Wandering Eyes

California-based sire Listing wasted no time in securing a winner from his initial crop when his first starter, Saul Elliott, won his debut by 2 1/4 lengths May 25 at Santa Anita Park.View the full article

Hundreds of MyRacehorse owners flock to the winner's circle to see Seismic Beauty, owned by the group with Peter Leidel.View the full article

Kamunyak used every step of Japan's longest filly-mare race to win the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) May 25 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Christophe Clement, trainer of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tonalist and three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti, died May 25 after battling metastatic uveal melanoma. He was 59.View the full article

7th-Monmouth, $48,625, Msw, 5-25, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/16mT, 1:43.85, fm, 3 1/2 lengths. GROWTH TRAJECTORY (GB) (f, 3, Lope de Vega {Ire}–Wekeela {Fr} {GSW & G1SP-Fr, GSW & MGISP-USA, $418,587}, by Hurricane Run {Ire}) was one of two runners in this contest to be making their debuts and the first-timers claimed the exacta in this turf maiden on the Jersey Shore. Bumped at the start, but recovering to race from fourth, the 7-2 second choice was rolling from three wide passing the quarter pole as she advanced through the far bend, and had taken command by upper stretch. Kicking away as Tight Line (Constitution) flew from the back, it was 3 1/2 lengths between them on the line. Out of a mare who was in the trifecta multiple times at the highest level in the States and France, Growth Trajectory is her most recent to the races. Wekeela's last registered offspring is a juvenile colt by Dubawi (Ire). The dam is herself a full-sister to Scandinavian champion Matauri Pearl (Ire), who would garner her highest praise by way of her daughter–GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf victress Aunt Pearl (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}). This is also the immediate female family of G1 Qatar Prix du Cadran heroine Molly Malone (Fr) (Lomitas {GB}) and her half-sister MGSW-Fr Morgan Le Faye (GB) (Shamardal). The distant family also includes the late great German stallion–a six-time leading sire in two countries and eight-time leading broodmare sire in three–MG1SW-Ger Monsun (Ger) and multiple Group 1 winner Brametot (Ire). Sales history: 180,000gns Ylg '23 TATOCT. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $28,500. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. O-Klaravich Stables, Inc.; B-The Wekeela Partnership (GB); T-Chad C. Brown. The post Lope de Vega’s Growth Trajectory Strong on Debut at Monmouth Park appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

We're now two legs deep into a Triple Crown season that has yielded two formful and exciting finishes in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness Stakes, and the stage is being set for one of the more intriguing and evenly matched renewals of the GI Belmont Stakes in quite a few years. Yet, it's a sign of the times-not only for our sport but as a reflection of society in general-that controversy continues to swirl over the adjudication of both the Derby and Preakness long after each race has gone official. In last Tuesday's news we learned that jockey Junior Alvarado-to no one's surprise-will be appealing his fine of $62,000 and two-day suspension for allegedly whipping Sovereignty (Into Mischief) two times over the six-strike limit when achieving his narrow, hard-earned victory over Journalism (Curlin) in the May 3 Derby. Then on Friday, word came down from the Pimlico stewards that no action will be taken against either Umberto Rispoli or Flavien Prat for their rides aboard Journalism and 'TDN Rising Star' Goal Oriented (Not This Time), who finished first and fourth, respectively, in the roughly run stretch fight of the dramatic May 17 Preakness. Let's put aside for the moment whether or not you agree with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rule about the six-strike whipping limit, or the separate HISA regulation that mandates a doubling of standard penalties because Alvarado had a previous crop infraction on his record within the previous six months. Churchill Downs stewards Barbara Borden, Brooks “Butch” Becraft and Tyler Picklesimer were merely doing their jobs by counting whip hits and meting out the fine and suspension that they believe applied to that purported violation. (The terms “allegedly” and “purportedly” are appropriate because Alvarado has maintained that several of his actions with the whip were instances of him fanning the colt without making contact, which, if proven true at his HISA hearing, won't count against him as strikes.) And while it's certainly the right of racing fans everywhere to engage in spirited debate about whether or not there should have been a disqualification in the Preakness, or if any subsequent sanctions should have been handed down in the aftermath of the bump-and-grind stretch jostling, there's also a refreshing element to the “less is more” style of officiating reflected in the non-calls by Adam Campola, Ross Pearce and Russell Derderian in the Pimlico stewards' stand. As chronicled in this column two weeks ago, the outsized stature of the Derby has, in recent runnings, been burdened by a series of lawsuits related to the outcomes that are starting to give America's most important and historic horse race the unfortunate reputation of being the most litigated two minutes in sports. And while this year's slam-bang Preakness certainly did warrant an inquiry into the stretch run, the let-them-play end result of the officiating was (in my opinion), a welcome contrast to the trend of over-adjudication in United States racing that at times feels heavy-handed and too often detracts from the action on the track. But here's where I will take umbrage with the decision-making process: In both instances this month, the stewards at Churchill and Pimlico took six full days before going public with their final word on the Derby and the Preakness. And then, when the stewards did come out with Alvarado's whipping penalty and the decision not to take any action against Rispoli or Prat, those news nuggets both took the form of online postings made on the Friday after each race that were more or less buried on the websites of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation and Maryland Racing Commission. Whether or not escaping broad scrutiny was the specific intent of the stewards or their agencies, both decisions had the look and feel of what we in the reporting biz call “Friday news dumps.” That term refers to the practice-usually by corporate or government entities-of releasing controversial news very late in the work week with the hope that journalists either won't notice or will have a difficult time contacting off-the-clock officials to ask relevant follow-up questions. The later on a Friday that this is accomplished seems to be the goal of the news dumpers, and if the offloading of a press release can be accomplished on the Friday of a long holiday weekend (like this one), all the better for those who would rather not have their decisions dissected. But racing wouldn't have to deal with any form of delayed blowback if the officials making the Triple Crown calls were mandated with issuing rulings and reports in a more timely manner. Are we to believe that the stewards in Kentucky and Maryland really required the better part of a week to review the race replays and speak to the jockeys involved in each instance? And during the six days between the horses crossing the finish wire and the issuance of any ruling (or notice of a non-ruling in the case of the Preakness) does it behoove the sport to have its officials be subjected to the inevitable speculation that might sway their judgment one way or the other? It's not exactly like stewards are placed in a vacuum where they are immune from public opinions until they render a decision. There is traditionally no racing at both Churchill and Pimlico on the Sundays immediately following the Saturdays of the Derby and the Preakness. Isn't the status of those two Triple Crown races important enough for the stewards to be tasked with expediting their decisions so that any sanctions are made public and explained in full within 24 hours of each race going official? Our sport has evolved in such a way that the Triple Crown races are at the pinnacle of the pyramid. The time frame and level of detail under which they are adjudicated much match that level of prestige. An “Oh, by the way…” posting to the website of a public agency before the last racing commission staffer calls it quits for the weekend doesn't quite cut it. In the meantime, we're on the cusp of being treated to a Belmont Stakes that is shaping up as a showdown among the first three finishers in the Derby while additionally serving up a juicy rematch of the winners of both the Derby and the Preakness. Let's put the perceived news dumps in the rear-view mirror and floor it to Saratoga for the third leg of the Triple Crown. The post Week in Review: Don’t Let Friday ‘News Dumps’ Overshadow a Terrific Triple Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

She was the second choice to her stablemate, but My Racehorse and Peter Leidel's Seismic Beauty (f, 4, Uncle Mo–Knarsdale, by Medaglia d'Oro) never gave them a chance in the GII Santa Margarita Stakes as she strolled home in a frontrunning score. Coming into the race with a 10-length victory Apr. 18 against the local optional claimers, and touting a 13 Beyer point improvement to a 95 from her last career-best figure, the 8-5 shot took the running to them right from the jump as she quickly stepped up to control the tempo. Kicking away with 4-5 favorite GISP Splendora (Audible) playing her shadow as the field lost contact with the top two, there was never any serious pressure on the victress as she coasted in with air to spare. Princess of Time (Not This Time) came on to claim third. Sales history: $400,000 Wlg '21 FTKNOV; $550,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP. O-MyRacehorse and Peter Leidel; B-2500 Determined Stud (MD); T-Bob Baffert. “She's a big Uncle Mo filly that covers a lot of ground.” Kurt Hoover caught up with trainer @BobBaffert after SEISMIC BEAUTY won the $200,000 Santa Margarita Stakes (G2) at @SantaAnitaPark. pic.twitter.com/DvJQjgyIbg — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) May 25, 2025 The post Bob Baffert Exacta in Santa Margarita as Seismic Beauty Runs Rivals Off Their Feet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It's not that long ago that the group 1 status of the Irish Gold Cup was in peril, but the 2025 race went a long way to vindicating the 1 1/4-mile showpiece retaining its premier status as Los Angeles emerged on top May 25.View the full article

Francis Graffard trainee Candelari (Frankel) charted an unusual route to Sunday's G1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at ParisLongchamp and bounced back in style, with Clement Lecoeuvre replacing the suspended Mickael Barzalona in the saddle, after suffering a first reversal in last month's G3 Prix Barbeville. Not only exacting revenge on his Barbeville conquerors Presage Nocturne (Wootton Bassett) and Internaute (Sea The Stars) here, he also put a veritable who's-who of the stayer's division to the sword with a dominant display in this newly elevated 15 1/2-furlong marathon. He had previously collected a trio of Chantilly all-weather contests over 13 1/2 furlongs when making up for lost time over the winter. The 4-1 chance employed patient tactics from the outset and settled off the pace in a midfield fifth until well beyond halfway. Making relentless headway in the straight, he bounded to the front passing the quarter-mile marker and drew clear under continued rousting in the closing stages to comfortably outpoint last year's winner Sevenna's Knight (Camelot) by 3 1/2 lengths. Barbeville winner Presage Nocturne was denied by a head in a bobbing finish for second. “It's a bit crazy for me to be riding a horse such as this, but everything went perfectly during the race and I'm very grateful,” reflected Lecoeuvre. “It's my first Group 1 win in France, it was a beautiful moment crossing the line and I really enjoyed it. I was still travelling very nicely behind the pace when everyone else made their attacks in the straight. He's gaining more and more experience race by race and he won like a champion.” Candelari wins a first Group One in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier! pic.twitter.com/uyGWhr0mCj — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes Candelari, the 36th Group 1 winner for his sire from the family of sires Wixim (Diesis) and Run Softly (Deputy Minister), is the latest of nine foals and one of five scorers for his dam. The April-foaled homebred bay is a half-brother to dual Group 2-winning G1 Prix Vermeille runner-up Candarliya (Dalakhani), multiple stakes-winning GII Belmont Gold Cup Invitational, GIII Stars And Stripes Stakes and GIII Sycamore Stakes placegetter Canessar (Kendargent) and Listed Prix Scaramouche victrix Canndera (Dalakhani). Candarliya is the dam of G3 Prix de la Grotte victrix Candala (Frankel), last week's Listed Prix Finlande winner Cankoura (Persian King) and the dual stakes-placed Carini (Siyouni). Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France PRIX VICOMTESSE VIGIER-G1, €400,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-25, 4yo/up, 15 1/2fT, 3:19.09, g/s. 1–CANDELARI (IRE), 126, g, 4, by Frankel (GB) 1st Dam: Candara (Fr), by Barathea (Ire) 2nd Dam: Caribbeandriftwood, by Woodman 3rd Dam: Drifting, by Lyphard 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. O/B-Aga Khan Studs; T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Clement Lecoeuvre. €228,560. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-1, €284,060. *1/2 to Candarliya (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), MGSW & G1SP-Fr, $534,189; Canessar (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), MSW-US, SW & MGSP-Fr, $370,123; and Canndera (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Sevenna's Knight (Ire), 126, h, 5, Camelot (GB)–Sevenna (Fr), by Galileo (Ire). O-OTI Management Pty Ltd; B-Gestut Ammerland; T-Andre Fabre. €91,440. 3–Presage Nocturne (Ire), 126, h, 5, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Kyurem (Ire), by Verglas (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€70,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG; €12,000 HRA '23 ARQFEB; €400,000 RNA HRA '24 ARQARC). O-Paolo Zambelli, Carlo Pellegatti, Mme Rana Khaddam, Aksam Khaddam, Alessandro Botti & Giuseppe Botti; B-Haras de la Perelle; T-Alessandro & Giuseppe Botti. €45,720. Margins: 3HF, HD, 3. Odds: 4.00, 3.40, 6.80. Also Ran: Trueshan (Fr), Double Major (Ire), Internaute (Ire), Passion And Glory (Ire), Rouge Sellier (Ire), Dubai Future (GB). The post Frankel’s Candelari Upstages Vicomtesse Vigier Rivals appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Leading bloodstock agent Mark McStay has labelled the ITM Barrier Trials as one of the most important innovations on the Irish racing scene for a number of years but implored more trainers to get behind the initiative ahead of the return of the concept at Naas on Monday. This year marks the fifth running of the ITM Barrier Trials, with trainers like Joseph O'Brien, Gordon Elliott, Gavin Cromwell, Jessica Harrington, Henry de Bromhead and Donnacha O'Brien heavily represented across a 10-trial card that features races over six and seven furlongs for unraced two- and three-year-old horses respectfully. Still, McStay says he would like to see the relatively new initiative receive more support from all corners of the industry, stating that the demand for unraced horses – particularly in Hong Kong – is not being met in Ireland at present. He said, “The barrier trials are one of the most important innovations on the Irish racing scene in recent times. I think they will have a huge influence on the trade of horses around the world and they should be supported by all sectors of the industry. We see how in Australia and New Zealand the barrier trials can develop a huge amount of trade to Asia – particularly to Hong Kong. “It should be noted that for every permit an owner receives to buy raced horses for Hong Kong, four more permits are granted for unraced horses, therefore the demand is plentiful for unraced horses. But that supply is being fulfilled for the most part from the Southern Hemisphere.” Mark McStay | Goffs Last year represented the best turnout yet with 218 horses coming through the trials from 40 different stables. Of those 218, a total of 41 were three-year-olds, with the rest of the six and seven furlong races staged for juveniles at Naas, Dundalk and Leopardstown. No trainer supported the initiative more than Joseph O'Brien, who was responsible for a quarter [57] of all runners at the trials. In fact, according to ITM's Jeremy Greene, the trials would not have been possible without O'Brien's input given a large portion of the money needed to stage the event is gathered up through entry fees. Greene said, “The trials are very expensive to run – you need 70 horses [per meeting], otherwise it's just not worth it. In terms of horses being traded, last year was our best year, with six horses being traded to Hong Kong. And you don't trade cheaply to Hong Kong, either. There were also horses sold to Britain, Saudi Arabia, America, Dubai and more. All told, a combined seven figures was traded on horses from the trials last year, which was pretty good.” Six horses – Handy Man, Wallen, Eastern Oasis, Egyptian Vulture, Lightning Arrow and Symbol Of Success – were sold to continue their careers in Hong Kong last year. Interestingly, three of those horses were by Starspangledbanner, whose progeny has done so well in that jurisdiction. Only one filly, Va Va Vroom, who was sold privately to the Al Maktoum family in a deal brokered by McStay, was traded from the trials. The agent said, “I believe that Irish horse traders are missing a trick by not advertising and marketing their horses in barrier trials. The standard of racing in Ireland is at a standard that garners huge credibility across the globe. We see some of our top trainers such as Joseph O'Brien, Jessica Harrington and more supporting these trials. Therefore, if a horse trials well, it becomes very saleable. Interestingly enough, I purchased a filly [Va Va Vroom] privately from the Harrington stable last year on behalf of Sheikh Hamed Dalmook Al Maktoum following the trial at Naas. Not only has Va Va Vroom won on her second start for the Harrington stable and achieved a rating in the 90s but Lush Lips, who was second to her in her trial at Naas, was sold to continue her career in America where she is holding her own at Group level. The trials are a great innovation but they need to be supported more. I will be monitoring them closely this year in the hope of trying to find another good horse from them.” Monday's ITM Barrier Trials get going at Naas at 12.30pm. The 10 trials are expected to take place every 20 minutes and the running order can be found online – https://www.itm.ie/buying/barrier-trials/. The post ‘One Of The Most Important Innovations In Recent Times’ – Barrier Trials Return At Naas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Don Combs, who, as a 31-year-old trainer, won the 1970 GI Kentucky Derby with Dust Commander, passed away Sunday morning at Sayre Christian Village in Lexington. He was 86. The cause of death was a stroke. “His first wife called me this morning and said he had a stroke,” said family friend Bobby Penn. “I had been up to see him about a month or two ago. Everything was ok then. He knew me and everything. I told her I would come back and see him. She called me this morning and said he passed away from a stroke. “I met Don at Keeneland,” said Penn. “My family operated a feed business and he was a customer. We went to New York around the same time and we played golf together and shot pheasants and saw each other socially. He was just a really nice guy.” As a young trainer with a Kentucky Derby win on his resume, Combs figured to take off and become one of the top trainers in the sport. But the Derby win proved to the pinnacle of his career as he continued to have a small stable that produced few winners before he retired in 2019. He wound up winning 326 races from 2,918 starters. He won 11 stakes, three of them black-type races. “Don was always good natured, so I don't know if it bothered him that he didn't have a lot of success,” Penn said. “So it was hard to know what he was thinking. I like to tell trainers don't get to the top because when you do it's a long way down. But he was always a pretty optimistic fellow.” In a 2010 interview with Marty McGee of the Daily Racing Form, he explained why he thought he was struggling as a trainer: “It's because I haven't had any good horses. Good horses make good trainers.” Combs was a Lexington native and a 1957 graduate of Lafayette High School. “Unlike many trainers I've met, Combs is a self-professed animal lover,” wrote Brandon Quick in a 2018 article on Combs in Louisville magazine. “He talks softly to the cat and knowingly violates the cardinal rule in the horse business about getting too emotionally close to the animals.” Like his trainer, Dust Commander was a bit of an underdog. He ran in claiming races earlier on his career before he won the GI Blue Grass Stakes in his final prep for the Derby. But the handicappers dismissed that as a fluke and sent Dust Commander to the post at odds of15-1. He was the first Illinois-bred to win the Derby. On May 2, 1970, with Mike Manganello aboard, Dust Commander won the 96th running of the Kentucky Derby in 2:03 4/5 ahead of My Dad George and High Echelon. He then finished ninth as the 3-1 favorite in the GI Preakness. “Shortly after the Preakness, Combs resigned as Dust Commander's trainer. He said the reason was that owner Robert Lehmann “didn't seem to trust my judgment.” “Mr. Lehmann knows a lot about the construction business, but I don't think he knows much about horses,” Combs said. Standing at stud, Dust Commander sired the 1975 GI Preakness Stakes winner, Master Derby. The post Derby Winning Trainer Don Combs Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Christope Clement, trainer of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Tonalist and three-time Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti, died May 25 after battling metastatic uveal melanoma. He was 59.View the full article

Sosie took another step along the road to compiling what would be a season for the record books with a hard-fought success in the Prix d'Ispahan (G1) May 25, setting up a crack at the £1 million Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown in July. View the full article

Aidan O'Brien reasserted his dominance over the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) as Lake Victoria came out on top at the Curragh. He won the classic a record 10 times from 1997-2021 but had been out of luck in the past three years.View the full article

Voyage Bubble used a smooth passage to victory in the Champions & Chater Cup (G1) May 25 at Sha Tin Racecourse, completing a rare sweep of the Hong Kong Triple Crown.View the full article

German-born Andrasch Starke became the oldest winning jockey in the history of the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) as the 51-year-old partnered Kamunyak to a last-gasp victory in the second leg of the Japanese Triple Tiara at Tokyo on Sunday. It was a first Group 1 success on Japanese soil for Starke, who has been crowned Germany's champion jockey on 10 occasions and is perhaps best known internationally for his association with the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes heroine Danedream. Maintaining the partnership with Kamunyak after her first black-type win in last month's G2 Flora Stakes, Starke had his mount settled in midfield through the first part of the contest, before making a wide sweeping move into the straight. The daughter of Black Tide began to uncoil an impressive run from there, drawing even with Arma Veloce 200 metres out and then digging deep to get the verdict by a head. Arma Veloce, runner-up in the G1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas) six weeks earlier, had to settle for minor honours once again, with longshot Tagano Abby taking third ahead of Paradis Reine. Race favourite Embroidery was only ninth as she tried to follow up her Oka Sho triumph in the hands of Christophe Lemaire. “For me, it has been a dream to win a Group 1 race in Japan and I have no words–my dream came true,” said an elated Starke, who was recruited for the ride by trainer Yasuo Tomomichi and owners Kaneko Makoto Holdings Co. Ltd. “The pace was not so fast in the second half of the race and, before the homestretch, I moved to the outside where she responded very well. She's an amazing horse–she just won four weeks ago. It was important that she was very relaxed today. She put in a sound performance and her ability was amazing.” Kamunyak made a successful debut at Chukyo in August last year, before finishing sixth in the G3 Artemis Stakes at Tokyo in late-October. Prior to her victory in the Flora Stakes, she reappeared as a three-year-old with a fourth-place finish in the Listed Elfin Stakes at Kyoto in February. 【Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) (G1), 2400m, Tokyo, JRA】 Kamunyak won the Yushun Himba !#JRA #horseracing #YushunHimba #JapaneseOaks #Kamunyak pic.twitter.com/2CtdoLPG2R — HorseRacingInJapan (@HorseRacing_JPN) May 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes Kamunyak is not the only Japanese Oaks winner in the family as her third dam, Dance Partner, was successful at Tokyo herself back in 1995. Remarkably, she was one of three champions by Sunday Silence out of the unraced Nijinsky mare Dancing Key. Like Dance Partner, Dance In The Mood was crowned Japan's champion three-year-old filly and champion older mare, while another sibling, Dance In The Dark, enjoyed a successful career at stud after being named Japan's champion three-year-old colt. One of four winners from five runners out of the Listed-placed Dance Amiga, Kamunyak is a half-sister to the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy third Keep Calm by Lord Kanaloa. Second dam Dance All Night, who was placed at Group 3 level herself, is a half-sister to the G2 Nakayama Kinen winner and sire Federalist, as well as the G3 Niigata Kinen third Longing Dancer. Sunday, Tokyo, Japan YUSHUN HIMBA (JAPANESE OAKS)-G1, ¥330,230,000, Tokyo, 5-25, 3yo, f, 2400mT, 2:25.70, fm. 1–KAMUNYAK (JPN), 121, f, 3, by Black Tide (Jpn) 1st Dam: Dance Amiga (Jpn) (SP-Jpn, $1,045,040), by Sakura Bakushin O (Jpn) 2nd Dam: Dance All Night (Jpn), by El Condor Pasa 3rd Dam: Dance Partner (Jpn), by Sunday Silence 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (¥70,000,000 Ylg '23 JRAJUL). O-Makoto Kaneko Holdings; B-Shadai Farm (Jpn); T-Yasuo Tomomichi; J-Andrasch Starke; ¥180,961,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-0, ¥244,421,000. *1/2 to Keep Calm (Jpn (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), GSP-Jpn, $642,912. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Arma Veloce (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Harbinger (GB)–Rakuami (Jpn), by Daiwa Major (Jpn). (¥30,000,000 Wlg '22 JRHJUL). O-TO RACING; B-Northern Farm (Jpn); ¥68,846,000. 3–Tagano Abby (Jpn), 121, f, 3, Animal Kingdom–Tagano Tairin (Jpn), by I'll Have Another. 1ST BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. O-Ryoji Yagi; B-Niikappu Tagano Farm (Jpn); ¥42,423,000. Margins: HD, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 14.30, 3.40, 49.00. Also Ran: Paradis Reine (Jpn), Lynx Tip (Jpn), Will Survive (Jpn), Brown Ratchet (Jpn), Kelly Fled Ask (Jpn), Embroidery (Jpn), Erika Express (Jpn), Taisei Princesse (Jpn), Ai Sansan (Jpn), Vip Daisy (Jpn), Reve de l'Opera (Jpn), Saturday Sunrise (Jpn), Lesedrama (Jpn), Savonlinna (Jpn), Go So Far (Jpn). Click for the JRA chart & video. The post Starke Makes History with Yushun Himba Strike Aboard Kamunyak appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After striking gold beyond the boundaries of the Golden State with Journalism (Curlin) in the GI Preakness Stakes a little more than a week ago, jockey Umberto Rispoli and trainer Michael McCarthy are liable to find themselves front and center on the special Memorial Day program at Santa Anita with Formidable Man (City of Light) in the GI Shoemaker Mile Stakes. And if statistics are anything to go by, they should prove tough to handle, as the duo has combined to win at something around 27% at the Great RIP over the course of the last 17 months. The Italian reinsman has been in the saddle for the 4-year-old's last five visits to the races, of which Formidable Man has won four, including the GI Hollywood Derby ahead of a forgettable performance in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf, for which McCarthy gives his charge a pass, owing to the chaotic environment on Pegasus Day. The colt backed up that opinion with a half-length defeat of Zio Jo (Nyquist) and Cabo Spirit (Pioneerof the Nile) in the GI F.E. Kilroe Mile Stakes over Monday's course and trip Mar. 1. Mi Hermano Ramon (Creative Cause) also shipped out for the Pegasus and struck traffic at a critical stage before finishing fourth, beaten just over two lengths behind recent GI Turf Classic hero Spirit of St Louis (Medaglia d'Oro). He charged home to be fifth in the Kilroe and would benefit from any sort of contested pace up front, a scenario which seems likely. Rispoli and McCarthy also have a puncher's chance in the afternoon's other elite-level contest, the Gamely Stakes, with Liguria (War Front). Winner of the GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes on this circuit in 2022 when trained by Chad Brown, the 5-year-old returned from 15 1/2-month absence to be a very good third in the GIII Megahertz Stakes Feb. 1 before getting up on the line to take out the GII Buena Vista Stakes a month later. Public Assembly (More Than Ready) also raced for Brown early in her career, winning her maiden from four starts, but she is perfect in two tries for the Phil d'Amato barn, including an 8-1 surprise in the GIII Royal Heroine Stakes Apr. 26. Between the two turf contests is the storied GII Hollywood Gold Cup, in which East Coast raider Skippylongstocking (Exaggerator) should prove a tough nut to crack. An admirable third to Cody's Wish (Curlin) in his only other visit to Santa Anita back in 2023, the veteran has since added four more graded stakes to his CV, including a successful defense of his title in the GIII Challenger Stakes at Tampa Mar. 8, but he was most recently a well-beaten third to First Mission (Street Sense) when looking for consecutive victories in the GII Oaklawn Handicap Apr. 19. His current career earnings of over $3.5 million is about double of what his six rivals have bankrolled combined. The McCarthy-conditioned Extensive (City of Light) is the least-exposed runner in the field and arguably the one with the most upside as he makes his graded debut at career start number five. An easy maiden winner going a mile Mar. 16, Everett Dobson's homebred Beyered 99 when taking an 8 1/2-furlong allowance Apr. 6 In the two other holiday gradeds, 'TDN Rising Star' Two Sharp (Twirling Candy) squares off with GI Derby City Distaff runner-up Hope Road (Quality Road) in the GIII Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs, while the outstanding Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar (Star Guitar), two-back winner of the GII New Orleans Classic, looks to add the GIII Steve Sexton Mile Stakes, a race in which he has completed the exacta in each of its last two runnings. He was defeated by a neck by Heroic Move (Quality Road) last year. Two Sharp | Coady Media The post Preakness Combo Reunite With Formidable Man in Shoemaker Mile appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Christophe Clement, a native of Paris, France, who started training full-time in the U.S. in 1991, has passed away after battling Metastatic Uveal Melanoma. He was 59. Clement was introduced to the sport by his father Miguel, a French trainer. He went to work for top French trainer Alec Head before coming to the U.S. to work for Shug McGaughey. He made one more stop in Europe, working as an assistant to Luca Cumani before opening up his own U.S. based stable in 1991. Clement picked up his first win as a U.S. trainer with his first starter, Spectaculaire (Spectacular Bid) in an Oct. 2, 91 maiden race at Belmont. Because of his European background, Clement was thought of as a grass trainer. That reputation grew as one of his first big stars was Gio Ponti (Tale of the Cat), who was named male grass champion in 2009 and 2010. He was also named older horse champion in 2009.He won seven Grade I races and 11 stakes in all. As his stable expanded, he would prove to be just as adept with dirt horses. He registered his first Grade I win on the dirt with Funny Man, the winner of the 2009 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. His best dirt horse was undoubtedly Tonalist (Tapit), who won the 2014 GI Belmont S., ending California Chrome's (Lucky Pulpit) bid for a Triple Crown. He won three more Grade Is, two editions of the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup and the GI Cigar Mile. Clement has been nominated to the Hall of Fame, but has yet to receive enough votes get in. The Belmont was the only Triple Crown race that Clement won. He won his first Breeders' Cup race in 2021 when Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock ({Aus}) captured the GI Juvenile Fillies Turf. “He's a very cool customer,” said Pizza Bianca's owner, Bobby Flay, at the time. “This time he showed a lot of emotion, and it was nice to see.” Clement saddled 2576 winners during his career, finishing in the top three 19% of the time. His stable had compiled total earnings of $184,119,069. He is survived by his wife Valerie; daughter Charlotte and son Miguel Clement, who has been serving as his father's top assistant; grandson Hugo Collins; and daughter-in-law and TV personality Acacia Clement. To view a personal statement released by the Clement family on X Sunday, click here. The post Trainer Christophe Clement Passes at 59 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kamunyak used every step of Japan's longest filly-mare race to win the Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks-G1) May 25 at Tokyo Racecourse.View the full article

Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) streaked to a three-and-a-half-length victory in Sunday's G1 HK$13 million Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup at Sha Tin, in the process becoming become only the second horse in Hong Kong racing history after River Verdon in 1993/94 to complete the Triple Crown. Following victories in the G1 Stewards' Cup (1600m) and G1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m), Voyage Bubble was chased home by a pair of high-class four-year-olds, Rubylot and Cap Ferrat, as he secured the Triple Crown bonus of HK$10-million for also winning the 2400m Champions & Chaters Cup–Hong Kong's 12th and final Group 1 of the season. Winning jockey James McDonald revealed he thought the prize was in safe keeping with 600 metres to run, after Zac Purton's mid-race move aboard Ensued to join Moments In Time and Dubai Honour at the head of affairs. With Ensued's acceleration stringing out the 10-horse field, McDonald simply bided his time before gradually upping the tempo and hitting the front approaching the final furlong. From there he powered clear to run out a decisive winner in a time of 2:26.67, with British raider Dubai Honour faring best of those who helped to force the strong pace in fourth. “I couldn't have dreamed of it panning out as well as that–that's once in a blue moon,” said McDonald. “The stars aligned and, with that sort of run, he was always going to be hard to beat. He was going to be hard to beat even without such a good run, but it all worked out. “He's a brilliant horse. He keeps raising the bar and he keeps on surprising every time I ride him. I just want to pay credit to the [Ricky] Yiu stable. They've done a remarkable job with this horse. They've got a champion racehorse on their hands and he [Voyage Bubble] deserves all the accolades he gets. It's awesome–I'm very proud of him.” Ricky Yiu, who has trained a string of champion sprinters including Sacred Kingdom, Fairy King Prawn and Amber Sky, was jubilant after saddling his first winner at 2,400 metres. “Dreams came true,” he summed up. “Since I won the first two legs of the Triple Crown I started dreaming. Now today, dreams have come true–it's amazing. If you look at him, you can tell he's a high-class racehorse. He's performed up from a sprint to the maximum distance in Hong Kong–he's a genius. When we first ran him over 1,200 and 1,400 metres, it was like a game for him. The whole team is thrilled.” It doesn't get much better than this! 31 years on since River Verdon, Hong Kong racing celebrated a second #TripleCrown champion with Voyage Bubble at Sha Tin this afternoon… @WorldPool | @mcacajamez | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/IxPBsMfTmG — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) May 25, 2025 Pedigree Notes Voyage Bubble is one of seven winners from as many runners out of the Rahy mare Raheights, with the others including the G3 P J Bell Stakes heroine Diddums (Snitzel) and the Listed-placed Brettan (Commands). Diddums, in turn, is the dam of this year's Listed-winning juvenile Stardom (Zoustar). Voyage Bubble's second dam, Laoub (Red Ransom), is a half-sister to Canadian Horse of the Year and champion grass mare Never Retreat (Smart Strike), who won five graded races, among them the GI First Lady Stakes. Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong STANDARD CHARTERED CHAMPIONS & CHATER CUP-G1, HK$13,000,000, Sha Tin, 5-25, 3yo/up, 2400mT, 2:26.67, gd. 1–VOYAGE BUBBLE (AUS), 126, g, 6, by Deep Field (Aus) 1st Dam: Raheights (Aus), by Rahy 2nd Dam: Laoub, by Red Ransom 3rd Dam: Lisieux, by Steady Growth (A$380,000 Ylg '20 INGFEB). O-Sunshine And Moonlight Syndicate; B-Torryburn Stud (NSW); T-Ricky Yiu; J-James McDonald. HK$7,280,000. Lifetime Record: 26-11-7-3, $12,358,395. *1/2 to Diddums (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), GSW-Aus, $164,688; and Brettan (Aus) (Commands {Aus}), SP-Aus. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. 2–Rubylot (Aus), 126, g, 4, Rubick (Aus)–Emirates Comfort (Ire), by Dubawi (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (A$100,000 2yo '22 INGOCT). O-HK Football Club Horse Racing Syndicate. B-Woodpark Stud (Aus). T-David Hayes. HK$2,730,000. 3–Cap Ferrat (Aus), 126, g, 4, Snitzel (Aus)–C'Est Beau La Vie (Aus), by Bernardini. (A$1,400,000 Ylg '22 INGAPR). O-Karen Lo Ki Yan. B-Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd (Aus). T-Francis Lui. HK$1,495,000. Margins: 3HF, HF, NK. Odds: 1.80, 19.00, 15.00. Also Ran: Dubai Honour (Ire), Bundle Award (Aus), Ensued, Five G Patch (Ire), Winning Dragon (Chi), La City Blanche (Arg), Moments In Time (Chi). Click for the HKJC chart & video. The post Dreams Come True as Voyage Bubble Completes Hong Kong Triple Crown appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ryan Moore will hardly have enjoyed a more straightforward Classic ride than on Frankel's 2024 champion Lake Victoria in Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas. Heavily-supported into 10-11 favouritism to build on her comeback sixth in the 1,000 Guineas three weeks ago, last year's G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, G1 Cheveley Park Stakes and GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine raced in the box seat behind the 50-1 shot California Dreamer. Squeezed out of the pocket to get after that leader two out, Aidan O'Brien's 11th winner of this Classic was in front a furlong from home en route to a 2 1/4-length success. Mehmas's California Dreamer earned second under the enterprising tactics, 1 3/4 lengths ahead of Australia's Cercene. “She wasn't quite there at Newmarket, but she's a lot better than them and I'm glad to get her back on track,” Moore said after a Group-race four-timer involving Albert Einstein, Porta Fortuna and Los Angeles. LAKE VICTORIA wins the Irish 1000 Guineas! What a day for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore! @curraghrace @Tattersalls_ie | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/OFv4quBXPC — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 The post ‘She’s A Lot Better Than Them’: Moore’s Dream Day Continues With Frankel’s Lake Victoria In The Irish 1000 Guineas appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

7th-Mth, $47K, Msw, 3yo/up, 1 1/16mT, 3:56 p.m. ET. The holiday card by the Jersey Shore includes first-time starter DIRAND (Ire) (Sottsass {Fr}). Owned by Peter Brant and Tony Shafrazian, the 3-year-old is out of Unaided (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who White Birch acquired for €1,250,000 at the 2019 Arqana December Mixed Sale while in-foal to No Nay Never. This dam is also responsible for champion turf female & GI TVG Breeders' Cup Mile heroine Uni (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro). Dirand is trained by Chad Brown. From the same shedrow, Investment Mandate (Constitution) is set for his unveiling. Klaravich Stable went to $525,000 during Keeneland September, who is out of MGISP Faithfully (Smart Strike). The colt's third dam is highly-productive champion 3-year-old filly Heavenly Prize (Seeking the Gold). TJCIS PPS The post Monday’s Racing Insights: Half To Breeders’ Cup Winner Seeks To ‘Uni’-fy Family Ties By The Shore appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Drawing on all his inherent toughness, Ballydoyle's Los Angeles defied Anmaat in a battle to the line in Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh. Sent off the 9-4 favourite after his comeback G2 Mooresbridge Stakes win, last year's G1 Irish Derby hero took over two out and responded to Ryan Moore's call to ward off the Shadwell runner late on having been headed inside the final furlong. A half length separated them at the line, with a length back to Kalpana in third. On fast ground uncommon for this track at this time of year, the sensational time of 2:08.41 was the fastest by nearly two seconds in the history of the race since Shiva won in 2:10.20 in 1999, the first time the trip was changed to this 10 1/2 furlongs. Aidan O'Brien has another bigwig on his hands in the 4-year-old, who is set for the season's prime tests now. “It was a very good race, they are very high-class horses and you can't miss a beat with those,” the trainer said after greeting his 11th winner of the race. “The plan was to come here and go to the Prince of Wales's and then either have a look at the King George or have a little rest and have an Arc trial and then the Arc.” “When the pace is on in front of him he'll follow any pace and he'll fight. No horse likes a fight more than him,” he added. “He's an exciting horse going forward. As a physical he's massive. It's hard to believe how big and powerful he is until you stand beside him and he has an incredible mind, he's so relaxed. I'd say any race through the whole year is going to find it hard to stand up to the ratings of all these horses. When all these are added up it's going to be an incredibly high rating band.” LOS ANGELES! Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore claim success in an eventful @Tattersalls_ie Gold Cup @curraghrace | @coolmorestud pic.twitter.com/ZnCeYRjYrj — Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2025 The post ‘No Horse Likes A Fight More’: O’Brien Hails Camelot’s Los Angeles After Tattersalls Gold BattleCup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale saw high demand for the top lots throughout the day, with eight standout weanlings hitting at least A$300,000, headed by a Snitzel filly who went the way of North Bloodstock for A$550,000. Offered by Highgrove Stud, she is the ninth live foal out of the stakes-placed O'Reilly mare Acquired, with the others including Splintex, a full-sister to this filly who was successful in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint, G2 Bobbie Lewis Handicap and G3 Hall Mark Stakes. Another sibling by Exceed And Excel is the Listed scorer Invictus Salute. Since producing this weanling Acquired has been served by Golden Slipper winner Shinzo. “She's a beautiful type with great length and great scope,” North Bloodstock's Mick Malone said of the top lot. “She has a lot of O'Reilly about her. Her mother was a beautiful mare and she looks a bit like her mum. “It may change, but at this point, we are planning to race her.” The post Snitzel Filly Tops Magic Millions Gold Coast Weanling Sale at A$550,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Last month's G1 Prix Ganay hero Sosie (Sea The Stars) justified connections' decision to part with a €18,000 supplementary fee and pounced late to celebrate a hat-trick of Group 1 ParisLongchamp triumphs in Sunday's G1 Prix d'Ispahan at the Bois de Boulogne venue. The 7-10 favourite annexed last year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris and also ran third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and fourth in the G1 Arc. The eventual winner endured a degree of awkwardness during the opening skirmishes and tracked the leaders in fourth for the most part here. Urged closer soon after straightening for home, he came under forceful rousting inside the final quarter-mile and overhauled Sardinian Warrior (Saxon Warrior) in the dying embers for an ultimately snug one-length success. Last year's runner-up Horizon Dore (Dabirsim) hit the board once more and finished 2 1/2 lengths further adrift in third. Sosie picks up impressively to reel in Sardinian Warrior and take out the Group One Prix d'Ispahan at ParisLongchamp! pic.twitter.com/CDzfhxt9zG — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 25, 2025 The post Sea The Stars’s Sosie Pounces Late for Prix d’Ispahan Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article