Wandering Eyes

After running second in the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) the past two years, Louisiana-bred standout Touchuponastar aims to make the third time a charm in the $400,000 race at Lone Star Park May 26.View the full article

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features the second highest priced juvenile from the Tattersalls Craven Breeze-Up Sale earlier this spring. 3.55 Yarmouth, Novice, £40,000, 2yo, 6f 3yT SILENT APPLAUSE (IRE) (Acclamation {GB}) was the second-highest-priced lot at last month's Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sale when falling to Godolphin at 1.4million gns. Charlie Appleby introduces him in a race he won 12 months ago, with Wathnan Racing's fellow newcomer Postmodern (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in opposition as a Hamad Al Jehani-trained half-brother to Muhaarar's GII Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes winner Be Your Best. 14.47 Haydock, Novice, £11,000, 2yo, 6fT MAXIMIZED (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}) was another big deal at last month's Breeze-Ups, selling to Godolphin for £720,000 as the second-highest-priced juvenile at the Goffs UK auction. A half-brother to the Listed scorer and Group 3-placed Benefit and grandson of the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes heroine Hooray, he is passed over by William Buick for Charlie Appleby's other newcomer, the homebred Time To Turn (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who hails from the family of Ivawood. The post Debut For Godolphin’s Craven Breeze-Up Sensation Silent Applause appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ted Durcan has quickly established himself as one of the most respected bloodstock agents on the beat since retiring from race-riding with over 1,500 winners under his belt at the age of 45 in 2018. In a career that spanned 25 years, Durcan achieved Classic success aboard Light Shift in the Oaks in 2007 before partnering Mastery to St Leger glory in 2007. He also enjoyed hugely successful periods abroad and was crowned champion jockey in the UAE on seven occasions. In many ways, bloodstock has proved to be a natural progression for Durcan, who has already enjoyed notable success with high-class graduates like Bracken's Laugh and Cheltenham Festival scorer Wodhooh flying the flag for the 52-year-old. From his best days in the industry to avoiding pitfalls that are part and parcel with life as a bloodstock agent, Durcan proves to be a fascinating interviewee. Brian: I spent a good bit of time looking back through the videos of some of your biggest wins in the saddle recently. I'd wager few meant as much to you as Light Shift winning the Oaks given that it propelled Sir Henry Cecil back into the limelight after a period in the doldrums. Did you even get a chance to appreciate a success of that magnitude at the time? Ted: I did because I saw the lull that he was going through in the years building up to the Oaks. His health wasn't great either and there were a few other issues going on at the time. His numbers had really dwindled – like properly plummeted – and he only had a handful of winners that season. Henry was such a popular person and, when he was struggling, Juddmonte and the Niarchos family stayed behind him 100 per cent. That's what rescued him. So when Light Shift came along, it was obviously massive for me, but it was all about Henry on the day. To be owned by one of the two powerhouses who backed him when he really needed it most, that made it extra special. The magnitude of what had happened was probably lost on me at the time but I definitely see it now. It was an unbelievable afternoon. That chapter of your life has closed and you are now known as Ted Durcan the bloodstock agent rather than Ted Durcan the ex-jockey. Yes, 100 per cent. And it's been going well but everyone knows how hard this game is and you are reliant on a little bit of luck along the way. Another massive part of my job, that few people talk about, is that you need the horse to end up with the right trainer. That's a massive thing. Good trainers can make you look very clever and I am fortunate to work for a lot of talented operators. It's hard work but I love it. Every jockey has their shelf life and I knew mine was up so I was happy to stop at 45 even though it wasn't an easy decision to make. The last thing I wanted to do was to overstay my welcome. I had seen it down through the years, riders staying on a little longer than they ought to have, and I was determined not to let that happen to me. I also understand why they did it because in many ways, being a jockey is all you know, and the uncertainty of what's ahead can be daunting. I was never the most natural rider. I knew I had my limitations. So when it started to slow down, I didn't want to overstay my welcome, which is why I branched out into bloodstock. I think you're being a bit harsh on yourself. No, I'm not. I genuinely mean that. I think I was very lucky. There were a lot of riders who were far more natural than I was but they didn't enjoy the same luck as I did. I think being in the right place at the right moment probably helped me. I mean, I rode for some amazing people during my time as a jockey. That wasn't a masterplan on my behalf. It's just how my career evolved. I learned my craft in a very hard school but an unbelievable school in Jim Bolger's. One thing that remains with me about my time spent with Jim is that he gave everyone a chance. No matter how ordinary you were, he gave you a chance. Now, you'd have to earn it. But he was fair. If you worked, he gave you a shot at it. I will always remember that and I will always be grateful for it. There were lads there in Jim's when I was there – [Paul] Carberry, [Tony] McCoy, Seamie [Heffernan], Willie [Supple], Christy [Roche] – and they were in a different league to me. But Jim gave everyone an opportunity. When you are talking about luck, you could say you are lucky to have found something that you have slipped into so seamlessly since you retired from the saddle. A lot of people struggle to replace that buzz. It's the regime that you miss. Your life is mapped out for you – get up at 5am, ride out, get on the road to the races, etc, etc. When you stop, what do you do? You can only mow the lawn once a week. So you have to replace it with something. I had a very brief flirtation with the idea of going training when I smashed one of my ankles a couple of years before I actually retired. I had a bit of time off to think so I mulled it over and actually sat all of the training modules just to have them. That's one of the reasons I went to Sir Michael Stoute, because I was half thinking of training. I wanted to see how an operation like his worked from the inside out and he was unbelievable to me. He was extremely open and I could basically see as much as I wanted to. But I realised after about a year that training was not for me. Why? Because there are so many elements to training that wouldn't suit me. Media, for example, is something I find very hard. High maintenance are the wrong words to use, but I think owners demand an awful lot more from trainers now, so to be successful as a trainer you need to be fairly hands-on in dealing with owners. The man-management of staff, the amount of rules and regulations a trainer has to comply with now and so many other things made me realise it has become harder and harder for trainers to make a go of it and I don't envy anyone in that profession. I think owners are more involved than they ever were and they have higher expectations as well. An email once a month is not going to suffice. They want to be in the loop, and when they are putting up the money, they have every right to. Half the fun in owning the horses is the journey. The race day is great but the lead-up to that race and the journey is what owners want to be a part of. I know I would have struggled with that side of things. There are a few areas that I knew I would have struggled with so I said, 'hang on, I'm not heading down that avenue,' and I'm glad I didn't. Durcan [left]: riding work for Sir Michael Stoute with Ryan Moore | Emma Berry But then you've gone into bloodstock which, to my understanding, is another job where you need to put yourself out there in order to get clients. That is one area I lack in. It does not come naturally to me to pick up the phone and sell a horse. I'll hold my hands up there. I would admire the people who are able to get out there and get things done. Some might call it neck but I don't even mean it like. I'm probably not forceful enough. I know some agents find it easier than others but I don't go around giving it the hard sell. From speaking to a few people about what you bring to the table as a bloodstock agent, a lot of people describe you as being an excellent judge, bordering on fussy. I'd view that as a positive if I was an owner as I'd feel my money would be going further if I gave you an order. Fussy? Really? I don't know about that but I walk out from a lot of sales empty-handed. I'd much rather that than buy something half-heartedly. That's a horrible feeling. If you walk out of the sale with something you weren't completely sold on, nobody likes that. Buying a horse for the sake of filling an order is not for me. I'd actually hate to do it. So there must be a lot of loss-making trips as a bloodstock agent? It's not as rosy as people think. There are plenty of people who take the piss and think nothing of it but that's part and parcel of the job. You just have to learn from it and know who they are and not do business with them in the future. I think every agent will find that a lot of people come to you with what you perceive to be good intentions but they are actually just tyre-kickers and they are really just trying to get some information out of you. They don't think twice about wasting your time. It's probably a job where you could become a very busy fool quite easily? And that can be infuriating. People have the neck to think it's okay to waste your time. Don't get me wrong, there are some brilliant people in this game, but having your time wasted is part and parcel of this business unfortunately. What horse has provided you with your biggest kick as a bloodstock agent? Take Wodhooh for example, I bought her for 50,000gns out of Sir Michael Stoute's at the July Sale in 2023 and she went to Gordon Elliott. She won at the Cheltenham Festival this year and pushed Lossiemouth close in a Grade 1 at Aintree. I have got some kick out of her more so than any other horse purely because she just kept on exceeding expectations and is owned by the best people in the world. They gave me an order to go and find a horse to win a race or two. Never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd end up at the major spring festivals but Gordon did a brilliant job and she kept on rising to the challenge. That was a wonderful journey and hopefully she will provide us all with a lot of fun next year as well. I absolutely love this job and I love keeping busy. I'm a fair weather rider as well – I still ride out and I do a bit with William Haggas now. It keeps you fit and it's great to be associated with such a slick operation. So I enjoy that as well. I have always had an invested interest in riding work and working out what a horse wanted. I love it. But the aim is to buy horses that fulfill what the owners want and to grow the bloodstock business. Whether that aim is winning a little handicap somewhere or a horse like Wodhooh winning at the Cheltenham Festival, you want to meet owners' and trainers' expectations. Letsbefrank was another good example of a horse doing a job for connections. He cost 35,000gns but went and won a hundred-grand Sunday Series bonus for Jim Goldie and his owners. That was another brilliant result for people who are involved in racing for all of the right reasons and I got a huge kick out of that horse as well. Yes, of course you want to up the ante and buy a better calibre of horse all of the time, but it's very hard to get up and rolling. The aim is to continue the business model, keep delivering and then hopefully be in a position to buy nicer horses year after year. And what is it that you look for in a horse? It's all of the obvious things but one thing that I have learned is that attitude is a massive thing. If a horse finds the whole sales process hard, what is going to happen that horse on the day of a race or even in the build-up to a race when the work starts to get hard and the screws are being tightened? If they are not able for the sales process, they won't come through and deliver on the track. Attitude is a massive part of it for me. A horse with a good attitude will get over niggles and little flaws that they might have but, if they haven't got the right attitude, they will roll over easily enough. A horse with the right attitude is a huge help. You've worked with some legendary trainers. What sets them apart? Is there a common theme? Attention to detail, for sure. And the ability to place horses is another key to their respective successes. William, for example, would rarely place his horses in the wrong spot. He knows what he has. And what about Sir Michael Stoute? He was a marvellous man to be around. Such a horseman. Brilliant with the horses and brilliant with staff. Patience. Nobody would rush Sir Michael into anything if he didn't want to do it himself. Crystal Ocean, Poet's Word and even winning the Derby with Desert Crown just a couple of years before he retired. They were brilliant training feats and he is just an amazing man. In the modern world that we live in, where people want instant results – or even instant action – it makes it hard for another Sir Michael Stoute to come through the ranks. Take Ulysses for example, to get him to achieve what he did as a four-year-old – that was an amazing achievement and I don't think many other trainers would have been able to do the same. He was a very handsome horse but he would be coming off the Heath in Newmarket hollering and roaring. There was never any malice to him but Sir Michael took his time with him and then he started winning Coral-Eclipses and Juddmonte Internationals as a four-year-old. Different class. Poet's Word was another. He won a handicap off 88 before he went on to win Group 1s as a five-year-old. Expert Eye was another. I rode Expert Eye in his second-last piece of work before he won the Breeders' Cup Turf Mile. He went through the motions and nobody bar Michael would have thought he could go and win at the Breeders' Cup. The rest is history. Sir Michael has an unbelievable ability of getting the best out of horses. For all of the success you have enjoyed in buying winners on the track, I'd venture that sourcing La Rosetta for just 40,000gns on behalf of Frances Crowley would rank pretty highly given the Blue Point colt out of the mare sold for €250,000 at Goffs in 2023. That was special because my wife [Sue] and I have been long-time friends with Pat [Smullen] and Frances. We used to do the Middle Eastern tour back in the day and we had a lot of fun together. That was a special moment given our association together and we've had a few other mares together. La Rosetta has been a lovely mare. Frances has a Lope De Vega out of the mare this year and I gather she's visited Starman recently so that will be exciting. The post Ted Durcan: ‘I Love Being A Bloodstock Agent, But It’s Not As Rosy As People Think’ appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

France Galop's administrative council has agreed to a plan to cut prize money by €20 million (approximately US$22.68 million) per year in an effort to bring the sport back to a balanced budget by 2029. Group 1s on the flat will be exempt.View the full article

Zarigana remains the winner of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, G1) after the appeal lodged by connections of Shes Perfect was unsuccessful.View the full article

Both making their 4-year-old debuts, Brightwork and Two Sharp will have a rematch of last year's Prioress Stakes (G3) in the $250,000 Winning Colors Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs May 26.View the full article

1st-CD, $141K, OC100k/C, 3yo/up, 1m, 5:00 p.m. ET. DRAGOON GUARD (Arrogate) turned in a strong 2024 campaign as the gray broke his maiden second out by 3 3/4 lengths at Keeneland in April then cleared an optional claimer at Churchill Downs in early June. The colt captured both the GIII Indiana Derby in July and the GIII West Virginia Derby in August before running third to Seize the Grey (Arrogate) in the GI Pennsylvania Derby at Parx to close out his season in September. Back on the work tab at Fair Grounds in mid-March, the Brad Cox trainee is a fourth generation homebred for Juddmonte and is out of MGISP Filimbi (Mizzen Mast). Dragoon Guard's extended female family includes GI Central bank Ashland Stakes heroine Weep No More (Mineshaft) and GIII Dixiana Bourbon Stakes victor Current (Curlin). TJCIS PPS Dragoon Guard steps up to win the G3 Indiana Derby under @flothejock for trainer @bradcoxracing and owner @JuddmonteFarms! #TwinSpiresReplay pic.twitter.com/HsXrRTO1iO — TwinSpires Racing (@TwinSpires) July 6, 2024 The post Thursday Insights: Out Of Winter Quarters Dragoon Guard To Begin Campaign At Churchill appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

France Galop's administrative council has agreed to a plan to cut prize-money by €20 million (approximately $22.68 million) per year in an effort to bring the sport back to a balanced budget by 2029. Group 1s on the flat will be exempt.View the full article

The catalogue for the inaugural Goffs Classic Breeze-Up Sale, which features progeny of stallions like Sea The Stars, Night Of Thunder, Havana Grey and more, has been released. A select offering of 62 juveniles will go under the hammer at Kildare Paddocks on Saturday June 28 during Ireland's premier Classic weekend, the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby. The breeze itself is set to take place at Naas racecourse on Monday June 23. Speaking about the release of the catalogue, Goffs chief Henry Beeby said, “Goffs Classic Breeze-Up was positioned from the outset as a premium sale for quality, later maturing two-year-olds and we are proud to present a catalogue that we believe fulfils this ambition with a sire profile that would be the envy of any Breeze-Up Sale in Europe. “We are immensely grateful to the vendors who have supported the inaugural sale with horses that will attract both domestic and international buyers in town for Ireland's biggest Classic weekend.” He added, “Our thanks must also go to Aidan McGarry and the team at Naas Racecourse as we co-host the first Classic breeze. Renowned as the nursery of Champions, their superb track is arguably the best surface in the country on which to gallop young horses.” The catalogue also boasts progeny of many notable sires including Acclamation, Dark Angel, Hello Youmzain, Mehmas, New Bay, No Nay Never, Sioux Nation, Starman, Starspangledbanner, Teofilo, Too Darn Hot, Wootton Bassett and Zarak.” The post ‘A Premium Sale For Quality’ – Goffs Release Classic Breeze-Up Sale Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After finishing second in the May 2 Kentucky Oaks (G1), Drexel Hill developed a bone chip and will miss the big summer targets for 3-year-old fillies at Saratoga Race Course.View the full article

Lean Master and Thriving Brothers both salute on a great night for the trainer.View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 05/20/2025 Licensee: John Servis, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Strong Like Sara, who finished third in the Rainbow Miss Stakes at Oaklawn Park on 4/6/25. Date: 05/20/2025 Licensee: Aldana Spieth, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 21, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Breath Deeply, who won at Tampa Bay on 2/1/25. Date: 05/19/2025 Licensee: Ryan Kenney, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision by HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Methocarbamol–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Spaghetti Tree, who finished second at Turf Paradise on 4/2/25. Date: 05/15/2025 Licensee: Tonja Wilson, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Witsec, who finished second at Will Rogers on 4/14/25. Date: 05/14/2025 Licensee: Stacy Campo, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on May 15, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Lucky Burglar, who won at Turf Paradise on 1/21/25. Pending ADMC Violations 05/20/2025, Carl Cunningham, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Prince Pierre on 4/22/25. 05/20/2025, Steve Williams, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a controlled substance (Class C)–in a sample taken from Gospel Mark, who finished second at Will Rogers on 4/21/25. 05/20/2025, Glenn Wismer, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Acepromazine–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Ask Arthur, who finished fifth at Keeneland on 4/19/25. 05/19/2025, Emmanuel Tzortzakis, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a controlled substance (Class B)–in a sample taken from Whoosh on 3/18/25. 05/16/2025, Gregory Foley, trainer: Pending vets' list medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone and Phenylbutazone–both controlled substances (Class C)–in a sample taken from Hard to Get on 4/15/25. 05/16/2025, Dr. Donald McCrosky, veterinarian: Pending violation of Rule 3216(a), the “tampering or attempted tampering by a covered person with any part of doping control or medication control,” involving the horse Childersattack for an event dated 10/16/24. Violations of Crop Rule Belterra Park Victor Lara – violation date May 15; $250 fine, one-day suspension Antioco Murgia – violation date May 15; $250 fine, one-day suspension Gulfstream Park Edwin Gonzalez – violation date May 16; $1,000 fine, four-day suspension Parx Racing Andy Hernandez – violation date May 17; $250 fine, one-day suspension The post Weekly Rulings: May 15-May 21 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It has been two years since the launch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's (HISA) anti-doping and medication control program. During that time, one of the struggles federal officials have been open about is getting all the laboratories onto the same page in terms of drug-testing approaches and methodologies, after decades of different state commissions requiring of their contracted laboratories a range of standards. In this regard, U.S. horse racing is years behind its counterparts in human athletics, which seriously grappled with the same issues around the turn of the millennium–and is still wrestling with them today, as advances in doping and drug testing evolve. To get a status update on where things stand with lab harmonization, the TDN recently spoke with Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) chief of science Dr. Mary Scollay, and with Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) executive director, Michael Hardy. HEAL Program Earlier this year, HIWU put the new HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation program into action, with the RMTC still in charge of issuing single and double-blind tests that gauge the labs' performances. “We are paying them to oversee that program because it is incredibly labor intensive,” said Scollay, about the RMTC's ongoing involvement. In a single-blind test, a substance has been added to a sample and the lab is required simply to identify it. The single-blind sample is known to the lab (but not of course the substance). In a double-blind test, a substance has been added to a sample that is included as part of the routine sample flow, and the labs have no idea which of them is the culprit. Single-blinds offer a much easier bar to clear than double-blinds. Prior to the launch of HEAL, a set of 10 single blind samples were sent out by the RMTC biannually. Under HEAL, this has been ramped up in frequency, with at least two single-blind samples distributed every other month. “What it allows us to do is not wait six months to ask a question that we want to be answered by the labs. It allows us to be more responsive and more nimble if we have a question,” said Scollay. Double-blinds are also now sent out roughly every two months, said Scollay. “We had started a double-blind program when I was with the RMTC,” said Scollay, who before joining HIWU was RMTC's executive director and chief operating officer for three years. “But it was early days and there were lots of challenges associated with the double-blind program prior to implementation,” she added. “There are lots of ways a sample can degrade or otherwise change that can affect the concentrations detected by the laboratory, and those changes can occur outside the laboratory's control.” Has HIWU encountered any problems with its labs since the advent of the HEAL program? “We have encountered some matters that after investigation were rapidly resolved, and not evidence of any kind of fatal flaw in the laboratory,” said Scollay. Chicago Lab Last September, the RMTC temporarily suspended its accreditation of the University of Illinois Chicago's (UIC) Analytical Forensic Toxicology Laboratory. When asked later that month what precipitated the suspension, Scollay explained it was for “multiple violations of their code of standards,” and that “there were several external quality assurance samples that were failed.” The specifics of the problems at the lab remain fuzzy. After the initial interim suspension was extended, the RMTC's Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee (HTLC) met at the end of January and ultimately decided to revoke the lab's accreditation altogether, said Hardy. The revocation, said Hardy, was due in large part to the lab's “repeated failure to take appropriate corrective action given due time by the HTLC to do so, and inability to demonstrate their compliance with the RMTC's code of standards to ensure quality of test results.” Prior to the advent of HISA's ADMC program, the lab processed samples for Illinois and Oregon, said Hardy. Under HISA, the lab did A sample testing for Illinois, and B sample confirmation testing for other states as directed by HIWU. Scollay said she doesn't believe the accreditation issues that have bedeviled the Chicago lab will impact any positive cases processed through the facility. “When we became aware [of the problems at the Chicago lab], we obviously reviewed all the findings that were reported by that laboratory and determined there were no deficiencies in the science that they performed for us,” said Scollay. “The cases we put forward had solid data and we didn't feel the need to withdraw any of them.” Kentucky Lab The RMTC initially suspended its accreditation of the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (UK-EACL) following news that the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) had stopped sending samples to the lab due to “concerns with the performance” of the facility. A September report jointly-issued by HIWU and HISA cited multiple failures on the part of the lab and the lab director, Scott Stanley, including “intentional misrepresentations” of positive tests as negative, “persistent delays” and “unprofessional behavior.” Stanley strongly refutes the findings of the report. In an October statement issued by his attorney, Stanley said the report's claims are made without evidence. “The report offers no concrete documentation–no email records, timelines, or verified communications–leaving the allegations vague and unsupported. Nevertheless, the press has accepted these accusations without scrutiny or fact-checking, painting an incomplete and misleading picture,” the attorney wrote. Under a major restructuring since, the Kentucky lab is no longer affiliated with the university. It's now under the ownership of Eagle Diagnostics with a newly branded title: the Equine Integrity and Anti-Doping Sciences (EQIAS) Lab. According to Scollay, the EQIAS lab, under the directorship of Travis Mays–formerly with Texas A&M University–has submitted application for HEAL accreditation. “The materials that they submitted are under overview by our lab experts group. They have started that work but it's a tremendous volume of materials that they're reviewing,” said Scollay, who added that “realistically,” the new EQIAS lab could receive probationary HEAL accreditation within sixty to ninety days. Pennsylvania After an unusually high number of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) cases emerged out of the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory (PETRL), the facility was required to upgrade its TCO2 testing equipment, bringing it up to par with the other labs. Several TCO2 positives processed by the lab were dropped. More recently, an internal adjudication panel dismissed a Flunixin positive against trainer Christophe Clement that had been processed by the Pennsylvania lab. The panel agreed “by a balance of probability” with the trainer's legal team, which had identified “sufficient possible problems and deficiencies in the testing that cast some doubt about the scientific reliability of the testing that resulted in the [adverse analytical finding].” When asked if this recent decision was indicative of ongoing problems with the Pennsylvania lab, Scollay contended that the panel had sided with an expert brought forward by the defense team who lacked expertise in horse racing drug testing. “They applied a set of standards based on their area expertise which is irrelevant to what our labs are required to do by [International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation] G7 standards,” said Scollay. “We believe the actual facts contravene the conclusion of the hearing officer.” When asked if HIWU might be in trouble if other defense teams take the same legal approach, Scollay said that was a question for their legal team. Sarah Andrew Metformin Last June, HISA announced that it was deferring all interim suspensions involving the common diabetes treatment metformin until the RMTC's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) had conducted a review of the available science relating to the drug. This review, which includes multiple administration studies, remains ongoing, said Hardy. “Once all that information is put together and reviewed by the SAC, that information and any recommendation that comes out of the review will be presented to HISA,” said Hardy. Why has the review taken so long (it was initially earmarked for conclusion by the end of last year)? “Science,” said Hardy, who said that studies of this kind often throw up new questions that need answering. “Frankly, when you undertake a review like this, there are a lot more questions than answers, right?” he said. “The best way to come up with the answers is to do more research and study, which in our case, we had the opportunity and the funding to pursue administration studies which provides the most accurate information to make any kind of recommendation.” General Lab Harmonization In the early months of the ADMC program, metformin was one of the substances that HIWU officials had to develop testing specifications for. It joined more than 300 core analytes for which HIWU had such uniform testing standards. Some 18 months later, Scollay said that list of core analytes is largely the same. “What we do have are different laboratories doing population surveillance for analytics that aren't on that list but potentially of interest,” she said. “We've got the canary in the coal mine looking for things. And if they show up or there starts to be evidence for them, then yes, there will be a meeting, we'll talk about methodology, we'll say 'this is being added to the list of core analytics, we want you testing in both matrices or we want to be able to test for this in hair,'” said Scollay. In terms of lab variability, the equation is a simple one: the fewer the facilities, the less chance for differences. If Kentucky's EQIAS lab returns to the fold, then HIWU will be back up to using five facilities. Is this a manageable number? “An ideal is probably three laboratories, simply because if you get down to too few, the tail starts wagging the dog,” said Scollay. “But I'm not going to say five is suboptimal. Five can be hugely successful, and that is largely dependent upon collaboration, cooperation, communication and willingness to be part of the team.” The post Lab Harmonization Two Years Into HIWU appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

It is a prerogative of journalism–on the basis that most people won't read what you write, and that those that do will remember only what you get wrong–that you're allowed to repeat yourself. But fear not, I won't be returning to last week's soapbox other than to offer a vote of thanks to Mike McCarthy and his patrons for their willingness to explore whether a modern Thoroughbred is actually more resilient than the timid horsemen of our time generally allow us to see. It would be nice if they could see it through and run Journalism (Curlin) in the GI Belmont Stakes, even if its abbreviation–temporary, one trusts!–does not make quite the same demands as usual. As it is, that brawl for the GI Preakness could not have showcased more dramatically the toughness of a horse who had so recently soaked up a demanding race at Churchill. This business is all about weighing risk and reward, and Journalism emphatically seized the chance he was granted to advertise precisely those genetic wares the Triple Crown series is intended to examine. Whatever he can do from here, he has hugely amplified his appeal as a stallion prospect–just as his own sire did, in himself winning the Preakness after finishing second in the GI Kentucky Derby. (Lest we forget, Curlin went on to run third in the GI Belmont Stakes and was so irreparably shattered by this inhumane, irresponsible treatment that he completed Horse of the Year campaigns at both three and four….) The future Coolmore sire, moreover, has vindicated another big gamble: the $825,000 one taken by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (and partners Bridlewood) at the 2023 Saratoga Select Sale. That assures us that Journalism has the physique and pedigree to underpin performance when going on to a stud career. He will, of course, be entering strong competition among sons of Curlin, not least with a couple of lately offering outlier speed in Elite Power and Cody's Wish. Journalism is Curlin's only stakes winner out of an Uncle Mo mare, which shows the perils of reducing the mysteries of breeding to any kind of formula. True, the Seattle Slew line does tend to recur with notable frequency behind Curlin's better runners. But then the likes of A.P. Indy, his son Bernardini and grandson Tapit have proved exceptional distaff influences, wherever they hang their hat. Anyhow, for the little it may be worth, Journalism's granddam is a daughter of Bernardini: Peppy Rafaela, a half-sister to triple graded stakes scorer Songster (Songandaprayer). Having shown very little in three starts, she quickly contributed to Bernardini's reputation as a broodmare sire. Peppy Rafaela was carrying a first foal by Uncle Mo when purchased by Frank Batten for $100,000 at the Keeneland January Sale of 2014, and the resulting filly cleared that investment as a $135,000 weanling in the same ring that November. After going through two pinhook cycles, the filly was named Mopotism and proved herself as hardy as she was classy: topping $875,000 across 26 starts, she won the GII La Canada Stakes and placed four times at the Grade I level. That earned her a place in Don Alberto's broodmare band for $1.05 million at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Much of that investment was recovered by Journalism himself, as Mopotism's first yearling. And even though he remained unraced by the time his Tapit half-brother followed him to Saratoga last summer, Flying Dutchmen had to go as high as $1.5 million. Safe to say, then, that Mopotism is throwing knockout models. Presumably her daughter by Into Mischief is presenting a delicious dilemma as the yearling sales approach. As so often, the rising tide of Journalism is floating many other boats. Mopotism's 3-year-old full-sister Ruth, if seemingly not progressing on the track, ensures that Batten still has skin in the game. (Remember that he already banked $775,000 for a brother to Mopotism, the year after her retirement.) And Peppy Rafaela's daughter by Curlin, tailed off on her only start, was bought by Narvick International for $250,000 at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale, with a maiden cover by Arrogate. The resulting filly is breezing for Steve Asmussen at Louisiana Downs. Gosger | Coady Media Glorious Genes Behind Gosger The lamented Uncle Mo's legacy was doubly measured in the Preakness, one of his daughters producing the winner and a son siring runner-up Gosger (Nyquist). In progressing smartly towards the elite of the crop, this colt is confirming his unraced dam Gloria S. (Tapit) as something special: she has already given us GI Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup winner Harvey's Lil Goil (American Pharoah). Gloria S. is a half-sister to I'll Have Another (Flower Alley), himself a Preakness winner when following up his Derby win in 2012. I'll Have Another having brought just $11,000 as a yearling, that November his breeder, the late Harvey Clarke, tried to cash out his 10-year-old dam Arch's Gal Edith (Arch)–winner of her sole start, in a sprint maiden–at Fasig-Tipton. Whatever disappointment Clarke may have been felt when she failed to reach her reserve, at $950,000, his family can now celebrate his memory, and legacy, with a homebred stallion in the making. In grieving Clarke's loss, in 2019, they resolved to continue the stable in a streamlined form. One of the highlights of his Turf career had been to race Cairo Prince in partnership, and he had duly sent Gloria S. to be covered by that horse at stud. The resulting filly won on debut and has meanwhile become a black-type producer, her daughter Movin' On Up (Accelerate) having broken the track record when winning a turf stakes at Gulfstream this spring. Admittedly Movin' On Up had been claimed when breaking her maiden; while Golden Award (Medaglia d'Oro), a half-sister to I'll Have Another and Gloria S., had already been acquired by Summer Wind after she won a maiden and allowance in his silks (went on to win a couple of graded stakes). But the Clarke family is still seeing plenty of action. They have a juvenile filly out of Harvey's Lil Goil by Street Sense, for instance, while the raw Gosger is going to keep drawing on the wholesome seeding of his family. Behind those first two dams, by Tapit and Arch, we find a third robust influence in Pleasant Tap. And fifth dam Last Bird (Sea-Bird {Fr}) is also third dam of a mare named Leslie's Lady (Tricky Creek). Last Bird's dam Patelin (Cornish Prince) has combined several other productive lines, notably as fifth dam of that brilliant talent Nadal (Blame), who strikingly combines other flavors noted in Gosger's pedigree: his sire is a son of Arch; his dam is by Tapit's sire Pulpit; and his granddam is by Pleasant Tap's sire Pleasant Colony. Best Of Intentions For Honor I always thought Honor A.P. the most talented of his crop, too good for the Horse of the Year the one time he had an uncompromised shot at him, and his physique encouraged me that he might prove as much in his second career. Honor A.P. | Sarah Andrew Nobody was ever going to get a proper handle on Honor A.P. until he began sending a few sophomores round a second turn, but the terror that infects breeders whenever they see a starting gate confined him to just 39 mares last spring. In this day and age, then, it won't be easy to extend the chance he deserves even at $10,000. But there is hope yet. The Preakness turned into a non-event for Heart of Honor (GB), albeit the way he persevered after his gate issues would have made a conventional Belmont Stakes of real interest. But that disappointment had been eased on the eve of the Classic when Margie's Intention secured their sire a first graded success in the GII Black-Eyed Susan Stakes. This filly's first and third dams were both unraced but the one in between, Dance Hall Days (Seeking Daylight), was a stakes-winning half-sister to GI Prioress winner Cat Moves (Tale of the Cat). That was not enough to earn Dance Hall Days much attention in the record-breaking Edward P. Evans dispersal in 2011, when sold for $80,000. Seven years later she was culled by WinStar for $8,000 and by the time she surfaced in a sale in Arizona, in 2022, she would change hands for just $700. With hindsight, she had been given limited opportunity in her partners. In 2014, however, she did get access to Into Mischief when still only $20,000. The resulting filly is the dam of Margie's Intention, Playful Dancer. She actually raised $190,000 as a yearling and, despite failing to make the track, was still worth $125,000 to Coteau Grove Farms at the 2018 Keeneland November Sale. Margie's Intention, Playful Dancer's third foal, proved a nice pinhook when bought by Becky Thomas as a $57,000 Fasig October yearling, realizing $185,000 from Corbin Blumberg at OBS the following spring. And her excellent winter among Louisiana-breds at the Fair Grounds–maiden and allowance scores, two stakes placings–was not lost on the people who had bred her dam. When Margie's Intention ran last weekend, Baron Stable had a new partner: WinStar Farm. Her sire has actually already had a 10-length maiden winner over 4.5 furlongs from his second crop. So who knows? Maybe even in this feckless commercial age, Honor could yet come back into fashion. The post Breeding Digest: Triple Crown Timidity Now Yesterday’s News appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The initial batch of entries for the Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Session were revealed on Wednesday. Dundalk will host the breeze at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 28, with all lots going under the hammer beginning on June 4 and ending a day later. For the third edition of the session, a total of 21 sires are represented, with lots including a Cotai Glory filly (lot 10), herself a half-sister to the Group 2-placed Big Boots (Society Rock) set to sell; as is an Ardad filly (lot 21) out of listed winner Maremmadiavola (Kheleyf); and a Supremacy filly (lot 12) out of a half-sister to Group 2 winner Silk Sari (Dalakhani). There is also a colt by Mohaather (lot 11) out of a half-sister to GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Belvoir Bay (Equiano); a filly by American Grade I sire Maclean's Music (lot 29); and a Starspangledbanner filly out of a half-sister to G2 Adelaide Cup scorer Muir (Galileo). Past graduates include the €120,000 Irish EBF Auction Race Series Final heroine Fiona MacCoul (Coulsty), who made 27,000gns at this sale last year on the bid of Jack Cantillon. Entries will still be accepted through Friday, May 23. The post Initial Entries Recieved For The Tattersalls Online Breeze-Up Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett Kovalica hasn’t won since the Qld Derby, however, he has been racing the elite since. Owner Neville Morgan says the guaranteed speed in the Doomben Cup should see him be competitive. CLICK TO PLAY AUDIO View the full article

Connections of Shes Perfect have been unsuccessful in their appeal to have the result of last week's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches overturned, meaning that Francis Graffard's Zarigana remains the winner. The Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect passed the post first at ParisLongchamp, a nose ahead of hot favourite Zarigana, but the placings were reversed after the pair came close together over a furlong out, with the French officials deciding the interference was enough to have affected the result. Zarigana's jockey Mickael Barzalona also dropped his whip in the closing stages and then proceeded to slap his mount on the neck as a form of encouragement, raising concerns from Fellowes and Shes Perfect's owners, the Basher Watts Syndicate. However, after hearing the appeal on Tuesday, France Galop confirmed no change to the Classic result on Wednesday. “I didn't really know what to expect, I think it was a really difficult decision to make,” Fellowes said. “You only have to look at the comments on social media, it really was 50-50. Some thought it was incredibly harsh and some thought it was a fair outcome. “That was probably a fair reflection on the incident, the front-on camera looks awful but from the camera behind and overhead it looks as if she's done very little. It was a very, very hard case and I'm sure it wasn't a decision that was taken lightly. “Obviously I'm absolutely gutted, it's a very big deal for my yard. I've got 40 horses in and to win a Classic, a Group One, is huge for us and to have it taken away under these circumstances is difficult.” He added, “In those Group Ones we just don't seem to have much luck, you only have to go back to Prince Of Arran in his third attempt at the Melbourne Cup. It's gutting, but I completely respect the decision and maybe there'll be a rematch at Ascot in June. “If I had a pound for every time someone has messaged me since last Sunday saying 'at least you know you have a good filly on your hands' I would be a very rich man! “It is true, we've got a very talented filly and wherever she runs next she's going to be one of the favourites for a big race. Whether that's the Prix de Diane or the Coronation we haven't decided, but she's a filly to really look forward to for the rest of the season. “It's an amazing story and the ownership group are fantastic. She couldn't have taken the race in France any better, she's fresh and well and raring to go again.” The post Shes Perfect Team Unsuccessful In French Guineas Appeal appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Celestial Colours retired just days after sustaining injury at Conghua.View the full article

France Galop has announced a “major recovery plan” in a bid to shore up the country's racing industry in the face of falling turnover from the PMU. From July 1, prize-money will be reduced by €10.5 million for the remainder of 2025 – representing a drop of 3.6 per cent. From 2026, there will be savings of €20.3 million on prize-money, a drop of 6.9 per cent. Group 1 races will however remain unaffected. France Galop president Guillaume de Saint-Seine presented the changes to his committee and board on May 20. A statement released by France Galop pointed to the cuts also being made on the management and administrative side, amounting to a further €20 million, following a year-on-year drop of 4 per cent in betting turnover. It read, “The economic effort will be gradual and shared between the parent company and all stakeholders, both professional and institutional. On the one hand, France Galop will evolve its operational model and costs. On the other hand, the level of incentives will be adjusted. The sum of these actions — both recovery and management — will enable the sector to return to balance by 2029. “This plan is imperative, at a time when the PMU's trajectory has been on a downward trend for several months and when the new actions undertaken by the betting operator (particularly in the sports sector) will not bear immediate fruit.” Planned changes on the Flat include reducing owners' premiums in Group 1 races to 20 per cent from 33 per cent. All Group 2, Group 3, Listed, conditions and maiden races will face a reduction in prize-money of 8.5 per cent. Prize-money for handicaps and claimers will fall by 4 per cent. Prize-money for French jump races will drop by 7 per cent for all Graded, Listed, conditions and maiden races, while handicaps and claimers will see a 3 per cent reduction. Further cuts are to be made in the scrapping of transport allowances for PMH races, along with the removal of breeders' premiums for French-bred horses that win abroad, and no rescheduling of races that have had to be cancelled. The post French Prize-Money Cut by €20m Annually From July appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Harness racing will have an extra 146 races and 15 additional meetings, under the just-released draft calendar for the 2025-26 season. The extra dates will see a total of 304 meetings and 2817 races in the 12 months from August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026. The 15 additional dates will be : NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club (6) Auckland Trotting Club (4) Waikato – Bay of Plenty (4) Oamaru (3) Banks Peninsula, Invercargill and Methven (1) The clubs losing dates are : Kapiti Coast (2) Forbury, Manawatu and Rangiora (1) Of the ATC’s four meetings one is planned for Ruakaka on Easter Monday, April 6, 2026 while Waikato – Bay of Plenty will host its first ever meeting at Taupo on Auckland Anniversary Day on January 26,2026. This was first announced in February this year. Addington has six lower grade Wednesday meetings and will host a meeting on the Friday prior to Cup week. This was a Rangiora date. The two Premier meetings in late November and early December are replaced with a new Premier meeting on the Friday after Show Day. All dates are subject to the final code funding agreement that is expected by the end of next month. To see HRNZ’s Official Notice click here To see the 2025-26 Racing Calendar click here View the full article

By Michael Guerin Chase A Dream’s Queensland campaign and any hope of a stud career are both over before they began. The exceptional but erratic four-year-old was pulled out of the Rising Sun at Albion Park in July 5 on Wednesday morning by co-owner and trainer Mark Purdon following a so-so second to stablemate Rubira at the Pukekohe trials on Tuesday. That means he won’t board a plane to Sydney on Sunday with Rubira and Oscar Bonavena, instead staying home and heading to the spelling paddock. But before then he will be gelded as Purdon seeks more consistency from the Group 1 winner in the second half of the season. “We think that is the best thing for him,” says Purdon. “He will be gelded, have a break and hopefully come back better and more consistent in the second half of the season. “We are disappointed to not be going and really appreciated the invite to the Rising Sun but it just hasn’t worked out for him.” Purdon confirms both Rubira (Derbys) and Oscar Bonavena (Inter Dominion Trotting Champs) will still make the trip. With Chase A Dream out of the series and Republican Party almost certain to follow there will be few, if any, realistic New Zealand chances of making the pacing final on July 19 but Oscar Bonavena and Bet N Win give New Zealand two top chances in the Trotting series. View the full article

A shortage of senior riders at Te Rapa has Danica Guy on the road this weekend, taking an in-form team of three to New Plymouth’s Saturday meeting. The first of her hopes is Wild West (NZ) (Atlante), an eight-year-old son of Atlante who brought his best to the track last start, powering over the top of his rivals to score in Rating 65 grade. Guy had hoped to return to the venue of that victory on Saturday, but without a suitable rider, she’ll venture further afield with the choice of either the CD Trainers and Race Images (1200m), or the Seaton Park (1400m). “All he needed last time was a little bit of give in the track and a strong jockey on,” Guy said. “He’s old and a bit cunning, he’ll go when he wants too. “He’s come through that run terrific, he’s flying, but I’m heading down to Taranaki is because I couldn’t find a suitable jockey for him at Te Rapa. “My decision making around the races there will also be tailored to the strength of the fields and the riders available, but I don’t think it’ll make much difference which race or distance he ends up in. I’ve got Kate Hercock on in the Rating 75 1200, who is a very strong rider, so if I can’t get one in the 1400, I’ll stick with that.” A similar scenario lies ahead for stablemate Cleat (NZ) (Rios), who finished second to Hey Hey Baby (NZ) (Belardo) last start at Matamata. The lightly-raced son of Rios has accepted into the CD Trainers and Race Images (1200m) but currently is riderless as of Wednesday afternoon. “If I can get a suitable rider for him, he’ll head down as well,” she said. “This looks like a nice race for him and if I run him there, it may be a catalyst to run Wild West in the Open 1400, so they aren’t together.” Completing Guy’s trio is Live On Air (NZ) (Proisir), a mare by Proisir who finished less than half a length from Astoria Brooke (NZ) (American Pharoah) at her most recent effort, with that runner going on to win immediately up in grade. Flying apprentice jockey Amber Riddell has just one victory left before she loses her three-kilogram claim, which will be of great assistance to Live On Air in the Landmark Homes 1600. “She’s also going very well, she’s knocking on the door for a win so hopefully she can get that this weekend,” Guy said. “She’s got three kilos off her and a bit of give in the track will help. “I don’t think her draw (14) will be a worry, she drew wide at Te Rapa last start and jumped and put herself there pretty easily, so I’m expecting the same sort of scenario on the weekend.” View the full article

Talented sprinter Lhasa (Hellbent) was at the peak of his powers on the Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday, schooling his rivals despite a hefty weight impost. The five-year-old recorded his first four victories on the surface, but proved he was much more than a one trick pony when defeating a class field of open gallopers on the turf at Trentham in early March. He continued solid form through his next couple of starts, but looked a major threat back on the synthetic, starting a $2.60 favourite ahead of Ultimate Focus ($4). In a race named the “Ride For Jimmy 1300”, jockeys wore black armbands to honour Jimmy Schick, a son of Windsor Park Stud principals Rodney and Gina Schick, who passed recently under tragic circumstances. Clearly the highest rated runner in the open contest, Lhasa carried 60kg with Rihaan Goyaram’s claim in use and he was on the front foot from the second the gates opened. The big-striding galloper went straight to the lead uncontested and stole cheap sectionals along the back straight, leaving his rivals chasing as he put the pressure on turning for home. Ultimate Focus (Smart Missile) and his stablemate Charmer (NZ) (Charm Spirit) attempted to make up ground on Lhasa, but he was off and gone, putting an extending four lengths on the latter as he powered through the line. The son of Hellbent is part-owned and trained by Mark Treweek, who praised the efforts of the young apprentice in a dominant display by his charge. “When he got the weight that he did, it was an easy decision to throw someone like Rihaan on,” Treweek said. “He’s been riding so well and to be claiming three kilograms, that makes a huge difference. “The draw really helped him, he’s always pretty good away but he needs a good draw and you seem to need a good draw on this track to get the right sort of run.” “Originally we thought he was just going to be a synthetic horse, but as he’s matured, he’s gotten stronger and seems to, on a good surface, race well anywhere,” Treweek said. “Last start was probably my fault, he probably shouldn’t have run from a wide draw because there were a lot of horses that were going to kick up on the inside, so he got back and was no show from there. “I’m very happy with the run today.” Out of Redoute’s Choice mare Rupavari, Lhasa comes from the family of Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Clean Sweep. In 26 starts, Lhasa has recorded six wins and seven minor placings, banking over $140,000 for connections. View the full article

It’s a full circle moment for Group One performer Express Yourself (NZ) (Shamexpress) this week, with the daughter of Shamexpress being offered once again on Gavelhouse.com. The now six-year-old mare was initially purchased off the online platform by trainer Nikki Hurdle as a tried three-year-old, after having two starts as a juvenile. Hurdle had been taken by the filly when watching her in several trials and was delighted to secure her with a final bid of $6,550 and quickly syndicated her amongst a group of friends. “She was a horse I had seen trialling, and I really liked her,” Hurdle said. “I couldn’t believe it when she was up on Gavelhouse. We were going to buy her whatever happened.” While confident she had bought well, Hurdle had no idea the ride Express Yourself would take her on, which resulted in six victories and eight placings, highlighted by her runner-up performance in last year’s Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m), where she was piloted by Hurdle’s jockey son, Ryan Hurdle. “I had set her up for that race (Telegraph) after she won at Awapuni in her previous campaign, and I thought ‘we have got a really good horse here’,” Hurdle said. “I planned a campaign based entirely on getting to the Telegraph and she nearly won (runner-up to Mercurial by a nose). “An ounce of luck and she would have won eight in a row, but instead it was a few seconds by noses. It was a terrific run.” Following that effort in the Telegraph, Hurdle elected to test Express Yourself’s talent in Australia, where she raced as Expressiveness for Cranbourne trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, for whom she had four starts, including placing in the Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) and Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m). She returned to New Zealand where she won two trials, but following her unplaced run in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham in March, Hurdle elected to pull stumps on her career following feedback from Ryan, who was once again in the saddle. “After the Lightning, Ryan came back in and said ‘Mum, she didn’t want to be there’, so on that day we made the decision that she didn’t have to do anymore, she had done us proud,” Hurdle said. “We thought it was her time to move on as a broodmare, and she will be a brilliant broodmare. She is a beautiful type and is just a natural athlete. “She has been the most wonderful horse for us. Half of the people in the syndicate were having their first experience of horse racing, and she has taken us on a fantastic ride. “We bought her thinking we could win two or three races, but we ended up in Australia and we nearly won a Group One. She owes us nothing, we love that horse, she is an absolute beauty. “She was the only one I had in work at the time and it is going to be very hard to get another one like her. You don’t come across horses with x-factor every day, and I think she had that.” Hurdle said it’s a bittersweet moment to be selling her pride and joy, but dreams to one day have one of her progeny return to her barn. “Our hope is that she will go to a very good stud that will give her every opportunity,” Hurdle said. “One day, if there is a foal out of her on the market, I will be moving everything to get hold of that foal.” View the full article

TIMONIUM, MD – “Extraordinary circumstances and at the end of the day, an extraordinary sale,” Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning said at the conclusion of a 12-hour renewal of the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale which, seemingly against all odds, set records for gross, average and median. The 2025 Midlantic May sale was upended by a series of rainy days, which more than once forced the postponement of the under-tack show which ultimately concluded Sunday with a session of untimed gallops. Originally scheduled to be held over two sessions, the auction was condensed into Tuesday's marathon single session. “Saturday afternoon after we had a meeting with our consignors, no one would have predicted the average would be up over 40%, and we would have grossed over $40 million,” Browning said. “The RNA rate was slightly higher than last year, but the percentage of horses sold out of those catalogued was higher. So basically, from every statistical performance, it was a remarkable horse sale. I think it shows the resilience of the consignors and the buyers.” In all, 326 horses sold Tuesday for a gross of $44,192,500, eclipsing the previous record of $37,297,500 set in 2022. The average of $135,560 represented a 42.1% increase from the highwater mark of $95,425 set last year, while the median of $60,000 rose 20% from last year's record-tying $50,000. Four horses sold for $1 million or more during the sale, led by a $1.1-million daughter of Girvin who was purchased by the partnership of AMO Racing and Memo Racing. Just one horse hit the million-dollar mark a year ago and the 21 horses who sold for $500,000 or more Tuesday dwarfed the seven who reached that milestone a year ago. “This is going to be a sale that you say to yourself, I remember I was there,” bloodstock agent Donato Lanni said after signing for the final million-dollar horse of the sale just after 9 p.m.Tuesday night. “A top 10, I remember, I was there. The Fasig team has done a great job with what was handed to them. And I applaud their perseverance. It's not easy to call the shots with this weather. The sale was really strong. Every time I looked up, there was a horse selling for a lot of money. It's been a great sale.” AMO, Memo Team for $1.1-Million Girvin Kia Joorabchian's AMO Racing and the newly-formed partnership Memo Racing teamed up to purchase the $1.1-million sale-topping filly by Girvin (hip 368) Tuesday in Timonium. The filly was the third seven-figure juvenile of the one-session auction and the second from Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables consignment. Bloodstock agent Kerri Radcliffe, who purchased a pair of million-dollar colts on behalf of Memo at last month's OBS Spring sale, stood alongside Joorabchian's team during bidding on the filly. “[AMO agent] Alex Elliott and myself bought her for Memo and AMO racing, so get the Memo with AMO,” Radcliffe said with a grin. “She's going to go to Chad Brown.” It was a first-time partnership for the two owners. “Hopefully the first of many,” Radcliffe said. “Obviously, I know Kia from home and I've done a bit of work for him and we said this was the best filly in the sale. Memo has only been buying colts, so we needed to get a filly and this was the filly.” The dark bay filly, who worked a furlong in a co-fastest :10 1/5 during last week's preview, is out of Scarlet Dixie (Broken Vow). “I don't think Kia was stopping to be honest,” Radcliffe said of the bidding. “And I am delighted to buy off Wavertree. I've bought two Grade I winners off of them. Hopefully this is the third time lucky.” Bred by Twin Oaks Bloodstock, the filly sold for $180,000 as a weanling at the 2023 Keeneland November sale before being purchased by Dunne on behalf of a pinhooking partnership for $240,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “We loved that filly from the day we saw her,” Dunne said. “She's never done anything but get better and reinforce the opinion we had of her. Thankfully, we weren't the only ones who felt that way. [The result] was beyond our expectations. Hopefully she can reward them.” The filly was the first seven-figure sales result for Airdrie Stud's Girvin. Asked if he would have expected the same result if, instead of a bullet work, the juvenile had been part of the day of gallops Sunday, Dunne admitted, “I don't know. We probably wouldn't have gotten as much, but I think we would have gotten close. I think we have to give the buyers a little bit of credit. She was stunning physically on the end of the shank. Yes, she put the time up, but she had to back it up when they went to the barn. I don't think we could have hid her under a stone.” Hip 544 | Fasig-Tipton Violence Colt Makes Four Million-Dollar Juveniles “I called Vito's to make sure the kitchen would still be open,” bloodstock agent Donato Lanni quipped shortly after making the fourth seven-figure purchase of the day just as the Midlantic sale hit its 11-hour mark Tuesday in Timonium. Lanni acquired a colt by Violence (hip 544) for $1.05 million on behalf of Amr Zedan. He was consigned by Top Line Sales and was the highest-priced horse from Sunday's gallop-only session of the sale's under-tack preview. “We loved this horse,” Lanni said. “He sold himself. And he is just a specimen of a horse–an amazing-looking horse. It's hard to find a horse who looks like that.” The chestnut colt is out of A Taste of Red (Street Boss) and is a half-brother to stakes-placed Microcap (Wicked Strong). While several horses who took to the track Sunday did put in un-timed breezes, hip 544 had a pure gallop, according to Top Line's Torie Gladwell. “He galloped in :14,” Gladwell said, before comparing the colt to the consignment's $2-million graduate Muth (Good Magic) and $2.3-million Arabian Knight (Uncle Mo), both purchased by Zedan. “I put this horse in the Muth and Arabian Knight category,” Gladwell said. “We only sell a couple of those horses every year. Last year, we didn't have one. This year, we were blessed and we had maybe two of them. This is one of them. And the Uncle Mo that we sold for $975,000 today was the other one. I think if they were both able to breeze at OBS on a good track and really demonstrate how special they are, they would be in that $2-million range. I loved the safety for the horses, but that's why I felt like those top buyers who are looking for those three best horses of the year, like Zedan, need the breeze show. And they are not going to be able to find those top, top colts and spend the $2 million, $3 million, $4 million if we don't have a breeze show.” The colt was purchased for $280,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. “He was in a pinhooking package with a couple of our guys and they are ecstatic,” Gladwell said. “They are ecstatic, but I am disappointed at heart because I know that's the kind of horse that should bring more money.” 'Just a Beautiful Horse': Nyquist Colt Brings $1 Million at Fasig Midlantic A colt by GI Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist (hip 79) caused early fireworks at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale Tuesday when selling for $1 million to the bid of April Mayberry of Mayberry Farm. “It's for an undisclosed partnership for right now,” Mayberry said after signing the ticket on the chestnut colt. “He's just a beautiful horse who did everything right. He showed up.” The juvenile is out of Deja Vu (Giant's Causeway) and is a half-brother to stakes winner Crystal Ball (Malibu Moon), who was second in the 2020 GI Coaching Club American Oaks. His second dam is Sassy Pants, who produced Madcap Escapade and Dubai Escapade. The colt was consigned by Ciaran Dunne's Wavertree Stables and was purchased by Dunne and Paul Reddam's Red Wings pinhooking partnership for $200,000 at last year's Keeneland September sale. He worked a furlong during last week's under-tack preview in :10 2/5. Hip 079 | Fasig-Tipton Mayberry said she thought the colt would likely have brought a similar price even if he had been part of the group of horses who galloped during Sunday's session of the preview. “For me, I am Ok [with 2-year-olds galloping instead of breezing] because I also do this on the other end [selling],” Mayberry said. “You see how they move and you get a feel for them. I think that's what is important, not necessarily how fast they go. It's all about how they move.” She continued, “I think he probably would have [brought the same price if he galloped]. I really believe that.” Mouni Adds $1-Million Into Mischief Colt to Shopping Cart Mahmud Mouni continued his buying spree at the U.S. juvenile sales this spring, going to $1 million to acquire a colt by Into Mischief (hip 334) from the Kings Equine consignment Tuesday in Timonium. Mouni is purchasing on behalf of Tagermeen Racing, a partnership of Libyan buyers who will race in the U.S. “I wasn't expecting that price, to be honest, but he deserved it,” Mouni said of the seven-figure price tag. “He had a very nice breeze and he is a smart-looking horse. I tried to pay less, but they were on the phone telling me to continue, continue, not stop until we get him.” The colt, who worked a furlong in a co-fastest :10 1/5 last week, is out of stakes winner Quick Flip (Speightstown) and is a half-brother to graded winner Following Sea (Runhappy). Raul Reyes's Kings Equine consigned the juvenile on behalf of his breeder, Spendthrift Farm. Spendthrift's Ned Toffey has been chasing colts with stallion potential all spring at the 2-year-old sales. Asked how this colt ended up in the sale, Toffey said, “This is a colt who is a May 1 foal and probably last summer I was a little too critical of him for being small. And we didn't run him through a sale as a yearling. We are in a position where we can just give one time. And he's done really well this spring. Really, I would even say the last six or eight weeks, he's just continued to blossom. We kind of felt, at this point, let's just go on and take him through the ring and see what happens.” Spendthrift teamed up with West Point Thoroughbreds and St. Elias Stable to purchase the $1.5-million sale-topping colt by Tiz the Law at OBS in April and Toffey said there had been a possibility that a partnership would develop for this colt as well. “We had several people lined up who were interested in partnering and we would stay in for a piece, but that's great money for a horse,” Toffey said. “Sometimes you have to use the ring to value them. We would have been thrilled to stay in and had several parties who talked about doing that, but when somebody comes in and wants to bid $1 million, it's hard to say no.” Mouni purchased five horses for $2,765,000 during Tuesday's Midlantic sale. In addition to the $1-million colt, he also purchased a colt by Yaupon (hip 136) for $700,000 and a colt by Galilean (hip 187) for that same price. “The horses will stay here, but the trainers have not been decided yet,” Mouni said. “All the horses we bought here today will stay in the U.S. for racing here and maybe at the end of the year, maybe we will travel to Dubai or Saudi Arabia, depending on the performance on each one.” Hip 334 was the third million-dollar purchase Mouni has made this year from the Kings Equine consignment. At the OBS Spring sale, he purchased an Into Mischief colt for $1.4 million and a Tiz the Law filly for $1.05 million. Hip 055 | Fasig-Tipton Constitution Colt a New High for Grade One Chetley and Nellie Breeden, who have been consigning under the Grade One Investments banner for two years now, had their biggest result in the sales ring Tuesday when selling a colt by Constitution (hip 55) for $975,000 to Ramiro Restrepo's Marquee Bloodstock Tuesday in Timonium. “We were super excited about him all year,” Chetley Breeden said. “He came out and did exactly what he was supposed to do during the breeze show. We were just fortunate enough to actually get to breeze here. We knew he was a really good, sound horse and we just wanted the market to take him. So we put a halfway decent reserve on him and let him go from there.” The dark bay colt is out of Chic (Orb), a half-sister to Corfu (Malibu Moon) and New York Central (Tapit). He worked a furlong during last week's preview in :10 3/5. Bloodstock agent Seth Morris purchased the colt on behalf of Hal Mintz for $175,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton October sale. He was offered during Fasig-Tipton's initial digital sale of 2-year-olds in training in February where he RNA'd for $290,000. “Fasig asked us for high-quality horses. They wanted to do a no-time, gallop only 2-year-old in training sale and we thought he had the pedigree and the fluid action to do it,” Nellie Breeden said of the digital sale result. “We told everyone here there was not one negative reason he was in the sale, it was simply to participate.” Of the different results from the digital sale to the Timonium auction, Chetley said, “I think the difference was the breeze. He galloped out huge here. We knew he had that kind of talent and he was just able to present it during the breeze. That's what separated him from the original sale.” Asked what it felt like to watch the career-high sale, Nellie said, “Tears immediately.” After a brief pause, she added, “And tears now.” Restrepo purchased the colt on behalf of a partnership of international buyers. “It's a bunch of guys,” Restrepo said of the ownership group. “Some of the new group of guys who are in the sport fishing world, and some guys in the Middle East. I spent three months in the Middle East this winter recruiting clients and that's led to an uptick in the quality of my purchases. And Jose Aguirre's JR Ranch, who has been active at the sales in the last couple of years, he is the anchor.” Of the juvenile, Restrepo added, “This colt handled the off going and handled the turns like a Porsche. At these 2-year-old sales, that's always the bottom line, how do they do it. He was a super professional horse, great bone and very athletic. We just have to hope that he wants to do it in the afternoon.” 'Hoping for the Same Dream': $975,000 Uncle Mo Colt to Gus King Trainer Steve Asmussen went to $975,000 to acquire a colt by Uncle Mo (hip 137) on behalf of owner Gus King. “He is just a real athletic horse and we felt he was an exceptional individual,” Asmussen said of the juvenile. “He was one that worked and came out of it well and that gave us the confidence to spend money.” The colt, who worked a furlong last week in :10 2/5, is out of Gaelic Tales (Giant's Causeway), a half-sister to graded-placed Get on the Bus (Uncle Mo). He was purchased for $325,000 by Bishop Bloodstock at last year's Keeneland September sale and was consigned by Jimbo and Torie Gladwell's Top Line Sales. The colt's price in Timonium matched the mark set by Jimbo's sister and brother-in-law, Nellie and Chetley Breeden of Grade One Investments, who sold a colt by Constitution for $975,000 earlier in the session. “Top Line has sold some very good horses,” Asmussen said. “They've had a great sales season and sold some winners from there already this year.” King made it to this year's GI Kentucky Derby with the Asmussen-trained Publisher (American Pharoah), runner-up in the GI Arkansas Derby in March. “We are all hoping for the same dream,” Asmussen said. 13-year-old Dalia Crane leads her first horse to the ring | Jessica Martini Another Crane on the Sales Scene Clovis Crane is a familiar face at the sales, but it was the next generation of Cranes who got into the action Tuesday in Timonium when 13-year-old Dalia Crane led her first horse up to the sales ring. The young daughter of the veteran consignor was all business as she led hip 292, a son of Mendelssohn, around the back walking ring and up to the sales ring. “I think it's a really cool experience,” she said after the colt went through ring where he ultimately sold for $18,000 to Hyteck Racing. “I want to work in this business in the future, so I wanted to get the experience now so I know what I am doing later.” Asked if she was nervous she admitted, “Yes. A little bit. But I think it's so exciting that I get to do this. I am so grateful that I had the opportunity.” As for what advice her father gave her, Dalia said, “He didn't really give me any advice. He just said do your best.” The post ‘A Remarkable Horse Sale’: $1.1-Million Girvin Filly Tops Record-Setting Midlantic Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article