Wandering Eyes

Unfortunately, as is typically the case with the Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority (HISA) corporation, CEO Lisa Lazarus left out important details from her remarks during HISA's town hall meeting on March 11 regarding the toe grab rules in relating to horsemen and breakdowns at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino (PMRC). The following comment is quoted from the TDN article HISA Town Hall: Regulatory Reach, Environmental Contamination, Lab Variability and More Discussed: “Probably the racetrack that had the biggest complaints about this rule was Prairie Meadows, and they went from in 2022 at 2.39 [fatalities per 1,000 starts rate], a much higher fatality rate. And this year, they were exceptional–they were 1.14,” said Lazarus. “I'm not suggesting the whole reason is to do with toe grabs, but at least the data shows they're not worse off with that rule than they were previously.” The facts: in all of 2021, PMRC experienced two breakdowns from 3,849 starters, thus 0.52 fatalities per 1,000. In May and June of 2022 prior to that, when horsemen believed the new zero tolerance on toe grabs was to go into effect, PMRC experienced 0 breakdowns from 1,265 starters, thus 0 per 1,000. More precisely, for all of 2021 and including the period prior to the implementation of HISA's safety protocols and toe grab rule, there were two breakdowns out of 5,114 starters, thus 0.39 fatalities per 1,000. Beginning July 11 (the period after which horsemen believed they couldn't have front or rear toe grabs and were trying to come into compliance with the rule), we had our first of eight breakdowns in less than 11 weeks. The Iowa HBPA, along with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission's (IRGC) regulatory veterinarians, early on in the spate of breakdowns identified there was an urgent issue and unsuccessfully pleaded with HISA to grant us a waiver of the rule until the end of the racing season. Our stance was that nothing had changed in this environment other than horsemen re-shoeing their horses to be in compliance with the no toe grabs rule, front or rear. As many others also began to reach out to HISA about the absurdity of no toe grabs at all, HISA acquiesced to the pressure, releasing on July 29, 2022 a newly-updated noncommittal statement saying they would not enforce the rule regarding hind-shoe toe grabs effective Aug. 1. That attempt at communication failed badly, lacking clarity and coming much too late after many horsemen had gone to the considerable expense of re-shoeing their horses. Nine months later, horsemen–even contenders in last year's Kentucky Derby–were still confused or unaware about an alternative shoe rule to the point that the Kentucky HBPA had to issue a horsemen's advisory trying to explain what was or was not allowed for something as easy as toe grabs! But while the hind toe grabs ban was in effect and the injuries accumulated, the pleas of the IA HBPA and IRGC's veterinarians went unheard. A back and forth of letters (one of which HISA provided after the end of the racing season in 2022) effectively said our horsemen and IRGC regulatory veterinarians were solely at fault and missed the underlying issues with the horses who had suffered catastrophic injuries. Point of Fact: not one member of the HISA Racetrack Safety Committee ever made a trip out to Prairie Meadows, reached out to either the IA HBPA, IRGC or jockey colony or spent any time understanding the issues for which we were expressing our heartfelt concerns over a cascading series of events or helped us resolve the horrendous continuation of horses breaking down on our racetrack. Quite the opposite occurred in fact. Instead we, and specifically PMRC, were spotlighted in a Twitter post by PETA for one of the breakdowns, highlighting the horse's name and calling us all out on where the horse was and what occurred. At the end of the 2022 racing season, there had been a total of eight breakdowns from 3,762 starters, thus 2.13 fatalities per 1,000. If only reviewing from July 11 through September 19, there were eight breakdowns from 1,754 starters, thus 4.56 fatalities per 1,000 starters in that small time frame. So, what happened post PMRC's 2022 racing season and the start of the 2023 racing season, all without the help of HISA? The IA HBPA and PMRC did the work. Work that involved the IA HBPA and PMRC having long discussions on what horsemen encountered, what jockeys experienced riding across the surface, and what veterinarians expressed about the horses coming back from training and racing. PMRC then took the initiative and worked in such a way to ease what the IA HBPA viewed then–and still do now–as an abysmal application of a one size fits all rule to revamp the racing surface to fit the rule. PMRC added 900 tons of sand, 21 tons of clay and finally 100 yards of pine bark, something that never had been added to PMRC's surface ever in its history nor never needed to be before. But needed to be done now to make the surface fit the rule. We went from having one of the safest track surfaces in America to a horrific streak of catastrophic injuries. The only thing that changed was HISA's toe-grab ban, implemented with virtually no input from those with boots on the ground. Thankfully our safety record got back on track, and contrary to the figure stated by Ms. Lazarus of 1.14 breakdowns per 1,000, our 2023 record was back to 0.57–with no help from HISA. For Lisa Lazarus to suggest otherwise is disingenuous. Sent on behalf of the Iowa HBPA. The post Letter To The Industry: Iowa HBPA Response To HISA Town Hall Comment On PMRC Catastrophic Breakdowns appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sierra Leone, winner of the Risen Star Stakes (G2), closed as the 7-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager, with champion 2-year-old Fierceness the 9-1 second betting choice.View the full article

Pleasant Acres Farm outside of Morriston, Florida launched its stallion division in 2013 with the vision of bringing top-class sires to the Sunshine State. Over a decade later, the operation founded by Joe and Helen Barbazon is still working toward that same goal. This year they've provided a major boost to the Florida stallion ranks with the addition of five newcomers for 2024, bringing their stallion roster up to a total count of 13 members. With his first-crop of 2-year-olds hitting the track this year, Bodexpress (Bodemeister) has relocated from California to Pleasant Acres for 2024. Meanwhile the farm has brought in four new recruits who recently retired from racing: Doppelganger, a Grade I-winning son of Into Mischief; Verifying (Justify), a half-brother to champion Midnight Bisou; Grade II Fountain of Youth S. winner Simplification (Not This Time); and near-millionaire Chess Chief (Into Mischief). Pleasant Acres' Director of Stallion Services Christine Jones explained how their aspiration to go out and recruit these notable racehorses with such in-demand sirelines reflects the farm's mission to make bloodlines normally only accessible in Kentucky available to Florida breeders right in their home state. “We worked extremely hard this year to try to bring in yet another level of horse,” Jones said. “With the stallions that we brought in this year, our thought was that perhaps all of us who are busy running up and down the road to Kentucky might be able to stay home with a couple of mares, which would be really nice. Our roster has grown in leaps and bounds with all the headline names.” The first of the newcomers to arrive at Pleasant Acres last fall, Doppelganger will stand for $10,000 in 2024 and will be campaigned by a syndicate of partners that includes Pleasant Acres. A $570,000 yearling out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Quiet American mare Twice the Lady, Doppelganger's name is a nod to his shared physical resemblance with GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, another son of Into Mischief campaigned by a partnership that included SF Bloodstock, Starlight Racing and Madaket Stables. A TDN Rising Star on debut as a juvenile, Doppelganger was twice graded stakes placed at three and got his Grade I score in the 2023 Carter H. as a 4-year-old. Doppelganger gives trainer Brittany Russell her first Grade I victory in the 2023 Carter H. | Sarah Andrew “Doppelganger brings a lot to the table for us,” said Jones. “He is a stellar individual. What a strong shoulder and a great hip. He is absolutely what I think everyone is looking for.” Few incoming stallions have as high-profile a pedigree as Verifying. The half-brother to 2019 Eclipse Award champion older dirt female Midnight Bisou joins Spendthrift Farm's Arabian Lion as the first two sons of Justify to go to stud. Verifying's dam Diva Delite (Repent), winner of the GIII Florida Oaks, is also responsible for multiple stakes winner Stage Left (Congrats). First or second in seven of his 11 lifetime starts at two and three, Verifying won the 2023 GIII Indiana Derby and put in runner-up performances in the GI Champagne S., GI Blue Grass S., GI H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. and GIII Matt Winn S. Jeff Bloom, founder of Bloom Racing Stables which campaigned Midnight Bisou, joins Pleasant Acres as two members of the syndicate that will launch Verifying's stud career. The 4-year-old will also stand for $10,000. Simplification stands out as the first Not This Time to stand in Florida and he is one of the first three sons of the red hot sire to launch his stud career along with Coolmore's Epicenter, who stands for $40,000 this year as his first foals hit the ground, and Lane's End's Up to the Mark, who is new this year for $25,000. Simplification with stand for $6,500 in 2024. The Florida-bred is out of the stakes-placed Candy Ride (Arg) mare Simplify Confection, who hails from the family of champion Ashado (Saint Ballado). As a juvenile, Simplification broke his maiden in his second start by almost 17 lengths. The next year, he won the Mucho Macho Man S. and the GII Fountain of Youth S. before placing third in trio of graded stakes, including the GI Florida Derby. He also finished fourth in the GI Kentucky Derby and at four, placed in the GII Gulfstream Park Mile S. Simplification was purchased as a yearling by Florida horsewoman Tami Bobo. She opted to skip the 2-year-old sales with him and race him herself. Even after the colt's hair-raising debut under the tutelage of trainer Antonio Sano, Bobo went against her normal practice and turned down offers so that she could continue racing the colt herself. Even now as Simplification debuts as a stallion, Bobo remains at the helm of his career. “Tami is well invested in this horse and he still belongs to her 100%,” said Jones. “It's lovely to have people who have so much excitement and passion because it's their own horse. She is sending between 25 and 30 mares to him this year, so it really shows her enthusiasm and it's nice to be able to tell the breeders that because they know that the owner is vested as well.” The highest earner among the four new guys, Chess Chief will stand for $5,000 in 2024. The son of Into Mischief is out of a daughter of GISW Plenty of Grace (Roberto), who is a half-sister to champion Soaring Softly (Kris S.). Racing from two through seven for trainer Dallas Stewart, Chess Chief is five-times graded stakes-placed and got his signature win in the 2021 GII New Orleans Classic S. Owner James Coleman has retained ownership for the Virginia-bred's stallion career. “He's a very sturdy horse, running 39 times and on the board in 14 of those starts, and he is a very good-looking horse,” said Jones. “He looks a lot like Into Mischief for sure. A nice, big shoulder, good walk, very nice hip. He was also Horse of the Year in Virginia, which is a pretty nice accolade. He brings a lot of good things to Florida.” Verifying and Tapit Trice battle to the wire in the GI Blue Grass S. | Coady Presenting four new sires to a regional market all in one year certainly cannot be an easy task, but Jones said that in many ways, the new recruits have spoken for themselves. She shared that they expect each stallion to fill a book of over 100 mares this year. “Our clients are very pleased to see the level of horse that is coming in now,” she said. “We are very hopeful that each of these guys will get a very full book. We are well on our way to having that accomplished, so I couldn't be happier for the Barbazons and all of the owners of these horses. It's a challenge these days to make that happen, especially here in Florida and I think probably anywhere since our crop is on the decline, but I think in Florida we may even be seeing some people who were maybe taking a little break but are now coming back in, so that's great.” Also new to Pleasant Acres this year, Bodexpress entered stud at Barton Thoroughbreds in California in 2021 but relocated to Pleasant Acres for this season. The son of Bodemeister won the 2020 GI Clark S. and will stand for $3,500. This year he will be represented by his first crop of 2-year-olds. Four went through the ring at the recently concluded OBS March Sale, including a colt out of Tart's Knickers (Ghostzapper) that worked in :10 flat and sold to agent Steve Young for $85,000. There's no shortage of young blood on the Pleasant Acres roster. MGSW Gunnevera (Dialed In), MGSP Curlin's Honor (Curlin) and GISP Sweetontheladies (Twirling Candy) are also represented by their first juveniles this year. Meanwhile MGSW Leinster (Majestic Warrior) has his first crop of yearlings and both Magic On Tap (Tapit), winner of the 2021 GII Triple Bend S., and Mutasaabeq (Into Mischief), 2020 GII Bourbon S. victor, have their first foals arriving this spring. The stallion division is just one sector of the Pleasant Acres operation. The farm will foal around 150 foals this year, from both client-owned mares and Pleasant Acres' own broodmare band. “The Barbazons have worked very hard their whole lives,” said Jones. “Helen and Joe have made this a lifelong pursuit. They started off at a very small place in Ocala, like most of us. They had 20 acres, which they quickly outgrew, so that's how they located this beautiful piece of property, which encompasses about 450 acres. The Barbazons started the stallion division when it became very apparent that we needed a few more stallions in Florida. They're always looking for a new chapter and I think this one has turned out really well.” The post Pleasant Acres Optimistic on New Sire Quintet appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing Together, the industry's community engagement partnership, will host the 2024 community day on Wednesday, May 8 to coincide with the Boodles May Festival at Chester Racecourse, the organisation announced on Monday via press release. British horseracing's national day of employee volunteering, the effort is supported by various charity and commercial partners with a focus on horseracing and bloodstock groups to give back as a team to their communities. Activities range from staff volunteering at local care homes to renovating stables, and picking up litter or collecting for local food banks. In 2023, a record 75-plus groups took part with over 700 hours hours of manpower donated, an effort which included Tattersalls and Goffs as well as trainers nationwide, insurance brokers and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). “It is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the social impact of racing and have some fun while doing it. We have already had lots of sign-ups and activity ideas for this year, so we are optimistic in beating the 75 organisations that were involved last year,” said Alex Shaw, the community engagement manager at Racing Together. “Assessing local need and getting people mobilized is the hallmark of this day; we also encourage colleagues unable to commit their time in early May to book in an activity which suits their calendars and to still be part of this industry-wide initiative.” Anyone who would like to sign up is encouraged to visit the website or send in an email for more information. The post Racing Together Community Day Aims for Record Numbers appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Season tickets and passes for the 2024 Saratoga summer race meet will become available to the general public Wednesday, March 20. The sale, announced by NYRA Monday, will begin at 10am and includes admission along with reserved seating in the clubhouse or grandstand. Season passes grant access to the track for all 40 race days including the GI Travers S. and can be purchased for $95. “Season ticket plans allow fans to secure some of the best seats in the house for all 40 days of the Saratoga meet,” said NYRA Vice President of Sales Kevin Quinn. “And a season admission pass will pay for itself in fewer than 10 visits for fans looking to enjoy the backyard throughout the summer.” Racing at Saratoga opens Thursday, July 11 and continues through Labor Day weekend. The post Saratoga Season Passes On Sale March 20 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sierra Leone, winner of the Risen Star Stakes (G2), closed as the 7-1 favorite in Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager with champion 2-year-old Fierceness the 9-1 second betting choice.View the full article

Aidan O'Brien's 2024 Flat Turf campaign got off to a perfect beginning at The Curragh on Monday as the 3-year-old filly Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Plying, by Hard Spun) flew the flag in the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S. Runner-up in the G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF S. over this mile trip and track and third in the seven-furlong G3 Weld Park S. also here last term, the 7-2 second favourite was steadied towards the rear early by Declan McDonogh and crept into contention once straightened for home. Getting to the front a furlong out, the 1000 Guineas entry had to battle on the testing surface to see off fellow 3-year-old Alpheratz (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) but proved up to the task to prevail by half a length. “I think she probably had the best form in the race and, on her first run of the year, I'm delighted with her,” O'Brien said. “She'd been working nicely and is a hardy filly. It's a big call for three-year-olds against older horses on that ground at this time of the year. She'll step up and a mile is good for her. That will be her trial and she'll go into one of the Guineas now after that. She might end up going to Newmarket and back here. She doesn't really want that ground, but she went in it.” Brilliant Last seen in the Fillies' Mile, the Gleneagles filly puts experience to good use and shows plenty of heart in the Group 3 @LodgeParkStud @IrishEBF_ Park Express Stakes @declanmcdonogh | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/n1TfWiNPEL — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 18, 2024 The post Gleneagles’ Brilliant Best In The Park Express appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Opera Singer (Justify), winner of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and winter favourite for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, may miss the first Classic of the season after meeting with a setback in training. Her trainer Aidan O'Brien confirmed the news in an interview on Racing TV. He said, “Opera Singer is a bit behind. She had a little setback, she had two weeks easy and might not make the English Guineas. She is likely to start in the Irish Guineas and we don't want to force her.” Bred by the late Evie Stockwell, Opera Singer is a half-sister to the Group/Grade 1 winners Brave Anna and Hit It A Bomb, both by War Front. The daughter of Liscanna (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) won three of her five starts at two, culminating in her top-level triumph in Paris at the Arc meeting. Prior to that she had beaten Monday's G3 Park Express S. winner Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) in the G3 Newtown Anner Stud Irish EBF S. at the Curragh. Her stable-mate Ylang Ylang (GB) (Frankel {GB}), winner of the G1 Fillies' Mile, has now replaced Opera Singer at the head of the betting for the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday, May 5. The post Setback Puts Opera Singer’s Guineas Challenge in Doubt appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The training game may be a tough one but that doesn't stop new young hopefuls joining the ranks each year. Getting early winners on the board counts for everything and that is something Alice Haynes managed from the outset. Now, just over three years since she sent out her first runner, her string has grown steadily in number and she has taken on the historic Machell Place Stables in Newmarket in addition to her original base just across the road at Cadland Cottage Stables. Despite having all of Newmarket's expansive training grounds right on her doorstep, as we speak Haynes is on her way back from Chelmsford City Racecourse where she has taken seven two-year-olds for an away day a week ahead of the start of the Flat turf season in Britain. “We take them away as often as we can. We'll take some three-year-olds there in two weeks' time, and then there'll be another bunch of two-year-olds, which will go in April,” she explains. “Today wasn't a barrier trial day but we did come here a few weeks ago for that. But just unloading and getting in the lorry, experiencing all of that, can put a few manners on them before they have to go to the races.” No stone unturned, then, and this may well go some way to explaining the success of Haynes, now 32, who spent her formative years in racing as an amateur and apprentice, working for Mick Channon, Henrietta Knight and David Simcock before setting up her own pre-training business for a while. “We're a week away now from the start and all systems are go,” says the trainer, who hasn't exactly been idle through the winter. She already has 13 winners on the board in 2024 and is looking forward to the enhanced early juvenile programme. “Every year, you are learning what kind of horse you want to target for different places. You then work back from there, and that's the exciting part of it. I think this year we'll have our first Brocklesby runner. And we'll have Maysong for the consolation handicap that he ran so well in last year.” The four-time winner Maysong (GB) (Mayson {GB}), who holds an entry for the Lincoln, was beaten less than a length when third in the Spring Mile at Doncaster on the opening day last year. He joined Haynes as a four-year-old and runs often, with 15 of his 65 starts coming in 2023, but he is a consistent sort who rose to a high of 83 last year and he has 26 placed efforts to go with his victories. “I think horses that we've got from other people we've done quite well with and I'd like to say we have a few nice handicappers,” says Haynes, who has entered last season's Newcastle maiden winner Sir Gabrial (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the 2,000 Guineas. “Obviously he's only rated 75 now, but he's a horse that will definitely be on the up in a couple of handicaps, or hopefully going there,” she says. “But I very much enjoy two-year-olds. Obviously I started life at Mick Channon's and it's something that I just sort of picked up. This year is the first year there are 17 two-year-old races before the Craven, which is unreal. “I'm not quite sure why they've been so extreme with early two-year-old races, but it's nice to get a couple out early. I always try to have a two-year-old winner before the Craven Breeze-up [Sale] – you try and put your name out there a little bit – and we have done that for the last two years.” A key member of Haynes's growing team at home is Kieran O'Neill, who is both her stable jockey and partner. “He's very dedicated,” says Haynes. “He likes the involvement, not just the riding of the horses, but of picking where they're going to go next. And I think he's a big asset because he does know those horses at home. Of course, owners sometimes like to use their own jockeys, which is fine and he understands that. But I like to think that he does well with me and with horses and the rides that he's given.” She continues, “He works hard and that's the biggest thing. He doesn't expect anything to be given to him. He's not afraid to be up on Sundays or riding four or five lots out each day. Or for instance, riding out this morning, going to Chelmsford and then going off to Wolverhampton.” O'Neill was rewarded with a winner that evening at Wolverhampton aboard Tasmanian Legend (Ire) (Australia {GB}), a horse who has thrived at the Haynes stable, winning three of his four starts since being purchased at the Horses-in-Training Sale last October. “Obviously now we want the better type of winners in black-type races or on the bigger days. And that's where you have to stand on your own and prove yourself – the horses running didn't cost 200 grand as a yearling, however it still should be here in this race. And with those horses you won't really get acknowledged in those kind of races,” she says. Haynes has trained a stakes winner in each of her seasons with a licence to date. Mr Professor (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) got the ball rolling by winning the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Silver Tankard S. at 16/1 in her debut season. Lady Hollywood (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) won a Listed race in Ireland and Group 3 in France in 2022, while Fix You (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) won last year's Polonia S. in Ireland. All three horses belonged to Amo Racing, run by Kia Joorabchian, who no longer has horses with Haynes. “I thank him for the support,” she says. “We had nine winners together last year.” The absence of the Amo silks is unlikely to halt the trainer's ascent, however. Her yard is now sponsored by the bookmaker Coral, and with 70 in training she has her biggest string to date as the 2024 season gets underway. “We're growing all the time and it's a nice number, but we've still got the attention to detail. There's a good team behind me and working alongside me. And you're not so focused then on one horse being good and putting all that pressure on one horse – you might have a couple instead. I still ride out. I actually rode one round Chelmsford this morning and I really enjoy it,” she says. “Simon Clare [of Coral] sent us a horse last year, Aspire to Glory, who has won three, and it's great to have them on board. It started with them sponsoring Kieran, then I approached Simon and said, 'Are you looking for anyone else?' It's great to have a sponsor. He said he was thinking about it so I put my name in the hat.” Haynes is looking forward to the prospect of unleashing at least one juvenile in this Saturday's Brocklesby S. at Doncaster. She has two entries for the race – Solvency (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}) and Atherstone Warrior (Ire) (Coulsty {Ire}). Now included in the High-Value Development Race Series, the season's traditional curtain-raiser for two-year-olds, which is sponsored by British Stallion Studs (EBF), is now worth £40,000, as is the first two-year-old race at Chelmsford – a course now familiar to Haynes's youngsters – which is to be run on Good Friday (March 29). “I have an Ardad colt called Solvency and hopefully he will run in the Brocklesby. Obviously Ardad went a bit quiet last year because he would've had fewer numbers, but this year I've got two of them and I think he's really going to come back with a bang. They're for new owners, which is great. They've actually bought parts of different horses and they've bought this one on their own. I sourced him for them, he's a nice size, and it's exciting to have him. “There's a Far Above (GB) filly that is probably going to run at Chelmsford. That's a 40-grand maiden and I think it's a great incentive. Chelmsford missed out on having its Good Friday meeting last year but there's really good prize-money on offer there this year and that's what you need.” It's not just about the two-year-olds, of course. Haynes also admits to a soft spot for older sprinters and she has bought back the six-year-old Mashaan (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), who won twice for her stable in 2022 before being sold on. “He'd come down in the weights, and when you bond with a horse…I'm learning that in a three-year-old career, they do get a little bit lost, the sprinters, and then all of a sudden they're back as four- or five-year-olds,” she says. “We also have Live In The Moment (Ire), the half-brother to [Nunthorpe winner] Live In The Dream (Ire), and he lost his way for a couple of years after going to Dubai. It's nice to see the revival of the older horses,” she says. “But basically, you've got to win with what you've got and that's very much what I try to do. Whether it's a 0-50, 0-60 [handicap], you still try and get the best out of them and then you can move them on and fill the box with something else. “That's why we are not afraid to run them. We run plenty of horses, I prefer to run them than to keep galloping them at home.” The post ‘All Systems Are Go’: Haynes Aiming Enhanced Team at Brocklesby and Beyond appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Monday's curtain-raising Curragh card saw Whitsbury Manor Stud's first-season sire Sergei Prokofiev register his opening salvo as his son Arizona Blaze (GB) captured the five-furlong Castle Star And Alkumait At Capital Stud Irish EBF Maiden. Representing AMO Racing Limited and Giselle De Aguiar and the Adrian Murray stable, the £82,000 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale graduate was always on the sharp end under David Egan. Asserting from Rowdy Yeats (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) inside the final furlong, the 5-4 favourite eked out a professional 1 1/4-length success. Arizona Blaze (Sergei Prokofiev) follows in the hootprints of Bucanero Fuerte with victory in the Irish Flat turf season opener for Adrian Murray and @amoracingltd at @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/sqWXjTopte — Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 18, 2024 The post Freshman Sergei Prokofiev Off The Mark In Curragh Opener appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Since taking oversight of the sport's safety in 2022, HISA has not pulled a long list of new rules from the clouds, but its ability to ensure uniform adoption of often already field-tested safety initiatives has made all the difference.View the full article

Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), winner of the GII Risen Star S., was the 7-1 favorite when Pool 5 of the Kentucky Derby Future Wager closed Sunday evening. Last year's 2-year-old champion Fierceness (City of Light) was second choice at 9-1. “All Other 3-Year-Olds” closed as the 11-1 third betting option. Japan's G3 Saudi Derby winner Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}) (12-1); GII Rebel S. winner Timberlake (Into Mischief) (12-1); GII Fountain of the Youth S. winner Dornach (Good Magic) (13-1); GIII Gotham S. winner Deterministic (Liam's Map) (16-1); allowance winner Conquest Warrior (City of Light) (16-1); and GIII Southwest S. winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents) (16-1) were next in the open betting pool. In the lone Kentucky Oaks Future Wager, which was conducted concurrently with the KDFW Pool 5, 'TDN Rising Star' Impel (Quality Road) closed as the 7-1 favorite over champion 2-year-old filly Just F Y I (Justify), who was 8-1. Betting on all future wagers over the three-day period was $458,269. Total handle for the KDFW pool was $334,581 ($246,076 in the win pool and $85,506 in exactas). Betting on the Oaks Future Wager totaled $69,717 ($48,334 in the win pool and $21,384 in exactas). The Oaks/Derby Double, which requires bettors to correctly select the winners of both the races, handled $53,971. Through the first four pools, a total of $1,676,353 has been bet on Derby future wagers, a 16% increase from last year's $1,444,099. The year's sixth and final Kentucky Derby Future Wager pool runs from Apr. 4 through Apr. 6. The post Sierra Leone Favored in Derby Future Wager appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Len Green will be honored with the New York Race Track Chaplaincy's Marylou Whitney Award for his ongoing humanitarian support of the New York backstretch community. Green will be presented the award at the group's 17th annual Fundraising Brunch to be held Aug. 14 at Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs. “Len and his late wife Lois have silently, although generously, supported an increasing number of NY Chaplaincy vital initiatives and events over the course of the past several years,” said Ramon Dominguez, president of the board of the NY Chaplaincy. “In doing so, they have set a tremendous example for others, and we are immensely grateful for this.” Green is Founder and Chairman of the New Jersey CPA firm, The Green Group. The family's D. J. Stable, which is now managed by his son, Jon, campaigned Eclipse champions Jaywalk and Wonder Wheel, as well as 40 other graded stakes winners. “Lois and I have long admired the work and activities of the NY Chaplaincy and Chaplain Humberto Chavez and continually realized how the organization enhances the quality of life for the backstretch community all year long.” Green said. For tickets or sponsorship opportunities at the Aug. 14 brunch, click here. The post NY Chaplaincy to Honor Len Green appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day–due to be staged on Good Friday, March 29–has been cancelled, it was announced on Monday. For over 30 years the annual charity event has offered a look behind the scenes of the racing industry, with various training yards and attractions opening their doors to the public. However, following an exceptionally wet spring, the decision has been made to cancel the hugely popular event in 2024 due to either flooded or unusable car parks. The Peter O'Sullevan Lambourn Open Day's chairman, Mark Smyly, said, “It's a huge shame that this year's event cannot take place. An enormous amount of work has already been put into the planned event by the committee, along with the valued support and help of all the trainers. “The Lambourn Open Day is put on each year solely to raise money for the welfare of all the Lambourn Valley's hard-working stable staff and their families. If you could please support the Silent Auction, and perhaps generously make a donation, you will be helping them enormously.” Smyly added, “A full refund of all purchased tickets will be made. There is no need to apply. The refunds will take a while to sort out and your patience is appreciated. The Silent Auction will go ahead as usual. It has some exciting and unique items ranging from mornings on the gallops to hospitality and lunches at some of the top racecourses around the country.” Full details are available on the Lambourn Open Day website. The post Cancellation of the 2024 Peter O’Sullevan Lambourn Open Day Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

British racing has welcomed the decision by the Government to add six crucial racing-related roles to the new Immigration Salary List (ISL), making it easier for training yards and studs to recruit workers from abroad. The ISL, which has replaced the former Shortage Occupation List, now includes racing grooms, work riders, stallion handlers, stud grooms, stud hands and stud handlers. The industry is currently facing a shortfall of 2,000-2,500 staff, but this development makes recruiting some of the best overseas talent a more realistic option for the sport. The addition of these roles to the ISL also enables training yards and studs to employ overseas workers on a minimum salary of £30,960–a salary discount on the £38,700 minimum that applies to other businesses under the Government's immigration rules. The new roles will still need to meet existing criteria and businesses should be aware of the other requirements under the Government's points-based immigration system post-Brexit, including mandatory requirements for overseas employees to have received a firm job offer and speak English to the required level. Julie Harrington, chief executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), said, “The fact that the six racing and breeding roles are part of only a very small number of jobs transferred from the old Shortage Occupation List to the to the Immigration Salary List shows the Government recognises how crucial they are to Britain's rural economy. “Bringing in world-class talent from overseas is not a sticking-plaster solution to our recruitment crisis. They are part of the answer by providing us with unrivalled experience to help train our next generation of high-skilled workers. It is essential that racing now takes the opportunity to make the most of our access to the best international talent, which will enable us to put in place long-term solutions to racing's staffing shortage.” The post Six Roles Added to Government’s New Immigration Salary List 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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Term’s first 55 meetings see a significant drop in good-to-firm surfaces and a remarkable percentage of races run outside standard timeView the full article

Nereus winning at Trentham on Saturday. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Stakes targets are beckoning exciting gelding Nereus following his win over a mile at Trentham on Saturday. He was freshened following his runner-up effort in the inaugural $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at the Upper Hutt track in January, and trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray were confident of a good showing on Saturday, and their charge duly delivered with a half-head victory over Nancy She Wrote. “He’s a pretty serious horse this guy and he’s got the pedigree, the temperament and just does enough to win,” Ritchie said. Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, Nereus, who is by their champion stallion Savabeel, has now extended his great run of form to four wins and three placings from seven starts, and earned nearly $160,000 in prizemoney. His trainers are now eyeing the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings next month, believing their charge deserves his chance at stakes level. “He’ll get in the Hawke’s Bay Cup with a light weight, that’s in four weeks’ time so he’ll go straight into it,” Ritchie said. Jockey Michael McNab was full of praise for Nereus following the win. “He’s a lovely horse and has got a very good amount of ability,” he said. “I had a lot of confidence in him, he switched off and when I brought him to the outside he was really good.” Horse racing news View the full article

Joe Doyle following his win aboard Hi Yo Sass Bomb in Saturday’s Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham. Photo: Race Images Palmerston North Jockey Joe Doyle has brought the luck of the Irish with him over to the other side of the world and is enjoying a standout season, bringing up his 100th win in New Zealand aboard the Kim Reid-trained Hi Yo Sass Bomb in the Group 3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham on Saturday. “It was fantastic, I can’t thank everyone enough. She (Hi Yo Sass Bomb) went really well and gave me a great feel, and I am delighted for Kim and her small team,” Doyle said. Doyle tested the New Zealand waters last season and decided to return this term to have a decent crack at the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership, which he currently sits third, on 77 wins, behind Warren Kennedy (94) and defending champion Michael McNab (84). As part of his 77 win haul this season, Doyle has accrued 10 stakes victories and nearly $4.1 million in prizemoney, exceeding his expectations for his second stint downunder. “I had $4 million in stake money and 10 stakes winners as a couple of the goals, and I have got that far, so I am in bonus territory a bit now and have no plans on stopping. “I am getting close to 300 (career wins) now, I am on about 280. If I could get 100 in a season and my own personal 300, I think that would be huge. I couldn’t be happier with how everything has gone.” Doyle picked up his first elite-level win in New Zealand aboard the Lisa Latta-trained Pignan in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Awapuni last year, and he has added a few more to his highlight reel this term. “The (New Zealand 1000) Guineas (Group 1, 1600m, aboard Molly Bloom) was massive. The Guineas is a race that everyone wants to win, in any jurisdiction, in any country,” he said. “On a personal level, the Bonecrusher (Group 1, 2000m, aboard El Vencedor) was special. It was nice to get a big one at Ellerslie, New Zealand’s HQ. That one felt very good.” Doyle has enjoyed riding at Ellerslie since it resumed racing in January on its new StrathAyr track, and Doyle said it has given him a reminder of home. “Ellerslie has its uniqueness that it is quite undulating and that is something that is a bit more familiar to me from home,” he said. “I feel quite comfortable riding around there and I feel the horses get into a good rhythm with me going around. It is a unique track with a lot of history, and it is a nice place to be.” Doyle said there have been a number of different variables he has had to adapt to when it comes to the differences in riding in New Zealand compared to back in Europe. “In comparison to Europe, a lot of the tracks here the straights are quite a bit shorter,” he said. “A lot of the racing here you are riding horses for turn of foot and speed late, whereas at home we tend to jump out, go a gallop, and it is an even run all the way around. It is something that took a bit of getting used to and I think I am getting better at it.” It has been tough for the Irishman to be away from his family and friends, but he has built his own community in New Zealand and said he is enjoying his time downunder. “I have my New Zealand family here with the likes of Tim and Margaret Carter, and Micky and Lauren Brennan,” he said. “They make me feel at home, which is a massive help. It has been tough being so far away for this long. I have been away from home for longer, just not this far away. That has been a mental test, but when you are getting winners every week, that certainly helps.” Doyle felt the presence of home in Dunedin on Sunday, where he celebrated St Patrick’s Day following riding at Wingatui’s weekend meeting. While Doyle enjoyed a few quiet beverages, Guinness was flowing for many of his countrymen around the world, and he was kept up-to-date with their celebrations on social media. “It is a massive bank holiday at home. I have been getting snapchats all morning, the boys have been going hard,” Doyle said. “I have been lucky enough to have been in England, America and now New Zealand for St Patrick’s Day, and it is a great holiday celebrated world-wide. “They are a great crowd down there (in Dunedin) and we had a beer after (the races). We didn’t go too mad, but it was a very enjoyable day. It just reminds you of a bit of home.” While initially only planning to be in New Zealand for the season, Doyle said he hasn’t ruled out staying in his adopted country longer term. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” he said. “I am getting on well here and I am very comfortable. I have to be here a bit longer before I can even think about applying for residency, but it is certainly something on my mind. There is a high possibility that you haven’t seen the end of me yet.” Horse racing news View the full article

Promising galloper Adam I Am has suffered a tendon injury. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A dark cloud is hanging over exciting galloper Adam I Am’s racing future after the son of Almanzor pulled up with a tendon injury following his win over 1400m at Ellerslie nine days ago. He had proven to be one out of the box for trainer Glenn Old this season, bursting onto the scene at Matamata first-up in September when winning by five lengths before adding a further three wins to his tally and a fourth placing in last month’s inaugural $350,000 Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) at Te Rapa. He was set to have his first tilt at stakes level in the Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) at Tauranga this coming Saturday, but injury has curtailed those plans and Old said he has a fight on his hands to get his four-year-old gelding back to the track. “He has pulled up with a tendon injury. He was alright on the Monday but then he had a couple of days in the paddock and when we brought him in on Thursday morning we noticed it, so it must have sprung out since raceday,” Old said. “It is pretty hard work trying to get them back with those tendons, but we will give him a chance because it’s Adam. We will rescan it in three weeks and just see where we are. If we did do the rehab, he wouldn’t race again until he was six.” Old trained Adam I Am’s dam, Our Famous Eve, and he said she suffered the same fate. “I trained his mother and she did a tendon too, so I don’t know if it is hereditary,” he said. “I always thought that he would be any easy horse to keep sound because he doesn’t take much galloping, he is just a clean-winded, natural athlete. It just goes to show there are no rules. “It was all in front of him, he is a big baby still.” While disappointed with Adam I Am’s outcome, Old has another promising gelding in the barn called Choose ‘Em Big, who is set to have one final run this week before heading for a spell. The four-year-old son of Preferment broke maiden ranks when beating subsequent Karapiro Classic runner-up Hasstobeawinner at Te Aroha in November and ran sixth in the innovation race at Te Rapa last month. “It (Karapiro run) was quite good, he had to do a little bit of work from out wide, but he wasn’t too far away,” Old said. “He is going to run on Friday at Taranaki over 1800m before I turn him out. He should be hard to beat down there. He will hopefully be a nice Cup horse for next season with a bit of luck.” Horse racing news View the full article

South Australian trainer Kym Healy will have runners feature during the Tennant Creek Racing Club’s annual Cup Day meeting on Saturday. Strathalbyn trainer Kym Healy was chuffed on Monday as he made the long trip back home from Alice Springs. Healy celebrated a winning treble on Sunday on Day 1 of the Alice Springs Cup Carnival with Taipan Tommy (+450), Real Valentia (+340), and Starlite Rebel (+150). All three have won at Pioneer Park previously, and that’s no surprise as Healy is renowned for bringing the right horses to Central Australia, where he has posted 24 wins and 52 minor placings from 208 starts. Healy, who regularly takes a team interstate and frequents the Alice Springs and Darwin Cup Carnivals annually, also had two seconds on Sunday with Cyclonite and Lotto Fight. On Day 4 of the 2022 Alice Springs Cup Carnival, Healy celebrated a winning treble. Commitments back home forced Healy to make the 1590km trek back home, but he’ll be back in Alice Springs before Day 2 on Saturday. Taipan Tommy (Emma Lines), who had four wins and two seconds from six Pioneer Park starts last year, proved too good for his rivals over 1400m (0-70) when he overcame Strike Eagle (+300) and Zoustorm (+2500) by 3.5 lengths. Settling in third place, Taipain Tommy, an eight-year-old gelding by Dark Valley, made his winning move at the 600m and Healy may now start him in the Alice Springs Cup (2000m) on April 7. Real Valentia (Ianish Luximon) was among six horses vying for the early lead over 1000m (0–62), and the six-year-old gelding, the son of Valentia, was in the mix turning for home. Hellivit (+450), who hit the front at the 600m, looked like winning before Real Valentia swooped to win by a nose, with Bullinachinashop ($6.50) – flattened at the 200m – finishing third. Starlite Rebel (Jessie Philpot) led early over 1200m (0-58) and was set for a comfortable win, passing the 400m before Lamoree (+150) cut the deficit to half a length at the finish. The Girl’s Boy (+550) was a distant third. A five-year-old mare by Reward For Effort, Starlite Rebel was a last start winner at Kangaroo Island on February 17. Meanwhile, local trainer Terry Gillett secured a winning double after +500 hope Brat (Dakota Gillett) and -111.11 favourite Protostar (Stan Tsaikos) saluted over 1100m (0-66) and 1200m (0-58), respectively. Brat prevailed by a length after jumping from a wide gate to take an early lead, while Protostar rounded the leaders swinging for home before winning by a neck. Dick Leech’s Early Crow (Jade Hampson), last year’s Palmerston Sprint winner in Darwin, proved too good for Great Buy (+250) and Square Cut (+260) in an open 1200m handicap as the +115 favourite with top horse racing betting sites. Settling in third place over 1200m (0-70), Dan Morgan’s +270 chance Angelluccis (Lek Maloney) finished strongly in the home straight to down Valley Prince (+230) by half a length, with Iknowhatyouredoing (+700) third. A flight transporting jockeys from Darwin to Alice Springs on Sunday was delayed, forcing three late scratchings in the opening race. Horse racing news View the full article

Darwin jockey Aaron Sweeney, an Irish native, with the spoils after winning the St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) on Sunday Neil Dyer will chase his first Alice Springs Cup win after five-year-old gelding Hettinger landed the $35,000 St Patrick’s Day Cup (1600m) at Pioneer Park on Sunday. It was the Alice Springs Cup Carnival’s Day 1 feature, and Hettinger, a star in the NT last year, certainly impressed after only arriving in town last Monday. Hettinger (54kg) was +800 before late support saw him start as the +170 favourite with horse racing bookies, and once pinging the gates, the son of I Am Invincible settled in front on the fence and had Terry Gillett’s That’s Justified (62kg) for company. Kym Healy’s Equal Balance, Kerry Petrick’s Venting, and Dick Leech’s Century Fox – camped three deep – weren’t far behind. Passing the 500m, Hettinger and That’s Justified were still inseparable, while Venting and Century Fox – both lumping 57.5kg – were eye-balling each other a further two lengths adrift. Swinging for home at the 350m, Venting was forced three deep in his quest to catch the leaders; fourth-placed Century Fox was four deep rounding the final bend. At the 200m, it got exciting as Venting (+360) was making ground on the front-runners before Hettinger kicked clear to win by 1.6 lengths with Century Fox ($4.80) storming home for second from Venting and the fading That’s Justified (+400). It was perhaps meant to be for Hettinger, as he had Darwin jockey Aaron Sweeney, an Irishman, for company on St Patrick’s Day. For Hettinger to prevail first-up, it augurs well for Dyer as he prepares for the $40,000 Chief Ministers Cup (1600m) in two weeks before the $110,000 Alice Springs Cup. “Hettinger has done a fantastic job after leaving for Alice just a week ago,” Dyer said. “Two hot days and one night on the road before spending the rest of the week doing slow work. “He will take heaps out of that run today.” Dyer and his son James brought six horses to Alice Springs before Neil returned to Victoria on Wednesday; he will return before the Carnival ends. With Hawks Bay (2011 and 2012) and Royal Request (2017) saluting in the Darwin Cup, the closest Dyer has come to winning the Alice Springs Cup was with third-placed Palmyra Boy in 2012. Winless after 16 starts for Michael Maroney, Kris Lees and Dyer, Hettinger comfortably won over 1400m (BM54) last June in his only Red Centre appearance. Arriving in Darwin before Cup Carnival, he won over 1600m (0-58) before a close fourth behind 2022 NT Derby winner Venting over 1600m (0-64). In four Darwin Cup Carnival starts, the gelding was victorious over 1600m (0–66) and was fourth behind Noir De Rue in the weight-for-age Chief Ministers Cup (1600m). A second over 1600m (0-70) was followed by another second behind 2023 NT Guineas winner Century Fox over 1600m (BM72) on Cup Day in August. Two weeks later, Hettinger – with Sweeney aboard – won the Katherine Cup (1700m) by 7.5 lengths. Hettinger returned to racing in February and was unplaced at Moonee Valley (1200m and 1600m) and Hamilton (1400m). Horse racing news View the full article

After resuming at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, the South African jockey will set his sights on an upset feature win aboard Speed Dragon this weekendView the full article

Another North Island mission beckons for Prince Alby after the classy stayer headlined a treble of victories for trainer Kelvin Tyler and apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper at Wingatui on Sunday. Prince Alby had journeyed to the Central Districts with three-year-old stablemate Lady Sass over the summer period, collecting black-type when finishing second in the Listed Marton Cup (2200m), but failed to figure next-start in the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m). Contesting the RMG Publicans Cup (1500m) in a fresh state, Tyler engaged four kilogram-claiming apprentice Cooper, and Prince Alby travelled boldly throughout under a luxury 53.5kg impost. The gelding’s staying prowess was evident in the closing stages, fighting off Fiery Red, and his fast-closing stablemate Go Lotte. “In himself, he’s never been so good, and he’s put on a bit of weight,” Tyler said. “I thought maybe 1500m may have been a bit dour, so I took the visors off and put blinkers on to sharpen him up. It certainly helped, he actually got away strongly where I thought he might’ve been a bit flat.” The son of Sacred Falls will run in his local feature next Saturday alongside in-form Tyler runner Shockallia, the race acting as a final lead-in before the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Otaki on April 13. “He’s going to race in the Riverton Cup (2147m) on the 30th of March, then he’ll be back off to the North Island with Lightning Jack for some nice races up there,” he said. “I’m trying to keep Prince Alby separate from Shockallia, he’s also a high-quality horse and will be running in the Canterbury Gold Cup (Gr.3, 2000m). After that, we have to look north, there’s just no staying races on turf left for these good horses in the South Island.” The Riverton trainer’s successful meeting had commenced earlier on the card with recent stable addition Vamos, the son of Vadamos guided to a narrow victory by Cooper in the Edinburgh Realty (1600m). “It’s easy to say afterwards, but we had expected him to win or be very close. I couldn’t fault his work, he’s come down from the North Island with a beautiful nature, and hasn’t done a thing wrong,” Tyler said. Tyler’s patience with Quick Call was duly rewarded in the Open three-year-old 1600m event, the Turn Me Loose filly delivering a comfortable maiden victory warranting a trip to Riccarton Park in three weeks’ time. “She just needed a bit of time really, she had a couple of hard races on the West Coast as she was coming down our way and she needed some time to get over that. She’s still on the way up,” Tyler said. “She seems very genuine and luckily has got very patient owners that have let me do my own thing. If we look after her, she’s quite a handy wee horse going forward.” Tyler also praised the efforts of Cooper, who has recorded eight wins from 65 rides this season. “I couldn’t fault his rides, he won three races for me so I can hardly criticise. He did a great job,” he said. “He put them in the race and got out in clear air at the right time, I’m happy to let them go out three wide if it gives forward momentum into the straight.” The Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1600m) and Listed NZB Warstep Stakes (2000m) are to be run on consecutive weekends in April, and Tyler indicated the fillies’ features are now in sight for Quick Call and stablemate Radiant Reach, the latter finishing a close-up second in the Rating 65 1600m event at Wingatui. “I believe she (Radiant Reach) was good enough to be in the New Zealand Oaks (Gr.1, 2400m), but her two previous runs weren’t quite up to what we had expected,” Tyler said. “It was a long trip to go up to Wellington and roll the dice, so we just decided to put the blinkers on and run over the mile at home, which sharpened her up a bit. “She’s above average, so she’ll run at Riccarton with Quick Call. You can’t beat running in your own age group against your own sex.” Tyler hopes also to campaign talented galloper Lightning Jack over the autumn, however, indicated the Group One-performing seven-year-old has taken significant time to recover from Cup Week in November. “We decided to run Prince Alby yesterday instead of running over 1800m at Riccarton (this Saturday). The way the track has been up there is like concrete, Lightning Jack has taken almost six months to get over running there in the Coupland’s Mile (Gr.3, 1600m),” he said. “We couldn’t afford to risk Prince Alby there. I see a lot of tracks around New Zealand, and the track there will say a Soft 5 on Friday afternoon when it’s really a 2 or 3. I believe they need independent penetrometer readings, it’s not good enough. “I love my horses, and it’s a long way for us to travel, and not cheap.” View the full article

Stakes targets are beckoning exciting gelding Nereus following his win over a mile at Trentham on Saturday. He was freshened following his runner-up effort in the inaugural $350,000 Remutaka Classic (2100m) at the Upper Hutt track in January, and trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray were confident of a good showing on Saturday, and their charge duly delivered with a half-head victory over Nancy She Wrote. “He’s a pretty serious horse this guy and he’s got the pedigree, the temperament and just does enough to win,” Ritchie said. Bred and raced by Waikato Stud, Nereus, who is by their champion stallion Savabeel, has now extended his great run of form to four wins and three placings from seven starts, and earned nearly $160,000 in prizemoney. His trainers are now eyeing the Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings next month, believing their charge deserves his chance at stakes level. “He’ll get in the Hawke’s Bay Cup with a light weight, that’s in four weeks’ time so he’ll go straight into it,” Ritchie said. Jockey Michael McNab was full of praise for Nereus following the win. “He’s a lovely horse and has got a very good amount of ability,” he said. “I had a lot of confidence in him, he switched off and when I brought him to the outside he was really good.” Nereus’ dam Eudora is becoming a broodmare gem for Waikato Stud, with the daughter of Pins having also left dual Group One winner and Champion New Zealand Three-Year-Old of her year Savvy Coup. View the full article