Wandering Eyes

By Michael Guerin New Zealand Cup hero Kingman will skip Friday’s Pacing Free-For-All as trainer Luke McCarthy heads home to New South Wales to drive his stable star. Yes, you read that right, the horse who sat three wide to beat Leap To Fame and the best Kiwis in Tuesday’s $1m IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington may not be the best in McCarthy’s stable. Not officially anyway. McCarthy also trains Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and Eureka winner Don Hugo, which would at least give him the title of the “Best Performed” pacer in McCarthy’s stable, even if his peak performance wouldn’t match Kingman’s stunner from Tuesday. “It is a very privileged position to be in,” says McCarthy. “They are both wonderful horses but they have very different plans over the summer.” While Kingman will skip the Allied Security NZ Free-For-All on Friday that doesn’t mean his New Zealand campaign is over as he will remain in Canterbury and contest the Group 1 Christian Cullen Pace at Addington on Friday week. It is for four-year-olds only and not only might Kingman scare some rivals away from the new race which was run for the first time last year but he will start incredibly short in the market. McCarthy will come back to drive him next week but heads to Wagga in New South Wales on Friday night as Don Hugo contest the first of five Carnivals of Cups races, named The Bidgee, spread over the summer which carry a A$1m bonus if any horse can win all five of them. Don Hugo faces a second line draw and a hot field over the 2800m mobile. Last season’s New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee won four of the races and a A500,000 bonus but missed the A$1m payout when beaten into second in the other race. While Kingman will miss tomorrow’s Pacing Free-For-All, Leap To Fame, Republican Party, Akuta and Merlin will back up from the Cup into the sprint race which will be run at 8.07pm at the twilight meeting. The Trotting Free-For-All is the other open class race at Addington tomorrow and sees Queenslander Gus returning after Tuesday’s Dominion alongside fellow big guns Oscar Bonavena, Muscle Mountain and Victorian mare Jilliby Ballerini, who should be suited by the mobile conditions. But as iconic as the two free-for-alls are they won’t hold richest race status at tomorrow’s meeting with the second running of the two $500,000 slot races, The Velocity for three-year-old pacers and The Ascent for three-year-old trotters. New Zealand’s best juvenile pacer of last season and the top dog in the three-year-old ranks in the first half of the season Marketplace gets the perfect draw at barrier two in the Velocity as he tries to fend off arch-rival Got The Chocolates, who has beaten him fair and square the last two times they have met. Got The Chocolates has drawn the outside of the front line over the 1980m tomorrow so Marketplace was opened the $1.85 TAB favourite. The Ascent Trot could see the Australian domination of this Cup week continue with Victorian fillies Tracy The Jet and Gatesy’s Gem well up to the locals and having the advantage of inside front line draws as fillies draw inside males in the two slot races. Tracy The Jet is $2.10 favourite ahead of Meant To Be ($3.60). View the full article

The Arqana Autumn Sale catalogue has grown by nine lots with the addition of wildcards under both codes including 1200-metre winner Mataki (Goken) (lot 323). Deauville will host the sale from Monday, November 17 through Thursday, November 20. Besides that 92-rated runner and grandson of group winner and Group 1-placed Mare Nostrum (Caerleon) is Stolen Kiss (Chachnak) (lot 339), a seven-time winner this season. Lot 340 is Amilcare (Wooded) and, rated 98, he is out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Covert Love (Azamour). National Hunt horses abound, with listed-winning jumper Wild Bill Hickok (Walk In The Park) (lot 322) signed on, as is the placed hurdler Philadelphie (Kapgarde) (lot 324), who is out of Cheltenham listed winner Plaisir D'Amour (Linngari). Other lots of note are Lynx De Thaix (lot Tunis) (lot 341), unbeaten in three starts over hurdles; G2 Prix Georges de Talhouet-Roy runner-up The Mighty Celt (Walk In The Park) (lot 343); the APQS winner Le Mont St Michel (Jeu St Eloi) (lot 353); Miesko (Cokoriko) (Lot 354), who is from the family of listed winner Rolls De Vindecy (Balleroy); and a foal by Galiway as lot 810. He is a half brother to listed winner Extreme Fast (Le Havre) out of a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Moonlight Cloud (Invincible Spirit). The post Another Nine Wildcards Added To Arqana Autumn Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Dale Romans announced Wednesday morning that he will be running in the Kentucky Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat that has opened up due to the impending retirement of Mitch McConnell. He realizes he is an outsider and a Democrat running in a red state, but he sees a path to victory. Romans sat down with the TDN Wednesday to discuss why he is running for the U.S. Senate, whether or not he thinks he can win and what he would do if elected. TDN: When and why did you decide to run for the U.S. Senate? DR: I've always been political behind the scenes, mostly on horse racing immigration issues. I've spent a lot of time on Capitol Hill and have met with a lot of local politicians. This is something I've always been fascinated with. When Mitch McConnell said he wasn't going to run again, I started to think about it. I know it's a big seat for a first-time politician but I thought there was an opportunity to throw my hat in the ring. I went to Governor Beshear first and asked him if he were running and he said no. I asked him what he thought and he said that I wasn't crazy, that this made sense. If a Democrat can win in Kentucky it's going to be someone with deep roots in the state, no voting record, can connect with the people and has a little name recognition. He said I checked all the boxes. I thought I might as well jump in. At this stage in my life, Kentucky has been very good to me and I'd like to give back by being a senator for Kentucky and all of Kentucky. TDN: In racetrack parlance, it looks like you're 99-1 on the board. Can you overcome those odds? DR: I think so. I don't think the state is as red as people think it is. We did vote a Democratic Governor in and we've done that several times. We haven't had a Democratic Senator in a long time. (The last Democrat to serve in the U.S. Senate from Kentucky was Wendell Ford, who was elected in 1992). But look at the history. We had two Republican institutions in Jim Bunning and Mitch McConnell that nobody was ever going to vote out. Rand Paul came around and won, but there's only been that one opportunity to have a Democrat win. As far as being an outsider, I think that's what the people want right now. We need outsiders in Washington. Let's try something different. What we're doing now isn't working. TDN: You call yourself an “Independent Democrat.” Can you expound on what that means? DR: I”m running as a Democrat but coming from a red state you have to be independent of the party. You don't have to vote along party lines. I talked with this a lot with Joe Manchin because he is from West Virginia. He said he always called himself an independent democrat. He wasn't beholden to the party for everything they did. He said they could never primary you. They can't afford to loose the seat. I plan to vote for what's best for Kentucky and best for the country and be independent in what I do. TDN: A lot of people in this country and in Kentucky are struggling right now. You say you can identify with them. Why is that? DR: I had a single mother who was raising three boys by herself. we lived in Shively, a suburb of Louisville and it was always paycheck-to-paycheck. So I know those struggles because of what I went through. I was sleeping in tack rooms before I started winning races. I also know the struggles of starting a business and what you have to do for payroll and regulations and keeping your workforce available. My life lessons will translate well to Washington. TDN: You have admitted that you have overcome issues with alcohol. If you were not sober now would you be doing this? DR: No, I don't think I would have done it then. There are a lot of people who have helped me get things in my life in order. I got my health back, I got my weight down. I quit drinking two years ago. A lot of people helped me and now it's time for me to help people. TDN: As a U.S. Senator, what can you do to help horse racing? DR: The biggest thing I can do for horse racing is try to get some funding for the unfunded mandate that's been thrust upon us in HISA. The other big thing is to do some immigration reform. We have a labor force back there and I don't think it's that tough a fix. I don't think the two sides are that far apart. I have talked to a lot of people and that's the reason why I have been on Capitol Hill a few times. They all agree but they don't want to give the other side the win. I don't care if Trump is in office. I will give him the win. Let's just get this fixed. TDN: Should you win the Democratic primary your likely opponent in the general election will be Congressman Andy Barr. He will surely be a formidable foe. He is a Republican, he's got the name recognition factor and he has also been known to be a friend to horse racing. DR: I call Andy a friend, but we differ on quite a few issues, one being that he's the one who wrote this unfunded mandate that could bankrupt racing, Andy is a friend. Can I beat him? I'll worry about that if I get through the primary. TDN: The horse racing industry in Kentucky, particularly in the Lexington area, includes a lot of wealthy people. Have any pledged their support to you? Do you think they will? DR: I'm hoping they step up for me. I don't know about Lexington, but I've already been very pleasantly surprised how may of my colleagues have already stepped up and donated to me. They have been very supportive. TDN: You are dyslexic. How did that affect your education and how has it shaped your opinions on our education system? DR: I didn't get through college. I struggled to get through high school. I think that is another life lesson. I understand how difficult school is to some people like it was for me. Both my kids have advanced degrees and have done very well. I barely got out of high school. It wasn't because a lack of effort; it was a struggle for me. I think there's a different way we can educate people like me. TDN: IN the 2025 elections, Democrats were successful running on what they were calling “kitchen table issues,” namely affordability. They recognized that people were struggling to pay their bills and hit on a winning theme. Will that be one of the themes of your campaign? DR: I want to pick up on the themes that are important to the American people and the people of Kentucky. Those issues are important. They are complicated issues and there are a lot of things that tie into it. One of them is immigration reform. If you take away the work force we have from undocumented laborers that we have right now you'll see there'll be bigger problems when it comes to affordability. There are a lot of angles to attack it from. We're going to try to get out there and work on all issues that affect Kentuckians. TDN: The favorite right now in the Democratic primary is Amy McGrath. She has run three times for major offices in Kentucky, for Congress in 2018 and for the Senate in 2020 and 2026. She has lost all three times. Are Democrats experiencing Amy McGrath fatigue? DR: With all due respect to Amy, I think it's time to try something different. It's time to try something different in Washington and get a different kind of politician in there. TDN: I take it that you're not a big fan of Chuck Schumer. DR: I haven't said I'm not a big fan of Chuck Schumer. I said I'm not pledging any support to Chuck Schumer or anyone else until I get there. I won't be beholden to the party and won't always vote for what they want me to vote for. We'll just have to figure that out when I get there…if Schumer lasts that long. I will say that I'm not a fan of the shutdown. I'll tell you that. I never would have voted to shut down the country and never will vote to shut down the country. I don't think there's any issues big enough to keep people from getting their paychecks and the budget of the United States shouldn't be a political pawn. TDN: You've already talked about your admiration for Joe Manchin. Let's get back to that issue. What is it about Manchin that you like? DR: I have talked to Senator Manchin. His advice to me was to be authentic and be myself. He's the one who gave me the title of “Independent Democrat.” He wasn't one beholden to the party because he was from a red state. I talked to him about it before I jumped in because these are very similar situations. He voted for what he thought was best for West Virginia and what he thought was best for the country. He had both sides mad at him half the time. If that happens to me, I'd have no problem with it. The post A Q&A With Trainer Dale Romans, Who Has Launched Longshot Bid For The U.S. Senate appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi's Dubai-based RRR Racing went to $900,000 to acquire 'TDN Rising Star' presented by Hagyard WORLD RECORD (c, 4, Gun Runner–Marwa {GB}, by Exceed and Excel {Aus}) as Wednesday's single-session Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age Sale neared its conclusion in Lexington. Consigned by ELiTE Sales, agent, the bay colt was bred by Runnymede Farm LLC, Falguieres Bloodstock, Gestut Zur Kuste AG, et al and was originally a $410,000 purchase as a weanling out of the 2021 Keeneland November Sale. Campaigned in partnership by WinStar Farm and BBN Racing and trained by Rodolphe Brisset, World Record was named a 'Rising Star' when graduating by open lengths at second asking at three and two starts later, ran his rivals off their feet in the GII Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga, scoring by 6 3/4 lengths. An impressive allowance winner at Churchill Downs during Derby week this past May, the bay was second in the GIII Aristides Stakes and third in the GI Bing Crosby Stakes this season. His career record stands at 11-4-1-4 for earnings of $504,540. “I think there was quite a bit of interest in this horse from the Middle East,” said Ed Prosser, who signed the ticket on behalf of RRR Racing. “Bhupat Seemar, who will train him in Dubai, asked me to bid on him. He rang me earlier. He had seen the catalog and was interested in a few and this was one of them. He is always on the lookout for horses in America. There are some people from Saudi Arabia and the (Persian) Gulf region who are interested in this horse and this sale. They did their homework and they liked him. He looks like he will be a good horse for the races in Dubai.” Among RRR Racing's best horses are Isolate (Mark Valeski), winner of the G2 Godolphin Mile; Clapton (Brethren), victorious in the 2023 GIII Lukas Classic Stakes and Group 1-placed in Dubai; G3 UAE Oaks heroine Rayya (Tiz Wonderful); and Mufasa (Chi) (Practical Joke), twice a winner at Grade III level in this country at the back end of 2024 and acquired thereafter by RRR. The post ‘TDN Rising Star’ World Record Fetches $900K at Keeneland’s HORA Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Damon Thayer has retired from his job as the Senate Majority Floor Leader in the state of Kentucky, where he was one of horse racing's staunchest and most important allies. Thayer may no longer be walking the halls of the Capitol in Frankfort, but he is still working hard to help the sport he loves. He is now a senior advisor with Thoroughbred Racing Initiative (TRI), a group devoted to stopping decoupling efforts at Gulfstream Park and to see to it that racing in South Florida remains a vital part of the industry. To bring us up to speed on the latest goings-on in Florida, Thayer was this week's guest on the TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He was the Gainesway Guest of the Week. “The Thoroughbred Racing Initiative, which is a coalition of owners, trainers, breeders, and sales companies from Florida banded together sort of in an emergency situation back in February when the decoupling bill came from nowhere to get dropped on us,” Thayer said. “My board is David O'Farrell, president; Jon Green vice president; and then members, Aron Wellman; dual Hall of Fame trainer, Mark Casse; and Dr. Barry Eisaman. We worked very hard putting together a coalition to kill the bill. But there's another legislative session coming up in January. And while there hasn't been anything pre-filed yet, our sources in Tallahassee tell us that Gulfstream Park is active in Florida's capital, trying to see if there is any support for decoupling. “If we hadn't banded together and formed our coalition and fought the decoupling bill, it probably would have passed,” he said. “But we got in there and scrapped and fought and clawed and testified in front of multiple legislative committees to tell the story of the $3.3 billion economic impact and the 33,000 jobs the horse industry has on the Sunshine State. So that's why we've seen support come from all over the place. We've been gearing up to fight the decoupling bill again. Last year we were sort of caught on the back foot. This year, we're going on offense. We are prepared, better prepared to tell our story. Our coalition is engaged and while we can't match Gulfstream Park dollar for dollar on the political side, we are going to be involved in the political side of things before the opportunity to make contributions shuts down when the legislature goes into session in January.” Randy Moss asked Thayer that even if the decoupling bill were to be defeated what would stop The Stronach Group from closing the track and selling the land, which is immensely valuable? He admitted that is a possibility but if it happened his group would look to find a new venue for South Florida racing. “First of all, I want to note that there are three willing buyers for Gulfstream Park,” he said. “One of them is public. Mike Repole has offered to buy Gulfstream Park and keep it as a racetrack in its current coupled state with the slot machine casino there on the first floor. There are at least two other potential buyers who haven't gone public and I'm not really in a position to reveal that. The Florida HPBA and TRI are co-funding a feasibility study with the Cornerstone Group, which did the Maryland Racing Feasibility Study. “We're looking at a half a dozen different options for the future of racing in Florida,” he said. “I'm a big fan of making sure from a financial point of view that we figure out some way forward in South Florida, either at Gulfstream Park, at Hialeah, or perhaps somewhere else, north of the Miami-Dade-Broward area where perhaps a new racetrack could be built where land is less expensive. I'm not ready to give up yet on racing at Gulfstream Park. I don't know how long-term viability is for racing 200 days a year there, but I do think there's a way forward in keeping racing in South Florida in general and at Gulfstream Park in particular.” Thanks largely to the efforts of Mike Repole, The Stronach Group's bid to decouple faces one major obstacle. At this year's OBS Sales, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis came out and said he would likely veto any bill that called for decoupling. How does The Stronach Group get past that roadblock. “One of the big victories that we achieved was getting Ron DeSantis to come to the OBS sale, which is one of our biggest supporters and an important part of our coalition,” Thayer said. “He came there and in front of a large crowd of owners and breeders and trainers and consignors and industry participants all but said, pass this bill and I'll veto it. And the Republican super majorities there probably didn't want to choose a fight with their very popular governor. That was a really big win for us. You are absolutely correct that Mike Repole played a major role in that. But so did one of our board members. Dr. Barry Eisaman worked behind the scenes on that as well. But I would never try to minimize Mike's role in this. If you were there on Kentucky Derby day, who was in the winner's circle when Mindframe won for Repole? Ron DeSantis.” The “Fastest Horse of the Week” was “Louisiana Lightning,” also known as Touchuponastar (Star Guitar). The Lousiaina-bred earned a 108 Beyer figure when winning the Delta Mile Stakes at Delta Downs. The Fastest Horse of the Week segment is sponsored by WinStar, who stands the stallion Mullikin (by Violence). Elsewhere on the podcast, which is also sponsored by the PHBA, the KTOB, 1/ST TV and West Point Thoroughbreds, Moss and partner Bill Finley discussed the controversial scratch of White Abarrio (Race Day) just minutes before post time for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. Both agreed that the Breeders' Cup and the CHRB has done a good job keeping the racing safe, but that more transparency is needed. Moss and Finley also came to the defense of social media influencer Griffin Johnson, who was criticized in some quarters after receiving the 2025 “New Owner of the Year Award” from OwnerView. Because his social media postings on the horse he co-owned, Sandman (Tapit), reached so many young people who were not otherwise familiar with racing, Moss went so far as to say maybe Johnson should have gotten a Special Eclipse Award. To watch the Writers' Room, click here. To listen to the show as a podcast, click here. The post Damon Thayer Joins The TDN Writers’ Room Podcast Presented By Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's “rulings” portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) “pending” and “resolved” cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Elizabeth McCue, trainer Penalty: A fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Vets' list medication violation for the presence of Betamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Prince Khozan on 9/30/25. Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Robert Baze, trainer Penalty: 7-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 8, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Cannabidiol (CBD)–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Nephele, who won at Emerald Downs on 8/8/25. Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Joel Marr, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Let Her Be, who won at Sunland Park on 2/13/25. Dates: 11/07/2025 Licensee: Joel Marr, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final decision of internal adjudication panel. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Trichlormethiazide–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Let Her Be, who won at Sunland Park on 2/13/25. Dates: 11/06/2025 Licensee: Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Phenylbutazone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Don't Listen, who won at Parx Racing on 10/1/25. Dates: 11/06/2025 Licensee: William Blair, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Admission. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Outrageously, who finished second at Horseshoe Indianapolis on 8/21/25. Dates: 11/05/2025 Licensee: John Garner Vinson, trainer Penalty: 15-day period of Ineligibility for Covered Person, beginning on November 6, 2025; Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $1,000; imposition of 2 Penalty Points. Final decision of HIWU. Explainer: Medication violation for the presence of Lidocaine–a class B controlled substance–in a sample taken from Money Trail, who finished third at Gulfstream Park on 7/25/25. Pending ADMC Violations 11/12/2025, James Watkins, trainer: Pending medication violation for the presence of Dexamethasone–a class C controlled substance–in a sample taken from Smart Joker, who won at Fairmount Park on 9/16/25. The post Weekly Rulings: Nov. 6-12 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Group 1 winner Big Rock will stand his second season at Haras de Grandcamp at an unchanged fee of €12,000, Jour de Galop reported on Wednesday. The Queen Elizabeth II Stakes victor is expecting his first foals in 2026. He covered 159 mares in 2025, including the dam of Group 1 winner Woodshauna (Wooded); group winner Gregarina (De Treville); a sister of Different League (Dabirsim); and Frasque (Iffraaj), dam of two group horses; as well as Baine (Country Reel), runner-up in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. His compatriot and fellow top-tier winner Zagrey will also remain at his 2025 fee of €6,000. The son of Zarak, who was also standing his first season this year, covered 70 mares. The post Big Rock And Zagrey Remain At €12k And €6k At Haras De Grandcamp appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Tickets for the 152nd running of the GI Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve will go on sale to the public Thursday, Nov. 13 at noon ET, Churchill Downs announced Wednesday. Two-day all-inclusive reserved tickets to the 152nd GI Longines Kentucky Oaks, held Friday May 1, and Kentucky Derby on Saturday, May 2, will be available for purchase online, including recent renovations such as the Ford First Turn Reserved seating as well as the Starting Gate Courtyard, both featuring stadium-style seats and easy access for concessions and wagering windows. Limited premium and luxury dining experiences in select areas–including the Woodford Reserve Paddock Club and Club SI by Sports Illustrated, also will be available for purchase by calling the Churchill Downs Premium Sales Department at (502) 636-4447. Several non-all-inclusive ticket options will be available for purchase, including Infield-only general admission tickets and two-day Infield Final Turn general admission tickets. The Infield Final Turn is a private area that offers food and beverage concessions for purchase, along with private restrooms and wagering windows. Fans may secure tickets by clicking here or here or by calling (502) 636-4447. Churchill Downs also provides the only secure, official resale marketplace to purchase Derby and Oaks tickets via the Churchill Downs Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange. The post 2026 Derby/Oaks Tickets Available Thursday At Noon appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Aimeric (Frankel) (lot 65), who has placed multiple times at listed level, is one of 186 lots catalogued in the Tattersalls Online November Sale on November 18-19. Among the various lots are 102 horses in and out of training, 63 yearlings, 16 broodmares, two breeding rights, one stallion share, one foal and one store. Out of Aris (Danroad), the six-year-old gelding is a half-brother to G1 Prix de la Foret hero and sire Aclaim, as well as the GIII Soaring Softly Stakes heroine Queen Picasso (Kingman). This sale also features the inaugural Online Yearling Session, which includes sires of the likes of Acclamation, Churchill, Cotai Glory, Kodi Bear, Sergei Prokofiev, Showcasing, Starspangledbanner, Too Darn Hot and Zoustar. A breeding right in both Harry Angel (lot 184) and Palace Pier (lot 185) will go under the hammer. In addition, a 1/80th stallion share in Supremacy (lot 186) is also available. Group winner Go Athletico (Goken) (lot 92) will sell, as well. He holds victories in the G3 Renaissance Stakes and the Scurry Handicap. Juvenile filly Naana's Shadow (Havana Grey) (lot 110) will be offered, as will Miss Lady Grace (Space Blues) (lot 108), a daughter of Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Sea Of Grace (Born To Sea {Ire}). Broodmare prospect Enterprising (Dansili) (lot 169), a half-sister to the dam of multiple Group 1 winner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), will grace the ring; as will Supreme Park (Walk In The Park) (lot 181), a half-sister to the graded-placed chaser Ballykeel (Presenting) and out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Blackstairmountain (Imperial Ballet) in foal to Gentlewave. The post Aimeric One Of The Highlights Of Tattersalls Online November Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

1st-CD, $120K, Msw, 2yo, 6f, 4:25p.m. LNJ Foxwoods and NK Racing's Paradise (Gun Runner) gets her start for trainer Brad Cox and Irad Ortiz Jr. who combine to win at a 26% clip at Churchill Downs over the past year. The first foal out of MGSW and MGISP Venetian Harbor (Munnings), the filly brought $700,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. Tracy Farmer's Tap This Way (Tapit) also makes her career debut, getting the services of Florent Geroux for her unveiling. Trained by Mark Casse, the homebred is out of GSW La Gran Bailadora (Afleet Alex), the dam of GI Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston (Awesome Again). Debuting for Phil D'Amato, Dolladoro (Medaglia d'Oro) is out of Runaway Doll (Majestic Warrior). A $550,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase, the dark bay fired a five-furlong bullet work (1:00, 1/24) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 7. On the also eligibles list, Betty's Pearl (Munnings), a $700,000 OBS April purchase, returns after a runner-up effort in a six-furlong Keeneland test Oct. 5. TJCIS PPs The post Thursday’s Racing Insights Led by Gun Runner’s Paradise appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After a successful Kentucky debut last month against allowance foes, John Gallegos' homebred One Magic Philly aims to make it 2-for-2 in her new home state in the $300,000 Chilukki Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs Nov. 15.View the full article

After winning a pair of stakes at Laurel Park Nov. 8-9, Sheldon Russell was named Jockey of the Week.View the full article

Bishops Bay (h, 5, Uncle Mo–Catch My Drift, by Pioneerof the Nile), a latest winner of Aqueduct's GIII Forty Niner Stakes, was knocked down to bloodstock agent Pedro Lanz, agent for Saudi Arabia's KAZ Stables, for a record $1.3 million in the first 30 minutes of trade during Wednesday's Keeneland Horses of Racing Age Sale. He was consigned by Elite Sales, agent. Bred by WinStar Farm and sold for $450,000 as a Keeneland September yearling in 2021, the bay was trained by Brad Cox for a partnership headed by Spendthrift Farm, won his first two starts as a 3-year-old and transitioned into stakes company, finishing runner-up to future champion Arcangelo (Arrogate) in the GIII Peter Pan Stakes and second to Two Phil's in the GIII Ohio Derby. Restricted to a single appearance at four, Bishops Bay has won five of his seven outings this season, including the GIII Westchester Stakes and GIII Salvator Mile in addition to the Forty Niner on Nov. 2. Bishops Bay has amassed a record of 8-3-0 from 12 starts to date for earnings of $702,800. The previous Keeneland HORA Sale record was the $1 million paid for the 2-year-old colt Extortion (Into Mischief) in 2022. BISHOPS BAY wins the Grade 3 Forty Niner Stakes giving Flavien Prat his third win today, this one for @bradcoxracing. pic.twitter.com/ixnk7kjbP3 — NYRA () (@TheNYRA) November 2, 2025 The post Multiple Graded Winner Bishops Bay Sells For Record $1.3M at Keeneland appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Kim Weir, the Director of Strategic Growth for Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, received the first Nancy Kelly Volunteer Award for her extraordinary volunteer efforts with the New York Race Track Chaplaincy at a luncheon held Tuesday at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York, the chaplaincy said via a NYRA release on Wednesday. The award is named in honor of the late Nancy Kelly, a former president, vice president and longtime volunteer with the New York Chaplaincy. Kelly passed away in February 2024 and the NY Chaplaincy created this award earlier this year to honor her memory and recognize an individual who supports the organization with their volunteerism. The post Weir Receives Inaugural Volunteer Award From NY Race Track Chaplaincy appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The Backside Learning Center (BLC), an independent organization providing support and resources for the diverse community of racetrack workers and their families at Churchill Downs and Kentucky racetracks will hold its annual fundraiser “Benefit for the Backside: A Day at the Races” on Friday, Nov. 21 at noon in the First Turn Club at Churchill, the non-profit said via a release on Wednesday. Both a live and silent auctions are planned with a range of different offerings. Sponsors for this year's benefit include: Rocket Ship Racing, Rigney Racing and FanDuel. Click here to learn more. The post Benefit For Backside Learning Center At Churchill Scheduled For Nov. 21 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Everett Dobson, the chair of The Jockey Club of America, will deliver the keynote address at the annual National HBPA Conference hosted by Oaklawn Park Mar. 4, according to a press release from the horsemen's organization on Wednesday. Dobson is a telecommunications entrepreneur from Oklahoma City who is a horse owner/ breeder and partner in the reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder. “I'm very honored to get a chance to address the National HBPA. I'm very much looking forward to it,” Dobson said. “It will largely be around a message of collaboration, how our two organizations can collaborate on initiatives, activities that are mutually beneficial for the betterment of our sport that we all love.” The 2026 conference will run from March 3-6 and Dobson's remarks will follow lunch and an awards presentation. The post Jockey Club Chair Dobson To Deliver Keynote At National HBPA Conference Mar. 4 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

There was carnage for punters at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, with not one favourite saluting and the season’s longest-priced winner headlining a string of blowout results. Team Team Folks caused the biggest upset of the season so far when defying his $83.5 quote to win the second section of the Class Four Fat Tseung Handicap (1,200m). After failing to fire on three starts for Michael Chang Chun-wai last term, the son of Super Seth struck on his first start for new trainer Jimmy Ting Koon-ho...View the full article

by Dane McLeod/TTR AusNZ Sanxiong Gao of China made a strong first impression at Karaka, teaming up with Lindsay Park who were bidding on his behalf to secure the top two lots on Day 1 of the NZB Ready to Run Sale for a combined figure of NZ$1,425,000 (A$1,233,913). The day's top-priced horse was lot 214, a powerful bay colt by the in-form and in-demand Per Incanto from the draft of Kiltannon Stables, who sold for NZ$750,000 (A$649,518). He was originally a NZ$300,000 (A$259,807) purchase by AP Chan from the Cambridge Stud draft at this year's NZB Karaka National Yearling Sale. The colt is out of a Aleria (Fastnet Rock) sister to Group 2-placed Thorondor. Aleria has already produced two winners, including War Eternal (Pierro), a five-time winner and multiple group performer who also ran fourth in the G1 Randwick Guineas. Earlier in the session, lot 105 proved a cracking result for Riversley Park and co-owner Mick Guerin. The Satono Aladdin colt out of Shezdelicious (Atlante) was purchased earlier this year for NZ$130,000 (A$112,569) from the Landsdowne Park draft at the NZB Karaka National Yearling Sale and sold for NZ$675,000 (A$568,907) on Wednesday. The stylish colt breezed up in :10.55 seconds and was the subject of a spirited bidding duel before the Lindsay Park team, acting for Mr Gao, prevailed. By Rich Hill Stud's outstanding sire Satono Aladdin, the colt boasts a strong pedigree, being out of a winning half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Madison County (Pins) and Detonator Jack (Jakkalberry), an A$1.6 million earner and Group 1 placegetter in the South Australian Derby. “I wasn't actually coming to the sale as Ka Ying Rising is trialling on Friday, and he [Mr Gao] asked if I could come down and help him pick a few horses that might be suitable for Hong Kong one day,” said David Hayes. “I asked him what his budget was and he said, 'Try and find the ones you like – don't worry about the budget.' “With the help of Dean Hawthorne, we've been shopping around – Josh Rix and JD (Hayes) as well. The plan is these horses will go back to Lindsay Park, as Ka Ying did, and the most suitable one will probably go to Hong Kong, while the other will likely race with the boys in Australia.” The aggregate for Day 1 was NZ$19,232,000, up from 2024's figure of NZ$18,547,000. The median of NZ$120,000 represented an increase from the NZ$100,000 median recorded in 2024. The average of NZ$161,613 marked a slight decrease from last year's mark of NZ$173,336. The clearance rate was the same as 2024 at 65%. The post Lindsay Park And Sanxiong Gao Make Impact At NZB R2R Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Thoroughbred trainer Dale Romans will run for the United States Senate in Kentucky, according to a press release from his campaign Wednesday morning, calling himself an “independent Democrat.” Romans will face Amy McGrath in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, May 19. The general election for the seat being vacated by longtime Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell is scheduled to be held November 3. The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to face U.S. Congressman Andy Barr. The release reads: “Independent Democrat and famed Kentucky horserace trainer Dale Romans today announced his campaign for U.S. Senate to stand up for working people across the state and fix the challenges facing our country like harmful tariffs and dangerous health care cuts – instead of waging exhausting partisan fights that get us nowhere and only divide the nation.” Said Romans, “I've been in Kentucky my entire life. It's the greatest place in the world and the heart of America. We need a Senator who reflects our people: not polished insiders or party-line politicians running the same old partisan nonsense, but someone who has built a career the hard way and lived the struggles that Kentucky's working families face every day. To solve the challenges before us, we need a fix, not a fight. As an independent Democrat, I won't be beholden to the national party, and I won't be a puppet of the president like a freshman Republican Senator would be. I love Kentucky, and I know our state needs a Senator in Washington focused on our people.” Romans is a Louisville native and a lifelong resident of Kentucky. He was born into a working-class family and raised by a single mother, along with his two brothers. “Lynn was a proud union woman who wouldn't let Dale or any of her boys fall through the cracks,” reads the press release. “Dale was also inspired by his grandfather, himself a union man who loved FDR, and grew up learning the values that define Kentucky–hard work, loyalty, and independence–values that voters desperately want in Washington.” Romans has won over 2,250 races, including wins in the Preakness with Shackleford in 2011 and the 2015 Travers Stakes with Keen Ice, defeating American Pharoah. He has had 12 Kentucky Derby starts, and was appointed to the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear. He is president of the Kentucky HBPA, where, the press release says, “he has been a vocal advocate for Kentucky workers, championing fair treatment, protecting jobs, and defending the economic lifeblood of local communities tied to small business, agriculture and racing. As a small business owner himself running a stable with 50 employees, Dale knows what it takes to grow a company, and he's worked hard to protect workers and support the people who keep this essential industry running. Dale came from nothing, built a storied career from the ground up, and always remembers where his roots are. His vision for Kentucky in the U.S. Senate is built on the values and lessons of this remarkable lived experience. “As a small business owner and president of the Kentucky HBPA, Dale knows how to lead, negotiate, and protect Kentucky jobs, especially in sectors that national politicians often ignore. Dale will protect Kentucky workers and businesses from harmful overregulation and destructive tariffs, like those hurting the state's vital bourbon industry. And he'll relieve the pain and pressure of the affordability crisis on working people by lowering costs, boosting wages, and creating more and better jobs. “Dale also knows we must do much more to make health care affordable and accessible, especially for working and low-income people. This means reversing the painful health care cuts and hospital closures forced on Kentucky by the OBBBA. Dale wants to strengthen Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act so more people can get healthcare without destroying their household budgets. And Dale won't cave to Big Pharma but instead will finally, after all these years of politicians talking about it in Washington, pass legislation to lower prescription drug costs.” Romans and partner Tammy Fox | Sarah Andrew The announcement reveals that Romans was diagnosed as severely dyslexic, and that school was difficult for him. He graduated from Butler High School in Louisville, and said that education will be one of his focuses, adding that while he was characterized as L.D., “that doesn't mean learning disabled, it means learning differently.” Romans has been sober for two years since quitting alcohol after undergoing a comprehensive rehab program in Bowling Green, and said he hoped to bring reform to addition recovery, and expand drug and alcohol awareness and resistance programs for young people. In his announcement video, Romans says, “I've travelled around the world, but I also saw the plight of the immigrant workforce we needed back here. The ones that are here working, doing jobs that are necessary in this country. We need those people. We don't need a fight, we need a fix.” The release makes it clear that immigration will also be a focus, reading, “For decades, Washington did nothing as the immigration system atrophied. Now it's woefully broken. We must secure the border, and those here illegally who commit crimes should be sent back. But Trump's radical ICE raids are creating fear and resentment in communities, scooping up innocent, law-abiding residents and sometimes even citizens, and hurting businesses and the economy. The aggressive tactics of masked men grabbing people off the street without warrants or legal explanation are un-American, don't keep us safe, and inflict real pain and disruption to the economy that raises costs, including for Kentucky's horse racing industry. Washington needs to stop kicking the can down the road just because it's hard, and Dale will work to pass real immigration reform in the U.S. Senate.” Romans and his partner, Tammy Fox, a former jockey, live in Louisville where they have raised two children. They welcomed their first grandchild earlier this month. For more information, visit DaleRomans.com. The post Dale Romans to Run for U.S. Senate in Kentucky appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Twenty-five years into this new millennium, the season's 86 Group 1 races in Europe have all been run and, with the year ebbing away, Night Of Thunder stands on the cusp of becoming the champion sire of Britain and Ireland for the first time. The odds for a grandson of Dubai Millennium collecting this honour would not have been short in the aftermath of that stallion's death at the age of just five. A quarter of a century ago the aptly named Dubai Millennium appeared to have the world at his feet when he topped the rankings for 2000 on a mark of 134 – ahead of that year's Derby, Irish Derby and Arc winner Sinndar on 132 and King George winner Montjeu on 130. A glittering stud career at his owner-breeder Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud surely awaited, had fate not had other ideas. As is now well documented, Dubai Millennium succumbed to Grass Sickness on April 29, 2001, less than three months into his initial covering season. Early the following year, the results of those matings started to appear and by the end of the foaling season 56 sons and daughters of Dubai Millennium were on the ground – 27 colts and 29 fillies. Seventeen of those were the offspring of Group 1-winning mares; 11 were half-siblings to Group 1 winners. In a commemorative book produced by Darley later that year, each foal was catalogued alphabetically by dam, with photograph and pedigree displayed. Last on the list, out of the G1 Oaks d'Italia winner Zomaradah (Deploy), is the colt who would rise up to offer long-term consolation for his sire's untimely demise. In bloodstock circles he is now a household name: Dubawi. Winner of the G1 National Stakes at two, then a Classic winner in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and third in the Derby, he also landed one of Europe's most prestigious weight-for-age mile contests, the G1 Prix Jacques Le Marois. Dubawi had everything on his side to make it as a commercial stallion but early reactions to his offspring were varied and, after standing his first two seasons at £25,000, with one year at Kildangan Stud in Ireland on €40,000, Dubawi's fee was dropped to £15,000 in his fourth year at stud in 2009. A lot of horses have galloped across finishing lines in the intervening years and, in the case of Dubawi's offspring, 63 of them have been Group 1 winners. By 2022, he had succeeded Frankel as champion sire, and since 2023 he has been the most expensive stallion in the world, sharing that distinction with Frankel since 2024. Both stallions remain at a fee of £350,000 for the coming season. Roaring up behind them now at €200,000 is Night Of Thunder, whose stud career trajectory has echoes of his own sire in that he too spent some time at £15,000 – in 2018 and 2019 – but has been in six-figure territory since 2023. He will doubtless remain there now. Night Of Thunder | Marc Ruhl Like fellow Dubawi stallions Ghaiyyath and Henry Longfellow, the 2,000 Guineas and Lockinge winner Night Of Thunder is out of a mare by Galileo. Further Group 1 winners Modern Games, the late Coroebus, Lead Artist, and Ezeliya are from mares by Galileo's sons New Approach, Teofilo and Frankel. Going back up that line, so to speak, Sadler's Wells's sons Montjeu and Barathea are the damsires of Journey, Hunter's Light, Arabian Queen and Monterosso, while his grandson Singspiel features as the broodmare sire of Dubawi's Group 1 winners Too Darn Hot, Old Persian, Wuheida and Left Hand. Dubawi has no shortage of sons at stud and, as we have seen, it can sometimes take just one to continue the dominance of a sire-line. Night Of Thunder could be that one, though there are some established names and young pretenders following in his wake, some with their first runners to come. At Darley they include Too Darn Hot, Ghaiyyath and Space Blues – all of whom are now Group 1 sires – as well as Modern Games and Naval Crown. Coolmore has the new recruit Delacroix to add to Henry Longfellow, and the net casts much wider of course, to New Bay at Ballylinch Stud, Zarak and Erevann at Haras de Bonneval, and Makfi and Benbatl in Japan, among others. Dubawi's first of four 2,000 Guineas winners, Makfi, has perhaps done the most to extend the line to date. His son Make Believe is another Classic winner and Ballylinch sire, who in turn has produced the young Sumbe stallion and fellow Classic winner Mishriff. Make Believe's Group 1-winning son Sajir will also surely secure a stud berth in time. John Sparkman, in his essay in Darley's book on the Dubai Millennium foals, completed his overview of the stallion's family in optimistic fashion. “The leading sires Iroquois, Sir Dixon, Whisk Broom II, Cozzene and Fort Word are all in Dubai Millennium's family, adding substance to the hope that he might have sired high-class horses in this one precious crop. A great son or daughter; a lasting influence on the breed – there are still dreams for Dubai Millennium,” Sparkman wrote in 2002. He was to be proved right. Five stakes winners emanated from those 56 chances, including six-time Group winner and short-lived sire Echo Of Light, and the G3 Sovereign Stakes winner Belenus. The Sandown maiden winner Kydd Gloves would go on to produce the GI Ogden Phipps and GI La Troienne Stakes winner Shes A Julie (Elusive Quality), while in Japan daughter Mizna foaled the G2 American Jockey Club Cup winner Decipher (Deep Impact). The best of course was Dubawi: a Group winner in three countries and now a force to be reckoned with across the breeding world. As he turns 24 in January, Dubawi will be emulated by Night Of Thunder as the presiding champion sire. This follows a year in which Night Of Thunder's leading runners have included Britain's top-rated horse Ombudsman, 1,000 Guineas victrix Desert Flower, and the Dewhurst winner Gewan. And so the torch, which might so easily have been vanquished, is passed. The post Millennium Flame Burns on Through Night Of Thunder appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A St Mark's Basilica half-sister to G1 Prix de l'Opera winner Barnavara (Calyx) has been added to the Tattersalls December Foal Sale as a wild card entry. Consigned by Awbeg Stud, the February-born filly out of the Kentucky Dynamite mare Alfea will be offered on the Friday of the sale as lot 895A. Her yearling half-sister by Blackbeard was sold for 450,000gns at Book 1 of the October Yearling Sale. The further family includes leading sire Lope De Vega, who is a half-brother to the foal's third dam Bal De La Rose (Cadeaux Genereux). Barnavara, who also won the G2 Blandford Stakes and G3 Blue Wind Stakes, is herself offered as lot 1753 by Baroda Stud during the Sceptre Sessions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale. The post Barnavara Half-Sister Added to Tattersalls Foal Catalogue appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Riccarton galloper Mystic Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) prevailed in a thrilling tussle between the locals in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) on his home track on Wednesday. The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained gelding had been on an upward trajectory this preparation without winning and had the services of Victorian-based Kiwi-expat jockey Daniel Stackhouse, closing a $6.10 hope behind northern visitors Cannon Hill and Archaic Smile. Jumping from barrier six, Mystic Park was a stride slow from the gates and found himself three-wide in the trail of another fancied runner in Sir Albert, who was doing it tough in the open on a hot tempo set by Cluedo Lane. Cannon Hill travelled strongly into contention at the top of the straight and looked likely at the 200m, before Sir Albert and Mystic Park came charging down the middle of the track to set up a big finish. The pair were wide apart and hard to line up as they went to the post, but the photo favoured Mystic Park by a half-neck to a very game Sir Albert ahead of Cannon Hill, who stuck on bravely for third. The son of Ocean Park was the first South Island-trained winner of the $250,000 feature in seven years, the most recent being Son Of Maher who was also prepared by the father-son training partnership in 2017. Michael Pitman revealed post-race that it hadn’t been a smooth year for Mystic Park since he won last year’s Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m) at the Cup carnival, making the result all the more satisfying. “It’s a bit of a cliché I suppose, but I set him for this race 12 months ago,” he said. “It’s our third time winning the race and they’ve all been with really nice horses. “People don’t know this, but the reason he didn’t end up running in the Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m) was because he broke his tail just after he won the Stewards. “My wife, my son and my staff deserve so much credit, they put so much work in and we were so confident, especially after Ocean Light ran second (earlier in the meeting over 2000m). Diane (wife) said if he could run second, this horse could win and win easily.” Matthew Pitman had lost his voice cheering trackside and expressed how much the horse means to their stable. “He’s a stable favourite for the team, he’s a favourite of mine, he just tries super hard,” he said. “It’s been a long-term plan to have him ready for this, we got in at a good weight and his closing sectionals leading up to it were brilliant, I couldn’t believe what he was paying a week ago. “We had to pivot with Sam (Weatherley, regular rider) getting suspended, we sent an SOS to Dan and he’s come over and rode him a treat. I’ve lost my voice yet again, it’s a day that means a lot to us and I’m just rapt with the win. “I can’t thank my staff enough, it’s been a massive effort by the team and our trackwork riders Donovan Cooper and Brett Murray.” A $40,000 purchase out of Kilgravin Lodge’s draft at the 2021 National Yearling Sales, Mystic Park has won over $390,000 for connections with eight wins from just 19 starts. It was a successful homecoming for Stackhouse, who grew up in Ashburton and rode more than 100 winners on home soil before making the move to Victoria well over a decade ago, where he is a frequent figure in metropolitan races. “It’s great to get the monkey off the back and win the big one for the day,” Stackhouse said. “Michael rang me and said to look at his replays, which I did, and he rang a few times after to make sure I’d watch them. After watching them I was pretty keen to come over, he was definitely the best chance that I had today so it’s nice to get the job done. “I just made sure he relaxed over the mile, he jumped OK and I just left him alone, the favourite (Sir Albert) was three-deep and I was happy to park in behind that. He relaxed nicely, his breathing and action were good and he travelled well. “He just wanted to run off a lot going around the circle, you could see me pulling him around to make sure he got onto his inside leg then he straightened up and when I went for him he kept drifting out, but he was the class horse of the race and won dominantly. “I had my fingers crossed (at the line), I was wasting a lot of ground running outwards and probably went for him a bit early as well, but I was just rapt to see South Canterbury back on the big screen. “It’s fantastic, it’s great to be home and having friends and family here as well. It’s good to catch up with everybody and ride at the same time.” View the full article

Colts by proven New Zealand stallions Per Incanto and Satono Aladdin provided the highlights on Day One of the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale with the top two lots set to join the Lindsay Park operation of the Hayes family. The father and son combination of David and JD Hayes oversaw proceedings at Karaka as Mainland Chinese owner Mr Sanxiong Gao signed the docket for Lot 105, a Satono Aladdin colt out of Shezdelicious for $675,000 from the draft of Riversley Park. Lot 105, a colt by Satono Aladdin, was purchased by Mainland Chinese owner Mr Sanxiong Gao Photo: Angelique Bridson Later, that price was surpassed by a Per Incanto colt from Aleria, from the draft of Kiltannon stables, also knocked down to Gao for $750,000. David Hayes said that the global success of New Zealand bred and raised star Ka Ying Rising has had a positive ripple effect, attracting new owners to the stable. He added that the two colts will follow a similar developmental path to his champion sprinter, joining his sons at Lindsay Park in Australia before an assessment is made on their career trajectory. “I wasn’t actually coming to the sale because Ka Ying Rising is trialing on Friday,” Hayes said. “But Mr Gao asked if I could pick a few horses out that might be suitable for Hong Kong one day, so here we are.” Hayes has only recently met Gao, who was in attendance at The Everest won by Ka Ying Rising. “Jin Tian, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s representative who helps look after owners from mainland China said Mr Gao was keen to meet,” Hayes said. “I asked Mr Gao what his budget was and he said just try to find the ones you like, don’t worry too much about the budget. “The plan is these horses will go back to Lindsay Park, as Ka Ying Rising did from New Zealand, and they will be assessed. “Then the most suitable one for Hong Kong will possibly go up to Hong Kong and the other one will probably race in Australia with the boys.” Lindsay Park’s JD Hayes and Sanxiong Gao inspecting horses at Karaka Photo: Angelique Bridson Hayes credited bloodstock agent Dean Hawthorne with providing a good list of horses to see at Karaka and he was delighted to secure the two top colts. “Satono Aladdin has incredible figures in the Southern Hemisphere with 12 percent stakes winners to runners, which is elite, and Per Incanto works everywhere,” he said. “Dean knows what we like, and he found a group of about 30 horses to have a second look at, and they were two of our favourites and maybe there is one more tomorrow. “No doubt Ka Ying Rising has been incredible for business, like Mr Brightside has been for the boys — both good Kiwi horses. The Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Executive Manager, International Sale/Owners Advisory Services, Danny Rolston, along with Jin Tian, Deputy Executive Manager, Mainland Owners Advisory Services were also on hand at Karaka. “We have quite a focus on developing our ownership base in the Mainland and the Club in collaboration with New Zealand Bloodstock has arranged a tour here to the Ready To Run Sale to assist some of our new owners that want a supported visit,” Rolston said. “We have worked with our guests in collaboration with the Hong Kong trainers. “This particular owner has not yet got a permit for racing in Hong Kong but he will be in the ballot next year and ideally one or both will come up to Hong Kong. “Our CEO has made no secret about the future of Hong Kong and the growth opportunities within the Mainland.” The introduction of owner and trainer was made by Jin Tian and the Mainland Ownership team. “The owner is crystal clear that even if he buys horses, there is no guarantee that he will get a permit in the ballot next year and hence he is happy to have the horses go through the Lindsay Park system in Australia,” Tian said. “The owner was at the Everest meeting a few weeks ago and this is a story of racetrack success leading to sales ring success.” View the full article

Stakes targets are in the offing for promising gelding Sunset Boulevard (NZ) (Eminent) after he secured a winning double at Riccarton Park during New Zealand Cup Week. The Sir Peter Vela-bred and raced five-year-old won over 2000m on the opening day of the carnival and backed up on Wednesday where he jumped an even money favourite in the Wuhan Jockey Club Premier (2000m). In the hands of in-form local hoop Tina Comignaghi, Sunset Boulevard was pushed forward early and settled in the coveted one-one position. Turning for home he was stuck in a pocket, but Comignaghi was able to extricate her gelding and he went on to find the lead and hold off the late challenge of Ocean Light to win by three-quarters of a length. It was the Kevin Myers-trained gelding’s seventh win from 19 starts, with the son of Eminent having now amassed nearly $180,000 in prizemoney. Myers’ son Jason was trackside for the win and he said Sunset Boulevard is developing into a serious racehorse. “He is putting together quite a few wins now, he is turning into quite a handy horse,” he said. “He is continuing to improve. I think the extra year on him has suited him and he is starting to come into a bit of form.” Sunset Boulevard is set to back-up in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Premier (2600m) at Riccarton on Saturday in a bid to record a memorable New Zealand Cup treble, however, Myers said he could be saved for targets closer to home, including the Listed Steelform Roofing Group Wanganui Cup (2040m) in a fortnight. “It (backing up) is a possibility, but we will just have to see how he pulls up, otherwise he might be ready to go back home, there are some nice races for him up north, maybe a Wanganui Cup,” he said. It was a good day for the Myers barn and local hoop Tina Comignaghi, who also combined to win the opening race of the card with Tik Tok Ted. Comignaghi continued her winnings ways, taking out four of the first six races on the middle day of New Zealand Cup Week. View the full article

In the shades of his talented dam, Kiwi Magic (NZ) (Shocking) announced himself as a three-year-old to follow this term with an impressive victory in the Halls Cold Chain Logistics Three-Year-Old Premier (1400m) at Riccarton on Wednesday. The Christchurch venue was a happy hunting ground for the gelding’s mother Kiwi Ida, who carried the colours of owner-trainers John and Karen Parsons to success on 14 occasions including a Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Canterbury Breeders Stakes (1400m), Gr.2 Westbury Classic (1400m) and Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m). Her mating with Shocking resulted in Kiwi Magic, who had shown promise without winning in four career starts, including a sixth in the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) last time out. Dropping back to the 1400m, Kiwi Magic got right out to $12 in the market while support came for local fillies Cashla Bay, Sweetheart and Ocean Bay, but the latter did herself no favours when attempting to buck for a distance after the start. Meanwhile, Cashla Bay took the lead and had it her own way in front, while Kiwi Magic was wide and eventually pressed forward under Tina Comignaghi. The pair levelled up at the top of the straight and Kiwi Magic had the upper hand at the 100m, kicking clear of Cashla Bay and holding out a late charging Sweetheart to win by three-quarters of a length. The Parsons’ stable foreman Mahipal Singh had good confidence in the gelding and was pleased to get the result on a premier day. “I said to the boss that he could go a good race,” Singh said. “We were a little bit disappointed with his last run, he was unlucky and a little bit green. He’s improved quite a bit, he’s young and he’s going really well at the moment.” The victory was Comignaghi’s third from just five races run at the meeting at that stage after saluting aboard Tik Tok Ted and Aladdins Jem, then took out the following race aboard Sunset Boulevard. View the full article