Wandering Eyes

Larry Demeritte, whose inspiring story of battling cancer and making it to the 2024 GI Kentucky Derby captivated racing, passed away Tuesday evening after a lengthy battle with blood cancer. He was 75. A native of the Bahamas, Demeritte was the first Black trainer to saddle a horse in the race for 35 years. Demeritte's father was a trainer in the Bahamas and his son was often at his side when he was running or training horses. Demeritte said that he watched the Kentucky Derby every year on television and that is what inspired him to come to the U.S. to train. With the dream of someday running in the Kentucky Derby, he moved to the U.S. in 1976 and began training in 1991. He made that dream come true when he saddled West Saratoga (Exaggerator) in last year's Derby. The horse finished 12th, but Demeritte was fond of telling people that just making it to the Derby was a huge accomplishment. “It was incredible,” said family friend Tony Wilson. “Larry used to talk about when he was a kid in the Bahamas and watched the Derby on TV. He said his goal was to one day run in a Triple Crown race. That horse getting to the Derby was very instrumental in keeping him going. He was an incredible, incredible guy.” West Saratoga was an unlikely candidate to take his trainer to the Derby. Demeritte bought him as a yearling at Keeneland September for just $11,000. “I have champagne tastes with a beer budget,” he often told reporters. But West Saratoga was not your average $11,000 horse. He broke his maiden in his fifth career start and then won the GIII Iroquois S. at Churchill Downs. With a third-place finish in the GIII Sam F. Davis S. and a second-place finish in the Jeff Ruby Steaks S. as a 3-year-old, he had amassed enough points to get into the Derby. Demeritte was very religious, which came in handy while he was battling his illness. “I never leave my house without giving thanks in the morning,” he told NBC prior to the Derby. “Just waking up is a gift and that is very important to me.” During the same interview he talked of how his daily routine and his love for his horses and the sport, kept him going. “Why lay in bed and feel sorry for yourself when you can watch a horse gallop around the track. That gives you a rush you can't get anywhere else,” he said. Wilson said that Demeritte was surrounded by friends and relatives when he passed away. “He went peacefully, Wilson said. “As sad as it was, Larry was prepared to meet his maker. He was a very religious guy. I don't know anybody who had a bad word to say about him. There was no reason to. He was such a good guy and a very dear friend of mine, as he was with a ton of people.” Thanks to a horse named Maximus Pride (Maximus Mischief), it looked like Demeritte might return to the Derby in 2026. Maximus Prime ran second in the Kentucky Juvenile S. in his most recent effort. Demeritte had 184 winners from 2,138 starters. The post Trainer Larry Demeritte Passes Away appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Peter Orton will leave his position as general manager of Vinery Stud and pursue his own endeavors in the Thoroughbred industry. Arriving at Dr. Thomas Simon's Vinery Stud in 2000, Orton would go on to shuttle influential dual hemisphere stallions More Than Ready and Southern Halo. Over time, Vinery would also stand prominent sires Red Ransom, Mossman, All Too Hard, and Testa Rossa. The stud also has young stallions Exceedance, Hawaii Five Oh and Ole Kirk to look forward to. Orton told the TTR AusNZ, “I've thought about it for a while now, and now is the right time. “Now that the sale of Vinery Stud has been finalised, it's an appropriate time to take the opportunity to step away and focus on my own thoroughbred farm and bloodstock portfolio. “This is something that I'm very keen to do, however, it was most important that I leave at a time when the Vinery Stud operation is in a great place, with exciting young stallions coming through and a robust client base with strong broodmare portfolios to ensure the continued success and growth of the business. “I have about 200 acres between Newgate and Darley, and it's time to enjoy the farm and everything else that comes with it. I've been very fortunate with the people I've worked with, with Arrowfield and the Messaras, and Tom Simon at Vinery.” “Peter was instrumental in helping us develop the first Arrowfield, which was at Jerry's Plains, what later became Coolmore, and then the second Arrowfield, where we currently reside,” said Arrowfield's John Messara. “In the early days, he was also instrumental in that property.” Orton was also involved in the career of shuttle stallion Danehill at one point, as well. “Those stallions have made a huge impact. I remember Danehill stopping off the truck for the first time, and seeing More Than Ready in the tie-up stalls in New York,” Orton recalled. “To go back to that level, you do really connect with them big time, personally and physically. I have great memories of those two stallions and what stallions they were.” Vinery is now comprised of an ownership group of including Ananda Krishnan, Gerry Harvey, Steve McCann and Alan Green. Current Vinery Stud shareholders Katie Page and Steve McCann also paid tribute to Orton. “Over his 25 years leading Vinery, Gerry [Harvey] and I have been the beneficiaries of Peter Orton's peerless expertise, wise counsel and vision, both personally and professionally,” said Page. “Peter, to say we are so grateful to you and to Adele is such an understatement. Our great friendship and mutual respect continue beyond the farm, and we look forward to seeing you in January.” McCann added, “Peter has for many years been one of the most respected thoroughbred experts in the country and has made a tremendous contribution to both Vinery and the broader industry. I would like to thank Peter personally and on behalf of all of our clients and current and past shareholders.” The post Peter Orton To Leave Vinery After Quarter Century Tenure appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

On the verge of demolition, Pimlico Race Course's 150 Preakness day card drew $110 million in wagering, an increase of 11.3% over $98,858,918 bet on last year's Preakness program. The May 17 card had 14 races carded, anchored by the Preakness, was won by Journalism (Curlin). The record high for the day is $112,504,509 established in 2021, when Rombauer, trained by this year's winning trainer Michael McCarthy, won the second jewel in the Triple Crown. The post 150 Preakness Day Card Generates $110M Near-Record Handle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Sam Agars DRAGON STAR - R4 (7) Is working towards a win and going well enough to overcome a tricky gate Jay Rooney KING MILES - R7 (5) Gets a great chance to break through after two impressive seconds Trackwork Spy KING MILES - R7 (5) Looks primed to go one better than past two starts with an ideal draw Phillip Woo MIGHTY COMMANDER - R4 (2) Looks ready to win again after a huge third last run Shannon (Vincent Wong) VICTORY SKY - R7 (6) Youngster is poised to break through after promising second last start Racing Post Online MIGHTY COMMANDER - R4 (2) Ran a nice third last start and looks well placed again Tom Wood KING MILES - R7 (5) Form around him is pretty strong, hopefully the gear change does the trickView the full article

Trainer Michael Hickmott is Qld bound with Derby contender Party Crasher (NZ) (Ocean Park). Hickmott says he is very progressive and deserves his chance in the blue riband. Michael Hickmott 20.05.2025 – Racing HQ with Steve Hewlett – Apple Podcasts View the full article

Alan Varey of Batsford Stud in Gloucestershire admitted to being “lost for words” when presented with the Queen Mother's Silver Salver at the TBA's 11th annual National Hunt Breeders' Awards. The special recognition award is the highest honour bestowed by the TBA's National Hunt committee and recognises Varey's long and distinguished career in the racing and breeding industry. Sponsored by Goffs, the awards ceremony took place in Doncaster on Monday evening. Asked by host Nick Luck what gets him up in the morning, Varey replied, “Just seeing what we have in front of us; beautiful stallions who are performing well, all their offspring doing well and seeing the foals in the paddock – the up and coming.” He also acknowledged the role of his son Tim at Batsford Stud. Varey said, “He's fifty per cent of the business. We didn't let him come in early, he had to go out and learn his trade and then said we need you – we need your skills.” Varey's wife Anna is also involved in the running of the picturesque stud in the Cotswolds along with their daughter-in-law Linzi. After leaving home at 15, Varey worked for trainer Jack Yeomans and then Matt McCourt, who supplied his first winner as a jockey. He later set up a livery yard to train point-to-pointers as well as using it as a spelling facility and for preparing horses for the sales. Varey leased Hillwood Stud near Lambourn in 1995 and moved to Batsford in 2001. Stallions at the farm have included Kadastrof, Haafhd, Cockney Rebel, Erhaab, and Harbour Law, while Kew Gardens has recently joined the Batsford roster of four to stand alongside established National Hunt sire Passing Glance. TBA NH BREEDERS' AWARD WINNERS: Overbury Stud Trophy for Leading Novice Hurdler The late Robert Chugg and his wife Jackie Chugg for The New Lion Dudgeon Cup, sponsored by Batsford Stud, for NH Broodmare of the Year Little Lodge Farm for Raitera, dam of The New Lion The Mickley Stud Trophy for leading steeplechaser Yorton Farm and the late Maggie Luck, breeders of Gentlemansgame Whitbread Silver Salver for the Leading Active British-based stallion by prize-money Golden Horn, owned by Jayne McGivern, standing at Overbury Stud Highflyer Bloodstock Trophy for Leading Hurdler Sally Noott for Constitution Hill Yorton Trophy for Leading Steeplechase Mare Elizabeth Gordon-Lennox for Telepathique Shade Oak Stud Trophy for Leading Hurdle Mare The Reveley family for That'll Do Moss Midnight Legend Trophy for Leading Novice Chaser Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes for Gidleigh Park Peel Bloodstock Trophy for Leading National Hunt Flat horse Rowland Crellin for Green Splendour The Horse & Hound Cup for the Leading active British-based NH stallion by individual steeplechase winners in Britain & Ireland Schiaparelli, standing at Overbury Stud Eric Gillie Trophy for special achievement Jane Micklethwait for Copperhead Queen Mother's Silver Salver Alan Varey The post Alan Varey Honoured for Contribution to NH Breeding at TBA Awards appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

France Galop has teamed up with Goffs as an official partner of the London Sale on June 16. Under the terms of the partnership, Goffs will become the new sponsor of the G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly on Sunday, July 20. French interest at the Goffs London Sale on the eve of Royal Ascot included Al Shaqab buying into Sparkling Plenty at £5 million just over 24 hours after her victory in the G1 Prix de Diane. “This new relationship further strengthens our growing ties with the French market, supported by increased engagement from both buyers and vendors at the Goffs London, Premier, Orby and November Sales in recent year,” said Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby. Elie Hennau, chief executive director of France Galop, added, “This event is one of the most important in the European calendar, bringing together owners and trainers from around the world in search of horses destined for careers at the highest level, both on the racecourse and at stud. This partnership fully aligns with our desire to enhance the visibility of the France Galop programme and its major races among international stakeholders.” The post Goffs Strengthens ‘Growing Ties’ With French Market as France Galop Becomes London Sale Partner appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

After taking on Meant To Be in recent starts, Higher Power looks a huge chance of returning to the winners’ circle when the TAB Metro Series continues at Alexandra Park on Friday night. The Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan-trained Father Patrick gelding lines up in Heat 4 of the Series (for R50-54 trotters) at 7.53pm. The two-race winner has had to play second fiddle to the all-conquering Meant To Be this year but with his stablemate out for a well deserved spell Higher Power gets his chance. At his last start in the Group 1 NZ Sires’ Stakes Trot he broke badly in the score-up and was never in contention. He has however since won at the workouts. Earlier in the night Metro Series Heat 3 will be held (5.50pm) with a line up that includes Youneverknow , Look To Da Stars and last start winner Very Majestic. The first three home in both will automatically qualify for the $35,000 Metro Final the following Friday (May 30), with Freya, Tu Tangata and Bravehearthighlander completing the trifecta in Heat 1 at Alexandra Park on May 10. On the same night Double Parked, Hooray Henry, Carrera Hombre and Billy The Kid filled the first four places in the opening Pacers heat to seal their spots in the $35,000 Pacers Final, also on May 30. Friday’s Pacers heats will be held at 6.20pm and 9.23pm. In Heat 2, the Todd Michell-trained King’s Watch resumes after impressing last campaign while Heat 1 winner Double Parked is back in Heat 3, along with the resuming South Side Story who has the advantage of the ace draw. To see the Auckland fields for Friday night click here View the full article

Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) will jump from barrier one in Saturday’s Gr.1 Doomben Cup (2000m), as the Trelawney Stud bred mare looks set to meet 12 rivals in the 2000-metre contest. The three-time Gr.1 winner will once again face Antino (NZ) (Redwood), who will again be ridden by jockey Blake Shinn after their thrilling last-start success in the Gr.2 Hollindale (1800m) as he steps out to 2000m for the first time while drawing outside in barrier 11. Pride Of Jenni bounced back to form at Caulfield earlier this month and according to her assistant trainer Jack Turnbull, is set to give her rivals something to beat in Brisbane, no matter the track condition. “We’ve discussed the possibility of a wet surface and when you look at her exposed form and natural racing pattern, she is going to do her normal thing, as everyone understands,” he explained. “If she is able to slide away and maintain her gallop, as we all know, it’s incredibly hard to make up ground on a track that is rain affected. So, if she is running to her best or near her peak, she’ll be very hard to chase down.” Over the past two years, Pride Of Jenni has only seen two wet tracks, but performed well both times. She was runner-up in the Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on a Heavy 9 last spring behind Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) and was second again a run later on a Soft 5 in the Gr.1 King Charles III (1600m) behind Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock) at Randwick. Pride Of Jenni’s win in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield on May 3 came after her disastrous Australian Cup attempt, where Turnbull said it was proven the mare had failed to back-up two weeks after her first-up win in the Gr.2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield. “Just as she’s getting older, she just requires that little bit of extra time when she is not fully wound up, but now she’s had that run and she’s getting ready for this 2000 (metre race), it works out really nice,” he said. The reigning Australian Horse Of The Year had her final gallop at Cranbourne on Monday morning before she flying to Brisbane on Tuesday, with Turnbull delighted with her morning’s exercise. “She’s ready to go after a little bit (of work) on the grass this morning,” he said. “She pulled up fine and galloped really strong and she’s right on the mark to go and run a big race. “She’s come through her last race fine. As we said, it was always our intention to give her that extra week, which has worked perfectly.” If things go to plan on Saturday and Pride Of Jenni wins her first Gr.1 since her unforgettable Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) victory at Randwick last autumn, she could yet face a new challenge in Brisbane this winter in the form of the $1.2 million Q22 (2200m) at Eagle Farm on June 14. “The Q22 has been mentioned over the 2200 metres and while we are very much one race at a time, given the program and the fact she will be there (Brisbane), you’d have to give it consideration,” he said. View the full article

Lhasa (Hellbent) has matched up in quality sprinting fields on the turf this campaign and he will pay for that success at Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday as a clear topweight in the Ride For Jimmy 1300. The son of Hellbent announced himself a proper racehorse with four victories on the polytrack, and while bringing that form to the turf up in grade is not an easy task, Lhasa did just that at Trentham in March, defeating open-class gallopers down the chute. The gelding followed up that effort with a tidy placing behind former Champion Two-Year-Old Velocious at Te Aroha, and his trainer Mark Treweek felt the gelding deserved another opportunity after a tough effort for sixth last time out at Te Rapa. “He’s great, which is the reason why we’ve kept him going,” Treweek said. “We were going to turn him out after his last race, but he didn’t get the best run there and has done so well since, and he goes really well on the poly tracks, so we thought we’d give him one more run. “I’ve spaced his races a lot, he hasn’t been overtaxed.” The five-year-old is rated 15 points higher than his nearest rival on Wednesday and that is reflected in the weight scale, being assigned a 63kg impost, which has been slightly bettered by Rihaan Goyaram’s three-kilogram claim. “It’s a lot of weight, we’re claiming three with Rihaan who is riding really well, so that brings him back to 60,” Treweek said. “He’s still going to be giving most of the field a hell of a lot of weight, but he’s drawn well (2) and goes well on that track so hopefully his class carries him a long way.” While Lhasa may be heading for a spell at short notice, Treweek is keeping the synthetic innovation races in mind through August, with options in both the Central Districts and South Island. “The 1200m is still in Christchurch so it’s doubtful we’d go down there with him, but we would possibly consider it,” he said. “The 1400m is at Awapuni, so we’ll keep that in mind and tick him over, keeping him fresh.” His stablemate Seamsew (Brazen Beau) has also tasted success on the surface, with two wins and four placings from seven attempts across Cambridge and Awapuni. The son of Brazen Beau has mixed his form on the turf this preparation, but is rated among the favourites in the TAB 970 and Treweek is hopeful of a bold showing. “He’s a big, strong horse and can be a difficult ride, so we’ve gone for Vinnie (Colgan, jockey) and not a claimer,” he said. “The weight (60kg) is a little bit of a worry, but he’s won with close to that before and the shorter trip will help. He’s drawn out wide, so I’m hoping he can get away well and be competitive again. “He’s very well so I’m expecting a good run from him too.” View the full article

Emily Murphy brings you Winter Weigh In, your place for Thoroughbred racing news, reviews and insights throughout the colder months. This week Aidan Rodley joins the team to take a look back at local and international racing from around the globe. Winter Weigh In, May 19 View the full article

Trainer and champion jockey bid to add to haul of 15 winners from 41 runners when teaming up this season.View the full article

By Michael Guerin Chase A Dream’s Queensland campaign is hanging by a thread. The rollercoaster four-year-old didn’t thrill co-owner and trainer Mark Purdon with one of his below performances in a three-horse trial at Pukekohe on Tuesday. Chase A Dream took on stablemates Rubira and comeback pacer Akuta in the 2050m mobile, with Purdon driving Chase A Dream and giving them a small start early to try and maximise the trial’s effectiveness. He then looped the field to lead but was run down by Rubira, leaving Purdon pleased with that runner but perplexed by Chase A Dream, as has been the case more often that not this year. “I wasn’t impressed,” was Purdon’s blunt assessment. “I will sleep on it tonight after having a chat with Chris [Ryder, co-owner] and see what he thinks. “If he was only going to Queensland for the Inter Dominion that trial wouldn’t be good enough to send him. “But he has an invite to the Rising Sun on July 5 and it might not be anywhere as strong. “So we will decide tomorrow.” It is extremely rare for a Purdon-trained runner to be as erratic as Chase A Dream has proven this season. On his best nights he has won the Waikato Flying Mile and finished second to Leap To Fame in the $1million Race by betcha but in stark contrast his other five starts this season have produced a 7th, 8th, two 9th placings and a 10th. “We have had him checked out for everything physical, we have done chiropractic work on him and we really can’t find anything else wrong. “So it is a very tricky one.” Purdon says Rubira will definitely still head to Brisbane via Sydney on Sunday to compete in the best three-year-old races at the winter carnival while stablemate Oscar Bonavena will be on the same flight to target the A$500,000 Inter Dominion Trotting Final on July 19. Purdon was pleased with Akuta’s first public appearance since December 2023 in Tuesday’s trial but the muscular son of Bettors Delight will now head to the paddock as part of a in-and-out rehabilitation from a tendon issue. “The vets seem to think that is the best way to handle those sort of issues these days, bring them up to near full speed then ease off them and do it again,” explains Purdon. “He seems good at this stage so he can have another break now and hopefully come back for the second half of the season.” View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Next Gen has just got some serious sporting star power. Successful breeders/owners Braeden and Caroline Whitelock purchased a filly at this year’s National Yearling Sales and have now roped in their four rugby playing sons into the ownership. George, Adam, Sam and Luke Whitelock will race the filly along with their Mum and Dad. “It’s the first time for the four boys ever,” says Braeden Whitelock. The syndicate will be known as “Team Whitelock”. “They’ve always had an interest in it but they’ve been so busy with their own families and sport and things.” Three of the four live in New Zealand while seven test All Black Luke is still involved in European rugby, playing for Pau in France. Dual World Cup winner Sam retired last year after playing 153 tests for the All Blacks while George played just the one test and Adam made the All Black Sevens in 2014. Together all four played more than 360 games for the Crusaders in Super Rugby. In keeping with the Next Gen theme all four now have young families of their own. George and wife Kayla have five children, including one set of twins, while Adam (and Tiffany) and Sam (and Hannah) have three and Luke and Claire two. “There are 13 grandkids 10 and under!,” says Braeden Whitelock. With four owners brand new to harness racing, their horse Queen Of Troy becomes Next Gen eligible, meaning she will potentially be up for big bonuses during her 2YO season. “We love to see some positivity in the industry and Next Gen is certainly that,” says Whitelock. To see more about Next Gen click here “This is an opportunity to get different new people involved and we thought from an industry perspective it’s a great initiative.” Bred by Studholme Bloodstock’s Brian West and Neville Tilsley, Queen Of Troy is by Captaintreacherous out of Under the Odds. She was bought on the Whitelocks’ behalf by Purdon Racing for $110,000 at the Christchurch sales, and is now with co-trainer Nathan at his Pukekohe base. “She was broken in by Stephen Boyd and is now back in work for the second time with Nathan,” says Whitelock, “although at this stage they don’t do a lot with them.” Based at Linton in the Manawatu, the Whitelocks have been breeding and/or racing horses for “40 years” and have had a long association with both West and the Purdons. “That was the trigger point for me,” says Whitelock, “Brian and I go way back and we’ve got the best guy in the business with Mark and Nathan so we will wait and see.” “The usual model is sell the colts and race the fillies and if we get too many fillies we sell the odd one.” Queen Lizzy (pictured above) is a case in point. By boom sire Captaintreacherous out of their brilliant mare Princess Tiffany, the filly was the sales topper at last year’s Karaka sales, selling to clients of Mark Jones for $270,000. She has since had three starts, with a win at Addington on April 5. Princess Tiffany is by far their best horse to date. She won 25 races and over $1m in lifetime stakes. Other notables include O’Baby, who’s just been named North Island Broodmare of the Year. She’s produced some quality progeny including multiple Group winners Mo’unga (11 wins) and Treacherous Baby (6 wins). Another good winner for the Whitelocks, Minnie Moose (8 wins) was a star in the breeding paddock too. Among her stock was Funatthebeach. He has won 44 races, mainly in North America, with stakes earnings just shy of $1.4m. Time will tell whether Queen Of Troy can live up some of the stars the Whitelocks have been associated with in the past. “She’s still only a yearling so it will be a while before we know if she has any ability,” says Braeden Whitelock, “and we hope it’s going to be a lot of fun.” “There’s been a bit of banter already.” View the full article

Antino and Pride Of Jenni Headline Tight Doomben Cup Betting Showdown The elite action of the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival continues this Saturday with the Doomben Cup 2025, shaping up as a fascinating betting contest with Tony Gollan‘s in-form gelding Antino and Ciaron Maher‘s tenacious mare Pride Of Jenni locked in a tight battle for […] The post Antino Heads 2025 Doomben Cup Field & Odds appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

A perfect gift continues to keep on giving for expatriate Kiwi horsewoman Emma-Lee Browne who is now in the luxurious position of having a guaranteed Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) runner with a homebred. Pakenham-based Browne and husband and training partner David produced Basilinna (NZ) (Staphanos) to triumph in the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington to earn a golden ticket into the spring staying feature. Basilinna is a daughter of the late Shinko King mare So Royal, who was purchased by David as a present for his wife. “It was just after we had lost our good jumper Monarch Chimes and David saw the mare on a gavelhouse auction and bought her for $500 to make me feel better,” Emma-Lee Browne said. Also by Shinko King, Monarch Chimes won three on the flat for the couple and four over the smaller fences, including the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle (3100m) and was fourth in the Great Northern (4190m). He was also successful over the big fences in Australia and placed in the Grand National Steeples (4500m), Crisp Steeples (3900m) and Brierly Steeples (3450m). “It was a lovely gesture by David to buy the mare and we put her to Staphanos, and Wentwood Grange foaled her down,” Browne said. “The mother was a big, strong mare and she (Basilinna) was also a big girl as a yearling and we thought about sending her to the sales, but she was still growing so we kept her when we moved over here. “At that stage, we had no owners for her and we had an open day and nearly all our existing owners came in with us and they’ve had a fantastic ride.” As a spring three-year-old, Basilinna finished third in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) after also running third in the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) and was subsequently runner-up in the Gr.2 Kewney Stakes (1600m). “She really put us out there and we had a few little issues with her as a spring four-year-old,” Browne said. Following a break, she was a first-up winner at The Valley and ran second in both the Country Oaks (2100m) and Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) before claiming top honours in the Andrew Ramsden. “We’ve got the luxury now of knowing she’s in the Cup and we can make a plan to get her there in the best possible order, we’re obviously really looking forward to that,” Browne said. They are also closely following the career of Basilinna’s younger sister Shangri La Impact (NZ) (Staphanos), who was sold through Westbury Stud’s draft for A$60,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, she placed in her first two starts before successfully stepping up at a middle distance at Hawkesbury last week. View the full article

Race 1 MILNES TRANSPORT & TELEPOWER & WREYS BUSH FARM MAIDEN 1600m MOUTIS (T Moseley) – Trainer Ms. J Dalton advised Stewards, the gelding has now been retired. Race 7 WOOLS OF NZ & SOUTHLAND GRAIN & CRAIG STALKER VETS 1400m ZIRCON (R Mudhoo) – Trainer Ms. S McKay reported to Stewards, the mare will be given a short spell, after which S McKay will reassess ZIRON’s racing future. The post Wairio Jockey Club @ Ascot Park Invercargill, Sunday 11 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 7 RIVERTON FRESH CHOICE / BARNES OYSTERS / RIVERSIDE RENTALS HANDICAP 1200m QUARTZ QUEEN (F Moerman) – Trainer Ms. K Shearing reported to Stewards, QUARTZ QUEEN, underwent acupuncture and chiropractic treatment on Tuesday 13 May for general soreness. K Shearing advised that she intends to continue on with the mare’s current preparation, however, potential gear adjustments may be considered prior to racing next. The post Riverton Racing Club @ Riverton, Friday 9 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Race 3 RICCARTON PARK FUNCTION CENTRE 1600m PONZI PONY (L Hemi) – Trainer Ms A McLeod reported to Stewards, the gelding will have a short break, during which A McLeod intends to reassess his racing future in the coming weeks. The post Canterbury Jockey Club at Riccarton Park, Thursday 1 May 2025 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

On the May 19 episode of BloodHorse Monday, Louie Rabaut and Sean Collins recap Journalism's Preakness Stakes (G1) victory and hear from winning connections Aron Wellman, Michael McCarthy, and Umberto Rispoli.View the full article

Jockey Luis Angel Batista reached an important career milestone May 17, winning his 1,000th career race in the United States aboard Lemonsondesurprise in the opening race at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races.View the full article

Trainer Michael McCarthy said that the colt continues to show all of the positive markers he looks for. Even as they move further away from the Preakness, the indicators McCarthy needs to see remain the same.View the full article

Journalism provided a memorable farewell to the old facility at Pimlico Race Course when he pushed through a very slim opening and made up five lengths to prevail in the Preakness Stakes (G1).View the full article

Neil Pessin, who trained the late Bob Lothenbach's Bell's the One (Majesticperfection) to a victory in the GI Derby City Distaff in its COVID-delayed renewal in 2020, is leaving the training ranks effective immediately. The affable conditioner's final starter was Finn McSorley (English Channel), who finished eighth in a Keeneland maiden special weight on the grass Apr. 25. “I'd like to keep training, but financially it's very tough and I was down to two maiden turf horses, one maiden claimer, and it's just not financially feasible to keep going,” Pessin said. “I didn't want to quit, but I really have no choice but to do so. I've had excess help the whole time as well. There were promises of horses coming in that never materialized, and I had two horses and five staff, so I was losing money every day and it was just time to pull the plug.” Pessin took out his license and saddled his first runner Apr. 12, 1985, when the Nelson Bunker Hunt-bred Mock finished ninth in a $13,700 maiden allowance in Lexington. The same horse gave him his first winner when graduating in a $12,5000 maiden claimer at Atlantic City Racecourse later that summer. A consummate professional who never maintained a large stable, Pessin won with 14 of his 40 starters in 1991, including an 8-for-14 mark at Churchill Downs, and Elmer Miller's Coaxing Matt (Coax Me Chad) provided him with the first of his nine career graded wins in the 1993 GII Elkhorn Stakes at the Lexington oval. Coaxing Matt was sixth to Star of Cozzene in that year's GI Arlington Million. But strike rate was among the lowest priorities for Pessin. “I never worried about percentages, I just focused on developing a horse and getting the most out of them,” he said. “I wouldn't drop horses just to win a race. I've always asked people 'would you rather have a horse run second for $30,000 [claiming] or win for $5,000. And that's the difference between me and a lot of other guys. My owners didn't want to do that and neither did I, so we ran for the $30 and if we won, great and if we didn't and ran well, we were happy.” It would be a gap of 13 years before he won his next graded event, the 2006 GIII Transylvania Stakes with 68-1 Chin High (Smart Strike), and a similar length of time before Bell's the One put him 'on the map' in the 2019 GII Lexus Raven Run Stakes. A long-standing friendship with Chicago-based trainer Chris Block–Pessin himself stabled at Arlington during the summer months–led to a professional relationship, but more importantly to Pessin a close personal friendship with Lothenbach. And with it, he gained an opportunity to play the game at a level he'd never been able to theretofore. Horsephotos “Without Bob, I couldn't have had horses like Bell's and [GIII Louisiana Stakes winner] Happy American (Runhappy),” Pessin said. “I had 22 horses at one time and 19 were for Bob. We'd buy 15-20 yearlings every year, we'd have 40-some yearlings to split up between four of us. This year we had zero.” Lothenbach passed away unexpectedly in November 2023. “And we were spending money,” he continued. “Paid $155,000 for Bell, we were able to spend two, three, four-hundred on a horse and that gives you a better shot than if you spend $10-$15,000. I think before Bob the most I ever spent on a horse was $50,000. Bob gave us that chance and we were making our broodmare band better along with it.” Third in the 2020 GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint at Keeneland, Bell's the One had earned herself a shot at that contest in 2021. But COVID dictated a very strict shipping protocol that Pessin wasn't remotely comfortable with. “I pride myself on the job I did with Bell's the One,” he said. “The decision to pass the Breeders' Cup was a tough one and Bob was on board with it. I thought it was best for her because of her mindset and I was afraid of the way we'd have to ship. As it turned out, we won the [Dream Supreme Stakes] at Churchill–we would have to have won the Breeders' Cup in order to make money–and she was already a Grade I winner, which took some of the pressure off. And Coaxing Matt I did a good job with, too. He was by nothing out of nothing, in fact most of my horses didn't have a lot of pedigrees.” Among those Pessin pays his thanks to along the way are John Sikura, the late Brereton and Bret Jones, David, Pat, Ryan and Chris Block and Crown's Way Farm's Ron DiCicilia. Pessin isn't entirely certain of what comes next. “If I had to pick one thing in particular, it would be a bloodstock agent, but then again you need the clients for that,” he lamented. “I think I can do a really good job at it. If not, I'll hopefully find something within the industry to do, something horse-related. “I've done all aspects of it. We had a breeding farm, I've run a racetrack before, my dad (Dr. A.G. Pessin) built Kentucky Downs (then the Dueling Grounds) and I ran the race meet there for three years. I've trained, we've had stallions, done literally every facet except being a jockey. I tried but they wouldn't license me,” he said in his customary deadpan fashion. In taking down the 'NLP' shingle off the barn, Pessin is comfortable with what he's achieved and how he's achieved it, always plying his trade beneath the radar. “I'm proud of the job I did all the way around,” he said. “I always put the horse first and the owner second–a close second, but the horse always came first. I'm afraid a lot of that is going out the window these days.” The post Pessin Calls Time On Training Career appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

TIMONIUM, MD – After a week of rainy days, it was a picture perfect morning and the buyers were out in force at the Maryland State Fairgrounds Monday, a day ahead of the reshuffled Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The auction had originally been scheduled over two sessions, but has been condensed into one day after several postponements to the under-tack preview. “Today I am really positive about the action,” consignor David Scanlon said from his barn Monday morning. “I do think people will be in a little bit of a hurry to get their work done, but the activity has been really good. We started showing about a quarter to eight this morning and it's been very steady all day. If it continues for the day, I will be pretty positive about the sale.” The under-tack preview for the auction, which started a day later than scheduled due to the heavy rain last week, was conducted over sloppy conditions Wednesday and half of Thursday, when additional rain caused a halt to action. When the preview resumed Sunday, it was billed as a gallop show without traditional timed workouts. “Most of our horses went down there and they basically breezed, but it was more of a racehorse breeze, no whipping and driving,” said consignor Clovis Crane. “It was a controlled breeze, which is a breath of fresh air. I think the buyers are appreciative of it. And I also think the buyers are going to be rewarded two ways. They are going to be rewarded with a sounder horse after the sale and I think they are going to get a discounted price. Buyers should come in droves for something like this because it's not very often they have the pendulum swing in their favor. And the pendulum has definitely swung to the buyer's favor this time.” Scanlon said after some anxious moments at the thought of not breezing horses, there were some positive things to take from the gallops Sunday. “I think people were hesitant and some of the consignors were thinking they wanted to jump off a bridge,” Scanlon said. “But then after it all went down and everyone witnessed the visuals of it, there have been a lot of positive comments. As it went on, people got a little emboldened and breezed a little faster, but they all did it in hand. People weren't really driving the horses. So the horses looked like they did it within themselves. I think that is something we can really take forward from there. People said, 'I really saw the horse's natural stride and they weren't rushed off their feet and they weren't scrambling, it's nice.' So I actually think there are some things we can take away from this that are really positive.” Tom McCrocklin | Fasig-Tipton One consignor who did stick to the gallop-only plan Sunday was Tom McCrocklin. “Saturday we were told there was damage to the base of the track on the inside,” McCrocklin said. “So at that point, Saturday afternoon [Fasig-Tipton president] Boyd [Browning] told us we would not be breezing on Sunday and that we would gallop. I interpreted that–and I probably should have asked for more information–was that we were going to gallop. So I galloped my horses. As the day went on, everybody was going faster and faster. And then at that point, it was a free for all. I was told by Boyd it was a gallop show, so I galloped. Other people chose to breeze. I don't have an issue with the people who wanted to breeze. It's their horse, it's their decision. But we galloped ours and we are going to see how it goes.” Summing up the entirety of the preview, McCrocklin said, “So basically, you've got 40% of the catalogue that breezed in the slop and then you have 60% of the catalogue that went on a fast track yesterday. Some galloped, some two-minute licked and some breezed.” From a catalogue of 586 lots, the number of withdrawn horses as of Monday afternoon was remaining steady at 138 despite all the changes to the sale's format. “One thing that Fasig-Tipton did, they said if you went in Sunday's under-tack show, they will not charge you an RNA commission if you buy your horse back,” McCrocklin said. “So I don't think you're going to see all the scratches you normally would see on the horses who went yesterday. And you might even see some really odd looking RNA's because they are playing with house money. There is no commission to buy my horse back for $400,000. Normally it would cost me $20,000. Now it's a free roll.” Representatives of prominent owner Mike Repole, who has been vocal in his concerns about the demand for speed at the 2-year-old under-tack shows, were on the sales grounds in Timonium Monday. Asked if Sunday's gallops could increase participation from buyers with similar concerns, McCrocklin said, “I don't know if it will attract new buyers, but I think maybe a few more skeptics will participate now, or a few more critics will participate now. But at the same time, I feel for people who have significant financial investment in a horse for months thinking they are going to breeze and they galloped. So it cuts both ways.” David McKathan of Grassroots Training and Sales does not expect to see increased participation from that sector of the market. “They like to tell you that,” McKathan of critics of the breeze shows. “But those guys that pretend they only want to see a horse gallop probably won't buy anything. I am sure Repole will buy one. He's got a point to make. He might even buy two. But I don't know who is going to buy all the rest of them. We will see.” Dave Scanlon | Fasig-Tipton Consignors do agree that the lack of official breeze and gallop-out times will force buyers to do more homework. “I think you're really going to have to look at the horse, see how he is walking,” Scanlon said. “It's going to become a little bit of a shank contest and a judgement and then you've got to add in how you thought the horse moved. It's a little bit more homework for buyers. Which is OK. We buy them off a 10-foot walk [at the yearling sales]. They get to see them gallop.” McCrocklin said, “I kind of have a bit of a smile on my face because now buyers are going to be forced to do what I do at yearling sales. You are going to have to dig a little deeper in your tool box to find the horse you want. You are not going to have all the metrics there in black and white.” While the 2-year-old sales have become polarized with strong demand for the few horses at the very top and less demand for the rest of the offerings, the lack of black-and-white metrics may help to spread out the buyers, McCrocklin observed. “Everybody always talks about how top heavy the 2-year-old sales are,” McCrocklin said. “Well, everyone has the same metrics, stride lengths, gallop-out times, breeze times. Guess what? That takes you to the same top horses. Without that, we will see what happens.” McKathan concluded, “There are a lot of good horseman here. A lot of the guys here can read between the lines. They don't have to see the :10 1/2 and :10 flats to buy horses.” The post ‘We Will See’: Non-Traditional Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May Sale Tuesday appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article