Wandering Eyes

5 — HIGH CAMP, GP, 2/7-6th, 7 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-85 (c, 3, by Instagrand-Summer Silk, by Uncle Mo) O/B-OXO Equine (Ky). T-Will Walden. J-John Velazquez. Owner-breeder Larry Best continues to get mileage out of his former stakes star Instagrand, but you wouldn't have bet a dollar on High Camp at the quarter-pole. He was 2nd under a ride when two rivals blew past him–prematurely, as it turned out – and he dropped to 4th then swung wide and came back again to win. He's the first foal from Summer Silk, an unraced daughter of three-time GSW Summer Applause, whose foals were disappointing on the track but perhaps might still prove worthy in the breeding shed. 4 — ABSOLUTE HONOR, GP, 2/5-6th, 1 mile (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-86 (f, 4, by Nyquist-Elusive Checkers, by Quality Road) O-Michael Ryan. B-Baldwin Bloodstock (Ky). T-Saffie Joseph Jr. J-Micah Husbands. A one-turn mile might be her thing. After two 9-furlong races at Saratoga and an uncharacteristically poor outing at 1 1-16 miles at Keeneland, she was cut back here and ran away from 3/5 favorite Whitethorn. Ryan owns GI winning turf mare Be Your Best and has had a couple more GI winners in partnerships. 3 — TOP LEVEL, OP, 2/6-5th, 6 furlongs (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-88 (c, 3, by Upstart-Upsetter, by Strong Hope) O-BG Stables. B-Paul Tackett Revocable Trust (Ky). T-Mark Casse. J-Javier Castellano. There isn't much turf in his pedigree, so after solid breezes but a dull debut on grass the possibility existed of a step forward on dirt–and he took a big one, rallying with a final quarter in :24.73 to win going away. Of course, anything Casse saddles in Hot Springs deserves special consideration: he's batting 45% on 17-of-38 with a meet-high $1.87 million in earnings. 2 — POWERSHIFT, TAM, 2/7-6th, 1 mile 40 yards (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-95 (2nd) (c, 3, by Constitution-Free Flying Soul, by Quiet American) O-Repole Stable. B-Liberty Road Stables (Ky). T-Todd Pletcher. J-Irad Ortiz Jr. It'll be interesting to see the path Repole and Pletcher choose for this colt, who couldn't have run better in his debut. Thirty years ago, the Kentucky Derby trail wouldn't even be a consideration, but times have changed. His two-turn 95 Beyer screams talent, plus he has pedigree and showed gameness and professionalism in a narrow defeat. 1 — EMERGING MARKET, TAM, 2/7-6th, 1 mile 40 yards (VIDEO) Beyer Speed Figure-96 (c, 3, by Candy Ride (Arg)-Wild Empress, by Empire Maker) O-Klaravich Stable. B-Stoneriggs Farm (Ky). T-Chad Brown. J-Flavien Prat. The electric move he made at the quarter-pole to rush alongside Powershift was just as eye-catching visually as his 96 Beyer looks on the paper. Now the same questions apply as with the colt he outdueled. A good “comp” could be Cloud Computing–also owned by Seth Klarman–who won his debut February 11, then was 2nd in the Gotham and 3rd in the Wood before winning the Preakness. But Cloud Computing's debut Beyer was an 82 at 6 furlongs–could this colt have more raw talent? The post The Five Fastest Maidens, Feb. 2- Feb. 8 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Jordyn Bublitz Tracy Cadwallader has two last-start winners heading to Manawatu today as she looks to improve on an already successful start to 2026. Indisposed (Race 1) and The Big Bang (Race 4) will be driven by Michael Hay. A son of A Rocknroll Dance, Indisposed comes off a solid win at Hawera on January 20. “I was very happy with the win …. I know he’s a seven-year-old but he’s only just started to come to it now, he’s pulled up from that run great, and he’s come forward in leaps and bounds since then,” she said. He will start one the second line over 2500 metres. “He hasn’t got the most fabulous draw but we’d rather be drawn 8 than way out in 7, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t in the top 4!” The Big Bang, a son of Sweet Lou, will chase a hat-trick of wins in The Tank Guy Mobile Pace (5.48pm). “He’s my pride and joy, I just love him to bits. It’s very surreal to me that he might get a hat-trick,” she said, laughing at the thought. “He’s got a terrible draw (5), and he’s so well, It’s been a month between runs and I think he might be coming into this race a little bit too fresh.” “He’s feeling a million bucks, but I really think he could do with this run. I reckon he’d go better on the second day, but you never know with this horse, he’s got a heart bigger than anything I’ve ever come across. He knows where the post is, and he’s determined to get there,” says Cadwallader. The Big Bang has won three of five lifetime starts. Race 1 of seven is set to go at 4.29pm. View the full article

The Sam Houston Racing Club, a new collaboration between Sam Houston Race Park and MyRacehorse, was launched Monday, the track announced via press release. Compared to a traditional racing club, the Sam Houston Racing Club gives members the opportunity to become racehorse owners rather than simply joining a fan club. This includes real equity, earnings participation, and direct access to their horse's journey. Through the MyRacehorse app, club owners receive real-time updates delivered directly to their phones, including training progress, race entries, and insights from the trainer. Members can RSVP for owner-only events, follow their horse's development from the barn to race day, and, if the horse is successful on the track, receive earnings directly into their MyRacehorse digital wallet. The Sam Houston Racing Club will kick off with sophomore colt Onthethirstyside (Stay Thirsty) trained by Mindy Willis. “This partnership is about meeting today's fans where they are and inviting them further inside the sport,” said Bryan Pettigrew, general manager of Sam Houston Race Park. “The Sam Houston Racing Club gives people a legitimate stake in the action while reinforcing our commitment to innovation, hospitality, and top-tier racing experiences here in Texas.” “Racing clubs aren't new, but true ownership at this scale is,” said Michael Behrens, CEO of MyRacehorse. “MyRacehorse was built to solve the biggest challenges facing ownership groups: access, communication, education, and transparency. This partnership with Sam Houston Race Park allows us to bring real ownership to more people while delivering a modern, intuitive experience that keeps owners engaged every step of the way.” To view the offering and become an owner, and to learn more about the Sam Houston Racing Club horse and trainer, visit the website here. The post Sam Houston Race Park, MyRacehorse Launch Racing Club Collaboration appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Elle Sueno (Street Cry {Ire}), already the dam of GSW/GISP Dream Lith (Medaglia d'Oro), sold to Tropical Racing for $800,000. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, the mare was offered in foal to leading sire Curlin. Her 2-year-old of this year, an Into Mischief filly named Mardigras Mischief, is already part of the Tropical Racing stable as they picked her up for $500,000 at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. The post Tropical Racing Adds Elle Sueno For $800,000 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Marc Gunderson picked up both GISP Ava's Grace (Laoban) and her yearling Into Mischief filly during Monday's Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, going to $950,000 for Ava's Grace who is in foal to Curlin, and $625,000 for her filly just one hip later. Mother and daughter were both consigned by by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. The $950,000 paid for Ava's Grace already eclipses the top price of the 2025 Winter Mixed Sale when a colt by Curlin sold for $775,000. Stakes placed AVA'S GRACE and her yearling filly by Into Mischief (@spendthriftfarm) prepare for their turn in the ring! @HillnDaleFarm consigns. pic.twitter.com/OrvwrEvZhZ — Fasig-Tipton (@FasigTiptonCo) February 9, 2026 The post Gunderson Gets Ava’s Grace And Her Into Mischief Filly At Fasig-Tipton appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Good Racing Company and Leeds Rhinos have joined forces to help raise funds for motor neurone disease (MND) causes. With the aim of keeping the late Rob Burrow's legacy at the heart of both the horse racing and rugby league communities, they will promote key events and fundraising initiatives to one another's fan bases. To launch the partnership, The Good Racing Company will be the official match sponsor for the Rhinos' game against York Knights at Headingley on Friday, February 20. Lindsey Burrow, who is an ambassador for The Good Racing Company, said, “Rob was passionate about two sports: rugby league and horse racing. It's great to see Leeds Rhinos and The Good Racing Company teaming up to champion Rob's legacy across both sports and continue his efforts to raise funds and awareness.” Leeds Rhinos managing director Rob Oates added, “Together, The Good Racing Company and Leeds Rhinos are giving supporters a dynamic, cross‑sport platform to celebrate Rob's life and help more families affected by MND in his name. We hope every matchday or raceday is a fresh opportunity to continue the amazing fundraising that Rob and Lindsey inspired.” The Good Racing Company set up the Rob Burrow Racing Club which costs £49 for an annual membership, with proceeds going to the Burrow family's chosen charities. They now have 10 horses in training across various syndicates, with their biggest success to date being Alfa Kellenic, winner of six races including the Ayr Silver Cup. The post Good Racing Company and Leeds Rhinos Partner Up to Raise Money for MND appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sunday Racing's Mitilini (Jpn) (f, 3, Tapit–Midnight Bisou, by Midnight Lute) came with a sustained run from from far back to graduate in her first try going two turns on the dirt in Saturday's opening race over 1700 meters at Kokura Racecourse. Once second from two tries going 1400 meters on turf to begin her career, the Feb. 24 foal never landed a blow when trying the dirt for the first time going that same distance Nov. 16. Despite being ridden for a bit of early speed from a double-digit gate, Mitilini was no better than third-last to make the first turn and trailed by a good 12 to 15 lengths down the backstretch. Asked to improve with better than 600 meters to travel, Mitilini responded nicely when asked in upper stretch, came running three off the fence with time ticking away and was along in the waning strides to graduate by a neck as the 7-1 fourth choice. A five-time Grade I winner and the Eclipse Award-winning older dirt female in 2019, Midnight Bisou was the adjudicated winner of the inaugural Saudi Cup in 2020 and Chuck Allen paid $5 million for her at that year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale. After producing the Curlin colt Bisou in 2022, she was bred to this sire and offered at Keeneland November later that fall, where she topped the auction on a bid of $5.5 million from Katsumi Yoshida. Also the dam of a 2-year-old filly by Kitasan Black (Jpn), Midnight Bisou produced a colt by Equinox (Jpn) last season that fetched a sales-best ¥580 million ($4,318,488) during the foal section of the JRHA Select Sale. She is due to Equinox once again for 2026. 1st-Kokura, ¥11,280,000 ($72,418), Maiden, 3yo, f, 1700m, 1:48.3, ft. MITILINI (JPN) (f, 3, Tapit–Midnight Bisou {Ch. Older Dirt Female & MGISW-US, $13,971,520}, by Midnight Lute) Sales history: $5,500,000 in utero '22 KEENOV. Lifetime Record:4-1-1-0, $63,878. VIDEO (SC 12) O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Racing; T-Tomokazu Takano. 2026.02.07 小倉競馬場 1R 3歳未勝利 ミティリーニ & 鮫島克駿 騎手Tapit%E7%94%A3%E9%A7%92?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tapit産駒#高野友和厩舎 pic.twitter.com/Alf5Hfud2e — はごろも (@856_rmc) February 7, 2026 The post Mitilini, Daughter of Tapit and Midnight Bisou, Graduates In Japan appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tattersalls Online will join forces with Inglis Digital for a dedicated Southern Hemisphere Session to be held on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th February. The catalogue, which is available to view on the Tattersalls Online website at www.tattersallsonline.com, marks the third collaboration between Tattersalls Online and Inglis Digital and aims to continue to strengthen the connection between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere markets. The upcoming Southern Hemisphere Session will feature a select draft from The Castlebridge Consignment, headlined by Southern Hemisphere-bred progeny by Too Darn Hot. Tattersalls Online Sales Manager Katherine Sheridan commented, “This Southern Hemisphere Session offers a genuinely unique opportunity. Too Darn Hot's 2024 Southern Hemisphere foals are exceptionally limited in number and when combined with pedigrees of this quality, the appeal is clear. We are delighted to once again collaborate with Inglis Digital and to present a session that we expect will attract strong international interest.” Among the highlights of the session is a three-in-one package featuring the young mare Moraless, offered together with her Southern Hemisphere-bred weanling colt by Too Darn Hot and in foal on a Southern Hemisphere cover to Champion First-Season Sire Starman. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch concluded, “The collaborations with Tattersalls Online are a product of conversations that we have been having with the team at Tattersalls for a number of years and in the instances that we have executed them, they have generated good engagement and a number of excellent results.” “Katherine raised the possibility of this opportunity last month and we were very keen for Inglis Digital to be involved as we feel we can add significant value to the process.” “Access to Too Darn Hot was particularly limited in his fifth season because he was domiciled in England, and as such, there is a real scarcity value to these foals, particularly when analysis of who holds the balance of the crop shows that it is very unlikely that many of his offspring will be available at public auction in Australia either as weanlings in 2026 or as yearlings in 2027.” He added, “Very simply, as an owner or a trader, if you want part of the action with the fifth southern hemisphere crop of Too Darn Hot, you have to look very carefully at these offerings.” The draft will be available for inspection prior to the sale and appointments can be made by contacting Bill Dwan or Paddy Diamond of The Castlebridge Consignment, whose details are available on the Tattersalls Online website. For further information, please contact Katherine Sheridan (katherine.sheridan@tattersalls.com) or Inglis Bloodstock Sales Manager Harry Bailey (harry.bailey@inglis.com.au). Full catalogue details can be viewed online at www.tattersallsonline.com. The post Tattersalls Online And Inglis Digital Join Forces To Offer SH-Bred Too Darn Hot Progeny appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Like London buses, James Keane will have not one but two runners this week in quick succession, marking his first two appearances on the racecourse as trainer. The 32-year-old Irishman now claims Newmarket as his home, rather extraordinarily falling in love with the place during a winter which included the fierce 'Beast from the East' cold snap of eight years ago. If you can withstand winters in Newmarket, then the other seasons will be a doddle. “You have to be a bit of a glutton for punishment to be a trainer, don't you? Something possesses us,” he says. Indeed, horses, if not racehorses, have been in his blood for years. Keane cut his teeth riding ponies and sport horses and represented Ireland at junior and young rider level, becoming the junior national eventing champion of 2008. Modestly, though, he says, “I was a show jumper by trade and quickly discovered I wasn't a good enough rider to make a living out of that, so I tried my hand on the breeding side of things but didn't really enjoy that. I did a year at Barouche Stud and then took a job as a marketing manager at Wolverhampton Racecourse. I didn't really know the first thing about marketing but I managed to talk my way into the job.” While at Wolverhampton, Keane started riding out for James Unett and says his progression towards wanting to be a trainer “just kind of snowballed”. A year as pupil assistant to Ed Dunlop was followed by three years with fellow Newmarket trainer Lucy Wadham before he joined the Godolphin Flying Start programme, from which he graduated in 2023. “I very quickly decided when I was a couple of months in at Ed's that I quite liked the training game. It's been a long road to get here, a bit of a winding one,” Keane says. “I get my kicks from performance horses, and obviously show jumping is a performance industry, and that didn't work for me, but I love getting a raw horse, and making it into something, helping it to perform.” Further stints as assistant to Roger Varian and Charlie Hills followed, but while in Lambourn with the latter Keane decided that it was time to return to Newmarket and take the leap into branching out on his own. “Lambourn wasn't for me, so I just decided I'd go for it,” he says. “So I went out and bought four horses on spec at Tattersalls between the HIT Sale and the November Online Sale, and just flogged them as I went. I was lucky, I got a bit of help off various bloodstock agents, they sold bits and pieces for me, which was great, and everything's sold in the yard now, all from nothing in the past six months. Ten grand and a dream I sat down with last May, that's what I had in the bank, and I sat down to write a business plan, and here we are now.” A native of Collon, County Louth, Keane admits that he has looked across the water to the business model of some of his compatriots when it comes to formulating his own plans. “There's no profit in training horses,” he says. “You've got to trade horses, and I think there's a gap in this country for a trading trainer. And that's not to say that every horse I have will be a trading horse, but I think, if you look at the Irish model, they all own bits and pieces of horses, and they all sell them out to America or whatever. It's almost taboo in this country. “So I think if you can get a reputation for being a source of proven horses to be sold out to the export markets, why not? If you own 25, 50% of them yourself, that's where your profit margin is.” Keane is training from Albert House Stables, “a beautiful yard at the foot of Warren Hill”, which has previously been the base for Charlie Clover, Alice Haynes and Chris Dwyer among others. “This is the nerve centre of horse racing in the UK. If you want to meet people, this is where you want to meet them, because they're all here for a couple of months of the year between sales and racing. Also, it's where I've spent the bulk of my professional career,” he says. “I know the gallops inside out. I feel that I can train on the gallops, and I know them well enough that I can say that with confidence. And the facilities are second to none, and that's not to knock the Jockey Club facilities at Lambourn, but even my yard, for example, I don't know if I would have got it elsewhere – 23 boxes, an apartment for me, staff accommodation, an office. It's a proper, compact, professional outfit, which is exactly the kind of brand I'm trying to put across.” As the countdown ticks on to his first runner at Kempton on Wednesday, Keane admits that the pressure is mounting a little. He does however follow some notable graduates of the Flying Start course to have successfully made the crossover to the training ranks, including France's current champion Francis Graffard, Breeders' Cup-winning trainer Dan Blacker, and Jerome Reynier, who is doubly represented at this Saturday's prestigious Saudi Cup meeting. “It wouldn't mean anything if I wasn't, but it's pressure I put on myself,” he says. “My owners are fantastic. There's no pressure from them. I haven't had one phone call. Actually, I don't think any of them have ever rung me at any time. I do all the ringing, which isn't a bad thing. They've very much left me to my own devices and said, do what you like, which is fantastic.” The Time Test three-year-old Time To Sparkle, who will line up for the mile handicap at 5.05pm on Wednesday, will be the first runner from the Keane stable. Bought for 5,000gns from Eve Johnson Houghton's stable at the Horses-in-Training Sale, she is making her handicap debut for The Adventurers. “She needed the winter on her back and has improved dramatically as a physical,” the trainer says. “That's not necessarily going to make her any faster, but she's been working nicely. I'd be hoping that she's going to run into the frame and give a good account of herself.” The following day Keane is planning to run five-year-old Miletus, a Magna Grecia half-brother to Emmaus (Invincible Spirit) at Lingfield. “I'd be disappointed if he's not there or thereabouts. I think he's well-treated. I'd hope he's the horse I can win two or three on the spin with, and all of a sudden, your name is out there.” The post ‘Ten Grand And A Dream’: New Trainer James Keane Hoping It’s His Time To Sparkle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame is now accepting nominations for inclusion in its Legend Category. The category was established to honor people and horses whose accomplishments and feats occurred during the foundational years of horse racing in Canada. To be considered in the Legend Category, the nominee's primary career and impact on racing must have taken place a minimum of 50 years prior to nomination. The deadline for submission for the Legend Category is Mar. 9 at 5 p.m. Nominations can be made here. The post Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame Seeks ‘Legend’ Nominations appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twinspires.com's Kentucky Derby Betting Challenge (KDBC), a live-money handicapping tournament, will feature an increased, guaranteed $300,000 prize pool May 2, while the $25,000 Kentucky Oaks Betting Challenge will debut May 1. The KDBC returns this year with the same $5,000 buy-in structure and the newly added KOBC will have a seeded cash prize pool of $25,000 and will award one KDBC seat for every 10 entries. “Championship Series” races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Road to the Kentucky Oaks will anchor weekly TwinSpires tournaments, which offer qualifying opportunities for the KDBC. The contest includes cash prizes, seats to the 2026 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge, 2027 National Horseplayers Championship and 2027 KDBC. For a complete schedule of tournaments, visit twinspires.com/tournaments. The post Twinspires Boosts Derby Betting Challenge Prize Pool, Adds Oaks Challenge appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Like any responsible stakeholder in the Thoroughbred racing industry, I have followed with keen interest Mike Repole's now 2 1/2-year crusade to reform, disrupt, rejuvenate and revitalize horse racing, breeding and aftercare. Mike's mission surely predates that timeline, but it was in October 2023 that he formalized his intentions with the formation of the National Thoroughbred Alliance and the appointment of Pat Cummings as Executive Director. I am not privy to any private meetings or correspondence between Mike and Pat and the industry's power brokers. What we all do have access to are Mike's many public statements across social media, print interviews, podcasts and television appearances. Over time, Mike has been relentlessly critical of several prominent industry organizations and their representatives, most notably The Jockey Club, the Breeders' Cup, TOBA and the NTRA. His tactics are often brash, offensive, vulgar, uncouth and harsh. Choose your own adjective. Some people like how he posts on X, some people cringe. Mike is disruptive, an undeniable product of his business success. You can call him whatever you want, but no one is calling him wrong. Across dozens of conversations totaling hundreds of hours with industry stakeholders since the NTA was formed, not one person has told me that Mike is wrong about the issues driving the decline of our key indicators, or threatening the long-term viability of our industry. Not one. Not a single soul. In the interest of transparency, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners has partnered with Repole on several horses over time, including our champion Nest. We are not currently partnered on any racehorses, broodmares or stallions. Eclipse is partnered with several members of The Jockey Club, TOBA and Breeders' Cup, all of whom I consider friends and wonderful racing partners. I am also a Member of Breeders' Cup, in addition to other Boards with individuals who are Members of The Jockey Club and TOBA. For 2 1/2 years, Mike has been throwing punches at The Jockey Club. Until Jan. 27, The Jockey Club refused to engage publicly. If they believed their rebuttal was a haymaker, some decisive blow, they missed completely. Not only did it fail to land, it left them exposed. Whatever residual public support The Jockey Club enjoyed evaporated as stakeholders read a statement that was ill-advised, weak, non-substantive and overtly gaslighting. Any lingering belief that Repole was misguided or irrational vanished just as quickly. The defensive, excuse-laden response achieved the opposite of its intent. And whatever confidence remained in The Jockey Club's leadership has now given way to doubt and a sobering realization that Mike is onto something. And that something is really big and potentially industry shifting. In the wake of some serious soul searching, and after absorbing The Jockey Club's Jan. 27 rebuttal directed at Mike's demands for accountability, I can no longer concern myself with the risk of offending individuals who wear titles which should warrant respect, nor friends or business partners. Mine and Mike Repole's styles could not be more opposite. But, this mission is not about personalities. This mission is not personal. This mission is about principle. On what side of racing history do we all want to be on? For too long, I have been a complacent and complicit member of the silent majority. The stakes are too high to remain silent. They are too high right now and far too high for the generations that will follow us. I genuinely hope that breaking my own silence will inspire others to support Mike's mission for the betterment of our industry. It's time. Aron Wellman is the Founder & President of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners The post Letter to the Editor: Mike Repole’s Mission appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Champion jockey Zac Purton has confirmed he will stick with Brazilian Group One winner Sagacious Life in the Classic Cup (1,800m) on March 1. Purton was disappointed by the Pierre Ng Pang-chi-trained import’s fourth to Little Paradise in the first leg of the four-year-old series, the Classic Mile, but the eight-time Hong Kong champion rider and Sagacious Life will seek redemption next month. An impressive winner at two of his first three local starts, Sagacious Life settled midfield with cover...View the full article

Holding on to a one-win lead over David Hayes in the trainers’ championship, Mark Newnham is confident he can add to his advantage when the in-form Max Que and Power Koepp spearhead his team of six at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Newnham’s stellar campaign has seen him head the standings for most of the first half of the season, trading blows with Fownes for the lead several times while Hayes’ recent surge has also put him right into contention. After striking with impressive three-year-old...View the full article

Doctor Askar (NZ) (Derryn) is having a few days of R and R in the paddock following a float incident on Saturday that resulted in his late scratching from the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa. The Waverley gelding looked a strong contender in the $700,000 feature following his last start heroics in the Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m), and trainer Joanne Moss was excited to head north to give her charge his first tilt at elite-level. However, it wasn’t to be, with Doctor Askar becoming fractious in the float enroute to Hamilton and following a veterinary inspection oncourse he was withdrawn from the contest. “There were all those road works and we came around a corner, and he has scrambled. When he got off (the float) he was sore and that is why I got him vetted,” Moss said. “We got him home and I will give him a couple of days and see how it all goes. I will let him chill out because he has had 10 hours on the truck. “At the moment he is wandering around the paddock, is eating and he is happy as. He is just a little bit stiff and a little bit sore.” Moss felt it was the opportune time to step her charge up over ground and in Group One company, and while disappointed to be denied that chance over the weekend, she is choosing to take a positive outlook, believing there are plenty of opportunities ahead for the five-year-old. “It was just the right time to do it but never mind, you have just got to take the good with the bad,” she said. “You have got to look on the bright side, we have still got a horse. “He is still learning, I don’t think he still really knows what he is doing. He just gives me that impression, he is still playing around a bit too much.” All going to plan, and Doctor Askar makes pleasing progress, he may get another opportunity at elite-level in next month’s Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day. “If he looks good to go, I would look at the Bonecrusher, but I am not going to push him,” Moss said. Doctor Askar, a homebred son of Derryn, has won seven of his 21 starts to date, including the Thorndon Mile, Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) and Listed Flying Handicap (1400m), and he has earned $586,000 in prizemoney. View the full article

After returning to her best form with a fourth Group One win in Saturday’s Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) is likely to have just one more start before being going to auction as a broodmare. The six-year-old daughter of Proisir had gone winless for almost a year when she repeated her 2024 Herbie Dyke Stakes win with a dogged victory over Victorian raider Kingswood (Roaring Lion), crediting her jockey Opie Bosson with his 100th elite win and trainers Ken and Bev Kelso with their 15th. That took her record from 23 starts to 11 wins and stakes of almost $2.6 million, with earlier highlights being the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old. She was also placed second, third or fourth in another six Group One races, three of those in races immediately leading up to Saturday’s win. Ken Kelso reported that Legarto came through her weekend exertions in excellent order, setting her up for the Gr.1 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Champions Day. “We put her out in the paddock after getting home from the races, but it took a while to catch her when I went out to put her cover on later on,” Kelso said. “That tells me she’s taken no harm from the race, so the Bonecrusher is the obvious next target for her. “Beyond that we’ll have to talk things through. She’s rising seven and we’ve already decided this is her final preparation, but if she was to go well at Ellerslie we could perhaps look at a race like the Australian Cup (Gr.1, 2000m).” Philip Brown, speaking on behalf of the 12-strong ownership group that includes the Kelsos, confirmed that Legarto will go to auction at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast in May. “We’ve already arranged for her to go to Brian Nutt at Attunga Stud to be prepared for the sale,” Brown said. “Being a partnership, public auction is the proper way to realise her true worth. As a multiple Group One winner including one in Australia, she’s obviously a valuable mare, so it’s going to be an interesting exercise. “That was probably the most emotional win of all on Saturday – to see her bounce back after some had begun to doubt her, Opie getting his 100 and another big win for Ken and Bev – it was special.” Brown and his wife Catherine, as well as fellow Matamata identities Tony and Mary Enting, were in the partnership that raced another four-time Group One-winning racemare in Levante (NZ) (Proisir), who likewise was by Proisir and was trained by the Kelsos. The Browns retained Levante after she was retired and are now breeding from her on a foal-share arrangement with Arrowfield Stud. Her only foal to date, a yearling filly by Snitzel, sold for A$600,000 at last month’s Gold Coast Magic Millions Sale and will be trained by Chris Waller. Levante is now in-foal to the rising star on the Arrowfield roster, The Autumn Sun, and is scheduled to be covered by him again next spring before returning to the Browns’ Ancroft Stud. View the full article

Late bloomer Autumn Glory (NZ) (Ocean Park) has shown the benefit of careful handling with her emergence as a serious Classic contender. Bred and raced by the Smithies family under their Monovale Holdings banner, the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained daughter of Ocean Park rounded off powerfully at Te Rapa on Saturday to claim the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m). Autumn Glory started at nearly 50 to one and her upset victory has resulted in her promoted to a $4 second favourite for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m). The filly has now won two of her three starts following a debut success at Ruakaka a month ago, and in between times was unplaced on a heavy track in the Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m) at New Plymouth. “We were very, very patient with her and sometimes you can get a bit stressed when you see all the spring three-year-olds coming out and performing, but if you give every horse the time needed, they can certainly do the job,” Max Smithies said. Autumn Glory is the last foal of Venus’s Dream (Viscount), who was purchased by Monovale out of Sledmere Stud’s draft for A$15,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. The late Viscount mare was a half-sister to the two-time Group Three winner and dual Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) placegetter Spring Heat (More Than Ready). “She was an older girl and is unfortunately no longer with us, but she did a great job,” Smithies said. “Chris Waller bought a couple of her Ocean Parks and Loveplanet (three wins) was quite a handy horse in Sydney.” Loveplanet was a $140,000 yearling at Karaka while her brother Existential Bob (NZ) realised A$60,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale and has won twice for the champion trainer. “We always thought she nicked well with Ocean Park and left a great type, so we were pretty pleased to get a filly,” Smithies said. “We always try to keep a few of the fillies and liked Autumn Glory from a young age, so we were happy to keep her to race for ourselves.” Monovale is currently breeding from a broodmare band of around 20. “We try to be quite critical of what we breed and really chasing the quality over quantity,” Smithies said. They enjoyed a 100 percent clearance rate at last month’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale with five in Riversley Park’s draft and two in Landsdowne Park’s consignment. “We were very pleased with the sale, and it works very well for (brother) Joe and I, in terms of having to get in extra staff for yearling preps,” Smithies said. Their top-priced youngster was offered by Riversley, with a son of Satono Aladdin selling for $400,000 to trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Champion Thoroughbreds and Kestrel Thoroughbreds. The colt is out of the unraced Snitzel mare Sayyzel and the family of the multiple Group One winners and sires Ocean Park and Grunt. A Savabeel filly, also in the Riversley draft, was knocked down to the Sunlight Trust and Phil Cataldo for $250,000. Her dam is the O’Reilly mare Miss Opulence (NZ), a half-sister to Sir Slick (NZ) (Volksraad) and the Monovale bred and raced Puccini (NZ) (Encosta de Lago), who between them won eight top-flight titles. View the full article

After finishing behind Super Corredora and Explora in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), the lightly-raced Meaning turned the tables in the $100,000 Las Virgenes Stakes Feb. 8 at Santa Anita Park. View the full article

Roll On Big Joe is doing just that—rolling on—as he conquered the $150,000 King Cotton Stakes at Oaklawn Park Feb. 8, and with it, notched his first three-stakes win streak.View the full article

Numbers (NZ) (Tivaci) firmly advanced his credentials for the remainder of the Hong Kong Four-Year-Old Classic Series with a commanding victory in Sunday’s Gr.3 Centenary Vase Handicap (1800m) at Sha Tin. The Frankie Lor-trained galloper dominated his six rivals, each with a Group-level winning profile, as he led from start-to-finish on his way to a two-length victory in the HK$4.2 million contest. The Tivaci gelding went off a strong $1.7 favourite on the strength of an eye-catching front-running victory in December, his first in Hong Kong. The handicapper gave him eight points for that, but Numbers (117lb) still went off from the foot of the weights against a more experienced field. From barrier two, he was worked to the head of the field by Derek Leung and enjoyed a rail-hugging passage half a length in front of Andrea Atzeni on Ensued (125lb) to the bend. As they entered the straight, a group headed by Chancheng Glory under Zac Purton moved to his shoulder to briefly offer resistance, before Leung shook up the four-year-old and opened a gap on his pursuers. Speed Dragon (126lb), ridden by Lyle Hewitson, improved to take second, with Karis Teetan and Encountered (126lb) finishing third. “He was still a bit nervous in the gates, but he did a good job,” Leung said. “He handled himself pretty good. After he relaxed, I started to pick up at the 800m. He listened to me, and he made my job pretty easy.” Leung said his tactical versatility makes Numbers a major threat for the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 22 March. “He can lead, or if someone’s going faster than him, he can be second or third – just whatever he wants to be,” Leung said. “He loves to chase a horse. So, it doesn’t matter … he loves the challenge.” The second leg of the Four-Year-Old Classic Series is the Hong Kong Classic Cup on 1 March, and on this evidence, Numbers will take some beating as the Series extends to 1800 metres and beyond. His last act in Australia pre-import was a spirited second in the Gr.1 Queensland Derby over 2400m. Trainer Lor said he was confident. “I have a lot of hope. You can see in Australia he already has form over 2400m, so I don’t think there will be any problems and we’ll just go for it,” he said. Mark Newnham’s Lucky Ranger (NZ) (Vanbrugh) maintained his upward trajectory with a fine win in the first section of the Class 4 On Ting Handicap (1400m). In both of his first two starts, the three-year-old was forced to overcome the widest draw, but did so comfortably, delivering a 22nd win of the season for Luke Ferraris, and maintaining a one-win lead (35) for Newnham in the trainers’ standings. Atzeni’s treble was completed when he piloted John Size’s four-year-old Flow Water Flow (NZ) (Proisir) to victory in his first Class 3 run in the Yau Oi Handicap (1800m). The Proisir gelding has now recorded two wins after three seconds in his debut campaign. Cody Mo secured a win courtesy of the Riversley Park Ready To Run graduate Emblazon (Zoustar). The Hong Kong Derby-nominated son of Zoustar made it three wins in a row and four for the season – all under two pound-claiming Jerry Chau – when he took out the Class 3 Yan Tin Handicap (1400m). View the full article

A daughter of Gun Runner won the $100,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at Santa Anita going one mile on the dirt Sunday, but it wasn't the one everyone expected. Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners maiden winner Meaning (f, 3, Gun Runner–Figure of Speech, by Into Mischief), fourth behind Eclipse champion 2-year-old filly Super Corredora (Gun Runner) in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, bested not only Super Corredora, but also GII Oak Leaf Stakes winner and Juvenile Fillies runner-up Explora (Blame), the lone 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' in the field, Sunday. “This is a filly we thought highly of from day one,” said Eclipse Thoroughbred's Aron Wellman after the Las Virgenes. When the gates flew, Super Corredora was ridden hard from the outside to secure the front as Explora found herself in tight along the rail. Both wanted the lead, but it was Explora who got her neck in front at the :22.57 first split while Meaning bided her time serving as caboose of the four-horse field. Meaning joined the top two on the outside after the :45.98 half, with Super Corredora the first to throw in the towel as the trio exited the turn. Meaning and Explora laid it down in the lane in a heated battle, but it was Meaning, despite slow to swap to her proper lead, who got up in the final strides to win by a length. She got the mile in 1:39.39. Explora held for second, while maiden winner Bank Shot (Game Winner) finished third. O-Bridlewood Farm and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners; B-Stonehaven Steadings (Ky.); T-Micahel McCarthy; J-Flavien Prat. “In Flavien was trust.” Aron Wellman of @EclipseTBP talked to @ChristinaFDTV after MEANING won the $100,000 Las Virgenes Stakes at @SantaAnitaPark. pic.twitter.com/AmZ0zrfc4S — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 8, 2026 The post Gun Runner’s Meaning Upsets Super Corredora and Explora in Las Virgenes appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Rolling like an express train late, Yellow Card (Lost Treasure {Ire}) gave his connections an emotional victory to kick off his 2026 campaign in the Clocker's Corner Stakes. A runner-up in the GII Eddie D Stakes three back Sept. 27 at this venue, the Michael McCarthy trainee missed the board in his last two jumps for that season–namely, the Stormy Liberal Stakes at Del Mar where he ran fifth and last out Dec. 29 when he finished sixth in the GII Joe Hernandez Stakes. Sent off here at 3-1 odds, he caboosed the field as the frontrunners posted an opening split in :21.71 and four furlongs in :44.03 under constant pressure. Yellow Card, who had been crowded to the back earlier, took the overland route coming into the bend and was asked to close from widest of all as they swung into the lane. In front of him, Virat (Bayern) was trying to fend off challengers, but the pack overtook him by midstretch with Yellow Card and Sorrento Sky (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) coming best of all. Inhaling that competition, the eventual winner cleared off from the runner-up to win by 1 1/2 lengths. Virat managed to hold on to third. YELLOW CARD ($8.40) goes last-to-first in the blink of an eye in the $100,000 Clocker's Corner Stakes at @santaanitapark. @JaramilloJockey was in the irons for trainer @mwmracing and owner Jim Daniell. Oaks Prep is next: https://t.co/5VcRa4VxbO pic.twitter.com/qVb7pOXu86 — FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) February 8, 2026 CLOCKER'S CORNER S., $101,000, Santa Anita, 2-8, (C), 4yo/up, 6fT, 1:08.05, fm. 1–YELLOW CARD, 122, h, 5, Lost Treasure (Ire)–Paris Girl, by Pulpit. ($19,000 RNA Ylg '22 KEESEP; $87,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-James M. Daniell; B-Tiffiney K. Veloudis (KY); T-Michael W. McCarthy; J-Emisael Jaramillo. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 12-4-3-1, $671,745. 2–Sorrento Sky (Ire), 122, h, 5, Prince of Lir (Ire)–Briarfield Lady (Ire), by Battle of Marengo (Ire). O-Benowitz Family Trust, CYBT, McLean Racing Stables, Gevertz, Saul, Lantzman, Marc and Nentwig, Michael; B-Miss Colleen Dwyer (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $20,000. 3–Virat, 122, g, 7, Bayern–Nice Meidel, by Bernstein. 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-Sareen Family Trust (KY); T-Dan Blacker. $12,000. Margins: 1HF, 1 1/4, NO. Odds: 3.20, 7.10, 22.70. Also Ran: Sumter, Flyover, Speed Boat Beach, Irish Royalty. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV. The post No Slowing Down Here: Yellow Card Rolls Home to Take Clocker’s Corner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Silent Tactic will be pointed to the $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2) March 1 at Oaklawn Park following his victory in the Southwest Stakes (G3) Feb. 6, Mark Casse, the colt's dual Hall of Fame trainer, said Feb. 8.View the full article

The 2026 Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale opens for a single-day session in a frigid Lexington, Kentucky, Monday at Newtown Paddocks with bidding set to begin at 10 a.m. on 411 catalogued entries. And while temperatures have failed to eclipse the freezing mark for days and wind chills below zero have left buyers and consignors alike with the shivers, there was an overwhelming sense of optimism headed into Monday's action. “We've got a very good catalogue,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “There's literally something for everybody in here. There's some really nice top offerings with mares like Icreamuscream and Elle Sueno (in foal to Curlin) at Hill 'n' Dale. There's some really high-end stuff. And there are a lot of nice short yearlings on the grounds too. It's a very interesting catalogue full of attractive racing or broodmare prospects. The market's been good and we're optimistic. It's going to continue to be an emphasis on quality that we've seen in recent years and I expect that to continue throughout all of 2026.” Hill 'n' Dale consigns not one but two mares in foal to their top stallion, with GI La Troienne Stakes third Ava's Grace (Laoban) (hip 126) joining a Grade I-placed producer in Elle Sueno (Street Cry {Ire}) (hip 193). Consignors have also been busy with the short yearling market, with Paramount Sales's Lesley Campion saying activity had been extremely high despite the conditions. “The weather has been brutal,” said Campion. “But traffic the last few days has been great, very healthy. I think the average showing on our [short yearlings] was around 57. I feel as though the folks that are coming out to see them are here in earnest because [the weather] weeds out less-serious buyers.” Paramount Sales consigns nine short yearlings by young sires with upcoming first crops such as Arcangelo, Elite Power, Jackie's Warrior, Mage and Pappacap along with more established sires like Authentic and Practical Joke. “We have a ton of new stallions here in the Bluegrass,” Campion said. “And folks have seasons they need filled. There's always a market for a good foal. If a buyer wanted to grab something to go to [Fasig-Tipton] Saratoga, or something to represent them in the first couple of books at [Keeneland] September, this is the last chance to do so. There should certainly be a lovely, buoyant market for those types. The market has been very encouraging these last couple of sales. It's been very strong. I don't see any reason that it wouldn't be just as strong Monday.” There was plenty of action Saturday despite the cold in Kentucky | Fasig-Tipton Vinery Sales also brings in a strong consignment, with Derek MacKenzie also noting that the cold had failed to keep anyone away. “Traffic's been great,” said MacKenzie. “Even though the weather's been bad, it doesn't look like it's stopping anybody from coming out. We're feeling good about it. I think it'll be another strong sale. Both November and January, pretty much all of the mixed sales, have been strong. This one should be too.” Fasig-Tipton has struck a delicate balance now between their in-person and digital sales, with Browning viewing them as complimentary to one another instead of competitive. “There's certain times and places where one makes more sense than the other,” Browning said. “We're very comfortable with our schedule. There are always opportunities to add a horse, whether it be to a live sale or to a digital sale. For instance, a mare like Iscreamuscream, who was added into the supplement catalogue. It's a great opportunity for people to come and see her in person with a sale coming up. And then, if next week or two weeks from now, a top filly or mare becomes available, then we've got a great digital platform for that like we did last year with Soul of an Angel. There's something [for everyone] when the need arises.” During the 2025 rendition of the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, a colt by Curlin out of GISW Unbridled Mo, now a 2-year-old named National Champion, brought the day's top price of $775,000. At the session's conclusion, a total of 260 head sold for $11,495,500. The average was $44,213 and the median was $17,000. The post Cold No Deterrent Ahead Of Monday’s Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article