Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday week. The seasoned campaigner rocketed home late and came within a short head of usurping Agera in the Tauranga Stakes, pleasing part-owner and co-trainer Grant Cooksley. “It was a good run. A couple of more strides and he would have been in front,” said Cooksley, who trains in partnership with Bruce Wallace. “He just doesn’t really like racing between horses, he needs a bit of room.” Cooksley has been happy with the way his nine-year-old gelding has come through the run and is now eyeing the Great Northern Challenge Stakes, a race he won last year in just his third start in New Zealand. “He has come through it well,” Cooksley said. “We might go to Ellerslie next week, we will just wait and see.” The Irish-bred son of Pivotal has seen a fair bit of the globe, having raced in his homeland and Hong Kong before arriving in New Zealand last year. He has won eight and placed in 11 of his 42 starts to date and earned nearly $1.8 million in prizemoney. Meanwhile, Cooksley is set to have a strong hand at Pukekohe on Saturday, where he will line-up half a dozen runners, including Group One performer Sacred Satono (NZ) (Satono Aladdin), who will contest the Gr.3 Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m). The six-year-old entire will be fresh-up in the Pukekohe sprint feature, having last raced when last in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m) at Ellerslie in September. Cooksley said he had a torrid run from his wide alley in the Proisir Plate, and he is ruling a line through that performance. “He sat five and six deep the whole way. It was just one of those races, you couldn’t do anything about it,” he said. The Byerley Park trainer has been pleased with Sacred Satono’s work ahead of the weekend, where he will be looking to continue his good run of form in the Counties Bowl, having won it in 2023, and finished runner-up in 2022 and 2024. “He has been working well so we will see what happens,” Cooksley said. Following his weekend assignment, Sacred Satono will be chasing an elusive elite-level scalp over summer, having previously placed in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) and Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). Cooksley will also be chasing stakes success on Saturday with Moving Melody (Deep Field) in the Gr.2 Dunstan Feeds Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1400m). The lightly-tried five-year-old mare heads into the race in pleasing form, having placed in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Pukekohe earlier this month, and Cooksley is confident of another bold showing. “She has come through her race well and the 1400m will probably suit her,” he said. “She hasn’t gone backwards, so she will be right there.” Cooksley will be represented on the undercard by last-start winner Toruk Makto in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 1600, He’s Classic in the Franklin Long Roofing 2100, Staphanos Queen in the Stella Artois 1500 Championship Qualifier (1400m), while Sacred Combatant is dual nominated for the Franklin Long Roofing 2100 and Show By SkyCity 1600. “1400m will suit Staphanos Queen, she hasn’t had a run for three-and-a-half weeks,” Cooksley said. “She is good and is working well. “Toruk Makto has improved on the run so he should be thereabouts. “He’s Classic has had two runs over a mile and is up to 2100m, which will suit him. It was a pretty good run last time. “Sacred Combatant got back in a really slow run race the other day but got home well. He is in the mile and 2100m, so it depends on what one he gets into.” View the full article

Late maturer Queen Of Kings (NZ) (Prince Of Brooklyn) has a gilt-edged opportunity at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday to add to her record. The five-year-old has been in fine touch this preparation and looks a leading chance in the Jon Snow & Echoes Of Heaven Handicap (1600m). A daughter of Prince Of Brooklyn, she broke her maiden at Oamaru during the winter and two runs back doubled her tally when successful in an open handicap at Ashburton where race rival Iffididit finished third. In between times, she has posted three minor placings and through her campaign has run well on all manner of underfoot conditions. “She’s been doing things right and it’s a small field so she should get every chance,” said Len Stewart, who at the start of this season was joined in partnership by granddaughter Lacy. “She’s taken quite a while to develop into a solid horse and finish off properly.” Gosen Jogoo has guided Queen Of Kings to both of her career successes and will continue his association. “She’s in good form and Gosen rides her very well, she’s quite a dependable mare,” Stewart said. Queen Of Kings will be opposed by only five rivals on Wednesday, one of them her nine-time winning stablemate Sympathique who hasn’t had the rub of the green in her last two outings. “She hasn’t had a lot of luck and Kate (Hercock) is on her and she’s riding very well,” Stewart said. The stable has five other runners in action at the Phar Lap Raceway, including the in-form Fawke Lightning (NZ) (Iffraaj) in the Entain/NZB Insurance Pearl Series (1200m). “I’d like to see her win, one of my old mates Bill Jelley, who has passed away, raced her and his daughter Shona is racing her now,” Stewart said. Fawke Lightning has placed in two of her four outings this preparation, including consecutive runner-up finishes, most recently over the course and distance and at Riccarton. “You just have to get the breaks, but she’s picking up money before she gets into the Rating 65 grade so it’s all right,” Stewart said. View the full article

Frankie Lor Fu-cheun is looking forward to unleashing the unbeaten Australian import Loyal Bright at Happy Valley on Wednesday night as he looks to add to his tally at the city circuit. Lor has scooped four races at the Valley so far this season, including a double this month when Run Run Smart and Regal Gem saluted in good style. There is plenty of intrigue around Loyal Bright, who makes his Hong Kong debut after a spotless record of three wins from as many runs at Toowoomba when known as La...View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Just how good is The Lazarus Effect? It seems we will find out the answer in Friday’s $125,000 Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington. The Bob Butt-trained pacer has created a lot of buzz with seven wins from 10 starts and now takes on a star studded line-up that includes recently crowned New Zealand Cup champion Kingman. “I don’t know how good is he to be honest,” says trainer Bob Butt. “He just keeps improving and I haven’t found the ceiling yet. I guess we will know more after Friday.” Capable of running a sub 55 last 800 – “he has real high speed” – The Lazarus Effect has won four of his last five, including a seven length romp in the NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales All Aged Pace at Kaikoura. “He really stepped up at Kaikoura,” says Butt, “that would probably be his best run so far.” But Carter Dalgety not Butt will drive The Lazarus Effect this Friday with Butt opting for stablemate Sideshow Bruce. “It’s hard to split them but Carter has driven The Lazarus Effect before down south (winning in Winton in May) and Sideshow Bruce is a big raw boned type who can be harder to drive.” The Lazarus Effect was bred by New Zealand Sires’ Stakes Executive Martin Pierson. He acquired unraced Art Major mare Brook Street and after attempts to get her in foal to Bettor’s Delight they went to Lazarus and were successful straight away. The resulting foal The Lazarus Effect was then sold for $57,500 at the 2022 NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales to Alabar NZ Ltd and was syndicated. Initially he was going to be trained by Mark Purdon but ended up with Butt on the beach at Woodend after suffering from a few setbacks. “I take a lot of pride in what The Lazarus Effect has done,” says Pierson. “When he won on Cup day last year that was the first time I’d bred a winner on Cup day so that was pretty special.” That was just his second race day appearance and he won by over four lengths. In his 10 career starts he’s never been further back than fourth, and even then he was unlucky in the running and charged home. “I’m sure he won’t disgrace himself this Friday either,” says Pierson. The Lazarus Effect is a joint equal second favourite with Walk By Faith at $7.50 with Kingman, who’s vying for a fifth win in a row, at just $1.45 following his monstrous win in the country’s biggest race last Tuesday. Also in the field is last year’s VELOCITY winner Better Knuckle Up, who was fourth in the New Zealand Cup. Sideshow Bruce has drawn one the second row, and is at $20 with the TAB. “Its going to a great race,” says Butt. To see the field for the Christian Cullen click here View the full article

With a quinella in Saturday’s Gr. 1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) done and dusted, trainer Pam Gerard is now setting about confirming summer plans for Romanoff (NZ) (Belardo) and Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes). The obvious route for the latest pair of Ballymore Stables stars is towards Ellerslie in late January for the $1.5 million TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m), followed six weeks later by the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m), but Gerard is not rushing into defined decisions. “I stayed down in Christchurch until Sunday afternoon to monitor them both and I was actually quite surprised how well they came through what was a pretty tough race in the conditions,” Gerard said during Tuesday morning trackwork. “Their flight home was yesterday and they arrived back at the stables at 10 last night, so I’m looking forward to giving them some well-deserved time out. “We won’t have a lot of time to play with – maybe 10 days, a fortnight – but that will give us the chance to talk things through with both sets of owners and set our plans in place.” Romaonoff’s nose win over his stablemate in Saturday’s classic earned first option on the Canterbury Jockey Club’s NZB Kiwi slot, while Gerard doesn’t expect any shortage of suitors for Affirmative Action’s shot at the country’s richest race. Romanoff went into the 2000 Guineas with just two spring starts under his belt and Affirmative Action with three, which was not by design but more out of necessity after a raft of programme rescheduling. Affirmative Action was the more favoured of the pair after winning both his lead-up races at Ellerslie, while Romanoff confirmed his Riccarton mission with a brave third in the Gr. 2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) at Tauranga. “There’s no denying Affirmative Action’s liking for Ellerslie, so that will make him an obvious target for NZB Kiwi slot-holders,” Gerard added. “The race is obviously very tempting for Romanoff too, as there’s a million-dollar bonus up for grabs if he can add that race to Saturday’s win, plus I understand he’s up for an additional bonus as graduate of Karaka Book 2.” Affirmative Action is equal second favourite behind unbeaten filly Well Written for both the Karaka Millions 3YO at $6 and NZB Kiwi at $8, while Romanoff is on the third line for both races at $7 and $12. 12 months ago Gerard prepared Savaglee to win the New Zealand 2000 Guineas, capping a superb spring campaign. The Savabeel colt added to that after Christmas with victory in the Gr.2 Levin Classic (1400m), third in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) and second in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m). “A race like the BCD Sprint looks like a good early option for both Guineas horses, but it’s too early to lock that or any other race in,” she said. “First things first, we’ll give them a wee break, see how they progress and take it from there.” If Gerard needed any further reason to begin the week with an extra spring in her step, she got it with Savaglee’s (NZ) (Savabeel) return to her Matamata stable on Monday. “He’s had a thorough build-up on the water-walker and that has been stepped up lately with work under saddle,” she said. “I’ve been keeping tabs on his progress all the way through and everything’s looking good, so we’ll just let him settle back in here first and work through things before confirming any plans.” View the full article

The GIII Bob Hope Stakes, which was postponed from last Sunday to Nov. 21, has now been cancelled entirely after attracting just three entrants, according to a report in Daily Racing Form. “It's disappointing, obviously, to not have a stakes race go, which is extremely rare here,” Del Mar's racing secretary David Jerkens told DRF's Brad Free. “It's a dose of reality with 2-year-olds on the dirt right now. It's been a frustrating category all summer.” Ten juveniles were nominated for the Bob Hope, including Bob Baffert trainees Boyd (Violence), Buetane (Tiz the Law)–both 'TDN Rising Stars presented by Hagyard,'–and Desert Gate (Omaha Beach), as well as the Chief Stipe O'Neill-trained Acknowledgemeplz (Bucchero). Southern California's graded races for juveniles drew slim fields all summer. The GIII Best Pal S. in August at Del Mar attracted five runners, the GI Del Mar Futurity in September drew six, and the GI American Pharoah Stakes in October at Santa Anita fielded six. “We're dealing with a very limited pool of 2-year-old winners,” Jerkens told Free. The post Del Mar Cancels Bob Hope Stakes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Fresh from sending out four winners at Cheltenham's November Meeting, Dan Skelton issued another statement of intent in his quest for a first British trainers' championship when revealed as the new trainer of the two most expensive lots sold during Monday's opening session of the Arqana Autumn Sale. In the space of three lots, the three-year-olds Mets Ta Ceinture (Hunter's Light) (lot 380) and Merci Mam (Karaktar) (lot 378) sold for an aggregate sum of €1,230,000. Both horses went through the ring following the decision to dissolve the partnership between the ownership duo of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and Haras de Saint Voir. Formerly trained by Anne-Sophie Pacault, Mets Ta Ceinture took top billing at €710,000, having recently won the G3 Prix du Tremblay for APQS-bred horses. She is out of the black-type mare Rien De Plus (Video Rock), from the family of the top-level winners Rendons Grace (Video Rock) and Homme Du Jour (Video Rock). Merci Man, meanwhile, sold for €710,000, having impressed when making a winning hurdling debut at Lyon Parilly last month. He will now depart the Hugo Merienne stable and, along with Mets Ta Ceinture, join the powerful Skelton string in Warwickshire. Anthony Bromley, who acts as racing manager to Munir and Souede, among other roles, signed for both horses under the name of his Highflyer Bloodstock. “They will both be trained by Dan Skelton for Lindy and Mark O'Hare,” Bromley confirmed. “I know both of them very well – I know their potential and I know they have bright futures ahead. We saw them this morning and they passed all the vet checks. They are two quality horses with good pedigrees, which is rare on the market. We're very happy.” National Hunt maestro Willie Mullins, who pipped Skelton to the British trainers' championship in both 2023/24 and 2024/25, also gained a handful of new recruits on Monday, although the most expensive of his purchases, the Oasis Dream colt Columbus (lot 342), is likely to remain on the Flat for the foreseeable future. Consigned by trainer Christophe Ferland, Colombus won last year's G3 Prix Gerald de Geoffre and showed even better form in defeat this year when finishing third in September's G1 Preis von Europa at Cologne. Harold Kirk, standing beside Pierre Boulard, had the final say at €400,000 for the four-year-old, who is from the family of the Group 1 winners Coronet and Aussie Rules. Bloodstock agent Dermot Farrington also featured among the day's leading buyers, having secured a pair of three-year-olds for a total of €530,000. The most expensive of them was this year's G3 Prix Greffulhe winner and Derby also-ran Midak (Footstepsinthesand) (lot 374), who headlined the Aga Khan Studs draft at €300,000, while Farrington also signed for the recent G3 Prix Perth runner-up Chibitty (Zelzal) (lot 355) at €230,000. Of the 228 lots offered, 193 sold (85%) for a total of €8,137,000 and at an average of €42,161. The median was €13,000. Following Monday's productive session, reserved for horses-in-training on the Flat and over jumps, the sale continues at 11am (local time) on Tuesday when it will be the turn of the stores and National Hunt yearlings to go through the ring. The post Dan Skelton Bolsters Championship-Chasing Squad on Day One at Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article