Wandering Eyes

A race like the Spinaway Stakes (G1) can reveal a great deal about the future for a collection of 2-year-old fillies. View the full article

Full Serrano makes his first start since his Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1) victory last fall in the $300,000 Del Mar Mile Stakes (G2T) at Del Mar. View the full article

Thurles Racecourse, which had been due to close this month after owners the Molony family decided to retire from racing, will continue operating until at least March of 2026. There was a productive meeting between the Molony family and Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) on Thursday. The only privately owned racecourse in Ireland, Thurles had 11 scheduled fixtures for the 2025/2026 season. A joint-statement from HRI and the Molony family read, “Following a positive meeting this afternoon between Horse Racing Ireland and the Molony family, Thurles Race Company will facilitate the continuation of horse racing at Thurles Racecourse until March 2026, with operational responsibility of the racecourse passing to Horse Racing Ireland. “Today's agreement, made possible in conjunction with the Association of Irish Racecourses, the IHRB, and the support of the wider industry, will see Thurles Racecourse fulfil its 11 fixtures through to March 2026, resuming as scheduled on Thursday, October 9. “Keeping Thurles operational until March of next year affords all interested parties time to consider a longer-term plan for the racecourse.” The post Thurles To Continue Racing Until At Least Next March appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The state of New York will implement penny breakage, a horseplayer-friendly measure that will result in all wagers placed on NYRA races being paid to the penny instead of the tiered breakage model that was previously in effect under New York Law, NYRA announced Thursday. The new breakage will be in effect for Saratoga's closing day. Beginning Monday, September 1, New York will join Washington and Kentucky as the only racing jurisdictions in the country to eliminate breakage on races hosted within their state. “This is a common-sense reform that will put more money back in the pockets of the horseplayers, which is exactly why NYRA supported and advocated for this policy change,” said Andrew Offerman, NYRA SVP of Racing Operations. Historically, breakage has been most noticeable on wagers with smaller payoffs, such as win, place, and show bets. While a winning bet might have a calculated payout of, for example, $5.48, the bettor would only receive $5.40, with the $0.08 in breakage retained by the state or the track. Beginning September 1, the bettor will receive the calculated amount to the penny for bets placed on NYRA's races. The legislation authorizing penny breakage was signed into law by New York Governor Kathy Hochul as part of the FY 2026 New York State Budget, which included key provisions reflecting the importance of horse racing to New York's economy and culture. In addition to penny breakage, the FY 2026 budget directed funding for transformational equine safety research and simplified the racing and wagering tax code to position the sport for continued success. In addition to these legislative victories, the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) adopted rule changes on August 25 to largely eliminate the practice of coupling entries for horses running under shared ownership. The new rules, which are expected to go into effect this fall, will benefit horseplayers by adding to the number of individual betting interests in more than 150 NYRA races annually. The post Penny Breakage To Take Effect In New York Sept. 1 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kenny Alexander, the owner of the great hurdler Honeysuckle and former head of the parent company of Ladbrokes, is one of 11 people charged as part of an investigation into the provision of gambling services in Turkey. Alexander, the former chief executive of the then GVC Holdings, now known as Entain, was charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe between 2011 and 2018, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). His silks have been a familiar sight on the biggest stages in National Hunt racing, most notably with Honeysuckle, who won consecutive editions of the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2021 and 2022. Others charged include Lee Feldman, 57, of East Hampton, New York, the former chairman of the firm, who was also charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe during the same period. Charged with the same offences are Richard Cooper, 64, from London, Robert Dowling 50, from Horsham, West Sussex, James Humberstone, 52, of Olney, Milton Keynes, Raymond Smart, 59 of Castel, Guernsey, and Richard Raubitschek-Smith, 49, of Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Scott Masterton, 57, of Tetney, Grimsby, is charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe, fraudulent trading, cheating the public revenue and acting as a director of a company when undischarged bankrupt. Alexander MacAngus, 64, of Grouville, Jersey is accused of conspiracy to defraud, while Caroline Roe, 48, from Staincross, Barnsley is charged with conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to bribe, fraudulent trading and fraudulent evasion of income tax. Robert Hoskin, 54, of Gibraltar, is charged with perverting the course of justice in February 2024. Richard Las, director of HMRC's fraud investigation service, said, “This has been a complex and international investigation. “These are serious charges that relate to conspiracy to defraud, bribery, cheating the public revenue, evasion of income tax and perverting the course of justice among others.” Entain said in a statement, “The company has not been charged and none of the individuals charged are currently employed by the company or its group.” The post Owner Kenny Alexander Among 11 Charged Over Gambling Services In Turkey appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

8th-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 4:28 p.m. ET. From the same Cherie DeVaux shedrow as her older half-sister MGISW She Feels Pretty (Karakontie {Jpn}), SHE FEELS STUNNING (American Pharoah) is unveiled for Lael who owns both fillies. The first-time starter was acquired by the stables for $650,000 during Keeneland September. Dam Summer Sweet (More Than Ready) is herself out of French stakes winner Summer Solstice (Ire) (Caerleon), who is also responsible for SW Adirondack Summer (Thunder Gulch), SW Summer Breezing (Langfuhr) and GISP Summer Solo (Arch)–the dam of SW Maedean (Tapit) and Canadian MGSW Solo Album (Curlin). TJCIS PPS 3rd-DMR, $80K, Msw, 3yo/up, f&m, 5fT, 7:02 p.m. ET. By the seaside, Spendthrift homebred Magnificat (Omaha Beach) is set for her first start under trainer Richard Mandella. Her dam is Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Holy Helena (Ghostzapper), who the farm bought for $1.5-million at the 2020 Keeneland November Sale while her first foal–a colt by Quality Road–was in-utero. Holy Helena's half-brother is GII Amsterdam Stakes victor Holy Boss (Street Boss). TJCIS PPS The post Friday’s Racing Insights: She Feels Pretty’s Younger Half-Sister A Go For DeVaux On A Spa Day appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Tamfana (Soldier Hollow) is pleasing her connections in training and has been penciled in for the G1 Prix de l'Opera on Arc Day, Oct. 5. The winner of the G1 Sun Chariot Stakes in 2024 and third in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last autumn is trained by David Menuisier for Quantum Leap Racing. Second in Sandown's G2 Mile in April, the 4-year-old turned in a seventh-placed finish in the G1 Lockinge Stakes in May and has not graced a racecourse since. “She's very well, we've given her a bit of a rest since her last run,” said Eamonn O'Connor, founder and chairman of owners Quantum Leap Racing. “It [Lockinge] didn't go very well for her, she got knocked about a bit but she is fine. “We've been planning an autumn campaign for her and she's on track now for the Prix de l'Opera, it's all systems go and we're really looking forward to it.” The post Tamfana On Course For Prix De L’Opera appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Trainer Miguel Clement sends out a trio of European imports, including favored La Mehana, in the $500,000 Flower Bowl Stakes (G2T) Aug. 30 at Saratoga Race Course. View the full article

Melbourne Cup (G1)-winning syndicators Australian Bloodstock have purchased dual group 1 winner Al Riffa.View the full article

Amid a conflict between jockeys in Oklahoma and the Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma over minimum mount fees for riders, no riders are named aboard horses in the entries for the Sept. 4 card at Remington Park.View the full article

Antiquarian, a major player in the Aug. 31 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, represents generational talent for both his breeder and owner.View the full article

Some of the most highly anticipated races during the summer season are the 'baby' races during the boutique meetings at Saratoga and Del Mar and at Ellis Park, which attract its fair share of high-priced juveniles from a variety of top national outfits. Summer Breezes, sponsored by OBS Sales, highlights debuting and stakes-entered 2-year-olds at those meetings that have been sourced at the breeze-up sales earlier in the year, including links to their under-tack previews. Here are the horses entered for Friday at Saratoga. Friday, August 29, 2025 Saratoga 5, $90k, 2yo, (S), 6f, 2:47 p.m. Horse (Sire), Sale, Price ($), Breeze Power Speed (Yaupon), FTMMAY, 700,000, :22 C-Grassroots Training & Sales, agent; B-Mahmud Mouni Sir Walta (Redesdale), OBSAPR, 80,000, :10 1/5 C-RiceHorse Stable (Brandon & Ali Rice), agt; B-Clear Stars/Mitre Box Saratoga 7, $100k, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 3:53 p.m. Grunge (Beau Liam)-MTO, 260,000, OBSAPR, :10 C-Julie Davies LLC, agent; B-J Migliore, agt S Rocco & West Point Mo Spice (Yaupon), 70,000, OBSMAR, :10 C-Two Oaks Equine; B-Jenny Carpenter, agt Buttonwood Farm Saratoga 8, $100k, 2yo, f, 1 1/16mT, 4:28 p.m. Princess Andi (Cairo Prince), OBSMAR, 80,000, :10 1/5 C-Champions of the Future, agent; B-Sleeper Thoroughbreds LLC The post Summer Breezes Sponsored By OBS: Friday, August 29, 2025 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Three-year-old Journalism will face champion Fierceness and the nearly undefeated Nysos in Del Mar's $1 million Pacific Classic.View the full article

What Pakenham Races Where Southside Racing Pakenham – 420 Nar Nar Goon – Longwarry Rd, Tynong VIC 3810 When Friday, August 29, 2025 First Race 4:45pm AEST Visit Dabble The synthetic surface at Pakenham is the destination for a competitive eight-race program on Friday evening. A stack of rain is forecast for the south-east on race day, meaning being up on speed could be beneficial to avoid kickback throughout the journey. The first event is set to jump at 4:45pm AEST. Best Bet at Pakenham: Leaving Las Vegas Leaving Las Vegas keeps knocking and gets another very winnable maiden. The Pierro gelding has rattled off a stack of seconds this prep (Geelong 1230m, Sandown 1300m, Bendigo 1600m) and now drops back to 1200m on a track that should reward his on-speed pattern. Visors went on in mid-prep and he’s been marching the right way since; from barrier six, Lachlan Neindorf can camp handily behind the leaders and control the race. If he reproduces his recent closing splits, this looks like the right setup to shed the maiden tag. Best Bet Race 3 – #4 Leaving Las Vegas (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Phillip Stokes | J: Lachlan Neindorf (59.5kg) Best Value at Pakenham: Saveadateforme Saveadateforme is a proper synthetic stayer who looks too good for his rivals in the closer. The Savabeel gelding boasts a superb record at Pakenham over this trip (7:2-4-1), including a dominant BM58 win in June and a narrow second in a BM64 on July 14. Forgive the Sandown run last time (turf), and focus on the all-weather figures: he settles midfield, rolls into the race from the 600m, and keeps finding. From gate three Ben Allen gets every chance to hold a spot and launch late. Best Value Race 8 – #2 Saveadateforme (3) 6yo Gelding | T: Charlotte Littlefield | J: Ben Allen (57.5kg) Best Value at Pakenham: Super Solar Super Solar is absolutely airborne on this surface and maps for another sweet run at the mile. The veteran was a BM64 winner here two starts back before boxing on for third on August 18 behind Zeshadow and stablemate Austrata, and he now draws to stalk the speed from gate five. Jamie Mott knows the horse inside out, and the 10-time winner’s track/distance body of work screams “trust” on the Pakenham poly. With genuine tempo from Nic’s Choice and Both Sides Now, expect Super Solar to peel, build, and prove too strong late over his pet trip. Best Value Race 6 – #1 Super Solar (5) 8yo Gelding | T: Reece Goodwin | J: Jamie Mott (63kg) Friday quaddie tips for Pakenham Synthetic Pakenham Synthetic quadrella selections Friday, August 29, 2025 1-4-5-8 1-2-3-5 3-9-8-11-14 1-2-3 Horse racing tips View the full article

The big guns are coming. Nominations for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot closed at 3pm (NZT) today. There are a total of 34 nominations for the New Zealand Cup and 41 for the Dominion – both Group 1s will be held at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11. Headlining the nominations for the Cup are the two gun Australians, Leap To Fame and two-time champion Swayzee while another feature of the final nominations are the four Lee-trained runners from Victoria including trotting superstar Keayang Zahara. The Grant Dixon-trained and driven Leap To Fame is Australasian harness racing’s undoubted star with 56 career victories and over $4.6m in stakes earnings. The New Zealand Cup is about the only big race he hasn’t won. His one and only previous appearance in this country was a record-breaking victory in the $1m The Race by betcha at Cambridge in April. He is a commanding $1.60 favourite. His half brother Swayzee ($4.60) meanwhile is vying for a slice of Cup history. If successful he will be just the fourth horse ever to win three New Zealand Cups in a row, emulating Indianapolis, False Step and Terror To Love. Both are guaranteed a start in the Cup – Swayzee as defending champion and Leap To Fame after his Inter Dominion triumph this year. Two ex-Kiwis, (Gee) Heza Sport and Minstrel who are trained by Greg and Skye Bond in Western Australia, have also been nominated. The top Kiwis in the mix include Merlin, Republican Party and Mo’unga as well as Don’t Stop Dreaming and Akuta, who have finished second to Swayzee in the past two years. Mo’unga sealed a start in the Cup by winning last week’s Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington. Joining the impressive Keayang Zahara in the Dominion will be stablemates Keayang Chucky (20 wins from 53 starts) and Jilliby Ballerini, who’s won seven from 19. 2025 TAB Trot winner at Cambridge, Arcee Phoenix is also nominated. He is a $3.60 second favourite behind big Kiwi hope Bet N Win ($3.50). Both are guaranteed a start in the Dominion if nominated – Arcee Phoenix for his Inter Dominion win and Bet N Win after taking out the Rowe Cup. He leads a strong Kiwi contingent that includes Oscar Bonavena, Muscle Mountain and last year’s Dominion runner-up Mighty Logan. The nominations for both the Cup and the Dominion opened on August 11. The initial rankings for both will be made available on Thursday, September 4 and updated weekly. IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup Nominations Renwick Farms Dominion Trot Nominations Akuta Arcee Phoenix* Alta Meteor Belle Neige American Me Bet N Win Aroda* Cody Banner Better Knuckle Up Confessional Boudica Courmayeur Chase A Dream Eurostyle Cold Chisel Father Time Da Vinci Fiery Bandito Dalton Shard Gold Bullion Don’t Stop Dreaming Gus* Franco Marek Halberg (Gee) Heza Sport* Hidden Talent Here’s Herbie Highgrove Jeremiah I Dream Of Jeannie Jolimont Jilliby Ballerini* Keayang Tokyo* Jimmy Carter Lakelsa Julie Jaccka Leap To Fame* Kawhi Little Spike Keayang Chucky* Merlin Keayang Zahara* Minstrel* Love N The Port Mo’unga Mad Jack Pinseeker Maui Rakero Rocket Melsadele Renegade Midnight Dash Republican Party Mighty Logan Sooner The Bettor Mr Love Swayzee* Muscle Mountain The Surfer Mystic Max Vessem Nellie Doyle Wag Star One Over All We Walk By Faith Oscar Bonavena Who’s Delight Paris Prince Parisian Artiste* Roydon Muscle Rush Tectonic Tu Tangata Tyron Eros Zoltan Boscik * Denotes Australian trained horse Click here to download the press release View the full article

What San Domenico Stakes Day 2025 Where Rosehill Gardens Racecourse – James Ruse Dr, Rosehill NSW 2142 When Saturday, August 30, 2025 First Race 11:45am AEST Visit Dabble Feature racing returns to Rosehill this Saturday, with the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) and Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) sharing top billing on a bumper 10-race program. The rail moves out +3m for the entire circuit, and with the forecast ensuring a reprieve from the heavy rainfall that has drenched Sydney in recent weeks, the surface should be upgraded into the Good 4 range come race-day morning. The action for 2025 San Domenico Stakes Day is set to get underway at 11:45am AEST. San Domenico Stakes Tip: Wodeton Although Wodeton failed to claim Group 1 success in his two-year-old season, the Chris Waller-trained colt appears primed to make amends at some stage this preparation. The 2025 San Domenico Stakes is the perfect stepping stone for the son of Wootton Bassett, and he looks set to fire first-up on the back of three eye-catching barrier trials. James McDonald will attempt to slot into the one-one from barrier two, and while Raging Force has a fitness edge, Wodeton has the class to topple the favourite with horse racing bookmakers. San Domenico Stakes Race 8 – #5 Wodeton (2) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (55kg) Up And Coming Stakes Tip: Providence There is a lot to like about Providence as he returns from a short spell. The Wootton Bassett colt was far from disgraced in the Group 1 J.J. Atkins at Eagle Farm on June 14 last time out, finishing fourth of 16 and making good late inroads despite a checkered passage. He should still have strong residual fitness after a tick-over trial at Canterbury, and with ‘J-Mac’ set to have Providence in the ideal stalking position from stall five, this guy should get every chance to claim the 2025 Up And Coming Stakes. Up And Coming Stakes Race 6 – #2 Providence (5) 3yo Colt | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (56.5kg) Best Bet at Rosehill: Tazima Tazima could not have been more impressive in his win at Randwick’s Kensington circuit on August 13, settling last in the run before exploding to the top with 150m left to travel. Stretching out to 2000m for the first time since arriving to Australia should be no issue for the European import, and with Tommy Berry set to smoke the pipe somewhere mid-field with cover, watch for Tazima to burst clear when asked for the ultimate effort. Best Bet Race 5 – #11 Tazima (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: Tommy Berry (57kg) Next Best at Rosehill: Nkosi The Bjorn Baker-trained Nkosi was a dominant four-length winner at Wyong on Australian debut and looks well placed rising into BM78 company. He drops 5.5kg for that front-running effort and appears to get similar favours in this small field of 10, with the Shamus Award gelding likely to roll to the lead without much feuding in the early stages. It should allow Dylan Gibbons to tick-over a soft sectional prior to the run home, and provided there are no mid-race moves, watch for Nkosi to give a strong kick at the top of the straight. Next Best Race 4 – #9 Nkosi (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Dylan Gibbons (55.5kg) Best Value at Rosehill: Mchale Although Mchale has spent 329 days off the scene, his recent form reads exceptionally well for this BM100. The son of Shooting To Win boasts a terrific first-up record of four starts for three wins, with one of those an outstanding victory in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Stakes (1400m) to kick off his last campaign. He may be slightly underdone coming into this off one barrier trial; however, with an element of class amongst a field stacked with staying types, Mchale looks a big price at $12 with PlayUp. Best Value Race 9 – #7 Mchale (7) 5yo Gelding | T: Chris Waller | J: James McDonald (59.5kg) Saturday quaddie tips for Rosehill Rosehill quadrella selections Saturday, August 30, 2025 3-6-10 2-5 1-3-4-5-7-9-13-15 2-3-6-7-10-15-16 Horse racing tips View the full article

Six-year-old mare Niance (NZ) (Swiss Ace) will kick off a new campaign when she lines up in the Gr.1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday week. The Grahame Begg-trained daughter of Swiss Ace has had two jump outs to prepare for the early spring target, winning an 800m hitout at Cranbourne on Monday. The Kiwi import has only raced once over the short course of 1000m, when winning a Pakenham 0-64 at her first start for Begg. Initially trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy in New Zealand, Niance has won six of her seven starts since crossing the Tasman and sports the Ace Bloodstock colours. “She is a very good mare that is going particularly well,” Begg said. “She is in fantastic condition. We actually gave her another jump out here at Cranbourne last Monday just to top her off going into the Moir because it’s not easy going into a Group One first up. “I always believe it is a pretty tall order but its only 1000m. We thought to give her that extra bit of hardness going into the race we would give her that jump out which she went really well in and we are now looking forward to Saturday week.” Niance made a cameo appearance in late May when winning the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield after a lengthy layoff due to a paddock accident in which she suffered a fractured skull. “The problem was we didn’t know how she injured herself,” Begg said. “They found her and she had swelling to the skull but there was no sign of any head trauma, so we were a bit miffed as to what happened to her. “It (injury) got infected and the bone was getting rejected from the body and we had to do surgery to remove the fragments. “She has a great will to win this mare. She is just a very good, rounded horse. “I think her preference is for good ground with just the edge off but she can handle all sorts of ground. “She always puts her hand up.” Niance is a $5 joint favourite for the Moir along with Baraqiel (Snitzel) and Alabama Lass (Alabama Express). “It is shaping up as a pretty good race,” Begg said. “They were all originally saying it was a weak race but now there are horses coming from Sydney, Brisbane and it is going to be a strong enough race and there is even going to be Alabama Lass from New Zealand.” View the full article

It’s been a winter to remember for Shaun and Hazel Fannin, and they are hoping their golden run continues at Te Aroha on Sunday. Stable representative Jesko (NZ) (Atlante) has been the rising star among the country’s steeplechasers, winning the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m), Wellington Steeplechase (4900m), Koral Steeplechase (4250m) and was runner-up in the Grand National Steeplechase (5600m). The eight-year-old gelding, who carries the gold silks of micro-share syndicator The Frac Club, will be among the leading chances in next month’s Ben And Ryan Foote Great NZ Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha, where he could be joined by stable and ownership-mate Fourty Eight (NZ) (Ekraar). The seven-year-old gelding’s jumping season didn’t get off to the best of starts, battling with a foot issue, but he was able to show his talent over fences later in the season to give his large ownership group some memorable moments. He won his maiden steeplechase, the Cody Singer Memorial (4000m), at Woodville last month, and returned to the venue a fortnight ago to finish runner-up in an open steeplechase. “He had a few foot issues at the beginning of the season,” Shaun Fannin said. “He had to get over that and then he won his maiden steeplechase at Woodville. “Looking at the programme, nothing fitted the next five weeks, so he was maybe found wanting the last little bit there at Woodville (last start). It seems to have cleaned him up nicely.” The son of Ekraar subsequently had a jumping trial at Te Aroha last week to familiarise himself with the course, finishing runner-up to English Gambler in their heat. Fannin was pleased with the way he has come through his trial and he is hoping it will aid his chances at the track in Sunday’s Howden Insurance Pakuranga Hunt Cup (4300m), for which he is currently a $3.20 favourite. “He seems to be in good condition,” said Fannin, who will also be in the saddle on Sunday. “He went up to Te Aroha last Friday for a trial and have a look around the live fences there and he went really well. We were pretty happy with him.” Fannin is looking forward to testing his charge against some seasoned veterans, and if can perform up to expectations, a tilt at the Great New Zealand Steeplechase is in the offing. “This will be his biggest test to date and all the good jumpers are there, so we are looking forward to seeing how he goes against that line-up,” he said. “If he went well on Sunday that (Great New Zealand Steeplechase) would definitely be his next start.” He will likely be joined by Jesko, who Fannin has been pleased with since his Grand National run. “He seems in good enough nick,” Fannin said. “As long as things continue to go well, he will look at the Great New Zealand Chase in three weeks’ time.” Fannin said he and Hazel are rapt with their stable’s performance over winter, and they are excited to have two exciting jumpers on their hands. “It’s great for us,” he said. “We have done everything with them, going through the grades and being successful is pleasing for us both.” View the full article

Awapuni filly War Princess (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will head up State Highway Three on Saturday to Wanganui in search of all-important black-type in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The daughter of U S Navy Flag won two of her three starts as a juvenile, and was unplaced in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in March, and trainer Peter Didham is pleased with the way she has returned as a three-year-old. She won a 1000m trial at Awapuni earlier this month, which piqued the interest of TAB bookmakers, who have opened her as a $4.80 equal favourite for Saturday’s three-year-old feature with dual stakes winner Platinum Diamond (NZ) (Hello Youmzain). While he has a high opinion of his filly, Didham admitted to being a bit surprised when he saw his filly at the top of the market. “She trialled really nicely,” Didham said. “She is very quick, so probably deserves to have a go around Wanganui and be in the field, but I am very surprised that she is favourite because it is a really strong field.” Didham would have liked another couple of weeks up his sleeve before contesting the Guineas, but he is hoping his filly’s brilliance will have her featuring in the finish. “It has come around a week or two earlier than I would have liked, her coat is just starting to move,” he said. “Her two trials and two races that she has won, she jumped and ran and maintained a nice speed. We probably won’t change too much with that unless there is a tonne of speed and we can sit second or third like we did at the trial the other day.” Looking ahead to the rest of spring, Didham said he will likely keep his filly to shorter trips. “At this stage, she will probably be kept to sprinting, but who knows, she might get a little bit further,” he said. Fellow three-year-old filly Shameless Star (NZ) (Shamexpress) will kick-off her preparation on the undercard when she contests the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden 1200. The daughter of Shamexpress also pleased Didham with her 850m trial win at Foxton earlier this month and he is confident of a bold showing first-up. “She had a really good trial last week,” he said. “She has a good draw (2), a good rider (Masa Hashizume), and I expect her to race well.” Didham will also be represented by Danjuro (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) in the Take It Easy Tours 1600, with the five-year-old gelding having also won his lead-in 1200m trial at Awapuni earlier this month. “It (trial win) was a bit unexpected,” Didham said. “He had only had a few gallops, and we are starting to get him ready for the staying races. “He is a quirky horse, but he has always had ability. The mile should be too short for him, but we have got to kick-off, like the rest of these horses. It is exciting with most of the winter out of the way to get them racing.” Didham’s team will be rounded out by Gum Basher (NZ) (Vespa) in the Whanganui Chronicle 1340. “Gummy has been a bit unlucky this year,” Didham said. “Two or three races she should have won. “She just might have lost a little bit of early speed at the moment, so I am hoping to see her hit the line really well. She always tries hard, she is a nice horse.” View the full article

Mary Shan (NZ) (Almanzor) will resume at Wanganui on Saturday to open a preparation with a sole aim. The quality daughter of Almanzor will kick off in the Cloudsoft Accounting Systems Open Handicap (1200m) following consecutive trials at Taupo last month. Trainer Andrew Forsman is confident of a bold showing from the five-year-old, as long as she strikes going to suit. “As long as it is a looser track and they’re getting through it and running on, as she will get back a bit and 1200m is short of her best, then I think she will be really competitive,” he said. “I think it will just come down to the pattern of the racing.” Mary Shan has been a four-time black-type runner-up, including a brace at Group Two level, over the last two seasons. “She has done a lot and the aim is to try and make her a stakes winner, so there’s the mares’ race at Hawera (Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes, 1400m) and races like that are obvious targets,” Forsman said. Mary Shan will be accompanied south by another hot chance for the stable with the in-form Zanzibar (NZ) (Zed) in the Take It Easy Tours Handicap (1600m). The son of Zed has collected two wins and four seconds, including most recently in the New Plymouth Interprovincial (1600m). “He’s going great and we thought we might have turned him out, but he’s going to have a long break over the summertime,” Forsman said. “He seems fit and well and I can’t fault him at home, but at some point he’ll have had enough, he’s had a lot of travelling and hard racing and we’re hopeful of another good run before turning him out.” Forsman is likely to have just one runner at Te Aroha on Sunday in Privy Garden (NZ) (So You Think), who will contest the Clotworthy Racing Oen (1600m), while stablemate Moonlight Magic isn’t a certain starter. “Privy Garden will run and the aim with her is to have a go at the Gr.3 Merial Metric Mile (1600m) at Trentham on September 20,” he said. During a relatively quiet weekend for the stable, their only other representative will be Richard And I (NZ) (Ocean Park) in Friday’s Saddlery Warehouse Handicap (1300m) on his home all-weather track at Cambridge. He has finished in behind the major players in both outings this preparation and looms as a leading hope. “He has come right, we had a bit of a setback with him due to a foot abscess, but he’s over all that now,” Forsman said. “We dodged a wet rack with him at Ruakaka a couple of weeks ago and he certainly gets his chance.” View the full article

Executive Director of the Texas Thoroughbred Association Tracy Sheffield posted a message on the TTA's Facebook page concerning a buyer at Tuesday's annual yearling sale named David O'Dwyer, who purchased 11 horses at the Lone Star Park auction for prices ranging from $1,000 to $2,200. The story appeared on The Paulick Report. Sheffield's statement said: “We are aware of the online reports of horses from our yearling sale this week appearing in suspected kill pen advertisements on social media. We are infuriated and saddened to see this. For reference, we have taken steps to rule off suspected kill pen buyers from our sales grounds in recent years. At this year's sale, this buyer who signed the tickets as 'David O'Dwyer' was not a suspected kill pen buyer to us, but as soon as we got wind of what may have been going on, we ejected him from the sale and he is banned from making any future purchases with us. “Unfortunately, by the time we suspected the activity, he had purchased and, as a result based on the terms and conditions of our sale, legally owned the yearlings he had purchased. We spoke to the buyer at the sale and we reached him by phone today. He claims these horses are not to be killed and that owners/breeders can buy the horses back. We are working to find a solution to this situation which is absolutely unacceptable.” The 11 horses O'Dwyer purchased during the Aug. 26 sale were all listed on the Bowie Texas Livestock website on a “O'Dwyer Horses” page, each with a “slaughter date” of Sept. 2. The specific horses are as follows: Hip 10: chestnut filly by Idol, out of Lost Raven ($2,000) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,800; Hip 17: (I Don't Lik'em Sir) chestnut filly by Vino Rosso, out of Majestic Lady ($2,200) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $3,400; Hip 21: chestnut colt by Competitive Edge, out of Maymesiter ($1,500) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,800; Hip 26: (Shopliftedinaflash) bay gelding by Shoplifted, out of Miss Flashback ($1,700) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,400; Hip 28: chestnut filly by Early Voting, out of Mom'z Laugh ($1,000) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,400; Hip 36: dark bay gelding by Mo Tom, out of Mykindalady ($1,500) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,400; Hip 56: dark bay colt by Flat Out, out of Pobeda ($1,700) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,400; Hip 66: (Shaken Competition) dark bay gelding by Competitive Edge, out of Really Shakin ($1,200) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,400; Hip 98: bay colt by Basin, out of Song From Above ($1,700) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,400; Hip 114: gray colt by Mark Valeski, out of Supercede ($1,700) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $3,800; Hip 122: bay filly by The Big Beast, out of Tayrona ($1,700) – listed for sale at Bowie website for $2,400. This story will be updated when more information becomes available. The post 11 Yearlings From TTA Sale Listed By Suspected Kill Pen Buyer appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Capital Partner (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Dr. Agne (Into Mischief), a pair of 'TDN Rising Stars off debut maiden wins at the Spa, headline the GIII With Anticipation Stakes for 2-year-olds on the inner turf at Saratoga Thursday. The $175,000 event is run over 1 1/16 miles and features a field of eight. Klaravich Stables Inc.'s Capital Partner, favored at 5-2 on the morning line, did not have the smoothest of trips on debut Aug. 2 at this distance. He was fractious in the gate, bumped more than once, rank, and green, yet he unleashed a from-the-clouds kick while wide in the stretch to win by a half-length. With a repeat of that kick and a cleaner trip, it's hard to see him getting beat. Trainer Chad Brown won this last year with Zulu Kingdom (Ire) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}), since a Grade I winner, as well as in 2012 and 2014. Flavien Prat, aboard for the 'Rising Star' performance, stays on the bay. Capital Partner's fellow 'Rising Star' Dr. Agne, who campaigns for Madaket Stables LLC, Twin Brook Stables, and Belladonna Racing LLC, makes his first start since his much-anticipated July 11 unveiling. The Cherie DeVaux runner is out of champion grass mare Lady Eli (Divine Park) and certainly has the breeding for this, but will be both stretching out from his seven-furlong debut and moving to the grass for the first time as his sole start was taken off the turf. Irad Ortiz, Jr. keeps the mount. “Step one was winning, and he did that. He did that impressively,” said DeVaux. “We just hope to continue on now. He is maturing well. He is a horse that is big and sturdy. He holds his condition well and he's doing really well.” DeVaux continued: “If we won on debut, this was where we were going to run him. He's been training well, so we'll see. This will be good to get him on the turf and around two turns.” Final Score (Not This Time) and Heeere's Johnny (Oscar Performance) exit a one-two punch in an Aug. 10 maiden over track and trip. The Todd Pletcher-trained Final Score was a $600,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga purchase last year for Repole Stable, while the Raymond Handal-trained Heeere's Johnny–who campaigns for Magic Carpet Racing and Catherine W. Coyle–is a full-brother to this month's GI Saratoga Derby Invitational Stakes winner World Beater. The field is rounded out by statebred Spa maiden winner Caroline St. Beat (Tiz the Law); Godolphin homebred Gloves Off (Nyquist), who ships in from an Ellis Park debut victory; GIII Sanford Stakes fourth Strategic Risk (Noble Bird); and Saratoga 14 1/2-length debut dirt winner and $35,000 claimer One More Freud (Tonalist). The post ‘Rising Stars’ Square Off in With Anticipation appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter and Shaun McKay are dreaming of a Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) tilt with their quality stayer Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini), and he will start his journey towards the iconic feature at Wanganui on Saturday. The son of Peter McKay’s former Group One winner Puccini, Wolfgang tested his talent in Australia last spring when sixth in the Gr.2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and fourth in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m). He came of age with the trip and entered career-best form on his return to New Zealand, finishing runner-up in the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m), Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m), and won the Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) and New Zealand St Leger (2500m). His victory in the Wellington Cup gave his trainers the confidence to target further two-mile features, and they have set their sights on the most coveted prize of them all, the Melbourne Cup. He will kick-off his campaign in the Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open 2040 on Saturday where he has drawn barrier nine, and he will receive some weight relief from his 62kg impost courtesy of apprentice jockey Liam Kauri’s three-kilogram claim. The track was rated a Heavy8 on Wednesday, and the McKays are hoping it improves prior to the weekend. “He has had a couple of trials under his belt,” Peter McKay said. “I would still like to see the track dry out to at least a (Soft) 6 or a 7. “If the track dries out a bit more, hopefully he should be doing some nice work at the finish. If it is about an (Heavy) 8 or 9, if he runs midfield, we will be happy enough because he doesn’t really like the wet. “He needs the run, there are no other options at this stage. “As long as he goes alright (he will head straight to Australia after this run). If he is disappointing, we will just have to try and mark time and find somewhere to run him again.” All going to plan, Wolfgang will head to Melbourne in the coming weeks where he will target three Melbourne Cup automatic entry races – Gr.3 Archer Stakes (2500m), Gr.3 The Bart Cummings (2500m), and Geelong Cup. “The plan is just this run now and then go over, I just can’t see any other race that suits here,” McKay said. “He is going to carry 62kg in the handicap races here, where at least over there he will get pushed down a bit in weight. “There are two or three races where if he could win one of them it will get him into the Melbourne Cup, but even without running in the Melbourne Cup, there are still three or four races for him worth A$500,000.” While the Melbourne Cup is Wolfgang’s primary spring objective, McKay has a Plan B in place in New Zealand. “The only race that is suitable for him here is the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m), so I have put a nom in there just in case we don’t get over there,” he said. McKay said it would be a dream to compete in the Melbourne Cup, but he is aware of the task ahead of them. “Last year, the way the field came out, he would have got a run, but this year they are putting up a lot more money and I think it could be a lot stronger field,” he said. “He would just about have to win one of those qualifying races to get in. “It would be a dream to be in it, but there are also other races over there to compete in.” Wolfgang will be joined in his Saturday assignment by stablemate Sagunto (NZ) (O’Reilly), who will be second-up, and McKay said he will appreciate the step up in trip. “He likes a little bit better track, but he has improved since his first-up run at Ruakaka where there was rain on the day,” he said. “Up to 2000m, he is fitter, he gets well down the weights with his four-kilo claim, so he will hopefully roll him along for a while. “He is a 10-year-old now, but he feels as good as he did when he was a seven and eight-year-old.” The stable will be chasing stakes success at the meeting with Faultless (NZ) (Tivaci), who will contest the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m). The son of Tivaci was runner-up to race-rival To Bravery Born (NZ) (Snitzel) when first-up over 1100m at Taupo earlier this month, and McKay is hopeful of a bold showing this weekend. “His last run was very pleasing,” McKay said. “He has come back as a three-year-old a little bit stronger and more level-headed than what he was as a two-year-old. We are very happy with him. “It is a nice, strong field and he should show a lot of cheek, but once we get him to 1400m and a mile it is going to be more his go. “The way he races last start, I think if he can get a nice sit in behind the speed and handles the track okay, he should be competitive.” A day prior at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting, the stable will line-up last-start runner-up Rocky Marciano (NZ) (Eminent) in the NZ Horse Ambulance 1550. “He went really well in his first-up run there and the 1550m should suit him,” McKay said. “He has come back a lot stronger this year. “Hopefully he can clear maidens soon, he has had a few starts, but once he does, and gets up over ground, I think he could be quite a nice staying horse.” View the full article

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After winning the Untapable Stakes with now grade 1 winner Kilwin last year, BBN Racing returns to Kentucky Downs in search of more success with a similarly named Twirling Candy filly, Mackinac.View the full article