Wandering Eyes

Pop quiz: The $400,000 GII Man o' War S. is scheduled to run this weekend at Belmont at the Big A at 11 furlongs on the grass. What previous Man o' War winner still holds the course record at Belmont Park for the distance? If you guessed Influent, you'd be right. Two months before he won the Man o' War in 1997, then a Grade I, he covered the same 1 3/8 miles on Belmont's Widener Turf Course in 2:11.06 in the GII Bowling Green S. Remarkably, years after his owners have passed away, long after all seven jockeys who ever rode him in a race have retired, and even 16 months after the trainer who campaigned him to glory in five graded stakes died at age 87, Influent is still hale and hearty. Sure, his back has the customary sway of an elderly horse and he's got his share of gray around the face. But even Influent, who ran a hole in the wind while setting or equaling course records at three tracks, at the age of 33 has to begrudgingly allow Father Time a few concessions. Gwen Hoffmann has been 'his person' since 2001. “This knucklehead is my heart and soul,” she says with palpable affection. “He's got me wrapped around his finger.” Hoffmann boards Influent at a farm owned by Jean Aker, daughter of late trainer John Mazza, about 20 minutes from Monmouth Park in Farmingdale, N.J. While Hoffmann is quick to credit Aker with Influent's longevity due to her knowledge of equine nutrition, it's clear Hoffmann plays a big role as well. Influent and Gwen Hoffman last month | Sarah Andrew Hoffmann gets up at 4:30 every morning to check on Influent and give him his first meal of the day. He gets a second breakfast at 8:00, another meal at 3:00, and a night feed later on. Influent adores his food. “Every day is like Christmas to that horse,” said Hoffmann. “Every time you feed him, he comes running. He's very chatty because he's so excited. “He's a piece of work. He's one of the smartest horses I've ever known. I have to give him Cushing's medicine every morning. The medicine either doesn't taste good or doesn't make him feel so good. He thinks he's outsmarting me by not taking the carrot, where he thinks I hide it, but I really hide in the horse cookie. I have to keep switching it up because he's still trying to figure it out. “Every day that I have with him I cherish and is a blessing,” continued Hoffmann. “I wake up, say my affirmations and my number one is that Influent's okay, he got his meds. Once I know he's okay, the rest of the day is downhill.” Influent wins the 1997 GI Man o' War S. with Jerry Bailey up | Coglianese Hoffmann didn't follow racing when the Ontario-bred won five of seven in 1997, including the GI Caesars International H. and GIII Maker's Mark Mile S., for co-owners Richard Kumble and Michael Becker and trainer Howie Tesher. She didn't know he also held Keeneland's mile course record for a number of years. Becker had been hit by an 18-wheeler and used part of his settlement from the accident to acquire Influent at the 1996 Fasig-Tipton New York Horses of Racing Age Sale for $54,000 and then donated part of the gelding's earnings to a charity for handicapped children. She didn't know this special horse and bonafide star, who twice ran for a tag of $6,500, had reached the highest echelon of the sport. She did know she loved him very quickly after they met. “I did not understand the level of racing that he was at or how respected his accomplishments were. I fell in love with Influent, the horse.” Hoffmann had a Quarter Horse named Dreyfus at the time and really wasn't in the market for a second horse when she and Influent first got acquainted 23 years ago. “My Quarter Horse got navicular, so I couldn't ride him anymore,” said Hoffmann. “I'm not a great rider and Influent is a terrible riding horse because either he doesn't want to go or he wants to go full speed. He has two speeds–plugged or unplugged.” It didn't matter. The two were a match made in heaven. MGIW Influent, photographed last month at age 33 wearing his track halter from his racing days | Sarah Andrew “I didn't know how I was going to afford another horse, but everyone I talked to said, 'You will never, ever have another opportunity to have a horse like this.' I've never regretted it. I'm the lucky one to have him.” Hoffmann, who sells electrical supplies for a living and competed internationally on the U.S. karate team for a dozen years before being inducted into the USA Karate Federation Hall of Fame two years ago, explains how Influent came to be available. “From what I understand, Mike [Becker] lost all his money when the dot coms crashed. He was paying just $25 a month toward Influent's care at Holly Crest [John Mazza's farm]. Mike didn't want to sell him, but after I leased him for a couple of months, he agreed. I paid all his back board and gave him money. “What I owe to Mike Becker is my promise to put Influent first; his health and welfare are the most important thing to me. He's allowed to just be a horse. He's out 24/7 in a paddock with a stall that he can go in and out of. He's completely surrounded by paddocks and other horses.” Influent plays in his paddock last month | Sarah Andrew By her calculations, Hoffmann hasn't ridden Influent since 2016. “I was born with a birth defect with my hip. It was painful to ride, but I've had a lot of fun riding him. Now I'm fixed, but he's old and so am I.” Anyone who gets a glimpse into Hoffman and Influent's partnership comes away with a profound sense of two soul mates who have found each other. “He knows my moods like many horses do with their partners and knows when I need him most,” said Hoffmann. “He can erase the effects of the worst days with his enthusiastic nicker and nuzzling or just lay his head on my shoulder and stand with me for however long I need. He can be as stubborn as he is wonderful and if you try to make him do something you would be in for quite a battle of wills, but if you ask him, he will give you his heart and soul.” It isn't remarkable to Hoffmann that Influent continues to thrive at 33. Her Quarter Horse died a few years back at 32. What is her secret? “I've got to give the credit to Jean [Aker], who knows nutrition,” said Hoffmann. “That's her bag and she has taught me so much. Influent gets part senior, part low starch, timothy alfalfa cubes, and hay stretcher. He keeps his weight on. In fact, we have to watch that he doesn't gain weight. I truly don't believe I would have had either of my horses as long as I have without Jean's help and guidance.” Influent and Hoffmann | Sarah Andrew Hoffmann, modest to a fault, is uncomfortable talking about herself, but delights in talking about her horse. She shares a story that shines light on his sometimes-impish personality. “Mazza's old track pony was here when Influent was in his late 20s. Somehow a soccer ball got in the paddock and Influent figured out he could push the soccer ball toward the pony and the others and it would freak them all out. He had such fun torturing them, but he doesn't bite or kick. He's just a doll. “He can be a pain in the patootie, but he's so kind; there's not a mean bone in his body. We can put him next to old horses and he'll play gently, or we can put him next to young horses and he'll play roughly.” Influent also enjoyed toying with his competition when he was a racehorse. During his biggest wins, he'd go straight to the front and dare the others to catch him. Hoffmann said Becker told her sometimes he'd get bored up there all by himself and wait for another horse to get close before he was willing to open up again. After the 1997 Man o' War, Becker was emotional. Influent's co-owner and Becker's close friend Kumble had died during open-heart surgery four days earlier. He told Tom Hammond on live television after the race, “This is my and Dick's Kentucky Derby. No other race will ever mean to me as much as this will.” There's little doubt Hoffman would say something similar about Influent. No other horse will ever mean as much to her as Influent will. And while she appreciates his history and what he did in the sport, that's irrelevant to their relationship. “Every day that I share with him is a true blessing,” said Hoffmann, “and I am grateful for each one because of who he is. He is so much more than his racing career.” The post 27 Years After Setting Track Record, Influent Still the Main Attraction appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The winning Brosay (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) (lot 87) topped the Tattersalls Online May Sale when selling for 60,000gns to Gary Gillies on Thursday. The 2-year-old colt already has a win from three runs, and his dam is a half-sister to the G3 Curragh S. third Blood Moon (GB) (Equiano {Fr}). He was consigned by Diego Dias Racing as the property of Star Bloodstock. “We're not entirely sure what the immediate plan will be but Royal Ascot is definitely on the agenda. He could run under the ownership of my syndicate racingclub.com but that is to be decided,” said Gillies. Night Of Thunder (Ire)'s winning 3-year-old filly Completed (GB) (lot 16) was second at the close of trade, selling for 47,000gns to Gordian Troeller Bloodstock, also on behalf of Gillies. From the draft of Baroda Stud, the bay is from the family of Group 3 Prix de Lieurey winner Zibelina (Ire) (Dansili {GB}). Manor Farm Bloodstock paid 45,000gns for lot 4, the unraced Frankel (GB) 3-year-old filly Violet Wings (Ire). The Baroda Stud-consigned filly's dam is the stakes winner and multiple Group 3-placed Monroe Bay (Ire) (Makfi {GB}). The fourth and final lot to break the 40,000gns mark was Cedar Creek (GB) (Frankel {GB}) (lot 14), who changed hands for 41,000gns to Fforest Star Racing, Ltd. Consigned by Andrew Balding's Kingsclere Training Stables, the 3-year-old colt is unraced, but his second dam is the European champion Shiva (Jpn) (Hector Protector). Overall, 55 horses sold from 76 offered (72%) for a gross of 527,650gns. The average was 9,594gns, and the median was 5,500gns. The post Brosay Tops Tattersalls Online May Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sir Michael Stoute's mastery of knowing when to press and when to relent with his horses has resulted in a rarefied fine-tuning of training older horses bordering on cliche. On Friday at Chester we see another budding kingpin from Freemason Lodge in Passenger (Ulysses {Ire}), who starts a potentially significant 4-year-old campaign in the G2 Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley S. Such a live contender for the Derby just two runs after his debut in Newmarket's “Wood Ditton”, the Niarchos homebred was unable to build on his promising third in York's G2 Dante S. at Epsom before showing up once more when winning a tight race in the G3 Winter Hill S. at Windsor. Once the Derby was done and dusted, it was probably always going to be about what this colt would be doing in 2024 and at this stage he is following an eerily similar path to his sire who came back from an identical no-show in the Blue Riband to conquer the G1 Eclipse S. and G1 Juddmonte International the following season. Alan Cooper, the longstanding racing manager for the owner-breeders, is among those keenly anticipating what Newmarket's Knight is able to conjure from his latest project. “Sir Michael takes his horses along gently and has given Passenger plenty of time to mature and Friday is hopefully the first step on a good 4-year-old season,” he said. “It will hopefully be a good start to an exciting year. He's got some very nice entries and has wintered well and, as always, we'll take it step by step and see how Friday goes and take things from there.” Another unexposed 4-year-old in the line-up for the 10-furlong contest is Ballydoyle's TDN Rising Star Hans Andersen (GB) (Frankel {GB}), whose Classic campaign was also truncated following a promising win in the Listed Ballylinch Stud 2000 Guineas Trial S. last April, while Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's G1 Champion S. fifth Royal Rhyme (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) adds further intrigue. Trainer Karl Burke is looking at the racing surface before committing. “I don't want the ground to dry out too much, but he's ready to run and as long as the ground is safe, I'd be keen to let him take his chance I think,” he said. The post Passenger Returns At Chester appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Retired jockey Robby Albarado discusses his connection with Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan after galloping the horse at Churchill Downs May 9 in preparation for a potential start in the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course.View the full article

Retired jockey Robby Albarado has been a secret ingredient in the preparations of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan since he was a 2-year-old and will accompany the colt to Pimlico Race Course should he enter the May 18 Preakness Stakes (G1).View the full article

Following his brave nose victory in the May 4 Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs, Mystik Dan is now ranked among the leaders in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings. His rating of 120 propels him into a tie for sixth-place tie.View the full article

The PDF of the 2024 edition of The American Racing Manual, which contains historical data through 2023, is now available through The Jockey Club Fact Book.View the full article

Since the turn of this century we have been blessed to see some special fillies and mares win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Zarkava (Fr) was followed by Danedream (Ger), Solemia (Ire), Found (Ire), Treve (Fr) and Enable (GB), with the last two named each winning the great race twice. The latest to add her name to that roll of honour was Kirsten Rausing's homebred Alpinista (GB), in 2022. This season the daughter of Frankel (GB) has become a mother for the first time after foaling a filly by Dubawi (Ire) in mid-February. Rausing, the owner of Lanwades Stud in Newmarket, is understandably proud of her six-time Group 1 winner who, now seven, is a fifth-generation of the Lanwades lynchpin Alruccaba (GB) (Crystal Palace {GB}) and from the family which includes the dual G1 Champion S. winner Alborada (GB) (Alzao), a full-sister to Alpinista's granddam and fellow Group 1 winner Albanova (GB). “What I always say about Alpinista is that she is, of course, incapable of doing anything wrong. She is a wonderful heroine,” says the owner-breeder. “Last year she went in foal immediately at first attempt, and she has a really nice grey filly foal by Dubawi. “Everything has gone well with both mare and foal, and again she's done it all completely right this year. She's back in foal to Study Of Man, so we're very excited to have her in foal to this up-and-coming horse.” Six years ago this week, the Niarchos family homebred Study Of Man (Ire), by Deep Impact (Jpn) out of a Storm Cat daughter of Miesque, won the G2 Prix Greffulhe en route to landing the G1 Prix du Jockey Club. He began his second career at Lanwades in 2020, covering 71 mares in his first year, and the resultant offspring are now three-year-olds. It is fair to say that his burgeoning success has been one of the talking points of the season to date, with Rausing admitting that the phone has been ringing hot in the Lanwades office with a new wave of breeders keen to book a mare to Study Of Man. “At the moment he is exceeding my expectations. It is exciting that Study Of Man can do this with a limited number of mares,” she says. “Things are really looking very exciting for the future.” His five black-type performers from that first crop are led by last season's G2 Beresford S. winner Deepone (GB), who has been entered by trainer Paddy Toomey for the Irish 2,000 Guineas on May 25. Recent Listed winner Birthe (Ire) is entered for Sunday's G2 Prix Saint-Alary, while Sunday's Pretty Polly S. runner-up Kalpana (GB) holds a G2 Ribblesdale entry along with Rausing's Francophone (GB), a winner at two and three, who could also be seen in next week's G3 Musidora S. Sons And Lovers (GB), a winner on debut at Newmarket and subsequently third in the G3 Craven S., and the G3 Premio Parioli (Italian 2,000 Guineas) third Ghorgan (Ger) are also noteworthy. “The winners keep coming; every day there's a new Study Of Man winner and some of them look quite exciting, such as the Juddmonte filly Kalpana,” Rausing says. “We hope Sons And Lovers may also prove to be more than useful. He is heading for the [Listed] Heron Stakes at Sandown to start with, and then we'll see what happens.” It is clearly a boost for Study Of Man to have Alpinista in his book for 2024. The mare appears to have taken to motherhood seamlessly and along with her own star offspring at Lanwades is Alpinista's full-brother, who is the result of the third mating of her dam Alwilda (GB) with champion sire Frankel. A Listed winner in her racing days, Alwilda is by the late Lanwades resident Hernando (Fr), another Prix du Jockey Club winner for the Niarchos family. The 14-year-old mare also has a yearling filly by Frankel and has recently been covered by Sea The Stars, which means that her next foal will be bred on the cross which has produced the Group 1 winners Sea Of Class (Ire) and Sea La Rosa (Ire). The mare's second foal, Listed winner Alpenblume (GB) (Kendargent {Fr}), has also recently joined the Lanwades broodmare band and is now in foal to Frankel, while her two-year-old half-sister, Alpetta (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}), is in training with Sir Mark Prescott. “Alpinista has a yearling full-sister, a very nice filly, slightly taller than Alpinista, and bay, not grey. She will go to the sales,” Rausing announces, before adding with no little understatement. “So that will hopefully create a bit of interest.” The post Seamless Transition to Motherhood for Alpinista appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' First Mission (Street Sense), impressive winner of the GII Alysheba S. at Churchill Downs May 3, will take the next logical step in the $1-million GI Stephen Foster S. beneath the Twin Spires Saturday, June 29. “He ran a huge race,” trainer Brad Cox told the Churchill media office. “We're very proud of his effort, Down the lane, it seemed like he was getting stronger as he got closer to the wire.” Favored at just over even-money in the 8 1/2-furlong Alysheba, the homebred sat handy enough to a lively pace set by Japan's T O Saint Denis (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) and steadily reeled him in late, drawing clear to win by four lengths while earning a strong 106 Beyer Speed Figure. T O Saint Denis was awarded a 99. Connections will hope First Mission's second attempt at the highest level goes better than his first when he was beaten better than 20 lengths into ninth in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Jan. 27. He bounced back in no uncertain terms with a five-length romp in the GIII Essex H. prior to the Alysheba. The Stephen Foster is a 'Win and You're In' qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar Nov. 2. The post First Mission Headed To Stephen Foster appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The field for Saturday's GIII Peter Pan S. at Aqueduct has been reduced from eight to six, with the connections of both 'TDN Rising Star' Tuscan Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) and Lonesome Boy (Nationhood) opting for other age-restricted spots. Daily Racing Form's David Grening was first to report the news. William Lawrence, Walmac Farm and Stonestreet Stables' Tuscan Gold is being rerouted for next Saturday's GI Preakness S., trainer Chad Brown confirmed to the Form. The $600,000 Keeneland September yearling was fourth to stablemate and recent GI Kentucky Derby runner-up Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) on debut before romping to 'Rising Star' honors when trying two turns for the first time at Gulfstream Jan. 31. He was most recently third to Sierra Leone and Derby fourth Catching Freedom (Constitution) in the GII Louisiana Derby Mar. 23. Lonesome Boy will pass on the Peter Pan in favor of a much softer landing in Saturday's Long Branch S. on opening day at Monmouth Park. Victorious in the City of Brotherly Love S. at Parx Mar. 5, the Washington-bred was part of the early pace in the Apr. 6 GII Wood Memorial S. before weakening in the final furlong to be fourth, some 7 1/2 lengths behind Resilience (Into Mischief). The Wine Steward (Vino Rosso) figures to go favored in the Peter Pan on the back of a comebacking second to Encino (Nyquist) in the GIII Stonestreet Lexington S. at Keeneland Apr. 13. The post Peter Pan Field Scratched Down To Half-Dozen appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

DEAUVILLE, France—Nothing good usually comes from constant scrolling on Instagram. That was until last week, when a poem popped up from none other than Muhammad Ali, widely considered one of the greatest fighters of all time–and not a bad poet and philosopher it would seem. The poem read, “Friendship is a priceless gift, that cannot be bought or sold but its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold. For gold is cold and lifeless it can neither be seen nor heard. In times of trouble, it is powerless to cheer. Gold has no ears to listen to. No heart to understand. It cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand. So when you ask God for a gift, be thankful if he sends it.” Anna Calder was dealt what many would deem a knockout punch when breaking her leg in two places, rupturing her shoulder and suffering a concussion when one of the younger horses bolted and unshipped her in a freak fall on the gallops back in January. When you run a small breeze-up operation, you tend to drive the box, ride out, muck out, do the administration, etc. But what happens when the person responsible for all of those jobs is sidelined indefinitely? Good friends are required. “A horse bolted the wrong way down the gallop at home,” Calder recalls of the horror incident. “It was a January morning so the ground on either side of the gallop was frozen rock solid. The horse couldn't make the bend he was going that fast and he just slipped and fell over on top of me. I was stuck underneath him with a shattered tibia and fibula. I also ruptured all the ligaments in my collarbone and got a concussion. It was a proper job.” X-Ray of Calder's broken leg | Anna Calder She added, “Roger Marley took a lot of my horses as I could literally do nothing. He had an injury himself last year-he did his pelvis. But Roger was lucky in that he had the staff and a long established system that the horses could slot into. I didn't. “Not only that, I was renting a yard 15 minutes away but wasn't able to drive so I couldn't even get there. Roger put his hand up straight away and said he'd take as many as he could and [Brendan] 'Blarney' Holland was also very good to take some horses as well. “Between Roger, Blarney and John Cullinan, who is without doubt one of the kindest men in the industry, I have been very lucky to have benefited from some great help. I wouldn't have been able to get these horses here without them and the girls-Helen Cronin and Gwendolyn Ghrist-at home in the yard.” It's not just the physical pain that comes with such a bone-crunching fall that Calder has had to negotiate this year. Along with many consignors, the woman behind Leamore Horses has been left hurting at some of the domestic breeze-up sales. But Calder has a habit of picking herself up off the canvas and her Bolt D'Oro colt [lot 158, who was bought for $95,000] in particular caught the attention of some shrewd judges in the breeze on Thursday. “To be honest, the Bolt D'Oro was one of those horses I never expected to be able to buy,” Calder explained. “We sat in the ring for about 20 minutes after he went through and were like, 'did we really just buy that horse?' I have a bunch of American horses this year. I really like the sales over there and Chad Schumer helped me out a lot. We got the Justify [lot 14] out there as well. He breezed very well and galloped out well as well. He's a very good mover and wants a mile-and-a-quarter.” Given what Calder has been through this year, a good result or two when the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale gets underway on Saturday would mean the world. In many ways, it would make things extra special. She said, “It's been a really hard year. It's been my toughest year by far-physically and mentally. Trying to train horses from your bed is a pretty challenging thing. It felt like everything had been going right, and I was delighted with the bunch of horses I had, but then found myself lying on the ground waiting for an ambulance in January. The one thing I knew was that I had a lot of friends around me who were willing to help me out. The people at the breeze-ups have an amazing way of rallying around each other and just making things happen. When somebody is in trouble, there is always a person there to help. That's a real testimony to the industry. It really warms the heart.” The post “My Toughest Year By Far” – Calder Hoping For Much-Needed Tonic At Arqana appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The catalogue for the Fasig-Tipton May Digital sale is now online at digital.fasigtipton.com and bidding is now open for the 110 horses of all ages that are on offer. The sale will close on Tuesday, May 14, beginning at 2 p.m. ET. The catalogue includes breeding stock in addition to horses of racing age, 2-year-olds and yearlings. Among the offerings are the first mares in foal to champions Elite Power (Curlin), Forte (Violence) and Up To The Mark (Not This Time), as well as Gunite (Gun Runner) Mage (Good Magic) and Taiba (Gun Runner). Perennial leading sires Constitution, Into Mischief and Not This Time are also among the covering sires. “We have a serious collection of breeding stock, the type of quality buyers usually have to wait until November to find,” said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton Director of Digital Sales. “Mare buyers will miss important opportunities if they don't shop this sale.” The horses of racing age include graded-stakes quality colts and geldings, as well as last-out winners. Graded winners and performers have been catalogued among the racing/broodmare prospects and can continue their careers at the track or be bred. “There is good quality and depth among the racehorse offerings in both the male and female divisions,” noted Aaron. “Many of the fillies have global appeal and can even be bred right away on Southern Hemisphere covers.” Added Aaron: “The buying public has really begun to embrace our digital platform, and sellers are responding by upping the quality that they offer online. Our clearance rate on Fasig-Tipton Digital is 90% in 2024. This demonstrates that we provide a fair marketplace with realistic sellers. I think more and more buyers are coming to realize and appreciate that. The post Bidding Open For Fasig-Tipton May Digital Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 50th edition of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale catalogue was released on Thursday. Featuring 406 stores, the sale is set for June 26-27 and begins at 10:30 a.m. each morning. All lots catalogued are eligible for the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper 2025. A wide variety of sires have progeny on offer, including Doctor Dino (Fr), Maxios (GB), Great Pretender (Ire), Walk In The Park (Ire), Beaumec De Houelle (Fr), Crystal Ocean (GB), Poet's Word (Ire), Getaway (Ger), Affinisea (Ire), Blue Bresil (Fr), and No Risk At All (Fr). Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said, “The Derby Sale has a rich history, and each of the previous 49 editions have consistently produced impeccably bred, quality individuals from Ireland's leading Store vendors. We made every effort to compile a catalogue that reflected the significance of the 50th Derby Sale, and I have full confidence that our 2024 graduates will make their mark on the biggest stage.” The post Catalogue Unveiled For the 50th Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

As we revel in the afterglow of a 150th Kentucky Derby that was everything racing needed it to be, those of us with a foot in the sport horse world still have the previous weekend on repeat in our heads. The last weekend in April, horses can be found thundering around a different venue of international competition at the Kentucky Three-Day Event, which features the Olympic sport of eventing at the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) 4* and 5* levels at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 5* level is a more difficult level of competition than what riders will contend with this summer in Paris and the Kentucky 3-Day is one of only seven 5* competitions in the world. In an Olympic selection season, you can imagine that the competition is stiff. Since its inception, the Retired Racehorse Project has keenly tracked the Thoroughbred presence on the Kentucky entry list from year to year, since eventing has held out as a sport where the Thoroughbred can still be seen at the international level. Unfortunately, this number has crept downwards in the last 10 years from 21 in 2015 to just five in the 5* this year. As the sport has evolved away from the old long format, which required substantially more physical stamina, top riders have gravitated to purpose-bred, typically imported sport horses who possess a flashy trot and can jump out of their skin. I say all of this about the level of competition and historical Thoroughbred presence to provide context for my next statement: This year the Thoroughbred came out on top in a big way. Of the five Thoroughbreds entered in the 5*, every one of them, not only completed the event, but completed in the top half of the division, which saw 35 starters. And one Thoroughbred in particular got everyone's attention after the cross country phase was complete. Twenty-four-year-old Mia Farley and “Phelps” were one of only two pairs, and the only American pair, to complete the course “double clear,” meaning that they ran the course within the optimum time with no jumping faults. This may be an emerging pattern, as they were the only pair to accomplish this in the Maryland 5* last fall in was their first outing at the level. Phelps is currently owned by David O'Connor, a living legend in the sport of eventing. The horse ended up in O'Connor's barn as a resale project, but he had a gut instinct to keep the horse around, so he “bought” Phelps for $1 to formalize the transaction. And here is where the purpose of this article comes in. My social feeds over the past 10 days or so have been peppered with headlines about Mia and her $1 “underdog” Thoroughbred. I know full well that the media loves an underdog story and so many of us have shared these stories with good intentions, but this mindset is doing a disservice to the breed. Breeders Fred Hertrich, III and John Fielding paid a Tiznow stud fee ($75,000 at the time), raised Phelps, and put him in the Taylor Made consignment at the 2014 Keeneland yearling sale where Solveig Stables was the top bidder at $50,000. It was presumably Solveig Stables that put Phelps in training as he logged four works in the summer of 2015. By his 3-year old year, he had exited racing and was in the hands of Joanie Morris, who ultimately sold the horse to O'Connor, and Farley took over the ride by the time Phelps was five. Six years later, Phelps is making a name for himself at the highest level of international competition in the sport of eventing. He may not have excelled at what he was originally bred to do, but perhaps there's some dual Breeders' Cup Classic-winning blood that's influencing his success today? If anything, he's certainly not a $1 horse. Mia Farley and Phelps | EquiSport Photos We need to stop feeding the narrative that Thoroughbreds are underdogs with rags-to-riches stories just because they're doing something other than what they were originally bred to do. As we well know, these horses are thoughtfully bred, lovingly raised, and carefully produced and cared for like the world-class athletes that they are. Lack of competitiveness on the track simply has nothing to do with the quality of the horse and all that went into producing it–it only means they need to pursue something different. The racing and breeding industries did the necessary thing 10-plus years ago by mobilizing and significantly funding aftercare. We've made so much progress in ensuring that horses transition easily into their next chapter and we need to be talking more about what is next. We've moved beyond the point of convincing people that Thoroughbreds are capable and, if we're going to continue to support an efficient and effective aftercare industry, we're going to need to further drive demand for the breed in equestrian sport. We can't do that in a meaningful way without data and there is no breed registry for the Thoroughbred sport horse that is collecting that data. As a result, the Thoroughbred's influence on sport is being lost. Sport horses who are, in many cases, 50% or more Thoroughbred blood are marketed as warmbloods, draft crosses, and appendix Quarter horses. Artificial insemination (AI) is the norm in sporthorse breeding and the resulting foals are registered to other studbooks, regardless of whether the dam or sire was 100% Thoroughbred. As an industry, we've given up the opportunity to market our own horses as something other than charity cases–and that matters, because it is demand that is going to help secure that horse's future when the statistical likelihood that they're going to need a second career comes to pass. The Jockey Club's federal filings describe its mission as “… the breed Registry for Thoroughbred horses in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. It is dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing…” so perhaps it's reasonable to say that this is outside of the scope of The Jockey Club's mission. Either way, we should be talking seriously about launching an industry-supported initiative that fills the void where a Thoroughbred sport horse registry is needed. If you solve that, you solve a huge portion of the traceability and post-racing accountability issue. The RRP staff recently held our annual all-hands meeting and completed a vision exercise where we defined what it looked like when our mission is effectively accomplished. After all, the goal of charities should be to effect change significantly enough that their charitable work is no longer needed. What did we come up with? A world where aftercare is no longer a charitable effort, but rather an anticipated and well-planned-for transition, and where the Thoroughbred is held in as equitable regard as other sport and riding breeds. That headline teaser might read “Leading sire X has prolific influence on track and beyond, produces record number of 5* starters.” I sincerely believe we're ready to embrace this next chapter in the Thoroughbred brand. Kirsten Green is the Executive Director of the Retired Racehorse Project. Best known for producing the Thoroughbred Makeover training competition, the RRP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit which seeks to increase demand for Thoroughbreds beyond racing. The post ‘Not a $1 Horse’: Changing the Narrative of the Thoroughbred Beyond Racing appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Wednesday's Racing Together Community Day featured a record turnout of organisations across the racing and bloodstock industries volunteering in their local communities. A number of teams were active with other groups targeting their events during the month. John Blake, CEO of Racing Together said, “To see almost 80 organisations sign up to Community Day is a great tribute to the motivation and positive values shared by industry colleagues nationwide. “Our team had no need to sell the concept or cajole volunteers who, as in previous years, have mobilised to take their teamworking out of the office, yard or racecourse and into a community setting where their efforts will make a significant difference.” The post Record Turnout For Racing Together Community Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Coolmore's Capulet (Justify–Wedding Vow {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) followed up an Aug. 15 debut victory at Dundalk with placed efforts in September's G2 Golden Fleece S. and G2 Royal Lodge S., and went postward for Thursday's Listed Boodles Raindance Dee S. at Chester coming back off a third over one mile at Chelmsford, behind the reopposing Bracken's Laugh (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), on sophomore return last month. Sent into an immediate lead by Ryan Moore, the 7-2 chance held sway throughout the extended 10-furlong test and stayed on relentlessly under continued urging inside the final half-mile to hold the late threat of Bracken's Laugh by a half-length and secure a record-equalling 11th renewal for Aidan O'Brien. Last month's impressive Listed Feilden S. winner Jayarebe (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) finished 3 1/4 lengths adrift in third. In winning, Moore extended his race-record haul to seven. “All the options are open to him now, we'll see how he is and it will be one of the Derbys in England or France, I'd have thought,” the winning trainer revealed. “There's obviously the Irish Derby in the mix too, so all things are open now. He's a lovely, honest horse. He was a little bit free in front today, but did it nicely in the end. We took him to Chelmsford to see if he was going to go to Kentucky, but he was green there and he'd come on for that run.” Connections' Paul Smith commented, “That was very pleasing, I thought Ryan gave him a lovely ride and he appreciated the step up in trip. He's an uncomplicated horse and he travels well, so I suppose it will be the French Derby or the English Derby. We know he gets 10 furlongs well and he'd probably get a mile-and-a-half the way he runs. We have the trials at the weekend and next week and Aidan will sit down with the lads and discuss the plan from there.” Moore added, “He was nicely drawn, there were only the four runners and he got into a nice rhythm and was able to build away. I was very happy with him, he came forward nicely from Chelmsford and the step up in trip has helped him. He's a horse who had good form last year and, with a bit of luck, he'll go on from here and improve again. I think the nicer ground and 10 furlongs suited him well, so there'll be plenty of options for him now.” Capulet is the fifth of seven foals and one of two scorers out of G2 Kilboy Estate S. victrix and G1 Nassau S. runner-up Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself a full-sister to five black-type performers out of G1 Oaks runner-up Remember When (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). They include G1 Derby hero Serpentine (Ire), G3 Blue Wind S. victrix and G1 Oaks third Bye Bye Baby (Ire) and G3 Gallinule S. winner Beacon Rock (Ire). Remember When, in turn, is kin to MG1SW sire Dylan Thomas (Ire) (Danehill), G1SW European champion Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge) and G1 1000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). The April-foaled bay is a half-brother to the unraced 2-year-old colt Saints N Scholars (Ire) (Quality Road) and a yearling filly by Wootton Bassett (GB). Thursday, Chester, Britain BOODLES RAINDANCE DEE S.-Listed, £100,000, Chester, 5-9, 3yo, c/g, 10f 70yT, 2:10.67, gd. 1–CAPULET, 128, c, 3, by Justify 1st Dam: Wedding Vow (Ire) (GSW-Ire, G1SP-Eng, $316,572), by Galileo (Ire) 2nd Dam: Remember When (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire) 3rd Dam: Lagrion, by Diesis (GB) 1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Wynatt & Chelston (KY); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £56,020. Lifetime Record: GSP-Eng & Ire, 5-2-1-2, $141,852. 2–Bracken's Laugh (Ire), 128, c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Guardia (Ger), by Monsun (Ger). 1ST BLACK TYPE. (€35,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1; €55,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY; 200,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRG). O-Bernardine & Sean Mulryan; B-Guardia Partnership (IRE); T-Richard Hughes. £21,330. 3–Jayarebe (Fr), 131, c, 3, Zoffany (Ire)–Alakhana (Fr), by Dalakhani (Ire). (€180,000 Ylg '22 ARQDOY). O-Iraj Parvizi; B-Oliver Pawle (FR); T-Brian Meehan. £10,680. Margins: HF, 3 1/4, 2 1/4. Odds: 3.50, 5.50, 1.75. Also Ran: God's Window (GB). Scratched: Harper's Ferry (GB). A Ryan Moore special as Capulet leads from start to finish in the Dee Stakes at @ChesterRaces… pic.twitter.com/EpmGJJQC0C — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 9, 2024 The post Justify’s Capulet Secures Record-Equalling 11th Dee Stakes Success For Aidan O’Brien appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In the five years since the Maximum Security decision, the Kentucky stewards still have not learned that the way you communicate to the public that an incident is being reviewed is to post the inquiry sign. View the full article

Godolphin's undefeated G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has joined the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings in a joint-third at a mark of 121 after his Newmarket score, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities announced on Thursday. Juddmonte's G1 Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River (Into Mischief) leads the table at 128, with fellow Godolphin colourbearer and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) second at 123. Sharing third with the Guineas winner are National Treasure (Quality Road) and Senor Buscador (Mineshaft). Nine horses share a mark of 120, with newcomer and GI Kentucky Derby hero Mystik Dan (Goldencents) joining that grouping, alongside G1 Queen Elizabeth S. heroine Pride Of Jenni (Aus) (Pride Of Dubai {Aus}), GI Maker's Mark Mile S. winner Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) winner Justin Milano (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}). Mystik Dan's narrowly defeated rivals Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) and Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) are both now ranked 119. The post Notable Speech Joins Longines WBRR In Joint-Third After Guineas Triumph appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The 2024 edition of The American Racing Manual, which contains historical data through 2023, is now available in PDF format through The Jockey Club Fact Book. The Fact Book is a statistical and informational guide to Thoroughbred breeding, racing, and auction sales in North America. The Jockey Club is accepting feedback for potential modifications to The American Racing Manual, which can be submitted to contactus@jockeyclub.com. The post American Racing Manual Available appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

John Stewart's Resolute Racing continued its world-wide buying spree in Australia Thursday when going to A$3.2 million to acquire multiple Group 1-placed Tutta La Vita (Aus) (The Autumn Sun {Aus}) (hip 87) at the Inglis Chairman's Sale. The 3-year-old filly, the second-highest priced lot at the sale, had been campaigned by Kevin and Vikki Payne, who purchased her for A$300,000 as a yearling in 2022. She will continue to be trained by Chris Waller. “We are really excited about buying Tutta La Vita,” Stewart said. “We met Chris Waller when we were in Australia a few weeks ago and knowing that Chris was training her and having a relationship with him and knowing how he felt about the horse was one of the reasons we were looking at her. We are constantly evaluating the top fillies and mares globally. It's something that we are really dedicated to understanding. There were a lot of impressive horses in this auction. We thought that Tutta La Vita fit with our breeding program long-term a little bit better than the other fillies that were for sale. So we decided to wait and put all of our focus on her. We were lucky to come away owning her.” Lot 87 Tutta la Vita sells for $3.2m @inglis_sales Chairman's pic.twitter.com/kXihQsGUf7 — TTR AusNZ (@TTRAusNZ) May 9, 2024 Coolmore's Tom Magnier made the highest purchase at the auction, going to A$3.4 million to acquire She's Extreme (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}), but Stewart said the operation was underbidder on Tutta La Vita as well. “We have a good relationship with Coolmore and Tom texted me after we bought her and that's how I found out that they were actually on her as well,” Stewart said. “That makes me even more confident in the purchase because I view them as a very good judge of horses, especially of this caliber and on the breeding side.” Tutta La Vita was most recently 10th in the 2400-meter G1 Australian Oaks in April and is expected to cut back to 2200 meters in the G1 Queensland Oaks next month. “Right now, we are just excited to have her continue to race in our colors,” Stewart said. “We are organizing getting our silks down there for races coming up and excited to have her continue her training with Chris Waller. We look forward to being in Australia and being able to see her race. We are going to try to work it out so that we can be there for the Queensland Oaks in June and be able to see her in person.” Of long-term plans for the filly, Stewart said, “We haven't really talked about breeding yet. Everything is on the table. We have breeding operations in America, of course. We are a breed-to-race operation and we are looking to make a long-term investment in Australia. It's very possible she could end up staying in Australia as well. We are just really excited about this purchase and excited to make more of an investment in Australian racing. We hope the Australian racing fans will join us in cheering her on when she races next.” The post Stewart Strikes for A$3.2 Million Tutta La Vita at Inglis Chairman’s Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A new €1-million Equine Care Racecourse Capital Development Scheme to further enhance racecourse safety measures was launched by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on Thursday. Two initial areas are being targeted by the new scheme. The first improvement is to have identification markers on all hurdles and fences at the 23 racecourses staging jump racing will be converted from orange to white in line with best international practice, and there will be a linked move away from the traditional birch hurdles to non-birch hurdles by the end of 2025. The second improvement area will be to introduce appropriately sized trot-up areas to facilitate veterinary inspections, including a rubberised surface for consistency, at all racecourses by the start of their 2025 racing seasons. In each case, grants of 50% and 40% will be offered towards replacing hurdles and improving trot-up areas, respectively. The former was agreed upon following discussions with the Association of Irish Racecourses (AIR), and that procurement will be managed through HRI. The next phase of the scheme will be to target the supply of water, both in terms of adding or expanding reservoirs at racecourses. For more information on the scheme, please visit the HRI website. John Osborne, HRI Equine Welfare and Bloodstock Director, said, “HRI's new Strategic Plan 2024-2028 has set human and equine care and safety as our highest priority. This investment targets race safety in the most specific way, producing an immediate improvement for our horses.” The post Equine Care Racecourse Capital Development Scheme Launched By HRI appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dual Group 1 winner She's Extreme (Aus) (Extreme Choice {Aus}) (lot 32) was knocked down for A$3.4 million by Coolmore Australia's Tom Magnier to top Thursday's Inglis Chairman's Sale. The 4-year-old mare, bred by Aquis Farm, was offered as part of the Newgate Consignment. Originally an A$275,000 Inglis Easter yearling, the chestnut won the G1 Champagne S. in her juvenile finale, and added another top-level win in the Kennedy VRC Oaks in her final start at Flemington on Nov. 3. During her career, she was placed in three additional Group 1 contests. Trained by Anthony Cummings, She's Extreme's record is 11-3-3-2 and she earned A$1,153,760. “As a Group 1 winner at two and three she put herself in elite company and she is a rare offering,” said Coolmore Australia's Tom Moore. “She is everything we look for and we are delighted to have her,” he said, adding that she was purchased for an international Coolmore partnership with the view of “supporting one of our young up-and-coming stallions.” “Horses like Home Affairs (Aus) and Wootton Bassett (GB) are in the mix for her, we will sit down over the next few years and decide.” The third foal of the So Secret (Aus) mare Keysbrook (Aus), She's Extreme is one of two winners for her dam. Keysbrook, in turn, is a half-sister to the stakes winner Brasileira (Aus) (Commands {Aus}). The extended family features group winners Jorda (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Detours (Aus) (Ad Valorem), and Aichi (Aus) (Strategic {Aus}) among others. The post Coolmore Australia Buys She’s Extreme For 3.4 Million To Top The Inglis Chairman’s Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Describing a horse as having the body shape of a pencil might not sound like high praise, but Dylan Gibbons believes it will be an advantage for Tavi Time (NZ) (Tavistock) when he steps out on a heavy track at Gosford. Gibbons has a theory that thoroughbreds with a lither frame cope better with testing conditions and Tavi Time fits that bill. “I’m a believer that the leaner, lighter horses seem to skip through the ground better because they don’t get in as deep,” Gibbons said. “If you see him in the yard, he is shaped like a pencil, so I think he’ll skip through it.” Gibbons’ notion will be put to the test on Saturday when Tavi Time tackles the A$500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford where the track is rated at the extreme end of the spectrum as a heavy 10. The four-year-old’s only other start in similar conditions was at his debut when he made up many lengths from back in the field in a 1200m race at Kembla Grange. He has won three of his five starts on soft ground, including a 6-1/2 length romp in the Mudgee Cup (1600m) in December, and Gibbons is hoping the horse has more luck than he did when fifth to Territory Express (Territories) in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) last start. The plan was to find a midfield position with cover from Tavi Time’s wide draw but when he was slow to jump, Gibbons found himself back in the ruck and forced to ride for luck. “I took the chance, it just didn’t set up for him, but he still ran tremendously well to run fifth,” Gibbons said. “He was near the winner in the run, and it’s got an exceptional turn of foot.” Trainer Kris Lees has followed an uncannily similar path with Tavi Time to the one he took with 2022 The Coast winner Rustic Steel (Deep Field) and Gibbons says that is no coincidence. The latter finished fourth in that year’s Provincial-Midway Final before claiming the rich Central Coast feature at his 12th start. Not only does Tavi Time come through the same race, he lines up for start number 12 on Saturday. “Kris knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t normally like to make up the numbers in these big races so he is there for a reason, and it probably isn’t the strongest edition either,” Gibbons said. “He gets a weight drop from his run in the Provincial-Midway Final so that will aid him as well.” View the full article

An extended first campaign in Australia might have brought about the undoing of one-time Melbourne Cup fancy Goldman (NZ) (Verdi) in the spring, but the measures taken to rectify that are set to pay immediate dividends. The five-year-old is a solid $3 favourite for Saturday’s Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) as he searches for his first win since defeating subsequent Melbourne Cup runner-up Soulcombe (Frankel) in the 2023 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington. It was the culmination of a barnstorming start to the former New Zealander’s Australian career during which time he won his first three runs by a combined total of over 13 lengths. However, when he failed to fire in four spring appearances, trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott sent him for a lengthy spell and started again. “In hindsight, that (first) preparation just had us on the back foot and with that, we elected to skip the autumn because that was going to be another quick turnaround,” Bott said. “We decided to get him right, give him a good break and focus on the backend of the autumn and mainly the winter with him. “I think that call has done him the world of good.” Goldman appeared back to his best when resuming with a game second to two-time Group 1 winner Huetor (Archipenko) in the JRA Plate (2000m) last month on a wet track. He will strike similar conditions at Gosford, which was rated a heavy 10 on Thursday, while the tight-turning circuit should also suit his on-speed racing style. Waterhouse and Bott are keen to take the promising stayer to Queensland where the Doomben and Brisbane Cups, along with the Q22, are all potential targets, although how deep he progresses into the winter will hinge on his form. “How far do we want to go through the winter? Do we potentially want to aim up at the spring again?” Bott said. “If we do, we’ve probably got to measure what we do. “He is in good shape and he’s exactly where we want him. We’ve just got to take him through his classes and go through the right races with him and look after him.” View the full article

Izymydaad (inside) and Donardo jump the final fence of the Dr John Moore Memorial Open Steeplechase (3800m) at Wanganui. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North) A pair of rising 12-year-olds fought out the finish of Thursday’s Dr John Moore Memorial Open Steeplechase (3800m) at Wanganui, with the Ken Duncan-trained Izymydaad coming out on top. The evergreen son of Istidaad commenced his racing career in 2019 and the gelding’s second appearance came over the fences, with every season under his belt bringing new heights, including a narrow second to champion jumper West Coast in the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) in July last year. Hunterville-based Duncan kicked off Izymydaad’s campaign last year at the Wanganui meeting and he was successful in the same race by nearly five lengths, a result he replicated by a much smaller margin on Thursday. Izymydaad took up his customary front-running position early in the 3800m event, with $1.45 favourite Hey Happy settling in behind the speed on the back up from a spectacular display at Te Rapa last Saturday. Another veteran in Des De Jeu was the first to challenge Izymydaad nearing the 1000m, but the gelding pulled away again turning for home and was set to fight it out with fellow 11-year-old Donardo, eventually holding him off by a slim head at the post. Duncan was swift in applauding the performance of Izymydaad’s pilot Stephan Karnicnik following the race, explaining he had just returned from a lengthy injury lay-off to take his 24th ride aboard the gelding. “It was a lovely run, the horse tried hard and when the contenders took him on around the track, he fought them off. He fought really hard to the end,” Duncan said. “I give full credit to Stephan, he’s been out with an injury and hadn’t been on a horse for six months until he stayed with me three days ago. “He’s ridden quite a few since he’s been at home, and I think he was hurting more than the horse at the finish.” With the cancellation of the Waverley Point-To-Point last month, Duncan opted to take Izymydaad for a final hit-out over the fences at Levin on Tuesday, where he was an overwhelming winner of his heat. “He’s been up and down the hills at home to get fit, unfortunately Waverley was cancelled so we ran him at Levin on Tuesday as these jumping trials are very important to the industry,” Duncan said. “He ran an impressive trial there, which I thought may have taken the edge off him, but it made him a bit harder for today.” Duncan, who also co-owns Izymydaad, was pleased to see his charge was still as keen a jumper as ever despite his age leading into the race. “He’s come in as good as ever, he was actually sillier in the paddock this morning than I’ve seen him in a while, he was like a three-year-old. I actually thought he might jump the gate,” Duncan said. “The two 11-year-olds were going to the line together, I spoke to Lucy (de Lautour, trainer of Donardo) today and every year we think ‘do they want to have a go again’, but after giving this horse a run on the flat, he put his hand up and said he still wants to be out there and competing. “They’re funny old horses, but you put the jumps in front of them, and away they go. He won by a jump at the trials he was so far in front, and he came home as happy as a lark, right on the bounce for today.” With five victories and just shy of $144,000 in stakes to his name, Izymydaad will be heading for the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), scheduled to run at Trentham on May 25. “We love going to Wellington, so the Manawatu Steeplechase is next on his agenda and hopefully it is run there,” Duncan said. Horse racing news View the full article